Abstract This paper describes a hiker's personal struggle with a climb up a difficult mountain. The physical and emotional challenges of the climb are described, as well as the euphoria and satisfaction felt after successfully completing the climb.
From the Paper "As the sun was rising on the morning of the fifth day, I found myself biting my lip, while the intensity of that day's events fogged up my mind. Climbing Table Rock was becoming a reality, and I was doing everything I could to avoid thinking about it. I?ve always considered myself somewhat of a thrill-seeker, and my lifelong fear of heights had never failed to create a worthwhile thrill. But this climbing experience would be one that I would never forget."
Abstract In this essay, the writer deals with the related ethical considerations when human endeavor, combined with the acceptance of the danger and risks involved in the endeavor, turn into a tourist outing. The writer notes that a quest for Everest involves a strong statistical chance of loss of life and discusses whether climbing Mount Everest should be considered a tourist venture. This essay alludes to the problems with too many climbers making the attempt at the same time resulting in over-crowding. The writer believes, as Krakauer does, that there should be a set of guidelines to prevent over crowding on the summit to assure a safe climb and return, or at least as much as is possible. The writer concludes that a fine balance between economic and ethical considerations, a healthy respect for a culture different from Western sensibilities, and a desire to take personal responsibility will ensure that there are fewer tragedies on Mount Everest.
From the Paper "Better equipment, better organization, experienced guides have made attempts on Everest easier. While in the above 8000 meter altitude, also know as the Death Zone, rescue is almost impossible, with the odds of medical problems exponentially higher, better communication facilities and satellite-based weather services have improved odds of making it up and down the mountain. This has resulted in a sense of complacency among would-be adventurers who often attempt to climb the highest peak in the world with little or no mountaineering skills and even lesser respect for the mountain."
Abstract The paper discusses how in "The Death of Ivan Ilych," Leo Tolstoy utilizes characters, Ivan's social status and his illness to demonstrate the terrible fate of living a life of materialism and social climbing. The paper describes how years of social climbing do nothing for Ivan in the area of satisfaction and happiness. The paper looks at Ivan's death where those closest to him are more concerned with their well being than anything else.
From the Paper "From the very beginning of the story, we see how Tolstoy uses characters in the story to emphasize materialism and social climbing. For example, after the announcement of Ivan's death, we see different characters going over what the death means to them. We read that those that heard the news "the first thought of each of the gentlemen in that private room the changes and promotions it might occasion among themselves or their acquaintances" (Tolstoy 824). For example, Fedor Vasilievich remembers about a promotion he was promised long ago and thinks, "I shall be sure to get Stabel's place or Vinnikov's" (824)."
Abstract This paper points out that diesel fuel, once a popular energy choice for automobile owners, has experienced a decided drop in popularity over the last few decades. The drop in popularity, primarily due to its reputation as a harmful environmental pollutant, contributed to a gain in diesel alternatives, including one of the most traditional fuel sources, gasoline. The paper then points out that gradual changes in our global environment and economy, particularly the demand for oil and its climbing expensiveness, may now be signaling a change on the horizons for the global picture with respect to the demand for diesel fuel.
This paper compares two articles, which discuss the struggles of the American middle class: "Life at the Top in America Isn't Just Better, It's Longer," by Janny Scott and "Angela Whitiker's Climb," by Isabel Wilkerson.
Abstract This paper explains that the two articles, "Life at the Top in America Isn't Just Better, It's Longer" and "Angela Whitaker's Climb", address the struggles many peoples face in rising to middle-class "respectability" and comfort. The author points out that these articles show that social class determines not only the "creature comforts" one will enjoy in a lifetime but also the length of life one will be able to devote to those comforts. The paper concludes that, while the Wilkerson article raises some compelling points, the Scott article is more powerful because it juxtaposes the differential experiences of people who may share the same tragedies but not the same possibilities of recovery and ultimate success.
From the Paper "As well, while both articles view poverty as a "trap" from which few escape, the Scott article is especially evocative because it actually captures what poverty means in terms of length of life and the extent to which that life will be complicated by health maladies that greater wealth could have avoided. Finally, both articles, to their credit, note how spouses in working-class and even middle-class homes must work together in order to ensure that the house, the cars and the children's educations are tended to."
Abstract This paper discusses the issue of female discrimination in the workplace. The author examines the glass ceiling, a concept used to describe an imaginary barrier that prevents women from climbing the corporate ladder because a glass ceiling prevents then from climbing higher.
From the paper:
"In summary an organizations culture and values are reflected by their ability to both meet the needs of working mothers and to promote women in the organization. The debate exists as to how much the glass ceiling impacts working women, organizations need to address the needs and promote their female employees, otherwise they are missing out on a talented pool of workers. As women continue to play a bigger role in corporate America, they deserve the same opportunity to advance as men do."
Tags: discrimination, corporate, sex, employment, ladder, women, working
Abstract This paper is a literary analysis of Wolterstorff's Lament for a Son, It looks at his theories on God in lieu of the loss of his son in a mountain climbing accident and sees God as a God who fights death, and suffers when people die. Also, he looks at why suffering exists, and how it is a counterpart of love.
From the paper:
"In Nicholas Wolterstorff's ?Lament for a Son,? the author tries to explain the thought processes he experienced throughout the ordeal of his son's death. When Eric Wolterstorff died in a mountain climbing accident, his father's life was changed forever, and it is this change and the repercussions that change had that is the focus of the book's search for truth. Through reflecting on the thoughts and comments of others and comparing them with his own experience, Wolterstorff attempts to convey both his new questions about God, and also the answers that proved true for him. An important part of fully processing this text is to examine his questions and his thought processes about those questions in both a moral and theological light, and also give personal reactions to the author's reasoning and assertions."
Abstract Of the 300,000 people who attempt suicide every year in the United States, about 10 percent succeed. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in children under 15 years of age; and about one in every ten teenagers will attempt to commit suicide before they finish high school.
Moreover, since 1950, suicide among young people has increased by 250 percent and the number is climbing. In Los Angeles county alone in one year, youth suicide climbed 80 percent. These alarming statistics highlight the importance of the need to fully understand the factors that contribute to suicide among youth. The first part of this paper examines the current research investigating predictors of suicide in young people. To this end, three categories of suicide predictor research are examined: Studies using clinical samples; studies using non-clinical samples and studies comparing predictors of clinical and non-clinical samples. The second part of this paper examines the story of one tragic youth who committed suicide in front of his classmates, as well as the issues faced by youth suicide in one major county. The review ends with the formulation of several conclusions concerning factors that assist in predicting suicide risk in young people.
From the Paper "Hutchings (1998) has suggested that another factor that may place children and adolescents at higher risk of suicide is if they witness domestic violence in their homes. In her study of a small sample of adolescents, Hutchings observed that adolescents who witness violence in the home are at an increased risk of trying to handle their own problems using violent methods; probably because their parents have modeled this behavior. Being at increased risk of using violence as a mechanism for coping, Hutchings feels that these teens could well be at increased risk of handling pain via suicide."
Abstract This paper explains that both aircraft, the Beachcraft 1900D and the Gulfstream IV, are quite similar in many of the specifications and performance levels; however, they are designed for different uses. The author points out that, to evaluate the utility of each plane, characteristics such as takeoff, climb and cruise performance, descent performance, landing performance, and runway requirements, which is a one good indication of its market position and value, should be examined. The paper relates that the Beachcraft 1900D ideally is suited for commercial commuter use; however, other characteristics, such relatively long range (approximately 1000 nautical miles), high flight ceiling of 33,000 feet, 2600 climb rate, and cruising speed of 278, also make it an ideal choice for several providers in both national and international markets. O the other hand, the Gulfstream IV is designed primarily for "luxury, corporate transport".
Table of Contents
Introduction
Beachcraft 1900D
Forecast Utility and Breadth of Use
Gulfstream IV
Forecast of Utility and Breadth of Use
Conclusions
From the Paper "When considering the important external components of the landing gear as well as the engine characteristics, again the 1900D is well suited for commercial commuter use. This is because the craft allows for the installation of and electro-hydraulic anti-skid feature (which may be extremely useful in some locals and/or conditions). Of course, the hydraulic function of the landing gear (as well as the breaks) can be overridden by manual operation. Further, its engines (designed and manufactured by Pratt and Whitney), are designed specifically (through their flat-rating at 1,279 shp), to function longer (without serious breakdown), conserve power, as well as allow for ?high altitude/hot day performance, again, placing it of high value in many particular geographic areas and markets."
Abstract This paper relates that Thomas Hobbes viewed (1) man as being egoistic, self-interested and always aiming towards self-preservation; (2) yet, man can act in ways that are not selfish to preform civic duties and help society and (3) man is in a state of constant war with one another due to the fact that immediate authority is unattainable. The author stresses that Hobbes says that self-preservation is pre-eminent in the nature of man and anything done to keep that motive is humanistic and should be done without recourse. The paper explains that, to Aristotle, (1) mankind is climbing a ladder to reach an end goal of happiness; (2) climbing the steps of the ladder is done in a way that is good for the rest of the community; however, (3) self-sufficiency is the highest virtue of all.
From the Paper "Aristotle wrote comparatively little on tyranny and its affects on society. According to Aristotle, either the one, the few, or the many rule. Human beings are by nature political and will suffer greatly under despotism or a tyrannical monarchy. A polis that would concern itself only with the negative functions of protecting persons or property is not truly a polis in Aristotle's eyes. Nature's role in the polis was to positively develop human potential and create habits. Despite his conservatism and defending monarchy, Aristotle often displayed genuine fait in the political participation and intelligence of ordinary citizens."
Tags: self-sufficiency, self-preservation, war, property, society
Abstract The paper outlines twelve major events in chronological order in John Knowles' book, "A Separate Peace", and explores their significance. The paper highlights the ideas of coming-of-age as an adult, personal transformations and about friends finding fulfillment through each other. The paper shows how the story is about being forced to confront painful realities; war, human frailty and the loss of innocence being chief among them.
Outline:
First Major Event: The Return to Devon
Second Event: Climbing up the Tree (the Second Climb)
Third Event: Finny's Confession of Friendship and Gene's Hesitation
Fourth Event: Gene Flunks the Trigonometry Test
Fifth Event: Finny's Fall
Sixth Event: The Visit in the Infirmary and the Failed Confession
Seventh Event: The Confession at Finny's Home in Boston
Eighth Event: Gene's Decision to Enlist - and how It Is Interrupted by Finny's Return
Ninth Event: Gene Decides to Become an Olympic Athlete
Tenth Event: the Fight with Leper at Leper's Home in Vermont
Eleventh Event: the Tribunal
Twelfth Event: Finny's Death
From the Paper "In chapter one, the narrator of the story returns to the elite Devon school campus in New Hampshire 15 years after graduation. Upon his return, the narrator is re-introduced to the fear he felt at the time (he was a student during the height of the Second World War) and he is prompted to recollect the summer of 1942 when his room-mate, Phineas or "Finny," persuaded him to jump off the branch of a tree found on the Devon campus; the tree, as it turns out, is located right beside a river and it is into the river that one must jump. Ultimately, the act of jumping into the river, and the wrestling that Finny and the narrator do afterwards, causes them to miss dinner that evening."
Tags: war, human, frailty, innocence, friendships, fulfillment
From the Paper "One of the most intriguing aspects of Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer is the "sub-plot" of the South African team, sponsored by the Johannesburg Sunday Times and the contrast between the work of the native Sherpas and the foreign visitors to Mount Everest. In this riveting book there are many contrasts examined by Krakauer. The contrast between the poorly paid sherpas and the handsomely paid leaders of the Climbing Expeditions is a stark examination of the economic disparity between the white people from wealthy dominant nations and the natives of Nepal and Tibet and the way they have had to structure their life around the non-Asian people who are drawn to their country by the allure of climbing Mount Everest."
Abstract This paper represents the North American Free Trade Agreement and its involvement in the corporate community. The author answers the questions of what NAFTA does for big business, and how it sometimes can interfere with other regional pacts signed in Latin America.
From the Paper:
"Back when trade between two nations was mainly influenced by special interests, the experts and lobbyists agreed there could be no other way to trade. This is no longer the case in today's global market. Corporations must now compete globally and adhere to stringent rules of trade. The reason for this is back in the 1950's the Gross Domestic Product was just four percent, in comparison today it is at a staggering thirteen percent. Another reason for this climb is because of international capital flows, which then can range from a production standpoint, for example, building factories, to pursuits of very speculative ventures of betting against a country's own currency. These areas have to a point, grown even more robustly. Although still another is that all areas covered under trade agreements have broadened from mainly traditional concerns with numerous tariffs, taxes, and quotas to cover labor, outside environmental problems, and state regulated health regulations. This is where NAFTA came into play."
Tags: agreements, business, corporation, economics, trade, latin, america, north
Abstract This paper analyzes the book "Falling from Grace" by Katherine S. Newman in which she describes how different prototypical Americans have lost their footing on the upward climb of the American Dream. She puts blame on social and economic changes that have been occurred over the past decades and how this has managed to get people to rethink what "The American Dream" is all about.
From the paper:
"The great American Dream has changed from one generation to another in its particulars. For some it was home ownership, for others a chance to send their children to college, for others a chance to escape the city for the suburbs. But for each generation, regardless of these changing specifics of what it might mean to be a successful American, an essential part of the dreams of those Americans buying into the national dream was that each generation would be better off economically (and perhaps in other less tangible ways as well) from their parents."
Tags: hardship, change, optimism, divorce, erosion, norm, prosperity, research, mobile
Abstract Since 1983 per capita consumption of chocolate in America has climbed from 9.7 pounds to 12 pounds annually (Barron, 1998, 118). Of all the foods, items made from chocolate cause the most controversy
From the Paper "IS CHOCOLATE GOOD FOR YOU?
Introduction
Since 1983 per capita consumption of chocolate in America has climbed from 9.7 pounds to 12 pounds annually (Barron, 1998, 118). Of all the foods, items made from chocolate cause the most controversy. There are clubs devoted to its praise, and there are groups that want it banned (Marcus, 1999, B13). There is even a Web site Chocoholic.com that reports 12,000 hits a day and specializes in selling boutique American chocolatiers as Richard H. Donnelly Fine Chocolates in Santa Cruz, CA and Moonstruck Chocolatier in Portland, OR.
Godiva, the famous chocolatier, also has a home on the Web (http://www.godiva.com/index.html) that does everything but let you sample its delights online. The highlight of this "tasteful" site is ..."
