Magdelana Abakanowicz Essays - Abakanowicz, , Term Papers

Magdelana Abakanowicz Magdelana Abakanowicz was born in 1930 near Falenty, Poland. She studied at the Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts, and sought to escape from the conventional art forms through weaving. Abakanowicz creates sculpture in bronze, wood, steel, ceramic, and burlap. Her main subjects are human and animal figures presented in large groups of 50, 80, or 150 exemplars. Abakanowicz also works in drawing, painting, choreographing dances, and architectural projects. Her work can be seen in museums all over the world. Often in her work she explores the alerted reality created by groups of sculpture in a gallery while also drawing heavily upon her personal and family history. Abakanowicz's work demonstrates an evolution from themes to dwellings, to humans, to the primality of organic growth itself. Abakanowicz's strong idealism and forceful speaking style suggest a productive tenacity born of a defensive self-belief. She feels ?overawed by the quantity where counting no longer makes sense. By unrepeatedl y within such a quantity. By creatures of nature gathered in herds, droves, species, in which each individual, while subservient to the mass, retains some distinguishing features. A crowd of people, birds, insects, or leaves is a mysterious assemblage of variants of certain prototype. A riddle of nature's abhorrence of exact repetition or inability to produce it. Just as the human hand cannot repeat its own gesture, I invoke this disturbing law, switching my own immobile herds into that rhythm.?

Free Essays on Karl Marx, The Estrangement Of Labor

Karl Marx The Estrangement of Labor Throughout Marx’s Philosophical and Economic Manuscript of 1844, the term "estranged labor" is predominate in his theories. But what is â€Å"estranged labor†? In the introduction to the book, the point is brought up that this phrase is one of difficulty when translating the Manuscript from German to English. There is a dispute over whether to use estranged instead of alienated. Both of these terms have similar meanings in that they describe the separation between two or more things or people. However, it is believed that it is more proper to use â€Å"estranged† because alienated leads the reader to believe that the separation was created, in this case, by the laborer. Whereas by definition, estranged means: 1: to remove from customary environment or associations 2: to arouse especially mutual enmity or indifference in where there had formerly been love, affection, or friendliness (www.m-w.com). and labor: 2: an act or process requiring labor (task) 3: a product of labor (www.m-w.com). Therefore, we can conclude that estranged labor is the removal of the process or product of a labor or task from its natural place in nature. But what does Marx mean by this? To understand what Marx is talking about, we must look back at his dialectic. This part of Marx’s theories derives from two men, Georg Hegel and Ludwig Feuerbach. Hegel and Feuerbach were on the opposite ends of the philosophical spectrum. Hegel was an Idealist Philosopher who believed that the human conscience developed separate of the outside world. Feuerbach on the other hand was a Materialist Philosopher who believed that everything was defined by the material world. Marx takes the middle ground here. He states that while it is true that the conscience develops separately and the material world does define much of a society, you cannot have one without the other. Here Marx uses Hegel’s ideas of the thesis and antithesis. Heg... Free Essays on Karl Marx, The Estrangement Of Labor Free Essays on Karl Marx, The Estrangement Of Labor Karl Marx The Estrangement of Labor Throughout Marx’s Philosophical and Economic Manuscript of 1844, the term "estranged labor" is predominate in his theories. But what is â€Å"estranged labor†? In the introduction to the book, the point is brought up that this phrase is one of difficulty when translating the Manuscript from German to English. There is a dispute over whether to use estranged instead of alienated. Both of these terms have similar meanings in that they describe the separation between two or more things or people. However, it is believed that it is more proper to use â€Å"estranged† because alienated leads the reader to believe that the separation was created, in this case, by the laborer. Whereas by definition, estranged means: 1: to remove from customary environment or associations 2: to arouse especially mutual enmity or indifference in where there had formerly been love, affection, or friendliness (www.m-w.com). and labor: 2: an act or process requiring labor (task) 3: a product of labor (www.m-w.com). Therefore, we can conclude that estranged labor is the removal of the process or product of a labor or task from its natural place in nature. But what does Marx mean by this? To understand what Marx is talking about, we must look back at his dialectic. This part of Marx’s theories derives from two men, Georg Hegel and Ludwig Feuerbach. Hegel and Feuerbach were on the opposite ends of the philosophical spectrum. Hegel was an Idealist Philosopher who believed that the human conscience developed separate of the outside world. Feuerbach on the other hand was a Materialist Philosopher who believed that everything was defined by the material world. Marx takes the middle ground here. He states that while it is true that the conscience develops separately and the material world does define much of a society, you cannot have one without the other. Here Marx uses Hegel’s ideas of the thesis and antithesis. Heg...

Words About Feeling and Suffering

Words About Feeling and Suffering Words About Feeling and Suffering Words About Feeling and Suffering By Mark Nichol English has adopted a rich store of words about feeling and suffering from the classical languages. The Greek pathos, for example, has come down to us intact to mean, in English, an evocation of pity or compassion, but that’s just for starters. Pathology (the word literally means â€Å"the study of feeling or suffering†) is the branch of medical science concerned with investigating the nature of disease. It also refers to deviation in not only physical and mental health but also, by extension, environmental and social ills. A class of terms referring to specific physical and mental ailments uses the root -pathy: They include allopathy, the name for the conventional treatment of disease, often with pharmaceuticals that counter or alleviate symptoms, and its complement homeopathy, which refers to treatment by natural substances. Words like arthropathy (joint disease) and cardiopathy (heart disease) identify ailments of specific organs or body systems, while noun and adjectival forms of the names of the mental disorders psychopathy and sociopathy (referring to behavior marked by antisocial behavior), have transcended the medical milieu to be used loosely in popular culture. Phytopathology, or plant pathology, meanwhile, is the study of plant diseases. These ailments, and those affecting animals as well, are generally caused by pathogens (there’s that root word again, followed by another common root, which stems from the Greek term meaning â€Å"to be born†). Forms of other -path terms besides psychopath and sociopath are also used outside of the medical realm: Sympathy, the sensitivity to others’ feelings, and empathy, the action of, or the capacity for, vicarious experience of others’ feelings; sympathetic and empathetic are the adjectival forms. Then there’s apathy, meaning â€Å"the lack of feeling,† and antipathy, which means â€Å"aversion.† Each has a corollary adjectival form, though antipathetic is less commonly used than apathetic. Speaking of -pathetic, that’s a word in its own right, with several distinct meanings: It can mean â€Å"sad,† â€Å"laughable,† â€Å"inadequate,† or, less often, â€Å"able to arouse compassion or contempt.† Note, too, related terms derived from -pati, the Latin equivalent of -path: Compatible is essentially a synonym of sympathy. Meanwhile, passion (â€Å"suffering†) and both forms of patient the noun referring to someone under medical care or treatment and the adjective for the quality of forbearance stem from this root. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:50 Slang Terms for MoneyTelling a Good Poem from a Bad One50 Synonyms for "Song"

Causes and Effects of Climate Change Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Causes and Effects of Climate Change - Assignment Example According to the research findings, it can, therefore, be said that the stratosphere has been identified as an atmospheric layer which is essential for survival on Earth because it contains ozone gas (O3) which forms the ozone layer protecting the earth from ultraviolet radiations of the Sun. The depletion of this ozone layer can lead to the entry of these harmful radiations into the surface of the earth and these radiations have many harmful effects which range from DNA and RNA damage in humans to the disturbance of even the marine life. Thinning of this layer has been found to be associated with skin cancers, cataracts, and weakening of the immunity. It can damage the ecological balance because it will not only disturb marine life but there is evidence that it might even affect crops. The stratosphere is sensitive to atmospheric pollutants which include chlorofluorocarbons, chlorocarbons, and halon compounds. Because of increased environmental pollution and the emission of these ha rmful compounds into the atmosphere by the industries and other sources which include the emissions from cars, refrigerators, air conditioners and aerosols, the stratospheric ozone has been depleting gradually. The reason behind this is that these gases react with the ozone gas and initiate a cascade which destroys numerous ozone molecules. The greenhouses gases constitute less than one percent of the atmosphere. They include carbon dioxide, ozone, and water vapor. Thirty percent of the solar energy is reflected back before it even enters the last surface of the earth and a significant amount of energy that reaches the earth is also reflected back. This energy is the infrared radiation. This radiation is taken up by the greenhouse gases before it escapes the troposphere thus leading to a warming effect which is known as the greenhouse effect.

Individual, Community and Black Identity in 8 Mile Essay

Individual, Community and Black Identity in 8 Mile - Essay Example From this paper it is clear that  8 Mile portrays life of the black community placed in the harsh social and economic conditions in Detroit of the mid-1990s, and the white protagonist living inside and interacting with this community transforms understanding of being ‘black’. The entire plot of the movie revolves around racial issues in America, but the flavor of racism can be sense not only in the traditional ‘white-against-black’ way, but also in reverse; and this reverse rejection is expressed in disrespect of B-Rabbit as a hip hop musician by the black hip hop community: â€Å"B-Rabbit, is a white rapper who overcomes the odds against him which include poverty and lack of respect as a white rapper†.This essay stresses that  the character gets discriminated – surprisingly – based on his whiteness. However, the resolution of the conflict in the final battle in the Shelter gives the viewer a hint at the true understanding of blackne ss. At the same time, he admits his own challenged background, which probably makes him more authentically black in cultural meaning that Papa Doc. Thuswise, the movie’s representation challenges traditional ‘black’ identity depicted in media and emphasizes virtually the significant aspect of it: while whites were depicted in hip hop â€Å"as socially privileged and therefore not credible† in the genre â€Å"where credibility is often negotiated through an artist’s experiences of social struggle†.

Assess the dramatic and thematic effectiveness Essay Example for Free

Assess the dramatic and thematic effectiveness Essay The opening act of The Duchess of Malfi is important in terms of the themes that John Webster is presenting. He uses the characters to explore such themes, and subsequently the audience are given detailed descriptions of most of the main characters. Moreover, Webster uses the characters to describe each other not only giving the audience an insight into their personal attributes, but also how each character perceives the other. Although not entirely apparent in the initial acts of the play, the fact that the audience only know about the characters from the other characters descriptions, implies the ideas of secrecy, deception, and spying, and the general theme that there are things that the characters think they know, when in fact they dont. Antonio is the first character to be introduced, and he is initially presented as an outsider returning home from the French court, which he admires. He has a brief conversation with Delio about the French court, and how although it was orderly, it could easily be distorted.  Pure silver drops in general; but if t chance  Some cursed example poisoned t near the head,  Death and diseases through the whole land spread. The rhyming couplet makes it almost seem like a curse, and exerts a sense of doom. This already gives the impression that the court of Malfi is it self distorted, as Antonio describes the goodness of the French court, and then quickly goes onto describe how easily any court could be corrupted, as if pointing a finger at the court of Malfi. Webster uses this contrast quite effectively to convince the audience from the beginning that there is more to the Court of Malfi than it may primarily seem.  Interrupting the conversation, Bosola arrives, and before he even speaks, Antonio speaks of him to Delio, and creating a distinct impression of Bosola. Would be as lecherous, covetous, or proud,  Bloody, or envious, as any man,  If he had the means to be so.  This unpleasant impression of Bosola given to the audience is further supported, as Delio reveals that he was a fellow seven years in the galleys for a notorious murder, making him appear as an evil character who is capable of murder.  Aside from the information the audience receive from Antonio and Delio, the way in which Bosola speaks makes him appear to be very negative. He and his brother are like plum trees that grow crooked over standing pools; they are rich and oerladen with fruit, but none but crows, pies, and caterpillars feed on them.  The constant use of dark and distasteful imagery attributes him to be quite bitter, and so completes the overall impression that he is indeed an unpleasant character. However, as Bosola leaves, Antonio says he has heard good things about Bosola, but his railing at those things which he wants overcomes these positive aspects. Tis great pity  He should be thus neglected; I have heard  Hes very valiant. This foul melancholy  Will poison all his goodness.  This indicates to the audience that Bosola may have a good side which he may or may not reveal later. Either way, this is another way in which Webster explores the theme of first impressions not being all that they seem.

How Do Textual Features Combine To Convey A Theme Of The Poem? :: essays research papers

How do Textual Features Combine To Convey a Theme of the Poem?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Milton wrote extensively throughout his life, and studied literature profoundly. His cunningness and literary techniques were observed in all of his literature. However, at the prime of his life, his weak eyes gave as his intense work and studies caused his blindness. As a result of this tragedy, Milton created a sonnet about his blindness. He questioned the meaning of this tragedy, of the future, and God for his blindness within the sonnet. Even though his whole life and work involved his eyes, he accepted this eventually. Within Milton's sonnet about his blindness: figurative language, personification, his intent and prosody are adopted to convey his questions and heart felt acceptance of his blindness.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Milton uses figurative language to express his grievances and discontent. He reflects upon his life and â€Å"how my light is spent,† or the time he had his sight. Milton then expresses the feeling of the â€Å"dark world and wide† of the blind as his introduction to his questions. He begins to question his writing that only death can take away (â€Å"...one talent which is death to hide..†), â€Å" lodged... useless† within him because of his new blindness. As a result, Milton begins to question God, â€Å"Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?† Milton wonders as to the meaning of his blindness; Does God want him to continue to write, even with his blindness, or what does God really mean? At first his tone seems harsh, but his feelings are redirected as he answers his own questions in time. His last question to God, was answered by himself as he realizes that he cannot blame God for his actions. His figurative language from the point he begins to question, up to where he begins to answer his own questions are full of implications of his thought. These implications must be picked out in order to make sense of the feeling and statement Milton is trying to make.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Furthermore, Milton uses personification to express the importance of words and values. He personifies â€Å"Patience† as if patience were a man who replies for him. Patience is his reasoning for accepting the fact that he is blind. It is used to introduce the answer towards his questioning, and as a change or turning point within the sonnet. As in standard Petrarchian sonnets this change is in the 8-9 line, and a transition between problem and solution is achieved. The problem was whether or not he should continue to write. Yet, in line 8 the personification conveys the theme of acceptance through Patience.

Decision Making Process Essay

It is never easy to make decisions in life, especially life changing decisions. The decision making process is a very difficult process that is used by everyone in one way or another. Some people may alter the decision making process in order to fit their own needs and their own personal circumstances, but there is a model that has been provided in order to show the basic steps. The decision making process model includes six different steps. The first step is to identify and diagnose the issue. After figuring out the issue, then one must figure out alternative solutions to the problem. Before making the choice, one would first evaluate the alternative solutions that have already been suggested. Making the decision is then followed by implementing the solution. Once the solution has been implemented for a little while, the solution must then be evaluated. Choosing a college to attend is one of the most difficult decisions that one could make. For most young people, the decision to attend college is the most important decision they have made thus far (Dolinsky, 2010, p. 62-776). There are costs for the courses, course materials, and other related expenses. There are also issues such as the times of the classes, the courses offered, and the length of time it will take to earn a degree. An individual would have to figure out if the college that they are looking in to is the right choice for them. When debating with myself to attend college, I had a lot to think about, as do others. First I had to figure out if I truly wanted to attend college. With a son, I needed to make sure I was making the right decision for the both of us. I figured out that going to a traditional college was not for me since I didn’t just have myself to worry about. I was already working full time and being a single mother. So it was a little difficult to even make the decision to further my education. I fought with myself long and hard about this situation and finally determined that going back to school was going to benefit my son more than hurt him, especially with me being a single mother. Studies show that more and more students are taking online classes anyway, so I figured it would be a good idea. I even found out that more than 3. 2 students have taken at least one online class, as of 2005 (More Students Are Learning Online, Report Says, P. 32). After I had decided to attend college, I needed to figure out which college or university would fit my needs the best. To find the right college of nearly 4,000 choices, you have to really know what you want, and then carefully weigh out what schools have to offer (Fitzgerald, N, p. 10). I had to do a lot of research into each university that I had available to me. As I previously stated, I could not attend a traditional college as I had little to no time to leave my house. I also needed to determine which university had the degree in which I wanted to obtain, which was my associates in accounting. Then I needed to figure out which university was more cost effective. I needed to ask questions like how much did they charge per credit hour? Were their materials included in with the price? What type of materials was required? There was so much information that I needed to obtain to set my heart on one university. I believe that my thought process in making my decision is a little bit similar to the one that was provided for us. I had to figure out the issue, in which was determining that I wanted to attend college. Then I needed to make a plan to figure out which college would be right for me. This step had a lot of different options. That’s when I needed to evaluate the different options and make my decision. I then chose the University of Phoenix. I gave my choice a chance and earned my associates degree. I evaluated my decision and decided to go back for my bachelor’s degree!

How gangs are portrayed in the media Essay

Gangs are portrayed on TV and in the movies as if they are totally evil, but in reality there are more positive aspects that are not shown. The media only shows gangs involved with drugs and the violence, and as a result the media has scared many people into believing that gangs will take over our cities if we do not stop them. The movie Colors and the TV show American Justice overwhelmingly portrays gangs as bad. The movie Colors displays the bad things in gangs like how easy it could be to join a gang and to distribute the drugs for them. This movie portrays the working of a gang in California.. The movie also showed how the older gang members got the younger members to go out and sell the drugs for them. The idea behind this was that if the younger person was to get caught there would be a lesser chance that they would rat on the main dealer and they would get a lesser punishment, as juveniles. In the movie they always show you the parts of the gangs running from the police or doing something bad like the drugs and violence. What the movie does not show you how the gangs contributed to the society or if they did where is it then. The movie was based on the fact that gangs are bad and that is how they showed it. A TV program called America Justice, talks about the gangs negatively. They just show the bad parts of being in gang. In an interview they had with a former gang member, and all they seem to ask him was questions on the illegal aspects of the gang. The person doing the interview asked him how his gang got the younger kids to sell the drugs for them and he said, ‘all we need to provide was a free initiation to a gang, and we would get the younger kids to do our dirty work for us and make money at the same time.’ The person doing the interview asked him if he or any one in the gang ever killed someone and he did not reply to the question making you think that he did or someone else did but he does not want to rat on himself or other gang members. With these types of questions it makes you think that gangs are based on the bad stuff. People may think something different if they ask him questions on like what contributions has you brought to your society instead of all the drugs and violence. The question of what do you do for work would be more driven towards the positive aspects of the gang instead of questions on the illegal stuff. With them asking all negative questions makes you  think that they are doing it to stress the bad parts. TV shows usually show all the bad parts of belonging to a gang like the drugs, the violence, but do you ever see anything on the good parts of a gang. What about the ‘Guardian Angels’ wouldn’t they be considered to be a positive helping gang? I have seen an article on Guardian Angels it talked about the aspects of them doing a fund raiser for the homeless and how they contributed to the people around them. This was all done without the drugs and violence unlike the other gangs we here about doing them. If the media would stop running to cover all the gang activity in this country, I am sure the number of gang related problems would be reduced and the crime rate would be on a slow but steady decline. By doing this there would be a less of an influence on the people, by showing just the bad stuff in gangs like the drugs and violence and make it less appealing to them. This country seems to love violence on TV. The big deal is that they affect our lives so drastically that they are a problem. The main fact is that the gangs where around for a long time and it is going to take a while to stop them. My feelings toward the coverage of the gangs are as if the media is there to put thought in your mind making you think all gangs are bad. The sad fact is that not all gangs are bad, but the way movies and TV programs make them to be all evil. I feel that they should do less coverage of the gangs doing bad stuff and more on the good aspect of what they may do. The media is constantly focusing on the bad stuff giving you the idea that they are bad, but not in all cases.

Misplaced Modifiers Mix Meanings

Misplaced Modifiers Mix Meanings Misplaced Modifiers Mix Meanings Misplaced Modifiers Mix Meanings By Mark Nichol Scrambled sentence structure can lead to humorous or at least head-shaking imagery that readers will stumble on. Be alert in your writing for infelicitous misplacement of meaning: 1. â€Å"Kangaroo babies are the size of a lima bean at birth.† But we’re not told how big a lima bean is at birth. Oh perhaps it means this: â€Å"At birth, kangaroo babies are the size of a lima bean.† 2. â€Å"A famous athlete in the ancient Olympics named Milo of Kroton could break a string tied around his head with his bulging forehead veins.† OK, wait, let me get this straight: Milo of Kroton tied a string around his head with his bulging forehead veins? Why not just tie the string to, um, the string? Milo evidently wasn’t using his head after all: â€Å"In the ancient Olympics, a famous athlete named Milo of Kroton could, with his bulging forehead veins, break a string tied around his head.† (It was also unclear whether the athlete or the games were called Milo of Kroton.) 3. â€Å"The first company to pioneer the idea of extended stay in 1975 was started by an apartment developer.† A year-specific long-term residence hotel? What an intriguing business model! Which entrepreneurial insight did they have for 1976? (And first and pioneer are redundant.): â€Å"The company, which pioneered the idea of extended stay, was started by an apartment developer in 1975.† (â€Å"In 1975, an apartment developer started the company, which pioneered the idea of extended stay† is also correct and is also more active, but the context may prefer passive construction.) 4. â€Å"Mail was delivered by the Pony Express in the Wild West, a system in which riders rode to checkpoints, got a new horse, and rode on.† I’ve never heard the Wild West described as a system: The writer meant, â€Å"Mail was delivered in the Wild West by the Pony Express, a system in which riders rode to checkpoints, got a new horse, and rode on.† 5. â€Å"Based on a true story, divers are left behind to float in the open seas in Open Water.† The divers are not based on a true story; a true story inspired the movie: â€Å"In Open Water, based on a true story, two divers are left behind to float in the ocean.† 6. â€Å"The president says valor and sacrifice in the armed forces are no longer defined by sexual orientation at historic signing.† What does sexual orientation at a historic signing have to do with valor and sacrifice?: Nothing. The sentence should read, â€Å"At a historic signing, the president says valor and sacrifice in the armed forces are no longer defined by sexual orientation.† 7. â€Å"If you learn to laugh with, and at, your family, you’ll be able to survive just about anything that life throws at you with confidence and style.† Why let your life throw things, much less throw things with confidence and style?: â€Å"If you learn to laugh with (and at) your family, you’ll be able to survive, with confidence and style, just about anything that life throws at you.† (I also placed â€Å"and at† in parentheses to break up a string of commas that would, unchecked, have flattened the sentence.) Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Grammar category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:20 Computer Terms You Should KnowBest Websites to Learn EnglishNarrative, Plot, and Story

Las Vegas Geology Highlights

Las Vegas Geology Highlights The glittering city of Las Vegas has done all it can to blot out the desert. But the region is a wonderland of natural attractions, too. Start with the Desert The American desert is a world-class destination all by itself, of course. Its such an iconic setting, familiar from Western movies, music videos, and car ads, that it feels like home even the first time you go there. Any place in the desert is special, but there are really noteworthy sites near Las Vegas. As you arrive, look around and drink in the sight of endless stone. Las Vegas Valley is a downdropped basin typical of hundreds in the Basin and Range, the geologic province that extends over all of Nevada and a little beyond it on all sides. Over the last 25 million years or so, the Earths crust here has been stretched in an east-west direction to around 150 percent of its former width, and the surface rocks have broken into strips of mountains running north-south. As a result the hot material beneath has bulged upward, turning Nevada into a high plateau rich in metal ores and geothermal energy. Numerous earthquakes have been recorded there during this century as the areas tectonic activity continues. The high elevation and the upwind barrier of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Range on the west has made the Basin and Range a very dry place, one where the mountains remain bare and settlements sparse. Typical desert landforms- playas, dunes, desert pavement, arroyos, alluvial fans and bajadas- are plentiful, and bedrock outcrops and fault traces are well exposed. Geologists love deserts. Just Add Water Las Vegas was once a small settlement named Bringhurst, but it got its current name from the grasslands (las vegas, the meadows) that once grew in the valley. In the desert, grass represents a shallow water table, and in the Las Vegas Valley grass was a sign of the natural faults that force the water table near the ground surface there. Las Vegas languished as a tiny railroad town, serving the nearby mines, until the Colorado River was dammed to create Lake Mead in the 1930s. The city has also exploited the aquifers beneath the Las Vegas Valley so that even if the city vanished tomorrow, the meadows would not return. The availability of enough water to boat in and fill pools helped turn Las Vegas into the tourist destination it is today. While the Las Vegas Strip makes spectacular playthings out of water, the rest of the city tends to landscape itself in gravel and cactus. The University of Nevada campus here is an elegant example of this approach, and worth a visit just for the grounds. The geology department building has hallways lined with display cases full of excellent rock and mineral specimens, too. Las Vegas Geologic Sites There are many beautiful places to see while youre in town. Three great national parks- Grand Canyon, Zion and Death Valley- are within reach for budget travelers, but let me focus on places nearer Las Vegas. Just west of the city is Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area, a prime destination for rock climbers. But you can just take a slow drive through the colorful formations if you like. One of the geologic highlights is an excellent exposure of the dramatic Keystone Thrust, where ancient crustal motions 65 million years ago shoved great thicknesses of gray limestone on top of younger beds of red sandstone. An hour or so northeast of Las Vegas is Valley of Fire, Nevadas first state park. The geologic setting is similar to Red Rock, but in addition this park features many ancient petroglyphs, rock art left by the local tribes including the mysterious Anasazi. Take my Valley of Fire tour here.About.coms Betsy Malloy has her own photo tour.Heres visitor information for Valley of Fire daytrippers.Try a guided 4WDÂ  of Valley of Fire. Both Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire are places that display the Sevier Thrust Belt, a gigantic zone of tectonic upheaval that stretches from the Las Vegas area into Canada. The thrust belt records a continental collision far to the west, on the continents edge, during Cretaceous times about 80 million years ago. There are other places near Las Vegas where you can see its signs. To the north of Las Vegas is the understated Upper Las Vegas Wash, where locals come to get away from it all while geologists come to explore the rich fossil record. Take a visit. To the south, you can take trails down to the Colorado River valley below Hoover Dam. And many more destinations are listed in my Nevada Geology category. Maybe a desert hot spring or an all-terrain vehicle tour is more to your liking. Given all these possibilities, Im about ready to go live there full time myself. PS: Among the people who DO live there amidst the tinsel and the scenery are some righteous salt-of-the-earth types, proud of their small desert towns. After youve had your fill of Las Vegas, why not unwind in a quiet little place like Blue Diamond, Nevada, the town that sheetrock built.

Descartes epistemology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Descartes epistemology - Essay Example These ones are often the forerunners of methodology of modern science. It seems that Descartes' epistemology is one of the most significant systems which made (of course, along with other thinkers) philosophic background for modern science, skeptical and highly rational. Both the rise of modern science and the rediscovery of skepticism were key influences on Descartes' epistemology (Stroll; Newman). While Descartes believed that humans were capable of knowledge and certainty and that modern science was developing the superstructure of knowledge, he thought that skepticism presented a legitimate challenge that needed an answer. Thus, the rational cognition was Descartes' answer, but with the number of stipulations. Descartes considered the supposition that all of one's beliefs are false. But Descartes claimed that it is not possible for all of one's beliefs to be false, for anyone who has false beliefs is thinking and knows that he is thinking, and if the person is thinking, then that person exists (Garza). Also, it was obvious that nonexistent things cannot think. So, "Cogito, ergo sum", i.e. "I think; therefore, I am".