How does a society's relationship to the natural environment influence Term Paper

How does a society's relationship to the natural environment influence the cultural beliefs and practices of its people - Term Paper Example 1). Anthropology came from the Greek word arthropos which means human and logos which mean study of. The discipline of anthropology is about the human behavior with the combination of humanistic, scientific, historical, psychological, social and biological views (Jurmain, Kilgore and Trevathan, 2009, p. 6). According to Angrosino (2002), two fields of anthropology currently exist: physical anthropology and cultural anthropology. Human population is studied by physical anthropology through their genes and mechanics of evolution. The fossils and the living creatures are compared to come up with conclusions. On the other hand, cultural anthropology is concerned with the human societies and its impacts in the daily lives of the people. Cultural anthropology has five subdivisions: archaeology, ethnography, ethnology, social anthropology, and linguistics. Archaeology deals with the culture through studies using the remains or materials (artifacts) while ethnography describes the society sy stematically and vividly usually through field work. Ethnology deals with the interpretations of the information from ethnology while social anthropology is concerned with the social structure and groups. ... Various views may help the readers to understand the importance of knowing how the ways of life of people is affected by their surroundings. DISCUSSION Environment greatly affects the culture of people like the concept of racism. The variation within the human race is not caused by biological changes but more of cultural concepts like difference in access to social and economic resources (Goodman, 2006, p. 161). It can be said that the differences is manmade because biological variation is nonconcordance according to Goodman (2006). It is inherited separately or independently. Also in the biological perspective, genes are not the only means where the effect of nature can be seen or measured. Physical body is also checked to prove the differences among races and researchers also tried to prove that racism is a biological effect. Craniometry was done by experts to compare the intelligence of the human ancestors. It was even use in the society to rank criminals and people from different races because the traditional belief of intelligence is affected by the size of the brain (Lansing and de Vet, 2006, p. 4). Many myths have been held by people regarding the concept of racism as biology, but no matter what they do, the commonly-held beliefs are still beliefs and myths, not a reality. First of all, race is not based upon fixed, ideal and unchanging concepts contrary to the popular belief which was favored by the popular culture but not science (Goodman, 2006, p. 163). A good example is the traditional concept of beauty which turns against the black. The fad favors the European-looking people to be beautiful (Mercer, 1990, p. 247). The same can be seen in the chapter of a book written by Richard Rodriguez. According to Rodriguez (1990, p. 277-278), his

Fresh Water Pollution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Fresh Water Pollution - Essay Example Nutrient pollution is caused by excess seepage of nutrients into the water; microorganisms that live in the water cause microbiological pollution. Suspended matter is caused by pollutants whose molecules are too big to mix thus form a silt at the bottom or remain floating at the top. A number of human activities such as industries that releases their effluent to fresh water bodies bring about surface water pollution. Oxygen depletion is the result of the release of too much biodegradable waste into the water. Thus, the oxygen in the water is used up by the increased amount of organisms that break down matter. Chemical pollution refers to contamination of water by industrial and agricultural waste such as metals, detergents and pesticides. In addition, it may be caused by oil spillage. Finally, ground water pollution is caused by seepage of chemicals through the soil and into underground water sources such as wells and boreholes. This pollution is caused by human activities although some are natural as found in Bangladesh laced with arsenic. Excess fertilizer, animal manure and waste effluent, contain nutrients that stimulate excess plant and algae growth in the fresh water bodies; they cause the decomposing plants and animals to use the oxygen to depletion causing the death of the organisms and animals, as well as the plants. Agricultural and chemical waste like DDT that is persistent insecticides and pesticides accumulate in the fresh water harming fish and birds. In addition, oil from oil spills and coagulated chemicals from industries cause the birds in the water bodies to have their wings and feathers clogged up thus are unable to fly. Human and fecal waste may contain disease carrying organisms and pathogens, which causes cholera and typhoid among humans which may cause death and disease outbreaks. Chemical pollutants that find their

Investigation to find out whether changing Essay Example for Free

Investigation to find out whether changing Essay Air resistance is a force that acts upon any object falling through the air. It slows the rate of descent on an object with any surface area. Scientific research has found that by altering the objects surface area, the amount of air resistance either increases or decreases, changing the rate of descent. Newtons third law states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. My helicopter will fall to the ground because of the gravitational pull of the Earth. In reflection to Newtons law, the opposite force in the case of my experiment will be air resistance. As gravity is pulling my helicopter to the ground, air resistance is pushing up onto my helicopter, slowing its rate of descent. The rate of gravity is always the same, as the gravitational pull from the Earth is the same, so the factor in this case, which affects the rate of descent, is air resistance. Newtons second law of motion states that the acceleration an object experiences multiplied by the mass of the object is equal to the net force acting on the object. Thus, if a given force acts on two objects of different mass, the object with the larger mass will have a lower acceleration. In the case of my experiment, the rate of descent on my helicopter, multiplied by the mass of my helicopter is equal to the total amount of forces acting on it. If the forces acting on my helicopter give a net force which is zero, then my helicopter will not accelerate, it will continue moving at a constant velocity. The forces on an object falling at terminal velocity are balanced. Terminal velocity occurs when the weight of an object is balanced by the drag. Drag depends on the speed of an object- the faster it moves the greater the drag. Therefore, if one of my helicopters is moving faster than another, then it will create more air resistance. Drag also depends on the shape of an object. A streamlined object will travel much faster than another object, and they have a lower terminal velocity. We call the force of gravity on something its weight. Weight (N) = mass (kg) x gravitational field strength (N/kg) The gravitational field strength on Earth is around 10N/kg. Astronauts on the moon tried an experiment suggested by Galileo. They dropped a feather and a hammer at the same time, and they landed together. Newton also tried this experiment, dropping a coin and a feather first in air, then in a vacuum. In the air the coin landed first, but in a vacuum, they landed at the same time. The feather and the coin have a similar surface area, so when they begin to fall they should have about the same amount of drag. As they fall the air resistance on the feather soon increases to balance its weight, causing it to travel at terminal velocity. The coin, on the other hand, is heavier, so it continues to accelerate, and probably hits the ground before reaching terminal velocity. The drag force (air resistance) is always in the opposite direction to the motion. The force of gravity is equal and opposite to the drag force. I predict that by altering the surface area of the wings on my helicopter, I will be able to change the rate of descent by increasing and decreasing the air resistance of the wings. I think that if I increase the surface area of the wings, the amount of air resistance will increase, and my helicopter will take longer to reach the floor. If I decrease the surface area, there will be less air resistance, so my helicopter will travel faster. I also think that whilst doing my experiment, I may find the terminal velocity of one of my helicopters. Method: Make a helicopter out of a piece of paper. Make the wings 11cm x 3cm each, and the base 10cm x 3cm, leaving a 1. 5cm gap from the edges of the wings, like the one shown here. Fold one wing forwards, and the other backwards along the dotted line. Measure a height of 2m from the floor. Make a mark on the wall so that you know where to drop your helicopters from. Stand so that the first helicopter is level with the mark on the wall, and get another person to stand on the floor with a stop clock. Let go of the helicopter and time how long it takes to hit the floor. Record your results in a table. Repeat with the same sized helicopter 3 times, and then cut 1cm off the length of the wings. Repeat the experiment until the wings are 1cm long. To keep my experiment fair- I will use the same helicopter throughout my experiment to ensure accurate results. I will also mark a point on the wall so that I can drop my helicopters from the same height every time. Results: Analysis: My results dont show a linear pattern, the average times go down in steps, but this may have been caused by experimental errors. More of my average times are above my line of best fit than on or below it. Evaluation: I think that my experiment was fairly successful, as from my results I can see that my prediction is usually correct- reducing the surface area of the wings decreases the time it takes to get to the floor, because of the reduce in air resistance. If I was to do this experiment again, I would make another helicopter in a different way, because I think that that my results may have been in a more linear fashion if the helicopter spun more in the air.

Self-Portrait Essay

Self-Portrait Essay My understanding of the society I live in changes from day to day. When Obama was elected, I had great hopes for this country and that racial equality would finally balance out and that old prejudices would disappear Black people would get better jobs, everyone would be equal, and the Democrats would take care of us and see to it that my parents and their parents get a fair deal here in America. I had unrealistic expectations, like most young people. I did not realize that the economy would go down so quickly. But I have the encouragement of my family and church, to forge ahead and attain my goals. We are native Suirnamese people, South American, and my descendants are Indian. My parents brought me to America when I was four years old. I am nineteen years of age. Since I am fully Americanized and have grown up in America, I have never experienced immigrant prejudice; my skin is light and I have no accent. I would have to label myself in the American society as a young female adult. I see myself in society as a young female trying to keep up with other females who are judged on their ability to look good, wear the right hair styles that are contemporary, display stylish accessories and clothing on a daily basis, and keep the figure because fat people are discriminated against, openly, no matter what age they are. This society is health conscious, weight conscious, clothes conscious, designed brand conscious, body pamper conscious, sex conscious, and materialistic. I see myself as having to keep up with other females my age; if not, I am excluded from social events and activities that enjoy prominence in my community. If I dont have the right clothes for church benefits and extra-curricular activities in my social network, I am not accepted into the group and it is a zero tolerance situation as far as young females are concerned. With regard to what is expected of me by other females, and how I see my own self-image, it is easier to go along with my peers and sta y competitive with them, then it is to drop out of the social network, become an outsider and not be accepted by my age group. In order to stay popular, well-liked and trusted by my peers, I have to maintain the correct appearance so that I remain status quo with the other young female adults who aspire to become educated, successful and financially secure. Theres no way to deny the importance of high beauty standards in this country, today. One cannot turn away from billboards, television ads, magazine pages, newspaper clips, or even video games that perpetuate the slender, perfect body with perfect long fingernails glamorous hair and make-up and sexy clothes that are clingy and revealing. Theres no way to get away from the broadcasts about fat Americans and European dislike for fat Americans; and everywhere you turn, there is someone behind you that looks like Madonna or any one of thousands of perfect role models flashing in the media. They are cultural heroes and their femininity is no longer denied. I guess that in order to rule the world, a woman has to be a Barbie doll so that she will gain attention from men even if she doesnt have the brains to go with it. Perhaps that is the message that women and advertisers are communicating in the 21st century. Furthermore, since society is so set on stressing the importance of a thin bod y and a gorgeous face, it is not a surprise that eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia to overcome the female fear of becoming fat are on the rise today (Medias Effect on Girls, 2009, 1-4). They are what they consume, and it is killing them. Coming to America when I was four years old was a tremendous culture shock for my parents, but not for me. My mother never realized that female beauty could be so concentrated in exacted guidelines and standardized measurements as it is here in America. It is most puzzling how American women can subject themselves to such a biased standard of configuration. In my country of origin, Suriname, women are valued for their individuality and natural charm and beauty. We dont have a standard look of fashion beauty nor do we feel obligated or condemned to a life of copying what we see in magazines. Although we do have fads, as all countries do, our maturity lends to individual styles which are socially acceptable and respected. There is no need for false imaging to gain social acceptance. However, this was the country my parents, grandparents and descendants grew up in. Over the years as I was growing up, my parents realized that they had to furnish me with everything my classmates had; just to keep me from being bullied by classmates. Apparently, the influence of advertising in America is so persuasive that women cannot relate to themselves unless they emulate their stage stars and media stereotypes. Female appearance is central in America, and according to Dr. Smith, professor of Marketing at the University of Wisconsin, ads with female models are usually for appearance-related products, and by the time girls reach adolescence, they redefine their image and envision their futures (Advertising Images of Girls, 1997, 2). Thus, advertising and media supports send messages that could limit their aspirations, undermine their self worth and endanger their health. Example: body-pampering with soaps and shampoos that show lady (thin lady) in the shower, with long beautiful hair, perfect dimensions and perfect everything. Then she steps into a sexy little dress that she could not wear until she joined Jenny Craig and lost 25 pounds of unwanted weight. Now she is perfect, acceptable, and the dress she is wearing can be bou ght at a Wal-Mart and the thin body can be purchased at Jenny Craig Diet Center, and the shampoo and soap can be purchased from any local discount store. So the advertisers are happy, the actors are rich, and the female viewer is frowning because she cant wear the skinny little dress because she hasnt lost enough weight to fit into a size 5. The emphasis on female appearance tells American females that they are under pressure to be thin. On the other hand, this tells boys and men that women are supposed to be, above everything else, a pretty and perfect package and something to behold, but not necessarily to respect (Advertising Images of Girls, 1997, 2). All I can hope to accomplish as a young female adult is to fit in, get a good education and career, not rely on marriage to fulfill my identity, and keep a close affiliation with my church and community. Bibliography Advertising Images of Girls and Women. (Fall 1997). A Report from Children Now. 1-5 Available on http://www.childrennow.org/media/medianow/mnfall1997.html Medias Effect on Girls: Body Image and Gender Identity. (03 April 2009) 1-4. Available on http://www.medianfamily.org/facts/facts_mediaeffect.shtml

Berlin Wall Essay -- History

Berlin Wall The Berlin Wall, for twenty-eight years, separated friends, families, and a nation. A lot of suffering began for Germany when World War II commenced, but by the end of the war Germany was in the mists of a disaster waiting to happen. After WWII was over Germany was divided into four parts. The United States, Great Britain, and France controlled the three divisions that were formed in the Western half; and the Eastern half was controlled by the Soviet Republic. The Western divisions eventually united to make a federal republic, while the Eastern divisions became communist. Even though Berlin lay deep within the Soviet sector, the Allies thought it best to divide this capital. Therefore Berlin was also divided into four parts. The Soviet Union was in control of the eastern half of Germany. The Soviet Union made East Berlin the capital of East Germany. The other three counties were each in control of a small part of what was to be West Germany. These three countries decided that they would come together to form one country out of their three divided parts. Those three divided parts formed West Germany. After all the land was divided the Soviet Union controlled East Germany. Just like the Soviet Union, the economy in East Germany was struggling to get back on its feet after the war. While West Berlin became a lively urban area like many American cities, East Berlin became what many thought of as a ‘Mini-Moscow’. In East Germany there was literary almost nothing. The shelves in the stores were practically bare, and what was there was not in very good quality. At first, the divisions between East and West Berlin were uncertain. There was nothing that divided the city. For more than ten years after the official split of the city, East Berlin saw a major emigration of East Germans, unhappy with the communist system. Emigration was easy. With nothing physical to separate East and West Berlin, migration from totalitarianism to democracy was as easy for East Berliners as changing houses. The Soviet Union went against their promises to the people of East Germany, and made East Germany a Communist country. This decision by the Soviet Union separated East Germany even more from the rest of Europe. East Germany was now all by itself, and by the summer of 1952 the border between East and West Germany was closed; only in Berlin was the border... ...ts_01_p.htm Tusa, Ann; The Last Division: A History of Berlin, 1945-1989; Great Britain, 1997; Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Inc. Grathwol, Robert P. and Moorhus, Dontia M.; American Forces in Berlin: 1945-1994 Cold War Outpost; Washington D.C.: Dept. of Defense Legacy Resource Management Program, 1994 Berlin Wall Facts; http://www.dailysoft.com/berlinwall/history/facts_01_p.htm Knorr, Marco; citizen of West Germany; current roommate; interviewed on 11/17/99. Berlin Wall Facts; http://www.dailysoft.com/berlinwall/history/facts_01_p.htm Bowman, Stephan; â€Å"Crisis in Berlin†, VFW, November 1998; 34-38. â€Å"The Division and Unification of Germany: The Fall of the Berlin Wall†; http://members.tripod.com/~Nevermore/wall.html, 1-5. â€Å"The Division and Unification of Germany: The Fall of the Berlin Wall†; http://members.tripod.com/~Nevermore/wall.html; 1-5. Ramous, Andreas; â€Å"A Personal Account of the Fall of The Berlin Wall: The 11th and 12th of November, 1989†; http://www.andreas.com/berlin.html; 1-6. Berlin Wall Timeline; http://www.dailysoft.com/berlinwall/time.htm. Cooper, Belinda; â€Å"The Changing Faces of Berlin†, World Policy Institute; 57-68.

Rocky Mountain High :: essays research papers

â€Å"Rocky Mountain High†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Swish, swish, flap, swish, flap. The walls of my tent begin to shake vigorously. I roll over, rub my eyes, and try to figure out what in the hell is going on. Waking up from the long, cold nights sleep at 10,000 feet, my senses are not exactly what I would call â€Å"sharp as a tack†. I unzip my sleeping bag and a rush of cold mountain air sends shivers down my spine. I scramble around the tent, frantically trying to find some warm clothes. As I hop out of the tent, I realize the shaking was coming from the other members in my group giving me a camper’s wake up call. Still in a morning daze, I ask, â€Å"What’s for breakfast?† After the laughter dies down, I realize the Clif bar I packed the day before will be the only breakfast I get.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As I scramble around camp, I notice the first glints of sunshine shoot over the ridge to the east and the moon slowly tucking itself into bed behind the ridge on the west. I wipe the dew off the face of my watch, 6:03am. I take a deep breath of the mountain air, as clean as pure spring water and then I feel nature begin to call. With the first task of the day accomplished, I pack up camp and prepare for the days hike. The higher up the mountain I go, more and more of my group members began to fade. Some of the members stop to rest on a log that has fallen victim to Mother Nature. Others pause to take pictures of themselves, overlooking the valley below. The lake glimmers from the sun’s rays and the cool north winds push the clouds across the sky. Feeling excited now, I want to keep going to get the view from the top. Sitting on a log to rest or taking pictures just does not seem so appealing anymore. I do not know what about hiking in the mountains that became so addicting to me, but there is definitely something about it. Maybe it is the way that all my worries and troubles seem to disappear into the land. I run around all day climbing peak after peak, not thinking twice about the rest of the world. All the TV’s, cell phones, palm pilots and other gadgets of the day that seem to keep me entertained at home are like a candle in the wind when compared to Mother Nature, who offers plenty to keep me occupied.

The Steps in the Business Buying-Decision Process

First process is problem recognition in which someone in the company recognizes a problem or need that can be met by acquiring a good or service. It can result from internal (a machine break down and need new parts) and external stimuli (buyer receive a call from a salesperson who offers a better machine or a lower price). Next stage is general need description in which a buyer describes the general characteristics and quantity of a needed item.An example, for complex items, the buyer needs to work with others-engineers, users, consultants to define the item. Third step is product specification. The buying organization decides on and specifies the best technical product characteristics for a needed item by using product value analysis. Supplier search is another step in which the buyer tries to find the best vendors. They can compile a small list of qualified suppliers by reviewing trade directories, doing computer searches, or phoning other companies for recommendations.Another stag e is proposal solicitation. In this stage the buyer invites qualified suppliers to submit proposals. Business marketers must be skilled in researching, writing, and presenting proposals in response to buyer proposal solicitation. Next step is supplier selection in which the buyer reviews proposals and selects a supplier or suppliers. The buying center often will draw up a list of the desired supplier attributes (product and service quality, reputation) and their relative importance.Order-routine specification is the next step of business buying-decision process. the buyer writes the final order with the chosen supplier(s), listing the technical specifications, quantity needed, expected time of delivery, return policies, and warranties. Final stage is performance review in which the buyer assesses the performance of the supplier and decides to continue, modify, or drop the arrangement. The seller’s job is to monitor the same factors used by the buyer to make sure that the sell er is giving the expected satisfaction.