The US retail sector may be post peak, and with the changing demographics and online sales competition, the once popular shopping mall and Department Store may become much like the once dominant species of our pale blue dot. Like the dinosaurs, the department store model looks like it will soon be ancient history. Let’s talk, as there is more evidence than not to back up this prediction.

The Kansas City Business Journal had a piece titled: “Study: Department stores must prune mall space to bloom again,” published on April 25, 2016 which stated: “A real estate research firm says department stores must close hundreds of sites – about 20 percent of all anchor space – in U.S. malls to regain their productivity of a decade ago, The Wall Street Journal reports. For example, Sears Holdings Corp. should shutter 300 stores, or 43 percent of its total, to achieve the sales per square foot it had in 2006, according to the study by Green Street Advisors. This is so even though Sears and other retailers have closed hundreds of stores in recent years with the rise of online sales and discounters.

Meanwhile, The Louisville Business Journal had a telling article recently titled: “Major retailer plans to close all of its Louisville-area stores except one,” published on April 22, 2016, which stated: “Kmart is planning to close all but one of its stores in the Louisville area this summer. The retail chain’s parent company, Sears Holding Corp., announced Thursday that a total of 78 Kmart and Sears stores will be closing, and that number includes four Louisville-area Kmart stores, WDRB TV reports.”

And, what exactly was that Wall Street Journal piece saying in addition to all this? Well, read it for yourself; “Glut Plagues Department Stores,” by Suzanne Kapner – and the recommendation from the research firm that in the US there needs to be at least the closure of 800 anchor tenant department stores for profitability to stabilize, that would be about one-fifth of all major department stores. Can you say; Ouch!? For the Retail Sector, I think this is what all retail stock fund managers are collectively saying about now, and one would have to ask; why? Why is this happening?

Well, consider the exuberant growth over the years, and the increase in online sales, expansion of Wal-Mart superstores and the spendable income of Americans declining – due to college tuition costs, health insurance, and the increased costs of things once not heard of, but now necessities of modern life such as: smart phones, cable TV, etc. Wages and Salaries on average have been stagnant and alongside even moderate to nil inflation flat in their growth. The world is changing and the retail world must adapt or die – there is no longer a choice in the matter. Please think on this.

The unique techniques of life casting have found favor in many other fields such as prototype tooling, prosthetics, taxidermy, architectural restoration and special effects for film and television. The advanced technology used in animatronics also incorporates life casting techniques in the initial stages of creating the characters.

Animatronics refers to making and using robotic devices to imitate a living being. The creatures could be humans, animals (like dinosaurs and sharks), plant life or even mythical creatures. Animatronics brings lifelike characteristics to the inanimate objects so that they can walk, talk and do other activities in a natural way. The movements could be mechanized or controlled by computers.

Animatronics is largely used in films (20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, Jaws, E.T., Jurassic Park, etc), television and advertizing. This differs from computer animation as the simulated creatures are actually physically present and moving in front of the camera. The characters in various amusement parks also wow visitors with the aid of animatronics.

Making the creatures

Animatronics uses puppets, models and other figures which are then animated to emulate lifelike movements. The character first takes shape as a sketch on paper and scale models are created for approval.

Once approved, an internal supporting frame is carefully built using steel or even wood at times. Once the desired shape is achieved, electronic and mechanical components are attached around the framework.

The figure is finally covered with body shells that give it the shape and look of a real creature. Flexible skin is attached to the exterior of the figure that completes the lifelike appearance.

The skin can be made of silicone, foam latex or urethane. First a mold is made by using alginate or clay. The mold should be in the exact shape and size of the animatronics figure. Molds can be made in parts to allow for more ease of use.

The body mold is reinforced using plaster bandages to form a shell mold. Once cured, it is carefully demolded and will have captured the minute details which will be replicated in the skin cast. An alginate mold should be used quickly as it tends to shrink. The silicone or latex is poured into the mold and allowed to cure. Once fully cured, the thin skin cast can be easily demolded as alginate does not stick to anything.

The cast will have a texture similar to that of real skin. It will be flexible as well to allow facial and body movements as required. The demolded skin is cleaned and finished before being carefully attached to the figure.

The animatronics figure gets the final finishing touches in the form of eyes, teeth, hair, feathers and other such realistic characteristics. The requisite color pigments may be added to the skin during casting itself. Else, special silicone/latex paints are used to color the figure as required.

The figure is ready then be animated as desired.

Here’s a checklist of who this book is for:

-You’re a dedicated viewer of Fox News

-You attend a Christian church weekly, read the bible and pray daily (NO OTHER RELIGION IS ACCEPTABLE)

-You blindly vote Republican in every election cycle

-You consider Bill O’Reilly or Bill Cosby as moral barometers to be looked up to

-You think 1950’s America was the height of civilization, where women stay home to raise babies, don’t have professional careers, are under-educated, subservient to men and the whole women’s liberation movement ruined our society

-You believe the world was created in 7 days, 6,000 years ago and that dinosaurs and global warming are a hoax, the Earth is flat and at the center of the universe and otherwise think science is not factual

– You have a daughter

If you have all those boxes checked above and you fall into those categories, (I’m sorry for you), here are other reasons you shouldn’t buy this book: Telephoned-in authorship, meaning there isn’t that much original writing of new material. It’s mostly excerpts from other books, interviews from the author’s radio show or other shows copy/pasted together in a very incomprehensible, non-chronological and illogical way. Also, the book is littered with footnotes from sources that were selectively cherry picked to support the author’s opinion, particularly with scientific studies and material from other medical journals that were taken out of context or where the parameters of the study are faulted to produce a bias. Most of the supporting evidence for theories is anecdotal, with each story coming from women that are daughters or closely related to clergy members of other church organizations that the author has a relationship with. As a reader, you shouldn’t expect to gain any tactical advice from this book, such as “spend at least one day a week unplugged from the digital world with your daughter outdoors”, what you’ll read instead is a whole chapter on why you should focus all your efforts on ensuring your daughter stay a virgin until her wedding day and how the sky will fall down upon you if that doesn’t happen.

This book will offend you if you:

-Have any tattoos

-Have any piercings not in your ears, (women) any piercings (men)

-Are atheist, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Zen, Paganism or gain any spirituality from nature, or participate in any other religion that is not Christian in any capacity

-Are gay, or transgender

-Are not born in America, (this book is very nationalist with a negative viewpoint on being a responsible global human)

-You’re a professional women with a career outside the home, and/or the household breadwinner

-You’re a stay-at-home dad

Other disturbing issues with this book are the authors negative views on the ACLU, American Civil Liberties Union, whose stated mission is “to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States”. So because the ACLU has taken stances on issues that this author doesn’t agree with, they’re now evil and should be admonished. Along with the ACLU being outcast, so too should you admonish Girl Scouts! Because they did the most horrible act of putting the whole world first before America! Nationalism is a dangerous disease, and this author clearly suffers from it.

So why did I read it. This book was gifted to me by a family member and I was thus forced to read it. The family remember that gave it to me speaks english as a 2nd language, so I presume she didn’t fully understand what she was buying, and I had no idea who this author was before receiving this book. This book creates a world that I don’t want to live in for myself or my daughter.

Dean Lowry joined Joe Vittone and his VW dealership Economotors in Riverside, California in 1955. After realizing how easy it was to repair and service Volkswagen Dean learned all he could and increased his skill level. He decided to make a career of Volkswagens and increasing their performance on the drag strip.

While working for Century Motors in Alhambra, California, Dean helped to build a racing VW beetle that he raced regularly for five months. He then built a dragster with a Porsche engine and began campaigning it in several local drag racing events.

Joe asked Dean to return to Economotors in 1963 and began once again to work with EMPI performance parts. He developed exhaust systems, carburetor kits and valve kits. At this time, Dean built the famous Inch Pincher race VW, one of the most famous race cars.

In 1968 Dean left Economotors again and partnered up with his brother Ken to start their own VW repair and service shop in Santa Ana, California. The brothers wanted to focus solely on building and repairing VW engines full time. This new business was called Deano Dyno-Soars, after Dean’s nickname of Deano or Dino.

The Lowry brothers stuck with the dinosaur theme throughout their business, and took up the color purple. They created the Purple Dyno-Soar engine, which was painted purple. The racecars and even their service shop was also colored purple. It became their trademark color.

The Lowrys often went drag racing with Dean’s daily driver, a 1954 VW sedan with a 2180cc engine. The car had been lightened to reduce the weight. Custom lightweight spun-aluminum wheels were designed specifically for drag racing VWs and made their debut on the Dyno-Soar racing vehicle. It’s best time was 11.62 sec and was the car to beat in the NHRA H/Gas class.

One major advancement Deano Dyno-Soar made in the VW racing world was developing an aftermarket crankcase that allowed VW engines up to the size of 3 liters to be built and housed in the rear engine compartment. It was known as the Ultra Case. Deano Dyno-Soar also designed and developed the first set of aftermarket cylinder heads for VW drag racing. They allowed larger valves to be used than a regular VW head.

After winning numerous races and trophies, they decided to retire the drag racing VW in 1972. The business also called its doors in 1972 and the brothers went their separate ways.

Earth time

A day, an earth day, is defined as the time it takes the earth to make one full rotation on its axis. This is a fundamental value, in that it is not calculated. Anyone can figure out how long a day is by waiting for the sun to rise each day.

We have divided each day up into 24 hours, which is arbitrary division. We could just as easily have divided days up into 10 hours or 20 hours or 25 hours, but the Babylonians were found of base 12.

A year is the time it takes the earth to revolve around the sun, which is three hundred sixty-five and one-quarter days. Like a day, this is a fundamental value and we don’t have to do math to figure it out.

Galactic time

Scientists say the earth is 4.6 billion Earth years old. Galactic years (GY) are convenient to think in terms of. Without GYs, scientists would need to think of “billions of years,” but then there are only 4.6 of those, so the gradient wouldn’t be big enough. If scientists think in terms of millions of years, that’s too many to deal with. So, galactic years are the most convenient.

A GY is the amount of time it takes the earth to revolve around the center of our galaxy, the Milky Way. (Scientists believe a black hole lies in the center of the galaxy and powers it.) A galactic year could be considered a fundamental quantity, because if you lived long enough, you could measure it. As it is, because we have such short life spans, we can only estimate its length by calculating it. Estimates for a galactic year vary between 200 million earth years and 250 million earth years, but the most commonly used number is 225 million earth years.

Age of things

1. Dinosaurs. When we talk in terms of earth years, we refer to “years ago” or ya. The dinosaurs were killed off 65 million years ago. When we talk in terms of galactic years, however, we talk about how long it was since earth’s formation. So, the dinosaurs went extinct at 19.6 GY, and the current time is 20 galactic year.

2. The earth. The age of the earth in earth years is 4.6 billion years. The age of the earth in galactic years is 20 GY.

3. Life. Life began at 5 GY, or 3.6 billion years ago.

There’s hardly anyone we know that doesn’t own a piece of diamond jewellery. Have you ever wondered about their history? We’ve chronicled their entire history for you to read!

Diamonds came into existence long before the dinosaurs roamed the planet.

Diamond derives its name from the Greek word ‘adamas’, which means unconquerable. They survive extremely brutal forces of nature to reach us and are usually brought to the Earth’s surface through volcanic activity. Diamonds typically have to travel more than 100 miles to reach the Earth’s surface and the sheer amount of hardships they endure truly makes them invincible and indestructible as per the meaning of their name.

Diamonds were first mined in ancient India. They were known as ‘Vajra’ which means thunderbolt. Slowly and steadily, the word about its uniqueness, rarity and beauty spread in the aristocratic families throughout the world and the popular trade routes across the globe did the rest.

The earliest reference to the diamond is in Sanskrit manuscript dated from 320-296 BC in India. That is nearly 3 millennia’s back. At that time in India diamonds were primarily used for decorative purposes, and as a talisman to ward off evil. Diamond’s refractive property is the most likely reason for its use in ancient India.

The very first diamonds were brought from India to Europe by Alexander the Great in 327 BC.

Some popular beliefs around diamonds were truly beautiful. The Romans believed that the Cupid’s arrows were tipped with diamonds. Coincidently, it was the earliest association between diamonds and romantic love. The Greeks felt that diamonds were the tears of the Gods or splinters from falling stars. These various concepts in different cultures were simply an ode to the beauty of diamonds.

With time, a relatively small number of diamonds became part of jewellery of the royal families of Europe. In the 13th century, the emperor of France, Louis IX enforced a law reserving diamonds only for the king. The next 100 years saw the appearance of diamonds; evident in the royal jewellery of both men and women.

The demand for diamonds increased manifold as more and more of them reached the European continent. The diamond cutting industry originated in Venice only after 1330 and arrived in Paris by the late 14th century.

In 1477, Archduke Maxmillian of Austria gave Mary of Burgundy a gold ring featuring an M spelled out in diamonds. This is perhaps the first known use of a diamond engagement ring.

By the 18th century, diamonds became even more abundant. Diamond jewellery was worn by more women. At that point of time, it was considered vulgar to parade them by day.

However, few ground-breaking events in the next century changed the fate of diamonds forever. It rose to prominence like never before. The discovery of unprecedented deposits in South Africa changed diamond’s status from a rare gem to one potentially available to anyone who could afford it. And as the taste and capacity for opulent consumption burgeoned among the wealthy capitalists of America, diamond jewellery scaled new heights.

Today, diamonds are mined in more than 25 countries worldwide. It is mined on every continent except Europe and Antarctica.

The production of diamonds has increased enormously. From India’s maximum production of 50,000 to 100,000 carats annually in 16th century to around 100 million carats yearly, today!

Today, it is available worldwide and has led to the widespread availability of diamond jewellery for many purposes.

Diamond embedded jewellery is surely everyone’s envy. Discover more about them at Krishna Jewellers Pearls & Gems.

Spreading its vast wings wide, the pterodactyl catches the breeze and takes to the air. On the back of a fierce spring wind, it soars above grassy verges and muddy streams, gliding in and out of pockets of tall deciduous trees. With a wingspan of five metres, it is on a completely different scale to any insect, bird or animal in its path. As it slows, coming in to land on a patch of soft earth, the sound of a human cry echoes in the hills.

But this is not Pangaea, the prehistoric land-mass that existed long before the earth’s current continents were formed. This is Newmarket, just off the A14 outside Cambridge. And, unlike the dinosaurs who collectively roamed for more than 150 million years before meeting their maker, this creature’s excited creator is standing right there as it lands. “I’ve been working on pterosaurs for about eight years now,” says Dr Matthew Wilkinson, a professor of zoology at Cambridge University. With a team of model-makers, he has built this remote- controlled pterosaur (as pterodactyls are also known) in his Cambridge studio. “I’ve always been interested in how they flew, being such a large size. I thought the real test would be to actually build a pterosaur and fly it.”

The model is the size of an adult anhanguera, a subspecies of pterodactyl named after a town in Brazil where several beautifully preserved specimens have been found. “There is a forewing membrane in front of the main wing – a big flap essentially, which goes up and down,” Wilkinson says. “The idea is that that might have been able to act a bit like the flaps of an aircraft, so it’s a high- lift device, which would enable it to slow down on landing.” Pterosaurs – from Greek and meaning «winged lizards» are among the least understood of all the early archosaurian reptiles. They existed from the Triassic period, 220 million years ago, to the Cretaceous period, when South America pulled away from Africa and the South Atlantic was formed.

They tore through the skies, feeding on fish and small creatures, while the dinosaurs – a term reserved for terrestrials – dominated the land. We know that pterosaurs were among the first vertebrates to fly, but scientists have never quite understood their flight technique. How, they wondered, did a creature of such bodyweight ever manage to take off? How can a wing that appears to have been supported by fine, hollow bones have carried this weight? How did such huge creatures take to the skies without risking high-speed collisions?

Then came the discovery of a site in Brazil’s Araripe basin, now known as the Santana formation. Here, not only were hundreds of fossils of amphibians and reptiles found, but archaeologists unearthed a number of very well preserved pterosaurs. The Anhanguera – a fish-eating sub-species that ruled the skies of South America in the Cretaceous period, 120 million years ago – was among them.

With the Anhanguera fossil as his model, Wilkinson began gradually reconstructing the skeletal structure in his Cambridge studio. “That was quite a find,” he says. “It’s very unusual to find three-dimensional pterosaur fossils anywhere. Their bones are usually crushed to dust when we find them.” The material inspired him to make a robot version as a way to understand the animal’s locomotion. Other scientists are doing similar things with other prehistoric beasts. Last month, for instance, Swiss scientists announced that they had built an amphibious robot that could walk on land and swim in water using the sort of backbone movements that must have been employed by the first creatures to crawl from the sea. Unlike bats or flying squirrels, pterosaur wings – soft, stretchy membranes of skin tissue – are thought to have reached from the thorax right to the ankle, reinforced by fibres that stiffened the wing and prevented tearing. Small sub-species flapped their wings during take off.

That may have explained the creatures’ flexibility, but it did not answer the most pressing question: how did such heavy animals manage to launch themselves into the sky? Working with researchers in London and Berlin, Wilkinson began to piece together the puzzle. It emerged that the Anhanguera’s secret weapon was an elongated limb called the pteroid. It had been thought that the pteroid pointed towards the shoulder of the creature and supported a soft forewing in front of the arm. But if that was the case, the forewing would have been too small and ineffectual for flight. However, fossils from the Santana formation showed that the pteroid could have faced the opposite way, creating a much greater forewing that would have caught the air, working in the same way as the flaps on the wings of a jumbo jet.

So, with both feet on the ground, the Anhanguera might have simply faced into the wind, spread its wings and risen up into the sky. Initial tests in wind tunnels proved the point – models of pterodactyls with forward-facing pteroids were not only adept at gliding, but were agile flyers in spite of their size.

“This high-lift capability would have significantly reduced the minimum flight speed, allowing even the largest forms to take off and land without difficulty,” Wilkinson says. “It would have enabled them to glide very slowly and may have been instrumental in the evolution of large size by the pterosaurs, the biggest of which had wingspans of up to 12 metres. The leading-edge flap could also have functioned as a useful control surface in flight.”

Resting in the grass at the test site, nestled among brambles and dandelions, the model’s red-tipped wings ripple slightly in the wind. In flight, the flexible membrane, while much stiffer than the real thing, allows for a smooth takeoff and landing. But the model has been beset by other mechanical problems. “Unlike an aircraft, which is stabilised by the tail wing at the back, [the model] is destabilised by its head, which means it can start spinning around. That’s the most problematic bit as far as we’re concerned,” Wilkinson says. “We’ve had to take it flying without the head so far.” When it flies with its head attached, which should be very soon, Wilkinson will finally have proved his point.

So what’s next for the zoologist – a full-size Tyrannosaurus rex? No, he reassures me: “We’re desperate to build really big pterosaurs. I’m talking creatures with 12-metre wingspans, weighing a quarter of a ton. Nobody really understands how they worked yet. “But,” he adds, just as I begin to fear for the mental health of pilots landing near by at Cambridge City Airport, “it would be nice to build some of the smaller, flapping pterosaurs as well.” Cambridge University has published a pod cast by Matthew Wilkinson, called ‘Dinosaur Detective’, about the flying pterosaur replica

Pterodactyls: the facts.

In the 1970s, North American scientists unearthed the largest pterodactyl yet, the quetzalcoatlus, named after the Aztec feathered serpent god. With a wingspan of 20 metres, it dwarfed the tiny anurognathus, a pterodactyl the size of a sparrow. In 2004, Chinese researchers discovered the world’s first fossilised embryonic pterosaur, dating to 121 million years ago. It was found inside fragments of eggshell, its leathery wing membranes and skin imprints “exquisitely preserved”. Researchers said it was probably a few days away from hatching when it was fossilised.

Whatever killed the dinosaurs also wiped out the pterosaurs; they too are believed to have died out around 65 million years ago.

Pterodactyls were the first flying vertebrates; other “reptiles” that had taken to the air were strictly gliding forms. Pterodactyls preceded birds by 75 million years, and bats by 150 million years.

Pterosaurs had no feathers, but at least part of their bodies was covered in hair. This makes them unique among reptiles, though not unlike bats. Some believe this is an indication that they were warm-blooded. Also up for debate is how pterosaurs moved on land – did they walk on their hind legs, like birds, or did they use all fours, bringing into play their three-toes front feet as well as their four- toed rear feet.

Pterosaur fossils display no clues that they adapted to flight after living first in trees, as birds did. It is thought instead that they took off from the ground, launching themselves off cliffs or hills.

Competition from early birds is thought to have been a key factor in their extinction.

Animatronics is a process of building mechanized puppets or full-size costumes that resemble animals, dinosaurs, or other imaginary creatures, and made to look quite lifelike. The idea behind animatronics was first created by Disney Studios back in the 1950s for use in some of their early films. Plus, it is possible to combine the mechanized movements with other special effects in an attempt to create the more convincing look and a greater level of realism.

In addition to using this technology in the film studios it is a common sight in many of the popular theme or amusement parks, which many feature birds or other creatures in special shows to entertain guests.

What features are involved?

Animatronics can vary significantly with basic to very complex designs. The most basic animatronics are built with basic sound recording features and have the ability to make one or two simple movements. For the more advanced designs it is possible to include software that can complete specific moves, and can even be remotely controlled. On the most complex designs the engineers will create the costumes using the latest special effects technology that includes realistic skin, highly flexible joints, and lifelike actions or sounds.

The creation process starts with a designer sketching out the ideas on paper. Once the initial concept is created, the engineering team will provide detailed plans to start on the construction of a scale model which is known as a maquette. If this first concept is approved, it is possible to move on to the full-scale model which includes the built-in electronic controls and moving parts. The design team finishes the model using special paints, materials and textures in order to create the realistic looking skin.

Many of the animatronics rely on LEDs, servos, and connecting wires to help create the realistic sound effects. Creating the costumes with the servo connectors is great for plenty of reasons, including the wide availability of these components and the relatively low-cost to use. Plus, it is possible to use connect sensors in certain projects to help benefit from the convenience of wireless control.

Future of animatronics

The future of animatronics is still very strong, but because of the time and cost involved in creating the full-size models, many film studios rely on computer animation to help with special effects. There are still many companies that have the sole purpose of creating animatronics for entertainment purposes, such as use in theme parks or amusement parks.

Scientists have concrete evidence that the Earth is currently undergoing the largest mass extinction in 65 million years. Over 50 species are going extinct every single day.

It’s called the Holocene Extinction — Holocene being the current epoch that began at the end of the last ice age, about 10,000 years ago.

From Earth’s fossil record, we know about Six Great Mass Extinctions:

• The Ordovician-Silurian Extinction occurred about 444 million years ago.

  At the time, all complex organisms lived in the sea. The most common theory is that the onset of an ice age caused the extinction, which wiped out over 100 families of marine life. Many trilobite families bit the dust during this event.

• The Late Devonian Extinction happened 364 million years ago.

  This event saw a major worldwide extinction of coral reefs and the marine life they supported, as well as other groups of animals and plants. Nobody’s sure what caused it, but scientists speculate global cooling and several medium-sized asteroid impacts within a few million years of each other may have been the culprits.

• The Permo-Triassic Extinction occurred 251 million years ago.

  The granddaddy of all mass extinctions, this event saw 96% of all marine species and 70% of land vertebrate species kick the evolutionary bucket.

  The die off happened in less than a million years (a very short time in geological terms) and the recovery took 5 million years to crank back up, and another million years after that to get rolling. While not deemed the smoking gun yet, this event coincides with the largest known volcanic eruption in history.

• The Triassic-Jurassic Extinction occurred 200 million years ago.

  Was it caused by climate change, asteroids, or volcanoes? The verdict isn’t clear. What is clear is that 20% of marine life and many large amphibians were wiped out. At least half of all species on the planet bit the dust.

  This event occurred over less than a 10,000 year period, just before the supercontinent of Pangea began to break up.

• The Cretaceous-Tertiary Extinction occurred about 65 million years ago.

  This event was probably caused, or at the least aggravated by, the impact of an asteroid around the size of Manhattan. About 16% of marine families and 18% of land vertebrate families ceased to exist. In North America, over 50% of plant species may have been wiped out.

  And of course…this is the event that doomed the dinosaurs.

• The Holocene Extinction is occurring now.

  Studies of the fossil record show that the normal “background” rate of extinction is about one species every four years. The current rate is between 30,000 and 100,000 per year.

You are now witnessing the fastest of the six great mass extinctions.

And this extinction, without a doubt, is the result of human population growth. By the end of this century, over five million species (half of the species on Earth now) will likely be gone.

“It’s not just species on islands or in rain forests or just birds or big charismatic mammals,” says Stuart Pimm, a conservation biologist researcher from the University of Tennessee. He notes fish, birds, insects, plants, and mammals. “It’s everything and it’s everywhere…it is a worldwide epidemic of extinctions.”

Are you a fan of the Jurassic Park Movies? Jurassic Park sequels are more than just a good time, aren’t they? But did you know that along with the amazing beasts and scary chases you could actually pick up valuable lessons on conflict resolution from the Jurassic Park Movies? After all, some negotiating principles are the same whether you are trying to agree on how to outrun a pack of raptors or leading an organization to greater heights. Try these tips that have been helping to settle differences since the last ice age.

Gain Trust

When will InGen learn? They keep bringing in meaner mercenaries and bigger weapons when the dinosaurs rebel against being pushed around. Treating others with respect helps to prevent conflicts. “Raise your thoughts, not your fists.” – Matshona Dhliwayo

1. Find Common Ground. Start by paying attention to what others have to say. Trying to understand their position will help you find common ground. Ask relevant questions and restate what others say to ensure you are on the same page.

2. Be Transparent. Show others that you are willing to trust them by being transparent. Disclose as much as you can about pertinent facts and your own motivation.

3. Create Win-Win Situations. You will enjoy deeper satisfaction and create more stability if you search for solutions that each party can feel good about.

4. Stay calm. Anger and blame interfere with progress. Take a break if you need to cool off. You can assert your needs while being civil and tactful.

Reach Out for Help

When you are having a friendly argument with an Indominus Rex, you might need to call in someone with more teeth. With a little luck, you will be able to find team members who are less unruly than a T-Rex.

1. Collaborate for the highest good. Cooperating is more productive than choosing sides. Think about the good qualities of others even when you disagree with them.

2. Take a third-party view. Impartial observers and skilled negotiators may help you uncover new options if you are at a deadlock. Consulting an expert can remind you that there are usually many solutions to a challenge if you are flexible and creative.

3. Express gratitude. Think of conflicts as opportunities to grow instead of feeling threatened. Thank the other participants for their efforts to help move things forward.

Accept Reality

Conflicts often start when we care more about getting what we want instead of facing the truth or considering the welfare of others. If you can’t control ordinary dinosaurs, you are probably going to run into trouble if you genetically modify them to become bigger and scarier.

1. Trust the process. Stay focused on the future vision. Shrug off temporary disappointments and setbacks. Just stay true to your major goals and objectives.
2. Set realistic goals. Ambitious targets can be inspiring as long as they are still within reach. Make the most of your resources by sticking to projects that allow you to deliver results. Others will be more likely to support you if they see that you have an impressive track record.
3. Know your priorities. You need to choose your battles. Keep your eye on the big picture. Ask yourself if you’d rather prove you are right or hold onto an important relationship.

Dinosaurs ruled the earth for a lot longer than humans have been around, so it makes sense that they might know something about how to live peacefully with each other. Face conflicts head on, and work together to develop agreements that stand up to the test of time. “Sometimes, God doesn’t send you into a battle to win it; he sends you to end it!” – Shannon L. Alder