The Malaysian Insider :: Features
The Malaysian Insider :: Features |
| Rare Billy the Kid photograph sold for US$2.3m Posted: 26 Jun 2011 08:34 AM PDT  Henry McCarty, a.k.a. Billy the Kid, is pictured in this undated photograph obtained by Reuters on December 16, 2010. — Reuters pic Koch, an energy company executive and well-known collector of art and American West artifacts, placed the winning bid in person before stunned onlookers at Brian Lebel's annual Old West Auction in Denver. Lebel said at an auction preview that he expected the tintype image to sell for between US$300,000 and US$400,000. Koch told Reuters after the auction that he plans to allow some small museums to display the piece, and after that he will "just enjoy" the iconic piece. "I love the old West," he said. "This is a part of American history." The metallic photo, taken outside a Fort Sumner, New Mexico, saloon in late 1879 or early 1880, depicts the outlaw gripping the upright barrel of a Winchester carbine, with a Colt 45 pistol strapped to his hip. The photograph was owned by the descendants of Dan Dedrick, who was given the photo by his cattle rustling partner, Billy the Kid himself. Born Henry McCarty, but known in New Mexico as William Bonney, the Kid was shot dead at age 22 by lawman Pat Garrett in 1881, months after a jailbreak in which Bonney reportedly killed two deputies. In the 130 years since his death, Billy the Kid has been depicted, with varying degrees of accuracy, in scores of popular culture movies and books. Koch's winning bid was actually US$2 million, but a US$300,000 "buyer's premium" was tacked on, bringing the total selling price to US$2.3 million, an auction spokeswoman said. Brian Lebel said he was pleased that the photo wasn't sold to an overseas buyer. "I'm happy that it will stay in this country and will be shared with the public," he said. Koch is one of the sons of Fred C. Koch, founder of Wichita, Kansas-based energy conglomerate Koch Industries, one of the largest private companies in the United States. — Reuters Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price. |
| Energy drinks linked to substance abuse in survey of musicians Posted: 26 Jun 2011 07:54 AM PDT  A new study finds a correlation between the consumption of energy drinks and substance abuse among musicians. — AP pic In a survey examining substance use among 226 New York professional and amateur musicians aged 18-45, researchers found that of the 94 per cent of respondents who said they were caffeine users, 57 per cent said they sought caffeine jolts from energy drinks specifically. The study was published in the Journal of Caffeine Research and released from the University of Buffalo last week. In the study, those who used energy drinks reported significantly more misuse of legal substances than those who didn't drink energy drinks: 31 per cent of energy drink users misused prescription drugs compared to 13 percent of nonusers while 76 per cent reported binge drinking compared to 59 per cent of nonusers. Researchers also found that 68 per cent of musicians reported heavy drinking at least once or twice a year and 74 reported experiencing at least one alcohol-related social problem, defined as a hangover, arguing with others about their drinking, or doing something under the influence that they later regretted. Musicians also reported recreational drug use: 52 per cent said they used marijuana, 25 per cent used psychedelic drugs, 23 per cent abused prescription drugs and 21 per cent said they used cocaine. Musicians constitute "an especially fertile demographic for energy drinks," explains co-author Kathleen E. Miller, given their lifestyle — late or irregular hours and sleep deprivation. Researchers point out that marketing campaigns often evoke music in their names, sponsor music tours and incorporate music-related logos in their brands in order to target this niche market. Underlying messages also carry themes like rebellion, risk taking and illegal drug use, points out co-author Kathleen E. Miller, giving energy drinks a special appeal for musicians "who tend to score high on the personality trait of sensation-seeking." This spring, American rapper Snoop Dogg's alcoholic energy drink, Blast by Colt 45, for instance, was slammed by 15 US states as a "binge in a can" that glamorised heavy drinking and targeted underage Americans. The 700ml can has 12 per cent alcohol — equivalent to an entire six-pack of American beer. Rockstar is the second most popular energy drink in the US, after Red Bull, and is targeted "for those who lead active and exhausting lifestyles — from athletes to rock stars," their website says. Other music-inspired brands include Loud Energy Drink, Rock On, and Pimp Juice, the latter of which is owned by rapper Nelly. In another study due to be published in the July issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, researchers discovered that energy drinks mixed with alcohol contributed to higher impulsivity and stimulation in the drinker than drinking alcohol alone. The result can lead to engaging in riskier behavior. To learn more, visit http://www.buffalo.edu/news/12651. — AFP-Relaxnews Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price. |
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