About 360 MAGAZINE

360 MAGAZINE is an award-winning international publishing on popular culture and design. We introduce avant trademarks to efficacious architects. We are a LGBTQIA2S+ friendly publication--officially recognized by the NGLCC. Our core demographic ranges from 19 to 39-year-old college-educated trendsetters within their respective international communities. The pages in this art book satisfy their strong interests including music, art, travel, auto, health, fashion, tech, philanthropy, design, food and entrepreneurship. It's an introspective digital/print/tablet portrait series, which encapsulates artists/brands/entities who embody the true essence of our publication- empowerment, equality, sensuality and most important of all, humanity within a global society.

Toys for Tots Literacy Program

Toys for Tots® Literacy Program Provides almost 500,000 Books to Title 1 Funded Schools Supported by The UPS Store® network! 

The Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program, through the Toys for Tots Literacy Program supported by The UPS Store network, provided almost 500,000 books directly to schools receiving Title I funding. With the outstanding assistance of the National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators (NAESPA), administrators and teachers at Title I schools across the nation requested books for their students. These books were provided free to the schools due to charitable donations from The UPS Store network as well as the generosity of the American public.

There are 976 schools in 15 states currently receiving 492,839 books. These books primarily focus on subjects that provide children with the tools necessary to be successful throughout their lives. Books emphasizing STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math), as well as titles that provide both entertainment and enrichment, will be welcoming students back-to-school this year!

As background, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, with our long-time ally The UPS Store, Inc., launched the Toys for Tots Literacy Program in 2008, a year-round initiative to support less fortunate children across our nation’s communities. The program offers the nation’s most economically disadvantaged children the ability to compete academically and to succeed in life by providing them direct access to books and educational resources that enhance their ability to read and communicate effectively. This program not only brings the joy of reading to these children, but also serves as an important tool in breaking the cycle of poverty. Since its inception, the generosity of the 5,000 The UPS Store locations and their communities have contributed over $7.5 million and assisted Toys for Tots in distributing over 44 million books.

The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, is an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity which was created at the behest of the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program began in 1947 in Los Angeles, and since it first National Campaign in 1948 has distributed more than 604 million toys, games, and books to 272 million children.

The UPS Store® locations are independently owned and operated by franchisees of The UPS Store, Inc. (although one or more may be company owned) in the USA and by its master licensee and its franchisees in Canada. Products, services, prices and hours of operation may vary by location.

Are Supersets Good for Building Upper Body Strength?

Supersets are a type of workout that is designed to increase the amount of sets you do for an exercise without resting in between sets. For example, if you’re doing a push-up, you might push your way up and then grab weights on the floor to do some bicep curls.

The goal of supersetting is to get more work done in less time by minimizing rest periods. And because of this, supersets are often used for building muscle mass. 

So what’s the verdict? Are supersets good for building upper body strength? Read on to find out!

The truth about supersets for strength gains

Some say that supersets are great for adding intensity to your workout if done correctly, but others say that supersets don’t show any advantage over regular sets. As with most workouts, there are no absolutes in the strength training field. You can add a superset to your workout, and if you go about it the wrong way, it can be counterproductive.

It’s not that supersets can’t be an effective addition to your routine, it’s that you should be careful going about it. And you definitely need to have a plan in mind.

One of the biggest misconceptions about supersets is that they show no improvement in strength, but as with all exercise protocols, this is not the case. The truth is that high-intensity workouts, like chest and tricep supersets, will show a greater increase in strength gains than low-intensity ones.

You can do either type of workout in a split set (doing a high-intensity set, followed by a low-intensity set), or you can do a full superset (one high-intensity set followed by a low-intensity set). Either way, you’re going to see a big difference in your performance. The question is, how can you pick the right superset workouts?

This is where it gets a bit complicated. The first thing you need to know is that when training muscle with high intensity, the way you perform your superset is going to affect the way you build strength.

The problem with doing this is that you tend to go all-out on your first set and then use the low-intensity set as a warm-up. This is a good way to help you get accustomed to the high-intensity energy, but this isn’t the best way to do supersets.

The best way to do supersets is to increase your volume over a few weeks. When you do a high-intensity set, it’s best to keep your reps at about 20-25 (but if you’re new to the higher rep range, go down a notch or two). The low-intensity set will be low reps, but you’ll still be using a fair amount of intensity (probably about 40-60%) to drive your muscles to fatigue.

How Do You Do Supersets Right?

When you’re looking at a program for doing supersets, the program should focus on progressing slowly. The higher you go in the weight category, the more you’ll want to include in your supersets, but this is very difficult to measure.

The best way to do a superset is to increase the weights slowly, so you’re not burning out your nervous system. The good thing about doing supersets is that the high-intensity set will be done fast, so you can have more time for the low-intensity set.

This is a good way to add more intensity to your routine without adding a lot of volume.

Beginner mistakes with supersets

Use of too few sets: It’s better to use more sets than too few to reap the benefits of supersets. When you use a limited number of sets, you are less likely to get adequate rest between sets.

Severely Limited Rest Periods: Being able to rest for 45 seconds or more between sets in some programs can give you a significant amount of time to recover. In these programs, however, you are going to have to do one “one rep max” set and then rest. You won’t have that recovery time between sets.

Inadequate stretching: It’s good to stretch after your supersets, and post-workout stretching is generally recommended over pre-workout stretching. However, if you’re too sore to stretch at all, it’s a sign you’ve done something wrong.

With supersets, you can easily end up training to failure or to exhaustion. As soon as your heart rate drops below the anaerobic threshold, your muscles will stop working effectively and you will have to stop the exercise.

The problem is that it’s hard to recover from this kind of workout. When you train to failure, you aren’t able to recover from it because you are going to be unable to get into the zone for the next exercise.

The Bottom Line

Super sets are an awesome way to add intensity to your workouts. If done properly, you can dramatically increase your strength and power in the gym, but you must remember that this is a short-term benefit. With hard workouts, you will be forced to give your body the rest it needs to heal and rebuild.

You have to balance this short-term benefit against long-term goals and your training volume. If you’re trying to increase your strength, you want to stick to a structured program that can safely help you to that end. Supersets won’t get you there, but they will help get you started.

Are You Ready to Call New Jersey Home?

Thinking about making a move to New Jersey? You’ll want to be sure you’re ready whether you plan on renting one of the Hoboken NJ apartments or buying a home in Cherry Hill. It may not be a big state, but there’s a lot to consider any time you make a significant change.

Knowing what makes it unique can help you decide whether New Jersey is truly the place you want to be.

You Want Small Town Charms with Easy Access to the Big Cities

If you want the best of both worlds, meaning a quiet environment in which to live while still enjoying being within easy reach of big cities, New Jersey is a great pick. You’ll be close to New York City and a relatively short drive from Philadelphia, while Boston and Washington, DC are within a four-hour drive. It’s a great place to raise the kids while providing them with access to rich historical and cultural experiences close by. Can you imagine being able to take them to the MET on a day trip?

No matter where you live in this state you’ll be close to a major highway like I-287 or I-95, making it convenient to get to many destinations, including the office. With plenty of train and bus routes, you can use your commute to catch up on reading instead of having to be behind the wheel.

You Want to Enjoy All Four Seasons and Don’t Mind Extremes

Do you enjoy that crisp fall air and the changing of the leaves, winter wonderland scenes, spring flowers, and warm weather for beach time and other outdoor activities? You’ll get it all here, with four distinct seasons. Admittedly, you’ll need to be ready for some extremes too – summer can get hot and muggy, hurricanes are a possibility, and wintertime can bring blizzards.

Be aware that winter storms can impact an area for days, weeks, and sometimes even longer, which can mean blocked roadways, power outages, and other frustrations. But with the right clothing and other preparations, including a generator in case the power goes out, you’ll be prepared.

You Love the Beach

The Jersey Shore is home to some of the country’s best beaches like Cape May, Point Pleasant, and Ocean City, ideal for sunbathing, swimming, surfing, and more. Plus many stretches host summer concerts like Asbury Park’s Jams on the Sand. There’s no need for families to worry – the real Jersey Shore is nothing like it’s depicted on those reality shows. It’s safe and family-friendly. 

You Love the Mountains

You don’t have to choose between the mountains and the beach here. This state may be heavily populated but it offers a surprising number of wide open spaces, and in the central and northern areas of the state, there are forest-covered mountains, including the Ramapo, Watchung, and Kittatinny ranges. They offer more recreational opportunities too like hiking, mountain biking,  skiing, fishing, camping, and more. 

You Want to Cheer on a Winning Team

If you like sports and enjoy going to games, you’ll love New Jersey. In fact, both the New York Giants and the Jets play at MetLife Stadium which is located in New Jersey, not New York. Then you’ve got the Red Bulls soccer team and the Devils hockey team too.

Why You Should Read Product Reviews Before Making a Purchase

In the modern world of shopping, reviews have become a critical way of determining the credibility of a brand or product. Many customers read online reviews before buying online to understand past customers’ thoughts and feelings about the same product, service, or brand.

In fact, 94 percent of online shoppers who read reviews will avoid any product or business with negative comments. 

If you still don’t believe online reviews can help you make an informed decision while shopping online, keep reading to understand why they are important.

You hear from real users.

One major benefit of reading reviews is that you get to hear real users’ experiences. Rather than rely on ads from retailers and manufacturers, which are sometimes inaccurate, you hear insights, pros, and cons from people who have already used the item you wish to buy. That way, it becomes easy to identify whether the product will fulfill your needs. 

Reviews can help you discover more options.

No matter how big or small, making buying decisions can be difficult when there are so many options. Fortunately, reading product reviews can help you identify the different sizing and buying options available as well as similar or superior to what you want to buy.

If, for example, you are buying a coffee maker, reading several online reviews on the same product can help you determine which model packs all the features you need based on the size of your kitchen.

Besides online reviews, you could use a comparison website such as Buyer’s Guide while shopping online to identify other smarter choices on your desired product, service, or provider. 

Quality check

When customers are not satisfied with a product they bought, they are likely to write a review about it. In most cases, they will complain about poor customer service, wrong orders, or bad quality. Reading positive and negative reviews about the desired product will help you identify the online retailers to shop with and who to avoid. 

Comparing prices 

Online reviews are among the easiest ways of finding out if products are worth the price. This is because past customers will almost always state how much they paid for a product and whether it was worth the money when writing a review. 

Customers will also mention the discounts, special offers, and any customer support issues they encountered. So, reading online reviews will help you figure out where the good deals are and which brands are trustworthy and reliable in their job.

Get additional information

Depending on the item you want to buy, some product reviews might contain additional information, such as directions, part listings, and how-to guides. While the seller or manufacturer will almost always share this info, getting it from customers who have successfully used a product can offer valuable guidance and help make the right buying decision.

Check the availability of the item.

Reviewers will often speak about late shipment. They will also talk about the packaging and the quality of material when writing reviews. 

Therefore, it is important to read product reviews to establish if the item you want to buy is in stock and is as good as it looks online. That way, you will save yourself the stress of placing an order with 2-3 days delivery time only for it to arrive several weeks later, looking completely different from what you expected. 

Conclusion

The importance of product reviews cannot be overstated. However, you must read both positive and negative customer opinions to get a clear picture of that particular product, service, or brand before making a purchase.

Drake “Certified Lover Boy” Out Now

Listen HERE

Drake‘s Tracklisting: 

1. Champagne Poetry
2. Papi’s Home
3. Girls Want Girls ft. Lil Baby
4. In The Bible ft. Lil Durk & Giveon 
5. Love All ft. Jay-Z
6. Fair Trade ft. Travis Scott
7. Way 2 Sexy ft. Future & Young Thug 
8. TSU
9. N 2 Deep ft. Future 
10. Pipe Down
11. Yebba’s Heartbreak
12. No Friends In The Industry
13. Knife Talk ft. 21 Savage & Project Pat
14. 7am On Bridle Path
15. Race My Mind
16. Fountains ft. Tems 
17. Get Along Better ft. Ty Dolla $ign 
18. You Only Live Twice ft. Rick Ross & Lil Wayne
19. IMY2 ft. Kid Cudi
20. Fucking Fans
21. The Remorse

Strawberry icecream graphic via 360 magazine

Where to Find Inspiration for Your Daughter’s Birthday Gifts

Why is buying gifts for the people we love (and know the best) so difficult? Perhaps it’s the pressure or maybe we’re worried about buying something that they won’t like? Finding the right present for your daughter is one of those times where we seem to lose focus of what they like and dislike and wonder how we’re going to find the right gift in time.

In reality, the perfect gift for your little one is easy to determine, once you know where to get your inspiration. Whether you need toys for 8 year old girls, or something cool and quirky for your tween, in this post we’ll explore where you can find inspiration for your daughter’s birthday gifts. Read on to find out more.  

Take a Look at Their Hobbies

You don’t have to look far to find the perfect gift when you consider the topics that they’re passionate about. Whether they’re into horses and visit a pony club at the weekends, or they’re an avid dancer, wannabe actress, bookworm or gamer ask yourself if there is something you can treat them with that will enhance their skills and make their hobbies much more interesting, such as singing lessons, a dance event or a short story writing class. Or maybe you could spoil them with new equipment or attire for their hobbies? A new bag, shoes or boots, sports equipment, or a new gaming platform? The possibilities are endless!

Take A Look At Their Personal Style

If your child is a little older and already making their own fashion choices and choosing what to wear by themselves, then it might be time to use this as inspiration for their next birthday gift. Maybe they’re into hair accessories and bags right now, or they’re into jewellery and want to get their ears pierced? Skating apparel, sports logos, or something bright and colourful – take a look at their personal wardrobe favourites and use it as gift inspiration!

Remember Their Dislikes!

While it’s important to recognise your child’s favourite hobbies, interests and the things that they love, it’s just as important to focus on their dislikes! Maybe they hate a specific colour or material or perhaps they’re not particularly interested in technology, or they prefer graphic novels over traditional printed books. This information can help you steer clear of any gifts that won’t be well received and save you from making some expensive mistakes!

Do They Need Something?

A gift doesn’t have to be something novel or something they’ll find interesting for a short period. It could be something that they actually need! Ask yourself if they have enough dolls and soft toys and maybe something different might be better. Perhaps they’re having sleepovers with friends and they need a new sleeping bag, or maybe they’re heading up to secondary school and a laptop or tablet would help them with their school work?

Final Thoughts…

You’ll find the inspiration you need for gifts everywhere – if you know where to look! Consider these points above to get it right for your daughter. 

hhuhuh via 360 Magazine for use by 360 Magazine

Top Freelance Tech Jobs

Ever since 2019, a series of unexpected turn-of-events has swept across the world. The most influential one being the Coronavirus pandemic, which resulted in a worldwide quarantine. After months and years of trying to get used to this new norm, people have started making this lifestyle as comfortable as they can. Some people are looking for new, more flexible, remote job opportunities, others are creating a business of their own. And one of the top self-employed businesses of the year is the tech industry. It’s not only something you can do remotely, but it’s also indispensable in our present lives and will continue to grow and take over all industries. This article will go over all trending freelance businesses in the tech industries you can start today!

Tech Consultant

Just as employees need help navigating the world of online audio or video communication, CEOs, company owners, managers, and even other freelancers are often looking for tech consultants to help them take charge of this new norm. These freelance consultants are usually hired on a one-time basis, and after the consultation is complete, the freelancers receive their payment and look for new clients. This is a great opportunity for those who already have a few contacts they can rely on. This is also a job that requires flexibility in financial areas. Some months you may have new clients every day, while others could be more quiet. But at the end of the day, a good tech consultant is highly sought-after, generously compensated, and it’s a fun, diverse job that never gets boring. It’s great for gathering new contacts, and broadening your horizon, and/or portfolio.

Remote Customer Service

Depending on your expertise, you can land great customer service opportunities. Because most companies are now operating completely remotely, at least one person is hired as a part of the IT team to help with technological difficulties. This isn’t something that’s difficult for most people familiar with tech. But a position like this presents a lot of different obstacles to the employee, meaning you need to be flexible as well as have fairly deep knowledge in all problems that may come your way. Some days you’ll be helping with network issues, while other days you’ll be searching for viruses. While this may seem mundane for some people, it’s an up-and-coming area of the tech industry, and for those starting out, this could be the perfect stepping stone.

Live Streaming Technician

Everyone is getting used to meetings, talks, and basically any form of communication migrating to online platforms. This is understandably overwhelming and comes with its own flaws. This is why most companies are now hiring “streaming technicians” to help ease the experience of employees. These technicians commonly specialize in sound and camera, OBS, live streaming, ZOOM, and the basic workings of online communication. While this position requires flexibility and patience, companies of all industries and sizes are looking for specialists in this area.

Technical Sales Consultant

Technical sales specialists, or sales engineers, focus on complex technical products aimed at businesses. They usually work in professional and scientific services and manufacturers of computers and electronic products. Some areas of employment within this industry don’t require full-time availability or in-person working. One of these areas is becoming a consultant. This not only means having flexible hours, and a project-based salary, but this is also a gateway towards a wide industry with a lot of potential!

Network & Communications Specialist

People who work in network and communications management are a part of the IT team, and help a company or organization achieve its goals for profitability, by implementing specific computer systems. Today, a specialist like this doesn’t need to be employed full-time, and most of the time doesn’t even have to be on-site to get the job done. Therefore, this is an excellent opportunity for the foundation of a freelance self-employed business.

Overall, there is a lot of potential in the tech industry, and new positions emerge on a daily basis. New software and tech solutions are being introduced every hour. And with more and more people relying on their safety and reliability, there’s an ever-growing need for specialists in the industry who could ease this migration to the tech world.

From consultation to customer service, there are thousands of opportunities people should take advantage of. Even if your interests in tech are only on a hobby level, a beginner’s knowledge is appreciated by many. Positions vary from full-time employment to project-based employment, but overall, a freelance career built on technical knowledge is definitely a path worth taking in this day and age. Additionally, it’s one of the best investments young adults can make for the foundation of their futures.

illustration by Mina Tocalini for use by 360 Magazine

Digital Transformation | How has technology changed your business? 

The use of technology is providing businesses a myriad of opportunities to connect with customers, educate their client base, promote products and services, track trends using analytics, and extend visibility beyond traditional company websites. This is especially important given the increase in remote working environments as well as the increase in electronic shopping. Customers and clients are reaping the benefits of this digital world and these business leaders are sharing the unique ways technology has changed their businesses. 

1. Zero Carbon Footprint

Brittany Kaiser, Chair of the Board of Directors Gryphon Digital Mining

Technology has made our business possible. At Gryphon Digital Mining, we create the world’s largest fully integrated pure-play Bitcoin miner with zero carbon footprint. Bitcoin mining is the process of creating a new bitcoin by solving a computational puzzle.

Bitcoin mining is necessary to maintain the ledger of transactions upon which Bitcoin is based. We are grateful that technology offers a world of possibilities.

2. Customer Education and Connection

Micheal Fischer, Founder Elite HRT 

Our business has been able to connect physicians with patients much more effectively and easily with online access. On top of that, patient education has been much easier for our Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) treatment plans, in order to ensure patients of their informed decisions. It’s been great to connect people to get them started leading healthier and happier lives. 

3. Refreshing Remote Work Structure

Samantha Charleston, VP Human Resources Newell Brands

For the time being, Newell Brands is continuing our remote work structure for the majority of the office population. A benefit of the new situation is it has given employees an outlet to try new things, think differently, share ideas and find solutions.

4. Business through Webapps

Amber Theurer, Chief Marketing Officer ivee

The ability for us to generate business through a webapp has been very beneficial for us, since apps are usually very user-friendly and virtually everyone is on their phones often enough as it is. By just tapping a few buttons on your phone, we can have a Registered Nurse provide IV treatment and other health and wellness services to you at your home or work in as soon as an hour. Without our platform, the process of being able to set up these appointments, and the subsequent efficiencies gained would not be nearly as impactful.

5. Educate and Connect through Blog Posts

Brandon Monaghan, Co-Founder Miracle Brand

Providing customers with more information through our blog has been a game-changer. Through this online community of readers, we have been able to establish a personal connection with our customers and eventual customers. We feel educating people through the blog about our products and providing other helpful tips aids in new and recurring sales from previous customers. 

6. Analytics Platforms for a Better Customer Experience

Benjamin Smith, Founder Disco

Using the vast amount of information available through analytics platforms like Google Analytics or SEMrush is pivotal to understanding how customers are finding and interacting with a website. Tracking behavior, identifying trends and roadblocks, analyzing search terms, and so on can help guide how to go about optimizing for a better customer experience.

7. Remote Business Connection and Productivity  

Joe Parenteau, Co-founder  Fable Home

Fable Home has almost always been a remote working business, with the option to come into the office as needed. Technology has allowed us to smoothly and effectively transition all of our employees to remote roles with success. We are able to communicate with video chatting and quick emails or Slack messages. Technology allows us to constantly stay connected and boost productivity levels!

8. Promote with Social Media using Analytics

Annabel Love, Co-founder & COO Nori Press

Technology has changed the way we promoted our business and got in front of the right customers. With social media, we wanted to target people who were actually interested in using our product, rather than just hoping the advertisements would do their job. Using analytics, we are able to target people who are more likely to be interested and use more optimization to increase sales. 

9. Create an Office Atmosphere at Home with Video Communication

Brittney Dolin, CEO Pocketbook Agency

If it wasn’t for the quick and easy adaptation our company experienced with technology, we would be in a very different place right now. Technology contributed to basic day-to-day practices in addition to assisting us in the trend tracking process. We were able to implement video chatting and Slack communication to help employees create a resemblance of office atmosphere at home. As trends changed, so did our goals! 

10. Track Customer Goals to Meet Needs

Jeff Goodwin, Sr. Director of Performance Marketing and e-Commerce Orgain

Technology has allowed the nutrition industry to skyrocket, as more information becomes publicly available and the interest for higher nutrition increased tenfold in the past decade. We are also able to track more accurately how health and fitness can help people reach their goals, and being able to formulate our products around those needs has become a lot easier. 

11. Attract Prospects from Anywhere without Travel 

Chris Bedi, CIO ServiceNow

Employers will quickly realize that they can start hiring anywhere and attract a whole new set of prospects. And even though there’s a level of Zoom fatigue that’s setting in from nonstop video calls, the travel market is forever changed, he predicts. The concept of getting on a plane for six hours for a two-hour meeting and being jet lagged, people are going to go — why?

The pandemic has changed the way we live life and do business. As Elon Musk says, “Some people don’t like change, but you need to embrace change if the alternative is disaster.” Technology allows you to grow, expand, and elevate your business. With the number of opportunities to incorporate technology into your practice, how can your organization use technology to its advantage today?

12. Increase the Confidence of Customers through Education of Products

Aidan Cole, CEO TatBrow

We have been able to inform and empower the public by adding a “How to Use” section to our website. This gives potential customers confidence in using our product and has been enhanced with the use of video to show TatBrow demos without customers even leaving our site! This makes it convenient for customers to purchase immediately following their exploration of these resources. 

13. Stay on Top of Trends to Increase E-Commerce

Chris Vaughn, Co-founder Saucey

Before the pandemic e-commerce sales were already on the rise. When the pandemic hit and everyone was forced to purchase their essentials through the internet, naturally sales sky-rocketed. The convenience of purchasing products and services shifted from real-time purchases (in-stores) to finding the best product or service (researching and analyzing online), so our technologies also made that shift. We were able to stay on top of trends by effectively tracking them! Quickly, consumers began developing e-commerce habits that significantly helped these businesses track their sales and network. 

14. Promote through Social Media and Web Platforms

Ben Teicher, President/CEO Healthy Directions

Being able to promote our podcasts from our website and on our YouTube channel has been really helpful for our business. Without these digital forms of media, we probably wouldn’t be able to communicate our expertise with the public to the same degree, nor would we be able to allow our prospects and customers to get to know our brand as well. 

15. SEO Marketing

Danielle Callabrese, COO De La Calle

An important component of technology is the work put into search engine optimization. Consumer behaviors have unmistakably changed. They are no longer casually shopping around in stores. Trends have indicated that consumers are researching products they are interested in purchasing before making the trip to their preferred retailer (whether that be in person or online). SEO marketing has been around for some time, but it wasn’t until the global pandemic that we saw this side of marketing truly take off.

Three Unlikely Peaky Blinders Fan Theories

The anticipation is continuing to grow ahead of the sixth Peaky Blinders series, as the stars of the hit BBC drama have been caught filming the show throughout the summer

However, conversations surrounding fan theories about what happens next have been rife since the dramatic ending of the previous season. Some are more unlikely than others, though. But, which scenarios look more unlikely than most when it comes to season six of Peaky Blinders?

Aberama Gold Is Alive

This is a theory that has been doing the rounds since the shocking ending to the fifth series. In that final episode, Aberama Gold was viciously killed by the Billy Boys, as Tommy Shelby’s plot to assassinate Oswald Mosley quickly fell apart.

Of course, the Blinders have a history of bringing characters back from the dead, with Arthur making his shocking return to bring down Luca Changretta. However, it is massively unlikely that Gold survived the attack on that night at the rally, despite many fans hoping for the happy ending that Aunt Polly deserves. Other fan theories have rumoured that John Shelby and Inspector Campbell could also return, but they also seem far-fetched.

Michael Gray Informed Mosley

The most pressing question that fans will have ahead of the final season is who exactly betrayed Tommy and gave Oswald the heads up that they were planning an attack. One name that has constantly been mentioned in that conversation is Michael Gray. Michael and Tommy’s relationship hit an all-time low in the fifth series, as Tommy was warned by the IRA that he wasn’t trustworthy. Michael constantly tried to seize control of the Blinders from Tommy, which led to a dramatic showdown between the two in the final episode.

Certainly, Michael wants to go higher in the gang and take control in the place of Tommy, but it looks almost impossible that he had anything to do with the plan going wrong. Most importantly, he wasn’t even in the loop when it came to the plan, which means that he wouldn’t have had the knowledge to tell Oswald what was going to happen. However, whether Tommy believes him is an entirely different question altogether.

Tommy Commits Suicide

The final scene before the credits was Tommy running into a field with the gun to his head screaming. Many fans feared that this would be the end of Tommy, as his mental health was deteriorating throughout the series, as he would constantly see Grace. However, it is massively unlikely that Tommy would have pulled the trigger, mainly through pride, as that would indicate that Oswald has come out on top in the battle between the two.

More likely, we will see Tommy come back stronger and more determined than ever to find out who the mole was. Arthur and Tommy will likely be at the front trying to find out who it was, while also taking on Oswald and the Billy Boys, and also keeping face for his political career.

Five Works of Art and Literature Inspired by Marijuana 

Art and literature can transform the world and help us to see things in a different way. There are so many different types that you can choose to work with and all of them add some beauty to the world. When it comes to marijuana and psychedelic drugs, there are some great works of art and literature that are inspired by this plant, allowing us to open up and learn more about it. Some of the best works of art and literature inspired by marijuana include:

Super Plant

This work of art can help open your eyes to this beautiful plant and see it under new eyes. While many people assume that marijuana is all bad, evil even, seeing such a beautiful work of art will be able to help you see more about it and all the delicate and natural beauty that comes with it. 

Marijuana: It’s Just a Plant

This is a work of literature that will help you to explore marijuana and other psychedelic plants in a new light. While this may not be the first thing that parents will reach for when reading a story to their kids at night, it will make it a point that millions of people use pot each day so it is not such a novel idea compared to what we think. This is a reliable source to introduce the idea of marijuana to your kids, where the parents can help them to learn something new, rather than hoping they get it from the news or other sources. 

Bong Hit Station

This is an absurd video that was released in 2013 and can provide all the details that someone new to the world of marijuana would be able to use when they want to get stoned. Sometimes the steps will seem a bit complex and like they do not need to be so bad, but that is part of the humor that many will enjoy with this video. 

California Artist

This simple stone sculpture is almost a type of self-portrait for Robert Arneson. He felt that, as an artist that worked in California, he had to deal with a lot of unfair characterizations that he was not that fond of. With that in mind, he created this sculpture, complete with a hippie look and a pot plant growing with it. 

Bongolier

Created by Bentley Meeker, Bongolier is a light installation that is meant to mix the high and low culture all in one. It is basically a light display that has chandeliers made out of glass bongs that he repurposed for this sculpture. There are also other sculptures that are there to help juxtapose some of the different sources of light that are in there. Some are going to be kind of shady and others are there to show the full spectrum to give something unique. 

The Shifting Perception of Marijuana and Other Psychedelics

The approval of marijuana and psychedelics has been a shifting change in many countries over the years. While there are still a lot of individuals and even governments that are not jumping on board, there is more acceptance for this than there was in the past. With more art and literature being inspired by marijuana each day, we are sure to see this become more widely seen in the future. 

Seeing the Beauty of Marijuana

While there are still some people who worry that marijuana and other similar drugs are all bad and will ruin society, there is so much beauty and joy that comes with this plant and many different benefits that come with it. Thanks to the introduction of many different types of art and literature, more people throughout the world will be able to see some of this beauty too.