Mattel Catastrophe in China Essay - 1890 Words

Barbie was introduced to the world in 1959, and is one of the most iconic dolls ever produced. Barbie is manufactured by Mattel, which was founded in California in 1944, and has dominated the toy market ever since. Barbie helped to create a name and an Empire for Mattel, who later introduced products such as Hot Wheels and Polly Pocket. Mattel, for many years, had a great reputation and produced products that were safe and children loved. Mattel began moving their manufacturing operations overseas about twenty years ago, and until recent years had enjoyed continued success. When Mattel began moving a majority of their manufacturing operations to China and Mexico, they never would have imagined the controversy they would find themselves in†¦show more content†¦As children grow their bodies are able to absorb more lead than an adult (Pearce Robinson, 25-5). At the time of the recalls, China did not have regulations in place regarding the levels of lead in paint. In addition t o lead being found on paint used in children’s toys, Mattel would eventually end up recalling millions of products that contained unsafe, removable parts. In the end, Mattel ended up recalling 19 million toys made in China. There is a large cost advantage to doing business in China. Chinese manufacturers are able to manufacture products at a cost that is 30%-50% less than in the United States. The savings associated with foreign manufacturing is too much for most companies, including Mattel, to pass up. Everyday more American jobs are outsourced to China because of their ability to manufacture products for significantly less than in the United States. When it comes to manufacturing, China has a comparative advantage, or the ability to produce a good at a lower opportunity cost than another producer (Mankiw, Pg. 55). Not only have companies, such as Mattel, saved billions of dollars over the years, so has the American consumer. It is estimated that, since 1978, consumers in t he United States have saved approximately $100 billion by obtaining cheaper products from China (Ahlstrom Bruton, Pg. 4). It is no wonder jobs are continuously outsourced to other countries. Financially speaking, it seems products manufactured in China benefit everyone, wellShow MoreRelatedCrisis Management - Case Study6562 Words   |  27 Pagesthrough full-page newspaper ads (Dwyer, 1998). Mattel Mattel Inc., the countrys biggest toy maker, has been plagued with more than 28 product recalls and in Summer of 2007, amongst problems with exports from China, faced two product recall in two weeks. The company â€Å"did everything it could to get its message out, earning high marks from consumers and retailers. Though upset by the situation, they were appreciative of the companys response. At Mattel, just after the 7 a.m. recall announcement byRead MoreSupply Chain Risk Management6330 Words   |  26 Pagesthat reducing IBM Global Business Services Page  inventory buffers is an excellent means of cost savings in the short run, such strategies also place risk on operations when catastrophe hits. Supply chain visibility, or rather a lack thereof, can further compound problems. During the summer of 2007, toy maker Mattel repeatedly made the headlines for a recall of toys containing significant amounts of lead in the paint. In one specific case, the culprit seemed to be a sub-sub-contractor that decidedRead Morepaul hoang answers72561 Words   |  291 Pagesexpansion plans) Resistance from senior staff to relocate to China Lack of marketing knowledge to cater for a foreign (Chinese) target market Inaccurate or imprecise marketing research data Examination of external constraints, such as: †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Lack of cultural awareness (diversity) Language and communication problems Unfamiliarity with Chinese legislation (including employment laws) Less affluent people, in general, in China compared to USA or Europe [6 – 8 marks] There is a balancedRead MoreProject Mgmt296381 Words   |  1186 PagesProject Cost/Schedule Systems 471 Additional Earned Value Rules 471 Project Site Selection 540 Cross-Cultural Considerations: A Closer Look 541 Adjustments 542 Working in Mexico 545 Working in France 546 Working in Saudi Arabia 547 Working in China 549 Working in the United States 550 Summary Comments about Working in Different Cultures 552 Culture Shock 553 Coping with Culture Shock 554 Forecasting Final Project Cost 472 Other Control Issues 475 Scope Creep 475 Baseline Changes 477 The CostsRead MoreFundamentals of Hrm263904 Words   |  1056 PagesISSUES: Team Performance Appraisals 250 Rate Selectively 251 Train Appraisers 251 The Performance Appraisal Meeting 251 International Performance Appraisal 253 Who Performs the Evaluation? 253 Evaluation Formats 253 DID YOU KNOW?: Performance Metrics in China 254 Summary 254 Demonstrating Comprehension: Questions for Review 255 Key Terms 255 256 HRM Workshop External Factors 272 Geographic Differences 272 Labor Supply 272 Competition 272 Cost of Living 272 Collective Bargaining 273 Communicating withRead MoreStrategic Marketing Management337596 Words   |  1351 Pagesinstead against the background of changes in the political/economic balances of power (e.g. the rise and then the relative decline of Japan over the past 40 years, the opportunities today in Central and Eastern Europe, and the economic development of China), and major changes in the physical environment. Concern with the physical environment has increased dramatically over the past few years, with the origins being traceable to the publication in the 1960s of Rachael Carson’s book Silent Spring (1963)

Essay On Emily Dickinson - 1034 Words

Let’s play a game. Close your eyes. Now, think of some of your favorite poems. Can you remember the poets who created them? Did you name off Edgar Allen Poe, Shakespeare, and Robert Frost to name a few? I imagine that the majority of people didn’t remember Emily Dickinson. Emily Dickinson was a talented poet who used her previously devastating personal experiences to enhance her poems. Emily Dickinson was born on December 10th, 1830 to Edward and Emily Dickinson in Amherst, Massachusetts. In the year 1833, her little sister Lavinia was born into the family. During February of 1852, A Valentine was published in the Springfield Republican. That was one of the first poems that she had written. Emily Dickinson was an amazing poet that wrote†¦show more content†¦That year she also lost her paralyzed mother eight months after Wadsworth’s death. Then in October of 1883 her nephew, Gilbert, died and then six months later Judge Lord died. Judge Lord lost his wife and then Dickinson and him grew close. Emily Dickinson went through an abundance of hardships in her life time. Those experiences helped her to be able to enhance her poems because she experienced them so she was able to add a personal aspect and vantage point. Along with using her personal experiences; she used many literary devices in her poem, If I Should Die. One of which, was personification. One example of the use of personification is when she writes â€Å"gurgle on† (3), time can’t ‘gurgle on’ because it isn’t a person. She gives time a person attribute to emphasize that time will continue on after you pass away. Time will not stop; she knows this because when all of her loved ones died, time keep on going. Another example of the use of personification is when she writes â€Å"briskly fly† (14), She pairs briskly fly with trades, the act of trading can’t fly although she says that it can to convey that countries, companies and people will continue to trade with each other after you are gone; meaning that the world will keep on turning once you leave. The majority of her critics point out that she talks mostly about deathShow MoreRelatedEmily Dickinson Essay1254 Words   |  6 PagesEmily Dickinson Emily Dickinson was born on December 10, 1830 in the community of Amherst, Massachusetts. She was the second daughter of Edward and Emily Norcross Dickinson. Emily, her brother Austin, and her sister Lavinia were brought up and nurtured in a quiet reserved household headed by their father Edward. Throughout her life, her mother was not always around, or accessible, a fact that is said to have caused Emily’s eccentricity. They were raised in Puritanical Massachusetts,Read More Emily Dickinson Essay example1583 Words   |  7 Pages Emily Dickinson, recognized as one of the greatest American poets of the nineteenth century, was born December 10, 1830 in Amherst, Massachusetts (Benfey, 1). Dickinson’s greatness and accomplishments were not always recognized. In her time, women were not recognized as serious writers and her talents were often ignored. Only seven of her 1800 poems were ever published. Dickinson’s life was relatively simple, but behind the scenes she worked as a creative and talented poet. Her work was influencedRead MoreEmily Dickinson Essay821 Words   |  4 Pagescember 2012 Emily Dickinsons original approach to poetry results in startling and thought-provoking moments in her work Give your response to the poetry of Emily Dickinson in the light of this statement. Support your points with suitable reference to her poems. Emily DIckinson is a wonderful, idiosyncratic poet, whos original and powerful poetry is marked by startling and thought-provoking moments, defining Dickinsons poetry. Dickinson describes in shocking detail, moments of utterRead MoreEssay On Emily Dickinson1348 Words   |  6 PagesEmily Dickinson The beloved poet, Emily Dickinson lived as a recluse to become the greatest American woman poet of the 19th century. Even in such peculiar circumstances, her works remain alive as she unites people through her talent. Furthermore, her poems were not recognized until after her death, her art is now praised with its impact on society. She intrigues readers with prominent themes of life and death and its comparison to living and nonliving aspects. Dickinson’s unique background, interestingRead MoreEssay On Emily Dickinson1419 Words   |  6 PagesEmily Dickinson â€Å"I know that He exists,† is the first line in one of Emily Dickinson’s many poems. This is poem number 338, and it is one of her most famous poems even though most people do not understand it (Faulkner 8). Emily Dickinson is a well-known poet, but it was not always like that. During her lifetime, Dickinson rarely published her poems, and it was not until later that she became famous for her work (Crumbley 1). During Emily Dickinson’s life, she was a reserved person, to the pointRead More Emily Dickinson Essay2811 Words   |  12 Pagesconclusive. Dickinson remains an enigma even today but biographical speculation allows us to analyze some of her poetry even though we may be completely inaccurate about what we presuppose. There are some facts about Emily Elizabeth Dickinson that we know for certain. She was born on December 10, 1830 and is recognized as one of Americaamp;#8217;s greatest poets. She had an older brother, William Austin Dickinson, born on April 16, 1829, and a younger sister, Lavinia Norcross Dickinson, born on FebruaryRead More Emily Dickinson and Adrienne Rich Essay2741 Words   |  11 PagesEmily Dickinson and Adrienne Rich The modernist period, stretching from the late 19th century to approximately 1960, is a very distinct phase in the progression of American literature, employing the use of novel literary techniques which stray away from the traditional literary styles observed in the time preceding the period. Modernist writers explore new styles themes, and content in their compositions, encompassing issues ranging from race (Kate Chopin) to gender (H.D.) to sexuality (JamesRead MoreEssay on Emily Dickinson and Her Poetry3197 Words   |  13 PagesEmily Dickinson and Her Poetry Emily Dickinson is one of the great visionary poets of nineteenth century America. In her lifetime, she composed more poems than most modern Americans will even read in their lifetimes. Dickinson is still praised today, and she continues to be taught in schools, read for pleasure, and studied for research and criticism. Since she stayed inside her house for most of her life, and many of her poems were not discovered until after her death, Dickinson was uninvolvedRead More The Poetry of Emily Dickinson Essay883 Words   |  4 PagesEmily Dickinson has always been one of my favorite poets. I love her poems because of the pain and sorrow they contain to which I can easily relate. She often writes of funerals and death. I myself have watched too many friends die and have wondered why God would let this happen. At every funeral, some well meaning mourner would say--,The Lord called him or Shes with Jesus now. My gut reaction was always, Bullshit. Then Emily Dickinsons poem My Life Closed Twice Before its Close would comeRead More The Life Of Emily Dickinson Essay799 Words   |  4 Pages The Life of Emily Dickinson nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Although she lived a seemingly secluded life, Emily Dickinsons many encounters with death influenced many of her poems and letters. Perhaps one of the most ground breaking and inventive poets in American history, Dickinson has become as well known for her bizarre and eccentric life as for her incredible poems and letters. Numbering over 1,700, her poems highlight the many moments in a 19th century New Englander womans life, including

Demand and Supply of Iron Ore in China

Question: Discuss about the Demand and Supply of Iron Ore in China. Answer: Introduction Iron ore is a very important natural resource that is used primarily in the production of iron, which is further processed to produce steel. Steel is a very versatile metal that is widely used across the world. Its uses ranges from manufacturing, building and construction, transportation and other wide variety of uses. China is the biggest producer of iron ore in the world followed by Australia and Brazil. Although the country produces the most iron ore, it also is the number one global importer of the resource. When compared to other producers, the iron ore from china is of a lesser quality. China produces crude ore that is of a lesser quality when compared to other countries that produce usable ore (Ironorefacts.com, 2017). This essay is based on the article written by Ranjeetha Pakiam that was posted on the Financial Review Website on March 9 2017. In this article, Ranjeetha Pakiam wrote that chains demand for iron ore hit the highest mark ever recorded in February of 2017. In this article, we shall discuss the demand and supply of iron ore in china, the factors that affect demand and supply, and how this affects the equilibrium prices and quantity. Information on the demand and supply of iron is important to both the importers and suppliers of iron ore. It assists them to understand the nature of the market and the best price and quantity to operate on and avoid losses. Furthermore, the information assists policy makers such as the government to come up with god importation policies that will benefit both the suppliers of the resource and the country. Demand for Iron Ore in China The demand for a product or service is the quantity that a buyer of the said product or service is willing and able to pay for at a particular price in time(Salvatore, 2011). The quantity demanded of a commodity is inversely related to the price of the commodity. When the price of the commodity increases, the buyers will demand less of the commodity. The reverse is true where more of the commodity will demanded when the prices are low. The importers of iron ore in china are many so the demand in this case will be an aggregate of the individual demands by the importers(Farmer, 2007). The aggregate demand here is the quantity of iron ore that the importers are willing and able to bring into the country for the price in the market at that particular time. The relationship between price and the quantity demanded is shown in the figure below. The line DD is the demand curve. Mining and transportation conditions affect the final price of the iron ore and hence will affect the demand. These conditions are determined by security and the cost of fuel. Another factor is the economic activity in china and the countries to which china exports iron and steel. Economic growth and urbanization in developing countries requires iron and steel for construction and manufacturing. The developing countries need the resources for building roads and homes for the growing industries and population. Therefore, the demand for iron ore in china can be used as an indicator of economic activity in the countries around the world. Changes in seasons can affect the demand, and regional situations such as political stability and taxation policies will affect the eventual cost of the ore. Other factors include the prices of stock and the conditions of mines that can lead to unpredictability of the prices hence directly affecting demand (wiseGEEK, 2017). Supply of Iron ore in China Supply refers to the amount of a commodity that a seller is willing and able to bring to the market at a particular price. The quantity of the commodity supplied is directly related to its price. This implies that when the price of the commodity increases, sellers will be willing to bring more of it to the market and they will bring less to the market when the prices are low. Similar to the demand for iron ore to china, supply is also an aggregate of the individual suppliers. The figure below shows the relationship between the quantity of iron ore supplied and the price. The line SS is the supply curve. Apart from the price, supply of iron ore to china is determined by the future expectations of changes in both demand and price. For instance in 2005, the Chinese economic activity was growing at a fast rate. The suppliers of iron ore regarded this as an indicator of a bright future in the mined commodities sector. In response, they invested in developing new mines and the results of these investments are evident now (Lichtenstein, 2017). Other factors that will affect supply include discoveries and development of new mines that will add the supply to the exiting supplies. Political and seasonal conditions in the supply countries will also affect the quantity and prices of the eventual supply. When we combine demand and supply of this resource, we get an equilibrium price and quantity. Equilibrium in demand and supply is the point where the demand and supply curves intersect. At this point, the quantity demanded equals the quantity supplied at the same price hence the market will clear i.e. all the commodities brought into the market will be bought. The figure below shows equilibrium in the iron ore market. P* is the price equilibrium while Q* is the quantity equilibrium. Conclusion Both exporters and importers of iron ore in the Chinese market need to understand the dynamics of demand and supply, and also how these economic phenomena interact to give rise to the equilibrium price and quantity. This information will help the relevant parties make good decisions on demand and supply to avoid deficiencies and surpluses in the market. References Anon, (2017). [online] Available at: https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-main-determining-factors-of-global-demand-and-supply-for-mined-commodities#MoreAnswers [Accessed 12 Apr. 2017]. FARMER, R. E. A. (2007).Aggregate demand and supply. Cambridge, Mass, National Bureau of Economic Research. Ironorefacts.com. (2017). Iron Ore Global Markets. | Iron Ore: Facts.. [online] Available at: https://www.ironorefacts.com/the-facts/iron-ore-global-markets/ [Accessed 12 Apr. 2017]. LICHTENSTEIN, J. (2017). How does China drive the mining and metals business?. [online] Yale School of Management. Available at: https://insights.som.yale.edu/insights/how-does-china-drive-the-mining-and-metals-business [Accessed 12 Apr. 2017]. Pakiam, R. (2017). China demand for iron ore sets new record high for February. [online] Financial Review. Available at: https://www.afr.com/business/mining/iron-ore/china-demand-for-iron-ore-sets-new-record-high-for-february-20170308-gutwwn [Accessed 12 Apr. 2017]. Ironorefacts.com. (2017). Iron Ore Global Markets. | Iron Ore: Facts.. [online] Available at: https://www.ironorefacts.com/the-facts/iron-ore-global-markets/ [Accessed 12 Apr. 2017]. SALVATORE, D., SALVATORE, D. (2011).Microeconomics. New York, McGraw Hill. wiseGEEK. (2017). What Factors Affect the Demand for Iron Ore? (with pictures). [online] Available at: https://www.wisegeek.com/what-factors-affect-the-demand-for-iron-ore.htm#didyouknowout [Accessed 12 Apr. 2017].

Voyages Soleil

The key decision and the risks facing the company – Voyages Soleil, Inc. (VS) The key decision faced by the company (Voyages Soleil, Inc.) is how to embrace international foreign exchange rates against the Canadian dollar despite the looming financial challenges. The value of US$ against the Canadian dollar has been fluctuating considerably. The company might operate at a loss when it books hotels in other countries using US$ as the standard currency for payments. Evidently, international hotels prefer payments in US$ but not Cdn$.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Voyages Soleil specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More According to the case provided, the company (VS) had been hit adversely by the economic downturns and insecurity factors following the incident of September 11, 2001, in US. Issues of insecurity and travel cancellation played credible roles in the company’s decision making provisions. Pre cisely, the key decision is how to approach the foreign exchange risks following the then economic hitches. The risks facing the company incorporate fluctuating exchange rates between US$ and Canadian dollar. Additionally, economic plunge and decline in the travelling trends following the U.S.’s terrorist attack on 11/9/2001 are other risks faced by VS. Concurrently, hiked competition among the remaining Quebec tour operators and other players in the industry forms a considerable risk. Stakeholders in this situation Stakeholders in this situation incorporate VS Inc. (as a tour operator), suppliers to the company, clients, airline corporations, foreign exchange markets, other tour operators, international hotels, and other significant parties. Precisely, the stakeholders of this situation are numerous. They range from the travel industry players to the government agencies handling security concerns. The future of the Canadian travel industry and the Canadian currency at this s tage (case date) The future of the Canadian travel industry is stunning. It is evident that the industry has been growing tremendously in the recent past despite the mentioned challenges. From the case study provided, it has restored its stability after the incidence of 9/11/2001, which created instability in the industry due to insecurity concerns. This is a crucial provision when considered critically in regard to the fates of the Canadian travel industry. Internationalisation of various organisational activities and stabilization of foreign exchange provisions have contributed to the recent growth of the industry. Additionally, the Canadian dollar has been stabilising against the US$. This will curb the risks faced when dealing with international exchange rates. Additionally, the Canadian travel operators can easily transact or pay their clients in US$ minus making considerable losses.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Ge t your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Options available to the company and the consequences VS Inc. is considering various options so as to handle the current situation critically. Firstly, it considers waiting until October to exchange the Canadian dollar at the then prevailing rates. This option is risky in case the exchange rates between US$ and Canadian dollar destabilises to the negative. Additionally, it is not possible to predict the situation as evident in the case study provided. The second option is to employ forward contracts for the entire payables. The consequence of this option is unpredictability in the US$ values. The third option is to buy (using borrowed Canadian dollars) US$ as at April 1, 2002 and trade them 6 months later. Consequences of this option incorporate the unpredictability of the situation. The company might gain or lose money in the coming 6 months.. Recommendable actions It is recommendable for the company to borrow Canadian dollars. It can then buy US dollars and trade them later at the prevailing rates. The borrowing rates will allow the company to regain its capital and remain with some money to cater for the foreign exchange risks experienced in the industry. This case study on Voyages Soleil was written and submitted by user Blake Velasquez to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

F. Scott Fitzgerald Essays - F. Scott Fitzgerald, Free Essays

F. Scott Fitzgerald Essays - F. Scott Fitzgerald, Free Essays F. Scott Fitzgerald F. Scott Fitzgerald F. Scott Fitzgerald is in many ways one of the most important American writers of the twentieth century. In his first novel, This Side of Paradise, Fitzgerald epitomized the mindset of an era with the statement that his generation had, grown up to find all Gods dead, all wars fought, and all faiths in man shaken(Fitzgerald 307). Aside from being a major literary voice of the twenties and thirties, Fitzgerald was also among The Lost Generations harshest and most insightful social critics. In his classic novel The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald blatantly criticized the immorality, materialism, and hedonism which characterized the lifestyles of Americas bourgeois during the nineteen-twenties. Collectively, Fitzgeralds novels and short stories provide some of the best insight into the lifestyles of the rich during Americas most prosperous era, while simultaneously examining major literary themes such as disillusionment, coming of age, and the corruption of the American Dream. The life of F. Scott Fitzgerald is marked by as much, if not more, romanticism and tragedy than his novels. Throughout Fitzgeralds life, he unsuccessfully battled alcoholism, depression, and himself, in a quest for both personal and literary identity. At the age of twenty-three, Fitzgerald published his first novel, This Side of Paradise, to critical raves and unimaginable economic success. Shortly after the publishing of this novel, Fitzgerald was able to coerce Zelda Sayre into marriage. This marriage is manifestly the most significant event of his lifeeventually, Zelda would not only expedite, but essentially, cause the personal and literary downfall of Fitzgerald. Upon marriage, and also coinciding with the pinnacle of Fitzgeralds fame, Scott and Zelda began living a life of wasteful extravagance that was often characterized by recklessly drunken behavior. In order to maintain this lifestyle, Fitzgerald was forced to put aside working on novels, and focus his creative efforts on penning lucrative, but by no means extraordinary, short stories. Throughout their marriage, Zelda put constant economic, as well as, emotional strains on Fitzgerald. She encouraged his short story writing, as well as his drinking, and was continually swaying his focus from writing to socializing. Also, Zeldas eventual mental breakdown triggered Scotts own series of nervous breakdowns. Because of these factors, Zelda is often considered the prime instigator of Fitzgeralds literary and personal declines. Yet in spite of Zeldas overtly negative influence on Fitzgerald, he continued to love his wife to the day he died. Later in life, after Zelda became mentally ill, Fitzgerald clearly illustrated his unconditional love for his wife by compromising his artistic integrity in order to write short stories to support her medical expenses. Aside from Zelda, two major American literary figures played a substantial role in Fitzgeralds life, and his personal decline as well. On an extended trip to Europe, and at the pinnacle of his fame, Fitzgerald met and became acquainted with a then obscure fellow expatriate named Ernest Hemmingway. Throughout the course of their friendship, Hemmingway would become Fitzgeralds harshest critic, and in the eyes of Fitzgerald, his, artistic conscience(Meyers 263). The second major American literary figure who influenced Fitzgeralds life was Edgar Allen Poe. Fitzgeralds intrigue with both the tragic and romantic elements of Poes life, as well as the many similarities these two men shared, may have very well facilitated his plunge into the unforgiving abysses of alcoholism and depression. Jeffrey Meyers biography Scott Fitzgerald provides a complete and seemingly unbiased account of the life of one of the most complex men in American literary history. Whereas previous biographies tended to over-exaggerate either the romantic or tragic elements of Fitzgeralds life, Scott Fitzgerald does not in any way attempt to emphasize these aspects. Rather, this biography offers a strait-forward interpretation of both the life and works of Fitzgerald. It illustrates the importance of his relationships with Zelda Sayre and Ernest Hemmingway; the mentally and physically destructive influence of his alcoholism; and the parallels between his life and his writings. Through these facets, and many others, Meyers provides insight into Fitzgeralds life, without forcing his own opinion of the subject upon the reader. Personally, I found Scott Fitzgerald to be both insightful and interesting. Compared to other Fitzgerald biographies that I have read, Meyers biography was clearly the least biased and

European Powers essays

European Powers essays Assess critically how any two of the great European powers contributes to the causes of World War I. The increase of militarism across Europe and the fierce devotion to alliances in the two major European powers, Germany and Russia, contributed to the inevitable outbreak of World War I. Another factor was nationalism in the two countries. While Germany nationalism unified its people in the late 19th century, the many diverse ethnic cultures in Russia pulled at the nation's unity. In the time leading up to World War I Russia was struggling to prove itself as a major power in Europe. Between 1870-1914 Germany had built up its army to be double the size of the army they were fighting with during the Franco- Prussian War. They felt it was important to have a very large and well organized military in order to keep up with Britain's superior military. At sea Britain had been the "master" for many, many years and Germany felt as though it was their turn. By creating these huge battle ships to out-do each other, the British and German's competition continued as more and more military technological advances occurred. This competition led to massive weapon development and the tension grew between the British and Germans because of it. Meanwhile, Russia was still having a difficult time with its industry. Some say Russia's economy was moving "backwards" and unlike countries around it, no technological progress had taken place during the Industrial Revolution. The lack of advances began to lead to inner turmoil in Russia and tension throughout the country due to its poor economy and its inability to defend itself in case of a war. As 1914 came closer to August, major European tension began to rise. By July the Austrian- Hungarian Empire had declared was on Serbia, and due to Russia's need to have power, over too much, the tension arose in Russia. At this point Nicholas thought it was pertinent and mandatory t...

Current event analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Current event analysis - Essay Example ates that the state of Florida announced they are facing a $3 billion dollar deficit and as a result the mental health programs could be cut by as much as thirty to fifty percent by the Florida House and the Florida Senate. Jacque Henderson, director of Tri-County Human Services residential programs in Lakeland spoke about the potential cuts and said that almost every significant advance in the last thirty-years, including drug court, mental health court, and miscellaneous treatment services, are all at risk of being cut. The current House plan is to cut over $172 million, while the Senate has a proposal for $205 million in cuts. Expressing similar sentiments to Jacque Henderson, Partners in Crisis was also highly concerned about the potential of losing drug court and mental health court programs. The article states that the Peace River staff has already taken 5% pay cuts, and only through a large private donation were they able to remain a viable institution. While the article does mention research that states recent statistical analysis states that the programs that might be cut have demonstrated significant preventative value, it doesn’t elucidate on these findings. While mental health programs should be of the utmost concern and valued as highly as other medical programs, one would hope to see some fiscal responsibility and proof of

The Influence Of High-Stakes Standardized Assessments On Pedagogical Essay

The Influence Of High-Stakes Standardized Assessments On Pedagogical Practices - Essay Example While evaluation has been a division of education for an extended time, Schoenfeld (2004) says that the existing augmented importance on consistency of curriculum and evaluation is exceptional. The author surveys changeable standpoints on evaluation considers the functional evaluation plays and then assess arguments on both sides of the discussion taking into consideration the present high-stakes testing surroundings which is fitting an essential constituent of education all around the world. As a final point, a debate of the suggestions of increased evaluation and chiefly that of high-stakes testing within the education prospectus discloses that noteworthy portions of imperative education conclusions are minimalized or unobserved because of the importance on standardized testing. Well on the system to apt a culture based on information, we are hearing progressively about the regeneration of education and confronts we face in changing the objectives and substance of the teaching/learning procedure (Wagner, 2005). The expression inventive is frequently used when we converse about fresh pedagogical methods and inventive educators who symbolize a divergence from conventional didactics. Efforts to begin modification in the classroom have got to now also add in the use of scientific resources that have enthused the beginning of the information society. Keeping swiftness with the progress of the age, AV equipment, computers and additional tools of communication have progressively established their place within the walls of enlightening institutions and the procedure of reorganization pedagogical practice. The manifestation of technological speculates and their exercise in the field of education, though, can not mechanically be looked upon as pedagogical innovation. Is it at all probable to describe the expression, and if so, how Education researchers are inquisitive about the response to this question when they evaluated the function of Information Technology in the ground-breaking pedagogical practice of different countries. Previous to assessing knowledge and opinions in association with ground-breaking pedagogical practice, it is worth investigative how the educational system of the culture is making the changeover to single based information. The altering roles of schools, students and parents in the course of education are vibrantly demonstrated by researchers in the following chart. Role Education in the developed Society (the conventionally significant paradigm) Education in the Information culture ( the promising paradigm) School out-of-the-way from society incorporated in society the majority information on the purpose of schools is not to be mentioned Information is candidly obtainable Teacher Initiates teaching Helps students find suitable pathway of teaching Teaches whole class Guides students' self-governing

Data Protection Act 1998 Essay Example for Free

Data Protection Act 1998 Essay During face to face and telephone conversation you should always be well mannered, presentable and speak with appropriate language and be informative to the conversation at hand. What type of questioning you as a therapist should use; You should always use open and closed questions when dealing with a client, open question e. g. what treatments have you had before. A closed question e. g. have had this treatment before. Personal behaviour; Your personal behaviour should always be professional and informative to the client’s needs so you give the best options to your client with the next professional presentation. Personal professional presentation; Your professional personal presentation should always be clean, neat and fresh smelling and meet the salons rules and regulation, because the first person the client meets and see’s is you, and you should show a good presentation because your jobs is to make the client look and feel more beautiful whilst selling products to them. Data protection and storage information; Data protection and storage of information should always be followed to the data protection act regulations, to avoid any information being found be someone inappropriate and used in a harmful way. This information should be stored away in a locked cupboard or on computer with a password. Timings and costs; Timing and costs should always be memorised and learnt by all staff members to ensure the salon runs efficiently, that the clients are well informed on procedures and prices and so that there is no dispute with the information given and that treatments won go over causing over booking of the therapist and loss of profits for the salon. How to keep payments safe and secure; Payments should be kept safe and secure in a cash register with a key or electronic lock, and only people of authority should have a copy of a copy of the keys or codes. What types of problems that may occur in the salon; Miss-informed treatment prices leading to an unhappy customer. Clients being late for appointments and being turned away or asked to wait due to time keeping the receptionist and therapist has to keep to run a smooth salon. Contra-actions due to a reaction to certain treatments leading to an unhappy client. All of these problems should be referred to the salon manager or owner to deal with, as you as the therapist have no jurisdiction here, unless you are salon manager.

Themes of Desirees Baby Essay -- essays research papers

â€Å"Dà ©sirà ©e’s Baby† is a story of love, prejudice and rejection, a story with noble beginnings that slowly turns to reveal an uglier side of human relations. Armand, a wealthy landowner of the plantation L’Abri in the ante-bellum south of Louisiana, is confronted by a family secret that has been hidden from him, even into adulthood. The secret is scandalous for its day, and its consequences run deep into the fabric of society. No one told Armand of this secret. He discovers it by chance at the end of the story, when he finds the remnants of an old letter written by his mother to his father, the significance of which, and its revelations, makes us focus on the many tragic and ironic decisions made by him during this story. In the old south, bloodlines are very important to the status of a family and their social placement, so the â€Å"purity† of the family must be kept. This â€Å"purity† does not accommodate marriages of mixed race. Knowing this, Armand marries an old friend who he had known since he was eight when he moved to Louisiana from France with his father after his mother had died. She was a girl of no distinction, who had no history or reputation of family name like that of Armand, but despite this he fell in love â€Å"as if struck by a pistol shot†.(317). Others had warned Arman d against marrying her, but he did not care for he was so swept away by her beauty. â€Å"He was reminded that she was nameless. What did it matter about a name when he could give her one of the oldest and proudest in Louisiana.† (316). Tragedy comes early in the marriage with the birth of their first child. Although no one seemed to notice at first, by the time the child was three months old, neighbors and Armand himself noticed a change in the child. â€Å"W... ...loved and so easily discarded to protect his family name, were innocent of his animosity and accusations. We can only imagine the heart wrenching turmoil he must have felt at that moment. Too, was the undeniable fact that his father had overcome similar odds and accepted the love of his mother even though she was black. Armand’s father had escaped from tradition and its shackles to stay with the woman he loved and yet still kept the family’s good name, where Armand had failed to do so. The finding of this letter reveals to the reader the deeper consequences of decisions made based on prejudice and what others may think. All that Armand had done, giving up his marriage and condemning their child, burning all that reminded him of her and the baby, cursing God for his misfortune, had all come crashing in upon him by finding a simple letter with tragic â€Å"significance

Defeating the Aztec Empire

Hernan Cortes, a fierce Spanish conquistador, landed at San Juan de Ulua, in April 1519. With him, Cortes had 508 soldiers, one hundred sailors, artillery cannons, eleven ships and sixteen horses. Cortes and his small army, marched through Mexico, forming alliances with Aztec rivals, until reaching the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan. Tenochtitlan was the capital city of the massive Mexican empire known as the Aztecs or Mexica. It had a population of 200,000 people; almost three times that of the largest city of Spain, Seyville (Windschuttle, 43). Within the next two years, Cortes and his men had triumphantly defeated the Aztecs and taken control of Tenochtitlan against all odds. (Daniel, 1992) So how, despite be hopelessly outnumbered, without the possibility of new supplies or reinforcements, fighting other native tribes and Spaniards, and the Aztecs on their own turf, did this tiny Spanish force defeat such a formidable army. Today, there are a number of reasons why the Spanish have believed to been able to overcome such odds. A combination of poor Aztec military tactics against advance Spanish weaponry and strategy, a weak Aztec ruler, the spread of disease, Tenochtitlan’s poor governing over its populace, and the interconnectedness of Aztec military and religion ultimately led to the demise of its empire. The first phase of the Spanish invasion of Mexico took place in April 1519. In defiance of the Governor of Cuba and his expedition sponsor, Cortes took control over his forces and moved them inland. On the way, Cortes met resistance from other locals, who he eventually conquered and absolved into his army as allies. After reaching Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec Capital, the Spaniards were initially greeted as foreign ambassadors. Other claims state that the Aztecs viewed Cortes as the god, Quetzalcoatl (Windschuttle, 50). The Spanish did not return the favor, eventually kidnapping Emperor Montezuma and, using him as a puppet, ran the country. The Governor of Cuba, angry with the defiant Cortes, sent a force under Panfilo Narvaez to end his exploration. As the natives before him, Cortes defeated this force and had them join him in his conquest. In Cortes’ absence, the Spanish troops left behind had massacred Aztec nobles during a religious festival, a confrontation that also left emperor Moctezuma dead. The Spanish were forced to leave Tenochtitlan, ending the first phase of the conquest. For a year, the Spanish forces recuperated, gathering eight thousand native allies and new supplies, including three naval vessels. â€Å"To ay siege to a lake-girt city requiring the prefabrication of thirteen brigantines on the far side of the mountains, eight thousand carriers to transport the pieces, their reassembly in Texcoco, the digging of a canal and the deepening of the lake for their successful launching (Clendinenn, 72)† For a year, Cortes and his native allies lay siege to the city of Tenochtitlan. Using experience military tactics, against an Aztec force unprepared for them, Cortes and his troops captured the capital cit y, killing almost all inside. This would be the end of the Aztec empire. Moctezuma II was the ninth ruler of Tenochtitlan and the first Aztec emperor to make contact with Europeans. Moctezuma’s poor leadership and unwillingness to deal with the invading Spaniards are regarded as large factors of the Aztec’s demise. He immediately assumed the foreigners to be foreign ambassadors and was blindly unable to see their true intent. At their first meeting, the two leaders exchanged gifts. Clendinnen stated that â€Å"Cortes interpreted Moctezoma’s first gifts as gestures of submission of naive attempts of bribery. To the Aztecs, Moctezuma gifts were most likely â€Å"statements of dominancy, superb gestures of wealth and liberality made the more glorious by the arrogant humility of their giving (Windshuttle, 40). † After living months in Tenochtitlan, the Spaniards launched a coup, taking Moctezuma as a hostage. When he was taken hostage, he preferred to attempt to bribe the invaders rather than, although have the ability to, expel t hem from the city. Being heavily religious, Moctezuma would depend on his oracles for a plan of action, proving his indecisiveness and wasting valuable time. Indecisiveness of the leader and inaction to deal with the invaders led to the demise of the Aztec empire (Windschuttle, 45). The Aztec’s authoritative rule over its different cities and populations allowed for Hernan Cortes to recruit thousands of native allies. Only recently rising to power, the Aztecs depended on governed regions and populations for taxing tribute that included food and other necessities. â€Å"They exacted tribute by threat of terror and retribution. In fact, each year, the agricultural harvest heralded the onset of a six-month season of war, in which warriors from Tenochtitlan would go out to other settlements to challenge them to battle, to bring back captives for sacrifice, and to carry off women, children, and slaves (Windschuttle, 54). † The capital city of Tenochtitlan’s use of murder, sacrifice, and firm rule over its lands caused other Aztec cities to desire them to be overthrown. The Aztec’s authoritative rule was heavily resented, and did poorly to attain any loyal sentiments among its far-reaching population. Cortes was able to easily break these shaky alliances, and have these angered native populations join him in getting rid of the Aztecs. By the second siege of Tenochtitlan, Cortes had almost every other Aztec city fighting behind him. It was these native allies that led to the final massacre of the remaining Aztecs in Technoctitlan (Clendinenn, 91). Since the first contact between Europeans and American natives, diseases such as smallpox, measles, and yellow fever had spread like wildfire, killing millions of natives. The spread of disease to natives lacking immunity also contributed to the fall of the Aztecs. During the second siege of Tenochtitlan, a Spanish soldier from the force sent by the Governor of Cuba, had brought the smallpox disease with him. This disease spread quickly and was very effective at killing the natives. â€Å"Smallpox was the biggest single cause of death in the Valley of Mexico and killed off many more Aztec warriors than did Spanish swords or guns (Windschuttle, 46). † When the second siege of Tenochtitlan began, their population had dwindled so much that defeat was seemingly imminent. A major reason for the Spanish victory over the Aztecs was their experienced and trained military soldiers. They had foot soldiers with pikes, swordsmen, muskets and artillery. Spanish forces, trained by numerous wars with the French, were comprised of tercios, or units of 250 men. Soldiers were well-trained and put through drills that stressed the importance of the unit working together. Cortes and his army, due to lack of men, had to adjust to follow Spanish military strategy. â€Å"During the siege of Tenochtitlan the force was reformed into nine companies of about fifty men each, grouped in turn into three â€Å"divisions,† each of three companies. This handling of troops was in keeping with Spanish practice of the period (Daniel, 189). Cortes’ sixteen horses also proved to be incredibly effective against the Aztec soldiers and a played a vital role in their victory. â€Å"At Cintla in Tabasco, early in the expedition, thirteen horseman route a huge enemy force engaged with the infantry. At Otumba the wounded and exhausted cavalry repeatedly broke through the overwhelmi ng numbers of Aztec troops until they retreated (Daniel, 189). † Without the help of rival native groups, such as the Tlaxcala and Texcoco, the Spanish would have been even more outnumbered by the Aztec forces. This tactical use of alliances was possibly the most important aspect of Cortes’ conquest of Mexico. Overall, the use of infantry, cavalry, and allies seemed to be too much for the Aztecs. The tactical organization of the Aztec military was much different than that of the Spanish. The Aztec forces were comprised of every able man, who had little option, as opposed to the Spanish forces comprised of volunteers. Their forces were divided into four units of four hundred men, commanded by a councilor of the emperor. Most of these troops were low class commoners. There were also units of elite soldier fraternities, such as the Eagle and the Jaguar, that provided increased military skill to the Aztec army. Typically, Aztec forces would use open formations and attempt to overcome their foe using flanking tactics (Daniel 120). The Aztecs and their fortified cities were also not used to siege warfare or the use of cannons. â€Å"European cities had over this time adapted their construction, supplies and defenses to the possibility of a siege. Moreover , at the time the Spaniards were departing from America, European fortifications were going through a rapid redesign because of the challenge presented by the invention of cannon. In Tenochtitlan, however, Cortes found a people who had never even conceived of European-style siege warfare, let alone constructed defenses against it (Clendinenn, 56). † The Aztec use of open formations and inability to defend against cavalry attacks led to a disadvantage on the battleground. The Spanish army’s closed sword-wielding formations were able to hold up well against the Aztecs, often breaking through their lines. The cavalry, time and time again, were able to break up the Aztec formations, causing them to retreat. An example of the overpowering Spanish army tactics was highlighted by the Battle of Otumba. Here, a large Aztec army confronted exhausted Spanish forces. Cortes ordered his cavalry to attack the military leaders and the Aztec army’s flanks, breaking through their lines and causing confusion. The Spanish infantrymen engaged the Aztec foot soldiers, continuing to attack as the Aztec retreated. These tactics of Cortes and his men proved to too much even large Aztec force. Aside from military tactics, the military technologies utilized by the Spanish army were far more superior to the weapons of the Aztecs. Europeans were much more advanced in terms of weaponry, using weapons of steel and iron against the Aztec’s wood and stone. As the Aztecs considered kills with long-distance weapons to shameful, their arrows and darts were only meant to injure their opponents. Aztec warriors carried wooden arrows, knives of flint stone and wooden clubs embedded with flakes of obsidian, a form of volcanic glass (Windschuttle, 45). † These clubs with stone tips were the most effective weapons carried by the Aztecs. Spanish soldiers on the other hand carried â€Å"cutlasses, lances, arrowheads and armor all forged from iron and steel, plus hand guns, crossbows, and cannons (Windschuttle, 1997-45). Their lances and cutlasses were much more efficient in hand-to-hand combat, with the ability to kill opponents with one strike. The Spanish also brought with them armored cavalry, cannons, crossbows, brigantines (ships), and handguns. In the second siege of Tenochtitlan, the three brigantines lay waste to Aztec canoes fighting in defense of the city. The Aztec military was seemingly outmatched and did not intimidate the invaders in the least. â€Å"Spanish soldiers, in fact, found Aztec weapons so inconsequential that they abandoned their own heavy metal armor in favor of quilted cotton (Windschuttle, 55). The Spanish weaponry was too much for the outdated weapons of the Aztecs to have a chance. One historian, Inga Clendinnen, argued that the biggest Aztec disadvantage was how they viewed military confrontations. As they did with the Spanish, the Aztecs would send food and gifts to an enemy viewed as inferior. The Aztecs felt that war and religion were interconnected. The Aztecs preferred hand-to-hand combat with the intention of using captives for sacrifices to the gods. They were opposed to killing opponents from a distance and viewed surprise ambushing as an unthinkable military tactic. The Spanish army, however, cherished their long-ranged weapons, such as their muskets and crossbows. To make matters worse, Aztec warriors considered being killed by a long-distance weapon as an unworthy death. â€Å"Spaniards valued their crossbows and muskets for their capacity to pick off selected enemies well behind the line of engagement: as snipers, as we would say. The psychological demoralization attending those sudden, trivializing deaths of great men painted for war, but not yet engaged in combat, must have been formidable (Clendinnen, 80)† Cortes also launched numerous attacks in the orning, known as dawn raids, charging on unsuspecting villages and slaughtering men, women, and children. Cortes and the Spanish army learned to take advantage of the Aztecs’ religious military tactics. Spanish soldiers would pretend to retreat, tempting Aztec troops to pursue chases in the hopes of acquiring sacrificial captives. Cortes would then simultaneously have his troops turn around and slaughter the unsuspecting Aztecs (Windschuttle, 52-53). Cortes states that â€Å"Sometimes, as we were thus withdrawing and they pursued us so eagerly, the horsemen would pretend to be fleeing, and then suddenly would turn on the,; we always took a dozen or so of the boldest. By these means and by the ambushed which we set for them, they were always much hurt; and certainly it was a remarkable sight for even when they well knew the harm they would receive from us as we withdrew, they still pursued us until we had left the city (Clendinenn, 80). † The Spanish used siege warfare to ultimately bring down Tenochtitlan. They constricted its perimeter, forcing other tribes to join them against the Aztecs, and cutting off supplies to the Tenochtitlan’s inhabitants. â€Å"Siege was the quintessential European strategy: an economical design to exert maximum pressure on whole populations with active engagement, delivering control over people and place at least cost (Clendinenn, 83). † Aztecs detested this form of warfare, preferring the more honorable hand-to-hand combat. The Spanish, however, would avoid this type of warfare, sticking together in tight formations and using long-distance weapons and artillery. In the end, despite being heavily outnumbered, outgunned, and malnourished the Aztecs followed their prideful ways and refused to surrender. â€Å"Again they encountered ghostly figures, of women and gaunt children, and saw the warriors still stationed on the rooftops, but silent now, and unarmed, close-wrapped in their cloaks. And still the fruitless pretense at negotiation, the dumb, obdurate resistance (Clendinnen, 91). † Here Cortes seems to be dumbfounded by the resilience of the seemingly defeated Aztecs. In the coming day, Cortes and his army killed twelve thousand more Tenochtitlan inhabitants. Cortes again tried to get them to surrender. â€Å"I said many things to persuade them to surrender but all to no avail, although we showed them more signs of peace that have ever been shown to a vanquished people for we, by the grade of our Lord, were now the victors (Clendinnen, 91). † After two more days of Aztec refusal, Cortes released their native ally forces, which mercilessly murdered â€Å"forty-thousand† more Aztec civilians. Between the 15th and 16th centuries, the Aztec empire had been a thriving empire with far-reaching influence throughout Mexico. The eventual demise befalling them would go blindly unknown as Hernan Cortes and his army of Spanish Conquistadors explored Mexico. Within two years of seeing Tenochtitlan and meeting its emperor Moctezuma II, the Spanish forces of roughly five hundred men had destroyed the Aztec city and killed off most of inhabitants. There are many reasons that contributed to this extremely unlikely scenario. Moctezuma made the first blunder by accepting the invaders as foreign ambassadors and basically allowing them to roam freely around the city. His eventual kidnapping at the hands of the Spanish seemed to be the beginning of the end. After the initial siege of Tenochtitlan was unsuccessful, the Spanish were able to recuperate in a neighboring city of Texococo. Preying on weak ties between Technotitlan and the cities it cruelly and authoritatively ruled over, Cortes was able to combine a native ally army. In conjunction with the Spaniards’ advanced weaponry and military strategy, and using the poor religious-backed military tactics of the Aztecs to their advantage, the Aztecs fell within a year. The defeat of the Aztecs seemingly opened the door to European colonization of the Americas and the further destruction of the continents’ natives.

Religion And Confession Essay

a. Define your topic in a relatively brief paragraph. The topic I chose is Confession. Confession is a basic part of living a spiritual life. For some cultures and organized religion, confession is a physical act of going to the priest, telling the priest your sins and asking sincerest repentance. One cannot partake of the Feast of the Holy Eucharist without confession because confession clears one’s conscience, is the way of receiving the Lord’s forgiveness. â€Å"Confession is the popular name for the Christian Sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation recognized by the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches. The rite consists in the acknowledgment of sins to a priest, who grants absolution in the name of God. Its biblical basis is found in the action of Jesus forgiving sins (Mark 2) and his commissioning of the Apostles to forgive sins (John 20:22-23).† (Favazza, 1982) b. How does the experience of guilt relate to or inform your topic? Guilt directly relates to confession. Confession is the act of asking forgiveness. Others are burdened with the issue of telling one’s sins to a priest who is only human at one end. But more than going through the complications of the process, one cannot go to confession willingly if one cannot first accept his guilt of sins that he committed. There is actually a part in the process of confession when one stipulates the sins that one is guilty of. Confession lets a person open himself to the Lord. â€Å"Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrow, your cares, and your fears before God. You cannot burden Him; you cannot weary Him. He who numbers the hairs of your head is not indifferent to the want of His children.† (White, p. 101). When the act of letting go of all the fears, desires and wants of a person is also the act of unburdening one’s self to his sins. Only when a man is empty of sins can the love of God enter his heart. â€Å"The more holy a man is, the more humble, self-renouncing, selfabhorring, and the more sensitive to every sin he becomes, and the more closely he clings to Christ. The moral imperfections which cling to him he feels to be sins, which he laments and strives to overcome. Believers find that their life is a constant warfare, and they need to take the kingdom of heaven by storm, and watch while they pray.† (Easton, 2006) c. What is the relationship of your topic to the experience of justification by faith God`s forgiveness and reconciling acceptance? Confession is a process institutionalized by God to show how forgiveness works. Through confession, one can experience repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation with the faith once again and the joy of feeling accepted by God’s love once more. A sinner who repents and asks forgiveness of his sins that he is guilty of is ready to accept the penalties of his sins. The kind of penalty bestowed upon a remorseful soul shows the kind of justice that faith exemplifies. Nothing compares to the experience of confession when a man is transformed from evil to good, from sinner to follower. â€Å"Confession of sin is also emphasized in the NT (Matt. 3:6; Mark 1:5), and with it is connected the promise of forgiveness of sins (I John 1:9; cf. Matt. 6:12), a forgiveness which is based solely on the death of Christ (Eph. 1:7)† (Quanbeck, 1968.) The death of Christ was able to save human souls from damnation to salvation. His dying on the cross was proof of God’s love to save human souls from sins. Without the death of Jesus, forgiveness will not be made manifest. The path of confessions is part of the path towards salvation. Part of Jesus seven last words, â€Å"Father, forgive them for they know not what they do,† exemplifies the absoluteness of forgiveness and the love of God to his people. d. In what way does your topic contribute to or inform growth in Christian character and service (commonly called sanctification and victory over sin)? Confession is a part of growing into a full Christian. Human beings will sin against the Lord as he walks the Path. Confession sharpens one’s Christian character because through confessions, a person learns what and how forgiveness is. When people go to confession, the advocacy itself informs other people about how Christians grow in the love of God. Through confession, people can allow themselves to be one with God again through the Holy Spirit. â€Å"Sanctification involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1 Cor. 6: 11; 2 Thess. 2:13). The Apostle’s Creed mentions the basic principle that sanctifies confession in, â€Å"I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.† The Church of God is developed by sinners who have gone back, believed in the â€Å"forgiveness of sins† that is why confessions are important in reminding people of the faith. And so even the most hideous crime and guilt, if confessed with sincerest repentance, has the hope to be forgiven. e. How can your topic help one to know and understand God personally? The ordinary man would not really know how sorry a sinner is. Sincerety can be seen in gestures but this is not enough when it’s a case when one asks forgiveness. People may have an idea how sincere the apology is but in the case of murder in the first degree, at the moment before serving death sentences, at that moment, confession is but a process between you and the Lord. The personal relationship of a person and God is a very special one. The act of confession is a venue where that personal relationship can start and can be kept. This keeping will have great effects towards advocating the sanctity of that kind of relations so that others may be able to have that special relations with God. â€Å"If Christians would associate together, speaking to each other of the love of God and of the precious truths of redemption, their own hearts would be refreshed and they would refresh one another.† (White. p 103) f. What are the social consequences of your topic? In other words, how does your topic affect or inform your relationship to other persons in your life? Confessions better a person. A person who understands and believes in the concept of confessions believes in concepts of forgiveness, repentance, salvation and above all, humility. Amidst the many challenges expected of modern man, the value of confessions will enable a person to keep his morals intact and act ethically in life. Much of evil ways happen because man has forgotten that his life, his body and the resources around him are not his own. They are essentially gifts from God. Abuse of these gifts happen because man thinks he is on top of the food chain, sole predator of all things on earth. When a person forgets that there is a higher being than him, he is corrupted. Confession will be an insitution that will remind that the sinful man is a given thing on earth but due to God’s almighty love, God forgives the sincerely repentful human being thereby giving him another chance to enter the kingdom of heaven. Bibliography Favazza, Joseph, The Order of Penitents (1988); Martos, Joseph, Doors to the Sacred (1982). Holy Bible. Crossway Books; Compact edition (April 2005) W.A. Quanbeck, IDB,I,667-68; R.H. Alexander, TWOT,I, 364-66; O. Michel, TDNT,V, 199-219; V.C. Grounds, ZPEB,I, 937-39. White, Ellen. Steps to Jesus. Adventist Book Center New Jersey; Booklet edition (January 1998)

MLA Referencing †Citing a Journal Article

MLA Referencing – Citing a Journal Article MLA Referencing – Citing a Journal Article In the liberal arts and humanities subjects, MLA referencing is commonly used for citing sources in college papers and academic publications. This includes citing articles from both print and electronic journals, which is what we’re looking at in this blog post. In-Text Citations The rules for citing an article in the main text of your paper are the same regardless of whether you’re referencing a print or online journal. With MLA referencing, this means giving the author’s name and page numbers for the passage cited in parentheses: Neo-formalism is one of â€Å"the more notable methodological approaches to literary studies† (Markovits 591). If the author’s name already appears in the text, only the page numbers for the passage cited need to be given in parentheses after the quotation: Markovits describes neo-formalism as one of â€Å"the more notable methodological approaches to literary studies† (591). Citing Multiple Works by the Same Author Some other parenthetical referencing formats use a year of publication to distinguish between texts when multiple sources by the same author are cited in a paper. Since MLA uses a citation format with no year of publication, however, a different approach is required. With a journal article, this means giving a shortened version of the article name in addition to the author’s surname and relevant page numbers. If both the author’s name and a shortened title appear in a citation, they should be separated with a comma. For two articles by Stefanie Markovits, for instance, this might appear as follows: According to Markovits, â€Å"programmatically formalist reading needn’t bracket cultural and historical concerns (â€Å"Form Things† 591). Consequently, we can draw upon neo-formalism while still considering the significance of Jane Austen’s â€Å"fallen bodies† (Markovits, â€Å"Jane Austen and the Happy Fall† 779). Austen having a happy sit down. Page (Print Journal) With MLA, all sources cited in a paper should be listed with full publication information on a â€Å"† page at the end of your document. With a print journal article, this means providing the following details (accurate for the eighth edition of the MLA Handbook): Author surname, first name(s). Title of Article.  Title of Journal, volume, issue, year, complete page range. In practice, this would look something like the following: Markovits, Stefanie. â€Å"Form Things: Looking at Genre through Victorian Diamonds.† Victorian Studies, vol. 52, no. 4, 2010, pp. 591-619. Page (Online Journal) For articles that are also available online, you should also provide a DOI or URL and a date of access in the â€Å"† list. For instance: Markovits, Stefanie. â€Å"Jane Austen and the Happy Fall.† Studies in English Literature, 1500-1900, vol. 47, no. 4, 2007, pp. 779-97, www.jstor.org/stable/4625140. Accessed 5 Oct. 2016. If citing a scholarly journal article which is only available electronically, it isn’t necessary to provide page numbers (a DOI/URL and date of access are still required).

Hester essays

Hester essays All who have read Nathaniel Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter know of the harsh judgment passed by the Puritan society on Hester Prynnes sin of adultery. Hester could not rebel against their punishment, but she defied them in numerous ways. When interrogated for the name of her partner in sin, she refused to expose him. In fact, Hester never gave up her love to Arthur and, in the end, was able to be by his side. When faced with the possibility of losing her daughter, Pearl, she argued heatedly with the head of the church and the leader of the settlement in order to keep Pearl by her side. Lastly, the scarlet letter was her shame to begin with, but eventually turned into a badge of honor. At the beginning of the novel, the Puritans demand of Hester to speak out the name of her accomplice in adultery. She defied them by refusing to name him even though she was tempted, persuaded, and finally threatened by powerful persons of the society, Woman, transgress not beyond the limits of Heavens mercy! cried the Reverend Mr. Wilson (66). Further defiance was proved when she continued to love Arthur and remained steadfast to him till death. Moreover, she called him the only man to whom the power was left me to be true! (167). After death Hester was buried next to him and they shared a tombstone, [her grave] was near [Arthurs grave]...yet one tombstone served for both (258). Equally important, Hesters love for Pearl is rebelliousness towards the Puritan society. Though Hester is shunned from the society and is a single mother, she still feels that she can do a better job of raising Pearl than a Puritan family. When she hears of the idea circulating around to separate Hester from Pearl and have Pearl raised in a Puritan family, Hester marches up to the Governors house and fights to keep Pearl, ...with [Pearl, the] sole treasure to keep ...

Information systems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Information systems - Essay Example In the case of a price war, a firm can maintain profitability as the competitors suffer losses. The low-cost strategy broadens the profit margin and targets a broad market (Griffin, 2007). The differentiation strategy concerns with offering products that possess different unique attributes. This strategy enables a firm to sell almost the same products to different markets and carry price discrimination across markets (Spulber, 2007). In the focus strategy, a firm sells and customizes unique marketing techniques to suit different markets. In the low-cost focus strategy, a firm specializes in a given market. It is essential to highlight that Coca Cola mainly uses the differentiation strategy while Toyota employs the low-cost strategy. In this sense, they gear their information systems towards meeting such competitive strategies. Toyota, in the lean manufacturing technique, uses globalized and automated information systems in enabling quick delivery of products across the world. Coca Cola, on the other hand, uses its information system towards market research. It employs the social media and mobile applications in understanding its market

Descartes holds that we can literally see other people (as opposed to, Essay

Descartes holds that we can literally see other people (as opposed to, say, hats and feet from an upper-story window). Explain h - Essay Example However, in real sense, Descartes actually posits that humans can understand their minds more readily than they can possibly ever understand their corporeal nature, which is subject to doubt (Newman). The theorist bases his arguments on the example of wax in its various forms i.e. solid and liquid form; according to Descartes, the perception senses cannot recognize the semblance in the different forms. In other words, the human senses are inadequate in themselves to effectively describe whether or not the molten wax is similar to the solid wax. Failure by the senses to recognize that both forms of wax are indeed indistinguishable calls us to the overall unreliability of human senses; they cannot provide adequate cognition about the nature of the wax, thus the two different forms of wax are inevitably differentiated. In this regard, Descartes eventually theorizes that perception is a function of the mind alone (Card). In the second part of his argument, Descartes posits that senses pr ovide humans with a better and refined understanding of the nature of things, only that the senses in themselves are not sufficient to determine truth (Newman). Therefore, the senses are constrained by certain limitations thus implying that certain knowledge can only be achieved through judgment, understanding in human minds and thinking. However, it is noteworthy that Descartes, in his almost incredible wisdom, does not at any point rule out the contribution of senses in the process of understanding the nature of things. Rather, Descartes only seems to emphasize that sense perception in humans relies on the mind more than it does on the body. He is nothing else apart from a thinking thing/ a mind/ an intellect/ understanding or reason (â€Å"The Meditations†); this way, Descartes draws an obvious parallel between the mind and the soul. Descartes begins his investigations into perception by disbelieving/ deconstructing his prior knowledge on the nature of things (Newman); he questions even the truth of his own existence thus concluding with certainty that the only possible truth about it was, â€Å"I am, I exist†. However, this conclusion is still constrained with the fact that Descartes does not yet understand the nature of his being. This line of argument also leads him into drawing the second conclusion, equating intellect, reason, understanding, mind and soul with thinking. In this manner, Descartes has successively assigned himself a trait in an attempt to define his nature as a ‘thinking thing’ that can exist independently from the body (â€Å"The Meditations†). Thus, he still advances this further by stating that his thinking encompasses doubting, understanding, affirmation, refusal, imagination and sense. Having successively drawn a supposedly absurd parallelism between thinking and sensing, Descartes clarifies by stating that certain truth is established out of a combination of perceived sensations and thought process es. In other words, Descartes theorizes that that which is knowledge to the human mind, whose nature has been perceived by the senses is more embellished than that which is mysterious or imaginable (Card). In that case, it is easier for us to see people, as opposed to hats and feet, because our thoughts usually form images of human bodies which are then examined by our senses; other things like hats and feet do not

Parking at uncg Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Parking at uncg - Essay Example This has meant that students have to pay substantially high charges (up to 2$ for the first hour then 1$/hour, and all day 7$) if at all they are very lucky to find an available parking space (The University of North Carolina at Greensboro 1-2). The result of this dire situation has been the incessant lateness to classes as students struggle to find empty spaces to park their vehicles. Even as the university strives to achieve its growth and expansion objectives, I strongly believe that the expansion of parking spaces should go in tandem with the overall growth of the university (Ison& Rye 23-29). There is a need for a new thinking on how people get into and out of the university. According to a survey conducted on commuting students and staff, it was found that about 80% of people now drive alone into the university. The fact that the university allows any person to purchase a permit and secure a parking slot in the university parking facilities means that there is stiff competition among freshmen, on-campus students and individuals residing near the campus. The lack of parking has affected student participation in extra-curricular activities. Nevertheless, the problem of parking has no effect on the performance of student in class. For example, a recent study have shown that lack of parking space has been causes the cancellation memberships to recreational clubs. The problem of parking spaces in campus can be attributed to the conduct of parking officials. Student do blame parking officials for mismanaging parking slot for students. As personal testimony, my experience with these officials has demonstrated to me that the officials are completely unprofessional and incapable of addressing the problem with uttermost care and diligence. My finding has shown that the parking officials are not supervised by anyone. Indeed, they have engaged in

The Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Speech Essay Example for Free

The Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Speech Essay In no other place were the overall dreams of African Americans better stated than in the speech delivered by Martin Luther Jr. on August 28, 1963. Martin Luther aptly stated what had been the silent hope of many African Americans who had suffered segregation, slavery and unfair treatment from their Caucasian masters. Martin Luther however, spoke not from a victim standpoint, but from the standpoint of a person who knew that what America was witnessing that day was just a pointer to better things to come. His speech was full of hope, yet he agreed that a hundred years after the signing of the emancipation proclamation, the black people were not yet free, they were still poor in a country that glowed in prosperity and they were not yet accepted as part of the greater American society. This however, did not deter him from being hopeful. He still believed that there was hope in the promissory note depicted by the words of the American constitution as well as the Declaration of Independence that the right to life, liberty and happiness would be available to everyone regardless of their skin color. Though he knew that the black people had been denied many things, he refused to believe that the situation would be like that forever. He chose dialogue over strife as evidenced by his speech and though many blacks may have been overjoyed by his advocacy for them, the weight of the words must have touched a nerve with the white majority. Martin Luther propagated the real meaning of democracy in his speech, which would include eliminating social injustices and embracing brotherhood (Demetrice, A. Perry, J. Jr). Being a straight talker, he spoke plainly about what the African Americans would do if they were not granted citizenship rights. â€Å"The whirlwinds of revolt will shake the foundations of this country until justice is done† he said. He told the Caucasians that their destiny was tied to the African American’s. In this speech, Martin Luther King Jr. did what many slave revolts had been unable to do; convince the white community that America needed to have equality among all the races present if the country was to develop. The Nat Turner Confession Nat Turner on the other hand, started the slave rebellion in Antebellum South by organizing black men to slaughter white men. In the jail where he was incarcerated after the rebellion, Turner confessed about his life and what had led him to stage the rebellion. In the confession, it was evident that Turner too felt the pinch of slavery and deep within, just like Martin Luther , had the dream that one day, the black people would be free. His approach was different from Martin Luther’s as he utilized violence in a bid to air the slave’s grievances. Turner believed that he had been divinely elected to set the black community free. This was the same reason he had given for returning to his master after running away. He claimed that he had received divine revelation and that he must serve his earthly master. His time in slavery however, allowed him to prepare for what he termed as his great mission, which was to execute the white people. Respected among his peers for his great insight, Turner was able to convince them easily to take part in the insurrection. Evidently, the black community was fed up with the ill treatment, but had no channels through which they could vent their frustrations. When Turner suggested the insurrection, they were all too willing to follow him (Gray, T. R, 1831). Overall, Nat Turner and Martin Luther King Jr. were two people with common goals of emancipating the black community from slavery. Their approaches were different in that one choose diplomacy, while the other choose a revolution. Reflection of the African American History in the Speeches Both the Turner confession and the Martin Luther King dream speech portray a part of African-American history that revolved around slavery and the denial of basic freedoms and rights by the white community. In his speech, Martin Luther portrays his dreams well about what he hoped America would become. As such, we get the picture that for each dream that he put forth, the opposite was exactly true in real life. Racism was at its worst, with the blacks suffering the blunt of it. This is evident when he says that the â€Å"whites only† signs rob their children off their dignity. A striking difference between the blacks is evident when Martin Luther says that whereas the Negroes in Mississippi are denied the right to vote, those in New York believe they have no reason to vote The two speeches further reveal that not all white people were opposed to the emancipation of the black people and that indeed a significant number of Caucasian Americans respected and admired the black people. In Martin Luther’s speech, he says that the presence of white people during his speech delivery was evidence enough that not all white people are to be distrusted. This however suffices the norm during those days that blacks would always view the white people suspiciously. Nat Turner also acknowledges that his master realized his great potential and remarked that he would not be of any useful service as a servant. It is also revealed by Turner that slavery was a deeply committing work, such that he could only pray when his slavery duties allowed. He also reveals that it was not uncommon for the slaves to run away from their master’s farms and seek refuge in some of the states that had declared freedom for the slaves. The difference between the two speeches is that the Martin Luther speech was read 100 years after the signing of the emancipation proclamation, while the Turner confession was given when blacks were still under slavery in many states. The two therefore have different aspects of African American history with Turner’s giving some insight in to what life was during the slavery era, while Martin Luther’s gives snippets on the slow progress that the white society made before accepting the free black community as part of the larger American society. According to the Martin Luther speech, despite the signing of the emancipation agreement in 1862, the black people were still crippled by ties of segregation and discrimination. As such, the black could not access basic services with as much ease as the whites did. Poverty was also widely spread among the black community especially because they worked for little wages and did not own property like their masters. Martin Luther says that the black community was still in an island of poverty, while their country was an ocean of prosperity. In addition, he compares the Negroes to people who find that they are actually in exile in their own land. Martin Luther also reflected the hopeful nature of the black community who with each new day hoped that something better and more promising would come their way. He said, and in a way captured the belief of many black people, that the vaults of American opportunities had not run dry and that more opportunities would open up for the black people. A part of the heritage that has been associated with the slavery era is the Negro spirituals as stated in the Martin Luther speech. Reflections of the speeches on the Contemporary African American culture Through the daring and courageous acts of Nat Turner, many African Americans were able to know that slavery is a thing that they did not have to put up with. As a result, many of them started clamoring for freedom, calls that eventually led to their emancipation. The white slave owners were also more aware of the brewing insurrection among the slaves and as opposed to earlier times when they could boss the slaves around, they started giving them some level of democratic space. This was done in order to avoid mass revolts. The fact that the whites and blacks learnt to respect each other and even appreciate each other’s contributions may have an indirect impact on the relation between whites and blacks in contemporary society. Martin Luther on the other hand advocated for human rights, a common characteristic in today’s society. Although not a preserve of the black community alone, human right violations are always met by protests that seek to let the ruling class know that the masses are not comfortable with the negative social developments. As such, Martin Luther advocated for the proper collection of facts, determination of whether justice exists, negotiating with the parties concerned and if this fails, then direct action would be the next best thing (africanamericans. com). Today, the black community is among the minority groups who shout the loudest whenever their rights are infringed upon. The Speeches also teach the contemporary society that oppressed people cannot remain in that position forever and that eventually their yearning for freedom will supersede the forces that try to keep them down. With the African-American, the oppression awakened them to the fact that freedom is real and that it can also be gained through persistence. In a contemporary setting, the speech reflects the fact that discontent if channeled into the right and creative outlets can bear desirable results. Advocacy is such one combination which always provides an alternative to confrontations. The words of Martin Luther resonate well in the contemporary world. For example, one of his famous quotes is â€Å"Injustice anywhere is a threat to Justice everywhere†. No black leader can vouch for this statement better than the world leaders of all races, colors or creeds who have witnessed injustice sprout and eventually become a wide spread catastrophe that attracts protestors to the streets. The strong belief that Turner and Martin Luther fought for the cause as well as the rights and freedoms of the black community have led to what has been branded the African-American communism. Understandably, having faced the same fate of segregation and discrimination based on their skin color, African Americans were inclined to social groupings that would advance their cause in the social, economic and political circles. Maybe not the kind of brotherhood that Martin Luther had referred to in his dream speech, but still a form of brotherhood that shares the same history. The fact that Martin Luther fought with words, marches and sermons is a clear indication that words are more powerful as a means of getting a truce. One stands a better chance of getting more people to support his or her arguments. At one point in his speech, he urged the black people to refrain from physical confrontation and instead use soul strength to fight against physical force used against them. He also asked them to avoid guilt for things they had done in their struggle towards seeking freedom Conclusion The fact that American is revered as the world’s largest democracy is no small fete. Knowing the history of the country, it is right to say that the country has made enormous steps into ensuring that each of its citizens is well protected by the law and that personal liberties are upheld at all times. Issues relating to racism keep on emerging and it would be wishful thinking to imagine that they will easily disappear. The fact is that as long as there are color differences between the different people in America, the racial question will always arise. Today however, an emerging trend has seen to the branding of the black culture as a fashionable thing and no longer is the black community seen as the underdogs. The evolving of the society to embrace a more inclusive culture where people are judged by their merits and not by their skin color is a true realization of Martin Luther’s dream that one day America will embrace brotherhood. The Martin Luther King dream though told at the height of uncertainty about the future of the black community has proven true as today, people from all races get to live and work in America without much racism. Even in the mild cases of racism, general respect between the people is still maintained in the full knowledge that there is no difference between individuals except maybe their skin color, which does not count for anything. Today the rights of the black worker are respected just as much as those of his white counterpart. In the likely incident that there is oppression in the work place, both suffer the same fate. The social divide today has more to do with economic groupings and social classes as opposed to racism. Through self-determination and utilizing the opportunities provided to them by government institutions, the black community has successfully managed to bridge the economic gap that existed between the white community and them. The journey for the black community in the US has been most dramatic. It has seen the rise and fall of heroes who will forever remain in the memories of the community on whose behalf whom they struggled so much. Martin Luther King Jr. will for example, remain as a civil rights hero who was not afraid to stand up and defend what he believed was right. Under the same ideals, he did not shy away from being put in jail as he upheld the same beliefs. Bibliography Luther, M. Jr. Beyond Vietnam: 1987 www. africanamericans. com/MLKjrBeyondVietnam retrieved 4th December 2007 Demetrice A. W Perry J, Jr. African American Literature an Anthology Second Edition. Topeka Blvd: Topeka Bindery (2001) Gray, T. R. The Confessions of Nat Turner: Leader of the late Insurrection in the Southampton, VA. (1831) www. wfu. edu/~zulick/340/natturner. html retrieved 4th December 2008

Belief and Knowledge Essay -- essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are many contentions our present world has faced that require a thorough thought process in order to represent a side of the argument. We see that there are many different authorities that tell us we should be thinking in certain directions. However, most people need to realize that influence from these different sources such as academics, politicians, companies, global organizations, media, and others in this nebulous category, don’t always steer us in the write direction. Maybe they can provide us with knowledge about a certain problem, or information regarding each side, but when it comes down to the bottom, belief and knowledge seems to be what most people turn to. We see many people opposing social issues because of what their families have taught them, we see many people opposing scientific technology because of what their religion says. We see many people then opposing the â€Å"religious fanatics† because science is â€Å"the key to th e future.† And lastly we see many people opposing things just to cause trouble, and those are the types of protestors, I really cannot stand. But that’s beside the point. Reason and emotion are reflected in the way one uses them to distinguish between their faith and belief, and knowledge and solid fact. This can be shown through the abortion debate, stem cell research, and of course, the hot topic of 2004 and the near future- gay marriage.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  First, abortion has really taken center stage in our society. Both sides of the argument have been well thought out and make good sense; it is up to you to decide which one you feel more strongly represents your views. Or, you must interpret it and make your own opinion. Those who oppose abortion are called the â€Å"pro-life† group. These people believe that the fetus is a living thing, and that it should not be killed for it has yet to develop fully into a human being. By taking the life of a fetus, one is taking the life of a potential human being, and an innocent child. The opposing view is usually referred to as â€Å"pro- choice.† This argument is strong in the sense that people believe they should be able to exercise their rights as a free human being, and if they choose to abort their child, it is the potential parent’s choice. You will find that many people that belong to the â€Å"pro- life† side are religious. Most who are on the... ...Scotts Valley High. It took a long while for me to develop my full thoughts, and although some teachers at my school may choose a different lifestyle than me, it does not make them a â€Å"bad† person, or one that has â€Å"sinned.† As far as I am concerned, God will send those who discriminate and harass and who are hateful all down to hell before any homosexual who has lived their life virtuously. However, I do not support gay marriage because I believe that marriage is sacred and that it is something that should stay between a man and a woman.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Through this class, I have learned so much about the world, different cultures, perception, how we know things, what influences us, but most of all, I have learned the most about myself. I have learned to work thorough all factors that may intimidate me into forming my own opinion about things, and I have found that things I really rely strongly on, are driven not by fact or knowledge, but by what I believe and what is in my heart. Being able to distinguish belief and knowledge comes down to the individual and whether they feel that they can be more persuaded through solid fact, or what they believe and have faith in.

Alexander Von Humboldt

Alexander Von Humboldt â€Å"The Last Polymath† Rhiannon Hewin Geography 10004/04/2018 Born, Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander, Freiherr (baron) von Humboldt (whom from this point I will refer to simply as Humboldt) was born on Sept. 14, 1769 in Berlin, Germany.to Alexander Georg von Humboldt and Marie Elisabeth Colomb. The five years Humboldt spent in South America would later prove his proficiency in multiple disciplines and yielded the most fruit for his efforts. Mapping the land (maps of mexico they say helped President Jefferson in his decision in making the Louisiana Purchase, suddenly being able to identify with the new neighbors down south) and other illustrations, climbing 19,286 ft up Chimborazo, only to miss the summit by less than 2000 ft, discovering ocean currents, that would later be named after him, climbing peaks-including every volcano, wading rivers, and crossing the Andean Highlands. Unlike todays extreme outdoorsman, they had no GPS, no inoculations, oxygen was however much or little was in the air around them, not to mention sporting good stores still had about 150 years before making their debut. Despite the odds they conquered South America in 5 years. Returning with a treasure trove of over 60,000 specimens, climate data, cultural observations and electromagnetic experimental data gathered along the way-. Not including what Humboldt sent home to his brother, Wilhelm, over the years.- which, thanks to the british navy, wasnt much. Humboldt would later find himself in North America (United States,) Europe, Asia and Russia. Although his trek through Russia and Central Asia would be less of a 5 year trek and more of a 6mth long carriage ride, complete with royal bodyguards/chaperones, Humboldt was still able to work his magic and chart much of central Asia, which would be of great importance to the western world since very little existed prior to Humboldts findings about Central Asia. Humboldts idea â€Å"Unity of nature† was that † The combination of all physical science of a region determined what organism could live in that region.† He showed the relationships on maps as isothermal lines, comparing climate across countries and continents based on temperature latitude and elevation. These isothermal maps would be the building blocks for the modern-day disciplines of climate science and meteorology. Humboldt challenged the ideas that man was the focal point of the universe and plants and animals wouldn't go extinct (nor do they rely on each other,) claiming quite the contrary. In fact, it was man who faced extinction due to â€Å"the destructions of forest, through the distribution of water and through the production of great masses of steam and gas industrial centers† adding â€Å"The wants and restless activities of large communities of men gradually despoil the face of the earth.† Ideas like these would've added environmentalist to his long list of accomplishments – had the term existed. Humboldt's work in the field of demography are of enduring value. He introduced â€Å"the examination of the quotient of extremes into population statistics, thus making it possible to supplement the abstract figure of population density by citing the low quotient in countries uniformly densely (or sparsely) settled and the high quotient in countries unevenly settled. He also made allowance for population dynamics, furnishing birth and mortality rates for Mexico. These figures were long unavailable for such regions† Humboldts efforts did not go unnoticed. Humboldt was admitted to The Royal Swedish Academy of Arts and Sciences, The American Philosophical Society, The New York Historical Society, The American Ethnological Society, The Prussian Academy of Sciences, The American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Royal Society. With exploration complete he would not only spend the next few decades collecting his thoughts (and data) in order to share his findings with the masses but take a step back to smell the roses and other flora he was so fond. He enjoyed large gatherings and inspire young scientist to push themselves to be more than expected of them and to learn for the sake of learning. He assisted those he could even if that assistance was using his influence around that particular city to get the scientist what they needed. Unknown scientist were not the only people he inspired. While working on his first works, Charles Darwin corresponded with Humboldt. The man who fought for the creation of Yosemite National Park, John Muir, 70 years after Humboldts death wished he â€Å"could be a young humboldt.† President Jefferson had many conversations with Humboldt and even though Humboldt HATED slavery an couldn't understand how Jefferson could own slaves while talking about freedom. Other Inspired (through conversation or posthumously) included Henry David Thoreau, Robert Frost and George Perkins Marsh, who followed in Humboldts footsteps by throwing himself into the middle east taking samples and observing as he went.. German chemist Justus von Liebig as well as Swiss born zoologist Louis Agassiz owed Humboldt the means to continue their studies and embark on an academic career. Humboldt was able to publish his findings in many different forms, but the 23 volumes based on his travels was one of the â€Å"most comprehensive ever published by a private individual† That said his final gift to the disciplines he loved so much would be Kosmos referred to by some as the most ambitious scientific works ever published, Kosmas gave a generally comprehensible account of the structure of the universe as then known. He would see 4 volumes published but the fifth would be published posthumously. Written in a pleasant literary style, his excitement and aesthetic enjoyment at his discoveries are not withheld.Humboldt had taken immense pains to discipline his inclination to discursiveness, which â€Å"often gave his writing a certain lack of logical coherence† Hardly diminished, and with an unimpaired memory, Humboldt suffered a stroke in the middle of publishing his 5th volume. On May 6, 1859, a few months shy of his 90th birthday, Alexander Von Humboldt was dead†¦.but who says just because you died at 90 doesnt mean you can't have a global 100th birthday party? On September 14 1869, worldwide concerts,parades and gatherings celebrated 100 years since the birth of a much-loved, highly revered scientist. There were speeches and festivities in Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Moscow and Melbourne. In almost every major US city, thousands attended concerts and parades.25,000 people gathered in central park for the unveiling of a commemorative statue and a torchlight parade. In berlin, where Humboldt was born and died, offices were closed for the day and 80,000 people came out to celebrate in spite of torrential rain.I admit, I had no knowledge of Humboldt whatsoever prior to this assignment. However after a few weeks of reading everything Humboldt I discovered that my thoughts on his erasure from history is actually shared my many others. The first being that, thanks to him, the world got smarter. As people got smarter, science disciplines got more specific. People mastered those disciplines, and those were the people who we started to admire. For example, everyone wears clothes, so much so, that most of us cant/couldnt live in a world without clothes. That said, an even bigger majority of us have no idea who invented clothing or when. However, names like Versace, Calvin Klein and Donna Karen-clothing designers, are well known today. The more obvious reason is the world wars and Germany's role in them. The hatred of Nazis became a hatred for Germans and the desire to erase them. A symbol of pain, hatred and death, part of the end game became burn all things German. As Schools burned, we cheered. As libraries burned, taking their past with them, we cheered. As the world started to heal, new up and coming Germans were accepted but none were returned to fame.