The Environmental Impact of Slash and Burn Agriculture

The Environmental Impact of Slash and Burn Agriculture Cut and consume agribusiness otherwise called swidden or moving farming is a customary strategy for tending trained harvests that includes the revolution of a few plots of land in a planting cycle. The rancher plants crops in a field for a couple seasonsâ and then lets the field lie neglected for a few seasons. Meanwhile, the rancher movements to a field that has lain neglected for a few yearsâ and expels the vegetation by chopping it down and consuming it-henceforth the name cut and consume. The debris from the consumed vegetation adds another layer of supplements to the dirt, and that, alongside the time resting, permits the dirt to recover. The Best Conditions for Slash and Burn Agriculture Slice and consume agricultureâ works best in low-intensityâ farming circumstances when the rancher has a lot of land that the person in question can bear to let lay decrepit, and it works best when harvests are turned to help with reestablishing the supplements. It has likewise been reported in social orders where individuals keep up an expansive assorted variety of food age; that is, the place individuals additionally chase game, fish, and accumulate wild nourishments. Ecological Effects of Slash and Burn Since the 1970s or somewhere in the vicinity, swidden agribusiness has been portrayed as both an awful work on, bringing about the dynamic decimation of normal backwoods, and a phenomenal practice, as a refined technique for woods protection and guardianship. An ongoing report led on chronicled swidden agribusiness in Indonesia (Henley 2011) archived the authentic mentalities of researchers towards cut and consume and afterward tried the suspicions dependent on over an era of slice and consume horticulture. Henley found that actually swidden agribusiness can add to deforestation of regionsâ if the developing age of the evacuated trees is any longer than the neglected period utilized by the swidden agriculturalists. For instance, if a swidden pivot is somewhere in the range of 5 and 8 years, and the rainforest trees have a 200-multi year development cycle, at that point cut and consume speaks to one of what might be a few components bringing about deforestation. Cut and consume is a valuable strategy in certain conditions, however not on the whole. Aâ special issue of Human Ecologyâ suggests that the making of worldwide markets is pushing ranchers to supplant their swidden plots with changeless fields. On the other hand, when ranchers approach off-ranch pay, swidden farming is kept up as a supplement to food security (see Vliet et al. for a rundown). Sources Blakeslee DJ. 1993. Displaying the relinquishment of the Central Plains: Radiocarbon dates and the starting point of the Initial Coalescent. Diary 27, Plains Anthropologist 38(145):199-214. Drucker P, and Fox JW. 1982. Swidden didn make such midden: The quest for antiquated Mayan agronomies. Diary of Anthropological Research 38(2):179-183. Emanuelsson M, and Segerstrom U. 2002. Medieval slice and-consume development: Strategic or adjusted land use in the Swedish mining locale? Condition and History 8:173-196. Grave P, and Kealhofer L. 1999. Evaluating bioturbation in archeological dregs utilizing soil morphology and phytolith examination. Diary of Archeological Science 26:1239-1248. Henley D. 2011. Swidden Farming as an Agent of Environmental Change: Ecological Myth and Historical Reality in Indonesia. Condition and History 17:525-554. Drain HM. 1999. Strengthening in the Pacific: An evaluate of the archeological standards and their applications. Current Anthropology 40(3):311-339. Mertz, Ole. Swidden Change in Southeast Asia: Understanding Causes and Consequences. Human Ecology, Christine Padoch, Jefferson Fox, et al., Vol. 37, No. 3, JSTOR, June 2009. Nakai, Shinsuke. Investigation of Pig Consumption by Smallholders in a Hillside Swidden Agriculture Society of Northern Thailand. Human Ecology 37, ResearchGate, August 2009. Reyes-Garcã ­a, Victoria. Ethnobotanical Knowledge and Crop Diversity in Swidden Fields: A Study in a Native Amazonian Society. Vincent Vadez, Neus Martã ­ Sanz, Human Ecology 36, ResearchGate, August 2008. Scarry CM. 2008. Yield Husbandry Practices in North America’s Eastern Woodlands. In: Reitz EJ, Scudder SJ, and Scarry CM, editors. Contextual investigations in Environmental Archeology: Springer New York. p 391-404.

Globalisation in Terms of Social and Economic Trends Free Essays

Globalization is certainly not a solitary marvel. It has become a catch-all idea to depict a scope of patterns and powers changing the social and monetary structures of the world. Globalization might be characterized as ‘becoming or making world-wide†, however it has additionally been alluded to as Westernization. We will compose a custom exposition test on Globalization in Terms of Social and Economic Trends or then again any comparative point just for you Request Now Globalization as contended by Professor Ruud Lubbers, previous Prime Minister of the Netherlands, is considered to have various particular components to it, which incorporate Economic, Technological, Political, Cultural and Environmental. Financially, more prominent world mix or globalization has been significantly energized since the Second World War, with the presentation of organized commerce understandings, for example, GATT (General Agreement on Tariff†s and Trade). Moreover, provincial exchange understandings have additionally been created, which have included ‘single markets† built up by the European Community and NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement). Mechanically, the IT upset has given a huge upgrades in our capacity to store and control information utilizing always incredible PCs. Increasingly significant nonetheless, is the correspondence capacities of these PCs. The Communications Revolution has come about in the ‘shrinking† of the world. Strategically, it was not until the breakdown of the previous Soviet Block in the late 1980†³s and the general acknowledgment of the free market (deregulation) and vote based system, combined with the rise of the ‘Tiger† economies of the Pacific Rim, that the term globalization has taken on evident importance. Socially, there has been a spreading of Westernization, or maybe more precisely Americanisation through the media of movies, TV and music. Following the Second World War, the USA dreading the ascent of socialism, effectively energized and sponsored the overall circulation of movies viably promoting (if just subconsciously) the advantages of private enterprise and the American Dream. As an outcome to the weakening of societies, France for instance has since acquainted enactment requiring radio broadcasts with play at least 40% of music beginning from or sung in French. Ecological issues are progressively turning out to be worldwide issues. Along these lines, nations are not, at this point ready to take a gander at ecological issues in segregation. This has been significantly shown for instance by the atomic catastrophe at Chernobyl, the exhaustion of the ozone layer and corrosive downpour over Scandinavia. Nations presently need to act all things considered (according to the Rio Conference) for there to be any opportunity of turning around or simply easing back the harm being caused to nature. Globalization of the economy has not been founded simply on unhindered commerce yet in addition on the free development of capital. This has advanced direct outside speculations from one nation into another (for example huge Japanese speculation into the EU, particularly the UK) which has affected the globalization of the national economies. As a monetary wonder, globalization has brought about a move away from a universe of unmistakable national economies to a worldwide economy in which creation is circulated universally and account can stream openly and in a split second between nations. Global organizations have immense monetary forces, while institutional speculators and money related masters, for example, George Soros are equipped for affecting the cash rates, financial approaches, and loan costs of individual country states (for example September 1992, the UK had to leave the European Exchange Rate Mechanism). The system of rules inside which financial action happens is progressively characterized inside the worldwide structure of associations, for example, the WTO (World Trade Organization), the IMF (International Monetary Fund), the World Bank, the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-activity and Development) and G7-8 highest points, along with the local exchanging squares, for example, the European Union and NAFT A. Globalization is seemingly both a reason and an outcome of the data unrest. It is driven by sensational enhancements in media communications, exponential increments in processing power combined with lower costs, and the advancement of electronic correspondences and data systems, for example, the Internet. These interchanges advancements are assisting with beating the boundaries of physical separation. Networks of different kinds, including NGOs (Non-Government Organizations) which incorporate global intrigue bunches like Amnesty International or Greenpeace, just as business and work associations, presently work across national fringes. Greenpeace is a prime model: the Shell Brent Spar case outlined the capacity of such globally sorted out intrigue gatherings to effectively apply business and political weight in various nations all the while. Thusly, social strategies influencing singular residents are getting increasingly touchy to worldwide impacts, particularly when featured by the worldwide news media. While globalization is moving various choices to the worldwide field, political and established changes in numerous nations include endeavors to decentralize dynamic from focal government to all the more provincially self-governing specialists to provide food for a feeling of ‘local† character (for example new Labor polices on devolution for Scotland and Wales). These patterns seem conflicting, however by and by they are causing the advancement of new staggered strategy frameworks. Therefore, outskirts are getting progressively hard for governments to characterize and keep up. In this manner, national governments are being compelled to rethink their jobs, obligations and arrangement connections. Similarly, worldwide organizations will find that they won't just need to manage worldwide patterns yet in addition the nearby laws and customs of their expected markets and assembling focuses. Globalization has raised apprehensions that the sway of country states is being sabotaged. On the off chance that sway can be characterized as the capacity to practice control without outside obstruction, at that point country states are obviously encountering reducing power. Governments must perceive and chip away at the supposition that most issues they are required to manage are influenced by or will influence somewhat the global seriousness of the nation. Governments’ own reactions to globalization or the quest for joint answers for worldwide issues have further impacts upon power. Support in worldwide associations or the reception of universal understandings sets boundaries for arrangement choices accessible to governments. This may even expect alterations to long-standing residential strategies and practices. Association is narrowing the level of local approach autonomy. One-sided activity may not be the best method to accomplish arrangement objectives. For instance, the abuse of assets, for example, fisheries would unavoidably bring about the serious exhaustion, if not obliteration, of basic stocks (European Common Fisheries Policy) . Numerous other significant strategy objectives can't be met by governments acting alone. In fighting ecological issues and worldwide wrongdoing and so on, the interests of individual countries, thusly, may just be ensured by aggregate activity. The opposition for worldwide venture empowered by the exercises and versatility of global endeavors implies that most customary household arrangements, for example, instruction and preparing, tax assessment, social security, monetary guideline and work enactment have gotten universal. Indeed, even a nation’s residential administration approach involves incredible worry to its exchanging rivals, since this will at last influence a country†s productivity and thus its intensity. Government approaches should progressively be made increasingly predictable with or serious against those of their fundamental exchanging rivals. This was featured by Britain†s choice to quit the Social Chapter of the Maastricht Treaty. Money related and monetary arrangement choices can never again be assumed the premise of solely household contemplations. Right now in excess of multiple times the measure of account expected to help the present volume of world exchange, is exchanged every day on the world cash markets. This implies 90 percent of that action could be viewed as unadulterated cash theory. This is far in overabundance of what national banks can plan to impact through their own mediations, particularly without any joint activity. As of late, the Labor Party in the UK, after four progressive political decision routs has step by step moved its financial strategy extensively in accordance with that of the present Government. This might be viewed as an endeavor to pick up believability with the UK electorate yet maybe in particular, to pick up validity with the International Money Markets which will have the chance of casting a ballot with their assets! The improvement of correspondences this century from cruising boat to satellite has contributed straightforwardly to the globalization of the world†s economies and political frameworks. Mechanical globalization of Information Technology has moved across social and physical obstructions, adequately dispensing with the limit of nations (anyway draconian) to segregate themselves from the world outside. In spite of this, Iran has as of late prohibited the utilization of satellite TV, however control will be troublesome, if certainly feasible, to accomplish in light of the fact that the data transformation which has likewise given email and the Internet has democratized data. It might appear to be outlandish for the need to get a visa to genuinely visit somebody to whom you can converse with electronically every day. The outcome is that free discourse and common freedoms are getting progressively worldwide. Fringes will no longer air conditioning

Drive-Reduction Theory and Human Behavior

Drive-Reduction Theory and Human Behavior Theories Print Drive-Reduction Theory and Human Behavior By Kendra Cherry facebook twitter Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author, educational consultant, and speaker focused on helping students learn about psychology. Learn about our editorial policy Kendra Cherry Reviewed by Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW on October 31, 2019 facebook twitter instagram Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist, author of the bestselling book 13 Things Mentally Strong People Dont Do, and a highly sought-after speaker. Learn about our Wellness Board Amy Morin, LCSW on October 31, 2019 More in Theories Behavioral Psychology Cognitive Psychology Developmental Psychology Personality Psychology Social Psychology Biological Psychology Psychosocial Psychology In This Article Table of Contents Expand Overview Mathematical Theory of Behavior Criticism Influence View All Back To Top The drive reduction theory of motivation became popular during the 1940s and 1950s as a way to explain behavior, learning, and motivation. The theory was created by behaviorist Clark Hull and further developed by his collaborator Kenneth Spence. According to the theory, the reduction of drives is the primary force behind motivation. While the drive-reduction theory of motivation was once a dominant force in psychology, it is largely ignored today. Despite this, its worthwhile for students to learn more about Hull’s ideas in order to understand the effect his work had on psychology and to see how other theorists responded by proposing their own theories. Overview of Hulls Theory Hull was one of the first theorists to attempt creating a grand theory designed to explain all behavior. He started developing his theory shortly after he began working at Yale University, drawing on ideas from a number of other thinkers including Charles Darwin, Ivan Pavlov, John. B. Watson, and Edward L. Thorndike. Hull based his theory on the concept of homeostasis, the idea that the body actively works to maintain a certain state of balance or equilibrium. For example, your body regulates its temperature in order to ensure that you dont become too hot or too cold. Hull believed that behavior was one of the ways that an organism maintains this balance. Based on this idea, Hull suggested that all motivation arises as a result of these biological needs. In his theory, Hull used the term drive to refer to the state of tension or arousal caused by biological or physiological needs. Thirst, hunger, and the need for warmth are all examples of drives. A drive creates an unpleasant state, a tension that needs to be reduced. In order to reduce this state of tension, humans and animals seek out ways to fulfill these biological needs. We get a drink when we are thirsty. We eat when we are hungry. We turn up the thermostat when we are cold. He suggested that humans and animals will then repeat any behavior that reduces these drives. Conditioning and Reinforcement Hull is considered a neo-behaviorist thinker, but like the other major behaviorists, he believed that human behavior could be explained by conditioning and reinforcement. The reduction of the drive acts as a reinforcement for that behavior. This reinforcement increases the likelihood that the same behavior will occur again in the future when the same need arises. In order to survive in its environment, an organism must behave in ways that meet these survival needs. When survival is in jeopardy, the organism is in a state of need (when the biological requirements for survival are not being met) so the organism behaves in a fashion to reduce that need, Hull explained. In a stimulus-response (S-R) relationship, when the stimulus and response are followed by a reduction in the need, it increases the likelihood that the same stimulus will elicit the same response again in the future. Hulls Mathematical Deductive Theory of Behavior Hulls goal was to develop a theory of learning that could be expressed mathematically, to create a formula to explain and understand human behavior. Mathematical Deductive Theory of Behavior sEr V x D x K x J x sHr - sIr - Ir - sOr - sLrsEr: Excitatory potential, or the likelihood that an organism will produce a response (r) to a stimulus (s)V: Stimulus intensity dynamism, meaning some stimuli will have greater influences than othersD: Drive strength, determined by the amount of biological deprivationK: Incentive motivation, or the size or magnitude of the goalJ: The delay before the organism is allowed to seek reinforcementsHr: Habit strength, established by the amount of previous conditioningslr: Conditioned inhibition, caused by previous lack of reinforcementlr: Reactive inhibition, or fatiguesOr: Random errorsLr: Reaction threshold, or the smallest amount of reinforcement that will produce learning Hulls approach was viewed by many as overly complex, yet at the same time, critics suggested that drive-reduction theory failed to fully explain human motivation. His work did, however, have an influence on psychology and future theories of motivation. Contemporary Views and Criticisms While Hulls theory was popular during the middle part of the 20th century, it began to fall out of favor for a number of reasons. Because of his emphasis on quantifying his variables in such a narrowly defined way, his theory lacks generalizability. However, his emphasis on rigorous experimental techniques and scientific methods did have an important influence in the field of psychology. One of the biggest problems with Hulls drive reduction theory is that it does not account for how secondary reinforcers reduce drives. Unlike primary drives such as hunger and thirst, secondary reinforcers do nothing to directly reduce physiological and biological needs. Take money, for example. While money does allow you to purchase primary reinforcers, it does nothing in and of itself to reduce drives. Despite this, money still acts as a powerful source of reinforcement. Another major criticism of the drive reduction theory of learning is that it does not explain why people engage in behaviors that do not reduce drives. For example, people often eat when they’re not hungry or drink when they’re not thirsty. In some cases, people actually participate in activities that increase tension such as sky-diving or bungee jumping. Why would people seek out activities that do nothing to fulfill biological needs and that actually place them in considerable danger? Drive-reduction theory cannot account for such behaviors. Effects on Later Research While Hulls theory has largely fallen out of favor in psychology, it is still worthwhile to understand the effect it had on other psychologists of the time and how it helped contribute to later research in psychology. In order to fully understand the theories that came after it, its important for students to grasp the basics of Hull’s theory. For example, many of the motivational theories that emerged during the 1950s and 1960s were either based on Hulls original theory or were focused on providing alternatives to the drive-reduction theory. One great example is Abraham Maslows famous hierarchy of needs, which emerged as an alternative to Hulls approach.

The Civil War And The Confederate States Of America Essay

The American Civil War is a civil war between 1861 and 1865 involving the United States or (the Union) and the Confederate States of America (â€Å"the Confederacy†), led by Jefferson Davis, consisting of eleven southern slave states that had seceded from the United States. The Union included all abolitionist states and five borderline slave states and was headed by Abraham Lincoln and the Republican Party. The latter was opposed to the expansion of slavery in the territories held by the United States, and his victory in the presidential election of 1860 led to the first secession of seven southern states, even before Lincoln took office. For four years, Southerners or Confederates, commanded by Beauregard, Jackson, and Lee fought the Northerners or Federals, commanded by Scott McClellan, Burnside, Sherman, and Grant, in a series of deadly battles, where the successes and setbacks swayed between the protagonists. The cause of the war The Civil War was the culmination of a social, political, philosophical and economic crisis that began at the birth of the United States. The question of slavery had not ceased dividing the country since its foundation. In the 1850s, the question of the abolition of slavery became more and more important Discussions in the Congress and the press between the opponents and the defenders of slavery were ardent than ever. The southern states were anti-abolitionist because their economy was essentially based on cotton monoculture, which required aShow MoreRelatedUnderstanding The Civil War1710 Words   |  7 Pages Civil War Chris Cowan HIS/155 November 11, 2015 Civil War Understanding the Civil War is very important, to understand the way America has been shaped through out the past couple of centuries. Shelby Foote, a historian, believed that the Civil War defines the people in America. 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Comparison of Works by Thomas Hardy and Gwendolyn Brooks Free Essay Example, 1250 words

Analyzing the rhetorical elements of Hardy s The Ruined Maid and Gwendolyn s Sadie and Maude, the reader can find the fact that both of them have practised various rhetorical features like pathos, ethos and logos in different forms. Both Hardy and Gwendolyn Brooks depict the story of two sisters and allow the readers to capture the tragic elements of both poems. The image of Fallen woman in Hardy s poem The Ruined Maid permits the reader to think about the possibility of pathos in this poem. The girl who speaks first is a farm- hand and she feels surprise when she met her friend Amelia accidently and notices her changes. Amelia informs that she was ruined or fallen. Having s strong feeling of frustration, reader understands she is a prostitute. The city girl never gets that chance to find a husband and lead married life. Savannah Schroll Guz observes; In this context, ruined means that she has crossed the Victorian-era morality line by selling herself. Here, Poet changes the cha racter of Amelia as a person who breaks the existing social system. We will write a custom essay sample on Comparison of Works by Thomas Hardy and Gwendolyn Brooks or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page In the fifth stanza, Hardy analyses Amelia s life having different perceptive. Before she reached in town the girl felt unhealthy and frustration. But when she became a ruined girl she lost her unhappiness and anxieties. Now she enjoys the life as a prostitute. Poet expresses his anger and frustration about the Victorian hypocrisy and a reader can easily notice the elements of ethos in the fall of Amelia. Hardy permits the reader to think about the logical backgrounds in Amelia s misfortune and pathetic end.

Mona Lisa Free Essays

The Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci is the most famous painting in the world.   In fact, it is the most popular work of art in history.   Millions of people have visited the Louvre to view it. We will write a custom essay sample on Mona Lisa or any similar topic only for you Order Now    Though it has been created in the 16th century, it has continued to be controversial at present.   This research paper aims to discuss the history of the painting, and the recent developments around it. It is believed that Leonardo da Vinci began painting the Mona Lisa in 1503 (â€Å"History†).   The painting was finished four years after (â€Å"History†).   It was said that the painting was purchased by King Francois of France in 1516 for 4,000 coins of gold (â€Å"History†; Blake).   Francois I invited Leonardo to France â€Å"to work at Clos Lucà ©,† and the latter died after three years (Wallis 226; Blake).   The painting was eventually included in the monarch’s art collection, and was placed in the royal bathroom (Wallis 226). There had been speculation that the painting was reduced after Leonardo’s death, and that it originally had two columns on the sides (â€Å"History†).   However, art experts refute this claim.   During the French Revolution, it was said that Napoleon had placed the painting in his bedroom in Tuileries Palace (Blake).   Soon after, it was returned to the Lourve.   The Mona Lisa was temporarily hidden in a location in France in the duration of the Franco-Prussian War and World War II (Blake).   In 1963, the painting was brought to Washington, and was insured for $100 million dollars (Wallis 226).   At present, the painting can still be found in the museum, and is currently a property of the French government.   The painting also has a duplicate, which can be found in Dulwich Picture Gallery (â€Å"History†). In 1911, the Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre (Rosenberg 1).   The exact date of the theft was August 21st, but it was only the day after when the authorities noticed that the painting was missing (Rosenberg 1).   It was a painter who first discovered that the Mona Lisa was missing.   The painting was hung on Salon Carrà © of the Lourve and could be found between two other paintings: â€Å"The Mystic Marriage of Saint Catherine† by Correggio and â€Å"The Allegory of Alfonso d’Avalos† by Titian (Rosenberg 1). On August 22nd, Louis Bà ©roud only found iron pegs on the wall; the painting was missing (Rosenberg 1). On September 7th that same year, French poet Guillaume Apollinaire was arrested (Rosenberg 2).   He was considered a suspect simply because he was a friend of a known artifact thief named Gà ©ry Pià ©ret (Rosenberg 2).   He was released five days later.   Even world-famous painter Pablo Picasso was considered a suspect (Blake).   Two years had passed before there was any development regarding the theft (Rosenberg 2). In 1913, an antique dealer named Alfredo Geri placed an ad in the newspaper, stating that he was interested in purchasing art pieces (Rosenberg 3).   The thief responded to the ad and introduced himself as Leonardo Vincenzo, and he told Geri he had the Mona Lisa (Rosenberg 3).  Ã‚   Leonardo Vincenzo is actually Vincenzo Peruggia, a former Lourve employee (Rosenberg 3).   He worked in the museum in 1908, but he was still recognized by the museum’s security at the time of the theft.   He took the painting from the salon, proceeded to the staircase and detached the painting from its frame.   He hid the Mona Lisa under his smock, and left the museum unnoticed (Rosenberg 3). The Mona Lisa is an oil painting that measures at only 31 x 21 inches (Blake).   The painting is placed on a â€Å"poplar wooden panel† (Blake).   Leonardo used the sfumato method in painting the Mona Lisa (Blake).   In Italian, the term â€Å"sfumato† is â€Å"blended†; the word was derived from â€Å"fumo,† which means â€Å"smoke† (Blake). The Mona Lisa is a painting of a seated woman clothed in Florentine dress, against the backdrop of mountains (Blake).   It is the woman’s smile and gaze that have created much buzz around the painting.   The woman was said to be smiling because â€Å"the corners of her mouth was lifted† (Sebe qtd. in Campbell 51). As for her gaze, when the viewer looks unto her eyes, it seems like the woman in the painting is following the viewer’s gaze (â€Å"History†).   However, if there was one thing that brought much controversy to the painting, it would be the woman’s identity. The painting is also referred to as â€Å"La Gioconda† (Blake).   â€Å"Gioconda† in Italian means â€Å"light-hearted woman† (Blake).   The identity of the woman in the painting had been debated upon for centuries, and several speculations have arisen.   According to Maike Vogt-Là ¼erssen, Isabella of Aragon is the woman in the painting (Blake).   This is because her green dress has a pattern that implies membership in the â€Å"house of Visconti-Sforza† (Blake).  Ã‚   Vogt-Là ¼erssen also saw a likeness between the pictures of Isabella and the woman on the painting. On the other hand, Dr. Lilian Schwartz hints that the woman in the painting may not actually be a woman; rather, it may be Leonardo himself (Blake).   This conclusion was derived from a digital analysis of the painting and Leonardo’s portrait, which was found to have been painted in a similar style. It was only until recently that the identity of the woman in the painting was revealed.   In January 2008, Heidelberg University academics have proven that the woman in the painting was Lisa Gherardini del Giocondo (Lorenzi 1).   The proof was found on the margins of a book, and derived from notes by Agostino Vespucci in October 1503 (Lorenzi 1). Vespucci was a friend of Leonardo; in his notes, he stated that Leonardo was working on several paintings, which included that of Lisa del Giocondo (Lorenzi 1).   Lisa was the wife of a silk merchant from Florence named Francesco del Giocondo (Lorenzi 1).   That is the reason why Mona Lisa is the name of the painting; it means Madam Lisa, since â€Å"mona† means â€Å"madam† or â€Å"my lady† in Italian (â€Å"History†). The mystery of the painting may have been revealed, but this surely does not diminish the public’s interest in the Mona Lisa.   It has been one of the most significant artworks in history, and will continue to do so in centuries to come. WORKS CITED Blake, Diana. â€Å"The Mona Lisa.† Art History Site. 2008. BellaOnline. 1 April 2008 ;http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art18406.asp;. Campbell, Michael. â€Å"What’s Behind The Smile?† Arts Antiques October 2006: 51. â€Å"History Pictures Of The Mona Lisa By Leonardo Da Vinci.† Art History Guide. 1 April 2008 http://www.arthistoryguide.com/Mona_Lisa.aspx. Lorenzi, Rossella. â€Å"Mona Lisa’s Identity Confirmed by Document.† Discovery News. 2008. Discovery Communications. 1 April 2008 ;http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/01/16/mona-lisa-identity.html;. Rosenberg, Jennifer. â€Å"The Mona Lisa Was Stolen!† About.com. 2008. The New York Times Company. 1 April 2008 ;http://history1900s.about.com/od/famouscrimesscandals/a/monalisa.htm;. Wallis, Denis. Why in the World? Australia: Reader’s Digest Pty Limited, 1994.       How to cite Mona Lisa, Essay examples Mona Lisa Free Essays Painted by internationally renowned artist Leonardo da Vinci, Mona Lisa, is one of the considered milestones in the field of art. Mona Lisa has a dimension of   77 Ãâ€" 53 cm, 30 Ãâ€" 21 inches. It was painted in a canvas by using oil as a medium and was made in Italy but was later moved to France. We will write a custom essay sample on Mona Lisa or any similar topic only for you Order Now Entitled, Mona Lisa, the artwork is a portrait of a woman which has been said and considered as a signifier of being a woman. The painting is also one of the most talked-about and controversial up to today even if it was made in as early as the 16th century. More so, the painting has been evoking different kinds of interpretations. If the work was not treated as it is now, I think, the interpretation of course would also change. If Mona Lisa was laughing in the painting, the mystery behind the classical painting would not an issue. The painting might not even be popular as it is today. The controversial painting is also capable of evoking feelings. The smile of the subject in Da Vinci’s artwork has been a topic of debate among those who already viewed the painting. There are actually different feelings that could be evoked dependent on who views the painting. But I think the painting suggests a very calm emotion. Meanwhile, going on the formal elements of the art work, the painter used a â€Å"pyramid design† in coming up with the painting. This means that the painter merely placed his subject within a calm space in the painting. The composition of the painting itself suggested an ambiguous effect which caused the viewers to have different interpretations. The darker elements in the painting like the hair and the veil practically served as the frame in the portrait. Also, the painting appeared to have a graceful atmosphere due to the lines employed in the painting. There were blurred lines to inject, perhaps, additional effects. The line, also, regulated the composition as a whole and made the painting more excellent as they were artistically done to succumb to the traditions of doing an art work. The space in the painting would serve as the â€Å"breathing room† of the subject. Without enough space, the shape would be difficult to distinguish or see. On the other hand, the dark and light tones served as an indicator for the viewer which aspect of the painting did the painter intended to emphasize in his work. In this case, lighter tones in Mona Lisa’s face were used to convey that the face was the very subject of the art work. The tonal contrast was also held in minimum. Shadows of brown were predominantly employed in the art work. The imaginary landscape in the subject’s background appeared to be important also. The texture of the painting, especially Mona Lisa’s face deserved to be scrutinized carefully. The texture was very unique and different. In addition, the painting has a balanced symmetry which gave an impression of formality. Likewise, there was a significant visual rhythm like the subject’s background. The elements of the art work seem proportional. The tones of the painting made it easier to glean what the emphasis of the painting was. If there were pure dark tones, it would be hard to identify which was the focus of the painting; hence, there would be a different interpretation. Generally, the artist’s choice of the medium has an impact on the presentation of the unified art work. The medium, of course, was chosen for the painter to give effects that would be most effective in his chosen medium. Mona Lisa was just talking about a woman—or could be viewed the women of the society as a whole. The content could mean power and reverence to women as opposed by the fragile-appearing subject.   The intention of the artist is to project how calm a woman is—and how mysterious a woman could be. The colors that were chosen, the choice of light and dark tones were enough justifications for the intentions of the painter. The art work itself is a symbolism for feminism as claimed by some researchers. Other than that, no other underpinning meanings could be inferred from the work. The title was said to be from the name of the wife the wealthy Francesco del Giocondo. He was a wealthy Florentine whose wife’s name was Lisa Gherardini. Meanwhile, â€Å"Mona† refers to Madam. Francesco was a friend of the painter’s father. The painting did not seem to convey any significant social issue. It was a portrait for the sake of aesthetics, per se.   For me, the painting is a symbol of being a woman; a fragile and clam woman to be exact—who should be revered in the society. Reference: Associated Press, 19 January 2007.’Mona Lisa’ died in 1542, was buried in convent, Yahoo! News. Retrieved January 19, 2007. Cohen, P. (2004, June 23). Noisy secret of Mona Lisa’s smile. New Scientist. Journal reference: Vision Research (vol 44, p 1493). Retrieved on June 20, 2006. de Martino, M. (2003). Mona Lisa – Who is hidden behind the woman with the moustache? Retrieved on June 20, 2006.                How to cite Mona Lisa, Essay examples Mona Lisa Free Essays The Mona Lisa is one of the most famous and intriguing painting of all time. This painting was created by Leonardo da Vinci in 1503 to 1504. This painting is oil on panel and is 77 X 53 cm (Phaidon, 1994). We will write a custom essay sample on Mona Lisa or any similar topic only for you Order Now This is a very naturalistic painting and is the greatest painting created in the renaissance era. The Mona Lisa has been one of the most debated paintings of all time. The look on the face of the women in this painting leaves a person’s mind wondering. No one really knows what this mysterious woman is thinking or feeling. Is she in love, sad or scared? hese questions will never be answered. This is what makes this painting so famous. The smirk on the face of the Mona Lisa is the key to making the painting so interesting. The second part that makes the painting so interesting is who the Mona Lisa is, was she Leonardo’s love, mistress, friend or a maid. One of the more wondered questions today is if the Mona Lisa is a man dressed as a woman or a woman (Phaidon, 1994). All these small details make the painting stand out by being different and remarkable. Leonardo created this painting using all the elements and principles of art. The Mona Lisa has a very classical composition. A person is so intrigued by the painting that their eyes never leave the canvas. This painting is so special because of the type of color that Da Vinci created. This type of painting is called Sfumato, which is a type of shading that allowed him to shade differently (Phaidon, 1994). The color is a darker Hue, which also makes the painting even more interesting and Da Vinci has used a large amount of warm color. The lines in this painting are very precise and on point. The Mona Lisa has a geometric shape to it, the woman being the center focusing point in the painting. This painting was created with a symmetrical balance and the rhythm of the painting is very flowing, only having one basic focusing point (Wikipedia , 2009). . The Mona Lisa is a very strong piece of visual art. The fact that there is simply just one woman and nothing to compare her to painting makes her even more interesting. She is judged and studied in so many different ways because of the fact that she is smirking and her smoldering eyes. In a way the weaknesses of the painting might also be this. There will be no way to ever tell what the Mona Lisa is thinking or what she is staring at in such a way that a person can’t take their eyes from it. This painting is going to be discussed and studied by people for years and years to come. The mystery and the theories behind the painting are what is going to keep it so interesting to people for years to come. The lines and composition help the picture be so eye catching and creative. This beautiful painting will continue being an artistic mysterious to the rest of the world for the rest of time. How to cite Mona Lisa, Papers Mona Lisa Free Essays I have chosen the Mona Lisa to analyze. The portrait of Mona Lisa is also known as La Giaconda, she was the wife of Francesco del Giaconda. This painting was done in oil paints on poplar wood by Leonardo ad Vinci from the year 1503 to 1506. We will write a custom essay sample on Mona Lisa or any similar topic only for you Order Now The dimensions of this painting are 76. 2 x 53. 3 CM. The painting is now in the Muse du Louvre in Paris. The Mona Lisa is a painting of a woman, dressed in a dark green dress with her hands overlapping. The background of the painting is a mountainous landscape. The whole painting is a remarkable example of Leonardo suffuse technique of painting. Suffuse is the blurred outline and mellowed colors that allow one form to merge with another and always leave something to our imagination. This is a technique that only Leonardo perfected. Other famous painters such as Van Eyes, Antenna, and Poetical tried, but were unsuccessful in duplicating Leonardo technique. The Mona Lisa has been analyzed over and over by many intelligent people who have theories about the painting, and TTS mysterious appearance. It is the expression on the face of the Mona Lisa that seems to be attractive yet distant; these qualities have given the portrait universal fame. Leonardo deliberately used suffuse technique in the corners of the mouth and around the eyes leaving them indistinct by letting them merge into a soft shadow. What strikes us first about the Mona Lisa is the amazing degree to which she looks alive. She really seems to look at us and to have a mind of her own. Like a living Ewing, she seems to change before our eyes and to look a little different each time she is viewed. This is one of the reasons that the Mona Lisa is greatly admired, and is copied all over the world. If we look carefully at the Mona Lisa we will see that the two sides do not quite match. This is most obvious in the landscape in the background. The horizon on the left side seems to lie much lower that the one on the right. When we look at the left side of the woman she appears to be taller than if we look at the right side. Her face seems to change depending which side we are focusing on, because even here the two sides do not match. Many years ago people looked at portraits with wonder, because they had thought that in preserving the likeness the artist could preserve the soul of the person. In my opinion the Mona Lisa was a turning point in the art of expression, because of suffuse technique of Leonardo do Vinci. Today the Mona Lisa is still one of the most beautiful, and mysterious works of art, as it is still being analyzed to this day. Mona Lisa By Stretches How to cite Mona Lisa, Papers Mona Lisa Free Essays The Mona Lisa The Mona Lisa is 16th century oil painting created by the renowned Leonardo da Vinci. The work of art depicts an enigmatic woman gazing at the viewer, and it is said that if you move across the room while looking into her eyes, they’ll follow you. It is definitely one of the most popular paintings worldwide and has been the center of many artistic, religious, and theoretical debates. We will write a custom essay sample on Mona Lisa or any similar topic only for you Order Now The French government currently owns the Mona Lisa and it is featured at the Musee du Louvre in Paris. The painting can also be referred to as La Gioconda or La Joconde. The name of the painting stems from the name of the woman in the portrait, Lisa Gherardini, the wife of a wealthy businessman in Florence, Italy named Francesco del Giocondo. Mona means ‘my lady’ or ‘madam’ in modern Italian, so the title is simply Madam Lisa. Art historians agree that Leonardo da Vinci likely began painting the Mona Lisa in 1503, and completed it within 4 years. In 1516 the King of France, King Francois, bought the painting and it is thought that after Leonardo’s death the painting was cut down. Some speculators think that the original had columns on both sides of the lady, whereas other art critics believe that the painting was never cut down in size. It has been suggested that there were 2 versions of the Mona Lisa painting, but many historians reject the second version. The duplicate copy can be found at the Dulwich Picture Gallery. After the French revolution the painting was moved to the Louvre, and Napoleon had it placed in his bedroom for a short time before it was returned to the Louvre. The popularity of the Mona Lisa increased in the mid 19th century because of the Symbolist movement. The painting was thought to encompass a sort of feminine mystique. Spoliarium Painting by Juan Luna An oil painting on poplar, the Spoliarium was painted by  Juan Luna  in Rome in 1884, winning the second prize at the Madrid Academy Exhibition of Oil Paintings. The Municipality of Barcelona purchased this chef d? oeuvre for the City Hall. It is arguably the most internationally renowned piece of modern Filipino art. Today, it can be viewed in the main gallery located on he ground floor of the National Museum of the Philippines. The  Spoliarium  is very large, measuring four meters in height and seven meters in width. The painting depicts the bodies of dead gladiators   being dragged from a Roman arena. On the left side are spectators, while on the far right is a woman with her back turned to the scene, her back partially uncovered. The painting’s title is often misspe lled as Spolarium. In ancient Rome, the word  spoliarium  referred to the Coliseum’s morgue. Girl Before A Mirror, 1903 by Pablo Picasso This painting was painted in March 1932. It was produced in the style Picasso was using at the time and evoked an image of Vanity such as had been utilized in art in earlier eras, though Picasso shifts the emphasis and creates a very different view of the image. The work is considered in terms of the erotic in Picasso’s art, and critics in different periods have offered their assessments of the work to show a wide range of reactions. The young girl was named Marie Therese Walter and was painted multiple times during the 1930’s by Picasso. â€Å"Girl Before a Mirror† was painted during Picasso’s cubism period. Picasso was an artist that was very bold with his artwork. Even with backgrounds that are normally placed to be a backdrop and mainly they’re to assist the main subject. He includes it within the painting to make it just as intense as the main focal point of the image. When you look closely at the image, you can interpret many different symbols within different parts of the painting. The woman’s face for one; is painted with a side profile and a full frontal image. One side shows the day time where she seems more like a woman, dolled up with her make up done. The other side with the rough charcoal texture portrays her at night. When she takes off the mask of makeup, and is more vulnerable as a young lady. One way of interpreting the painting is when the woman looks at herself in the mirror; she is seeing herself as an old woman. From the green discoloration on her forehead, darkening of her facial features to the lines that show that her young body has been distorted, and gravity has taken its rightful place. Another way of viewing the painting is that she is self-conscious, and she sees all the flaws in herself that the world doesn’t see. ————————————————- The Last Supper  (Leonardo da Vinci) The Last Supper| | Artist| Leonardo da Vinci| Year| 1495–1498| Type| tempera  on  gesso,  pitch  and  mastic| Dimensions| 460  cm ? 880  cm (181  in ? 346  in)| Location| Santa Maria delle Grazie,  Milan| The Last Supper  (Italian:  Il Cenacolo  or  L’Ultima Cena) is a 15th centurymural  painting in  Milan  created by  Leonardo da Vinci  for his patron  DukeLudovico Sforza  and his duchess  Beatrice d’Este. It represents the scene of  The Last Supper  from the final days of  Jesus  as it is told in theGospel of John  13:21, when Jesus announces that one of his  Twelve Disciples  would betray him. ———————————————— The painting The Last Supper  measures 450 ? 870 cm (15  feet ? 29  ft) and covers an end wall of the dining hall at the monastery of  Santa Maria delle Grazie  in Milan,  It aly. The theme was a traditional one for  refectories, although the room was not a refectory at the time that Leonardo painted it. The main church building had only recently been completed (in 1498), but was remodeled by  Bramante, hired by  Ludovico Sforza  to build a Sforza family mausoleum. The painting was commissioned by Sforza to be the centerpiece of the mausoleum. The  lunettes  above the main painting, formed by the triple arched ceiling of the refectory, are painted with  Sforza  coats-of-arms. The opposite wall of the refectory is covered by the  Crucifixion  fresco by  Giovanni Donato da Montorfano, to which Leonardo added figures of the Sforza family in tempera. (These figures have deteriorated in much the same way as has  The Last Supper. ) Leonardo began work on  The Last Supper  in 1495 and completed it in 1498—he did not work on the painting continuously. This beginning date is not certain, as â€Å"the archives of the convent have been destroyed and our meagre documents date from 1497 when the painting was nearly finished. †Ã‚  One story goes that a prior from the monastrey complained to Leonardo about the delay, enraging him. He wrote to the head of the monastery, explaining he had been struggling to find the perfect villainous face for Judas, and that if he could not find a face corresponding with what he had in mind, he would use the features of the prior who complained. The Last Supper specifically portrays the reaction given by each apostle when Jesus said one of them would betray him. All twelve apostles have different reactions to the news, with various degrees of anger and shock. The apostles are identified from a  manuscript (The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci  p. 232) with their names found in the 19th century. (Before this, only Judas, Peter, John and Jesus were positively identified. ) From left to right, according to the apostles heads: * Bartholomew,  James, son of Alphaeus  and  Andrew  form a group of three, all are surprised. Judas Iscariot,  Peter  and  John  form another group of three. Judas is wearing green and blue and is in shadow, looking rather withdrawn and taken aback by the sudden revelation of his plan. He is clutching a small bag, perhaps signifying the silver given to him as payment to betray Jesus, or perhaps a reference to his role within the 12 disciples as treasurer. [7]  He is also tipping over t he salt shaker. This may be related to the near-Eastern expression to â€Å"betray the salt† meaning to betray one’s Master. He is the only person to have his elbow on the table and his head is also horizontally the lowest of anyone in the painting. Peter looks angry and is holding a knife pointed away from Christ, perhaps foreshadowing his violent reaction in Gethsemane during Jesus’ arrest. The youngest apostle, John, appears to swoon. * Jesus. * Apostle  Thomas,  James the Greater  and  Philip  are the next group of three. Thomas is clearly upset; James the Greater looks stunned, with his arms in the air. Meanwhile, Philip appears to be requesting some explanation. * Matthew,  Jude Thaddeus  and  Simon the Zealot  are the final group of three. Both Jude Thaddeus and Matthew are turned toward Simon, perhaps to find out if he has any answer to their initial questions. In common with other depictions of The Last Supper from this period, Leonardo seats the diners on one side of the table, so that none of them have their backs to the viewer. Most previous depictions excluded Judas by placing him alone on the opposite side of the table from the other eleven disciples and Jesus or placing halos around all the disciples except Judas. Leonardo instead has Judas lean back into shadow. Jesus is predicting that his betrayer will take the bread at the same time he does to Saints Thomas and James to his left, who react in horror as Jesus points with his left hand to a piece of bread before them. Distracted by the conversation between John and Peter, Judas reaches for a different piece of bread not noticing Jesus too stretching out with his right hand towards it (Matthew 26: 23). The angles and lighting draw attention to Jesus, whose head is located at the  vanishing point  for all perspective lines. The painting contains several references to the number 3, which represents the Christian belief in the Holy Trinity. The Apostles are seated in groupings of three; there are three windows behind Jesus; and the shape of Jesus’ figure resembles a triangle. There may have been other references that have since been lost as the painting deteriorated. ————————————————- Medium Leonardo da Vinci painted  The Last Supper  on a dry wall rather than on wet  plaster, so it is not a true  fresco. Because a fresco cannot be modified as the artist works, Leonardo instead chose to seal the stone wall with a layer of  pitch,  gesso  and  mastic, then paint onto the sealing layer with  tempera. Because of the method used, the piece began to deteriorate a few years after Leonardo finished it. INA AT ANAK Fernando Amorsolo is one of The Greatest Filipino Painters of all time. He has done numerous paintings which has catched the fancy of many people. One of his masterpieces is the painting â€Å"Ina at Anak†. If we translate the title into English, it means Mother and Child. This painting shows to us the love between the mother and child. It shows to us the bond that exists between the two. It is often said that nothing encompasses the love between a mother and a child. From birth, the mother has paintakingly taken care of her child, giving him food, shelter, and clothing. From the long hours of labor in the delivery room to the time the child sets foot in College, the mother is there, supporting and caring for her child. This painting clearly shows how much a mother cares for her child. As seen in the painting, the mother carefully hold her child, making sure that she has a firm hold on him so that he won’t be in any danger. A mother will even go to the point of sacrificing her own life for the sake of her child. That is how much a mother loves her child. Amorsolo manificently depicted the bond between a mother and a child in this painting. How to cite Mona Lisa, Essay examples

Ricky Medina Essay Example For Students

Ricky Medina Essay Intro. to BiologyReport # 3Twenty-six Israeli suicidal patients, twenty-four non-suicidal patients and twenty-four control aptients completed tests on different suicidal tendencies. Suicidal adolescents showed more negative responses that did either the non-suicidal adolescents or the control patients. Furthermore compared to the other two groups, the suicidal adolescents showed less complex self-attributes and a higher tendency to have a low self-esteem. Results were discussed and it was found that suicidal adolescents were unevenly processing information or stimuli which was causing confusion which led to their suicidal tendencies. Orbach, Isreal, Mario Mikulineer, Daniel Stein, and Orit Cohen, Self-representation of Suicidal Adolescents. Journal of Abnormal Psychology. 1996. Vol. No.3 435-439.Ricky MedinaIntro. to BiologyReport # 4Researchers used multiple measures of irrationability and compared the reactions of never-depressed controls (ND) with people who had recovered from major depression. The ND studies revealed that they didnt exceed in errationality and negative mood in specific situations. The people who were recovered from depression did show that when there were other variables their attitude did change faster than those who had never suffered from depression. They concluded that recovered depressed people werent able to handle being under different situations when they had to control there rational way of life. Brody, Cindy, David A.F. Haaga, Ari Solomon, Lindsey Kirk, and Dara G. Friedman 1998. Priming Irational Beliefs in Recovered-Depressed People. Journal of Abnormal Psychology. Vol. No.3 440-449Ricky MedinaIntro. to BiologyReport # 5In 1989, the National Institute of mental health (NIMH) completed the most careful study comparing the success rates of psychotherapy versus antidepressant drug therapy in the treatment of cases of major depression. Patients with major depression were assigned a random for 16 weeks to one of four treatments: an antidepressant drug which was imipramine, a placebo pill, interpersonal therapy, of cognitive behavioral therapy. The interpersonal therapy focused on the depressed persons relationships with other people. The findings of the study were surprising. For the less depressed people all four treatments were equally successful. For the Severely depressed people however, the antidepressant drug therapy was highly success ful. 76% improved on the drug nad on ly 18% on the placebo. After this study NIMH issued a warning it concluded that only 16 weeks of psychotherapy or the drug therapy for depression was sufficient since it resulted in very high relapse rates. Mackel, Donald, William Holder, and Larry Kvols. Psychotherapy or Pharmcotherapy? Journal of Abnormal Psychology. Vol.5. No. 6, 489-495Mackel, Donald, William Holder, and Larry Kvois, Psychotherapy or Pharmacotherapy? Journal of Abnormal Psychology. Vol. No.6 489-495.Ricky MedinaIntro. to Biologyreport #23,450 patients who were diagnosed with either depression, anxiety, or stress syndromes completed the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS). 3 to 8 years later the same patients took the DASS again. Each time the second test scores were the asme as the test scores from the first test. The stability of the patients suffering from at least one of the three syndromes did not vary over the interval of the two test. The results support the stability of depression, anxiety and stress, and draw attention to the distinction between the three different syndromes. These results were interpreted to mean that there is existence of vulnerabilities in the three syndromes, over and beyond the general vulnerability to emotional distress. Lovebond, Peter F. Long-Term Stability of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Syndromes, Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 1998, Vol. 107, No. 3, 520-526

The Root of all evil Review Essay Example

The Root of all evil Review Paper Essay on The Root of all evil I wonder who the author of this piece, is named in the book, The root of evil, the name of Alexander Vargo? Since this is not my first review of a book by this author, let me just remind you that there is a chance that Alexander Vargo most likely an alias designation of the publishing project that operates an unknown author or group of authors. The root of evil for my third book under the name of the writer. All three books are totally different. Icicle recalled the novels by James Rollins. Cook Fowles, Andahazi and Bruckner together. The root of evil has appeared narrative punctuated with information from Wikipedia, the imagery in the form of mathematical terms and jokes in the style of Distorting Mirror » Despite the interesting summary, the novel quite banal, is tied to the affair, which seemed to have a continuation of some kind. stories. And this all the time read is not the feeling of understatement. As if reading the second volume of the work, while the first was not even published. The hero was not impressed at all. On the way of Virtue, fighting against evil, definitely not pulled. It looks like it and most have something to fight. All adventure merged in attempts to escape from the castle, where the head of Satanists lives. In short, once again, a lot of excursions to Wikipedia (whether for a novel volume, or for the reader to understand what the devil and things like that), a lot of mathematical terms (isosceles ladies, square of the distance, similarity and equations abnormal type) many dubious jokes ( Those who get up early this bird, one who later falls owl and whoever late to bed and early to rise Crazy bird.?), a lot of fights (but still alive and relatively healthy) makes little sense and a huge disappointment We will write a custom essay sample on The Root of all evil Review specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Root of all evil Review specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Root of all evil Review specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer

Ongoing Formative Assessment Improves Student Learning

Ongoing Formative Assessment Improves Student Learning What is a Formative Assessment? A formative assessment can be defined as a variety of mini-assessments that allow a teacher to adjust instruction on a frequent basis. These continuous assessments allow teachers to use a variety of instructional strategies to help students reach instructional goals. A formative assessment is quick and easy to administrator and provides both the teacher and student with quick data that ultimately drives instruction and learning. Formative assessments focus on an individual skill or a subset of skills within a curriculum instead of the entire curriculum. These assessments are intended to measure progress towards a specific goal. They also provide students with a deeper understanding of skills they have mastered as well as skills they struggle with. There are many different types of formative assessments that can be used in any classroom. Some of the more popular ones include direct questioning, learning/response logs, graphic organizers, think pair share, and four corners. Every situation is unique. Teachers have to create and utilize the types of formative assessments that will be the most beneficial for their students and learning activities. The Benefits of Ongoing Formative Assessment Teachers who utilize regular, ongoing formative assessment in their classroom find that student engagement and learning increases.   Teachers are able to use the data generated from formative assessment to drive instructional changes for both whole group and individual instruction.   Students find value in formative assessments in that they always know where they stand and are increasingly aware of their own strengths and weaknesses.   Formative assessments are easy to create, easy to take, easy to score, and easy to use the results. In addition, they only require a limited amount of time to complete.   Formative assessments aid in setting individualized goals for students and monitoring progress on a daily basis.   The Best Type of Formative Assessment? One of the most advantageous components of formative assessment is that there is no single style of formative assessment.   Instead, there are hundreds of different types of available formative assessments. Each teacher can develop a deep repertoire of potential formative assessments. Furthermore, teachers can adapt and change a formative assessment to fit the needs of their students. This is important as variance helps keep students engaged and ensures that the teacher can match the proper assessment of the concepts being learned. Having options also helps ensure that students will most likely see several assessment types throughout the year that naturally aligns to their individual preferences or strengths as well as their weaknesses.   The best type of formative assessment is engaging, aligns with student strengths, and identifies areas in which additional instruction or assistance is needed. Formative Assessments vs. Summative Assessments Teachers who only utilize summative assessments to evaluate student learning is doing their students a disservice.   A summative assessment is designed to evaluate learning over an extended period of time.   A formative assessment gauges learning on a regular and often daily basis. Students are given immediate feedback that allows them to correct the mistakes they are making. A summative assessment limits this because of the longer time frame. Many teachers use a summative assessment to wrap up a unit and rarely revisit those concepts even when students do not perform well.   Summative assessments offer value, but in conjunction or in partnership with formative assessments. Formative assessments should build to an eventual summative assessment. Progressing this way ensures that teachers are able to assess parts to the whole.   It is a more natural progression than simply throwing up a summative assessment at the end of a two-week unit. Wrapping It Up Formative assessments are a proven educational tools offering value a lot of value for teachers and students.   Teachers can develop and use formative assessments to guide future instruction, develop individual learning goals for students, and obtain valuable information about the quality of the lessons being presented to students.   Students benefit because they receive immediate, ongoing feedback that can help them know where they stand academically at any given point.   In conclusion, formative assessments should be a regular component of any classroom assessment routine.

The Business Plan (your coursework) has a maximum of 4000 words Essay

The Business Plan (your coursework) has a maximum of 4000 words - Essay Example They turn to the internet to seek for the most competitive prices only to find sites which offer brokerage services between buyers and sellers on textbook. Due to the high brokerage fees associated with monopolistic giants such as eBay and Amazon, the students ends up purchasing at high cost. Students or people who intend to sell their textbooks are also offered little money as the purchase price of their books (Seth, 2008, p. 56). Establishment of an online used textbook retailing website that has the confidence of students would come in handy to bridge the gap between seller and buyers of this important commodity. In classes with a large number of students, students find it hard to communicate about assignments and other education-related issues such as teacher evaluation. There is a need of a platform which will gives students a free and fair opportunity to interact and communicate with their student leaders. The monopoly in online textbook retailing industry segment can be broken down by an increase in competition in this industry. This will not succeed unless the online retailers receive utmost confidence from their users who are dominantly students. Therefore, formation of a business that is close and has the goodwill of students plays an important role in reducing the high cost of used textbooks. Creation of partnerships between the parties and stakeholders in the industry will serve well in reduction of operational costs. Reduction of the level of monopoly in this market will be beneficial to students who not only act as buyers, but also sellers of used textbooks (Steve and Stephen, 2010, p. 176), 1.1 Solution By-passing the colleges bookshops, students will be able to purchase sell and trade utilized textbooks directly to others. The seller can get more cash than the bookshop will pay by selling textbooks to other students and the buyer can spend less than the bookshop charges. Additionally, students can sell computers, used CDs, class notes and much m ore through an online market (William, 2006, pg. 90). The University Cafe will also extend services like teacher assessments, weblogs, classifieds, specialized content and retail. It will base itself as the topping online student interaction market by blending wide market oriented expertise on internet technologies to yield income while providing a win-win resolution for students. The University Cafe will attain dominance in the market by using a broad area knowledge, a local foundation marketing scheme, a special managerial team, advanced software, and shaping of strategic alliances and partnerships with other companies in the college market. 1.2 Market The college student market in the U.S. is a developing but underserved niche. As per the U.S. Department of Education, this market is expected to grow from 15.8 to 17.2 billion students in the coming five years. This year, college students are anticipated to spend above $200 billion according to Paul (Paul, 2009, p.211). 1.3 Opportu nity At the close of every semester, college students seek to find means of acquiring â€Å"quick cash†. One of the means they use is the sale of old textbooks though this is operated by the college bookshop. The students only get a fraction of the book’s value due to college bookshops monopolizing the market. The bookshops receive supernormal profits by

ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITING AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS Essay

ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITING AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS - Essay Example In addition, the essay will discuss into details three basic aspects of sustainability and the role of companies in addressing all these three aspects, including the CSR practices as they relate to the organization. The benefits and limitations of using EMS are also discussed at length and ways of identifying and improving social impacts of companies, after which it will establish sustainability indicators when using EMS as well as outlining CSR and sustainability standards. Moreover, the essay gives a detailed discussion on matters relating to shareholder theory in CSR and standardization. Task 1 Suppliers’ Environmental Performance In essence, suppliers’ environmental performance is important to a company adopting an EMS, whether certified or not because of a number of ways. The suppliers form part of the external environment in a company, thus their contribution has significant influence in running a company. Suppliers’ power comes into play when they demand t hat retailers pay a given amount of money for the supplied goods. Lack of compliance from the side of the retailer means the supplier will not provide the goods. Taking Tesco Company as an example, the entity has an advantage over the small stores as most people tend to do all their shopping in large stores and supermarkets. This enables Tesco to have the ability to dictate the price suppliers will sell goods as failure to comply on the part of suppliers will leave them with no market to supply their goods. According to Rigby, the government needs to increase protection for suppliers and reduce their exploitation by large supermarkets (24). Tesco has a range of its own product which gives it power to fully dictate their price since it does not have to wait for suppliers to provide the goods. These products have strengthened the company’s profits and increase its competitive advantage. In 2007, the company sales were ?42,633.4 million with a 21.9% growth rate in sales (Rigby 4 4). The suppliers’ environmental assessment fits within an EMS in a number of ways. For example, it promotes ethics and cordial relationships among different suppliers who might be transacting business with the company. In an organization, ethical behavior is imperative because it plays an integral role in helping it achieves the desired environmental management system. It also forms the culture of the organization and fosters the relationship between the stakeholders. Importantly, the analysis of the organizational ethical human behavior is very essential in making ethical managerial decisions, bearing in mind the need for consistency to the international principles of running the affairs of the company. In addition, ethical human behavior presents the dynamic relations, which the company could apply to realize its vision and mission based on the outlined objectives. Therefore, ethical human behavior comprises the fundamental aspects that the people in the organization shoul d adopt in delivering better management services to the potential customers and other stakeholders. Those aspects are core when making ethical decisions about the code of behavior expected from leaders. The value of a comprehensive code of conduct to guide organizational activities is vested in the spirit of the leaders to exercise the organizational culture. As a leader, one of the primary responsibilities is to help shape a culture of

Disorders of the Respiratory and Circulatory System

Disorders of the Respiratory and Circulatory System Neusha Bakhtiari Aghmasjed Asthma Asthma is an allergic response which affects the bronchial tubes and can result in coughing, wheezing or breathlessness. It leads to the inflammation of airways, causing them to tighten, resulting in difficulty of breathing. Asthma is not classified as an infectious disease and it is rather an allergic condition which cause is not fully understood. It is usually triggered when the person with asthma comes in contact with: House dust mitten, animal fur, some medicines (Nsaids), pollen, tobacco smoke, exercise, stress, cold air, chest infections. When the immune system receives an inflammatory response, white blood cells release histamine and this result in the contraction of smooth circular muscle of bronchioles as well as restriction of airways. (Bronchoconstriction). More mucus is then secreted by the epithelial cells and as the result the airways are blocked even more. This condition reduces the rate of ventilation through tightened bronchioles therefore less gas exchange will take place in the alveoli and cellular respiration in the body. This condition causes breathing difficulty, coughing and wheezing as the lungs want to get rid of the built up mucus in them. There is no cure for asthma. However, there are different ways to control the condition. These methods are applied in two ways. One is to Treat/Relieve symptoms and the other is to prevent any future symptoms/attacks. The procedure includes a combination of medicines, lifestyle advice and understanding the asthma triggers. The Asthma medicines are normally given by inhaler which supplies the drug directly to airways through mouth. It is effective as it delivers the drug directly to the lungs. There are number of conditions which increase the risk of developing Asthma such as: If your parents have asthma If you are overweight If you have certain allergic conditions If you smoke or exposed to second hand smoke If you are exposed to any type of pollution or chemicals used in the industry. There are 5.4 million people in UK receiving treatment for asthma which means that 1 in 12 adults or 1 in 11 children are currently receiving treatment for their condition. In adults, asthma is more common in women than men. Assessment Criteria 1.4 Discuss disorders of the respiratory system Pulmonary Tuberculosis Pulmonary Tuberculosis is a contagious bacterial infection that can spread in areas where large amount of blood and oxygen exist such as the lungs as well as other organs in the body. This disease is caused by a type of bacterium named Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. It spreads when a person who has active TB in their lungs breaths out the germs when sneezing, laughing, coughing, singing or talking and then the other person breathe in the germs. The common symptoms of Active TB in the lungs are Cough which contains bloody mucus for two weeks or more, weakness and tiredness, sudden weight loss and loss of appetite, difficulty when breathing and chest pain or fever. TB disease can affect many organs in our body such as kidneys, bones and brain but it usually affects human lungs. There are two main stages in the process of this infectious disease. In the first stage which commonly lasts for the duration of several months, the bacteria cells attack the epithelial cells of the alveoli and bronchioles. Then they start to multiply in fibrous capsule which spreads around that area. Here the human immune system becomes stimulated and starts to resist the disease. Before this invasion is over, a few bacteria might escape into the bloodstream and develop in other body organs. If the body’s immune system is successful, this disease never develops and is known as TB infection. However, if it remains untreated it develops into the second stage where it becomes an active disease. In the second stage of this disease the germs start to multiply and destroy the epithelial cells of the lungs. In some cases, although it seems that the disease has been cured, but after a while it comes back and becomes active. This occurs mostly when the immune system of the body becomes weak. The second stage of this disease is presented through the consumption of the tissue of lungs which leads to the destruction of the alveoli. Here the person starts to manifest the symptoms such as continues cough. The risk factors that increase the possibility of a person getting infected by this disease are named below: Being in contact with/ living with an infected person. Living or working is crowded places where there is a possibility of coming in contact with people with untreated active TB. These places can be prisons, nursing homes or homeless shelters. Having a poor diet which affects the immune system of the human body. Pasteurisation of milk and cultivation of animals as this used to be a common cause of transmission of TB by Cows. Assessment Criteria 2.3 Discuss disorders of the circulatory system Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) The human heart is designed to pump the blood around the body through causing pressure. However, if the blood is pumped around the body with an increased amount of pressure than normal, the arteries and the heart itself can be seriously damaged or even it can lead to heart failure if they both stop because of the strain. High blood pressure can cause microscopic tears in the walls of the arteries which turn into scar tissue. The damaged artery can trap more plaque as the scar tissues formed in it accommodates plaques (Fat, cholesterol, etc). This causes the arteries to become narrower and as a result conditions such as Coronary Artery Disease appear. Two main conditions control the blood pressure: One is the amount of force generated when the heart pumps the blood around the body and the other is how relax or narrow the arteries are: HBP can damage the arteries: Our arteries in their healthy state are flexible strong and elastic. Its smooth internal lining is where the blood can flow freely and provide different nutrient and Oxygen gas to our tissues and organs. High blood pressure damages these cells. In the case of arteriosclerosis which causes damage to the artery by blocking it, organs such as kidneys, brain, arm and legs can be affected. These damages can lead to stroke, heart failure and kidney failure. In some cases the continues pressure of blood in already weakened artery can lead to enlargement of its walls and formation of aneurysm which can bring about life threatening complications such as internal bleeding. This complication usually takes place in our aorta. Can damage the heart: It can lead to diseases such as coronary artery disease. This happens when arteries are narrowed by coronary artery disease and do not let the blood to move freely through our arteries. It can cause chest pain, heart attack or irregular heartbeat if the blood doesn’t flow freely to the heart. It can also lead to enlarged left heart as high blood pressure leads the heart to pump blood with excess pressure around the body and causes the left ventricle to thicken. Can damage the brain: The brain has to receive blood which contains nourishing substances in order to be able to carry out its function. However, in some cases if the blood clotting takes place as the result of high blood pressure it can cause Transient ischemic attack (TIA), Stoke or Dementia. Symptoms related to HBP are headache, sleepiness or confusion. The risk factors of hypertension: Family history, obesity, smoking, type 1 2 diabetes, kidney disease, alcohol abuse, having high amount of salt in the diet, lack of physical activities (exercise) and medicines such as steroids About 10 million in the UK are diagnosed with hypertension. This means that one out of five has high blood pressure. Assessment Criteria 2.3 Atherosclerosis Atherosclerosis is the built up of plaques which is made up of fatty deposit around the wall of the arteries. After a while these fatty deposits of cholesterol and smooth muscle cells form Atheroma which causes the arteries to lose their elasticity as well as becoming narrow. This reduces the amount of blood flow through the arteries and blood vessels hence reducing the oxygen supply. It can take a long time until atherosclerosis is hardened and narrowed. However, when the arteries are considerably damaged, different conditions may occur such as: Thrombus: The arteries can be blocked if blood clots on the plaque made of cholesterol around its walls and as the result the blood flow will be restrained and the tissues will not receive the required nutrient. The atheroma on the walls of the arteries is covered by protective cells from the blood which flows in the artery. If this protective cell barrier is broken down, the blood will be exposed to high concentration of cholesterol on the wall of the artery and this generates the blood clotting system. This process can lead to the blockage of the artery and prevention of blood flow to the organ it supports therefore, depending on the organ; it can cause stroke, heart attack and angina. Heart failure: When the artery is narrowed, it causes damage to the muscle of the heart. High blood pressure and renal failure when the arteries which exist in the kidney are affected. Many people are affected by atherosclerosis. It is possible that it starts from the age of 20. The reason behind its occurrence is still unknown but the reasons given below can be considered as risk factors: Family history of atherosclerosis Having high amount of LDL cholesterol in the blood or low amount of HDL in the blood. High blood pressure The rate increases if the person smokes. Diabetes: In people with type 1 diabetes atherosclerosis can take many years to appear but in people with type 2 diabetes it can appear within a few years. Kidney failure Excess weight A diet with high amount of fat in it Race: People from south Asia are more likely to develop Atherosclerosis. According to the British Heart Foundation, at least 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from Atherosclerosis. Bibliography Dr. Patrick Davey, Dr Sabine Gill, Dr Carl J Brandt and Dr Steen Dalby Kristensen . (2012).Atherosclerosis (arteriosclerosis – hardening of the arteries).Available: http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/atherosclerosis.htm. Last accessed December 2013. Dr. Patrick Davey, Dr Sabine Gill, Dr Carl J Brandt and Dr Steen Dalby Kristensen . (2011).High blood pressure (hypertension).Available: http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/hypertension.htm. Last accessed December 2013. Elea Carey . (2012).Pulmonary Tuberculosis.Available: http://www.healthline.com/health/pulmonary-tuberculosis?toptoctest=expand. Last accessed December 2013. Jatin M. Vyas. (2012).Pulmonary tuberculosis.Available: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000077.htm. Last accessed December 2013. Kim Ann Zimmermann. (2012).Circulatory System: Facts, Function Diseases.Available: http://www.livescience.com/22486-circulatory-system.html. Last accessed December 2013. Mayo Clinic staff. (2011).High blood pressure dangers: Hypertensions effects on your body.Available: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-blood-pressure/HI00062. Last accessed December 2013. Mayo Clinic Staff. (2012).Asthma risk factors.Available: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/basics/risk-factors/CON-20026992. Last accessed December 2013. Unknown. (2008).Tuberculosis (TB).Available: http://www.mckinley.illinois.edu/handouts/tuberculosis.html. Last accessed December 2013. Unknown. (2013).TB.Available: http://www.healthunit.org/infectious/tb/tb_spread.htm. Last accessed December 2013. Unknown. (2011).Tuberculosis (TB) What Increases Your Risk.Available: http://www.webmd.com/lung/tc/tuberculosis-tb-what-increases-your-risk. Last accessed December 2013. Unknown. (2012).Asthma Causes.Available: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/asthma/Pages/causes.aspx. Last accessed December 2013. Unknown. (2012).Asthma.Available: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/asthma/Pages/Introduction.aspx. Last accessed December 2013. Unknown. (2012).How we’re fighting heart disease.Available: https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-matters-online/december-january-2011-12/research/atherosclerosis.aspx. Last accessed December 2013. Unknown. (2012).Heart and Artery Damage and High Blood Pressure .Available: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HighBloodPressure/WhyBloodPressureMatters/Heart-and-Artery-Damage-and-High-Blood-Pressure_UCM_301823_Article.jsp#. Last accessed December 2013.

The Vampire Diaries: Dark Reunion Chapter Seven

Stefan approached the corner house reluctantly, almost afraid of what he might find. He half expected that Damon would have abandoned his post by now. He'd probably been an idiot to rely on Damon in the first place. But when he reached the backyard, there was a shimmer of motion among the black walnut trees. His eyes, sharper than a human's because they were adapted for hunting, made out the darker shadow leaning against a trunk. â€Å"You took your time getting back.† â€Å"I had to see the others home safe. And I had to eat.† â€Å"Animal blood,† Damon said contemptuously, eyes fixed on a tiny round stain on Stefan's T-shirt. â€Å"Rabbit, from the smell of it. That seems appropriate somehow, doesn't it?† â€Å"Damon-I've given Bonnie and Meredith vervain too.† â€Å"A wise precaution,† Damon said distinctly, and showed his teeth. A familiar surge of irritation welled up in Stefan. Why did Damon always have to be so difficult? Talking with him was like walking between land mines. â€Å"I'll be going now,† Damon continued, swinging his jacket over one shoulder. â€Å"I've got business of my own to take care of.† He tossed a devastating grin over his shoulder. â€Å"Don't wait up.† â€Å"Damon.† Damon half turned, not looking but listening. â€Å"The last thing we need is some girl in this town screaming ‘Vampire!' † Stefan said. â€Å"Or showing the signs, either. These people have been through it before; they're not ignorant.† â€Å"I'll bear that in mind.† It was said ironically, but it was the closest thing to a promise Stefan had ever gotten from his brother in his life. â€Å"And, Damon?† â€Å"Now what?† â€Å"Thank you.† It was too much. Damon whipped around, his eyes cold and uninviting, a stranger's eyes. â€Å"Don't expect anything of me, little brother,† he said dangerously. â€Å"Because you'll be wrong every time. And don't think you can manipulate me, either. Those three humans may follow you, but I won't. I'm here for reasons of my own.† He was gone before Stefan could gather words for a reply. It wouldn't have mattered anyway. Damon never listened to anything he said. Damon never even called him by name. It was always the scornful â€Å"little brother.† And now Damon was off to prove how unreliable he was, Stefan thought. Wonderful. He'd do something particularly vicious just to show Stefan he was capable of it. It was no use. He couldn't keep his mind on the puzzle. He was tired and lonely and in desperate need of comfort. And the stark truth was that there was no comfort to be had. Elena, he thought, you lied to me. It was the one thing she'd insisted on, the one thing she'd always promised. â€Å"Whatever happens, Stefan, I'll be with you. Tell me you believe that.† And he had answered, helpless in her spell, â€Å"Oh, Elena, I believe it. Whatever happens, we'll be together.† But she had left him. Not by choice maybe, but what did that matter in the end? She had left him and gone away. There were times when all he wanted was to follow her. Think about something else, anything else, he told himself, but it was too late. Once unleashed, the images of Elena swirled around him, too painful to bear, too beautiful to push away. The first time he'd kissed her. The shock of dizzy sweetness when his mouth met hers. And after that, shock after shock, but at some deeper level. As if she were reaching down to the core of himself, a core he'd almost forgotten. Frightened, he'd felt his defenses tear away. All his secrets, all his resistance, all the tricks he used to keep other people at arm's length. Elena had ripped through them all, exposing his vulnerability. Exposing his soul. And in the end, he found that it was what he wanted. He wanted Elena to see him without defenses, without walls. He wanted her to know him for what he was. Terrifying? Yes. When she'd discovered his secret at last, when she'd found him feeding on that bird, he had cringed in shame. He was sure that she'd turn away from the blood on his mouth in horror. In disgust. But when he looked into her eyes that night, he saw understanding. Forgiveness. Love. Her love had healed him. And that was when he knew they could never be apart. Other memories surged up and Stefan held on to them, even though the pain tore into him like claws. Sensations. The feel of Elena against him, supple in his arms. The brush of her hair on his cheek, light as a moth's wing. The curve of her lips, the taste of them. The impossible midnight blue of her eyes. But Bonnie had reached Elena. Elena's spirit, her soul, was still somewhere near. Of anyone, he should be able to summon it. He had Power at his command. And he had more right than anyone to seek her. He knew how it was done. Shut your eyes. Picture the person you want to draw near. That was easy. He could see Elena, feel her, smell her. Then call them, let your longing reach out into the emptiness. Open yourself and let your need be felt. Easier still. He didn't give a damn about the danger. He gathered all his yearning, all his pain, and sent it out searching like a prayer. And felt†¦ nothing. Only void and his own loneliness. Only silence. His Power wasn't the same as Bonnie's. He couldn't reach the one thing he loved most, the one thing that mattered to him. He had never felt so alone in his life. â€Å"You want what?† Bonnie said. â€Å"Some sort of records about the history of Fell's Church. Particularly about the founders,† Stefan said. They were all sitting in Meredith's car, which was parked a discreet distance behind Vickie's house. It was dusk of the next day and they had just returned from Sue's funeral-all but Stefan. â€Å"This has something to do with Sue, doesn't it?† Meredith's dark eyes, always so level and intelligent, probed Stefan's. â€Å"You think you've solved the mystery.† â€Å"Possibly,† he admitted. He had spent the day thinking. He'd put the pain of last night behind him, and once again he was in control. Although he could not reach Elena, he could justify her faith in him-he could do what she wanted done. And there was a comfort in work, in concentration. In keeping all emotion away. He added, â€Å"I have an idea about what might have happened, but it's a long shot and I don't want to talk about it until I'm sure.† â€Å"Why?† demanded Bonnie. Such a contrast to Meredith, Stefan thought. Hair as red as fire and a spirit to go with it. That delicate heart-shaped face and fair, translucent skin were deceptive, though. Bonnie was smart and resourceful-even if she was only beginning to find that out herself. â€Å"Because if I'm wrong, an innocent person might get hurt. Look, at this point it's just an idea. But I promise if I find any evidence tonight to back it up, I'll tell you all about it.† â€Å"You could talk with Mrs. Grimesby,† Meredith suggested. â€Å"She's the town librarian, and she knows a lot about the founding of Fell's Church.† â€Å"Or there's always Honoria,† Bonnie said. â€Å"I mean, she was one of the founders.† Stefan looked at her quickly. â€Å"I thought Honoria Fell had stopped communicating with you,† he said carefully. Stefan was surprised. He didn't entirely like the idea of Elena's journal on display. But Honoria's records might be exactly what he was looking for. Honoria had not just been a wise woman; she had been well versed in the supernatural. A witch. â€Å"The library's closed by now, though,† Meredith said. â€Å"That's even better,† said Stefan. â€Å"No one will know what information we're interested in. Two of us can go down there and break in, and the other two can stay here. Meredith, if you'll come with me-â€Å" â€Å"I'd like to stay here, if you don't mind,† she said. â€Å"I'm tired,† she added in explanation, seeing his expression. â€Å"And this way I can get my watch over with and get home earlier. Why don't you and Matt go and Bonnie and I stay here?† Stefan was still looking at her. â€Å"Okay,† he said slowly. â€Å"Fine. If it's all right with Matt.† Matt shrugged. â€Å"That's it, then. It might take us a couple of hours or more. You two stay in the car with the doors locked. You should be safe enough that way.† If he was right in his suspicions, there wouldn't be any more attacks for a while-a few days at least. Bonnie and Meredith should be safe. But he couldn't help wonder what was behind Meredith's suggestion. Not simple tiredness, he was sure. â€Å"By the way, where's Damon?† Bonnie asked as he and Matt started to leave. Stefan felt his stomach muscles tighten. â€Å"I don't know.† He had been waiting for someone to ask that. He hadn't seen his brother since last night, and he had no idea what Damon might be doing. â€Å"He'll show up eventually,† he said, and closed the door on Meredith's, â€Å"That's what I'm afraid of.† He and Matt walked to the library in silence, keeping to the shadows, skirting areas of light. He couldn't afford to be seen. Stefan had come back to help Fell's Church, but he felt sure Fell's Church didn't want his help. He was a stranger again, an intruder here. They would hurt him if they caught him. The library lock was easy to pick, just a simple spring mechanism. And the journals were right where Bonnie had said they would be. Stefan forced his hand away from Elena's journal. Inside was the record of Elena's last days, in her own handwriting. If he started thinking about that now†¦ He concentrated on the leather-bound book beside it. The faded ink on the yellowing pages was hard to read, but after a few minutes his eyes got accustomed to the dense, intricate writing with its elaborate curlicues. It was the story of Honoria Fell and her husband, who with the Smallwoods and a few other families had come to this place when it was still virgin wilderness. They had faced not only the dangers of isolation and hunger but of native wildlife. Honoria told the story of their battle to survive simply and clearly, without sentimentality. With a prickling at the back of his neck, he reread the entry carefully. At last he leaned back and shut his eyes. He'd been right. There was no longer any doubt in his mind. And that meant he must also be right about what was going on in Fell's Church now. For an instant, bright sickness washed over him, and an anger that made him want to rip and tear and hurt something. Sue. Pretty Sue who had been Elena's friend had died for†¦ that. A blood ritual, an obscene initiation. It made him want to kill. But then the rage faded, replaced by a fierce determination to stop what was happening and set things right. I promise you, he whispered to Elena in his own mind. I will stop it somehow. No matter what. He looked up to find Matt looking at him. Elena's journal was in Matt's hand, closing itself over his thumb. Just then Matt's eyes looked as dark a blue as Elena's. Too dark, full of turmoil and grief and something like bitterness. â€Å"You found it,† Matt said. â€Å"And it's bad.† â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"It would be.† Matt pushed Elena's journal back into the case and stood. There was a ring almost of satisfaction in his voice. Like somebody who's just proved a point. â€Å"I could have saved you the trouble of coming here.† Matt surveyed the darkened library, jingling change in his pocket. A casual observer might have thought he was relaxed, but his voice betrayed him. It was raw with strain. â€Å"You just think of the worst thing you can imagine and that's always the truth,† he said. â€Å"Matt†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Sudden concern stabbed at Stefan. He'd been too preoccupied since coming back to Fell's Church to look at Matt properly. Now he realized that he'd been unforgivably stupid. Something was terribly wrong. Matt's whole body was rigid with tension lying just under the surface. And Stefan could sense the anguish, the desperation in his mind. â€Å"Matt, what is it?† he said quietly. He got up and crossed to the other boy. â€Å"Is it something I did?† â€Å"I'm fine.† â€Å"You're shaking.† It was true. Fine tremors were running through the taut muscles. â€Å"I said I'm fine!† Matt swung away from him, shoulders hunched defensively. â€Å"Anyway, what could you have done to upset me? Besides taking my girl and getting her killed, I mean?† This stab was different, it was somewhere around Stefan's heart and it went straight through. Like the blade that had killed him once upon a time. He tried to breathe around it, not trusting himself to speak. â€Å"It was the truth.† Stefan waited a moment and then added, levelly, â€Å"But it's not the whole problem, is it?† Matt didn't answer. He stared at the floor, pushing something invisible with the side of one shoe. Just when Stefan was about to give up, he turned with a question of his own. â€Å"What's the world really like?† â€Å"What's†¦ what?† â€Å"The world. You've seen a lot of it, Stefan. You've got four or five centuries on the rest of us, right? So what's the deal? I mean, is it basically the kind of place worth saving or is it essentially a pile of crap?† Stefan shut his eyes. â€Å"Oh.† â€Å"And what about people, huh, Stefan? The human race. Are we the disease or just a symptom? I mean, you take somebody like-like Elena.† Matt's voice shook briefly, but he went on. â€Å"Elena died to keep the town safe for girls like Sue. And now Sue's dead. And it's all happening again. It's never over. We can't win. So what does that tell you?† â€Å"Matt.† â€Å"What I'm really asking is, what's the point? Is there some cosmic joke I'm not getting? Or is the whole thing just one big freaking mistake? Do you understand what I'm trying to say here?† â€Å"I understand, Matt.† Stefan sat down and ran his hands through his hair. â€Å"If you'll shut up a minute, I'll try to answer you.† Matt drew up a chair and straddled it. â€Å"Great. Take your best shot.† His eyes were hard and challenging, but underneath Stefan saw the bewildered hurt that had been festering there. â€Å"I've seen a lot of evil, Matt, more than you can imagine,† Stefan said. â€Å"I've even lived it. It's always going to be a part of me, no matter how I fight it. Sometimes I think the whole human race is evil, much less my kind. And sometimes I think that enough of both our races is evil that it doesn't matter what happens to the rest. â€Å"When you get down to it, though, I don't know any more than you do. I can't tell you if there's a point or if things are ever going to turn out all right.† Stefan looked straight into Matt's eyes and spoke deliberately. â€Å"But I've got another question for you. So what?† Matt stared. â€Å"So what?† â€Å"Yeah. So what.† â€Å"Yeah, so what?† Stefan leaned forward. â€Å"So what are you going to do, Matt Honeycutt, if every bad thing you've said is true? What are you going to do personally? Are you going to stop fighting and swim with the sharks?† Matt was grasping the back of his chair. â€Å"What are you talking about?† â€Å"You can do that, you know. Damon says so all the time. You can join up with the evil side, the winning side. And nobody can really blame you, because if the universe is that way, why shouldn't you be that way too?† â€Å"Like hell!† Matt exploded. His blue eyes were searing and he had half risen from his chair. â€Å"That's Damon's way, maybe! But just because it's hopeless doesn't mean it's all right to stop fighting. Even if I knew it was hopeless, I'd still have to try. I have to try, damn it!† â€Å"I know.† Stefan settled back and smiled faintly. It was a tired smile, but it showed the kinship he felt right then with Matt. And in a moment he saw by Matt's face that Matt understood. â€Å"I know because I feel the same way,† Stefan continued. â€Å"There's no excuse for giving up just because it looks like we're going to lose. We have to try-because the other choice is to surrender.† â€Å"I'm not ready to surrender anything,† Matt said through his teeth. He looked as if he'd fought his way back to a fire inside him that had been burning all along. â€Å"Ever,† he said. â€Å"Yeah, well, ‘ever' is a long time,† Stefan said. â€Å"But for what it's worth, I'm going to try not to either. I don't know if it's possible, but I'm going to try.† â€Å"That's all anybody can do,† Matt said. Slowly, he pushed himself off the chair and stood straight. The tension was gone from his muscles, and his eyes were the clear, almost piercing blue eyes Stefan remembered. â€Å"Okay,† he said quietly. â€Å"If you found what you came for, we'd better get back to the girls.† Stefan thought, his mind switching gears. â€Å"Matt, if I'm right about what's going on, the girls should be okay for a while. But you go ahead and take over the watch from them. As long as I'm here there's something I'd like to read up on-by a guy named Gervase of Tilbury, who lived in the early 1200s.† â€Å"Even before your time, eh?† Matt said, and Stefan gave him the ghost of a smile. They stood for a moment, looking at each other. â€Å"All right. I guess I'll see you at Vickie's.† Matt turned to the door, then hesitated. Abruptly, he turned again and held out his hand. â€Å"Stefan-I'm glad you came back.† Stefan gripped it. â€Å"I'm glad to hear it† was all he said, but inside he felt a warmth that took away the stabbing pain. And some of the loneliness, too.