eBay Bans Macabre Auctions Of Human Skulls

eBay has banned the sales of human body parts after hundreds of mystery skulls were sold for up to $5,500 (£4,150).

Until last week, the auction site had allowed the sale of skulls and skeletons "intended for medical use".

But because no proof of the usage was needed, it is believed many were simply sold as macabre curios.

It has been suggested by one academic that many of the skulls may have originated from India and China, and may be from disinterred human remains.

A study by the Louisiana Department of Justice in Baton Rouge tracked skull sales on eBay for seven months.

A loophole in eBay's terms and conditions was exploited

During that time, it said 237 people listed 454 skulls for sale, with opening bids reaching up to $5,500.

This week eBay updated its terms of service, adding skulls and skeletons to its list of prohibited sale items.

Tanya Marsh, from Wake Forest University in North Carolina, told the New Scientist: "We should have strong moral problems with that.

"They don't say how long the skeletons have been skeletons.

"You can't tell just by looking at them.

"It's possible that some of them are disinterred human remains."

The study - entitled "They Sell Skulls Online?!" - was published in the Journal of Forensic Sciences.

It suggested the skeletons that have appeared on eBay were mostly donated to medical science, but many may have been recovered from archaeological digs.

The report said: "Ultimately, the goal is to stem the commodification of such items and to recover skeletal material, especially that which may be of archaeological or forensic significance, and provide the proper final disposition for such material."

The team complained that despite many US states having laws that restrict the sale of human remains, the majority of the eBay sellers were based in America.

It added: "Those laws have questionable deterrent effect."

eBay Bans Macabre Auctions Of Human Skulls

eBay has banned the sales of human body parts after hundreds of mystery skulls were sold for up to $5,500 (£4,150).

Until last week, the auction site had allowed the sale of skulls and skeletons "intended for medical use".

But because no proof of the usage was needed, it is believed many were simply sold as macabre curios.

It has been suggested by one academic that many of the skulls may have originated from India and China, and may be from disinterred human remains.

A study by the Louisiana Department of Justice in Baton Rouge tracked skull sales on eBay for seven months.

A loophole in eBay's terms and conditions was exploited

During that time, it said 237 people listed 454 skulls for sale, with opening bids reaching up to $5,500.

This week eBay updated its terms of service, adding skulls and skeletons to its list of prohibited sale items.

Tanya Marsh, from Wake Forest University in North Carolina, told the New Scientist: "We should have strong moral problems with that.

"They don't say how long the skeletons have been skeletons.

"You can't tell just by looking at them.

"It's possible that some of them are disinterred human remains."

The study - entitled "They Sell Skulls Online?!" - was published in the Journal of Forensic Sciences.

It suggested the skeletons that have appeared on eBay were mostly donated to medical science, but many may have been recovered from archaeological digs.

The report said: "Ultimately, the goal is to stem the commodification of such items and to recover skeletal material, especially that which may be of archaeological or forensic significance, and provide the proper final disposition for such material."

The team complained that despite many US states having laws that restrict the sale of human remains, the majority of the eBay sellers were based in America.

It added: "Those laws have questionable deterrent effect."

This Is the Single Skill That Could Save Your Relationship

Emotions are complex.

Every day, our experiences affect them. Sunshine or rain clouds, our favorite song on the radio or an angry email at work—all of these can affect our mood, change the way we feel and influence the way we think.

The problems come when we allow those feelings to dictate how we deal with others.

Why? Because emotions can cause us to react differently in a certain moment than we would normally. If we’re feeling especially happy, we might agree to do something we wouldn’t otherwise. If we’re feeling very down or upset, we might unintentionally take those feelings out on someone.

Emotional intelligence, also known as EI or EQ (for emotional intelligence quotient), describes a person’s ability to recognize emotions, to understand their powerful effect, and to use that information to guide thinking and behavior. When we speak about getting our emotions “under control,” we are usually thinking about controlling our response to emotions. This isn’t easy—but it can be done with practice.

So how can emotional intelligence help your relationships in everyday life?

Why? Because emotions can cause us to react differently in a certain moment than we would normally. If we’re feeling especially happy, we might agree to do something we wouldn’t otherwise. If we’re feeling very down or upset, we might unintentionally take those feelings out on someone.

Emotional intelligence, also known as EI or EQ (for emotional intelligence quotient), describes a person’s ability to recognize emotions, to understand their powerful effect, and to use that information to guide thinking and behavior. When we speak about getting our emotions “under control,” we are usually thinking about controlling our response to emotions. This isn’t easy—but it can be done with practice.

So how can emotional intelligence help your relationships in everyday life?

One incredibly useful skill is that of seeing the big picture.

In essence, seeing the big picture involves stepping back in an emotionally charged moment, and thinking about the consequences of our actions—both short and long-term.

Here’s how it works: If you receive an email that bothers you, step away before you reply. If a friend or family member does something frustrating, pause before you react.

Then, ask yourself questions like:

• How will my response affect my relationship with this person?
• Will I regret saying or doing this tomorrow? How about next week? Or next year?

This doesn’t have to take much time. In fact, once you gain practice, it becomes more of a habit.

Here’s an example:

The other day, I was trying to fix our new, adjustable showerhead. It was only a few weeks old, but somehow I had managed to destroy one of the moving parts. As I continued my (fruitless) efforts, I began to feel a very strong emotion—frustration.

But here’s the rub: My wife is the one who picked out the new showerhead. So instead of groaning or grumbling, I simply let out a sigh and uttered: “Oh well. I don’t think I’m going to be able to fix this thing.” To my surprise, my wife got upset.

Here is where taking a moment to step back and see the big picture really pays big dividends. I thought to myself: “If I leave now, chances are, my wife’s frustration is going to grow.” So I changed course. I went to my wife, gave her a hug, and apologized. I could “feel” her entire mood change in the seconds that followed. As we took off for work a few minutes later, we said goodbye with a kiss and a smile.

Your relationships are like bridges between you and everyone else. Every day, you’re faced with moments that are charged with emotion. When you take a moment to see the big picture and adjust accordingly, you add another brick to strengthen and reinforce the bridge—instead of allowing those moments to slowly wear the bridge
down, until it falls apart.

Of course, no one exhibits perfect control over their emotions or reactions. But don’t be discouraged by mistakes. Consider it a lifelong learning experience: The more you practice, the better you get.

It may not help fix the showerhead, but it can still help save the day.

This Is the Single Skill That Could Save Your Relationship

Emotions are complex.

Every day, our experiences affect them. Sunshine or rain clouds, our favorite song on the radio or an angry email at work—all of these can affect our mood, change the way we feel and influence the way we think.

The problems come when we allow those feelings to dictate how we deal with others.

Why? Because emotions can cause us to react differently in a certain moment than we would normally. If we’re feeling especially happy, we might agree to do something we wouldn’t otherwise. If we’re feeling very down or upset, we might unintentionally take those feelings out on someone.

Emotional intelligence, also known as EI or EQ (for emotional intelligence quotient), describes a person’s ability to recognize emotions, to understand their powerful effect, and to use that information to guide thinking and behavior. When we speak about getting our emotions “under control,” we are usually thinking about controlling our response to emotions. This isn’t easy—but it can be done with practice.

So how can emotional intelligence help your relationships in everyday life?

Why? Because emotions can cause us to react differently in a certain moment than we would normally. If we’re feeling especially happy, we might agree to do something we wouldn’t otherwise. If we’re feeling very down or upset, we might unintentionally take those feelings out on someone.

Emotional intelligence, also known as EI or EQ (for emotional intelligence quotient), describes a person’s ability to recognize emotions, to understand their powerful effect, and to use that information to guide thinking and behavior. When we speak about getting our emotions “under control,” we are usually thinking about controlling our response to emotions. This isn’t easy—but it can be done with practice.

So how can emotional intelligence help your relationships in everyday life?

One incredibly useful skill is that of seeing the big picture.

In essence, seeing the big picture involves stepping back in an emotionally charged moment, and thinking about the consequences of our actions—both short and long-term.

Here’s how it works: If you receive an email that bothers you, step away before you reply. If a friend or family member does something frustrating, pause before you react.

Then, ask yourself questions like:

• How will my response affect my relationship with this person?
• Will I regret saying or doing this tomorrow? How about next week? Or next year?

This doesn’t have to take much time. In fact, once you gain practice, it becomes more of a habit.

Here’s an example:

The other day, I was trying to fix our new, adjustable showerhead. It was only a few weeks old, but somehow I had managed to destroy one of the moving parts. As I continued my (fruitless) efforts, I began to feel a very strong emotion—frustration.

But here’s the rub: My wife is the one who picked out the new showerhead. So instead of groaning or grumbling, I simply let out a sigh and uttered: “Oh well. I don’t think I’m going to be able to fix this thing.” To my surprise, my wife got upset.

Here is where taking a moment to step back and see the big picture really pays big dividends. I thought to myself: “If I leave now, chances are, my wife’s frustration is going to grow.” So I changed course. I went to my wife, gave her a hug, and apologized. I could “feel” her entire mood change in the seconds that followed. As we took off for work a few minutes later, we said goodbye with a kiss and a smile.

Your relationships are like bridges between you and everyone else. Every day, you’re faced with moments that are charged with emotion. When you take a moment to see the big picture and adjust accordingly, you add another brick to strengthen and reinforce the bridge—instead of allowing those moments to slowly wear the bridge
down, until it falls apart.

Of course, no one exhibits perfect control over their emotions or reactions. But don’t be discouraged by mistakes. Consider it a lifelong learning experience: The more you practice, the better you get.

It may not help fix the showerhead, but it can still help save the day.

Aniston Attacks Media Over Body Scrutiny

Jennifer Aniston has hit out at the "absurd and disturbing" scrutiny of women as she once again finds herself having to deny reports she is pregnant.

The 47-year-old actress has written a lengthy essay criticising tabloids for the way she is portrayed in the media, calling it a "sporting event of speculation".

"For the record, I am not pregnant. What I am is fed up," Aniston wrote in an essay published by the Huffington Post.

"I'm fed up with the sport-like scrutiny and body shaming that occurs daily under the guise of 'journalism', the 'First Amendment' and 'celebrity news'.

"The objectification and scrutiny we put women through is absurd and disturbing. The way I am portrayed by the media is simply a reflection of how we see and portray women in general, measured against some warped standard of beauty."

Aniston and husband Justin Theroux

The Friends star said young girls were absorbing "toxic messages buried within these seemingly harmless stories".

"We use celebrity 'news' to perpetuate this dehumanising view of females, focused solely on one's physical appearance, which tabloids turn into a sporting event of speculation," she wrote.

Aniston said she and her husband Justin Theroux were harassed every day by "dozens of aggressive photographers" who went to "shocking lengths to obtain any kind of photo".

The latest reports about her personal life had come at a time of "mass shootings, wildfires, major decisions by the Supreme Court, an upcoming election, and any number of more newsworthy issues that 'journalists' could dedicate their resources towards", she added.

"I resent being made to feel 'less than' because my body is changing and/or I had a burger for lunch and was photographed from a weird angle and therefore deemed one of two things: 'pregnant' or 'fat'," she wrote.

"Not to mention the painful awkwardness that comes with being congratulated by friends, co-workers and strangers alike on one's fictional pregnancy (often a dozen times in a single day)."

Aniston said she had experienced "stalking and objectification" for "going on decades now" and the latest pregnancy rumours showed her "how much we define a woman's value based on her marital and maternal status".

She added that she may become a mother in the future but she believed "we are complete with or without a mate, with or without a child".

"We don't need to be married or mothers to be complete," Aniston wrote.

"We get to determine our own 'happily ever after' for ourselves. I have grown tired of being part of this narrative."

Aniston Attacks Media Over Body Scrutiny

Jennifer Aniston has hit out at the "absurd and disturbing" scrutiny of women as she once again finds herself having to deny reports she is pregnant.

The 47-year-old actress has written a lengthy essay criticising tabloids for the way she is portrayed in the media, calling it a "sporting event of speculation".

"For the record, I am not pregnant. What I am is fed up," Aniston wrote in an essay published by the Huffington Post.

"I'm fed up with the sport-like scrutiny and body shaming that occurs daily under the guise of 'journalism', the 'First Amendment' and 'celebrity news'.

"The objectification and scrutiny we put women through is absurd and disturbing. The way I am portrayed by the media is simply a reflection of how we see and portray women in general, measured against some warped standard of beauty."

Aniston and husband Justin Theroux

The Friends star said young girls were absorbing "toxic messages buried within these seemingly harmless stories".

"We use celebrity 'news' to perpetuate this dehumanising view of females, focused solely on one's physical appearance, which tabloids turn into a sporting event of speculation," she wrote.

Aniston said she and her husband Justin Theroux were harassed every day by "dozens of aggressive photographers" who went to "shocking lengths to obtain any kind of photo".

The latest reports about her personal life had come at a time of "mass shootings, wildfires, major decisions by the Supreme Court, an upcoming election, and any number of more newsworthy issues that 'journalists' could dedicate their resources towards", she added.

"I resent being made to feel 'less than' because my body is changing and/or I had a burger for lunch and was photographed from a weird angle and therefore deemed one of two things: 'pregnant' or 'fat'," she wrote.

"Not to mention the painful awkwardness that comes with being congratulated by friends, co-workers and strangers alike on one's fictional pregnancy (often a dozen times in a single day)."

Aniston said she had experienced "stalking and objectification" for "going on decades now" and the latest pregnancy rumours showed her "how much we define a woman's value based on her marital and maternal status".

She added that she may become a mother in the future but she believed "we are complete with or without a mate, with or without a child".

"We don't need to be married or mothers to be complete," Aniston wrote.

"We get to determine our own 'happily ever after' for ourselves. I have grown tired of being part of this narrative."

Aniston Attacks Media Over Body Scrutiny

Jennifer Aniston has hit out at the "absurd and disturbing" scrutiny of women as she once again finds herself having to deny reports she is pregnant.

The 47-year-old actress has written a lengthy essay criticising tabloids for the way she is portrayed in the media, calling it a "sporting event of speculation".

"For the record, I am not pregnant. What I am is fed up," Aniston wrote in an essay published by the Huffington Post.

"I'm fed up with the sport-like scrutiny and body shaming that occurs daily under the guise of 'journalism', the 'First Amendment' and 'celebrity news'.

"The objectification and scrutiny we put women through is absurd and disturbing. The way I am portrayed by the media is simply a reflection of how we see and portray women in general, measured against some warped standard of beauty."

Aniston and husband Justin Theroux

The Friends star said young girls were absorbing "toxic messages buried within these seemingly harmless stories".

"We use celebrity 'news' to perpetuate this dehumanising view of females, focused solely on one's physical appearance, which tabloids turn into a sporting event of speculation," she wrote.

Aniston said she and her husband Justin Theroux were harassed every day by "dozens of aggressive photographers" who went to "shocking lengths to obtain any kind of photo".

The latest reports about her personal life had come at a time of "mass shootings, wildfires, major decisions by the Supreme Court, an upcoming election, and any number of more newsworthy issues that 'journalists' could dedicate their resources towards", she added.

"I resent being made to feel 'less than' because my body is changing and/or I had a burger for lunch and was photographed from a weird angle and therefore deemed one of two things: 'pregnant' or 'fat'," she wrote.

"Not to mention the painful awkwardness that comes with being congratulated by friends, co-workers and strangers alike on one's fictional pregnancy (often a dozen times in a single day)."

Aniston said she had experienced "stalking and objectification" for "going on decades now" and the latest pregnancy rumours showed her "how much we define a woman's value based on her marital and maternal status".

She added that she may become a mother in the future but she believed "we are complete with or without a mate, with or without a child".

"We don't need to be married or mothers to be complete," Aniston wrote.

"We get to determine our own 'happily ever after' for ourselves. I have grown tired of being part of this narrative."