Maths ans. to Two of the Big questions posed by the New Science [dated Article

Maths ans. to Two of the Big questions posed by the New Science [dated 18th November 2006] re creating an objective way of viewing the world and a identity for - Article Example I have just completed a seven year research project exploring the idea of using the natural symbolic / mathematical properties of language to construct an objective technique for thinking about and viewing the world as a commonly experienced and quantifiable reality. I feel that my research goes hand in hand in solving the Two of the Big Questions posited, "What is Realty?" by Penrose and "What is Consciousness?" by Broks My proposed solutions to these questions along with appropriate quotes from the article sections are included. These responses stem from my research and are presented first in statement form as feasible answers to these queries and second in tabular / mathematical form in the included Appendices. After a careful study of patterns within language, I formulated a concept that would relate these patterns to SET theory, the fundamental concept in mathematics wherein all members have the same characteristics. My mathematical degree allows me to think objectively when relating seemingly subjective viewpoints of the world and reality. I believe that this mathematical approach to the perception of reality is the "Holy Grail" that Professor Penrose has been looking for. He states, "To address the nature of reality we need to understand its connection to consciousness and mathematics" (38). Furthermore, "We have to understand the connection between physical reality, conscious mentality and the wonderful world of mathematics" (2). This mathematical approach is reflected throughout my research and my responses here are actually a small, but important, part of the entire project. "Can we be sure that the world we experience is not a figment of our imaginations?" (Penrose 32). The supposition of my research states that it is possible to attain an objective, and thereby universal, way of perceiving the world / reality. Penrose goes on to ask, "Should we not

Hemingway’s The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber Essay Example for Free

Hemingway’s The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber Essay The three characters in Hemingway’s The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber form a triangle in which the relationships are not clear from the beginning. The plot of the short story is not very complicated: during a safari, the rich and handsome Francis Macomber proves to be a coward when he runs off scared while hunting the lion he had wounded.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In fact, the attribute of ‘coward’ is given to him, indirectly, by his wife Margot and by Wilson, the hunter who accompanies them on the expedition. The whole story thus revolves around the killing of the lion, an act which seems to be the ultimate proof of manhood, and, which constitutes therefore a great attraction to women. The setting and the context of the story- the safari in the wilderness of Africa- seem to determine also the plot: Hemingway chooses for his characters two Americans with a great wealth and social stand, who are supposed to be very civilized, and exposes in fact their instinctual behavior, which seems to have kept its wild nature. Francis Macomber and Robert Wilson ‘fight’, by proving their courage in the hunt, for the ‘female’ who will instinctually choose the stronger of the two. The fact that the behavior of wild animals and that of humans have a common pattern is emphasized by Hemingway careful notation of the lion’s ‘feelings’ while he is being hunted by the two men. Thus, a clear connection is established between men and the wild animals: â€Å"Macomber had not thought how the lion felt as he got out of the car. He only knew his hands were shaking and as he walked away from the car it was almost impossible for him to make his legs move.†(Hemingway, 8) Thus, after Macomber’s failure in the hunt of the lion, Margot kisses the ‘winner’, Wilson, and completely ignores her husband, and her behavior seems to be the exact pattern of the creatures in the wilderness. Furthermore, the very night after Macomber’s defeat, she goes to bed with Wilson, without even trying to dissimulate in front of her husband. The courage to kill and to face death is taken here as the main criteria for manhood: â€Å"Fear gone like an operation. Something else grew in its place. Main thing a man had. Made him into a man. Women knew it too. No bloody fear.†(Hemingway, 12) The marriage between Francis and Margot had been nothing more than a profitable business affair, him having the money and she the beauty. As it is hinted, these interests are the only things that kept them together still. Both of them seem to be sure these ties are strong enough to secure against a break-up. However, after having found out about his wife’s betrayal, Macomber’s instinctive nature seems to be awakened: he discovers the exhilaration that the hunt and the killings produce in him, and his fear is completely gone. Still, Margot is not pleased by her husband’s success, as one would expect. She rather feels threatened, and tries to hide it by resuming her contemptuous attitude towards him: â€Å"’Youve gotten awfully brave, awfully suddenly,’ his wife said contemptuously, but her contempt was not secure. She was very afraid of something.†(Hemingway, 11) Thus, Margot ‘rewards’ the braveness of her husband by killing him while he was fighting the bull, apparently trying to aim at the beast. However, it is obvious that she kills him intentionally, first of all, because of her strange behavior before the murder, and also because of the logic of events. As Hemingway hints, ‘she was afraid of something’ and it can plainly be seen that that something was the fact that Macomber might leave her for her betrayal, now that he found his self-assurance and his manliness again. This is exactly what Wilson alludes at after the ‘accident’: â€Å"’That was a pretty thing to do,’ he said in a toneless voice. ‘He would have left you too.’†(Hemingway, 14) She thus kills her husband to ward off the danger of having him leave her. This is proven by her strong emotions during the bull hunt, in which Macomber finally shows his braveness: her face is white with fear and probably contrasting feelings. At first she seems to congratulate again the winner, this time her husband: â€Å"’In the car Macombers wife sat very white-faced. ‘You were marvelous, darling,’ she said to Macomber. ‘What a ride.’†(Hemingway, 13) Nonetheless, her admiration soon turns into the fear that her husband will desert her: â€Å"Her face was white and she looked ill.† Again, the fact that Margot kills her husband on purpose coheres with the rest of her instinctive behavior: although the main reason of the killing seems to be his fortune or her social stand which she might lose, it may be that her murder is again instinctive, in the sense that she is afraid of losing the now desirable man, because of his courage. She prefers shooting him, again cohering with the hunt. Her ‘hysterical’ crying over the dead body of her husband do not manage to convince us of her innocence or her pain at the loss: she rather mourns him either because she needs to act in front of the other hunters, or because she has to give up the hero she had been looking for. The way in which she changes her mind after Macomber’s success, and she says that their hunting is by no means a heroic act, clearly demonstrates that she feels trapped, again manifesting her instinctual nature. At the end of the story, she herself is defeated by Wilson, who plainly lets her see that he knows the truth, and seems to enjoy the feeling of being able to submit her to his will, and have her beg: Thats better, ‘Wilson said. ‘Please is much better. Now Ill stop.’(Hemingway, 14) The meanings of Hemingway’s story are thus very complex, as he analyzes the instinctual relationships between men and women, and other instincts, such as that of killing and hunting or of possessing and dominating. Works Cited: Hemingway, Ernest. The Complete Short Stories. New York: Scribner Paperback Fiction, 1998

Child abuse signs and the long term effects

Child abuse signs and the long term effects Child Abuse: Signs and the Long Term Effects All children are born with the right to be able to grow, develop, live and love according to their needs and feelings. Growing up can be difficult, and most children receive the love and care that they need to develop into healthy, mature adults. For a childs development they need protection from adults who love them and help them acquire the skills to be a successful adult. However, some children are neglected and hurt by adults that they trust. Abuse can mean different things to different people. Abuse can also happen once in their lifetime, or it can happen many times. Physical, emotional, sexual, and neglect are the four types of child abuse. Over three million reports of child abuse are made every year in the United States. (OMeara and Fedderson) Over seventy five percent of children die each year from abuse. (Prevent child abuse) Certain forms of child abuse are serious enough to become a crime. Physical, emotional and sexual abuse, as well are neglect, can lead to long term p sychological effects on a child. How can child abuse happen? There are many factors as to why abuse happens. Some of these factors include domestic violence, alcohol and drug use, and stress and lack of support from others (Saisan, Gill, Segal). When a child witnesses domestic violence is very chaotic and it causes instability in the home. Alcohol and drug use increases a lapse in judgment and can interfere with the ability for a person to control their actions. Being a parent is not an easy task and sometimes it can cause a very stressful situation. Teen parents often need patience to deal with a child, and most of the time they do not have that so they depend on others. Caring for a child with a disability can also create a stressful situation. Also, when parents and caregivers are abused as a child they grow up to abuse their very own children, and the cycle of abuse continues. (Saisan, Gill, Segal) Younger children may not understand why these acts are being done, and may think that they have done something wro ng. On the other hand, older children have the ability to do something about the abuse being done to them. Often times, most children become withdrawn and do not prefer talk about it. Each category of child abuse has its very own distinct signs. Each child is unique and may exhibit specific signs if they are enduring a specific type of abuse. Physical abuse often occurs when a child is hit out of anger or is caught in the middle of a very stressful situation. Children under the age of two are most likely to suffer direct abuse from the hands of a parent. (Juby 519) Physical abuse is often described as unexplained injuries such as bruises, burns, and abrasions. Sometimes, the child may be fearful of adults that he or she is not familiar with. Parents may exhibit signs that they are being abusive with their children by using a harsh tone with their voice, offers no explanation for their childs injury, or is very negative with their child. (Recognize Abuse) Emotional abuse can be referred to verbal abuse. When a parent or caregiver says mean and hurtful things to a child, they are emotionally hurting them. Excessive demands, penalizing children for their work, discouraging the child from moving forward, and exposing them to family violence are just a few signs of emotional abuse. Physical and emotional abuse often overlap each other; however, emotional abuse is much harder to identify. (Fact Sheet) Children who endure this type of abuse often think that this is a normal way of life. The parents who may be treating their child in such way may blame or belittle the child, refuse to offer help, or constantly reject the child. (Recognize Abuse) Emotional abuse is often present when other forms of abuse are identified within the child. Sexual abuse can take place within the family by a parent, sibling, or other relative. This type of abuse can also happen outside of the home by a friend, neighbor, teacher, or a stranger. When this abuse has occurred, the child can develop a variety of distraught feelings, thoughts and behaviors. This type of abuse has been reported up to 80,000 times a year, but research suggests that more cases go unreported because the children are afraid of confessing of what happened to them. (Prevent Abuse) Children who are sexually abused often develop a very low self esteem and a distorted view of sex. A physician must detect signs of sexual abuse through a physical examination because there are no external signs. Some may want to consider the signs of sexual abuse if the child shows the following symptoms: difficulty walking or sitting, nightmares, bedwetting, a sudden change in appetite, or demonstrates unusual sexual behavior. Parents may also show signs that they are sexually abusing th eir children if they are being very isolated, they severely limit the childs contact with other children, or they are very jealous. (Recognize Abuse) Neglect is simply refusing to meet the childs basic needs for survival. About fifty nine percent of children suffer from neglect. In 2007 an estimated 1760 children have died from abuse or neglect. (Fact Sheet). The child may be frequently absent from school, lacks needed medical care, has constant body odor, and does not have appropriate clothing based on the weather conditions. When the parent seems depressed, behaves irrationally, and does not care about the interest of his or her child, they could be the one neglecting their child. (Recognize Abuse) No child is prepared to cope with any type of abuse done to them. Children are not just an â€Å"object.† They are a human being, just like everyone else. There is no moral way of saying that child abuse is ok. Parents and caregivers often do not realize the effects that abuse has on their children. Many think that it is a form of punishment but in reality, it is harming the child. (Saisan, Gill, Segal) The long term effects of abuse can cause severe psychological problems that can be devastating to the child. These problems can range from mild to severe depending on how long the abuse was endured or how severe it turned out to be. Parents with low educational value are more likely to use abuse (Juby 519). Psychological problems that a child may face are academic difficulties, alcohol and/or drug abuse, anxiety, behavior problems, depression, fear of certain adults, self neglect, sleep disorders, age-inappropriate behavior, social withdrawal, and separation anxiety. Abuse can also intervene with the ability to establish healthy relationships in the future. All children are different and they each respond to situations in their own way. Some children may endure some form of abuse without developing any of the long term effects. (Newton) In conclusion, child abuse can cause psychological problems that can be irreversible. There are ways that child abuse can be prevented. There are many organizations today that have dedicated themselves to the treatment and prevention of child abuse. A known organization that has been around the longest is called ChildHelp. It is a non-profit organization that aids in the treatment and prevention of abused children (OMeara and Fedderson). Prevention is the only cure for child abuse. Abuse of any kind can cause emotional scars that can never be healed. Children are supposed to learn everything they need to become successful adults in this world from their parents. Instead of teaching, loving and nurturing, abusive parents and caregivers provide the opposite of what children need to grow and develop. Works Cited â€Å"Childhood Disease and Disorder Encyclopaedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 2009. Web. 22 Nov 2009 Child Welfare Information Gateway â€Å"Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect: Signs and Symptoms.† 9 Oct 2009. Web. 21 Nov 2009 Fact Sheet: Emotional Child Abuse. Michigan. Web. 21 Nov 2009 Juby, Cindy. â€Å"Parental Attitude: A Meditating Role in Disciplinary Methods used by Parents† Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal Dec 2009: 519. Proquest. Web. 23 Nov. 2009 Newton, C.J. â€Å"Child Abuse: An Overview.† Mental Health Journal. Apr 2001. Web. 19 Nov. 2009 OMeara, Sara. Yvonne, Fedderson. â€Å"Effects of Child Abuse.† ChildHelp. Web. 22 Nov 2009. Saisan, Joanna, Ellen Jaffe-Gill, and Jeanne Segal. Child Abuse and Neglect. Help guide. Oct 2008. Web. 20 Nov 2009 â€Å"Preventing Child Sexual Abuse.† Stop it Now. Web. 23 Nov. 2009

The Steps Which America Should Take to Reduce Our Dependence on Foreign

It is important that America should take immediate action to reduce its dependence on foreign oil. If America continues to have a great demand for it, it will create a threat to the country’s economy and national security. There are three primary actions that America might take in order to reduce its dependence on foreign oil: Alaskan oil drilling, off-shore oil drilling, and natural gas drilling. America’s dependence on foreign oil is a threat to its economy. Per minute, America wastes $200,000 and per hour, $13 million by relying on it (Natural Resources Defense Council, p. 1). Gasoline consumption has led to an increase of costs of oil which is passed on to consumers at the pump, through more expensive goods and services, and in a weaker job market and lower stock prices (Natural Resources Defense Council, p. 3). Therefore, if current trends in oil demand and prices continue, economic impacts for the U.S. will intensify. It is possible for America to reduce its dependence on foreign oil, but the petroleum industries and other monopolies have paid Congress to take out the competition (Worthington, p. 1). Legal monopolies are targeting the market effects of foreign oil, which increases profits, while America’s government obliges them. Unfortunately, these de jure monopolies have kept America in a dirty fuel monopoly that has been arranged to terminate its o nly competition to create a government-granted monopoly (Worthington, p. 1). As for the national security, by importing more and more oil each year, there is an increase of demand and a decrease in domestic production. The United States can become more secure by enforcing the work on farms and factories to reduce our thirst for foreign oil (Natural Resources Defens... ...es revenue from the sale of offshore charters and helps win political support for energy and climate legislation (Broder, p. 2). The political response to off-shore drilling is positively approved. The Offshore oil drilling plan is considered to be a new chapter in the nation’s search for an approachable energy policy that can release new areas to oil and gas enlargement. Interior Secretary, Ken Salazar, has said that he hoped to rebalance the nation’s oil and gas policy to block oil exploration beneath virtually all public lands and waters (Broder, p. 3). An option, that was introduced, other than depending on foreign oil and reducing oil imports was the use of biofuels. This can lead to an increase of the purchase of hybrid cars for the motor industry. Off-shore drilling is an appropriate action that can reduce the amount of foreign oil imported by America.

Pride that Leads to Tragedy

Pride can be a very pernicious quality in a person. This theme is displayed very well by Creon, a character in the book Antigone and also the tragic hero, whose pride led him to a tragic downfall. Sophocles, the author of this Greek drama, encompasses tragedy in most of his plays. As I mentioned before, a bad quality of Creon is his obstinacy. This got in the way of a lot of things, including his family. Creon, the king of Thebes, believed at one point that State comes before family. The reason he said that statement is because he wanted to prevent anarchy and if he were to let only his family break the law, then all the townspeople would get very angry. Letting his condescension blind him, Creon ignored the warning of Tiresias, a blind prophet, and his son Haemon. Following this rebuff, Creon gets a wake-up call from the gods and loses most of his family. Although he went through this cataclysm, he did it with the seemliness he had not previously displayed. He acted so noble because the hardships he went through changed his principles. Creon realizes that family should come before state and that he did not need to let his pride get in the way of his duties as a part of his family. The audience, everyone who read the book in Mrs. Pink s class, at one point probably felt sorry for Creon. He had to deal with so many different adversities that he went from a bad guy persona to a person that deserved sympathy. Even though we may have felt sorry for Creon at one time, he did not deserve too much pity because he could have changed his mind at one point. He had many opportunities to change his mind, including when he talked to Tiresisas, as I stated before. If Creon had rethought his arrogance, his fate wouldn t have been half as bad as it turned out to be. In closing, Creon was an arrogant, conceited person until he experienced the loss of his family. After he lost them, he was changed in every way that he could be, emotionally. Creon was the tragic hero because of the fact that his pride led him to a tragic downfall.

Facts on the Vietnam War

Facts on the Vietnam War The Vietnam War began on November 1, 1955, and ended April 30, 1975. It lasted for 19 and 1/2 years.  Although the bulk of the fighting took place in Vietnam, the war also spilled over into neighboring Laos and Cambodia in the early 1970s. Communist North Vietnamese forces, led by Ho Chi Minh, were allied with the Viet Cong in South Vietnam, the Peoples Republic of China, and the Soviet Union. They faced an anti-communist coalition made up of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam), the United States, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Laos. Troops Deployed and Outcomes North Vietnam and its allies deployed approximately  500,000 troops South Vietnam and its allies deployed 1,830,000 (peak in 1968). The North Vietnamese army and their Viet Cong allies won the war. The United States and other foreign nations withdrew their troops by March 1973. The South Vietnamese capital of Saigon fell to the communist forces on April 30, 1975. Estimated Total Deaths: South Vietnam - approximately 300,000 soldiers dead, up to 3,000,000 civilians North Vietnam Viet Cong - approximately 1,100,000 soldiers dead, up to 2,000,000 civilians Cambodia - 200,000 or more civilians dead United States - 58,220 dead Laos - approximately 30,000 dead South Korea - 5,099 dead Peoples Republic of China - 1,446 dead Thailand - 1,351 dead Australia - 521 dead New Zealand - 37 dead Soviet Union - 16 dead. Major Events and Turning Points: Gulf of Tonkin Incident, August 2 and 4, 1964. My Lai Massacre, March 16, 1968. Tet Offensive, January 30, 1968. Large Anti-war Protests Begin in US, October 15, 1969. Kent State Shootings, May 4, 1970. Fall of Saigon, April 30, 1975.