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Hey all,

Sorry I haven’t posted in a couple weeks – I’m back with some new featured groups.

First up – and my personal favorite :

FOODIES: UNITE

From lolitanimatronic, an awesome group that deals with favorite thing – good food.  FOODIES: UNITE is a lot more than just a bunch of people getting together and talking about their local restaurants and eateries – it’s a group where the benefits of eating smart (locally, organically) are shown at the production level and at the consumption level (check this out for some advice on what’s in season this fall) . The FOODIES: UNITE group is also a great place to visit right before lunch.

The Science Club

Are you into science?   Current user wirehedd has created the group for you.  Are you not that into science but enjoy vaguely describing something scientific (this me BTW) at dinners and parties? THIS ALSO IS THE CLUB FOR YOU.  All things science, from theories to proofs, failed inventions to working inventions – tons of interesting stuff in here, check it out.

Anti-Xenophobia

Found_Avenue has created a really positive (well, anti-negative) club that has a lot of merit in today’s society.  This is a club for people are pro-acceptance and anti-prejudice.  The group supports awareness of xenophobic activity as well as stories of people overcoming xenophobia.  A good mix of positivity and knowledge about some of the problems facing the different cultures/beliefs of the world.

That’s it for this week’s featured groups – please feel free to let me know if you have any groups that you think should be featured.

Thanks,

-Ben

bdorries@current.com

Hello my lovely Current community, feliz Friday! In case you didn’t check it our last featured community member, we had the super awesome Sam_the_Wizer, so once you’re done check out this week’s, go have a little look see. This week we have (drum roll please) …WakeUpPeople! You’ve probably bumped into this AMAZING community member on Current before, but if you haven’t, whoo boy, you’re in for a treat! There are a ton of great items from on his profile, I was really interested in the “New data: Mega-quake could strike near Seattle” (as Seattle is near and dear to me). Ok, before any Seattlites freak out and go read that item, make sure you check out his interview below, WAY more important.

Q: How did you find out about Current? What made you a fan?

A: I found out about current while researching Al Gore.  I read his book “The Assault on Reason,” and it really reinforced what I was already thinking about mainstream media and the need for internet forum discussion.  That’s one of the reasons that I chose my username.  People need to unplug from the hypnotic television sets and wake up to the realities of our world.

Q: Where do you look for stories to add to Current?

A: I look everywhere for articles to post.  I have certain sites that I favor, but what I love about Current is that in the middle of debates with other users, I think of something else to research.  A lot of times I post articles that answer my own questions, because I figure I’m not the only one with the question.  Google is an amazing tool for fact finding missions, although sourcewatch.org is equally important in finding the truth.

Q: You post a variety of stories (which is awesome!), but is there something in particular that you’re really passionate about?

A: Right now, I’m extremely passionate about health care reform.  The ovewhelming misinformation/disinformation campaign is driving me crazy and keeping me very busy as of late.  This also compounds my mistrust for the mainstream media that intentionally misrepresents the issues.  One of my favorite quotes is from Abraham Lincoln: “I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts.”  I am also very passionate about climate change, but political will is unfortunately not up to the tremendous challenge and responsibility at this time.  I often wish that CO2 was neon orange.  I think people would be less likely to ignore it if they could see it… it’s just human nature.

Q: If you could have one Superhero power, what would it be and why?

A: If I could have a superhero power I think I would choose the power to afflict others with the burden of empathy and compassion.  It might sound lame, but I wish I could do that on a daily basis, so there it is.

I know, I know, you can thank me (ok fine, thank WakeUpPeople later, now go read about that crazy potential earthquake and everything else!

-Danielle

Fresh and popular

Here’s a list of four recently added stories that are popular right now based on the likes/dislikes of the Current.com community.

We’re reading them, so should you:

1. Spanking detrimental to children, study says – the study says toddlers spanked at age 1 were more aggressive at age 2. discuss.
2. The iTunes LP gets pirated – was it only a matter of time? How will the new DRM sensitive Apple react to this?
3. Staggering $636.3 billion approved for the Department of Defense FY 2010 – community member Incredulous raises a whole lot of questions. Do you have the answer?
4. Marijuana Grew on High Street – marijuana stories popular on Current.com? No! This time around, the irony of marijuana growing publicly on a street with this name is pretty amusing, although likely intentional.

The discussion is stayin’ alive

Here are a few not-so-recent threads that are still hanging onto the popularity rank:

1. Obama drops missile shields for Czech Republic and Poland
2. Blackwater offers training to ‘Faith Based Organizations’
3. Socialist say Obama not a socialist
4. Is war on drugs worth it? Maybe not, new FBI data suggest

The Current community received some pretty awful news this weekend, Jack Herer (notable advocate for the legalization of marijuana, author of ‘The Emperor Wears No Clothes,’ curator of the H.E.M.P. group on Current.com, and all around great guy) was reported to be in critical condition after suffering a heart attack shortly following an appearance on-stage at “Hempstalk” in Portland.

Updates have been scarce, filtering out via Facebook and Twitter. Hopefully community members of Jack’s H.E.M.P. group will keep the rest of the community updated.

Join Jack Herer’s H.E.M.P. group on Current.com

Looking for something to brighten up your Monday? check out today’s fastest growing groups!

1. The Future curated by DeliaTheArtist (3 new members)

2. Opinion curated by unimatrix0 (3 new members)

3. Organic curated by lookatmypix (3 new members)

4. Indie Film curated by Pericles_Lewnes (2 new members)

5. Environmental Law created by stopnoise (2 new members)

Congrats to DeliaTheArtist and The Future! The Future is now featured on the Groups homepage, so check it out. We’ll be back tomorrow with more fastest growing groups, so tell all your friends about your fantastic new group and encourage them to join!

Steph

Hey Currentians,

Here’s the day’s fastest growing groups to get you over the mid-week slump. Happy Wednesday!

1. US Politics (3 new members) — curated by current89

2. Water is life (2 new members) — curated by JanforGore

3. Oceans (2 new members) — curated by jefftego

4. Feminism (1 new member) — curated by fountaingoats

5. Drum and bass (1 new member) — curated by mattbrawn

Congrats to US Politics, curated by current89, for taking the lead today! US Politics is now featured on the Groups homepage, so check it out, and if it looks interesting, why not join? I’ll be back tomorrow with a new set of fastest growing groups, so fire up your email and let all your friends know about your great new group.

Steph

Greetings, Current!

Tuesday’s fastest growing groups give you a chance to watch some films, hang with superheroes and geek out, so grab some popcorn and check them out!

1. Indie Film (2 new members) — curated by Pericles_Lewnes

2. Progressive America (2 new members) — curated by Sumbodyswatchin

3. Animal Rights (2 new members) — curated by numinant

4. Geek Out Culture (2 new members) — curated by kid_amy

5. Superhero Central (2 new members) — curated by smurph25
Congrats to Indie Film for making it to the top of today’s fastest growing groups list! If you’re a fan of indie films, why not stop by and join up? Indie Film will be featured in Current Stories, and on the groups homepage. Hooray!

If you think you’ve got a group that deserves a spot on the list, dust off your address books and tell your friends all about your awesome new group. Better yet, why not suggest they join

We’ll be back tomorrow with a brand new top 5!

Steph

Hello and happy, happy Friday, Currenteers! In case you don’t remember, we last featured the fantastic Tyrannous. Well, today we have the badass and totally cool Sam_the_Wizer! This is one awesome community member, guys- every interesting and random item that you probably don’t know about, but should? In his profile. My favorite right now (although cringe-worthy) is “Parachute fails to open, Base jumper surives 2,000 foot fall” (I know!).

Ok, so before you scramble to check that item out, along with the rest, take a look at the interview below and get to know Sam_the_Wizer a little better.

Q: How did you find out about Current? What made you a fan?

A: I originally found current while flipping through the Channels one day.  I don’t remember what was on at the time that caught my attention, but I’ve been hooked ever since.

Q: Where do you look for stories to add to Current?

A: I don’t actively seek out stories to add.  If I find something that is not being represented especially related to my locale, Western Colorado, I’ll add it.  Otherwise I just add whatever catches my eye.

Q: You post a variety of stories (which is awesome!), but is there something in particular that you’re really passionate about?

A: I try to keep my eye out for stories related to the Oil and Gas industry in Western Colorado.  There has been a lot of development in the past few years, and a lot of times the locals are being trampled underfoot of these big multi-national corporations.  I try to get the voices of those under represented victims heard.

Q: If you could have one Superhero power, what would it be and why?

A: I know I should have an imaginative answer to this question, but I’m happy as I am.  I don’t think any one super power would make me a happier person.

See? Aren’t you glad you read that?! Now go check out his stuff and then scamper off and enjoy the weekend!

Danielle

Hello there, Currentians!

It’s time to take a look at the fastest growing groups, and today JanforGore takes the top spot with Water is Life. Here’s the rundown:

1. Water is Life curated by JanforGore (11 new members)

2.  Healthcare curated by asherp (4 new members)

3. The Art Gallery curated by DeliaTheArtist (3 new members)

4. Gaming curated by Nettle (3 new members)

5. The Future curated by DeliaTheArtist (2 new members)

It’s great to see so many joining the Water is Life group. Congratulations, JanforGore!

I’ll be back on Monday with the top 5 (after 3pm) but for now, let’s give a round of applause to JanforGore and the Water is Life group. Water is life is in the featured spot on the homepage and will be added to the featured section on the Groups homepage as well.

Steph

Hey all!  It’s that time again – time for…

Featured groups!!!!

(I accidentally type gropus about 75% of the time)

Zombies

ZomBelle has created a wonderful haven for zombies and zombie lovers alike.  There’s previews for up coming video games and movies, information about zombie events and instructions about how to bite through a human skull and eat the brains (jk about that one).  Personally, I would love to read a poem about the woes of zombie life; should you happen to write one be sure to post it both in ‘Zombies’ and in…

Creative Writing

Created by DeliaTheArtist, the Creative Writing group is a wonderful place for community members to share poems, short stories… Heck even long stories.  If you’ve got some ideas bouncing around in the old brain bucket (and zombies haven’t gotten in there first) write em and clip em into the Creative Writing group – you’ll be sure to get some feedback (hopefully not too scathing) and maybe even some praise.  If you’re struggling for an idea about to what to write about be sure to head over to the next group for tons of great ideas.

Tall Meets Small

You all might not know this about me, but I am huge.  I am 6′5″ and around 240 pounds.  Thus, almost everything in my day to day life is small.  This group, created by dlinder, caters to me perfectly – I also imagine that this group caters to those who are particularly small as well (though I can’t be sure).  This group catalogs the peculiarities which occur when really small things meet really tall things.  It’s adorable.

That wraps it up for this week, if you have any suggestions for gropus be sure to send them my way at : bdorries@current.com

Thanks,

-B