Man, the State and War by Kenneth Waltz

Summary When reading the book â€Å"Man, the State and War† by Kenneth Waltz, the main driving thesis behind the book immediately presents itself in the form of a question which is: â€Å"what is war?†. Waltz answers this question by postulating the the origin of war comes from â€Å"within man, the inherent structure of separate states and due to the very state system itself† (Waltz, 2001).Advertising We will write a custom book review sample on Man, the State and War by Kenneth Waltz specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More He refers to the aforementioned causes of war as â€Å"images of international relations† and views them from either a singular or collective perspective from which he ascertains how each â€Å"image† interacts with the other which ends up resulting in the occurrence of war. Waltz claims that it is this interaction between the various â€Å"images† which is the main cause of war due to variances in methods of thought, thinking, relations and other variables which create either positive or negative effects. It is at this point that Waltz attempts to analyze whether it is possible to create a world that is devoid of war or if war itself is an inherent aspect of mankind which will never truly go away (Waltz, 2001). Upon further reading it can be seen that the ideas of Waltz are heavily influenced by the ideas of realism and neo-realism wherein he states that the anarchic international system combined with self interested states (which is one of the claims of realism) actually prevents the creation of a peaceful global environment due to factors related to competition and mutual distrust. In the end Waltz states that the only method of resolving the current dilemma of war is if a single world government was to be created which addresses the individual concerns of each state. Unfortunately such a situation requires each state to give up their much vaunted â €Å"sovereignty† which would be highly unlikely resulting in peace being applicable in theory however being unattainable in practice (Waltz, 2001). Examination of the Veracity of the Sources Utilized When going through the entirety of the text it can be seen that Waltz synthesized the views of Hobbes, Mills, Rosseau, Kant, Spinoza, Kant, Smith and a variety of other known experts in the field of international relations in order to formulate the arguments present within his book. The sheer amount of views and in-text lifting from other authors lends the work a certain degree of veracity in terms of the accuracy of the arguments and how they conform to current methods of thinking regarding the current state of conflict within international relations and its origins. As such, in terms of its use of sources I find that there are no problems whatsoever.Advertising Looking for book review on american literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Critique of the Text The main strength of the work of Walsh comes from its use of prolific body of historical knowledge and thoughts from various experts in international relations tht formed the foundation of his work. Yet, despite this abundance of literature it must be noted that Waltz fails to â€Å"think out of the box† so to speak when it comes to examining the causes of war and instead single mindedly focuses on the â€Å"images of international relations† that he had brought up at the start of the text as the main causes of war. There are other factors that he neglected to take into consideration such as religion (which was why the historic crusades were started and one of the contributing factors behind the ongoing conflict between Israel and several Arab states), ethnicities (as seen in the current ethnic conflict between Sunni and Shiite Muslims which has led to various uprisings in the Middle East), economic factors (as seen in the case b etween the U.S. and Japan when the U.S. cut of supplies of much needed resources to Japan which sparked the bombing of Pearl Harbor and brought the U.S. into the Pacific theater), historic alliances (seen in the case of World War 1 wherein the balance of power system and historic alliances in effect brought numerous nations into the war) (Vassalo, 2003). Lastly, the fight for resources has been an ongoing theme within human history which Walsh neglected to elaborate on yet has been growing in relevancy due to factors related to growing population rates, global warming and an assortment of other factors which has further exacerbated this growing point of contention (Betts, 1999). Furthermore it must be noted that Walsh had a habit of framing the motivation of man in relatively â€Å"black and white nature† (i.e. good or evil) which is an over implication of how people thinking and act. While the book itself is great basis from which one can learn about the origins and causes o f war, it focuses too much on the various arguments of historical thinkers without sufficiently examining other factors which influence the start of wars. Conclusion Overall, it can be stated that the work of Waltz is a great attempt at explaining the origin of war yet, based on the critique of the text, it can be seen that the concept of war is too broad to be defined within the parameters defined by Walsh and constitute far more factors than what was elaborated on. Reference List Betts, R. K. 1999. Must War Find a Way?. International Security, 24(2), 166-198. Vassalo, A. W. 2003. Man, the state and war: A Theoretical Analysis (Book). Military Review, 83(1), 68.Advertising We will write a custom book review sample on Man, the State and War by Kenneth Waltz specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Waltz, K. 2001. Man, the state, and war: A theoretical analysis. (pp. 1-284). New York: Columbia Press. This book review on Man, the State and War by Kenneth Waltz was written and submitted by user Linda Robbins to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Do you Want to Go to College This Fall Theres Still Room!

Do you Want to Go to College This Fall Theres Still Room! The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) just reported that colleges and universities still have space available for qualified freshman and/or transfer students.   Even better news it that nearly all have financial aid to offer.   The survey asked four-year colleges and universities about the availability of space, institutional financial aid and housing as of May 1, 2010. Twenty-three percent of the respondents are public colleges and 77% are private. Ninety-three percent have housing space. If you  have not yet completed the college admission process, and want to apply, see NACACs annual Space Availability Survey: Openings for Qualified Students.

Overview of Harappan Culture in India

Overview of Harappan Culture in India The earliest imprints of human activities in India go back to the Paleolithic Age, roughly between 400,000 and 200,000 B.C. Stone implements and cave paintings from this period have been discovered in many parts of South Asia. Evidence of domestication of animals, the adoption of agriculture, permanent village settlements, and wheel-turned pottery dating from the middle of the sixth millennium B.C. has been found in the foothills of Sindh and Baluchistan (or Balochistan in current Pakistani usage), both in present-day Pakistan. One of the first great civilizations - with a writing system, urban centers, and a diversified social and economic system - appeared around 3,000 B.C. along the Indus River valley in Punjab and Sindh. It covered more than 800,000 square kilometers, from the borders of Baluchistan to the deserts of Rajasthan, from the Himalayan foothills to the southern tip of Gujarat. The remnants of two major cities - Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa - reveal remarkable engineeri ng feats of uniform urban planning and carefully executed layout, water supply, and drainage. Excavations at these sites and later archaeological digs at about seventy other locations in India and Pakistan provide a composite picture of what is now generally known as Harappan culture (2500-1600 B.C.). The Ancient Cities The major cities contained a few large buildings including a citadel, a large bath - perhaps for personal and communal ablution - differentiated living quarters, flat-roofed brick houses, and fortified administrative or religious centers enclosing meeting halls and granaries. Essentially a city culture, Harappan life was supported by extensive agricultural production and by commerce, which included trade with Sumer in southern Mesopotamia (modern Iraq). The people made tools and weapons from copper and bronze but not iron. Cotton was woven and dyed for clothing; wheat, rice, and a variety of vegetables and fruits were cultivated; and a number of animals, including the humped bull, were domesticated. Harappan culture was conservative and remained relatively unchanged for centuries; whenever cities were rebuilt after periodic flooding, the new level of construction closely followed the previous pattern. Although stability, regularity, and conservatism seem to have been the hallmarks of this people, it is unclear who wielded authority, whether an aristocratic, priestly, or commercial minority. Ancient Artifacts By far, the most exquisite and most obscure Harappan artifacts unearthed to date are steatite seals found in abundance at Mohenjo-Daro. These small, flat, and mostly square objects with human or animal motifs provide the most accurate picture there is of Harappan life. They also have inscriptions generally thought to be in the Harappan script, which has eluded scholarly attempts at deciphering it. Debate abounds as to whether the script represents numbers or an alphabet, and, if an alphabet, whether it is proto-Dravidian or proto-Sanskrit. The Fall of Harappan Civilization The possible reasons for the decline of Harappan civilization have long troubled scholars. Invaders from central and western Asia are considered by some historians to have been the destroyers of Harappan cities, but this view is open to reinterpretation. More plausible explanations are recurrent floods caused by tectonic earth movement, soil salinity, and desertification. A series of migrations by Indo-European-speaking seminomads took place during the second millennium B.C. Known as Aryans, these preliterate pastoralists spoke an early form of Sanskrit, which has close philological similarities to other Indo-European languages, such as Avestan in Iran and ancient Greek and Latin. The term Aryan meant pure and implied the invaders conscious attempts at retaining their tribal identity and roots while maintaining a social distance from earlier inhabitants. The Aryans Arrive Although archaeology has not yielded proof of the identity of the Aryans, the evolution and spread of their culture across the Indo-Gangetic Plain is generally undisputed. Modern knowledge of the early stages of this process rests on a body of sacred texts: the four Vedas (collections of hymns, prayers, and liturgy), the Brahmanas and the Upanishads (commentaries on Vedic rituals and philosophical treatises), and the Puranas (traditional mythic-historical works). The sanctity accorded to these texts and the manner of their preservation over several millennia - by an unbroken oral tradition - make them part of the living Hindu tradition. These sacred texts offer guidance in piecing together Aryan beliefs and activities. The Aryans were a pantheistic people, following their tribal chieftain or raja, engaging in wars with each other or with other alien ethnic groups, and slowly becoming settled agriculturalists with consolidated territories and differentiated occupations. Their skills in using horse-drawn chariots and their knowledge of astronomy and mathematics gave them a military and technological advantage that led others to accept their social customs and religious beliefs. By around 1,000 B.C., Aryan culture had spread over most of India north of the Vindhya Range and in the process assimilated much from other cultures that preceded it. The Changing of Culture The Aryans brought with them a new language, a new pantheon of anthropomorphic gods, a patrilineal and patriarchal family system, and a new social order, built on the religious and philosophical rationales of varnashramadharma. Although precise translation into English is difficult, the concept varnashramadharma, the bedrock of Indian traditional social organization, is built on three fundamental notions: varna (originally, color, but later taken to mean social class), ashrama (stages of life such as youth, family life, detachment from the material world, and renunciation), and dharma (duty, righteousness, or sacred cosmic law). The underlying belief is that present happiness and future salvation are contingent upon ones ethical or moral conduct; therefore, both society and individuals are expected to pursue a diverse but righteous path deemed appropriate for everyone based on ones birth, age, and station in life. The original three-tiered society - Brahman (priest; see Glossary), K shatriya (warrior), and Vaishya (commoner) - eventually expanded into four in order to absorb the subjugated people - Shudra (servant) - or even five, when the outcaste peoples are considered. The basic unit of Aryan society was the extended and patriarchal family. A cluster of related families constituted a village, while several villages formed a tribal unit. Child marriage, as practiced in later eras, was uncommon, but the partners involvement in the selection of a mate and dowry and bride-price was customary. The birth of a son was welcome because he could later tend the herds, bring honor in battle, offer sacrifices to the gods, and inherit property and pass on the family name. Monogamy was widely accepted although polygamy was not unknown, and even polyandry is mentioned in later writings. Ritual suicide of widows was expected at a husbands death, and this might have been the beginning of the practice known as sati in later centuries when the widow actually burnt herself on her husbands funeral pyre. The Evolving Landscape Permanent settlements and agriculture led to trade and other occupational differentiation. As lands along the Ganga (or Ganges) were cleared, the river became a trade route, the numerous settlements on its banks acting as markets. Trade was restricted initially to localareas, and barter was an essential component of trade, cattle being the unit of value in large-scale transactions, which further limited the geographical reach of the trader. Custom was law, and kings and chief priests were the arbiters, perhaps advised by certain elders of the community. An Aryan raja, or king, was primarily a military leader, who took a share from the booty after successful cattle raids or battles. Although the rajas had managed to assert their authority, they scrupulously avoided conflicts with priests as a group, whose knowledge and austere religious life surpassed others in the community, and the rajas compromised their own interests with those of the priests.

The search for independance in tibet Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The search for independance in tibet - Essay Example The issue of Tibetan independence involves a long term debate which comprises of two conflicting views of the government of the People’s Republic of China and that of the Tibetan government in exile. (Norby, 2007) According to the scholars and the Tibetan government in exile none of the several foreign invasions in Tibet had been conducted by the Chinese dynasties.(Norby, 2007) While the Chinese government claims to rule over Tibet since 1200s, the historical accounts say that during the 13th century the actual rulers were the Mongols. (Norby, 2007) In the, 1700s the Qing dynasty of Manchuria invaded Tibet and ruled until 1912 when the Republic of China took over. But still the thirteenth Dalai Lama ruled Tibet independently without any significant intervention by the Chinese government. (Norby, 2007)Thus from historical account it is evident that Tibet was never ruled by China and had a unique ethnicity throughout (Norby, 2007). The problem in Tibet started to arise in 1950 after the creation of the People’s Republic of China under the Chinese Communist Party (Yeoman, 2008). Initially the Chinese government planned to improve the conditions of the historically exploited Tibetans and integrate Tibet with the mainland China and Tibet signed a 17 point treaty for peaceful integration in 1951 after the invasion of the territory by the People’s Liberation Army in the same year. (Yeoman, 2008) However, opposite to the hopes of the Tibetans, the Chinese government took steps to destroy Tibetan traditions and cultures in the name of modernization which came as a serious blow to the traditionally independent minded Tibetans and they rose to regain their independence (Yeoman, 2008). With this uprising, began a new era of Chinese suppression on the Tibetan people and the government led by the 14th Dalai Lama (Yeoman, 2008) The violent suppression exercised by the Chinese government killed thousands of

Essentials of Managerial Finance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Essentials of Managerial Finance - Essay Example Furthermore, although there is insufficient liquid assets to fulfill present responsibilities, Functional Profits are in plenty and hence sufficient to facilitate the debt. In the airplane industry the debtors that owe Southwest airlines are among the worst with 7.75 days’ worth of unsettled earnings. This suggests that sales need to be dealt with in a more appropriate and effective manner. Last, records appear to be thriving managed as the Inventory Processing Period is characteristic for the business, at 10.08 days. According to Southwest airline’s statement of returned earnings in 2010, they had earnings of $0.74 per share on 01/20/2011. The liquidity ratio which is normally the ratio of the current assets over the current liabilities is used to determine whether Southwest airlines can meet their short term financial responsibilities. Their liquidity ratio was 1 meaning their current assets was equal to their liabilities. The asset management ratio shows whether the assets of southwestern airlines are being utilized appropriately. Their assert management ratio was 0.8 and hence meaning they were slightly below the safe level of asset management ratio. The debt management ratio which is also commonly known as financial leverage ratio will determine the probability of the firm going bankrupt or experiencing financial upheavals in the future. The debt management ratio proved to be at a good level of 58.8. The market value ratio generally looks into the performance of Southwest Airlines in the stock market. Their market value ratio was at 8.99% Financial statements are used by the major shareholders and owners of the firm to be able to make sound decisions regarding investing in corporations and also to be able to see which areas the firm need to be improved. It is also a detailed analysis of the financial health of the corporation and hence investors get a clear view of the fairing of the corporation. Financial statements are also

Programme Schedule Essay Example for Free

Programme Schedule Essay It should be noted that although I have used Sky One as an example of a typical evenings viewing on Sky, this ignores the other channels available through the satellite broadcaster. But in doing so I am illustrating the channels provision in terms of target audience, rejection of a public service ethos (to educate, inform and entertain), and its ability to house hour after hour of populist programming on one channel (complimenting Sky One is a mass of channels providing a wide range of programming (see Sky World and Family Pack, appendix 2)). What is obvious from this comparison is that the public service broadcasters are providing a schedule which caters for the widest possible audience, within the structure of two channels (BBC1/BBC2/RTE1/N2). There is the argument that, instead of attempting to provide an output representative of the whole of its audience, which on the face of it seems impossible, it should specialise into more defined areas. Some complain that money being spent on paying comedians for programmes such as `Have I Got News For You` (Friday 21:00, BBC), could be better spent on this specialisation, however those arguments often come down to ones particular taste, rather than any informed argument. What is it that public service broadcasters provide, which are deemed in the `public interest`, that those without such a remit fail to provide? It can surely not, as outlined previously be choice. Diversity, a term often associated with public service broadcasters, is no longer solely applicable to the latter as diverseness is arguably a product of greater choice. It could be argued however that the choice and diversity available from terrestrial public service broadcasters is of a higher quality and is therefore of greater value to an interested audience. The pluralistic nature of public service broadcasting requires that they take into account the sociocultural segmentation of society, but this is often difficult because of the limited terrestrial channel space available. However, what it does do is provide a common domain, arguably important in the context of social interaction. The ability of the audience to discuss for example, the previous nights episode of Eastenders (BBC1) in the playground or at work should not be underestimated. It could be argued that a wider range of viewing could bring a greater level of social ideas and concepts, yet this ignores the `information rich/information poor` argument, and the resulting divide which has yet to be addressed. The digression by both RTE and the BBC into digital media does not, in the current climate, resolve the problem of catering for such a large audience on a limited broadcasting frequency, simply because digital television is not widespread enough at this time. The conundrum for both organisations therefore, is that in order that they become both more diverse and competitive, their energies must go into the creation and promotion of their digital services so as to have a foothold in the future of digital broadcasting. And here lies the rub, At the moment there does not exist a platform solely intended for the broadcast of the BBCs digital programmes. It is available through NTL, Sky and ITV Digital, and therefore, the BBC is indirectly promoting the formats that have reduced their audience share and contributed to calls for its privatisation. The argument hinges on how the PSBs intend to supply their digital services in the future. They may provide a set-top box through which their channels can be received, or fund their place on the current EPG (Electronic Programme Guide), available through SkyDigital. RTE will begin broadcasting on the SkyDigital platform from April 2002, which has emphasised its intention to fulfil its public service remit by extending its audience reach to as many parts of Ireland as possible. However both NTL and Chorus, (cable companies operating in Ireland) have complained that RTE paid a reported i 6 million for its inclusion on the SkyGuide EPG (Electronic Programme Guide), whereas RTE is hosted for free, and importantly, compulsorily by the two cable operators. If Chorus Digital were to pull the plug on RTE, the low subscription rate would not cause significant damage to the public service broadcaster. However, NTL, who have a much higher subscription, and therefore attract more advertising, offers a greater problem. If NTL removed RTE from its output, advertising revenues would fall dramatically, indeed, it has already fallen in 2001 by i 12 million; 15. 5 million less than projected for 2002 and RTE would inevitably become bankrupt. But in doing so, NTL would almost certainly have its licence revoked, which it would appear, provides the greatest chance of survival for RTE. As I have discussed earlier, the introduction of satellite broadcasting into the UK and Ireland has had a detrimental impact upon the public service broadcasters viewing figures. The information below illustrates the year-on-year increase and uptake of cable and satellite subscription, paralleled with a year-on-year decrease in the BBCs viewing figures. RTE has been grouped in the same category as cable and satellite, however RTE would represent only a fraction of the increase. (NB. Shares before 1996 have been rounded to nearest whole number)

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Essay -- To Kill a Mockingbird Essa

To Walk in Another Man's Shoes '' You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view''; (30). Atticus Finch, a popular lawyer, and the father of the main character in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, teaches this lesson to his children. This idea does not just apply to Maycomb County in the 1930s, but to everyone everywhere. This story takes place in Maycomb, Alabama during the great depression. Most whites are very prejudiced and don't care to hear a Negro's opinions or thoughts on anything. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee explains that a person has to try to see a situation from the other person's point of view before they make a judgement. Scout begins to realize that people's ignorance isn't always their fault. Her teacher, Miss Caroline, is new in Maycomb, and doesn't know about the families living there. Scout was very upset that she got scolded for explaining the caste system to the teacher, but then she began to understand. ''...but if Walter and I had put ourselves in her shoes we'd have seen it was an honest mistake on her part. We could not expect her to learn all of Maycomb's ways in one day, and we could not hold her responsible when she knew no better.'';(30). A lot of the time, people don't stop to understand a person, but are quick to make judgements. All people need to do is to try to understand why the person said what they did, try to see where he or she is coming from. Only then can mankind know what to do in a...

Thirteen Reasons Why: Personal Response

Reading this book was a moving and very emotional experience for me, being able to connect and heavily relate to the feelings and emotions of the two main characters helped me to understand every word I was reading. First of all, I really liked the Idea of book: a girl explaining why she committed seclude to the people responsible for it. I think the chain of tapes, forcing being sent from one person on the list to the next was a concept I found Intriguing and allowed me to stay Involved and crave more with each chapter.Just Like Clay, find myself wanting to now who was on the next tape and why-I loved Clay as a character and I really enjoyed the way he was written into the story. I felt like I was in his shoes a lot of the time, hearing the tapes through his ears and experiencing this journey alongside him. The suspense of each following tape was entertaining, I wanted to know which tape Clay would be featured and when his story was coming up, this gave me a sense of impatience.Each time a new character was introduced was a sigh of relief as it wasn't Clays turn to be humiliated, I found myself wanting what was best for him but also wanted to know how and why he was Involved In the death of Hannah Baker. There's something addictive about this book. I couldn't stop reading It because I desperately needed to know what was next. I felt kind of ashamed and sick to be this obsessed over a girls seclude story, even though the story Isn't true, thought of Hannah as someone I knew because throughout reading this book I had grown so attached to her and just wanted to gain closure over her death.Having spoken to other people who have read the book, I found our difference in opinions to be quite interesting. The majority of people who I spoke with thought that Henna's reasons to decide to end her life were petty and stupid. I think that to have that opinion about the book means you have strongly misinterpreted the point of the story. Having understood it extremely well a nd often related parts back to my own experiences, believe that Hannah had many reasons and although some very minor, we were not able to fully comprehend the Impacts and effects of these events much Like the 13 people on the tapes.I realized that the purpose of these tapes being sent eave consequences and can highly affect a persons life, much like they did Henna's. The tapes and their secrets were all connected and they were not sent out as blame or blackmail but as proof that you never know how much a person is hurting and one tiny movement has the ability to send them over the edge. I became extremely enraged in one particular part of the book. Tape number 13 features the school counselor and Henna's English teacher, Mr.. Porter.At a time in Henna's life where she felt alone,defeated and extremely depressed, she managed to build up the courage to approach a counselor about her suicidal feelings, she cited that she would attempt one more time, after being mistreated numerous time s already, to find some way to carry on. Mr.. Porter was her last chance and only hope of surviving and he failed to deliver appropriate advice or methods of dealing with these feelings therefore caused Hannah to make the final decision to take her life.This part really broke me and I was encountering so many different emotions from sadness, to anger, disappointment, I felt let down and unpeel like Hannah. I would describe Mr.. Porter as the cherry on top of the cake, a cake of really crappy experiences and retreat for Hannah. I found myself identifying him as my own past counselor's, not as useless but still very disagreeable and enunciating of my feelings.Similarly I was often told what I was feeling instead of being able to freely express my own thoughts, counselors often shove a symptom list idea of suicide down your throat and expect you to throw it back up in your own words. For teenagers it's a struggle dealing with suicidal feelings, there are few ways that you can reach out for help, and to find somewhere the strength in you to admit it is hard enough let alone admitting t to someone else, therefore when you try and get help and the results are useless, you end up feeling even more alone than before.This makes me wonder if Hannah was a real person would I be able to tell what she was going through? I wonder how many Hannah Bakers there are in this world, feeling exactly Just like her; like there's not a single soul here on earth who understands and cares for them; feeling alone, with no friends to share their secrets and problems with; thinking that there's nothing left to hold on to, so the only option left is to end their lives instead.She could have passed me by in the halls, or she could be there locking herself in the bathroom, muffling her cries, or she could be there in her bedroom right now, secretly wishing death would Just come and swallow her whole. I learnt from this story that you can never truly understand what goes on in a persons life and that even though they're smiling on the outside doesn't mean that the pain inside isn't unbearable The meaning behind the story is that one small action has the power to change a you're contribution has the ability to ruin someone life, possibly even end it.

General Theory of Relativity Essay

The universe consists of many fascinating objects. Unfortunately, some of which cannot be known with just the naked eye. This is because it cannot be seen from Earth, and other technological advancements are needed to fully determine its nature. This is also the reason why several people have acquired false notions of what those objects are. One of those objects is the black hole. Science fiction films and and television shows have given the public a different view of black holes (Lochner 2006), poles apart from what they really are. This research paper seeks to discuss the definition and characteristics of black holes. Before the characteristics of a black hole can be discussed, it is first necessary to define what it is. An introduction is in order. So what is black hole? According to Lochner (2006), it is the â€Å"evolutionary end point of massive stars (p. 2). † There are stars which has sizes much bigger than that of the Sun. In fact, some of them are â€Å"at least 10 to 15 times as massive as the Sun (Lochner, 2006, p. 2). † When a star of this size sustains a supernova explosion, it leaves behind some stellar residue. Since in space there are no other forces to fight gravity, the residue will crumble unto itself. Lochner (2006) narrates, â€Å"The star eventually collapses to the point of zero volume and infinite density, creating what is known as a ‘singularity’ (p. 2). † Eventually, density will increase; the light rays which is diffused by the star will then be encircling the star. â€Å"Any emitted photons are trapped into an orbit by the intense gravitational field; they will never leave it (Lochner, 2006, p. 2). † The moment the star reaches the point of no density, all the light is trapped. Hence, it is called the black hole. The phrase ‘black hole’ was coined by John Archibald Wheeler (Bunn, 1995). Prior to that, the objects were called frozen stars (Bunn, 1995). Even in the time of Isaac Newton, the existence of objects as such has been thought of. Now it is more accurately explained using Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity. This is â€Å"a geometric theory of gravitation, which incorporates and extends the theory of special relativity to accelerated frames of reference and introducing the principle that gravitational and inertial forces are equivalent (Lochner, 2006, p. 1). † This theory then explains the possibility for such occurrences like bent light caused by massive objects and the very nature of black holes. Such theory enables the event wherein â€Å"space and time become so warped that time practically stops in the vicinity of a black hole (Lochner, 2006, p. 1). † Black holes are identified to have an estimated mass of 4-15 Suns. Since black holes are formed after the death of a star, or supernova explosions, these explosions in turn have after-effects. These effects give way to X-ray binaries which is referred to as black hole candidates (Lochner, 2006, p. 1). Moreover, there exists galaxy-mass black holes. These massive black holes are usually placed in Active Galactic Nuclei, or AGN. AGN is a â€Å"class of galaxies which spew massive amounts of energy from their centers, far more than ordinary galaxies (Lochner, 2006, p. 1). † The black holes in question are said to have a mass of 10-100 billion Suns (Lochner, 2006, p. 1), a testament to how enormous they really are. The mass of one of these enormous black holes was recently determined by radio astronomy (Lochner, 2006, p. 1). The black hole has been portrayed by pop culture as one which sucks objects in; Lochner (2006) refers to the black hole’s inaccurate depiction as â€Å"a cosmic vacuum cleaner (p. 2). † He notes, â€Å"If our Sun was suddenly replaced with a black hole of the same mass, the earth’s orbit around the Sun would be unchanged†¦ Of course the Earth’s temperature would change, and there would be no solar wind or solar magnetic storms affecting us (Lochner, 2006, p. 2). † This is because a black hole can â€Å"exert the same force on something far away from it as any other object of the same mass would (Lochner, 2006, p. 1). † If in any instance, an object gets â€Å"sucked† into the hole, that very same object will pass through what is called â€Å"Schwarzschild radius (Lochner, 2006, p. 2). † â€Å"This is the radius r of the event horizon for a Schwarzschild black hole (Lochner, 2006, p. 2). † In the Schwarzschild radius, the escape speed and light speed is equal. Therefore, in the instance that light passes through, the light would not be able to escape. Say for example, a black hole with the same mass as the Sun, takes its place. Then the radius will still be different. The Sun’s radius is estimated at 700,000 km, while the Schwarzschild radius is only 3km (Lochner, 2006, p. 2). This would entail that the Earth must be of closer proximity to get sucked in a black hole in the center of our solar system. From where we are it is impossible to see the black holes. How do we then determine their existence? Since black holes are merely massive star remains, it would mean that they are of a small size. Also, because all the light gets trapped into itself, it would be impossible to see. Nonetheless, there are instances wherein a black hole can make itself perceivable. According to Lochner (2006), â€Å"if a black hole passes through a cloud of interstellar matter, or is close to another â€Å"normal† star, the black hole can accrete matter into itself. As the matter falls or is pulled towards the black hole, it gains kinetic energy, heats up and is squeezed by tidal forces. The heating ionizes the atoms and when the atoms reach a few million degrees Kelvin, they emit X-rays. The X-rays are sent off into space before the matter crosses the Schwarzschild radius and crashes into the singularity. Thus we can see this X-ray emission (p. 1). † Thus, black holes are dependent on other stars to make its presence known. The very same X-rays are also determinants of â€Å"black hole candidates (Lochner, 2006, p. 2). † It was said that a â€Å"companion star is a perfect source of infalling material for a black hole (Lochner, 2006, p. 2). † Because the X-ray sources are binary, a binary system is also enforced. This system makes the computation of the black hole candidate’s mass possible. The moment the mass is calculated, it can be deduced whether the said candidate is a black hole or a neuron star. What is a neuron star? It is â€Å"the imploded core of a massive star produced by a supernova explosion (Lochner, 2006, p. 2). † Now these neuron stars are characterized by masses which are estimated to be 1. 5 times more than the sun. Moreover, if there exists random variation of emitted X-rays, this is also a signifier of a black hole’s presence. Lochner (2006) states, â€Å"The infalling matter that emits X-rays does not fall into the black hole at a steady rate, but rather more sporadically, which causes an observable variation in X-ray intensity(p. 2). † In addition, â€Å"if the X-ray source is in a binary system, the X-rays will be periodically cut off as the source is eclipsed by the companion star (Lochner, 2006, p. 2). † All these characteristics are considered in identifying possible black hole candidates. For further identification, there are X-ray satellites which examines the skies for X-ray sources that may point out black hole candidates. For the longest time, there has been an identified black hole candidate in the name of Cygnus X-1 (Lochner, 2006, p. 2). â€Å"It is a highly variable and irregular source with X-ray emission that flickers in hundredths of a second (Lochner, 2006, p. 2). † When one exhibits such an irregularity, it becomes a black hole candidate. How? It is because it is impossible for an object â€Å"to flicker faster than the time required for light to travel across the object (Lochner, 2006, p. 2). † Lochner (2006) highlights this fact: â€Å"In a hundredth of a second, light travels 3000 kilometers. This is one fourth of Earth’s diameter (p. 2)! † From this, it can be concluded that the region from which the x-rays surrounding Cygnus X-1 are derived, is relatively small. Now Cygnus X-1 has a companion star with the name HDE 226868. This companion star is â€Å"a B0 supergiant with a surface temperature of about 31,000 K (Lochner, 2006, p. 2). † Now observations found that the spectral lines of HDE 226868, which is the â€Å"light given off at a specific frequency by an atom or molecule (Lochner, 2006, p. 2),† had been changing within 5. 6 days. It was also said that the mass of HDE 226868 is estimated to be 30 times greater than the Sun’s mass. This would mean that Cygnus X-1may possess at least a mass of 7 solar masses. Why 7 solar masses? This is what is required to create the tremendous gravitational pull that would result in the fluctuation in the spectral lines of HDE 226868. Astronomers thought that since 7 masses does not characterize a neuron star or a white dwarf, which is a star that has exhausted most or all of its nuclear fuel and has collapsed to a very small size, it must then be a black hole. However, this issue about Cygnus X-1being a black hole has also been surrounded by much skepticism. There is some speculation that the HDE 226868 may be too small for its spectral category, which in turn implies that Cygnus X-1is smaller than was previously declared. Moreover, uncertainty also shrouds the the mass calculations. It is because â€Å"uncertainties in the distance to the binary system would also influence mass calculations (Lochner, 2006, p. 2). † If the computations are inaccurate, the Cygnus X-1may end up only having 3 solar masses. If Cygnus X-1 has only 3 solar masses, it could be classified as merely being a neuron star, and not a black hole. The good news is that there are more binaries which reveal the possibility of a black hole, that which is much stronger than in Cygnus X-1 (Lochner, 2006, p. 2). In the year 1975, an X-ray transient known as A0620-00 was discovered. In the mid-80s, it was found that the mass of this object was more than 3. 5 solar masses. This fact alone eradicates the possibility of a neuron star, since neuron stars usually possess solar masses of 1. 5. In fact, the discovery of A0620-00 may have put into question the feasibility of other theories. Nonetheless, the best finding regarding black holes is V404 Cygni. This star was found to have an estimated 10 solar masses. Several journals have also written about the existence of black holes. In the 1995 edition of â€Å"Annual Reviews of Astronomy and Astrophysics,†there was a review conducted by Kormendy and Richstone, which implied the eight galaxies were thought to have â€Å"massive dark objects in their centers (Bunn, 1995, p. 1). † These cores were found to have masses which range from 1 million to several billion times that of the sun. Their massiveness was determined by noting how â€Å"the speed with which stars and gas orbit around the center of the galaxy: the faster the orbital speeds, the stronger the gravitational force required to hold the stars and gas in their orbits (Bunn, 1995, p. 1). † In fact, this is how astronomy usually measures masses. There are two reasons why these massive galactic centers were deemed as black holes. To begin with, the centers are â€Å"too dense and dark (Bunn, 1995, p. 1)† to even be considered as a group of stars, or just merely stars. â€Å"Second, the only promising theory to explain the enigmatic objects known as quasars and active galaxies postulates that such galaxies have supermassive black holes at their cores (Bunn, 1995, p. 1). † Even though these reasons point out that the galactic centers are really black holes, there is no sufficient evidence to prove it. Nonetheless, there is a continuous discovery for proofs that systems do include black holes. According to Bunn (1995), â€Å"a nearby active galaxy was found to have a â€Å"water maser† system (a very powerful source of microwave radiation) near its nucleus. Using the technique of very-long-baseline interferometry, a group of researchers was able to map the velocity distribution of the gas with very fine resolution (p. 1). † They also determined that the velocity was â€Å"less than half a light-year of the center of the galaxy (Bunn, 1995, p. 1). † It is from this fact that they deemed the object as a black hole, simply because only a black hole can have that much mass concentrated in such a small volume (Bunn, 1995, p. 1). All these results are included in January 12, 1995 issue of Nature, vol. 373. , as was reported by Miyoshi et al (Bunn, 1995, p. 1). Is there a possibility that the Sun can be a black hole? No. According to Bunn (1995), â€Å"only stars that weigh considerably more than the Sun end their lives as black holes (p. 1). † For about five billion years, the Sun will remain in its present state. After that, the Sun will undergo a phase wherein it will be a red giant star. The Sun will then end its life as a white dwarf star. If there are black holes, are there white ones? According to Bunn (1995), â€Å"the equations of general relativity have an interesting mathematical property: they are symmetric in time. That means that you can take any solution to the equations and imagine that time flows backwards rather than forwards, and you’ll get another valid solution to the equations. If you apply this rule to the solution that describes black holes, you get an object known as a white hole (p. 1). † If a black hole then pulls objects in, a white hole would then push things out. The former sucks in, the latter spits out. However, there is no proof that white holes exist, and there are no studies to point out if their existence is a possibility. There has also been speculations about the existence of what is called worm holes. What is a worm hole? It is â€Å"a theoretical opening in space-time that one could use to travel to far away places very quickly (Lochner, 2006, p. 2). † It is characterized by â€Å"two copies of the black hole geometry connected by a throat – the throat, or passageway, is called an Einstein-Rosen bridge (Lochner, 2006, p. 2). † As is indicated in the definition, it is merely theoretical. There is no scientific basis nor experimental evidence for such existence. However, it is indeed amazing to think that such existence is possible. Do black holes disappear or evaporate? Even astronomers are not sure as to how black holes end their existence. Bunn (1995) notes that â€Å"Back in the 1970’s, Stephen Hawking came up with theoretical arguments showing that black holes are not really entirely black: due to quantum-mechanical effects, they emit radiation. The energy that produces the radiation comes from the mass of the black hole. Consequently, the black hole gradually shrinks. It turns out that the rate of radiation increases as the mass decreases, so the black hole continues to radiate more and more intensely and to shrink more and more rapidly until it presumably vanishes entirely (p. 1)† This is a mere theory. There have been no proof or scientific conclusions as to how black holes really diminish. Black holes are just one of the many things included in the vast universe we are a part of. Thanks to science and the technological advancements at present, we can have greater awareness and knowledge of what is within our universe but beyond our reach. References Bunn, T. (1995). Black Hole FAQ List. Retrieved December 13, 2007, from http://cosmology. berkeley. edu/Education/BHfaq. html. Lochner, J. (2007). Black Holes. Retrieved December 13, 2007, from http://imagine. gsfc. nasa. gov/docs/science/know_l2/black_holes. html.

The Scales of Atmospheric Motion

The Scales of Atmospheric Motion The atmosphere is always in motion. Each of its swirls and circulations is known to us by name- a gust of wind, a thunderstorm, or a hurricane- but those names tell us nothing about its size. For that, we have weather scales. Weather scales group weather phenomena according to their size (the horizontal distance they span) and how long of a lifespan they have. In order from largest to smallest, these scales include the planetary, synoptic, and mesoscale. Planetary Scale Weather Planetary or global scale weather features are the largest and longest-lived. As their name suggests, they generally span tens of thousands of kilometers in size, extending from one end of the globe to another. They last weeks or longer. Examples of planetary-scale phenomena include: Semi-permanent pressure centers (the Aleutian Low, Bermuda High, Polar Vortex)The westerlies and trade winds Synoptic or Large Scale Weather Spanning somewhat smaller, yet large distances of a few hundred to several thousand kilometers, are synoptic scale weather systems. Synoptic scale weather features include those having lifetimes of a few days to a week or more, such as: Air massesHigh pressure systemsLow pressure systemsMid-latitude and extratropical cyclones (cyclones that occur outside of the tropics)Tropical cyclones, hurricanes, typhoons. Derived from the Greek word which means seen together, synoptic can also mean an overall view. Synoptic meteorology, then, deals with viewing a variety of large scale weather variables over a wide area at a common time. Doing this gives you a comprehensive and nearly instantaneous picture of the state of the atmosphere. If youre thinking this sounds an awful lot like a weather map, youre right! Weather maps are synoptic. Synoptic meteorology uses weather maps to analyze and predict large-scale weather patterns. So each time you watch your local weather forecast, you are seeing synoptic scale meteorology! Synoptic times displayed on weather maps are known as Z time or UTC. Mesoscale Meteorology Weather phenomena that are small in size- too small to be shown on a weather map- are referred to as mesoscale. Mesoscale events range from a few kilometers to several hundred kilometers in size. They last a day or less, and impact areas on a regional and local scale and include events such as: ThunderstormsTornadoesWeather frontsSea and land breezes Mesoscale meteorology deals with the study of these things and how the topography of a region modifies weather conditions to create mesoscale weather features. Mesoscale meteorology can be further divided into microscale events. Even smaller than mesoscale weather events are microscale events, which are smaller than 1 kilometer in size and very short-lived, lasting minutes only. Microscale events, which include things like turbulence and dust devils, dont do much to our daily weather.

Vasco Núñez de Balboa, Conquistador and Explorer

Vasco Nà ºÃƒ ±ez de Balboa, Conquistador and Explorer Vasco Nà ºÃƒ ±ez de Balboa (1475–1519) was a Spanish conquistador, explorer, and administrator. He is best known for leading the first European expedition to sight the Pacific Ocean, or the South Sea as he referred to it. He is still remembered and venerated in Panama as a heroic explorer. Fast Facts: Vasco Nà ºÃƒ ±ez de Balboa Known For: First European sighting of the Pacific Ocean and colonial governance in what is now PanamaBorn: 1475 in Jerà ©z de los Caballeros, Extremadura province, CastileParents: Differing historical accounts of parents names: his family was noble but no longer wealthySpouse: Marà ­a de Peà ±alosaDied: January 1519 in Acla, near present-day Darià ©n, Panama Early Life Nuà ±ez de Balboa was born into a noble family that was no longer wealthy. His father and mother were both of noble blood in Badajoz, Spain and Vasco was born in Jerà ©z de los Caballeros in 1475. Although noble, Balboa could not hope for much in the way of even a meager inheritance, as he was the third of four sons. All titles and lands were passed to the eldest; younger sons generally went into the military or clergy. Balboa opted for the military, spending time as a page and squire at the local court. America By 1500, word had spread all over Spain and Europe of the wonders of the New World and the fortunes being made there. Young and ambitious, Balboa joined the expedition of Rodrigo de Bastidas in 1500. The expedition was mildly successful in raiding the northeastern coast of South America. In 1502, Balboa landed in Hispaniola with enough money to set himself up with a small pig farm. He was not a very good farmer, however, and by 1509 he was forced to flee his creditors in Santo Domingo. Back to the Darien Balboa stowed away (with his dog) on a ship commanded by Martà ­n Fernndez de Enciso, who was heading to the recently-founded town of San Sebastin de Urab with supplies. He was quickly discovered and Enciso threatened to maroon him, but the charismatic Balboa talked him out of it. When they reached San Sebastin they found that natives had destroyed it. Balboa convinced Enciso and the survivors of San Sebastin (led by Francisco Pizarro) to try again and establish a town, this time in the Darià ©n- a region of dense jungle between present-day Colombia and Panama. Santa Marà ­a la Antigua del Darià ©n The Spaniards landed in the Darià ©n and were quickly beset by a large force of natives under the command of Cà ©maco, a local chieftain. Despite the overwhelming odds, the Spanish prevailed and founded the city of Santa Marà ­a la Antigua de Darià ©n on the site of Cà ©macos old village. Enciso, as ranking officer, was put in charge but the men detested him. Clever and charismatic, Balboa rallied the men behind him and removed Enciso by arguing that the region was not part of the royal charter of Alonso de Ojeda, Encisos master. Balboa was one of two men quickly elected to serve as mayors of the city. Veragua Balboas stratagem of removing Enciso backfired in 1511. It was true that Alonso de Ojeda (and therefore, Enciso) had no legal authority over Santa Marà ­a, which had been founded in an area referred to as Veragua. Veragua was the domain of Diego de Nicuesa, a somewhat unstable Spanish nobleman who had not been heard from in some time. Nicuesa was discovered in the north with a handful of bedraggled survivors from an earlier expedition, and he decided to claim Santa Marà ­a for his own. The colonists preferred Balboa, however, and Nicuesa was not even allowed to go ashore: Indignant, he set sail for Hispaniola but was never heard from again. Governor Balboa was effectively in charge of Veragua at this point and the crown reluctantly decided to simply recognize him as governor. Once his position was official, Balboa quickly began organizing expeditions to explore the region. The local tribes of indigenous natives were not united and were powerless to resist the Spanish, who were better armed and disciplined. The colonizers collected much gold and pearls through their military power, which in turn drew more men to the settlement. They began hearing rumors of a great sea and a rich kingdom to the south. Expedition to the South The narrow strip of land which is Panama and the northern tip of Colombia runs east to west, not north to south as some might suppose. Therefore, when Balboa, along with about 190 Spaniards and a handful of natives, decided to search for this sea in 1513, they headed mostly south, not west. They fought their way through the isthmus, leaving many wounded behind with friendly or conquered chieftains. On September 25, Balboa and a handful of battered Spaniards (Francisco Pizarro was among them) first saw the Pacific Ocean, which they named the â€Å"South Sea.† Balboa waded into the water and claimed the sea for Spain. Pedrarà ­as Dvila The Spanish crown, still with some lingering doubt over whether or not Balboa had correctly handled Enciso, sent a massive fleet to Veragua (now named Castilla de Oro) under the command of veteran soldier Pedrarà ­as Dvila. Fifteen hundred men and women flooded the tiny settlement. Dvila had been named governor to replace Balboa, who accepted the change with good humor, although the colonists still preferred him to Dvila. Dvila proved to be a poor administrator and hundreds of settlers died, mostly those who had sailed with him from Spain. Balboa tried to recruit some men to explore the South Sea without Dvila knowing, but he was found out and arrested. Vasco and Pedrarà ­as Santa Marà ­a had two leaders: officially, Dvila was governor, but Balboa was more popular. They continued to clash until 1517 when it was arranged for Balboa to marry one of Dvila’s daughters. Balboa married Marà ­a de Peà ±alosa despite an obstacle: she was in a convent in Spain at the time and they had to marry by proxy. In fact, she never left the convent. Before long, the rivalry flared up again. Balboa left Santa Marà ­a for the small town of Aclo with 300 of those who still preferred his leadership to that of Dvila. He was successful in establishing a settlement and building some ships. Death Fearing the charismatic Balboa as a potential rival, Dvila decided to get rid of him once and for all. Balboa was arrested by a squad of soldiers led by Francisco Pizarro as he made preparations to explore the Pacific coast of northern South America. He was hauled back to Aclo in chains and quickly tried for treason against the crown: The charge was that he had tried to establish his own independent fiefdom of the South Sea, independent from that of Dvila. Enraged, Balboa shouted out that he was a loyal servant of the crown, but his pleas fell on deaf ears. He was beheaded in January of 1519 along with four of his companions (there are conflicting accounts of the exact date of the execution). Without Balboa, the colony of Santa Marà ­a quickly failed. Where he had cultivated positive ties with local natives for trade, Dvila enslaved them, resulting in short-term economic profit but long-term disaster for the colony. In 1519, Dvila forcibly moved all of the settlers to the Pacific side of the isthmus, founding Panama City, and by 1524 Santa Marà ­a had been razed by angry natives. Legacy The legacy of Vasco Nuà ±ez de Balboa is brighter than that of many of his contemporaries. While many  conquistadors, such as  Pedro de Alvarado,  Hernn Cortà ©s,  and  Pnfilo de Narvaez  are today remembered for cruelty, exploitation, and inhuman treatment of natives, Balboa is remembered as an explorer, fair administrator, and popular governor who made his settlements work. As for relations with natives, Balboa was guilty of his share of atrocities, including enslavement and setting his dogs on homosexual men in one village. In general, however, he is thought to have dealt with his native allies well, treating them with respect and friendship which translated into beneficial trade and food for his settlements. Although he and his men were the first to see the Pacific Ocean while heading west from the New World, it would be  Ferdinand Magellan  who would get the credit for naming it when he rounded the southern tip of South America in 1520. Balboa is best remembered in  Panama, where many streets, businesses, and parks bear his name. There is a stately monument in his honor in Panama City (a district of which bears his name) and the national currency is called the Balboa. There is even a lunar crater named after him. Sources Editors, History.com. â€Å"Vasco Nà ºÃƒ ±ez De Balboa.†Ã‚  History.com, AE Television Networks, 18 Dec. 2009.Thomas, Hugh.  Rivers of Gold: The Rise of the Spanish Empire, from Columbus to Magellan.  Random House, 2005.

Management & Health Information Systems Assignment

Management & Health Information Systems - Assignment Example This study would therefore, like to use a system that utilizes reporting programs to view trends of patients under patient care. This is to be adopted as a Clinical Data Repository (CDR) project with clear objectives and deliverables. 1. Project scope: This report will study clinical components that will constitute an integrated Clinical Data Repository (CDR) which will allow the elements to be fed into it ultimately allowing family physicians and doctors to view holistically the attributes of a patient while enhancing the quality of healthcare given to patients. Family members will be able to qualify for incentives like bonuses and patient oriented medical home rewarding programs. There is a principle engine that comprises a mix of elements to guarantee a clinical decision. This project will involve creating a secure Clinical Data Repository that is able to provide data of patients under authorized access. The objectives of this project will be: i) Assess how family physicians will maximize their professional quality care given to patients ii) Examine how family members will benefit from the bonuses and reward systems facilitated by CDR project. iii) Explore the strategies of bringing on board a more secure clinical data repository. Outputs of the project will prioritize the needs of both physicians and patients, creating a patient-doctor relationship. This project will cost $ 23,000 to meet personnel and technical costs with International Health Research Institute (IHRI) being the key sponsor. It is expected to be done 14 months to cover 9 tasks. Tasks will include data collection, system design, implementation, tests and project go live. Time implications and focus will be on how the outcomes of the feasibility studies have on planning and implementation of the project. The progress of the project will be communicated by the project manager at regular basis. This project is expected to commence on 30 June 2012 The report will also be issued at completion of the project August 2013. Project duration: 14 months 2. Project outlines business case - purpose & rationale: Health institutions continue to experience delays in receiving payer contracts because of the indecisiveness brought by irregular procedures and managerial bureaucracies. The CDR project will allow for maximization of health informatics expertise through quick report generation, easy collection of benchmark data and data ownership. Electronic health records are crucial in hospital administration but owing to insufficiency of tools to perform such tasks, family physicians have been at the receiving end. Analysis from feasibility studies has shown that existing patients’ data reporting programs are weak and bureaucratic. Aligning this function will bring more benefits to both physician and patients during treatment and claims from health insurers. Process claims will be done quickly and pay-for-performance incentives will be due on time. The benefits can be tabulated as below. 3. Options for project delivery: During the phase of project implementation, information system designers can use different ways to execute their work. Conventional methods used in the IT industry today are being challenged by clients and consultants in an attempt to reduce time wastage, limit