Immanuel Velikovsky :: biographies bio

Correspondence Before the Day Breaks, When I first ran across any of Velikovsky's ideas it was in this online book Before the Day Breaks. In this book Velikovsky writes about his correspondence and conversations with Albert Einstein. I read some of this book before ever reading anything else of Velikovsky, or having any idea of what was proposed in his book Worlds in Collision. Before the Day Breaks is a very well written book, where Velikovsky's main argument is that gravity and inertia are not the only forces acting on the solar system. After Velikovsky published his book Worlds in Collision he has had much difficulty getting anyone in the scientific community to listen to him. There were numerous accounts of unjust behavior towards him from many famous scientist. It is ironic that while many people were ignoring him, he was discussing scientific matters with Einstein. While Before the Day Breaks may not have any substantial scientific impact, it does two separate other things. Provide a good insight to som e of the prejudices of the general scientific community at that time. Give good clues as to what Einstein's personality was like. Background Info. / History 1895, June 10, Immanuel Velikovsky was born in Vitebsk, Russia 1913> studied medicine at Montpelier, France, 1921 Velikovsky received a medical degree at the University of Moscow 1921 moved to Berlin, married, edited a journal called Scripta Universitatis atque Bibliothecae Hierosolymitarum, the mathematical-physical section was prepared by Albert Einstein. This journal played a big role in developing the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, 1924-1939 "Velikovsky lived in Palestine, practicing psychoanalysis- he had studied under Freud's pupil, Wi1helm Stekel in Vienna" quoted from (Short Biography) 1950 published Words in Collision right away it was a NY Times non-fiction #1 international best seller for 7 weeks until the publisher (Macmillan) dropped the book due to opposition to it led by Harvard astronomer Dr. Shapley -This book was about Velikovsky's claims that incidences in numerous independent cultures around the world were not due to terrestrial origin (i.e. comets and planets caused massive disasters) 1960s Velikovsky was considered as quack by most everyone

Our Crazy World †Technology, Iraq and Hiv/AIDS Essay

Our world today is a crazy one, in many ways. It is so different to what it used to be. The advancement of technology, coupled with such things as HIV/AIDS or terrorism and America’s retaliation (and the Iraq War), combines to form a mind boggling, and somewhat depressing environment for one to live in. With DVD’s and DVD players, Playstations 1s and 2’s, and even ‘old fashioned’ things such as videos, cd’s, and computers, technology easily confuses the innocent bystander. Then there is the bad side of technology (although some would argue that computers and DVD’s are the bad side): chemical warfare, weapons of mass destruction and so on. Why do people create such things? I suppose the answer is greed. As a perfect example we have Saddam Hussein. He kills and suppresses his own people presumably because of greed) and then openly ‘defies’ America (I say sarcastically). Then on the other hand there’s Bush. He’s not exactly evil (or is he?), but he is greedy and moronic. He announces that America is ‘gonna’ kill Saddam and free the Iraqi people, meanwhile he’s thinking that he has Iraq and it’s resources, and is one step closer to global domination. There are rumours of his belonging to the Illuminati, a secret organisation which ‘controls our thinking’ and is aiming to take over the world. So, who does one support in the Iraq situation? Which incoherent miser? My answer to that is rather than side with anyone, one can either totally ignore it, or decide to side with peace. The wonderful thing is that, being neither an Iraqi nor an American (I am in fact South African), I am able to express my distaste for these two particular people without being shot, as Iraqis would have during the war, or possibly outcast as an American. However, Americans would have no reason to ostracize me unless they actually like and support Bush, for I don’t dislike Americans, I dislike greedy and  lying people who exploit a situation to their own good. Just look at the situation: big powerful Bush gives Iraq a whole bunch of weapons of mass destruction (to his own advantage) and then a few years later he complains that Iraq is a threat so he decides to play soldiers and take it all back again, killing a few people in the process. All that negativity about Bush probably makes me sound pro-Saddam, which I am definitely not. To me, he is the epitome of evil. If it came down to it, I think I would be happier if Saddam was killed rather than Bush. Of course there is also the deeply depressing part of our crazy world, HIV/AIDS. While we know for sure that someday Saddam and Bush will ‘hit the bucket’, AIDS may never go away (not to be pessimistic or anything). Unless a cure is found, it seems the only way to stop AIDS is education in prevention. And then people actually have to care enough. It may seem strange to some people, but living in Africa I know what can happen. Some witch doctors actually prescribe having intercourse with a virgin to cure AIDS. One thing that really gets to me is when people say ‘Oh, AIDS isn’t that bad, it’s good population control.’ I then usually ask them if they would have the same view if someone close to them contracted AIDS. Would they simply tell their dying loved one that they are sorry she/he has AIDS, but there are simply too many people on this planet and her death is not really that much of a loss anyway? That usually gets them thinking. So, what are we to do, with all this confusing and depressing†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢stuff’ (for lack of a better word)? It may not sound so wonderful, but I guess we should just plod on and hope it all gets more understandable and less depressing!

Northern Colonies vs. Southern Colonies Essay

From the first settlement founded in the 1600’s, the British colonies were a varied mix of communities that grew to distinct civilizations in the 17th and 18th centuries. Queen Elizabeth helped drive the colonization of Jamestown in 1607 and ultimately the creation of other Southern colonies to help Britain’s economy flourish. In contrast, James I, Elizabeth’s successor, spurred the settlement of the Northern colonies for religious reasons when he â€Å"vowed to purge England of all radical Protestant reformers† (Davidson, et al 85). When the Pilgrims sailed the Mayflower in 1620, an error in navigation led them far north to New England, rather than the South. A second wave of Puritans led to the formation of the Massachusetts Bay colony and the growth of other Northern colonies. While the early settlers were all looking for new experiences, different types of people populated the Northern and Southern colonies. Although the two regions in the 17th and 18t h centuries may appear to be similar on the surface, there are many obvious differences in economy, treatment of Natives, and stability, stemming from the reasons they were founded in the first place. While the colonies differed in their economies and the reasons they were settled in the first place, they all benefited from â€Å"benign neglect† from Britain during much of the 17th and 18th centuries. Benign neglect was Britain’s policy of non-interference with the colonies (Davidson, et al 128). Britain was busy dealing with its own government issues and change in rulers and did not have the time to strictly administer the colonies. Because of this, both the Northern and Southern colonies flourished economically and established a relatively stable way of life. In addition, the first Colonial settlers and their descendents shared a desire for a better life, whether it was for land, money, or religious freedom. Without this benign neglect from Britain, the colonies may have never been able to prosper and set the stage for the new world the way they did. Despite a similar determination to thrive in a new world, the Northern and Southern colonies differed substantially in their economies. The Southern colonies included Virginia, Maryland, Georgia, and the Carolinas and were largely founded for profit. Because of the warm climate and fertile soil, the Southern colonies were perfect for the growth of staple crops, ranging from tobacco, rice, and sugar. A planter, â€Å"[John] Rolfe, had been obsessed with  finding a crop that could be grown in Virginia and then sold for gain across the sea. When he succeeded by growing tobacco, other English followed his lead† (Davidson, et al 53). Tobacco growth was critical for the Southern economy to succeed. But, as these crops began to prosper and England demanded more, â€Å"many of Jamestown’s colonists had little taste for labor† (Davidson, et al 59). The sudden need for cheap labor led to the reliance on slavery, which would dominate the Southern economy and way of life for many years to come. In the late 1600’s, farmers began to invest in slavery rather than white servants because they would get more years out of the slaves, and also gain title to their children (Davidson, et al 63). New laws made it nearly impossible for white Masters to free slaves, further solidifying slavery in the South. In contrast, the Northern colonies had a more industrial economy. The Northern colonies consisted of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Almost every male settler in the North owned property, so small farms were, in fact, established across New England and the Mid Atlantic colonies (Davidson, et al 89). But unlike the South, the crops grown from these farms were not for capital, but rather for feeding the families. The soil in the North was too rocky and the climate was too unstable to have a promising agricultural industry. Many early colonists described the land as â€Å"rockbound and rugged†¦ long winters of numbing cold melted into short summers of steamy heat† (Davidson, et al 85). Also, because agriculture was limited, the need for slavery did not exist. â€Å"With little hope of prospering through commercial agriculture, New England farmers had no incentive to import large numbers of servants a nd slaves or to create large plantations† (Davidson, et al 89). Instead, they traded fur with the Indians and established major harbors in Boston and Philadelphia for international trading. Shipbuilding and fishing also dominated port cities, such as Boston. â€Å"Boston’s merchants sent fish to the Caribbean and Catholic Europe† (Davidson, et al 118). As a result of different land and climates in the North and South, their economies differed, affecting many more aspects of the colonies as well. The Indians were the original settlers in the colonies as well as the rest of what would become America. As both the Southern and Northern settlers arrived in the New World, they took vastly different approaches in their treatment of the natives. Neither  region treated the Indians ideally. When Captain John Smith sailed to Chesapeake, many of his settlers were hungry and, â€Å"he bullied the Indians for food and would have enslaved them if it had been in his power† (Davidson, et al 52). It is hard to imagine that the early settlers took the Indians’ land, but in addition, bullied them to receive food. To take the Southern treatment of Indians to an extreme, the Carolinas traded the Indians themselves as slaves. The Carolinas needed cheap labor to grow their cash crops, but they could not afford African slaves. To fund this venture, the Carolinas resold enslaved Indians they traded goods for with other Indian tribes (Davidson, et al 70). The Carolinas treated Indians like they were a commodity, rather than as human beings, all in the name of funding an even greater evil: slavery. Although the Northern Colonists were involved in a number of conflicts with the natives, they were not nearly as cruel as the South ern Colonists. John Eliot, a Puritan leader, for example, helped set up a school within Harvard, to help Indians learn English and culture (Davidson, et al 94). Although this didn’t help the Indians grow as a tribe, it did not drive them away from the Colonists and made them feel more like a community. The Northern colonies also needed help from the Indians to survive the harsh winters, so treating them well was important. In Pennsylvania, the Quakers coexisted peacefully with the Lenni Lenapes, another Indian tribe. â€Å"Before [William] Penn sold any land to colonists, he purchased it from the Indians (Davidson, et al 96). Because the Quakers settled in Pennsylvania for religious freedom, not profit, keeping peace with the Indians was part of their way of life. In short, the treatment of Indians reflected the reasons the two regions settled in America. The stability of the colonies also varied by region. The Northern colonies were significantly more stable than the Southern colonies for a variety of reasons. In the North, their settlements were closer together, creating more order and stability in their â€Å"tightly knit† communities.â€Å"The†¦ [Northern] colonists lived to an average age of 70, nearly twice as long as Virginians† (Davidson, et al 89). The population in the North also increased naturally, whereas in the South, it was artificially increased by the import of African slaves. â€Å"By 1740, 40% of all Virginians were black† (Davidson, et al 67). Also, because of the higher life expectancy in the North, families were stronger. About 90% of children in the North reached adulthood, and unlike  the Chesapeake, most parents were able to survive and provide for their family (Davidson, et al 89). In the Chesapeake region, there were few churches whereas in the North, community life centered around churches, contributing further to a more stable society, which would help the Northerners in the long run. Although the Northern and Southern colonies in the 17th and 18th centuries shared some similarities, they were, in fact, separate and distinct civilizations. The colonies varied drastically in their economies, treatment of the native people, and their stability, mainly because their reasons for settling in the New World were different as well. The Southern colonies were established primarily for profit. The Northerners were looking to break free from Catholic Britain and have freedom of religion in the New World. The unplanned arrival in Plymouth, rather than the South, contributed even more to how different the two regions really were, based on geography. These differences, while distinct early on, ultimately led to much bigger conflicts in America, almost destroying it altogether.

The Role of Mrs. Morel and Miriam in Paul’s Life

The role of Mrs. Morel and Miriam in Paul’s life The relationship between Paul and Miriam is one of the central themes in â€Å"Sons and Lovers†, since it is through this relationship that Paul faces his issues regarding his mother’s role in his life and women. Even though Clara is later part of the theme of Paul, women and his difficulty in committing, it can be argued that Mrs. Morel, Paul and Miriam are somewhat a love triangle. The fact that Miriam shares certain personality traits with Mrs. Morel is what leads to Mrs.Morel dislike of her. For instance, both women have a desire to love and take care of Paul in an overprotective and spiritual way. In Mrs. Morel case, her controlling attitude towards Paul is a result of Mr. Morel’s absence and the death of William, who was the object of her affection. Miriam’s love can be seen the same way as Mrs. Morel’s, that is, a spiritual type of love, since she is reluctant to have a physical relation ship with Paul and is more centered in a platonic and intellectual area.The type of love that Miriam feels for Paul is clearly shown on chapter 7: â€Å"If she could be mistress of him in his weakness, take care of him, if he could depend on her, if she could, as it were, have him in her arms, how she would love him. † Even though the idea of â€Å"having Paul in her arms† might suggest physical desire, in Miriam’s case it reflects her yearn to take care of Paul, like somebody that saves his life. Although she and Paul eventually have physical intimacy, she sees such intimacy as a sacrifice, something she must do in order to be with Paul. One the reasons why Mrs.Morel disapproves of Paul’s relationship with Miriam is the fact that she regards her as a rival. In other words, Mrs. Morel sees in Miriam somebody that can replace her role as a â€Å"mother† who is in control of Paul’s life. Mrs. Morel’s dislike is clearly shown in the rema rk she makes on chapter 7: â€Å"She [Miriam] is one of those who will want to suck a man’s soul out till he has none of it left. † as well as in chapter 8, when Mrs. Morel cries: â€Å"She exults—she exults as she carries him off of me. She is not like an ordinary woman who can leave me my share in him. † It can be argued that Paul’s soul belongs to Mrs.Morel which means that by sucking Paul’s soul out and carrying him off of Mrs. Morel, Miriam would be distancing Paul from her. Mrs. Morel sees Miriam as a competitor for Paul’s love. An interesting aspect present in the â€Å"triangle† formed by Paul, Mrs. Morel and Miriam, is the constant presence of Paul’s feeling of guilt and his mixed emotions towards both women. Miriam’s intensity constantly disturbs Paul, because he knows, unconsciously, that once Miriam’s spirituality â€Å"trapped† him, she would be able to reach the depths of his soul, whic h is controlled by his mother.Paul’s view of Miriam’s love is evident in the following passage: â€Å"In contact with Miriam, he gained insight, his vision went deeper. From his mother, he drew the life-warmth, the strength to produce; Miriam urged this warmth like a white light. † As much as Paul appreciates both women in his life because they add positive aspects to his character, he is quite aware of the existing conflict between them; he knows that both women want him in the same way, spiritually and emotionally. He feels guilty because being in a relationship with Miriam hurt his mother and he also feels guilty by the way he treats Miriam at times.In other words, guilt is a common occurrence in Paul’s life that affects him deeply throughout the novel, from when he is in a relationship with Miriam to when his mother falls ill. Such guilt comes mainly form his mixed emotions towards both women. Although he recognizes the importance of both women, menti oned earlier, he also hates them at times. His hate for Miriam is apparent on chapter 8 when he criticizes Miriam: â€Å"You're always begging things to love you as if you were a beggar for love. Even the flowers, you have to fawn on them – You don't want to love – your eternal and abnormal craving is to be loved.You aren't positive, you're negative. You absorb, absorb, as if you must fill yourself up with love, because you've got a shortage somewhere. † Paul’s hate for his mother, on the other hand is evident by his realization on chapter 13, that Mrs. Morel controlled much of his life: â€Å"Sometimes he hated her, and pulled at her bondage. His life wanted to free itself of her. It was like a circle where life turned back on itself, and got no farther. She bore him, loved him, kept him, and his love turned back into her, so that he could not be free to go forward with his own life, really love another woman. In other words, Paul becomes conscious that Mrs. Morel has influenced him deeply, to the point where it affects his relationships with other women. An interesting point in the novel is that Mrs. Morel complains in the first chapter that she wasn’t in control of her life: â€Å"It doesn’t seem as if I were taken into account. † and yet does not take Paul in account when it comes to Paul’s relationships; she is more concerned with how a relationship is going to affect her as opposed to wishing Paul happiness and letting go of him so that he can make his own decisions. Sometimes life takes hold of one, carries the body along, accomplishes one’s history†¦but leaves oneself as it were slurred over. † Such passage in the first chapter demonstrates that Mrs. Morel was a victim for not being in control of her life, but later on in the novel she transforms from victim into perpetrator by not letting Paul be in control of his life. The end of the novel represents a moment of epiphany/awake ning. Paul realizes that much of his life has been controlled by Mrs. Morel and that his decisions and actions have been shaped by her desires.Paul, as devastated as he is by his mother’s death, understands that he needs to change: â€Å"He would not take that direction, to the darkness, to follow her. † Had he not changed his perspective in life, Mrs. Morel would still control him, even after her death. Paul’s decision of not marrying Miriam in the end shows the readers that Paul finally feels the need to break away and be in charge of his life. Nevertheless, the reader does not get an answer whether or not Paul will succeed in his attempt to be in control of his own life. The â€Å"triangle† is over, but the reader is left to wonder if Paul will be able to take care of himself on his own.

Present a case study based on a current news story which illustrates Essay

Present a case study based on a current news story which illustrates the microeconomic concepts - Essay Example ment by the company in taking its responsibilities thereby recommending the cut of any business transaction between the company and all government agencies. However, the ban did not affect the existing contracts thereby applied only to any other new contract that the company would gain interest in. The company admitted knowledge of the ban and said that they were doing everything within their reach to redefine the relationship between them and the government thus lifts the ban. The 2010 deep water disaster arose after an undersea oil pipe burst thereby killing more than eleven Americans and resulting in the worst environmental disasters in the world. The British Petroleum thereafter pleaded guilty of all the accusations leveled against it by the American government after which it embarked on a massive environmental cleaning process and the compensation of all the victims of the accident. Apart from the human loss, the oil spillage resulted in the death of millions of aquatic life and the destruction of business for thousands of America investors as several beaches within the gulf filled with the oil sediments. On 15th November 2012, BP had reached a consensus with the justice department to pay four and a half billion dollars thereby ending all criminal charges leveled against it by the government. The company therefore reiterated their commitment to work closely with the American institutions to ensure that such an accident does not recur and that it settles all its obligation in relation to the accident. However, according to Charles Teifer, a government contracting specialist and a professor of law at Baltimore University, the ban served as a warning to the company and to other stakeholders in the oil drilling business. Teifer explained that such a ban communicated American commitment to protecting its territories especially after suffering the greatest loss because of the carelessness on the part of the company. On the other hand, the environmental authority

History of interior desin Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

History of interior desin - Research Paper Example However, that should not be understood by the student or the reader that this level of interaction between cultures is something of a new paradigm. Rather, this has existed since the beginning of time and is evidenced within many of the ruins and remnants of empires that span the globe. As a function of understanding the means by which interior design and architecture impacted upon the past, this particular analysis will look at the case of two of the following mosques: the Umayyd Mosque (also known as the Great Mosque of Damascus – Islam’s fourth holiest site) as well as The Great Mosque of Cordoba. However, rather than merely discussing the means by which to cultures impacted upon the development of architecture and interior design within these mosques, the analysis will also seek to can pair and contrast the means by which these cultures interacted within the respective environments/geographies. With regards to the first mosque which will be analyzed within this brie f essay, that of the Umayyd Mosque in Damascus (pictured below in figure 1.0 and figure 2.0), this particular site was one that was revered by Christians prior to the Muslim conquest of Damascus. The juxtaposition of three unique religions exists within this particular mosque. For instance, during, a temple to Jupiter was built upon the very grounds that the current mosque now occupies. Several centuries later, during the Christian era of the Roman Empire, this table was converted and expanded into the Cathedral of St. John. Likewise, during the Muslim conquest of the sixth century, the Umayyd Mosque was expanded and utilized many of the same components that had served the prior two religions. Within such an understanding, the reader can come to a clear appreciation for why the interior elements of design and architecture that are exhibited within this particular mosque are so varied and nuanced. Likewise, the in the images below, the reader can distinctly note the shape of the colu mns within figure 1 are highly indicative of the Roman. Whereas the dome and crescent pictured to the left of the image are of course highly indicative of Islamic styles. Moreover, the support mechanisms and decorations that the building exhibits are also indicative of the very same semi-arch style that was utilized within the Roman aqueducts throughout their Empire. Likewise, with respect to image two, a clear and distinct level correlation between the Imperial columns and the decorations exhibited in and around John the Baptist shrine evoke a clear and distinct level of contrast between Christian interior design, Roman interior design, and Islamic interior design interpretations. Figure 1.0 Figure 2.0 With regards to the Great Mosque of Cordoba, and even further level of differentiation can be seen. Whereas some reconstruction to place within The Great Mosque of Damascus, discussed above, the Moorish conquest of Spain and the subsequent control that the Moors derived over the prev ious Cathedral of Vincent, creating something of a unique historical situation. Rather than demolishing the Cathedral of Saint Vincent, the Moorish occupiers requested and were allowed to purchase one half of this cathedral; which they then set about converting to a mosque. In such a

Mixed Method Qualitative Case Study of the Views and Performance of Dissertation

Mixed Method Qualitative Case Study of the Views and Performance of Clinic Staff Undertaking STD Testing - Dissertation Example They were especially confident in carrying out throat swabs more than rectal swabs because of the uncomfortable and embarrassing nature of the rectal swabs. Interviewee 3 mentioned however that he needed more confidence in proctoscopy because he mostly participated in blind rectal swabs. Most of the interviewees also mentioned that they were able to gain confidence through experience and this experience also taught them how they could make the patient more comfortable during the rectal swabs. Interviewee 4 mentioned that by exuding confidence during the procedure, the patient could be more comfortable. This interviewee also points out the importance of carrying out the swabs as quickly as possible in order to lessen the discomfort. These views emphasize the importance of confidence and the fact that the respondents placed primary importance on its impact in the successful administration of tests. Attitudes Where there may be genital site testing missed by other health professionals, majority of the respondents indicated that they would just ask the patient why the genital testing was not carried out. The respondents point out that most times, the patient may have been the one to refuse the swab. If it is the patient who has refused the test, their reasons for refusing would be asked and the respondents said they would try to talk the patient into submitting to the genital swabbing. Majority of the respondents also mentioned that they would not challenge the previous medical examiner, instead, they would clarify or ask why the test was not carried out. Interviewee 6 mentioned that sometimes, it may be a simple case of omission on the part of the previous examiner. Majority of the interviewees mention that challenging the previous medical examiner would not be appropriate and they would be uncomfortable doing it. However, clarifying the situation with the previous examiner would be the more professional option (Wedemeyer and Manns, 2009). The interviewees also me ntion the importance of communicating with the previous examiner regarding the patient’s genital swab. The term â€Å"liaise† with the medical examiner was mentioned by interviewee 7. Knowledge: The themes indicated below reveal the extent of the knowledge that the respondents have on the management of MSM patients, especially in relation to patient testing, demographic data, guidelines, sexual history, as well as training. 1. Patient testing The clinical staff performs varied functions in relation to MSM patients seeking medical care in their clinics. Most of the interviewees mention that their most common and current responsibilities in relation to MSM patients include patient testing for sexually transmitted diseases. Interviewee 1 mentions that patients approach them ‘requesting testing for sexually transmitted infections.’ Interviewee 2 also mentions a syphilis test, and a swab as well as blood test he most recently carried out on an MSM patient. Anot her interviewee mentioned carrying out bacterial and genital testing on an MSM. These interviewees also mention having to carry out routine assessments and tests on their MSM patients. Two of the interviewees (2 and 4) mentioned that they usually carry out vaccinations or antibacterial injections for their clients. All in all, the importance of functions which relate to the prevention and the management of sexually-transmitted