Causes of Different Country Rates of Development

Causes of Different Country Rates of Development Kaitlyn Kanaly Guns, Germs, and Steel Summary In Guns, Germs, and Steel, Jared Diamond is trying to answer his friend, Yali’s, question. Yali asked Diamond in New Guinea, â€Å"Why is it that you white people developed so much cargo, but we black people had little cargo of our own?† (Diamond, 1998, p. 14). Yali was referring to all of the different advantages certain societies had that resulted in prosperous populations, while others failed. Diamond centers Guns, Germs, and Steel around answering Yali’s question. Throughout the semester, we were set out to define the â€Å"big idea† of each chapter individually. The first half of this book’s â€Å"big idea† is to show how food production, domesticating plants and animals, and most importantly, how geography itself are the main factors that determined which societies became more powerful than another. Diamond supports his thesis through evidence that he reveals in each chapter. Diamond’s search for an answer to Yali’s question started off by looking at the biology of when and how the first humans evolved. Then, he concentrated on more specific societies to further support his research. During his research, Diamond still could not explain why Eurasia became the most advanced continent even though Africa had a head start. What Diamond came to find out, however, is that a society is not successful because of the color of one’s skin or how intelligent one may or may not be, but it is the geography that allows a society to either flourish or diminish. To further defend his geographic explanation, Diamond suggests that the events that took place on the Chatham Islands was, in fact, due to a geographic stand point of the Maori and Moriori people. The technologically advanced Maori society successfully conquered the considerably weaker Moriori society. Further justifying this explanation, he points out that race could not have been a factor between these two groups because the two cultures had come from the same origin and were just separated within an unmindful time frame. Diamond also looked at factors, other than genetics, that determined the differences between the two societies. He then concluded that the Moriori were unable to provide an abundance of food due to the cold climate. The lack of food put the Moriori at a disadvantage because their society was significantly weaker than the Maori’s. Aside from the production of food, the Maori people were advanced in other areas that were not possible for the Moriori because o f their geographic location. Because the Moriori were isolated on an island, they did not have the means for communication with other people, and technological ideas were unable to spread to their society. Thus, only the Maori people were rich in food production, technology, and communication because of their geographic location. Geography also has had a major effect in which parts of the world developed food production over others. Areas such as deserts or high mountains are simply not suited for agriculture, while others may support some crops, but not others. Another factor is that there are only a limited number of plants suitable for domestication. According to Diamond, being able to successfully produce food was the start for societies to also develop of guns, germs, and steel. There are a few components that influenced the adoption of food production: the decline in wild foods, an increase in plants, the development of technology, and change in population density. With less wild food available, people did not have much of a choice but to grow their own. Technology also allowed food to be produced at a quicker pace. Acquiring an abundance of food meant that societies could reach a higher population density that would, in turn, lead to many more advantages. People were able to settle in one place because of farming, which allowed more complex and advanced food production. These more densely populated societies were able to create technology, invent writing, and became immune to epidemic diseases. All three of these remarkable factors is what Diamond found to be the reasons why one society was able to conquer another. Still, there were additional factors that Diamond set out to examine. Animals also played a key role in certain parts of the world developing quicker than others: the distribution of animals around the world was also a result of geography. Eurasia was home to the most domesticated mammals, which put the people there at an advantage. These domesticated animals not only helped as an additional food source, but also provided many other services for societies. Farming was completed much easier and at a quicker pace because animals were able to pull plows and also serve as fertilizer. Animal fur was used to keep warm, and the bones were converted into various handy tools. Diamond also analyzed the way plants, food, and ideas were able to spread from continent to continent. Food production spreads most easily if one is moving east to west, because plants and animals didn’t have to adapt to a drastic change like you would going north and south, as the climate will be either the same or similar going east or west as opposed to north and south. For example, because Eurasia is spread further east and west, it was almost effortless to haul crops and animals from one location to another, which made Eurasia more successful and subsequently advanced than other parts of the world. In conclusion, there are many reasons why certain societies prospered compared to others; and it all boils down to the geography of the land. Diamond proves that beneficial aspects of geography allows societies to effortlessly grow food than others. On the other hand, there are also geographical explanations as to why food production failed in some parts of the world. Diamond confidently insists that it does not matter who is smarter than who, but rather, that the most prosperous society was blessed by the more dominant environment. In essence, those who lived in more fertile areas had a much greater chance of success. Reflection I strongly believe that Diamond does an amazing job at dissecting how and why certain continents prevailed over others. He manages to go into detail, but not too much detail that would confuse his readers. I like the fact that he keeps his findings slightly broad because it makes the story line easier to follow. The way he presents how geography plays such a major role in history is extremely powerful and intriguing. There are many critics, however, who do not agree with Diamond’s message that geography is the ultimate factor for advanced continents, rather than racial or intelligence reasons. For example, York and Mancus are more concerned with the social aspects that contributed to the rise of certain continents over others. As quoted from the Human Ecology Review: His position would be strengthened if he more fully recognized that different types of societies have different internal dynamics, and that each era has its own particular processes and contradictions (York Mancus, 2007, p. 160). I think that this is too critical of an opinion for Diamond’s work. I do not think that Diamond intended his book to be overly specific, but rather a more broad, overall explanation of how and why the world evolved the way it did. Another critic focuses on the chapter in Diamond’s book where latitude is discussed. James Blaut, a geography professor, suggests that Diamond supplies â€Å"hardly an explanation† of the development and westward spread of technology and food. According to The Geographical Review: His description fails to mention that diffusion eastward and southward from the Near East via the Indian Ocean, and southward from China through the South China Sea, was as important and as easy, as was diffusion west-ward (Blaut, 1999, p. 400). I agree with this critic that Diamond should have explored all options for the spread of technology and food before he had stated that east-west movement was the easiest way to do it successfully. However, I do not recall Diamond saying that east-west diffusion was the one and only way. Although there are critics that do not fully agree with everything that Diamond has found in his research in Guns, Germs, and Steel, I think that this book is exceptionally educational. The book has an outstanding story line that is easy to follow and is packed with intriguing information that truly gets you thinking. I can’t wait to finish the rest of the book to see what else Diamond has to say about the establishment of our world. Sources Blaut, J. M. (1999). ENVIRONMENTALISM AND EUROCENTRISM.Geographical Review,89(3), 391. Diamond, J. (1998).Guns, Germs, and Steel. New York: W.W. Norton Company. York, R., Mancus, P. (2007). Human Ecology Review. Diamond in the Rough: Reflections on Guns, Germs, Steel, 14(2). http:/www.humanecologyreview.org/pastissues/her142/yorkandmancus.pdf

Reality TV Essay -- Entertainment Television Papers

Reality TV Can you believe that reality television has actually been around since 1948? Most of us may have thought that this idea of real television just came about in the last decade but actually it’s been around for quite some time. In 1948 Candid Camera was the first reality show to be broadcasted on television. Many considered this to be the â€Å"granddaddy† of the reality TV genre (History of reality TV). This show actually began in radio broadcasting. Allen Funt was the man in charge of this whole new production. He started by simply taping complaints of men in service and broadcasting them over the Armed Forces Radio. This is what later became known as the television show, Candid Camera. Candid Camera was known for â€Å"catching people in the act of being themselves† (History of Reality TV). Funt passed away in 1999 and his son, Peter has now taken over for him to continue these series. So, now you might be asking yourself what show came twenty-five years after Candid Camera? The next broadcasted reality television show was An American Family. This show was written about a California family, the Louds. You would probably never believe it but this show captured it all! It showed many personal experiences in the loud family such as the parents divorce and lifestyle of their gay son, Lance. An American Family played an extremely vast role in exposing society to a more diverse and supposedly real representation of family life. This was just the beginning of unstable families shown on television. Later shows like The Simpson’s and Roseanne branched off from this family idea (The Original Reality). As you can see reality goes back way into history so it’s really no new thang. We must give all the credit ... ... online: http://www.dartmouth.edu (accessed September 25. 2002) Owen, R. (June 21, 2001). NBC crosses the line with 'Fear Factor' stunts. Toledo Blade RealLyrics.com Available online: http://www.reallyrics.com/lyrics/I002900010002.asp (accessed online October 1, 2002) Reiss, Steven & Wiltz, James. (2001). Why America Loves Reality TV. Psychology Today. Rolling Stone (March 29, 2001). Un-Reality TV: Surviving Survivor. Seneca Falls (2000). Reality Television. June 15. Available online: http://www.senecafallsonline.com/archives/Columns/Bergamo/reality_television.htm (accessed October 2, 2002) Shales, Tom. (2001). O ‘Brother’ Why Art Thou? Electronic Media. U.S. Reality Program/Public Service Available online: http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/A/htmlA/americasmos.htm (accessed October 1, 2002)

Can We Hide from Failure

Can We Really Hide From Failure? Does success and failure go hand in hand? Success gives people satisfaction and delight, where failure can discourage and exhaust them. But what people can tend to forget is that in life, everyone comes across failure every once in a while. What everyone should remember is that no one is perfect and they should not lose hope and give up. Winston Churchill once said â€Å"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts† (Winston Churchill) Humans have always been imperfect, so we often tend to stumble every now and then.Life tests everyone. Failures are more memorable, but they can be helpful in many different ways. They are our best teachers and give us the most growth. Every time one fails they can learn some type of lesson. When people learn to investigate the reason behind their failures, they can attempt to change the outcome the next time to protect themselves against making the same mistake. Success c an mislead many into negative paths. It can make them become less enthusiastic, uncreative, make them conceited and sometimes arrogant. It can even make people forget who they are.If they become too proud of their accomplishment, it can allow for some to forget their selves. On the other side many can learn from ones success. If people learned to study the success of others, they could learn a lot about themselves. Present day society learns a lot from other people’s failures, and society needs to consider more that failure can be the best lesson. No one should be fearful of failure. People are able to learn the most about themselves when they have failed, so in turn, people should never be afraid to fail. Failure is a large part of becoming successful.Many people are so afraid to fail that they fail to even try. The experiences that man receives through failure each time makes their future success lasting and enjoyable. If everyone gave up on trying as soon as they came acro ss failure, they would feel defeated all through life, even when they possess the courage to reach the goal. In each failure on can discover hidden intelligence. Each failure gives more experience and knowledge than the last. People need to learn how to avoid giving failure attention to be careless or disorganized of the person’s responsibility.If people learn to be equipped with the experience of failure and use courage to continue on, success will be theirs. â€Å"Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently† (Henry Ford). Man should not need to feel flustered if failed. People are beginning to hear and read about adults wanting to protect children/students from the trauma and the experience of failure. Things they hear are about removing exams in the school system, or if exams are being presented; for them to not be marked as zero’s or even with â€Å"fail†. Of course they have also heard about the sporting events.Tryi ng to avoid the winning and losing aspects, and instead favoring the enjoyment of just playing the game. This is occurring because people are worried for the fragile nature of their self-worth, and being protected against the early bumps in the road. This fails to represent the reality of their lives, the reality that children/students will be involved in as adults and the reality that they will be expected to function within. What good is this movement doing to this generation? By doing engaging the removal of failure we will not be prepared to deal with the reality that we see out in the world every day.Failure allows man to take in the positive learning experience. Failure teaches people many character building life lessons. Only those that try and fail can physically and mentally understand the difficulties and disappointment of others who have misfortune and lack of success. Without empathy and compassion this world would be a lot more miserable. Man’s ability as an indi vidual expresses compassion for others will have increased by experiencing failure themselves. As man grows they learn to be patient when their plans go astray and are forced to gather themselves up and start over.These challenges are difficult to overcome in one easy try. When plans don’t go as accordingly, they should patiently try again and again until they achieve success. If man were experiencing nothing but success, might they potentially walk around all high and mighty? Failure also allows them to be humble, to take nothing for granted. When man witness another experiencing failure, they are more than able to help and support the individual while in the rut of failure. There is no one more exquisite then a humble successful person. One of the more positive side effects of failure is acquiring the virtue of perseverance.Every accomplishment man achieves in life is by trying and failing and then trying again to accomplish success. Determination leads to perseverance whic h culminates all man’s efforts into achievement. If we give up early, we may never experience success. The only way to overcome failure is to never give up. Many people have probably experienced failure at one time or another. They all have their own definitions of failure, simply because they have different standards, values, and beliefs. A failure for one person can simply be a learning experience for someone else. The fear of failing can be damaging.Many people are afraid of failing, most of the time. It can cause them to do nothing, and therefore resist moving forward. But when they allow fear to stop their forward progress in life, they are likely to miss some great opportunities, and achievements along the way. Man can choose to see failure as the end of the world, or look at failure as the incredible learning experience that it often is. Every time man fails at something, they can choose to acknowledge the lesson they are meant to learn. These lessons are how man grows as a person, and how they keep from making the same mistake again. Failure will only stop man if they let it.

Dr. Seuss essays

Dr. Seuss essays Theodore Seuss Geisel was born in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1904. Adopted before he started publishing his books, the pseudonym, Dr. Seuss, was used by Geisel in many of his works. Dr. Seuss lived until 1991 when he died from throat cancer in LaJolla, California. Geisel married to Helen Palmer Geisel, a friend whom he met in his graduate studies at Oxford University. After Helens death in 1967, he remarried to a longtime friend, Audrey Stone Dimond. Audrey and her daughter were both alive for Geisels death in 1991. In school, Geisel was a very talented child who was recognized by most as being a bright student. After attending high school in his hometown, Springfield, he went on to receive his Liberal Arts Degree from Dartmouth College. Geisel was interested in literature, but what captured his heart even more was his love of drawing funny pictures. He went on to graduate school in English literature at Oxford University, but quit after only two years. Geisel moved back to the states while his wife to be stayed and finished her degree in Oxford. Now living back in Illinois with his parents, Geisel was out of a job and did not know where to turn. Geisel did not let himself be discouraged, however. His biggest support came from his parents. As Geisel grew up in his Springfield home, both of his parents encouraged his talents and urged him to put them to use. Geisels father worked for his grandfather in a brewery previous to his education; however, when prohibition went into effect in 1920, the brewery went out of business. Luckily, Geisels father had a job to fall back on as administrator to the Forest Park Zoo and his grandfather welcomed an early retirement. When Geisel moved back to the states from Europe, much of his inspiration to draw came from the Forest Park Zoo animals. After marrying to Helen and moving to New Jersey, Geisel started drawing cartoons for a few different newspa...

Latin Numbers - The Ordinal or Ordered Numbers

Latin Numbers - The Ordinal or Ordered Numbers Latin ordinal numbers are ordered numbers: as in other Indo-European languages, they are adjectives which refer to the order of a set of objects in a list. English ordinals are words like first, second, third, expressed in Latin primus, secundus, tertius. In contrast, cardinal numbers are nouns which tell you how many objects there are. Cardinal numbers in Latin are unus, duo, tres; English versions of those are one, two, three. Variations The ordinal numbers in Latin are declined like first and second declension adjectives. There are some oddities to note: Some versions of the numbers have a variable presence of n before s and both spellings are acceptablefor 21st in the feminine, you might see una et vicesima twenty-first or the contracted form unetvicesima. For other compounds, as in English, different texts use different versions. You may see the larger number before the smaller with no conjoining ​et or you might see the smaller before with larger separated by the conjunction et. Thus, you may see either vicesimus quartus (twenty-fourth, with the et) or quartus et vicesimus (four and twenty, with the et). For 28th, the Latin ordinal number is based on the idea of taking 2 from 30 or duodetricensimus, just as the duo de 2 from precedes 20th in the ordinal number for 18th: duodevicesimus. Primus Through Decimus Below are listed the basic ordinal numbers in Latin with the Roman numeral corresponding to their  value and their English equivalent. Roman Numeral | Ordinal | English TranslationI. | primus (-a, -um) | firstII. | secundus, alter | secondIII. | tertius | thirdIV. | quartus | fourthV. | quintus | fifthVI. | sextus | sixthVII. | septimus | seventhVIII. | octavus | eighthIX. | nonus | ninthX. | decimus | tenth Undescimus Through Nonus Decimus Variations are present in the Latin ordinals for tenth through nineteenth. If that seems strange, recall that English ordinals for 11th (eleventh) and 12th (twelfth) are formed differently than higher ones (thirteenth through nineteenth). Roman Numeral | Ordinal | English TranslationXI. | undecimus | eleventhXII. | duodecimus | twelfthXIII. | tertius decimus or decimus et tertius | thirteenthXIV. | quartus decimus or decimus et quartus | fourteenthXV. | quintus decimus or decimus et quintus | fifteenthXVI. | sextus decimus or decimus et sextus |  sixteenthXVII. | septimus decimus or decimus et septimus | seventeenthXVIII. | duodevice(n)simus, also octavus decimus | eighteenthXIX. | undevice(n)simus, also nonus decimus | nineteenth Ac Deinceps Exortis et Superiora Loca Ordinals higher than 20th follow the same patterns and variations as those seen in first through nineteenth. Roman Numeral | Ordinal | English TranslationXX. | vice(n)simus | twentiethXXI. | unus et vice(n)simus, also vicesimus primus | twenty-firstXXII. | alter et vice(n)simus or vicesimus secundus |  twenty-secondXXX. | trice(n)simus or trigesimus | thirtiethXL. | quadrage(n)simus | fortiethL. | quinquage(n)simus | fiftiethLX. | sexage(n)simus | sixtiethLXX. | septuage(n)simus | seventiethLXXX. | octoge(n)simus | eightiethXC. | nonage(n)simus | ninetiethC. | cente(n)simus | hundredthCC. | ducente(n)simus |  two-hundredthCCC. | trecentensimus | three-hundredthCCCC. | quadringentensimus |  four-hundredthD. | quingentensimus | five-hundredthDC. | sescentensimus | six-hundredthDCC. | septingentensimus | seven-hundredthDCCC. | octingentensimus | eight-hundredthDCCCC. | nongentensimus | nine-hundredthM. | millensimus | thousandthMM. | bis millensimus | two-thousandth

Science 6..11-12 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Science 6..11-12 - Assignment Example Dead zones represent low-oxygen areas (hypoxic areas) in the world’s coastline and lakes. All organisms need oxygen to survive. The absence or low oxygen levels in these areas make it impossible for organisms to survive hence the term dead zone. The Gulf of Mexico gives a quintessential example of one such area. According to National Geographic, in 2010, the Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone was approximately 20,140 square kilometers. It has a seasonal hypoxic zone that forms every year in late summer. Its size varies from less than 5,000 square kilometers to approximately 22,000 square kilometers. The primary cause of dead zone formation is human activities. The upsurge in population has led to an increase in intensive agricultural and industrial activities. These activities lead to the emission of nitrogen and phosphorus into the environment i.e. soil, water and air. These are washed off into water basins such as oceans and lakes. These nutrients increase the fertility of the marine ecosystem; organisms like phytoplankton, algae and seaweed grow rapidly (algal bloom). This prevents the penetration of sunlight and absorption of oxygen by organisms living beneath the water surface leading to the reduction of the organisms immensely through death. Due to low-oxygen and available nutrients, the organisms (phytoplankton, algae and seaweed) eventually die and sink to the bottom of the sea where they are decomposed by bacteria. Oxygen can flow freely but is eventually used up by the process of decomposition leading to low-oxygen (hypoxia). Organisms that live beneath die or wither and others like the fish flee and a dead zone is formed. Several methods can be embraced to reduce the occurrence of dead zones. The use of synthetic fertilizers can be discontinued or reduced as they contain large quantities of nitrogen and phosphorus. Farmers can also use natural sources like compost and manure and adopt farming methods like contour cropping and no-till to reduce

Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 13

Report - Essay Example However, this earned Qays the nickname Majnun, which refers to a mad man (Russell and Cohn 16). In this regard, it can be argued that, in the society in which Qays and Layla came from, public display of affection or love was considered as madness, and as such, people who were deeply in love would not marry those they love, since, being considered mad would mean their marriage would be scandalous. For instance, Layla father refused to allow Majnun or Qays Layla’s hand in marriage, arguing that, such a marriage would only result in a scandal and that it would not be okay for his daughter Layla, to be married to a madman (Russell and Cohn 23). In this regard, it is clear that love was not considered as a requirement or foundation for marriage. Despite Layla being in love with Majnun, her father forced her to marry another person she did not love. This story of Layla and Majnun also depicts love as a very strong bond between two persons that if broken, is very devastating. Because Majnun loved Layla so much, failing to get her hand in marriage devastated Majnun to the extent that he was overcome with too much grief that he disappeared into the wilderness, abandoning his family, his home to lead a life of solitude that was miserable. Additionally, the story of Majnun and Layla depicts love as a feeling of emotion that lasts forever and binds people together, forever. Even though she was married to another person, both Majnun and Layla hoped that one day would be together. When Layla’s husband died, she thought that she would at last be with the one she loves, but the demands of tradition denied her this opportunity, and as a result of heartbreak and devastation, she gave up and died. On hearing of the death of Layla, the one he deeply and truly loved, Majnun travelled to the place where his beloved Layla had been buried; he cried, wept and wept in devastation and also gave up as a