Saturday, August 22, 2020

Real Danger Men: Begin To Think Like Computers

Genuine Danger Men: Begin To Think Like Computers This statement by Sydney G. Harris has a few undertones to it. In one view, it basically shows that how we work, how we live and even the manner in which we believe is obliged by the instruments that we use. Clarifying it with a basic model, as a grown-up on the planet today, we don't need to compose anything by any stretch of the imagination. We simply type everything. In this way, there truly is no call for appropriate penmanship. It is fundamentally the same as another acclaimed citation If you have a sledge, each difficult resembles a nail. It limits your idea. It limits your abilities and reduces your creative mind. The basic importance of this statement by Sydney G. Harris is that one should open up ones mind and understand the hazard that we as a whole face today, and not what we see to be the genuine danger. Today, the inclination is for us to consider how one day, machines and PCs may have the option to think like us, and the difficulties that that may bring for humankind. Have we as a whole not given a careful idea to it in the wake of viewing the Sci-fi Hollywood motion pictures set in the 22nd century, where the genuine adversary of earth is simply the military of machines that men once made? Be that as it may, individuals don't understand the genuine peril that faces us today, which is that in the event that we begin thinking, acting and acting like the machines do; it would be by a long shot more upsetting than the previous. Allow us to attempt to respond to some extremely straightforward inquiries to comprehend what Mr. Harris is all worried about. What is that matchless human characteristic that we remain to lose and in the process become like machines? Would could it be that isolates people from PCs? Is it our capacity to think? Or then again is it our capacity to appreciate and learn? As cited by Edsger W. Dijkstra The subject of whether PCs can believe is much the same as the topic of whether submarines can swim. They don't do it all alone, however it settles the reason. With the improvement of master frameworks and trend setting innovations, machines do now think without anyone else and learn all alone. All in all, what is the scarcely discernible difference among people and machines? May be it is our capacity to believe, to envision, to be natural and to have feelings. As Albert Einstein once stated, Imagination is a higher priority than information. For information is constrained to all we curren tly know and comprehend, while creative mind grasps the whole world, and all there ever will be to know and comprehend. Let us take a gander at the contrast between this creative mind, instinct and realities, the information amassing. Blaise Pascal was one of the popular physicist, mathematician and logician, who likewise imagined the principal advanced PC to add or take away up to eight digit numbers. One of his most celebrated works is known as the Pensã ©es, clarified the qualification between the soul of geometry and the soul of artfulness, the distinction among machines and people. The key differentiation between these two methods of as per Pascal is that while the soul of geometry examinations discernible realities into obviously determinable components and utilizations deductive motivation to build an arrangement of information and rules dependent on fastidious verification, the soul of artfulness concerns thoughts and observations which can't be correctly characterized or separated into parts, and uses natural motivation to understand the significant marvels in general. Moreover, the soul of artfulness brings about blemished conclusions about which scholarly individuals may every now and then contend. A PC subsequently, fills in as a feeling of geometry and people as a blend of the soul of geometry and the soul artfulness which enables them to reason consistently and furthermore to have an instinctive brain, which has a gracefulness of thought for things it adores. Such a mind is acclimated with mediate at a solitary look and that too implicitly, without mechanical principles. For instance, Einstein didn't extraordinarily have any snippet of data that was not open to physicists of that period when he built up the hypothesis of relativity. He just reasoned the equivalent existing realities in a totally extraordinary way, and afterward made testable predictions based on them. This clarifies one more of the well known expressions by Albert Einstein Laws are just reached by non-sensible techniques. To make a law one must have a scholarly love of the subject. We may now derive the worries of Mr. Harris. While the mechanical considering PCs suggests that each situation has a positive and plainly perceptible arrangement, still not all the human reasoning can be compared with critical thinking. There are no set standards and hypotheses which can legitimately finish up numerous significant inquiries that go up against us in the human life What is religion?, Does God genuinely exist?, How would it be advisable for one to pick a lifelong way?, Am I really enamored? These inquiries don't have unambiguous arrangements, yet these questions are troubles that require keen light. [Richard Van de Lagermaat, 2002] The threat of losing our humanly attentive brightening is clear in todays world. Aside from the case of utilizing PCs for composing, we can find from the study hall lessons, how we lay substantial significance on realities and data. Each school centers around a truck heap of data which is raged into the youthful cerebrums. We instill the substance of rationale in our youngsters at a youthful age, therefore, removing the fundamentals that make them more human than everything else, the inventiveness in deduction, in seeing, in envisioning all by them themselves. A statement from Charles Dickens tale, Third Times reinforces this way of thinking: Facts alone are needed throughout everyday life, Plant nothing else, and root out everything else. You can just shape the brains of thinking creatures upon Facts; nothing else will ever be of any assistance to them. It shows the heading that we are moving. Be that as it may, this isn't the solitary need from our life and our training. It is additionally an absolute necessity to see how to think brilliantly based on crude realities, make important associations among them, and concoct innovative unique thoughts. The above conversations act PCs like a malicious production of people. Does that imply that PCs are genuinely an evildoing? Is it true that they are pulverizing the very idea of humanity? Clearly and appropriately it is false. As per a few analysts, projects, for example, cut craftsmanship and Microsoft Word support innovativeness in youngsters by making it workable for them to compose and alter reports without getting burdened with the mechanics of penmanship and spelling [Provenzo,1999]. The PC is along these lines, not abhorrent except if it is utilized as a substitute to gain proficiency with the essentials, for example, composing, perusing and fundamental arithmetic. The time that we become reliant on PCs and begin utilizing it as our numero uno asset of instruction, we lose the nuts and bolts which fabricate everything else. This is the point at which we lose our inventiveness, innovation and restricted our speculation to programmable machines. In this way, this statement communicates an exceptional message, that despite the fact that innovation is profoundly favorable and it genuinely makes our life much simpler for us, whenever utilized incomprehensibly, it is likewise as pulverizing as it is obliging. For instance, a vehicle is doubtlessly is a quicker and increasingly agreeable method of driving starting with one spot then onto the next, particularly over significant distances. What's more, with time, it has just improved to more readily suit the necessities and solace of our own. In any case, while misusing the extravagance and simplicity, we will in general become so used to this solace we begin dismissing the very idea of our own, strolling, as and whenever the situation allows. From the absolute first word to the last one in this statement, Sydney G. Harris is attempting to separate between a people way of life and a PCs way of life. By saying that men will start to think like PCs, he shows that our future is probab ly going to be apathetic on the grounds that this is the thing that the device we all utilization gives us. PCs are out mallets which drill all the nails without anyone else. It gives us alternate ways for all the issues we feed it; it does things the easy way. The equivalent suggests to some other innovation. Think about the accompanying inquiries. Has Google made us lethargic? Are Facebook companions our actual companions? It is safe to say that we are progressively effective when we are performing multiple tasks on our android and windows hand-held gadgets? We need genuine responses to every one of these inquiries. What we need is an ongoing acknowledgment, a fast snap back to when we didn't have all or any of this. That time, we used to peruse in libraries to get some answers concerning individuals, spots and things and in this procedure used to learn more in the library than what we do through Google, only the review. We used to be near our dear companions and met them frequently, trusted in them as opposed to dropping a virtual hippopotamus on them through Facebook. We used to be progressively engaged. We used to have additional time than we appear to have right now with all the innovation and we thought performing various tasks was sparing every one of us the vitality and time on the planet. We used to be more beneficial than we are. We used to go out and play under the sky on a green natural rug of grass as opposed to building virtual ranches, urban areas and thinking about pets that didn't exist. We need a brisk cognizance, to secure that we live inside a PC now. We have our own virtual lives and urban areas and occasions, all inside a PC. What's more, between this whole commotion, we are overlooking how it felt to be genuine, to be human. Through this statement, Mr. Harris is attempting to turn us around to confront the genuine peril and cause us to get that, truth be told, we are losing our natural humanness. He is attempting to alert us that on the off chance that we people proceed on this way to think, act and carry on like PCs, the results will be unmistakably progressively extreme. The creator of the statement has most likely accomplished his aspiration by saying this statement. John F. Kennedy once said Man is as yet the most phenomenal PC of all. The conversations without a doubt propose that we may not be a long way from when this statement turns into the unintended truth of humankind and we are completely decreased from the most extraord

Thursday, July 16, 2020

Peek Over Our Shoulders What Rioters Are Reading Today

Peek Over Our Shoulders What Rioters Are Reading Today In this feature at Book Riot, we give you a glimpse of what we are reading this very moment. Here is what the Rioters are reading today (as in literally today). This is what’s on their bedside table (or the floor, work bag, desk, whatevskis). See a Rioter who is reading your favorite book? I’ve included the link that will take you to their author archives (meaning, that magical place that organizes what they’ve written for the site). Gird your loins â€" this list combined with all of those archived posts will make your TBR list EXPLODE. We’ve shown you ours, now show us yours; let us know what you’re reading (right this very moment) in the comment section below! Wallace Yovetich Burn Baby Burn  by Meg Medina:  I  pulled it off of my shelf after fellow Rioter, Rincey, raved about it. Its a nice coincidence that it happened soon after it was announced that Medina will be at BR Live in November I know Ill be bringing this book to get it signed. SO GOOD. (Hardcover) Molly Wetta Keep Me Posted by Lisa Beazley:  I recently moved closer to my sister, but I still don’t get to see her as often as I’d like. When I read about this book on some blogs, I knew I had to check it out, because it’s about two sistersâ€"one who eschews social media, one who is immersed in it. They reconnect through handwritten letters to one another, and then a sister shares them on a blog. (library book) Signal to Noise by Sylvia Moreno-Garcia Last month, my favorite book was Certain Dark Things by the same author, so I definitely want to check out this story of witches and mixtapes in 1980s Mexico City. (paperback) Annika Barranti Klein   Shirley Jackson: A Rather Haunted Life by Ruth Franklin: a new bio of my all-time favorite author is an automatic drop-everything-else read. (e-ARC, pub date 9/27/16) Elizabeth Allen   Lafayette in the Somewhat United States by Sarah Vowell: As yet another Hamilton-obsessor (I’m going to see it on September 22nd and am literally counting down the days), I was excited to read more about the Marquis de Lafayette. Yeah, he may not have looked like the gorgeous Daveed Diggs in real life, but the man was fascinating. And, of course, Sarah Vowell’s dry sense-of-humor and sharp wit makes the story of Lafayette’s participation in the American Revolution that much more interesting. (Paperback ARC) The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot: This is a reread. I knew my husband would love this and given the perfect timing of a road trip and the fact that the film adaptation is in the works, I figured it was time. I was just as riveted by the story of the Lacks family and HeLa’s influence on science as I was when I read it right after it was first published. (Audiobook) White Trash: The 400-Year Untold History of Class in America by Nancy Isenberg: This is an amazing read… a fascinating look into the hard truths and influence class has had on our nation. (Audiobook) E.H. Kern Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey: I’m reading this on the recommendation of my fellow Rioters. Impression so far: If Alexander Chee’s The Queen of the Night was a fantasy novel. Good stuff. (Paperback) Sarah Nicolas   The Mystery of Hollow Places by Rebecca Podos: I own a hard copy, but I listen to at least 20 audiobooks for every book I read, so checked it out from the library so I could get to it faster. It’s about a teenage girl’s self discovery, wrapped in the framework of a mystery. Beautiful prose. (digital library audiobook) Ivory and Bone by Julie Eshbaugh: I found this while browsing Overdrive, having heard nothing about it. A “sweeping prehistoric fantasywith allusions to Pride and Prejudice”? I had to read that three times to make sure I wasn’t imagining things. Color me intrigued. (digital library audiobook) The Echoes of Love by Hannah Fielding: I was offered a copy of this by the author’s publicist and didn’t have to read further than “Tuscan countryside” and lady architect before I agreed to take a look. (Paperback) Liberty Hardy   Wolf Whistle by Lewis Nordan: This came highly recommended by two writers I admire, Clark Knowles and Travis Mulhauser. (paperback) Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann (Doubleday, April 18, 2017): Grann picks the most fascinating things to write about. (e-galley) Golden Years by Ali Eskandarian: Based in fact, but sadly, left unfinished when Eskandarian and two other members of the Iranian band Yellow Dog were murdered. (paperback) Like a River Glorious by Rae Carson (Greenwillow Books, Sept. 27): The sequel to the amazing Walk on Earth a Stranger! (e-galley) Katie McLain Hex by Thomas Olde Heuvelt: I’ve heard SO MANY good things about this book, and I’ve really been in the mood for a creepy witch story. So far, it’s more than delivered. (Hardcover) The Shining by Stephen King: I’m vacationing in Colorado and I’ll be spending a night at the Stanley Hotel, which was Stephen King’s inspiration to write The Shining. I consider it pre-vacation research! (Hardcover) Christina Vortia Second House From the Corner by Sadeqa Johnson: Audible Recommendationthis book took me back to my roots! South Philly stand up! Johnson takes the reader into the life of a deeply conflicted suburban NJ mom and how nearly losing her family teaches her to appreciate them. (Audiobook) Queen Sugar by Natalie Baszile: Getting ready for Oprah and Ava Duvernay’s new TV Series Queen Sugar premiering in September on the OWN network! And yes, I will be live-tweeting! (Audiobook) Ashley Holstrom An Untamed State by Roxane Gay: I know, I know, I am super late on this one. It is leaving me breathless, and I have to take lots of breaks in between chapters, but holy moly, this book. This. Book. Miri’s story as a beautiful woman before and another sort of woman during and after her kidnapping is haunting. (Paperback) Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott: I’ve been in the mood for some life and writing advice, and you can’t go wrong with a book that lists both in the title. (Paperback) Jessica Yang The Shadow Hour by Melissa Grey: I loved the first book in the series, The Girl at Midnight, so I just had to read the sequel! I can’t get enough of magic, dragons, and prophecies come true. (Hardcover) Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce: Ever since Tamora Pierce announced a prequel to the Immortals series, I’ve been wanting to reread it. More than eight years later, my perspective on these books has changed a lot the age difference between Numair and Daine definitely throws me for a loop. But it’s been fun. (Paperback) Susie Rodarme Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng: This book has been on my to-read list for awhile since everyone loves it; the library finally gave me access to the audiobook I’d requested. I’m enthralled with this book. It’s a mystery that actually has me on the edge of my seat while also being a gorgeous portrait of family grief. (audiobook) The Fifth Elephant by Terry Pratchett: I’ve been in a Discworld kind of mood lately, making my way through the Watch novels, which are my favorites. I had to laugh when I realized that, even in fantasy satire, my go-to is the police procedurals-slash-detective stories. (ebook) Kareem Shaheen A Rare Blue Bird Flies With Me by Youssef Fadel: This is a gorgeous novel (translated from Arabic) that is part love story and part surrealist prison memoir. Set during Morocco’s “years of lead”, the book follows the story of Zina and Aziz, an air force pilot who takes part in a 1972 coup attempt against the king, and is imprisoned for 18 years after it fails. It’s told from the perspective of multiple narrators, including the prison dog who ends up showing more humanity than many of the people in the story. Lyrical and beautiful tale. Steph Auteri The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson: I read and enjoyed his humorous travel memoirs back in my college days. Recently, someone in my local writers’ group told me that if I enjoyed those, I had to read this. (Paperback) (R)evolution by Girls Write Now: I’ve pretty much been obsessed with this brilliant organization for the bulk of my professional life, so when I saw the latest anthology for sale in my latest indie, I had to grab it. (Paperback) Nicole Brinkley The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps by Kai Ashante Wilson: After seeing the cover for Wilsons next book, A Taste of Honey, I knew I needed to go back and read his earlier work. This fantastical novella that mixes high fantasy gods and classic science manages to capture the best of its worldbuilding in some quiet little moments. (paperback) Nicole Froio The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead: I’ve been reading this book on and off since Oprah recommended it and I realised I had downloaded an advance reading copy and hadn’t actually read it. Basically, Oprah commands, I obey. (Advance Reading Copy) Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay by Elena Ferrante: I’ve been slowly making my way through this series of books and I am absolutely loving it. I fell in love with the first book My Brilliant Friend because it was such a complex depiction of female friendship and this book hasn’t disappointed me yet. Karina Glaser   All Stand for the Honorable Perry T. Cook by Leslie Connor: I was captivated by the premise of this middle grade book about a boy being raised by his mom at the Blue River Co-ed Correctional Facility. (Library Hardcover) St. Marks is Dead: The Many Lives of America’s Hippest Street by Ada Calhoun: A wonderful history of St. Mark’s Place in New York City. (Library Hardcover) Chickadee by Louise Erdrich: Reading Erdrich’s Birchbark series so I can pick up her newest middle grade release, Makoons! (Library Paperback) Ashley Bowen-Murphy   Invisible Man, Got the Whole World Watching: A Young Black Man’s Education by Mychal Denzel Smith: I’ve been looking forward to Smith’s memoir about coming of age as a black man in America for a while now and finally picked it up at the library. I’m especially happy to read about Smith’s commitment to thinking about intersectionality in his life, work, and activism. I’m hoping it will be a great compliment to Coates’ Between the World and Me and Ward’s Men We Reaped. (hardback) The Natural Way of Things by Charlotte Wood: This award-winning book follows a group of young women, all of whom were involved in some kind of high profile sex scandal, as they try to survive in a remote prison camp. It is a disquieting, beautiful (odd word to use given the subject matter) and angry examination of misogyny and internalized sexism. I started this book after reading something for one of my bookclubs that was just so much middle-aged white guy ennui. I needed an angry feminist palate cleanser. (paperback) Hannah Engler   Essays in Love by Alain de Botton: I never get tired of simple little books about love. My roommate left this book on our coffee table and I read about half of it in one sitting when she left for work. It reminds me of one of my other favorites, The Lover’s Dictionary by David Levithan. Kay Taylor Rea The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson: I liked Simonson’s debut novel, Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand, but thought her style might work better for something historical. The Summer Before the War is about the residents of a quiet Sussex village before, during, and after the war. Stunning prose, impeccable research, and absolute buckets of tears, so far. (digital library ebook) To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis: This Hugo and Locus award-winning novel about time traveling Oxford historians is my favorite book. It’s a masterclass in storytelling, with multiple plot threads woven into a richly realized future and past. I default to it when I’m in a reading slump or can’t decide what to read next. (digital audiobook) Patricia Thang   Welcome to Night Vale by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor: I’m a huge fan of the Welcome to Night Vale podcast, and was excited to finally start the novel, which further explores the strange desert town I have grown to love. (Hardcover) Human Acts by Han Kang: This is the third novel by South Korean author Han Kang (who won the Man Booker International Prize for The Vegetarian this year) to be translated into English and tells the story of people affected by the violent Gwangju Uprising in South Korea in 1980. Though I haven’t made it far into this one yet, I already have a feeling that it will hit me with a lot of emotions. The novel will be released in the US by Hogarth on January 17, 2017. (Paperback ARC) Death Note by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata: Recently, I’ve started trying to make sure there’s always something in Japanese in my “currently reading” pile so that I can hopefully get to a point someday when my parents won’t make fun of my Japanese anymore (I know that no matter how fluent I am, it will never happen, but a girl can try!). I’ve obsessively seen every adaptation of Death Note but am embarrassed to admit that I hadn’t yet read the manga until now. Plus, with a new movie coming out in Japan later this year (so excited!) and the American adaptation starring Nat Wolff coming to Netflix in 2017 (so much side-eye), what better time to go in deep with the original source material? (Paperback) Shara Lee   Freedom by Jonathan Franzen: I was curious to find out what all the hype about Franzen was about. (Audiobook) A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James: After seeing a VICE documentary on Jamaican cuisine, I wanted to learn more about the history of the country. I’m enjoying the book’s use of many voices and the Patois that certain characters use. (Hardcover) Jeanette Solomon   The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss: I’ve owned it for a long time and finally got in the mood for it. It’s a thwacking tome for sure, but I’m about halfway through. (Mass market paperback) Kate Scott Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi: I’ve heard so many great things about this one, so I requested a review copy. I just started it. (Library Hardcover) Silence and Beauty: Hidden Faith Born of Suffering by Makoto Fujimura: A visual artist’s reflection on Silence by Shusaku Endo, which I just read a few weeks ago. (Hardcover) Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler: A BookTuber I follow mentioned this one and it was available for review on Volumes, so I thought I’d give it a try. I’m almost done with it and I’m surprised at how charming it is. (Audiobook) Aram Mrjoian The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen: I just started this book this morning and it is the real deal. Got about 20 pages in on the train to work and don’t want to put it down. The prose is bonkers good. (Paperback) The Geopolitical Aesthetic: Cinema and Space in the World System by Fredric Jameson: Reading this for a postmodern film class. The content is dense, but definitely valuable for those who enjoy film theory. (Paperback on loan from library) Casey Stepaniuk Turning Japanese by MariNaomi: I’m actually not sure why I decided to give another MariNaomi book a chance, because I wasn’t super into the other book of hers that I read, Kiss and Tell. I may have decided to try Turning Japanese since I’ve always on the look-out for QTPOC authors and also specifically because MariNaomi is bisexual like I am. Fortunately so far I like this graphic memoir a lot. I love the random way that MariNaomi is going about trying to connect with her Japanese heritage and become fluent in Japanese (i.e., getting a job as a ‘hostess’ at an illegal bar for Japanese businessmen). I also thought her depiction of anxiety was spot-on. Christy Childers Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living by Shauna Niequist: I always like Shauna Niequist’s books… and this one sounds particularly relevant to my interests. Tasha Brandstatter   Goodnight, Mr. Holmes by Carole Nelson Douglas: I’d heard good things about this mystery series starring Irene Adler, and it was only $3 on Amazon. (ebook) Derek Attig even this page is white by Vivek Shraya: I loved Shraya’s She of the Mountains, so of course I’m here for this book of poems about skin. (egalley) Long Division by Kiese Laymon: I overheard some fellow Book Rioters singing this title’s praises, plus it has a book within a book, so come on. I had to try it. (ebook) Kojiki by Keith Yatsuhashi: I’m a sucker for books that play myths out in our contemporary world, so this one immediately caught my eye. (ebook) Jamie Canaves Charcoal Joe by Walter Mosley: I’m always here for a good detective story and since it’s narrated by Michael Boatman this was a mustâ€"his voice so perfectly matches what I imagined Easy Rawlins to sound like. (audiobook) IQ by Joe Ide (Mulholland Books, October 18): A detective story with the rights sold before publishing and fellow Rioter recommendedâ€"of course I had to read this! (egalley) Under the Midnight Sun by Keigo Higashino (Minotaur Books, November 8): Did I mention I love detective stories? Okay, so I’m also working on a post and loving that this starts as a detective story and then segues into a crime novel. I’m almost done and love how everything is starting to come together. (egalley) Wallbanger by Alice Clayton: My life needs more funny romance and this is perfectly scratching that itch. (ebook)

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Product Innovation - A Report on Plastics - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 5 Words: 1482 Downloads: 2 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Uncategorized Essay Type Narrative essay Did you like this example? Introduction Plastics have inspired and continue to give an impetus driving innovation that helps to solve societyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s greatest challenges from lifesaving technologies to more sustainable living. In 1850s, plastics were first introduced by Alexander Parkes in the UK while the demand for natural polymers like amber, tortoise shells and animal horns was increasing but their supplies were limited (Andrady and Neal, 2009). As created to have similar and comparable properties to those natural polymers, plastics or synthetic polymers have been accepted to be innovative products and widely used in all industries. To date, there is a very few thing around the world which are not made of plastics. What are Plastics? Plastics are synthetic materials which typically are produced by polymerizing small single molecules known as monomers derived from petrochemical plant (Thompson et al, 2009) or other organic materials such as wood fibers, corn or banana peels. They are divided into two main categories, namely Thermoplastics and Thermosets. Significantly, the majority of plastics produced are Thermoplastics due to being moldable, reheated and reformed repeatedly without chemical change, whereas the latter can be formed only once and will be decomposed after reheat (Gloag, 1946). Although there are many different types of plastics in each group with different characteristics, all plastics have their general attributes including resistance to chemical, thermal and electrical insulators, lightweight, various degree of strength and wide range of characteristics and colours (American Chemistry Council). They can be mixed with a wide range of additives, depending on required finished products, to improve mechanical, physical or chemical properties such as foamed structure, flame retardancy, surface appearance improvement or friction reducing (American Chemistry Council). Plastics consumption Since they can imitate natures, plast ics inevitably have been involved and revolutionized our lives for more than a century. The amount of global plastic production has increased over the last 60 years, from 1.7 million tones in 1950 to approximately 280 million in 2010 (Plastics Europe, 2013). Interestingly, there are four main reasons for such an increase in plastics consumption. Firstly, plastics can enhance their properties relating to toughness, lightness and chemical resistance by adding various types of chemical additives. For example, plasticizers allow plastics to be more flexible. This can be found in food packaging and processing such as plastic film wraps (American Chemistry Council). UV stabilizers, in particular, are added to prevent plastic degradation. Thus, the normal addition of various additives leads to both radical and incremental products innovation in all industries including packaging industry, building and construction industry, automotive industry, electrical and electronic industry and oth ers (Plastics Europe, 2013). Secondly, plastics can be molded and transformed into a wide range of forms which are necessary in all industries ranging from clothing to cutting edge technologies. Thirdly, in comparison with natural materials, plastics are inexpensive and capable of industrial cost saving. Therefore, they replace most of previous key materials such as natural polymers like metal and woods. Lastly, culture change also has an impact on the demand for plastics. Plastics were taken into account as an innovation in packaging industry, as Figure 1: World plastic production Source : Plastics à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" the Facts 2012 : An analysis of European plastics production ,demand and waste data for 2011 replacement for glass and aluminium packaging, when consumers demanded for product visibility (Lange and Wyser, 2003). Although most of plastics are not transparent, they can be added some additives to create transparent plastics, such as Acrylic (polymethla methacrylate), Butyrate (cellulose acetate butyrate), Lexan (polycarbonate) and PETG (glycol modified polyethylene terphthalate). Societal benefit of plastics 1. Plastics reduce carbon monoxide emission from transportations. Due to their light weight, plastics reduce vehiclesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ weight and fuel burning, resulting in less carbon monoxide emissions which contribute to global warming. Nowadays, 20 % of private or public vehicles is made of plastics, typically in door liners, steering wheels and electronics, to make vehicles lighter than using other materials such as metals (Andrady and Neal, 2009). Wings and fuselage of Airbus A380, for instance, are designed to use 22% of carbon fibre plastics compound and consequently can result in 15% fuel saving (Plastics Europe, 2013). 2. Plastics offer health benefits in many ways. In food industry, plastics are used extensively as food containers. PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate), in particular, is normally employed fo r drinking water bottle, to keep food and water fresh and reduce food and water waste (American Chemistry Council). More importantly, plastics can protect water from contamination caused by water supply. Thus, metal pipes in original pipe system which became rusty because of Oxidation of iron in water (BBC Bitesize) were replaced by plastic pipes. Additionally, in medical aspect, plastics also offer a wide range of medical advantages such as medical packaging and devices including blood and IV bags, supporting tubes, syringes and surgical equipment (SPI, 2013). Obviously, they are incorporated into hospital design as they assist in easy cleaning and sterilizing operation room as well as isolation area against infectious and medical advance technology, especially involving restoration of heart, joints and teeth functions and creation of artificial plastic blood (Plastics Europe, 2013). 3. Initiate economics growth and employment opportunities. As great demand of plastics, there are more than 1.6 million people are employed in the European plastics industries with 300 million euros turnover (Thompson et al, 2009). 4. Plastics enable more efficient renewable energy. Plastics can be used for an innovation of generating renewable energy such as wind energy and solar energy. To produce wind energy by windmills, using fibre-reinforced plastics (FRIP) in production of a plastic blade and a plastic rotor offers 33% saving on Greenhouse Gas emission (GHGs) which are the major factor of climate change (Plastic Europe, 2012). In addition, 98% of solar cells are plastic photovoltaics which provide more cost-efficiency, flexibility and GHGs saving than rigid silicon solar cells (Plastic Europe, 2012). 5. Plastics lead to advance technology. Plastics possess the properties of thermal resistance, light weight and lower cost. Consequently, they are always engaged in developing electronic products and applications. For example, in hybrid solar cells, a new generatio n of solar cells from a combination between plastics and nanotechnology causes lower cost and is easier to be produced than their semiconductor counterparts. 6. Improve building and construction performance as well as save energy. Insulation foams or Polystyrene (PS) is recognized as one of the most energy-efficient building materials. By comparing insulation properties between insulation foam and concrete, 1.6 centimeters thick of rigid plastic foam is equivalent to 1.3 meters concrete thick (Plastic Europe, 2012). Furthermore, an installation of plastic applications such as doors and windows frames tends to be easy as they are lighter than other materials. Also, plastics can be used for road base-courses. A Styropor foam, commonly known as EPS, is a thermoplastic replacing concrete in construction of road when load-bearing subsoil is poor, to prevent soil deformation from the weight of concrete (GeoTech Systems Corporation, 1993). The potential example in this respect is the 10 0 % recycled plastic bridge in the Onion Ditch Bridge; a new bridge in Logan County, Ohio, whose important parts were water bottles and detergent bottles which were made of PET plastics. In construction and civil engineering, plastics are usually molded into I-Beam or I-shaped sectors in order to create strength and lightweight (Rhey, 2012). Opportunity to be failure products Although plastics become basic components in all industries as they bring numerous societal benefits, there are several concerns that might cause their failure in the future. Firstly, plastics cause public health problems. Most of additives, including bisphenol A (BPA) ,which are found in many products such as medical devices, food containers, cosmetics, toys and flooring material, and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE), are toxic and can transfer directly from plastic packaging to human (Thompson et al, 2009). The second is waste management problems. Owing to their durability, plastics require a great amount of time for degradation or biodegradation, depending on the chemical compounds of materials and additives added. Moreover, they never burn easily as they melt and bubble and cause a terrible and dioxin smell. Most importantly, plastics cause environmental problem. If they are destroyed by burning, they will emit hazardous gas such as hydrogen chloride gas which causes greenhouse effect and eventual climate change. Moreover, if they are buried into the land, it will bar eluviation of rain water, possibly resulting in flood. Even though 26% of used plastics such as plastic bottles can be recycled, a considerable proportion of 38% is arranged into landfill (Thompson et al, 2009). As a result, toxic from additives in plastics will contaminate surrounding environments like rivers, seas or oceans. Conclusion Plastics are described as a very successful product innovation indicated from a continuous increase in demand and their productions. There are three main succes s factors for plastics to become success innovative product. Firstly, their adaptable molecule structure for various unique properties such as flexibility and durability and forms lead to many technological advance in all industries. Secondly, they bring numerous societal benefits including health and environmental benefits and employment. Lastly, they have lower cost than other materials. However, there is an opportunity for them to obtain failure in the future because they can bring about important problems, particularly concerning environment and public health. 1 Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Product Innovation A Report on Plastics" essay for you Create order

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Energy and Industrialized Agriculture Essay - 1599 Words

Agricultural practices throughout the ages have evolved dramatically. Having started off as simple pastoral management and shifting cultivation, these methods have been altered substantially in the name of â€Å"progress†, primarily in the US and other industrialized nations. Through this progression the energy inputs and outputs has been drastically altered. The industrialized food system as we know it is much more complex today than the simple agricultural practices used thousands of years ago. Today, the industrialized agricultural system is dependent on extraordinary amounts of fossil fuel inputs in order to maintain its complexity. Energy is needed for growing, processing, packaging, distributing, preparing and disposing of food. With the†¦show more content†¦These factors account for the calculation that on average each person in the US consumes 400 gallons of oil equivalent each year. [4] Most of this energy is used for the production of fertilizers which are n ecessary for the high yielding crops we have grown accustom to. Fertilizer is produced using the Haber-Bosch process which uses methane from natural gas in order to complete nitrogen fixation from the atmosphere. Another source of this petroleum use on a smaller scale is for the production of pesticides. The crops being grown, like corn and soybeans, are monoculture which are typically more prone to insect infestation and therefore covered in energy-intensive pesticides. Most pesticides are derived from ethylene and propylene, which are obtained by catalytic cracking of crude petroleum oils, or from methane from natural gas. These crops are being grown in large part to continue the energy-inefficiency of our industrial food system. Energy on Earth is almost entirely derived from the sun. Plants are able to absorb this energy, and through photosynthesis, convert it into energy that is useful to other living organisms on Earth. Western culture has distorted this simple process and created a much more complex way of consuming this energy. Monoculture crops, like corn, are being produced on very large scales, however the energy absorbed by these autotrophs aren’t what is being served on our plates. Typically this energy is transportedShow MoreRelatedThe Impact of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations1629 Words   |  7 Pagesway human beings raise and keep animals meant for food. While in the past there were great numbers of widely spaced small individual farms, now there are relatively few, but extremely large industrialized farms. 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The government constructed 20 dams and coal-fired power plants

Arguments on Rules and Justice Free Essays

In my opinion, Socrates† analysis of human nature is very true as it ultimately brings us his definition of justice. I agree with his theory of human nature but not his social-political theory. In order to understand Plato†s theory of human nature and his social-political theory, we must examine each one of them closely. We will write a custom essay sample on Arguments on Rules and Justice or any similar topic only for you Order Now Plato believed that no one is self-sufficient enough to live individually. Human beings are not created equally; some of us are born wiser then the rest and some of us are just born stronger. For this reason, only the select few (which would be the guardians) among us are supposed to now what is best for the society and therefore becomes the ruler of everyone else. Our reasoning, spirit, and natural wants are all part of human nature. In book 1 of The Republic, Plato had several detailed discussions on the nature of justice with other speakers in a dialogue form. The process of discussion involves Socrates† questioning, arguing against various inadequate theories that attempts to define the true meaning of justice. From the rich old man Cephalus, we learned that justice involves telling the truth and repaying one†s debts. However, Socrates points out that this definition of justice is inadequate because it cannot account for the instances of certain circumstances. The simple example of returning a borrowed weapon to an insane friend who demands the return of his weapon, would be an instance of following the rule but would not seem to be just. Then Polemarchus, Cephalus†s son attempts to define justice by proposing that justice means † one should pay what is owed†. Not returning or refusing to return the borrowed weapon would clearly benefit one†s friend. Socrates said that harming our nemies is only likely to make them even more unjust than they already are and cause them to make more unjust choices. After that, Thrasymachus came up with his own definition of justice which is nothing more than the advantage of the stronger; those in positions of power use law to decide what is right. The kind of justice practiced anywhere depends on the type of government they have in power. Socrates does not disagree with this view if the facts about the society are as Thrasymachus says they are, however, he argues that sometimes rulers make mistakes. In that case obedience to the law maybe leads to its own disadvantage, therefore Thrasymachus†s definition is also inadequate. Furthermore, Socrates says that the best ruler must always know how to rule. They should rule for the art of ruling, but not their own interest alone. Later, Glaucon suggests that human beings, given an opportunity to do injustice without being caught and therefore without suffering any punishment or loss of good reputation, would naturally choose a life of injustice, in order to maximize their own interests. Glaucons efinition of justice is that it†s an equal contract, an approach between what is the best (doing injustice without paying the penalty) and the worse (suffering injustice without being able to avenge one self). Adieamantus narrows the discussion further by pointing out that to have a good reputation of justice is more important than justice is itself, whether or not that person really does have a good reputation of justice. In an attempt to provide an adequate, satisfying definition of justice, Socrates tries to make an analogy between the justice of individual human beings and of an entire society or city. Since the crucial elements of justice may be easier to observe on the larger scale like a city than on a smaller scale like an individual. Socrates focuses on the perfect city, because the city will represent the human soul. Socrates began with a detailed analysis of the formation, structure, and organization of this ideal city. He argues that since individual human beings are not self-sufficient; no one working alone can acquire all of the necessities of life by themselves. In order to resolve this difficulty, we gather together into society for the mutual achievement of our common goals. If each of us specializes in the practice of a specific art, we can work more efficiently. To make this ideal city healthy (opposite of a feverish city), Socrates states that the fundamental needs of human beings in the society are food, shelter, and clothes. From these fundamental needs, some additional requirements emerge that become necessary only because these needs are a part of the defense of the city against external attacks or internal disputes. Socrates proposed an additional class of citizens, the guardians which are responsible for guarding the city and keeping the city in order. In order to fulfill their proper functions, the guardian then must have a philosophy that gives them the ability to distinguish the true and false, friend and foes, and to avoid turning against their own kind due to external influences. I think Socrates† social-political theory does follow his theory of human nature, he believed that an ideal state, embodying the highest and best capabilities of human social life, could really be achieved, if the right people are put in charge. Since the key to the success of the whole is the wisdom of the rulers who make decisions for the entire city, Plato held hat the perfect society would occur only when kings become philosophers or philosophers are made kings. Guardians would need the virtue of courage to carry out their orders in the face of danger without regard for personal risk. The rest of the people in the city must follow its leaders instead of pursuing their private interests. Plato held that guardians should own no private property, should live and eat together at government expense, and should earn no salary greater than necessary to supply their most basic needs. Under this regime, no one will have any corrupt motive for seeking a osition of leadership, and those who are chosen to be guardians will govern solely from a concern to seek the welfare of the state and what is best for all of its citizens. Education in the city is needed to promote the achievement of a proper balance of society. Physical training and musical performance along with basic intellectual development and the ability to get rid of human natural desire would be needed to fill this position as a guardian. On Plato’s view, it is vital for a society to exercise strict control over the content of everything that children read, see, or hear. By excluding all the poets and actors, there will be only one stimulation allowed in the city which is education. The highest goal in all of education, he believed, is knowledge of the â€Å"Good†; that is, not merely an awareness of particular benefits and pleasures, but acquaintance with the actual form of â€Å"good† itself. Glaucon and Adeimantus pose some of the arguments against the kind of life style Socrates promotes. They question Guardians† happiness when they are separated from the general public. Socrates said that the happiness of the guardian must be put aside for the sake of the city. However, he points out, the guardian class should be the happiest group under such a system. Socrates† definition of justice is when each of these classes performs its own role appropriately and does not try to take over the function of any other class, Plato believed that the entire city as a whole will operate smoothly, exhibiting the harmony that is justice. Then, a human being is only properly said to be just when the three souls perform their proper functions in harmony with each other, working in agreement for the good of the person as a whole. In onclusion, it was found that the education of the guardians was necessary to keep the city running and with their education you must devote their lives to persue the common goals and good of the city. Once the individual and the other individuals in the society or city were working in complete harmony only then would the circle be complete and everything would run smoothly. However, in order to achieve this the guardian had to be trained right and raised accordingly. The people must cooperate. Everyone would reap the benefits from a perfect society. How to cite Arguments on Rules and Justice, Papers

Saturday, April 25, 2020

Pesticide Usage and Water Scarcity

Pesticides are used in public health and agricultural practices. They have chemicals compositions used to kill disease vectors in public health, and pests in agriculture. On the other hand, they are also harmful in agriculture and to public health. Pesticide effective use should not be compromised which necessitates proper understanding of both negative and positive aspects. This discussion is interconnected with the issue of pesticides (Cole 6).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Pesticide Usage and Water Scarcity specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Pesticides should be managed to promote their effectiveness and minimize environmental risks associated with them. When using pesticides, guidelines on data sheets, which contain toxicological information, are important. The environmental conditions are constantly changing making it hard to ban the use of pesticides. They help in agricultural production increase, which is a challenge due to the increasing population and limited land resource (Cooper and Dobson 4). This calls for evaluation of every pesticide in determining its effects. Many studies developed, conclude that the negative impacts associated with pesticides outweigh the positive ones. The negative impacts are associated with incorrect pesticide applications before and after their use. In this view, if the application of pesticide were done correctly, then their benefits would outweigh risks. To sum it up, the agriculture sector should work together with the health sector. This will promote correct use of pesticides while reducing negative health implications associated with pesticides. If there is a total ban of pesticides usage, environmental risks associated with pesticides will be well controlled. On the other hand, out of reduced agricultural production, there will be little to feed the highly increasing population. In addition, complete pesticide ban is likely to promote immense env ironmental damage because of poor farming methods in relation to land needs. Water scarcity Water scarcity is a concept, which is related to high demand of water and low availability of this resource. As the population increases, the demand for water also increases. Water is a renewable resource, but the rate at which this resource is renewed, seems to be low as compared to the demand. Water scarcity has some relationship with access to safe drinking water and food supply. Water management is a tool for every person to reduce the water shortage. Legislatures on water management are necessary in curbing the problem (United Nations 6).Advertising Looking for essay on environmental studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Human beings have the right to access and use safe drinking water. However, it has not been possible to exercise the right. Proper water management of water is likely to promote access to safe drinking water for all. Water is vital in life promotion. Therefore, its scarcity threatens food supply due to reduced food production. Crop production requires a large amount of water thus; the shortage affects the food supply. Global water management is necessary to reduce the shortage globally. Climate change through global warming is the leading cause for water shortage thus there is the need to reduce global warming in all nations. Governing global legislature in relation to water management is also notable. Increase in water price is likely to reduce the consumption as this reduces water wastage. I would not consider the use of treated grey water for direct consumption but in other areas such as agriculture. My efforts are beneficial in reducing water usage for instance; reducing the time I spend on the shower. Some environmental implications are related to water shortage, among them are environmental health implications due to poor sanitation because of water shortage that in its turn promotes the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera and dysentery. Water shortages also depresses agricultural production; thus, food security is threatened ( CIEL and WWF 7). Works Cited CIEL and WWF. Waterfinal_ oct14_vs2_.PDF. 2000. Web. Cole, Donald. Occupational Health Hazards of Agriculture. 16 May 2006. Web. Cooper, Jerry and Hans Dobson. The benefits of pestcides to mankind and environment. 19 March 2007. Web.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Pesticide Usage and Water Scarcity specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More United Nations. International Decade for Action; Water for Life. 2005. Web. This essay on Pesticide Usage and Water Scarcity was written and submitted by user Gabrielle Merrill to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

American Civil War in the West - 1863-1865

American Civil War in the West - 1863-1865 The Tullahoma Campaign As Grant was conducting operations against Vicksburg, the American Civil War in the West continued in Tennessee. In June, after pausing in Murfreesboro for nearly six months, Maj. Gen. William Rosecrans began moving against Gen. Braxton Braggs Army of Tennessee at Tullahoma, TN. Conducting a brilliant campaign of maneuver, Rosecrans was able to turn Bragg out of several defensive positions, forcing him to abandon Chattanooga and driving him from the state. Battle of Chickamauga Reinforced by Lt. Gen. James Longstreets corps from the Army of Northern Virginia and a division from Mississippi, Bragg laid a trap for Rosecrans in the hills of northwestern Georgia. Advancing south, the Union general encountered Braggs army at Chickamauga on September 18, 1863. Fighting began in earnest the following day when Union Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas attacked Confederate troops on his front. For most of the day, fighting surged up and down the lines with each side attacking and counterattacking. On the morning of the 20th, Bragg attempted to flank Thomas position at Kelly Field, with little success. In response to the failed attacks, he ordered a general assault on the Union lines. Around 11:00 AM, confusion led to a gap opening in the Union line as units were shifted to support Thomas. As Maj. Gen. Alexander McCook was attempting to plug the gap, Longstreets corps attacked, exploiting the hole and routing the right wing of Rosecrans army. Retreating with his men, Rosecrans departed the field leaving Thomas in command. Too heavily engaged to withdrawal, Thomas consolidated his corps around Snodgrass Hill and Horseshoe Ridge. From these positions his troops beat off numerous Confederate assaults before falling back under the cover of darkness. This heroic defense earned Thomas the moniker The Rock of Chickamauga. In the fighting, Rosecrans suffered 16,170 casualties, while Braggs army incurred 18,454. Siege of Chattanooga Stunned by the defeat at Chickamauga, Rosecrans retreated all the way back to Chattanooga. Bragg followed and occupied the high ground around the city effectively putting the Army of the Cumberland under siege. To the west, Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant was resting with his army near Vicksburg. On October 17, he was given command of the Military Division of the Mississippi and control of all Union armies in the West. Moving quickly, Grant replaced Rosecrans with Thomas and worked to reopen supply lines to Chattanooga. This done, he shifted 40,000 men under Maj. Gens. William T. Sherman and Joseph Hooker east to reinforce the city. As Grant was pouring troops into the area, Bragg numbers were reduced when Longstreets corps was ordered away for a campaign around Knoxville, TN. Battle of Chattanooga On November 24, 1863, Grant began operations to drive Braggs army away from Chattanooga. Attacking at dawn, Hookers men drove Confederate forces from Lookout Mountain south of the city. Fighting in this area ended around 3:00 PM when ammunition ran low and a heavy fog enveloped the mountain, earning the fight the nickname Battle Above the Clouds. At the other end of the line, Sherman advanced taking Billy Goat Hill at the north end of the Confederate position. The following day, Grant planned for Hooker and Sherman to flank Braggs line, allowing Thomas to advance up the face of Missionary Ridge in the center. As the day progressed, the flank attacks became bogged down. Feeling that Bragg was weakening his center to reinforce his flanks, Grant ordered Thomas men to move forward to assault the three lines of Confederate trenches on the ridge. After securing the first line, they were pinned down by fire from the remaining two. Rising up, Thomas men, without orders, pressed on up the slope, chanting Chickamauga! Chickamauga! and broke the center of Braggs lines. With no choice, Bragg ordered the army to retreat back to Dalton, GA. As a result of his defeat, President Jefferson Davis relieved Bragg and replaced him with Gen. Joseph E. Johnston. Changes in Command In March 1964, President Abraham Lincoln promoted Grant to lieutenant general and placed him in supreme command of all Union armies. Departing Chattanooga, Grant turned over command to Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman. A long-time and trusted subordinate of Grants, Sherman immediately made plans for driving on Atlanta. His command consisted of three armies which were to operate in concert: the Army of the Tennessee, under Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson, the Army of the Cumberland, under Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas, and the Army of the Ohio, under Maj. Gen. John M. Schofield. The Campaign for Atlanta Moving southeast with 98,000 men, Sherman first encountered Johnstons 65,000-man army near Rocky Face Gap in northwest Georgia. Maneuvering around Johnstons position, Sherman next met the Confederates at Resaca on May 13, 1864. After failing to break Johnstons defenses outside the town, Sherman again marched around his flank and forced the Confederates to fall back. Through the remainder of May, the Sherman steadily maneuvered Johnston back towards Atlanta with battles occurring at Adairsville, New Hope Church, Dallas, and Marietta. On June 27, with the roads too muddy to steal a march on the Confederates, Sherman attempted to attack their positions near Kennesaw Mountain. Repeated assaults failed to take the Confederate entrenchments and Shermans men fell back. By July 1, the roads had improved allowing Sherman to again move around Johnstons flank, dislodging him from his entrenchments. The Battles for Atlanta On July 17, 1864, tired of Johnstons constant retreats, President Jefferson Davis gave command of the Army of Tennessee to the aggressive  Lt. Gen. John Bell Hood. The new commanders first move was to  attack Thomas army near Peachtree Creek, northeast of Atlanta. Several determined assaults struck the Union lines, but were ultimately all repulsed. Hood next withdrew his forces to the inner defenses of the city hoping Sherman would follow and open himself up to attack. On July 22, Hood  assaulted McPhersons Army of the Tennessee  on the Union left. After the attack achieved initial success, rolling up the Union line, it was stopped by massed artillery and counterattacks. McPherson was killed in the fighting and replaced with  Maj. Gen. Oliver O. Howard. Unable to penetrate the Atlanta defenses from the north and east, Sherman moved to the west of the city but was blocked by the Confederates at  Ezra Church  on July 28. Sherman next decided to force Hood from Atlanta by cutting the railroads and supply lines into the city. Pulling almost of his forces from around the city, Sherman marched on Jonesborough to the south. On August 31, Confederate troops  attacked the Union position  but were easily driven away. The next day Union troops counterattacked and broke through the Confederate lines. As his men fell back, Hood realized that the cause was lost and began evacuating Atlanta on the night of September 1. His army retreated west towards Alabama. In the campaign, Shermans armies suffered 31,687 casualties, while the Confederates under Johnston and Hood had 34,979. Battle of Mobile Bay As Sherman was closing in on Atlanta, the US Navy was conducting operations against Mobile, AL. Led by  Rear Admiral David G. Farragut, fourteen wooden warships and four monitors ran past Forts Morgan and Gaines at the mouth of Mobile Bay and attacked the ironclad  CSS  Tennessee  and three gunboats. In doing so, they passed near a torpedo (mine) field, which claimed the monitor USS  Tecumseh. Seeing the monitor sink, the ships in front of Farraguts flagship paused, causing him to famously exclaim Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead! Pressing on into the bay, his fleet captured CSS  Tennessee  and closed the port to Confederate shipping. The victory, coupled with the fall of Atlanta, greatly aided Lincoln in his reelection campaign that November. Franklin Nashville Campaign While Sherman rested his army at Atlanta, Hood planned a new campaign designed to cut the Union supply lines back to Chattanooga. He moved west into Alabama hoping to draw Sherman into following, before turning north towards Tennessee. To counter Hoods movements, Sherman dispatched Thomas and Schofield back north to protect Nashville. Marching separately, Thomas arrived first. Hood seeing that the Union forces were divided, moved to defeat them before they could concentrate. Battle of Franklin On November 29, Hood nearly trapped Schofields force near Spring Hill, TN, but the Union general was able to extricate his men from the trap and reach Franklin. Upon arriving they occupied fortifications on the outskirts of town. Hood arrived the following day and launched a massive frontal assault on the Union lines. Sometimes referred to as the Picketts Charge of the West, the attack was repulsed with heavy casualties and six Confederate generals dead. Battle of Nashville The victory at Franklin allowed Schofield to reach Nashville and rejoin Thomas. Hood, despite the wounded condition of his army, pursued and arrived outside the city on December 2. Safe in the citys defenses, Thomas slowly prepared for the upcoming battle. Under tremendous pressure from Washington to finish off Hood, Thomas finally attacked on December 15. Following two days of assaults, Hoods army crumbled and dissolved, effectively destroyed as a fighting force. Shermans March to the Sea With Hood occupied in Tennessee, Sherman planned his campaign to take Savannah. Believing the Confederacy would only surrender if its capacity for making war was destroyed, Sherman ordered his troops to conduct a total scorched earth campaign, destroying everything in their path. Departing Atlanta on November 15, the army advanced in two columns under  Maj. Gens. Henry Slocum  and Oliver O. Howard. After cutting a swath across Georgia, Sherman arrived outside of Savannah on December 10. Making contact with the US Navy, he demanded the citys surrender. Rather than capitulate,  Lt. Gen. William J. Hardee  evacuated the city and fled north with the garrison. After occupying the city, Sherman telegraphed Lincoln, I beg to present you as a Christmas gift the City of Savannah... The Carolinas Campaign and the Final Surrender With Savannah captured, Grant issued orders for Sherman to bring his army north to aid in the  siege of Petersburg. Rather than travel by sea, Sherman proposed marching overland, laying waste to the Carolinas along the way. Grant approved and Shermans 60,000-man army moved out in January 1865, with the goal of capturing Columbia, SC. As Union troops entered South Carolina, the first state to secede, no mercy was given. Facing Sherman was a reconstituted army under his old adversary, Joseph E. Johnston, who seldom had more than 15,000 men. On February 10, Federal troops entered Columbia and burned everything of military value. Pushing north, Shermans forces encountered Johnstons small army at  Bentonville, NC on March 19. The Confederates launched five attacks against the Union line to no avail. On the 21st, Johnston broke off contact and retreated towards Raleigh. Pursuing the Confederates, Sherman finally compelled Johnston to agree to an armistice at Bennett Place near Durham Station, NC on April 17. After negotiating surrender terms, Johnston capitulated on the 26th. Coupled with  Gen. Robert E. Lees  surrender on the 9th, the surrender effectively ended the Civil War.

Sunday, March 1, 2020

3 Most Common Reasons Women Have an Abortion

3 Most Common Reasons Women Have an Abortion For some, its an inconceivable act, but for others, abortion seems to be the only way out of an unplanned pregnancy and an impossible-to-negotiate future. Numbers show that nearly one in four U.S. women will choose to have an abortion before age 45. According to the Guttmacher Institute, a handful of studies over the years have indicated consistently similar answers from women who identify why theyve chosen to have an abortion. The top three reasons these women cite for not being able to continue their pregnancies and give birth are: Negative impact on the mothers lifeFinancial instabilityRelationship problems/unwillingness to be a single mother What is the rationale behind these reasons that would lead a woman to terminate a pregnancy? What are the challenges and situations women face that make giving birth and raising a newborn an impossible task?   Negative Impact on the Mothers Life Taken at face value, this reason may sound selfish. But a pregnancy that occurs in the wrong place at the wrong time can have a lifelong impact on a womans ability to raise a family and earn a living. Less than half of teens who become teen mothers before age 18 graduate from high school. College students who become pregnant and give birth are also much less likely to complete their education than their peers. Employed single women who become pregnant face an interruption of their jobs and careers. This impacts their earning ability and may make them unable to raise a child on their own. For women who already have other children at home or are caring for aging relatives, the reduction in income resulting from pregnancy and subsequent birth may bring them below the poverty level and require them to seek public assistance. Financial Instability Whether shes a student in high school, paying her way through college, or a single woman earning just enough to live independently, many expectant mothers lack the resources to cover the staggeringly high costs associated with pregnancy, birth, and childrearing, especially if they do not have health insurance. Saving for a baby is one thing, but an unplanned pregnancy places an enormous financial burden on a woman who cannot afford to care for an infant, let alone pay for the necessary OB/GYN visits that will ensure healthy fetal development. Lack of adequate medical care during pregnancy places the newborn at a higher risk for complications during birth and in early infancy. The cost of average hospital birth is approximate $8,000 and prenatal care provided by a physician can cost between $1,500 and $3,000. For the nearly 50 million Americans who do not have insurance, this would mean an out-of-pocket expense of $10,000. Thats if things go well and if its a single, healthy birth. Problems from pre-eclampsia to  premature birth  can send costs spiraling. If those births are included in the average, a birth can cost well over $50,000. According to a 2013 study published by advocacy group Childbirth Connection and reported in  The Guardian, the U.S. is the most expensive place in the world to have a birth.   That figure, coupled with the cost of raising a child from infancy through age 17 (estimated at over $200,000 per child), makes giving birth a terrifying proposition for someone who is still in school, or lacks a steady income, or simply does not have the financial resources to continue a pregnancy with adequate medical care and give birth to a healthy baby. Fear of Being a Single Mother The majority of women with unplanned pregnancies do not live with their partners or have committed relationships. These women realize that in all likelihood they will be raising their child as a single mother. Many are unwilling to take this big step due to the reasons described above: interruption of education or career, insufficient financial resources, or inability to care for an infant due to caregiving needs of other children or family members. Even in situations involving women cohabitating with their partners, the outlook for unmarried women as single mothers in discouraging. Among women in their 20s living with their partners at the time of birth, one-third ended their relationships within two years. Other Most Common Reasons for Abortion Although these are not the primary reasons women choose abortion, the following statements reflect concerns that play a role in influencing women to terminate their pregnancies: I dont want more children or Im done with childrearing.Im not ready to become a mother or not ready for another child.I dont want others to know about my pregnancy or that Im having sex.My husband/partner wants me to have an abortion.There are problems with the health of the fetus.There are problems with my own health.My parents want me to have an abortion. Combined with those reasons previously cited, these secondary concerns often convince women that abortion - albeit a difficult and painful choice - is the best decision for them at this time in their lives. Reasons for Abortion, the Statistics In a study released by the Guttmacher Institute in 2005, women were asked to provide reasons why they chose to have an abortion. Multiple responses were permissible. Of those who gave at least one reason: 89 percent gave at least two72 percent gave at least three Nearly three-quarters said they could not afford to have a baby. Of those women who gave two or more answers, the most common response - inability to afford a baby - was most frequently followed by one of three other reasons: pregnancy/birth/baby would interfere with school or employment.reluctant to be a single mother or experiencing relationship problems.done with childbearing or already have other children/dependents. Women specified these reasons that led to their abortion decision  (percentage total will not add up to 100, as multiple answers were permissible): 74 percent felt having a baby would dramatically change my life (which includes interrupting education, interfering with job and career, and/or concern over other children or dependents).73 percent felt they cant afford a baby now (due to various reasons such as being unmarried, being a student, inability to afford childcare or basic needs of life, etc.).48 percent dont want to be a single mother or [were] having relationship problem[s].38 percent have completed [their] childbearing.32 percent were not ready for a(nother) child.25 percent dont want people to know I had sex or got pregnant.22 percent dont feel mature enough to raise a(nother) child.14 percent felt their husband or partner wants me to have an abortion.13 percent said there were possible problems affecting the health of the fetus.12 percent said there were physical problems with my health.6 percent felt their parents want me to have an abortion.1 percent said they were a victim of rape.0.5 percent became pregnant as a r esult of incest. Sources Finer, Lawrence B. Reasons U.S. Women Have Abortions: Quantitative and Qualitative Perspectives., Lori F. Frohwirth, Lindsay A. Dauphinee, et al., Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 37(3):110–118, The Guttmacher Institute, 2005. Glenza, Jessica. Why does it cost $32,093 just to give birth in America? The Guardian, January 16, 2018. Jones, Rachel K. Population Group Abortion Rates and Lifetime Incidence of Abortion: United States, 2008–2014. Jenna Jerman, The Guttmacher Institute, October 19, 2017. Wind, Rebecca. Why Do Women Have Abortions? The Guttmacher Institute, September 6, 2005.

Friday, February 14, 2020

Nursing research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 51

Nursing research - Essay Example In line with this, patients were given the opportunity to participate in their provision of care, which improved communication between members of staff, and between members of staff and their patients. In order to achieve a successful implementation of this change, it was essential to ensure that the hospital used principles of planned change to improve the chances of this planned change’s success. In line with this, the hospital relied on the principles of monitoring and reinforcement of planned change in order to ensure that the planned change was successful. In support of the importance of these two principles of planned change, Keele noted, â€Å"Continued monitoring and reinforcement of the practice change is important for sustainability† (237). Through implementing a process whereby the unit nurses supervised the handing over process in their units, the hospital ensured that there was an efficient way of monitoring the planned change. On the other hand, it is important to point out that the hospital held weekly meetings whereby nurses’ behavior regarding handing-over was reinforced with nurses discussing the challenges they faced while playing their

Saturday, February 1, 2020

Demonstrate how to carry out a patient-centred systematic assessment Essay

Demonstrate how to carry out a patient-centred systematic assessment of a patient with palliative care needs & use your findings - Essay Example Symptom management plan which is comprehensive involves a number of considerations. These are: An in-depth and holistic assessment Based on the assessment, there should be identification of the probable based on the assessment The execution of the intervention The continuous evaluation of the measures of intervention Effective management requires various things. These include: i. Amalgamated approach: this involves symptom assessment which is multidimensional. For instance, in the case of the management of pain, may require both patient education on how effectiveness of relation, and opioid. This is helpful as it teaches the patient the method of relieving oneself from anxiety. ii. The specific and targeted approach: this is directed to find out the exact factors contributing to the problem of a specified problem. For instance, pharmaceutical agents could be required to investigate various causal factors to a specific disease or ailment. iii. A tailored approach: this method is suite d for some circumstance. For example, a patient who does not have caregivers or adequate financial capabilities may have to get support from other caregivers. Evaluation It is very vital for one to investigate and find out the level of the underlying symptoms and to determine the progress of the disease. This is important as it helps in determining whether the disease can be reversed or if one is advancing to the terminal stage of their illness. The investigation may be done purposefully to: alleviate the root cause of a symptom and deliver one from the effects of the symptom. Patient Issues related to Symptom assessment and management plan There are various issues with different patients, which may affect the assessment. There this paper presents an elaboration of literature review, which singles out the interconnection of of areas focus in relation to the pain one is undergoing. These include communication, the spiritual life of a patient, and their relationships. Relationships an d Communications Health practitioners and hospitals should conduct and facilitate individual patient support to empower patients to talk effectively health professionals any other person. In addition to this, heal professionals should be trained adequately to enable them to learn the dynamics of communicating to patients, their informal caregivers and how they can communicate with other professionals. The major issue of concern that has been of concern all along is the importance of communication among and between various groups of persons involved. For instance, patients, health care professionals and the informal caregivers. For the case of patience, good communication, trust, and planning are the major concepts in the control of major symptoms that may have been found to develop in a patient. Patients should constantly be assured of wellness not sufferance and disaster after the treatment. The patients should be told of the side effects that are related to some diseases and treat ments. The fear that may engulf a patient about a specific treatment like cancer should be attended to and well addressed. The type of relationship that exists between a patient and health professionals matters a lot in the health improvement of a patient. The type of rela

Friday, January 24, 2020

Life And Times Of Alexander The Great Essay -- essays research papers

Life and Times of Alexander the Great Introduction Alexander the great made an impact on world history that few individuals can profess to have done. He ruled all of the known world, and one of the largest empires ever. His men were the first westerners to encounter tales of the Yeti. They even discovered and classified new types of flora and fauna, such as the red mold that grew on their bread while they were in Asia, and made it appear as if it were bleeding. He expanded the Hellenist sphere of influence to the farthest reaches of the globe. When the king of Greece visited the British colony of India around the turn of the century, the colonial government had some native Indian dances displayed for him. He was shocked when he immediately recognized the dances as the same harvest dances that his fellow Greeks performed near Thessalonika. This was the breadth of Alexander's influence on hundreds of different cultures around the world. Throughout the whole of Europe, Asia, and North Africa, stories of this great man have been handed down from generation to generation throughout the centuries. In many cases Alexander has even taken on a superhuman aura, and many unbelievable legends have been based on his life. When Julius Caesar visited Alexandria, he asked to see the body of the greatest warrior of all time-Alexander the Great. Such was Alexander's reputation, able to impress even the powerful Caesar. He was, without a doubt, one of the most remarkable men that ever walked the face of this Earth. And this is the story of his life. The Life and Times of Alexander the Great The story of Alexander the Great is one of courage, genius, and great accomplishment; but it is also somewhat of a bittersweet one, ending with his tragic death during the prime of his life, at thirty-two. Alexander was born to Philip II of Macedon and Olympias, his principal wife, in 356 BCE, mpic Games. Just three years earlier, Philip had ascended to the throne after the death of his older brother, Perdikkas1, and named the city of Philipi after himself. Shortly thereafter, at the age of twenty, he met Olympias at a religious ceremony on the island of Samothrace. Olympias was of the Mystery Religions, and... ... Alexander had at last learned his lesson and began trusting Philip. Philip, though had finally had enough of Ptolemy and the rest of Alexander's friends meddling in Alexander's business, and exiled them from Macedonia "sine die". In Alexander's twentieth year, Philip was ready to begin his conquest of Persia and Asia Minor, but first he had to cement Epeiros's allegiance to him by marrying off Cleopatra (his only daughter from Olympias) to King Alexander of Epeiros. At daybreak the wedding procession began. Twelve of the Greek deities led the procession with Philip following close behind. A man posing as a guard gained access to Philip's entourage and stabbed Philip in the side before anyone could stop him. This man, later identified as Pausanias, had a horse prepared for a quick departure, but as fate would have it, he tripped over a bush, and was transfixed with a spear before he was able to rise to his feet. But there was no helping Philip- he was quite dead. Alexander was a firm believer in the saying, "The king is dead,

Thursday, January 16, 2020

Mill’s View of Lower/Higher Pleasures

Mill is a utilitarian philosopher who lives by the Greatest Happiness Principle, in which there is a clear distinction between both lower and higher pleasures. Though thoroughly explained, one must also question the justification of these pleasures. Many of these beliefs leave the reader hanging on the edge, with further questions that need to be answered. What is the exact distinction between the lower and higher pleasures? And how are higher pleasures measured as most valuable? How clearly is Mill’s view of lower and higher pleasures justified? Mill, unlike some utilitarians (Epicureans), believes that there is an immense distinction between higher and lower pleasures. Lower pleasures, according to Mill, are those based off of sensations. â€Å"Few human creatures would consent to be changed into an of the lower animals for a promise of the fullest allowance of a beast’s pleasures†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Mill, Self-Love 506) Both humans and animals are capable of experiencing these pleasures, but what Mill believes is that only Humans are capable of the higher pleasures, and therefore no intelligent human being would chose to become an animal incapable of these more valuable pleasures. The lower pleasures are based off of sensations in which include things such as our five senses: taste, hearing, touch, sight and the sense of smell. One will experience these pleasures multiple times daily, thus reducing the amount of satisfaction one feels when experiencing a lower pleasure. Mill believes that animals and human beings both share similar experiences when it comes to the lower pleasures, but that only human beings are capable of the higher pleasures. How one measures the justification of the distinction between the lower pleasures and the higher pleasures is based mostly on opinion. It does make sense that since human beings are most definitely superior in the intellectual field that in order to achieve a greater value of happiness one must experience the higher pleasures, but who says that animals are not capable of any of the higher pleasures? â€Å"†¦to the love of power, or the love of excitement, both of which really do enter into and contribute to it†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Mill, Self-Love 507) Now, I know for a fact that my dog is very capable of being excited. All he does is run around the entire house multiple times after showing him five seconds of love. So if the love of excitement contributes greatly to a higher pleasure with a greater value of happiness, then at least some inferior species must be capable of experiencing these higher pleasures. â€Å"It is better to be a human being satisfied than a pig satisfied. † (Mill, Self-Love 507). Mill has never experienced the life of one of the â€Å"lower animals†, and therefore cannot be one hundred percent sure of his opinion. The only way to justify Mill’s answer would to conduct an experiment in which involves observing the animals’ actions and reactions. Did you know dogs have around 100 facial expressions? Now if a dog is capable of having more facial expressions than a human being, how can one come to the conclusion that dogs are incapable of any of the higher pleasures? â€Å"If I am asked what I mean by difference of quality in pleasures, or what makes one pleasure more valuable than another, merely as a pleasure†¦. Of two pleasures, if there be one to which all or almost all who have experience of both give a dedicated preference, irrespective of any feeling of moral obligation to prefer it, that is the more desirable pleasure. (Mill, Self-Love 506) What he is trying to explain is that if one of the pleasures takes precedence for the majority of the people who experienced both pleasures, without being chosen because of certain natural feelings and/or based off of the person’s morals, then that is the pleasure in which holds the greatest value. One question a critic might ask would be why not trust your moral obligat ions or your feelings? And what instinct are we to base our decision off of if we are not to trust our own feelings or morals? Mill’s view on the greatest valued pleasure is clear, but he does not explain what one should base his or her decision on. â€Å"†¦the pleasures of intellect, of the feelings and imagination, and of moral sentiments, a much higher value as pleasures than to those of mere sensation. † (Mill, Self-Love 506). Basically, only human beings have the overall brainpower to experience these â€Å"higher pleasures†. These higher pleasures do not occur as often, which then indicates that higher pleasures are more valuable, as their occurrence are significantly more rare than the lower pleasures. Most utilitarian writers, including Mill, place supremacy in mental pleasures over bodily pleasures because of their circumstantial advantages, and in regards to safety are much less risky when it comes to injury and whatnot. But one must consider the following: What about athletes? Models? Stuntmen or professional weight lifters? An individual who is perusing a career in which is physically dominated might consider physical pleasures and achievements to be of a greater value of happiness than mental pleasures. One would only assume that Mill and other tilitarian writers consider pleasures of intellect to be of greater value, they are philosophers. What they enjoy doing is exploiting their thoughts into words to share with the rest of the world; that is what keeps their motor running strong each and every day. â€Å"A being of higher faculties requires more to make him happy†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Mill, Self-Love 507). Mill in his eyes is justified by this due to the fact that he believes t hat humans are the only living beings capable of higher pleasures on Earth, so therefore a human being must have these higher pleasures because of their need for a greater value of happiness. But on the contrary, if a being of a lower faculty requires less to be happy, then the lower pleasures should be just as valuable to the inferior species as the higher pleasures are to the more capable beings. Who says that the other animals on this planet are inferior beings to humans anyways? How does one measure superiority? It all depends on the individual’s opinion. Someone like Mill might believe that mental capability and capacity are the most accurate units of measurement when it comes to who is the top dog. But just because human beings are more capable than animals mentally, it does not mean that we are the superior beings. If one were to measure superiority in the aspect of happiness, then one would have to believe that the lower species are most superior. Every living being on planet Earth is on the pursuit of happiness, and if lower species receive more satisfaction from the lower pleasures, then the beings we think to be inferior are much better off than we are. Since human beings are so much more capable mentally, then they are also more prone to be unhappy, as the lower pleasures are taken for granted since they do not provide enough happiness for one to be as satisfied as the other animal species. Mill believes in a clear distinction between the â€Å"lower and higher pleasures†, and that only humans are capable of the higher pleasures. One must question just how justified Mill is in his beliefs, as he has never experienced life as a â€Å"lower animal†. Who says that the higher pleasures only include those associated with the mental world?

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Definition and Examples of Propaganda

Propaganda is a form of psychological warfare that involves the  spreading of information and ideas to advance a cause or discredit an opposing cause.   In their book Propaganda and Persuasion (2011), Garth S. Jowett and Victoria ODonnell define propaganda as the deliberate and systematic attempt to shape perceptions, manipulate cognitions, and direct behavior to achieve a response that furthers the desired intent of the propagandist. Pronunciation: prop-eh-GAN-da Etymology: from the Latin, to propagate Examples and Observations Every day we are bombarded with one persuasive communication after another. These appeals persuade not through the give-and-take of argument and debate but through the manipulation of symbols and of our most basic human emotions. For better or worse, ours is an age of propaganda.(Anthony Pratkanis and Elliot Aronson, Age of Propaganda: The Everyday Use and Abuse of Persuasion, rev. ed. Owl Books, 2002) Rhetoric and Propaganda Rhetoric and propaganda, both in popular and academic commentary, are widely viewed as interchangeable forms of communication; and historical treatments of propaganda often include classical rhetoric (and sophistry) as early forms or antecedents of modern propaganda (e.g., Jowett and ODonnell, 1992. pp. 27-31).(Stanley B. Cunningham, The Idea of Propaganda: A Reconstruction. Praeger, 2002)Throughout the history of rhetoric, . . . critics have deliberately drawn distinctions between rhetoric and propaganda. On the other hand, evidence of the conflation of rhetoric and propaganda, under the general notion of persuasion, has become increasingly obvious, especially in the classroom, where students seem incapable of differentiating among the suasory forms of communication pervasive now in our heavily mediated society. . . .In a society where the system of government is based, at least in part, on the full, robust, give-and-take of persuasion in the context of debate, this conflation is de eply troubling. To the extent that all persuasive activity was lumped together with propaganda and given the evil connotation (Hummel Huntress 1949, p. 1) the label carried, persuasive speech (i.e. rhetoric) would never hold the central place in education or democratic civic life it was designed to. (Beth S. Bennett and Sean Patrick ORourke, A Prolegomenon to the Future Study of Rhetoric and Propaganda. Readings in Propaganda and Persuasion: New and Classic Essays, ed by Garth S. Jowett and Victoria ODonnell. Sage, 2006) Examples of Propaganda A massive propaganda campaign by the South Korean military drew an ominous warning from North Korea on Sunday, with Pyongyang saying that it would fire across the border at anyone sending helium balloons carrying anti-North Korean messages into the country.A statement carried by the North’s official news agency said the balloon-and-leaflet campaign by the puppet military in the frontline area is a treacherous deed and a wanton challenge to peace on the Korean Peninsula.(Mark McDonald, N. Korea Threatens South on Balloon Propaganda. The New York Times, Feb. 27, 2011)The US military is developing software that will let it secretly manipulate social media sites by using fake online personas to influence internet conversations and spread pro-American propaganda.A Californian corporation has been awarded a contract with United States Central Command (Centcom), which oversees US armed operations in the Middle East and Central Asia, to develop what is described as an online persona m anagement service that will allow one US serviceman or woman to control up to 10 separate identities based all over the world.(Nick Fielding and Ian Cobain, Revealed: US Spy Operation That Manipulates Social Media. The Guardian, March 17, 2011) ISIS Propaganda Former US public diplomacy officials fear the sophisticated, social media-borne propaganda of the Islamic State militant group (Isis) is outmatching American efforts at countering it.Isis propaganda runs the gamut from the gruesome video-recorded beheadings of journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff to Instagram photographs of cats with AK-47s, indicating a comfort Isis has with internet culture. A common theme, shown in euphoric images uploaded to YouTube of jihadi fighters parading in armored US-made vehicles captured from the Iraqi military, is Isis’s potency and success. . . .Online, the most visible US attempt to counter to Isis comes from a social media campaign called Think Again Turn Away, run by a State Department office called the Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications.(Spencer Ackerman, Isiss Online Propaganda Outpacing US Counter-Efforts. The Guardian, September 22, 2014) The Aims of Propaganda The characteristic that propaganda is a form of mass media argumentation should not, in itself, be regarded as sufficient for drawing the conclusion that all propaganda is irrational or illogical or that any argument used in propaganda is for that reason alone fallacious. . . .[T]he aim of propaganda is not just to secure a respondents assent to a proposition by persuading him that it is true or that it is supported by propositions he is already committed to. The aim of propaganda is to get the respondent to act, to adopt a certain course of action, or to go along with and assist in a particular policy. Merely securing assent or commitment to a proposition is not enough to make propaganda successful in securing its aim.(Douglas N. Walton, Media Argumentation: Dialectic, Persuasion, and Rhetoric. Cambridge University Press, 2007) Recognizing Propaganda The only truly serious attitude . . . is to show people the extreme effectiveness of the weapon used against them, to rouse them to defend themselves by making them aware of their frailty and their vulnerability instead of soothing them with the worst illusion, that of a security that neither mans nature nor the techniques of propaganda permit him to possess. It is merely convenient to realize that the side of freedom and truth for man has not yet lost, but that it may well lose--and that in this game, propaganda is undoubtedly the most formidable power, acting in only one direction (toward the destruction of truth and freedom), no matter what the good intentions or the goodwill may be of those who manipulate it.(Jacques Ellul, Propaganda: The Formation of Mens Attitudes. Vintage Books, 1973)