Biblical allusion Essay Example for Free

Biblical allusion Essay The Stranger, Shawshank Redemption Existentialism The philosophy of Existentialism described in The Stranger by Albert Camus, and Shawkshank Redemption by Stephen King and Frank Darabont.What is unique about these two stories is the fact that the veiwer can view Existentialism in the lives of two men who are opposite in personality, yet do similar actions. Even though there are many varietes of existentialism can be categorized into six major themes: existence before essence, reason is impotent to deal with the depths of human life, alienation or estrangement, fear and trembling anxiety, the encounter with nothingness, and freedom. Both stories contain much of this existence before essence which in simple terms means we gotta live we cant just is. Like in the beginning of the two stories both characters expressed the same bland and dull emotion. When Andy Dufresne, Shawshank, was at his trial and when he arrived at the prison for being accused of murdering his wife and lover. The emotion that he expressed was as if at the time he was simply ising and not living. Similar to that of Monsieur Meursault or M. from The Stranger, who also showed the exact emotion for when his mother died and his trial later on. These examples are probably the best because it clearly shows that at the time, they didnt really care about anything in life which is what existence before essence is. Other prime examples would be when M. and marie are getting ready to leave for the beach, Marie is all cheerful and excited, while M. doesnt look very thrilled (pg.47). For Andy, it would be when he was getting sexually assualted his first two years in prison. At the time even though he resisted a few times, he still didnt know his purpose in life. Even though they sound similar there was one thing that made them different and that was that when M. was to be executed he was fine with it because he had the mentality of my life is now meaningless. While for Andy, if he didnt do what the warden said, he was going to the hardest of time than anyone else. Andy had much time to think about his next move. One day while speaking with ,Red his best friend, he said to him get busy livin or get busy dyin' Andy managed to escape that same day. During the opening scene of the film, Andy was shown sitting in his car in  front of what was believed to be his wifes lovers house. At this time Andy was destroyed by the fact that his wife had been cheating on him and takes his gun and bullets out of his cars glove compartment. Without any thought we then see Andy get out of his car and smash a bottle of liqour and then see him make his way to the house. After that the scene fades out and leaves us wondering if Andy really did shoot them both out of grief. This leaves us off that Andys emotions got the best of him instead of sitting down and reasoning with what approach he should take for his current situation. Raymond friend of M, had done a similar action. Raymond too committed a crime of passion for when he beats his girlfriend for also believing she was cheating on him. Instead of confronting her about it, he instead beats her like a punching bag and pays the price. In my opinion this probably the greatest example for reason is impotent to deal with the depths of human because it happens so often and its easy to understand. M. the perfect person to think of when talking about one who alienates himself. M. was an interesting fellow because he hated to be around people, but at the same time loved to watch society from hisbalcony with wine and a cigarette in hand. There were countless times when he just perfered to be alone, awkwardly enough that was one of the main reasons he didnt mind being in jail. Even at his own mothers death, instead of sitting next to her friends from the Home, he sat across from them and just hated the idea that they were some sort of jury judging him. Andy too isolated himself from the other inmates when he first arrives to jail. Smart of him to do so. The last thing you want to do is piss someone off while youre in the same place as them 24/7. But once he got the hang of how things worked, Andy was more social and interactive in his new home. Old Salamano, friend and neighbor of M. was so scared for his dog who was missing. Salamano was scared and nevous for his old companion, he had no one else in his life besides his best friend. the thought of the police getting a hold of him made matters even worse, Salamano knew the dog was in terrible condition and if someone were to find him they would just kill him. Thoughts like these are what makes people go mad and end up committing suicide just like Brooks, from Shawshank. Brooks, an elderly man who had spent most of  his lifetime behind bars finally got the news he had been wanting for a very long time, his release date. When Brooks first got news of his release he feared of the outside world. He had been locked up for so long that he ended up depending on the walls themselves. With such fear and anxiety of the thought of him leaving everything he knows and loves, he gets a sharp object and about kills a man just so he can be there longer. Eventually his friends talk him out of it and ends up leaving. Later on we see Brooks depressed and ends up hanging himself in his apartment building. The encounter with nothingness, people who feel that are left with nothing. The reason why M. was ok with his execution. M. had felt as if there was just nothing for him to be in the world and was ok with his death. Throughout the time of the death of his mother M. has this what is left attitude. Even Andy, pondering his thoughts while he was thrown in the hole for two months. Wondering what he would have left if he didnt obey the warden. Throughout movie and part of the book it has that feel of once youre in prison you dont really have anything left, they practically own everything about you. Freedom, the word that has many meanings. Freedom can mean a variety of things but for the movie it meant escaping jail for the most part. As for Brooks, freedom meant finally being at peace with himself. For Andy, it meant escaping that terrible place and following his long dream of going to Zihuantanejo and opening a small hotel. Even if it meant that he had to escape throught a 500 yard long sewer. Red, the man who thought he would never see the outside world again, saw freedom when he walked out the gates of Shawshank and met up with long time friend, Andy. As for M. it meant dying also. M. felt that he was never going to be free until he took full responsibility for his actions and faced death. For this Existentialism can be seen in many ways, fashions, symbols and through innovations in conventional form.

The 1956 Hungarian Revolution

The 1956 Hungarian Revolution The events of 1956 in Hungary, in the months of October and November, are considered by Westerners as one of the darkest moments of the Cold War. Indeed had President Eisenhower and his US officials observed the spontaneous national uprising in Hungary with shock and perplexity.  « Trumans doctrine of Containment  » had been preserved since the mid 1940s, and a revolution against the USSRs rule in Soviet sphere of influence was seen as a huge victory against communism. Wise Eisenhower however dared not to risk and jeopardize the atmosphere of improving relations with the newly empowered Soviet leader, Nikita Khrushchev. Nikita Khrushchev, born in 1894, was of poor background. He used to work as a pipe fitter in the mines. He fought in the Bolshevik Revolution and is known for participating in the bloody defense of Stalingrad, an anecdote he took great pride in throughout his life. In 1953, when Stalin passed away, Nikita returned to Moscow as one of Stalins close advisers and was eventually pronounced new leader of the USSR. On February 25, 1956, at the Twentieth Party Congress, he delivered the Secret Speech, vilifying Stalin. Khrushchevs new domestic policies, aimed at improving the lives of ordinary citizens, were often ineffective, especially in the area of agriculture. He also backed the progress of the early Soviet space program. Hoping to rely on missiles for national defense, Khrushchev ordered major cuts in conventional forces. Despite the cuts, Khrushchevs rule saw the tensest years of the Cold War, culminating in the Cuban Missile Crisis. However in the Secret Speech, Khrushchev openly de nounced Stalins cult of personality, and criticized Soviets who pictured him as a divinity on an altar and blindly approved of him on whichever aspect. At that time in Hungary, the revolution was about to burst. In 1955, Imre Nagy, famous for his belief in communism with a human face, was replaced as Hungarian prime minister and expelled from communist party over liberal policies. Early 1956 saw Polish anti-communist revolts by imposing the Martial Law. Reformist Wladyslaw Gomulka was eventually elected head of the communist party. These events steered a student revolt in the streets of Budapest in October 23. The few students were soon joined by 200.000 other Hungarians, fuelled by the lukewarm prospect of liberation. The swelling demonstration then headed for the parliament where Nagy failed to connect with the crowd, and attended the retrieval of the angry mob to Radio Budapest. The most optimistics had hoped for the permission for a broadcast which included the demand of the withdrawal of Soviet troops and Hungarian Independance. The AVH secret police opened fire to disperse the crowd. Over the course of the next week, Nagy underwent a remarkable transformation, from a more or less dutiful pro-Moscow Communist to a politician willing to sanction unprecedented political, economic and social reform. These included the establishment of a multi-party state in Hungary and insistent on the withdrawal of all Soviet forces from the country. By November 1st, Nagy took the dramatic step of declaring Hungarys rejection of the Warsaw Pact and appealed to the United Nations for help in establishing the countrys neutrality. Surprisingly, on October 23 the revolt seemed like it was on the verge of an amazing triumph. The entire nation appeared to have taken up arms against the regime. On October 31, the tide seemed to turn in the revolutions favour when Pravda published a declaration promising greater equality in relations between the USSR and its East European satellites. One sentence of particular interest stated : The Soviet Government is prepared to enter into the appropriate negotiations with the government of the Hungarian Peoples Republic and other members of the Warsaw Treaty on the question of the presence of Soviet troops on the territory of Hungary. However, the apparent atmosphere derived from reality. Even CIA Director Allen Dulles described the succeeding uprising as a miracle. But the upcoming events evinced the untrustworthiness of the misleading declarations of the Kremlin. The latter believed that the rebellion directly threatened Communist rule in Hungary. Poland strangely did not suffer Soviet aggression contrastingly to Hungary, perhaps because Wladyslaw Gomulka and the Polish Communists solely challenged Kremlin rule and not the whole Communist system as the slav students had. The Kremlin also forecasted the West to judge their lack of response as a sign of weakness, which could encourage future uprisings of neighbouring satellite states and leaders. After the events of October 23 in Budapest, unarmed demonstrators were targeted by Soviet tanks. The angry and fed up people of Hungary called for a symbolic general strike. Janos Kadar was freed and became Nagys deputy. The revolution spreaded to the countryside. Nagy felt optimistic about the inauguration of negociations with the Soviets. On November 1st, Nagy officially announced Hungarys withdrawal of the Warsaw Pact. The Kremlin contemplated and deduced no other choice but to invade Hungarys Republic. The fourth, Soviet forces launched a major attack on Hungary aimed at crushing once and for all the spontaneous uprising. Within hours, Nagy himself sought asylum at the Yugoslav Embassy in Budapest while his former colleague and imminent replacement, Jà ¡nos Kà ¡dà ¡r prepared to take power with Moscows backing. On November 22, after receiving assurances of safe passage from Kà ¡dà ¡r and the Soviets, Nagy finally agreed to leave the Yugoslav Embassy. But he was immediately a rrested by Soviet security officers and flown to a secret location in Romania. By then, the fighting had mostly ended, the Hungarian resistance had essentially been destroyed, and Kà ¡dà ¡r was entering the next phase of his strategy to neutralize dissent for the long term. The Russians had once again demonstrated to be harsh and hostile when confronted to a revolt in its Empire. Some Hungarians are still embittered by the hypocrical approach the Soviet performed to crush the revolt. No other uprising was observed until the 1989 call for democracy. The history of the events of 1956 was effectively sealed to Hungarians. Even to mention the name of Imre Nagy in public was to risk punishment. At the exact same time the Hungarian revolution took place in the month of October, another crisis nearby began in Suez. On July 26, 1956, the Egyptian president, Gamal Abdel Nasser, nationalized the Suez Canal. The canal had been owned by the Suez Canal Company, which was controlled by French and British interests. The Suez Crisis was provoked by an American and British decision not to finance Egypts construction of the Aswan High Dam, as they had promised, in response to Egypts growing ties with communist Czechoslovakia and the Soviet Union. Vengefully, Abdel declared martial law in the canal zone and seized control of the Suez Canal Company, predicting that the tolls collected from ships passing through the canal would pay for the dams construction within five years. Britain and France feared that Nasser might close the canal and cut off shipments of petroleum flowing from the Persian Gulf to western Europe. When diplomatic efforts to settle the crisis failed, Britain and France s ecretly prepared military action to regain control of the canal and, if possible, to depose Nasser. They found a ready ally in Israel, whose hostility toward Egypt had been exacerbated by Nassers blockage of the Straits of Tiran (at the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba) and the numerous raids by Egyptian-supported commandos into Israel during 1955-56. Britain and France, following their plan, demanded that Israeli and Egyptian troops withdraw from the canal, and they announced that they would intervene to enforce a cease-fire ordered by the United Nations. On November 5 and 6, British and French forces landed at Port Said and Port Fuad and began occupying the canal zone. This move was soon met by growing opposition at home and by U.S, which quickly put a stop to the Anglo-French action. On December 22 the UN evacuated British and French troops, and Israeli forces withdrew in March 1957. In the coldest year of the Cold War, the worlds attention was diverted from Hungary. OIL, the black gold, was the main interest of the power-hungry leaders of the time. This was more or less a strategic war, aimed at keeping the prosperity of the capitalist nations. France and England could have intervened in Hungary, but their concerns was to maintain European influence on Egyptian soils. The Suez Canal was situated in a crucial and strategic location, where taxes financed the British and French economies. The two countries also did not want to test the Soviet super-power and begin a open conflict with the communists, when they already were a problem at home. President Eisenhower also assumed that US intervention in Suez would be seen as self-interested, and a US support in the Hungarian revolution would have been obnoxious to the USSR. Eisenhowers policy was indeed to promote the independence of the so-called captive nations, but only over the longer-term. The policy of Containment had evolved into a more nonbelligerant and poker-face aspect, where military involvment had proved not be the exclusive answer to deal with a communist situation. The president was not ready to jeopardize the increasing pacifistic atmosphere of tolerance, world peace and cooperation which had been perceived over the last few years. The Hungarian revolt could have ended in a nuclear war opposing East and West, but fortunately, the Suez crisis and Eisenhowers wisdom and skepticism inhibited the catastrophic scenario. Nasser emerged from the Suez Crisis a victor and a hero for the cause of Arab and Egyptian nationalism. Israel did not win freedom to use the canal, but it did regain shipping rights in the Straits of Tiran. Britain and France, less fortunate, lost most of their influence in the Middle East as a result of the episode. Children of Glory : Children of Glory is a movie from Hungarian-American writer Joe Eszterhas. The two main characters are Karcsi, a water polo champion, and student activist Viki. Children of Glory traces the love story of two young Hungarians confronted to the violence and desperation of a conflict in their home country. We contemplate different ways people of Hungary opposed to the Soviet domination. Many students were similar to Viki, consumed by Communist rule, and sought to gain their independance by violence if necessary. Even if at first the student revolt seemed insignificant, it is a crowd of 200.000 people that Nagy witnessed in front of the Parliament. Karcsi is drawn by his love for Viki in the middle of the bloody revolt, and grows increasingly affectionate towards the girl and in agreement with her revolutionary ideas. The boy is however more pacifistic, as we never clearly feel an urge for him to exert violence. His passion is undoubtedly water-polo, and he seems pleased with the lifesty le he leads. However, his life changes when he meets Viki and sees his interest aroused by this intriguing fiery angel. She is fierce and direct for exposing her ideas, and shows great skills when it comes to defend her opinions. This strong character melts Karcsis heart, and he soon cannot be deprived of her for long, and wishes to follow her in her revolutionary projects. When Viki asks him to represent Hungary in Melbourne for the Olympics, it is with real bewilderment that he is informed of Soviet advance on Hungarian soil. Karcsi and his team-mates are then confronted to one the most arduous decision to make : continue the Olympics and defeat the Russians in the final. With support of the coach and leadership of Karcsi, the teams challenge is attained, and Hungary brings home the gold. Their country was honorably represented, and it is therefore a minor victory over the Soviet tyrants, as an oasis of hope or a wink to every Hungarian back home. The teams achievement was world-w ide followed, as it was televised and used as propaganda against the USSR. People watching the game might have been impressed by the determination and will of the young Hungarians to defeat their oppressors. They might have thought,  « Wow, these blokes are brave  ». These televised Olympics were the second to attach great importance to the surreptitious message they can deliver. In 1936, Jesse Owens had embarrassed Hitler by defeating arian-race athletes in the jumping and racing events. Hitler was absent to every medal the black man received. However, the Olympics had demonstrated Germanys power and  « magnificence  » throughout Goebbels propaganda techniques. Twenty years later, the message the Olympics undermined was different ; even under total dominance of the USSR, Hungary and its people were still united, alive and gleaming with pride. The oppressor had been defeated in a peaceful way, which consequently gave hope and courage to the Hungarian people, overwhelmed by S oviet tanks and bodies to bury. I personally believe that this movie, however produced fifty years after the events, is still honest and accurate to describe the atmosphere at that time. It exhibits lives of common people at that time, and authentically shows how common people compared to David, dealt with the big Russian Goliath. They virtually had no possibilities to triumph in their conquest of liberty, but still, they fought for what they thought was right, and it is honorable. Many were killed. 2006 was a perfect year to release a movie in commemoration of these antagonistic joyful and morbid events. The story is clearly romanced, but this aspect is welcomed in such somber times. People are emotionaly affected by a tragic ending, with a disappointed Karcsi who will never meet his beloved again. Despite, the ending then, I think the movie is 86% accurate. There is a Soviet perspective of the story which I cannot debate on because I do not know their side of the story. I however believe the atrocities of the con flicts and the courage people manifested was overly authentic. Lately, archival records have been excavated and analysed, and even US government records have recently been re-reviewed and released in more complete form. Many people suffered during that time, it has been remembered as an obscur part of Hungarian history, and this is why the general public can be aroused by this movie. Still today, sports are a source for propaganda. Politics have infiltered every aspect of our society, and we are controlled and influenced by the leaders at the top of the pyramid. However, the heroes of 1956 are no soldiers for once, but a team of water-polo. A group of young men supporting the weight of the pride and the hope of a whole country, with in return, the backing and the blessing of this same country.

The Conqueror Worm and the End of the World :: Conqueror Worm Essays

The Conqueror Worm and the End of the World Edgar Allen Poe is one of the fathers of terror and mystery.   His twisted, Macabre tales and poems are filled with great detail and often end with a dismal twist.   "The Conqueror Worm" is one example of his masterful rhymes and tells how a play on life turns into reality for mankind.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The setting is a theater but it is not just a site for plays.   Poe describes it to be that way to trick the reader, but the theater is actually the setting for mankind.   We play our lives in this stage for everyone else to see.   Lines three through six describe the crowd and how they are there to see "a play of hopes and fears."   If people would look beyond the point of reading the line just to understand the words, they would see that the play is actually the lives of everybody in society.   I say this because everyone has their own hopes like getting a good job, succeeding, having a family and ultimately dieing happily.   Along with their hopes, everyone also has their personal fears.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The characters of the poem are also some very meaningful keys in showing the hidden meaning.   The first stanza describes the crowd that has gathered to watch the enactment of our human lives.   Lines three and four states "an angel throng, bewinged, and bedight in veils, and drowned in tears."   Poe is stating that a group of angels is going to watch the spectacle put on for them, although they are already drowning in the tears from plays before.   The orchestra that plays for them is another set of characters that have meaning.   They represent the background in everyone's life by "playing the music of the spheres."   A third set of characters that show hidden meaning is the "Mimes, in the form of God on high."   They denote the people that inhabit the earth.   Poe describes them as "Mere puppets they, who come and go at bidding of vast formless things."   The vast formless things are the ideas that we have.   Ideas l ike the things that we think we have to do for ourselves to survive and succeed.   They also make up drama of the play.   A final, prominent figure in this dramatic performance is the conqueror worm.   Poe illustrates it as "a blood-red thing.

Juvenile Recidivism Essay -- delinquency, rehabilitation, Risks Assess

Introduction: Recidivism or, habitual relapses into crime, has time and time again proven to be an issue among delinquents, which thereby increases the overall juvenile prison population. This issue has become more prevalent than what we realize. Unless a unit for measuring a juvenile’s risk of recidivism is enacted and used to determine a system to promote effective prevention, than the juvenile prison population will continue to increase. Our court system should not only focus on punishing the said juvenile but also enforce a program or policy that will allow for prevention of recidivism. So the question remains, how can recidivism in the juvenile prison population be prevented so that it is no longer the central cause for increased juvenile delinquency? Simply put, we must create a means of measuring juvenile’s level of risk and in turn, form an effective rehabilitation program that will decrease their risk level for future recidivism. Show the problem exists: â€Å"Critics of the juvenile justice system claim that approximately 500,000 youths who move through to the nation’s pretrial detention centers each year—70 percent of them nonviolent offenders—are thousands too many and that this experience may even increase the chances that they will commit more crimes and go â€Å"deeper† into the system† (Hardy 2007). These numbers are staggering. Of these half a million youths 350,000 of them will be re-incarcerated in just a matter of 12 months or less. This is an epidemic that can no longer be avoided. The arrest rates for juvenile violent offenses have also significantly increased over the past few decades with a 61% rise in arrests for violent offenses, even despite the fact that violent offenders are a relatively small proportion... ...OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS HELD FOR JUVENILE DELINQUENTS IN TURKEY. Education, 130(3), 384-398. Furniss, J. (2009). Fighting for the Futures of Young Offenders. Corrections Today, 71(3), 36. LU, A. (2011, October 30). Jailing Fewer Would Trim County Costs, Official Says. New York Times. p. 25B. Tulman, J. B. (2008). Time to Reverse the School-to-Prison Pipeline. (Cover story). Policy & Practice (19426828), 66(1), 22-27. Mulder, E., Brand, E., Bullens, R., & Van Marle, H. (2010). A classification of risk factors in serious juvenile offenders and the relation between patterns of risk factors and recidivism. Criminal Behaviour & Mental Health, 20(1), 23-38. doi:10.1002/cbm.754 Teitelman, R. B., & Linhares, G. J. (2013). JUVENILE DETENTION REFORM IN MISSOURI: IMPROVING LIVES, IMPROVING PUBLIC SAFETY, AND SAVING MONEY. Albany Law Review, 76(4), 2011-2017.

The Long Term Effects of Marijuana Essay -- social issues

The Long Term Effects of Marijuana Marijuana is a drug that divides people. Some people claim it as the wonder drug of the '90s, capable of relieving the symptoms of many serious illnesses. Others curse the day the cannabis plant was ever discovered. From pain relief to stimulating the appetites of patients on chemotherapy, marijuana seems to have plenty going for it as a medicine. The legalization of marijuana is a large controversy in many parts of the world today, but the obvious negative effects that the drug induces has kept it from being legalized. Many researchers have a strong positive attitude towards marijuana. It has been said that the drug is â€Å"worth investigating and even providing as a medicine for pain relief, severe nausea, and appetite stimulation for seriously ill patients† (Zimmerman 2). On a more negative side, studies have also found in many cases of pregnant women who smoke marijuana, that chemicals in the drug have halted early pregnancy. Scientists have determined a link between acti vation of the biological receptors that respond to cannabinoids (the psychoactive ingredients in marijuana) and abrupt interruption of pregnancy at a very early stage (Ferguson 71). The short-term effects of marijuana have also been researched and are widely known. Some of these effects include problems with memory and learning, distorted perception (sights, sounds, time, touch), trouble with thinking and problem solving, loss of coordination, increased heart rate, anxiety and panic attacks (Ferguson 23). A new analysis by Bachman examines how marijuana is potentially devastating to adolescents because it suppresses motivation, drive, and commitment to family and school. Although these researcher’s studies have covered many topics about marijuana, the actual long-term effects caused by inhaled marijuana smoke is a topic that has failed to be covered in extent. Vast majorities of people seem to think that smoking marijuana is only a temporary feeling, and that it has no long term affects. The opposite is exactly true, in that marijuana has detrimental long-term effects on the body. Studies show that when people have smoked large amounts of marijuana for years, the drug takes its toll on mental functions (Chopra 37). Researchers are still learning about the many ways that THC (the main chemical found in marijuana) affects the brain. It is very difficul... ...ggest that marijuana is an immunosuppressant. For chronic users, THC causes enlargement of the area between nerve cells, resulting in poor transmission of nerve impulses between these cells. This â€Å"tampering† has several effects on the nervous system including: difficulty in comprehending complex ideas, loss of memory, irregular sleep habits, insomnia, decrease in muscle strength and blurred vision. (Zhu and Sharma 243-244) There is not a lot of information available of the evidence for the harmful consequences of marijuana smoking, as there have not been many long-term studies, which is required. Habitual marijuana use, as often as one joint per day, may result in serious pulmonary, immune and psychological consequences. With chronic use, breathing may be restricted, coughing may be increased, and resistance may be lowered to infections of the lungs such as pneumonia (Bloom 45). Respiratory cancer is a likely result in the long term. Although it’s popular to believe that there are no really harmful effects on human health, and that marijuana is just a temporary, â€Å"soft drug†, heavier use of marijuana is likely to have more potent, adverse health consequences in the long term.

New-car Fuel Economy Essay

Are the new-car fuel economy rules, recently finalized by the Obama administration, more about preserving the environment or are they more about the money? After reading an article written by Brad Tuttle, titled â€Å"How the New MPG Standards Will Affect Drivers, Automakers, Car Dealerships & More,† Time, 30 August 2012, it seems that society cares more about the money aspect then the original, environmental, reasons behind why people wanted more miles to the gallon. These new â€Å"CAFɆ (corporate average fuel economy) standards demand that all new automobiles are made to get at least 54.5 by 2025. An analyst for the car-research site TrueCar.com, has been quoted referring to the new rules as a â€Å"win-win-win for everybody, meaning, a win for consumers, and manufacturers, as well as the environment.† However, it still appears that some will profit more than others. Some have even said that the new regulations actually represent a loss. Some examples of likely effects due to these regulations are following Drivers will have to pay an estimated average of $3,000 more to purchase a new vehicle when fully implemented according to recent studies by the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA). However, this is four times less than what NADA had originally predicted. Still, NADA estimates that approximately 7 million people will not be able to purchase a new vehicle due to the price increase. It’s also been said that â€Å"if this rule suppresses new vehicle sales, achieving the nation’s greenhouse gas and energy security goals will be needlessly delayed.† Presidential candidate Mitt Romney has made it apparent that he does not agree with the new regulations. One of Romney’s spokespeople has even been quoted as describing the regulations as â€Å"extreme,† adding, â€Å"The president tells voters that his regulations will save them thousands of dollars at the bump but always forgets to mention that the savings will be wiped out by having to pay thousands of dollars more upfront for unproven technology that they may not even want†, in a statement to MLive.com. In spite of initial costs for one of these new cars requiring more money upfront, they are da is the only that an improvement of 5 mpg would save over $500 per year for a person who drives an annual total of 15,000 miles. Consumer Reports, claims that while new car prices will increase, this increase would be offset by fuel savings. The government indicates that drivers will save approximately $8,000 over the life of one of these vehicles due to the mandated increase in mpg as opposed to a vehicle driven presently. Currently hybrids and plug-in electric vehicles have the highest overall mpg ratings, and obviously will benefit when the new regulation take hold, however, they’re not the only vehicles likely to experience rising sales. A new tweak to the mpg standards gives extra credits, which can be used to bump up the manufacturers’ overall mpg average, to automakers selling natural-gas-powered vehicles in the U.S. Bloomberg reports that Honda is currently the only automaker selling such vehicles in the U.S. A Honda executive has been quoted saying that the credits make sense, not only because the incentives benefit Honda, but also because â€Å"a dedicated natural gas vehicle reduces CO2 emissions by 25% and petroleum consumption by 100%.† Clean diesel care sales will increase as well. As it is the sales of clean diesel vehicles have already risen more than 25% since the first half of 2012. The Diesel Technology Forum (DTF) issued a statement welcoming these changes – and proclaiming that these vehicles will become more popular thanks to the changes. Allen Schaffer, DTF executive director, has been quoted saying that clean diesel autos are 20-40% more efficient than gasoline vehicles, causing diesel to become a major factor in the nation’s effort to achieve these new standards. V8’s will virtually disappear. Currently, approximately half of new cars have 4-cylinder engines, compared to about one-third in 2007. Many family cars and SUVs are now equipped with 4-cylender engines instead of V6s, similarly, many pickup trucks have also downsized their engines going from V8’s to V6s. High-powered engines that are currently used in muscle cars will become â€Å"as rare as white flies† thanks to the new standards, according to what Chrysler and Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne tells the Detroit Free Press. Cars will continue to get lighter and lighter in weight. Smaller engines aren’t being used just for fuel efficacy now, but also because they’re lighter which allows cars to get by with less power. Some brands are launching major initiatives to drop weight in cars, other than by downsizing engines, with the intentions of improving mpg ratings. Dealerships, automakers, and auto workers will benefit. Recently, drivers are willing to pay more for smaller vehicles, not just due to their superior fuel economy, but also because they come with more options, as well as a â€Å"better overall feel,† compared to even slightly older vehicles. Due to consumers growing interested in small cars, automakers can get away with charging more for them, financially benefiting the automakers. Adam Lee, chairman at Lee Auto Malls of Mane, has been reported saying the changes will help him sell more cars. He also says, with â€Å"absolute confidence,† that his customers want vehicles that go farther on a tank of gas and supports the 54.5 mpg seeing as, according to him, it will â€Å"keep American automakers competitive in the world market, it will keep my customers happy, and it will help me to sell even more cars.† Obviously, workers in the auto industry welcome the changes as well. The changes will bring the need for upgrades, innovations – and more work. â€Å"The manufacturers will be provided with more certainty while planning their investments, and creating jobs in the auto industry while doings so. Due to additional content being placed on the market there will be a greater need for more engineers as well as factory workers. In Brad Tuttle’s precise words, â€Å"um, something or other will happen to help the environment.† Somewhere, lost in the debate about these standards, is one of their main purposes – minimizing our impact on Mother Nature. â€Å"We’re very happy. This is a good rule, a strong rule. This is the biggest step this country’s taken to reduce pollution and our dependence on oil since the original 1970’s,† states Roland Hwang, the transportation director of the Natural Resources Defense Council tells USA Today. Mark Di Vincenzo’s article, â€Å"Why Wednesday Morning is the Best Time to Buy Gas,† in Time, 29 August 2012, is also focused on saving money when it comes to gasoline. Anybody can tell you that gas prices are rising these days. The average cost of a gallon of regular, unleaded gas, nationwide rose from $3.38 on July first, to $3.54 on August second, and again to $3.73 on August 27th. In his article, Di Vincenzo gives tips that most people are unaware of when it comes to financially smart times to fill up. He says there is a best day of the week as well as time of the day to get gas. The best time of day to get gas is in the morning. Everybody’s heard the philosophy of getting gas in the morning because it’s colder, which makes the gas more dense. However, that philosophy is right, but only slightly. The true reason is because often, between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., owners and managers of gas stations get around to checking out their competitions prices. Odds are, if the manager/owner sees that their competition has raised their prices, they will too, and this tends to be most frequently changed between 10 a.m. and noon. Likewise, Wednesday is usually the best day of the week to buy. Granted it may not be true every week, prices are generally lower then. Closer to weekends and holidays gas prices tend to rise. The prices normally start rising on Thursdays, which is when long weekend trips start, and while many who aren’t going anywhere wait until Friday. As for the old tale’s everybody’s always heard about saving gas by turning off your air conditioner and rolling down your windows, or whether you’re better off leaving your windows up and turning on the air conditioner, it all depends on how fast you’re going. If you’re driving 60mph, or higher, roll up your windows and turn on the air conditioner. However, if you’re driving slower than that you can get better gas mileage by rolling down your windows and turning off the air conditioner. This is due to aerodynamic drag, meaning, the faster you drive the more drag, by simply rolling up your windows you reduce that drag. There’re some other tried-and-true gas-saving tips as well. Avoid gas with ethanol whenever possible, ethanol stores less energy than pure gasoline. Use the cheapest unleaded fuel that your car will run well using. Make sure your tires have the right amount of air. Avoid idling for more than a minute, even if that means having to turn your car off while waiting for a light to turn green. Coast as much as possible, avoiding sudden and abrupt starts and stops. Don’t weigh your car down with things you don’t need, a simple rooftop carrier can reduce you’re gas mileage by up to 15%. Works Cited: Tuttle, Brad. â€Å"How the New MPG Standards Will Affect Drivers, Automakers, Car Dealerships & More.† Time. Http://www.time.com/time/, 30 Aug. 2012. Web. 27 Jan. 2013. Di Vincenzo, Mark. â€Å"Why Wednesday Morning Is the Best Time to Buy Gas.† Time. Http://www.time.com/time/, 29 Aug. 2012. Web. 27 Jan. 2013.

Enhancement (Philosophy) Essay

Cognitive enhancement is the improvement of one’s mental capacity and or mental attributes such as personality, where it is considered optional and not medically necessary (Schmidt-Felzmann, 2012). Enhancement is different to treatment as treatment is linked to the curing of an illness, whereas enhancement is merely improving an already medically healthy body or mind, however, at times it is quite difficult to draw a line between the two (Schmidt-Felzmann, 2012). Types of enhancements include improving one’s athletic abilities through the use of steroids, undergoing cosmetic surgery which is deemed medically unnecessary, or, reducing one’s need to sleep through the consumption of drugs such as Provigil. Enhancements can even encompass things that are commonly availed of every day, such as the consumption of caffeine (Schmidt-Felzmann, 2012). There are many ethical and practical concerns in relation to cognitive enhancement and whether or not it should be allowed such as Authenticity (Keeping true to oneself), which is a key concern , with both proponents and opponents of cognitive enhancement interpreting authenticity in different ways (Parens, 2005). Two ethical frameworks have developed which try to answer the questions raised by cognitive enhancement and indeed enhancement in general, these frameworks are known as the existentialist model (Self creation) and the Rousseauean model (Gratitude) (Parens, 2005). These frameworks differ on whether or not cognitive enhancement should be allowed, the existentialist model being in favour of cognitive enhancement and the Rousseauean model opposed to the application of it (Schmidt-Felzmann, 2012). Along with authenticity there are other major ethical concerns that could arise from the widespread use of cognitive enhancing methods, namely drugs (Butcher, 2003). Such concerns include a possible increase in the gap between rich and poor and the possibility of the loss of values, namely the value of hard work, which helps make a human being what they are (Butcher, 2003). Philosophers and indeed people in general who favour the existentialist model value autonomy greatly and therefore believe that so long as a human being does not harm another, they should be free to do with their body or mind what they please. If these things may be quite ridiculous and inadvisable, existentialist still believe that they should be condoned, so long as the person in question is well informed on the issue (Schmidt-Felzmann, 2012). There is also a view that Humans not only have the ability but may also have the responsibility to enhance their condition, not only through normal everyday enhancements but also through artificial means, which are not seen as qualitatively different (within existentialist circles) to everyday enhancements (Schmidt-Felzmann, 2012). There are, however, some problems with this framework. For instance, in many cases the individual who is given a cognitive enhancement, is not always fully autonomous (Schmidt-Felzmann, 2012). This is the case in many poor urban areas in the United States, in many schools in these areas up to a third of boys now take Ritalin, even though a large portion of them do not suffer from ADHD (Farah et al. 2004). Using enhancements to simply subdue easily distracted and unruly children could be seen as ethically wrong, this is because a large percentage of children simply are naturally unruly and easily distracted (Farah et al. 2004). To change this, could be seen as changing the personality of the child in question to such an extent that they are essentially no longer the same child, here we see the question of authenticity rise again (Parens, 2005). It is in situations such as these that we see a clear divide between the two frameworks. Most proponents of framework one (self-creation) would be in favour of this sort of cognitive enhancement as they would view the child as essentially the same person, only improved, while the opponents of this framework hold a different belief (Parens, 2005). Proponents of framework two, or the Rousseauean model, place huge importance in the value of â€Å"the given† (Schmidt-Felzmann, 2012). In other words, they believe we should not tamper past our natural potential. This however gives rise to problematic questions, such as, where can we draw the line between natural and artificial enhancements? (Schmidt-Felzmann, 2012). Framework two argues that cognitive enhancement ignores fundamental facts about the human mind and its limits, it asserts that these limits should be respected. These beliefs could also be seen as a breach of authenticity. When we think of the effects that cognitive enhancement could have on human authenticity we think of the effects it might have on the identity of an individual. While this is important, it is also important to look at the human race as a whole and how cognitive enhancement and enhancement in general might affect its authenticity. From the Stone Age right up to the current social age, humans have constantly strove to improve themselves and their quality of life. In recognition of this, it could be argued that to not enhance our current state of being would be in violation of our nature and of our identity as human beings. When this view is taken it becomes clear that the Rousseauean model can also lead to a breach in authenticity, this, along with other reasons is perhaps why a large portion of philosophers show a certain level of ambivalence towards the two frameworks when it comes to major ethical matters (Parens, 2005). Enhancement, cognitive enhancement in particular, raises many ethical concerns. As already discussed, authenticity is a prime concern, however there are also other important matters which need to be considered before any decision is made on whether or not cognitive enhancement should be allowed. For instance, the introduction of cognitive enhancing drugs could lead to a widening in the gap between rich and poor (Butcher, 2003). This would be that case as such drugs would likely be out of reach (financially) to the lower classes of society. In the long term further problems would arise, as the poor would likely have little or no access to these cognitive enhancing drugs, the upper class would essentially develop into generally more intelligent beings. This would make it far harder for a member of the lower class to compete for college places or jobs (Butcher, 2003). It has been argued, however, that the risk of a widening of the gap between the wealthy and the poor should not be a factor to stand against the introduction of cognitive enhancers as enhancers such as third level education already do this (Butcher, 2003). Another ethical issue is the possibility of the loss of the value of hard work (Butcher, 2003). While this may not seem like such a pressing issue, one must first fully consider the implications this may have in the long term. Humans may use there increased level of intelligence irresponsibly due to a lack of experience gained from having to work hard to overcome obstacles. Along with these issues the safety of such drugs is also an important matter (Farah et al. 2004). It is clear from these observations that the possibility of distribution of cognitive enhancers amongst the public is a very contentious issue, which makes the question â€Å"Should cognitive enhancement be allowed? † a very difficult one to answer. In my opinion, cognitive enhancement should be allowed, although only under certain conditions. The production of such enhancers should be undertaken only by the government so as to ensure the fair and equal distribution of cognitive enhancers amongst all social classes. Drugs should be extensively tested before mainstream introduction in order to assure the safety of the product. These measures may, however, not be enough. Governments would have the means to manipulate the public by introducing other properties to cognitive enhancing drugs, For instance they could use certain ingredients to create a more patriotic and docile population this would be a prime concern in politically unstable countries or in those of communist leanings. Should the entire population of a country regularly take a drug, which was deemed essential to take, untold damage could be done to the human condition. A world without free will could develop, with the world population under the control of one drug, and those who produced it. Perhaps the cognition of the human race is not yet evolved enough to consider its enhancement. Bibliography: Parens, Erik. (2005) â€Å"Authenticity and Ambivalence: Toward Understanding the Enhancement debate† Hastings Center Report, Vol. 35, Number 3, May-June, pp. 34-41. Schmidt-Felzmann, Heike. (2010) â€Å"Personal Identity and Human Nature: The Enhancement Debate, Heike Schmidt-Felzmann 12/10/12. † Philosophical questions & issues. [online. ] Available at: https://nuigalway. blackboard. com/webapps/portal/frameset. jsp? tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_31108_1%26url%3D%252Fwebapps%252Fblackboard%252Fexecute%252FdisplayIndividualContent%253Fmode%253Dview%2526content_id%253D_419734_1%2526course_id%253D_31108_1 (Accessed: 03/12/12.) Butcher, James. (2003) â€Å"Cognitive enhancement raises ethical concerns† The Lancet, Vol 362 (9378) p. p 132–133. Farah, Martha J. Illes, Judy. Cook-Deegan, Robert. Gardner, Howard. Kandel, Eric. King, Patricia. Parens, Eric. Sahakian, Barbara & Root Wolpe, Paul. (2004) â€Å"Neurocognitive enhancement: what can we do and what should we do? † Nature Reviews Neuroscience, Vol: 5. P. p 421-425.