Higher Learning essays

Higher Learning essays John Singletons Higher Learning was not only an extremely entertaining film, but one that dealt with many real life issues, such as: importance of college education, sexuality, racism, and social equality. Although there are many troubles that are created in this very intense and dramatic movie, there are barely any significant answers. This movie takes place at Columbus University and it focuses on the lives of three freshmen that have just entered the school. Malik (Omar Epps) is an African-American track star who is habitually challenged by sixth year senior Fudge (Ice Cube) and his fair-opinioned political science teacher Mr. Phipps (Lawrence Fishburne). Then there is Kristen (Kristy Swanson), who is a beautiful Orange County girl that is hauled in by a lesbian (Jennifer Connelly) after she is raped by a social contact. And then there is Remy (Michael Rapaport), who is a white male from Idaho whose inability to fit in anywhere leads him to a group of white supremacists. Although there are three separate stories going on throughout the movie, they are consistently linked in the sense of adolescent students attempting to find their right place, but sometimes, just like in real life, going down the wrong and immoral path. Remy adapts this idea of hate against anybody who isnt a white supremacist, especially African-Americans, and it unavoidably leads to violence. Remy grows in the sense that he finds a belonging with a group, even though the group is morally wrong. In the beginning of the movie Remy had a hard time fitting in with anybody. After Kristen is raped, she characterizes the young people of todays modern world by becoming mesmerized with the unique and unfamiliar, which in this case is lesbianism. And Malik, like a majority of young people without a sense of direction, plays the blame game and thinks nothing is his fault, even though he is blatantly not giving his bes...

Spelling Tips The Y to I Rule

Spelling Tips The Y to I Rule Spelling Tips: The Y to I Rule When a word ends in a vowel plus â€Å"-y,† it’s usually straightforward to modify it by adding a letter (or letters); adding â€Å"-ous,† for example, means â€Å"joy† becomes â€Å"joyous.† However, when a word ends in a consonant plus â€Å"y† things get more complicated, which can make spelling challenging. To ensure your written work is error-free, it helps to keep the y to i rule in mind. The Y to I Rule The basic rule is, for any word that ends in a consonant plus â€Å"-y,† change the â€Å"y† to â€Å"i† if adding a suffix or forming a plural. Plurals For plurals, simply change the â€Å"y† to an â€Å"-ies†: Singular Plural Story Stories Candy Candies Hippy Hippies First-Person Singular Past Tense Verbs Forming the first-person singular of a verb ending in a consonant plus â€Å"y† requires changing the â€Å"y† to â€Å"-ies,† while the past tense involves switching â€Å"y† for â€Å"-ied†: Verb First-Person Singular Past Tense Fry Fries Fried Apply Applies Applied Beautify Beautifies Beautified Comparatives Superlatives When an adjective ends in a consonant plus â€Å"-y,† forming a comparative or superlative involves changing the â€Å"y† to â€Å"-ier† and â€Å"-iest† respectively: Adjective Comparative Superlative Tiny Tinier Tiniest Jumpy Jumpier Jumpiest Thirsty Thirstier Thirstiest Forming Adverbs Modifying an adjective to make an adverb involves substituting the â€Å"y† for â€Å"-ily†: Adjective Adverb Happy Happily Lazy Lazily Flimsy Flimsily Exceptions The â€Å"y†-to-â€Å"i† rule doesn’t always work; some variations of â€Å"sly,† for example, can be spelled with either a â€Å"y† or an â€Å"i† (e.g., â€Å"slyest/sliest† and â€Å"slyer/slier†). Moreover, while changing â€Å"y† to â€Å"i† isn’t typically necessary when a word ends with a vowel plus â€Å"-y,† there are exceptions here too (such as modifying â€Å"day† to become â€Å"daily†). As such, although the y to i rule is a good guideline, it’s still important to double-check words if you’re not sure they’re spelled correctly.

Argument about smoking in malls Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Argument about smoking in malls - Assignment Example The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 47 million people in the United States aged above 18 years smoke, and as a matter of fact, over half of this population will suffer disabilities or die (Berton, 2006). Smoking should be banned in malls, as the consequences suffered from smoking and secondary smoking are far too grave. Effects of secondary smoking to non-smokers in Malls Secondary smoking is a condition in which non-smokers inhale smoke from smokers’ act of smoking in public places. Research shows that over 4000 compounds are contained in second hand smoke from smokers of which 200 are poisonous. This is a dangerous trend as the smokers not only put there health in danger but also jeopardize the health of the individuals in the mall. Should the banning of smoking be implemented in malls, many lives would have been rescued from the impending danger that these secondary smoke pose to the general public that use the mall, including children of all ages that s eek various services from the many amenities that are hosted in a mall (Patrick, 2008). A demerit will however be to the businesses in the malls that sell cigarettes. The banning will probably mean that malls will be a no smoking zone, quickly diminishing the market that would be available for the cigarettes that many business premises carry out in these malls. This will also translate to a lot of losses that the government gets from hefty revenues that governments get from the sale of cigarettes. Probable steps in reducing the population that smokes A large fraction of the population worldwide is known to smoke. It is reported that a third of the entire male population worldwide smokes. A lesser statistic is however documented for female smokers though it is steadily rising. By banning smoking or introducing stringent measures about smoking in malls, a large population is bound to eventually lose the habit. This would be a big step to most countries as the number of diseases that a re related to smoking cases is so alarming. It is also established that smoking kills one out of 10 that die globally. There is no doubt at all that reducing the numbers via such an action would prevent numerous deaths and fatal ailments that smokers usually undergo but won’t just stop due to the addiction suffered (Joelle, 2002). The reduction of smokers will however cause a big blow to the manufacturing industries, the government for its revenue and advertising houses that all make huge profits from activities related to smoking or cigarettes in general. There is also a danger of withdrawal symptoms that will be exhibited by most ex-smokers, a condition that always cause irritability and the reduction of concentration, factors that may really affects ones daily activities. Reduced Influence on underage Children and Teenagers Even though it is recorded that a majority of teenagers get into smoking as a result of peer pressure from fellow peers, a large percentage can be infl uenced into the habit just by public exposure in places like malls and public parks. It becomes worse when they see an influential figure publicly smoking in a mall; something that will make them conclude that the habit is cool. Apart from just the influence, teenagers and children are also prone to health hazards that might be impacted by secondary smoking. Should smoking be banned or limited in malls, many kids are bound to escape forced introduction into

Contemporary Irish Films Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Contemporary Irish Films - Essay Example This drama implementation on TV has contributed to the widespread and popularity of such true-to-life documentaries appearance in cinema tends to prioritise the creative influence of the film's directors. [Pettitt, 2000] Thus, making their films the tend to deal with the topics of abuse from the past; based on true stories they have their great emotional effect on the viewers, and uncover the real sense of the traditional social political and religious establishments which rules the life of people for a long time. That's why the real historical or fictional characters, or the images of the USA President appear to perceive the reality depicted in the film in a more deeper sense. Drama has also challenged viewers' minds by imagining events that could not be countenanced by factual television. Fictional representations, therefore, have played a major role in the maintenance and reshaping of perceptions about the Troubles and to this extent they have performed a political function. [Pettitt, 2000] The reports stay that the number of screens in Ireland has increased by 68% from 192 screens to 322 screens (during the period of 1991-2001), but the number of cinemas in Ireland has reduced by 15% from 81 cinemas to 69 in the same period. As for the contemporary Irish films, Pettitt who deals with the films after the 1970s, speaks about both the great thread posed by the influence of Hollywood - dubbed 'Californication' by Oliver St. John Gogarty three-quarters of the century ago - and the need for the resources that the American films companies can supply. [Pettitt, 2000] He also points out the fact that Irish cinema, for all its independence, hews fairly closely to the Hollywood formula followed everywhere from West Los Angeles to Bombay. According to Pettitt (2000), drama since the late 1960s has explored some of the deepest fears of those embroiled in conflict, but has not only reflected the political shifts in Northern Ireland. The political, security and legal apparatus of the British establishment has been most effectively critiqued at different junctures in the drama-documentary format. There has been a line of drama that has interrogated the problematic relationship of unionism within Anglo-Irish politics and the increasingly attenuated sense of Ulster loyalism. Fictional representations, therefore, have played a major role in the maintenance and reshaping of perceptions about the Troubles and to this extent they have performed a political function. [Pettitt, 2000] According to Crosson (2003), contemporary Irish film itself reflects the failure of Irish history to excite the imagination of Ireland's youth as effectively as the seductive depictions of America's past as medicated through the Western and gangster films. So that, films made in Ireland today reflect both these genres. The Irish cinema-going experience has come from Hollywood since in independence in 1922. [Rockett, 1991; p.19] The Irish Film Board has attempted to counterpart Ireland's huge dependence on imported film by supporting films made in the country and by Irish people. However, Ireland remains a substantial net importer of images, many of them

Health and Safety act 1974 Essay Example for Free

Health and Safety act 1974 Essay The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, also referred to as HASAW or HSW, is the primary piece of legislation covering occupational health and safety in the United Kingdom. The Health and Safety Executive is responsible for enforcing the Act and a number of other Acts and Statutory Instruments relevant to the working environment.Covers: †¢ safe plant and systems of work; †¢ safe methods for the use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances; †¢ necessary information, instruction, training and supervision; †¢ a safe and well-maintained workplace, including safe access and egress; †¢ a safe working environment with adequate welfare facilities This legislation requires employers to prepare, and maintain up-to-date, a statement showing the policy on safety and the organisation and arrangements put in place to ensure the general policy is carried out. The employer must ensure that all employees are aware of the policy and any revision. Manufacturing organisation: Tasty Bake- Tasty Bake is one of the UKs leading sausage manufacturers. Cardamon Pod- Cardamon Pod is a small business offering a wide range of delicious savoury and sweet samosas to both public and private clients throughout the UK and overseas. Service provider: Chef per Tutti offering a private chef service. Planglow Ltd. Planglow is a recognised market leader for the supply of branded paper-based products to the catering industry. Main causes of injury: †¢ Manual handling and lifting especially lifting heavy and awkward loads and pushing wheeled racks †¢ Slips and trips mostly due to wet or contaminated floors †¢ Falls from height off ladders, stairs, work platforms, plant and vehicles †¢ Struck by an object (eg hand knife) or striking against an object (eg plant) †¢ Exposure to harmful substances and hot objects, eg splashes/vapour from cleaning chemicals, contact with hot equipment Electricity at work regulations 1989 This legislation places legal implications on employers to ensure the safety of electrical devices in the workplace. Covers: †¢ Ensure all persons working on or near electrical equipment are competent, to prevent danger and injury †¢ Maintain electrical systems in safe condition †¢ Carry out electrical work safely †¢ Ensure equipment is suitable and safe to use in terms:- of strength and capability of use in adverse or hazardous environments e.g. weather, dirt, dust, gases, mechanical hazards, flammable atmospheres, etc †¢ Ensure effective insulation of conductors in a system This legislation is requires precautions to be taken against the risk of death or personal injury from electricity during work activities. Manufacturing organisation: McKinlay Electrical Manufacturing Co. Ltd. Elkay Electrical Manufacturing Company Ltd Customer providers: Southern Electric E-on Main hazards: †¢ Electric shock †¢ Electric burns †¢ Fires of electrical origin †¢ Electric arcing causing â€Å"Arc Eye† †¢ Explosions initiated or caused by electricity Display screen equipment regulations 1992 The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 aim to protect the health of people who work with DSE. The Regulations were introduced because DSE has become one of the most common kinds of work equipment. Covers: †¢ Assess display screen equipment workstations and reduce any risks which are discovered. †¢ Make sure that workstations satisfy the essential safety requirements which are set for the display screen, keyboard, desk and chair, working environment, task design and software †¢ Plan display screen equipment work so that there are breaks or changes of activity †¢ Provide information and training for display screen equipment users This legislation requires: †¢ Employers have to carry out a suitable and sufficient analysis of all workstations provided for use by users or operators in other words, a risk assessment. †¢ DSE workstations must meet the Schedule of Minimum Requirements. †¢ Employers have to ensure that users get periodic breaks or changes of activity away from the display screen equipment. †¢ Employers have to provide information to users and operators on risks identified by the assessment, steps taken to reduce the risks, and, where appropriate, the systems for breaks and for eyesight tests. Manufacturing organisation: Computer manufacturers: Dell, Asus. Customer providers: Shops – Asda, Tesco, Boots, they are using screen equipment. Accountant assistant job – working with computers. Risks: †¢ Upper Limb Disorders aches and pains in the hands, wrists, arms, neck, shoulders, back etc. †¢ Visual Difficulties eyes can become tired and existing conditions can become more noticeable.

Analysis of the Boat Scene in Gustave Flauberts Madame Bovary Essay

An Analysis of the Boat Scene in Gustave Flaubert's Madame Bovary As Gustave Flaubert wrote the novel Madame Bovary, he took special care to examine the relationship between literature and the effect on its readers. His heroine Emma absorbs poetry and novels as though they were instructions for her emotional behavior. When her mother dies, she looks to poetry to decide what degree of mourning is adequate; when she becomes adulterous she thinks immediately how she is like the women in literature that she has read about. In one scene, Emma is with her second lover, Leon, rowing in a boat, and she begins to sing several lines from the poem "Le Lac" by the romantic poet Alphonse de Lamartine. The poem is about two lovers rowing on a lake as well, which is undoubtedly why Emma chooses this particular verse to sing. However, Lamartine's piece expresses much more than the serenity of love, a depth that Emma fails to see. By having Emma naively invoke the words of Lamartine, Flaubert brings the heaviness of the poem to a scene of otherwise lightheart ed beauty. This poetic reference not only suggests a greater depth to the scene, but also serves, through the hand of Flaubert, to allude to the death of Emma. Flaubert refers to Lamartine at the beginning of the novel when Emma's mother dies. Emma "Ãâ€"let herself meander along with Lamartine, listened to harps on lakes, to all the songs of dying swans, to the falling of leaves, the pure virgins ascending into heavenÃâ€"" (28). Emma uses this poetry as a way of inducing herself into sadness; she reads his poetry as a way of finding the right mood for her mourning. However, imitation of grief is the only thing that she achieves; her readings afford her no great insights other ... ...he irony of her words. Ultimately, the scene between Emma and Leon is just as fleeting as with Lemartine and M. Charles; their happy moments fade into something darker. Just as Emma cannot understand the importance of the words she sings, she does not understand the gravity of the moment she is in. Only the reader is aware of this depth, a depth achieved through the careful maneuvering of Flaubert. Works Cited and Consulted Berg, William J. and Laurey K. Martin. Gustave Flaubert. New York: Twayne Publishers, 1997. Flaubert, Gustave. Madame Bovary. Trans. Geoffrey Wall. London: Penguin Books 1992. Maraini, Dacia. Searching for Emma: Gustave Flaubert and Madame Bovary. Translated by Vincent J. Bertolini. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1998. Steegmuller, Francis. Flaubert and Madame Bovary. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1968.

Christine Adika

Directed by Roman Polanski, The Pianist is an outstanding, emotion-filled film which brings us back to history when the German Nazi invaded Poland. Basically, the film is all about the struggles experienced by a Holocaust survivor in Nazi-occupied Warsaw in Poland. The Pianist is based on the life story of a Holocaust survivor Wladyslaw Szpilman, played by Adrien Brody, who is also a talented Jew musician who belongs to the well-off family in Poland. The Pianist is an interweaved story of survival and complexity. The film also starred Emilia Fox, Michael Zebrowski, Frank Finley, and Maureen Lipman. The film started with Szpilman passionately playing his piano over a live radio recital—just while the German Nazis has invaded them; just when bombs are exploding and people are dying in the area. The Szpilman belongs to a family who lived a comfortable and well-off life not until September 1, 1939—when the German Nazi started invading Poland. The Jews of Warsaw was brought in a ghetto, including the family of Szpilman. While his family was brought to a death camp, Szpilman escaped and survived the brutality. He hid in an abandoned building. As he stayed there, a German officer who shares the same interest as his in music became his friend. The German officer became the one who gave him food regularly.   He lived underground until the Soviets arrived. Some say that Adrien Brody did not act well in the movie. They say that the actor did not display any kind of emotion that touched them. But I think Brody is portrayed his role well. Although, given with a relatively few lines in the film, managed to capture the emotions of  the viewers, I think. He exactly depicted the role as I imagined it as read the book. It was no doubt he won the Oscar Best Actor award. The music of the movie, which appeared to be perfectly chosen, enhanced the setting and the mood of The Pianist. One example is the Chopin, which he played during his live recital over the radio while bombs are exploding outside.   Chopin represented his passion for music. Meanwhile, the Nocturne in C-sharp Minor setting emphasized that the film is an historical account and. Its tone set the stage for the dramatic tone of the movie.   The â€Å"Moving to the Ghetto† song also enhanced the film. The Pianist was based on a book written by Szpilman right after he was rescued by the Soviets which was originally titled as Death of a City. It served as a diary of a Holocaust survivor in his days in hell. The film director was successful in bringing in to the viewers of the film the exact setting in the book. The film, through its cinematography showed the viewers the pain that the Jews had to endure. The plot of the film showed scenes as traumatic as the book had traumatic story in every page. The book was perfectly represented in the film especially the part that the Jews are treated as â€Å"parasites of the humanity.† Just how the book described the cruelty of the German Nazi, the movie flashed scenes which are, I must say, equally brutal as told in the book. The main character was also portrayed as how Szpilman appeared to be in the book. Watching the film is actually reading the exact book. It was like turning each page of the book as I witnessed each scene in the film. The film basically revolved around oppression that happened during the German Nazi invasion. I think tried to show the pains and the sufferings that one has to endure for him/her to liberate him/her fully from the oppressors. The film featured no heroic acts or anything that are usual in the protagonists of a film. It mainly told us a story of survival—even when almost alone. One worth noting in the film is the occasional use of metaphors and symbols to creatively present the message or the content of the film. One example is when he looked intently to his piano. The musical instrument that he once used to entertain and â€Å"allure† other people is now an instrument could signal death. The Pianist is definitely a must-see movie. The film is imbued with artistic substance while portraying one of the most brutal plights in history. The movie disdains Spielberg’s â€Å"Schindler's List† which provided a larger picture of a Holocaust and opted to focus on one individual who had experienced to be in the same situation. This choice made the movie more effective, I guess. Because I was able to understand feel more the situation during that time. The Pianist provided a magnified view of the Holocaust—and that made the movie more interesting. Focusing on one individual, I think, made the audience feel more the mood and content of the movie. More than a mere autobiography and an historical account, The Pianist is a magnificent work made by a cinematic mind. The two and a half hour viewing of the film might cause you to hold your breath due to the chaotic story with a brilliant portrayal. To say that the film is just an ordinary one and lacks twist and creativity is like saying that you don not understand the movie at all. The movie has a string of profundity that must be dug in for the viewer to comprehend and absorb the essence of the film. The movie is not all about winning and losing, hiding and seeking. Simply put, it is all about life death. Survival, that is. Reference: Internet Movie Data Base â€Å"External Reviews for The Pianist† 31 March 2007

The Tudors

THE TUDORS: The birth of the nation state. The new monarchy Henry VII is less known than Henry VIII or Elizabeth I but he was more important in establishing the new monarchy. Henry VII firmly believed that war and glory were bad business, and that business was good for the state. Henry had more power and more money than earlier kings. His aim was to make the crown financially independent. When he died in 1509 he left a huge amount of money. The only thing on which he was happy to spend money was the building of ships. Henry VIII was quite unlike his father. He was cruel, wasteful with money, and interested in pleasing himself. The reformationHenry VIII was always looking for new sources of money. He disliked the power of Church in England because, since it was an international organization, he could not completely control it. In 1531 Henry persuaded the bishops to make him head of the Church in England, and this became law after Parliament passed the Act of Supremacy in 1534. The bre ak with Rome was purely political. He wanted to control the Church and keep its wealth in his own. He used the Parliament to make the break legal. Through several Acts of Parliament between 1532 and 1536, England became politically a Protestant country, even though the popular religion was Catholic.After the acceptance of the Reformation Henry closed monasteries and other religious houses. Monks and nuns were thrown out. The dissolution of the monasteries was probably the greatest act of official destruction in the history of Britain. Elizabeth I Elizabeth I became queen when Mary died in 1558. She wanted to find peaceful answers to the problems of English Reformation. She wanted to bring together again parts of English society which were in religious disagreement. And she wanted to make England prosperous. She considered trade the most important foreign policy matter, and also encouraged merchant expansion.She recognized Spain as her main trade, rival and enemy. Mary, the â€Å"Qu een of Scots†, was the heir to the English throne, she was a strong Catholic. When she returned to Scotland, soon made enemies, because she got tired of her husband and she agreed to murder him and married the murdered so she was unpopular among people and finally she escaped to England. Elizabeth kept Mary as a prisoner for almost 20 years. In 1587 she finally agreed to Mary’s execution. England and her neighbours During the Tudor period, from 1485 until 1603, English foreign policy changed several times. Mary queen of Scot and the Scottish reformationMary was troubled by bad luck and wrong decisions. She was Catholic, she returned to Scotland as both queen and widow. During her time in France, Scotland had become officially and popularly Protestant. The Scots were careful not to give the monarch authority over the new Protestant Scottish â€Å"kirk†, as the church in Scotland was called. This was possible because the new Reformation took place while the queen, Mary, was not in Scotland. The Kirk taught the importance of personal belief and the study of the Bible, this led to the idea that education was important for everyone in Scotland.Protestantism had spread quickly through the Scottish universities. The new Kirk disliked Mary and her French Catholicism. Then Mary was married again, to Lord Darnley, later she got tired of him, consequently she agreed to murder her husband and married the murderer, Bothwel. Scottish society was shocked. In addition to her Catholicism and her French culture, she had shown very poor judgment. She destroyed her chance of inheriting the English throne. She found herself at war with her opponents, and was captured and imprisoned. She escaped to England, where she was held by Elizabeth and after nineteen years she was executed.Refer to society during Tudor times. †¢ Tudor parliaments. The Tudor monarchs did not like governing through Parliament. Henry VII had used Parliament only for law making. Until th e end of the Tudor period Parliament was supposed to do three things: agree to the taxes needed; make the laws which the Crown suggested; and advise the crown, only when asked to do so. †¢ Rich and poor in town and country. During this period the population increased, England had social and economic problems than ever before. The price of food and other goods rose. But a greater problem was the increase in population.Living conditions got worse. Many landowners made money from sheep farming; they could sell the wool to the cloth industry. Many people became unemployed. In 1601 Parliament passed the First Poor Law. This made local people responsible for the poor in their own area. The lives of the rich and poor were different. The rich ate good quality bread while the poor ate rough bread. The rich showed off their wealth in silk clothing, while the poor wore simple clothes of leather or wool. †¢ Domestic life. Women in England had a greater freedom than anywhere else in Eu rope.However, there was a dark side of married life. Most women bore between eight and fifteen children. Marriage was often an economic arrangement, there weren’t deep emotional ties. Both rich and poor lived in small family groups. People worked hard and died young. Poor children started work at the age of six or seven. Unmarried women suffered badly during this period, after the dissolution of the monasteries they became beggars on the roads of England. They had little choice in life. †¢ Language and culture. At the beginning of the Tudor period English was spoken in different ways.Since the mid-fourteenth century, London English had become accepted as Standard English. Educated people began to speak â€Å"correct† English, and uneducated people continued to speak the local dialect. Literacy increased greatly during the mid-sixteenth century. England felt the effects of the Renaissance, it also influence religion, encouraging the Protestant Reformation. In music England enjoyed its most fruitful period ever. Literature was England’s greatest art form; William Shakespeare filled the theatres with their exciting new plays.

Cannibis Sativa Essays - Cannabis, Herbalism, Medicinal Plants

Cannibis Sativa Essays - Cannabis, Herbalism, Medicinal Plants Cannibis Sativa Throughout history marijuana has been used to serve various purposes in many different cultures. The purposes have changed over time to fit in with the current lifestyles. This pattern is also true in American history. The use of marijuana has adapted to the social climate of the time. Marijuana, whose scientific name is cannibis sativa, was mentioned in historical manuscripts as early as 2700 B. C. in China. (Grolier Electronic Encyclopedia, 1995). The cultivation of the marijuana plant began as far back as the Jamestown settlers, around 1611, who used hemp produced from the marijuana plant's fibers to make rope and canvas. It was also used in making clothing because of it's durability. These uses fit in with the social climate of the time, because the main focus was on survival rather than for psychoactive purposes. During the prohibition, marijuana was widely used because of the scarcity of alcohol. Prohibition was repealed after just thirteen years while the prohibition against marijuana lasted for more than seventy five years. This double standard may have resulted from the wishes of those in power. Alcohol prohibition struck directly at tens of millions of Americans of all ages, including many of societies most powerful members. Marijuana prohibition threatened far fewer Americans, and they had relatively little influence in the districts of power. Only the prohibition of marijuana, which some sixty million Americans have violated since 1965 has come close to approximating the prohibition experience, but marijuana smokers consist mostly of young and relatively powerless Americans (American Heritage, pg 47). Alcohol prohibition was repealed and marijuana prohibition was retained, not because scientists had proved that alcohol was the less dangerous of the various psychoactive drugs, but because of the prejudices and preferences of most Americans (American Heritage, pg 47). In 1937 the government issued the Marijuana Tax Act, which levied a dollar an ounce tax on marijuana, coupled with fines of $2,000 for drug posession and jail sentences for evasion of the tax. For this reason marijuana use in the United States appears to have gone into decline in the late 30's (Grolier Wellness Encyclopedia, pg 54). Then marijuana was outlawed in 1937 as a repressive measure against Mexican workers who crossed the border seekingjobs during the Depression. The specific reason given for the outlawing of the hemp plant was it's supposed violent "effect on the degenerate races" (Schaffer, pg. 86). Beginning in the 60's marijuana use saw a resurgence which may be attributed to many causes. One of the main causes was the rebellion of youth against the Vietnam War. They used marijuana as an escape from war to peace. It was easy at this time to depict marijuana as a beneficial and completely harmless substance whose effects were far less harmful than those of legal drugs such as alcohol and nicotine because there was not enough scientific research done during the 60's (Grolier Wellness Encyclopedia, pg 54). Another cause may have been the discovery of the psychoactive component of marijuana- tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly known as THC. Users found the relation between the doses and the effects (Grolier Electronic Publishing, 1995). The current atmosphere provides for doctors to suggest synthetic marijuana (THC) in a pure and standardized form by perscription (called Marinol) for the treatment of nausea associated with cancer chemotherapy. Also, although there is no scientific evidence that shows marijuana is beneficial in the treatment of glaucoma, it may prevent the progression of visual loss. Marijuana, along with alcohol and a host of other substances, can actually lower intraocular eye pressure. The mediction however, must be carefully tailored to the individual to prevent further eye damage. The evidence has clearly shown that marijuana has been around for a great deal of time and has served multiple purposes throughout history. Karen Sipes Dana Pentoney Jeni Roane Sources Grolier Electronic Encylopedia, Electronic Publishing, Inc., 1995 Grolier Wellness Encyclopedia, Drugs, Society & Behavior. Vol. 3, 1992. Ethan A. Nadelmann, American Heritage Magazine, Feb-Mar, 1993. Medical Marijuana, lec.org/Drug_Watch/ Public/Documents/Med_Marijuana_Paper.htm, 1995.

A Collection of Anthropology Definitions

A Collection of Anthropology Definitions The study of anthropology is the study of human beings: their culture, their behavior, their beliefs, their ways of surviving. Here is a collection of other definitions of anthropology from anthropologists and other dedicated to defining and describing what Alexander Pope (1688–1744) called the proper study of mankind- man. Anthropology Definitions Anthropology is less a subject matter than a bond between subject matters. It is part history, part literature; in part natural science, part social science; it strives to study men both from within and without; it represents both a manner of looking at man and a vision of man- the most scientific of the humanities, the most humanist of sciences.- Eric Wolf, Anthropology, 1964. Anthropology has traditionally attempted to stake out a compromise position on this central issue by regarding itself as both the most scientific of the humanities and the most humanistic of the sciences. That compromise has always looked peculiar to those outside anthropology  but today it looks increasingly precarious to those within the discipline.- James William Lett. 1997. Science Reason and Anthropology: The Principles of Rational Inquiry. Rowman and Littlefield, 1997. Anthropology is the study of humankind. Of all the disciplines that examine aspects of human existence and accomplishments, only Anthropology explores the entire panorama of the human experience from human origins to contemporary forms of culture and social life.- University of Florida Anthropology is Answering Questions Anthropologists attempt to answer the question: how can one explain the diversity of human cultures that are currently found on earth and how have they evolved? Given that we will have to change rather rapidly within the next generation or two this is a very pertinent question for anthropologists.- Michael Scullin Anthropology is the study of human diversity around the world. Anthropologists look at cross-cultural differences in social institutions, cultural beliefs, and communication styles. They often seek to promote understanding between groups by translating each culture to the other, for instance by spelling out common, taken-for-granted assumptions.- University of North Texas Anthropology seeks to uncover principles of behavior that apply to all human communities. To an anthropologist, diversity itself- seen in body shapes and sizes, customs, clothing, speech, religion, and worldview- provides a frame of reference for understanding any single aspect of life in any given community.- American Anthropological Association Anthropology is the study of people. In this discipline, people are considered in all their biological and cultural diversities, in the present as well as in the prehistoric past, and wherever people have existed. Students are introduced to the interaction between people and their environments to develop an appreciation of human adaptations past and present.-   Portland Community College Anthropology explores what it means to be human. Anthropology is the scientific study of humankind in all the cultures of the world, both past and present.- Western Washington University The Human Experience of Anthropology Anthropology is the study of humans in all areas and in all periods of time.- Triton College Anthropology is the only discipline that can access evidence about the entire human experience on this planet.- Michael Brian Schiffer Anthropology is the study of human culture and biology in the past and present. - Western Kentucky University Anthropology is, at once, both easy to define and difficult to describe; its subject matter is both exotic (marriage practices among Australian aborigines) and commonplace (the structure of the human hand); its focus both sweeping and microscopic. Anthropologists may study the language of a tribe of Brazilian Native Americans, the social life of apes in an African rain forest, or the remains of a long-vanished civilization in their own backyard- but there is always a common thread linking these vastly different projects, and always the common goal of advancing our understanding of who we are and how we came to be that way. In a sense, we all do anthropology because it is rooted in a universal human characteristic- curiosity about ourselves and other people, living and dead, here and across the globe.- University of Louisville Anthropology is devoted to the study of human beings and human societies as they exist across time and space. It is distinct from other social sciences in that it gives central attention to the full-time span of human history, and to the full range of human societies and cultures, including those located in historically marginalized parts of the world. It is therefore especially attuned to questions of social, cultural, and biological diversity, to issues of power, identity, and inequality, and to the understanding of dynamic processes of social, historical, ecological, and biological change over time.- Stanford University Anthropology is the most humanistic of the sciences and the most scientific of the humanities. - Attributed to A.L. Kroeber The Jam in the Sandwich Culture is the jam in the sandwich of anthropology. It is all-pervasive. It is used to distinguish humans from apes (everything that man does that the monkeys do not (Lord Ragland)) and to characterize evolutionarily derived behaviors in both living apes and humans. It is often both the explanation of what it is that has made human evolution different and what it is that it is necessary to explain... It exists in the heads of humans and is manifested in the products of actions. ... [C]ulture is seen by some as the equivalent of the gene, and hence a particulate unit (the meme) that can be added together in endless permutations and combinations, while to others it is as a large and indivisible whole that it takes on its significance.   In other words, culture is everything to anthropology, and it could be argued that in the process it has also become nothing.- Robert Foley and Marta Mirazon Lahr. 2003. On Stony Ground: Lithic Technology, Human Evolution, and the Emergence of Culture. Evolutionary Archaeology 12:109-122.   Anthropologists and their informants are inextricably bound together in producing an ethnographic text that integrates the impact of their unique personalities, their social incongruities, and their dreams.- Moishe Shokeid, 1997. Negotiating Multiple Viewpoints: The cook, the native, the publisher, and the ethnographic text. Current Anthropology 38(4):638.

Causes and Impacts of the French Revolution Research Paper

Causes and Impacts of the French Revolution - Research Paper Example However, the long period of revolution had positive impacts for the country as the citizens acquired equal rights and terminated the oppressive regimes that had continuously oppressed the rights of the public. It marked an end for unreasonable tax policies, oppression of peasants, and the decline of dictatorship. From this perspective, the French revolution was an expression of the political, financial and social crisis that had affected the country, and its results contributed to a positive transformation of France. The looming financial crisis in France was a major contributor to the events that occurred during the French revolution. By the end of 1789, France was in great debt and the country was already heading to the worst financial crisis. The country’s debts were as a result of the country’s participation in the Seven years’ war and the American Revolution war (De Tocqueville 12-19). The government of France had invested in the war and the country was already in a financial crisis at the time the war ended. Besides, the government was spendthrift and the country resources were used extravagantly. Consequently, the government was under pressure to devise ways to alleviate the crisis and fund its extravagant spending. The king was in fear that it would soon become hard to run the government if new strategies of the financial collection were no passed. When the government introduced burdensome tax policies, the Peasants were resistant and felt that the regime was becoming unbearable. The social activists mobilized the public to resist these changes. What followed was resistance to pay taxes as the peasants felt the need to fight for a fairer society which would be the government with economic balance. Therefore, an oppressive tax policy was the trigger that initiated the French revolution.

Cognitive biases and decision making Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Cognitive biases and decision making - Essay Example ob applicant, an interviewer may give a high rating to another applicant who is average at best because they appear more qualified than the previous applicant. Adjustment and anchoring biases may also influence decision making, especially in cases where the individual tends to make judgments on the basis of their initial assessments as anchor, while failing to make sufficient later adjustments (Das & Teng, 1999: p760). For example, an interviewer who has a high-caliber anchor or descriptions of the perfect job candidate may give average applicants substantially higher scores than the interviewer who has anchors of a lower caliber. In this case, evaluation and judgment is not dependent on competence but, rather, on anchors (Das & Teng, 1999: p760). Availability bias also influences the process of decision making, specifically as a result of inaccurate evaluation of event frequency based on the ease of memory recall. The aspects of a specific issue that are unusual and, as a result, more memorable, are more easily recalled and occur more frequently, which negatively influences the process of decision making in most cases. For instance, an interviewer may be influenced more by unfavorable and negative information as compared to more positive information. In such a scenario, availability biases is referent to a condition in which imaginations and beliefs of what could or should happen leads to the ind ividual making the decision remembering similar past situations and applying them to the current situation (Das & Teng, 1999: p760). Confirmation biases also have a unique impact on the decision making process and outcomes. In this case, there is a tendency for the decision-maker to look for evidence in order to confirm pre-conceptions, while ignoring any information that contradicts these pre-conceptions. One scenario that is especially liable to cognitive bias but can be improved through using the right decision making process is an evaluation of appropriate climate