Melancholia

Melancholia [by Faye 11] Photo Credit: cmagz.com tldr; version: pretty to look at and nice to listen to (the tagline says it all), 5 out of 5 stars! The whole shebang: I had originally intended to write this article on the Degas exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), but I saw something equally as awesome during my visit there this past Saturday. When I reached the Huntington Street entrance of the MFA that afternoon, there was a line stretching all the way down the exterior set of stairs from the door. So many people were waiting to gain entrance to the museum that I would have had to wait half an hour to get in. Seeing a smaller line to the side, I asked the doorman about the differences in the queues. This line is for the Melancholia film screening. Its by invitation only. Serendipitously, I had happened to have an invitation from the International Film Festival (IFF, a series of film events of which I highly recommend you all to attend) to the free showing of Lars von Triers most recent work in my inbox. I showed the doorman the invitation on my iPhone and was shuffled to the Regis Theatre hastily, since the film was about to begin two hours later, I stumble out of the MFA in a silent, dream-like stupor of which only a movie as mind-boggling and entrancing as the first Matrix can cast. Photo Credit: melancholiathemovie.com Without sharing too much about the film, Melancholia is an oddly tasteful, composed take on doomsday, a heartbreakingly beautiful experience, and a moving rumination on mental illness that features awesome special effects emulating the terrifying splendor of the end of days. Thank you, Rotten Tomatoes. Doesnt that sound epic? Well, just so you know, it was. Starring Kirsten Dunst, Kiefer Sutherland, and Charlotte Gainsbourg, Melancholia opens up to a surreal, slow motion introductory sequence (a la Terrence Malicks The Tree of Life) set to Wagners prelude to the opera Tristan and Isolde. The film is split into two parts, dedicated to the two main characters Justine (Dunst) and Claire (Gainsbourg). Rich with metaphor, heavy themes, and gorgeous visuals, the mostly linear narrative explores such notions as depression, sense of purpose, and fatality. Photo Credit: movies.about.com Lars von Trier (Dancer in the Dark, Antichrist) based the idea for his newest movie from a depressive episode he experienced. After talking with his therapist, von Trier learned that people suffering from severe depression usually remain calm in stressful situations. The end of the world counts as a stressful situation, in my opinion, but unlike other doomsday films such as The Day After Tomorrow and Armageddon which attempt to show the viewers how the end of the world affects the social, economic, and political realms on a large scale, von Trier limits his scope to the small, intimate worlds of Justine and Claire. So instead of seeing, for example, how the president will react to these outside forces threatening all of mankind, we are shown how the two central characters deal with a tragic reality that is seemingly inevitable. The stunning cinematography is inspired by German Expressionist cinema. Paired with a dramatic and emotional soundscape, the cinematography and von Triers treatment of the subject combine to create an unforgettable, entrancing, and quite unsettling piece of work. Its not a first-date type of movie to go see, but if you are feeling contemplative and upbeat, definitely check it out. amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br /amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

Apposition Definitions and Examples

Apposition is the placement side-by-side of two coordinate elements (usually noun phrases), the second of which serves to identify or rename the first. Adjective: appositional. In his study of Apposition in Contemporary English (1992), Charles F. Meyer observes that the relation of apposition is realized by a variety of syntactic forms, noun phrases predominantly but other syntactic forms as well. Although these forms can have a full range of syntactic functions, they most commonly have two: subject and object (p. 10).   Etymology: From the Latin, to put nearExamples and Observations: Gussie, a glutton for punishment, stared at himself in the mirror.(P.G. Wodehouse, Right Ho, Jeeves, 1934)The sidewalk just outside the Casino was strewn with discarded tickets, the chaff of wasted hope.(Jonathan Lethem, Motherless Brooklyn. Doubleday, 1999)Miniver Cheevy, child of scorn,grew lean while he assailed the seasons.(E.A. Robinson, Miniver Cheevy)The undistinguished example that fronts the Duke of Wellington pub is serviced by the pigeon man, an elderly stooped figure entirely in brown: from his flat cap, through his greasy raincoat, to his worn shoes, he is the color of Daddies Own sauce scraped from a formica table.(Iain Sinclair, Lights Out for the Territory. Granta Books, 1997)This was not Aunt Dahlia, my good and kindly aunt, but my Aunt Agatha, the one who chews broken bottles and kills rats with her teeth.(P.G. Wodehouse)This is a valley of ashes--a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens; where ashes take the forms of houses and chimneys and rising smoke and finally, with a transcendent effort, of ash-grey men, who move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air.(F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby, 1925)It was a bleak period of present privation and threatening disaster--the period of soya beans and Basic English--and in consequence the book is infused with a kind of gluttony, for food and wine, for the splendors of the recent past, and for rhetorical and ornamental language, which now with a full stomach I find distasteful.(Evelyn Waugh in 1959 on his wartime novel Brideshead Revisited)The sentence--the dread sentence of death--was the last of distinct accentuation which reached my ears.(Edgar Allan Poe, The Pit and the Pendulum, 1842)Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins.(Vladimir Nabokov, Lolita) Syntactic Characteristics of Apposition Syntactically, apposition is most commonly a relation between two juxtaposed noun phrases having a syntactic function (such as direct object) promoting end-weight.Although units in apposition can have a variety of different syntactic forms, the majority of appositions in the corpora (66 percent) consisted of units that were noun phrases. (1) Desegregation is beginning in two more important Southern cities--Dallas and Atlanta. (Brown B09 850-860) Because appositions are syntactically heavy constructions, most (65 percent) had functions that promote end-weight, most commonly direct object (example 2) or object of preposition (example 3). (2) A plug and a tube with holes in its cylindrical walls divided the chamber above the porous plug into two parts. This arrangement had the purpose to prevent heated gas to reach the thermocouple by natural convection. (Brown J02 900-30)(3) The heart is suspended in a special portion of the coelom, the pericardium, whose walls are supported by cartilage. (SEU W.9.7.91-1) . . . [M]ost appositions (89 percent) were juxtaposed. . . . Even though more than two units can be in apposition, most appositions (92 percent) were single appositions consisting of only two units.(Charles F. Meyer, Apposition in Contemporary English. Cambridge Univ. Press, 1992) An Interrupter Although the appositive does not disturb the natural flow of the sentence as violently as parenthetical expressions do (mainly because the appositive is grammatically coordinate with the unit that it follows), it does interrupt the flow of the sentence, interrupts the flow to supply some gratuitous information or explanation.(Edward P.J. Corbett and Robert J. Connors, Classical Rhetoric for the Modern Student, Oxford Univ. Press, 1999) Appositive Exercises: Practice in Identifying AppositivesSentence Building with Appositives

The Nuiances of How to Essay Samples

The Nuiances of How to Essay Samples In case the school doesn't like you for you, then they are the incorrect school. Crash courses are ideal for the learners with a time issue. It is also necessary for students as soon as it comes to English Language examinations. Most students think that it is the lack of desire to complete assignments that results in the using of writing services. Paragraph 4 considers several explanations for why river clean-up plans might not be successful (the plans could be nothing more than campaign promises or funding might not be adequate). You may use the samples as a foundation for working out how to write in the appropriate style. As a consequence, you get a terrific deal of free time and completed homework. If you've got an assignment deadline coming up and you are concerned that you won't be in a position to finish your task, don't hesitate to order a paper. The Secret to How to Essay Samples At length, make certain you properly cite you so urces. There's numerous essays completed by them. Check and recheck your sources and make sure that you are using recent and trustworthy info. You'll observe a similar structure in a lot of the essays. Very good use of references also improves the standard of an essay. If you're writing a background synthesis, in some instances it could be appropriate that you provide an interpretation of the material or have a position (thesis). There's no topic too challenging for our experts. Yet another thing in deciding on the reference material is the invention of a list of corresponding factors depending on the file. Introducing How to Essay Samples The college admissions essay is the 1 thing that can definitely set you apart from different applicants, however it's not something you receive a lot of assistance in writing. In writing a composition or an essay, it's vital to know your examiners won't only take a look at your content but in addition look at important things like your grammar, punctuation, and your style of writing. College essay writing tips are generally focused on every one of the things you ought to do for an ideal essay. Looking at IELTS essay topics with answers is a huge approach to assist you to get ready for the test. Essay writing skills is a tough and time-consuming job. Students have to compose essays based on the teacher's instructions or their preferred style in writing. Essay writing examples in doc format like the ones given may help lead you in writing a very good composition. Using persuasive essay examples is a great way to prepare to compose a successful essay. To structure an essay, you have to simply stick to the above mentioned format. It's never recommended to write very lengthy headings that wind up looking like complex sentences. What You Must Know About How to Essay Samples It's all just what people are anticipated to do. It's therefore imperative you make certain that you thoroughly plan it well and earn a draft (rough work) of the things which you're going to be discussing before you transfer the draft into the home work. You are going to be able to learn everything and you'll get to understand the techniques but you won't have the ability to practice them and learn from your experiences. The great news is, I can provide help. The How to Essay Samples Game Please bear in mind that the next examples only represent a small par t of the various ethical arguments that philosophers have made throughout time. The introduction or the introductory paragraph is quite a relevant part of your essay due to the simple fact it states the major idea of your composition. As the name implies, the conclusion is where you're going to conclude. Naturally, there's no definite response to the question I used as a title. The Basic Facts of How to Essay Samples When you plan your essay and jot down the points you're likely to go over in your draft, you are going to have lot of points to discuss. The second sentence gives vivid details to create the reader feel like he's there. Through extensive research, a writer can get knowledgeable about this issue, which, naturally, will boost the essay. Every writer we employ has written a good deal of special papers linked to your subject. There are 3 things that will need to get included in your introduction paragraph. Bridget's essay is quite strong, but there continue to be a couple little things that could be made better. There aren't any minor remarks. The previous sentence provides the solution to the essay question.

Socrates and the Soul Free Essays

Socrates believed the most important task, in life, was to care for ones soul. Socrates argues that the soul is immortal and that we must rise above our physical nature in order to gain true knowledge. He believed the soul was our very essence, and our bodies the instrument utilized in dealing with the physical world. We will write a custom essay sample on Socrates and the Soul or any similar topic only for you Order Now Socrates seemed confidant that human beings survive physical death, therefore possessing an immortal soul. He felt a philosophers concern was not with the body but with the soul and the body played no part in the attainment of knowledge. The body to him was an obstacle in the search for knowledge and there is a division between the body and soul. The soul being immortal and that wisdom and virtue come from the soul. Socrates proposes that after death the soul exists by itself, apart from the body, while the body, remains by itself, apart from the soul. In the Phaedo, Socrates’ friends suggest that the soul will die along with the body. Socrates believes that the soul is immortal and if a person detaches himself from the physical pleasures of the world his soul may become free to follow the gods into Hades. However, if the soul has indulged in the physical pleasures it will be riveted to the body and may not want to go join the gods in Hades and so the soul will remain here among the living. One of the most important parts of Socrates’ theory explains that in order for the soul to leave the body you must separate yourself from the physical aspects in life, so that they won’t compel you back to this world. This will ensure the soul will break away from the physical realm and join the gods in Hades. In death, Socrates was very confident that he would achieve this and in turn would join the gods when he drank the poison that nded his life. The soul explains Socrates, rules over the body; however the body may deceive the soul through the senses. The soul may use these senses while dealing with things that are physical, but it should not always believe them. If the soul relies too heavily on the senses, then it may start to value the physical realm more than the knowledge that comes from the soul. However, men need to service the body in order to remain here on Earth and because of this the body may distort the needs of the soul to be that of the body. Socrates differentiates the body and soul in terms of their respective desires; where they place their happiness. He felt that the body is the prison of the soul. â€Å"Because every pleasure and pain, as it were, another nail to rivet the soul to the body and weld them together†. (Plato, Phaedo, 83d). The body’s pleasures and pains make the soul believe that truth is what the body says. Socrates felt that the soul needs protection from the corruption of the body by practising such virtues as courage, temperance, and by thinking about incorporeal or ideal subjects. However the body’s voice always interrupts these pure contemplations with its own concerns: â€Å"feed me,† â€Å"time to buy new clothes,† â€Å"get me a drink,† â€Å"let’s make love,† â€Å"I’m tired. † etc. He observes that the body’s primary concerns are the pleasures of eating, drinking, and sex; whereas the soul sets its desires on attaining wisdom. Socrates implies that these two desires are in opposition of each other. This is why the soul of a philosopher must turn away from the body and it’s desires to set the soul free from its bodily desires in order to attain true knowledge. The main arguments concerning the immortality of the soul come from the Phaedo. Socrates believed that when his body ceased to exist anymore, his soul would leave and join that of the gods where he would be eternally. He believed so strongly of this that he did not fear death but welcomed it. He believed that the soul is shackled with the body as if it were a prison so that thought is contaminated or compromised. Man is made up of Body and Soul, but the soul is corrupted by the material wants of the body and it then loses the ability to perform its true function. What Socrates felt was to communicate with the divine. Socrates believed that the human soul was invisible, immortal, and the director of the physical body. He felt that Philosophy is a divine activity and as such must prepare the soul with wisdom for dying and death. The philosopher listens to the body’s temptations as little as possible because the body complains that it lacks pleasure, but that fulfilment of pleasure always leads to more suffering so that the body again complains. This is a continuous cycle and his belief was that a person should care for their soul first and foremost and that a person’s soul was what made him/her who they really were. The soul was the whole centre of one’s character it was the basis of thoughts, feelings, values, decisions and the state of the soul made a person either foolish or wise. By self examination and soul searching as well as ridding oneself of ignorance, he felt that like the body the soul would be kept healthy. Socrates believed that only when the soul separated from the body, is a person able to be truly enlightened and gain all knowledge. This enlightenment has been Socrates’ life long goal of discovering the truth. He recognized it as the separation of the two worlds as the spirit was freed from the corpse (body), and its material concerns so that specific thought can finally apprehend the truth. He felt that â€Å"the soul reasons best when none of the senses troubles it, neither hearing nor sight, nor pain nor any pleasure, but when it is most by itself, taking leave of the body and as far as possible having no contact or association with it in its search for reality†. (Phaedo 65c). Socrates believed that in dying you learn complete knowledge because that is the time that your soul leaves your body and there are no more interferences. Even at the hour of his death he showed no hesitation and welcomed death, with no obstacles in his way this would be his ultimate pursuit of knowledge. Biography Plato,The Trail and Death of Socrates. Translated by G. M. A Grube. Third Edition. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, Inc. , 2000 Plato Phaedo. Translated by G. M. A. Grube. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, Inc. , 1977. How to cite Socrates and the Soul, Papers

Wetland Research Paper Essay Example

Wetland Research Paper Paper Construction is another threat because as the population grows the demand for affordable housing goes up. Also with a rise in population comes a demand for food, which leads the to last and most destructive threat to wetlands, farming. Farming is all the threats to wetlands rolled into one; it builds over hundreds of acres of land and pollutes it with fertilizers and herbicides.   There are many misconceptions about wetlands that the public has due to the fact that there is not much public interest to save the wetlands. Well what exactly is a wetland? A lowland area, such as a marsh or swamp, that is treated with moisture, especially when regarded as the natural habitat of wildlife, but in actuality a wetland is so much more than that. Depending on the type of wetland suggests the function it performs for the environment. We now realize that wetlands are important and valuable ecosystems. They are home to many beautiful and rare species. They filter runoff and adjacent surface waters to protect the quality of our lakes, bays and rivers. Wetlands also protect many of our sources of drinking water. They are the source of many commercially and recreational valuable species of fish, shellfish and lilied. They retain floodwater and protect shorelines from erosion (Gomez, J. 1 992, Peg. 3). There are several types of wetlands each differing in its location, climate, and the life supported. There are Northern Bogs, Prairie Potholes, Cypress Swamps, vernal pools, Southern Bottom Lands, and Coastal Marshes. For example bogs are especially good for trapping CO in the form of peat, coastal marshes filter out saltwater coming inland from the ocean, and cypress swamps (Above) absorb pollutants into their sediment. We will write a custom essay sample on Wetland Research Paper specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Wetland Research Paper specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Wetland Research Paper specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer BRB very beautiful as well as beneficial wetland is the vernal pool. Vernal lolls are naturally occurring depression type wetlands that are covered by shallow water from winter to spring, but may be completely dry for most of the summer and fall. These wetlands range in size from small puddles to shallow lakes and are usually found in a gently sloping plain of grassland. Although generally isolated, they are sometimes connected to each other by small drainages known as vernal swales. Beneath vernal pools lies either bedrock or a hard clay layer in the soil that helps keep water in the pool. Climatic changes associated with each season cause dramatic changes in the appearance of vernal pools. The pools collect water during winter and spring rains, changing in volume in response to varying weather patterns. During a single season, pools may fill and dry several times. In years of drought, some pools may not fill at all.   Len the spring, wildflowers often bloom in brilliant circles of color that follow the receding shoreline of the pools. By early summer, the water has evaporated, and the clay pools appear brown, barren, and cracked. However, appearances may be deceiving. The unique environment of vernal pools provides habitat for numerous rare plants and animals that are able to revive these harsh conditions. Many of these plants and animals spend the dry season as seeds, eggs, or cysts, and then grow and reproduce when the ponds are flooded again. In addition, birds such as egrets, ducks, and hawks use vernal pools as a seasonal source of food and water (Marshall, 1978). Potholes are a very beneficial wetland that is home to dozens of migratory waterfowl. They are found primarily in the Upper Midwest, especially North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. This formerly glaciated landscape is covered with a vast number of potholes, which fill with snowbell and rain in the spring. Some prairie pothole marshes are temporary, while others may be virtually permanent. Here, as in other marshes, submerged and floating aquatic plants take over the deeper water; while bulrushes and cattails grow closer to shore, and wet marshes lie next to the upland. These wetlands are a sort of cousin to vernal pools, sharing the same location, and seasonal waters. (Marshall, 1978). Another infamous type of wetland is the bog. These wetlands have for centuries have been shrouded with mystery. Bogs are known for their ability to produce peat, which is just as valuable as coal. They also have the ability to reserve things, one such incident in 1 987 where a 2,800-year-old corpse was pulled from the swampy waters in near perfect condition ((March, of the Bog National Geographic). This man had been killed during the Iron Age, in a radicalized thiefs execution, which involved the torture and eventual slitting of the throat. Such wetlands in Florida preserved the bodies of hunter gatherers for thousands of years after they died. So in a sense wetlands can provide us with vital archeological evidence. However all this evidence is being threatened as peat bogs are being mined into extinction. Beer BRBThe greatest benefit wetlands have is on the environment they support, with out these lands many species of plants and animals. Many fish that live in the ocean depend on the wetlands. One may ask how a wetland could be necessary for a fish that lives in the ocean? The answer is that wetlands serve as breeding grounds for many animals, not just fish, as well as act as nurseries for when the animals are just born. It is said that half the fish that are caught commercially rely on wetlands to reproduce (Marshall, A. 1 978, peg. 5). Wetlands are critical to the fish industry, which continues to over farm he oceans. This is a problem obviously because there are more and more fish being caught and less places f or them to breed. This is also true with migratory birds, which use the wetlands to make pit stops and raise their young. It is the life that the wetlands support which makes them North Americas rain forests. In fact a wetland produces just as much life as a rain forest of the same size, and they are both being destroyed at about the same rate (Mitchell, J. (1992, October). Our Disappearing Wetlands National Geographic, Peg 15). While wetlands are able to support life they also protect rounding ecosystems by taking in pollutants that would normally poison the land. BeerThere is one more very important element of wetlands that benefits both humans and animals, and that is CO reduction. According to the EPA since 1990 the amount of CO in the atmosphere has risen dramatically. Wetlands are our immediate protection from this because they take in as much CO as the rain forest and out put just as much oxygen. Wetlands reduce the amount of CO, not just by photosynthesis but also in the form of what is called peat. Peat is a dark brown coal like substance, which is created by the decay and arbitration of plants in the water of wetlands or bogs (Incarnate 2001 : Peat). Peat is still mined today for its fuel uses, which is another cause of destruction to wetlands. So in short peat is both a protector of the atmosphere and a UsefUl fuel source, unfortunately wetlands are destroyed for it.   Lets say for a moment that there is a utilitarian who doesnt eat fish, cares not for bird watching or bio-diversity, and never listens to the reports on global warming. What about people right now? Well people need water, and lots of it. The city of Los Angles consumes millions of gallons of water everyday. Of course this water does not come from wetlands, but wetlands prevent the contamination of where our water does come from. With out wetlands natural and non-natural pollutants would flow into our rivers, lakes, aquifers and reservoirs (Mitchell, J. (1 992, October) Our Disappearing Wetlands. National Geographic, up. 14-15). Coastal Marshes also act as a go between to stop salt water from coming inland to lakes and rivers. Coastal marshes are the most fertile form of wetlands that support dozens of species Of plants and animals. Animals like shrimp, crabs, and eatable fish all spend sometime in coastal wetlands. These animals are a good, as well as expensive source of food. Other animals like oysters and clams also live in wetlands. Only do wetlands protect our water, but they also protect us from water. Since wetlands can be looked at as sponges, they do a very good job at preventing floods. When wetland loss reached its peak last year in Florida, the state began to have huge problems with flood control and landslides. Landslides are prevented by wetlands because they absorb excess water that can go elsewhere and soften the ground. Wetlands also hold the land together, the roots of its trees and shrubs hold the soil in place, which reverts disasters. They can also protect us from the force of water, coastal marshes help break the waves that come from the ocean which helps protect the near by land and potential housing (Angel, 1982). Plants are another important aspect of wetlands. Plants form the base of wetlands and everything else lives on top of them. Plants are what holds the wetlands together, literally, in cypress swamps especially the roots of the trees stabilize the surrounding land and keep it from being eroded or washed away. Plants also provide a good source of food while performing other tasks o improve the wetland. One good example Of this is a plant called duckweed it grows in swamps, absorbs pollutants in water, and is a favorite food among ducks (Mitchell, J. (1 992, October) Our Disappearing Wetlands. National Geographic, up. 30-31 These plants do benefit humans too, wild cranberries grown naturally in bogs and marshes. Other plants such as cattails and water lilies grow in wetlands and are said to have medicinal purposes.  Like said before one of the greatest aspects of wetlands are the animals that live in them. What makes the wetlands unique is the life that they purport and the species of animals that will live only there. A very common sight to wetlands are birds. One third of this countys birds live in wetlands and over half will spend time there while migrating. With these creatures homes disappearing, they themselves are also disappearing. In 1 940 more than 40 million mallard ducks would land in the wetlands of Central Valley California. Due to massive reclaiming of wetlands especially in California, which has lots over 91% of its wetlands, today no more than 5 million migrate through there each year. Surprisingly even a bird such as a bald eagle has offered from the damage to the everglades. The bald eagle depends on the everglades for a source of food and a place to raise her young. They eat the vast amount of fish that live in the marshy waters, and nest in the trees that spring up from the water. Even this most prestigious of animals was hurt when near by Farmers sprayed their crops with DICHLORIDE DEEPENING TETRACHLORIDE or EDT (Morrison, A. (1 994, April). National Geographic, Peg 11). EDT is a chemical that is used to kill insects and weeds, this chemical is so dangerous that it was used in a more concentrated form as a chemical paean during World War l. The problem with this insecticide is that the next time it rains it is washed off into a near by water source or in this case a wetland. This poisoned nearby fish, which were eaten by a bald eagle and given to her chicks. It was even worse if the mother had survived because if she laid eggs they would have unusually thin shells, which would break before the embryo was ready to be born. Naturally this had a devastating effect on their population. Not only are birds affected by the loss footplates but dozens of types of animals like frogs, fish, and turtles. Fish are especially pendent on wetlands either for spawning or as a habitat. Since most pollutants are dumped first into the water then fish and other aquatic life are the first to feel the effect of contaminants. Another animal that depends on wetlands are crocodiles, not common to all wetlands, but infamous in the swamps of southern Florida known as the Everglades. The crocodile has had his share of problems because of what man has been doing to the everglades. Oddly enough this problem comes from near by nuclear power plants, the radioactive waste that was left over caused the crocodile population to slip each year (Morrison, A. 1 994, April). National Geographic, peg 11).   The everglades are probably the best know wetland in the country, mostly because it is the wetland that is a national park. The Everglades was actually a river that was 50 miles wide and 6 inches deep that flowed from lake Cheekbone to Florida Bay. It technically was never a wetland until man came in and cut it off from Cheekbone. Farmers taped it for water, and drained the land to raise crops. Engineers built over it, and diverted its flow to provide water for southern Florida. All this chopping off of the everglades caused the water to become stagnant and form a swamp. One of the largest single destructions to the Everglades was the building of Disney World. Hundreds of square miles of wetland were drained or destroyed for the building of Pepco Center. This destruction occurred because it was the least expensive land in all of Florida (Gomez, 1 992 Peg. 32). The Everglades are very special wetlands that have been attacked since the earliest days of our country. The Everglades were considered to be useless wastelands that had to be destroyed for the good of the country. The wetlands were hit hard by destruction, every single form of damage that can mom to a wetland happens to the Everglades. When the areas around the Everglades were not heavily populated they were poisoned by the pollution of industrial plants. Previous to 1984 when the area was declared a park, the water in the Everglades contained a pollution level of 5,000 parts per million. This is extremely high compared to bottled water which is 30-50 parts per million (Avian).  Its true that the wetlands have been treated poorly, but it was just as bad if not worse 150 years ago. Back then it was perfectly legal, as well as encouraged to destroy wetlands. So says the Swamp Lands Act of 1850, the ill reads that it is legal and encouraged that people reclaim all swamp lands and marshes so that they might yield agricultural benefits. The swampland act was the first in a set of laws that permitted the destruction of wetlands. Even in the days of the depression Government agents were sent into places like the Everglades and actually trained farmers in how to drain and fill in wetlands for crops. One such orange grove farmer in southern Florida can remember when representatives from Washington taught his father how to drain the wetlands of their water and to put them to good use. The overspent did all the engineering. They advised us on how to drain the land. They wanted us to do it. Now were being told to put the water back. Laurence Crop (Mitchell, J. Our Disappearing Wetlands (1 992, October). National Geographic, Peg 34).   BeerThankfully today there are far more laws protecting wetlands, unfortunately these laws, more often than not, are loosely enforced or not followed at all. The very first law that was set to protect wetlands was the wetland protection act of 1972. This basically undid what the swamplands act of 1 850 had done to destroy these precious ecosystems. This law declared all wetlands as gentle areas that would be protected by the government. It also declared that the Florida Everglades was a Nation Park one Of the laws to protect wetlands was section 404 Of the clean water act. Section 404 establishes a program to regulate the discharge of dredge and fill material into waters of the United States, including wetlands. Activities in waters of the United States that are regulated under this program include fills for development, water resource projects (such as dams and levees), infrastructure development (such as highways and airports), and inversion of wetlands to uplands for farming and forestry (Section 404 of the clean water act Mitchell, J. 1992, October) Our Disappearing Wetlands. National Geographic, peg 34). The basic idea of the program is that no run off of dredged or fill material can be permitted if theres an alternative that is less damaging to the wetlands or if the nations waters would be contaminated. In other words, when you apply for a permit, you must show that you have: taken steps to avoid wetland impacts as much as possible, minimized potential impacts to wetlands, and provided compensation for any remaining unavoidable impacts by restoring or creating wetlands (Section 404 of the clean water act Mitchell, J. 1 992, October) Our Disappearing Wetlands. National Geographic, Pigs). The next law to be made to protect wetlands was the swampiest. Contrary to its name it is more of a barterers, providing strict penalties for farmers who harm wetlands. In all honesty though this lava is much more lenient, allowing almost any kind of farm activity with the use of a permit. The program discourages farmers from altering wetlands by withholding Federal farm program benefits from any person who converts a wetland for the repose of or to make agricultural commodity production. Which basically means that any and all assistance that comes from the government to help farmers. Things like disaster insurance, and bonding are all cut from them until they either get a permit or restore the wetland (Mitchell, J. (1992, October) Our Disappearing Wetlands. National Geographic, Peg. 35). was said before that farming is one of the most destructive forces working against wetlands, which is why theres a whole section devoted to it. Farming has always used wetlands for their water and then destroyed them to raise crops. Farming can cause destruction so devastating to the land it may never recover. Things like demolition, pollution, and upsets in the ecosystem can all be attributed to farming. The most direct form of destruction from farming is the clearing of land for farms. During the early parts fifths century wetlands were regarded by everyone to be useless wastelands, this is why farmers never hesitated to remove a marsh that was in the way of their orange grove. Also there were no laws to stop farmers from doing what they wanted to with wetlands. With growing technology and mechanical advances farmers have been able to maintain larger and larger areas of land, which intern means more wetland destruction. Since 1950 the population of Florida has grown by leaps and bounds, and the farm industry has followed close behind. As of now the number of Farmers in the Sunshine State has reached an all time high, in response for the demand for food.   Another way that Farms wreak havoc on wetlands is in the chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. Pesticides take the most direct toll on the environment, they not only kill the insects that feed on crops, but the insects in wetlands where the run off from farms make their way into swamps. From here the pesticides can kill even large animals like ducks and fish, and upset the natural bacterial and microorganisms that form the base of the food chain. Herbicides are what farmers use to keep down weeds. This has a disastrous effect on the environment that is made up mostly of plants. The herbicides make their way into the swamp the same way as pesticides the only difference is that on most farms herbicides are sprayed much more often as weeds are a consistent problem. These chemicals do nitrous hurt plants, they are extremely poisonous to wild life. BRB The last and seemingly least dangerous chemicals to wetlands are redelivers. While fertilizers do not kill or destroy any plants or animals they can have a huge indirect impact. Fertilizers cause plant life to over grow, to kind of tip the ecological scale. What does this mean? It means that there are more plants than the herbivores can eat and this disrupts the ecosystem. BeerThe final form of wetland destruction that is sprung out of farming is the draining of wetlands for their water. To farmers this is the only good thing they see in wetlands, a cheap accessible source of water. Farmers realized that these inconveniently placed roadblocks could provide a useful resource fore they are plowed over. This problem is what continued the destruction of wetlands after the wetlands protection act was passed because there was no law against the draining of wetlands. The thing with wetlands is that taking away their water is just as bad as removing them because the life inside them cannot survive with out the water and the whole place dies anyway. This loophole allowed wetlands to be violated still, until the swampiest law made this illegal (Morrison, A. (1994, April). Right now it may seem that man is completely at fault for the damage one to wetlands, but there are many environmental factors that are causing wetlands to disappear. Things like droughts, erosion, and rising sea levels are all causing damage in some form to wetlands. Droughts have always been a problem for wetlands, they cause the ecosystem to dry up and when this happens the wetland is basically destroyed. However this problem does have its roots with man, water pumps and dams can prevent wetlands from receiving their sources of water and dry up. Erosion usually happens when a river that is connected to a wetland overflows and washes away the area. Wetlands are designed to have water that is stagnant or not moving, when this water begins to flow like a river the wetland is devastated. Plants begin to wash away and the current takes away the offspring of animals, like fish and tadpoles, since they are too weak to fight against it. Rising sea levels are a big problem especially for coastal marshes. Im sure many of us can remember the movie WATERWORKS (Universal Pictures, 1 995) where the earth is covered with water because the ice caps melted. Well according to scientists this is becoming more science fact than fiction. As pollution continues to Vega the ozone layer the ice caps melt causing the oceans to rise and this is proving costly for coastal marshes. These areas cannot survive when completely submerged in salt water. With out these wetlands we lose a vital link between the land and sea.   Construction is another huge threat to wetlands. As the population grows the need for affordable housing becomes obvious. Contractors are always begging to turn wetlands into low cost housing, malls, or movie theaters. Construction in itself is a very permanent form of wetland destruction in that it may be difficult to get permission to build over a bog, UT its impossible to move someone out of their house to replace a precious ecosystem. This may seem like wetlands are holding back the economy by preventing construction, but how much money to we gain or lose because of wetlands each year.  Wetlands contribute to the economy by producing resources and commodities and providing other benefits. One of the largest industries that have sprung from wetlands is the fishing industry. Wetlands are important spawning nursery areas and provide plant food for commercial and recreational fish and shellfish industries. In 1991, the dockside value of fish ended in the United States was $3. 3 billion, which served as the basis of a $26. 8 billion fishery processing and sales industry, which in turn employs hundreds of thousands of people. An estimated 71% of this value is derived from fish species that during their life cycles depend directly or indirectly on coastal wetlands. For example, Louisianan marshes alone produce an annual commercial fish and shellfish harvest of 1. Billion pounds worth $244 million in 1991. Another large form of income from wetlands is recreation. More than half of all U. S. Adults (98 million people) hunt, fish, bird watch, or photograph lilied. These activities, which rely on healthy wetlands, added an estimated $59. 5 million to the national economy in 1991. Individual States likewise gain economic benefits from recreational opportunities in wetlands that attract visitors from other States. (Taken from [U. S. Congress, Office of Technology Assessment. 1993. Preparing for an Uncertain Climate]. alt has been said already that wetlands protect the environment from pollution, what hasnt been discussed is what that saves people in terms of taking time and natural resources to clean water. Wetlands help stop pollutants from entering receiving waters. For example, the wetlands of the Congealer Bottommost Hardwood Swamp in South Carolina remove sediment and toxic substances and remove or filter excess nutrients. The least cost substitute for these wetlands benefits would be a Water treatment plant costing $5 million dollars to construct, and additional money would be needed to operate and maintain the plant. U. S. Congress, Office of Technology Assessment. 1993. Preparing for an Uncertain Climate)   wetlands can retain excess water, they can replace expensive man made dykes or canals. Which brings me to my next point, the savings on drainage. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has come up with the cost of $300 to replace, on average, each acre-foot of floodwater storage. In other words, if development eliminates a one-acre wetland that naturally holds 12 inches of water during a storm, the replacement cost would be $300. The cost to replace the 5,000 acres of wetlands lost annually in Minnesota would be $1. 5 million (in 1991 dollars). Beeralt is obvious now that wetlands pose a great benefit to the economy through its resources and recreation, how its one of a kind ecosystem supports a wide variety field life that makes it precious to the environment, UT what does the future hold for wetlands. When this country was first founded in 1 776 there were over 220 million acres of wetlands in the lower 48 states, today less than 1 00 million acres remain. This translates to 60 acres per hour from then until now, and at the current rate of destruction there will be less than 10 percent of wetlands remaining in the US (Mitchell, J. (1992, October) Our Disappearing Wetlands . National Geographic, up. 13-14). Even though this is a scary statistic EPA officials are confidant with the new laws in place protecting wetlands we can look forward to still having more than 10 percent around in the future. Currently some states like California have less than 9% Of its original wetlands remaining. F-or States like California there is little we can do to repair the damage that has been done. Thats not to say that there hasnt been attempts to replace what nature has created. This even made its way into the white house when the Clinton administration looked for a solution to try to stop the terrible flooding problems that have been affecting the states bordering the Mississippi River. In 1993 the administration decided to convert nearby agricultural land into wetlands. According the plan, the new areas would be converted to wetlands, rather Han having their levees rebuilt at taxpayers expense. Rivers could then spread across floodplains with less threat to property, less water speeding downstream toward cities, and lower government costs for emergency relief and cleanup. However when nearby farmers complained that levees should be built instead of taking a gamble on artificial wetlands, this became known as the Levee Controversy. Artificial wetlands had never been used before and had had a terrible track record. Farmers were also mad that they had to give up hundreds of acres of land that could be put to agricultural use. To quote one farmer These levee districts protect land that produces good for mankind. They dont get flooded every year. Maybe once in 20 or 30 years. That has to be Swanson (February 23, 93) The Levee Controversy Chicago Tribune). Regardless of its critics the plan Was put into effect and the land was converted into wetlands. To this day we sill do not know how effective the wetlands have been since there has not been a great enough flood to test the flood preventing abilities of these wetlands. 1985 there was an attempt to replace the Seawater marsh in New Mexico with bad results. With in a year half the species that were placed in the wetland died out, and with in two years the wetland had gone completely dry.

Test Tube Thunderstorm Chemistry Demonstration

Test Tube Thunderstorm Chemistry Demonstration You can react chemicals to produce what looks like a thunderstorm in a test tube. This is a spectacular chemistry demonstration that is suitable for chemistry class or lab. Safety You must be careful with this demonstration and keep any students away from the setup. It involves corrosive acid, flammable alcohol or acetone, and a slight chance of glassware shattering as a result of the vigorous chemical reaction. The test tube thunderstorm demonstration should only be performed by qualified individuals, wearing full protective gear and using proper safety precautions. Materials 95% alcohol (any type) or acetonesulfuric acidpotassium permanganateglass pipettetest tube Perform the Demonstration Wear gloves, a face shield, and protective clothing. Pour some alcohol or acetone into a test tube.Use a glass pipette to introduce a layer of sulfuric acid below the alcohol or acetone. Avoid any mixing of the two liquids, since the demonstration wont work if too much mixing occurs. Do not handle the test tube beyond this point.Drop a few crystals of potassium permanganate into the test tube.Turn out the lights. The sulfuric acid and the permanganate react to form manganese heptoxide, which explodes when it comes into contact with the alcohol or acetone. The reaction looks a bit like a thunderstorm in a test tube.When the demonstration is concluded, inactivate the reaction by using metal tongs to place the test tube into a large container of water. Be very careful! There is a chance the test tube could shatter.

Biography of Hans Bethe

Biography of Hans Bethe German-American physicist Hans Albrecht Bethe (pronounced BAY-tah) was born on July 2, 1906. He made key contributions to the field of nuclear physics and helped to develop the hydrogen bomb and the  atomic bomb used in World War II. He died on March 6, 2005. Early Years Hans Bethe was born on July 2, 1906 in Strasbourg, Alsace-Lorraine. He was the only child of Anna and Albrecht Bethe, the latter of whom worked as a physiologist at the University of Strasbourg. As a child, Hans Bethe showed an early aptitude for mathematics and often read his fathers calculus and trigonometry books. The family moved to Frankfurt when Albrecht Bethe took a new position at the Institute of Physiology at the  University of Frankfurt am Main. Hans Bethe attended secondary school at Goethe-Gymnasium  in  Frankfurt until he contracted tuberculosis in 1916. He took some time off school to recover before graduating in 1924. Bethe went on to study at the University of Frankfurt for two years before transferring to the University of Munich  so that he could study theoretical physics under German physicist Arnold Sommerfeld. Bethe earned his PhD in 1928. He worked as an assistant professor at the University of Tubingen and later worked as a lecturer at the University of Manchester after immigrating to England in 1933. Bethe moved to the United States in 1935 and took a job as a professor at Cornell University. Marriage and Family Hans Bethe married Rose Ewald, the daughter of German physicist Paul Ewald, in 1939. They had two children, Henry and Monica, and eventually, three grandchildren. Scientific Contributions From 1942 to 1945, Hans Bethe served as the director of the theoretical division at Los Alamos where he worked on the Manhattan Project, a team effort to assemble the worlds first atomic bomb. His work was instrumental in calculating the bombs explosive yield. In 1947 Bethe contributed to the development of quantum electrodynamics by being the first scientist to explain the Lamb-shift in the hydrogen spectrum.  At the beginning of the Korean War, Bethe worked on another war-related project and helped to develop a hydrogen bomb. In 1967, Bethe was awarded a Nobel Prize in Physics for his revolutionary work in stellar nucleosynthesis. This work offered insight into the ways in which stars produce energy. Bethe also developed a theory related to inelastic collisions, which helped nuclear physicists understand the stopping power of matter for fast charged particles. Some of his other contributions include work on solid-state theory and a theory of the order and disorder in alloys. Late in life, when Bethe was in his mid-90s, he continued to contribute to research in astrophysics by publishing papers on supernovae, neutron stars,  black holes. Death Hans Bethe retired in 1976 but studied astrophysics and served as the John Wendell Anderson Emeritus Professor of Physics Emeritus at  Cornell University  until his death. He died of congestive heart failure on March 6, 2005 at his home in Ithaca, New York. He was 98 years old. Impact and Legacy Hans Bethe was the  head theoretician on the Manhattan Project  and was a key contributor to the atomic bombs that killed more than 100,000 people and wounded even more when they were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during  World War II. Bethe also helped to develop the hydrogen bomb, despite the fact that he was opposed to the development of this type of weapon. For more than 50 years, Bethe strongly advised caution in using the power of the atom. He supported  nuclear nonproliferation treaties and frequently spoke out against missile defense systems. Bethe also advocated for the use of national laboratories to develop technologies that would lower the risk of nuclear war rather than weapons that could win a nuclear war. Hans Bethes legacy lives on today. Many of the discoveries that he made in nuclear physics and astrophysics during his 70 year career have stood the test of time, and scientists are still using and building upon his work to make progress in theoretical physics and  quantum mechanics. Famous Quotes Hans Bethe was a key contributor to the atomic bomb used in World War II as well as the hydrogen bomb. He also spent a significant portion of his life advocating for nuclear disarmament. So, it is really no surprise that he was often asked about his contributions and the potential for nuclear war in the future. Here are some of his most famous quotes on the topic: When I started participating in thermonuclear work in the summer of 1950, I was hoping to prove that thermonuclear weapons could not be made. If this could have been proved convincingly, this would of course have applied to both the Russians and ourselves and would have given greater security to both sides than we can now ever achieve. It was possible to entertain such a hope until the spring of 1951, when it suddenly became clear that it was no longer tenable.If we fight a war and win it with H-bombs, what history will remember is not the ideals we were fighting for but the methods we used to accomplish them. These methods will be compared to the warfare of Genghis Khan who ruthlessly killed every last inhabitant of Persia.Today the arms race is a long-range problem. The Second World War was a short-range problem, and in the short range I think it was essential to make the atomic bomb. However, not much thought was given to the time after the bomb. At first, the work was too absorbi ng, and we wanted to get the job done. But I think that once it was made it had its own impulse - its own motion that could not be stopped. Today we are rightly in an era of disarmament and dismantlement of nuclear weapons. But in some countries nuclear weapons development still continues. Whether and when the various Nations of the World can agree to stop this is uncertain. But individual scientists can still influence this process by withholding their skills.  Accordingly, I call on all scientists in all countries to cease and desist from work creating, developing, improving and manufacturing further nuclear weapons - and, for that matter, other weapons of potential mass destruction such as chemical and biological weapons.   Hans Bethe Fast Facts Full Name:  Hans Albrecht Bethe  Occupation: PhysicistBorn: July 2, 1906 in  Strasbourg, Germany (now Strasbourg, France)Died: March 6, 2005 in Ithaca, New York, USAEducation: Goethe University Frankfurt,  Ludwig Maximilian University of MunichKey Accomplishment: Received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1967 for his work in  stellar nucleosynthesis. Served as head theoretician on the Manhattan Project.  Spouses Name: Rose EwaldChildrens Names: Henry Bethe,  Monica Bethe Bibliography Broad, William J. â€Å"HANS BETHE CONFRONTS THE LEGACY OF HIS BOMB.†Ã‚  The New York Times, The New York Times, 11 June 1984, www.nytimes.com/1984/06/12/science/hans-bethe-confronts-the-legacy-of-his-bomb.html?pagewantedall.Broad, William J. â€Å"Hans Bethe, Prober of Sunlight and Atomic Energy, Dies at 98.†Ã‚  The New York Times, The New York Times, 8 Mar. 2005, www.nytimes.com/2005/03/08/science/hans-bethe-prober-of-sunlight-and-atomic-energy-dies-at-98.html.Gibbs, W. Wayt. â€Å"Hans Albrecht Bethe, 1906-2005.†Ã‚  Scientific American, 1 May 2005, www.scientificamerican.com/article/hans-albrecht-bethe-1906-2005/.â€Å"Hans Bethe.†Ã‚  Atomic Heritage Foundation, 2 July 1906, www.atomicheritage.org/profile/hans-bethe.â€Å"Hans Bethe - Biographical.†Ã‚  Nobelprize.org, www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1967/bethe-bio.html.Irion, Robert. â€Å"A Towering Physicists Legacy Faces a Threatening Future.†Ã‚  Science, American Asso ciation for the Advancement of Science, 7 July 2006, science.sciencemag.org/content/313/5783/39.full?rss1.