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THEN & NOW: How the characters from 'Orange is the New Black' have changed over the years

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OITNB Season 5

It's already been half a decade since Netflix graced televisions and laptops across the world with Jenji Kohan's depiction of Piper Kerman's book"Orange is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison."

The show became an instant hit when season one was released in 2013, and June 9 the legendary cast is coming back for season five.

But before bingeing the entire season, let's take a stroll down memory lane to see how all of our beloved inmates have changed since the show began. 

SEE ALSO: 100 movies on Netflix that everyone needs to watch in their lifetime

Piper Chapman, played by Taylor Schilling, arrived at Litchfield Penitentiary in the first episode after getting ratted out by her ex-girlfriend Alex Vause for carrying drug money.

Chapman begins her sentence timid and afraid. Back home she is engaged to her boyfriend Larry, living in a Brooklyn townhouse, and living a relatively normal life. Adjusting to prison life, i.e. eating cafeteria slop and using the overcrowded restrooms, is hard for her at first.

By the end of the first season, she's fixed things with Vause and made friends with a few other inmates. Unfortunately, she also made a few enemies along the way.



By season four she was briefly the prison's Queen Bee, but has decided to return to her calmer, more innocent ways by the end of it.

Through the seasons, Piper survives temporary placement in a terrible prison in Chicago, fights off enemy after enemy, dates both Vause and Stella Carlin, and even starts a thriving, illegal panty-selling business. She has become viciously unafraid of anyone, and a master manipulator.

At the end of season four, however, she is branded with a Swastika by an enemy group of inmates (she had been spending time with a white supremacist), which gives her the reality check she needs to return to her original self. She becomes nicer, calmer, and stops trying to "win prison."

 



Right off the bat, viewers can sense that Laura Prepon's character, Alex Vause, is one of the smarter inmates in the prison.

In the first few episodes, Vause is presented as being extremely street smart, despite staying mostly to herself. 

Vause is all about getting through her sentence without any trouble, so she keeps her head down, though she also often does what's best for her and only her — which is probably why she ratted out Chapman in the first place.

In season two, during their trial in Chicago, Vause rats out someone else: the drug lord that she and Chapman had worked for. She is immediately released for helping officials, but the drug lord isn't immediately arrested. 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

I traveled to 22 countries in 25 years — here are my favorite places

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lake zurichSomeone asked me the other day how many countries I had been to and after thinking for a few minutes, I realized that it was 22.

Considering I recently turned 25, I’d say that’s not too shabby so before heading out to a few more countries this year, I’ve made a list of where I’ve been and included some of my favorite memories.

England

London was my home for a few months in 2008 and has remained one of my favorite global cities. While many of my fellow study abroad peers overlooked the rest of England, I made a point to explore towns near and far. Some of my favorites include Cambridge, Oxford, Brighton Beach, Canterbury, and the Cotswolds. The one perk of rainy weather in England is how beautiful the countryside is when the sun comes out.



Scotland

Although my expectations for Edinburgh were low, I couldn’t have been more impressed with the city. It’s not everyday that you lay eyes on a castle built upon volcanic rock. I’m also a huge Harry Potter fan so drinking coffee as I overlooked the castle (the inspiration of Hogwarts and Harry Potter in general), was one of my favorite travel moments. I also went on a tour through the highlands in hopes of seeing the legendary lock ness monster named Nessie. She never showed.



Wales

One of my weekends was spent driving through South Wales. While many of the other students found the country on the boring side, I found the small towns and green green grass charming. Highlights included Cardiff, Swansea, Brecons Beacon National Park, the ruins of Tintern Abbey and taking a tour underground in a real mine.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The multi-millionaire founder of MySpace retired before he was 40 to travel the world — here are some of his most stunning photos

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Tom Anderson Oahu

If you were a teenager with a computer in the early aughts, there's a good chance you had a profile on MySpace, the music-centered predecessor to Facebook.

Nearly 76 million people used the social networking site in the US at the height of its popularity in 2008, and they all had one thing in common: first "friend" Tom Anderson.

Anderson cofounded MySpace in August 2003 at just 32 years old, serving as the company's president. His now-iconic profile would default to every new user's friend list; his persona and the company became ubiquitous.

In 2005, News Corp. bought MySpace— then the largest social network in the world — and its parent company, Intermix, for $580 million. Anderson retired as a multi-millionaire in 2009, leaving MySpace behind to explore a passion for architecture and design.

"When I left the work world, I started designing my dream house,"he recently told the Red Bulletin. "I dived into architecture and bought seven vacant lots. My plan was to build one house, move in, and build the next. If the next was better, I'd move in and sell the previous one – so on and so forth."

Anderson only finished construction on the third home before an interest in photography took over. Since then, he's been traveling all over the world, moving between his three homes in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Hawaii to photograph landscapes and nature. He posts the best shots to his Instagram account, aptly named @myspacetom.

Business Insider recently caught up with Anderson to learn more about his travels, how he defines retirement, and his advice for aspiring travelers.

SEE ALSO: A 30-year-old saved $10,000 in rent when she left Los Angeles to Airbnb-hop around the world

SEE ALSO: A 27-year-old who saves 65% of his income shares his 7 best tips for traveling on a budget

When Anderson left MySpace, he was serious about retirement. "For years it literally meant no work — I just didn't want to spend one minute doing something for money," he told Business Insider.

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 Kauai.

 



When he picked up photography in 2011 after an inspired trip to Burning Man, Anderson decided to maintain it as a hobby. "I haven't wanted to take commissions or sell my photos, or do anything commercial with it — that would just feel like work, which I don't want to do," he said.

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 Bagan, Burma.



Instead, he travels for pleasure and to visit friends, choosing destinations mainly by thumbing through photos online. "Instagram has really changed the travel industry," he said.

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 Zion National Park in Utah.



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6 travel bags and suitcases we always use for trips

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

18358684_1306439912724524_6552771927678804013_oTraveling is a great way to relax and recharge, whether your destination is a bustling metropolis or secluded beach.

But getting from point A to B is no vacation. Traveling can be stressful.

The last thing you should worry about is picking out a suitcase that will fit all your stuff. To help, I asked the Insider Picks team to share their favorite travel bags, in case any readers need some ideas for what to buy.

The six bags below range from backpacks, to rolling suitcases, to duffels, so there's bound to be an option that's perfect for your next adventure.

DON'T MISS: 10 must-have travel tech accessories

Away Carry-On, $225

Who hasn’t scrambled to charge their phone before a long flight? Now there’s help for busy travelers. Away's carry-on has a built-in battery that can charge your devices, so you’re never left looking for an outlet at the airport. Plus, this one has two USB ports, so you can help out a friend if you're traveling together. It's the carry-on I always take with me on trips.

 Ellen Hoffman, commerce editor

Away Carry-On, $225



Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag 60L, $129

I bought this bag back in 2011, and it's easily the smartest travel purchase I've ever made.

This bag can handle anything short of a hurricane without your stuff getting wet, and fits a shocking amount, while still maintaining the size of a slightly-larger-than-average backpack. That means on crowded subways, buses, trains, or streets, your movement isn't affected by your stuff; instead, the bag keeps a low profile.

I've also never been asked to gate check it on a crowded plane because it looks so small. Airline employees are trained to look at roller bags as targets when overhead compartments get full, but this one barely registers and fits into every overhead compartment I've encountered.

— Breton Fischetti, senior director of commerce

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag 60L, $129



Moshi Helios Laptop Backpack, from $119.95

No matter how big my checked bag is, I can always count on the Helios to hold the essentials I need in-flight and on the ground. Moshi includes a compartment for your laptop (13-inch on the Lite and 15-inch for the regular Helios) and a number of other smaller pockets for your battery pack, selfie stick, notebook, or phone.

There's even a nifty hidden zipper pocket against your back where you can stow your phone or wallet for easy access. It's super light-weight, slim, and cute, so you can wear it around the city you're visiting without looking like a kid on your way home from school or worse, looking like an over-eager tourist.

 Malarie Gokey, guides editor

Moshi Helios 13" Lite Backpack, $119.95

Moshi Helios 15" Laptop Backpack, $149.95



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Stunning photos of women doing 'men's work' shatter gender stereotypes

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cc2016052_134_vfThe INSIDER Summary:

• Photographer Chris Crisman photographed women working in male-dominated fields.
• Subjects include a firefighter, geologist, and a truck driver.
• Crisman hopes to show that "women's work" is unlimited.


Photographer Chris Crisman had never met a female butcher. When an art buyer mentioned that one of her friends was a butcher based in Philadelphia, he figured it would make a compelling portrait

He's since met a firefighter, a geologist, a truck driver, and even a taxidermist who excel in fields with skewed gender ratios.

With a photo series called "Women's Work," Crisman features accomplished individuals who prove that sometimes, the right man for the job is a woman.

"Women's Work" began when photographer Chris Crisman met a female butcher in Philadelphia.

"It's been illustrated historically as a male position, and so I thought this was a cool opportunity to photograph a female butcher," he said.



That portrait sparked his photo series highlighting women working in male-dominated fields.



He spent time on the job with the women he featured in order to watch them in their element.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Twitter users are having a field day hilariously editing Comey's prepared remarks for Congress

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James Comey

The Senate Intelligence Committee posted ousted FBI Director James Comey's prepared opening remarks Wednesday afternoon ahead of his scheduled hearing on Thursday, and some Twitter users immediately started having some fun.

The seven-page document details Comey's interactions with Donald Trump from January until the president fired him in May.

Throughout the remarks, Comey uses colorful language to describe his in-person meetings and phone calls with Trump.

Enjoy:

SEE ALSO: Here's what James Comey will tell Congress in his first testimony since being fired

DON'T MISS: Former FBI Director Comey: Trump told me he 'had not been involved' with Russian 'hookers'

First of all, here are Comey's actual prepared remarks:



Now you can see what Twitter users turned them into:





See the rest of the story at Business Insider

12 apps that just won Apple's most prestigious design award (AAPL)

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Tim Cook

Apple revealed the winners of its prestigious Design Awards in a small ceremony at its annual conference on Wednesday.

These awards go to apps that Apple likes because they're new, useful, or particularly beautiful. It's one of the biggest awards that Apple gives to its app developers. 

Unlike Apple's end-of-year awards list, these apps often aren't super popular yet, and usually take advantage of new Apple capabilities or highlight emerging trends in app design.

Sometimes, Apple even buys the companies behind apps that have won these awards. 

Here are this year's winners. We'll start with the apps then move onto the games:

SEE ALSO: Apple is now the leader in the technology that could replace the smartphone, but it doesn't have a vision yet

Lake, a beautiful coloring app that works well with Apple's stylus, Pencil

Price: Free, but with in-app purchases.



Bear, an elegant note-taking app

Price: Free, but the pro version is a $14.99 annual subscription. 



Kitchen Stories, a beautiful cooking app that Apple CEO Tim Cook likes

Price: Free with in-app purchases.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Father's Day is coming up — here are 17 great gifts under $25

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships so we may get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

unnamed 1In a dream world, you’d spare no expense to spoil your dad on Father's Day. Your bank account balance isn't exactly in the six digits though.

Thankfully, there are still plenty of presents to shop that are within the realm of possibility — and that aren't the all too predictable tie or set of cuff links retailers will have you think he wants and needs. 

Everything on the list we put together is less than $25, and it really runs the gamut, from a pair of whiskey stones to his new favorite coffee blend, a convenient power bank for his phone, or backpack that doubles as a cooler for up to 12 cans of his favorite beer. 

Having trouble figuring out what to get your dad for Father's Day? Browse all of Insider Picks' 2017 Father's Day gift guides here.

SEE ALSO: 32 gifts your dad actually wants this Father's Day

Whiskey stones

Teroforma Large Whiskey Stones (Set of 2), $20

Quiseen Chill Rocks (Set of 9), $8.95



Milk chocolate cigars

Godiva Milk Chocolate Cigars, $16



A portable power bank for his phone

Anker PowerCore 10000 Power Bank, $23.99



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

8 things to know before you get married

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couple foreverThe INSIDER Summary

  • Being in a relationship sometimes involves having tough conversations with your other half.
  • If you're thinking about committing to your partner, these are the convos you should have before saying "I do."

Many modern couples live together long before their wedding day, meaning they’ve already figured out who’s going to wash dishes and clean the bathroom, and which mid-fight button-pushing will send a small disagreement into nuclear territory. There are, however, some conversations you should definitely have before marriage, even if you’ve already figured out the living together part. Read on to discover eight conversations to have before you get married.

1. Debt and finances

Long before your wedding, sit down with your partner and have a frank discussion about your financial situation. If either of you have debt — student loan or otherwise — be honest about it; hiding it will only hurt you down the road. Likewise, if you have bad credit because of a past mistake or financial tumble, tell your partner and discuss ways to improve your credit score together. This is also a good time to talk about how you’ll handle your finances going forward. For example, if you’re planning to buy a home, maybe it makes more sense to apply for a mortgage in just one of your names.



2. Kids and parenting

You definitely need to discuss whether or not you want to have kids, but beyond that, find out your partner’s expectations around parenting. Do either of you want to be a stay-at-home parent? Do both of you want to continue working full-time? If so, will your kids go to daycare, or have a nanny? Can someone in your family take care of the kids? This is also a good time to discuss whether or not you want to raise your kids in a certain religion. (You’d be surprised how many young people aren’t religious but want to imbue their kids with some kind of spirituality!)



3. Moving to a new city or state

Times are tough and many people find themselves forced to move to new cities or states for work or affordable housing. Talk to your partner about his or her willingness to move — even if that just means moving to a new neighborhood or suburb — in the near future and down the road. If your partner is adamant about remaining in place, try to uncover his or her tipping point. Perhaps your future husband is concerned that you won’t make enough money to support a move out of state, but if the job pays X amount, he’d be more willing. Or maybe your future wife wants to be close to her family when you have kids, but would be willing to try out a new city in the meantime.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Apple’s first foray into making a TV show is an unintentionally comical train wreck (AAPL)

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Planet of the Apps Gwyneth Paltrow

The first episode of Apple's new reality show, "Planet of the Apps," has arrived — and it's a total mess.

The show is a "Shark Tank"-style competition among app developers vying to gain a mentor who will turn their app into the next Facebook, along with a bag stuffed with venture capital money; In other words, the Silicon Valley dream.

This is the first original TV show made by Apple and it features celebrity judges, along with DJ-turned-host Zane Lowe. 

Of course, making good television requires different muscles than building beautiful hardware. And Apple's inexperience in this realm quickly shows up in a variety of clumsy, comical and at times cringe-worthy scenes throughout the 60-minute show.

Business Insider watched the first episode (new episodes will be released every Tuesday). Here's the good, the bad and the ugly from Apple's first foray into TV entertainment:

SEE ALSO: Apple fans and employees are 'ashamed' of Apple's new reality show, 'Planet of the Apps'

"Planet of the Apps" is hosted by Honest Company founder Jessica Alba, musician Will.i.am, Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow, and VaynerMedia founder and CEO Gary Vaynerchuk — and therein lies one of the major problems with the show.

None of the hosts has ever developed an app. With the exception of Gwyneth Paltrow (whose company, Goop, built a travel app called G.Spotting), none of the hosts own companies, or are affiliated with, companies that build apps. None of the hosts even really work in tech at all, unless you count Will.i.am's Buttons headphones or Gary Vaynerchuk's early tech investments in Facebook and Twitter. 

So, why are these four judging a show about making a hit app? That's the biggest mystery of "Planet of the Apps," and one that the judges themselves seem stumped by. At several points throughout the first episode, the judges bow out of mentoring a company because they have zero expertise in the field. 

 



The format of "Planet of the Apps" isn't unlike "The Voice," in that each contestant or group of contestants has a set amount of time to pitch their product, then each judge says whether they're interested in mentoring the aspiring entrepreneur by hitting a "Yes" or "No" button on an iPad.



Oddly, the judges' decisions appear on a digital circle on the floor — red means "No" and green means "Yes." If the contestants get all reds, they can't continue pitching their app. If they get just one yes, they go stand in the middle of the circle and tell the judges more about their product.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

5 prop bets to watch during Game 3 of the NBA Finals

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lebron kyrie

Gambling on the NBA playoffs has been rather monotonous this year. Hopefully, you've been backing the Warriors, as they’ve absolutely walloped the competition in the Western Conference and continued their dominance over the Cavaliers in the first two games of the NBA Finals.

Thankfully, there are plenty of prop bets to keep us entertained and invested, even if the games or series begin to get one-sided.

One nice thing about proposition bets is that they allow you to bet on specific players and performances depending on how you think the game will play out. Rather than betting on one team or another, you can bet on a larger narrative of how you think the game will go — whether one player will have a bad night, or another will step up big.

For example, I am not giving up on LeBron tonight. Despite every sign from the first two games showing the Cavs to be outgunned in this arms race of jump shooters, I have a difficult time doubting the best player I’ve ever seen with my own eyes.

Below are five of the more interesting prop bets for Game 3. All odds are in parentheses, via Bovada at the time of this writing

Cavaliers to win the first quarter (-110)*

Back home in Cleveland, LeBron and company are going to want to reassure fans early that they are going to be in this game. The Cavaliers come out hot and hit a few transition shots early, capped by a LeBron dunk that forces an early timeout from the Warriors, and hold on to that lead through the end of the quarter.

*A negative number is how much a person would bet in order to win $100. A positive number is how much a person would win if they bet $100.



1st half total under 116 points (-105)

In the first two games of the Finals the scoring has been absurd. Both games have easily gone over the total, and I’ve seen no evidence as to why tonight should be any different. And yet, if the Cavs are going to pull off the win, they're going to have to slow this game down. Plus, 116 is a ton of points for a half.



Durant scores under 30.5 points (+100)

If this game gets physical, I'm banking on the Warriors backing off and hoping to keep it close with jumpers and avoiding a ton of contact. Ideally after two games the Cavs defense has adjusted to no longer give up free points to Durant. He's got to cool down eventually right?



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

10 wedding hacks you never thought you needed

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weddingThe INSIDER Summary

  • Planning a wedding can be super stressful for some brides, but there are plenty of hacks that'll help you get through the big day with plenty of ease. 
  • Get a 3-tiered cake for display, but then a sheet cake hidden in the back for serving.
  • Have your bra sewn into your dress to avoid unwanted slips.

If you’re hoping for a stress-free wedding (who isn’t?!), you’ll need a well-stocked emergency kit by your side…and a few hacks up your sleeve! Here are 10 brilliant wedding hacks that will help you get down the aisle in one piece. 

1. Planning to tie the knot in a park or on the beach?

Stock up on veil weights NOW. If you’re having an outdoor wedding (or at least planning to take some photos outside), attach little weights to your veil to keep it from blowing around in the wind.



2. Use our handy hotel block tool to make booking hotel rooms for your guests a cinch.

If you’re trying to find the best group accommodations, we’ve made it way easier to book hotel rooms for your guests. It’s fast and completely free!



3. Get a 2-3 tier cake for display/cutting and then serve guests from a sheet cake that’s hidden in the kitchen.

This will allow you to have a beautiful cake without going way over budget.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

These drawings show what it’s really like to have an eating disorder

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ed:more than weight gain

The INSIDER Summary:

  • Christie Begnell developed anorexia at age 20.
  • She started drawing to express what living with and recovering from an eating disorder is like.
  • She shares her art on Instagram and in her new book, "Me and My ED," to destigmatize the disease.


When Christie Begnell began sharing her drawings on Instagram, she realized how helpful they could be in explaining the reality of what is often a misunderstood disease

Having developed anorexia at 20 years old, she used art to illustrate her relationship with "Ana." Now 24, she's compiled more than 60 of her drawings into a book called "Me and My ED" to show what having and recovering from an eating disorder is really like.

Begnell spoke to INSIDER via email about her journey.

Christie Begnell is an occupational therapist living in Sydney, Australia.



She struggled with depression and anxiety through her adolescence, which worsened when her parents split and she broke up with a long-term boyfriend.



Dieting and calorie counting to meet weight loss goals gave her a sense of control.

"I became obsessed with exercise and finding ways to lose weight," she said. "It became a way of distracting from all the pain and loneliness and it gave me a purpose again ... I got a high off setting myself goals and achieving them."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Here's exactly when you should throw away your makeup

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Makeup BrushesThe INSIDER Summary:

  • Makeup doesn't last forever, but when you should throw it out depends on what kind of product it is.
  • Products like foundation, primer, blush, and eyeshadow can last for up to two years.
  • Lipstick is typically good for one year after you've opened it.
  • Eye makeup like mascara and liquid eyeliner should be replaced every three months.  


Many people don't realize that, like anything perishable, makeup has an expiration date.

Besides the fact that old makeup doesn't hold up too well, if you're not careful, it can even be harmful to your skin and cause irritation.

Most beauty product labels have an open jar symbol that indicates how long it will last after you open it, but the US currently doesn't require cosmetics to have an expiration date. And when you should throw out makeup differs depending on the kind of product.

Here's how long each type of makeup typically lasts:

Lipstick should be thrown out after about a year.



Products for the face, like foundation and primer, typically last for up to 24 months from the date they're opened.



Blush will keep for two years.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

'Training doesn't stop harassment': After a stunning string of blows, experts weigh in on how Uber can recover

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Uber office sign woman

In February, Susan Fowler, a former Uber engineer, published a damning blog post alleging she endured sexual harassment at the company.

She described her "strange experience" at the ride-hailing startup, which allegedly involved HR ignoring her complaints that her manager was sexually harassing her.

That was just the start of Uber's woes.

As Business Insider's Biz Carson reported, the startup was hit with further accusations of harassment, as a New York Times report alleged groping and drug use among employees at a company retreat. The stream of bad news may have prompted a recent exodus of execs and managers, including SVP Amit Singhal, who had not disclosed sexual harassment complaints against him from his previous job at Google.

As a result of the allegations, Uber launched an internal work misconduct investigation and has enlisted outside law firm Perkins Coie to investigate as well. In addition, US Attorney General Eric Holder is leading a separate investigation specifically focusing on investigating sexual harassment, reporting back to the company's board.

So far, 215 claims of various inappropriate workplace incidents including sexual harassment have been investigated, as Business Insider previously reported. On Tuesday, Uber fired 20 employees as a result of the investigation and recommended training for 31 more workers.

But is it enough to fix a culture that led to repeated allegations of harassment?

"I like the idea that people and organizations can be rehabilitated," says Raleigh, North Carolina-based human resources consultant Laurie Ruettimann. "I'm not sure I've seen that in practice in recent history, but I have to believe it's true."

Business Insider spoke with three HR experts to find out the implications of the allegations and resulting investigations for Uber and how the world's most valuable startup might correct its course going forward. 

SEE ALSO: What to do when you have a problem at work, and human resources won't help you

'The culture permitted it'

The HR experts agreed that such a crisis is indicative of a toxic, secretive company culture, in which harassment and other bad behavior can flourish.

"Obviously the culture permitted it and allowed it to happen," says executive coach and Learning Engine president Dr. N. Elizabeth Fried. "One would hope that the culture comes out of an evolved level of thinking, but ... if they were truly a culture that was committed to fairness and equality and that type of situation, they wouldn't be in the position that they're in."

In other words, in order to permanently fix the problem going forward, the entire culture must change.



'This is a first step'

John Hudson, a Chicago-based HR business partner with Slalom, LLC., says that Uber firing employees as a result of the investigation is "a smart PR move."

"If there is an alleged culture of harassment there, this is a first step," he says. "They then need to continue to build on cleaning up the environment and change their hiring practices."

"If they are truly serious about changing the culture, then cleaning house is necessary," Hudson says. "Have they identified where the issues are? A lot of these culture problems start at the top of an organization. Were they bold enough to make some moves of some bad apples regardless of their performance? Or did they look the other way at some of the talent?"



'Enforce a zero tolerance policy for these behaviors'

As Business Insider's Biz Carson reported, the harassment allegations have proven "a problem Uber has been slow to recognize."

Recommendations from the investigation's official report are expected to be announced next week, after Uber's staff meeting. The experts had some suggestions on what policies may actually help combat harassment.

"If there was not a formal investigative process or way for employee complaints to be investigated, a good first step would be to implement one," Hudson says. To do this, he suggests a few things:

• Establish an anonymous hotline

• Have an independent internal team or an independent third party be responsible for the thorough investigation of each claim

• Institute and enforce a zero tolerance policy for harassment

An Uber spokesperson has said that the company does have a confidential help line, which it will continue to run, as well as a new system in place to better log and track complaints.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

11 easy no-heat hairstyles for summer

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Selena Gomez_Braided Bun

The INSIDER Summary:

  • Blow dryers and flat irons can put too much stress on your hair during the summer.
  • No-heat hairstyles are a great alternative.
  • Trending styles include fishtail braids, bantu knots, and top knot buns.


Summer is the perfect season to experiment with no-heat hairstyles.

Not only do they protect your strands against unnecessary damage from blow dryers and flat irons, these trendy styles are easy to recreate — especially if you're in a rush.

Here are 11 popular looks you should try.

Section your hair in a half-up, half-down style like Kendall Jenner.



Bantu knots are stylish on their own. They also make the cutest curls when they're unraveled.



Fishtail braids are elaborate and boho chic.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

13 ingenious ways to stay cool this summer

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sweating

People tend to get pretty excited about summer, as the temperature and long daylight hours are a welcome change after cold, dark winters. But let's not forget that summer also brings sweltering heat and higher-than-average electricity bills. 

While some choose to jet off to lakes and beaches to cool off, others are left to battle the rising temperatures and glaring sun in the city. If you happen to be the latter, or are simply looking for quick and easy ways to cool off, here are 13 tricks for beating the heat. 

Freeze your favorite fruits.

Freeze fruits like bananas, grapes, watermelon, and blueberries for a healthy but refreshing snack.



Buy a fan that connects to your phone.

Keep a breeze in your pocket with these handy phone-powered fans. 



Make your own sprinkler.

All it takes is a hose, a drill, and some PVC pipes to create your own sprinkler. You can even make one with an empty soda bottle.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

7 secret menu items at Disneyland

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disneyland mac and cheese bread bowl

Disneyland food is iconic. Monte Cristos, and Mickey beignets. Churros, and fried chicken. Chimichangas, and caramel popcorn. We love it all. But did you know there are SECRET menu items at Disneyland? We’ve narrowed down our favorite secret menu items here to the must-get list. Take notes for your next walk down Main Street USA.

Cove Bar secret drinks menu

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Cove Bar is the place for lobster nachos and a great view of California Screamin’. But the drinks menu is standard. And by standard we mean it’s the same one that you’ll find elsewhere on the premises. Unless you ask about the secret menu. Work your way (slowly) through seven colorful, crazy strong options like Mickey’s Fun Wheel, Neverland Tea, the Earthquake, and the Black Pearl (there’s a secret menu Black Pearl at Trader Sam’s, too, and it’s not the same drink).



Pacific Wharf Cafe mac and cheese bread bowl

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If carbs on carbs is your jam, head over to Pacific Wharf Cafe in Disney California Adventure. They’ll pile an insane amount of their kids’ menu mac and cheese into a giant bread bowl, and you can just call it a day right there. It’s crazy savory and delicious. Don’t forget to add some bread pudding to your tray while you’re at it. Because bread.



Golden Horseshoe ice cream nachos

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Golden Horseshoe has some cute sundaes on its menu, but you don’t want those. You want the ice cream nachos. Three scoops nestled on a bed of cracked waffle bowls, and all of it is doused in hot fudge and that strangely addictive Disneyland whipped cream. It’s huge, impossible to finish, and you will be the center of attention in the Golden Horseshoe seating area, so there’s that.



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Trump floated a solar-paneled border wall with Mexico — here's what it would look like

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Trump solar border wall

President Donald Trump wants to deliver on one of the central promises of his campaign — building a wall on the Mexican border.

He's pitched Republican leaders on a proposal to cover the wall with solar panels and use the electricity generated to cover the costs of construction and maintenance.

Thomas Gleason is the managing partner of Gleason Partners LLC, a Las Vegas-based architecture firm that submitted a proposal to the Department of Homeland Security that included solar panels. He told Business Insider on Wednesday that he had been batting around the idea of building a solar-paneled wall along the US-Mexico border "for months."

Gleason, being in the construction business, said he knew a few people in contact with Trump, so he directed his firm to come up with a design and "get it in front" of the president after the DHS requested proposals. 

The wall would generate enough power to pay for its construction in under 20 years, Gleason claimed. But he cautioned that numerous variables — the Mexican border is far from a straight line and light intensity changes from month-to-month — could complicate his calculations. He said his firm hasn't received the go-ahead from the federal government to conduct a full evaluation. 

Gleason said his estimate is predicated on the cost of manufacturing solar panels decreasing over time. The price of installing solar panels has dropped from around $8 per watt in 2009 to $1.50 per watt in 2016, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. 

US-Mexico border wall

Business leaders within the renewable-energy sector commended Trump's decision to seriously consider going solar.

"We're excited that President Trump sees the economic value created by solar installations, as solar prices continue to plummet," Bryan Birsic, the CEO of Wunder Capital, a renewable-energy investment firm, told Business Insider.

"While we would prefer a different location and purpose for a large solar installation, we strongly support all additional generation of clean power in the US," Birsic said. 

Gleason said he believes that farmers on both sides of the border would appreciate the wall, as the energy output would create a "microgrid" that could provide cheap power to remote areas on the border underserved by energy utilities.

"We'd be our own utility," Gleason added, though he said third-party contractors would need to actively manage the wall, per the DHS's request. He said the cheap, renewable electricity produced by the wall should "mitigate" political resistance over time, and increase property values along the border. 

Gleason also said the panels sourced by his firm would be manufactured in the US, whereas a concrete wall would entail shipping "truckloads" of concrete from Mexico, along with the higher maintenance costs.

"Our intent is to offer a realistic, no-nonsense design for the wall that pays for itself that will make everybody happy, including our president," Gleason said. 

Here are some renderings of what the wall could look like, which Gleason's firm provided to Business Insider:

SEE ALSO: Trump's massive infrastructure push is missing something significant — an actual plan

The panels on the proposed wall would be offset to avoid casting shadows, as solar panels are usually installed on roofs, not walls. The panels on the roof would move to track the sun.



This is the proposed Mexico side of the wall. Solar panels in the US generally face south to maximize sunlight.



Another cross-section of the Mexico side of the wall. The panels would be set on a concrete foundation, with fencing above and below the panels.



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10 things to know about Mike Pence's policies and beliefs — and how he acted on them over the years.

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mike pence montengro pm

Vice President Mike Pence has sought to establish himself as a steady hand in the White House, even as President Donald Trump's administration remained embroiled in successive crises since the inauguration in January.

Largely opting for low-key public appearances and meetings both domestically and abroad, Pence has limited his public remarks to closely choreographed statements, as opposed to the bombastic style of the commander-in-chief.

Despite this, Pence's public activities have not gone without some scrutiny. His positions on a number of issues have also prompted the ire of critics.

Here are ten things you should know about Pence's policies and beliefs — and how he acted on them over the years.

SEE ALSO: TRUMP: Mike Pence has 'one hell of a good marriage'

Pence didn't want women serving in the military, he wrote in a 1999 op-ed that "Mulan" was liberal propaganda, and proof that women in the military doesn't work (referring to her love interest in another soldier).

Source: BuzzFeed News



In 2000, Pence wrote an op-ed in which he said "smoking doesn't kill." The article resurfaced during the 2016 election because of the claim, which Penc appeared to contradict by saying in the same op-ed, "smoking is not good for you."

Source: Business Insider



While running for Congress in 2000, Pence wrote on his website that money funding research for HIV/AIDS should be moved to fund conversion therapy, "which provide assistance to those seeking to change their sexual behavior."

Source: BuzzFeed



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