Analyze the ways in which at least three supporting characters Essay

Analyze the ways in which at least three supporting characters contribute to the readers understanding and assessment of the cha - Essay Example Jay Gatsby - Analytical Elaboration Perhaps, the most important character of â€Å"The Great Gatsby†, for the purpose of aptly analyzing and understanding Jay Gatsby, is that of Daisy Buchanan. As a matter of fact, for all people reading this novel, it would be almost impossible to form the right opinion about Jay Gatsby without relating him to Daisy. When Jay Gatsby is viewed by separating him from all other chief characters of the novel, one would conclude that he is an out and out materialistic man with hardly any morals. But this contention is far from the truth. There are several positive facets of the central character, and which can be best understood only when they are viewed in relation to Daisy Buchanan. Before Gatsby leaves for participating in the Second World, Daisy gives him a commitment that she would await his return. But later, she broke her word and married Tom Buchanan, a wealthy man. This particular action of Daisy was in no way less than a devastating expe rience for Gatsby, who then decided to amass lot of wealth solely for the purpose of making sure that Daisy returns to him. In these materialistic pursuits, Gatsby indeed deviated from the accepted ethical norms. Had she (Daisy) chosen to sincerely wait for the return of Gatsby from the War, he would have been an entirely different man.

Book of Life Essay Example for Free

Book of Life Essay Human Resource Management A Review of Training Methods at Capital One Corporation(choose ur company) Summary 0 Introduction 0 The Training Manager(responsible for delivering training)- talk about training manager and his responsibilities 0 Mode of Training Delivery at Capital One Corporation-I . talk about how training could be delivered to meet the needs of workers 2. Talk about the type of delivering method you think will help the rganisation, either instructor led method or self- placed method and state why u think the method you chose will be beneficial to the other. 0 Identification of Training Needs . Talk about identification of training needs and its importance. 0 Conclusion 0 Recommendations 0 References Personal and Managerial Effectiveness Challenges of workforce diversity in Sony Corporation(choose ur company) Introduction 0 Workforce Diversity (Sony Corporation)- 1 . alk about the company ure using

Eastern Orthodox Christianity And Roman Catholic Christianity Religion Essay

Eastern Orthodox Christianity And Roman Catholic Christianity Religion Essay Until 1054 AD Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism were branches of the same body the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. This date marks an important moment in the history of all Christian denominations. It designates the very first major division in Christianity and the beginning of denominations. Disagreement between these two branches of Christendom had long existed, but the gap between the Roman and Eastern churches increased throughout the first millennium. In 1054 AD, a formal split occurred when Pope Leo IX, leader of the Roman branch, excommunicated the Patriarch of Constantinople, Michael Cerularius. He was the leader of the Eastern branch. Michael Cerularius, in return, condemned the Pope in mutual excommunication. Two primary disputes at the time were Romes claim to a universal papal supremacy and the adding of the filioque to the Nicene Creed. To the present date, the Eastern and Western churches remain divided and separate. However, in 1965, Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras agreed to formally remove the mutual excommunication of 1054. Religious Differences 3 The Difference between Eastern Orthodox Christianity and Roman Catholic Christianity The Pope The main difference between Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Christianity has to do with the recognition of the Pope. Roman Catholics recognize the Pope as infallible. The Pope has supreme authority over all churches, and he can usurp the power of a lower ranking church leader, such as a priest, bishop, or cardinal (OConner, 1997). The Eastern Orthodox also has various bishops with one being the highest bishop, called the first among equals, but the Eastern Orthodox Church does not believe the highest ranking bishop, or archbishop, to be infallible, nor do they grant him with supreme authority over all churches (Collins Price, 1999). Purgatory Another main difference is in the teaching of Purgatory. According to Roman Catholic theology, those souls destined for heaven must endure a state of purification. They must be cleansed of sins committed on earth. The rest go to hell for eternal punishment. Also from a form of merits or extra grace accumulated by the virtue of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the saints, indulgencies may be granted. The grace is applied to those in purgatory in order to shorten their time there (OConner, 1997). Eastern Orthodoxy teaches that after the soul leaves the body, it journeys to the abode of the dead (Hades). The soul will remain in this condition of waiting. Because some have a prevision of the glory to come and others a foretaste of their suffering, the state of waiting is called Particular Judgment. When Christ returns, the soul rejoins its risen body to be judged by Him, and the good and faithful servant will inherit life. The unfaithful will spend eternity in hell. Their sins and their unbelief will torture them as fire (Chadwick, 1995). Religious Differences 4 Doctrinal Development In reference to Doctrine, in order to justify new doctrine, Roman Catholicism developed the theory of Doctrinal Development. Roman Catholicism presents this theology as growing in stages to higher and more clearly defined levels of knowledge. It teaches the idea that Christ gave us an original deposit of faith, and a seed which grows and matures over the centuries. They believe that tradition is just as important as the Bible (OConner, 1997). Eastern Orthodoxy does not endorse the view that the teachings of Christ have changed from time to time. They believe that Christianity has remained unaltered from the moment that the Lord delivered the Faith to the Apostles (Mat.28:18-20). Eastern Orthodox of the twenty first century believes precisely what was believed in the first century. Nicene Creed A major disagreement between Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism centers around the adding of the filioque to the Nicene Creed. This particular conflict is also known as the Filioque Controversy. In Latin, this word means and from the Son. It had been inserted into the Nicene Creed, changing the phrase pertaining to the origin of the Holy Spirit from who proceeds from the Father to who proceeds from the Father and the Son (Collins Price, 1997, p. 27). Roman Catholicism made this change on the authority of the Pope. Eastern Orthodoxy believed this spurned the Apostolic Tradition which always taught that God the Father is the single Source of the Son and the Spirit (Collins Price, 1997). Conclusion There are many other differences between Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism. There are differences in how faith is taught, the essence of God, the work of Christ, the Holy Canons, the mysteries, the nature of man, and the Virgin Mary. One more would be the icons of Orthodox worship, and the statues of Catholic worship. It should also be noted that while there are many differences between Eastern Orthodoxy Religious Differences 5 and Roman Catholicism, there are also many similarities between Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism that should be studied as well. Religious Differences 6

Analysis of Hip-Hop and Youth Culture Essay -- Papers

Analysis of Hip-Hop and Youth Culture Throughout the last twenty-five years, a new form of expression has continued to evolve. Hip-Hop, once limited to urban music and dance has become a widespread form of communication exhibited and enjoyed by young people throughout the world. Hip-Hop is no longer limited to rap music and break dancing; today it represents a multi-billion dollar industry that influences everything from fashion to prime- time television programming, professional sports, mass media marketing and advertising. Today Hip-Hop is becoming a way of life, a culture that is intricately woven into every aspect of young people's daily lives. We may not necessarily be consciously aware of it, but what we are saying, what we are wearing and our musical; cinematography choices can be subtly influenced by Hip-Hop culture This Hip-Hop emerging culture has similarities to other cultures that have emerged throughout history. Hip-Hop was initially born of the ability of those early practitioners of rap music, DJ wizardry and street-corner fashion creation to overcome their inability to gain acceptance and recognition by the established music, fashion and entertainment industries. Further galvanising the fledgling culture was the lack of acceptance by adult culture, which refused to recognise these newly emerging forms of expression as legitimate. This was particularly true where many parents were concerned. Needless to say, if parents and other authority figures didn't understand Hip-Hop, didn't like it and, in many instances, admonished young people for embracing it, young people were even more compelled to further immerse t... ...is view is indicative of the mindset of many in Hip-Hop culture. Whether subscribing to the ideology of being "gangsta" or simply being radical in their thinking and views of the world, the shared theme throughout Hip-Hop is being "real". It is perhaps in this "being real" that the culture finds its willingness to be arrogant and unapologetic in its brazen disregard for anyone that does not appreciate what Hip-Hop is. Therein also lies some of the confusion because there is as stated earlier no one consistent theme regarding what Hip-Hop are. From the "bling-bling" of such Hip-Hop artists as 50 Cent, to the cross-over influences of Black Eyed Peas and to the pimpish styling of Snoop Dogg, the themes are as broad and conflicted as the frequent disagreements and altercations that arise between various camps in Hip-Hop.

A Second Adolescence

He is healthy, has no known diseases or a family history that would suggest him particularly prone to illness. He awakening into a life and body he no longer recognizes. He has physically let himself deteriorate In a dark cubicle showing no Importance to his physical self (Lachrymal, 2004). Concern for ones physicality Is important in accepting the changes of middle age and being comfortable in one's own body (Sharon, 1998). He begins to recognize his own body s importance because off crush he develops on his daughter's friend.Starting to work out and place Importance on how he looks Is symbolic of his acceptance of his new body (Ben-Earl, Leave, & Shave, 2008). His office job has made him somewhat sedimentary yet it appears to have little effect on his physical wellbeing except in athletic terms he begins to address. His body and physical image becomes important to him. He wants to feel attractive and begins working out vigorously. He once again sees himself as a sexual being and wa nts to feel good about himself physically. Ben-Earl, Leave, & Shave, 2008) Changes at his Job serve as a catalyst for Lester to begin a transformation in his life in order to unify his self image with the actuality of his everyday Life(Lachrymal, 2004). Family dynamics: Luster's relationship with his wife Is In shambles. They no longer support each other or have a sexual relationship. His relationship with his daughter is almost nonexistent and it is unclear if there is any extended family. No close familiar relationships exist in Lester life. It Is clear though that there was a time that he and his wife and daughter were happy.He often reminisces of a time when he had less to no responsibility and his whole life ahead of him. He feels stifled by his family and his Job and has no outlet to address this problem. Throughout the period of observation Lester makes a complete circle to self acceptance. He takes some drastic tepees but they are In the end successful. He develops a sexual obsession with his daughter's friend which functions to snap him out of his state of complacency and begin to mix things up in every area of his life.He effectively begins to identify himself as an adolescent would testing boundaries and forming a new personality(anger, 2004). Caroline Is the dominant member of the family. She Is louder and more demanding than her child or partner. Image Is everything to her. 1 OF 7 important to her than her actual ability to successfully fill these roles(Barnett, 2004). Her whole persona is a set of illusions that are not based on reality. She is materialistic and lives in a world of half truths and delusion. As a mother her actions are hollow and self serving.They are for show as opposed to being truly supportive or helpful. She is overcritical, berating Jane on her appearance repeatedly. Adolescence is a time which is difficult for both the child and the parent(Anger, 2004). On the one hand a parent must be supportive an seen as in a position of authority while still giving their child room and space to mature and grow into the adult they are attempting too. Respecting an adolescent's budding maturity while arming an adult relationship with them is extremely hard on a parent, who still sees their child as being a child.It does not count to pretend to be friends with the adolescent, and being ‘cool When what they want is a level of actual respect and consideration, which is the case between Jane and Caroline. It is so important for Caroline to appear to be listening to and understanding her daughter that she loses sight of the person Jane is. As a father he is unable to connect with his daughter. Lester begins to try to talk to her but at this point she is uninterested in meeting him half way and it's unclear she ever will. The obvious attraction he has to Angela alienates Jane and separates them emotionally further.Father and daughter could potentially be allies against Carolynn ‘s conformist nature, but Luster' s adolescent fantasy puts them permanently at odds. By paying more attention to the object of his desire, Angela, he proves to Jane that her feelings are of no consequence to him. He genuinely seems to want a more honest relationship with Jane, but fails to see the connection between his feelings for Angela and his parental role. Lester is able to play a parental role for Angela that he cannot for his own daughter. He manages to e comforting and accessible. As a wife Caroline is the first to step out on their relationship and partnership.In order to feel like a woman and sexually attractive she begins a sexual relationship with an icon of her chosen profession(Barnett, 2004). She is able to validate her decisions through this sexual relationship. His perceived success emboldens her in her primary relationship(Ben-Air, Leave, & Shave, 2008). Psychological Influences: Lester becomes aware all off sudden that he is unhappy with his life. He makes a conscious decision to change his surr oundings and instead of losing his Job which as the probable outcome of restructuring at the office, he takes a stand and refuses to be overlooked.Revealing an abuse of power he is able to manipulate his bosses to give him a year's salary with benefits. This freedom allows him to begin a path to self discovery that codifies his self image with how he is perceived by the world. Over the course of the few months we have access to Lester he goes through distinctive stages of development akin to that of an adolescent. Risky serves as an attachment relationship for Lester. He is able to form a close secure attachment to Risky and egging to stretch the boundaries of his previously rigid position in family as well as community(Sable, 2008).This is in line with the convoy theory (Antibiotic, Kamala, & Dashiki, 2004) which stipulates that attachment relationships change and continue to form over time. Risky serves to both father and daughter as a stable reliable relationship that the can cou nt on(Sable, 2008). This allows Jane to express openly comfortable and confident with her changing body. It allows Lester to once again believe in himself as having worth and no longer defining himself solely as a husband and father. He begins to explore what he really wants and what he needs to do to get there. He finally begins to start doing for himself.Although in the most classic terms possible he is living out a midlife crisis, it appears that for him this is a process of maturation and acceptance he previously did not have a chance to experience(Lachrymal, 2004). He is mirroring the psychological experience his daughter should be going through(Morris, Silk, Steinberg, & al. , 2007). He buys the car he wants, starts working out, starts smoking pot and standing up to his wife. Lester brazenly demands respect and independence both in his family and Job. He exclaims that things are changing and no longer allows his wife to bully him or talk over him.He makes a loud and overt dema nd for respect. He wants the same amount of freedom as his wife and daughter and symbolically breaks the bonds of restraint by disrupting dinner, breaking a plate against the wall and demanding a change of music, atmosphere and pecking order. It is the first clear step towards Lester being able to redefine himself both internally and externally(Lachrymal, 2004). Theoretical perspectives: The majority of middle aged people report having more satisfaction and less anxiety bout their abilities and describe a sense of perfecting skills(Lachrymal, 2004).Stereotypically the midlife crisis hits a huge percentage of people yet only a small percentage actually seem to. It is a period in which people have a chance to review their decisions and life choices, and come to terms with what they have achieved or not achieved. They may be exactly where they want to be or some may have to adjust their self image to incorporate the way their life actually looks potentially leading to crisis. This is t he case of Lester Barman. He describes waking up from a 20 year mom and finally becoming aware of, and wanting to participate in his surroundings.Luster's internal world is pretty much dead before meeting him. He describes an awakening one day with the feeling that his life is n. Tot his and he no longer recognizes the different systems he is involved in. Using his work difficulties as a catalyst, he becomes able to change his entire life into something he can accept(Antibiotic, Kamala, & Dashiki, 2004). Lester seems to have not formed a functional attachment style with anyone in his life until he ‘wakes up' (film) after feeling like he had ‘been in a coma for 20 years. He starts to develop an attachment relationship with Risky in a sense.He eventually becomes comfortable with what he feels is his true self, and secure with Risky. Psychological Progress: Insinuators and Bowls idea that attachment forms and changes over the life span supports the idea that Lester gains a sense of security through his relationship with Risky(Antibiotic, Kamala, & Dashiki, 2004). Rick's attachment to his father is nonexistent. He feels protective of his mother but neither of his parents has provided safety or comfort for him in moments of distress, one of the most salient bobs of a caregiver(Sable, 2008).He instead has to take on the role of care-giver and protect and defend his mother who is otherwise helpless and alone. Risky easily slips into a similar role with Lester, being the familiar role he is used to. Lester gains wisdom and self awareness by mirroring an adolescent sexual attraction. He exploration and discovery an adolescent typically engages in (Aren't, 2000). Instead of his parents Lester rebels and redefines himself within in the family structure he has created as an adult. He pushes emotional limits and attempts to make connections in ewe and more passionate ways.Coming full circle Lester finally is able to accept the man he is and the life he lives. H e goes through a growing process a kin to that an adolescent would when creating an adult identity. Lester tests his new self out in all of the major areas of personality and finds himself in a body he accepts with a persona he is comfortable with(Anger, 2004). Luster's restraint in not having a sexual relationship with Angela demonstrates a level of maturity he did not previously possess indicating successful personality growth towards adulthood.When Lester anally sees Angela as the child she is and is able to comfort her expressing fatherly instinct his competence as a father is proven to him. He is able to reassure her without being patronizing and respecting her growing maturity, an important role parents play for adolescent children(Anger, 2004). In a sense Lester uses Angela as a proxy for his daughter as soon as he identifies her as something more than a sexual object. The fact that Lester recognizes the extent to which a sexual relationship with one of Cane's friends would b e inappropriate, the love he has for his daughter and ole as a father is reestablished.Lester gains solace by looking at a picture of the glory days of his family where they are all smiles. His ability to renew his life and find beauty in the ups, downs and seemingly mundane moments is testament to his development as a mature, well adjusted adult(Lachrymal, 2004). SOCIAL FACTORS: Gender Roles / Gender Conformity: Lester and Carolina's marriage does not follow strict gender roles in the classic sense of man as bread winner woman as home maker (Lore, 1994). Carolyn views herself as the bread winner of the family. She has proclaimed herself the captain of her emails social standing.She believes that one's social position can be directly related to economic gains. For her, money and material gains are the most important marker of one's overall success socially. Making money is the most important thing for her. It is unclear how much money she actually contributes to the family, but â₠¬Ëœsole bread winner' is a role she takes on readily if loudly (Mikhail, 2004). It is a typically make role, yet she somehow thinks that by both worrying about economic status and appearance she deserves more credit and admiration (Barnett, 2004). She is the first o fully disregard her marital relationship.Her sense of entitlement increases as their relationship moves forward. Masculinity and Homophobia: Considering masculinity to be socially constructed provides men with agency in forming the prevalent view of masculinity. Masculinity being malleable allows us to step back and identify exactly what we require of men to be ‘manly' in our society (Kismet, 2004). The pressure is insurmountable for some people. Risky dad is unable to accept himself for who he is and his internalized homophobia is so devastating that he feels he is forced to act to defend his manhood.Luster's truthful acceptance of the realities of his life in the end is what ends his life. Not accepting popular c ultures definition of masculinity and the freedom that allows is Lester is terrifying to a man who has based his life around not admitting or accepting the truth of his situation. Military Perspectives on Homosexuality: homosexuality. Don't ask don't tell (DADA) being the official position thought of by some as a progressive policy for the military was not repealed until 2011(Bird,2014).Showing how ingrained homophobia is in a military psyche. The staunch difference teen other nations policy on civil equality, even in the military is astounding. Take for example the United Kingdom and Australia's response to transgender soldiers serving verses the United States. Julia Bard's 2014 New York Times article ‘The Courage of Transgender Soldiers' elucidates Just how polarize these nation's policies actually are (Bird, 2014). ‘Department of Defense regulations don't allow transgender individuals to serve in the U.S. Military, based upon medical standards for military service. â €  (Bird, 2014) The official position of the United States military is hat being transgender is a mental disorder as defined by the ADSM Ill of 1980(American Psychiatric Association, 1980), instead of adopting the current medical standard for considering gender nonconformity (gender dysphasia) not as a psychological disorder in and of itself (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Solidarity and respect are shown to transgender members of the military in both the U.K and Australia while the United States military continues to use an antiquated theory of gender, allowing official intolerance (Kernighan, 2012). Homophobia in the Military: In 1999 DADA was the official Clinton era policy adopted by the United States in 1993 (Burlier, 2010) to address civil equality in the military. Homosexuality remained a disagreeable ‘offence' when openly expressed changing very little for LIGHT military personnel. Same-sex orientation after DADA was enacted was still a disagreeable offenc e.The law did not prevent service members from being asked about their sexuality rather it removed questions sexual orientation from recruitment questionnaires. Military members and prospective recruits were not allowed to discuss their same-sex orientation risking discharge or denial of entry if they did Burlier, 2010). The argument for not allowing homosexual service members to disclose was the concept that ‘an open statement by a service member that he or she is a homosexual will create a rebuttal presumption that he or she intends to engage in prohibited conduct,' (Burlier, 2010 p. ). Regulations are not put on heterosexual service members discussing their personal exploits, fantasies or desires. Several sexual practices are considered ‘prohibited' both under military code and civil courts, yet the assumption is not made that these acts have or ever will take place. DADA did very little for improving the actual situation and daily lives of LIGHT service members. The actual number of discharges due t same sex relationships was not significantly different before and during DADA policy years (Burlier, 2010).Rampant homophobia was a social requirement isolating and associating closeted LIGHT service members (Kier, 1998). The fear at being discovered was a daily reality. Anyone could tern a soldier in for same sex activity, actions as innocuous as holding hand. This leaves individuals suspected of homosexual ‘conduct' (Burbler & 1995) alienable physical and verbal attacks as well as official action being taken. Hetero- normative principles were the sole cultural atmosphere. Colonel Frank Fits served in the military even before DADA was the official policy.The much more restrictive, abrasively homophobic policy adopted during the time of his service shaped his attitude was a requirement of service. Any closeted member of the military would have to internalize feelings of self hatred due to the constant anti gay rhetoric. Internalized homophobia and it Repercussions: Frank Fits identifies himself purely based on his military experience. He has no identity other than colonel. He does not take on or identify with the role of husband or father. He coldly treats his family as cadets below his rank.His own sun refers to him as Colonel or Sir as one would a superior officer. The fact that Frank Fits cannot be anyone but the coroner he once was makes it impossible for him to explore, let alone accept feeling and attitudes that the military looked down on. Introspection does not exist for him. Orders, fear and denial run this man's life. His sexual curiosity and feeling of lust towards men are so unacceptable to Frank that he builds is life around his explicit homophobia. Cool. Frank Fits' residual self hatred, fear and shame pushed him to most the extremes of discrimination and racist principles.His internalized homophobia shaped his relationship with those closest to him, his wife and son who he alienates (Frost, Meyer, 2009). H iding this part of his internal self in the end defines his entire life. Offensively attacking any chance he got to not have his internal self exposed to the public or himself. Lashing out offensively is a defense strategy so that he will never be exposed to others or himself. The anguish and embarrassment Cool. Fits experiences by being what he thought to be rejected by Lester provoked emotions so strong that he had to kill Lester to be able to live with himself.Luster's comfort and ease while discussing his own marital relationship mixed with misunderstanding previous events convinces Cool. Fits that Lester is a closeted homosexual. The fact that Lester is neither actually gay, nor homophobic shattered Cool. Fits' world. The Cool had to play the role of the macho heterosexual for so long made that he became overly Jealous, controlling and abusive to his wife. Being less aggressive would have made him appear weak in his military unconsciousness. This fact made it inconceivable that Lester could be unapologetic, calm and without anger or Jealousy at the fact that his wife was with another man.A freedom Frank Fits could never allow himself. He ends Luster's life right at the moment that Lester is able to achieve something that the Cool. Cannot, self acceptance. Conclusion: Luster's acceptance and renewed love of life ends up being what kills him. Lester is able to accept in other people facts that they cannot accept about themselves. Cool Frank Fits does not possess the skills to regulate his emotions or cope internally hen faced with a threatening situation, choosing instead to lash out in violent anger (Morris, Silk, Steinberg, & al. , 2007).For Frank Lester becomes the embodiment of all the sexual feelings he cannot except within himself. Killing Lester is a desperate attempt to kill the feelings Frank most fears. Lester reaffirms his identity as a well adjusted adult when rejecting his foolish adolescent urges. He accepts what he has accomplished and is at peace with who he is, uniting the image he has of himself with the actuality of his life. Typically this type of review is done later in life(Lachrymal, 2004). Lester is afforded the luxury of being at peace before he dies even though it is sudden.

The Dangers of Fossil Fuels

In recent decades, we have seen a remarkable advancement in science and technology. Owing to this, many wonder why the primary sources of consumer energy remain non-renewable fuels; petroleum (36%), coal (27%) and gas (23%) [International Energy Agency, 2013]. The issue with this is, â€Å"fossil fuels† which took millions of years to form are running out at an unprecedented rate, and there is no consensual view as to what will replace them. There are many reasons why the general population should be concerned about such an event affecting them.Firstly, wrought global development and population growth society has become overly dependent on energy from exogenous sources like fossil fuels. Secondly, the easier fuels to obtain have been mostly depleted hence companies are resorting to costly and hazardous extraction methods. Finally, the profitability of fossil fuel extraction is fast decreasing and this is inciting countries to use alternative sources such as hydro-electric. Sus tained global growth has left the world in a perilous position. In 1850 when the capacity of resources such as oil and coal were first predicted, they were deemed to sat for centuries.One factor these predictions failed to consider was sudden exponential population growth, a function of both technological advances and medical breakthroughs. Fossil fuels were the meaner by which this was made possible as their discovery led to more developed societies; incentives human growth. Today, the next wave of developing nations like China demand more fuel for their growing populations and are competing with high-development countries for a bigger portion of the rapidly shrinking resource. The migration from a forager society to an agricultural society was a key event in the context of energy.The people at this stage in history knew using all their energy hunting and gathering prevented them from doing activities they would otherwise want to do. Eventually, though communal agriculture, they le arnt to conserve their survival energy by forming a society wherein each member provided for one another. The discovery of the heat engine reinvigorated this idea. Work from human labor could be replaced with work from an exogenous source, in this instance fossil fuels. Today society continues exploit this idea to improve quality of life, mostly through transport and warmth.Services, manufacturing, minerals, food and clean water are further benefits of the constant flow of energy people receive. 90% of the energy consumed by the western world comes from non-human sources. (DRP T Morgan, 2013). Without the abundance of energy, the economic-based society humans know would cease to exist. There is scarcely enough energy in the form of fossil fuels for most to live easy and fulfilling lives, but the general populous should concede they deed to adapt sooner rather than later. The easy to obtain fuels like crude oil are depleting quickly.Consequently, companies reap millions of barrels of petrol, rendering these sources unprofitable. With fossil fuels not as abundant or easy to obtain as they used to be, desperate measures in the form of Franking and Deep Sea Drilling are being used. However, these methods are costly and put unnecessary stress on the environment. Governments don't feel obliged to intervene when the struggle for fuel is being eased. People wonder why governments are unconcerned that public funds are being spent n dangerous and costly extraction processes like franking and deep-sea drilling instead of investing it into finding a substitute.The reason is blatant: so citizens are kept happy. The world seems prosperous at this moment in history, but who knows how soon people will regret these senseless decisions. Much energy is needed to build and run the equipment, extraction devices and vehicles we need to obtain oil, natural gas and coal. Since the industrial revolution, ERROR (energy returned on energy invested) has been extremely high. For example, when oil was discovered companies got over 100 units of energy back for every 1 unit used during extraction (Charles Hall, 2010).This made extraction a profitable industry though as I noted previously, fuel reserves dried out and became harder to find. TAP Research (2013) found the global average ERROR last year had fallen to 15:1 . The effects of this trend have been seen everywhere, for instance rising petrol prices. In fifteen years, the cost of petroleum in New Zealand has tripled from 80 cents a litter to 220 cents a litter. Alternate fuels transport is presently so inconvenient that this trend seems destined to continue.The world may witness an energy cliff in the near future when the amount of energy consumed during extraction actually surpasses the amount the economy gets in return. Suddenly, renewable sources by default will become the favorable option, because they are economical enough to exploit. Future motorists will be forced to drive electric vehicles like the Ionians Leaf, even if according to specifications they cost $70 000, have a range of 100 kilometers and take n absurd 20 hours to charge on house current.Energy is one of the most important things in modern life; it fuels transport, businesses, schools, heats houses and gives us light. Without it people are confined to being hunter-gatherers. It is hard for one to conceive living like this, but this type of living may become standard if the energy surplus is wiped. Moving on from fossil fuels presents itself as a colossal challenge, one the next generation has to accept. In New Zealand, a high proportion of their energy consumed comes from hydro, ego- Herman and wind sources, so they could stand as the world leaders of a global renewable energy revolution.There is much potential for sources of clean energy like solar and wind power to outlast fossil fuels, and it would be great to see more money invested in these types of renewable energy sources. One hopes people will be informed in the f uture of the consequences of utilizing fossil fuels so they can make sensible decisions around their use. World governments can't ignore the issue forever, and every time someone speaks up makes it more likely for them to towards a brighter future.

Buddhism has developed in a variety of different forms

Introduction:Buddhism is one of the six major religions in the world. Like other religions it has a highly developed system of beliefs, a moral code and a transcendental dimension. In simple words, it looks beyond ordinary human experience to something deeply spiritual which can be realized through leading a good moral life and religious practice. Buddhism takes its name from the Buddha, a human being whose teachings developed into what is now known as ’Buddhism’.It has existed for about 2500 years, even older than both Christianity and Islam.   For some, Buddhism is a religion, for others it is a philosophy or a culture. This religion emerged in north-eastern India in the area along what is known as the ‘Ganges basin’. At that time (fifth century BCE), this area running alongside the River Ganges had become a place of civilizations, with abundance of food, rising population and increasing urbanization. Note that Buddha was not a god but a flesh-and-blood human being.  His family name was Siddhartha Gautama but later was referred to as the Buddha which means ‘Enlightened One’ or ‘Awakened One’. Once someone asked the Buddha, ‘Are you a god?’ His reply was ‘No, I’m not a god, I’m awake!’ Although the Buddha didn’t claim to be a god, he did affirm that he was a fully realized human being, that he fully understood the nature of the human condition and that he had discovered a state of being known as Nirvana. This was a state in which all selfish desire and therefore all suffering had come to an end. He taught that by following his teachings, others too could realize once and for all this blissful state.Buddha taught that there are six realms of existence – gods, humans, jealous gods, animals, ghosts and hell-beings. The realm of the gods is one of great pleasure but it is not a place that one should aspire to particularly. This is because this world is no t eternal and eventually the gods themselves will fall into the lower realms. The best of all realms is said to be the human realm. This is because the suffering we inevitably experience in life doesn’t make us too complacent and consequently we are more likely to make the effort necessary for spiritual progress. The gods are too absorbed in pleasure to attempt this.Buddhism has been described as ‘a moral system without a god’ and ‘a faith without a god’. The essential teachings of the Buddha can be summed up in the following quotation from a Buddhist scripture.† Not to do evil, to cultivate good, to purify one's mind†. Buddhism is practiced worldwide. It started in India and from there spread to Sri Lanka, China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, Thailand, Vietnam, Burma, Cambodia, and Laos. In the twentieth century, Buddhism has spread to the West, including Europe, the UK, and the USA. What has been distinctive about the spread of Buddhism is its a bility to keep its core teachings intact but at the same time showing great flexibility in adapting to the culture that adopts it.For the interest of this topic, the compares will be between Thailand Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism. This two countries practice Buddhism but it appears quite different, but the essential teachings of the Buddha are interpreted along very similar lines. This is because over the centuries, various forms or schools of Buddhism have emerged with slightly different practices and rituals. The earliest form of Buddhism is known as Theravada. A new form of Buddhism emerged from this which is known as Mahayana Buddhism. The latter is a broad umbrella and covers such schools of Buddhism as Zen, Pure Land and Nichiren. A third major branch of Buddhism is known as Vajrayana of which Tibetan Buddhism is the principal expression. All three traditions Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana – continue to flourish.As mentioned above, both Thailand Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism believe in the story of prince Siddhartha reaching enlightenment. However, they vary in the role of this in the grand Buddhist cosmos. Theravada Buddhism is practiced in Thailand; it is often called Southern Buddhism because of the path it took through Southern India to Southeast Asia. This system remains true to the original teachings of Prince Siddhartha, (also known as Sakyamuni Gautama Buddha), that are found in the Pali scriptures. The Four Noble Truths and the Eight-Fold Path are the main focus of the school.They believe that the Buddha was a man who liberated himself through meditation and contemplation. They look upon him as a teacher as opposed to a deity, and so images of the Buddha in these lands are revered or venerated, not worshipped. In this system, each individual must strive to liberate oneself through enlightened actions. Neither gods nor magic spells can assist the process.Buddhism in Thailand: The Thai form of Buddhism is sometimes called Lankavamsa (mea ning Singhalese or Sri Lankan lineage) because it was introduced to the 13th century Sukhothai Kingdom by monks from Sri Lanka. This form of Buddhism grew as the Sukhothai Kingdom expanded over Northern and Central Thailand. However, Ayuthaya in central Thailand grew into a powerful kingdom, and eventually annexed Sukhothai in 1376. The Thai Kings of Ayuthaya made conquests over areas of central Thailand formerly held by the Khmer Empire, which had been practicing a blend of Buddhism and Hinduism much more akin to Mahayana Buddhism than to the Sri Lankan form. The Ayuthaya kings incorporated many of these beliefs into the Buddhism they had inherited from Sukhothai.This has had a lasting effect on Thai Buddhism to this day. It is ironic to note that during Dutch persecution in Sri Lanka during the 18th century, the ordination lineage of monks there broke down. It was Thailand (then known as Siam) that restored the Sangha (brotherhood of monks) in Sri Lanka. Hence, the main sect of Bu ddhism in Sri Lanka is known as Siam Nikaya (meaning Siam Sect)Vajrayana or Tantric Buddhism: The Vajrayana system is a sect of Mahayana Buddhism, and represents the occult branch of Buddhism that is today practiced mainly in Tibet and some parts of Bhutan and Nepal. Also known as Tantric Buddhism, it owes its origin to the scholar Padmasambhava who went to Tibet from Bengal. He assimilated Hinayana and Mahayana doctrines of Buddhism with the pagan Bon religion of Tibet and the occult practices of Tantric Hinduism.Thus beside meditation and contemplation, Vajrayana also prescribes the visualization of Buddhas passionately embracing their shaktis and the use of ritual diagrams (mandalas), special chants (mantras), specific postures (mudras) and sexual practices (maithuna) to attain enlightenment and liberation. The idea of these practices is not to indulge the senses. The aim is to experience and understand the fleeting nature of the material world. A true adept or siddha thus become s fully aware that material existence or ‘samsara' is no different from spiritual release or ‘nirvana'.ConclusionAs stated earlier, these two main branches of Buddhism has different practices, but they all have some fundamental similarities. They believe that Siddhartha was the son of a powerful king, and that his father brought him up surrounded by all the pleasures of the world, isolated in the palace, so that Siddhartha would never know sorrow. The prince grew up, married, and had a child, always surrounded by luxury. There are more similarities as well, but the differences in Buddhism are very significant.REFERENCE:Buddhism and Buddhists Act www.buddhart.com2. Cousins, L. S. (1996). â€Å"The Dating of the Historical Buddha: A Review Article†. Journal of the   Royal Asiatic Society Series 3 (6.1): 57-63. Retrieved on 20073. Davidson, Ronald M. (2003). Indian Esoteric Buddhism: A Social History of the Tantric Movement. New York: Columbia University Press. ISB N 0231126190.4.Gethin, Rupert (1998). Foundations of Buddhism. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-289223-1.5.Gombrich, Richard (ed.); Heinz Bechert (ed.) (1984). The World of Buddhism. Thames ;HudsonHarvey, Peter 1990, An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History and practices, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 148-169. Kvaerne, Per 1984, Tibet: the rise and fall of a monistic tradition’, in the world Buddhism: Buddhist monks and nuns in society and culture, eds Heinz ; Richard Gombrich, Thames and Hudson, London, pp. 261-2788. Morgan, Kenneth W. (ed), The Path of the Buddha: Buddhism Interpreted by Buddhists, Ronald Press, New York, 1956; reprinted by Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi; distibuted by Wisdom Books