Tuesday, 3 January 2012

How to Make Better Decision

ALWAYS when a new year comes, every one has their own resolution, earn more money, find a new gf, quit smoking, promotion blar blar barl.... but often things are not always in line with our expectation. 

This is what i always encounter. Being a gemini, mind always flipping around with extremely weak WILL power, some people said we are kind people, we are very cincai or flexible.... some people said you have no your own point, always follow people this and that.... they are absolutely right, i am always easily affected by a sweet talk, emotion and etc.... not a good sign before i become a fucking rich person in the world 


I found this article in my reading panel, hopefully this really help me to strengthen my will power and also my muscle....... haha lets check it out and hopefully you guys enjoy and success and get whatever you wants in 2012..... anything but definetely not end of the world.....

below are copied from www.businessinsider.com



Make your most important decisions in the morning, before you experience "ego depletion
"Freud speculated that the self, or ego, depended on mental activities involving the transfer of energy. ... [His] experiments demonstrated that there is a finite store of mental energy for exerting self-control."

As the day wears on, your energy reserves are further depleted.
Source: NY Times



Our finite supply of "decision-making power" means that all of the small decisions add up quickly
Image: Associated Press

Which would explain why shopping is so exhausting. 

Researchers found that shoppers who "had already made the most decisions in the stores gave up the quickest" on a math test.

Source: NY Times 



Your brain needs glucose in order to make good decisions
“Even the wisest people won’t make good choices when they’re not rested and their glucose is low,” Baumeister tells the Times. "That’s why the truly wise don’t restructure the company at 4 p.m. They don’t make major commitments during the cocktail hour. And if a decision must be made late in the day, they know not to do it on an empty stomach." 

Grocery retailers discovered this decades ago.

Researchers found that, "just when shoppers are depleted after all their decisions in the aisles -- with their willpower reduced, they’re more likely to yield to any kind of temptation, but they’re especially vulnerable to candy and soda and anything else offering a quick hit of sugar."

Source: NY Times



"People spend three to four hours a day resisting desire"
Image: monsieur paradis on flickrThough our independent analysis is that we're usually fighting some sort of desire at any given moment.

We use the same mental energy reserves to fight off temptation as we do to make complex decisions.

Source: NY Times



Smart people develop routines -- that way, they eliminate stress and conserve energy for important decisions
"The most successful people, Baumeister and his colleagues have found, don’t use their willpower as a last-ditch defense to stop themselves from disaster," reports the Times. "Rather, they conserve willpower by developing effective habits and routines in school and at work so that they reduce the amount of stress in their lives. They use their self-control not to get through crises but to avoid them. They give themselves enough time to finish a project; they take the car to the shop before it breaks down. Like the readers who commented earlier, they make their big decisions in the morning, before decision fatigue sets in."



and they make time for adequate sleep, eating healthfully and exercising



Women help groups make better decisions
Image: JPMorgan

A study evaluating 192 groups found that those with women had the highest group intelligence, according to research published in the Harvard Business Review.



Our unconscious plays a key role in helping us make good decisions
President Obama's decision to "sleep on it" -- it being whether or not to raid Osama Bin Laden's compound -- aligns with psychologists' recommendations for complex decision making.

"Because your conscious attention is limited, you should enlist the help of your unconscious," according to the Harvard Business Review

Even if you don't have the option to delay your decision, engaging in another activity will take your mind off your dilemma, and allow your unconscious to surface. 



Sometimes, it's best to run your ideas by others
Image: The White HouseSmart people have a network of people they go to for advice.

But they also know when too many ideas can complicate their decision-making.



There's value to simply caving in and saying "yes" to the "wrong choices" once in a while
Image: icanteachyouhowtodoit via FlickrIt can reinvigorate you, so you don't feel completely deprived all the time.

There's a reason why people celebrate Mardis Gras before the Lenten season.

Source: NY Times



There's also power in deciding NOT to decide -- or having others do it for you
Image: Robert Helfman via flickrAre there decisions you don't have to make right now, or you can have someone else make for you?

"Instead of deciding every morning whether or not to force themselves to exercise, [smart people] set up regular appointments to work out with a friend," reports the Times.

If you want to conserve energy in the short run, this is a good move. But keep in mind that when you put off too many decisions, you'll likely have added stress later. 



It comes down to preparing for your moments of weakness -- because we're only human, after all
“Good decision making is not a trait of the person, in the sense that it’s always there,” Baumeister says. “It’s a state that fluctuates.” The Times reports

His studies show that people with the best self-control are the ones who structure their lives so as to conserve willpower. They don’t schedule endless back-to-back meetings. They avoid temptations like all-you-can-eat buffets, and they establish habits that eliminate the mental effort of making choices. ... Instead of counting on willpower to remain robust all day, they conserve it so that it’s available for emergencies and important decisions.

“The best decision makers are the ones," he says, "who know when not to trust themselves.”



The keys are planning ahead, not overwhelming yourself with choices, and conserving your energy

Wednesday, 28 December 2011

Time to Quit Your Job

When you find you are facing more than half of these problems in your work, you may need to consider to leave your current firm, this is quite true..... haha

1. You are bored all the time (so so)

2. Your skills aren't being seriously considered (so so)

3. You don't envy your boss job (no)

4. You've got the boss from hell (no)

5. You don't like the people running the show (no)

6. You are continuously annoyed by everyone in your office - even if they haven't directly done anything to you (no)

7. You are worry about money all the time (yes)

8. Your company isn't invested in you (yes)

9. Your appearance has dramatically changed - and it's not for the good (no, changed to better)

10. You're becoming an emotional wreck (no)

11. The company's collapsing (no)

12. You just know......... (no)

Can use it as a checklist for your satisfaction of your job, well the only thing i am worry now is about the money!!! i have not money all the time...... i need money!! haha



Below are copied from Business Insider




12 Signs That It's Time To Quit Your Job


sleeping, sleep, tired, long day, working hard, sleep on subway, subway, nyc, sept 2011, business insider, dng

We've all had bad days at the office. Maybe even a bad week or two. But if you can't even remember the last good day you've had at work or you've been googling "Should I quit my job?" more often than not, this could be a sign that your problems are in it for the long run. 

Most of us spend the majority of our days at the office, co-workers become our friends — or enemies — and how we feel about what we do for a living ultimately affects how we feel about our accomplishments in life.

So, if you're stuck in a bad job or have been imagining for some time of leaping to greener pastures, how do you know when is the right time to leap? And if there aren't any greener pastures in sight yet, should you still consider making the switch, or is that just risky business?

"Don't jump if a couple of issues occur for a short period, but if they continue for months, it may be time to walk," advises Psychology Today.

We've compiled some signs that should make you seriously consider packing up that miserable desk for good.



You're bored all the time

You're bored all the time

When work starts to feel too much like "work" and you feel like you're a machine, then the job might not be for you. U.S. News says that if you already know everything your coworkers will do before they do it, then it's time to go.

Although boredom is a very standard feeling, prolonged feelings of boredom while at work could lead to psychological and physical issues, such as anxiety and depression.

If you're spending most of your workday on the internet shopping or playing games, it's time to make better use of your time somewhere else.



Your skills aren't being seriously considered

Your skills aren't being seriously considered

We all know that sometimes you have to take whatever you can get, stick it out for awhile and, hopefully, prove to your boss that you're capable of managing more responsibilities.

But if you've been doing this for awhile and you're still stuck in a position that doesn't allow you to utilize your skills, then it's time to start considering other options. 



You don't envy your boss' Job

You don't envy your boss' job

If you can't see yourself doing anything remotely close to what your boss does everyday, then why try to eventually get there? Always ask yourself if you like what you see at the finish line and if you don't, get out of the race.

If it doesn't keep you motivated, then it's not your passion. This will become a cycle — if you're not doing what you love, then you'll never know what your true potential is and that will come back to haunt you later in life.



You've got the boss from hell

You've got the boss from hell
Image: jonny.hunter via Flick

Your boss' attitude can affect more than just your time at work, it actually affects other important aspects of your life, such as marital and other intimate relationships.

And if you've got one that's pushy, overbearing and plays manipulative games with you, it's time to speed up that two-week process.



You don't like the people running the show

You don't like the people running the show
Image: By Jon Aslund on Flickr

The people who run the show have a huge influence on the culture of your workplace, so if you don't like the management team's style, then you most likely won't enjoy the culture of your job.

For example, if you're an avid environmentalist and all they do is create environmental hazardous products, it's time to stick to your standards.



You are continuously annoyed by everyone in your office — even if they haven't directly done anything to you

You are continuously annoyed by everyone in your office — even if they haven't directly done anything to you



You worry about money — all the time

You worry about money — all the time
Image: Daniel Moyle / Flickr, CC

It's true that most of us worry about money often, but if this worry is constantly on your mind and it's not because you're a shopaholic, then maybe you're not getting paid enough. If you've been at your current company long enough, request to speak to management about this. Make sure your argument as to why you should be paid more is applicable. Then, ask for an evaluation.

If the company doesn't agree that you need to be paid consistent with your workload, then it might be time to find a company who doesn't make you feel like they're doing you a favor by paying you.
In other words, make sure you're getting paid what you're worth and if you're not, then find out whether the company is open to meeting your financial needs in the near future. If this turns out to be a dead end, then so is your job.



Your company isn't invested in you

Your company isn't invested in you

When your company supports you and you know it, it makes a huge difference in the way you approach work and life. You'll feel compelled to give back to them. This is a healthy work relationship because trust and responsibility are involved.

In contrast, when your company isn't invested in you, then there's no room for fostering growth. They won't care that you've been working hard for a promotion or that raise you desperately need.



Your appearance has dramatically changed — and it's not for the good

Your appearance has dramatically changed — and it's not for the good
Image: carrie-ann-nelson via flickr

Take a look at yourself in the mirror. If your job has taken a massive toll on you and it doesn't look good, it's time to reconsider some things. When you feel good or proud about something, you'll try to make yourself look your best — appearance and confidence are directly related.

So if you're experiencing significant weight gain or loss, heavier bags under the eyes or if you've simply stopped caring about your appearance, it's obvious your job has taken a negative turn in your life.

Psychology Today says that "stress, fear or lack of enthusiasm can drain your energy and hurt your performance, creating a lose-lose proposition."



You're becoming an emotional wreck

You're becoming an emotional wreck

Here's a sign: You're constantly hiding in the bathroom to avoid people or situations. If you're getting upset by every little thing that's happening at work, then the fit isn't for you.

Bursting into tears in the middle of the office is not a professional sight, so consider your options before even reaching this breaking point.



The company's collapsing

The company's collapsing
Image: Flickr/Joelk75

Yes, you don't want to leave a company you love during hard times, but if you're already experiencing a couple of signs on this list and the company's tanking, well, you might be part of the next mass exodus.



You just know

You just know

If you've been talking about it for some time and you know it's the right thing to do, but you're scared of the unknown, it's time to listen to that little voice. 
It might be a little hard at first, but at least you're opening yourself up for bigger and better things in the future.

Saturday, 17 December 2011

20 Research-Proven Signs You're Smarter Than Average

Some scientific proven signs less than 5, haha..... but however, this is just for fun, we are always difference from others, as long as you think you can do it, no one should have doubt on it!!! and you can do it....


Below are copied from Business Insider

You use recreational drugs


Image: Psychology TodayAccording to Psychology Today, people who use more drugs are more intelligent. "Intelligent people don't always do the right thing," they write, "only the evolutionarily novel thing."

According to a study conducted by National Child Development, "more intelligent children in the United Kingdom are more likely to grow up to consume psychoactive drugs than less intelligent children." These drugs include marijuana, cocaine, heroin, alcohol and tobacco.

The chart on the left shows the findings of the study. It depicts the latent factor for the consumption of 13 different kinds of psychoactive drugs, (cannabis, ecstasy, amphetamines, LSD, amyl nitrate, magic mushrooms, cocaine, temazepan, semeron, ketamine, crack, heroin, and methadone). There is a clear association between childhood general intelligence and adult drug consumption.

"Very bright individuals (with IQs above 125) are roughly three-tenths of a standard deviation more likely to consume psychoactive drugs than very dull individuals," says Psychology Today. They ran the same study in the U.S. and found similar results.


You're a liberal
If you attended Rally For Sanity, you're probably in good shape. 

According to evolutionary psychologist Satoshi Kanazawa at the the London School of Economics and Political Science, people who have liberal political views have higher IQs.

Here is the reasoning: Liberal beliefs go against humans' evolutionary beliefs. In other words, being liberal would not have benefited our ancestors.

"The adoption of some evolutionarily novel ideas makes some sense in terms of moving the species forward," CNN quotes George Washington University leadership professor James Bailey, who was not involved in the study. "It also makes perfect sense that more intelligent people -- people with, sort of, more intellectual firepower -- are likely to be the ones to do that."

CNN writes, "These preferences may stem from a desire to show superiority or elitism, which also has to do with IQ. In fact, aligning oneself with "unconventional" philosophies such as liberalism or atheism may be ways to communicate to everyone that you're pretty smart."


You're a guy who doesn't sleep around

Image: Sarah LeeAgain, this has to do with defying common ancestral tendencies. Everyone knows guys are tempted to sleep around; it's biologically ingrained in them to "spread their seeds."

Those who resist the urge and are committed to one sexual partner, then, are actually smarter. They're thinking and acting out against historical human ways, which is a sign of intelligence.

This finding came from the same study that concludes liberals are smarter than conservatives.

The same is not true of females; being monogamous does not deem them more intelligent. "This makes sense, because having one partner has always been advantageous to women, even thousands of years ago, meaning exclusivity is not a "new" preference," CNN writes.


You don't believe in God

Image: DeusXFlorida via FlickrLike the prior two slides, believing in God has been historically advantageous to humans. Challenging an ancient mindset is a sign of intelligence.

Evolutionary psychologist Satoshi Kanazawa found atheism is linked to higher IQs.

You're the oldest child
Oldest sibling are usually smarter, but it's not because of genetics.

The New York Times writes, "The new findings, from a landmark study published [June 2007], showed that eldest children had a slight but significant edge in I.Q. — an average of three points over the closest sibling.

"And it found that the difference was not because of biological factors but the psychological interplay of parents and children."


Your mom had really bad morning sickness
According to Reuters, "Researchers found that among 121 Canadian children between the ages of 3 and 7, those whose mothers had suffered morning sickness scored higher, on average, on certain tests of IQ, memory and language skills."

Lead researcher Dr. Irena Nulman of the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto tells Reuters, "The findings suggest that nausea and vomiting in pregnancy is not harmful and in fact may enhance favorably children's long-term."


You were a teenage virgin
Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that female and male adolescents with an IQ score below 70 or above 110 are more likely to be virgins.

The Penn State Collegiate reports the findings:

"Adolescents with IQ scores ranging from 70 to 110 had the lowest probability of virginity, according to two researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The average IQ score is 90 to 110.

"Mariah Mantsun Cheng, a research associate, and J. Richard Udry, professor of maternal and child health and sociology, both from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, conducted the study. They discovered that 39.8 percent of boys with an average IQ score have had sex while 29.2 percent of boys with an IQ above 110 have had sex.

"They also found that 63.3 percent of adolescent men and 81.6 percent of women with IQ scores below average have never had sex and most have had fewer experiences of romantic attraction."

"According to the research, an adolescent with an IQ score of 100 was 1.5 to 5 times more likely to have had intercourse than an adolescent with an above average score of about 120 to 130."


You come from a smart family
Numerous studies on identical twins (who have the same genes) versus fraternal twins (who share, on average, half their genes) prove that intelligence is inherited.

NewScientist.com writes the findings of one study, "Genes have a very strong influence over how certain parts of our brains develop, scientists in the US and Finland have found. And the parts most influenced are those that govern our cognitive ability. In short, you inherit your IQ."


Your mom didn't eat tuna or other Mercury-containing food while she was pregnant with you
Apparently, the U.S. loses $8.7 billion every year thanks to IQs lowered by mercury exposure.

CBS writes, "The Mount Sinai Center for Children's Health and the Environment combined a number of previous studies to determine hundreds of thousands of babies are born every year with lower IQ associated with mercury exposure.

"Using work examining the effects of lead exposure on IQ, researchers determined that even a 1.6 point drop in IQ could cost a person $31,800 in lifetime earnings because of missed educational opportunities or jobs...Lower IQ levels linked to mercury exposure in the womb costs the United States $8.7 billion a year in lost earnings potential."


You don't smoke cigarettes
DailyMail reports, "Young people who smoke regularly are likely to have markedly lower intelligence levels than those who do not smoke, and, according to the study of 20,000 young adults, the heavier the smoker, the lower the IQ. 

"Those who smoke a pack or more of cigarettes a day averaged an IQ seven and a half points lower than that of those who do not smoke...Those who smoked more than a pack a day had particularly low IQs of around 90. An average intelligence IQ score ranges from 84 to 116 points."


You were breast-fed
According to ScienceDaily.com, "In two studies of breast-fed infants involving more than 3,000 children in Britain and New Zealand, breastfeeding was found to raise intelligence an average of nearly 7 IQ points if the children had a particular version of a gene called FADS2."


You took music lessons
Psychcentral.com reports, "There is growing evidence that musicians have structurally and functionally different brains compared with non-musicians.

"In particular, the areas of the brain used to process music are larger or more active in musicians. Even just starting to learn a musical instrument can change the neurophysiology of the brain."

In addition to boosting your IQ, musical training also helps your mood, memory, and ability to learn languages.


You're not an avid texter
According to The Times Online, using electronics too much, like texting non-stop, can put you in a state of "infomania," which can harm your IQ.

"This rate of decline in intelligence compares unfavorably with the four-point drop in IQ associated with smoking marijuana, according to British researchers, who have labeled the fleeting phenomenon of enhanced stupidity as “infomania”."


You're a lefty
It's long been said that lefties have the upper hand, literally. Dr. Oz thinks this speculation is valid.

He tells Oprah, "Left-handed people can deal with more incoming information that doesn't come in an organized way." Dr. Oz says this is because of the way the brain develops when a baby is in its mother's womb. "The left brain normally controls your right side, which is really powerful," he says. "[In left-handed people], it allows the other side, the right brain, to become an equal partner."


You're a night owl
Image: Flickr via John HaslamThis concept goes back to the evolution idea. In the past, it benefited our ancestors to do things during the day and seek shelter at night. Going against this historical trend is a sign of intelligence. Studies also back up this theory.

Yahoo News reports, "Sleep researchers tend to divide people into two groups, explains zoologist Robert Alison in the Winnipeg Free Press, based on whether they exhibit 'morningness' or 'eveningness.' A recent study claims that eveningness is an evolutionary advancement that marks out 'more intelligent individuals,' while those with lower IQs tend to restrict their activities primarily to daytime."


You're tall
Image: AP ImagesLike left-handedness, being tall has been a heavily debated trait of smarter individuals. There are studies that back up this speculation.

A Princeton study found, "“As early as age 3 — before schooling has had a chance to play a role —and throughout childhood, taller children perform significantly better on cognitive tests.” This suggests that the intelligence is nature, not nurture, although they couldn't explain the tall gene phenomenon.


You have blue eyes
Studies have shown that light-eyed people are more intelligent than dark. Don't worry if you have brown eyes, you have your own set of strengths.

Fox News reports, "Light-eyed individuals and even light-eyed animals perform better at behaviors requiring delay, self-pacing, or non-reactors, while dark-eyed individuals and animals perform better at behaviors requiring speed, sensitivity or reactivity, according to a paper authored by University of Louisville professor emeritus Joanne Rowe."


You have a big brain
We're not sure how you're supposed to know if you have a big brain, but apparently people who have this attribute are smarter than those who don't.

Michael McDanielle of Virginia Commonwealth University conducted research on this topic. Here are his findings:

"The relationship between brain volume and intelligence has been a topic of a scientific debate since at least the 1830s. To address the debate, a meta-analysis of the relationship between in vivo brain volume and intelligence was conducted. Based on 37 samples across 1530 people, the population correlation was estimated at 0.33. The correlation is higher for females than males. It is also higher for adults than children. For all age and sex groups, it is clear that brain volume is positively correlated with intelligence."


You're internet savvy
Image: Jeramey Jannene via FlickrReuters reports, "An online survey of 895 Web users and experts found more than three-quarters believe the Internet will make people smarter in the next 10 years, according to results released on Friday.

"But 21 percent said the Internet would have the opposite effect and could even lower the IQs of some who use it a lot."

Time will tell, but most experts believe the internet benefits intelligence.


You're skinny
Image: By wallace_lan on flickrIt's not that overweight people are born with lower IQs. Rather, obesity seems to have a negative effect overtime. The Telegraph reports one study's findings based on a series of memory tests:

"The new five-year study of more than 2,200 adults claims to have found a link between obesity and the decline in a person's cognitive function. The research, conducted by French scientists, involved men and women aged between 32 and 62 taking four mental ability tests that were then repeated five years later.

"The researchers found that people with a Body Mass Index – a measure of body fat – of 20 or less could recall 56 per cent of words in a vocabulary test, while those who were obese, with a BMI of 30 or higher, could remember only 44 per cent.

"The fatter subjects also showed a higher rate of cognitive decline when they were retested five years later: their recall dropped to 37.5 per cent, whereas those with a healthy weight retained their level of recall.

Monday, 5 December 2011

Here's How Social Media Works In China

I found this recently and summarised on GREAT fireWALL CHINA..... imagine how the world would looks like if they open their market to outsiders.

My assumptions will be as follow:
- Facebook users increased from current 800m to maybe 1 bilion..... and their valuation probabl will increase by a quarter at least to 125billion....
- twitter user will increase
- There will be no dao bao, sina, weibo, and etc... and no JAck Ma maybe
- and China govt will be more and more busy to settle their internal problem...


Below are Copied from Business Insider/...............
With 500 million of its citizens online, China's internet culture is as vibrant as ever. But how can this be for a country that censors sites like Facebook and YouTube?

This infographic from GPlus takes an interesting look at how social media functions in China while maintaining government compliance. Click here to see it full size.

Wednesday, 16 November 2011

11 Incredible facts about Global Coffee Industry

Coffee is more than popular: it's ubiquitous. No other beverage is as revered or respected. It can be seen in offices, during commutes, and on kitchen counter tops worldwide.



Image: Flickr - filmvanalledag




Coffee exporting alone is a $20 billion dollar industry, mostly consumed by industrialized nations while being produced by the world's underclass. It's so beloved today, you would never know drinking coffee once carried the death penalty.




After crude oil, coffee is the most sought commodity in the world

Image: Flickr - Professor BopThere's no shame in coming in second place to oil. Coffee is worth over $100 billion worldwide.


That puts it ahead of commodities like natural gas, gold, brent oil, sugar and corn.


Worldwide, we drink over 500 billion cups of coffee every year

Image: Overseas Development InstituteAnd of that number, 14 billion are Italian espresso coffees.




Coffee farms are the economic livelihood of over 25 million people.

Image: Flickr - NestléCoffee is grown in over 50 countries in Asia, Africa, South America, Central America and the Caribbean. And 67 percent of the world's coffee is grown in the Americas alone.




Despite the different flavors and varieties, there are really only two types of coffee

Image: GenBug via FlickrArabica and robusta are the two main commercially grown and sold coffee beans.




Arabica is the more common type of bean grown (70 percent of coffee is Arabica), and it's considered more flavorful. Robusta is hardier and cheaper, most commonly seen in instant coffee jars.


Over half of Americans over the age of 18 drink coffee daily

Image: Flickr - rofltoshAmerican coffee drinkers average 3 and a half cups of coffee every day.




Coffee is the source of 75 percent of America's caffeine

Image: Flickr - filmvanalledagSubstantially more than any tea, soda or energy drink.




Coffee shops are the fastest growing niche in the restaurant business

Image: APIf it seems like there are coffee shops popping up everywhere around you, you might be right — coffee shops have a seven percent annual growth rate.




Starbucks, by far America's coffee giant, is the third largest restaurant chain in the U.S. 90 percent of the world's coffee production takes place in developing countries



Image: Team at Carnaval.com Studios / flickrAnd its consumption takes place in industrialized nations. The top three producers of coffee are Brazil, Vietnam and Columbia.




Finland drinks the most coffee per capita in the world

Image: Flickr/Ari HelminenMeanwhile, the first major coffee producing country to appear on the list is Brazil at number 13.




The United States ranks 25th per capita, but we consume the most coffee overall.


"Fair trade" coffee is still a small portion of the market, but it is the most popular fair trade commodity in the world


Image: Flickr - BashaSide7"Fair trade" coffee was instituted to provide growers with better conditions and a higher cut of the profit.




Under fair trade rules, the coffee importer has a direct relationship with the grower, and pays more to maintain that relationship. Prices fluctuate, but most recently coffee farmers in fair trade cooperatives got $1.26/pound for their Arabica coffee, while regular coffee prices were around $0.70 to $0.90.


Companies like Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts and McDonald's all carry fair trade coffee.


According to the World Wildlife Fund, of the 50 countries with the highest deforestation rates from 1990 to 1995, 37 were coffee producers.



Image: WikimediaCoffee was traditionally grown in the shade. In order to increase yields, outside organizations pushed growers towards planting their crops in the sun.




New techniques include using chemicals and chopping down forests, which allow for greater output but diminish the coffee's taste and ruin the habitats of the surround fauna.


As a side note, "shade-grown" or "bird-friendly" coffee is now marked up and sold at a premium.


BONUS: In the beginning, coffee was blamed for riots, seditious speech and Satan worship



Image: Flickr - Invisible HourCoffee wasn't always so popular. Originally discovered in Ethiopia, coffee has been banned in places like Cairo, Egypt and Turkey, where repeated offenders were allegedly sewn into a leather bag and tossed into the ocean.


Copied from business insider