12 Years a Slave: Who was Solomon Northup?

With 10 Bafta and seven Golden Globe nominations, 12 Years a Slave looks set to triumph this awards season. The film is based on a 150-year-old account of how Solomon Northup, born a free man, was kidnapped into slavery. But who was Northup and why, until recently, was he virtually forgotten?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-25589598 

What I wish I had known: 16 student tips on how to find a job

The Globe and Mail Student Advisory Council is composed of university and college students and recent graduates talking about life on Canadian campuses and in the classroom.
1. Most employers would rather train someone they like than work with an experienced person whom they dislike.
2. Let your passion drive you and let your brain make decisions. People who do, end up happy and successful in their own way. Those who don’t, end up extinguishing their passion because their brain told them to play it safe and have smaller goals.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/education/what-i-wish-i-had-known-16-student-tips-on-how-to-find-a-job/article16247660/?click=tglobe 

Deadly conformity is killing our creativity. Let's mess about more

People's lives would be more fulfilling if they were given greater freedom in the workplace.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/14/conformity-killing-creativity-at-work?CMP=fb_gu

Bitcoin: Price v hype

Virtual currency Bitcoin has attracted increasing media attention over the past year. It's also soaring in value, with a single bitcoin surpassing $1,000 (£613) for the first time in November. So has the media hype driven the price hike?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-25332746 

How to Pack Like a Pro - Heathrow Airport Video

Heathrow Airport:
If you've ever had problems closing your suitcase, our video will show you just how to make the most out of every inch - so you can stop wrestling your case and start enjoy your trip!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIk8v__Osm8&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DLIk8v__Osm8&app=desktop 

How to pronounce Qunu and Mandela’s middle name

Mandela was born in the Eastern Cape, the homeland of many Xhosa speakers. Xhosa, pronounced KAW-suh (-k as in king, -aw as in law, -uh as "a" in sofa, stressed syllables shown in upper case) in English, is one of South Africa's 11 official languages and one of 28 languages spoken in the country.
Like Mandarin and Zulu, Xhosa is a tone language and the pitch of a syllable (high or low in the case of Xhosa) is used to differentiate the meaning of words, just as the consonant sounds -k and -s are used to differentiate the words "king" and "sing" in English.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-25356745 

The Japanese men who prefer virtual girlfriends to sex

Unless something happens to boost Japan's birth rate, its population will shrink by a third between now and 2060. One reason for the lack of babies is the emergence of a new breed of Japanese men, the otaku, who love manga, anime and computers - and sometimes show little interest in sex.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24614830