Category: Analysis

Look at the title

Animal Pen: Nicobar Pigeon

BY KAIA KARPE

STAFF WRITER

The Nicobar Pigeon is found on Nicobar Island, right through the east of the Malay Archipelago, down to Palau and the Solomons. You may have heard of this bird as the closest living relative to the dodo. Scientists have this idea based on some cladistic analysis of mtDNA cytochrome b and 12S rRNA sequences.  Cladistic analysis is “a system of biological taxonomy based on the quantitative analysis of comparative data and used to reconstruct cladograms summarizing the (assumed) phylogenetic relations and evolutionary history of groups of organisms” says vocabulary.com. With this they can say that the Nicobar Pigeon has a slight possibility of being related to the dodo with the small amount of taxa. The definition of taxa (or taxon) is a way to categorize a group. They live up to eight to twelve years in the wild, and ten to fifteen years in captivity.

Nicobar Pigeons are the only living species in the Caloenas genus. They can measure up to sixteen inches, though typically the females are shorter than the males. These birds’ feathers are from not having any predators to hide from. In 2004, the Indian Ocean tsunami inflicted a huge amount of damage on Nicobar Island and caused a slight population decrease.

Nicobar Pigeons’ diet consists of seeds, fruit, and buds. A gizzard stone helps them digest hard foods such as seeds. Birds swallow tiny amounts of gravel that helps the gizzard stone by acting as “teeth”.

Here are more visual examples of the gizzard stone.

An interesting thing about the Nicobar Pigeon is that they fly in columns or a single file line unlike the more common loose flock. Their white tail is similar to a taillight; It helps the group stay together and not get lost in the dark. Younger birds lack the white feathers, so if an adult Nicobar Pigeon sees that, they will know that they are not potential mates, not competition for mating, and they are not old enough to safely guide the flock to one location to the next. They like to build nests in heavy forest areas. Nicobar Pigeons build loose stick nests in a tree, and lay only one egg. Nicobar Pigeons are monogamous which means they only mate with one partner for life.

Sadly, the Nicobar Pigeons are considered near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, or IUCN. They are hunted for their gizzard stones, which are made into jewelry, and they are trapped in an illegal trade to the local pet market as an exotic pet. Also, their nesting habitat is decreasing due to deforestation for plantations. That is not all of the threats to the Nicobar Pigeon of course. Nicobar Pigeon populations are also decreasing because of the travel of predators to their breeding grounds. Some examples of non-native predators are cats and rats. They are trying to be saved by multiple zoos which are helping Nicobar Pigeons adapt in safer areas. Hopefully people will notice them and try and pitch in to keep these wonderful creatures alive and healthy.

Citations

  • “Nicobar Pigeon.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, September 27, 2020. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicobar_pigeon. 
  • “Gizzard.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, September 15, 2020. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gizzard. 
  • “This Colorful Pigeon with Luminous Feathers Is the Closest Living Relative to the Extinct Dodo Bird.” Positive Outlooks Blog, August 19, 2020. https://mypositiveoutlooks.com/nicobar-pigeon-dodo-relative/. 
  • “The World’s Fastest Dictionary.” Vocabulary.com. Accessed October 15, 2020. https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/cladistic analysis. 
  • “Gizzard and Crop Impaction.” Farm Health Online Animal Health and Welfare Knowledge Hub. Accessed October 15, 2020. https://www.farmhealthonline.com/US/disease-management/poultry-diseases/crop-impaction/. 

Unusual Pets

BY LYNNE INOUYE AND SYDENY WESCHCKE

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF IN TRAINING AND STAFF WRITER

Animal companions are something that many people have. For a good reason too – pets can give you unconditional affection and support, a friend you can always rely on, or simply be something to brighten your day. Normally, such animals are cats or dogs, but the pet industry has expanded over the years, allowing more people to have so-called “exotic pets.”  It’s worth it to note that not all of these animals are domesticated, however, and sometimes it may be an unhealthy environment for them. So, we should always do our research and make sure we’re able to provide them with a good home. That being said, here are some pets that are on the weirder side. 

Our first interesting pet is the African Giant Millipede, as shown above. These arthropods can reach a size between seven and eleven inches and, in some cases, can live up to a decade long. Despite what one might think, millipedes are fairly easy pets to take care of. They need a large enough tank, some moss or soil to burrow under, and a warm temperature, but nothing too specific. Plus, they’re herbivores, so they eat fruits and vegetables. Millipedes get frightened easily and as such don’t like to be handled excessively, and it’s important to make sure you get your African Giant Millipede from a reputable breeder, too. 

Next, we have the Horned Frog, more commonly called the Pacman frog. This is a beginner level pet. They get this nickname because when their mouth opens, they look like Pacman. The frog can grow to a maximum size of eight inches and live for up to seven years. They also do not like being handled due to their sensitive skin, and this is one of the few frogs with teeth. These frogs are insectivores who mostly eat crickets and silkworms. Their habitat is at least a ten-gallon terrarium, with plants and branches for hiding. They are nocturnal creatures. 

Lastly, we have the Ball Python. They’re named this because of the way they curl into a tight ball when they get nervous. They can grow up to five feet long and live a maximum of thirty years. This is an intermediate level pet and one of the easier snakes to take care of. The ball python is also a carnivore and feeds on rodents, but overall it is a docile and curious animal. They are easy to handle and are more active at night. 

We hope that this article was informative, and you have a better understanding of some of the animals we keep as pets and their individual needs. Whenever you’re interested in purchasing a pet, it’s important to make sure you’re able to provide them with a safe and comfortable home. Thanks for reading! 

Sources 

https://www.petsmart.com/learning-center/reptile-care/a-set-up-guide-for-your-new-pacman-frog/A0198.html

https://www.petsmart.com/reptile/live-reptiles/snakes-turtles-and-more/ball-python-15381.html

https://www.thesprucepets.com/african-giant-millipedes-1236755

Picture: http://amazinganimalambassadors.com/african-giant-millipede/

Robots in Everyday Life

BY MARKOS YIANGOU

STAFF WRITER

From senior living homes to prosthetic limbs, the reach of robotic technology is growing in almost every industry. When I was younger, the idea of an automated machine was in my robot dog Zoomer or my friend MIP.  Who could have ever imagined that such efficiency from this type of technology could affect so many sectors in such a short time.

In the agricultural industry, companies are using robots to gather all kinds of crops, from apples to lettuce. Eliminating countless hours of manual labor. Not to mention manual labor is getting harder to find. In Washington, an orchard in Grandview uses a harvesting robot to pick apples off of their trees.   

The service industry has also seen a shift in automation. For example, McDonalds has been acquiring technology companies to automate their ordering process and bring more efficiency to their drive-thrus.In the future you will see drive-thrus change based on the time of day, weather, traffic, and the customer’s order.

Another job robots are doing is taking care of seniors. Some robots act as coaches to help elderly people exercise, stay social, and even distribute food and medicine. In South Korea there is a type of chair that can hold someone who weighs up to 220 pounds. It is a robotic chair that moves around with a joystick. Robots can be used for getting people around if they are unable to walk.

As we move into the age of experience, robotic technology will continue to play a big role in shaping our lives. Some are skeptical about bringing robots into everyday life, but if you weigh the pros and the cons, you’ll see the difference.  All of this technology is a benefit to society as it solves labor shortages and allows companies to remain competitive.  Everyone could use more Zoomer’s & MIP’s in their lives.

Sources:

Staples, P. (2019, March 02). Robots Used in Everyday Life. Retrieved September 13, 2020, from https://sciencing.com/robots-used-in-everyday-life-12084150.html

Lucas, A. (2019, September 10). McDonald’s acquires A.I. company to help automate the drive-thru, its third tech deal this year. Retrieved September 15, 2020, from https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/10/mcdonalds-acquires-ai-company-trying-to-automate-the-drive-thru.html

Picture: https://time.com/longform/senior-care-robot/

How Social Media Helps and Hinders Activists

BY LAASYA AKI

STAFF WRITER

People in general have mixed feelings about social media. Some only concentrate on the benefits of social media, viewing it as a way to connect with their friends. Others focus only on the cons, seeing it as a threat to our health and society. Either way, many people spend a lot of time on social media and come across tens and hundreds of posts each day. Using the powerful influence of social media, activists have reached a number of eyes that they wouldn’t have been able to reach before. 

Why is social media different from any other news outlet?

Well, social media and news outlets differ in many ways, but the main area is the audience. Social media is mostly used by a younger audience: Generation Z and Millennials. Many of these news outlets rely on people going to their site to view their content. Social media is on almost every phone of Gen Z. Even if they don’t actively look to learn, they will come across it while scrolling through their social media. And this doesn’t just apply to Gen Z, though there is a majority here; it applies to anyone who has social media.

Why is it important that the younger population comes across these posts?

Gen Z is the most tolerant generation compared to previous generations. A larger percentage of these younger peoples are more likely to be tolerant of race, religion, and sexuality. A large percentage of Gen Z is seeing what is right and what is wrong. The younger generation is the future and can change it. This isn’t the case with previous generations. Gen Z is known to take action when needed.

After the tragic death of George Floyd, an innocent black man who was murdered at the hands of the police, many people on social media organized protests and reached the eye of those who they couldn’t have reached without social media. Those who couldn’t attend protests spread awareness to others. This also was the case with Breonna Taylor, Elijah Mcclain, and many more. But, with all of this good, comes the bad.

The dangers of misinformation.

With all this information spreading around, not all of it can be true. With the rise of activists comes misinformation and conspiracy theorists. One of these absurd theories is that George Flyod isn’t actually dead and that he faked it. This is not true, but on social media how does one know? We can try to fact check what we read and educate others. With all of this good also comes bad. The activism is growing louder, and they’ll have to listen to us soon.

—

Sources

https://psmag.com/ideas/how-generation-z-as-the-multicultural-vanguard-can-safeguard-the-future-of-america

http://thesnapper.millersville.edu/index.php/2020/06/08/how-social-media-is-contributing-to-the-blm-movement/

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/01/technology/george-floyd-misinformation-online.html

ANIMAL PEN: The Hammerhead Worm

BY KAIA KARPE

STAFF WRITER

The Hammerhead Worm is an invasive species. It is also known as Broahead planarian, & the Arrowhead Worm. The Hammerhead Worm’s scientific name is Bipulam. There are around 830 species of the Hammerhead Worm. 

It’s known to eat soil invertebrates. Also, bits of them that are cut off can reproduce into another hammerhead worm & recover rapidly. The Hammerhead Worm is known to eat earthworms, slugs, & fellow Hammerheads, as well as harmful insect larvae. Most animals don’t eat Hammerhead Worms because they produce a chemical called neurotoxin tetrodotoxin, (it is one of few terrestrial invertebrates that can do this).

 That is not the only strength they have. They can reproduce asexually and sexually (but more often, asexually). It uses a process called fragmentation. This is where they leave a tip of their behind and develop into an adult. The only way you can conveniently kill the hammerhead worm is by sprinkling some salt on it. All in all, Hammerhead Worms are pretty hard to kill, but it is not impossible.

The Hammerhead Worm is very active and is found all over the world. They especially like humid conditions. It is also nocturnal, which means it is most active during the night. Like slugs, they can also be active during moist, cloudy days. Otherwise, they find themselves in dark, private spaces. They like humid, warm habitats, so you probably won’t find them in deserts or mountain ranges. They’re found all over the world, and you can find many in just one location. A certain location they are often found in, is in and around potted plants, which have nice rich soil and other worms to eat. So, they like moist or hot temperatures with not much direct sunlight, and many can be found in one location.

The Hammerhead Worm will almost always succeed in catching its prey because it will have an organized plan to eat it. Hammerhead Worm’s mouth is also its butt. They eat the prey (such as an earthworm or snail) by lying atop the prey as its mucus holds the prey down to prevent most movement. Then, the Hammerhead Worm extends the pharynx out of its mouth & secretes digestive enzymes. It then will suck the liquefied tissue into the prey’s branched gut using something called cilia. Finally, it is the time the Hammerhead Worm’s mouth is used as a butt. In the long run, the Hammerhead immobilizes its prey, liquefies the prey, & leaves the snail’s shell alone, and there will be nothing left of the earthworm.

The real question is: should we be concerned about the earthworms, snails, etc? There is some debate of whether we should be concerned about soil invertebrates. The majority says we shouldn’t be concerned because  of evidence. We should have an idea of what is going on. Overall, we shouldn’t be that concerned, but still keep an eye on it.

In short, the Hammerhead Worm is an invasive species that eats soil invertebrates. Hammerhead Worms reproduce quickly & heal quickly, so it is pretty hard to kill, and even most predators won’t eat it, because of the toxic chemicals its body produces. It will stop its prey’s movement & will slowly but surely efficiently eat its prey until there is not much left of it. In the end, they will only be a small threat to the earthworms unless the Hammerhead Worm’s numbers increase significantly.

  1. This Strange Worm’s Mouth Is Also Its (Butt). (n.d.). Retrieved September 13, 2020, from https://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/news/0000015d-41d1-d1cb-a7fd-c5dd801a0000?source=searchvideo
  2. Weisberger, M. (2018, May 22). Giant Hammerhead Worms Have Been Invading France for Decades. Retrieved September 13, 2020, from https://www.livescience.com/62635-hammerhead-flatworms-invade-france.html
  3. Harrison, L., Posted:, 13, D., Charles B Peabody August 10, & 29, T. (2019, January 31). Hammerhead worms are an invasive species. Retrieved September 13, 2020, from http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/wakullaco/2019/01/31/hammerhead-worms-are-an-invasive-species/
  4. (n.d.). Retrieved September 13, 2020, from https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/beneficials/beneficial-57(partial)_land_planarian.htm
  5. Hammerhead Flatworm, Vol. 5, No. 27. (2019, September 17). Retrieved September 13, 2020, from http://extension.msstate.edu/newsletters/bug%E2%80%99s-eye-view/2019/hammerhead-flatworm-vol-5-no-27
  6. Anne Marie Helmenstine, P. (n.d.). Horrifying Hammerhead Worm Facts. Retrieved September 13, 2020, from https://www.thoughtco.com/hammerhead-worm-facts-4178101

Tardigrades

BY KAIA KARPE

STAFF WRITER

Staff Writer

Tardigrades are eight-legged micro-creatures with four to eight claws on each hand, also known as Water Bears. Tardigrades can live in water, moss, and lichens on trees. They can survive space, years of dehydration, and asteroid impacts. They may be able to survive asteroids like the ones that led the dinosaurs to extinction. Tardigrades can go up to thirty years without food; they can survive deep in the sea, in volcanoes, and in Arctic temperatures! Experts say that the Tardigrade’s lineage began 520 million to 100 million years ago. The only thing that may wipe out the Tardigrades is the death of the sun. Tardigrades eat cellular fluids. The Tardigrade can range from 0.05 mm to 1.2 mm long. Tardigrades were discovered by Johann August Ephraim Goeze in 1773. Also, in 1776, Italian clergyman and biologist Lazzaro Spallanzani discovered that water bears survive extreme conditions by making a transformation.

Works Cited

“Cold, Stunned Iguanas Are Falling from Trees in Florida.” The Washington Post. WP Company. Accessed February 7, 2020. http://www.washingtonpost.com/video/local/weather/cold-stunned-iguanas-are-falling-from-trees-in-florida/2020/01/22/07a23a40-853b-4ba4-8393-6a9db85a2837_video.html.

“Facts About Tardigrades.” LiveScience. Purch. Accessed February 10, 2020. https://www.livescience.com/57985-tardigrade-facts.html.

O’Neill, Mike. “Researchers Discover How ‘Water Bears’ Survive Extreme Conditions.” SciTechDaily, October 1, 2019. https://scitechdaily.com/researchers-discover-how-water-bears-survive-extreme-conditions/.

Smith, Casey. “These ‘Indestructible’ Animals Would Survive a Planet-Wide Apocalypse.” ‘Indestructible’ Tardigrades Would Survive a Planet-Wide Apocalypse, April 23, 2018. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2017/07/tardigrades-water-bears-extinction-earth-science/.

Wright, Jeremy. “Tardigrada (Water Bears).” Animal Diversity Web. Accessed February 7, 2020. https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Tardigrada/#lifespan_longevity.

Image from:

https://www.livescience.com/indestructible-tardigrades-cannot-survive-heat.html

Riddles

BY BHAVYA KODALI
STAFF WRITER

The answers are at the bottom of the page.

  1. As you were walking to the park, you saw seven men with seven wives each, who were carrying seven sacks each, which held seven cats each. The cats weighed exactly seven pounds each, and they had exactly seven kittens each, who weighed exactly seven ounces each. How many things, both living and inactive, were going to the park? (Hint: The answer is in the first sentence)
  2. John’s mother had three children. One was named April, one was named May. What was the third child’s name? (Hint: The answer is in the first sentence)
  3. It’s so fragile even just saying its name can break it. What is it? (Hint: Be quiet and think)
  4. It’s been around for millions of years but is never more than a month old. What is it? (Hint: It spins and it’s huge)
  5. Three doctors said Bill was their brother. Bill said he had no brothers. Who was lying? (Hint: List all of Bill’s possible family members)
  6. Name three consecutive days without using the words Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. (Hint: The first one starts with a Y, and the next two start with a T)

  1. One: Yourself
  2. John: April, May, and John
  3. Silence
  4. The moon
  5. None of them. Bill has three sisters.
  6. Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

Music Theory: Casually Explained

BY SAM WURDEMANN
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF IN TRAINING

When you’re not up for it, music as a concept can be a pretty daunting task. It’s formed as math and works like a science. Every brain processes it in a different way. It takes all sorts of forms for all sorts of people. 

There are some professionals who spend way too much time thinking about this stuff and have devoted their lives to deciphering the building blocks that make music tick. The truth of the matter is, if it were an easy-to-define concept, we wouldn’t be wasting all this time trying to figure it out. However, in the chance that you find yourself willing to look into the theory of music, and are interested enough to learn about the pieces so that you might be able to use them yourself, consider this article to be an Introduction course from someone who took those musical puzzle pieces and put them together in the weirdest way possible. 

All music theory stems from the most basic unit of good-vibe sound: the notes. They’re the letters that form words and the numbers that form equations. You can walk over to a piano or pick up a guitar, and with a little help from the internet, you can locate any note ranging A through G. Between these notes, there’s also sharps and flats, which are like the half-step between two full notes. These can get confusing if you don’t know where they stem from, but the long and short of it is that some frequencies get to be letters and some get to be letters with a hashtag (that’s a sharp) or some other symbol (a flat), so we could easily find them all on a piano (hence the black keys; those are your sharps and flats. They’re arranged unevenly so every note might be easily located). 

The words these note letters form are called chords, and like words, they get progressively more complicated, and you make them by adding letter after letter until it sounds correct. The chord C Major is the simplest one you’ll ever be taught. If the C is the one of the chord, think of the E note as a three, and the G note as a five. One with three with five equals… a C Major Chord!  

Music Theory is all about analyzing chords. We look into which ones a composer will use, the order they use them, how they arrange them, and the effect they have musically. You could keep adding thirds onto that C Major, for example. Say you throw in a Bflat. This would be the seven of the chord. One plus three plus five plus seven equals C Major 7! Add the nine, C Major 9! Etc., etc., etc. 

Different variations of which numbers you put together lead to some very weird chords, just like there’s weird words– for every jentacular there’s an A#susdim11/C. Not all of them sound very good on their own, but in theory, anything can sound poignant with the right execution. 

Is any of this starting to make any sense? If you’d like to take a step further on your Music Theory journey, this playlist is a pretty good place to start. Hope I’ve put my brain into yours a little, and good luck makin’ them musics! 

Eight Interesting Animals

BY XUYING LEE
STAFF WRITER

1. The Angora Rabbit

        The Angora Rabbit is one of the oldest types of domestic rabbit. It is bred for its long furry coat. They originally come from Ankara, Turkey. Their lifespan is an average of  7-12 years or more. They usually weigh about 2.0–3.5 kg (4.4–7.7 lbs.). Their coat colors are white or colored, natural or dyed. 

2.  Terror Birds 

     Terror Birds may be extinct, but they are still interesting. Terror Birds, also known as Phorusrhacids, were alive during the Cenozoic era. They lived in South America. Their height ranged from 2-3 ft. tall, but the largest species found were 10 ft. tall. They had a wide range of interesting colors, including white, red, and green.

3.  The Dumbo Octopus

     The Dumbo Octopus, unlike the Terror Bird, is still alive. The Dumbo Octopus is a rare bottom-of-the-ocean find. Their scientific name is Grimpoteuthis. Now, why are they on the list? They are quite cute, despite being able to swallow their prey whole. But they won’t harm humans. The largest one found was only 20 cm. So us humans are safe. The octopus swims with its fin-like ear. It was named the Dumbo octopus, because it resembles “Dumbo”from the 1941 Disney Film. 

4.  Kakapo

     The Kakapo is the world’s largest parrot. It evolved into a large peaceful bird because of the lack of mammalian predators. Kakapos can live up to 95 years old, and its scientific name is the strigops habroptilus. They are found in New Zealand. They are critically endangered with less than 200  left in the world. When Europeans arrived, they brought along cats and dogs; that learned the Kakapos’ scents. Poor Kakapos.

5.  Olm

     The Olm looks like it could be a snake or giant worm with arms and legs. They can live up to 100 years old. This blind salamander has a great sense of hearing and smelling. They have pale human-like skin and can go up to ten years without food. They can be found in the Limestone Caves of Southern Europe. Many fisherman now believe in sea monsters, after catching this creature.

6.  Flying Squid

     The Flying Squid? I thought it was Flying Fish. It turns out there is also a Flying Squid. The Flying Squid’s scientific name is Todarodes pacificus. Female lying Squid can lay up to 4,000 eggs at a time. The squid prefer to be in colder water and can be found in water less than 25 degrees Celsius. They can glide up to 11.3 meters per second, and can remain airborne for up to three seconds and cover 30 meters upward. We can no longer consider squid to be just a creature of the sea, but now the air as well.

7. Mandarinfish

     The Mandarinfsh is considered one of the most beautiful creatures, but beware: they cause trouble. Mandarinfish use poison and a foul, disgusting stench to keep predators away. They are covered in tiny spines that inject poison in to anyone or anything that tries to eat it or touch it. The Mandarinfish produces two secretary cells in its epidermis. One cell produces a thick slimy mucus coating that protects it from the dangers, and the other produces toxins to protect it from predators. Not only is the toxin-mucus coating dangerous, but it is even worse for the predator. Reportedly, they smell disgusting.

8.  Bactrian Camel
     The Bactrian camel is more popularly known as the camel with two humps. There are thought to be more than a million Bactrian camels domesticated worldwide. Bactrian Camels are often used by people to carry or pull heavy loads or groups of people. Their scientific name is the Camelus bactrianus, and they can live up to 50. Like the single humped camel, they store fat which can be converted into water and energy. They can run up to 40 mph (64 km/h).  They are currently endangered with less than 1,000 in the wild parts of China and Mongolia. They can weigh between 1322 lbs and 1800 lbs (600 kg – 800 kg). Even with their thick fur, in the summer they are able to keep cool because their coat sheds off.

Manipulation: How to Identify and Stop It

BY BELLA TRINKO AND LYNNE INYOUE
STAFF WRITERS

Manipulation is probably something everyone has experience with. Individuals who use guilt,  pressure or other methods to take advantage of people to seize power. Manipulators will make you doubt yourself and use you to benefit themselves. It seems simple, but people like this are surprisingly hard to spot, or, if you do spot them, hard to acknowledge. Part of a manipulator’s power relies on their deception of their victim, using tactics to make themselves seem innocent. 

That’s why, the first step to recognizing manipulation is awareness. If you find a person exploiting your weakness, convincing you to do something you don’t want to do, and repeating the cycle, you should identify it as a problem. You, in this scenario, do not have to be alone, you can regroup and can talk to friends or family to receive a second perspective. It’s important to remember that everyone deserves to be treated with respect, and if someone isn’t treating you as such, that is not your fault. You shouldn’t blame yourself, and make sure to remember that you are not the problem here.

Some traits that manipulators have that can help you identify them are:

  1. One main one that we found in our research(as stated before) is that they will often use your weaknesses against you.
  2. They will often say one thing then another. 
  3. They will make you feel guilty for something that wasn’t your fault.
  4. They will hardly ever take responsibility for their mistakes or actions. 
  5. They almost always play the victim. 

     There are many other traits but from our research this seems to be the main signs/ traits.

After recognizing a manipulator, a solution would be to distance yourself. This distancing can be physical, as actively trying to avoid them, or emotional, as in realizing and reiterating their behavior is irrational and you deserve to be treated with respect.  A more specific example, however, is using time to your advantage. A majority of manipulators expect and pressure you to respond to them right away, thus keeping a hold on your attention and time. Slowly, they up the stakes, expecting you to bend to their every request. This is why that just not responding or giving a noncommittal answer to a manipulator will help you distance yourself. They will often try to get you to depend on them as much as they can to gain power and control you. 

Or, you can say simply say no, too. Sometimes it’s hard to do so, or it feels rude, so you feel guilty. Communication is important, however, and part of that is knowing how to say no, kindly but firmly. Again, the most important point of this article, is that you deserve to be treated with respect. You shouldn’t let someone guilt you into doing something that you don’t want to do. 

In conclusion, remember that you have rights and that you should be respected and treated kindly. This goes the other way too though, because you need to treat others (even people you don’t like) with the same respect and kindness you deserve. Thank you for reading our article and we hope it helps! 

Sources: 

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/communication-success/201406/how-spot-and-stop-manipulators
https://www.talentsmart.com/articles/9-Signs-You’re-Dealing-With-an-Emotional-Manipulator-2147446691-p-1.html
https://www.talentsmart.com/articles/9-Signs-You’re-Dealing-With-an-Emotional-Manipulator-2147446691-p-1.html
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-flux/201610/9-classic-traits-manipulative-people

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