An Overview of Agricultural Geography

Around ten to twelve thousand years ago, humans began to domesticate plants and animals for food. Before this first agricultural revolution, people relied on hunting and gathering to obtain food supplies. While there are still groups of hunters and gatherers in the world, most societies have switched to agriculture. The beginnings of agriculture did not just occur in one place but appeared almost simultaneously around the world, possibly through trial and error with different plants and animals or by long-term experimentation. Between the first agricultural revolution thousands of years ago and the 17th century, agriculture remained pretty much the same. The Second Agricultural Revolution In the seventeenth century, a second agricultural revolution took place which increased the efficiency of production as well as distribution, which allowed more people to move to the cities as the industrial revolution got underway. The eighteenth centurys European colonies became sources of raw agricultural and mineral products for the industrializing nations. Now, many of the countries which were once colonies of Europe, especially those in Central America, are still heavily involved in the same types of agricultural production as they were hundreds of years ago. Farming in the twentieth century has become highly technological in more developed nations with geographical technologies like GIS, GPS, and remote sensing while less developed nations continue with practices which are similar to those developed after the first agricultural revolution, thousands of years ago. Types of Agriculture About 45% of the worlds population makes their living through agriculture. The proportion of the population involved in agriculture ranges from about 2% in the United States to about 80% in some parts of Asia and Africa. There are two types of agriculture, subsistence, and commercial. There are millions of subsistence farmers in the world, those who produce only enough crops to feed their families. Many subsistence farmers use the slash and burn or swidden agricultural method. Swidden is a technique used by about 150 to 200 million people ​and is especially prevalent in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. A portion of land is cleared and burned to provide at least one and up to three years of good crops for that portion of land. Once the land can no longer be utilized, a new patch of ground is slashed and burnt for another round of crops. Swidden is not a neat or well-organized method of agricultural production by it is effective for farmers who dont know much about irrigation, soil, and fertilization. The second type of agriculture is commercial agriculture, where the primary purpose is to sell ones product at market. This takes place throughout the world and includes major fruit plantations in Central America as well as huge agribusiness wheat farms in the Midwestern United States. Geographers commonly identify two major belts of crops in the U.S. The wheat belt is identified as crossing the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Corn, which is primarily grown to feed livestock, reaches from southern Minnesota, across Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. J.H. Von Thunen developed a model in 1826 (which wasnt translated into English until 1966) for the agricultural use of land. It has been utilized by geographers since that time. His theory stated that the more perishable and heavier products would be grown closer to urban areas. By looking at the crops grown within metropolitan areas in the U.S., we can see that his theory still holds true. It is very common for perishable vegetables and fruits to be grown within metropolitan areas while less-perishable grain is predominantly produced in non-metropolitan counties. Agriculture uses about a third of the land on the planet and occupies the lives of about two and a half billion people. Its important to understand where our food comes from.

The Achievement Of Desire By Richard Rodriguez - 1807 Words

I believe the purpose of education is to give students the necessary skills to reach one’s full potential. In â€Å"The Achievement of Desire† by Richard Rodriguez, the author tells how his involvement with education caused him to become disconnected from his family. Because there were no minority studies, the author had to adapt to a Western European point of view which caused him to become isolated from his family, while also disconnecting him from his culture; however today with the emergence of multicultural perspectives, minorities are able to understand their culture and create deeper connections with their communities. Unfortunately, my family s background consists of poverty, drug and alcohol abuse, and death. I have to admit that I†¦show more content†¦Without the determination to continue his education, Rodriguez could have given up his dream of becoming a scholar and settled for â€Å"dead end work† (521) that paid well. There were times where I wanted to give up my education. The dirty old bungalows that all my English classes were taught in were not motivating atmospheres. There were many students who came to class unprepared or did not care about the class, which caused class discussions to become quiet and boring. Thankfully, most of the professors at my community college were passionate about their jobs, which would inspire me to continue my path to becoming educated. Because no one in my family had ever attended college, I did not have an academic role model when I began attending college. It was not until college that I had a Hispanic professor, Ms. Godinez, who helped me realize that Latinas are a part of the academic realm. Similar to Rodriguez’s experience, I aspired to be like my professors. Rodriguez describes how his professors appealed to him, he says, â€Å"I wanted to be like my teacher, to possess their knowledge, to assume their authority, their confidence even to assume a teacher’s perso na† (522). Unfortunately, Rodriguez thought that in order to be like his professors he had to mimic their thoughts and actions. Ms. Godinez taught me the importance of applying texts to my own life. While reading The Kite Runner in

The Natural Essay free essay sample

By the end of the book Roys focus shifts from being the best in the game to taking care of Iris Lemon and their coming child. One day when I walk down the street, people will look at me and say There goes Roy Hobbs, the best there ever was. Having an elitist attitude, Roys only focus at the beginning of the book was his career in baseball. Roys concern is himself and how he can be successful in baseball. There are many instances in the book that Roy refuses to act as a team player. After Roy doesnt participate in the hypnotism before games, Pop tries to discourage his behavior by benching him. Roys determination to be the best is evident when Pop orders him to knock the cover off it and Roy literally cracks the ball in half. Tired of being compared to Bump, Roy sets out to distinguish himself form Bump by setting more records. We will write a custom essay sample on The Natural Essay or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Roy refuses to bunt in games because he says it wouldnt help his records. Roys stubborn, self-centered, hubristic attitude begins to subside after numerous failed attempts of winning Memo Pariss heart. Being benched for several games due to his slump and refusal to attempt hitting with another bat besides Wonerboy, Roy was approached by a desperate man. The man explained to Roy that his son was in the hospital and in order to keep up the sons hopes, the man had promised that Roy Hobbs would hit a home run in the next game for him. Roy was once again benched during that game, and when a sub was needed he still refused to use a bat besides Wonderboy. The next time Pop was looking for a sub, dropping Wonderboy and picking a new bat, Roy made his priority the little boy in the hospital and his dad and hit a home run. In the final chapters of the story, a dramatic change in the protagonists attitude becomes evident. Roy got sick and was being treated in the hospital. The doctors warned him that if he continued to play baseball, he might die. Refusing to listen, Roy played in the pennant game. Iris revealed to Roy that she was pregnant with his child and convinces him that he has to win this game for them and their unborn baby. Although Roy is still determined to win, his motives are different. He no longer longs for the fame that comes with winning, rather he wants to win for his soon to be family While sometimes people change for the worse, a lot of times change is for the better. As a person or character grows, matures, and learns for their mistakes their lives begin to make turns. Roy Hobbs matured greatly throughout his baseball career. At the start, he had the wrong motives for wanting success, but as the star player realized what he truly wanted for his life he began to alter his attitude. Central idea: What is the central idea of your essay? What will hold the paragraph together? The central idea of my essay is how Roy Hobbs changes throughout The Natural. The main focus is how Roys attitude changes for the better. Topics: What topics will you discuss to back up your central idea? My essay starts by telling about Roys character traits at the beginning of the book. Then it tells of the event when a dad came to him and asked him to hit a home run for his dying son. I believe this event impacted Roys attitude and shaped him into wanting to best for his coming child. My essay concludes by telling of Roys final attitudes and explaining how he had changed for the better. Evidence: What evidence from the book will you use to support your topics? I used the specific example of the dying son as well as a direct quote to support my observations of his attitude at the very beginning of the book as well as a few other supporting examples.

Media Paper Essays - Liberalism In The United States, MSNBC

Media Paper In the news today, especially on the internet, issues written that are written about are going to have a certain bias. One of the reasons is because anyone can have website if they have a computer and the proper software. Therefore instead of getting one opinion, or one outlook on stories, news, debates etc., you can get both sides of the story and therefore make your opinion. On the four outlets of these stories you will see how they treat stories differently, or in some cases don't even carry them. The minute you load up the MSNBC website you can clearly see that they have money. There site is very well thought out they give you options for local news and have pictures and the news is updated hourly. Same with the CBS mainstream website. They have advertisements options and it's a colorful, flashy site, showing they spared no expense. In opposition when you got to motherjones.com and world net daily you can tell that it's a small corporation or even homegrown. Its very plain but straight to the point. It's not that it's a bad web page its not nearly as flashy or professional. It has its options laid out with other web links as opposed to huge advertisements. So already the general appearance of the site themselves show a great contrast. When I load up the two mainstream sites the first thing I see is "Sydney 2000" then on their sidebars I see "News" stories. I see issues about the campaign; Oil prices and still we talk about Jean Bonnet Ramsey. When I load up Mother Jones I first see the title and the phrase "News for the skeptical citizen". Directly below the Top story now links to click on to, no Olympics to by-pass. There it is the top story, "The Kids Who Could Topple Milosevic" an article about the general strike occurring until Milosevic admits defeat in the election. There is also video with a Serbian citizen who "dared to say what' really happening." Now, you can also find this story on MSNBC and CBS news but you might have to scroll down a bit or go through a few tabs to get the entire story. The video that CBS shows is a report from Alan Pizzey. You can clearly see the difference in how this particular article was handled. This is an issue about the minority trying to fight to have Milosevic admit defeat and resign. Though the way it was handled by the mainstream sites was very nonchalant. Down at the bottom the page with little article to look at. It clearly show the Elite Democracy not really paying attention to a very popular belief, and in comparison to the multimedia. On the alternative page you have an interview with a young Serbian citizen saying her opinions and risking getting into a trouble, popular perspective. In comparison to CBS who has Alan Pizzey an analyst giving "his" opinion on the situation, elite perspective. So you can clearly see that what the alternative or popular sites find important, the elite sites do not. So what do the elite sites show the most interest in? Elections, on CBS.com there is half a page on the first page devoted to elections it also gives you 20 different options to find out more about them. You can see that since the Elite democracy feels that effects them most that is what there going to publicize the most. You can truly see the difference in sites the elite media concentrates on things that directly affect them and big issues like elections and Olympics. Whereas the alternative sites could care less about Elections, and Olympics.They realize there is more going on out there that affects the citizens, the people, the popular democracy.

In The Mix Smoking The Truth Unfiltered essays

In The Mix Smoking The Truth Unfiltered essays For something that looks as if it came from your rain gutter, bidis have seen a surge in popularity among the American youth. Beyond the chest beating about the health risks of bidis, traditional tobacco connoisseurs find themselves shaking their heads and wondering why anyone would want to fire up such a ragged and tarry smoke. Why would people want to wear unwieldy platform shoes? Its fashion. I dont know why anyone would smoke them, personally, says Greg Jones, manager of Creager Mercantile, a Denver based tobacco wholesaler. Its probably just the way they look. Until recently few people knew what they were, but in recent months bidis have made headlines. State attorneys general, including Colorados Ken Salazar, have urged federal officials to restrict their importation because they have become so popular with the underage youth. Recently, Durango tobacco shop owner Don Hall stopped selling bidis at his store after agents caught him in a sting operation that targeted Internet companies selling to minors. Bidis, which minors cant legally buy in Colorado, look nothing like traditional American- made cigarettes. Some even come in kid friendly flavors such as chocolate and strawberry, a fact that health authorities find particularly vexing. The national Campaign for Tobacco - Free Kids maintains that the flavoring is added specifically for the American youth market. They feature a sprinkling of bone dry, lower grade tobacco rolled up in a green tendu leaf, a plant related to the eucalyptus, and bound at the but end with a piece of string thats about the gauge of dental floss. Bidis are slightly tapered, and look sort of like miniature versions of the torpedo cigar style. Fire one up, and the ash is liable to adorn your lap like snowflakes. And since they are loosely wrapped, they are hard to keep lit and require ...

10 Interesting Facts About New Orleans

10 Interesting Facts About New Orleans New Orleans is the largest city in the United States state of Louisiana with a 2008 population of 336,644 people. The New Orleans Metropolitan area, which includes the cities of Kenner and Metairie, had a 2009 population of 1,189,981 which made it the 46th largest metropolitan area in the United States. Its population dropped dramatically after Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent severe flooding hit the city in 2005.The City of New Orleans is located on the Mississippi River in southeastern Louisiana. The large Lake Pontchartrain also lies within the city limits. New Orleans is most well known for its distinctive French architecture and French culture. It is famous for its food, music, multicultural events and the Mardi Gras festival held in the city. New Orleans is also known as the birthplace of jazz.The following is a list of 10  important geographic facts about New Orleans. The City of New Orleans was founded under the name La Nouvelle-Orlà ©ans on May 7, 1718, by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville and the French Mississippi Company. The city was named after Phillipe dOrlà ©ans, who was Frances head of state at the time. In 1763, France lost control of the new colony to Spain with the Treaty of Paris. Spain then controlled the region until 1801, at which time, it was passed back to France.  In 1803 the region encompassing New Orleans and surrounding areas was sold by Napoleon to the United States with the Louisiana Purchase. The city then began to grow considerably with a variety of different ethnicities.After became a part of the United States, New Orleans also began to play a large role in international relations as it developed into a large port. The port then played a role in the Atlantic slave trade but also the exportation of different commodities and the importing of international goods for the rest of the nation up the Mississippi River.Thr oughout the rest of the 1800s and into the 20th century, New Orleans continued to grow rapidly as its port and fishing industry remained important for the rest of the country. In the end of the 20th century, growth in New Orleans continued but planners became aware of the citys vulnerability to flooding after erosion of wetlands and marshes. In August 2005, New Orleans was hit by the category five Hurricane Katrina and 80 percent  of the city was flooded after a failure of the citys levees. 1,500 people died in Hurricane Katrina and much of the citys population permanently relocated.New Orleans is located on the banks of the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain about 105 miles (169 km) north of the Gulf of Mexico. The total area of the city is 350.2 square miles (901 sq km).The climate of New Orleans considered humid subtropical with mild winters and hot, humid summers. The average July high temperature for New Orleans is 91.1 °F (32.8 °C) while the average January low is 43.4 °F (6.3 °C).New Orleans is known for its world-famous architecture and areas like the French Quarter and Bourbon Street are popular areas for tourists. The city is one of the top ten most visited cities in the U.S.The economy of New Orleans is based largely on its port but also on oil refining, petrochemical production, fishing and th e service sector related to tourism. New Orleans is home to two of the largest private universities in the United States- Tulane University and Loyola University New Orleans. Public universities like the University of New Orleans are also within the city.

Comparisons of Athenian and Spartan Governments Essay

Comparisons of Athenian and Spartan Governments - Essay Example There were two prominent cities in ancient Greece that possess distinct and contrasting governmental systems. Athens and Sparta were the two most powerful city states then and their influence, especially in the field of governance, was widespread in the region. Since the two states have different systems of government, both are worth studying and comparing for the purpose of deriving ideas and lessons on modern states should be run. Sparta’s government has often been construed as similar to the modern autocracy. This impression is brought about by the structure of the government itself. At the helm are the Ephors who were elected yearly by the people. The Ephors were composed of five individuals who did not belong to the royalty. They enjoyed unlimited power when it comes to executing the laws of the state. Due to the blanket authority that the Ephors practiced and also because of their small number, the Spartan government may at best be considered as an oligarchy. Oligarchy l iterally means the rule of a few. However, it must be noted that while the Ephors may have unlimited power and while they may be on top of the governmental hierarchy, they could not actually monopolize political power for several reasons. First of all, being an Ephor is not a birthright and it is also not a position that one can held on to for life. As pointed out, there is a clear length of time that an individual can rule as part of a collective, which is one year. An election would be held every year, which means that an individual may no longer retain his seat as Ephor. The thought of becoming an ordinary citizen after a year of being on society’s highest power structure might discourage an individual Ephor from committing abuses. Since the rule is collective in essence, there was already a degree of check and balance from within the ranks of the five Ephors. If the Spartans are not satisfied with the way the Ephors are managing the affairs of the state or with how they a re treating the citizens, they would just wait for the next elections and the individual Ephors could be subjected to removal or replacement. Under such setup, it is clear that autocracy may not be the most accurate term to describe Sparta’s government. An oligarchy, notwithstanding the fact that it is just for a year, may be the best description. While the Ephors controlled all the executive functions of the Spartan government, there was also the Council of Elders, which may be considered as the equivalent of the senate. The Council of Elders was composed of 28 members who are aged 60 and above. The age requirement definitely borne out of the belief that one’s life experience is reflective of his wisdom. Aside from the 28, the Council of Elders also includes the two kings who, upon the increased powers of the Ephors, have been relegated to figureheads and their only actual governmental function was to become part of the Council. The Council of Elders is responsible fo r making the laws as well as deciding on important issues that affect the state and society. However, whatever decision that the Council of Elders arrive at would not be deemed as a final governmental policy unless this has been approved by the General Assembly. The General Assembly was composed of all male citizens with ages 30 and above. This much larger body, however, â€Å"did not debate but only voted on the issues put before it by the Council of El

Global Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 1

Global Business - Essay Example In this paper, the various aspects of the spread of businesses to a global level shall be outlined and their impacts on the products they offer detailed (Wild, 2009). The company to be focused on is International Business Machines (IBM). This is a public company founded in 1911 by Thomas J. Watson and Charles Ranlett Flint. The firm is headquartered in Armonk, New York. It has among the most developed global networks and serves the whole world at present (Steers, 2010). IBM has interests in the provision of services, financing, hardware, and software. Its take on the global business scene shall be outlined in the following sections. Globalization is the movement towards achievement of greater interdependence among economies and national institutions in view of their political, cultural, technological, and economic advancements. The falling barriers to trade and investing in general have facilitated globalization largely. Technology has also played an important role in oiling the wheels of the globalization locomotive. These two forces have ensured that companies all over the world can carry out business in locations far away from their headquarters. Globalization has played an important part in reducing income inequalities across the globe. Poor countries can now pay their employees’ wages that were not possible a few years ago. The availability of jobs by multinationals in foreign countries has also elevated the standards of living of people in faraway lands. Multinational corporations such as oil conglomerates have led the pack in ensuring globalization. The global business environment has enabled corp orations in the world to carry out business at a much lower cost than it was in the previous years (Ietto-Gillies, 2005). IBM has branches all over the world to oversee its operations in these countries. While headquartered in New York in the United States, it has subsidiaries in Europe whose operational

Dophus Raymond Essay Example for Free

Dophus Raymond Essay In the book, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the people of Maycomb are prejudice. According to them, the only way a white man would be able to like a black man more than a white man is if he was an alcoholic or had some type of dysfunction. This applies to the majority of the people in Maycomb. Dolphus Raymond, however, is not part of this stereotype. He doesn’t have a dysfunction and only pretends to be an alcoholic. Mr. Raymond is both caring and sly. When Dolphus Raymond sees Dill come out of the courthouse crying, he tries to comfort him and help him feel better. This shows that Dolphus Raymond is caring. Dolphus Raymond then calls Dill to come to him and says, â€Å"Here, offering Dill his paper sack with straws in it. Take a good sip, it’ll quieten you. †(Lee, 200) This shows he is caring because he gives Dill some of his Coca-Cola to help him. Mr. Raymond reaches out to Dill when he is crying to help him feel better. Then, after Scout asks why he pretends to be an alcoholic he says,† Wh-oh yes, you mean why do I pretend? †¦. Some folks don’t-like the way I live. Now I could just say to hell with ‘em, I don’t care if they don’t like it. I do say I don’t care if they don’t like it, right enough-but I don’t say the hell with ‘em see? †(Lee, 200) This shows that even though people don’t like the way he lives, he still pretends to be an alcoholic for people to latch on a reason why he lives the way he does. Also, even though it’s fake, he gives them a reason to understand why he lives a certain way.. Dolphus Raymond is sly as well. When Scout finds out whiskey isn’t in the sack she says,† You mean all you drink in that sack’s Coca-Cola? Just plain Coca-Cola? † â€Å"Yes ma’am, Mr. Raymond nodded. (Lee, 200) He pretends to drink whiskey to help people latch on a reason why he likes blacks more than whites. Dolphus Raymond pretends to drink whiskey, but everyone else is the town thinks it is whiskey. People don’t understand his ways, so they just blame it on his drinking because they don’t understand how he could like a black man more than a white one. He walks around pretending he is drunk. † When I came into town, which is seldom, if I weave a little and drink out of this sack, folks can says Dolphus Raymond’s in the clutch of whiskey-that’s why he wont change his ways. (Lee, 200) People think he has poor judgment because he pretends to be drunk, so they believe he won’t be able to change his ways. He is also acting like an alcoholic and like a drunk, so people can have a reason to understand why he lives his life the way he does. Dolphus Raymond isn’t an alcoholic or a drunk. He shows how caring and sly he is when he talks to the kids outside the courthouse. The people of Maycomb just can’t understand his reasoning concerning blacks and whites. They expect him to live prejudice like them. He has to pretend to be disorderly, so people can have a reason for his actions and preferences.

Technology Essay -- essays research papers

Executive Overview There is a definite desire for better traffic data to give drivers more choice and control for avoiding traffic congestion. And what’s more, today there is no viable solution to alleviate the unnecessary aggravation and minimize the loss of valuable time & money. Interviewing a sample of commuter, taxi, and package delivery drivers identified a demand for timely and readily available traffic related congestion information. Package delivery, taxi/shuttle, rental car, and commuter drivers will benefit from a real-time system that provides accurate updated traffic condition information and offers alternative routing recommendations integrated with an existing in–vehicle navigation device. TAS © (Traffic Avoidance System) involves software that will integrate seamlessly with multiple hardware systems. It will be introduced to the time-sensitive package delivery companies that operate in the most traffic congested cities in the U.S. This device will benefit customers by saving them time and money. TAS will help these companies achieve competitive advantage by improving their services, reducing penalties, and improving customer retention. Business success and gaining competitive advantage are thus the compelling reason to buy, making TAS a highly desirable solution. II.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Problem Statement Most, if not all would agree that traffic congestion is a common problem in and around large, highly populated cities in the US today. Everyday in the US millions of people get into their vehicles and drive – some to get to and from work or school, others running errands, or traveling to close and far-away vacation destinations. Many are on the road all day and/or night because their jobs consist primarily of, or require extensive driving. People from different walks of life (who we have interviewed to-date ) share a common outrage from poor traffic conditions and a â€Å"helplessness† in their inability to avoid â€Å"being stuck† – most say they â€Å"hate traffic,† â€Å"wish they didn’t have to ever get on the road during rush hour,† â€Å"can’t wait until I start working from home to avoid the hours in traffic hell†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Rush hour / peak travel times, accidents, road construction, and detours are among the most common reasons for traffic problems, but regardless of the cause and impact, traffic jams always lead to frustra... ...traffic advisory system that provides accurate updated traffic conditions information and offers alternative routing recommendations at one’s vehicle, at every driver’s fingerprints in a proactive way. This system will be integrated with an existing in–vehicle navigation & information device. TAS is such a solution. To develop such a solution, our company has conducted a number of customer interviews as a crucial starting point for our (initial) market research and this paper will further explore the findings and study the market opportunity to launch TAS for success and alleviate many people’s traffic related frustrations, lost time & money. IV.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Market Analysis In analyzing the market opportunity we have focused on the classic model of estimating market size, deriving macro & micro segmentation and settling on selection criteria that would best match with trends suggested from customer feedback. XIII.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Conclusion Market research has demonstrated a need for TAS. The product will be piloted with a small package delivery/courier company to ensure feasibility and customer satisfaction.

Critical Thinking Assignment

Exercise 1-1 1. What is an argument? An argument is a two part structure of claims; one part contains a premise and the other a conclusion. 2. T or F: A claim is what you use to state an opinion or a belief. 3. T or F: Critical thinking involves attacking other people. 4. Tor F: Whether a passage contains an argument depends on how long it is. 5. T or F: When a claim has been questioned, an issue has been raised. 6. Do all arguments have premises? Yes 7. Do all arguments have conclusions? Yes 8. T or F: if it is impossible for the premises of an argument to be true without the conclusion also being true the argument is deductively valid. . T or F: The more support the premises of an argument provide its conclusion, the stronger the argument. If the premises being true means that probably the conclusion is true, the argument is inductively strong. 10. Can a conclusion be implied, or must it always be explicitly stated? It must always be explicitly stated and consists of words and phra ses like therefore, thus, and consequently. 11. Explain the connection between an argument and an issue. When you have an issue you are raising a question to a claim and arguments are claims structured into two parts. Both are connected through claims. 12. T or F: â€Å"Miller Lite tastes great† is a value judgment. 13. Are all value judgements about matters of taste? 14. T or F: All value judgments are equally subjective. 15. T or F: Only claims subject to scientific testing are worth discussing. 16. T or F: All arguments are used to try to persuade someone of something. 17. T or F: All attempts to persuade someone of something are arguments. 18. T or F: Whenever a claim is called into question, an issue has been raised. 19. T or F: Moral value judgments might all be true. 0. T or F: Sometimes we transfer a favorable or unfavorable opinion of a speaker to what the speaker says 21. T or F: Explanations and arguments serve the same purpose. 22. â€Å"Therefore† and â€Å"consequently† are conclusion indicators. True 23. T or F: â€Å"Rhetorical† or â€Å"emotive force† refers to the emotional content or associations of a word or phrase. 24. T or F: the rhetorical force of language can get in the way of clear and critical thinking. 25. T or F: We should not try to put our own position on any issue in the most favorable light.

Pascal’s Wager Essay

There are many things in this world that we have no means to confirm. This is especially true when we are talking about things that are spiritual in nature, such as the existence of God. While no living person has claimed that he has seen God using the limits of his sight, there is no way to prove otherwise. Since I don’t believe in God, I would surely be in trouble if Pascal’s wager turns out to be correct. He states that it is better to believe in God because there is nothing to lose if God exists. In fact, if it turns out that God does exist, the one who believes will have a reserved slot in heaven. While Pascal has a point, his argument is not in the least bit persuasive. I am an atheist not just because I chose not to believe in God. It’s just that I can’t see the proof of His existence anywhere. I can’t imagine that there is an omnipotent God who watches over all of us. But Pascal’s wager suggests that atheists like me should leave their â€Å"sinful† ways and start believing in God because it is the most logical and beneficial choice. Why should I choose to believe just for that reason? Pascal should have provided tangible evidence of God’s existence and cited other convincing reasons to make me believe in God. Thus, I have to disagree with Pascal’s wager because his argument does not provide sufficient reasons to believe in God. In fact, his reason to believe is childish and shallow. Another reason why I disagree with Pascal is that his wager is flawed in many ways. First, it assumes that God is a rewarding or punishing god when he has no basis to state this. Since nobody has seen God, then nobody can claim that he has seen God award or punish anyone. And if God does turn out to be a rewarding or punishing god, it suggests that reward or punishment would be based on belief alone. It disregards how one spent his life on earth, regardless of whether he believes in God or not. Second, it overlooks the fact that many religions claim that their god is the only god. Therefore, we cannot determine through Pascal’s argument what would happen if there is one true God and we chose the wrong God to believe in.

Free Essays on Aging

Although the term â€Å"aging† might conjure up only a few wrinkles in one’s mental imagery, there is much more to aging than the physical aspects. There are four different types of aging discussed in the text: chronological, biological, psychological, and social aging. There is a necessary distinction between these categories of aging. They are unique in the description (i.e. 70 years of age, wrinkled skin, Alzheimer’s disease, a senior citizen, etc.), but related because these descriptions determine the â€Å"age† of an individual. Chronological age describes the years that have passed since the individual was born. A 60 year old, was born 60 years ago and is therefore chronologically older than a 30 year old who was born 30 years ago. There are certain expectations that come from being a certain chronological age such as your physical appearance. Although there are exceptions, one could easily guess an individual’s age (within 10 years) just by their physical appearance. Biological age describes the physical â€Å"wellness† of the individual. As a person ages, certain physical changes occur. Organs deteriorate and certain organ cells cease to replicate. The conditions of most organs are consistent with the chronological age of the individual, with the exception of individuals who overuse certain organs (i.e. an alcoholic’s liver). Psychological aging refers to the deterioration of an individual’s sensory and perceptual processes, mental functioning, adaptive capacity, and personality (Hooyman and Kiyak, 2002). This covers a very wide range of functions such as speech and even intellect. Certain mental disorders are consistent with a certain age group. One would find it typical for an elderly person (70 or older) to experience Alzheimer’s disease, but would find it atypical for a 20 year old to experience Alzheimer’s disease. Social aging refers to an individual’s changing roles and relationships with t... Free Essays on Aging Free Essays on Aging Although the term â€Å"aging† might conjure up only a few wrinkles in one’s mental imagery, there is much more to aging than the physical aspects. There are four different types of aging discussed in the text: chronological, biological, psychological, and social aging. There is a necessary distinction between these categories of aging. They are unique in the description (i.e. 70 years of age, wrinkled skin, Alzheimer’s disease, a senior citizen, etc.), but related because these descriptions determine the â€Å"age† of an individual. Chronological age describes the years that have passed since the individual was born. A 60 year old, was born 60 years ago and is therefore chronologically older than a 30 year old who was born 30 years ago. There are certain expectations that come from being a certain chronological age such as your physical appearance. Although there are exceptions, one could easily guess an individual’s age (within 10 years) just by their physical appearance. Biological age describes the physical â€Å"wellness† of the individual. As a person ages, certain physical changes occur. Organs deteriorate and certain organ cells cease to replicate. The conditions of most organs are consistent with the chronological age of the individual, with the exception of individuals who overuse certain organs (i.e. an alcoholic’s liver). Psychological aging refers to the deterioration of an individual’s sensory and perceptual processes, mental functioning, adaptive capacity, and personality (Hooyman and Kiyak, 2002). This covers a very wide range of functions such as speech and even intellect. Certain mental disorders are consistent with a certain age group. One would find it typical for an elderly person (70 or older) to experience Alzheimer’s disease, but would find it atypical for a 20 year old to experience Alzheimer’s disease. Social aging refers to an individual’s changing roles and relationships with t...

Listen to and Learn Spanish on the Internet

Listen to and Learn Spanish on the Internet Many people want to hear what native-speaker Spanish sounds like, but dont have access to native speakers or even Spanish-language radio or TV. Chances are that if youre reading this article, you have all the tools you need need to start listening. An abundance of Spanish-language webcasts, podcasts, and other programming is available for free on the Internet. The system requirements for listing to Internet audio vary with the site, but chances are that if your computer was built within the past three or four years, you already have the hardware you need. Most sites that provide audio content also have links to the software you need. Most audio content can be played using one of three audio players that are readily available for free: Windows Media Player, RealPlayer, and Apple QuickTime. The three are available for both recent versions of the Windows and Macintosh operating systems; the RealPlayer is also available for Linux. Some sites also have downloadable audio in MP3 or other formats that you can listen to on portable players. A high-speed Internet connection is helpful, although a good dial-up connection will sometimes be sufficient if you arent Web surfing at the same time. Listening Online in Spanish Spanish-language programming can be found for almost any interest, and a complete list would be far too long to list here. Following, however, are some of the sites that have been recommended by readers of this site: Batanga: You wont find any classical music here (unless you count classic rock), but youll find just about every other style of music.BBC Mundo: True, the BBC is well-known British news service. However, youll find quality programming in Spanish here.Deutsche Welle: This German network offers streaming programming in nearly all the European language and then some. At the time of this writing, however, its Spanish-language programming is not available to U.S. listeners.Ke Buena: Popular music from Acapulco, Mexico.La100: Rock from Argentina.Notes in Spanish: Tips about Spain, news, conversation and all the cool words they never teach you in class.M80 Radio: Classic rock from Madrid.Mitre: Variety of programming from Argentina.RAC105: International rock and pop from Spain. The home page is in Catalan, but if youre adept at reading Spanish you can probably comprehend most of it.Metro951: Self-described as the most popular radio, from Argentina.Radio Bilingà ¼e: Public radio-type progra mming from the United States. Radio Isla: Talk shows and more, from Puerto Rico.Radio Jai: Catering to Argentinas Jewish community with a mix of programming.Radio Progreso: Music, news and a bit of propaganda from Cuba.RTVE: This network from Spain provides a choice of six channels streamed over the Internet.Terra Radios: Talk, music and sports are featured on stations from Guatemala.Yahoo Music: About a dozen music stations feature Spanish music of various genres including rock, rap, reggaeton, pop, tejano, and jazz.

Soil Enzyme Activity Lab Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Soil Enzyme Activity - Lab Report Example Results show that combined fertilizer had the highest enzyme activity of 1.493 followed by organic fertilizer (1.148), inorganic fertilizer (0.529) and unammended (0.459) soil sample in that order. Combination of inorganic fertilizer and organic fertilizer provides efficient environment for the growth of soil bacteria hence production of more alkaline phosphatase enzymes thus resulting into high enzyme activity. These findings shows how an integrated fertilizer regime play an important role in altering the structure of the soil microbial composition, stimulates microbial growth and increases enzyme activity as compared to the inorganic fertilizer. Microorganisms play a vital role in biochemical transformation important for nutrient cycling in soils. The microorganisms in the soil are capable of breaking down insoluble nutrient sources in the soil and in the process produce extracellular enzymes. Extracellular enzymes are biochemical catalysts, protein compounds produced within the bacterial cell and exported out into the soil solution. While outside the cells, enzymes catalyze reactions that break down the structure of nutrient source in order to make it more accessible to the plants. The quantities of extracellular enzymes are therefore dependent on substrate concentration, soil microorganisms’ metabolic ability, soil environmental conditions such as temperature and pH and the number of microorganisms present in the soil (Lichtfouse, 228). Alkaline Phosphatase is an example of extracellular enzyme produced by many soil microorganisms and exported out into the soil solution. The main function is to eliminate the phosphate molecule from the organic compounds such as nucleic acids and phospholipids.

Kentucky Fried Chicken Corporation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Kentucky Fried Chicken Corporation - Essay Example Thus, it is in line with this that KFC should understand further everything about its strategy development. It should understand the necessary things it needs to know as product of its strategy process. Finally, it should be able to define and understand the specific contexts in which its strategy should be embedded. Global operation is one of the modern trends applied in modern operations strategy (Waters, 2006). This is the reason why Kentucky Fried Chicken Corporation (KFC) had become so aggressive with its global expansion strategy. This strategy enabled KFC to become the world’s largest chicken restaurant chain and in general the third largest food chain in the world (Krug, 2004). In fact, it is known to have around 14,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries including China, Japan, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, South Africa, Malaysia, Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea and Philippines. Franchise and joint ventures are integrated with the whole business system of KFC in order to allow local business people to handle since they know better the external and internal environments of their respective markets. This paper tries to understand more about the strategic operation of KFC Corporation by incorporating various analytical concepts in strategic development and management. The entire analysis is placed in the context of international fast food industry. ... This paper tries to understand more about the strategic operation of KFC Corporation by incorporating various analytical concepts in strategic development and management. The entire analysis is placed in the context of international fast food industry. SWOT and Porter’s value chain SWOT technique SWOT stands for strength, weaknesses, opportunity and threats in which it is a simple management technique which draws information together prior to decision-making process (Murdock et al., 2003). A SWOT analysis is composed of understanding both internal and external factors within an organization prior to knowing its major advantages and disadvantages. It is a non-complex way of identifying specific details in the business operation in order to understand the extent in which an organisation holds its competitive advantage or knowing the necessary steps to be taken further for improvement of the operation. This technique is very relevant in the case of KFC especially among its strate gic planners because they will be given opportunity to outline the internal and external factors affecting the whole operation of the business. Shown in figure 1 below are internal and external factors within the present environment of KFC. This is a good evaluative technique prior to formulating effective strategies because the strategic planners in this case seek to understand both the internal and external factors affecting the business environment of KFC. Figure 1. SWOT Analysis KFC (Internal and external factors) Internal factors Strengths Weaknesses Product offering Brand image/good-tasting and highly accepted recipes Many substitute products in the market Competitive advantage High market share Not culturally

Economy through US History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Economy through US History - Essay Example In fact, in such economies the country’s economic activities depend entirely on the decisions made by the government. For market economies, the supply and demand curves determine the shape that markets will take. Analysts that advocate for market economies argue that market economies are the best for thriving of successful economies. Market economies also work on the assumption that the government does not contribute to well being of the common citizen. It is the responsibility of the citizens to fix prices for their goods, subsidize industries, as well as authorize quotas. Though majority of the countries are characterized by mixed economies, it is evident that citizens have always advocated for a chance to regulate their own economies. In as much, market economies are considered the best in the global world, debates keep raging on how much the government has to do in order to have well-organized economic operations. Over the years, Americans have been on toes in an attempt t o attain a balance between government regulation of the economy and the individuals to make their own economic decisions. This essay shall trace the events and measures that took shape in America to the point whereby individuals were able to make their own economic decisions. In the primordial years, American history was characterized by less involvement of the government in business sectors, especially the private sector. The transportation sector is one of the major economic sectors that did not enjoy less government intervention. This phase of the economy was referred to as the laissez faire phase. Kuttner (220) argues that laissez faire traces its roots to the 18th century, a move that strongly resisted intervention of the government in businesses. This phase worked on the assumption of ‘let it be’, with championing of proper wages and duties for workers. At this time, it was generally accepted that the government had no role to play in restrictions on trade. The go vernment’s role was to ensure that regulations and rules were maintained in the business environment. By 19th century, the notion of laissez faire began transforming. This phase was characterized by small entrepreneurs’ business owners seeking for government interventions in their businesses. As time progressed, majority of these business owners, labor unions and firms were in a dire need for government representation. This move came up as a result of rising rate of uncertainties by the business owners on the movements that were supposedly out for their aid. Kuttner (101) argues that it is at this point that this group of progressives needed support by the government, in terms of business regulation, for free and fair markets. By 1930, the advent of the New Deal was taking shape in America. This phase was characterized by government intervention in the market economies. It was due to public demand that the government had to take control of its business sector, lest a n ew form of rule take over the entire system. It was during this stage that the state was going through massive economic disruptions and destructions that led to the need for immediate action to alleviate the crisis. The state was experiencing what was to be termed as the Great Depression. Murray (76) argues that, at this time the economic state of America was totally dislocated

Aldi Inc Strategic Swot Analysis Review Essay Example for Free

Aldi Inc Strategic Swot Analysis Review Essay Summary Aldi, Inc. (Aldi) is a grocery retailing company. The company’s stores supply various food and general merchandise such as fresh meat and produce; refrigerated and frozen foods; snacks and sweets; bakery, dairy, pantry items and beverages. In addition, it also offers skincare and beauty products, house hold must have products, and beer and wines. Aldi operates over 1,200 stores in the US and sells over 1,400 of the most frequently purchased grocery and household items in manageable, non-bulk packaging. It operates as a subsidiary of ALDI Einkauf GmbH Co. oHG. The company is headquartered in Batavia, Illinois, the US Our Aldi, Inc. provides a comprehensive insight into the company’s history, corporate strategy, business structure and operations. The report contains a detailed SWOT analysis, information on the company’s key employees, key competitors and major products and services. This up-to-the-minute company report will help you to formulate strategies to drive your business by enabling you to understand your partners, customers and competitors better. Scope Business description – A detailed description of the company’s operations and business divisions. Corporate strategy – Our summarization of the company’s business strategy. SWOT analysis – A detailed analysis of the company’s strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats. Company history – Progression of key events associated with the company. Major products and services – A list of major products, services and brands of the company. Key competitors – A list of key competitors to the company. Key employees – A list of the key executives of the company. Executive biographies – A brief summary of the executives’ employment history. Key operational heads – A list of personnel heading key departments/functions. Important locations and subsidiaries – A list of key locations and subsidiaries of the company, including contact details. Note: Some sections may be missing if data is unavailable for the company. Reasons to Buy Gain key insights into the company for academic or business research purposes. Key elements such as SWOT analysis and corporate strategy are incorporated in the profile to assist your academic or business research needs. Identify potential customers and suppliers with this report’s analysis of the company’s business structure, operations, major products and services and business strategy. Understand and respond to your competitors’ business structure and strategies with Our detailed SWOT analysis. In this, the company’s core strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats are analyzed, providing you with an up to date objective view of the company. Examine potential investment and acquisition targets with this report’s detailed insight into the company’s strategic, business and operational performance.

My Vacation to China Essays -- Summer Vacation Essays

While vacationing in China last summer I had the opportunity to visit "The Great Wall". Combined with its technological feat and awesome presence the "Great Wall" could easy be one of mans' most remarkable accomplishments. With its design and texture that stretch for miles it can be an overwhelming experience. Construction of the Great Wall started in the seventh century B.C, it joined the walls to hold off the invaders from the Xiongnu tribes in the north and extended them to more than 5,000 kilometers. Even many miles away from the Great Wall, one could already see the outline of the wall stretching out forever. Standing near the Great Wall I notice the cold stale air. It was hard to breathe and I had to constantly cough to keep my throat clear. Visiting this huge wall of block in the morning can be an unforgettable experience. The ground was muddy because it rained non-stop the previous day. Climbing up the stairways that leads up the "Great Wall", I could hear all different languages spoken by the people who were in attendance. On top looking down sideways the wall seems t...

Health Risks Posed by Preservatives Present in Processed Food

Food additives are used in processed food because of the following: 1) to keep the consistency of a certain product, for instance, to prevent it from separating, to keep its even texture, to assist salt to freely pour; 2) to keep the product’s nutritional value; 3) to keep the food’s delectableness, for instance, to prevent it from getting spoiled; 4) to regulate acidity or alkalinity level in the product; and 5) to improve the color and flavor of the product (Benivia.. , 2006). There may be a number of advantages for food additives on processed food; however, there are numerous disadvantages that go along with it as well (The.. 2006). These disadvantages include the following:1) some bring about cancer; 2) some may cause allergic reactions; 3) some may pose hazard to those individuals who are pregnant, those with certain sicknesses like hypertension and kidney trouble, as well as, those who are only between 1 and 12 months old; 4) etc. (The.. ,2006). That being said, a ny researcher will only be left with the question, â€Å"How do I deal with the health risks posed by food additives present in many processed food? There are several things that can be carried out including the following: 1) as much as possible, avoid purchasing and eating processed food by consuming only organic/freshly picked ones, setting up one’s own garden, etc;2) if too busy to purchase organic/fresh food everyday, then read the labels of the processed food, do a little research and check if such are safe, tested not only in animals but humans, as well; 3) read â€Å"health† updates, typically, the â€Å"Food and Drug Administration† issues advisory on food additives proven to be hazardous to one’s health; 4) familiarize oneself with the most common food additives that have been positively associated with negative effects, for example, remember that intake of nitrites results in nausea, or that natural flavors may have free glutamates that may rui n the nervous system, etc; last but not least 5) include antioxidants in the daily diet, since such fights off and releases free radicals in the body which include the preservatives or food additives mentioned (The.. ,2006).

Political View Essay

My first political view was formed through my family. Although politics weren’t really discussed with children, I eavesdropped in the conversations from time to time. I would hear how they liked one candidate over the other due to the issues they stood for. By overhearing my parents, I learned which issues were favored in my community. Those I grew up around were democrats. I heard a lot about needing officials in office that cared about the people instead of money. Learning about government in school growing up allowed those views learned from my parents to be challenged. Although the curriculum was generally unbiased, the teachers that taught my courses had the opportunity to add their own opinions on a mass amount of political issues. This changed my mind on the democratic views that I had. The media has also influenced me through the information I have gained through it. Television and social media often discusses a lot of politics. They continue to cover the daily activities of the government. The presidential election is covered on the news as high priority. I am able to learn about the candidates that are running and each of their views. Because I don’t try to associate myself with a particular political party, the televised debates help me decided who to vote for president. Although my family, teachers, and the media has been a big influence on my political views, my own experiences with politics have formed my views the most. A lot of my life’s experiences have been affected by politics. Issues such as education and employment are big ticket items in politics that I am directly affected by. Keeping up with the current issues allow me to know what’s going to change for me personally. Although I am not tied to any specific political party, I do have certain issues that are important to me.