Edgelab

The atmosphere of ‘boys only’ in computer games is quickly fading. In spite of men making the biggest demographic, the number of female gamers is slowly rising. This has been attributed to the understanding of female tastes and the development of female friendly games.

Today, almost 40% of the computer games players are female. The Entertainment Software Association says that girls spend an average of 7.4 hours per week playing. As the development continues, the number of female players is deemed to rise.

Girls and computer games have always been known to existing in two separate realms. This is because of the content contained in the video games.

Studies show that female players are repelled by computer games that involve strong and realistic violence. Since time immemorial, girls have been known to look down on violence. Consequently, with most computer games being graphic intensive, the number of female players is low.

Another revelation showed that girls disfavored computer games that featured female characters that fit into the male-dominated stereotypes.

This includes female characters with exaggerated body features or sexually provocative dressing. It is human nature to be attracted to the opposite sex. At such instances, it is difficult for a girl to place herself in the scene.

Girls are social. Subsequently, the perfect games for them are those with social interaction. Girls are able to interact better with virtual characters that are social in nature. Statistically speaking, the social aspects of most computer games are what are luring more girls into the fold.

The feature enabling players to interact with other online members has also contributed to the rise in the number of female players. It is evident that girls love playing online based games such as those on social networks than the standalone games.

The new generation software and family friendliness of computer games have further added to the increase in the number of female players. Furthermore, there is not much of a stigma attached to the female gamers today.

The virtual reality today is that there are as many female gamers as there are men. 23.2% of girls spend time playing online computer games as opposed to the 22.3% of men. This is so because of the social aspect of the platform. Studies further reveals that a majority of female players would rather keep playing rather than have sex.

Surveys have shown that girls spend more time playing computer games for stress relief. Men, on the other hand, play for the competition element. Women are also more attracted to games that test their brain power.

When it comes to girls and computer games, researchers hypothesize that girls will be more comfortable playing games with no violence or a female character with exaggerated physical features. Girls favor games that allow for rich social interactions.

However, in spite of technology helping us keep in touch with the world, it can break relationships. Girls are more prone to computer games addiction. It is hence important to reduce game play and set time to be with your partners and handle other chores.

Whether or not one is a horoscope junkie or astrology buff, one is still most likely familiar with one’s zodiac sign.

For thousands of years, there have been 12 standard signs in the Zodiac, corresponding with the 12 months in the year and 12 constellations. Currently, much buzz has been circling the Internet regarding astrologists’ claims that there is a 13^th sign called Ophiuchus.

Apparently the buzz began when astronomy teacher Parke Kunkle spoke with the Star-Tribune regarding the Earth’s position changing in relation to the Sun. However, as Kunkle later stated, the beliefs of astronomers and astrologers sometimes differ, and he was simply pointing out that, “If you watch the stars in the background of the sun, it actually does go through the constellation of Ophiuchus.”

And so, the underlying message seems to be that, yes, there is a 13^th sign, but no, this doesn’t necessarily mean a grand shift in who you are, if you define your life by your zodiac sign.

For example, if you decide to include the 13^th sign in the zodiacal mix, several of the signs would shift and therefore change technical terms. Personally, my sign is Scorpio, but if Ophiuchus is included, my sign would be Libra, according to my date of birth. However, I feel what more people need to focus on is not how their individual sign may change, but what Ophiuchus represents on a larger scale.

Ophiuchus, also known as Serpentarius, translates as “serpent-bearer” and is pronounced “off-ee-u-kus.” Technically it’s the 10^th sign in the Zodiac, falling between the signs of Scorpio and Sagittarius (although astronomers would still consider this the 13^th sign, as it is the most recently introduced.)

The word “Zodiac” stems from Greek origin and roughly translates to “the circle of animals.” Unlike the other signs, Ophiuchus is represented by a clear-cut human figure, and specifically contains traits of doctors, scientists and healers. In addition, the number 13 holds various ancient and mythical implications, such as the 13^th day of each month being known as “day of the snake” in the Mayan calendar, or the number 13 in tarot being representative of a spiritual death (followed by a spiritual rebirth.) Furthermore, our common symbol for medicine today is the Caduceus, or winged staff with two serpents entwined on it; this clearly reflects Ophiuchus’ medicinal nature.

If one thinks about how much religion has held influence over the course of human history, imagine what would change about our world if culture was instead infused with science, intellect, wisdom and enlightenment. People should also recognize the concept of Kundalini in relation to this new constellation, and consider whether the uprising of Kundalini in one’s body would signify a positive or negative change on a global scale.

And, of course, if you hold interest in biblical prophecies like the Apocalypse, you should take into account a being known as the “Anti-Christ” that’s supposed to be knocking on our doors anytime soon, posing as a supreme force of good when it’s exactly the opposite.

In summation: The introduction of Ophiuchus could signify elevation in individual consciousness, although only time will tell the implications on our world as a whole. For the time being, astrology lovers shouldn’t fret about their sign changing; I’d only include Ophiuchus in the mix if you’re born after 2009. And remember, the Zodiac exists not to distinguish our personalities or predict our fate, but to remind us that we each share elements and qualities of one another. Everything is connected.

Using Metal Detectors to Hunt for Gold

With gold standing at over $1200 per ounce, many people have begun prospecting for gold, hoping to make a small fortune with the hobby.  Gold can be difficult to find and weekend prospectors are always trying to find easier ways to get a hold of the elusive metal.  A tool that may help these hobbyists to find gold is a gold metal detector.

A metal detector helps you find any metal that may be buried in the ground.  When you scan the ground, the detector will emit a noise, alerting you to the presence of metal.  For a gold detector, it alerts you that you’ve found gold.  Gold is one of the metals that detectors can find because they have more conductivity than tin or iron does.  The other metals they can detect are:

•  Silver
• Copper
• Lead
• Zinc
• Nickel

When you use a metal detector, it doesn’t react to the mass of the object, but to the surface area.  So, you won’t know how big the item is until you dig or pick it up.  An old bullet may give off a strong signal that a coin that is on its edge, so you won’t know until you look at the metal what the detector has found.

While you may be buying a detector specifically for gold, detectors will find all metals, as they are designed to do.  Metal detectors don’t just find one particular type of metal, it would be nice if they could do that, but they are made to seek out a magnetic field produced when you move the detector over a metal object.

Electricity runs through the detector, down through the coil and produces a magnetic field.  Conductive metals are found when there own magnetic field is detected and an audible signal is sent back to the detector.  So, while you don’t know what has been found, if you are in an area known to have gold, that might be what has been detected.

Most prospectors will use metal detectors in areas in which gold mines used to exist.  This could be along the base of a mountain out in the desert or in the hills of a forest.  As long as gold was once documented in the area, using a metal detector for finding gold is a good method and a quick way to prospect for it, but don’t look to get rich over night, gold is hard to find.