The math behind the Pendulum Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

The math behind the Pendulum - Research Paper Example As the period of a pendulum is constant, pendulums were used to regulate the movement of clocks. Until the 1930’s pendulums were the most accurate time keeping devices of the world. In 1583, the Italian scientist Galileo first noted the constancy of a pendulum’s period by comparing the movement of a swinging chandelier in a Pisa cathedral with his pulse rate. He found that the time was not a function of how wide the chandelier swung. As the wind was blowing the chandelier, it was swinging different distances side to side or amplitudes. Galileo found that the pendulum swung more slowly. Over a shorter swing, the chandelier took just as many of his heartbeats to complete a swing with greater amplitude. Galileo made an error in the calculation of the angle of the chandelier. In 1656, the Dutch mathematician and scientist Christian Huygens invented a clock controlled by the motion of a pendulum (Huygens and the Pendulum, Princeton). The accuracy of mechanical clocks improve d in the span of a couple of decades in the early 17th century from plus or minus half an hour per day to one second per day. This quantum increase in accuracy of timing enabled previously unimagined degrees of precision measurement in mechanics, astronomy and other fields of study. Time then for the first time was expressed as an independent variable in the investigation of nature. For example, each of the following could be reliably investigated for the first time: The effect of force on objects over time The distance of fall over time The change of speed over time The radial movements of planets over time The progress of chemical reactions over time All these investigations required that the time could be accurately and reliably measured. Thus the pendulum held a very important place as a time keeping device. Competent time measurement was a requirement for modern science and the pendulum enabled this to happen (Story behind the science, Web). The pendulum played more than a scie ntific and technical role in the formation of the modern world. It also indirectly changed cultures and societies through its impact on navigation. Position on the Earth’s surface is given by latitude and longitude. A traveler sailing across the sea must know the coordinates of his present position as well the coordinates of his destination. Hence the knowledge of position was essential for reliable traveling and trading. Accurate time measurement was long seen as the solution to the problem of longitude determination which had vexed European maritime nations in their efforts to sail beyond Europe’s shores. Treasure fleets from Latin America, trading ships from the Far East were all getting lost and running out of food and water. The pendulum thus played a pivotal role in resolving the longitude problem and thus holds an important place in Physics as well as History. This thesis will focus on the interesting aspects about the period of a pendulum and its mathematical d erivation. According to Hooke’s law, the restoring force of a spring is directly proportional to its displacement. Fig 1: Physical representation of Hooke’s law The above figure shows a spring elongated through a length x. F is the force that wants to drive the spring back to equilibrium. By Hooke’s law, |F| ? |x| F = -kx where k is the spring constant measured in Newton/metre (N/m) Here, the negative sign represents that the direction of F is opposite to that of x. Moving further on, consider the case

On the Road Essay Example for Free

On the Road Essay Response: Chapters 1-2 From the very first pages of the book it becomes clear that the book is a novel of characters rather than a novel of plot. I think the novel captures the audience due to unexpected movements of the main characters. First chapters show that the whole plot centers on the character of Dean Moriarty. The novel starts with Sal’s descriptions of his life before Dead. He has just split up with his wife, has recovered from serious illness and, we see that he simply doesn’t know where to move and how to arrange his life. Sal seems to be weaker personality than Dean, who manages to direct Sal’s actions the way he likes. Sal feels tired and depressed and I think that he has lost sense of life. It is Dean that sparks Sal’s personality into motion. It is possible to say that Dean is personification of Sal’s dreams. Sal has always dreamed of moving to the West and Deans arrives from there. Dean lives in San Francisco, travels across the country. Dean drinks a lot, uses drugs and has many women. Moreover, he is a father of four children from two different women. In the first two chapters Kerouac juxtaposes the ideas of the East and the West. The East is presented as old, intellectual, critical, saddened and stagnant, whereas the West is presented as passionate, wild, young and exuberant. Sal and Dean are described with attributes of the places they are from. The West is a new horizon for Sal, and the East is a new horizon for Dean. The novel is told from Sal’s perspective and we are allowed only to see and to feel through Sal. In the first chapters Sal remain unchanged; he is only sparked with the idea of something new and unexplored. Sal is impressed by Dean’s impulsiveness and recklessness. I think that Sal is willing to have the same qualities as Dean, he realizes that he may change his life, to introduce something new and wild in his bored lifestyle. Response: Chapters 3-4 We see that Sal’s adventure with Dean begins. Sal is very excited as he will become acquainted with places he has never been to. Thus, his descriptions of the passing places are exuberant and vivid. I think Sal fees younger, stronger and more confident. Through the long sentences and paragraphs, Kerouac shows that Sal’s exciting feelings are constant, they are rolling in motion. Sal reminds a child who is allowed to something secret, forbidden, something he has never been allowed to do. Relative lull occurs in the Des Moines hotel, when Sal awakes in the morning and can’t understand where he is, who he is and what he is doing. He realizes he is somewhere halfway across America, between the East and West. I think Sal realizes he is halfway from his long-awaited dream. Sal’s emotions are paralleled with surrounding geography. Through geography Sal manages to provide his emotions, ideas and dreams with definite forms. Sal’s emotions are changing and geography is changing as well. Interestingly, Sal feels when approaching the west everything is better and bigger. Even the ice cream and apple pie are testier. All the characters Sal meets on the road are individuals, they are epitomes of the region, embodiments of better living standards. To signify all events and characters, Sal describes everything in superlatives – the best, the prettiest, the hugest, etc. It shows that he is really fascinated with his journey and really obsessed with the West. For Sal, Denver is the Promised Land, Nebraska resembles the Nile Valley, and San Francisco is the greatest among them. Sal visits Denver, where Dean was born. Again Sal thinks Dean is envisioning the West. These chapters are the climax of Sal’s compassion, excitement and clear-eyed tolerance. We see Sal simply follows Dean in everything; he even reshapes his values and beliefs. Response: Chapters 5-6 Sal’s adventure with Dean continues: new impressions, new acquaintances, new ideas and new dreams. Sal realizes that the West is approaching, and he feels more confident that his dream will come true. Nevertheless, we see that Sal remains modest about himself, although he envisions place and people in grand terms. Sal is constantly pleased, and, at the same time, he seems not to believe that he may approach the West. He has been dreaming of the West for many years, and I think it is difficult for him to understand that his dream may be accomplished. He is thankful to Dean for opportunity of self-expression and self-realization. In my opinion, I can’t say that Dean is positive character. Yes, he has influenced Sal showing him new opportunities and new horizons, but Dean is too wild and mad. Sal didn’t understand yet possible outcomes of their so-called friendship. Dean is zealous and wild personality, though he is captivating as well. And his wildness and craziness attracts Sal who used to live a calm life. Sal begins picturing himself in the eyes of his new friends. He stumbles into Denver considering the city mysterious. Nonetheless, we know that Sal is too earnest and infatuated to affect something or someone. Sal is the person who is affected, not the one who affects. Despite Sal is with his friends, he feels less- confident. When he gives a cryptic answer, he is criticized and, instead of defending his position, he explains that he doesn’t know what they try to get at. In these chapters Kerouac shows that Sal is more an observer rather than performer. He faces new world and he doesn’t know how to cope with it, how to behave, what to expect from it. I think that the majority of Sal’s idealistic visions are nothing more than facades, and in future they will definitely result in sadness and disillusionment. However, Sal is mot aware of that fact.

Eric Eazy-E Wright A Life Interrupted by Taylor Evans :: essays research papers

Eric Eazy-E Wright A Life Interrupted by Taylor Evans Born September 7, 1963, Eric "Eazy-E" Wright's early reputation on the streets of Compton, California, was a hustler eager to apply his street knowledge to his legitimate game. He dropped out of high school in the tenth grade, but refused that to interrupt his success. In the late `80's he turned to rap music. Along with Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, DJ Yella, and M.C. Ren established the most successful and controversial rap group in history. As N.W.A, they blasted police cruelty and challenged the establishment. They eventually took their message of inner-city struggle to millions of fans worldwide. As a soloist, Eazy's career was even more incredible. He launched Compton/Ruthless Records in 1987 and by 1988 had two hit acts-JJ. Fad and Michel'le. During the summer of the same year, N.W.A's Straight Outta Compton LP frightened the media into labeling the group "gangsters". This was a label the group wore and exploited with such force that by the time Eazy released his solo project Eazy-Duz-It that fall, the stage of musical funk and lyrical fight had long been set. "Boyz-N-The-Hood" , "We Want Eazy", "Eazy-Duz-It". His voice fueled a legion of hits. In the early `90's, he joined other West Coast rappers, including M.C. Hammer, Ice T, Tone-Loc, and Young MC, in a stop the violence campaign led by the single "We're All In The Same Gang". With N.W.A, Eazy broke down all the doors of mass exposure previously closed to rap music. Attempts to rock the young musician's foundation were generally useless. Arrests for performing N.W.A's biggest hit "F*** The Police", and other attempts at censorship only helped pave the way for his success. By the time the group had released its last album, Efil4zaggin, in 1991, they had sold more than six million records. As a businessman, Eazy had built a solid commodity with his Ruthless Records label. Some of his more famous signings were: Above The Law, Bone- Thugs-N-Harmo ny, and D.O.C. His ability to promote and market these acts was on the strength of his radio show, "Ruthless Radio Show". As an on-air personality, Eazy gave his audience tickets to his performances, talked to fans, and also became more famous with the young black Americans. Few really knew the man behind the scenes. His charitable nature benefited such organizations as Athletes and Entertainers For Kids, United Colors, and the Make A Wish Foundation.

Symbolism in A Good Man Is Hard to Find by Flannery OConnor Essay

in "A Good Man Is Hard to Find" Flannery O' Connor uses symbolism to give more meaning to her short story. O'Connor writes a story of a Grandmother versus a Misfit, or good versus evil. This short story is about a family going to Florida, who takes a turn down a dirt road, which only causes them to get in an accident, and be found by the Misfit. This encounter prevented them from ever arriving Florida, because the Misfit ends their lives. Using symbolism, O'Connor creates a story with much meaning to the Grandmother, nature, sky, woods, their surroundings, roads, and cars to portray the constant battle between good and evil. In "A Good Man is Hard to Find" the Grandmother is a main character that symbolizes a savior. O' Connor describes the Grandmother as a savior with grace, who is saving the Misfit from evil. ." O’Connor determinues that the Grandmother shall be the Misfit’s savior, even though she may not seem so in the story† (Bandy, 151). She reaches out to the Misfit with a "touch of grace" because she is portrayed as the "good character" in the story. The Grandmothers purpose is trying to save the Misfit, or the "evil character." At the end of the story, when she was talking to the Misfit after she realized that he was going to kill her she murmurs, "'Why you're one of my own babies. You're one of my own children!' She reaches out and touches him on the shoulder. The Misfit sprang back as if a snake had bitten him and shot her three times through the chest" (O'Connor). Here the significance is that the Misfit was offered grace from the Grandmother, but denies it. â€Å"When the Misfit shoots the grandmother he is recoiling from whatever grace she offers. He is rejecting not just any warmth conveyed in the touch, but also th... ...993. 31-51. Print. Martin, Carter. "'The Meanest of Them Sparkled'" Beauty and Landscape in Flannery O'Connor's Fiction" Women Writers Texts and Contexts. By Flannery O'Connor. Ed. Frederick Asals. New Brunswick: Rutgers UP, 1993. 127-137. Print. Excerpt from Realist of Distances:Flannery O'Connor Revisited. Ed. Karl-Heinz Westarp and Jan Nordby Gretlund. Aarhus, Denmark: Aarhus University Press, 1987. 147- 159. Prunty, Wyatt. â€Å"’The Figure of Vacancy.’† Shenandoah 46.3 (1996): 38-55. Rpt. in Short Story Criticism. Ed. Janet Witalec. Vol. 61. Farmington Hill: Gale Group, 2003. 151-159. Print. Raiger, Michael. â€Å"’’Large and Startling Figures’: The Grotesque and the Sublime in the Short Stories of Flannery O’Connor.’† Seeing into the Life of Things: Essays on Literature and Religious Experience (1998): 242-70. Rpt. in Short Story Criticism. Ed. Janet Witalec. Symbolism in A Good Man Is Hard to Find by Flannery O'Connor Essay in "A Good Man Is Hard to Find" Flannery O' Connor uses symbolism to give more meaning to her short story. O'Connor writes a story of a Grandmother versus a Misfit, or good versus evil. This short story is about a family going to Florida, who takes a turn down a dirt road, which only causes them to get in an accident, and be found by the Misfit. This encounter prevented them from ever arriving Florida, because the Misfit ends their lives. Using symbolism, O'Connor creates a story with much meaning to the Grandmother, nature, sky, woods, their surroundings, roads, and cars to portray the constant battle between good and evil. In "A Good Man is Hard to Find" the Grandmother is a main character that symbolizes a savior. O' Connor describes the Grandmother as a savior with grace, who is saving the Misfit from evil. ." O’Connor determinues that the Grandmother shall be the Misfit’s savior, even though she may not seem so in the story† (Bandy, 151). She reaches out to the Misfit with a "touch of grace" because she is portrayed as the "good character" in the story. The Grandmothers purpose is trying to save the Misfit, or the "evil character." At the end of the story, when she was talking to the Misfit after she realized that he was going to kill her she murmurs, "'Why you're one of my own babies. You're one of my own children!' She reaches out and touches him on the shoulder. The Misfit sprang back as if a snake had bitten him and shot her three times through the chest" (O'Connor). Here the significance is that the Misfit was offered grace from the Grandmother, but denies it. â€Å"When the Misfit shoots the grandmother he is recoiling from whatever grace she offers. He is rejecting not just any warmth conveyed in the touch, but also th... ...993. 31-51. Print. Martin, Carter. "'The Meanest of Them Sparkled'" Beauty and Landscape in Flannery O'Connor's Fiction" Women Writers Texts and Contexts. By Flannery O'Connor. Ed. Frederick Asals. New Brunswick: Rutgers UP, 1993. 127-137. Print. Excerpt from Realist of Distances:Flannery O'Connor Revisited. Ed. Karl-Heinz Westarp and Jan Nordby Gretlund. Aarhus, Denmark: Aarhus University Press, 1987. 147- 159. Prunty, Wyatt. â€Å"’The Figure of Vacancy.’† Shenandoah 46.3 (1996): 38-55. Rpt. in Short Story Criticism. Ed. Janet Witalec. Vol. 61. Farmington Hill: Gale Group, 2003. 151-159. Print. Raiger, Michael. â€Å"’’Large and Startling Figures’: The Grotesque and the Sublime in the Short Stories of Flannery O’Connor.’† Seeing into the Life of Things: Essays on Literature and Religious Experience (1998): 242-70. Rpt. in Short Story Criticism. Ed. Janet Witalec.

America Online Inc Case Study Essay

3. Was AOL’s policy to capitalize subscriber acquisition costs justified prior to 1995? Ans: AOL’s accounting policy was labeled aggressive and capitalized its subscriber acquisition costs when its archrival CompuServe didn’t. AOL’s biggest expenditure was the cost of attracting new subscribers and maximizing shareholders’ value: 1. Separate registration numbers and passwords were issued to customers. They cost more than $40 per new subscriber in 1994. 2. AOL aggressively marketed its online service both directly and indirectly. 3. To retain new subscribers and increase customer loyalty & satisfaction, AO The noteable accounting procedures followed by AOL were as follows: :a. AOL’s amortization period for subscriber acquisition costs was about 15 months, such aggressive accounting was attributed to the bundling & direct mail marketing practices b. During September 1995, the company modified the components of subscriber acquisition costs as incurred Analysis a. It is not advisable for AOL to capitalize the marketing costs because in 1990s Web was being established. This would definitely impact the sales. Instead of amortizing the Acquisition Costs for 15 months, if we treat it as single lumpsum cost, the Income statement shows a loss for the period. Capitalizing the expenditure for 2 years contained an implicit assumption for the coming two years. This was unlikely with the online industry as it had acquired most of its customers in the last 36 months, If AOL were to write off all capitalized subscriber acquisition costs the effect on the 1995 balance would be a $77,229,000 reduction in other assets and stockholders’ equity. If all the subscriber acquisition costs incurred in fiscal year 1995 were expensed in 1995, the effect on the income statement would be an increase in marketing expense of $50,837,000 and an increase in net loss of $50,837,000

Occipital Lobes and Visual Perception

Occipital Lobes and Visual Perception The occipital lobes are one of the four main lobes or regions of the cerebral cortex. These lobes are vital for receiving, processing, and interpreting sensory information. The occipital lobes are positioned at the posterior region of the cerebral cortex and are the main centers for visual processing. In addition to the occipital lobes, posterior portions of the parietal lobes and temporal lobes are also involved in visual perception. Location Directionally, the occipital lobes are positioned posterior to the  temporal lobes  and inferior to the  parietal lobes. They are located in the largest  division of the brain  known as the forebrain (prosencephalon). Located within the occipital lobes is the primary visual cortex. This region of the brain receives visual input from the retina. These visual signals are interpreted in the occipital lobes. Function The occipital lobes are involved in several functions of the body including: Visual PerceptionColor RecognitionReadingReading ComprehensionDepth PerceptionRecognition of Object Movement The occipital lobes receive and interpret visual information. Vision is the ability to detect images of visible light. The eyes transmit this information via nerve impulses to the visual cortex. The visual cortex takes this information and processes it so that we are able to determine colors, identify objects, identify shapes, and other aspects of visual perception. The visual information is then sent to the parietal lobes and temporal lobes for further processing. The parietal lobes use this visual information in conjunction with motor processes to perform such tasks as opening a door or brushing your teeth. The temporal lobes help to connect the visual information received with memories. Occipital Lobe Injuries Damage to the occipital lobes may result in a number of vision-related problems. Some of these issues include the inability to discern colors, vision loss, visual hallucinations, inability to identify words, and distorted visual perception.

Mine Disasters Essays

Mine Disasters Essays Mine Disasters Essay Mine Disasters Essay Essay Topic: Notes From Underground Mining disaster in the past have been referred to mining accidents claiming five or more lives. Mine disasters once were really common. In the single year of 1907 there were 18 coal mine disasters.. Among the disasters in 1907 was historys worst the Monongah coal mine explosion, which claimed 362 lives and impelled Congress to create the Bureau of Mines. I will discuss this disaster more later in this paper. Mine accidents have declined dramatically in number and severity through years of research, technology, and preventive programs. Today mine accidents resulting in five or more deaths are no longer common. However preventing recurrence of disasters like those of the past remains a top priority requiring constant attention by management, labor, and government. Thus, it happened in 1907 when the Fairmont Coal Companys mine at Monongah, West Virginia exploded killing 362 men and boys. Congress reacted to the disaster at Monongah by passing and toughening mining laws. Through disasters such as this one and many others it has forced laws and regulations, technology,and training which has brought us into mining as we know it. In 1910, following a decade in which the number of coal mine fatalities exceeded 2,000 annually, Congress established the Bureau of Mines as a new agency in the Department of the Interior. The Bureau was charged with the responsibility to conduct research and to reduce accidents in the coal mining industry. In 1968 less than five miles from Monongah another explosion had happened and the fire which resulted after killed 78 men at the Consol No 9 mines at Farmington, West Virginia. The Farmington explosion resulted in the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 a far reaching document that promised a new day for the men in an industry that had claimed more than 100,000 lives since 1900. Even before the Farmington mine had exploded in 1968, there were a push going on for a better mine safety law. The Johnson Administration introduced a measure in the fall of 1968 that would dramatically strengthen the governments enforcement tools. It went to Congress too late and didnt hold up. Then came the explosion at Farmington and there were new converts to the cause of mine safety. That is when the Nixon Administration expanded upon the Johnson Administration proposals of 1968 and addressed the potential for mine explosions in proposed legislation. President Nixon went on to sign the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 on December 30, 1969. Enforcement powers in coal mines increased greatly, at that time the Act required four annual inspections for each underground coal mine and two inspections for each surface mine. The Act for the first time established mandatory fines for all violations and criminal penalties for knowing and willful violations which was a big step in the right direction in my opinion. The act eliminated non gassy mines from special legal exemptions. All mines were considered gassy and additional inspections were required. The powers of the inspectors were expanded and the nspectors were given the power to close a mine for imminent danger. Miners were given the right to request a Federal inspection. Safety standards for all coal mines were strengthened under the 1969 Act and health standards were also adopted. The Act also provided benefits to miners disabled by black lung disease. The legacy of the Sunshine Mine disaster is reflect ed in greatly enhanced miner training programs and fire protection measures in metal and nonmetal mines across the country. In 1973 the (MESA) Mine Enforcement and Safety Administration was created out of the Bureau of Mines as the first Federal agency with the sole purpose of assuring miners of a safe, healthful working environment. Standards requiring mine emergency and self rescuer training, regular evacuation drills, and two mine rescue teams at underground metal and nonmetal operations were known by April of 1973. On March 9, 1977, the Agency was transferred from the Department of the Interior to the Department of Labor and was renamed the better known Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). The legislation which was signed by President Jimmy Carter, repealed the Federal Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety Act and amended the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 to combine protection of coal and metal and nonmetal miners under a single law, the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (the Act). Following passage of the Act, additional required miner training, increased MSHA enforcement activities, and upgraded fire prevention standards continued to teach the hard learned lessons from fires at mines such as Cargill Salt Mine, Belle Isle, Louisiana and the Sunshine Mine at Kellogg, Idaho. The new Act of 1977 required at least four complete inspections of all coal and non coal underground mines and two f all surface mines each year. Among other important changes the new law provided for procedures to speed up the regulation making process and stronger ways force compliance with Federal health and safety standards. This included increased capability of dealing with the most dangerous mine hazards, increased emphasis on protection of miners healt h, greater involvement of miners or their representatives in processes affecting worker health and safety, and improved procedures for assessing and collecting civil penalties imposed for violating mine health or safety requirements. Mine accidents have declined greatly in both number and severity as a result of years of research, technology, education, and preventive programs. During my career mine accidents resulting in five or more deaths are no longer common. One thing remains the same preventing the recurrence of disasters like those of the past remains a top priority requiring constant attention by management, labor, and government. The Sago Mine disaster was a coal mine explosion that had occurred on January 2, 2006, the Sago Mine was located in West Virginia. The explosion had trapped 13 men for nearly two ays with only one miner surviving. It was the worst mining disaster in the West Virginia since the 1968 Farmington Mine disaster that killed 78 people. The previous year the mine had been cited by the MSHA 208 times for violating regulations, and had a history of roof falls. Violations had included failure to follow the approved roof control and mine ventilation plans and problems concerning emergency e scape ways and required pre-shift safety examinations. The explosion occurred at approximately 6:30 a. m. at the beginning of the first shift after the mine reopened after New years holiday weekend. An examination conducted at 5:50 am by a mine fire boss had cleared the mine for use. Two man buses of miners were making their way into the mine to begin work. Early reports noted that there was a thunderstorm in the area at the time and suggested a lightening strike near the mine entrance may have ignited methane but no one reported seeing such a strike. Sensors from the U. S. National Lightning Detection Network indicated at least two lightning strikes near the mine. Another early theory was that lightning struck a methane well that had previously been drilled from the surface to an area behind the seals. Methane wells are used to extract methane from coal seams and sometimes from sealed areas when methane levels are high. Fourteen men on the second man bus escaped the initial explosion. The 12 trapped miners were on the first man bus which apparently passed the point where the explosion occurred. The foreman on the second trip whose brother was among those trapped the mine superintendent and three others entered the mine to rescue the trapped miners. They into the mine until gas detectors indicated there was too much carbon monoxide to continue. Although they were false reports of he 12 miners found alive there were only 1 Randal Mcloy jr. Randal McCloy Jr. wrote a letter to the families of the victims. McCloy wrote that three weeks before the explosion he and Junior Toler while drilling a bolt hole a gas pocket which detectors confirmed the presence of methane. He said they immediately shut down the roof bolter and the incident was reported up the line to our superiors. He stated he noticed the following day that the gas leak had been plugged with glue normally used to secure the bolts. On the day of the explosion just after exiting the man trip the mine filled quickly with umes and thick smoke and that breathing conditions were nearly unbearable and that at least four of the emergency oxygen packs were not functioning. He shared his rescuer with Jerry Groves, while Toler, Jesse Jones and Tom Anderson sought help from others. He said they were not enough rescuers to go around. Because of the bad air they had to abandon their escape attempt and return to the coal rib where we hung a curtain to try to protect ourselves. The curtain created an enclosed area of about 35 feet. They attempted to signal their location to the surface by beating on the mine bolts and plates. That effort caused them to breathe much harder and use more oxygen. After becoming exhausted they stopped trying to signal. The air behind the curtain grew worse so he tried to lie as low as possible and take shallow breaths he said he could tell that it was gassy. According to McCloy, Toler and Anderson tried to find a way out. The heavy smoke and fumes caused them to quickly return. There was just so much gas. At that point the miners began to accept their fate. Toler led them all in the Sinners prayer. They prayed a little longer then someone suggested that they each write letters to their loved ones. He said he became very dizzy and lightheaded and that some drifted off into what appeared to be a deep sleep and one person sitting near him collapsed and fell off his bucket not moving. It was clear that there was nothing he could do to help him. The last person he remember speaking to was Jackie Weaver who reassured him that if it were their time to go then God’s will would be fulfilled. As my trapped coworkers lost consciousness one by one the room grew still and he continued to sit and wait unable to do much else. He have no idea how much time went by before he also passed out from the gas and smoke, awaiting escue. There we many investigation which came up with possible theorys as followed:Lightning strike and seismic activity, Use of foam rather than concrete seals, Proximity with active gas and oil wells, Sparks from restarting machinery after holiday. After the disaster there were many provision that would, mandate equipment to communicate with miners, locate miners, a nd provide sufficient caches of air, Rescue teams must be staffed and on site, Operators must notify the MSHA immediately when there is an accident, Any coal operator who fails to do so will be ubject to a $100,000 fine and/or 12 to 15 years imprisonment, The bill would mandate a rapid notification and response system, The bill would create a new mandatory minimum penalty of $10,000 for coal operators that show negligence or reckless disregard for the safety standards of the Mine Act,The bill would nullify an MSHA rule issued in 2004 that authorizes the use of belt entries for ventilation, which may have caused fire in another accident at Alma, The bill would create a science and technology transfer office in MSHA to pull research and development ideas rom other federal agencies for use in the mines,The bill would create an ombudsman in the Labor Department’s Inspector General office for miners to report safety violations. Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response (MINER) A ct after the Sago and Darby Mine explosions in 2005 and 2006 I have read many notes left to the families of the miners trapped in disaster not only this one and we keep one posted on our mine rescue station door to remind us why we are doing what we do he is the letter: Ellen, darling, goodbye for us both. Elbert said the Lord has saved him. Do the best you can with the children. We are all praying for air to support us, but it is getting so bad without any air. Horace, Elbert said for you to wear his shoes and clothing. It is now 1/2 past 1:00. Powell Harmon’s watch is in Andy Woods’ hand. Ellen, I want you to live right and come to heaven. Little Elbert said he trusted in the Lord. The bad air is closing in on us fast. Dear Ellen, I leave you in bad condition, but set your trust in the Lord to help you raise my little children. Elbert said for you all to meet him in heaven, for all of the children to meet us both. Raise the children the best you can. Oh how I wish to be with you. Goodbye, all of you, Goodbye. Bury me and Elbert in the same grave by little Eddie. Goodbye Ellen, Goodbye Lillie, Goodbye Jimmie, Goodbye Minnie, Goodbye Horace. Oh God, for one more breath. Ellen, remember me as long as you live. Goodbye darling. It is 25 minutes after 2:00. There are few of us alive yet. Jake and Elbert. The Aracoma Mine accident had happened when a conveyor belt in the Aracoma Mine No. 1 at Logan WV caught fire. The conveyor belt ignited on the morning of January 19, 2006, pouring smoke through the gaps in the Stopping line and into the intake that the miners were supposed to se for their escape, obscuring their vision and ultimately leading to the death of two of them. If the stoppings had been in place they would have prevented any smoke from the conveyor belt to the intake the primary source of air for workers inside the mine. Instead investigators now believe, smoke flooded into the air intake, which also serves as an escape route, disorienting two of the min ers, who became lost and died in the fire. The two men, Ellery Hatfield, 47 and Don Bragg, 33, died of carbon monoxide poisoning when they became separated from 10 other members of their crew. The others held hands and edged through the air intake amid dense smoke. As the federal agency that conducts research to advance mine safety and personal protective technologies, moves the results of research to workplace practice, and tests and certifies respirators for workplace use, NIOSH is working with diverse partners to plan, support, and carry out research that addresses those needs. Areas of focus include:Innovative designs for SCSRs that will provide air to users for longer durations. NIOSH is interested in new technologies for training that simulates actual respirator use. Realistic training that can be done frequently and efficiently will improve miners’ ability to escape. Changes in requirements for evaluating and testing SCSRs . Collaboration with the Mine Safety and Health Administration to update current training modules for donning SCSRs. Updates will incorporate guidance on the donning of multiple SCSRs during an emergency escape, reflecting new requirements under the MINER Act of 2006. Those provisions require mine operators to provide individual miners with immediate access to at least two SCSRs, and to store extra units along escape ways. Aracoma brought about more of training and provision to strengthen their ability to inspect better and enforce laws and regulations in place such as:better tools for cracking down on companies with patterns of violations, stronger protections for whistle blowers, stiffer criminal penalties and quick fix injunctive relief that would let the Department of Labor act decisively against an operator when it identifies an immediate threat The Upper Big Branch Mine disaster occurred on April 5, 2010 underground at Massey Energys Upper Big Branch mine at in Raleigh County, West Virginia. Twenty nine out of thirty one miners at the site were killed. The explosion occurred at 3:27 pm. The accident was the worst in the U. S. since 1970. High methane levels were detected and subsequently an explosion from an unknown source occurred. Twenty five men were initially killed. Four days later the four missing men were found dead for a total of 29 deaths. While investigations is still ongoing, officials have speculated that it may have been caused by a spark from a mantrip. Due to the large area and concentration of toxic gases mine rescue teams were able to enter and kept getting ulled out delaying rescue and recovery efforts until holes were drilled for ventilation. They were many problems in the past with violations as with many mine who have had disasters miners were scared some even left notes before the explosion and due to the size of the explosion there had to be large amounts of dust as well as methane of course Massey is denying their responsibility they have already prosecuted some officials I would write more on this disaster that we all have heard many reports and are familiar with this disaster but I do not wish to speculate ore until the investigations are complete and I am stating facts instead of opinions I would not like to speculate on something that has effected so many lives of my fellow miners and their families. Although they have not really been any changes in laws and since the Upper Big Branch explosion other than the non-combustible material has raised to 80% or better in returns instead of 60%. Since the April 2010 explosion the safety agency has also ramped up enforcement created new mine safety screening procedures and conducting 228 impact inspections at mines with poor safety records or other warning signs of problems. The agencys new screening procedures were put in place after officials discovered that a computer error had allowed Upper Big Branch to evade heightened scrutiny. The agency has also proposed new safety rules that would result in speedier enforcement for mines that have shown a pattern of serious violations. The Monongah Mine disaster of Monongah, West Virginia occurred on December 6, 1907 and is labeled as the worst mining disaster in American History. The explosion was said to be caused by the ignition of methane which ignited the coal dust in mines number 6 and 8, killing hundreds of workers. Rescue workers could only work in the mines for 15 minutes due to the lack of breathing equipment. Some of those workers also perished due to suffocation caused by methane oxidation. The lives of 362 or more workers including children were lost in the underground explosion, leaving 250 widows and more than 1000 children fatherless. The exact death toll remains unknown. The worst of the explosion occurred in the No. 8 mine and so great was its force that the concrete roof of the engine house was torn into fragments and one piece weighing more than 100 pounds was blown more than 500 yards. The victims came to their deaths suddenly. Many were found sitting upright in the positions they were in when the explosion came with its spread of deadly gases. The scenes at the mines during the work of rescue were pitiful in the extreme. For several days frantic women grouped about the opening of the mines and their shrieks of agony were enough to move the hardest heart to pity. Grief stricken mothers, wives, sweethearts and sisters waited and watched and cried and prayed. Although the village of Monongah was unprepared for the disaster relief work was quick nd effective. Relief parties were rapidly formed and additional forces were hurried from Fairmont and adjacent cities and towns. But with a few exceptions there was no need for the physician and the rescuer -death to those in the mines came fully and suddenly and without suffering. The mine officials as well as the officials of the B. O. Railroad Company took an active part in the relief and many acts of bravery were performe d by the volunteers who entered the mines in search of the victims. Appeal for funds with which to carry on the relief work mong the families of those who perished met with a quick response. The sole survivor of the blast was Peter Urban. He found a small foxhole to climb out before the toxic gases reached him. Some believe that several other men escaped with him but there is little evidence to validate that. Although they are some difference in these explosions they are similarities between them. Most of them the true cause may never be known. Many of them had also been repeat offenders of violations. From all mining disasters they have been new laws or regulations with stiffer compliance, improved training and technology. If you couldnt tell from the Upper Big Branch you can see that when a disaster happens in the mines West Virginia supports each other all miners are familys and close and we support each other. Although the mining industry remains dangerous we have took great strides for improved safety and will continue to pursue that goal, not only have we made great strides in the mining but also in Mine Rescue from training and equipment improvements and hopefully many more will come in to be better prepared to save the lives of fellow miners if such a disaster was to happen again.

Mandarin Chinese Christmas Vocabulary

Mandarin Chinese Christmas Vocabulary Christmas  is not an official holiday in China, so most offices, schools, and shops remain open. Nonetheless, many  people still get into the holiday spirit during the Yuletide, and all the trappings of Christmas can be found in China,  Hong  Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.   Additionally, many people in recent years have begun celebrating Christmas in China. You can see Christmas decorations in department stores, and the custom of exchanging gifts is becoming more popular- especially with the younger generation. Many also decorate their homes with Christmas trees and ornaments. So, learning Mandarine Chinese Christmas vocabulary can be helpful if you plan to visit the region. Two Ways to Say Christmas There are two ways to say â€Å"Christmas† in Mandarin Chinese. The links provide a transliteration of the word or phrase (called  pinyin), followed the word or phrase written in  traditional Chinese  characters, followed by the same word or phrase printed in simplified Chinese characters. Click on the links to bring up an audio file and hear how to pronounce the words. The two ways to say Christmas in Mandarin Chinese are  shà ¨ng dn jià © (è â€"è ªâ€¢Ã§ ¯â‚¬ traditional Ã¥Å" £Ã¨ ¯Å¾Ã¨Å â€š simplified) or  yÄ“ dn jià © (è€ ¶Ã¨ ªâ€¢Ã§ ¯â‚¬ trad è€ ¶Ã¨ ¯Å¾Ã¨Å â€š simplified). In each of the phrases, the final two characters (dn jià ©) are the same. Dn refers to birth, and jià © means â€Å"holiday.† The first character of Christmas can be either shà ¨ng or yÄ“. Shà ¨ng translates as â€Å"saint† and yÄ“ is a phonetic, which is used for Jesus yÄ“ sÃ… « (è€ ¶Ã§ ©Å' traditional è€ ¶Ã§ ¨ £ simplified). Shà ¨ng dn jià © means â€Å"the birth of a saint holiday† and yÄ“ dn jià © means â€Å"the birth of Jesus holiday.† Shà ¨ng dn jià © is the more popular of the two phrases. Whenever you see shà ¨ng dn, though, remember that you can also use yÄ“ dn instead. Mandarin Chinese Christmas Vocabulary There are many other Christmas-related words and phrases in Mandarin Chinese, from Merry Christmas to poinsettia and even gingerbread house. In the table, the English word is given first, followed by the pinyan (transliteration), and then the traditional and simplified spellings in Chinese. Click the pinyan  listings to hear how each word or phrase is pronounced. English Pinyin Traditional Simplified Christmas shng dn ji Christmas y dn ji Christmas eve shng dn y Christmas eve ping n y Merry Christmas shng dn kui l Christmas tree shng dn sh Candy Cane gui zhng tng Christmas presents shng dn l w Stocking shng dn w Poinsettia shng dn hng Gingerbread house jing bng w Christmas card shng dn k Santa Claus shng dn lo rn Sleigh xu qio Reindeer m l Christmas carol shng dn g Caroling bo ji yn Angel tin sh Snowman xu rn Celebrating Christmas in China and the Region While most Chinese opt to overlook Christmas’s religious roots, a sizable minority do head to church for services in a variety of languages, including Chinese, English, and French. There are  approximately 70 million practicing Christians in China as of December 2017, according to  the Beijinger, a monthly entertainment guide and website based in Chinas capital. The figure represents only 5 percent of the countrys total population of 1.3 billion, but its still large enough to make an impact. Christmas services are held at an array of state-run churches in China and at houses of worship throughout Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. International schools and some embassies and consulates are also closed on Dec. 25 in China. Christmas Day (Dec. 25) and Boxing Day (Dec. 26) are public holidays in Hong Kong, so government offices and businesses are closed. Macau recognizes Christmas as a holiday and most businesses are closed. In Taiwan, Christmas coincides with Constitution Day (è ¡Å'æ† ²Ã§ ´â‚¬Ã¥ ¿ µÃ¦â€" ¥). Taiwan used to observe Dec. 25 as a day off, but currently, as of March 2018, Dec. 25 is a regular working day in Taiwan.

Global Enterprise and Innovation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Global Enterprise and Innovation - Essay Example â€Å"Innovation has been the basis of the great performance of the Jack Daniel’s trademark, this was inclusive of the commencement and universal crush of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey,† the company said. Even though the invention by and large is up to the authoritarian criteria for classification as a, straight bourbon the corporation disavows this categorization and markets it basically as Tennessee whiskey rather than as Tennessee bourbon. Packaged in distinguishing square bottles, a total of 11 million cases of the flagship "Black Label" product were sold in the corporation’s financial year ending April 30, 2013 Tennessee Honey has been seen to be incredibly popular in Brown-Forman’s next and subsequent major markets; this markets include Australia (contributing 13% of total sales) and the UK (9%), and similarly to Poland and South Africa. Brown-Forman said that Tennessee Honey, in connection with other innovations, lead to the rise of the company’s net sales by 25% in the financial year. In the meantime, the group’s portfolio of best and finest American whiskeys, are inclusive of: Woodford Reserve and Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack raised the sales by 20% for the duration of the year. Innovation from Jack Daniel’s portfolio played a crucial role increasing the sales by 12% expansion rate in Brown-Forman’s comprehensive voyage vend industry, motivated by the flourished Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select. Brown-Forman viewed that the â€Å"outstanding† presentation of the Woodford Reserve product, which growth increased by 28% in course of the year, gives a bright insight of international expectations for the super-premium whiskey. The business attained concrete price hike, which assisted them expand the margin. Due to sustained international attention in North American, whiskey and constructive trends, the company remains watchfully confident that Brown-Forman’s strong and unprejudiced natural growth will carry

What does Legacy mean to you Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

What does Legacy mean to you - Essay Example The loss of traditional industries has led the urban governments will benefit from this since it promotes a business climate, which in turn stimulates economic growth. Concerning economic growth, measures to strengthen security and flexibility will be put into place. The urban government has a formidable task ahead of deregulation of labor markets that they offer to firm to attract them to London city. Policy enactment is a necessity to control the urban effect that comes along with. This will bring a transformation of the urban environment with the construction of post-modern modern architecture. This architecture is no doubt a spectacle that will make London attractive to tourists and consumer spending. The conversion of the Olympic Village Polyclinic into a long-term training center for the East London community is another legacy of the Olympics. This will lead to the creation of employment opportunities for the East London community (Great Britain: National Audit Office, 14). Socially, London will have an opportunity to convey an affirmative image during the Olympics hence attract non-UK people to live as well as work for some time and even after the Olympics. The Olympics will lead to an increase of commitment to sport. The UK will benefit from social and health benefits, which will become more accessible. Investment in grass roots sport will encourage sport in the UK. Regarding the Autism Awareness Campaign the UK will achieve impressive results in encouraging people with disabilities to take part in sports (publications.parliament.uk). The 2012 Olympics will have a significant political impact. The government at the cabinet-level will be involved in planning and creating the Olympic delivery authority, which will be an oversight to ensure the games are played and continues even after 2012.The minister for the Olympics will be the overall head responsible for the Olympics games (Great Britain: National

Literature review of five journal articles about The Shortage of Research Paper

Literature review of five journal articles about The Shortage of Qualified Workers - Research Paper Example Increased Demand for Labor: According to Barnow, Trutko and Schede (2010), if demand for labor increases continuously and faster than the supply of labor, there occurs a is equilibrium where some work will not be done. They argue that a special phenomena may occur which would require special skills which making the specialist take time and hence during that period there will be a labor shortage. For instance, after the 2nd World War, a situation occurred where engineers were needed to deal with effect of great shock of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. During that period, the demand for engineers was high than the supply. Rasool and Botha (2010) argued that it is only in time of abruptly that demand of labor supply and demand can cause a labor shortage else people will be there since supply of quality laborers is increasing with population growth. Decreased supply of labor: Hajela (2012) indicates that when bodies entitled to train professionals cannot do so due to lack of the minimum qualification to join the course, there will be a low rate of producing graduates and this will lead to lack of personnel to work on specific positions. If I quote â€Å"Shortage of skills revealed may suggest that the educators do not impart them during training. An implication that would mean that the employees’ lack competences, since they do not have the requisite skills†. This leads to graduates who cannot perform and hence labor shortage. Research by Rasool & Botha, (2011) showed that the literacy rate was 36% and numeracy rate was 35% amongst Grade 3 children. Only 10% of the children scored above 70%. This is a clear show that competent people who get out of school with needed skills are very few. Emigration: According to Rasool & Botha, (2011), emigration is another worrying factor in South Africa for the role it is playing in skills crisis. South Africa is

Of Man and the stream of time by Rachel Carson Essay

Of Man and the stream of time by Rachel Carson - Essay Example Carson’s essay proposes a thesis that the sole objective of man in his nature is to make nature submissive yet nature is not something to be conquered but to be made accommodative. As human beings continue to find new ways to harness the natural resources, they end up destroying the nature itself.Carson has adequately supported the thesis through her expression of emotions related to how people treats nature wrongly. The fact that it took her ten years to prepare for this perspective is an indication enough that the thesis is researched comprehensively. The writer then explains how the efforts that man has been putting to control nature have given less that positive results. The misuse of knowledge and technology that destroys nature makes man feel that he is making the nature submissive. What he does not realize is that nature fights back even more strongly. The writer’s argument begins with statements on what the feelings about nature and the implication of human activities are. Carson describes what she feels are the wrong actions of man towards his efforts to tame nature. With this, she takes the reader back to the historic perspective of nature protection. She illustrates the difference in the views are currently from the traditional views. In the end, the writer regrets that her generation was unable to give a positive report and hopes that the current generation will do better.

Interpretation of Laws in the United Kingdom Essay

Interpretation of Laws in the United Kingdom - Essay Example This paper declares that the literal rule demands that the judiciary should use the ordinary meaning of a statute by merely reading the text irrespective of the outcomes. The rule is based on the assumption that the objective of Parliament is well captured in the plain and natural sense of the choice of words is uses in drafting a statute. As the report stresses the case of Fisher v Bell magnifies the superiority of the literal rule. The court’s decision was inspired by the literal meaning of The Restriction of Offensive Weapons Act 1959, which outlawed the offering for sale of select offensive weapons such as flick knives. James Bell created a display of such unlawful weapons in his shop, prompting his arrest and charges. In its decision, the Divisional Court absolved him of any offense as per the literal meaning of the statute, arguing that the mere display of the knives by the defendant did not amount to an offer for sale. The plain meaning of the contract law stipulates that displaying something at a point of sale should not be misconstrued to mean an offer for sale; rather it is just a mere invitation of potential customers to learn more about the item and tender their offers. The literal rule has merits and demerits. It limits litigations, promotes clear drafting of legislations and enhances easier interpr etation of laws by laymen provided they can understand the language used. Nonetheless, the literal rule may lead to interpretation of legislations out of context and narrowing of the parameters of a law. The golden rule Greeawalt (2012) has pointed out that the golden rule requires judicial members to give life to the literal rule so as to achieve a better interpretation of the law. The rule states that in the event that the literal rule fails to yield a proper meaning of a law, it is rational to explore another sense in the words. Lord Wensleydale in the case of Grey v Pearson (1857) HL Cas 61 is credited with creating a precedent when he stated that the literal meaning of an Act should be read and construed as it is, but if by doing so, a judicial officer would face an absurdity, then the person should modify the literal value of the text (Wagner, Werner, and Cao, 2007). The golden rule was invoked in the case of Adler v George (1964) to prevent an absurdity in court. The Official Secrets Act 1920 Â § 3, outlaws any distraction to the HM Forces around a forbidden base. Frank Adler’s violated the law and was charged with causing distraction to the officers. In his defence, Adler argued that he was actually inside a prohibited place and not in its vicinity.

Of Man and the stream of time by Rachel Carson Essay

Of Man and the stream of time by Rachel Carson - Essay Example Carson’s essay proposes a thesis that the sole objective of man in his nature is to make nature submissive yet nature is not something to be conquered but to be made accommodative. As human beings continue to find new ways to harness the natural resources, they end up destroying the nature itself.Carson has adequately supported the thesis through her expression of emotions related to how people treats nature wrongly. The fact that it took her ten years to prepare for this perspective is an indication enough that the thesis is researched comprehensively. The writer then explains how the efforts that man has been putting to control nature have given less that positive results. The misuse of knowledge and technology that destroys nature makes man feel that he is making the nature submissive. What he does not realize is that nature fights back even more strongly. The writer’s argument begins with statements on what the feelings about nature and the implication of human activities are. Carson describes what she feels are the wrong actions of man towards his efforts to tame nature. With this, she takes the reader back to the historic perspective of nature protection. She illustrates the difference in the views are currently from the traditional views. In the end, the writer regrets that her generation was unable to give a positive report and hopes that the current generation will do better.

Impact of Changes on Target Companys Structure Assignment

Impact of Changes on Target Companys Structure - Assignment Example Jones postulates that the organizational structures are two in kind, namely: mechanistic structure and organic structure (209). Wei, Liu and Harden postulate that the degree to this subdivision of jobs is the work specialization in the organization (19). Securing and Goldbach refers to the term centralized as â€Å"the concentration of authority and responsibility for decision making in the hands of managers at the top of an organization’s hierarchy† (214). In other words, Kumar and Bhat describe the term centralization in an organization as â€Å"the degree to which decision making is concentrated in a single point† (346). The degree of decision making concentrated in numerous points shows decentralization in an organization (Applebaum & et.al., 2008). The Target Company has a mechanistic organizational structure. It has a high level of specialization which allows it to divide the jobs into significant groups. The work specialization requires that each person should be placed according to his/her qualifications and experience to ensure a maximum level of specialization in their work. Each department has been allotted different work that is not given to the other department in the organization (Ouchi, 1977). The answer to this question is that all stores of the company are centrally controlled through a centrally located center for every region. Target Company has a mechanistic structure that allows it to have a centrally located center that has the highest degree of decision-making power to control all the stores located within its jurisdiction. The answer to this question is that the change in the company structure through the incorporation of a grocer sector in Target Company will positively impact its vertical and horizontal aspects. Previously, the Target Company had a focused company strategy to have 5 self-managed teams (an i.e. horizontal aspect of the company structure). Furthermore, the horizontal aspect of the company structure  included decision making through consensus and voting. Dries and Swinnen argued that vertical and horizontal spillover effects produce improved quality of product and significant growth of small and medium suppliers (1525).  

An Education Film Essay Essay Example for Free

An Education Film Essay Essay Analyse how conflict (either internal or external) was used in a film you have studied to help us better understand a main character. â€Å"Often, it’s not about becoming a new person, but becoming the person you were meant to be, and already are, but don’t know how to be.† An Education directed by Lone Scherfig is a film about coming of age and discovering whom we are. The film is set in the early 1960’s a time ruled by moral code and strong feminist rules. Jenny is the main character who is 16 and aspiring to read English at Oxford. She soon meets playboy David, who seduces her and they fall in love. This relationship lets Jenny see into a whole new world of thrilling and current things. This creates a big internal conflict for Jenny who now must decide what she wants to do with her life. She has three pathways she can choose from, and the characters of Helen, Mrs. Stubbs and Jenny’s mother Marjorie model all of these paths. She must decide if she wants to live an exciting life but is filled with fraud and larceny. She can also living a boring life of teacher marking ‘pony essays’ but also one that has had the purpose of an education and is fulfilling in numerous ways. Jenny can also become a housewife though like her mother Marjorie, this is the most common paths for women in the 1960’s and is a tedious and unfulfilling lifestyle. Jenny is internally conflicted between all three of these paths, because whic hever one she picks will determine the rest of her life. Very early on in the film we are introduced to the character of Helen, she is an affluent person and lives an abundant life style of which many people in the 1960’s would be jealous. She has the privilege of lavish clothes, attending fabulous concerts, going to art auctions, eating in Michelin star restaurants and traveling the world. This is the life Jenny wants to live. Jenny is able to access this life style through David; he opens her up to all sorts of new possibilities. When we first meet Helen at the concert in Saint James Square we can tell the Jenny is in awe of Helen. Jenny strokes Helens velvety fur cape, admiring the fine piece of clothing. Jenny asks Helen â€Å"it is beautiful, where did it come from?† Helen being very wealthy probably has many coats and beautiful clothes like this and so simply replies â€Å"oh South Ken somewhere.† The area Helen is talking about is South Kensington and is one of the wealthiest areas of London. This is the kind of area that Jenny wouldn’t have been able to afford anything from so when Helen suggests to her that they should go shopping together there and that David can pay, Jenny is a little taken back because something so luxurious and exorbitant shouldn’t come so easily. Jenny realises that this life can become possible if she sticks with David. There is no need for her to attend Oxford to have a fun and fulfilling life. With David she can live Helen’s life, where she can go to France; her escape in life â€Å" I want to be French. She wouldn’t have to deal with her parents, school and Oxford. With David she is not confined in her life, she can do whatever she wants. Jenny must make a decision as to whether she wants to stay with David and to continue living this exciting lifestyle or to continue on the path of life she had originally planned out for her life in Oxford and one of an Education. Jenny must remember that â€Å"when life’s path is steep to keep your mind open† Jenny is focused on David in the movie because she thinks it is what she wants. We must all keep be level minded when we are making decisions, Lone Scherfig has alerted this too the audience that these choices we make are important and they will leave a mark on us forever. Mrs. Stubbs is a very influential person in Jenny’s life. Mrs. Stubbs life could foreshadow one that Jenny might live if she gets an education at Oxford. Mrs. Stubbs is Jenny’s English teacher, and she studied at Cambridge. Cambridge is a very prestigious school, which is very similar to Oxford. Both schools hold high reputation and only the elite and highly respected can attend these two schools. Judging from the lifestyles of the female role models around her, Jenny’s future can be narrowed down to two options; housewife or a secretary if she doesn’t get an education. In order to avoid those to paths in life, Jenny’s caring but overly concerned parents Jack and Marjorie and Mrs. Stubbs forcefully suggest an education at Oxford. In order to market herself as a valuable candidate, Jenny must ace English, Latin, French (hence the title), and show cultural breadth (her â€Å"hobby† is the cello). Yet, if all goes according to plan, Jenny will meet a similarly cultured wealthy man and will no longer need to do any of those things. The irony, of course, is that an Oxford education is simply a means of making the bait more alluring. Jenny comes to this realisation early into Scherfig’s film and asks the question â€Å"Why must I attend Oxford when I could easily take a shortcut and reach the same inevitable conclusion by attending the school of life? I’d have a lot more fun.† David is a shortcut past Oxford and is also a lot more entertaining and fun. Jenny must open her mind up to the possibilities that Oxford and an education can grant her. She must again keep her mind open; sometimes the path that is not as clear is often the better choice. As the viewer we want Jenny to go to Oxford and we can see how her decision will make a last imprint on her. We want her to attend and it makes us reflect on all those important decisions we have all had to make in our lives. In order to market herself as a valuable candidate, Jenny must ace English, Latin, French (hence the title), and show cultural breadth (her â€Å"hobby† is the cello). Yet, if all goes according to plan, Jenny will meet a similarly cultured wealthy man and will no longer need to do any of those things. The irony, of course, is that an Oxford education is simply a means of making the bait more alluring. Jenny comes to this realisation early into Scherfig’s film and asks the question â€Å"Why must I attend Oxford when I could easily take a shortcut and reach the same inevitable conclusion by attending the school of life? I’d have a lot more fun.† David is a shortcut past Oxford and is also a lot more entertaining and fun. Jenny must open her mind up to the possibilities that Oxford and an education can grant her. She must again keep her mind open; sometimes the path that is not as clear is often the better choice. As the viewer we want Jenny to go to Oxford and we can see how her decision will make a last imprint on her. We want her to attend and it makes us reflect on all those important decisions we have all had to make in our lives. In order to market herself as a valuable candidate, Jenny must ace English, Latin, French (hence the title), and show cultural breadth (her â€Å"hobby† is the cello). Yet, if all goes according to plan, Jenny will meet a similarly cultured wealthy man and will no longer need to do any of those things. The irony, of course, is that an Oxford education is simply a means of making the bait more alluring. Jenny comes to this realisation early into Scherfig’s film and asks the question â€Å"Why must I attend Oxford when I could easily take a shortcut and reach the same inevitable conclusion by attending the school of life? I’d have a lot more fun.† David is a shortcut past Oxford and is also a lot more entertaining and fun. Jenny must open her mind up to the possibilities that Oxford and an education can grant her. She must again keep her mind open; sometimes the path that is not as clear is often the better choice. As the viewer we want Jenny to go to Oxford and we can see how her decision will make a last imprint on her. We want her to attend and it makes us reflect on all those important decisions we have all had to make in our lives. The final route Jenny can take is one of the most common paths young women in the 1960’s take and that is to become a housewife and mother. This path requires no education apart from how to cook, clean and sew. These three things are all taught at school along with dancing and posture. These are all qualities a good housewife needs to make their husband look first class and not themselves. In the very opening scenes of the movie we see a montage of shots that exhibit the young girls in the 1960’s learning these qualities. This opening scene illustrates to the audience the traditional expectations of young women. This kind of education the women are getting is to set them up to be wives, to be like Marjorie. Jenny however is different to the other girls. Her education will not stop her hopefully but instead it will continue on at Oxford. One of the most important scenes shown in the movie is when Jenny comes home after being out for the night with David for the first tim e. When we see Marjorie in this shot we can see her through the kitchen door trying to clean a casserole dish. Marjorie is completely framed inside her world. By marrying Jack it has trapped inside this world, there is no fun parties or lavish concerts, instead she is a housewife, â€Å"and I cant get this casserole dish clean. We had hot-pot tonight, and its all burnt round† Jenny is confused though as â€Å"its twenty-five to twelve. We finish tea at seven.† Jenny soon realises that this is a life you get trapped in, and once you enter into it there isn’t any escape. Jenny is different from the other girls at school she is smart. She will not become a housewife and we can see how fantastic it is to stand out and be different. With this comes choice though resulting in hard decisions. Jenny is forced to make one and as the viewer Lone Scherfig has positioned us to see how all the choices we make in our lives will and can affect us. Jenny is forced to make a difficult decision, and she is conflicted between what she wants to do in life. At this stage in her life she can has to choose between becoming her mother, Helen or Mrs. Stubbs. With decisions comes conflict and Jenny is internally conflicted with all of these options. Lone Scherfig has effectively made the audience look back on all of the decisions we have had to make in our lives and how they have shaped us into who we are today. Our paths should lead us all to a goal and desire. We can only know this when â€Å"if youre walking down the right path and youre willing to keep walking, eventually youll make progress.†

Science of Epidemiology

Science of Epidemiology Edward Truelove EPIDEMIOLOGY Introduction This assignment will identify and explain what epidemiology is and describe how epidemiologists collect and analyse specific data. It will then identify a number of aspects of the science and then look a disease and see how epidemiologists data was used to influence health promotion. What is Epidemiology? Epidemiology is the ‘science concerned with the study of the factors determining and influencing the frequency and distribution of disease, injury, and other health-related events and their causes in a defined human population. Also, the sum of knowledge gained in such a study. There are two main types of Epidemiology. The first one is descriptive which describes the occurrence of the disease according to people, place and time and the second is analytic which determines the causation, risk factors for health, disease and association. Descriptive epidemiology describes and investigates the scale of the problem. This is the amount of people that have developed or caught the disease over a specified period. e.g. in 2004 there were 44,659 cases of newly diagnosed breast cancer in the UK. From this epidemiologists would look at the prevalence, the number of people that have the disease or condition at any particular time. e.g. the number of people who are regular smokers within a specified time period. The next factor is to look at how the condition is spread. This is done by analysing categories such as age, gender, socioeconomic class and ethnicity e.g. women from lower social classes are much more likely to smoke than women in higher social classes. Examples of questions asked to collect this data are as follows: What are the health problems? How many people are affected? Who is affected? Which communities are affected and why? What are the trends? Answers to these questions can indicate if primary prevention is possible and it can show the seriousness of the problem and how individuals and communities may be affected. Analytical epidemiology aims to answer the question, why did it happen? This is done by identifying and determining the causes and risk factors for health and disease. Comparisons have to be made between groups with or without the disease and between groups exposed and not exposed to a possible causal factor. Causation can show if there is a link from a certain disease to environmental influences, lifestyle or socioeconomic factors. To find the cause, epidemiologists can use inferential statistics to draw inferences about apopulationfrom arandom sample. From analysing the results and assessing the risks, a link between events and contributory factors can be draw and this can vary from negligible to high. Assessing the needs and analysing the data The first step in planning health promotion is to assess the needs and this consists of two elements. Firstly are the health service needs, which are determined from health data such as occurrence, frequency, mortality and morbidity. Secondly is the community determined needs covering issues that individuals and communities have brought to the attention of the local authority, politicians and letters etc. Sometimes these two elements overlap but it is important to identify which are priorities for communities. Health data is analysed according to who has been affected and this shows which communities are affected the most so that resources can be allocated. From this information about prevention begin. Prevention Primary prevention consists of trying to keep people healthy and free from disease such as immunization and encouragement of healthy lifestyles. Secondary prevention tries to identify the disease and persuade people to go for treatment at the earliest opportunity. Examples could be a cough that could lead to tuberculosis or a fever that could lead to influenza. In some conditions once the disease has developed it can often be too late, so one of the key roles of health promotion is to encourage screening i.e. breast cancer. Tertiary prevention involves actions if the disease has become very serious. This is to promote recovery and focus on rehabilitation to help speed the recovery. An example of primary prevention would be lung cancer as it is know what causes it, but it is not suitable for breast cancer as the causes are not yet known. Prevention can only take place if the causes can be established. Causes Epidemiologists need to establish causes and to look at many factors such as the environment, society and individuals. They also need to find out what causes the cause as there can be a whole chain of causal factors triggering a chain of events. These study designs are used for finding out possible causes, although they do not prove causal relationships as they just look at associations. There are two types of analytical study designs. The first is group one which are used for finding out possible causes. Ecological studies compare studies of a particular disease in different communities to try to ascertain the cause. Cross-sectional studies sample a section of society at one particular time to see if there are common characteristics between people. Case control studies compare a sample of people with a disease to a sample without and a conclusion can be drawn to see if characteristics are more likely to be found in people with the disease. Group two analytical studies are stronger design studies which are used to provide evidence for causal relationships. Cohort studies, also known as prospective or longitudinal studies are when a large sample of the population is followed over a long period of time to monitor their lifestyle and exposure to the risks. From this, the incidence of the disease can be followed to look for causal risks. Examples of this are following a sample of the population for fifty years to see if there is a link between smoking and lung cancer. Intervention study involves exposing a random selection of people to a health promotion trial to find out if the if intervention has health benefits and then to compare the results to a group of people who have not. Results can be analysed to establish if there are key variable such as income, age, distribution, etc. Relative or attributable risk provides a measure of the strength of a causal relationship. Decisions can be made from this as to how many lives c ould be saved if the causal factor was removed. Epidemiologists have also to work out which are confounding factors, ones that can appear to be associated with a disease but are not a causal. From all the information and studies undertaken there has to be a systematic review to identify which studies have strong conclusions. From the evidence, reasons can be worked out for showing the causes of health problems and disease and an action plan for health promotion can be set out. Epidemiology is an essential key discipline in health promotion and unless the specific factors that cause a health problem are identified, action cannot be taken to prevent it and promote health. Swine flu and Epidemiology What are the health problems? In the case of swine flu, dry cough, sore throat, headache and fatigue are the most common associated symptoms. Typically patients will have a fever over 38C. Most people recover in a week without any specific treatment. How many are affected In swine flu the number of cases in the UK rose quickly after the first established cases in Scotland. By May 312009, there were 252 confirmed cases in the UK.Seventy of these had been to Mexico or the US seven days prior to infection, and 178 reported that they had not been abroad. Who is affected? In the case of swine flu, in the first months of its outbreak in the UK, it mostly affected young people, and was most commonly spread through contact at schools. These findingsare based on an analysis ofthe first 252 cases of the disease diagnosed in the UK after news of the virus broke What are the trends? Of the 168 who contracted the infection it was established the likely place of viral transmission: 60% had been acquired in school; 25% from a household environment; 8% in the community; 1% (two cases) acquired in the workplace; Less than 1% (one case) in a healthcare environment; 5% acquired elsewhere. (nhs.uk) Which communities are affected and why? People of all genders and ages, including infants and the elderly were developing the disease equally. Due to a larger proportion of younger people travelling abroad and being in contact with younger people, the average age of the first 252 infected people was 20 years. Of the 178 first cases in the UK, 22% reported contact with someone who had developed the infection overseas (secondary infection) and 70% reported contact with a secondary case. 7% were not aware that they had contacted anyone (nhs.uk) Influence on health promotion The disease was first identified in Mexico in April 2009 and quickly spread round the globe. Initially the HNS had to make the public aware of the health problems through the media and do everything to contain the disease such as closing schools. After a while it was classed as a pandemic and moved from a containment status to treatment status. Generally the disease was fairly mild and was usually more serious in patients with other health problems. Part of the health promotion campaign was to offer antiviral medicines, Tamiflu or Relenza. Another step was to identify who and which communities are affected, and those people that are in high risk groups, as they are more likely to develop to complications. Vulnerable people are those who have lung disease, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, neurological disease and diabetes. Also at risk are people who have had drug treatment, pregnant women, people over 65 and children under five. A health promotion campaign through the Television and media was used to make these particular groups aware of the potential risks. Swine flu vaccination began in October 2009 The NHS issued information to the public to stop the disease spreading such as good respiratory and hand hygiene i.e. sneezing into a tissue and putting it a bin and to wash your hands and work surfaces at home regularly. Other public health information includes a National Pandemic Flu website and telephone number for the public to call for any information. The public were asked to call their GP if they had flu like symptoms and particularly if they had a serious condition that weakens your immune system, if they are pregnant, have a sick child under one or if the condition suddenly gets worse. The Service assesses the symptoms and if required will provide authorisation to collect antiviral medicine. Carers also have been identified as at risk as they come into contact with the most vulnerable in the community and steps have been taken in the second phase of vaccination to protected them from the risk of infection Conclusion The science of epidemiology involves elements of biology, social sciences and ecology and it is therefore it is a bio-social-environmental science focusing on disease in populations. Epidemiology is a key discipline in Health Promotion as is analyses specific factors of a disease. From this data action can be taken to prevent the disease spreading and promote health i.e. smoking and lung cancer, asbestos and cancer, alcohol and liver disease. However, mistakes can be made as some diseases such as heart disease have many influential factors including diet, exercise, smoking, blood pressure and genetic history. Epidemiology is a population science and investigations of health problems in populations have been very important for public health. Its techniques in examining the disease patterns between populations have been widely applied and there is no consensus of the best means to measure health. As epidemiology is a study of populations it does not tailor health promotion needs for the individual and quite often complicated data and government health warnings such ‘eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day can be largely ignored by a sceptical public, and therefore destructive activities still persist. This report has identified what epidemiology is and explained how epidemiologists assess the spread of illness and analyse data collected. It has also listed aspects of epidemiology and stated how they have an influence on health promotion. References Cancer Research (2009) [Online], Available at: http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/cancerstats/types/lung/incidence/index.htm 1 ( (Accessed 22 Nov 2009) Hubley, H. and Copeman, J. (2008) Practical Health Promotion, Polity Press: Cambridge. Naidoo, J. and Wills, J. (2009) Foundations for Health Promotion, 3rd Edn, Bailliere Tindall: London. Naidoo, J. and Wills, J. (2008) Public Health and Health Promotion, 2nd Edn, Bailliere Tindall: London. NHS (2009), [Online], Available at: http://www.nhs.uk/news/2009/07July/Pages/Swinefluearlyepidemiology.aspx 1 (Accessed 2 Dec 2009) NHS (2009), [Online], Available at: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pandemic-flu/Pages/Introduction.aspx?WT.srch=1 (Accessed 2 Dec 2009)

Spiritual and Moral Journeys in The Quest of the Holy Grail Essay

The Spiritual and Moral Journeys in The Quest of the Holy Grail  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Quest of the Holy Grail is an exciting tale that follows the adventures of King Arthur's knights as they scour the countryside for the legendary Holy Grail. Throughout their journeys, the knights engage in many exciting jousts and sword fights with a variety of enemies. The author of The Quest of the Holy Grail intends for the story to be more than just entertainment: the knights' search for the Holy Grail is analogous to the pursuit of morality and spiritual chivalry, showing success through asceticism, confession, chastity, and faith. Lancelot, Bors, and Perceval all strive to become more like Galahad, and the author effectively uses these characters to teach his readers lessons about spiritual chivalry and personal salvation. The author provides each of these knights with a series of monks and hermits who counsel and guide him in the ways of spiritual chivalry, for only the most pure Christian knights have any hope of finding the Grail. The adventures of Perceval are very straightforward and easy to interpret, so he provides readers with a suitable introduction to spiritual chivalry and the importance of virginity, asceticism, and complete faith in God. The author faces Bors with more complicated challenges and visions than anything Perceval must handle; since the author tells Bors' adventures after Perceval's, readers should be more prepared to interpret their meaning and significance with regard to spiritual chivalry and personal salvation. The advice Lancelot receives from his series of monks and hermits shows readers the importance of confession and penance, but the author makes it clear that readers should not emulate Lancelot's life of sin ... ...y responsible for our own salvation and "neither shall the son have any part in his father's guilt, nor the father answer for the son's transgressions" (154). The author of The Quest of the Holy Grail addresses a significant number of spiritual and moral issues throughout his engaging story. His goal is to provide a guide to proper living in the eyes of God, and he successfully achieves this goal through the adventures of several very diverse knights of the Round Table who, through their victories and follies, show us the value of spiritual chivalry; furthermore, if we have any additional questions concerning spirituality that are not addressed in The Quest of the Holy Grail, the author suggests that we may always seek out the guidance of our wise local hermits. Work Cited The Quest of the Holy Grail. Trans. P. M. Matarasso. London: Penguin Books, 1969.

The Evil of the Age :: Short Stories Papers

The Evil of the Age August 26th, 1871, was a humid, busy Saturday at the Hudson River Depot in New York City. Sweat and fatigue had crept in by mid-afternoon, when a porter suddenly smelled the stench of decaying flesh. Along the wooden platform lay hundreds of trunks and bags, piled haphazardly, ready for loading onto a Chicago-bound train. During rough handling in the baggage room, the lid of an ordinary, 2'8" by 18" packing trunk had cracked open, releasing the foul stench. The porter immediately called Robert Vandeward, the baggage-master. Vandeward deliberated for a moment, then moved the trunk, bringing it out of the public eye and into a nearby, open railway building. He wrenched loose the thin rope and flimsy lock that secured the lid, popping it open. First he saw an ordinary quilt. He tossed it aside, and stared at a soiled, bloodstained army blanket. The growing crowd of railway attendants leaned in. As he pulled away the blanket, the attendants gasped and covered their mouths. Doubled up in fetus position was the naked corpse of a young woman, her thin shoulders draped with thick, golden curls. Her body had been crushed into the trunk, her head forced over her breasts and her limbs drawn in tightly. Her mouth hung open in awkward distortion and her bright blue eyes stared blankly from their pale, discolored sockets. The pelvic area was bloody and decomposed. In minutes, railroad officials rushed up and down the tracks in search of the trunk's owner. Police questioned onlookers. Voices rose across the station, as a frenzied chaos spread. Young Alexander Potts, known as "Paddy," spoke up. The twelve-year-old boy helped passengers with their bags, making a living scrambling for spare change. He had helped check the trunk just a half-hour before. According to his testimony, an 18- or 19-year-old woman arrived at the station at 2:30 p.m. in a one-horse coupà ©. She wore a common calico dress and a thin shawl. She beckoned Paddy, saying "Sonny, can you tell me where the ticket office is?" When a truck arrived with the trunk, she paid him to help lift it. She urged him to be careful - it contained glass. She would never be found. Earlier that day, she'd hired the truckman to transport the trunk. Paddy had young, keen eyes. He remembered the small inscription on the truck's cab - "Tripp" - which became, for a brief time, a holy grail of sorts.

Saint Telemachus

The Roman Catholic faith is one of the religions that believe in martyrs and saints and honored their lives because of the sacrifices that they have made in the name of fighting for their religion and in the name of preaching the values and morals that the Roman Catholic faith is teaching and preaching to everyone. How these martyrs and saints lived was somewhat similar – a moment of recognition of the presence of God in their lives, the life of prayer and devotion to the faith, the episode of their life wherein they become the tool or vessel of God for an important mission before they die. While their lives seem to follow a certain pattern, their death is somewhat not always the same. There are those who die peacefully in their sleep or because of old age, and there are those who die a violent death in front of an angry crowd. Jesus Christ, the son of God and one of the three personas of the Roman Catholic God, in life mortal human form, died a very violent and brutal death. So did other saints, martyrs and other individuals who are considered faithful to the Roman Catholic faith especially during its early stage and during the time the religion’s main enemies are persecution of the faith and the presence of a set of social norm that strongly go against the paradigm of the Roman Catholic faith, The setting of the world at the time of St. Telemachus’ life, whose death, like Jesus Christ and the other saints, were violent and brutal, and became a source of an important catalyst in the social landscape inside Rome. This paper will discuss the life of St. Telemachus and the significant aspects related to St. Telemachus that will help establish St. Telemachus as one of the important and noteworthy saint and martyr whose contributions were very realistic and practical and transcended the basic act of religious theoretical teaching and selfless public service. ABOUT SAINT TELEMACHUS Saint Telemachus was known by different other possible names, including Saint Tilemahos as well as Almachus, whose birth is remains unknown. He was a monk who was believed to be the one who influenced the policy about gladiatorial fights after his very popular but seriously challenged story about stopping the fighting gladiators that resulted to his death. His proclamation as a martyr and the stopping of the entertainment of the crowd for armed combats which is usually a fight to the death to which spectators gamble. St. Telemachus was mentioned in many different literary forms by authors from different places. Little is known about St. Telemachus, and because of this, many theological experts, historians, as well as critics and analysts, challenge the veracity and truthfulness in the story about Telemachus. The usual tempo and outline of the available St. Telemachus story – from his journey to Rome, his entry in the arena, his stoppage of the fight, his death and martyrdom, runs something like this: â€Å"The emperor Honorius first prohibited gladiatorial shows at Rome, on occassion of the death of St. Telemachus, who coming thither from the East, during the exhibition of these spectacles, went down into the arena, and exerted himself to prevent the gladiators from continuing the sport . † THE STORIES SURROUNDING THE DEATH OF SAINT TELEMACHUS There were many versions of how exactly St. Telemachus died after he supposedly stopped a fight between two gladiators inside a Roman fighting arena during the height of the fad of this particular type of death match entertainment. Authors like Alban Burns explained that there were two versions believed by the Catholic faithful about how St. Telemachus died. The first version is the death of St. Telemachus from the stoning he got from the audience who were â€Å"infuriated† b y his mediation and intervention that spoiled the excitement of the action that was already progressing by the time he arrived and tried to stop the fight. Another version pointed the death of St. Telemachus towards the actions of the â€Å"city prefect,† who, like the audience, found St. Telemachus’ action inside the arena not agreeable to his preferences and interests. Because of that, the prefect of the city ordered the gladiators (whether the ones who were fighting or those on standby inside the arena is not exactly ascertained by Butler and Burns) to kill him, who supposedly said before dying that â€Å"Today is the octave day of the Lord, cease from the superstitions of idols and from polluted sacrifice . † This act cost his life, but in return earned him the stature of a martyr in the annals of the Roman Catholic faith. THE IMPORTANCE OF SAINT TELEMACHUS Despite the fact that St. Telemachus is not a very popular name or saint among many Roman Catholics compared to other popular saints and martyrs (largely because of the fact that very little was written or known about St. Telemachus besides his action inside the Roman gladiatorial arena compared to other saints and martyrs whose life and works are well written, well documented and well publicized), there are those, especially the devout and the learned religious faithful who does not forget the place of St. Telemachus not just in the religious aspect of the understanding of his life and the significance of his contribution, but also historically as a person who in one particular time, in the history of the Roman Catholic faith and faithful, made his mark and contribution in the effort of the religion to sustain the values and moral preached by Roman Catholic faith. St. Telemachus is nonetheless considered and appraised with the same fervor as with t he other saints and martyrs, especially when discussed alongside his contemporaries and those whose life and location was never far before or after him. For almost four hundred years the martyrs of the Church met here, beginning with St. Ignatius†¦ and ending with St. Telemachus who, dying, implored the mob: ‘In the name of Christ, forbear. ’ They loved and suffered enough to finally change the mind of Rome . † ST. TELEMACHUS AND THE IMPACT ON LITERARY WRITING St. Telemachus was indeed an inspiration not just to the traditional and conventional religious individuals but to literary artists as well. The life and tragedy of St. Telemachus perhaps was a source of inspiration for Sir Alfred Tennyson when he wrote the poem featuring this particular saint, a poem which was another solid contribution and addition to the long list of literature of the same genre, but unlike some of the works which is very puritan and hard line in the messages that it wishes to throw across the audience, St. Telemachus and the poem dedicated to him somehow managed to break off from the general trend a bit. â€Å"Tennyson’s St. Telemachus, who accepts martyrdom in the Colosseum as he repeats to himself ‘the call of god'†¦ s a notable exception to this secularized application (Jeffrey, p 816). † ANALYSING ST. TELEMACHUS’ LIFE THROUGH LITERARY REFERENCES It is really hard to ascertain why St. Telemachus did what he did. But a very good source of information is the analysis of the critics about St. Telemachus and the parallelisms that he and his life shares with other characters in real life and fictional stories that talk about the boldness and honor in the act of sacrifice as the climactic event in a life that is dictated by a life in solitude and constant communing with God and nature and heightened by the belief of a mission from a vision, which, in St. Telemachus’ case led him towards westward from his Asian point of origin towards Rome. In reading how he is appraised and put side by side with other characters to which he seemed to share a particular likeness or similarity, the individual looking for a deeper understanding about the personality of St. Telemachus will be given a chance to expand his or her knowledge about St. Telemachus. â€Å"Several other poems in the collection share significant thematic elements with ‘The Death of CEnone. ’ ‘St. Telemachus,’ for example, immediately follows ‘The Death of CEnone’ and similarly depicts a hermit living alone in a cave, muttering ‘Vicisti Galilae,’ as in Swinburne’s ‘Hymn to Proserpine’ . † This particular side by side analysis of equally significant literary materials and notable characters somewhat provides an individual an idea about how St. Telemachus lived his life and the level of significance he bears, as a person and as a central character in a literary material that is written by one of the most notable and popular poet that ever lived. Like CEnone, Telemachus is drawn out of his cave by the vision of a burning image, in this case the sun, and he leaves the cave to commit an act that will bring his life to a close. Telemachus travels to Rome to attempt to put a stop to the deaths of gladiators in public spectacles . † ST. TELEMACHUS AND HIS CONTRIBUTION TO THE IDEA OF HUMAN RIGHTS St. Telemachus can be considered as one of the earliest examples of advocates for human rights. He was merely batting for human rights during his interference midway in the game and the plea to stop because he believes that killing each other is not morally right. He was not a political pawn that was sent to create a situation that is profitable or favorable for a particular group or individual. All that was obvious was that the prospect of what he planned to do will no doubt put his life in peril since he was set to do an action that will put him in cross current with the existing social practice, like the gladiatorial fights. But he did it, and it cost him his life as well as a posthumous recognition, as well as an action that was inspired by his own initial move to stop gladiatorial fight. â€Å"Though he is killed in his attempt, his act draws the attention of the Emperor Honorius, who thereby prohibits such combats in the future . † The claim that gladiatorial fights were indeed ordered stopped after the reported murder of St. Telemachus was supported by many other different literary sources explaining the same repercussion of St. Telemachus' action as the springboard towards the stoppage of such kinds of fights. â€Å"Never again after St. Telemachus implored them in the name of Christ to cease did gladiatorial fights take place in the Colosseum. † A proof that St. Telemachus led a life that exemplifies the passion for a humanitarian cause and to improve the situation of human rights crisis during his time is the fact that some observers describe St. Telemachus as a martyr who died for the cause of humanity, â€Å"the only monk who died a martyr in the cause of humanity . † ISSUES ON THE STORY OF ST. TELEMACHUS Besides the presence of many different version of the story of St. Telemachus, particularly the story of his death as was discussed earlier in the paper, there are also other significant issues that are involved everytime critics and analysts try to ascertain the veracity of the information available and surrounding St. Telemachus’ life and death. What is not clear, however, is the extent of the political impact of the death of St. Telemachus which was enough and sufficient to actually order the stoppage of such practice. Bear in mind that St. Telemachus was an ascetic; he was not well connected, politically and his death is not important inside the political circles of the Roman legislative body; his death was of no serious repercussions, meaning the death of St. Telemachus was far from being akin to political killings or assassination that affect politics and social order. Bear in mind also that gladiatorial fights inside the Roman Colosseum and arenas are a long standing traditional practice that seemed to be not that easy to demolish, especially since many individuals depend their lives on the regular undertaking of this fights, including the fighters themselves as well as the slave traders, merchants, gamblers and many other different individuals. Because of this, it is really very difficult to really understand how it happened that the death of an unknown hermit who is not a native of Rome managed to result in such impact like the stoppage of the gladiatorial fights. And because of this vague, gray part in the history and story of St. Telemachus that begs for more explanation and proof, it is not surprising that many individuals find it difficult to believe in the veracity of the story. McCabe provided a very insightful input in the discussion of the possibility that St. Telemachus indeed put a stop to the gladiatorial fights and how this may not be socially and realistically possible. McCabe discussed in his book that the gladiatorial fights nonetheless persisted long after Telemachus was dead, and that this particular bloodsport featuring man versus beast and man versus man is an important institution in the Roman entertainment that it cannot just be stopped in one fell swoop, just because one person said so by act of intervention and mediation in an actual fight. There are socio-political as well as socio-economical implications that make the story of St. Telemachus very weak and the fact that it is poorly supported in literature by actual real information makes it less and less credible. â€Å"And it is historically false that the games were suppressed in 404; though even this is ninety years after the bishops began to have influence over the emperors . † Some of those who are also very critical about their assessment of what qualify as martyrdom and what is not a considerable act or life of martyrdom questions the martyrdom of several different saints and martyrs, and St. Telemachus has not escaped the criticisms. Those who dissect the understanding of sainthood and martyrdom in a very puritan and very skeptical and crucial way questions the manner by which martyrs and saints like St. Telemachus was proclaimed martyrs in the first place, including in the assessment the understanding of selflessness as well as sacrifice and what really constitutes as real acts of selflessness and sacrifice that is considered as sufficient and legitimate to make the individual a saint or a martyr in the Roman Catholic faith. â€Å"It is likely enough also that martyrs to charity – men like St. Telemachus and St. Philip of Moscow, Abp. Affre and Bp. Patteson – have their portion with the perfect martyrs to faith; in some cases, as in the last, it is hard to draw a line between the two: any way, those who suffer for righteousness sake suffer for Christ†¦ but to suffer for conscience's sake, however noble, is not necessarily quite the same thing: and it is hardly right to claim the name of martyr for the victims – certainly not for the victims on one side only – in the fratricidal contests of Christians . † But even this kind of assessment or criticism does not provide enough ground to challenge the merit of the martyrdom of St. Telemachus. Even with the surfacing of this particular criticism, those who believe in him seem to feel that their faith in the saint did not diminish, especially since the presence of the criticism is not credible or strong enough to push for the review or even the relinquishing of the martyrdom of St. Telemachus. A very difficult problem that needs to be addressed when it comes to establishing the veracity of St. Telemachus as a person, as well as his martyrdom and sainthood is the fact that those who would really want to believe in St. Telemachus finds it odd that there is no cathedral, church or chapel as well as shrines and even statues of St. Telemachus found in popular as well as small religious establishments for the Roman catholic faith. This is odd because Roman Catholicism is one of the religions that is characterized by the penchant of its religious leaders as well as religious followers to create stone, wood, glass or steel statues of Jesus, Mary, the Holy Spirit, as well as the saints and the angels and other holy individuals who are related to the Roman Catholic faith. If this was the practice of this religion, then why one of their Roman civilization-era saints was not featured in any tangible, three dimensional sculpture at least placed in at least one of the lowliest and smallest church in the world? If this is true, then this affects in a negative way the manner by which St. Telemachus is being seen and appreciated as a real martyr and saint in the Roman Catholic domain. â€Å"I wish to believe in the story of St. Telemachus. Yet no church has been dedicated, no altar has been erected † for St. Telemachus. There are critics, historians and analysts who downplay the storyline of St. Telemachus, dismissing it as no more than a work of imagination or fiction and pointing that the socio-political aspects of the time, as well as supporting information (or lack of) makes the idea about St. Telemachus untrue and grossly inconsistent of the closest possible facts that might have really happened. Add to the fact that consistent to the question of fratricide among the Christian brothers belonging to the same religious affiliation, making the story of St. Telemachus close to being fabricated for PR purposes it the fact that St. Telemachus would have surely died in the hands of the same Christian crowd. This scenario seem like it cannot stand well on the moral and values of Christianity that St. Telemachus was though to have been preaching. â€Å"On the other hand, the claim that Christianity redeemed the Romans of their callousness by suppressing the gladiatorial games is a piece of rhetorical d eceit. It is chiefly based upon a pretty story of a monk, Telemachus, throwing himself into the arena at Rome in protest. Those who repeat the story do not add that the monk is supposed to have been killed by the Christian mob, but the story is worthless . † McCabe went to the great extent of challenging the notion of reality of the story of Saint Telemachus and the veracity of the true Telemachus as a person and as a martyr by providing an important point. The name of St. Telemachus, according to McCabe apparently is not found in the list of martyrs that are officially recognized by the church. â€Å"There is no St. Telemachus in Roman lists of martyrs . † CONCLUSION. Whether St. Telemachus and the story of his martyrdom is real or merely fabricated by historians who seek to improve the list Roman Catholic devout and faithful throughout the history by creating a person who will symbolize the stand of the Roman Catholic faith against one of the barbaric past times and forms of leisure in the history of mankind, it cannot be denied that St. Telemachus and his life was an inspiration to some people. It maybe true, it maybe untrue, it may even be a story that is a combination of both, but the important thing is that St. Telemachus was capable of symbolizing the ability of the human individual for sacrifice and act of faith even at the cost of his life. Religious faith, after all, is all about the ability for selfless and unquestioning faith. If St. Telemachus can help them achieve this state, then he will no doubt be an important personality in the Roman Catholic history, unless of course, a very competitive and authoritative work can actu ally challenge St. Telemachus’ life and prove that none of the stories surrounding him were true, real or consistent with facts that should be proven and authenticated. Until that time, the religious can rest their faith on the martyrs and the saints, including St. Telemachus. Even if St. Telemachus was criticized by some, there are those who feel that St. Telemachus should also be taken highly and accorded their necessary fervor, an example of which is how Charles Kingsley referenced St. Telemachus in ‘Hypatia,’ where he wrote: â€Å"Take care, sir, of your words. You revile the blessed martyrs, from St. Stephen to St. Telemachus, when you call such a deed foolish . †