People, Organizations and Society Essay Example for Free

People, Organizations and Society Essay Most people are individually different from one another it varies from behavior, character, attitude, lifestyles and importantly the social status. We sometimes ask ourselves why are there many people who have bad traits and good traits and sometimes having diverse mood swings and frame of mind. Different theories coming from different psychiatrist and psychologist are the concrete foundation of behavioral factors. In order for us to understand the behavior of every human being, it is better to describe the two types of conditioning which involves learning process and behavior, the classical conditioning and operant conditioning. We will discuss the similarities and dissimilarities of these two types of conditioning and further relates these two to many dimensional examples of an individual’s behavior and also that of an animal pattern of behavior. Defining Classical and Operant Conditioning In order to explore the clarity of classical and operant conditioning, it is healthier to examine and define the subject from which they are strongly associated and originated which is learning. Classical and operant conditioning has several similarities on learning such as the process of extinction, unprompted recovery, stimulus conclusion, biasness and superior directive condition or secondary reinforcement. Also, it is similar because they both generate basic occurrence and phenomena which is acquisition which result in the inheritance of a behavior (SocialPC). Classical and operant conditioning are similar in some ways but they do varies in a few ways and are equally dependable method to explain and educate a person or an animal in a specific situation. Learning is any comparatively lasting transformation in behavior and manners generated by an experience (MegaEssays, 2007). These two conditioning are the two types of several theories on learning. Classical conditioning is an important type of learning which was uncovered by Ivan Pavlov, a Russian physiologist who emphasized this observable fact through his experiments on the digestive patterns in dogs (Heffner, 2004). It is a connection of one occurrence or happening with another that results in a pattern of behavior (MegaEssays, 2007). A classic example of this phenomenon is the research done by Pavlov on his dog in which he discovered a dog’s drive to produce saliva while responding to a certain stimuli, in which a reaction or spontaneous effect that was unconscious and unintentional. When he rang a bell and was offered a food to the dog, the dog recognized it and associated the food with the bell. In this case, the bell is the conditioned stimulus while food was an unconditioned stimulus. In addition, classical conditioning often linked with muscles and reflexes and instincts. It is a very important component of a training program in which we can comprehend and figure out conditioned and unconditioned stimulus or reinforcement, species exact behaviors, inducing dislike stimuli, and feelings (2007). It is significant in understanding in dealing with problems relating to fear. Another finding confirmed the thought that we build up reactions to certain stimuli that are not naturally occurring, for example when we touch a hot stove, our response is to remove our hands back from the hot stove but now some people who already experienced after getting burned tend to pull their hands back even when the stove is turned off. This lead to Pavlov’s conclusion that people tend to relate or connect one particular experience which caused a person to simplify their reaction to one stimuli into an impartial stimuli in which it is matched with. In short, a stove burner is often associated with an expression in pain like ouch and then stove is equal to burner hence, a stove is also equal to an expression like ouch (Heffner, 2004). A lot of people’s behavior these days is formed by the combination of stimuli according to Heffner. Some observations and experience like the smell of a perfume or a particular scent, a certain song and things has been paired with a specific person or group like families, friends, ex-lover, loved ones, or a particular event or happening. These connections controls and influence us to a certain extent and in fact we have been conditioned classically (Heffner, 2004). On the other hand, operant conditioning is a type of learning experience which involves on how an organism functions or operates in a particular environment, learning here takes place as a consequence of behavior. This was termed used by Skinner in explaining the results of the consequences of a particular behavior on the future incidents or happenings of that behavior (MaricopaCenter, 1999). There are four types of operant conditioning: positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, punishment, and extinction. In order to explain it further, an example could better explore its meaning; a cat was placed inside a box which has a single exit and entrance. The box has only one button to be pressed to open the door, the cat strived to get out from the box since freedom here is reinforced. In its effort to escape, the area of the box was set off and the door opens which leads the cat to be released from the enclosed box. But this does not end the story, the experience of the cat once placed again in the box, the cat will immediately escape since the cat will immediately recall the experience last time and will once locate again the button to push. Learning from experience is the concept from the example, the cat learned from the experience through natural results and how to achieve or acquire the reinforcing freedom (Heffner, 2004). Let’s pick a broader and relevant experience in the past, several times the Philippines were colonized by different conquerors and explorers and this colonization was strongly connected with harassment, violence, sexual abuse of women, forced labor, poverty and many more. The initial reaction is to obey and follow because freedom here is not welcome. Food and water is scarce and people would rely on the given ration, in order to get that food, one must steal more food to accumulate one’s hunger. Once again, freedom is reinforced here. The people of this nation once weakened but tried to learn from their experience not to be placed in a box where freedom is impartial. They have to press a button like the cat to open the door for freedom and find the answer from that experience. It’s like every individual who naturally encountered past mistakes presumably that individual will recall that mistake when things similar to that situation happens again. Same situation for positive outcome is true where effects from that outcome you did last time will likely do that same again. Four types of operant conditioning (Heffner, 2004): Positive reinforcement: this happening is often associated to anything stimulus which strengthens the probability of a specific response which are expressed in praise or rewards. A good example is when a parent appreciated a child’s good work after they have done something positive like cleaning their own room. This will increase the possibility that the same reaction will be repeated. Negative reinforcement: this constitute on the elimination of a particular negative stimulus which is reinforcing in order to increase a response. An example of this is a nagging mother who always scolded her daughter or son to clean their house every week. After telling and complaining to their friends about the distressing words it counters and lastly performs the chore and eventually stopped the nagging. Punishment: this refers to adding together something induced dislike in order to lessen a behavior. Disciplining by way of spanking is the most common example of a specific misconduct. Punishment is disliked and will surely avoid it by behaving in a good manner. Extinction: When something is removed so as to lessen a behavior is called extinction. Example is when a child owns and addicted to a teddy bear which irritates a child’s asthma will likely to react initially but for the parents it is positive that the teddy bear be removed to decrease levels of negative outcome like grasping for air when sniffed a fabric or cotton from the teddy bear. Relevance and application to business sector: In the business sector these two types of learning method has a significant advantage and guarantee positive outcome in the future. Less emphasis on classical conditioning, the operant conditioning is more likely to apply in designing a training course or let’s say changing an employee from a specific behavior in the workplace. Since operant conditioning involves on how it operates in a certain environment and learning takes place as a result of the behavior, we will be more focused on the positive reinforcement which is a very good tool for improving an employee on its negative behavior in the workplace. However, there are times that positive reinforcement would not work so other method can be used such as negative reinforcement, punishment and extinction. Let’s take a common example of a negative manner seen in an employee like tardiness, sleeping, delayed reports, absenteeism, abuse of policies and many other unnecessary manners. In order to alleviate and ease the tension in the way it is practiced, the management can formulate a positive reinforcement like giving importance to the people who always come on time and are constantly prompt in coming to the office. This can be done through rewards and additional compensation and acknowledgement. While those employees who are intensively late all the time despite of warnings from the management should be more reprimanded and disciplined by giving them penalty. The concept of punishment is generated here to reduce tardiness and eventually employees will dislike the penalty or punishment and surely avoid the misconduct by coming on time and perform their duties in a timely manner. Negative reinforcement may or may not work as a method to prevent misconduct in a workplace since it dismays or disappoints an employee because it’s sometimes involves verbal reinforcement to decrease negative stimulus, this is more applicable to a parent-child relationship but for employees, it’s not lasting and holistic and possibly produce a unprincipled outcome.

The relationship between white men and black men in the USA during the 1930s Essay Example for Free

The relationship between white men and black men in the USA during the 1930s Essay This essay is about the novel Of Mice And Men and how it shows the relationship between white men and black men in the USA during the 1930s. The novel is set California and shows the life of itinerant workers and also give a great imagine of how Black men were treated. The novel Of mice and men by John Steinbeck creates a great picture of what black people were thought of, treated like and the general standard of how they lived back in USA, during the 1930s. The first time we see any of this, is at the start of the second chapter when the one and only black character in Steinbecks book is revealed. The one and only black character in this novel is named Crooks, and throughout the whole of the novel we are never sure if this his real name or a nickname; but we guess that it is a nickname as he also has a crooked back which causes him to be constantly lent over. Got a crooked back where a horse kick him. Crookss bad back could be just a coincidence and the only black man in the novel may have a crooked back for no apparent reason, but it also may be for a particular reason? By making Crooks have a crooked back which makes him continuously lent over and lower than the rest could be to show the way black people always had to look up at any white man and that they were at a very much lower social place then white men. But it could also be there to illustrate the heavy burden of white prejudice that black men had to cope with, I believe that he has a crooked back for a mix of both reasons. We also discover that even the nickname Crooks is not used regularly and that he is frequently being called either stable buck or nigger, this shows us that verbal racism is not frowned upon and is very often used in normal conversations between itinerant workers right the way through the novel. This is clearly shown when Candy is remembering a fight between Crooks and Smitty for George, The guys wouldnt let him use his feet, so the nigger got him. This use of offensive words by near enough everyone sometime throughout the novel, shows the utter disrespect and cruelness that white men had and showed towards black men during the 1930s. I think that the way that black men and women were talked by the white people to during the 1930s in the USA was pointless and if that the white men were to have put aside their grievances towards the black men and most probably also the other way around to, them both black and white men would of had a easier life. The novel also creates a crucial picture of what black men had to face other than verbal abuse from white men; a situation that accurs towards the start of the book that shows what black men had to endure is when we find out from Candy about the fight which Crooks had with Smitty. We learn that Crooks was invited into the bunk house one night around Christmas time and that that night Smitty went for him, the novel also doesnt give or imply an reason for this behaviour, except the obvious; because Crooks was black. They let the nigger come in that night. Little Skinner name of Smitty took after the nigger. Done pretty good, too. The way that Smitty treated Crooks that night shows how much fear and fright that white people gave towards the black people, and a lot of which was for no reason, just imagine if Crooks had done some thing to offend Smitty? Another time when we see that Crooks is the person who everyone takes out their frustration and anger on is when, we find out that the boss took out his anger on him when Lennie and George did turn up when they were supposed to, He sure was burned when you wasnt here this morning. Come right in when we was eatin breakfast and says, where the hell the new men? An he give the stable buck hell, too. This quote again shows that he is pick on by the white men. The first glimmer of hope that we get which may show that white men may of had some respect for black men is also again when Smitty picks a fight with crooks, and the other workers say to Smitty that because Crooks has a bad back he can not use his feet. The guys wouldnt let him use his feet, so the nigger got him. This act by the other workers may have shown that they respected Crooks enough to make it a fairer fight but, I feel that the only reason why the other workers said that Smitty couldnt use his feet were to make it a long, better fight. We also find out in this part of the chapter that Smitty was alleged to have said, He woulda killed the nigger. This shows that he extremely dislikes black men and wouldnt just stop at giving them a kick in but wanted to kill him. This maltreatment by the white men has a pretty obvious and inescapable effect on Crooks, as all of the way through the book Crooks keeps to himself and doesnt interact with many of the other itinerant worker unless totally necessary. Although the novel also gives the impression that Crooks likes his privacy and isolation, Crooks was a proud aloof, man. He kept his distance and demanded that others kept theirs. I think that this is just a layer of protection that he is putting on because he has be hurt by the white men and is scared of them, what they will do to him and also so he cant be hurt by the white men again. This point is shown best when the only white character in the book that freely goes into Crooks room and speaks to him, and he still has a large guard up and tries his hardest to make Lennie who was the white man leave the room. You aint wanted in my room. And again when Crooks says Well, go see your pup, then. Dont come into a place where you aint wanted. These quotes clearly show that Crooks doesnt want Lennie in the room, but this is only because of what has happened to him in the past and because of that he feels he cannot trust white men. I think this is wrong as it is noticeable that crooks wants to speak to Lennie but is to scared to, due to what the other white men have done to him in the past. This shouldnt be happening and if crooks wants to speak to Lennie he should be able to do it with out feeling scared. The novel also tells us that he is always left out and alone, and this is holey because of the white men disliking him. A quote that shows us how he is isolated, left out and disrespected Crooks is by the group is, when he is speaking to Lennie in his room and he says, I aint wanted in the bunk house, another quote which also sows this point is again when he is speaking to Lennie and he says, Cause Im black. They play cards in there, but I cant because Im black. They say I stink. This shows again that in the 1930s black men where on top of most peoples most hated lists and were treat badly by white men. A different way that the novel reveals to shows how black men where treated badly and with a lower status than the white men, is at the start of chapter four when John Steinbeck describes the room that crooks live in, Crooks the Negro stable buck, had his bunk in the harness room; a little shed that leaned of the wall of the barn. On one side of the little room there was a square four-paned window, and on the other, a narrow plank door leading into the barn. Crooks bunk was a long box filled with straw on which his blankets were flung. The reason why crooks lives alone in a small animal worthy bunkhouse was because the other white workers didnt want to share with him. The Description of the room also shows that he is not only made to sleep in a small room but also that his bed is merely a box filled will straw, this is more like what a animal should be sleeping on. As the description of his room become more in-depth we find out that the walls of his room was plastered in things like broken hames, knifes, needles and loads more and we also learn that he can read and has a selection of books above his bed. On the wall by the window there were pegs on which hung broken harness in process of being mended; strips of new leather; and under the window itself a little bench for leather-working tools, curves knifes and needles and balls of linen thread, and a small hand riveter. On pegs were also pieces of harness, a slit collar with the horsehair stuffing sticking out, a broken hame, and a trace chain with its leather covering split. It goes on to say about his books, And he had books, too. All of these things up on his wall show that he was a very skilled man and is very handy and is probably why he was hired, the fact that he is a blacksmith shows that he can mend and create saddles, create horseshoes and do everything a blacksmith can do. But all the other things on his walls; like the needles and threads show that he has many other talents and skills. But maybe the biggest detail, which this description shows us, is that he can read and this is something that many of the other workers probably couldnt. I think that the range of skills that Crooks possesses is not totally why the other white men treat him bad and leave him out, but these talents could make the other white men feel small and make them jealous and this could be a reason for not liking Crooks. The one of few times the novel shows Crooks getting treated with any respect from the white men, is when he goes to see slim at his bunk house because he was doing a job for him. The door opened quietly and the stable buck put in his head. Slim took his eyes from old candy. Huh? Oh! Hello, Crooks whats the matter? This is the first time in the book that Crooks is spoken to decently and with respect, this was a big surprise as it was the first time Crooks was spoken let alone nicely. Although Crooks has been disrespected enough to hate all white men he showed the respect that he got from slim back and calls him Mr Slim. The quote also helps to show us how Crooks keeps a watchful eye of where he goes and we can see that he want to stay out of the white mens way. We see when he goes to see Slim and he only pops his head around the door. John Steinbeck also gave a description of Crooks in this quote, a lean negro head, lined with pain, the eye patient this description portrays a black man that had suffered the pain and agony of racism. Another time, which Crooks is treated with even the slightest respect, is when he is speaking to Lennie. This is best shown when Lennie first enters Crookss room and makes a gesture towards Crooks. Lennie smiled helplessly in an attempt to make friends. Although in away Lennie is still a kid and therefore doesnt understand why Crooks is treated badly by the others, he is still white and Crooks automatically thinks that white people dont want to speak to him and he instinctively put up a front, and replies You got no right to come in my room. But under this front Crooks wants to speak and once he realises that Lennie in genuine they have a respectful conversation. From the novel we also find out that crooks had once played with other kids who were white, we find this out when Crooks is speaking to Lennie in his room. The white kid come to play at our place, an sometimes I went to play with them, and some of them was pretty nice. My ol man didnt like that. I never knew why till long later why he didnt like that. But I know now. This quote shows that kids either had very different views on other black people than adults or had no views at all. The quote also illustrates that the other kids treated him no different than they would another white kid and explains to us how his Dad didnt like him playing with the white kids, this was probably since he knew the pain and hurt than black men went through because of white men and knew that it would happen to his son when the white kids get older and learn to hate black people. The way that the kids show no shame when playing with each other shows that white and black men can mix and in a way the kids show up the adults by acting more mature. From the novel I can see clearly that racism is taught by society and realise that the white men dont hate black men because of personal grievances but because they have been taught to hate them.

The Evolution Of The Piano Music Essay

The Evolution Of The Piano Music Essay Since the dawn of man music has been played, enjoyed and practiced, and through its practice the instruments used have changed greatly. Throughout the years the piano has changed greatly and as a result many different types have been created, with the creation of new pianos famous artists have chosen to use them for their styles of music, pianos have been used in many genres of music as a result of their various types and the sound produced. The first instrument that relates to the piano is called the Dulcimer, it is considered to be the ancestor to early versions of the piano due to its similar qualities. The dulcimer is played by striking hammers on a series of strings tuned over a flat soundboard. The first actual piano was called the clavichord the first models were build around 1400 but wasnt made popular until three centuries later in the music of Bach when a key is pressed, a vertical brass strip is lifted toward a pair of strings. The virginal which is a small Harpsichord (or instrument whose strings are plucked) was the next advent in the piano; it was louder than the clavichord but lacked u buts dynamic variety. Although originally created in Italy the Spinet was perfected in Britain around the late seventeenth century, the jack mechanism plucks the strings just as the virginal, but the wind shape permits longer strings, increasing the size and expanding the range to as much as five octaves. First created in the fifteenth century, the Harpsichord reached its peak in the period of Bach and Handel. The Harpsichord has longer strings and sounds louder than the clavichord although it has the shape of the modern grand piano. Around 1709, Bartolommeo Cristofori built several instruments in the harpsichord shape but with hammer mechanisms surprisingly like the modern piano action. Because players could control soft and loud which was impossible on plucked keyboard instruments, Cristofori named this instrument the Pianoforte. During the time of Beethoven around the eighteenth century piano builders began to extend the keyboard. Two other important developments were the escapement action for faster repetition of notes and the damper and soft pedals. Pedals were often added to produce exotic effects. During the eighteenth century, many builders tried to apply the upright from to the pianoforte. In 1800 the first satisfactory uprights were invented. The square grand piano was originally designed by German builders around the seventeenth century, they tried to apply the cristoforis pianoforte to the traditional rectangular shape of the clavichord. The Square piano was popular until the late eighteen hundreds an d early nineteen hundreds. During the nineteenth century the piano continued to become more powerful and responsive. Some of the greater improvements were the double-repetition action of the Sebastien Erard which allows very rapid repetition; and the full cast-iron frame developed by Alphaeus Babcock. These developments are the basis for todays modern pianos. The pianos of today incorporate the best qualities of early instruments. Cross stringing which is a way to achieve greater richness of tone by passing more strings over the center of the soundboard. The sostentenuto or middle pedal was introduced in the late nineteenth century, permitting greater musical coloring. The Baroque period, or the time between 1600 and 1700 where new styles if art and architecture flourished in Europe, there where several great musical artists who became known as famous composers. Several of the composers where George Fredric Handel, Antonio Vivaldi and Johann Sebastian Bach. George Fredric Handel was born the son of a barber; Handel ditched a career in law to pursue his love for music. Skilled at the organ, he wrote several church pieces before he acquired a job from prince Ernst of Hanover as a court musician. Not much is known Antonio Vivaldi. But it is know that he wrote many pieces for the church, about 640 all together. He also taught music at several schools. But near the end of his life he lost support and contacts and died an poor man. Johann Sebastian Bach came from a long line of musicians but was the first to become famous outside of his home town. Bach was extremely particular about his music. Often times he would destroy his compositions that he didnt f ind worthy, because of this many of his pieces been lost. His work was very unique, and his use of intertwining melodies and the fugue are trademarks of his genius. During the classical age many advancements where made in the art of music and as these advancements where made new great composers rose to take advantage of them. Joseph Haydn began his career in music at a very young age he had a wonderful singing voice. Eventually his voice broke and his singing career ended, afterwards he switched his focus into composing music. In 1790 he moved to Vienna which he made into the nexus of classical music and taught young composers such as Mozart and Beethoven. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is considered to be the prince of classical music. Has countless pieces of literature, movies, musicals and plays dedicated to him. He wrote his first symphony at the age of 5 he toured Europe with his father and sister as a novelty act but eventually he grew up and the novelty was gone. From there forward his natural skill at music carried him and as a student of Haydn and Mozart he blossomed into a top notch opera writer, which was his only source of income for many years. His later teaching career was not enough to support him and he died a poor man. Ludwig von Beethoven was not near as talented as Mozart but became known as another child prodigy. At the age of 14 he was given the role of assistant teacher and organist. He received tutoring from both Haydn and Mozart. Although he had a good childhood at the age of 19 his life quickly took a turn for the worse with the death of his mother, he was then left with the role of supporting his entire family. As a result of his troubled youth he became a very disturbed and angry person, this was portrayed in his music which was fiery and emotional. Felix Mendelssohn was born into a rich and musically talented family and as a result was introduced into music at a young age. He was very talented and his music was very popular at there time of writing. His piano concerto in G minor And My Heart will go on is considered to be the most played concerto of all time. His music for the play A Midsummer nights Dream in addition to its popularity during its time is still played at modern weddings. Mendelssohn often played pieces by Bach and is credited with bringing back popularity to his music. Johannes Brahms lived during the romantic age but wrote classical music. At the beginning of his carreer he played mostly in bars and as a result he gained the knowledge of many dance tunes. Once Mendelssohn graduated from playing in bars and brothels he started serious composing he was considered a genius for h is music. During the romantic era many changes where made to the way the piano was used. Frederic Chopin was one of those artists, his pieces for the piano the piano where groundbreaking and pushed the limits of what the piano was thought to be capable of. Is innovations completely changed how the piano was treated in music. Franz Lizt was another is considered to be one of the most talented pianists the world has ever seen. His concerts where often completely sold out. Because of the way he played he often has a second piano prepared incase he broke the first one. The piano in its various forms have been used throughout time as entertainment for many cultures. As a result of its popularity and interest from innovative artists it has changed greatly, and more modern variations are used in many genres of music.

Technologys Impact on the Upper Mississippi River Essay -- Enviroment

Technology's Impact on the Upper Mississippi River Since the days of Lewis and Clark men have dreamed of harnessing the "Father of Waters" in the interests of commerce and development. The long struggle which ensued required incredible ingenuity and determination on the part of engineers as well as enormous capital investment. The Mississippi River Commission, established in 1897, was the first federal program designed specifically to meet these requirements, and early systems, instituted by the Army Corps of Engineers, saw much success. Technological advancements in the fields of transportation, flood control, and natural resource management were needed and, eventually, emerged to provide the level of control possible today. This report will discuss the technological transformation of the upper Mississippi river and the motivation behind it from the middle 1800's. Economics, in the form of cheap transportation, have been the impetus behind most of the development along the Upper Mississippi. In the early 1800's, transportation was limited to keelboats (large rafts made of roughcut lumber) which floated downstream with the current where they changed their cargo and then were poled or warped (pulled from shore with a rope) back upstream. With the development of the steamboat the arduous journey up and down the river, taking up to nine months by keelboat, became a much more reliable route for transporting both products and people. In the late 1800's, the invention of the internal combustion engine led to the powerful towboats seen on the Mississippi today. Towboats move 70 to 85 million tons of cargo annually between Minneapolis and the Missouri River [http://www.emtc.nbs.gov]. Underscoring the economic importance of such ... ...ing fascinating about science, one gets such wholesale returns of conjecture out of such trifling investments of fact." References: Mairson, Alan, "The Great Flood of '93," National Geographic, vol. 185 (January 1994),pp. 42-81. National Biological Service, Department of the Interior, "Environmental Management Technical Center," http://www.emtc.nbs.gov (1996). Twain, Mark, Life on the Mississippi (New York, New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1917). Upper Mississippi River Basin Coordinating Committee, Upper Mississippi River Comprehensive Basin Study, vol. 1 and 5 (1972) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, "Upper Mississippi River--Illinois Waterway System Navigation Study," http://www.usace.army.mil/ncd (1996). U.S. Geological Survey EROS Data Center, "Upper Mississippi River Basin Flooding," http://edcwww.cr.usgs.gov/doc/edchome/sast (1996). Technology's Impact on the Upper Mississippi River Essay -- Enviroment Technology's Impact on the Upper Mississippi River Since the days of Lewis and Clark men have dreamed of harnessing the "Father of Waters" in the interests of commerce and development. The long struggle which ensued required incredible ingenuity and determination on the part of engineers as well as enormous capital investment. The Mississippi River Commission, established in 1897, was the first federal program designed specifically to meet these requirements, and early systems, instituted by the Army Corps of Engineers, saw much success. Technological advancements in the fields of transportation, flood control, and natural resource management were needed and, eventually, emerged to provide the level of control possible today. This report will discuss the technological transformation of the upper Mississippi river and the motivation behind it from the middle 1800's. Economics, in the form of cheap transportation, have been the impetus behind most of the development along the Upper Mississippi. In the early 1800's, transportation was limited to keelboats (large rafts made of roughcut lumber) which floated downstream with the current where they changed their cargo and then were poled or warped (pulled from shore with a rope) back upstream. With the development of the steamboat the arduous journey up and down the river, taking up to nine months by keelboat, became a much more reliable route for transporting both products and people. In the late 1800's, the invention of the internal combustion engine led to the powerful towboats seen on the Mississippi today. Towboats move 70 to 85 million tons of cargo annually between Minneapolis and the Missouri River [http://www.emtc.nbs.gov]. Underscoring the economic importance of such ... ...ing fascinating about science, one gets such wholesale returns of conjecture out of such trifling investments of fact." References: Mairson, Alan, "The Great Flood of '93," National Geographic, vol. 185 (January 1994),pp. 42-81. National Biological Service, Department of the Interior, "Environmental Management Technical Center," http://www.emtc.nbs.gov (1996). Twain, Mark, Life on the Mississippi (New York, New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1917). Upper Mississippi River Basin Coordinating Committee, Upper Mississippi River Comprehensive Basin Study, vol. 1 and 5 (1972) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, "Upper Mississippi River--Illinois Waterway System Navigation Study," http://www.usace.army.mil/ncd (1996). U.S. Geological Survey EROS Data Center, "Upper Mississippi River Basin Flooding," http://edcwww.cr.usgs.gov/doc/edchome/sast (1996).

Peter the Great :: History, Informative

PETER THE GREAT Peter the Great born on May 30, 1672. He shared power with his brother from 1682, but when Ivan died in 1696, Peter was officially declared Sovereign of all Russia. Peter was important because he wasn’t just any ruler, he created a regular army and navy. During his reign the Russian military increased from around 30,000 men in 1695, to about 300,000 men in 1725, and that included the newly formed navy. He completely changed the government into a bureaucratic state with its capital in St. Petersburg. Peter also changed the calendar to the same style used in most of Europe. He paid special attention to the development of science. He was a famous and skillful diplomat and a talented military leader. Under Peter's rule, Russia became a great European nation. In 1721, he proclaimed Russia an Empire and was accorded the title of Emperor of All Russia, Great Father of the Fatherland and "the Great." Some of his accomplishments are during the Great Northern War with Sweden, which lasted for nearly his entire reign. Russia eventually won the war with the signing of the Treaty of Nystadt in 1721. Although Russia had really won the war in 1709 at the battle of Poltava, Sweden continued to fight because of support from France and Britain. The results of the war made Russia the most powerful country in Northern Europe, and the undisputed master of the Baltic Sea. The Great Northern War also, and more importantly, made Peter know throughout Europe as a powerful, successful, and ultimately Western style leader of a respected nation. Peter the Great :: History, Informative PETER THE GREAT Peter the Great born on May 30, 1672. He shared power with his brother from 1682, but when Ivan died in 1696, Peter was officially declared Sovereign of all Russia. Peter was important because he wasn’t just any ruler, he created a regular army and navy. During his reign the Russian military increased from around 30,000 men in 1695, to about 300,000 men in 1725, and that included the newly formed navy. He completely changed the government into a bureaucratic state with its capital in St. Petersburg. Peter also changed the calendar to the same style used in most of Europe. He paid special attention to the development of science. He was a famous and skillful diplomat and a talented military leader. Under Peter's rule, Russia became a great European nation. In 1721, he proclaimed Russia an Empire and was accorded the title of Emperor of All Russia, Great Father of the Fatherland and "the Great." Some of his accomplishments are during the Great Northern War with Sweden, which lasted for nearly his entire reign. Russia eventually won the war with the signing of the Treaty of Nystadt in 1721. Although Russia had really won the war in 1709 at the battle of Poltava, Sweden continued to fight because of support from France and Britain. The results of the war made Russia the most powerful country in Northern Europe, and the undisputed master of the Baltic Sea. The Great Northern War also, and more importantly, made Peter know throughout Europe as a powerful, successful, and ultimately Western style leader of a respected nation.

Essay on the Irony of Pride in Pride and Prejudice -- Pride Prejudice

The Irony of Pride in Pride and Prejudice      Ã‚  Ã‚   Jane Austen uses the elements of both pride and prejudice to develop the satire in her novel. Austen presents pride as both a vice and a virtue. Austen first introduces pride as a vice of arrogance and prejudice, but as the characters in the novel develop so does the concept of pride. Towards the end of the novel pride becomes the vehicle for many of the noble actions taken by the main characters. Austen skillfully interweaves the two parts of pride, the plot, and the main characters so that they develop together in the book. When we get to the end of the novel, we are left with a fuller understanding of the complexities of pride.    Throughout the first part of the novel pride is seen as negative and destructive. It is characterized as being conceited and arrogant. The actions of the main characters seem to be guided by selfish pride. It is this kind of pride that leads the main characters to act in ways that causes themselves and others much distress and suffering. In fact, the tensions, misunderstandings, and hostilities between the two main leading characters, Mr. Darcy and Miss Elizabeth Bennet are byproducts of the vice of arrogant pride.    When we first meet Mr. Darcy at an assembly, he is perceived as a handsome exciting young man who holds much promise as a gentleman and future husband. But the assembly guests soon scrutinize his prideful manners and actions and he is found to be less then desirable. Mrs. Bennet, Elizabeth's mother, sees him as the "proudest, most disagreeable man in the world." His conceited and prideful disposition not only offends her, but most of company at the assembly. His arrogance consumes him and his character, and veils any good... ...ouse Publishers, 1996. Hennelly, Jr., Mark M. "Pride and Prejudice." Jane Austen: New Perspectives. ed. Janet Todd. New York: Holmes & Meier Publishers, Inc., 1983. Jane Austen Info Page. Henry Churchyard. U of Texas, Austin. 23 Nov. 2000.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   <http://www.pemberly.com/janeinfo/janeinfo/html>. Kaplan, Deborah.   Structures of Status: Eighteenth-Century Social Experience as Form in Courtesy Books and Jane Austen's Novels. Diss. University of Michigan, 1979. Monaghan, David.   Jane Austen Structure and Social Vision.   New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 1980. Poplawski, Paul.   A Jane Austen Encyclopedia.   Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 1998. Reidhead, Julia, ed. Norton Anthology of English Literature vol. 7, 2nd ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2000. Ward, David Allen. "Pride and Prejudice." Explicator. 51.1: (1992).   

Mormonism – Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

I. IntroductionMormons is the common name of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a Christian body to United States origin. The name is from the prophet Mormon, whose writings, members believe, form the sacred Book of Mormon.The present-day church is descended from the persecuted sect that established a self-sufficient colony in the barren dessert of Utah in 1847. The Mormons still have their major strength in Utah, but have expanded into other sections of the country and have made converts in many foreign countries. Headquarters are in Salt Lake City, Utah (Davies, 2003).The purpose of this study is to: (1) know the history of Mormonism; (2) analyze the beliefs, practices, and organization of the movement from a biblical (Christian) perspective and; (3) explain the movement’s response to Biblical claims of Jesus Christ as well as why or why not I believe this group deserves the label of Contemporary Religious Movement (Cult).II. BackgroundA. HistoryMorm onism was founded by Joseph Smith (1805-1844), who lived as a youth near Palmyra, western New York. At 14 he began to have visions. In 1827, he announced that after revelation in 1823 he found golden plates with hieroglyphics, which he translated with divine aid and published as the Book of Mormon (1830). The golden plates were not made public, but 11 men testified that they had seen them. Smith founded the church in 1830 with sex members. The sect grew rapidly in numbers (â€Å"Interview of Martin Harris†).In 1831 the Mormons established their first temple in Kirtland, Ohio, near Cleveland, but the group suffered severe financial problems and lost many of its members.  Other Mormons settled in Independence, Missouri. Soon forced to move because of the hostility of their neighbors, they next founded the town of their neighbors, they next founded the town of Far West in Caldwell County. In 1838-39 they were driven out of Missouri because of religious prejudice and fear of Mo rmon political power.The refugees next settled in Commerce, Illinois, and renamed the town Nauvoo. Here on swampy land along the Mississippi the Mormons built an impressive city of about 20,000, then the largest city in Illinois. Again there was religious persecution and bitter strife over the growing political power of the Mormons. A new source of conflict was the doctrine of polygamy introduced by Joseph Smith. In 1844, Smith was murdered by a mob. Because of continued harassment by their neighbors, the Mormons abandoned Nauvoo in 1846 (â€Å"Mormonism’s History,† 2006).III. DiscussionThe Mormons believe their church is the true modern successor of the early church of Jesus Christ. The church’s aim â€Å"is to prepare the world, by the preaching of the restored gospel and the founding of the Latter-day Zion, for the Messiah’s second coming and the advent of the millennium.A. BeliefsThe Mormons accept the Bible as sacred and look upon the Book of Mormon as equal to it in authority. But I strongly believe that there is no book in the world that would equal to the Bible, not even the Book of Mormons because this Scripture (Bible) is God-breathed as stated in second Timothy chapter 3 verse 16 â€Å"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.† This would mean that the writers of the Bible are inspired and anointed by the Spirit of God (Barlow, 1997).The Book of Mormons tells the history of an ancient band of Jewish exiles believed by Mormons to be the ancestors of the American Indians but the Bible is silent about it. Other books of scripture are the Doctrine and Covenants, a collection of revelations given through the founder, Joseph Smith; and the Pearl of Great Price, containing the writings-not found in the Bible-which Mormons believe are revelation of Abraham and Moses. Moreover, I contest that the church should not be under the beliefs of its founder but s hould be followed by the teachings of Jesus Christ, who is the head of the church.The Mormons believe in continuous revelation by God. Yes, I agree to it but the revelation must always be in the context of the Scripture; thus, anything that is not in the word of God is not of God. In addition, the Mormons believe that God the Father and his son Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith. Individual members may receive revelations from God for the guidance of their own lives. But only one man at a time may receive revelations from God for the whole church, and he is the president of the whole church. Mormons emphasize faith in Jesus Christ and repentance for sins (Barlow, 1997).I disagree to what the Mormons believe because no one ever sees God. Even Moses and Abraham and other great men of God did not see him face to face because no one can stand in his presence for he is a Holy God. When God appeared to Moses, God showed himself in a form of burning bush and Moses trembled because of Go d’s presence. Moreover, God can do anything he wants to do because he is an omnipotent God. He can speak to different people at the same time. He doesn’t only reveal himself and speak to the leader of the church but also reveal himself and speak to us individually through the Holy Spirit and his words because God has no favoritism.B. PracticesThe Mormons baptize by immersion for the remission of sins and practice laying of hands for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Holy Communion is celebrated with bread and water. In the Bible, the remission of sin is through the blood of Jesus Christ. Water baptism is mentioned in the Bible but it simply signifies that you buried your old life and new life has waited for you.The Mormons have two practices exclusive with them: baptism for the dead and celestial marriage. Baptism for the dead is chiefly for ancestors not baptized as Mormons; a living person is baptized in proxy for the dead. A celestial marriage is one in which a couple is married under the authority of the priesthood in a Mormon temple and is â€Å"sealed for eternity† so that in the celestial kingdom the family the family relationship will be resumed. Marriages outside a temple are for life on earth only (Givens, 1997). From the 1840’s until 1890, Mormon doctrine permitted â€Å"plural marriage,† or polygamy. I would say that these teachings are not found and written in the Bible. Our marriage to our partner here on earth is only temporary.Mormon temples are used only for secret rites, primarily those of celestial marriage and baptism of the dead. They are open only to Mormons of good standing. Sunday services are held in local churches called ward halls, and non-Mormons are welcomed. Visitors may also enter the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, which is used for conferences and concerts (Davies, 2003).Mormonism looks upon health as a spiritual value and bans the use of liquor, tobacco, coffee, and tea. Recreation is encouraged. Th ere is emphasis on education and on work and thrift. The church operates a vast welfare program for its members who are in need, and it disapproves of public aid. Members support the church by tithing (giving one-tenth of their gross income).   On the other hand in the Bible, we are taught that our body is the temple of the Living God as stated in first Corinthians chapter 6 verses 19-20 that is why we should take care of our bodies because we need to glorify God—body, soul and Spirit.IV. ConclusionIn conclusion, I will base my belief according to the word of God which is the  Bible so I would say that Mormonism or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is a cult because it does not follow fully to the word of God. They have practices and beliefs which cannot be found in the Scripture. As I said earlier, anything that is not from the word of God is not of God. Though they may claim that they believe on Jesus Christ yet their practices are not in line the teaching s of Jesus.Reference:1. â€Å"Mormonism’s History†. CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS AND RESEARCH   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   MINISTRY.      http://www.carm.org/lds/beginning.htm   2006.2. â€Å"Interview of Martin Harris.† https://user.xmission.com/~research/about/docum4.htm3. Barlow, Philip L. (1997). Mormons and the Bible: The Place of the Latter-Day Saints in   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   American Religion. Oxford University Press. New York.4. Davies, Douglas J. (2003). An Introduction to Mormonism. Cambridge University Press.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Cambridge, England.5. Givens, Terryl L. (1997). The Viper on the Hearth: Mormons, Myths, and the Construction of Heresy. Oxford University Press. New York