Fire Wind water

In light of the recent swine flu outbreaks in many parts of the world, the World Health Organization has raised the swine flu warning to Level 5. With this warning, governments around the world must put their pandemic plans into action in order to stop the spread of the swine flu virus. A pandemic is an outbreak of a disease that occurs over a wide geographic area, affecting an alarmingly large proportion of the population.

In Sweden, a new invention by The Swedish AAA-rated company Gert Strand AB may be the cure for swine flu. Called SMITTSTOPP, this Swedish invention is touted to stop diseases, bacteria and virus from spreading. A spray-on product that comes in a 500-ml (16.9 oz.) bottle, SMITTSTOPP is a cationic polymer, a positively charged substance that attaches to all surfaces. Viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms all have a negative charge. SMITTSTOPP works by attracting these negatively charged microorganisms, stopping their growth and effectively killing them.

The swine influenza virus, according to the Infectious Disease Institute, is spread through the air (e.g., coughing or sneezing). Once air-borne, the virus can land on any surface, contaminating it. When the contaminated surface is touched, the virus is then transferred to the hands and fingers. It enters through the eyes, nose or mouth when the person touches his face with his contaminated hands.

Masks are ineffective in keeping bacteria and viruses like the swine flu virus from getting into the respiratory tract. This is where SMITTSTOPP becomes the first line of defense. By spraying it on surfaces and allowing it to dry, SMITTSTOPP creates an invisible layer of durable, non-toxic, food grade polymer, which works to significantly heighten infection protection. This polymer layer attracts negatively charged microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria and kills them, effectively stopping them from spreading.

SMITTSTOPP is recommended for use in clinics, hospitals, restaurants, public areas, schools, shops, cabs, buses and homes. SMITTSTOPP should be sprayed on surfaces that are most likely to harbor contaminants like the swine flu virus, staphylococci and salmonella. It works to stop the spread of viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms when sprayed on surfaces such as handles, taps, switches, toilet flush, toilet seats, counters, equipment, and even keyboards, mouse and cell phones.

From the ratings, it is apparent that just about everyone loves So You Think You Can Dance and the contestants on the show. We especially love the ones we voted to win the show. One question remains on our minds though, what are they doing now that they have won. Spanning back as far as four years, to the very first winner, Nick, here is the break down of what happened for these lucky dancers after SYTYCD and what they are doing today.

In the premier season of SYTYCD, Nick Lazzarini was the lucky winner and voted “America’s favorite dancer”. Not only was he an amazing dancer, but was also a great person and quite good looking . The reward at the time was $100,000 and a year in a Penthouse in New York City. Because Nick was living in Cali, he decided to take the cash value of the Penthouse instead of moving. As the winner of SYTYCD, Nick was featured on the cover of Dance Spirit Magazine twice, and was actually the first person ever to have been featured twice. He also is a founding member of Evolution Dance Company. As of most recent, Nick works with Jump Tours, a convention full of classes and performances of amazing dancers.

Benji Schwimmer was probably the most entertaining contestant to grace the screens on SYTYCD and was also the season 2 winner. Not only did Benji claim the title of “America’s favorite dancer”, but he also received a car, $100,000 cash and a highly coveted year contract to be in Celine Dion’s Vegas show. He took the car and cash but did turn down the gig with Celine, stating it was an honor but he didn’t want to live in Vegas but wanted to travel and pursue television. One thing is for sure, he is definitely traveling. Since the show he has been teaching and performing all over the world pushing his and Heidi Groskreutz’s  instructional DVD’s. Benji is also co-producing a movie about dancers called Love N’ Dancing. Love N’ Dancing was originally filmed to be a TV movie, however has since turned into a theatre released movie. Benji is also rumored to be casted in two other films in the near future. Additionally, Benji was in Christina Aguilera’s music video “Candyman”. Benji was also recently featured in a ten page spread in Dancer Magazine and also covered his photography, CLK’d by BNJI.

The third season winner, Sabra Johnson was the first female to win and also took home the hefty prize of $250,000. Not bad for only having danced for four years before the show. She is truly a talented dancer and deserved it. Since the show she has been on the cover of “Movmnt Magazine”, February 2008 edition. She has also been traveling the world teaching dance including Australia and South Africa. Sabra does have future goals of maybe taking her talents to Broadway and dance professionally. As far as Broadway goes, I think she would be amazing.

Joshua Allen is the most recent winner of SYTYCD on season 4, taking home the grand prize of $250,000. There isn’t too much to report on him since his win didn’t take place as long as even a year ago, but he has been around. Joshua was one of the least trained dancers on the show but really showed his talents to the world. Also, like Benji, he was never found among the bottom three dancers. Since the show he has been teaching workshops around the country. It will be interesting to see how his career develops over the years and where this win will take him. Whatever he does though, he will be living his dream.

Attached is a video made for Real Subliminal with various subliminal messaging adverts on it – it exposes everytihng from Bread adverts, to Dodge Trucks, to Jewelery and Alcoholic drinks companies and even Coca Cola.

Subliminal adverts have been used by advertisers in every industry imaginable. The reasons they use them vary but there can be a lot to gain from using these subliminal techniques:

• Increased memory of the advert.
• Increase memory of the brand generally.
• Maybe result in the advert going viral.
• Grabbing your attention and focusing you on the advert.
• Increasing Sales.

This may seem unlikely from a simple subliminal suggestion being planted in the mind, however these suggestions build up, especially if they support the brand, and they are used in all of the promotional material.

A simple subliminal link to sex, or a naked figure is more than enough to register in your mind. It is just enough to make the advert memorable, and to help it stick out in your mind. It may even cause controversy: Any publicity is good publicity. It will be spoken about around the “water cooler” perhaps entering mainstream culture. This gives benefit to the product, the brand name, and the company.

coca cola subliminal messages are perhaps the biggest example. They are always gathering press for using sexual suggestions in their cans, bottles, and other promotional material. They use hidden pictures of the female form in their design. Typically they can be seen as an outline in the ice and icecubes, and in the wavy curvy lines which make up the Coca Cola logo. They have also been known to include lips, happy / thursty faces and more in the backgrounds.

All of these messages are meant to add to Coca Cola as a sexy, young brand name – just as their overt branding and advertising tries to do. It all ties in, and it works, Coca Cola are one of the widest recognised brands across the world. In fact a few years ago the term “Coca Cola” was labeled as the 2nds best known word in the world! The word in first place? OK!!

Subliminal adverts are everywhere – some are totally obvious, but some are very subtle. if you open your eyes and look at things differently you will notice more and more subtle subliminal suggestions in your everyday life.