"Animal Tracker," an AR Data Gaphing Tool

I think I'd forgotten to blog about this when it first came out. I remember staying up late at night trying all the options and being surprised by some of the results, talking to my husband about this or that bit of research data and showing him on the graph how different demographics compared to each other on various animal rights issues.

Well, I've finally remembered to share it here. Mark Middleton at Animal Visuals created a graphing tool for the Humane Research Council. The tool lets you visualize data from HRC's Animal Tracker Survey, which is a survey that measures public opinions about animal issues.

Take a look here: http://www.animalvisuals.org/data/animaltracker/

Why put off 'til new years what you can do today!!

Ok, so I was thinking about New Years and the resolutions people make.... So I was thinking... why wait until New Years to start my resolutions, why not start now?

So resolution number 1: Eat healthy to lose weight.

Resolution number 2: Keep in contact wit friends more

Resolution number 3: Tidy my room and keep it tidy.

Resolution number 4: Be strict with money!!

So I'm starting Monday 29th November... I'll keep updates and let you know my progress :)

Fingers crossed I do good :) xx

Reading Change of Heart

I am reading Change of Heart: What Psychology Can Teach Us About Spreading Social Change by Nick Cooney. This book promises to change my activism. Here's part of the official book description:

"Scientific research has generated a wealth of information on how people can be persuaded to alter their behaviors, yet this body of knowledge has been largely ignored by those working to improve society. Change of Heart: What Psychology Can Teach Us About Spreading Social Change brings this information to light so that non-profits, community organizers and others can make science-driven decisions in their advocacy work. The book examines over 80 years of empirical research in areas including social psychology, communication studies, diffusion studies, network systems and social marketing, distilling the highlights into easy-to-use advice and serving as a psychology primer for anyone wanting to spread progressive social change."

I expect that much of what I learn from this book will be useful to readers of this blog. Expect to see the review soon.

Is PETA Effective?

PETA is one of the most controversial organizations in existence. People love them, hate them, tolerate them, question them. If nothing else, PETA is effective at getting attention and inspiring debate.

Even in Animal Rights communities, this question comes up over and over again:

“Does PETA help or harm the movement?“

It’s a difficult question to answer since PETA does so much and is involved in all kinds of campaigns. Moreover, few people or organizations take the time to measure efficacy. But one organization, The Humane Research Council, whose website is Humane Spot dot org, compiles and analyzes all kinds of information relating to effective strategies of the animal movement.

In their own words,

The Humane Research Council empowers fellow animal advocates with access to the research, analysis, strategies, and messages that maximize their effectiveness to reduce animal suffering.

When it comes to PETA’s efficacy, The Humane Research Council has some information that can help us answer the question above. There are two studies that indicate PETA is effective, at least in some areas.

Take a look:

1. “The U.S. Pork Checkoff (managed by the National Pork Board) conducted four focus groups of children ages 9 to 14 throughout the United States and surveyed an additional 350 children online. More than half of those surveyed had heard of “animal rights” organizations and almost one fourth of these children reported that these organizations have impacted their meat consumption in some way. There was low awareness of PETA among the children, but it had a high impact on their meat consumption. One-third of respondents had heard of or visited the PETA website, petakids.com; of those who were familiar with PETA, one-third had seen a video about animal care or meat consumption. 53% said the web site/video impacted their meat eating habits.” (source)

2. “[Another] study examined the impact of a graphic animal rights campaign launched by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) against alleged abuses on a corporate farm. It considered the impact of the campaign upon the credibility of the target of the campaign as well as the producer of the campaign.
Results indicated that PETA’s attack message against abuses at corporate pig farms was effective in eroding the credibility of the corporate food-industry raising animals for consumption. At the same time, PETA’s credibility rose overall after participants viewed the PETA attack message.” (source)

(Emphasis added)

Neither of those studies indicates that the other PETA programs are effective. It’s even possible that certain campaigns are counter-productive. But the evidence against PETA – on the basis of ineffectiveness – simply doesn’t exist yet. So be wary of “experts” who claim that PETA “doesn’t work” or is “counter-productive.” They are likely basing their opinions on personal bias rather than actual science.

Related:

• Guide to Analyzing PETA’s Nude Activism
• Regarding the website “PETA Kills Animals”
• Everyone Deserves Mercy
• Not Just Skin Deep
  
• Another PETA Success & Covance Out Of Business

Originally posted at Vegan Soapbox.

Xmas WishList 1: Urban Decay Palette

Hey Dolls,

So I was strolling through Debenhams last Saturday while I was doing some Christmas shopping and as I was walking past the Urban Decay stand and saw this Book of Shadows Volume 3 palette and instantly fell in love, the pop up art is so eye catching and also the overall detailing and design is really cool. The shadow colours are really nice too... my favourite would have to be Midnight Cowboys Ride Again, Bordello and Psychedelic Sister.

I'm hoping to get this palette for Christmas :) Along with some Benefit products (I usually stock up around this time of year - my mom's birthday) :D

Lots of Love xoxo

A Surprise Birthday!!

Hey dolls! OMG planning a surprise birthday is so stressful! Last night I attended and mainly

planned one of my closest friends, Salome, 21st birthday party.

So I found out about 24 hours before the party that nothing was planned because due

to unnecessary stuff I ended up pulling out of the planning originally, so I had to sort the cake and decorations on the day of the party. I got my good friend Rose to help me out in the shopping and other party sorting tasks. So I started drinking and got ready at Rose's apartment, we were due to set up the decorations at 7.30, people were due at the venue at 8pm. So I didn't arrive til 9 with the decorations because I was so stressed out getting ready I needed to drink and calm down for 5 minutes!

Once there I started putting up the decorations and by 9.30 there was 7 people there :O So I was getting the place set up and it was sorted so I got a drink at the bar and sat waiting for the birthday girl... more of our friends showed up so there was a good crowd

there by the time the birthday girl came at 10 :D

When Salome first showed up she was so surprised and happy she started to cry! It was so cute and really made all the stress I went through worth the joy she had on her face! She was really surprised.... there was loads of opportunities for her to cop on because some people slipped but she never did!!

This is when me and Rose first saw her at the party and she thanked us for the effort and was telling us how surprised she was and happy.

This is me with Salome and her mom :) I invited her mom 24 hours beforehand too. Everything was badly organised but it all went fairly smoothly as the night went on. Her mom noticed how stressed out I was. She thanked me for planning and sorting everything, which was nice of her :)

Cake time!! Yummy, I got her a chocolate cake from Tesco! I lit some 2.1. candles and we sang happy birthday and she wasn't expecting a cake but she got a yummy one :D (I look Spanish with the red flower in my hair haha)

The night went down well and after the pub we moved onto a club and shook some bootay :D It was a good night and we had loadsa fun!

So don't overplan but organise timing better is my main lesso learned from this experience :)