Amazon reviewers agree, the toy Atmosphere is dangerous

Amazon reviewers agree, the toy Atmosphere is dangerous

By Renee Fox

Okay, I admit it. I let my son, who may or may not have ADHD, watch Sponge Bob Square Pants on Nickelodeon sometimes. This means that about two or three times a week he comes up to me in the kitchen while I am listening to National Public Radio and doing the dishes or writing a blog on the counter and asks me if I we can go to a store to buy a certain product.

I abhor this! That is why we appreciate services like Netflix and PBS, they feature quality programs with limited or nonexistent commercial breaks. Unfortunately, I also feel inclined to give into my 6 year-old boy's pleas to watch Sponge Bob a couple of times a week, usually when I need the 30 minutes to accomplish something, anything!

There is something adorable about my boy's eloquence when describing a toy he saw advertised on Nickelodeon, even though it makes me cringe. He tugs on my arm with an urgency and begs me to, "see what the Amazon kids say" about wonderfully unique inventions that seem to offer a revolution in play. So I minimize my work and indulge him, typing possible spellings of words that I thought were already listed in Webster's a certain way.

My son has seen me impulse shop Online before, we did most of our Christmas shopping for the family on Amazon and Etsy last year. I find it relieves a lot of stress to select products after reading numerous reviews. This is especially true when buying toys.

We all remember the disappointment experienced after realizing a toy is not as exciting as its advertisement made it seem. Product reviews give parents a way to save kids from this heartache and  protect their wallets.

That is why I feel it is necessary to comment on a product that my son and I saw advertised on Nickelodeon, the toy Atmosphere.

Atmosphere offers a kid unspeakable joy, it is a sphere shaped hovering ball! How long have we dreamed of an affordable ($22.98) and exciting craft capable of hovering. There are 45 reviews and 24 are "1 star," resulting in an average of "2 stars." I acknowledge the small sampling, but the reviewers offer fairly shocking stories of the toy's danger.

Amazon user, Kari L. had this to say, "This product HURTS! In order to catch the AtmoSphere while it's in motion. you have to grab it by the frame. And if your fingers get anywhere near the propellers, the pain is VERY sharp and intense." She was not the only reviewer who felt this way, M. Alver said, "the way it is designed is much too dangerous for children" and that if it were to come too close to one's hair, "the blade will not just get tangled in the hair, but will continue rotating until it pulls the hair completely out."

 I did not buy the toy after discovering a spontaneous consensus among the reviewers, this toy is hurting the kids that play with it. So why is Nickelodeon advertising it? Why wouldn't they, they know we will all put our kids in front of Sponge Bob two or three times a week and that a percentage of us dopes will buy these unvetted toys for insistent children.

Tensions mount after Durham teen's death in police custody

Tensions mount after Durham teen's death in police custody

Summary of article By Paul A. Specht and Mark Schultz

23 November 2013

http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/11/23/3401848/memorial-for-durham-teen-who-died.html

In Durham, North Carolina at least 150 protesters gathered on Friday night to demand answers in the death of Jesus Huerta. On Tuesday night the 17-year-old was shot and killed while in the back seat of a police car. The police department has revealed only that Huerta was arrested for second-degree trespassing.

There have been numerous civilian deaths at the hands of police officers across the state this year. Three of these deaths have occurred in Durham's jurisdiction.

The protesters want the details of the investigation released, the department will not reveal additional details until the State Bureau of Investigation completes an investigation.

The protest on Friday night began peacefully, but when young men in hoodies and masks joined the others the police began using batons and tasers. A few young teens were arrested and a few police cars were damaged.

Although it is unclear what happened in this case, many in the community are weary of the recent tendency to shot first and ask questions later.
Durham City Councilman Eugene Brown, warns, “It almost appears we’re looking at a pattern here, and it’s very sad."

It is unfortunate that the facts are not yet available to the public. Any police department involved in a shooting should reveal what training the officers received and review typical procedures.

AltSchool

As the country debates Common Core Standards, teacher pay, standardized tests, even school lunches; the AltSchool in San Francisco is striving to broaden the conversation surrounding education in the 21st century.

AltSchool is a private school designed by former Google employee, Max Ventilla. Although the tuition can cost $19,000 a year, Ventilla offers financial aid and educational opportunities unavailable in most public schools.

The school caters to students who are categorized as advanced, hyperactive, or who otherwise benefit from the unique class structure. The children are divided into general age groups, 5-7 and 8-10, and instructed by certified teachers, usually one for every eight students.

On touch screen computers, provided by the schools, students manage their time and weekly task lists with help from the teachers.

In its first year, no one knows how successful AltSchool will be; although, there are plans for expansion and parents of untraditional students are excited about this new learning experience.

As the mother of a child diagnosed with ADHD, I find the principles and goals of AltSchool inspiring. Most public schools do not have the resources or know-how to educate kids with specific needs. Many kids with ADHD require one-on-one attention and unique programs to highlight their strengths and eliminate their weaknesses.

Charter schools and private schools that learn from the successes of AltSchool (and other alternatives) may inspire a new approach to education that will be local, sustainable, and better for our children.

Perhaps large public schools are a relic of 20th century, ill-equipped to meet our needs. If so, we will likely see many more technologists and unconventional educators enter the playground.

http://techcrunch.com/2013/11/29/aardvark-founder-is-trying-to-turn-education-on-its-head-with-altschool/