Philisophical Elements of the film essays

Philisophical Elements of the film essays How do you know things that you are certain you know? You may have a strong believe in a god, but how can you be certain that god exists? Perhaps you know for certain that you are love with your partner, but how are you to know what love truly is? How do we know what is real? Questions such as these are the basis of epistemology. Commonly referred to as knowledge theory, epistemology examines Western assumptions and explore variations of them by posing the question how do we know?. As human beings we are far to accepting ideas and beliefs that are presented to us be it by or parents, our friends, our society, or even our teachers. We accept the beliefs presented to us so much so that we embrace them and hold them as our own, we are conditioned to do so. I have been taught from a young age to identify a firm, red fruit by its appropriate title apple. Similarly, I have been taught that any knowledge obtained by the senses is in essence real. For example I know that the keyboard that I am typing on exists, that it is, in essence, real. I am able to come to this conclusion through the use of my senses, I am able to touch the keyboard as well as see it, therefore, it must exist. Philosophers agree that deciding how we know is a critical preliminary to attaining what we know. In other words, the basis of our knowledge provides its justification. Richard Linklaters film Waking Life is accurately illustrates such a philosophies. Waking Life revolves around the life of the main character. Wiley who is Dreaming. While dreaming Willy meets many different individuals each with their own unique philosophies. Through out the movie Willy is confronted with many problems, particularly that he is unable to wake up from his dreams. Each attempt made to wake from a dream Wiley simply enters into another. This s...

Very Low to Moderate Income Housing Loans

Very Low to Moderate Income Housing Loans The following is a summary of information about low to moderate income housing loans available to individuals or families through the U.S. Department of Agricultures Rural Development program as listed in the  Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance  (CFDA). During the fiscal year 2015, a  total of $18.7 billion in loans were granted. The average direct loan granted was for $125,226 while the average guaranteed loan was for $136,360. Objectives To assist very low, low-income, and moderate-income households to obtain modest, decent, safe, and sanitary housing for use as a permanent residence in rural areas. Types of Assistance Direct Loans; Guaranteed/Insured Loans. Uses and Restrictions Direct and guaranteed loans may be used to buy, build, or improve the applicants permanent residence. New manufactured homes may be financed when they are on a permanent site, purchased from an approved dealer or contractor, and meet certain other requirements. Under very limited circumstances, homes may be re-financed with direct loans. Dwellings financed must be modest, decent, safe, and sanitary. The value of a home financed with a direct loan may not exceed the area limit. The property must be located in an eligible rural area. Assistance is available in the States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas, and the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands. Direct loans are made at the interest rate specified in RD Instruction 440.1, Exhibit B (available in any Rural Development local office), and are repaid over 33 years or 38 years for applicants whose adjusted annual income does not exceed 60 percent o f the area median income, if necessary to show repayment ability. Payment assistance is granted on direct loans to reduce the installment to an effective interest rate as low as one percent, depending on adjusted family income. Payment assistance is subject to recapture by the government when the customer no longer resides in the dwelling. There is no funding provided for deferred mortgage authority or loans for deferred mortgage assumptions. Guaranteed loans may be made to refinance either existing RHS Guaranteed Housing loans or RHS Section 502 Direct Housing loans. Guaranteed loans are amortized over 30 years. The interest rate is negotiated with the lender. Eligibility Requirements Applicants must have very low-, low- or moderate incomes. Very low-income is defined as below 50 percent of the area median income (AMI), low-income is between 50 and 80 percent of AMI; moderate income is below 115 percent of AMI. Families must be without adequate housing, but able to afford the housing payments, including principal, interest, taxes, and insurance (PITI). Qualifying repayment ratios are 29 percent for PITI to 41 percent for total debt. In addition, applicants must be unable to obtain credit elsewhere, yet have an acceptable credit history. Beneficiary Eligibility Applicants must meet eligibility requirements. Guaranteed Loan Low and Moderate income eligible. Credentials/Documentation Applicants may need to submit evidence of inability to obtain credit elsewhere, verification of income, debts, and other information on the application; plans, specifications, and cost estimates. This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles. Application Procedures This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. For direct loans, an application is made at the Rural Development field office serving the county where the dwelling is or will be located. For guaranteed loans, an application is made to a participating private lender. Award Procedure Rural Development field offices have authority to approve most Direct loan requests. Processing of guaranteed loans varies in each State. Consult your local telephone directory under U.S. Department of Agriculture for a Rural Development field office listing or visit the website http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/lcoator/app for a State Office listing. If no backlog exists, decisions on direct loan applications are made within 30 to 60 days. Requests for guarantee loans are acted upon in 3 days of receipt of the lenders request for guarantee. Range of Approval/Disapproval Time For direct loans, from 30 to 60 days subject to availability of funds, from the time the application is filed if no backlog of applications exists. A pre-qualification may be provided to potential direct loan applicants upon call or visit a Rural Development office, though results are not binding. For guarantees, a decision is required within 3 days of loan package submission by the approved lender. Information Contacts Regional or Local Office Consult your local telephone directory under United States Department of Agriculture for Rural Development field office number. If no listing, contact appropriate Rural Development State Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog or on the internet at rurdev.usda.gov/recd_map.html. Headquarters Office Director, Single Family Housing Direct Loan Division or Director Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Division, Rural Housing Service (RHS), Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250. Telephone: (202) 720-1474 (direct loans), (202) 720-1452 (guaranteed loans).

Task 5 PROBABILITY, STATISTICS, & QUANTITATIVE PROBLEM Essay

Task 5 PROBABILITY, STATISTICS, & QUANTITATIVE PROBLEM - Essay Example Therefore cost subsequent to discount is x-0.1x=0.9x. Hence the cost before and after tax is X=0.9x. Company B; let the cost prior to discount be represented by y. Company B wont award discount if y≠¤20. Hence cost subsequent to discount is y. We end up with the equation y= given y≠¤20. Incase y exceeds 20, company B will award 20% discount for any amount more than 20 dollars. The amount more than 20 dollars is y-20.discount is 20/100 of (y-20) =0.2x-4. The cost y subsequent to discount is given by 0.8x+4. Hence the cost before and after tax is connected by y=x given x≠¤20, y=0.8x+4 given y>20 Company A: The cost prior to discount is not more than 20 dollars. Systems of equations to be solved are x=0.9x, y=x and y=y .it implies that x=y=y. therefore x=0.9x hence dividing both sides by x we get 0.hence solution to the systems is x=o, y=0 and z=0. It implies that incase purchases are more than 20dollars, the two companies’ offers are equal if they do not purchase at all. Incase x inclines from 0 to 20 company’s A offer is better as they give10% discount and no discount is given by company B. Company B: The cost prior to discount is more than 20 dollars. Systems of equations to be solved are y=0.9x, y=0.8x+4 and y=y meaning 0.9x=0.8x+4 which gives us 0.1x=4 hence x=40. Y=0.9Ãâ€"40=36 and y=y=36. The solutions to this system is therefore x=40, y=36 and y=36. It implies that incase purchases are more than 20dollars, the two companies’ offers are equal if the amount prior to discount is 40dollars.if 20

Mediation paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Mediation paper - Essay Example fact about the case is that the pet is now fertilizer, the court has requested out-of-court settlement, and this presents an opportunity in my training to exercise mediation process. Certainly, this is a perfect opportunity to apply theoretical principles of the mediation process. Firstly, the case presents two persons, the claimant and the fertilizer company representative who are willing to settle the matter outside the court. Secondly, the claimant has no interest for money; this is a good premise for this case. Her legal pursuit was primarily motivated by her feelings of hopelessness and grief. In theory, facilitated negotiations involve a neutral party who has relinquished powers to make a decision, this should be a fundamental principle that will guide me throughout the mediation process. Folger & Bush (1996, pg. 264) identifies that satisfaction story is an important theoretical model in this case. Notably, the fertilizer representative and the claimant are interested in the settlement of the case. As a mediator, I will apply the satisfaction story in order to achieve four important goals of mediation. Firstly, the process should remain as informal as possible and not drive by any legal rules; this promotes satisfaction of both parties involved. Secondly, I satisfaction story, an important goal is to focus on the interest of the parties involved. In this case, the claimant is in pursuit for her emotional satisfaction on her loss of the pet while the company representative wishes to avoid litigation and court fines. Based on this case, my interest as a mediator will be to seek common ground that is acceptable to both parties. Besides, satisfaction story model will allow me to ensure that the parties arrive in a commitment in meeting the agreement. An important factor in the mediation process is the satisfaction. It is achieved after clear deliberation that strikes a balance of both parties interest (Folger & Bush 1996, pg. 266). Moreover, this model is

Rites of Passage Essay Essay Example for Free

Rites of Passage Essay Essay Jetty Rats is a novel written by Phillip Gwynne that all young boys should read. It deals with the rites of passage and issues that all boys are faced with at some point in their lives. It is presented in an entertaining book but realistic which makes it easy for readers to understand. The issues and rites of passage discussed in this essay include family, friends, experiencing a first kiss (with Jasmine) and obtaining a first ‘real’ job (funeral). The story is told from the prospective of Hunter, (main boy) a thirteen year old boy with a dream of catching a record breaking Mulloway and getting more famous and richer then Rex Hunt. The first problem is the family. When Hunter was eight years old his dad went missing while fishing on the rocks. He had broken the golden rule of rock fishing: â€Å"Thou Shalt Not Fish On Your Own†. Hunter was certain his father would return after the accident he would â€Å" wait for him. Sit underneath the ‘VACENCY’ sign until mum tells me to come inside†. He didn’t want accept the fact that his father was gone forever until the end of the story when he finally decided to throw out his dad’s rusty old razor, even though his mum had tried to throw it out before but he kept getting it back. The writer has included this problem in the story in a realistic way. He explained the pain Hunter and his mum went through during the tough years, which made the story easier to understand. The writer has also expressed the importance families have stick together through tough times where there is no hope.

Female Characters in The Ivory Swing and The Tiger in theTiger Pit Essa

Female Characters in The Ivory Swing and The Tiger in theTiger Pit      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   With " beautifully executed images", Janette Turner Hospital creates four vivid female character in her two novels.   The four characters are Juliet and Yashoda in The Ivory Swing and Elizabeth and Emily in The Tiger in theTiger Pit .   Each of the above is invested by Turner Hospital with a deep consciousness.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the view of Janette Turner Hospital, women are immensely uncertain.   They are never sure of what they want. However, when it comes to dealing with external conflicts, they are very strong-willed.   On the other hand, she also indicates that maternal love is strong.   Women have passionate beliefs in the importance   of the family.   As the stories follow, these feminine personalities are gradually proved.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Before leaving for India, Juliet had a hard time deciding whether to stay with her professor husband, David, or move to Montreal to stay with her former lover Jeremy. Uncertain as usual, all Juliet wants is to " maintain the balancing act."  Ã‚   She could never summon up the courage to face new circumstances.   Her mind is never firm enough to challenge the present state.   So she makes her choice in the order of morality.   She stays with her husband and leaves for India with him.   It is more likely that the fate designated Juliet's future.   She is married to Dave on her own accord. Therefore, she does what a good wife is supposed to do.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   1. Reviewed in : Booklist v.79 p.994 Apr 1, 1983   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   2. " The Ivory Swing " p.18      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In Kerala, where David is on sabbatical to study primitive Indian culture, the couple encounter... ...hat the situations are, women would suffer to protect their children.   Maternal love is always shown in the first place.   On top of the above, Tuner Hospital also implies that women have passionate belief in family.   Both of the two books The Ivory Swing and The Tiger in the Tiger Pit are written sensitively.   Yet the latter is not as successful as the former one.   " 50th wedding anniversaries and family reunions of any kind ought to be left to the manufacturers of greeting cards."      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   12. " Life with Father " by Judith Fitzgerald   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Reviewed in : Books in Canada v.12 p.33 Nov 1983    BIBLIOGRAPHY : HOSPITAL, JANETTE TURNER,THE TIGER IN THE TIGER PIT.   TORONTO, McCLELLAND & STEWART LTD. : 1987. HOSPITAL, JANETTE TURNER,THE IVORY SWING.   TORONTO, McCLELLAND & STEWART LTD. : 1982.   

The Host Chapter 20: Freed

Jeb let me cry myself out without interrupting. He didn't comment all through the following sniffles. It was only when I'd been completely silent for a good half hour that he spoke. â€Å"Still awake in there?† I didn't answer. I was too much in the habit of silence. â€Å"You want to come out here and stretch?† he offered. â€Å"My back is aching just thinking about that stupid hole.† Ironically, considering my week of maddening silence, I wasn't in the mood for company. But his offer wasn't one I could refuse. Before I could think about it, my hands were pulling me through the exit. Jeb was sitting with crossed legs on the mat. I watched him for some reaction as I shook out my arms and legs and rolled my shoulders, but he had his eyes closed. Like the time of Jamie's visit, he looked asleep. How long had it been since I'd seen Jamie? And how was he now? My already sore heart gave a painful little lurch. â€Å"Feel better?† Jeb asked, his eyes opening. I shrugged. â€Å"It's going to be okay, you know.† He grinned a wide, face-stretching grin. â€Å"That stuff I said to Jared†¦ Well, I won't say I lied, exactly, because it's all true if you look at it from a certain angle, but from another angle, it wasn't so much the truth as it was what he needed to hear.† I just stared; I didn't understand a word of what he was saying. â€Å"Anyway, Jared needs a break from this. Not from you, kid,† he added quickly, â€Å"but from the situation. He'll gain some perspective while he's away.† I wondered how he seemed to know exactly which words and phrases would cut at me. And, more than that, why should Jeb care if his words hurt me, or even if my back was aching and throbbing? His kindness toward me was frightening in its own way because it was incomprehensible. At least Jared's actions made sense. Kyle's and Ian's murder attempts, the doctor's cheerful eagerness to hurt me-these behaviors also were logical. Not kindness. What did Jeb want from me? â€Å"Don't look so glum,† Jeb urged. â€Å"There's a bright side to this. Jared was being real pigheaded about you, and now that he's temporarily out of the picture, it's bound to make things more comfortable.† My eyebrows furrowed as I tried to decide what he meant. â€Å"For example,† he went on. â€Å"This space here we usually use for storage. Now, when Jared and the guys get back, we're going to need someplace to put all the stuff they bring home with them. So we might as well find a new place for you now. Something a little bigger, maybe? Something with a bed?† He smiled again as he dangled the carrot in front of me. I waited for him to snatch it away, to tell me he was joking. Instead, his eyes-the color of faded blue jeans-became very, very gentle. Something about the expression in them brought the lump back to my throat. â€Å"You don't have to go back in that hole, honey. The worst part's over.† I found that I couldn't doubt the earnest look on his face. For the second time in an hour, I put my face in my hands and cried. He got to his feet and patted me awkwardly on the shoulder. He didn't seem comfortable with tears. â€Å"There, there,† he mumbled. I got control of myself more quickly this time. When I wiped the wet from my eyes and smiled tentatively at him, he nodded in approval. â€Å"That's a girl,† he said, patting me again. â€Å"Now, we'll have to hang out here until we're sure Jared's really gone and can't catch us.† He grinned conspiratorially. â€Å"Then we'll have some fun!† I remembered that his idea of fun was usually along the lines of an armed standoff. He chuckled at my expression. â€Å"Don't worry about it. While we're waiting, you might as well try to get some rest. I'll bet even that skinny mattress would feel pretty good to you right now.† I looked from his face to the mat on the floor and back. â€Å"Go on,† he said. â€Å"You look like you could use a good sleep. I'll keep watch over you.† Touched, new moisture in my eyes, I sank down on the mat and laid my head on the pillow. It was heavenly, despite Jeb's calling it thin. I stretched out to my full height, pointing my toes and reaching out with my fingers. I heard my joints popping. Then I let myself wilt into the mattress. It felt as if it were hugging me, erasing all the sore spots. I sighed. â€Å"Does me good to see that,† Jeb muttered. â€Å"It's like an itch you can't scratch, knowing someone is suffering under your own roof.† He eased himself to the floor a few yards away and started humming quietly. I was asleep before he'd finished the first bar. When I woke up, I knew that I'd been solidly asleep for a long time-a longer stretch than I'd slept since coming here. No pains, no frightening interruptions. I would have felt pretty good, except that waking on the pillow reminded me that Jared was gone. It still smelled like him. And in a good way, not the way I smelled. Back to just dreams. Melanie sighed forlornly. I remembered my dream only vaguely, but I knew it had featured Jared, as was usual when I was able to sleep deeply enough to dream. â€Å"Morning, kid,† Jeb said, sounding chipper. I peeled back my lids to look at him. Had he sat against the wall all night? He didn't look tired, but I suddenly felt guilty for monopolizing the better accommodations. â€Å"So the guys are long gone,† he said enthusiastically. â€Å"How 'bout a tour?† He stroked the gun slung through a strap at his waist with an unconscious gesture. My eyes opened wider, stared at him in disbelief. A tour? â€Å"Now, don't turn sissy on me. Nobody's going to bother you. And you'll need to be able to find your way around eventually.† He held out a hand to help me up. I took it automatically, my head spinning as I tried to process what he was saying. I would need to find my way around? Why? And what did he mean â€Å"eventually†? How long did he expect me to last? He pulled me to my feet and led me forward. I'd forgotten what it was like to move through the dark tunnels with a hand guiding me. It was so easy-walking barely took any concentration at all. â€Å"Let's see,† Jeb murmured. â€Å"Maybe the right wing first. Set up a decent place for you. Then the kitchens†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He went on planning his tour, continuing as we stepped through the narrow crevice into the bright tunnel that led to the even brighter big room. When the sound of voices reached us, I felt my mouth go dry. Jeb kept right on chatting at me, either missing or ignoring my terror. â€Å"I'll bet the carrots are sprouted today,† he was saying as he led me into the main plaza. The light blinded me, and I couldn't see who was there, but I could feel their eyes on me. The sudden silence was as ominous as ever. â€Å"Yep,† Jeb answered himself. â€Å"Now, I always think that looks real pretty. A nice spring green like that is a treat to see.† He stopped and held his hand out, inviting me to look. I squinted in the direction he gestured, but my eyes kept darting around the room as I waited for them to adjust. It took a moment, but then I saw what he was talking about. I also saw that there were maybe fifteen people here today, all of them regarding me with hostile eyes. But they were busy with something else, too. The wide, dark square that took up the center of the big cavern was no longer dark. Half of it was fuzzy with spring green, just as Jeb had said. It was pretty. And amazing. No wonder no one stood on this space. It was a garden. â€Å"Carrots?† I whispered. He answered at normal volume. â€Å"This half that's greening up. The other half is spinach. Should be up in a few days.† The people in the room had gone back to work, still peeking at me now and then but mostly concentrating on what they were doing. It was easy enough to understand their actions-and the big barrel on wheels, and the hoses-now that I recognized the garden. â€Å"Irrigating?† I whispered again. â€Å"That's right. Dries out pretty quick in this heat.† I nodded in agreement. It was still early, I guessed, but I was already sweaty. The heat from the intense radiance overhead was stifling in the caves. I tried to examine the ceiling again, but it was too bright to stare at. I tugged Jeb's sleeve and squinted up at the dazzling light. â€Å"How?† Jeb smiled, seeming thrilled with my curiosity. â€Å"Same way the magicians do it-with mirrors, kid. Hundreds of 'em. Took me long enough to get them all up there. It's nice to have extra hands around here when they need cleaning. See, there's only four small vents in the ceiling here, and that wasn't enough light for what I had in mind. What do you think of it?† He pulled his shoulders back, proud again. â€Å"Brilliant,† I whispered. â€Å"Astonishing.† Jeb grinned and nodded, enjoying my reaction. â€Å"Let's keep on,† he suggested. â€Å"Got a lot to do today.† He led me to a new tunnel, a wide, naturally shaped tube that ran off from the big cave. This was new territory. My muscles all locked up; I moved forward with stiff legs, unbending knees. Jeb patted my hand but otherwise ignored my nerves. â€Å"This is mostly sleeping quarters and some storage. The tubes are closer to the surface here, so it was easier to get some light.† He pointed up at a bright, slender crack in the tunnel ceiling overhead. It threw a hand-sized spot of white onto the floor. We reached a broad fork-not really a fork, because there were too many tines. It was an octopus-like branching of passageways. â€Å"Third from the left,† he said, and looked at me expectantly. â€Å"Third from the left?† I repeated. â€Å"That's right. Don't forget. It's easy to get lost around here, and that wouldn't be safe for you. Folks'd just as soon stab you as send you in the right direction.† I shuddered. â€Å"Thanks,† I muttered with quiet sarcasm. He laughed as if my answer had delighted him. â€Å"No point in ignoring the truth. Doesn't make it worse to have it said out loud.† It didn't make it better, either, but I didn't say that. I was beginning to enjoy myself just a little. It was so nice to have someone talk to me again. Jeb was, if nothing else, interesting company. â€Å"One, two, three,† he counted off, then he led me down the third hallway from the left. We started passing round entrances covered by a variety of makeshift doors. Some were curtained off with patterned sheets of fabric; others had big pieces of cardboard duct-taped together. One hole had two real doors-one red-painted wood, one gray metal-leaning over the opening. â€Å"Seven,† Jeb counted, and stopped in front of a smallish circle, the tallest point just a few inches higher than my head. This one protected its privacy with a pretty jade green screen-the kind that might divide the space in an elegant living room. There was a pattern of cherry blossoms embroidered across the silk. â€Å"This is the only space I can think of for now. The only one that's fitted up decent for human habitation. It will be empty for a few weeks, and we'll figure something better out for you by the time it's needed again.† He folded the screen aside, and a light that was brighter than that in the hallway greeted us. The room he revealed gave me a strange feeling of vertigo-probably because it was so much taller than it was wide. Standing inside it was like standing in a tower or a silo, not that I had ever been in such places, but those were the comparisons Melanie made. The ceiling, twice as high as the room was wide, was a maze of cracks. Like vines of light, the cracks circled around and almost met. This seemed dangerous to me-unstable. But Jeb showed no fear of cave-ins as he led me farther in. There was a double-sized mattress on the floor, with about a yard of space on three sides of it. The two pillows and two blankets twisted into two separate configurations on either half of the mattress made it look as if this room housed a couple. A thick wooden pole-something like a rake handle-was braced horizontally against the far wall at shoulder height with the ends lodged in two of the Swiss cheese holes in the rock. Over it were draped a handful of T-shirts and two pairs of jeans. A wooden stool was flush with the wall beside the makeshift clothes rack, and on the floor beneath it was a stack of worn paperback books. â€Å"Who?† I said to Jeb, whispering again. This space so obviously belonged to someone that I no longer felt like we were alone. â€Å"Just one of the guys out on the raid. Won't be back for a while. We'll find you something by then.† I didn't like it-not the room, but the idea of staying in it. The presence of the owner was strong despite the simple belongings. No matter who he was, he would not be happy to have me here. He would hate it. Jeb seemed to read my mind-or maybe the expression on my face was clear enough that he didn't have to. â€Å"Now, now,† he said. â€Å"Don't worry about that. This is my house, and this is just one of my many guest rooms. I say who is and isn't my guest. Right now, you are my guest, and I am offering you this room.† I still didn't like it, but I wasn't going to upset Jeb, either. I vowed that I would disturb nothing, if it meant sleeping on the floor. â€Å"Well, let's keep moving. Don't forget: third from the left, seventh in.† â€Å"Green screen,† I added. â€Å"Exactly.† Jeb took me back through the big garden room, around the perimeter to the opposite side, and through the biggest tunnel exit. When we passed the irrigators, they stiffened and turned, afraid to have me behind their backs. This tunnel was well lit, the bright crevices coming at intervals too regular to be natural. â€Å"We go even closer to the surface now. It gets drier, but it gets hotter, too.† I noticed that almost immediately. Instead of being steamed, we were now being baked. The air was less stuffy and stale. I could taste the desert dust. There were more voices ahead. I tried to steel myself against the inevitable reaction. If Jeb insisted on treating me like†¦ like a human, like a welcome guest, I was going to have to get used to this. No reason to let it make me nauseous over and over again. My stomach began an unhappy rolling anyway. â€Å"This way's the kitchen,† Jeb told me. At first I thought we were in another tunnel, one crowded with people. I pressed myself against the wall, trying to keep my distance. The kitchen was a long corridor with a high ceiling, higher than it was wide, like my new quarters. The light was bright and hot. Instead of thin crevices through deep rock, this place had huge open holes. â€Å"Can't cook in the daytime, of course. Smoke, you know. So we mainly use this as the mess hall until nightfall.† All conversation had come to an abrupt halt, so Jeb's words were clear for everyone to hear. I tried to hide behind him, but he kept walking farther in. We'd interrupted breakfast, or maybe it was lunch. The humans-almost twenty at a quick estimate-were very close here. It wasn't like the big cavern. I wanted to keep my eyes on the floor, but I couldn't stop them from flashing around the room. Just in case. I could feel my body tensing to run for it, though where I would run, I didn't know. Against both sides of the hallway, there were long piles of rock. Mostly rough, purple volcanic stone, with some lighter-colored substance-cement?-running between them, creating seams, holding them together. On top of these piles were different stones, browner in color, and flat. They were glued together with the light gray grout as well. The final product was a relatively even surface, like a counter or a table. It was clear that they were used for both. The humans sat on some, leaned on others. I recognized the bread rolls they held suspended between the table and their mouths, frozen with disbelief as they took in Jeb and his one-person tour. Some of them were familiar. Sharon, Maggie, and the doctor were the closest group to me. Melanie's cousin and aunt glared at Jeb furiously-I had an odd conviction that I could have stood on my head and bellowed songs out of Melanie's memory at the top of my lungs and they still would not have looked at me-but the doctor eyed me with a frank and almost friendly curiosity that made me feel cold deep inside my bones. At the back end of the hall-shaped room, I recognized the tall man with ink black hair and my heart stuttered. I'd thought Jared was supposed to take the hostile brothers with him to make Jeb's job of keeping me alive slightly easier. At least it was the younger one, Ian, who had belatedly developed a conscience-not quite as bad as leaving Kyle behind. That consolation did not slow my racing pulse, however. â€Å"Everybody full so quick?† Jeb asked loudly and sarcastically. â€Å"Lost our appetites,† Maggie muttered. â€Å"How 'bout you,† he said, turning to me. â€Å"You hungry?† A quiet groan went through our audience. I shook my head-a small but frantic motion. I didn't even know whether I was hungry, but I knew I couldn't eat in front of this crowd that would gladly have eaten me. â€Å"Well, I am,† Jeb grumbled. He walked down the aisle between the counters, but I did not follow. I couldn't stand the thought of being within easy reach of the rest. I stayed pressed against the wall where I stood. Only Sharon and Maggie watched him go to a big plastic bin on one counter and grab a roll. Everyone else watched me. I was certain that if I moved an inch, they would pounce. I tried not to breathe. â€Å"Well, let's just keep on movin',† Jeb suggested around a mouthful of bread as he ambled back to me. â€Å"Nobody seems able to concentrate on their lunch. Easily distracted, this set.† I was watching the humans for sudden movements, not really seeing their faces after that first moment when I recognized the few I could put names to. So it wasn't until Jamie stood up that I noticed him there. He was a head shorter than the adults beside him, but taller than the two smaller children who perched on the counter on his other side. He hopped lightly off his seat and followed behind Jeb. His expression was tight, compressed, like he was trying to solve a difficult equation in his head. He examined me through narrow eyes as he approached on Jeb's heels. Now I wasn't the only one in the room holding my breath. The others' gazes shifted back and forth between Melanie's brother and me. Oh, Jamie, Melanie thought. She hated the sad, adult expression on his face, and I probably hated it even more. She didn't feel as guilty as I did for putting it there. If only we could take it away. She sighed. It's too late. What could we do to make it better now? I didn't mean the question more than rhetorically, but I found myself searching for an answer, and Melanie searched, too. We found nothing in the brief second we had to consider the matter; there was nothing to be found, I was sure. But we both knew we would be searching again when we were done with this asinine tour and had a chance to think. If we lived that long. â€Å"Whatcha need, kid?† Jeb asked without looking at him. â€Å"Just wondering what you're doing,† Jamie answered, his voice striving for nonchalance and only just failing. Jeb stopped when he got to me and turned to look at Jamie. â€Å"Takin' her for a tour of the place. Just like I do for any newcomer.† There was another low grumble. â€Å"Can I come?† Jamie asked. I saw Sharon shake her head feverishly, her expression outraged. Jeb ignored her. â€Å"Doesn't bother me†¦ if you can mind your manners.† Jamie shrugged. â€Å"No problem.† I had to move then-to knot my fingers together in front of me. I wanted so badly to push Jamie's untidy hair out of his eyes and then leave my arm around his neck. Something that would not go over well, I was sure. â€Å"Let's go,† Jeb said to us both. He took us back out the way we had come. Jeb walked on one side of me, Jamie on the other. Jamie seemed to be trying to stare at the floor, but he kept glancing up at my face-just like I couldn't help glancing down at his. Whenever our eyes met, we looked away again quickly. We were about halfway down the big hall when I heard the quiet footsteps behind us. My reaction was instantaneous and unthinking. I skittered to one side of the tunnel, sweeping Jamie along with one arm so that I was between him and whatever was coming for me. â€Å"Hey!† he protested, but he did not knock my arm away. Jeb was just as quick. The gun twirled out of its strap with blinding speed. Ian and the doctor both raised their hands above their heads. â€Å"We can mind our manners, too,† the doctor said. It was hard to believe that this soft-spoken man with the friendly expression was the resident torturer; he was all the more terrifying to me because his exterior was so benign. A person would be on her guard on a dark and ominous night, a person would be ready. But on a clear, sunny day? How would she know to flee when she couldn't see any place for danger to hide? Jeb squinted at Ian, the barrel of the gun shifting to follow his gaze. â€Å"I don't mean any trouble, Jeb. I'll be just as mannerly as Doc.† â€Å"Fine,† Jeb said curtly, stowing his gun. â€Å"Just don't test me. I haven't shot anybody in a real long time, and I sort of miss the thrill of it.† I gasped. Everyone heard that and turned to see my horrified expression. The doctor was the first one to laugh, but even Jamie joined in briefly. â€Å"It's a joke,† Jamie whispered to me. His hand strayed from his side, almost as if he was reaching for mine, but he quickly shoved it into the pocket of his shorts. I let my arm-still stretched protectively in front of his body-drop, too. â€Å"Well, the day's wasting,† Jeb said, still a little surly. â€Å"You'll all have to keep up, 'cause I'm not waiting on you.† He stalked forward before he was done speaking.

My Favorite Car Essay

On March 20th 2013, I woke up and directly drove to the Leith Honda dealership to fix my car. While it was being fixed, I noticed an Infiniti dealership. I walked there to browse some cars, just to kill time. As soon as set foot onto the dealership I found the most breath – taking and luxurious sports car. I took a peek inside the window and was astounded. Sometimes they say you can fall in love at first sight, here I found my first love the Infiniti G37 IPL. According to Twitchell objects that you own forms your identity. Meanwhile, Rosenbaum denies objects identifying who you really are. What do you think; do objects really have that kind of power to reflect people’s images? For me, the Infiniti G37 IPL is the perfect fit for my identity. The Infiniti Performance Line represents the pinnacle of the Infiniti innovation and craftsmanship. Luxury and performance are amplified the IPL G Coupe: the exclusive IPL – tuned engine and suspension augment the driving experience while aggressive styling and aerodynamics visually express the elemental strength contained within. The Infiniti G37 IPL defines my character based on its luxurious style, performance, strength, technology, safety and rejuvenating features. First, I would like to begin with the styling of The Infiniti IPL G Coupe’s style defines me in many different aspects. The Car is uniquely sculpted from and rear fascias, side sills, and rear spoiler enhance the aerodynamics of the IPL G Coupe and visually express inspired performance. Zero – lift front and rear dynamics allow the tires to grip the pavement, providing you with more confidence at higher speeds. I am type of person who really cares about style. I tend to be athletic and picky when it comes to cars. The most important detail in a car is the style because it shows other people what type of person I might be. The seating of the IPL G Coupe is sculpted, deep – bolstered seats with unique red stitching embrace the driver and front passenger in soft, sumptuous leather, as luxurious as it is stunning. The seating connects the driver to the handling of the machine with standard 12 – way power driver adjustments with memory functions that adjust the moment you start the car. The beauty of the wheels in this car is just unbelievable. They are lightweight, aluminum – alloy 19 inch wheels channel the power of the IPL G Coupe into momentum that strokes emotion. The split 7 – spoke wheels are clad in summer performance tires for unrelenting grip and finished in a graphite color for a look that radiates aggression. Next I would like to give specific details about the astonishing technology innovated into this breath – taking vehicle. The 11 – speaker Infiniti studio on Wheels by Bose was designed to help music retain its richly – authentic sound. Infiniti engineers created the first manufacturer system that delivers the music’s power from the front, with sound washing through the cabin from front to back, as in a live performance. The system is enhanced by 10 – inch subwoofers that the vehicle’s front doors were literally designed around and a unique Driver’s Audio Stage setting that optimizes the balance of sound to focus solely on the driver. Also, it has a rearview monitor when engaging in reverse mode your vehicle information system displays images from a discreetly – mounted color camera on the rear of the vehicle. Colored guidelines help give you and accurate sense of how close you are to objects behind, and they adjust as you turn, to show your path. As an added measure, the Rear Sonar System emits a beeping tone and displays an icon on the Rearview monitor display when an obstacle appears near the rear bumper. The technology inserted in this vehicle is amazing. It is a dream coming true for any young intelligent man driving one. Last but not least, I would love to talk about the performance and safety about this car. The power output of this vehicle is impressive. It is 3. 7 – liter 24 – valve V6 engine, the IPL G Coupe has been tined to produce more torque and an additional 18 horsepower. IPL enhancements intensify the feel of acceleration, delivering a more exhilarating driving experience. Advanced high – flow dual air intakes help the engine breathe more freely, reducing air resistance and improving output. Low – friction coated pistons reduce resistance, while Variable Valve Event and lift intake technology boosts performance while improving emissions and fuel efficiency. With all the interesting details about the performance of this vehicle, you might think it is unsafe to be in one of the fastest on the road, but it has safety precautions built into it to prevent any danger to all passengers. It contains advanced braking, which is the 4 – wheel anti – lock braking system, which helps apply the maximum brake force you need in order to prevent a collision. It also has an impact protection that consists of an advanced air bag system which adjusts their inflation rate depending on the crash. Basically, you have safety precautions for other safety systems. This car and I share many characteristics together. It defines who I am in many different ways. The moment I drove it, I fell in love with the start engine and exhaust sound. At first I really didn’t think objects really define who you really are, but after that incident it made me realize that objects can reflect what type of person you are. Driving this Infiniti made me see the truth of how performance, luxury, style, safety, and technology can really differentiate from other rides. Driving an Infiniti G37 IPL would give you a better status, and make you luxurious, sporty, and classy.

GDP a good measure of social Well-being Essays

GDP a good measure of social Well-being Essays GDP a good measure of social Well-being Essay GDP a good measure of social Well-being Essay In order to examine economic growth or analyze the wealth of a country, it is necessary to have a way to measure the size of an economy such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Economists usually measure the size of an economy by the amount of stuff it produces. This makes sense in a lot of ways, mainly because an economys output in a given period of time is equal to the economys income, and the economys level of income is one of the main determinants of its standard of living and societal welfare. GDP is the most closely watched economic statistic because is it thought to e the best single measure of a social well-being. The definition of GDP is composed of four parts. Firstly, we have to take into consideration the market value of the products. Froyen (2009) states that in order to gain the market value of the product we have to times the number of products produced the market by the prices they are traded at. For example, each unit of product A is 5$ and product B is 2$ so the market value of 20 product A and 40 product B is 5$x20+2$x40=180$ Secondly, GDP is calculated using the values of the final goods and services and therefore does not take intermediate goods into ccount. A final good or service is the product brought by the user at its end stage whereas an intermediate good could have gone into the production of a final good. For instance, bread is a final product that it brought by the consumer but flour could have been brought by the producers of the bread in order to make the bread. Another factors that makes up GDP is that the product has to be made within the confidences of country which is basically summed up by the D in GDP. For example, if a Viet Nam retailer manufacturers his products in Viet Nam then it becomes part of VN GDP but if it is produced and sourced from China then it does not. Finally, GDP as measured in a given time period as mentioned earlier which is usually annually or quarterly. GDP can be measured in two ways the expenditure approach which is the total spent on goods and services or the income approach which is the money earned by producing goods and services. This is called the circular flow model of expenditure and income. : Source: N. Gregory Mankiw, Principles of Macroeconomics _ Chapter 10_ Page 197 Another point worth mentioning is social well-being, a state of affairs where the basic eeds of the populace are met. This is a society where income levels are high enough to cover basic wants, where there is no poverty, where unemployment is insignificant, where there is easy access to social, medical, and educational services, and where everyone is treated with dignity and consideration. Many attempts have been made to quantify social well-being. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of a country is commonly defined as the total market value of all final goods and services produced in a country in a given year. The fact that it is measured regularly and quite onsistently in practically all countries of the world allows a direct comparison of the standard of living in individual countries. The frequent measuring also makes it possible to quickly recognize changing trends. So that GDP can tell us how the country is doing in general, especially when GDPs are compared between countries. A higher GDP will probably infer that the country is doing better than a country with a lower GDP. It can use to determine whether an economy is growing faster or slower than in the previously measured period and to compare it with other economies in the world. For example, a higher GDP will probably infer that the country is doing better than a country with a lower GDP. As we have seen, GDP measures both the economys total income and the economys total expenditure on goods and services. Because the production of goods and services indicates that people are working, earning money, and making a living, an increasing GDP shows an increased economic activity, meaning more funds for social programs, and more income that people have to increase their own standard of living. It means that the higher the GDP, the better the economy and, therefore, the better the quality of life. Nevertheless, the catch is that the high GDP may be from the extremely large profits of a few rich firms, while everyone else is living pretty badly. Therefore, its still better to use GDP per capita as a form of comparison. GDP per capita is when they divide the total GDP by the number of people in that country. A rise in GDP per capita will also translate into a rise of productivity. The reason for that is the more you produce, the more you sell. It gives you an idea of what the people are engaged in. GDP per capita can be used as an indicator of standard of living as well. One can conclude that having a higher GDP per capita will be interpreted as having a higher standard of living. GDP per person seems a natural measure of the social well-being of the average individual. However, as a measure of the standard of living in a country, GDP has its limitations and shortcomings. Because of the imperfect of GDP, the first Human Development Report introduced a new way of measuring development by combining indicators of life expectancy, educational attainment and income into a composite human development index, the Human Development Index. The breakthrough for the HDI as the creation of a single statistic which was to serve as a frame of reference for both social and economic development. But throughout its time in use, the HDI has been criticized for a number of reasons. Although the HDI is a constant measure but it never can take out a whole picture of human development. Some of the questions to be posed to the HDI index is: this is the measurement of the standard of living of standards or measure the level of living? Or it measures the quality of life? There are only three dimensional edges are measured in the HDI: health, academic and living tandard. In addition to this, it has a profound distinction of HDI between countries and regions in the world. For example, some countries have the same HDI but theirs income level are quite difference. GDP is not, though, a perfect measure of social well-being. Some things that contribute toa good life are left out of GDP. But its still a good measure. Although it doesnt say much about the individuals well-being, education, health, , it does help economists understand how the country is doing. If a country has a thriving GDP then they are sure to be wealthy and with wealth comes etter tech medicine and opportunities to the citizens of the nation. While GDP may not indicate the quality of life of any one person, it is quite obvious that countries with a higher GDP than others have much better quality of life across the board. GDP growth can indicate a strengthening economy, more Jobs, and as a result, more income for individuals. If each person is making a significant amount of money in relation to where they live and cost of living then in theory they should lead a better standard of living. They would not have the financial burden which causes so much tress in todays world. For instance, G. Gregory Mankiw examined international datal: Country Real GDP per person (2007) Life Expectancy Adult Literacy (% of population) Internet Usage (% of population) United States $45. 592 79 years 63% Germany 34. 401 45 Japan 33. 632 67 Russia 14. 690 15 Mexico 14. 104 76 93 18 Brazil 9. 567 72 19 China 5. 383 73 9 Indonesia 3. 843 71 92 7 India 2. 753 3 Pakistan 2. 496 54 Nigeria 1. 969 4 Bangladesh 1 . 241 0. 3 Source: Human Development Report 2009, United Nations. Date on real GDP, life expectancy, and literacy are for 2007. Dara on internet use is for 2005.

Use Avogadros Number to Convert Molecules to Grams

Use Avogadros Number to Convert Molecules to Grams Avogadros number is the number of items in one mole. The number is experimentally determined based on measuring the number of atoms in precisely 12 grams of the carbon-12 isotope, giving a value of approximately  6.022 x 1023. You can use Avogadros number in conjunction with atomic mass to convert a number of atoms or molecules into the number of grams. For molecules, you add together the atomic masses of all the atoms in the compound to get the number of grams per mole. Then you use Avogadros number to set up a relationship between the number of molecules and mass. Heres an example problem that shows the steps: Avogadros Number Example Problem Question: Calculate the mass in grams of 2.5 x 109 H2O molecules. Solution: Step 1 - Determine the mass of 1 mole of H2O To obtain the mass of 1 mole of water, look up the atomic masses for hydrogen and oxygen from the Periodic Table. There are two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen for every H2O molecule, so the mass of H2O is: mass of H2O 2 (mass of H) mass of Omass of H2O 2 ( 1.01 g ) 16.00 gmass of H2O 2.02 g 16.00 gmass of H2O 18.02 g Step 2 - Determine the mass of 2.5 x 109 H2O molecules One mole of H2O is 6.022 x 1023 molecules of H2O (Avogadros number). This relation is then used to convert a number of H2O molecules to grams by the ratio: mass of X molecules of H2O / X molecules mass of a mole of H2O molecules / 6.022 x 1023 molecules Solve for the mass of X molecules of H2O mass of X molecules of H2O ( mass of a mole H2O  · X molecules of H2O ) / 6.022 x 1023 H2O molecules mass of 2.5 x 109 molecules of H2O ( 18.02 g  · 2.5 x 109) / 6.022 x 1023 H2O moleculesmass of 2.5 x 109 molecules of H2O ( 4.5 x 1010) / 6.022 x 1023 H2O moleculesmass of 2.5 x 109 molecules of H2O 7.5 x 10-14 g. Answer The mass of 2.5 x 109 molecules of H2O is 7.5 x 10-14 g. Helpful Tips for Converting Molecules to Grams The key to success for this type of problem is paying attention to the subscripts in a chemical formula. For example, in this problem, there were two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen. If youre getting the incorrect answer for this type of problem, the usual cause is having the number of atoms wrong. Another common problem is not watching your significant figures, which can throw off your answer in the last decimal place.

The Theory of Static Trade-off Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Theory of Static Trade-off - Case Study Example This theory of static trade-off presumes that subsequent to expense, debt benefits may be received. Benefits of utilizing debt includes that a challenge of free cashflow gets minimized and as well payments of interest may be deducted from taxation. As a result, a taxation gain from debts may be received. Furthermore, the bigger the rate of taxation, the greater will be the motivation to borrow. Such theory of static trade-off has for a long period subjugated the thinking concerning the capital structure; conversely it contains a few drawbacks. Maybe the major disadvantage involves that numerous huge, financially complex as well as highly productive companies make small utilization of debts within their funding. That’s contrary to the theory of static-trade-off that presumes that those companies employ comparatively mainly debt. The idea underlying the theory of static trade-off involves that those companies experience small threat of becoming insolvent and hue high tax benefit s exist from the taxation shield that is expected.The likely existence of this theory of static trade-off within the decisions of capital structure in Diageo firms will further be explained by employing frequently employed company specific factors. The logic underlying a negative association connecting the debt-free taxation shield as well as the ratio of debt and capital involves taxation reductions on such as depreciation as well as taxation credits get presumed as alternatives in favor of tax gains expected from debt funding.

Assignment on Criminal Justice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Assignment on Criminal Justice - Essay Example This paper focuses on the Drug Enforcement Administration (hereinafter, DEA) which works under the ambit of the Department of Justice and whose sole responsibility is the enforcement of drug control laws. It is the only federal law enforcement agency with drug control as the only mandate. Why was the DEA created in the first place? The DEA was created in 1973 when the realization came that effective drug control meant not only controlling the demand side, e.g.. criminalization of drug possession and rehabilitation of offenders, but also by controlling the supply. In an effort to streamline the bureaucracy, the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN) and the Bureau of Drug Abuse Control (BDAC) were abolished and the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (BNDD), which was working under the Department of Justice, had enforcement responsibility over drug laws. The Office for Drug Abuse and Law Enforcement (ODALE) and Office of National Narcotic Intelligence (ONNI) were then created to assist in the enforcement of drug laws both at the national and local levels. ... The FBN continued its mandate until a report by the Katzenbach Commission found that, among other things, the enforcement staff in drug control had to be increased and the bureaucracy streamlined. Drug enforcement then became under the Department of Justice and the DEA was created. Lyman (2011), in describing the overall philosophy of the DEA describes it as follows: â€Å"to eliminate drugs as close to their sources as possible and to disrupt the drug trafficking system by identifying, arresting and prosecuting traffickers.† (page 329). Intelligence work is a big part of the tasks of DEA agents, who regularly monitor and conduct surveillance operations on the transportation of drugs into American shores. There is intense pressure to kick the drug problem and resultant from this, â€Å"drug enforcement is commanding a growing share of local police, prosecution and correction resources.† (Kleiman and Smith, 1990: 69). A theory being propounded is that the concentration o f police force in drug enforcement is causing a rise in the spate of crime and that is a constant criticism that the law enforcement sector of the country has to faced. Whilst the DEA is doing its utmost to ensure that it performs its duties efficiently and with judicious use of resources, it also cannot be denied that the drug cartels and the crime syndicates are getting wiser and more able to get around the law. Hence, innovation is an important ingredient in enforcement of anti-drug laws. It must also be understood that policing supply of drugs and curbing demand cannot be seen as independent variables. They must work together. There is growing evidence to the effect that effective drug enforcement increases the price of drugs in the market and suppress use (Caulkins