Weight Problems Regerian Essay Example

Weight Problems Regerian Essay Professor Markus Zindelo English 1213-048 May 17 2013 Weight Problems In society today, childhood obesity is becoming a growing and alarming concern. This trend is reflected in the poem Fat Children, by Natalie Day. This is a poem about how hard a mother found it to stop feeding the hungry mouths of her children. A thoughtful analysis of this poem reveals a theme about unethically advocating being overweight. This is easily discernible in the sentence, Even when they smelled of vomit / and diarrhea, I kept feeding them (Day lines 11-12). Reading on, this theme evelops even further in the sentence, l kept baking cakes and frying sausages, / even when repulsed (Day 12-13). While this is a very widely known subject, unbeknownst to some is that this very topic is being frantically debated as applicable to the modern automobile. On one side of the argument, there are those who say the modern automobile should be a strictly economic and lightweight machine. On the other side are those who say the modern automobile should not be a strictly economic and lightweight machine. However, despite each sides argument, a ompromise must commence for the sake of all automotive consumers. Those who claim the modern automobile should be a strictly economic and lightweight machine exclaim so primarily due to the excessive costs involved with moving the extra weight. Number one of all is the increased fuel consumption from carrying extra weight. This can result in a degradation of up to around seven percent in fuel economy per ten percent increase of vehicle mass (Bjelkengren 81). Additionally, this effect is amplified depending on the aggressiveness of a persons driving style (Gas Mileage). We will write a custom essay sample on Weight Problems Regerian specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Weight Problems Regerian specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Weight Problems Regerian specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer This argument is also extended to the extra wear and tear of parts on the vehicle. The most notable of these parts are the tires and brakes. The more a vehicle weighs, the more debris wears away from the tires and brakes (Environmental). It can cost several hundred dollars to replace all four tires and a couple hundred more to replace the brakes, as well. Lastly, while there are many extras that a consumer may choose from, modern vehicles have increasingly more standard features ranging from things as innocent as a radio that will connect to a smart phone, to adding rear DVD players, to large wheels (Archer). This ultimately pushes up the price of the automobile for the consumer, even if the extras are unwanted. In addition, the side for more economical and lightweight vehicles argues the positive environmental aspect of having less vehicle weight. Some of these reasons follow closely with cost, interestingly enough. For example, the increased consumption of fuel deposits more chemicals into the atmosphere. Vehicle fuel consumption accounts for two-thirds of the USs carbon monoxide emissions as well as large numbers of other harmful gasses (Protect). Similarly, the excess weight yproduct of increased brake and tire wear contribute to an increased environmental impact by releasing particles that have been shown to cause toxicity in soil and generated from manufacturing, extraction, and end-of-life efforts and cause an amplification of environmental impact, as well. Furthermore, the side advocating modern economic and lightweight vehicles debates the effects of a vehicles mass on its performance. An Increase of vehicle weight can actually degrade overall vehicle performance in a negative way (Bjelkengren 24). Within this discussion, they are specifically concerned with the egradation of acceleration performance. This concern is confirmed by the results, which have shown that overall vehicle mass reduction greatly effects acceleration performance. An examination of one study reveals that gains in acceleration can often be seen at rates equal to or higher than the percentage of mass taken away, to a certain degree. An example would be a ten percent or higher increase in acceleration for a ten percent decrease in mass (Bjelkengren 82). With such a direct impact on acceleration and overall vehicle performance, it is easy to see why they laim the modern car should be lightweight. Alternatively, the side of the debate disputes that the advancement of technology mostly balances itself out on the issue. The first area in which it balances out is the effect of new technology on fuel economy. While modern vehicles do indeed have new technologies that could add weight, advancements have been made to counteract this. The average engine has become more fuel efficient and subsequently has more power per liter of displacement than they have had in the past (Energy). Equally, transmissions have become more efficient as well, thus elping to equalize the fuel economy impact even more (Energy). Ultimately, while this side is concerned about fuel economy, they feel in the end it is not affected by the extras in question. Likewise, this side feels that there is not an extra cost going into the added extravagancies. As with much technology over time, many of such extravagancies have become cheaper. A good example is the price of LCD televisions, which dropped between sixty and eighty percent over the course of thirteen quarters from 2006 2009 (Conlon). This theory is also supported when comparing prices of comparably quipped models from 15 years ago and today. Note that the 1998 Toyota Avalon XLE V6 was introduced at $28,288 and the comparable 2013 Toyota Camry SE V6 was introduced at $27,260 (Compare). That modern Camry not only has more features, more power, and extremely comparable fuel economy (Compare), but even costs around $13,700 less after accounting for inflation (Inflation). Therefore, it is clear to see that modernly utilized technology is not actually costing the consumer any more than vehicles from yesteryear. While both sides seem to be at opposite ends of the spectrum on this matter, they ctually share a common interest. The similar interest in this debate is excessive fuel consumption. Those who proclaim the modern automobile should be a strictly economic and lightweight machine care about not consuming excessive amounts of fuel by doing away with unneeded and heavy extras. They also dont want a higher impact on the environment from increased fuel consumption. Likewise, those who proclaim the modern automobile should not be a strictly economic and lightweight machine care about preserving the fuel economy as set by their previous cars. They welcome the addition of new technology. In the end, although both sides care about and measure excessive fuel consumption differently, they care about it equally. Since both sides agree to an aversion of excessive fuel consumption, a great compromise would simply be to use lighter wheel and tire setup. A trend has been continuing where vehicles are being equipped with increasingly larger wheels and tires (Paula). This added rotational mass has very serious adverse effects to fuel economy, as tested by Car and Driver. They logged that the difference in weight was only fourteen pounds per corner between the smallest and largest wheel and tire combos tested. Astoundingly, they experienced a ten percent drop in fuel economy with such a small difference. Moreover, the same study states a four percent increase of acceleration performance resulted between the use of the largest and smallest wheel and tire combos (Quiroga). This would benefit those with weight concerns of the modern vehicle by dropping the total vehicle weight by fifty pounds or more, depending on the wheel and tire materials used. Similarly, they would benefit from the increase of acceleration. Lastly and most importantly, since their number one concern is fuel consumption, this would make them happy to be saving a very ignificant ten percent of consumption. Finally, in regard to those who do not do not think the modern automobile should be a strictly economic and lightweight machine, this is a win for them, as well. This way, they would not have to give up any heavy creature comforts in order to preserve fuel consumption. In fact, due to the significant drop in fuel consumption, they could even opt for more gadgets and luxuries and still have better fuel economy than they did previously. This solution of compromise could work well for both parties involved, but they must meet in the middle. Not only that, but they must voice their opinions to the automotive manufacturers to be heard. If they are not heard, then neither they, nor anyone else will reap the beneficial compromise that could be had here. May the power be within their hands to go forth, do a good thing, and set the example for the benefit of automotive consumers everywhere. Works Cited Archer, Jeffery. 8 New Cars with Surprising Standard Features. AutoTrader. com. TPI Holdings, Inc. , 2013. Web. 15 May 2013. Bjelkengren, Catarina. The Impact of Mass Decompounding on Assessing the Value of Vehicle Lightweighting. MIT. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, June 2008. Web. 16 May 2013. Compare Summary Autos. MSN Autos. Microsoft, 2013. Web. 15 May 2013. Conlon, Christopher T. A Dynamic Model of Prices and Margins in the LCD TV Industry. Columbia University. Columbia University WAC, 02 Nov. 2012. Web. 15 May 2013. Day, Natalie. Fat Children. Indiana Review Issue: 31. 1 (2009): 115. Literary Reference Center. Web. 15 May 2013 Energy Efficient Technologies. FuelEconomy. gov. U. S. Department of Energy, n. d. Web. 15 May 2013. Environmental Impacts from Automobiles. US EPA. US Environmental Protection Agency, n. d. Web. 15 May 2013. Gas Mileage Tips Driving More Efficiently. FuelEconomy. gov. US Department of Energy, n. d. Web. 15 May 2013. Inflation Calculator. U. S. Department of Labor. U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, n. d. Web. 09 May 2013. Paula, Matthew De. Design Disasters: Three Ways Cars Are Getting Worse. Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 27 Apr. 2011. Web. 15 May 2013. Protect the Environment On the Road. EPA. Effects of Upsized Wheels and Tires Tested. Car and Driver. Hearst Communications, Inc. , Apr. 2010. Web. 15 May 2013.

Connected Love John 14 15 25 Religion Essays

Connected Love John 14 15 25 Religion Essays Connected Love John 14 15 25 Religion Essay Connected Love John 14 15 25 Religion Essay and you can non order person to experience emotional love. Jesus makes these promises to those who love him yieldingly, who are doing love, who understand love is action, non simply words or feelings. Think about the difference in these two domestic scenes: The hubby pess up in the life room after eating a superb repast prepared by his married woman, shouts to her in the kitchen as she s making the dishes, Excellent repast Hun . In the other scene the hubby softly appears at her side, dishrag in manus, to assist. We have all sorts of expressions that express that we do understand this, one being, actions speak louder than words. The nazarene offers these confidences of life to those who love him with actions of obeisance, by maintaining his commandments. But merely as we need to be careful non to accept a limited definition of love as being simply emotional, we besides need to be careful non to settle for a limited definition of what Jesus means by maintaining his commandments. There are people who take Jesus words to love him by maintaining his commandments really, really earnestly, but unluckily halt at merely 10 commandments, losing the all important eleventh commandment of Jesus when he said I give you another, that you love God with all your being, and that you love one another as I have loved you . These people are so busy loving Jesus by obeying righteous regulations that they appear to everyone else like they are the church thought constabularies or the Christian Gestapo. Clanging cymbals and small love. The 11th commandment is based on our love for and relation with God in Christ, we love each other as Jesus has loved us. Jesus gave this as a new commandment non to replace the old Big Ten, but to supplement them and set them into a new context. To reply the inquiry of how we are commanded to love calls for us to understand how Jesus loved us, and several words to depict his love for us come instantly to mind: compassion, credence and forfeit. He had Compassion for the sick, the square, the hungry, the imprisoned, the castawaies, the unloved and unlovely. His glowing love was apparent in every measure he took from his baptism in the Jordan to his declaration to the stealer on the cross. He had Acceptance because he accepted adult females, kids, work forces, Gentile and Jew likewise, unsmooth and ready fishermen. He accepted them all as saints and feeding and imbibing with evildoers caused Jesus to be challenged by the unloving righteous. But here two thousand old ages after he rose once more we know that Christ was the victor of that challenge. At the extremum of his ministry of proclaiming God s love with compassion and credence, surrounded by crowds heartening his entry into the holy metropolis, Jesus set out on the last stairss of the ultimate manner of loving us ; stairss taking to this 3rd point of love ; his Forfeit on the cross. A Sacrifice in and of love, that brought from the Father new life, non merely for Jesus but for all who live out their love for him as the risen Christ. It seems pretty clear so that Jesus makes his offers of both the Holy Spirit and of his ain staying presence to those who live out their love for him in actions of compassion, credence and forfeit. Jesus promised to be with those who love Him, and Christ is present with us, right here, right now. That is why we are here, to run into with him, to pull upon His promise of being with us, to hear what He has to state to us, to hear what He continues to name us to make in populating out our love for Him in service. We are called to be adherents of Jesus, but we are non expected to be adherents in our ain strength. We are besides powered to be His adherents, energized and given life through the promised Advocate, Helper, Holy Spirit. We are sustained and comforted by the really presence of Christ with us, and in us, and us in Him. We do nt cognize to the full, ca nt cognize wholly where this journey with Christ will take us, but we can be certain that it will be interesting, and carry throughing. On top of this we can besides be certain that He will carry through His promise of support, strength, and even life ageless as He accompanies us. We can take comfort from this. If we are His, He is of all time willing to take us by His Spirit unto all truth. We can come with our questions, demands, jobs and at times, despairing state of affairss. His forbearance is infinite. We can number on his changeless working onward to the ultimate fulfilling of His intent for each one of us. He has called us to be His adherents, and He has powered us to be His adherents, so be filled with the Holy Spirit in a connected love to Jesus.

Catch-22 and Dr. Strangelove Essay Example for Free (#22)

Catch-22 and Dr. Strangelove Essay Bureaucracy (53) , Joseph Heller (9) , Yossarian (8) company About StudyMoose Contact Careers Help Center Donate a Paper Legal Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Complaints \In Joseph Heller’s novel, Catch-22, and Stanley Kubrick’s film, Dr. Strangelove, the bureaucrats are illustrated as illogical and untrustworthy. Heller’s attention to administrations such as the hospital and the military-establishment are recognized for their unreliable rationality and logic. Similarly, in Dr. Strangelove, Kubrick mocks the absurdities of the nuclear arms race and of the officials of the United States and The Soviet Union as he conveys the malfunction of highly placed government bureaucrats. Catch-22 and Dr. Strangelove, are two satirical and somewhat historical works that effectively comment on the corrupt and perhaps insane bureaucrats. The lives of Yossarian and the men in his squadron in Catch-22 are not determined by their own decisions but instead, by the decisions of the impersonal bureaucracy. The bureaucrats are absolutely oblivious to any attempt the men make to reason with them logically. Major Major, for example, will only see people in his office if he is not there and sends them away when he returns. Doc Daneeka refuses to ground Yossarian for his â€Å"insanity† because Yossarian’s desire to be grounded reveals that he is sane. Doc Daneeka elaborates in his discussion of Orr, Yossarian’s tent-mate. â€Å"Orr was crazy and could be grounded. All he had to do was ask; and as soon as he did, he would no longer be crazy and would have to fly more missions. Orr would be crazy to fly more missions and sane if he didn’t, but if he was sane he had to fly them. If he flew them he was crazy and didn’t have to; but if he didn’t want to he was sane and had to.† (46) Yossarian and the others in his squadron find that what they say and do has little effect on their fate when the bureaucracy controls them. Their only option is to follow the illogical rules and use what is expected of them to their own advantage. Yossarian’s superiors are more concerned with getting a promotion than they are about winning the war. Colonel Cathcart, the colonel in command of Yossarian’s squadron, tries to impress his superiors by â€Å"bravely† volunteering his men for dangerous combat. Cathcart’s only concern is being promoted to general. Cathcart continually raises the number of combat missions required of the men before they can be sent home. Yossarian argues with Doc Daneeka who explains, â€Å"†¦regulations do say you have to obey every order. That’s the catch. Even if the colonel were disobeying a Twenty-seventh Air Force order by making you fly more missions, you’d still have to fly them, or you’d be guilt y of disobeying an order of his.† (58) Similarly, Dr. Strangelove also criticizes the malfunctions of bureaucracy and the inadequacy of officials. General Jack Ripper gives the command to attack the Soviet Union without permission from his superiors or the president. Instead of discussing the idea of an attack with is supervisors, Ripper orders the attack because, according to him; Clemenceau†¦ said war was too important to be left to the generals. When he said that, 50 years ago, he might have been right. But today, war is too important to be left to politicians. They have neither the time, the training, nor the inclination for strategic thought. I can no longer sit back and allow Communist infiltration, Communist indoctrination, Communist subversion and the international Communist conspiracy to sap and impurify all of our precious bodily fluids. -Criticizes the malfunction of bureaucracy. (Dr. Strangelove) Mr. President’s embarrassment about the issue demonstrates bureaucracy does not function appropriately because those lower in command should not determine the launch of nuclear powers. Further exemplifying the inadequacy of the bureaucrats, the Joint Chiefs in the war room show their unprofessional and blatant prejudice, especially toward the Russians. General Buck Turgidson clearly states, â€Å"I’m beginning to smell a big fat Commie rat,† and later refers to them as â€Å"a bunch of ignorant peons.† The Germans are also referred to when Turgidson, upon learning Dr. Strangelove’s original German name, passes it off as â€Å"†¦a Kraut by any other name.† Dr. Strangelove, the character, also calls into question the reliability of people in power. Strangelove is clearly the Presidents scientific adviser in the war room whose appearance copies the mad scientist stereotype with his wild hair, black gloved hand, and his clearly brilliant yet insane mind. Through their presentation of bureaucracy, Heller and Kubrick display why officials and politicians are unfit to make important decisions concerning the safety of the country. Catch-22 conveys this notion through the bureaucracy’s enforcement of impractical rules and Catch-22’s on the eccentric men in Yossarian’s squadron. Kubrick suggests the same concept in Dr. Strangelove by frequently demonstrating the disorder, madness and prejudice of the officials. In either piece, the reader carries away the certainty of the instability of the men in control of important military and national decisions. Catch-22 and Dr. Strangelove. (2016, Nov 12). We have essays on the following topics that may be of interest to you

Economy Report and International Business in Denmark Essay

Economy Report and International Business in Denmark - Essay Example The export commodities are constituted of manufactured products that amount to around 73 percent of the total exports. Again the agricultural commodities and other products constitute around 19 percent of the total exports. Agricultural products constituted around 18.7 percent of the export revenues. Similarly the imports pertaining to the region in the 2010 period amounted to around $84.409 billion. Commodities like raw materials and semi-manufactured commodities constitute around 37.4 percent of the total imports while consumer products and capital goods constitute around 18 percent and 21.7 percent respectively. The major countries that carry out the export and import transactions with Denmark are like Germany, Sweden, United Kingdom, Norway, and Holland in common while countries like China and United States only carry out the import activities with Denmark (U.S. Department of State, 2011). Cultural Stereotyping in Denmark and Impact on International Trade The economy of Dutch is found to largely depend on the activities of international trade conducted with different countries round the world significantly in the fields of import and export activities. The Dutch economy becomes highly dependent on countries like Germany for largely exporting the food products and other manufacturing products and similar materials. Dependency of Denmark over the German economy has risen to such extent that it has become evident that Denmark would fail to exist without the help obtained in from the German Republic. It is held that increasing dominance of Germany in Denmark’s international trade and tourism activities would lead to bolster a sense of inferiority and thereby threatens to usurp its cultural heritage. This fear of losing their own cultural heritage makes the people of Denmark bolster up their confidence in setting of stereotyped national cultures. Cultural stereotyping is considered as an important tool by the Dutch people in order to save their conditions from being largely invaded by the German culture (Renckstorf, 2004, p.347). The cultural parameters in Denmark pertaining to the dress codes are viewed to be quite casual in nature. Casual dresses in Denmark reflect less focus rendered on wearing any kind of formal suit. However this type of stereotyping method in regards to the dress codes often earns conflict in times when the person proceeds to work in a trade environment dealing basically with international trade activities. Therein the people are required to follow a certain formal dress code and thus to abstain from wearing casual wear in the office or working hours. Henceforth the people and cultural parameters of Denmark need to become much flexible in order to rightly embrace the internationalisation of trade activities in the region. Again the people of Denmark also regard or give importance in maintaining adequate distance when communicating with someone. The people regard maintaining a distance of an arm or two when tal king with people. This type of a culture developed among the people also depicts a stereotype nature of maintaining relationships with the people either pertaining to domestic or international regions. This type of stereotyping activity reflected by the people of Den

Using relevant examples discuss the issues relating to Climate Change Essay

Using relevant examples discuss the issues relating to Climate Change in a Global Context - Essay Example mit greenhouse gases that are responsible for causing the destruction of the ozone layer thus global warming that causes the gradual changes in the climate. Research statistics and evidence by climate experts clearly show that there has been a marked change in the composition and amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which currently stands at 390ppm and even higher levels as recorded at 400ppm at Mauna Loa, Hawaii as at May 2013. Additionally, scientific research has indicated that the decade covering the period between the years 2000 and 2010 was recorded as the hottest with 2005 and 2010 being the warmest in temperatures (Giese, 2011). The United Nations body in charge of addressing of matters to do with climate change, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has equally stated that climate change is likely to have serious effect on the climate of the world in a global context affecting both the life of animals including humans and plants. Closely related to the matter of climate change is global warming which is the average increase in temperature of both the earth and the ocean and is continuously on the increase due to the effects of the climate change. Since the early 1900s, the average temperature of the earths and oceans has risen by averages well over temperatures of 0.8Â °C, and this is likely to increase in the coming years due to the sustained activities of human beings that cause effects associated with climate change. Further, the effects associated with climate change and global warming are likely to cause an increase of temperatures between the ranges of 1.8Â °C and 4Â °C which may rise to between 1.1Â °C and 6.4Â °C unless efforts are made in order to bring the matter of climate change under control (Harris and Roach, 2007). The same scientific research also indicate that due to effects associated with climate change, the level of the sea is likely to rise by a figure of between 28cm to 43 cm while some large water bodies such as the

Billy Elliot film text reponse Essay Example for Free

Billy Elliot film text reponse Essay Jackie Elliot is seen as a traditional man with anti feminist views. he sees that boys should be tough whilst girls should be more placid. Throughout the film Billy Elliot, the directer has created the character Jackie Elliot, a widowed father feeling the grief of the recent lose of his wife. This essay suggests that the grief could be a factor of how Jackie goes about supporting his son. The time that this film is set, is in the mid 80s. It could be that people who do not keep to the social norm are discriminated against, which is a different circumstance in todays society, where people are very unique and most people value eachothers individuality. In the town of Durham, the community has the same expectations as Jackie with gender based traditions and this may have influenced him to think this way. When Billy is taken to the boxing gym by his father, he finds out that he doesnt really like the idea of being a boxer once he steps into the ring for the first time. Billy knows his father must really want Billy to get good at this tough sport, because in this family, that is stricken with poverty; his father still manages to pay for billys lessons and does want him to achieve. they were my dads gloves, youd better take better care of them Jackie and his father were obviously unable to achieve from boxing, hes putting his last hope in Billy. Billy is aware of how his family and the community feel about boys doing ballet and has alot of courage to put their thoughts aside and just do the thing he loves. Upon finding out about Billys dancing. Jackie becomes enraged and expresses views of homophobic, Billy is determined to keep on dancing. It is not until Jackie actually sees Billy dance for the first time, that he realises that dancing might well and trully be his sons future. He sees that Billy does have talent and lowers himself into going back to work just so he can afford to take Billy to London for his audition himself. It is what mum would have wanted, throughout the film, you watch as Jackie  grieves for his dead wife, in that he hates Billy playing his mothers piano. Billy must have inherited his interest in music and dance from his mother which is probably why Jackie must have hated it at first; Billy was like his mother and it reminded Jackie of her too much. He gives into his pain by selling jewelry for his son. Jackie is most proud of his son, when at the end of the film. Billy dances out onto a big stage to perform swanlake. It takes Jackies breathe away. Overall through this film, we see Jackie, a father who does love his son. Aside from hgis traditional and antifeminist beliefs, Jackie was able to come through with great support for his son. All he wants for his son is to see him doing something he loves, even if that is dancing TEACHER COMMENTS: good, try to use lots of quotes and and examples from the film and refer back to the question throughout your essay.

Binding Arbitration Clauses :: essays research papers

First off, I do not think that binding arbitration clauses should ever restrict the arbitration to only one group of people (ex. Home builders association). If there ever is a situation in which a binding arbitration clause is acceptable, there should at least be a choice of who the arbitration is and the choices should be neutral parties (ex. In the BP credit card bill stuffer, it gave the option of the American Arbitration Association, JAMS, and the National Arbitration Forum). I do not think that binding arbitration clauses should be includable in employment contracts. There are too many laws and regulations regarding employers and the way businesses operate the I do not think an arbitrator would be anywhere near as knowledgeable in these matters as a court would be, even if it was their area of expertise. Between discrimination and work conditions, I feel that there is way too much at stake to put in the hands of an arbitrator. I do think that binding arbitration clauses can (no t should, but CAN) be includable in credit card agreements and cell phone agreements. I really do not think that binding arbitration clauses should be included in any kind of contract because the severity of charges can vary so much that the courts can decide which cases can be arbitrated. In both credit card and cell phone contracts, the majority of cases will only deal with small amounts of money. In contrast, there is so much at stake with home construction, that I do not think that construction contracts are an appropriate place for such clauses. I consider myself a pretty compassionate person. Therefore, I do not think that there should be ANY prerequisite to obtaining medical treatment, especially signing a contract with a binding arbitration clause.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I believe that every contract should have the option to be enforced by the courts. Arbitration should be something that parties agree to, not something they are forced into. I think that including a binding arbitration clause in an employment contract would produce undue influence. The applicant for employment may easily think that if they do not sign the contract that they will not get the job. In addition, since you would typically only sign an employment contract after you had been offered a job, it would be a bit harder to find another employer in a good amount of time.

Outline and assess the main positions in the secularisation debate

Abstract This essay tackles the main positions of the secularisation debate. To begin with, this essay examines the ‘bottom up/demand-side’ theory of secularisation, which postulates that as societies go through the process of industrialisation, the religious values that underpin the societal fabric will inevitably erode as the citizenry become more impervious to spiritual pursuits. This essay also examines the importance of the ‘market’ approach to the theory of secularisation, arguing that the top down/supply side perspective is of fundamental significance in order to understand the persistence of religious practice in modern societies. Introduction The secularisation debate has acquired a growing influence in recent years, due to the onset of the postmodern age. Postmodernism posits that in the age of instantaneous communications and ubiquitous access to technology, rigid and fixed classifications pertaining to religion, class, gender and race have been significantly eroded. The main positions in the secularisation debate focus on two distinct approaches (Fitzgerald, 2000: 133). The first perspective that is postulated for examination relates to the ‘bottom up/demandside’ idea of secularisation. According to this view, as societies go through the process of industrialisation, the religious values that underpin the societal fabric will inevitably erode as the publics become more impervious to spiritual pursuits (Gauchet, 1999: 40). At the same time’, the ‘top down/supply side’ theory of secularisation, which highlights that the need for spirituality remains constant across national boundaries, p laces a great deal of emphasis on the role of religions institutions in maintaining adherence to theological principles. This essay will begin by charting the idea that secularisation responds to the gradual phasing out of religious values in modern societies. The second part of the essay will concentrate in the manner in which these values are permanently re-imposed on societies by religious leaders and organisation. Crucially, the second section of the essay highlights the importance of the ‘market’ approach to the theory of secularisation, arguing that the top down/supply side perspective is of fundamental significance in order to understand the persistence of religious practice in modern societies. The bottom up/demand side theory of secularisation The main view propounded by this theory of secularisation is that the advent of the scientific method and rational observation as a method to create societal improvement has shaken the theological foundations that were influential in shaping the evolution of the Western world (Gauchet, 1999: 45). The erosion of supernatural interpretations of the nature of the world has been a permanent cultural phenomenon in the Western world since the advent of the Enlightenment, with its emphasis on universal categorisation that could be subject to empirical observation and rational testability standards (Martin, 1993: 93). The rational template endorsed by industrialised societies rendered the theological claims imposed by the major religions incompatible with the needs of the existence of human collective that relied in an increasing manner on the benefits brought forward by technological advancement (Martin, 2005: 55). There was a gradual and consistent loss of religious faith in Western societ ies that ultimately resulted in the unravelling of theological practices and Church attendances (Martin, 1993: 97). In addition, this provoked a relative corrosion of the social and cultural meanings attached to religious identity, along with a move away from allegiance to political parties and organisations based on denominational values. According to this theory of secularisation, religious and scientific values are at loggerheads, with a constant undermining of Bible teachings by making reference to the Darwinian teachings put together in the theory of evolution (Martin, 1969: 25). The knowledge gained by society through scientific advancement and its application to technological improvements, coupled with the expansion of education opportunities, impacted on the cultural changes that were ushered in Western societies. It could be posited that the tenets of the Enlightenment undercut the metaphysical principles that were responsible for maintaining societal cohesion during the Middle Ages (Martin, 2005: 59). Thinkers like Max Weber stated that the onset of industrialisation and mass capitalism produced an environment of opinion conducive to reducing the idea of the supernatural to the domain of human rationality and subjected to the explanations taken from the hard sciences rather than making reference to metaphysical arguments (Gauchet, 1999: 49). The attainments made by Western societies in the sciences and the feats that took place in the realm of engineering and technology has emphasised the importance of subjecting nature to the control of man (Bruce, 2002: 59). These developments were responsible for a change of perception regarding the advent of personal tragedies and natural disasters on the part of a growing number of individuals, who started to regard those eventsin rational terms, instead of attributing them to mysterious forces outside the control of man. Accordingly, the intellectual authority held by religious ministers became just one of the sources of knowledge to be taken into account (Berger, 1969: 30). Their authority was put in direct competition with the people who displayed their professional expertise across many fields of study and who made use of the rational method. At the same time, the gradual separation between state and church that took place in many European nations and the United States, couple d with the emergence of bureaucratic apparati and modern political parties led to the discrediting of traditional religious institutions. The industrialisation of Western societies had attached to it a series of changes that impacted upon the ability of individuals to experience mystical experienced (Harris, 2005: 61). This includes the steep decline in communal life, the fragmentation between nature and man and the increased use of technology. It is worth mentioning that the interpretation put forward by Max Weber regarding the bottom up/demand side theory of secularisation is based on the effects that the Lutheran Reform and the industrial revolution had on the development of political and religious life in Western Europe and North American (Idinopulos and Wilson, 1998: 101). The idea of disenchantment with the world, as propounded by Weber, compelled individuals to seek salvation in the pursuit of material gain, hence eroding the very foundations of transcendental Christian thin king (Tremlett, 2009: 22). The growing importance of Rationalism was necessarily conducive to being sceptical about the existence of an omnipotent and omniscient God, ultimately resulting in the debunking of religion as a method of explain natural phenomena (Bruce, 2002: 67). It is also important to stress that a bottom up/demand side theory of secularisation can also be understood according the functionalist perspective underlined by Emile Durkheim (Durkheim, 1912, 1995: 73). The French sociologist identified the loss of functional purpose as one of the main reasons behind the erosion of the centrality of religion in the institutional make-up of modern societies (Norris, 2004: 130). This functionalist perspective highlights the idea that a scheme of theology does not just represent a system of beliefs about the nature of existence (Asad, 2003: 90). Instead, it is also a framework of actions concerning certain and certain rituals and symbolism that are performed to signpost the passage of time across the person’s natural lifespan (Durkheim, 1912, 1995: 30). These symbolisms were responsible for maintaining a high degree of social cohesion and stability, hence producing common goods that could be enjoyed by all members of society (Davie, 1994: 88). Conversely, the industrialisation Western European and North American societies generated the fragmentation of the social space by inducing process of technical differentiation that dispersed the sources of knowledge (Wilson, 1966: 76). The specialisation of knowledge production stripped the ecclesiastical authorities of the powers that they had in determining which epistemological approaches should be pursued and how the knowledge created was to be disseminated (McCutcheon, 2003: 119). In addition, all the charity organisations of Christian extraction that had for centuries been in charge of providing for the disenfranchised members of society were replaced by welfare states subsidised by government institutions (Bruce, 2002: 62). These events were the immediate result of the reappraisal of the role of religious doctrines and organisation. By the late nineteenth century, the doctrines and practices proposed by the Church were not deemed to be functional to the task of ensuring th e material welfare of the population (Tremlett, 2009: 19). Instead, the state had become a kind of secular god that had encroached into many areas of the lives of individuals (Berger, 1969: 147). This entailed that the role of religious institutions were strictly confined to the personal realm; in the public domain, the faith gradually ceased to become a powerful force in the shaping of the political evolution of the nation. The top up/supply side theory of secularisation The views exposed in the previous section can be juxtaposed to the perspective highlighted by the top up/supply side theory of secularisation. This perspective underlines the conditions brought about by the spread of religious freedom in contemporary societies, which led to a competitive environment in the market for religious adherents amongst theological organisations (Davie, 1994: 93). This view makes an analogy between theological organisations and business firms, all of which struggle in order to capture a growing segment of the market. The top up/supply side theory of secularisation postulates that the competition between different religious denominations has a positive impact on the preservation of religion as a vibrant force in society (Asad, 2003: 33). This approach explains the manner in which, for example, the level of religious adherence is larger in countries like the United States, where the different theological denomination are engaged in permanent competition in orde r to attract new adherents (Idinopulos and Wilson, 1998: 111). This theory puts forward the notion that an intense competition between the different denominations result in churches striving to keep a dynamic spiritual environment in their congregations, hence helping to retain the relevance of religion in their community (Harris, 2005: 58). In the United States, this has generated a situation in which the older denominations such as Lutherans, Catholics and Presbyterians are losing ground to the evangelical religious organisations. Whilst the evangelical movements demand a great deal of effort on the part of the would-be adherents, they also offer a more intense religious experience than the older denominations; which seems to be a determinant factor in attracting support for their cause (Asad, 1993: 145). Furthermore, the top up/supply side theory of secularisation posits that in cases where religious life is dominated by theological organisations that are directly subsidised by the state, the clergy seems to be less keen to engage with the community of believers, hence leading to the decay of spiritual life in their communities (Stark and Iannaccone, 1994: 232). This theoretical approach seems to replicate the idea that state-owned organisations, be them of an economic or religious nature, tend to be less innovative than private ones (Davie, 1994: 19). For example, in Northern Europe, the established Protestant churches are able to fend off the threat posed by other Christian denominations (Wilson, 1966: 58). This means that the clergy does not have to overexert itself in order to attract the attention of their would-be religious adherents (Asad, 2003: 14). Consequently, this led to a situation in which religious attendance declined in a significant manner, since the number of optio ns available in the spiritual market tends to be quite reduced (McCutcheon, 2003: 46). However, this does not explain the reasons behind the consistently high levels of religious attendance in Southern European and Latin American countries, in spite of the monopoly enjoyed by the Catholic Church (Martin, 1969: 28). It could be argued that a pluralist religious template as the basis for a high level of religious attendance represents a theoretical blueprint that can only be successfully applied to particular settings (Berger, 1969: 61). It would appear that many of the tenets espoused by this particular theory of secularisation are not based on a sound methodological framework (Harris, 2005: 55). To be sure, the idea of a competitive religious market as an instrument that allows countries to reverse religious decline can only be applied to the United States, which is a society that has traditionally been based around the development of communal life; strongly informed by religious v alues in order to connect individuals to their particular cultural and geographical setting (Asad, 1993: 66). At the same time, it has been argued that the level of religious attendance have remained quite consistent across the ages, which entails that there have been no substantial secularisation process as a result of the onset of modernity (McCutcheon, 2003: 48). In addition, it has been noted that the ‘market’ theory of religion can provide a sound basis for explaining overall trends in religious adherence (Stark, 1999: 249). In fact, in Western societies, periods of low attendance alternated with periods of higher levels of religious fervour (Idinopulos and Wilson, 1998: 98). It is therefore important to concede the possibility that the top up/supply side theory of secularisation may provide with a sound framework of reference in order to examine the level of religious adherence in across the ages (Stark, 1993: 389). It would appear that the postmodern condition do es not necessarily mar the possibility of a reconstitution of religious life along more fluid doctrinal lines (Stark, 1999: 260). This goes some way towards rebutting the assumptions put forward by the bottom up/demand side theory of secularisation (Wilson, 1966: 61). The ‘market’ interpretation of religious adherence may provide a better way of understanding the extent to which modern societies have been secularised (Wilson, 1966: 82). The dynamic interactions that take place in the social space give rise to the possibility of more fluid (and therefore more vibrant) religious denominational structures that may rehabilitate the spectrum of religious life in postmodern societies (Stark and Iannaccone, 1994: 231). It could be posited that this trend, directed from the top down and informed by a strong supply side approach borrowed from the field of economics, is ultimately a better way to understand the reasons behind the persistence of religious life in modern societies (Asad, 2003: 14). Conclusion By way of conclusion, it may be posited that the bottom up/demand side theory of secularisation provides with some interesting insights regarding the evolution of religious life in societies that have been affected by the process of industrialisation and modernisation, to be sure, the application of scientific methods of interpreting the nature of reality resulted in profound changes in the nature and extent of religious practice in Western European and North American societies (Berger, 1969: 77). The specialisation of technical knowledge production removed power from the religious authorities regarding the way in which knowledge was to be pursued, created and spread (Norris, 2004: 41). Moreover, the onset of modernisation and industrialisation gave the state a great deal of power in order to provide welfare provisions for its citizens, hence stripping the church institutions of their functional purpose (Fitzgerald, 2000: 122). Notwithstanding the validity of these arguments, they do not explain the persistence of religious attendance throughout the ages (Stark, 1993: 390). There seems to be an inherent human drive to seek the ultimate explanations of the nature of existence by referring to supernatural forces, which explains the resilience of religious practice across the ages. The postmodern condition has given rise to new forms of religious and spiritual practices that thrive thanks to the way in which they are able to utilise technology in order to fulfil their mission (Asad, 1993: 45). For all the reasons cited above, it could be concluded that the theory of secularisation fails to explain the continued interest shown by people in pursuing spiritual avenues for personal advancement; an interest that seems to be more vibrant than ever in the age of fluid doctrinal requirements for religious practice. Bibliography Asad, T. (1993) Genealogies of Religion, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD Asad, T. (2003) Formations of the Secular, Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA Berger, P. (1969) The Sacred Canopy, Anchor Books, Garden City, NY Bruce, S. (2002) God is dead-Secularization in the West, Blackwell, Oxford Davie, G. (1994) Religion in Britain since 1945, Blackwell, Oxford Durkheim, E. (1912, 1995) The Elementary Formations of Religious Life, Free Press, New York, NY Fitzgerald, T. (2000) The Ideology of Religious Studies, Oxford University Press, Oxford Gauchet, M., (1999) The Disenchantment with the World, Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ Harris, S. (2005) The End of Faith, Free Press, New York Idinopulos, T. and Wilson, B. (1998) What is ReligionOrigins, Definitions and Explanations, Brill, Boston Martin, D. (1993) A General Theory of Secularization, Gregg Revivals, Aldershot Martin, D., (1969) The Religious and the Secular, Routledge, London Martin, D. (2005) On Secularisation, Aldergate Publishing Company, Aldershot McCutcheon, R. (2003) The Discipline of Religion-Structure, Meaning, Rhetoric, Routledge, London Norris, P. (2004) Sacred and Secular, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge Stark, R. and Iannaccone, L., A Supply Side Reinterpretation of the Secularization of Europe, Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion ,Vol. 33, No. 3 (Sep., 1994), pp. 230-252 Stark, R., Europe’s Receptivity to New Religious Movements: Round Two, Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, Vol. 32, No. 4 (Dec., 1993), pp. 389-397 Stark, R., Secularization, R.I.P. Source: Sociology of Religion, Vol. 60, No. 3, Autumn, 1999, pp. 249-273 Tremlett, P. F. (2009) Religion and the Discourse on Modernity, Continuum, New York Wilson, B. (1966) Religion in Secular Society, C. A. Watts, London

GM Food Essay

You are required to write an article titled GM Food on the basis of websites and sofewares. In the article, you are expected to present the points as follows: the definition of GM food, the possible prospects and problems, your attitude towards GM food. The article should be no less than 500 words. Genetically modified (GM) foods are foods derived from genetically modified organisms. Genetically modified organisms have had specific changes introduced into their DNA by genetic engineering, using a process of either Cisgenesis or Transgenesis. GM foods were first put on the market in the early 1990s. Typically, genetically modified foods are transgenic plant products: soybean, corn, canola, and cotton seed oil. Last year, the Ministry of Agriculture awarded the safety cerfiticate to two kinds of transgenic rice, and this triggered a large-scale discussion. Many people oppose it and refuse to eat GM foods. They objected to GM foods on several grounds such as: †¢ GMF’s have not been a success, there is no test in human being. The GM foods maybe change human gene in future. †¢ Genetically modified crops will affect other plants around them and change other species, then more and more species will vary or disappear. †¢ GM foods have the advantage in both price and output, so traditional farmers will lose the market. Then few companies who have transgene proprietary technology will control food market. On the contrary, many proponents of GM foods have other opinions: †¢ People eat GM foods, then the foods are analysed and assimilated like normal foods, there is no theory to support that GM foods will change human being’s gene. †¢ There is a food supply issue in the developing world, in order to meeting the demand for food and confronting the climate change we need to increase use of GM crops. †¢ The GM crops use less pesticide, It is more safty than normal crops. Actually, more and more GM foods appear in our lives. When you have dinner in the restaurant, maybe you eat the GM oil, GM corn and GM rice, but you just don’t know. Genetically modified food is science brings us the product, now of cultivated land area of less, genetically modified food will play more and more important role, if the use of transgenic technology can solve the world food shortage problem, it is not quite good? Genetically modified food in the world now is a kind of new things, new things, people need time to promote its accept also need some time, we cannot put new things in the cradle, a stick to it from the beginning, that cannot be eaten of genetically modified food. You think we don’t of hybrid rice is a genetically modified food? But we can open it from? And if they can pass the soybeans genetically modified technique using atmospheric nitrogen inside his produces fertilizers to other crops gene transfer in the mankind, it is. Everything is both sides, especially technology, science and technology is a double-edged sword? Genetically modified food has its disadvantages, like some worry, because it will not change, will destroy genetic evolution, etc. Genetically modified food and nutrition inside it isn’t like that, the propaganda of people worry is understandable, after accepting a new things take time. But we also should see the benefits of them, I think as time slowly past, genetically modified foods will be accepted by people.

WH Auden essays

WH Auden essays Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone This piece of text is a poem revolved around funeral blues, and the grief people feel when a loved one dies. Stop all the clocks was written by W. H. Auden and was first published as Song IX FROM Twelve Songs printed in England, in 1936. It was reprinted under its present title in Tell me the truth about love printed in America 1976. The purpose of the text is, due to its emotive nature, an outlet for Audens grief about the death of one of his close friends. W. H. Auden uses a wide variety of language techniques in his poem to impact on the reading of the text. His use of tone, the use of emotive language and word choice, concepts in the text, and the content of the text very successfully portray change in the text. The tone of the poem is a very negative depressed one. This is due to the fact that the poem is about a funeral, and how some people feel when someone close to them has died. By using this tone, Auden shows the change he has undergone into depression due to the fact that someone close to his has died. For example: The stars are not wanted now: put out every one; Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun; Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood. For nothing now can ever come to any good. The extent of his sadness is also shown through the language he uses in the above stanza. For nothing now can ever come to any good Auden has obviously undergone a change since the death of his friend, and the change must have been a very intense and painful one as the language and tone used is very emotive. The use of imagery in reference to nature (also in the above stanza) adds to what extent Auden is changing. This imagery is in relation to very large ideas (the oceans, moon and sun) and this reflects the extent of Audens grief, which is obviously very large. ...

Five factors of acceleration of globalisation Essay

Five factors of acceleration of globalisation - Essay Example These include market drivers, cost drivers, technological drivers, government or political drivers, and competitive drivers. Each of these will each be explained in detail in the following paragraphs (Campbell, Stonehouse, and Houston, 2002). There are two popular frameworks that cover the basic concepts of the drivers of globalisation. One of these is particularly relevant and will be covered here. One of the frameworks is Yip's Framework, and the other one of the frameworks is Porter's Framework. The one that will be covered in the context of this assignment is Yip's Framework, which covers four drivers of globalisation (Campbell, Stonehouse, and Houston, 2002). Yip did not believe in the two extremes that companies were either global or not global. Instead, he believed that all organizations were combinations of the two, each one being more of one than the other. His framework-or outline-allows an observer to determine specifically which parts of an organization are global and which parts have different aspects on a local level. If an organization wishes to evaluate their global strategy, analyzing Yip's Framework can play a crucial role (Campbell, Stonehouse, and Houston, 2002).. Yip argued that, "A global strategy will be global in many respects, but may also include features that are locally oriented. To achieve the benefits of globalization, the managers of a worldwide business need to recognize when industry conditions provide the opportunity to use global strategy levers (Campbell, Stonehouse, and Houston, 2002)." According to Yip, there are four drivers that that determine the extent of globalisation: market drivers, cost drivers, government drivers, and competitive drivers (Campbell, Stonehouse, and Houston, 2002). Market Globalisation Drivers The first driver of globalisation to take a look at is market drivers. "As domestic markets become more and more saturated, the opportunities for growth are limited and global expanding is a way most organizations choose to overcome this situation. Common customer needs and the opportunity to use global marketing channels and transfer marketing to some extent are also incentives to choose internationalization" (Bauernfeind, 2005, pg. 1). Market drivers have resulted in the convergence of per capita income among industrialized nations; take a look at the exchange rates across the globe for example. There has also been a convergence of lifestyles and tastes. People are demanding more high quality products and services than they ever have before, and they want them at the cheapest price, which seriously creates a problem for businesses that are attempting to make a profit. Organisations are beginning to behave as global customers. When organizations spread their operations to other countries, they have to look at finding suppliers in those areas in order to minimize their costs. There has been a notable increase in travel creating global consumers. This can perhaps be attributed to the astronomical increase in communication that came along with the growing popularity of the Internet. Regional and global channels have grown to astronomical proportions. This can be attributed once again to the growth in worldwide communication, as well as

Virtual Reality Endangers Our Future Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Virtual Reality Endangers Our Future - Essay Example Virtual reality could be considered dangerous, as this simulation could cause decline of ethics and traditional values, as well as transition to absolutely new ways of life, where the existence of people will lose its entire meaning. The technology itself has been a source of great use in the recent world as can be clearly witnessed in the use of the technology in different realms of life. Virtual reality is of great significance in the spheres of medicine, business, law, and design. Doctors are starting to use virtual reality devices for conducting medical operations, as well as creating suitable conditions for the faster recovery processes (for instance, for patients with mental disorders). Thus, virtual reality assists in the development of medical industry and moves it to a new level. Besides, this equipment gives an opportunity to reconstruct crimes, hold conferences, or model buildings. Virtual reality becomes a new dawn for entertainment industry, especially in the field of video-games and 3D movies. Headsets could improve realistic and engaging effects to plunge the player or spectator into an artificial environment. Therefore, virtual reality devices are crucially important in the advancement of technol ogy and scientific progress, and its importance should not be overestimated. The other benefit of the concept revolving around virtual reality is the development of the Internet as a new platform which will constitute a major part of the online networking centers. Nowadays, social media has already replaced real-life communication by creating a platform through which people can easily carry out their tasks by using the internet. The existence of public institution websites and online stores abolish the need to leave one’s house. Virtual reality devices expand the borders of the Internet, breaking the fourth wall between a user and the entire system. The borders of