Music is more than just sound. It is a powerful force that influences our emotions, thoughts, and actions. It can inspire us, motivate us, comfort us, and even heal us. Music can also shape our lives in unexpected ways, from enhancing our productivity to transforming our gaming experience.

In this article, we will explore the fascinating journey of music from Mozart to Slots. We will tell you how it has influenced various aspects of human society.

Mozart: The Genius of Classical Music

Mozart was one of the most influential composers of all time. His music was admired for its beauty, complexity, and originality. Mozart’s music had a profound impact on the world of classical music, as well as on the minds of his listeners.

One of the most intriguing theories about Mozart’s music is the Mozart Effect. This theory suggests that listening to Mozart’s music can improve one’s cognitive abilities. It works for our memory, attention, and creativity. The theory is based on the observation that some people who listen to Mozart’s music perform better on IQ tests than those who do not.

However, the Mozart Effect is not a proven fact. It is still a subject of debate among scientists and psychologists. Some argue that the effect is too small or too specific to be significant. Others suggest that there may be other factors that contribute to the improvement in cognitive performance.

Regardless of its validity, the Mozart Effect shows how music can affect our minds in subtle and profound ways.

Rhythm: The Key to Mental Well-Being

Music is not only about melody and harmony. It is also about rhythm. Rhythm is the pattern of beats and sounds that create a sense of movement and flow. Rhythm can have a positive effect on our mental well-being, as it can regulate our mood, stress level, and sleep quality.

Rhythm can also enhance our focus and concentration by synchronizing our brainwaves with the musical beat. This phenomenon is known as binaural beats or brainwave entrainment. It can help us achieve a state of relaxation or alertness by matching our brainwaves with those of the music.

Rhythm stimulates our creativity and imagination by activating different parts of our brain. For example, listening to complex rhythms can increase our problem-solving skills and divergent thinking. Listening to slow-paced or simple rhythms can improve our memory and recall.

Rhythm is not limited to classical music; it can be found in any genre or style of music that has a regular beat pattern.

Slots: The Adventure of Gaming

Slots are one of the most popular forms of gambling in the world. They are games that generate random numbers based on a set of rules and symbols. Slots are designed to provide entertainment for players who enjoy spinning reels.

But slots are not just online casino games; they are also soundtracks for gaming experiences. Slots use different types of sounds to create atmospheres and emotions for players. Some sounds are soothing and relaxing; others are thrilling and stimulating. They immerse players in games by creating a sense of realism and immersion. Soundtracks can also influence players’ behavior by affecting their expectations, decisions, and actions.

For example, some studies have shown that playing slots with energetic sounds can increase motivation. Playing slots with calm or relaxing sounds can reduce stress levels and anxiety.

Soundtracks are not only used in casinos. They are also used in other settings where gaming takes place, such as arcades, video games, or online platforms.

The Future: The Power of Music

Music has been around for centuries; it has evolved with time and culture. Throughout history, melodies have also been used for purposes from entertainment to therapy.

Music has the potential to continue to shape our lives into the future. As technology advances, so does the production and consumption of music.

We can see more personalized soundtracks that match our preferences and moods. Captivating sound trills transport us to different worlds. We can hear more therapeutic sounds that heal us from physical or mental wounds.

We may also see more cross-cultural collaboration between musicians from different backgrounds. There will be more genres and styles of music to come, reflecting diversity. In the future, we can expect even more beauty and harmony in the music itself.

Music is more than just sounds. It is a universal language that connects us across time and space. It is an enchanting melody that guides us through life’s journey from Mozart’s elegance to slots’ adventure.

 

The post How Music Shaped Our Lives from Mozart to Slots appeared first on Granite Grok.

So, a new NBC poll shows “young voters” (39 years and younger) souring on Biden. BUT … it is not because of runaway inflation. Most of them don’t even know what inflation is. It is not because of the weaponization of government to deny the political opposition freedom of speech and due process.

They like that.

It is not because the Biden regime is “transforming” America through illegal immigration. They approve of that.

To cut to the chase … it’s because of the Biden regime’s support of Israel.

The youth vote is STUPID.

 

It will never not be crazy to me that young people are more turned off politically by the war in Gaza, than they are at the fact that they’ll never be able to afford a home or raise a family in this country https://t.co/aoIppp95YX

— a newsman (@a_newsman) November 20, 2023

The post The Youth Vote Is STUPID appeared first on Granite Grok.

Education Freedom, both the idea and its actual embrace, has seen significant growth in recent years—a result of policy choices by Democrats who hate it. COVID oppression locked kids down and out of schools for months or years – and parents with them putting Ed-Choice on the radar.

This is how it is, they said, to which more parents than ever replied, this is how it was – we’re done with that. The result has been a steady exodus from traditional government schools to charter schools, private schools (both affordable and not), home school collectives, and more of the traditional parent-child version people might picture when asked about it.

New Hampshire added Education Freedom Accounts, which recently survived a legal challenge and has had a number of education freedom options in place for years. Despite these improvements, the state ranked 18th on the Heritage Foundation’s recent Education Freedom Report Card. What killed them?

 

 

• New Hampshire ranks 43rd in return on investment (ROI) for education spending.
• New Hampshire spends the 10th-most per pupil among states, spending $18,442 in cost-of-living-adjusted terms annually.
• New Hampshire ranks fifth in its combined fourth-grade and eighth-grade math and reading average NAEP score.
• The Granite State employs 0.85 teachers for every non-teacher in its public schools.
• New Hampshire’s unfunded teacher pension liability represents 7.5 percent of its state GDP.
• New Hampshire can improve its ROI ranking by reducing per-pupil spending, stopping growth in non-teaching staff, and addressing its considerable unfunded teacher pension liabilities.

 

This will sound familiar—cost per student, results, and administrative overhead. And there is plenty of room for improvement. That said, we are in better shape – according to Heritage, than every other state in New England. While Maine is a disappointing 35th on their report card, Connecticut is 50th (Oregon was 51st), Rhode Island was 49th, Massachusetts ranked 47th, and Vermont 46th (New York was 48th).

We’ll look at Vermont because we like to pick on them and not just because we give a Grok about the state; it dropped 22 spots in one year.

 

Vermont ranks #46 in overall education freedom in 2023, dropping 22 spots, the largest one-year decline in the country. Vermont declined in every category, most notably a nation’s-worst 39 spots in transparency.

 

Ouch.

 

Vermont ranks 50th overall in return on investment (ROI) for education spending. Vermont spends the third-most per pupil among states, spending $22,281 in cost-of-living-adjusted terms annually. Vermont ranks 20th in its combined fourth-grade and eighth-grade math and reading average NAEP score. The Green Mountain State employs 0.75 teachers for every non-teacher in its public schools. Vermont’s unfunded teacher pension liability represents 10.1 percent of its state GDP. Vermont can improve its ROI ranking by lowering per-pupil spending, improving academic outcomes on the NAEP, stopping growth in non-teaching staff, and addressing its significant unfunded teacher pension liabilities.

 

Everything wrong with NH’s return on investment is worse west of the Connecticut River, and – a wake-up call – NH Dems want that for the Granite State. They are surrounded by bad examples, which they see as things for which they should strive, to hell with parents and students.

And Vermont? They want to be like Connecticut or maybe even Oregon.

 

The post Education Freedom: NH Ranked 19th While Most of New England is Ranked Worst in the Nation appeared first on Granite Grok.

The politician’s stump speech on how to control private healthcare costs began with the tired bromide that Americans spend 30% more per individual for private healthcare than the rest of the world and had worse outcomes. Fixing the problem required the use of “market forces”.

Transparency was the ticket. Insurance companies should make public the negotiated rates they pay. Hospitals and providers should do the same on what they charge for services. All Americans needed to do was to “shop for the best deal”. The politician opined this would force competition and hospitals/providers would lower their prices.

Pharmaceutical costs had to be controlled, and reining in the middleman pharmacy benefit managers was a must.

Finally came promises of tort reform.

The attentive medical insurance company CEO smiled because the politician had proposed nothing different from the usual Washington DC think tank failed ideas.

We want to thank Jim Betti for this Contribution – Please direct yours to Editor@GraniteGrok.com.
You can review our ‘Op-Ed Guidelines‘ on the FAQ Page.

It remained a mystery why politicians and think tanks could not accept the reason why the cost of American private healthcare has never responded to textbook economic theory. Simply put, Americans want to pay their healthcare premiums and use it when they need it. And they expect the insurance companies to earn their money and take care of the rest.

Price transparency sounds like a good idea, but all it means is the hospitals and providers will discover the highest rates the insurance companies are willing to pay. Armed with this information, the hospitals/providers will then demand top reimbursement rates. In short, price transparency will likely raise costs. The insurance companies will raise premiums to cover the higher costs.

Pharmaceutical pricing and distribution are such difficult issues insurance companies subcontract the service {for massive fees} to Pharmacy Benefit Managers {PBMs}. PBMs negotiate directly with pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies to establish the drug prices and distribution structure. The negotiating process is totally opaque, and since no one outside the PBMs understands it, no politicians or think tanks can figure out how to reign it in. The CEO did not really care because his industry’s massive profits were not affected. They simply increased the premium prices, passing on PBM costs to the consumer.

Tort reform is always promised but never happens. Injury and benefit trial lawyers just get richer.

It was reassuring to the CEO that politicians continued to woo voters with nonviable ideas on lowering healthcare costs. Because the exorbitant cost of healthcare had nothing to do with medicine, it had everything to do with the unholy alliance between five massively influential hunks of money. They go by the medical-sounding names of Healthcare Insurance Companies, PBMs, hospitals/providers, pharmaceutical companies, and patient-protecting trial lawyers. American healthcare is just the product that allows the hunks of money to move funds between themselves and realize massive profits.

In 2022 American private sector healthcare expenditures were approximately 2 trillion dollars. The vast majority of the money enters the system as insurance company {1st hunk of money} healthcare premiums. After the insurance companies take their cut {up to 15%}, the remaining funds are funneled out to the hospitals/ providers (2d hunk of money) and PBMs {3d hunk of money}. PBMs negotiate drug prices with Big Pharm {4th hunk of money} and facilitate any pharmacy transaction. Trial lawyers {5th hunk of money} can be viewed as healthcare parasites. The fear of lawsuits is conservatively responsible for adding a 5% premium to all healthcare costs.

Experts agree we spend 30% more per individual for private healthcare {600 billion yearly} than the rest of the world and have worse outcomes. Each of the big hunks of money understands to keep tapping into these excess dollars, they need to be solid in their unholy alliance. As long as the money flow {premiums} can be increased, the whole system works. The CEO noted the WSJ just reported 2024 Healthcare premiums are moving up 7%, and the average family policy is $24,000. Fortunately for the unholy alliance, the world is focused on Ukraine and Israel. In 2024, the massive profit-gouging will go unchallenged.

The health insurance CEO did have one concern. The five big hunks of money needed to implement a contingency plan before the public/government figured out how to recoup the yearly excess of 600 billion dollars of healthcare spending. Their solidarity would end if the powers in Washington DC could force the big hunks of money to fight each other. The best way to do this would be to control the money flow into the system by limiting the insurance company’s premium increases to inflation minus 1%. And limit the percentage of premiums that could be used as overhead {salary and administration costs} to 10%. The unholy alliance would quickly fracture as the insurance companies forced hospitals and providers to accept lower increases in reimbursement.

To remain solvent, hospitals and providers would have to become more efficient and bring overhead costs down. Bloated salaries and redundant middle management would become part of the past. Pharmacy Benefit Managers actually are a type of drug insurance company and the 10% rule on overhead would also apply to them. The PBMs would factor into their drug negotiations the limited available dollars and the 10% overhead ceiling. The economic reality that the money available to purchase drugs was not unlimitedly expandable would force pharmaceutical companies to lower their prices. The trial lawyer parasites could be easily dislodged by instituting loser pays. If trial lawyers find themselves personally accountable for frivolous lawsuits {Canada and Europe}, they will quickly disappear into the hole at the bottom of the wall.

The Healthcare System would come to equilibrium, and future healthcare costs would be controlled.

The CEO knew this could not be allowed to happen. The unholy alliance needed to be preserved. Hospital systems, PBMs, and insurance companies needed to get bigger. Hospital systems needed to merge, and PBMs could be either bought by insurance companies or vice versa. The pharmaceutical companies and the trial lawyers would continue their massive Washington DC lobbying efforts.

Just like the 2007 Wall Street banks, the healthcare hunks of money would become too big to fail and have massive political influence. And in times of stress, cowardly politicians would line up to throw billions at the unholy alliance.

And yet, the canny CEO knew the system was not sustainable and would eventually collapse, leading to a government-run healthcare system. A system lauded and praised by the powerful elites because they knew they would never have to use it.

A new market for private hospitals and doctors was only billions of venture capital dollars away. Rich folks would pay the inflated premiums. Private hospitals and doctors would have no more money losers. Obamacare, blue-collar folks, no-pays, Medicare, and the Medicaid welfare crowd would all be herded into the government healthcare corrals. The five hunks of money would be back in business, flush with our money.

Since 2010, the US healthcare industry has consolidated into huge hospital networks. The insurance industry has done the same, merging with PBMs. Big pharm and the trial lawyers are two of the largest K-street lobbyists. Watch out, America, because the chess pieces are in place, and the end game is coming.

This publication is the first of a two-part series dealing with the ghost of private healthcare insurance’s past, the present, and its likely future. The 2d piece will drop next week.

 

The post Flush with Our Money. The US Healthcare System has Never Cared Less. appeared first on Granite Grok.

Earlier today, Windham Selectman Bruce Breton formally requested the resignations of Windham Moderator Peter Griffin and Windham School District Moderator Elizabeth Dunn to resign their positions due to continuing, egregious errors related to the November 3, 2020 election and September 13, 2022, State Primary election.

His written request is copied below.

 

Subject: Formal Request for Your Resignation of Town Moderator & School District Moderator

Dear Mr. Griffin & Ms. Dunn,

I am writing to formally request your resignation from the position of Windham Town Moderator and Windham School District Moderator, and for both of you to publicly pledge that you will no longer participate in any of the processes that govern Windham’s elections.

As you are both aware, Ms. Dunn has also acted as Windham’s Assistant Town Moderator in every Windham election for many years, and both of you have equally shared the town’s election responsibilities during that time.

My request for your resignations is based on your inability to follow election laws and procedures, and therefore, your inability to provide accurate election results.

My concerns are confirmed in the joint report by New Hampshire’s Secretary of State Bill Gardner and Attorney General John Formella. Their official findings of their comprehensive investigation, analysis and conclusions regarding the November 2020 General Election in Windham was delivered to you on January 7, 2022. Their report exposed significant deficiencies in your collective inabilities to follow simple election laws and procedures. Their damning report identified unconscionable failures that included the disenfranchisement of voters whose votes were not counted. This is unacceptable.

Even more egregious is your continued disregard of New Hampshire’s election laws and procedures, as demonstrated by your inability to accurately document and report the results  regarding the September 13, 2022 Primary Election.

I have read the complaint regarding the September 13, 2022 Primary Election that was submitted to New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella, and it is clear that the enormous errors and discrepancies that are identified in the complaint were all avoidable if you simply followed New Hampshire’s election laws and procedures that have been put into place.

The latest complaint provides dozens of indisputably egregious errors regarding inaccurately reported election results, inaccurately reported number of actual voters on election night, and inaccurately reported number of cast ballots. All of these, and more, are documented on the signed official election forms that you are responsible to complete and sign.

Your documentation, on official election documents prove your inability to accurately reconcile our elections. Your reported documented results are historically inaccurate. They include:

• On election night you announced that 959 MORE people voted than actually voted (3,724 vs. 2,765). How were you so far off?
• The sealed ballot box chain of custody records show there were 1,351 MORE cast ballots than the actual number of voters (4,116 vs 2,765). Where did those EXTRA ballots come from?
• The chain of custody records for the sealed ballot boxes state there were 1,333 MORE election day ballots on election night than actually received from the Secretary of State (6,303 vs. 4,970). Where did those EXTRA ballots come from?

These are just a few examples. The complaint identifies 33 individual issues. ALL of the errors that are identified would have been caught had you simply followed the procedures that are outlined in the Election Procedure Manual.

Instead of taking responsibility of your errors and the seriousness of the complaint that was filed with the Attorney General, Ms. Dunn publicly dismissed the complaint as “background noise”.

With the First In The Nation Primary upon us early next year, it is of utmost importance that the public’s trust in Windham’s elections be restored and maintained – and that election laws and procedures are properly followed to ensure that every vote and ballot is accurately tabulated and accounted for in every election. You have proven you inability to do so on multiple occasions.

The continued pattern of egregious issues that have been documented for the last two federal elections has compelled me to request your resignation from your positions of Windham Moderator and Windham School District Moderator.

Please consider this request with the seriousness it entails. It is not background noise. As a Windham Selectman, I have an obligation to protect the rights of all Windham voters to have their voices heard accurately and fairly, without any concerns regarding failures to follow the law.

Respectfully,

Bruce Breton

###

Contact Information:

Bruce Breton
sqrd55@yahoo.com
603-475-9634
Release Date: 11/13/2023

The post Windham Selectman Bruce Breton Calls for Election Official’s Resignations appeared first on Granite Grok.