Ritzer and Zelizer Exploration of Webers Socialist Theory

Contemporary applications to Weber Ritzer (2010) and Zelizer (2002) explore Max Weber’s perceptions of the socialist theory. The authors offer insightful analysis of the modes of production and consumption in various economies. In actual sense, they effectively and critically analyze the Marxist socialist theory by giving a straightforward explanation of how different modes of production and consumption transform the lives of people in diverse societies.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Ritzer and Zelizer Exploration of Weber’s Socialist Theory specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More On the other hand, it is relevant to note that Weber explains how various modes of production such as capitalism and communism often lead to social stratification (Ritzer, 2010). It is apparent that Weber does not support these modes of production owing to their demeaning nature. In the theory, he concentrates more on the issue s regarding class and social inequality. He observes that the amount of wealth determines the degree of power held by an individual. Besides, power dictates the class and overall wellbeing of an individual in society (Ritzer, 2010). Weber admits that the aspect of social stratification is the main cause of inequality bearing in mind that the rich and powerful individuals exploit the less fortunate people in society. In other words, exploitation seems to be the worst impact of a society that has been socially stratified. This paper offers critical analyses of Ritzer’s and Zelizer’s opinions on Weber’s theory by examining the strengths and weaknesses as evident in their respective texts. A brief overview and comparison of the texts Ritzer (2010) in his text â€Å"Enchanting a disenchanted world: Continuity and change in the cathedrals of consumption† explains that various means of consumption always compete against each other. Hence, it is the reason why pe ople engage in destructive and reckless means of creating surplus wealth. This type of destruction eventually results into rationalization of new means of consumption and production whereby powerful individuals continue to create more wealth. However, the less fortunate people resort to the art of consuming finished products.  On the other hand, Zelizer (2002) in his book â€Å"Kids and Commerce† expounds that inequality caused by social stratification usually results into early engagement of children in economic activities. In fact, child labor is a direct product of inequality in society. The author laments that compelling children to hard labor is morally wrong and unacceptable. Zelzier (2002) also examines how children participate in the processes of production, distribution and consumption. In addition, the author highlights some of the consequences of involving children in under-employment.Advertising Looking for essay on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Upon critical review of the texts, it is notable that the authors use different perspectives to examine Weber’s arguments on the division of labor and modes of production. For instance, Ritzer (2010) scrutinizes Weber’s social theory from a broad perspective. The author does not just focus on the division of labor in his discussion. He also examines how various modes of consumption affect society at large. Contrastingly, Zelizer (2002) is quite categorical on the issue of dividing labor as part and parcel of improving the pace of production. His arguments revolve around child labor. He keenly links his ideas with various modes of consumption and effects of child labor. The author is also emphatic that child labor negatively affects the growth of an economy (Zelezer, 2002). He points out that child labor differs significantly across different categories of social groups. In some cases, children participate in t he consumption and production processes as organizational agents. Besides, some children play the role of household workers (Zelizer, 2002). At this point, it is agreeable that Ritzer extensively explores and scrutinizes Weber’s theory since he captures almost every aspect of the theorist’s opinions. However, Zelizer restricts the discussion to labor relations. Strengths in the texts After thorough review of the given literature, it is evident that Ritzer (2010) keenly elaborates the aspect of consumption as highlighted in Weber’s socialist theory. He carefully analyses and relates the contemporary, provocative and interesting trends of consumption as depicted by Weber. The author also elucidates that people often familiarize themselves with new modes of consumption according to how they are impressed by emerging trends. Ritzer also employs several illustrations in his analysis. These enable the reader to understand and appreciate the ideas portrayed by Weber. F or example, Ritzer gives a piece of architecture as an example of the â€Å"cathedrals of consumptions.† The latter appears to be one of the most unsettling aspects of his argument. Moreover, new systems of consumption are clearly developed and elaborated by Ritzer. It is irrefutable that Ritzer’s text is very engaging and interesting to read.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Ritzer and Zelizer Exploration of Weber’s Socialist Theory specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More On the other hand, Zelizer (2002) is very specific on the issue of division of labor. It is one of the aspects addressed by Weber. The author restricts his discussion onthe theme of labor and as a result, he is in a position to explore the subject matter deeply. He also addresses the menace of child labor. This allows him to seize an opportunity to examine and critically discuss how various economic activities carried out by child ren affect the growth of an economy. He also examines the organization of children’s labor by providing an exemplary review of child-centered trends of production, distribution and consumption (Zelizer, 2002). This text provides extensive discussion on characterization and organization of child labor. Weaknesses in the texts Ritzer’s text is very dense even if it is engaging and enlightening,. As a matter of fact, the author tries to paint a landscape of Weber’s opinions by illustrating the element of consumerism. Some parts in the text and specifically areas that cover social stratification and consumerism compel the book to appear a bit rambling. In actual sense, the book is quite wide and may impede the reading spirit of individuals who prefer short texts. At some point, a reader becomes uncertain of the author’s arguments owing to numerous illustrations and discussion points. In regards to Zelezer‘s text, it is apparent that it lacks linear argu ments. This author extends his analysis by discussing child labor instead of focusing on Weber’s arguments on the division of labor. This text is expected to critically acknowledge or criticize Weber’s social theory. However, numerous deviations in course of the analysis may easily lead to poor understanding of the contents. Moreover, the author does not effectively capture numerous modes of consumerism that usually lead into child labor. In conclusion, Zelizer’s and Ritzer’s texts are generally engaging, informative, realistic and enlightening especially on contemporary issues such as consumerism and division of labor. However, both texts can still be improved based on the comments posted in this critical analysis. Needless to say, all the key issues addressed in Weber’s social theory should have been analyzed by both texts.Advertising Looking for essay on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More References Ritzer, G. (2010). Enchanting a disenchanted world: Continuity and change in the cathedrals of consumption. Thousand Oak, CA: Pine Forge Press. Zelizer, V. (2002). Kids and commerce. Childhood, 9(4), 375-396. This essay on Ritzer and Zelizer Exploration of Weber’s Socialist Theory was written and submitted by user Delaney U. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

King Philip VI of France

King Philip VI of France King Philip VI  was also known as: in French,  Philippe de Valois King Philip VI was known for: Being  the first French king of the Valois dynasty. His reign saw the beginning of the Hundred Years War and the arrival of the Black Death. Occupations: King Places of Residence and Influence: France Important Dates: Born:  1293Crowned:  May 27, 1328Died:  , 1350 About King Philip VI: Philip was a cousin to kings: Louis X, Philip V, and Charles IV were the last of the direct line of Capetian kings. When Charles IV died in 1328, Philip became regent until Charles widow gave birth to what was expected to be the next king. The child was female and, Philip claimed, was therefore ineligible to rule under Salic Law. The only other male claimaint was Englands Edward III, whose mother was the late kings sister and who, due to the same restrictions of Salic Law regarding females, was also barred from succession. So, in May of 1328, Philip of Valois became King Philip VI of France. In August of that year, the count of Flanders appealed to Philip for help in putting down a revolt. The king responded by sending his knights to slaughter thousands at the Battle of Cassel. Not long after that, Robert of Artois, who had helped Philip secure the crown, claimed the countship of Artois; but a royal claimant did so, as well. Philip instituted judicial proceedings against Robert, turning his one-time supporter into a bitter enemy. It wasnt until 1334 that trouble began with England. Edward III, who didnt particularly like paying homage to Philip for his holdings in France, decided to flout Philips interpretation of Salic Law and lay claim to the French crown through his mothers line. (Edward was most likely spurred on in his animosity toward Philip by Robert of Artois.) In 1337 Edward landed on French soil, and what would later be known as the Hundred Years War began. In order to wage war Philip had to raise taxes, and in order to raise taxes he had to make concessions to the nobility, the clergy, and the bourgeoisie. This resulted in the rise of the estates and the beginning of a reform movement in the clergy. Philip also had difficulties with his council, many of whom were under the influence of the powerful Duke of Burgundy. The arrival of plague in 1348 pushed many of these problems to the background, but they were still there (along with the plague) when Philip died in 1350. More King Philip VI Resources: King Philip VI on the Web Philip VIConcise intro at Infoplease.Philippe VI de Valois (1293-1349)Very brief bio at the official website of France. The Hundred Years War Chronological Index Geographical Index Index by Profession, Achievement, or Role in Society The text of this document is copyright  ©2005-2015 Melissa Snell. You may download or print this document for personal or school use, as long as the URL below is included. Permission is not granted to reproduce this document on another website. For publication permission, please   contact  Melissa Snell. The URL for this document is:http://historymedren.about.com/od/pwho/fl/King-Philip-VI-of-France.htm

Atomic Number Definition - Chemistry Glossary

Atomic Number Definition - Chemistry Glossary The atomic number of a chemical element is the number of  protons in the nucleus of an atom of the  element. It is the charge number of the nucleus since neutrons carry no net electrical charge. The atomic number determines the identity of an element and many of its chemical properties. The modern periodic table is ordered by increasing atomic number. Atomic Number Examples The atomic number of hydrogen is 1; the atomic number of carbon is 6, and the atomic number of silver is 47, Any atom with 47 protons is an atom  of silver. Varying its number of neutrons changes its isotopes while changing the numbers of electrons makes it an ion. Also Known As: The atomic number is also known as the proton number. It may be represented by the capital letter Z. The use of capital letter Z comes from the German word Atomzahl, which means atomic number. Before the year 1915, the word Zahl (number) was used to describe an elements position on the periodic table. Relationship Between Atomic Number and Chemical Properties The reason the atomic number determines the chemical properties of an element is that the number of protons also determines the number of electrons in an electrically neutral atom. This, in turn, defines the electron configuration of the atom and the nature of its outermost or valence shell. The behavior of the valence shell determines how readily an atom will form chemical bonds and participate in chemical reactions. New Elements and Atomic Numbers At the time of this writing, elements with atomic numbers 1 through 118 have been identified. Scientists typically talk about discovering new elements with higher atomic numbers. Some researchers believe there may be an island of stability, where the configuration of protons and neutrons of superheavy atoms will be less susceptible to the quick radioactive decay seen in known heavy elements.

Labeling Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Labeling - Research Paper Example While labeling theory is not as popular as it once was, it has not been completely discredited as a way to understand how social processes lead to deviant behavior. Labeling Theory & Who Labels Whom? Labeling theory argues that just observing the delinquent, or its characteristics, will not provide a whole image of deviance or crime. A complete picture has to include community/society responses to such incidents (Traub and Little 291). Labeling theory is used as a way to understand deviant behavior, including crime, as a consequence of social differentiation processes in which some of society's members are singled out, identified, and defined as deviant, while others are not (Traub and Little 289-295). The causal proposition of labeling theory is that the act of treating a person as a deviant, in itself, can lead to deviant behavior on the part of that person. The punishment of deviant behavior often has an ironic effect: efforts at social control lead to decreased control (Schur 10) . Social definitions of deviance and their accompanying social sanctions somehow pressure labeled individuals into further deviant behaviors. Loosely speaking, a "label," or, a definition of a person as deviant, may be thought of as an independent variable, or, a cause of deviant behavior (Akers 121). The process by which a person is labeled as deviant may be summarized as follows. First, an act is deemed as deviant. Second, the person committing the act is deemed as deviant. And third, a moral condemnation is placed upon this person (Traub and Little 289). According to labeling theory, then, reactions to criminal behavior should be considered at least as important as the behavior itself, if not more. Labeling theory took a lesson from Kai Erikson (p. 11), who argued that the "social audience," not the individual, is the critical variable in studying deviance because it is the audience who decides which acts, or types of acts, deserve the deviant label. In their coverage of labeling theory, Traub and Little (p. 290) wrote "it is the definition of an individual's behavior as deviant, rather than the behavior itself, that can cause a marked change in status which transforms a person's conception of self and initiates the process of locking that person into a 'deviant career'." Thus, it is the community and authority figures such as the police, judges, teachers, parents, and psychiatrists, who label persons as "criminal," "delinquent," "bad kid," "mentally ill," "poor student," and so on. Consequences of Labeling Labeling theory argues that public deviant labeling can have a profound impact on the ability of the labeled person to participate in mainstream society. In one sense, this is an all-too-obvious observation. Societal sanctions have obnoxious effects for the offender of social norms. This assumption is central to the classic school in criminology, namely the deterrence approach to crime and punishment (Gennaro 196). This perspective argues that being caug ht and punished for a crime should decrease one's future rate of offending. Punished individuals should tend to desist from crime to avoid the pain of punishment in the future. However, in direct contrast to this traditional view, labeling theory points out that the ability of the individual to engage in rational decision-making is not the only relevant factor in determining the consequences of punishment. Labeling theory looks beyond individual-level processes and

Middle East Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Middle East - Essay Example This perspective mostly refers to a conventional Muslim female whereby according to the creed ought to conduct themselves in a decent manner, which is having veil. Another meaning encompasses preferring hijab other than complete veiling whereby numerous current global regimes seem to prefer contending of security reasons as well as in certain settings like colleges and universities (Asser, 2006). Since, most people and especially scholars contend it reveals the face of an individual such without violating their rights. However, this argument varied religious leaders have vehemently detested contending it is a mere segregation. Different interpretations across numerous scholars and people globally regarding the issue of veiling stems from varying cultures especially in Arab world as well as certain Koranic verses that are extremely ambiguous (Asser, 2006). Hence, leading to the emerging of numerous arguments concerning where to draw line regarding veiling issue as well as accommodate certain practices that align with it (Asser, 2006). 2) Some Western states have created laws imposing limitations on veiling practices in public spaces. Choose a country discussed in the articles and explain what kinds of limitations are imposed and the justification for those limitations. In this state, the regime barred full-face veil in public places whereby the president contended the practice was basically a way of oppressing the female gender, hence France was not ready to bear it (BBC News, 2014). According to the regime of the day, the female gender ought not to leave their houses while hiding their faces behind veils whereby in contravening this rule one risks a penalty of 150-euro. Those participate in compelling one to have veil in public subjects himself or herself to a fine of 30,000-euro (BBC News, 2014). This ban extended even to barring of creed symbols in state schools with the intention of

Should Gays Be Allowed to Marry Essay Example for Free

Should Gays Be Allowed to Marry Essay Marriage: a legally recognized relationship, established by civil or religious ceremony, between two people who intend to live together as sexual and domestic partners. Typically this is between a man and a woman, in love, as they come before their families, to pledge to spend the rest of their lives together. As times continue to evolve around the world so has the idea and laws concerning marriage. Marriage is no longer just about a man and a woman committing themselves to each other for life, it now encompasses, gay and lesbians as well, as they pledge to love, honor, and trust each other all the days of their lives. This argumentative essay will explore logically both sides of the debate on whether gays and lesbians should be extended the same rights of marriage as heterosexuals have. Marriage and Heterosexuals The purpose of marriage has always been to join a man and a woman in matrimony so they can start and raise a family naturally. Marriage has occurred since the beginning of time in every culture. You meet, fall in love, get married and have babies. This belief of the 1950’s style marriage is how many young people see and view how they are supposed to live their adult lives. Marriage is a sacred act that a man and woman shares in front of their families, pledging their unending love for each other promising to cherish and keep only unto them as long as they both shall live. The Catholic Church teaches that marriage can only exist between a man and a woman. Catholism teaches us that â€Å"Marriage is a union of male and female that expresses the sexually complementarily willed belief of God for their marriage,† and see the natural structure of human sexuality between a man and a woman saying that they complement each other in expressing conjugal love and transmitting human life. This unique complement is what makes the bond of marriage the core of unity. The concept of marriage as a â€Å"sacred institution† is a modern fallacy. Because marriage is constantly evolving and changing the modern concept of marriage is evolving as well. Marriage is becoming more about commitment and less about creating families. In today’s society more and more married couples are chosing not to start families and are using their union as a committed state as a platform to evolve their career. Marriage and Homosexuals The issues of whether or not one should believe that gays should marry, is a hot controversy across the United States today in political and religious forums. 100 years ago as the human race started drastically changing everything about what we thought that we knew, started to evolve into new territories as well. No longer are we the human species of traditional hunter- gatherers we have evolved into a species of high tech industrialist who want to be able to decide everything.. These changes are not the only one’s taking place. We now find ourselves on the turntable of marriage as well. What actually defines a marriage? Does it have to only be about a male and a female? No longer do we have to stay in marriages when we were miserable, or our spouse is being unfaithful. We have separation and divorce. With all these changes we are now starting to look at accepting same sex marriages, or domestic partnerships, in the same piece of mind. So let’s take a look at what makes up these marriages and partnerships and then you can decide if you really can’t support something that you once didn’t really think you could. Domestic Partnerships Domestic Partnership has been around for years. While some think of domestic partnerships as a man and a woman, others think of domestic partnerships as a homosexual couple, (man and man or woman and woman) living together raising families. The idea that people can co habitat a space, without having a piece of paper from the state saying they are â€Å"MARRIED†, has become popular especially amongst the homosexual community. Once something that was thought to be shamed upon is now considered the norm. With marriage come legal obligations and rights that Domestic Partnership does not offer. In marriage if you decide you no longer want be with your spouse you can separate, and or divorce. When this happens, a judge decides how he or she will divide your property, assets, and they set up custody arrangements. In domestic partnerships there are no legal rights that automatically come when you move in together. Because of legal loop hole, many domestic partners are chosing to draw up legal contracts. These legal contracts say who gets what when it comes to assets, property, children, and in some cases names who gets to say what happens to them in emergencies. These legal contracts are saving millions of domestic partners when their domestic partnership falls apart. Same Sex Marriage Same sex marriage, marriage amongst two people from the same biological sex or gender identity. Same sex marriages can be performed in a secular civil ceremony or in a religious setting are endorsed and practiced by various religious groups around the world. In the United States same-sex couples living in Massachusetts, California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington state can now legally decide if they believe that marriage is what they want to enter into. Before consenting into marriage as a same sex couple one must first think about a few issues about how they want to structure they’re union. Having children, jointly owning property, splitting up property, formalities such as taxes or divorce, government benefits, and immigration are things that any couple should think of when they decide to marry. For gays and lesbians these questions require more thought that they would if you are heterosexual. One topic more than others is children. If one partner in the same sex marriage is the parent does the other partner automatically get custody if that partner dies? Some would think yes but not in all cases. For most if one partner has a child they have no legal rights to the child. They therefore must go to court and legally adopt the child. Should homosexuals be allowed to marry? Yes. I believe that with all the changes that our country has went through over the past one hundred years I believe that giving everyone the same rights should include giving homosexuals the right to get married. I do not see why that if you love someone that you should not be allowed to get married. Ethical Issues and Ethical Problems The ethical issues and ethical problems of gays being allowed to marry are principally related to religion and the media. Legally whether or not homosexuals are allowed to marry or not is more of an issue that ethical. In the United States laws concerning whether or not gays should marry has come under ramification recently as Constitutional laws are changing. As homosexuals continue to fight for the same rights as heterosexuals I believe that constitutional laws will continue to overshadow ethical issues. Conclusion With every scrutanty that homosexuals face why do they want the continue to risk everything to get married? Marriage: a legally recognized relationship, established by civil or religious ceremony, between two people who intend to live together as sexual and domestic partners. In this argumentative essay I explored logically both sides of the debate on whether gays and lesbians, and domestic partners, should be extended the same rights of marriage as heterosexuals have. Marriage by definition does not state that it has to be between a man and a woman. It does state that they must live together sexually and domestically. I believe that in this paper I have shown that same sex couples domestically and sexually qualify for this union. I believe that no matter what someone’s gender is they should be allowed to stand in front of God and their families and announce to the world that they love each other and are committing each other for live.

Graduation Speech -- Graduation Speech, Commencement Address

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. On behalf of the 2012 graduating class of County High School, I would like to welcome you to our commencement ceremony. As valedictorian of this class I would like to speak to you, and my fellow graduates about responsibility, but first I would like to tell you a little story D.L. Moody told the story of a passenger on an Atlantic steamer who lay in his bunk during a raging storm with a severe case of sea sickness. Suddenly he heard the cry, "Man overboard." "May God help that poor fellow," he prayed, "but there's nothing I can do." Then he thought, "I can at least put my lantern in my small window," and with an effort he did so. The man was finally rescued. In recounting the story the next day, he said, "I was going down in the darkness for the last time when someone put a light in a porthole. It shone on my hand, and a sailor in the lifeboat grabbed it and pulled me in." Weakness is no excuse for not putting forth the little strength we have. Who can tell how God will work? Responsibility is one of the most important things that we have as human beings. We as Christians have much responsibility laid upon us. As citizens of two kingdoms, one earthly, and one heavenly, we all find ourselves with some responsibility to shoulder. No matter who we are, no matter what gender, what nationality, what color, what creed, God has given us as Christians the awesome responsibility to be his witnesses in this world. There are many different excuses people use to try to avoid responsibility. For example, some among us may say, "I am not ready." In 1 Peter chapter 3 verse 15b it says, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." This ... ...to plan for the future, yet to keep your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, because only he can adequately guide our paths, so that we can make the best use of the time, talents, and the responsibility he has given us to be a witness unto (for) him. Now I would like to thank all of those people who have made it possible for us as young adults to be able to take on the responsibility that we have been given. I would like to thank Mr. Mehrtens, Mrs. Barnett, Mrs. Fuentes, Mrs. Miller and all of the other teachers who have come and gone, for all of their hard work and dedication, and also their Christian example. I would also like to thank all of our parents for thinking so much of us that they paid double for our education, and I would also like to thank them for the godly standards they have encouraged us to strive for. Thank you all. Thank you. Graduation Speech -- Graduation Speech, Commencement Address Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. On behalf of the 2012 graduating class of County High School, I would like to welcome you to our commencement ceremony. As valedictorian of this class I would like to speak to you, and my fellow graduates about responsibility, but first I would like to tell you a little story D.L. Moody told the story of a passenger on an Atlantic steamer who lay in his bunk during a raging storm with a severe case of sea sickness. Suddenly he heard the cry, "Man overboard." "May God help that poor fellow," he prayed, "but there's nothing I can do." Then he thought, "I can at least put my lantern in my small window," and with an effort he did so. The man was finally rescued. In recounting the story the next day, he said, "I was going down in the darkness for the last time when someone put a light in a porthole. It shone on my hand, and a sailor in the lifeboat grabbed it and pulled me in." Weakness is no excuse for not putting forth the little strength we have. Who can tell how God will work? Responsibility is one of the most important things that we have as human beings. We as Christians have much responsibility laid upon us. As citizens of two kingdoms, one earthly, and one heavenly, we all find ourselves with some responsibility to shoulder. No matter who we are, no matter what gender, what nationality, what color, what creed, God has given us as Christians the awesome responsibility to be his witnesses in this world. There are many different excuses people use to try to avoid responsibility. For example, some among us may say, "I am not ready." In 1 Peter chapter 3 verse 15b it says, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." This ... ...to plan for the future, yet to keep your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, because only he can adequately guide our paths, so that we can make the best use of the time, talents, and the responsibility he has given us to be a witness unto (for) him. Now I would like to thank all of those people who have made it possible for us as young adults to be able to take on the responsibility that we have been given. I would like to thank Mr. Mehrtens, Mrs. Barnett, Mrs. Fuentes, Mrs. Miller and all of the other teachers who have come and gone, for all of their hard work and dedication, and also their Christian example. I would also like to thank all of our parents for thinking so much of us that they paid double for our education, and I would also like to thank them for the godly standards they have encouraged us to strive for. Thank you all. Thank you.

Management of Acid Rain

First of all, as the name suggests, acid rain is rain that is too acidic; with a pH of 5 or below. PH is based on the concentration of hydrogen ions. Acid Rain is caused by emissions of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. These major contributing pollutants come from factories, power plants, automobile exhaust, chemical fertilizers, and other sources. Acid rain harms man-made objects as well as humans, animals, plants, aquatic systems, soils, forest, and etc. The list goes on and on. Acid rain reaches the earth in five different forms: rain, snow, hail, sleet, or fog. There are also dry acidic particles that fall from the atmosphere. Most people do not think that acid rain is a big deal, but it is. There have been laws passed to help control this issue, but it has not helped the United States as much as it should have. In this report I will explain controversies in the past over acid rain and I will say a little bit about what is going on in the present. In the 1980†³s acid rain was a major environmental issue. Environmentalists believed that acid rain was poisoning lakes and killing fish in North America. Because the political debate was so fierce, and the scientific process was so acrimonious, Congress created what was then the country†s biggest environmental research project which consumed half a billion dollars in 10 years. Following this research project, Congress amended the Clean Air Act in 1990, which required polluters, mainly electric power companies, to reduce their emission of sulphur dioxide. After this act, the problem seemed to be solved. Now we have come to realize that acid rain has not at all disappeared. In many lakes across North America the water is less acidic, but there is no sign of recovery across the northeastern and midwestern United States-and there may not be for decades. Gene Likens, an ecologist at the Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, N.Y. quotes, † The problem is complex, and it has not gone away.† Here is a list of some of the effects of acid rain in aquatic ecosystems: v As the pH approaches 6.0, crustaceans, insects, and some plankton species begin to disappear. v As pH approaches 5.0, major changes in the makeup of the plankton community occur, less desirable species of mosses and plankton may begin to invade, and the progressive loss of some fish populations is likely, with the more highly valued species being generally the least tolerant of acidity. v Below pH of 5.0, the water is largely devoid of fish, the bottom is covered with undecayed material, and mosses may dominate the areas near the shore. v Terrestrial animals dependent on aquatic ecosystems are also affected. Waterfowl, for example, depend on aquatic organisms for nourishment and nutrients. As these food sources are reduced or eliminated, the quality of habitat declines and the reproductive success of the birds is affected. When a lake is too acidic, many fish, insects, amphibians, birds, plants, and etc. die. Eventually every form of life will die. Because the young fish are weaker than the fully-grown ones, a whole generation of young fish can die if the water is too acidic. Even if the fish were to survive the water, they may die because their food supply has decreased drastically because of the acid rain. Birds also suffer from this problem. They depend on the lakes for food, and when the lakes and fish are poisoned or dead, therefore the birds goes hungry. Aquatic systems are not the only things that are affected by acid rain. Humans, plants, forests, and a whole bunch if other things are too. Acid rain can harm us (humans) in several ways: v If the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe has come in contact with acid deposition, it can cause health problems for us. v Studies have shown that there is a link between acid rain and respiratory problems in sensitive populations such as children and asthmatics. v Also, acid rain can increase the levels of toxic metals such as aluminum, copper, and mercury in untreated drinking water supplies. Plants can be harmed by acid rain in many ways also. For example, it can alter the protective waxy surface of leaves, lowering disease resistance. Here are a few more examples: v It may inhibit plant germination and reproduction. v It accelerates soil weathering and removal of nutrients. v It makes some toxic elements, such as aluminum, more soluble. High aluminum concentrations in the soil can prevent the uptake and use of nutrients by plants. Its effects on animals are hard to assess. As a result of pollution-induced alteration of habitat or food resources, acid deposition may cause population decline through stress and lower reproductive success. Acid rain affects forests and soils. When sulphuric acid falls onto the earth, nutrients present in the soil are washed away. Aluminum, which is present in the soil, is released and this element can be absorbed into the roots of trees and plants. As a result, the trees and plants are starved to death as they are deprived of their vital nutrients such as calcium and magnesium. The needles of some trees will turn yellow because of this; eventually they will fall off. Besides just killing the trees and plants, they also, acid rain also makes them grow when they don†t have the proper nutrients. Also, trees are forced to grow well into late autumn when it is actually time for them to prepare for severe frosts in the winter. Man-made objects are also harmed. Rust can be formed on metal and statues, buildings, graves, and many other things can be ruined because of acid rain. Acid rain wears down rock structures down gradually, and can be devastating over a long period of time, sometimes causing bridges to collapse or become unstable. In conclusion, acid rain may not sound all that harmful, but it really is and it is not a subject to be taken lightly. There are some things that you can do to reduce the acidity in acid rain, so maybe this report will change your mind and make you think!

Examining Henrik Ibsen’s Torvald and John Updike’s Sammy Essay

Some men seem to like their women simple. The man who desires the simple woman sees her as easier to manipulate and as a more positive reflection on himself. A man who has a simple woman can believe himself superior in almost all things; such is the case with John Updike’s character Sammy in the short story â€Å"A & P,† and Henrik Ibsen’s character Torvald Helmer from his play A Doll’s House. Each of these men views the world as merely an extension of himself, and the people in the world, especially the women, as decorative items purely for his personal manipulation and amusement. Ironically, by the end of both Updike’s short story and Ibsen’s play, the women have turned the men’s worlds on edge and taken control of the universe. Sammy is a checker at the local supermarket, and he spends his days watching his world go by while standing in judgment of those who enter his domain. The world that goes by Sammy is populated by a variety of customers—all seemingly women—who he describes as â€Å"witches,† â€Å"sheep,† and â€Å"this one[s]† (Updike 959, 960). That he feels superior to women—all women—is made obvious by the way in which he sizes them up. The three bathing-suit-clad girls who are about to change Sammy’s life are described in terms of their physical attributes and the degree to which Sammy is attracted to each. While he initially admires the girl â€Å"in the plaid green two-piece† who has a â€Å"good tan and [the] sweet broad soft-looking can with [. . . ] two crescents of white just under it,† he later realizes she and girl number two are merely preludes to the one he presumes to be their leader—the one he calls â€Å"the queen† (959, 960). Torvald Helmer is no different from Sammy; he too objectifies women—specifically his wife—and he lives happily presuming that females are simple and will always remain so. Ibsen’s play opens with Nora entering the home and Torvald’s greeting her shortly thereafter. During their brief exchange, Torvald uses the terms â€Å"little lark,† â€Å"little squirrel,† and â€Å"little spendthrift† in reference to his wife, only bothering to use her name when he is busily chastising her for her many errors in judgment—most of which he attributes to her inability to handle money (Ibsen). Sammy and Torvald are each comfortable with the subordinate role into which they place women; in fact, both characters seem completely unaware that they are objectifying and marginalizing the women around them—it is a matter of their natural make up. Additionally, both men express a clear understanding that women’s brains are a bit empty. Sammy wonders whether or not â€Å"it’s a mind in there or just a buzz like a bee in a glass jar†; Torvald is more direct, calling Nora a â€Å"little featherhead† (Updike 960, Ibsen). There is no doubt that both men are whole-heartedly mocking women as if doing so is part of the reason they exist—part of the world’s natural order. Neither character expects the carefully structured universes over which they each rule to be altered let alone collapse, but that is exactly what happens to both Sammy and Torvald. It never dawns on Sammy, as he is tucked safely behind his register, that the actual power dynamic is the antithesis of what he believes it to be: he is merely a servant to the customers who enter the store. In fact, he operates like a man who can alter the very natures of the customers he helps. The â€Å"bold† move Sammy makes at the end of the story isn’t an act of independence but an act made â€Å"hoping [the girls will] stop and watch [him], their unsuspected hero† (Updike 963). Likewise, Torvald long remains unaware of the debt he owes his wife—a debt physical and financial. Having spent his life smugly satisfied over his wife’s dependence on him and her general ignorance, he is thrilled to gain possession of the letter that contains the forged contract Krogstad held over Nora. In his mind, order will be restored; however, Nora confronts Torvald about her unhappiness and his constantly treating her like a â€Å"doll† (Ibsen). Just as the presence of the bathing-suit-clad women drove Sammy to quit his job in an act of pointless chivalry; Torvald’s actions—actions that were designed to cage his wife—led him to his mistaking â€Å"saving† her for his own good for â€Å"saving† her for her own. The carefully controlled and structured worlds of each has been undone—in both cases by the male character’s own unskilled hands. Sammy and Torvald meet their ends, but not before groveling, and grasping one last time for the control each has let slip away. Sammy’s struggle is relatively private. He exists the A & P â€Å"looking around for [the bathing-suit-clad] girls,† but all he sees are a woman and her â€Å"screaming† kids (Updike 964). There is no one to observe his recent, self-serving act of heroism, and he pathetically mollifies himself by thinking â€Å"how hard the world was going to be [thereafter]† (964). Torvald’s end is a bit more public—much as was his mocking of his wife. Declaring that â€Å"[he has] it in [him] to become a different man,† he is shocked to learn that Nora has long been a different woman, and has neither need nor desire for him to remain a part of her life; his attempt to placate himself is to hang on the words â€Å"the most wonderful thing of all? (Ibsen) It may be that some men wish their women simple, but it is in the simplest things that the greatest truths are most often revealed. The safety some men seek in the weakness of those with whom they surround themselves is often only a pit of quicksand. This was the case for both Sammy and Torvald Helmer. Where Sammy privately observes and judges women he does not know, Torvald is far more obnoxious: he diminishes his wife openly. Whether or not Sammy ages into a Torvald is anyone’s guess, but certainly the potential for it is present. As one man walks out of a grocery store and the other man tries to guess the answer to a riddle, the women have entered the world on their own, presumably to live happily, contentedly, and idependently ever-after. Works Cited Ibsen, Henrik. A Doll’s House. Ed. E. Haldeman-Julius. 1923. Project Gutenberg. 29 Mar. http://www.gutenberg.org/

Things Fall Apart Characters essays

Things Fall Apart Characters essays Akunna - Akunna is a clan leader of Umuofia. He and Mr. Brown discuss their religious beliefs peacefully. Neither converts the other, but they learn more about the other's faith. Mr. Brown - Mr. Brown is the first white missionary to travel to Umuofia. He institutes a policy of compromise and understanding between his flock and the clan. He does not like his flock to antagonize the clan. He even becomes friends with prominent clansmen. He builds a school and a hospital in Umuofia and urges the clan to send their children to school. He warns them that if they do not learn to read and write, strangers who can will come and overtake them. Chielo - Chielo is a priestess in Umuofia. She is dedicated to the Oracle of the goddess Agbala. In ordinary life, she is a widow with two children. She is good friends with Ekwefi and is fond of Ezinma, whom she calls "my daughter." The District Commissioner - The District Commissioner is an authority figure in the white colonial government in Nigeria. He is the typical, racist colonist who understands nothing of native African customs or cultures and has no respect for them. Ekwefi - Ekwefi is Okonkwo's second wife. He won her heart when he defeated Amalinze the Cat in a wrestling contest in his youth. He was too poor to pay her bride-price then. A few years later, she ran away from her first husband to live with Okonkwo. She was the village beauty in her youth. Ezinma is her only surviving child. Her first nine children died in their infancy, and Ekwefi constantly fears that she will lose Ezinma as well. Ekwefi is good friends with Chielo, the priestess of the goddess Agbala. Enoch - Enoch is a zealous convert to the Christian church in Umuofia. He rips the mask off an egwugwu during an annual ceremony to honor the earth deity. Enoch's action is equivalent to killing an ancestral spirit, so the egwugwu burn his compound and the Christian church to cleanse the village of Enoch's terrible s...

Best War Ever America And World War Ii History Essay

Best War Ever America And World War Ii History Essay The objective of this book is to subject the chief features of the Good War myth to bright analysis in the hope of present an additional realistic picture, one that does not demean the achievement of the United States and of liberal democracy but that at the same time does not diminish the stress, suffering, problems, and failures inevitably faced by a society at war. The war was good for the economy. It was liberating for women. It was a war of tanks and airplanes — a cleaner war than World War I. Americans were united. Soldiers were proud. It was a time of prosperity, sound morality, and power. But according to historian Michael Adams, our memory is distorted, and it has left us with a misleading — even dangerous — legacy. Challenging many of our common assumptions about the period, Adams argues that our experience of World War II was positive but also disturbing, creating problems that continue to plague us today. Michael C Adams has contributed to The Best W ar Ever: America and World War II as an author. Michael C. C. Adams, a professor of history at Northern Kentucky University, is the author of â€Å"The Great Adventure: Male Desire and the Coming of World War I† (1990).   Much of the events of WWII has been mythologized not only by Hollywood and government propaganda, and over the years this mythology has been perpetuated by those who lived through the war themselves. Michael C. C. Adams has sought to expose these stories for what they are, fabrication and oversimplifications, and provide the basic facts that facilitate a truer understanding of WWII and the world wide cultural changes surrounding it, both before and after the war itself. In chapter one, â€Å"Mythmaking and the War†, Adams sets out the myth itself, as defined by Hollywood dramatization, government propaganda, advertisement agencies, and the revised memories of those who stayed home, as well as those who fought in the war itself. The war became  "America’s golden age, a peak in the life of society when everything worked out and the good guys definitely got a happy ending.† (Adams, 2) The WWII era came to serve a purpose; to be the bygone age which America once was, and if worked hard enough for, could be again. It was, in a sense, America’s Garden of Eden, the time and place where all things were right. Of course, this was a manufactured ideal, what Adams calls a â€Å"usable past.† â€Å"In creating a usable past, we seek formulas to apply in solving today’s problems. Americans believe that WWII proved one rule above all others†¦it is usually better to fight than to talk.† (Adams, 4) â€Å"To make WWII into the best war ever, we must leave out the area bombings and other questionable aspects while exaggerating the good things. The war myth is distorted not so much in what it says as in what it doesn’t say.† (Adams, 7) This applies not only to the war itself, but a lso to the home front.

I do not know please but the sutible topic Essay

I do not know please but the sutible topic - Essay Example On the other hand, Shary also describes in his article â€Å"Youth in School† the cinematic image of nerds. Nerds as we know it could be either a representation of individuals with high academic achievement, virgins or those usually left behind in the social group due to issue of conformity and acceptability (Choi 119; Driscoll 71). For instance, Shary emphasizes there are substantial opportunities for popular teens, those who are highly accepted in the group, and as a result, would mostly even have rich experiences when it comes to love (social affection) and sex (Shary 1989). Thus, in order for nerds to transform or gain acceptability, they have to produce something among themselves. Whatever might it be, the idea should be to increase their group and social acceptability or desirability. A specific example of this would be some of those shown in weird science films showing the protagonist (nerd) to excel and end up gaining high value in the society (Shary 1985). Thus, the b ottom line would be to increase the level of affection given to them by the surrounding social environment. Laney Boggs from the movie film â€Å"She’s All That† is unpopular art student in the campus, physically unattractive and wallows into solitary atmosphere. In the movie, Boggs needed to be transformed as somebody that comes from being an ugly duckling to a stunning beauty, which is a remarkable depiction of increasing one’s value and social acceptability. The movie film â€Å"The Breakfast Club† featuring the character of Brian Johnson also depicts issue concerning conformity, rebellion and social acceptability. Johnson in this film shows how shameful on his part to remain virgin at his age, which depicts issue about conformity. Shary’s ideas on the nerd concept are actually exemplified in the case of Boggs and Johnson due to the associated issue about conformance and rebellion. In the case of Boggs, her