Abstract This paper describes the continental drift and plate tectonic theories and traces their history, discusses the key players who were involved in developing the theories and examines the current state of scientific knowledge about Earth's geology and paleontology.
From the Paper "The idea that the earth's continents have drifted has a long history. As long ago as 1596 the Dutch map maker Abraham Ortelius in his work Thesaurus Geographicus Ortelius suggested that the Americas were "torn away from Europe and Africa . . . by earthquakes and floods." He had been the first (and certainly not the last) to notice the apparent "jig-saw" fit of the bulge of eastern South America into the bight of Africa. (Kious and Tilling, 1999) In around 1850 A.D., a French scientist Antonio Snider-Pellegrini, while researching the similarity of the fossil plants and coal deposits in North American and European and concluded that the phenomenon could only be explained if the two continents had once been connected. In 1908 Frank B. Taylor of the United States invoked the notion of continental collision to explain the formation of some of the world's mountain ranges."
Abstract This paper examines how genetic drift occurs when a subset of a population contains different gene frequencies than the larger population because it is a small sample. Over time, evolution and natural selection will work together to make the gene pool of a smaller population different from that of the greater allele distribution. It attempts to show how genetic drift is an important component of evolution and how, together with natural selection, it works to ensure genetic variety in all species.
From the Paper "The Old Order Amish of Pennsylvania mate within their own community, and seldom involve the outside community. This loss of genetic diversity has led to a higher incidence of certain inherited diseases within Amish communities. For example, the founder effect in the Amish settlement has caused a variety of conditions, such as dwarfism and Crigler-Najjar syndrome, where the body can?t break down bilirubin. Maple Syrup Urine Disease is much more common in the Amish, as is Homocystinuria, where an individual's blood vessels are damaged. In the case of polydactyly, where a person has extra digits, the prevalence among the Amish is much higher. ?Today, thanks to large families and restricted marriages, the number of cases of polydactyly among the Amish exceeds the total number in the rest of the world.? (Lewis, 246)."
Abstract This paper discusses how science has developed many theories of how the earth works to explain natural disasters and why they are a continuous part of human life. According to this paper, one such theory concerns the continental drift and plate tectonics that was explored to explain why certain natural formations upon the earth and in the seas are consistently changing.
From the Paper "Redfern attempts, through his writing, to explain a concept of science that has been beneficial to humankind by exploring natural change sin the earth. Redfern contends that the concept behind the continental drift is that the earth is formed in large plates, which are massive sections beneath the surface. Redfern states that Continental crust is very different from the crust that floors the oceans. Ocean crust is predominantly magnesium silicate, whereas the continents contain higher proportions of aluminum silicates. They also contain less iron than the denser material of the mantle or of the ocean floor. "
Abstract This paper analyzes the classic American novel by John Steinbeck, ?Of Mice and Men.? It looks at the lives and relationship of the two main characters George and Lennie, as they drift from ranch to ranch as migrant farm workers. The paper provides biographical information about Steinbeck's life. The author writes that "Of Mice and Men" is a novel of crushed hope and the cruel certainty of the American Dream.
From the Paper "It is a story of friendship between two men, one apparently worldly but in fact faithful to his companion, "a nice fella" who means no harm but does not know his own power and does "bad things" as he likes to handle and stroke soft, warm animals, whether the fur of mice rabbits and puppies or the hair of women. All who observe them come to desire the bond between George and Lennie, as they ?are not like other guys. Each one begins by imagining the connection between the little guy and the big one, but their suspicions are soon overcome by Lennie's simplicity and George's protecting love for him, a love that as a final point swells to killing his friend so that no one can hurt him."
From the Paper "During the past century, considerable advances have been made in the field of geology. The discovery of plate tectonics has provided researchers with a unifying theory that explains many fundamental earth processes. Of the various hypotheses that led to plate tectonic theory, the most important was proposed by Alfred Wegener. Wegener's ideas on continental drift were supported by much evidence. However, perhaps because of its overwhelming implications, the theory was met with considerable resistance. Only in recent decades has scientific investigation collected sufficient evidence to definitively establish the validity of the continental drift hypothesis.
The theory of plate tectonics describes a lithosphere consisting of approximately the Earth's outer 100 kilometers.... "
Abstract This paper begins by providing an overview of the early life and education of scientist Alfred Wegener. It then discusses his initial idea of the Theory of Continental Drift and how this developed. The writer then explores different evidence for the theory and examines the concept of 'panagea'. The paper discusses reactions to Wegener's theory as well as support. It concludes with a discussion on his final expeditions and what he hoped to achieve.
From the Paper "Alfred Lothar Wegener (1880-1930), German meteorologist, Arctic explorer and a brilliant interdisciplinary scientist, is best known as for his theory of "continental displacement" (that became famous, later, as the theory of continental drift). Since the technological means for proving the theory had not yet been developed and the idea was a radical departure from the scientific thinking of the time, Wegener's theory was widely rejected during his lifetime. After gradual accumulation of evidence in support of the idea, the theory finally gained acceptance in the early sixties."
A critical examination of why Western culture has dominated the world by looking at the Western way of fighting, as observed by Victor Hanson, author of "Carnage and Culture".
Abstract This paper presents Victor Davis Hanson's "Carnage and Culture", in which he argues that over the past twenty-five hundred years, beginning with Hoplite warfare in ancient Greece up to nuclear technology in the United States, the West has predominantly overpowered non-Western civilizations in battle. The rise and ultimate domination of the West, he claims, can be attributed not to geographic advantage, luck, or bravery, but to the peculiarly violent culture that nurtured and encouraged military superiority. This militaristic culture reflects the larger social, economic, political, and cultural abstractions that gave way to its military dominance. This paper examines the Western way of war with reference to the battles at Guagamela, Cannae, Tenochtitlan, and Rorke's Drift, and shows why, over twenty-five hundred years, the West has won.
From the Paper "At the battle of Gaugamela in 331 B.C.E. Alexander III of Macedonia crushed the Persian army and claimed himself king of Asia. The most obvious key factor of Western military practice ? decisive battle ? allowed the outnumbered Macedonian force the upper hand along with organization, discipline, and command. The Persians before had experienced a rude awakening to shock combat when their lightly armed troops invaded the heavily clad charging masses of metal at Marathon. One hundred sixty years later the Persians faced a more advanced form of hoplite battle; although they hired Greek mercenaries, they still were not able to compete."
Abstract This paper purports to investigate our greater understanding of the unified theory of plate tectonics and seafloor spreading. The structure of the earth and the traditional theory of continental drift is examined, followed by a look at the more unified theory of plate tectonics. The global ramifications of this theory is investigated by examining the damaging tectonic activity caused by seafloor spreading, specifically earthquakes as well as the hazards these earthquakes in turn generate, namely tsunamis. Case studies are provided to illustrate the damaging nature of these natural forces. Finally the paper examines whether these hazards can be predicted or prepared for given our greater understanding of their causes.
From the Paper "The Earth is a layered planet consisting of the crust, mantel and core as illustrated in Figure 1 below. Due to the intense heat during the formation of the planet, Earth was mostly molten. The more dense materials sank to the centre forming the core while the lighter materials floated to the surface and gradually formed a rigid layer called the lithosphere (Byatt 2001:18). The upper part of this lithosphere is called the crust, a layer about 80km to 40km thick (Strahler & Strahler 1989:254). The lithosphere also includes the upper part of the mantle called the asthenosphere, which is highly heated to a state that is semi plastic. The rigid, brittle lithosphere, which is broken into large fragments called lithospheric plates, has the capability of moving over the soft, plastic asthenosphere."
Abstract The writer of this paper details the exploration of the ocean floor which began in the 1940s and aided scientists in developing the theory of plate tectonics. This paper explores how the work of researchers like Albert Wegener and James Hutton and the study of plate tectonics helped predict with some degree of accuracy where and when an earthquake will strike as well as predict which of the world's active volcanoes will erupt, saving countless lives.
Topics covered in this report include:
The Theory of Continental Drift This Dynamic Earth-Developing the Theory
Plate Tectonics
Works Cited
From the Paper "Abraham Ortelius, a Dutch mapmaker, first suggested the possibility that the earth's landmasses were not fixed in 1520. He suggested that the Americas were once attached to Africa and Europe. They were then ripped apart by earthquakes and floods, creating three continents. It wasn't until the early part of this century, when a German meteorologist named Alfred L. Wegener became intrigued by this concept and the ideas set forth by other scientists that land bridges had been connected the continents at one time, but had then sunk into the ocean."
Abstract This paper examines the roots, evolution, and apparent direction of post-modern thought as it appears in cinema presentations of the city and its citizens. Post-modernism guided the late 20th century and now shapes our understanding of the 21st. The culture, people, literature, and arts all carry the post-modern constructs, which shape our future through chaos and find direction from a lack of boundaries. Americanism has drifted into post-modern culture through the evolution of our collective goals, dreams, and our realizations and disappointments in reaching toward the same. The post-modern mind is finding freedom in its new paradigm, but is this freedom to become greater than itself, or is post-modern thinking an attempt to cast off past failures without taking ownership of the future?
Contents
Setting the Stage
Tarnished Tales from the Silver Screen
Characters
Settings
Scenes
The Setting
Scenes
Conclusion
From the Paper "Postmodernism is also a reaction to modernity, and hence derives its name from the same. The modern era, ushered into the American dream through the scientific process and critical thinking constructs of the 60's and 70?s, carried with it the promise of a better life. Through breaking down problems into their basic components, and engineering those pieces, culture, the economy, and business could be improved. The advances in business through this understanding brought success and economic expansion which the country had never before experiences. Theorem proposed ? theory supported. Because of the economic progress, culture was able to expand and grow. We traveled, dined out, and created an entire entertainment industry through the economic expansion, and the increase in disposable income."
Abstract This thesis discusses the issue of connectivity from the premise that, if not mindful of our thoughts, we drift along through life connecting, moment by moment, to whatever it is that grabs our attention. Sometimes, the connection lasts for a moment, other times the connection lasts over years or a lifetime. If not mindful of the reason why we are connecting, the connection may not be conducive to our real needs. We may select automatically by some trigger from our past and keep connecting. Under this definition of connectivity, addictive behaviors are a part of the connectivity theory.
Contents
Abstract
Introduction
Statement of Problem
Purpose of Study
Theoretical Framework
Research Hypotheses
Sample Population
Importance of the Study
Organization
Literature Review
Methodology
Data Analysis
Results
Conclusion
Future Research
From the Paper "Connectivity can be reduced through trauma, and is affected by our biology (and through this, our psychology). This is a frightening statement in this day and age. The sample population, of women from Colombia, who have experienced high levels of trauma through the difficult political situation in that country shows us that connectivity is directly affected by trauma. Perhaps this is an over-extrapolation, but in this day and age, in which war is begun without justification, pre-emptively, against already traumatised countries, it should be borne in mind that connectivity (both local and global) can be reduced as a direct effect of this action; and that, as we have seen, a reduction in connectivity can lead to anti-social behavior; it is frightening to point this out, but terrorism, and terrorists can be born through a lack of connectivity. In these times of globalisation, we all have to be aware that we maintain an acceptable level of connectivity to all who share this planet with us. This is a political message from the results of this study, but one which needs to be heeded; all psychologists work with politics at some level, and psychologists working on such a topic have a political responsibility to promote the results of their studies as far and as wide as possible."
Abstract This paper relates that possibly modern monotheism arose not merely as a competitor with goddess worship, but as a reaction to the fundamental nature of goddess worship. The author points out that the shift to agriculture may have been made possible only through the civilizing influence of women who used their sexuality to manipulate men into settling down and, in so doing, provoked an unintentional backlash. The paper speculates that agriculture always arose from goddess worship, terminated in god worship and drifted slowly towards monotheism; therefore, some causality between these two must exist.
From the Paper "If women created agricultural civilization and maintained it through a regime of restricted sexuality, then there may be some sense in the old Judeo-Christian myth that Eve's own punishment would be that ?thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee...? (Genesis 3:16). Male-oriented monotheism and patriarchy might both have easily arisen in this environment as a reaction not so much to Goddess worship as to overwhelming female power, which had stripped from men the easy freedom of his hunter-gatherer ways and forced him into an uncomfortable civilization. In conclusion, this scenario, though strange and removed from what one expects of history, explains why the goddess would have moved from a place of worship to a place of denigration, despite supposedly giving such gifts to mankind, and as an explanation of why monotheism might be allowed to develop."
Abstract This paper describes the struggle to be the one to wield power in a small Anglican diocese. Trollope's purpose is to show the human foibles and politics of the Church of England and how the emphasis of the Church has drifted from God, faith, and the religious guidance of the Church's congregation to politics and the power of the clergy. It explains how "Barchester Towers" does not deal with a power struggle for religious ideals. Rather, it depicts an ecclesiastical power struggle and the vain thirst for personal power among Barchester's churchmen.
From the Paper "Anthony Trollope's Barchester Towers is concerned with social change in 19th century England. Trollope's purpose is to show the human foibles and politics of the Church of England and how the emphasis of the Church has drifted from God, faith, and the religious guidance of the Church's congregation to politics and the power of the clergy. In short, Barchester Towers does not deal with a power struggle for religious ideals. Rather, it depicts an ecclesiastical power struggle and the vain thirst for personal power among Barchester's churchmen. In this battle, several influential men of consequence endeavor to "rule the roast" (18) and to become Barchester's cock of the walk (142). Ironically, the bishop's willful wife Mrs. Proudie thwarts their ambitions. One situation in the novel that Trollope uses to illustrate the clergy's aspirations and their neglect of religious principles is the battle between Mrs. Proudie and her adversaries, Chaplain Slope and the Bishop of Barchester."
Abstract As the dragon awakens, the bear, it appears, hibernates. Recently, the flowering of the Red Chinese economy has turned the eyes of Western security wonks eastward. Disquieted by the possibility of a military force built on years of stunning growth rates, American policymakers have sounded increasing alarms about the regional territorial intentions of this new potential hegemony. Whether due to post-Soviet optimism, hyper-power arrogance, or simply inability to hold too many thoughts simultaneously, this paper shows that analysts have drifted away from concerns about Russia as a credible enemy. The paper argues that, despite the obvious decline in Russian military and economic power, it may remain a potential opponent to the West in coming years. In an attempt to understand this possibility, the paper frames Russia today, politically, economically, and militarily, in relation to a variety of contemporary theories on the causes of war. Employing these theories, the paper judges the factors that would seem to make Russia more or less prone to belligerence. Beyond a simple discussion of various hypotheses, the paper sketches some possible scenarios of conflict in the foreseeable future.
From the Paper "So how does Russia fit into this equation? It is, at least nominally, in a transition from Communism to democracy. Reality though, as Churchill suggested, is opaque. Putin's state is far from liberal, but has maintained many inherent structural characteristics of a democracy. No serious party leader has articulated any political alternative to democracy, and democratic norms remain pervasive in society at large. The most commonly applied term for the Russian case is "managed democracy." What is worrying is that managed democracy is essentially a bargain. In exchange for promises of economic growth and stability, the masses surrender their rights to question the primacy of the regime."
Abstract This paper explains that plate tectonics is one of the most important discoveries in science and geology because it explains why the continents share many similarities, which could not be explained if they had always existed apart and it explains why, even today, the surface of the earth is constantly shifting, rearranging and moving. The author points out that an important discovery, which ultimately led scientists to believe the theory of plate tectonics was correct, was the discovery of seafloor spreading. The paper relates that plate tectonics and the continual shifting it produces can create many changes in the surface of the earth from weather to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
From the Paper "Several theories of geologic process and scientific discovery helped lead to the discovery of plate tectonics in the 1920s, and the theory was generally accepted by the 1950s. The plate tectonic theory evolved from earlier theories, beginning with continental drift. The first time continental drift was mentioned was in 1908, by an American named Frank Bursey Taylor. However, the theory really did not gain acceptance until 1912 when German meteorologist and geophysicist Alfred Wegener detailed the theory and gave it more basis in fact. The continental drift theory believes that between 275 and 175 million years ago, all the continents were joined together in one land mass. Later, this massive continent broke apart into two gigantic landmasses in the north and south, those continents further divided about 100 million years ago into more currently recognizable shapes, and they began to drift apart during this time, too."
