The Manhattan Project Essays (1139 words) - Manhattan Project

The Manhattan Project The Manhattan Project The Manhattan Project was and is still one of the most secretive projects ever created in United States history. The purpose of the Manhattan Project was simple: to build; test; and unleash its power if necessary. Robert Oppenheimer and General Leslie Groves were the two men put in charge of this mission. These two men along with the top scientists from around the country were brought together to construct the most deadliest thing known to man. The project originated in the Pentagon in 1942 when General Groves was told, by the White House, he was to lead the Manhattan Project. World War II had already been raged for three years when the Nazis, after being victorious in Europe, declared war on the United States. This was nine months after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. In September of that year, Groves, met with Leo Szilard and asked him if making the atomic bomb was possible. Leo told him how an atomic bomb would work, but also that it is impossible to build. General Groves only wanted to hear that an atomic bomb was conceivable in theory and then he knew to start the project. In October of 1942 Groves went to California to meet with Robert Oppenheimer, one of the most brilliant scientists in the country. Groves informed Oppenheimer that he had been selected to lead the expedition on trying to invent the atomic bomb. Oppenheimer immediately started preparing by telling Groves that they needed an isolated area with one ringmaster(Oppenheimer). General Groves was in charge of the military or security part of the project, while Oppenheimer was in charge of the organization of the scientists and ideas. At times, Oppenhiemer and Grooves had some nasty arguments over policies. Even though Groves was the one who reported to Washington, Oppenheimer had more power and Groves was aware of this. If they had a disagreement, Oppenheimer would threaten to leave the project and take his scientists with him. Groves knew if this occurred then the project would never be finished. So, Grooves most always ended up agreeing or letting Oppenheimer do what ever he wanted to do. In April of 1943, this isolated area was being build in Las Alamos, New Mexico. The borders consisted of barbed wire fence accompanied by guard dogs. Many laboratories, storage buildings, shelters, hospitals, dining halls, and other buildings were found inside these borders, also. One thing that was not found inside these borders though was women, not even wives of the scientists. No scientist was allowed to talk to anyone outside the camp about what they see, hear, taste, or even smell. Everything they knew belonged to the army now. Everything they knew from here on was highly confidential. There job was to create the atomic bomb and to do nothing else but that. They were to refer to bomb as the gadget or devise for security reasons. The scientists were given 19 months to complete their mission. Most of them complained that it could not be done, that it was not enough time. Under the leadership of Oppenheimer the work and research began. After several days, their work got them no where. They were faced with the problems such as weight, velocity, and detonation. To make such a bomb they needed materials heaving enough to weight tip the biggest cranes in the world. Late one night, while eating an orange and talking to another scientist, Seth Neddermeyer (a scientist) thought of an idea called implosion. He got the idea from the orange he was eating. This was probably the one idea that the atomic bomb is centered around. Without implosion, the atomic bomb could not be created. When he squeezed the orange, juice squirted out or an outwards explosion. If you can reverse this process, then the explosion goes in creating a even bigger force. This theory applies to Plutonium. Implosion occurs causing a chain reaction which in return causes an outwards explosion. If an inwards explosion occurred the Plutonium atoms would split apart creating the biggest explosion known to man. The problem was now creating an inward explosion. By this time, turmoil started to arise inside the camp. Many scientists began complaining about the drastic security measures that were being taken. Things such as the guard dogs and the FBI talking to the families of the scientists bothered them greatly. Also the scientists feared that Germany was ahead of them in creating the bomb. Not helping the situation, Oppenheimer had an affair with a Communist woman named Jean who he had known for quite some time. The army learned of

Timeline of Hernan Cortes Conquest of the Aztecs

Timeline of Hernan Cortes' Conquest of the Aztecs 1492: Christopher Columbus Discovers the New World for Europe. 1502: Christopher Columbus, on his Fourth New World Voyage, meets with some advanced traders: they were likely Mayan vassals of the Aztecs. 1517: Francisco Hernndez de CÃ ³rdoba expedition: three ships explore the Yucatan. Many Spanish are killed in skirmishes with the natives, including Hernandez. 1518 Jan. - Oct.: The Juan de Grijalva Expedition explores the Yucatan and southern part of Mexicos Gulf Coast. Some of those who took part, including Bernal Diaz del Castillo and Pedro de Alvarado, would later Join Cortes expedition. November 18: Hernan Cortes Expedition sets out from Cuba. 1519 March 24: Cortes and his men fight the Maya of Potonchan. After winning the battle, the Lord of Potonchan would give Cortes gifts, including a slave girl Malinali, who would go on to be better known as Malinche, Cortes invaluable interpreter and mistress. April 21: Cortes Expedition reaches San Juan de Ulua. June 3: Spanish visit Cempoala and found settlement of Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz. July 26: Cortes sends a ship with treasure and letters to Spain. August 23: Cortes treasure ship stops in Cuba and rumors start to spread of the wealth discovered in Mexico. September 2-20: Spanish enter Tlaxcalan territory and battle the fierce Tlaxcalans and their allies. September 23: Cortes and his men, victorious, enter Tlaxcala and make important alliances with the leaders. October 14: Spanish enter Cholula. October 25? (exact date unknown) Cholula Massacre: Spanish and Tlaxcalans fall on unarmed Cholulans in one of the city squares when Cortes learns of an ambush awaiting them outside the city. November 1: Cortes expedition leaves Cholula. November 8: Cortes and his men enter Tenochtitlan. November 14: Montezuma arrested and placed under guard by the Spanish. 1520 March 5: Governor Velazquez of Cuba sends Panfilo de Narvaez to rein in Cortes and regain control of the expedition. May: Cortes leaves Tenochtitlan to deal with Narvaez. May 20: Pedro de Alvarado orders the massacre of thousands of Aztec nobles at the Festival of Toxcatl. May 28-29: Cortes defeats Narvaez at the Battle of Cempoala and adds his men and supplies to his own. June 24: Cortes returns to find Tenochtitlan in a state of uproar. June 29: Montezuma is injured while pleading with his people for calm: he will die shortly from his wounds. June 30: the Night of Sorrows. Cortes and his men try to creep out of the city under cover of darkness but are discovered and attacked. Most of the treasure collected thus far is lost. July 7: Conquistadors score a narrow victory at the Battle of Otumba. July 11: Conquistadors reach Tlaxcala where they can rest and regroup. September 15: Cuitlahuac officially becomes the Tenth Tlatoani of the Mexica. October: Smallpox sweeps the land, claiming thousands of lives in Mexico, including Cuitlahuac. December 28: Cortes, his plans in place for the reconquest of Tenochtitlan, leaves Tlaxcala. 1521 February: Cuauhtemoc becomes eleventh Tlatoani of the Mexica. April 28: Brigantines launched in Lake Texcoco. May 22: Siege of Tenochtitlan formally begins: Causeways blockaded as the brigantines attack from the water. August 13: Cuauhtemoc is captured while fleeing Tenochtitlan. This effectively ends the resistance of the Aztec Empire. Sources Diaz del Castillo, Bernal. Trans., ed. J.M. Cohen. 1576. London, Penguin Books, 1963. Print.Levy, Buddy. New York: Bantam, 2008.Thomas, Hugh. New York: Touchstone, 1993.

Giles Corey - Salem Witch Trials

Giles Corey - Salem Witch Trials Giles Corey Facts: Known for: pressed to death when he refused to enter a plea in the 1692 Salem witch trials Occupation: farmer Age at time of Salem witch trials: 70s or 80s Dates: about 1611 - September 19, 1692 Also known as: Giles Coree, Giles Cory, Giles Choree Three marriages: Margaret Corey - married in England, mother of his daughtersMary Bright Corey - married 1664, died 1684Martha Corey - married April 27, 1690 to Martha Corey, who had a son named Thomas Giles Corey Before the Salem Witch Trials In 1692, Giles Corey was a successful farmer of Salem Village and a full member of the church. A reference in the county records shows that in 1676, he was arrested and fined for beating a farmhand who died of blood clots associated with the beating. He married Martha in 1690, a woman who also had a questionable past. In 1677, married to Henry Rich with whom she had a son Thomas, Martha gave birth to a mulatto son. For ten years, she lived apart from her husband and son Thomas as she raised this son, Ben. Both Martha Corey and Giles Corey were members of the church by 1692, though their bickering was widely known. Giles Corey and the Salem Witch Trials In March of 1692, Giles Corey insisted on attending one of the examinations at Nathaniel Ingersolls tavern. Martha Corey tried to stop him, and Giles told others about the incident. A few days later, some of the afflicted girls reported that they had seen Marthas specter. At the Sunday worship service on March 20, in the middle of the service at Salem Village Church, Abigail Williams interrupted the visiting minister, Rev. Deodat Lawson, claiming she saw Martha Coreys spirit separate from her body. Martha Corey was arrested and examined the next day. There were so many spectators that the examination was moved to the church building instead. On April 14, Mercy Lewis claimed that Giles Corey had appeared to her as a specter and forced her to sign the devils book. Giles Corey was arrested on April 18 by George Herrick, the same day as Bridget Bishop, Abigail Hobbs, and Mary Warren were arrested. Abigail Hobbs and Mercy Lewis named Corey as a witch during the examination the next day before magistrates Jonathan Corwin and John Hathorne. Before the Court of Oyer and Terminer, on September 9, Giles Corey was accused of witchcraft by Ann Putnam Jr., Mercy Lewis, and Abigail Williams, based on spectral evidence (that his specter or ghost visited them and attacked them). Mercy Lewis accused him of appearing to her (as a specter) on April 14th, beating her and trying to force her to write her name in the devils book. Ann Putnam Jr. testified that a ghost had appeared to her and said that Corey had murdered him. Giles was formally indicted on the charge of witchcraft. Corey refused to enter any plea, innocent or guilty, simply remaining silent. He probably expected that, if tried, he would be found guilty. and that under the law, if he did not plead, he could not be tried. He may have believed that if he were not tried and found guilty, the considerable property he had recently deeded to his sons-in-law would be less in danger To force him to plead, beginning September 17 , Corey was pressed he was forced to lie down, naked, with heavy stones added to a board placed on his body, and he was deprived of most food and water. Over two days, his response to the requests to enter a plea was to call for more weight. Judge Samuel Sewall wrote in his diary that Giles Cory died after two days of this treatment. Judge Jonathan Corwin ordered his burial in an unmarked grave. The legal term used for such pressing torture was peine forte et dure. The practice had been discontinued in British law by 1692, though the judges of the Salem witchcraft trials may not have known that. Because he died without trial, his land was not subject to seizure. Before his death, he signed over his land to two sons-in-law, William Cleaves and Jonathan Moulton. Sheriff George Corwin managed to get Moulton to pay a fine, threatening to take the land if he did not. His wife, Martha Corey, was convicted of witchcraft on September 9, though she had pled innocent, and was hanged on September 22. Because of Coreys previous conviction for beating a man to death, and his and his wifes disagreeable reputations, he might be considered one of the easy targets of the accusers, though they were also full members of the church, a measure of community respect. He might also fall into the category of those who had property that might be in question if he were to be convicted of witchcraft, giving a powerful motivation to accuse him though his refusal to plead made such a motivation futile. After the Trials In 1711, an act of the Massachusetts legislature restored the civil rights of many of the victims, including Giles Corey, and gave compensation to some of their heirs. In 1712, Salem Village church reversed the excommunication of Giles Corey and Rebecca Nurse. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Longfellow put the following words into the mouth of Giles Corey: I will not pleadIf I deny, I am condemned already,In courts where ghosts appear as witnessesAnd swear mens lives away. If I confess,Then I confess a lie, to buy a life,Which is not life, but only death in life. Giles Corey in The Crucible In the fictional work of Arthur Millers The Crucible, the character of Giles Corey was executed for refusing to name a witness. Giles Coreys character in the dramatic work is a fictional character, only loosely based on the real Giles Corey.

IT in architectural competition (BIM, simulation and DIGITALO) Essay

IT in architectural competition (BIM, simulation and DIGITALO) - Essay Example This was achieved in phases. In the first phase, models were required in ordinary projects and for a limited number of design jobs only. Modeling was applied to new construction as well as renovation works. If a particular project did not reveal any specific advantage of modeling, such project was excluded from the exercise. On this basis, the first phase development covered a number of projects with estimated values at hundreds of millions of Euros 114. performed. In the architectural design, modeling was applied throughout the process, starting with the presentation of alternatives based on space models and ending with the tender documents for the contracting stage. In the project planning stage, the main emphasis for modeling was on enabling investment decision by comparing alternatives’ scope, costs and lifecycle attributes. To facilitate cost control, typical data in conformity with the room schedule / spaces were added to the modeling technique. The quantity and scope data obtained from a model in the draft stage were being used to support the cost estimates. The modeling technique also permitted accurate estimation of the energy needs of a building, providing for appropriate budget and for monitoring the actual consumption during its occupation stage. Similarly, the HEPAC systems were being modeled in the detail design stage but only on a case-by-case basis. These developments led to the use and data content of the mod els as binding requirements in design agreements 115. computer. It helps the observer to feel at first hand the experience of reality even though he is only observing a virtual image. It is a tool for experimentation and training when they are prohibited in real life by both costs and practical considerations. For example, airline pilots are trained on simulators before being allowed to operate actual aircraft; an architect may present his designs in the simulation mode

Mobile Phone Buying Behaviour in the UK Research Paper

Mobile Phone Buying Behaviour in the UK - Research Paper Example This study looks at the buying behaviour of mobile phone customers in the U.K. using analysis of secondary research data to test the hypothesis that such behaviour is rational. Based on findings from the latest annual industry survey conducted by the Communications Management Association of the U.K., feedback on a consumer website (www.ciao.co.uk), and a review of relevant literature on mobile phone buying behaviour, the study concludes that U.K. consumers exhibit predominantly rational characteristics. Buying decisions, however, are affected by hedonic factors that are emotional in nature, and also by other considerations such as age group, financial capability, and the capabilities and image of the mobile phone model being offered. Consumer decision-making therefore combines the rational assessment of the phone plan, the perceived service quality, and the phone's technology.2. To determine which of the following features have greater influence on the customer's decision to buy a mo bile phone: the plan (tariffs, free minutes, network coverage, etc.), the phone itself (capabilities, image, or advertising), customer service, or a combination of any or all three factors.Conventional marketing theory predicts that buying behaviour of mobile phones follows a rational process because a mobile phone is a high-technology product, it is useful, and it is a personal item that a consumer has close at hand for many hours during the day. The study aims to test the hypothesis that the mobile phone buying behaviour is rational. Proving our hypothesis would mean that customers who buy mobile phones follow a rational decision-making process that marketing theorists summarise as a five-stage process of Awareness Interest Evaluation Trial Adoption. In order to determine whether the buying behaviour is rational, this study looks at each stage of the buying process according to a set of basic rational and emotional factors as shown in Tables 1 and 2. Using secondary research based on U.K. consumer data and their decision to buy a mobile phone service, it would be possible to compare responses with the rational and emotional factors and test our hypothesis based on the results. The hypothesis can be confirmed if the results show that rational factors consistently score higher than emotional factors. Otherwise, the hypothesis is false. Research Methodology and Literature Review The research study used three secondary data sources. The first data source is the latest annual survey of the Communications Management Association (CMA, 2006), a U.K.-based professional organisation of companies in the telecommunications sector, which includes mobile phone suppliers such as Nokia, Sony Ericsson, and Motorola; and mobile service providers such as Vodafone, Orange, O2, T-Mobile, and Virgin. The CMA has been conducting an annual survey since 2003 and publishing the results on its website (www.thecma.com). The CMA conducted its last annual surveys in 2006, and part of the data gathered from the survey are the factors that make up consumer decision-making and satisfaction, consumer concerns, and image perceptions towards mobile phone suppliers and mobile service providers. The second source of data is ciao.co.uk, a shopping intelligence

Road Accident in Kerala Essay Example for Free

Road Accident in Kerala Essay At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish and win. All, that is, except one boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times and began to cry. The other eight heard the boy cry. They slowed down and looked back. They all turned around and went back. Every one of them. One girl with Down’s syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, â€Å"This will make it better. † All nine linked arms and walked across the finish line together. Everyone in the stadium stood, and the cheering went on for several minutes. People who were there are still telling the story. Why? Because deep down we know this one thing: What matters in this life is more than winning for ourselves. What truly matters in this life is helping others win, even if it means slowing down and changing our course. — Origins: The story is more true than not, although its primary point has been grossly exaggerated. According to folks at the Special Olympics Washington office, the incident happened at a 1976 track and field event held in Spokane, Washington. A contestant did take a tumble, and one or two of the other athletes turned back to help the fallen one, culminating in their crossing the finish line together, but it was only one r two, not everyone in the event. The others continued to run their race. The story is thus not about an entire class of â€Å"special people† who spontaneously tossed aside their own dreams of going for gold in favor of helping a fallen competitor, but rather one about a couple of individuals who chose to go to the aid of another contestant . Unfortunately, this tale as it is now being told helps further a stereotype that deficiencies in intelligence are compensated for by unfailingly sweet natures and a way of looking at the world in childlike wonder. Special Olympians train long and hard for their events and are every bit as committed as athletes who compete in any other athletic endeavors. The Special Olympics are not a casual get-together organized to give less fortunate members of the community a day to socialize and perhaps run in a foot race or two. They’re highly organized sporting events taken very seriously by all involved, with each competitor striving to do his best. It’s about trying. And succeeding. The Special Olympics oath is â€Å"Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt. †

Plagiarism and the Internet :: Cheating Education Essays

Plagiarism and the Internet My first memory of plagiarism is from grade school. I can remember having to do book reports. The teacher would always say, "write this report using your own words, do not just copy out of the book". So what did we do, we used a combination of both. In grade school we didn’t realize the seriousness of plagiarism. For the most part we didn’t even really understand what the word meant. It was something the teacher talked about when she assigned essays or book reports. Webster’s dictionary defines plagiarism as this, "to take and use as one’s own the ideas or writings of another." I would suspect plagiarism is as old as the written language. Inevitably, as soon as someone committed their thoughts to paper, someone else read it and used the words to express themselves without giving credit. Plagiarism goes on in all aspects of our society. It does not discriminate. Plagiarism is an issue in our schools, on our college campuses, and in our media. It weaves its thread through our entire culture. The news media and book publishers are all too aware of the nasty concept of plagiarism. Just recently the author J. K. Rowlings of the popular Harry Potter series came under heavy fire. She was accused of stealing another female author’s ideas. It seems in the early 80’s this author published books about the character Larry Potter. Her character names were the same as those in the J. K. Rowling’s series. The differences between the characters in the two series were what the characters actually were. Nimbus is a name used in both series. Nimbus in the Harry Potter series is a broom, however in the other author’s series Nimbus was an actual being. So, there in lies the crux of the matter. Almost every article I read, mentioned the importance of intent. Did the writers style of writing lead him in the direction to naturally produce the work or did the writer intentionally pass off someone else’s work as their own. In the above mentioned case, J. K. Rowlings stated Harry came to her fully formed. She did not willing use the other authors ideas. In the news media pointing the finger of plagiarism at a journalist can set off an event similar to the Salem Witch trials. Plagiarism is taken very seriously in the news media. After all, credibility is at stake, not to mention ratings as well.

Personality development Essay

Personality development can be described as the collection of a person’s behaviours, for example their thoughts, emotions and interactions with others. As such, researchers have often stressed the importance of social interactions and the environment on the development of personality. Bandura’s social-cognitive theory would describe the attainment of personality in terms of modelling, reinforcement and direct tuition. Particular emphasis is placed on modelling, whereby a person identifies with a ‘model’ and imitates their behaviour (and hence their personality traits). This may explain why siblings may have similar personalities, as they will have shared a common environment for a large part of their early lives. Support for modelling as an influence on behaviour comes from Bandura’s ‘Bobo doll’ studies, which found that children imitated the behaviour of an adult acting aggressively towards a doll. This demonstrates that reinforcement is not a necessary condition for personality development to take place, and is therefore an improvement on traditional learning theory. The process of modelling requires a number of cognitive factors to take place, but particularly important, according to Bandura, is motivation. This can take place by means of reinforcement or self-motivation, the latter having particular significance in personality development. Self-motivation covers a variety of self-evaluative cognitive processes, such as self-response (rewarding or punishing oneself for carrying out a behaviour) and self-efficacy (the perception of capability to carry out a behaviour). This holds particular imnportance in personality development as personality is, according to social learning theory, learnt as is any other behaviour, and traits such as social skills may be obtained by, for example, watching one’s parents socialise. If self-efficacy is low, the child may not imitate the behaviour, and as a result will have poor social skills as an adult. Feltz provides support for the importance of self-efficacy, finding that Russian athletes’ performance was improved when they saw videotapes of themselves that had been edited to make them seem better than they were. Further support is provided by Schunk, who found that American primary school children who were told that their peers had done well on a maths test proceeded to do better on it that those who were not told anything about their peers.

Junk foods Essay

Research has revealed that the increase in the junk foods industry is interrelated with the rapid increase in the obesity pandemic. Junk foods contain high calories and fats and are therefore the sole ingredient in the spread of overweight and obesity. The cause for alarm is that the targeted lots are the pre-school, school going children and adolescents. Over the years, the number of school going children becoming overweight and obese has increased two fold because they easily access the fast foods and junk foods outlets. Overweight is a condition responsible for so many other diseases: these are like: heart diseases, type 2 diabetes, high pertension, the gallbladder disease, infertility and weakened immune system, just to mention but a few. The illnesses aside, obese people face social stigma: the society discriminates the victims because people normally believe that they are to blame for their conditions. As such, they do not freely intermingle with the rest for fear of such stigmatization (Cassell, D. 000). Junk foods should therefore not be encouraged in schools because of the health effects that follow and because basically ‘prevention is better than cure’. The junk food culture today has become a social custom and so many school going children therefore just take these foodstuffs to conform to what other people-especially their peers- are doing to identify with them. Such environments that are conducive to weight gain make school going children more vulnerable to obesity. In most cases, non-healthy foods are more affordable than the healthy alternatives: junk food manufactures make the foods more attractive because of the labeling that is more appealing. When children grow up not knowing how to prepare healthy foods, they resort to cheaper and less time consuming –in preparation-foods which are obviously more energy giving and have high percentages of calories. Apart from school going children, even adults are not spared in then spread of the obesity pandemic, and this is a cause for alarm in the society (Jefferies, R.  B 2005). To perfectly understand the correlation between increased consumption of junk foods and the increase in prevalence of obesity, the role of junk foods in nutrition related disorders should be analyzed. Junk foods and fast foods consumption coupled with little or no healthy exercise is the sole reason for the abrupt increase in overweight and obesity especially in urbanized regions. In such regions, the quality of the diets is questionable; this has led to the increase in obesity which in severe cases leads to death. The probability of overweight children becoming overweight way into adulthood is very high, and chances of such a person dying prematurely are high too. Obesity caused by excess consumption of junk foods has dire economic effects: since obesity leads to other diseases like high blood pressure, the costs of treating these ailments are far above the ground. A country’s healthcare system is hard-pressed: this is a financial weigh down since the biggest percentage of the healthcare costs are taken care of by the tax payers. The costs divided into direct and indirect costs: direct costs are those that are injected into the direct treatment of the disease, prevention and diagnosis and research. Expenditure that is not direct are those of the employment asset value of employees lost due to the people who are sick and the employment benefits lost due to passing away of the employees. Hospital bills are very costly since these funds run into billions that could be injected into other projects, this means that overall, the economy of a country strains due to this pandemic (Hernell,O 2005). The psychological effects are among other things, negative body image or low self esteem, unease, dejection and more often than not, obese individuals carry out themselves in a way that is not socially healthy. Social stigmatization can be eliminated by increase in education about obesity matters. The position that the sale of junk food promotes school activities-as held by many- holds no water; this is because the students’ health and the society’s’ health in general is more important than that financial aspect of it. To say that the society is going to make money at the expense of children’s health is unreasonable; this explains why junk food sales should not be encouraged in schools at any cost. Thanks to excessive consumption of junk foods, tooth decay and disorders have increased to epidemic levels and dental care is needed, this is very costly given that the economy is not forthcoming. Osteoporosis is an even major fear and the overall treatment of these diseases is very costly, all said and done, prevention of these diseases by discouraging the consumption of junk foods is less costly (Cataldo, R. 000). Another reason why junk foods should be discouraged in schools is because these foodstuffs create a ‘bliss point’: this is a point where a person eating them feels hungrier and wants more and more. The ingredients used to make junk foods like sugar and fats are addictive; the worst party of it is that the foods are always available and therefore the temptation of taking more and more is hard to resist. These modern foods are hyper appetizing and the end results of most of such foods is to create and or arouse a mind-set of pleasure. Research has proven that half the populations of people who are obese and overweight are more likely to be restless or, better said, over-active than their normal counterparts. Once these people are electrified, the neurons in the brain trigger more action making their systems to demand more food to eat-more often than not, this means yearning for more junk foods. The bliss point is the peak of wanting more salt, sugar and fats: these are the ingredients for desserts and other junk foods and at the best possible level, ones appetite is excited to want more of such foods (Hollander, T 2004). The evil of junk foods is that they make us to desire less of healthy foods and therefore discourage healthy eating: this fact explains why junk foods should no be encouraged in schools. Healthy eating is one thing that constitutes discipline; when people do not eat healthy, they are considered not to be morally well-mannered and this is one of the contributory factors to social stigma experienced by people who are overweight. Healthy eating ensures fine health and therefore one is not at risk of getting diseases. When young adults eat healthy, this is a way of ensuring that they are responsible and that they need not wait for adults to instill good manners. Junk foods make students inactive (that is once they become overweight), this means a people of lazy character who can not get involved in much activity. Inactivity is disastrous in the work place and even in schools: this means that even the performance of students in class reduces abruptly and this is not impressive for the schools image. Should these people grow into adults and get to the employment fields, they become sluggish at work and this in turn leads to poor performance. Overweight people are more often than not discriminated at work and in extreme cases, they even could be paid at lower rates than their counterparts and this is not just. Inactivity or a country of inactive people is costly to the overall economic growth because this causes it to be low (Corrine B 1999). Junk foods by reducing activity lead to health issues that in the long run lead to disabilities, diabetes and arthritis are just some of the effects of eating these foods in excessive amounts and soon, people are eating themselves to premature death. Levels of cholesterol rise due to the same and insulin resistance thrives. Thanks to fast foods and unhealthy eating, breathing problems in men increase and in women, fertility rates decrease. The ingredients used to make junk foods are of very poor quality and are less rich in nutrients. The question is not the quantity of the food, rather, it is the quality, and this explains why the body does not get the right nutrients in the right proportions when someone eats junk food. On this note therefore, the individual eats more and more but does not get enough of the food, or rather, gets hungry too fast. Indeed, eating junk foods in excess is an act that triggers a health time bomb (Dare, C. 1999). These foodstuffs reduce the desire to want very much of foods rich in calcium: calcium is very important in bone structure construction and once we do not have enough of it, the effects are out of the ordinary. Young adults therefore suffer from poor bone structure at very tender ages hence reducing their life spans. Highly processes foods (as junk foods are) contain a lot of chemicals in their additives; we may not get obese but we could get other sicknesses. One may not even suffer when they are young but the side effects catch up with us as we age, so the solution is to stop eating these foods in the first place. It is not a small truth therefore to say that by eating these highly artificial foods, our systems get intoxicated with poisons. Some of the old age effects of these foods are early menopause: in spite of having poor fertility, menopause also catches up with us and this means women are at a greater risk (Escott, S. 1996) Since overweight and obesity are major concerns in the world at large and are caused by excessive consumption of junk foods, it is important to devise ways of preventing the disease in view of the fact, it is a health time bomb in waiting. Obesity slows down the metabolic rates (hence slowing down the process of breaking down of food) of the victims hence leading to inactivity and putting one at a risk of adding more weight. To curb this problem therefore, the solution is to eat healthy coupled with taking exercises. The rationale behind this argument is straight forward, when one exercises, the metabolic process or better said, the process of breaking down of fats is increased and therefore, the fats are emulsified or broken down into a more normal digestive process. One may either employ the services of a qualified nutritionist or adopt a healthier eating pattern: just enough body giving foods and more of the other essential nutrients in the right proportions. Eating healthy will have to be coupled with having the right attitude and great discipline. Again, one need to go on an exercising program, long brisk walks although not strenuous, jogging and probably going to the gym, reduction of average screen time and instead focusing on body fitness would just make a huge difference in health (Franseen, L. 1999). Another way out is to change ones lifestyle in a positive way: more often than not, the biggest barrier to change at times is the mind set. Often, one believes that they can not take up a challenge and change; this is normally when one believes that they can not achieve a certain goal. People are often caught up in busy schedules and do not have time to get involved in exercising programs. Another barrier to change is normally the environment in which one lives; people tend to conform to the lifestyles that other people lead in their surrounding. In this case the pointers to these lifestyles are trends in food and status. One needs to beat the barriers by evaluating the current lifestyle, identifying the flaws in the said lifestyle and making out the areas that need amendments. Information acquisition is important in this process and helps one learn healthy ways to lose weight (Garfinkel, P. E 1997). Support system helps one to lose a large mass of weight and doing it single-handedly. Friends can act like a source of enthusiasm in spite of the fact that they may not want to achieve the same objectives as you, they provide support just in case you may want to draw back. In a weight loss program, setting practical goals is one of the ways of achieving the goals of weight loss and management. Objectives that are short term and that are practical help one to gain the driving force towards their realization. In the same breath, an individual does an assessment to see where they have reached against how far they want to go and what they have so far achieved. In the instance that short term objectives are set, they prove helpful in achieving and the realization of the final objective (Rosenbloom, C. 999). As a point of concern, learning institutions should be made healthy places to learn: the quality of food served should therefore be of great importance both to the administration and to the society in general in order to guarantee security to our children. For students to learn at their full potentials, the feeding programs should ensure that the foods served are of high nutritional value and that they are fresh and attractive to the scholars and that the food service supports the learning institutions educational mission. School meals should meet the health standards of the regulatory authorities and these should also be met by the learning institutions’ feeding programs: these standards if imposed, the students will not be left at risk of feeding on junk and fast foods throughout the day. The regulatory authorities together with the learning institutions administration should ensure that the meals served in school grounds should offer a wide assortment of cultural cuisines to offer students with a variety to choose from (Woolsey, M. 2002). There should not be an incongruity between what the children are taught in learning institutions on nourishment and good eating habits and the reality on the ground, whether students are eating unhealthy foodstuffs or what is easily available is junk food. Against this background therefore, food and nutrition should be incorporated into the schools learning syllabus and the students should also learn about food preparation. At the grass roots levels, there should be established an advice-giving board that should comprise of the educators, parents and the community at large to come up with courses of action that govern school feeding programs. The advice-giving board should instill disciplinary action against the learning institutions that do not follow the resolutions passed, time and again; the board members should make impromptu visits and inspect the food service amenities and the set of choices of foodstuffs available for students. Such an arrangement would ensure good discipline on standards of hygiene and food quality especially if there is a feedback mechanism provided to monitor the implementation (Smith, A. F 2006). Medics say that eating of beans help in burning up calories: beans are low in fats and calories content and when one takes beans; they feel satisfied for as long as four hours. Often, one does not feel like eating when they are fully satisfied and as such, there is no temptation to eat junk foods. Exercises should also be done after meals so that the process of emulsification of fats is complete, aerobic classes are ideal in this case because as a matter of fact, stored fats are naturally turned into fats and stored in this form. Breakfast should be the largest meal in the entire and normal day; it should also be the meal that contains the largest amount of calories. Since there is a lot of activities during the mid-morning and the entire day, calories are burnt down easily and more rapidly. Biologically, eating food with very little calorie content is no the solution to weight loss, this is because when the body is at very low metabolism, it is considered famished. When the body lacks adequate nutrients, it becomes difficult to achieve loss of weight. Lifting weights is also Okayed as a way of loosing weight, this is because lifting weight increases muscles and this in turn increases the rate of burning down calories and fats. Drinking a lot of water is very healthy a method of reducing weight: the higher the amount one takes the higher the likelihood of loosing weight, when one feels hungry, it helps one to eat less. When one drinks water before eating, they do not eat much (Carolyn, C. 2004).

What Does it Mean to be a Capitalist Economy †Political Science Essay

What Does it Mean to be a Capitalist Economy – Political Science Essay Free Online Research Papers What Does it Mean to be a Capitalist Economy Political Science Essay Capitalism is defined as an economic system in which the means of production are mostly privately owned, and capital is invested in the production, distribution, and other trade of goods and services, for profit in a competitive free market. The concept of â€Å"classical† capitalism is said to have emerged in the late 18th century. â€Å"The classical, political economists: Adam Smith, Jean-Baptiste Say, John Stuart Mill, and David Ricardo published analyses of the production, distribution, and exchange of goods in a capitalist economy that have since formed the basis of study for most contemporary economists.† from J. K. Galbraith’s American Capitalism In a capitalist economy, privately owned corporations and businesses control the entire economy. This is probably this most popular economic view, a small farmer can buy his neighbor’s small farm for a set amount of money, and buy his neighbor’s neighbor’s small farm, and so on. Eventually the farmer can buy out all of his surrounding farms and create a monopoly. A monopoly is defined as a persistent market situation where there is only one provider of a product or service. Monopolies are normally characterized by a lack of economic competition for the good or service that they provide and a lack of viable substitutable goods. There are laws in the United States regulating the creation of monopolies in an attempt to keep the free market fair. The barriers for business or organizations to become a monopoly are great. There are two acts in the United States that have attempted to prevent, or slow down potential monopolies: The Sherman Anti-Trust Act and the Clayto n Act. The Sherman Anti-Trust Act was the first U.S. federal government action to limit monopolies. It was enacted on July 2, 1890. The Clayton Anti-Trust Act was enacted in 1914 to remedy deficiencies in antitrust law created under the Sherman Anti-Trust Act that allowed corporations to dissolve labor unions. The Clayton Act filled in the gaps of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act by preventing price discriminations, and from people being involved in two competing organizations. With these laws in place in the American law system it is unlawful for any one company to gain control of all its competitors and become one corporate â€Å"giant†. The nons of this would be cable television, phone, and electricity. These examples are sometimes able to charge higher fees because they are the only company in that field available to you, but because they are considered a utility, they are not a monopoly. The price of gas is another example. When there is a situation in the Middle East, the price of gas seems to go up. The reason we are given is, because it is costing us more to get the product out of the Middle East. The problem with that explanation is that only about 15% of the nations gas consumption is from foreign sources, majority of our resource is domestic. The reason gas prices go up is because we no longer have the option of the getting the cheaper Middle Eastern gas, and can now be gorged by our domestic companies. Capitalism, inevitably, results in unequal wealth distribution. In actual practice it appears that as the ranks of the wealthy grow the ranks of the poor also increase. At least that seems to be what is happening in the United States. It also appears that wherever there are great disparities of wealth in an area crime increases dramatically. Another negative result of unrestrained capitalism is that the wealthy have little need to spend all of their wealth, so that they keep a great deal of the total wealth of the country invested and growing more family fortunes. As a result they can send their children to better schools getting better educations, and creating an ever-increasing gap between classes. The poor have more need to spend all of their income on the necessities, therefore can save little and accumulate little or no capital growth. In a capitalist society the wealthy have disproportionate power to influence legislation which inevitably favors themselves, often at the expens e of the less affluent. This also, all too often, results in the corruption of government officials, and increase of white-collar crime. Although the wealthy provide the means of developing the natural resources of a nation, they often contribute mightily to its pollution and degradation. I think it could be argued that the streams and forests and minerals of the country ought to belong to all of its citizens, not the wealthy who gain access to strip mine and deforest or drill at the expense of an environment that we all share. Even though we may concede that capitalism is the most successful among the economic systems, we must recognize that it is not without negative aspects or that there is no room for improvements. The smug American attitude which assumes that we excel at everything overlooks areas in which we might benefit by studying how someone else does things. The complexity and chaos of a health care system which leaves 45 million citizens to the mercy of emergency room treatment for minor ailments, which costs the taxpayers a higher percentage of gross national income than any other nation, might well benefit by adapting some of the methods of those countries which cover all of their citizens with lower costs and better results. Socialist and communist countries have often outstripped us in such areas as education and health care, and it makes sense that we ought to imitate whatever aspect of their successes would prove advantageous to ourselves. We first need to acknowledge that there is room f or improvement in our still imperfect society. The nons of this would be cable television, phone, and electricity. These examples are sometimes able to charge higher fees because they are the only company in that field available to you, but because they are considered a utility, they are not a monopoly. The price of gas is another example. When there is a situation in the Middle East, the price of gas seems to go up. The reason we are given is because it is costing us more to get the product out of the Middle East. The problem I have with that explanation is that only about 15% of the nations gas consumption is from foreign sources, majority of our resource is domestic. The reason gas prices go up is because we no longer have the option of the getting the cheaper Middle East gas, and can now be gorged by our domestic companies. Capitalism inevitably results in unequal wealth distribution. In actual practice it appears that as the ranks of the wealthy grow the ranks of the poor also increase. At least that seems to be what is happening in the United States. It also appears that wherever there are great disparities of wealth in an area crime increases dramatically. Another negative result of unrestrained capitalism is that the wealthy have little need to spend all of their wealth, so that they keep a great deal of the total wealth of the country invested and growing more family fortunes. As a result they can send their children to better schools getting better educations, and creating an ever-increasing gap between classes. The poor have more need to spend all of their income on the necessities, therefore can save little and accumulate little or no capital growth. In a capitalist society the wealthy have disproportionate power to influence legislation which inevitably favors themselves, often at the expense of the less affluent. This also, all too often, results in the corruption of government officials, and increase of white-collar crime. Although the wealthy provide the means of developing the natural resources of a nation, they often contribute mightily to its pollution and degradation. I think it could be argued that the streams and forests and minerals of the country ought to belong to all of its citizens, not the wealthy who gain access to strip mine and deforest or drill at the expense of an environment that we all share. Even though we may concede that capitalism is the most successful among the economic systems, we must recognize that it is not without negative aspects or that there is no room for improvements. The smug American attitude which assumes that we excel at everything overlooks areas in which we might benefit by studying how someone else does things. The complexity and chaos of a health care system which leaves 45 million citizens to the mercy of emergency room treatment for minor ailments, which costs the taxpayers a higher percentage of gross national income than any other nation, might well benefit by adapting some of the methods of those countries which cover all of their citizens with lower costs and better results. Socialist and communist countries have often outstripped us in such areas as education and health care, and it makes sense that we ought to imitate whatever aspect of their successes would prove advantageous to ourselves. We first need to acknowledge that there is room f or improvement in our still imperfect society. My final view on capitalism is that in a country, the United States, which promotes all types of equality, uses an economic system that promotes economic inequality. I say that because within modern market economies is because wages are determined by a market, and are hence influenced by supply and demand. In this view, inequality is caused by the differences in the supply and demand for different types of work. Also capitalism can lead to a type of government known as Imperialism. â€Å"Imperialism is a policy of extending control or authority over foreign entities as a means of acquisition and/or maintenance of empires. This is either through direct territorial conquest or settlement, or through indirect methods of exerting control on the politics and/or economy of these other entities. The term is often used to describe the policy of a nations dominance over distant lands, regardless of whether the nation considers itself part of the empire.† –Wikipedia’s definition of Imperialism. . Research Papers on What Does it Mean to be a Capitalist Economy - Political Science EssayAssess the importance of Nationalism 1815-1850 EuropeTwilight of the UAWThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationPETSTEL analysis of IndiaDefinition of Export QuotasNever Been Kicked Out of a Place This NiceAnalysis of Ebay Expanding into AsiaQuebec and CanadaMarketing of Lifeboy Soap A Unilever Product19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided Era

Causes of World War I Essay -- World History

Beginning in 1870, military powers of Europe gradually began to increase. Countries began to make use of innovative war armaments, as well as expand armies and lengthen service periods. For instance, Germany increased its army size to 170,000 men, France extended military service requirements from 2 to 3 years, and Russia extended requirements f... Causes of World War I Essay -- World History The assassination of Franz Ferdinand and his wife was definitely the most significant cause of the calamity that is World War I. Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro- Hungarian throne, was simply visiting Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Unfortunately, a secret Serbian society known as the Black Hand awaited the Archduke’s arrival. This nationalist group targeted Ferdinand due to the feeling amongst Serbians that once appointed to the throne; Ferdinand would uphold the persecution of Serbs inhabiting the borders of the Austro- Hungarian Empire. Gavrilo Princip was one of eight members of the Black Hand chosen to execute Franz Ferdinand. Unloading two shots, Princip had assassinated both Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie. Seized by the police, he was beaten and put into prison, and there he died. The shots of this young man echoed all over the world to initiate the explosion of World War I. Following the assassination, Austria- Hungary was ready to declare war on Serbia, whom they believed was responsible for the death of Ferdinand. Without the support of Germany, Austria- Hungary probably would not have attacked itory. Germany was left weak in every aspect. The people of Germany were left emotionally disconnected, which was why Adolf Hitler was able to easily preach his ideas. The unjust treatment towards Germany was a cause of World War II. This was something far worse than World War I, which was unimaginable at the time. In conclusion, World War I was a global disaster that disrupted the peace in many different areas. Along with nationalism, imperialism, militarism, and the alliance system, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand was a cause that sparked the horrific event of World War I. With the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente were two opposing groups, and two specific clashing forces were Germany and Russia. Although an attempt to spread harmony throughout Europe was made, all it did was cause a much greater threat to the peace around the world.

International competiveness and innovation Essay

International competiveness and innovation - Essay Example Globalisation is considered to be one of the most important events of the modern civilisation. It has brought major developments in the human activities as well in the thought process. This has made their thought process more liberal and innovative. People are using their innovative mind as a tool for economic and social enhancement. Innovation is a common trait among scientists and entrepreneurs who use this trait to bring social, technological and economic developments. Innovation refers to the creation of new ideas, concepts, thoughts that can be further be used for growth and developments. Primarily, innovation is categorized into two major types i.e. radical and incremental. Radical innovation involves the performance improvements of product or services and incremental innovation results in bringing improvements in production process like efficiency, cost-effectiveness etc (Urabe, Child and Kagono, 1998, p.4). Innovation is one of the core features of modern society and technolo gical improvement is a major outcome of this feature that boosts the growth of an economy. The changing technological system has influenced the entire structure of an economy. Modern technological system has led to upgradating international trade and business causing enhancement of economic parameters. Moreover, with the technological developments, many new industries have been evolving to meet the latest of population. On the other hand, the existing organisations also aim to implement latest technologies for shaping their performance for gaining an upper hand and sustainable competitive advantage in the market. Constant technological innovation has become an important criterion for social and economic development and due to this, proper awareness among the entire population is inevitable. People have to realize the importance of basic sciences as it develops a foundation for being innovative, creative and productive. R&D programs are initiated by the organisations seeking technolo gical developments and performance enhancements. 2. Collaborations and Alliances The business environment of the modern world is characterised by highly turbulent phases. With the advent of globalisation firms are increasingly trying to reach out to new consumer markets. Collaboration and alliances are largely used as a tool by business organizations to enter new markets. This strategy has largely been used by the airlines industries to form mega consortiums so as to gain strategic advantage. An example in this regard is the airline industry which has used collaborations and alliances for research and development activities. The major players in the American and European airline market which are dominating the global aerospace industry have used collaborations to enhance the level of research and development activities. In spite of the advantages of a strategy of collaboration and alliances, ‘spillover’ effects are also associated with this strategy. The ‘spillove r’ effect has largely been observed in technology intensive industry segments like biotechnology. However, the analysis of literature reveals considerable difference in the nature of ‘spillover’ in the aerospace industry with patents and licensing being the most prominent difference between the two sets of industries. Difference in demand and supply dynamics also generates considerable differences. The main sources of ‘spillovers’