Arguments against the existence of God Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Contentions against the presence of God - Essay Example Scholars and masterminds who casted a ballot against the presence of God incorporate David Hume, Bertrand Russell, and Nietzche. In much ongoing occasions, the discussion on the presence of God has been talked about by researchers, for example, Stephen Hawking, William Lane Craig, and David Bentley Feser among others. Regardless of whether God exists or not presents a fascinating discussion inside the mainstream societies, in the way of thinking of religion and in reasoning itself. Things being what they are, who is God? The Bible doesn't give God an accurate definition nor any inference to anything. In any case, it gives Him attributes like all amazing, all tolerant, extraordinary, the start, and the end, isn't truly noticeable to us, and He exists for eternity. As per the Bible, God is the maker of paradise and earth and through His promise; He made the universe and everything else on it. God has a child, Jesus Christ, who was generated of the Virgin Mary and sent to spare humankind from fiendish. God is equipped for gift and rebuffing and is known as the Most High Father. In old style belief in a higher power, God is characterized by the equivalent otherworldly properties by being ageless, sovereign, the first and furthermore basic. The methodology is the same in Eastern strict contemplations, Christian, Hebrew customs or even Islam. The exact contentions reached out against the presence of God to a great extent depend on the information that is procured from perceptions that thusly demonstrates their decisions. One such contention exudes from the irregularity in disclosures on the presence of a god called God from the sacred writings. These sacred texts incorporate the Christian Bible, Muslim Quran, Hindu Vedas, Jewish Tanakh and the Book of Mormon. There exists a clear inconsistency between various sacred writings, inside a solitary sacred writing in various books, for instance, the Gospels, or between the sacred texts and some verifiable truths. The issue of fiendishness likewise energizes the contention that for sure, God doesn't exist. Agreeing

Medieval Torture :: essays research papers

Torment is characterized as in law, curse of extreme real torment either as discipline, or to drive an individual to admit to a wrongdoing, or to give proof in a legal continuing. In old individuals torment has been utilized as a methods for misery and to rebuff caught adversaries. It includes utilizing instruments to compel proof from reluctant observers. In old Athens, slaves were constantly analyzed by torment, and thus their proof was really viewed as more significant than a freemen. A free Athenian couldn't be inspected by this strategy yet torment may have been utilized seldom in executing crooks. Under the Roman Republic no one but slaves could be legitimately tormented and when in doubt they couldn't be tormented to start the obligation of their lord. A great deal of strategies were utilized to torment individuals. What's more, I will present all the strategies conceivable. In medieval occasions discipline was frequently as barbarous as the wrongdoings. The individuals, who tormented delinquents, utilized such a technique called breaking with the wheel, the head smasher, or even the guillotine. The heathens would at times get hung. The rope that went around the sinners’ neck was known as the noose. They draped heathens in hangman's tree. They likewise utilized a hanging confine. They additionally caused miscreants to sit in spiked seats. The Iron Maiden was a case of one of these. Squeezing was one of the torments they utilized. Breaking with the wheel was another torment. Finger pillories and thumb sleeves were utilized. In spite of the fact that the whip left stamps, it wasn’t as severe. Individuals regularly got whipped 15 to multiple times. They evacuated body parts a considerable amount. The guillotine was utilized to expel heads. The headsman’s blade did likewise as the guillotine. They likewise utilized a saw to expel arms, l egs, thus numerous other body parts. The rack was utilized to extend individuals. It was the most well known instrument. They beat individuals to death and consumed individuals at the stake. They likewise utilized the head smasher. Presently I will reveal to you how these strategies were utilized. They balanced individuals by getting their head through a rope, at that point taking the floor free from them. In the hanging confine, they secured somebody a pen and just either let them bite the dust of craving, or spoil. The spiked seats were simply seats loaded with spikes that you were secured until you make some noise. Medieval Torture :: articles examine papers Torment is characterized as in law, curse of extreme real torment either as discipline, or to compel an individual to admit to a wrongdoing, or to give proof in a legal continuing. In antiquated individuals torment has been utilized as a methods for misery and to rebuff caught adversaries. It includes utilizing instruments to compel proof from reluctant observers. In antiquated Athens, slaves were constantly analyzed by torment, and hence their proof was really viewed as more important than a freemen. A free Athenian couldn't be inspected by this technique yet torment may have been utilized seldom in executing crooks. Under the Roman Republic no one but slaves could be lawfully tormented and when in doubt they couldn't be tormented to start the duty of their lord. A great deal of techniques were utilized to torment individuals. What's more, I will present all the strategies conceivable. In medieval occasions discipline was regularly as coldblooded as the violations. The individuals, who tormented delinquents, utilized such a strategy called breaking with the wheel, the head smasher, or even the guillotine. The delinquents would now and then get hung. The rope that went around the sinners’ neck was known as the noose. They draped delinquents in hangman's tree. They likewise utilized a hanging confine. They likewise caused delinquents to sit in spiked seats. The Iron Maiden was a case of one of these. Squeezing was one of the torments they utilized. Breaking with the wheel was another torment. Finger pillories and thumb sleeves were utilized. In spite of the fact that the whip left checks, it wasn’t as fierce. Individuals frequently got whipped 15 to multiple times. They evacuated body parts a considerable amount. The guillotine was utilized to evacuate heads. The headsman’s blade did likewise as the guillotine. They additionally utilized a saw to evacuate arms, legs, thus numerous other body parts. The rack was utilized to extend individuals. It was the most famous instrument. They beat individuals to death and consumed individuals at the stake. They likewise utilized the head smasher. Presently I will reveal to you how these techniques were utilized. They draped individuals by getting their head through a rope, at that point taking the floor free from them. In the hanging confine, they secured somebody an enclosure and just either let them bite the dust of yearning, or decay. The spiked seats were simply seats loaded with spikes that you were secured until you make some noise.

Books for Being in Unfamiliar Territory

Books for Being in Unfamiliar Territory I have (temporarily) undergone a relocation. I have many feelings about this, the vast majority of them extremely positive, but certain things simply require an adjustment period. I dont have a favorite bookstore here yet, and since going to the bookstore is sort of like therapy, Ill need to start auditioning some contenders pretty soon. I dont have a coffee place yet, since I am extremely finicky and need a place that isnt too hip, too expensive, too small, or tooStarbucks. And then there are the smaller things: trying to find certain appliances in a strange kitchen. Walking around town and wondering if people can tell by a glance  that Im lost. All of this is merely a wad of gum on my shoes as I begin a thrilling little summer adventure. However, the feelings of misplacement and displacement that Im experiencing in minute amounts are ones that fill some of my all-time favorite books. Whether youre missing home, escaping home, or call the whole world your home, here are some books Im turning to to help me chart my course: The Geography of Bliss: One Grumps Search for the Happiest Places in the World  by  Eric Weiner Ive read this book so many times, but it never fails to make me smile or to make me think. Weiner travels all around the world to countries that are statistically the happiest in search of what, exactly, the people are so happy about. What he discovers, of course, is that happiness can be defined in all sorts of different ways. Ultimately, its something you find within yourself (although his description of Iceland does sound like a lot of fun.) The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz Inarguably one of the best books of our generation, Diaz explores the heartbreak of displacement and diaspora and the complications of homecoming in this sprawling, legendary novel. It is a story that contains worlds upon worlds: the dystopian horrors of the Dominican Republic under Trujillo; the New Jersey neighborhoods that inspire Oscar to escape into science fiction universes; and the colorful inner  cartographies of people. Life is full of mystery, magic, and some really bad luck, but Diaz finds incredible beauty in the unknowable. White Teeth by Zadie Smith Another story of immigration. With incredible wit and dexterity, Smith grapples with the struggle of transplanting culture and identity. This book follows  Archie and Samad, veterans of WWII, as they and their families  navigate the changing cultural and racial landscape of London. This book is hilarious, but often thorny and challenging as well. With lines like homeland is one of the magical fantasy words like  unicorn  and  soul  and  infinity  that have now passed into language, Smith shows the ways that home can be a mottled concept, and can become something completely different right underneath your nose. The Faraway Nearby by Rebecca Solnit This book got me through the ultimate in homesickness: my freshman year of college. The title comes from Georgia OKeeffe, who used to sign her letters from the faraway nearby. To me, the faraway nearby is a place populated by my loved ones, who exist as a constant, chattering group at a cosmic dinner table within me, no matter how far the physical distance happens to be. These essays are dreamy and gorgeous and will make you appreciate the beauty of being somewhere new, even if that somewhere is only a fresh state of mind. Im A Stranger Here Myself: Notes on Returning to America After 20 Years Away  by Bill Bryson I go back and forth on Bill Bryson, just because his grumpy traveler routine can kind of get on my nerves (youre a travel writer! Be more excited!). But this book made me laugh. The Amazon description calls it a bemused love letter to a homeland and I agree. I also think theres something to travel writing about ones home: the truth is, its hard to really see all the detail unless you go away for a while. Even though Im excited to be away from my  home for a bit, Im also excited to see how its changed when I return. Never Can Say Goodbye:  Writers on Their Unshakable Love for New York  edited by Sari Botton Last summer, I lived at home and worked in D.C. while, it seemed, all of my friends were off in other states or other countries having grand, noteworthy adventures. So, every night before bed, Id read one of these essays and daydream about places like New York City. These essays are fun and full of passion. Often, its the territory you claim for yourself that ends up feeling the most like home, especially when youre young. Cities can exalt you one day and chew you up and spit you out the next. Sometimes thats exactly what you need. Emma  by Jane Austen Okay, maybe this ones just for me it happens to be my favorite novel of all time. But there are a lot of things about  Emma  that make it a good book to read in a new place: the  claustrophobic, gossipy town will make you itch to walk a street where youre totally unknown; Harriet Smiths naiveté might make you feel better about maybe not being as cosmopolitan as youd like. Above all, though, I brought a copy of Emma with me because Ive always related to Emma herself, and everyone knows that the hardest thing about a relocation is finding a kindred spirit.

Of Mice and Men Summary

Of Mice and Men is John Steinbeck’s best-known work. The 1937 novella tells the story of George Milton and Lennie Small, two migrant workers who travel from farm to farm in search of work in Depression-era California. Chapter 1 The story begins with two childhood friends, George Milton and Lennie Small, who are traveling through California in search of work. Lennie is drinking from a puddle of standing water, and George reproaches him. When Lennie stops drinking the water, George reminds him that they only have a little way to go until they arrive at their next farm. George notices that Lennie isn’t really listening; instead, Lennie has been focusing on petting a dead mouse that’s in his pocket. George mentions that Lennie picked up the habit from his Aunt Clara, then reminds Lennie that he always used to kill the mice. George angrily tosses the mouse into the woods. The two men settle down in the woods for the night. They eat a dinner of beans and talk by the fire about their dreams of making enough money to buy land of their own, with rabbits to care for. Chapter 2 The next morning, George and Lennie arrive at the ranch and meet their boss (referred to only as the Boss). The Boss tells them that they were supposed to arrive the night before; thanks to their delayed arrival, they will have to wait until the next day to start working. During the conversation, George speaks for both himself and Lennie, which frustrates the Boss. However, once Lennie finally speaks, the Boss agrees to hire the men. Next, George and Lennie meet Curley, the son of the Boss. Curley tries to intimidate them—especially Lennie—but once he leaves, they learn some gossip about his character from Candy, one of the ranch hands. Candy explains that Curley is a good fighter who made it to the finals of the Golden Gloves, but that he is mad at [big guys] because he aint a big guy. Curleys wife briefly appears and introduces herself to George and Lennie. Lennie cant take his eyes off of her, but the farm hands warn him against talking to her and describe her as flirtatious and a tart. Lennie frets about having to fight Curley, but George reassures him and instructs him to go to their predetermined hiding place should a fight begin to brew. Lennie and George also meet two other ranch hands—Slim and Carlson—and learn that Slims dog has recently given birth to a litter of puppies. Chapter 3 In the bunk house, George and Slim meet up. George thanks Slim for allowing Lennie to take one of the puppies. As the conversation continues, George tells Slim the truth about why he and Lennie left their previous farm: Lennie, who loves to touch soft things, tried to pet a woman’s red dress, leading people to think that he had raped her. George explains that Lennie is a gentle person and that he never raped the woman. Candy and Carlson arrive, and the conversation turns to the topic of Candys elderly dog. Candy clearly loves the animal and doesnt want to let him go, but he also recognizes that the dog is suffering; plus, according to Carlson, we cant sleep with him stinkin around in here. Candy finally agrees to let the dog go, and Carlson takes the dog away with a shovel to end its life. Later, George and Lennie discuss their plan to save up some money and buy land of their own. With childlike fascination and hope, Lennie asks George to describe more and more elements of the imagined farm. Candy overhears the conversation and says that he wants to join in using his own savings. George is skeptical at first, but he eventually agrees to let Candy in on the plan, convinced by the fact that Candy has considerable money saved up already. The three men agree to keep the plan a secret. As they make this pact, an annoyed Curley appears and starts to pick a fight with Lennie. Lennie doesnt want to fight and begs George for help. Curley punches Lennie in the face and, going against his own promises to protect Lennie, George encourages Lennie to fight back.  In nervous retaliation, Lennie grabs Curley’s fist in his own and squeezes; as a result, Curley starts â€Å"flopping like a fish on a line.† Lennie and Curley are separated, and it becomes clear that Curley’s hand is shattered. He is rushed to the doctor, but not before he and the others agree not to say a word about what has happened to anyone else. Once Curley has been taken away, George explains that Lennie only acted that way because he was scared. He then tries to calm his friend by telling him that he didn’t do anything wrong and that he can still tend the rabbits on their land. Chapter 4 That night, after everybody else has gone into town, Lennie is out on the farm visiting his puppy. He walks past the room of Crooks, the African American stable-hand who lives in separate lodging because the other farm hands wont allow him in the bunk house. The two men start talking, and Crooks asks him some probing questions about his relationship with George. At one point Crooks suggests that George won’t return that night, which frightens Lennie, but Crooks settles him down. Lennie lets slip that he, George, and Candy are planning on saving up for their own piece of land. Upon hearing this, Crooks calls the idea â€Å"nuts,† and says that â€Å"ever’body wants a little piece of lan’†¦nobody gets no land. It’s jus’ in their head.† Before Lennie can respond, Candy enters and joins in the conversation, also talking about their plan to buy some land. At this, Crooks once again expresses his skepticism, though Lennie and Candy remain unconvinced. Unexpectedly, Curley’s wife appears, mentioning that she is looking for Curley and drawing the attention of the three men as she flirts with them. The men tell her that they don’t know where Curley is. When she asks how Curley hurt his hand, the men lie, saying that it got caught in a machine. Curleys wife angrily accuses the men of covering up the truth, and Crooks tells her to leave. This response angers her even further; she hurls racial epithets at Crooks and threatens to have him lynched. Powerless, Crooks averts his gaze and apologizes flatly to her. Candy tries to come to Crooks’ defense, but Curley’s wife retorts that nobody would believe them over her. Before slipping out, she says she’s glad Lennie crushed Curley’s hand. As  soon as Curleys wife exits, the three men hear the other farm hands. Lennie and Candy return to the bunk house, leaving Crooks to himself once again. Chapter 5 The next afternoon, Lennie sits in the barn with his puppy, which has died as a result of his indelicate touch. As he buries the body, Lennie worries that George will find out and that the revelation will cause George to forbid Lennie from tending rabbits on their farm. Curley’s wife enters the barn. Lennie blurts out that he is not supposed to talk to her, but they converse nevertheless. Curleys wife describes her youthful dreams—now crushed—of becoming a Hollywood actress, as well as her resentment towards her husband. Lennie then tells Curleys wife about how he likes to pet soft things, like rabbits. Curleys wife lets Lennie stroke her hair, but Lennie clasps her too tightly and she squirms in his grip. Lennie shakes her —so hard that â€Å"her body flopped like a fish†Ã¢â‚¬â€and breaks her neck. He runs off. Candy discovers the body of Curleys wife in the barn. He runs to get George, who, immediately recognizing what Lennie did, decides that they should walk away and let the others find the body. Once Curley learns the news, he quickly decides that Lennie must have killed her. Curley and the other farm hands set off to kill Lennie in revenge—only they can’t locate Carlson’s Luger pistol. George is supposed to join the search party, but he sneaks away, knowing that Lennie has gone to their pre-established hiding spot. Chapter 6 Lennie sits by the river, waiting for George and worrying about how he might react. He begins to hallucinate; first, he imagines that he is talking to his Aunt Clara, then, he imagines a conversation with a giant rabbit. George arrives at the hiding spot. He reassures Lennie that he wont leave him and describes the land theyll own together, which calms Lennie down. As the two men are talking, George can hear Curleys search party closing in. He raises Carlson’s Luger pistol to the back of Lennie’s head, so that Lennie cannot see it. George hesitates at first, continuing to calmly tell Lennie about their farm, but just before Curley and the others arrive, he finally pulls the trigger. The other men take in the scene. Slim tells George that he did what he had to do, and Carlson remarks to Curley, â€Å"Now what the hell ya suppose is eatin’ them two guys?†

Symptoms And Symptoms Of Depression Essay - 1858 Words

There are so many physiological disorders out there in the world that effect people with their everyday lives. Whether they have Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or anything else, they all are living a harder life than any other person that is not living with a disorder. Although there are many other disorders that people have, depression is something that anyone can experience. According to the DBSA or the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, â€Å"major depressive disorder affects approximately 14.8 million American adults, or about 6.7 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older, in a given year.† It is the most common neurological mood disorder for people all around the world. Depression is a dramatic change in mood that effects behavior, thinking, and also causes a decrease in completing tasks that needed to be accomplished through the normal day to day activities. Before hitting certain aspects of major depressive disorder, finding out what exactly happens in the brain and understanding everything physical about it is the first thing that needs to be done. After the physiological part of it is understood, then figuring out the therapy that will be most helpful can be developed in time to help. There are many forms of depression and everyone can experience the symptoms that come with the disorder. The main thing to figure out is why a person is feeling depressed and what is going on in the brain functions when it comes to a person that is depressed. When a person isShow MoreRelatedDepression Symptoms And Symptoms Of Depression739 Words   |  3 Pages Depression is something that nobody in the universe would want. Depression kills. What is depression? Depression is a mood disorder causing a persistent feeling of sadness and lost of interest. (Depression Symptoms and Warning Signs. Depression Symptoms Warning Signs: How to Recognize Depression Symptoms and Get Effective Help. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2016.) Some symptoms you can get while having depression includes feeling hopeless and helpless, you lose interest in friends, activities, etcRead MoreDepression : Symptoms And Symptoms1545 Words   |  7 PagesDepression is a well-known disease all around the world. Everyone thinks that they know what depression is. They deduce that depression is just about being sad, that anyone with it can just be happy whenever they want, and it comes without any symptoms. That s not what depression is. It s way more complex and complicated than that. Depression is an illness that really affects the brain and the person suffering from it. What is depression? Depression is a serious mood disorder that causes a constantRead MoreDepression : Symptoms And Symptoms2066 Words   |  9 PagesDepression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It affects every aspect of a person’s life from the way they think and behave, to how they feel. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. Those with depression will have difficulty doing day to day activities and feel like their life isn’t worth living. A lot of people think it’s a weakness or something that a person can just ‘snap out of’ but it’s not that easy, and may even requireRead MoreSymptoms And Symptoms Of Depression1500 Words   |  6 Pagestreating depression? Researchers at the Mayo Clinic define depression as â€Å"a mood disorder that causes sadness and loss of interest† and goes on to say, â€Å"it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a va riety of emotional and physical problems†(Depression). For two years, I knew that something was wrong with me, but the symptoms that I was experiencing didn t mirror anything that I equated with depression. My primary care physician was equally perplexed by my presented symptoms and I wasRead MoreSymptoms And Symptoms Of Depression1168 Words   |  5 Pagesand keep worrying about what options are available and not doing your daily routine, you are feeling depression. You may feel that nothing can help but this is very untrue. Most people can recover from many convulsion of depression. After recovering from depression many people look back at it and use it as part of their life experience for those who may have the same symptoms on depression. Depression can make people to change their lifestyle. It’s a serious medical condition in which a person medicalRead MoreDepression : Symptoms And Symptoms Essay1432 Words   |  6 PagesDepression is a behavior disorder that can affect many people in the world. This disorder does not only affect adults, but children as well. â€Å"Depression is an episode of sadness or apathy along with other symptoms that lasts two consecutive weeks† according to (http://www.webmd.com/depression/ss/slideshow-depression-overview). A person with depression is affected both physically and emotionally. People can be affected by many types of depression which affects every single person with depression differentlyRead MoreSymptoms And Symptoms Of The Depression Essay1337 Words   |  6 PagesClinical depression is a disease that affects many people, ranging from children to elderly adults. Depression is a scary word to many and conjures up ugly, stereotypical images of people being sad all the time and wanting to kill themselves. Depression is treatable, but the same method of treatment will not be effective on every patient. Many people suffering from depression question whether they are actually depressed or just hav ing a bad day. Often times, a person who believes they are sufferingRead MoreSymptoms And Symptoms Of The Depression970 Words   |  4 PagesMajor depression is occurring when you feel depressed most of the time for most of the days of the week. Some symptoms for this type of depression include weight loss or weight gain, suicidal thoughts, being tired, having no energy, feeling guilty, and feeling worthless. Talking to a therapist can help with this. The doctor will usually make you meet with a mental health specialist who will help with the depression you’re feeling. Doctors also recommend antidepressants. If those two things don’tRead MoreSymptoms And Symptoms Of Depression1340 Words   |  6 Pagesthat can contribute to one’s depression. Such as, biological, psychological and sociocultural. These factors include emotional symptoms, cognitive symptoms, behavior symptoms, somatic symptoms, and impairment in social and occupational functioning. So, what is depression? Everybody experiences times in their life with feeling blue or sad. Depression, however is a medical condition to where the person feels a stronger sadness for a lot longer than normal. Depression can be mild, severe or chronicRead MoreDepression : Symptoms And Symptoms Of Depression1812 Words   |  8 Pages Jessica Arevalo Park University Depression The word depression comes from the Latin and means a state of affective disorders. Depression is not common as normal fluctuations in emotional life but represents a disease with a clear outline in contrast to a mental disorder. Depression is one of the mild disease and fundamentally temporary (Aguirre, 2008). The different duration and severity depend on the causes and remedy together. It can be part of a psychoneurotic disorder, psychological-physical

A report on the landscape evolution of the Durham coast Free Essays

string(209) " at Dawdon as the result of wave action and tidal currents: where the rock is more resistant headlands form, and where it is more easily eroded bays, like Dawdon Blast Beach, retreat inwards \(Holden, 2005\)\." Introduction and Background: This report aims to assess the landscape evolution of the Durham coast, and to determine the past, present and future processes acting on the coastline. Natural processes have shaped the region for millions of years, and at present the area is characterized by a number of physical features. These include Permian Magnesian Limestone Cliffs, glacial sediments, raised beaches, incised valleys and small coastal headlands. We will write a custom essay sample on A report on the landscape evolution of the Durham coast or any similar topic only for you Order Now In the last 10,000 years the development of the costal zone has been in response to a switch from glacial to interglacial conditions, and the resultant rising global sea level. However, over the last century increasing human activity has artificially modified the coastline in a number of ways. In the north east of England, coal mining was the dominant industry until the early 1990’s. Such activity was often characterized by the dumping of vast quantities of waste rock and low-grade coal onto the beaches by coastal mines (Humphries, 2001). The disturbances caused by active waste tipping to both the coastline and the natural ecosystems within the area were extensive: in some parts, the accumulations of waste reached 20m in thickness. That said, the decline of the coal industry throughout the 1980’s and its eventual closure allowed for a review of the management of the coastline. The result was the launch of the so-called ‘Turning the Tide’ project, which aimed to restore previous environmental conditions, as well as create new socio-economic opportunities (Wilkinson and McCay, 1998). The website explains how a small management team exists â€Å"to protect and enhance the special qualities of this unique coastline† (durhamheritagecoast.org). The project facilitated the removal of industrial waste, the development of recreational initiatives and the opening of coastal footpaths. Changes in both physical activities and anthropogenic attitudes towards the management of the coastline have allowed the area to redevelop. We visited two sites, at Dawdon (a site popular for sea angling) and Whitburn, to execute a number of tasks in an attempt to understand these processes more, and to try and predict future changes. As such, I have divided this project into three separate categories: the past and long-term processes acting on the Durham coastline, present day activity in the region and our prediction of what may happen in the future. These categories will be followed by a discussion and conclusion. Past and long-term processes acting on the Durham coastline: the long-term evolution of Dawdon Blast Beach and Whitburn Bird (1984) makes the point that the evolution of coastlines can be analyzed in a number of ways: geological structure, marine processes, tidal conditions, changing sea levels and shifting climatic processes. By citing the number of influences that can play a role in the development of coastlines, Bird (1984) makes it clear that if we are to understand the present and future processes, we must first gain significant knowledge of the past. Therefore, in order to understand the Durham coastline completely, we must first look at the region’s historical geomorphology and its underlying geology. Bridgland (1999) explains how the geology of Dawdon and Whitburn is primarily made up of Permian Magnesian Limestone. Above the limestone lies a layer of boulder clay, which supports grasslands, plant life and other wildlife. Going further back into time, though, reveals the influence of glaciation on the region’s geological development. Glacial deposits in the region reveal that ice was present until fifteen thousand years ago. Britain’s glacial history is, in parts, incomplete and poorly understood. However, evidence in the form of glacial sediments, erratics, clast fabrics and striae can give us some understanding as to where the ice came from and how and why the sea-level has changed in the last 10,000 years. Erratics are simply rocks that have been transported and deposited by a previously existing glacier (Holden, 2005). Holden (2005: 528) also explains how â€Å"glacial abrasion causes striations† and the smoothing of some surfaces. The evidence for this is in present day striae, which were observed at Whitburn. Clastic fabric is composed of grains of rock, which have been weathered and eroded from previously existing bedrock (Holden, 2005). Transportation of clastic material is often by ice. It is these separate forms of evidence that together suggest that the first glacial ice to appear in the region came from the northwest (Lunn, 1995). The second glacial ice witnessed is attributed to the Cheviot / Tweed area. It has been proven that Whitburn is located where previously different sections of ice may have competed against each other before eventually merging.Johnson (1995) also notes that further evidence of glacial activity in the region comes in the form of lakes, which are suggested to have formed during periods of deglaciation. Shennan et. al (2006) have recently undertaken extensive research into relative sea level change, and attempted to reconstruct British ice sheets. Evidence suggests that the Durham coastline is still responding to the rising sea level and rapid changes of the last 10,000 years. Crucial to this area of study is the principle of isostasy, defined by Holden (2005:718) as â€Å"the principle by which the Earth’s crust floats upon the denser mantle.† Shennan et. al (2006) make it clear how relative sea level change, as a result of isostasy, depends not just on sea-level change but also land-level fluctuations. This is the principle of isostatic change. The significance for past and long-term processes acting on the Durham coastline is that areas that were covered in ice, such as the northeast of England, are often still experiencing uplift as a result of their newfound buoyancy. The opposite is true of regions that were not covered in ice, such as southern England, which are currently subsiding. It is clear that the present day processes have been shaped by the geological history of the Durham coastline. Present day processes: Dawdon Blast Beach is displayed in the appendix as figure 1. The pronounced headlands and bays that exist along the Durham coastline are the result of different rates of erosion. Erosion is occurring at Dawdon as the result of wave action and tidal currents: where the rock is more resistant headlands form, and where it is more easily eroded bays, like Dawdon Blast Beach, retreat inwards (Holden, 2005). You read "A report on the landscape evolution of the Durham coast" in category "Essay examples" Limestone, which, as previously said, is at the heart of the geology of the northeast coastline, is a rock that can produce extensive and defined erosional features. On land these are known as karst landscapes, but on the coast the erosion of limestone can often lead to the development of features such as stacks, stumps and arches. The impact of the sea is the cause of much unstableness along the coastline, providing sediment and other material for the water to transport and deposit elsewhe re. Indeed, the northeast coastline has little shelter from the impact of waves. But although erosion by wave action is commonly seen along the Durham coastline, the transportation and deposition of the eroded sediment along the coastline relies on other processes, too. This is because the headland and bay features reduce the impact of longshore drift. The direction of transportation is north to south, and much of the material is trapped by the headland at the south end of the bay. It appears that the transportation of sediment owes much of its existence to the power and direction of the wind, whereas the layout of the coastline, and in particular the existence of headlands, is the root of much deposition. Some of the coastal features, though, are anthropogenic in nature: mining has influenced Dawdon Blast Beach in a number of ways over the last 100 years. The vast quantities of waste that was simply tipped onto the beach has affected habitats and ecosystems, discouraged visitors and left the local communities with little pride about their unique coastline (durhamheritagecoast.org). But the waste also raised the beach level and left many cliffs isolated from the sea. Evidence suggests that the mines were also responsible for the creation of a number of artificial lagoons as a result of their pumping out excess water below the natural sea level. The mining industry has had an ecological, environmental, social, economic and physical impact on Dawdon Blast Beach in the last 100 years. Assessing erosion rates and predicting future change: The beach at Dawdon has been eroding at its northern end since the prevention of mine waste tipping. From 1994 onwards the beach has been monitored by the Environment Agency to assess erosion rates. In an attempt to predict any future change on the coastline, we used a leveling technique to construct our own profile of the Dawdon Blast Beach (figure 4), before comparing it with the agency data from 1994 to 2010 (figure 5). Figure 5 shows clearly that, over a relatively short period of time (since 1994), the beach has suffered significant recession and sediment loss. Understanding the reason behind the erosion rates is an important factor in trying to determine any future changes. Despite the closure of the mining industry some years ago, the legacy of the waste left on Dawdon Blast Beach continues today. The waste produced from the blast furnace and mining industry actually prevents heavy erosion to some parts of the cliff, acting as an artificial wall to the power of the sea and wind. However, as this waste is eventually removed (it is predicted to have completely gone within 15 years) the cliffs at Dawdon will become increasingly exposed to the influence of natural processes, and heavy erosion is predicted to occur. This will result in further inland retreat and lengthening of the bay. As explained earlier, the process of longshore drift and sediment transportation travels from the north to the south along Dawdon Blast Beach. Like the waste, the deposited sediment acts as a temporary blockade and means that the southern end of the beach will remain protected for longer. As the sediment deposited by longshore drift reduces in quantity, further erosion is predicted to occur. Eventually, it will be necessary for anthropogenic intervention to prevent the coastline from being eroded too heavily. Human intervention may come in the form of sea barriers, or even in the introduction of sediment where it has been significantly removed. Conclusion: This project has revealed how the Durham coast has been shaped throughout geological history, examined the modern day processes currently shaping it and made an attempt at predicting future erosion rates and development. It is clear that both natural and anthropogenic processes have had a significant influence on the development of the region. The current coastline and its landscape owe much of its existence to the historical glaciers and the force of the tides, both past and present. But this project has also revealed the extent to which human activity and production of waste have influenced natural geological development. The waste produced from the previously booming mines has impacted not only present day processes (ironically, it actually protected the cliffs from coastal erosion) but also what will happen in the future. The closure of the mining industry, though, and the launch of the ‘Turning the Tide’ project means that there is more chance of the coastline re-discovering its natural state in the future. Now all that can be seen of the colliery are two structures adjacent to the car park, and the predicted removal of all the existing waste means that natural processes will once again assume their authority. Consequently, in the future we expect to see greater erosion rates than which currently exist. All of the processes and impacts that this project has investigated have had influence, positive on negative, on the development of the Durham coastal area, which has been and continues to be a cultural asset, important to the region’s economy, wellbeing and natural habitats. References: Bird, E.C.F. 1984 ‘Coasts: an introduction to coastal geomorphology.’ Blackwell 3rd edition Bridgland, D.R. 1999 ‘The Pleistocene Of North-East England.’ In: Bridgland, D.R., Horton, B.P. Innes, J.B. (Eds). ‘The Quaternary Of North-East England.’ Field Guide, Quaternary Research Association, London, 1-9 www.durhamheritagecoast.org (accessed 8/4/2011) Holden J, 2005, ‘An Introduction to Physical Geography and the Environment,’ Second Edition, Pearson Education Essex Humphries, L. 2001. ‘A review of relative sea-level rise caused by mining-induced subsidence in the coastal zone: some implications for increased coastal recession.’ Climate Research 18, 147-156 Johnson, G., 1995: ‘Robson’s Geology of North East England.’ Transactions of the Natural History Society of Northumbria 56, part 5. Lunn, A., 1995: ‘Quaternary.’ In: Johnson, G., 1995 (ed): ‘Robson’s Geology of North East England.’ Transactions of the Natural History Society of Northumbria 56, part 5, 297-312. Shennan, I., Bradley, S., Milne, G., Brooks, A., Bassett, S. Hamilton, S. 2006 ‘Relative sea-level changes, glacial isostatic modelling and ice-sheet reconstructions from the British Isles since the Last Glacial Maximum.’ Journal of Quaternary Science. 21:585-599 Wilkinson, D.L. and McCay, N.A.J. (1998). In Fox, H.R., Moore, H.M. and McIntosh, A.D. (eds) ‘Land Reclamation: Achieving Sustainable Benefits,’ Balkerna: Rotterdam How to cite A report on the landscape evolution of the Durham coast, Essay examples

Sublime Second-Hand Smoke free essay sample

The newly released album Second-Hand Smokeby the Long Beach, California band Sublime is completely mesmerizing.The album was manufactured by Gasoline Alley, a division of MCA records.This is the first Sublime album that has been released since the deathof lead singer Bradley Nowell, who died from an accidental heroinoverdose. In fact, the album itself was dedicated to Bradleys son,Jakob James Nowell. Other great CDs by this band include 40 oz. toFreedom, Robbin the Hood and their self-titledalbum. Compared to these three albums, Second-HandSmoke incorporates a substantial increase of turntables into themusic. This might be because Field Marshall felt more artisticallyindependent. Marshall also does a great job using percussion on some ofthe songs. One cant help but be amazed at the guest appearances by GwenStefani and DJ Product. Product helps Marshall on turntables while Gwensings Saw Red with Bradley. This song was originally writtenby Barrington Levy and was called Shes Mine. We will write a custom essay sample on Sublime: Second-Hand Smoke or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This track isimportant because it is a good representation of Sublimes respect forall types of music and how they try to incorporate different styles intotheir own songs. One cannot help but admire the artwork on thecover. Inside the book are pictures of bassist, Eric Wilson, and thedrummer, Bud Gaugh, on previous tours and also just hanging out having agood time. Sublime is known as one of those bands that you can justlisten to and relax. With their smooth flowing lyrics and rastafarianbeats, Sublime produces music for some that eases the mind and soul fora few minutes. Although Sublimes music is a mix of reggae, rap and punkrock, it cannot be labeled as any of these. The only way you canproperly describe it is by listening and deciding for yourself. What issomewhat disturbing on this album are two terrible remixes of Sublimesprevious hit, Doin Time, which have monotonous cuts fromother Sublime songs. All and all, Second-Hand Smokeby Sublime is a great album. With its increased clarity in bass and livesongs, this album gives every hard-core Sublime fan what theyve alwaysbeen asking for live songs and the uncut versions of old hits.

How does Sir Arthur Conan Doyle create suspense in the novel The Speckled Band free essay sample

One of the ways that Doyle builds up suspense throughout the story is by weaving in lots of red herrings into the storyline. The reader believes one thing whilst the story twists at the end and reveals something completely di? erent. As an example, when Miss Stoner’s sister dies and makes reference to a ‘Band† , the reader automatically assumes a ‘band of people’. Even Watson refers to a band of people, leading the reader to instantaneously think of the gypsies when in fact they have nothing to do with the crime. the way that Mr Doyle creates the characters helps build suspense into the story. He  portrays Sherlock’s character as a wise man who is quiet and reserved. Whilst making Dr Roylott character, a mean, tough and a sinister one. He also portrays Helen Stoner as a timid character who is scared of her father and is constantly in danger of losing her life. We will write a custom essay sample on How does Sir Arthur Conan Doyle create suspense in the novel The Speckled Band or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page the stark contrast in all of the characters creates a tense and compelling atmosphere. An additional method, by which Sir Arthur Conan Doyle creates suspense in the story is by making the characters give out all the facts â€Å"Pray be Precise as to Detail† (page 153) but doesnt give away any clues as to how or why the incident happened. As an example, when Helen asked about her sister’s death, Sherlock didnt say a word which leads the reader to think of possible causes of death. This engages the reader and also introduces mis-information into the story. The reader would believe someone (ie: the gypsies) or something had caused the death of Helen’s sister. When Conan Doyle writes his stories, he gives them a quick change of atmosphere. A chapetr begins with a relaxed feeling which suddenly becomes tense and fast-paced. An example, is when Sherlock and Watson are waiting in Helen’s room. The atmosphere is relatively calm and suddenly, Sherlock jumps and starts to thrash about. His style of writing and his attention to detail grabs the readers attention from the very start and holds it until the very end. The reader is taken on a rollercoaster journey ? lled with intrigue and emotion. The story is absorbing and un-put-downable. As is evident, there are many ways in which Sir Arthur Conan Doyle very e? ectively creates suspense throughout the story. This is one of the qualities that makes him among one of the most successful and popular authors.

A ROSE FOR EMILY Essays - Fiction, A Rose For Emily, Free Essays

A ROSE FOR EMILY Essays - Fiction, A Rose For Emily, Free Essays A ROSE FOR EMILY A Rose for Emily takes place after the Civil War and into the 1900?s in the town of Jefferson, Mississippi?a town very similar to the one in which William Faulkner spent most of his life. It is a story of the conflict between the old and the new South, the past and the present?with Emily and the things around her steadfastly representing the dying old traditions and the present expressed mostly through the words of the narrator but also through Homer Barron and the new board of aldermen. The issue of racism also runs throughout the story. In part I, Faulkner refers to Emily as a "fallen monument", a monument to the southern gentility that existed before the Civil War. Her house is described as having once been white?the color of youth, innocence and purity, and also of the white society?but decayed now and smelling of dust and disuse. It stands between the cotton wagons (the past) and the gasoline pumps (the present)an "eyesore among eyesores". Emily comes from an upper class family and grew up privileged and protected by her father. An agreement between her father and Colonel Sartoris?a character we assume was a veteran of the Civil War and who also represented the old South with his edict that no Negro woman should appear on the streets without an apronexempted her from paying taxes. The authorities decide to pay Emily a visit to try to collect the taxes due the town. When we are introduced to Emily, she is described as being in black?the color of death?and her eyes are lifeless?"two small pieces! of coal". The description of Emily is not unlike that of her house, and I thought of a corpse when reading that "she looked bloated, like a body long submerged in motionless water, and of that pallid hue."the dying old traditions. The tarnished gold head on her black cane is the one reminder of her affluent, upper class position of years ago. And the invisible watch hanging from her neck but hidden under her belt is symbolic of her living in the pasttime at a standstill in the Grierson house. When asked if she got the tax notice from the sheriff, Emily claims she has no taxes to pay and refers them to Colonel Sartoris who has been dead for ten yearsanother indication of Emily?s living in the past. Referring to the sheriff, she says, "Perhaps he considers himself the sheriff?I have no taxes in Jefferson." This implies that Emily still considers herself superior to the rest of the town. Emily has difficulty accepting the death of her father, and she hangs onto him and the past for three days after he dies until she finally allows the body to be taken away for burial. Her father had overprotected her throughout her life, chasing suitors away because they weren?t good enough for her. And when her sweetheart deserts her, she becomes a virtual recluse. The "only sign of life" is the young Negro servant who gardens and cooks for her. In fact, it is apparent that Emily would have died years earlier if he had not taken care of her. To me, Faulkner is suggesting that the South will die, or certainly not progress, unless its culture changes and it accepts the Negro as a vital part of society. I wonder if the smell of Homer?s rotting corpse represents racial prejudice: the 80 year old mayor refuses to directly confront Emily about the odor?just as he would not deal with the immorality of racial repressionand after several complaints, four aldermen take it up! on themselves to do something about it. Three of them are "graybeards" representing the old South; one of them is a "younger man, a member of the rising generation". I think the three older men helped to find the source of the stench, but they didn?t really do anything to stop it?I believe it is the young alderman who spreads the lime in a "sowing motion" in an effort to get rid of the smell?the lime perhaps representing tolerance. After her father dies, Emily disappears within the house for some time; but when a construction company comes into Jefferson to pave the

Experiential Analysis Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Experiential Analysis - Assignment Example The organization, Med life, a small company in Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia offers health care services to patients and other people who are in need of medical help. It is a health organization involved in taking care of sick patients brought into the medical center, ensuring that they receive the best care that can be accorded to them, and finally ensuring that the conditions in which they live in are conducive and clean. Med life has a manager whose role is to ensure that the operations of the medical center are very efficient with no problems. The manager is in direct communication with the secretary and the financial assistant. The secretary has the role of ensuring that all the data of all patients is properly documented and filed to avoid the loss of crucial data especially patient information. The financial assistant ensures that all financial records that relate to patient care are properly kept for easy retrieval and accountability. Moreover, he also looks into the profitabilit y of the organization in order to avoid bankruptcy. Analysis- Gender Gender can be described as being socially and psychologically constructed through the family, social as well as educational settings. The role of gender in workplace communication has been discussed a lot in the past and the studies show that men and women have very different ways of communicating. In the time that I spent at Med life I realized that the male colleagues tended to be very aggressive and always came across as commanding during communication. From research, I realized that communication that is evidenced by male colleagues in the workplace is much aggressiveness, the tendency to interrupt other people when they are talking, and the tendency to try to hide their emotions when communicating. The male gender is characterized with the attributes of strength, competitiveness, risk taking, and independence in all their communications (Barrett & Davidson, 2006). According to evolutionary psychology studies, men communicate aggressively, interrupt others during conversations, and try so much to hide their emotions. These three aspects are useful in mate selection and it is inevitable for men to avoid this subliminal desire even in a business meeting (Mian, 2013). In the organization, women colleagues were mainly emotional people and this is well exemplified by an incident that occurred once in the organization. A fellow female colleague was overwhelmed by her responsibilities in the company and at home. As expected she shared her feelings with a colleague and she explained that she might not keep up with the pressure. The manager who overheard this conversation assumed that the female worker was lazing around and should refrain from discussing personal issues during working hours. From research, women are characterized as very emotional and thus tend to engage in expressive talks and this involves the tendency to establish closeness and intimacy and build understanding as well as empath y through their communication. According to Babcock (2003), â€Å"Women often worry more than men about the impact their actions will have on their relationships. This can prompt them to change their behavior to protect personal connections, sometimes by asking for things indirectly, sometimes by asking for less than they really want, and sometimes trying to be more deserving of what

Growth as grotesque Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Growth as grotesque - Essay Example There are many ways in which an object may be grotesque; however, all of these ways stem from the fact that the very thing that makes an object grotesque is the fact that there is something about the object that clashes with our perceived ideas of normality: â€Å"While consistency of grotesque forms is clearly not to be had, certain elements seem to appear more frequently than others† (462). Inherent in this is the idea that the grotesque’s existence is dependent upon the existence of so-called â€Å"normality.† In other words, the grotesque cannot exist without normalcy. In this way the grotesque can be viewed as an outgrowth or extension of that which is considered to be normal. All of the ensuing works present aspects that illustrate an augmentation of a pure form; that is, they contain subject matter that is anomalous to what is considered a normal state of existence of the given subject. All of the images initially appear as out of the ordinary, possibly even freakish in that they obviously lie outside any perceptions of normal aspects of their existence, yet upon a more scrutinized look, remain in a standard setting which would be part of our standard association with typical and conventional forms of our understanding of reality and the everyday. This feature catches us off guard and disturbs us in the same way any alteration of ones usual expectations does. An unexpected downpour of rain, the unpredictability of the stock market, even such a mundane situation as a friend showing up at your door unexpectedly, all cause us fear and anxiety in that they twist our usual expectations of the established convention of the flow of life. Equally important are the intricate details of what embodies such unassumed forms, bastard forms on a pure surface. It is this feeling, a certain ambivalent sense of push as well as pull. It is at times disturbing, yet simultaneously comforting. It is anxiety and serenity, like a sickness working its toils within the

Effects of Fossil Fuels

Effects of Fossil Fuels Every year, 5.5 million people die prematurely because of air pollution (Lelieveld et al 367). In fact, that number is more than the deaths caused by malaria and HIV/Aids combined. By 2050, the number is projected to double if the problem cannot be tackled properly (Carrington). When asked how to address this problem, a common answer is to reduce our fossil fuels productions. But how can we the world together solve this problem? In the recent book This Changes Everything, the author, Naomi Klein describes how the world is struggling to reduce carbon emissions, and we are approaching the point where climate change is soon to be out of control. The author expresses her indignation about the machinations of big polluters and their collaborators, and concludes with a hope of a revolution when societies suddenly decide they have had enough (Klein 464), so only mass social movements can save us now (Klein 450). To do so, she urges people to act and apply comprehensive boycotts, divestments , and penalties against lobbied politicians, parties, countries and corporations that are destroying our resources and future. One of the remedies she mentions is the divestment movement which can stop the intention of pushing the planet beyond the boiling point of big oil companies (Klein 354). Divestment def: Divestment is considered as one of the few remaining practical strategies likely to awaken organizations and individuals around the world to the powerful necessity of massive and immediate action to fight against climate change and extractivsm because it is morally, strategically and financially important. Greenhouse gas emissions in the world are continuing to increase rapidly, yet the climate is worse than anticipated. Scientific evidence suggests that, with the absence of significant progress to slow emissions, the climate of the earth will warm up at least 3 degrees Celsius, if not more. Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change conclude that if future temperature increases two or three more degree, one-sixth of the worlds population would face floods or droughts and reduce crop production in Africa enough to put several hundred million people at risk of starvation (Lockwood). In order to keep the world safe, international commitments based on scientific evidence have committed to keep warming around 2 °C of the pre-industrial baseline. However, the earth is currently at about 0.8 °C above this pre-industrial level (IPCC). Without strong and meaningful solutions to slow down emissions, the dangers of warming at higher levels such as 3 °C or 6 °C wi ll likely result in the sea level rise up to three feet by 2100 and ten feet by 2300 (World Bank). Hundred millions people will have to seek for new settlements. Catastrophic fires will take place in Amazon forests more often, which is responsible for ten percent of the worlds oxygen supply. Yet, the Himalayan ice sheet will melt, causing 2 billion people in Asia losing water supply for drinking and farming. However, fossil fuel extraction companies rely on extracting resources that are incompatible with the 2 °C warming threshold. Carbon budget has been estimated at 565 gigatons of carbon dioxide in 2012, but fossil fuel companies hold reserves that are estimated at 2795 gigatons which is five times as much compared to the carbon budget. In other words, only 20 percent of their reserves can be exploited and burned without exceeding the 2 °C warming threshold, and the other 80 percent must be kept intact in the ground. Despite the truth that burning fossil fuel will ca use the world to reach the limit of warming, they continue to extract and also pour billion of dollars every years into finding new resources, about 674 billion in 2012. Furthermore, they have spent billion on exploring unconventional fossil fuels which are more harmful to the environment such as coal seam gas and tar sand. These activities are considered as unscrupulous behaviors, regardless of whether these extraction and exploration companies are putting money into research and development methods related to cleaner harnessing methods and alternatives, and alsotheir activities have contravened local laws or jeopardized indigenous peoples health by causing water contamination and releasing emissions during the exploitation process. To smoothen those exploitation processes, fossil fuel companies have funded climate change deniers and influenced politicians to ensure legislations that limit environmental rules can be passed. They also advertise campaigns against proposed initiatives , exaggerating the potential job losses and imbalance of energy security. Therefore, fossil fuel companies have shown a lack of integrity and accountability, so continuing to invest in these companies does not fit social morality any more. As in Bill McKibbens words, If its wrong to wreck the planet, then its wrong to profit from that wreckage. However, fossil fuel companies and opponents argue that the world is so dependent on fossil fuels, and any abrupt change will impact on the poorest countries and communities because only fossil fuels can lift them out of poverty. In fact, the world has seen that alternative energy has brought benefits to the worlds poor. For example, in Bangladesh and Mongolia, more than 3.5 million solar homes systems have been installed in rural Bangladesh, creating 70,000 direct jobs (World bank). The solar homes system has been changing their lives by not only lighting up their homes with low-cost energy, but also provide a safer energy source to cook rat her than burning coal and wood because indoor air pollution is one of the main causes of death in these countries, due to the use of dirty oil or coal plant to cook (Varma). If we perceive that destroying the climate in which humanity evolved by promoting fossil fuel emissions is wrong, then making profit from investing in these companies is also unethical. Divesting may not prevent fossil fuel companies from continuing their activities. It will, however, put the pressure on them to behave responsibly and make them not to continue acting with impunity. Although there is a widespread agreement that institutional investors leaving their funds will not directly harm fossil fuel companies, there may be a direct financial impact on the areas where funds are reinvested. Renewable energy and other clean technology companies are widely recognized as under-capitalized, meaning that greater investment in these sectors could help push the development of alternative and renewable energy. In a report in 2014, the IEA confirms that global financial support for fossil fuels in which exploration is only a portion, was estimated at $ 550 billion in 2013. That was four times the subsidies for renewable energy. Because of the huge costs for exploring reserves and the fluctuation in prices of coal and oil, these generous public subsidies are deemed uneconomic, holding back investment in renewable. But if billion of dollars are withdrawn from fossil fuels companies, what are the sectors where the investments could yield high returns and also facilitate the transition to renewable and clean energy system? A recent report from the Sustainable Conservation Alliance found that colleges investing in lighting and heating energy efficiency at their facilities earned an average return on investment of 28 percent. Renewable electricity generation such as wind, solar and biomass, not only reduces emissions but also creates jobs. Some investors argue that fossil fuels companies promise to make fossil fuels become a cleaner source of energy, so divestment is not necessary. The fact that large fossil fuel companies often have some activities in the field of renewable energy makes the divestment movement become complicated. Some observers also argue that shareholder involvement may motivate fossil-fuel companies to convert into renewable energy providers. However, renewable energy accounts for only a small proportion of activities, reaching a peak of 6% by 2015), and there is currently no sign that the transition will occur. As Klein asserts, And even as the demand for renewables increases, the pe rcentage the fossil fuel  companies spend on them keeps shrinking by 2011, most of the majors were spending less than 1 percent of their overall expenditures on alternative energy, with Chevron and Shell spending a deeply unimpressive 2.5 percent. New reserves are still being exploited and explored although in most cases further development is incompatible with the limits of safe climate change. Historically, companies and industries that have not been able to grow fast enough to transform their underlying business operations tend to become outdated and then replaced by new ones. Divestment can facilitate the transition to clean economy. That a massive global transition away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energies, led by solar, also means that there are and will continue to be competitive investment returns earned from carefully selected investment exposure to renewables. The movement is criticized when it gets more attention. It is described as an empty strategy: When you sell your shares, new investors will take your spot. They also have the same influence. Therefore, some investors claim that the divestment from fossil fuel companies is a symbolic act. But what the emergence of this networked, grassroots movement means is that the next time climate campaigners get into a room filled with politicians and polluters to negotiate, there will be many thousands of people outside the doors with the power to amp up the political pressure significantly with heightened boycotts, court cases, and more militant direct action should real progress fail to materialize. And that is a very significant shift indeed. (Klein 355) History shows that divestment campaigns do work by removing the social license of the companies and casting them as social pariahs that run counter to social values. This results in a country or industry running into serious difficulties. As Nelson Mandela and Bishop Tutu have insisted, the divestment campaign in the 1980s was critical to the overthrow of apartheid in South Africa. In the 1990s a divestment helped bring major changes in the tobacco industry after decades of denial. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ As a recent Oxford University study has shown,1 even when divestment has no direct, substantial financial impact on companies, it helps to remove the social license of companies pursuing highly destructive practices. In doing so it helps build a movement that harms the public image of these companies, reduces their political support, and thus impacts their financial interests. Such a campaign can thus help convince the companies to act in a more socially and environmentally responsible way. The campaign can also help convince governments to restrict the GHG emissions of the fossil fuel industry. True, fossil fuel is not in itself a social evil the way apartheid or tobacco addiction are. However, the impact or global warming caused by fossil fuels is far more extensive than apartheid and tobacco. And that impact will be hardest for developing countries and the poor, and the devastating social injustice that will result outstrips the terrible consequences of apartheid. Similarly, the health impacts of global warming will be more deadly than tobacco addiction. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Fossil fuel companies are aware of the devastating harm they are causing and will cause. Yet they are working very hard to continue profiting from the use of fossil fuels and they are fighting against the promotion of renewable energy that we need. While the production of energy itself is a social necessity, to knowingly continue the production of energy that will cause vast pain and destruction for the financial gain of a few is indeed evil. If you own fossil fuels you own global warming. You own the most likely cause of global economic and possibly even civilization-level failure, and moreover, you own a power source that is having an increasingly tough time competing economically. The human community has never faced such certain and devastating consequences if action is not taken. Apart from nuclear war, climate change dominates all previous threats to humanity in its scope and extent. The magnitude of the threat in itself represents a powerful argument in favor of divestment. The movement will send an important message to the world that climate change is happening and immediate actions are needed through reducing greenhouse gas emissions and shifting rapidly to the carbon-free world. Such changes can be considered disruptive and difficult, but necessary and will benefit human health and wellbeing in the short run and in the years and decades to come.  There are strong moral and financial reasons for organizations an d individuals to divest from fossil fuels. Also, divestment is an opportunity for organizations to align their investments with their values and show leadership on climate action. It is not only a political issue or something to be handled by big organizations. Anyone can do something to contribute and to convince institutions to divest. Maybe there is a local divestment group you could join or simply support the international campaigns of 350.org. Ask your bank if they are still investing in fossil fuels. It is up to us to decide where our money is working for.

Why Parenting Is More Important That School

According to Annie Murphy Paul and the studies done by the University Of California-Irvine, North Carolina State University, and Brigham University, parental involvement in their children’s academic life such as checking homework, attending school meetings and events, discussing school activities at home has a more powerful influence on students’ academic performance than anything about the school the students attend.Research also reveals something else: the parents, of all backgrounds, don’t need to buy expensive educational toys or digital devices for their kids in order to give them an edge. Engaging in this reciprocal back-and- forth gives children a chance to try out language for themselves, and also gives them a sense that their thoughts and opinion matter. All parents need to do is talk. My position on this issue presented by Annie Murphy Paul is one of agreement. I concur that talking to your children and engaging in their academic life can have a positiv e effect in their school performance.All the research that were mentioned in Paul’s article reinforced and supported the claim that students perform better or are more interested in their school work if their parents are involved and show interest in their school activities. As the article mentioned, background and digital devices are not a guarantee for good grades; neither are paying for an expensive private school or tutoring. What it comes down to is interaction, talking. I believe this to be true. When a child sees their parents’ involvement in their academia they feel a sense of importance.In my line of work I come across children and parents who come from a variety of backgrounds. Sometimes I see children and the amount of involvement that their parents play in their academic growth show through the amount of information that the child is able to retain. The multiracial children that I’ve come across who have difficulty reading and writing have this probl em because of their parents inability to speak English properly (Hispanic decent) or because of the limited amount of involvement in their child’s education progression.As a child growing up my parents’ involvement with my academics were very limited. They didn’t give me the impression that exerting great achievement in my school work was necessary so I didn’t feel the need to go to college immediately after high school. Looking back now that I’m an adult I wish they had. I feel that if they pushed me harder or talked to me and encouraged me to pursue a college career after high school it would’ve saved me a whole lot of stress as an adult, now that I’m trying to pursue my college degree. As a parent now, I throw myself into my children’s academics and social life.I try to get involved as much as possible to show them that education is important. I want them to pursue college and to be successful. I know that my involvement is an encouragement to them and they’ve told me countless times how grateful they are for my support. My daughter is always telling me how important my presence is at her school functions and my son will remember when I miss a soccer game. I believe that just the knowledge that children have of a support group, namely their parents, in their corner gives them a sense of purpose.They don’t want to disappoint their parents so they feel this pressure to please. After a while that sense of accomplishment becomes internalized to where they self-motivate themselves and want to do their best, want to get good grades, want to succeed and excel. I feel like it’s my job as a parent to motivate my children to be better than who they are, better than what/who I am, and to work for the things that they want. In conclusion, I believe that the studies conducted by scholars and gathered by Annie Murphy Paul are true.I’ve seen this first hand and I am a product of poor paren tal involvement. I can see how my involvement in my children’s lives brings positive reinforcement to their academic progression. Personally, I believe that teacher involvement does play a role in a student’s progression but not as great an impact as the parent does on the child. The family is the central learning center for every individual and if a child see’s how important their education is to their parent(s) they in turn want it for themselves to progress.

An Unforgettable Experience Essay

Though there was an atmosphere of gaiety yet it was tinged with an air of melancholy and sadness. My class-mates and I were in their best dresses. This was the first time in I he span of twelve years that I was not wearing school uniform. We all occupied our seats and the function started. First of all, there was a ceremony of lighting the lamp which was inaugurated by the Principal of our school. Then the students of 12th class lighted their candles from the big lamp. It was followed by the students of 11th class that was hosting the party in our honour. After this ceremony, programmes of entertainment were put up for our amusement and recreation by the hosting party. There were the items of balloon-breaking with a foot, buns-eating hanging down a sting, musical chair and such other allied things. Some of them sang folk songs and danced a rig. After that the stage was left to us to present our items. While our programmes were going on, dainty dishes containing potato chips, pastry, samosa and rasgullas were served to all those who were present. Along with these delicacies, coffee was also served. Some of the students had torn themselves away from the assembly to collect autographs of their beloved teachers. There were speeches in English and Hindi delivered by the Principal and teachers. They all advised us not to do any such deed as to lower the prestige of the school. They told us that we should never forget our ammeter and her ideals. In the end, we were all wished a brilliant success not only in the forthcoming examination but in life also.’ Then we had a photograph spree. ‘There were class-wise photographs with their class teachers and the-Principal and also individual photographs. This continued till it was -the time for the school to break. And by and by all went back home with a sad heart caused by departure but with new hope’s to enter a wider world of new challenges of life.

Pros and Cons of School Uniforms Free Essay Example, 1250 words

School uniforms are accompanied by a set of rules and standards, which must be followed to the letter. A female student cannot come to school wearing a skirt or a blouse that scantly covers her body and which may distract the attention of the male population within her surrounding. Male students are compelled to wear standard fitting clothes thereby eliminating cases such as sagging of trousers and oversize blazers, which might be used to conceal small weapons and other items such as drugs (Hamilton 78). In addition, uniforms eliminate the chances of students coming to school wearing items of clothing such as bandanas, T-shirts among others, which depict gang behavior and membership. Gang violence in US schools is not a new phenomenon and allowing students to decide on what to wear does not help much towards solving this problem. Students donned in gang colors will definitely attract the attention of rival gangs whether in school or on their way home. This is life-threatening and ev ery parent must support any initiative, such as wearing uniforms, meant to bring order and sanity in schools and the society in general (Brunsma 62). However, it is notable and widely acceptable that compelling students to wear uniforms is an intrusion into their freedom of choice (Hempelman 19). We will write a custom essay sample on Pros and Cons of School Uniforms or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now Every person irrespective of his or her age, gender or occupation deserves the right to make important decisions that impact on their lives. It is, therefore, justifiable to have people who are opposed to attempts by the government and other interested parties to impose uniforms on students. The US is a democratic nation in which people are free to make their own choices and students should not be exempted from this principle. Uniforms may be important in promoting equality among students but on the other hand, they deny them the opportunity to develop and express their individuality (Hempelman 28). Young people should be allowed to choose what to wear as this helps them to have a competitive advantage when they get out of school and into the society, which is full of diversity.