Technoscience Essays - Science And Technology Studies,

Technoscience The world is changing rapidly. A single technological development can lead to an infinite number of consequential developments, each of which having varying impacts on humanity. These impacts, or indicators, display the results of technological development. Climactic, economic, social, and energy related indicators are important in showing humanity's use of technoscience, and demonstrate that certain political and economic changes are needed so that technoscientists can use their knowledge to benefit the great majority of humanity. Climactic indicators are excellent examples of humanity's misuse of technoscience. One such indicator is global temperature. It displays the results of the burning of fossil fuels and the release of nitrous oxides into the atmosphere. Production of coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear power each expanded by 1 percent in 1995 (Brown, 16). Globally, the ten warmest years out of the last 130 have all occurred in the eighties and nineties (Brown, 15). These figures demonstrate that humanity is not effectively controlling and limiting its use of fossil fuels. As a result, acid rain falls upon the earth destroying what is left of the planet's forests and, an estimated 37 percent of the fish species that inhabit thelakes and streams of North America are either in jeopardy or extinct. A second indicator that displays humanity's misuse of technoscience is the global economy. Global economic statistics show the results of the applications of technoscience. In 1995, the global economy grew by an estimated 3.7 percent the largest gain since the 4.6 percent growth in 1980 (Brown, 74). The use of technoscientific developments in various fields raised the global output of goods and services. Although this was an impressive expansion promoting employment and development, it also increased the unsustainable demands on the earth's natural systems and resources, such as the planet's forests. Applications of technoscience have established the need for wood. The forests that once blanketed more than 40 percent of the earth's land surface now cover only 27 percent of it (Brown, 19). As a result, soil erodes, and the capacity of soils and vegetation to absorb and store water is reduced. Humanity's misuse of technoscience can also be displayed with social indicators. Eighty-seven million people were added to the population in 1995 (Sachs, 88). The overwhelming majority were added to countries that were already struggling with the results of technoscience: depletion of forestry, erosion of soil, and reduction of aquifers. This added population only increased these countries' problems. Population growth is slowing in some country's, but for the wrong reasons. In Russia, the combination of economic deterioration and environmental pollution has raised death rates, while a loss of hope in the future has lowered birth rates (Brown, 19). In Zimbabwe, births still exceed deaths, but by much less than a few years ago because AIDS related deaths are increasing. Beneficial applications of technoscience could be used in the above cases to improve social situation by introducing greater population control methods and by helping to control the AIDS epidemic. Energy related indicators shoe the positive effects of technoscientific application. While the production of coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear power each expanded by 1 percent in 1995, wind electric generation expanded by 33 percent and sales of solar cells climbed 17 percent (Brown, 5658). The harnessing of wind and solar energy does not create the environmentally harmful byproducts associated with their fossil fuel and nuclear counterparts. Humanity's use of renewable energy sources can only decrease environmental problems. Charles E. Lindblom's procedure of public policy integration is an effective method by which technoscientists can be assured that their developments will be thoroughly explored so that humanity will not be hurt by their work. However, most corporations give strong incentives (bonuses, stock options) to encourage executives to diligently pursue corporate profitability (Woodhouse, 173). This results in a rapid, untested decision-making process that yields swift innovation of products and production techniques that offer short term buyer effectiveness, profits for the seller and potentially long term negative consequences to a portion of humanity, the environment or the world. Political procedures concerning technological developments must be gradual and deliberate so that the development's benefits can greatly outweigh the disadvantages. Conflicting leaders should explore developments so that each can consider the other's views. The initial policy should be revised in small, reversible steps in response to feedback about errors, interpretations, and changing perceptions of needs and opportunities (Morone, 168). The net result will be a general benefit to humanity. From an economic standpoint, technoscientist's work might yield a greater humanitarian benefit with the increase in common people's role in the technological decision making process. Unfortunately, technological developments, no matter

buy custom Sweatshops essay

buy custom Sweatshops essay Sweatshops have been with us for generations. Majority of the sweatshops` workers are from the Third World countries. Sweatshops refer to employment places where workers are exposed to inhumane working conditions in terms of long working hours, low wages and mistreatment by employers, child labor and lack of work unions to protect the workers` rights. The sweating system originated through forwarding of jobs to smaller firms by big garment industries and manufacturers, especially in London, England and New York City, the United States of America. Sweatshops were associated with poor immigrants who left their own countries in search of green pastures in the big cities. As a result, immigrant workers were employed. These workers worked for long hours in harsh conditions, such as overcrowding, risk of fire breakouts and infestation of rats, whereas they were paid very poorly for their sacrifice.Over the years, there has been a global concern of the welfare of workers working in the swea tshops. The textile and the clothing industries are most associated with sweatshops.Sweatshops developed as a result of many factors. Firstly, most people who work in the sweatshops are immigrants from Third World countries. These immigrants consider such opportunities of work as golden opportunities to earn a living in order to survive in Western nations. In fact, in most cases back in their home country they have the exactly same working conditions as those they are exposed to in the sweatshops and, therefore, they do not see anything wrong with them. In addition, since some of the immigrants are illegal in a country, employers exploit them by forcing them to work long hours with low pay, instead of reporting them to the relevant authorities for deportation. Consequently, the law does not allow employers to employ illegal immigrants, according to provision of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA). So, when they employ illegal immigrants, some of the sweatshops do n ot have the capacity to handle the increase of workers; as a result, employers are forced to reorganize their facilities in such a manner so as to accommodate them and still maintain their profit margin. In doing so, they are forced to cut down on production costs, such as wages, which results to a decline in all workers` living standards. Some workers decide to take more than one job to meet their needs or work longer hours than usual.Consequently, their jobs are not secure, as long as there is someone else in line waiting and willing to be employed to do the same job at a lower wage and longer hours. The government, on the other hand, has not been very supportive since they expect the employers to regulate themselves in the management of the sweatshops in order to create more employment for the members of the society. Moreover, the workers trade unions are not very effective in negotiating for higher and reasonable pay for their members nor do they protect their rights in work pla ces. Actually in some cases, employers fire anyone found to be involved in any form of workers union.For example, it has been noted that the Disney is among the top of the worst operating sweatshops (Kirch, 1997). They were found violating the minimum wages law especially in the Haiti Disney, as reported by the National Labor Committee (NLC). In addition, accusations against them included sexual harassment of women and dismissal of pregnant women in order to avoid giving them maternity benefits, and firing of workers who tried to speak out about the poor work conditions they were subjected to. Another illustration shows that in Nepal, Pakistan, India, Morocco and other countries of the third world children, aged 5 to 14 years, are exposed to work. In fact, in some cases they are hidden behind the doors for years to tie knots of rugs, purchased by America and other Western countries. The situation is also similar in Pakistan, where children aged 6-14 years are used in stitching handm ade soccer balls. The stitches are so small that they cause their fingers to be stunted and underdeveloped in the long run. The worst part of it is that they are only paid $0.30 per one ball stitched and yet the same ball is sold for $30 in America. Moreover, these balls are sold by worldwide known shops, such as Reebok, Nike, Adidas and many others.Anti- Sweatshops organizations have been formed in various nations. According to Echikson (1999), European companies groups have come together and formulated a code of conduct for the labor situation and they demand their own subcontractors adhere to them. Although some employers are resistant, especially in wage increases, the code has greatly improved working conditions in the region. Also clean clothes campaigns have been conducted by religious groups, human right activists and labor unions across Europe, and in some places branches of organizing and mobilizing campaigns against sweatshops have been opened (Echikson, 1999).In America adequate exposure of unfair treatment has been done by journalists, called Muckrakers, and politicians who have campaigned for change of laws in favor of workers in sweatshops. In Australia and the United Kingdom anti- sweatshop campaigns, held by the National Anti Sweating League, led to the formulation of Trade Boards Act 1909. Moreover, a group known as the international Ladies Garments Workers Union was also formed to make the working conditions of the sweatshop workers better. In this countries safety regulations and laws governing labor were drafted. However, some argue that sweat shops make commodities more available and affordable to average consumers since production costs are kept law. Subsequently, it provides employment especially to the illiterate and less educated who otherwise will not have sources of income or would have been forced to immoral behavior such as prostitution in order to earn a living. In addition, others say that sweatshops benefit countries with big economies, contributing to their GDP and reducing their balance of payments deficit. This is because, most goods /products are exported and others are consumed locally.Even though sweatshops pay less than the expected standards in the US, UK and other western nations, the wages are much better than those that the immigrants would earn in their original countries. Actually, the same immigrants working in the sweatshops could be paid better than some of the workers, working in the third World countries (Budd Slaughter 2000). According the World Bank report, in most third World countries a large percentage of people live on less than $ 1 and $ 2 per day.Moreover, at a personal level when one compares what she or he is earning in a sweatshop with other available alternatives, one may decide to go for a sweatshop job if it better paid. Therefore, they can serve the interest of a sweatshop worker better when the payment is higher than the payment of the next best alternative.Actually, th e majority of economists believe that sweatshops are of benefit to the third world workers because they provide investment and employment opportunities for them (Bhagwata). Their views are based upon the demand and supply effects of a market, allowing it to balance itself to the equilibrium level, creating a win - win situation where both the employer and the worker win (Williams 2004).On the other hand, the economists who believe that sweatshops should be abolished argue that the demand curves are negatively sloped must be very illiterate (Miller, 2003).In most third world countries the average number of working hours usually exceeds 50 hours per week, which is considered the international average weekly working hours. In countries like Haiti, Nicaragua, Honduras and Dominican Republic, the working hours are at an average of 70 hours per week, which is almost the same number of hours per week in sweatshops.In the example of children making rugs (Kirsh, 1997), efforts are being made to set them free and enroll them in education and rehabilitation programs. In the process of eradicating sweatshops, an organization known as Co-op America has conducted research and found out that sweatshops can actually be eliminated. Their main idea is to provide the information to the public in order to assist them differentiate products from sweatshops and those from quality shops (Kirsh, 1997). This can be done through labeling brands. They also aim at exposing companies that exploit workers to the public. This will affect the taste and attitude of consumers towards specific products and as the result will put them out of the market. For instance, as the result of a research, they have ranked Blue Jeans Company as the best company that provides excellent working conditions for their employees, while rugs has worst practices regarding employees` management.To conquer sweatshops and eradicate them we must work as a team. There are several things we can do as nations and communi ties. First and foremost, we must acknowledge that sweatshops are real and they are unacceptable since they exploit other people unfairly. Then, we must communicate with those within our reach to let them know about the disadvantages of sweatshops. We must demand to know the welfare of workers in the places we purchase goods from. And if they are mistreated the situation must change through campaigning and mobilization. If nothing is done, bring awareness about the sweatshops to the entire communities, universities, churches and nations. In doing so, we will discourage purchase of goods manufactured in these factories, industries and companies and we will let them know why we do not buy their commodities.Establishment of strict labor laws and sound trade unions that protect the welfare of workers and children will greatly contribute to the reduction of sweatshops. Any employer found not abiding the laws should be punished accordingly. Also, third world nations should stop acting lik e victims of slavery and desperation. We should endeavor to live and work in own countries so that we can develop our own economies. Preferring to live as immigrants and working as sweatshop workers should be discouraged at all costs.According to Kirsh (1997), creation of awareness by the Co- op America Organizations has caused the consumers to pressurize the International soccer`s governing body to sign a code of conduct that they will not use children in soccer balls` production. As a result, there is a strategic plan to build factories to produce soccer balls by Reebok and Nike in places like Pakistan and only adults are to be employed. Moreover, rehabilitation programs are also instituted to develop the academic skills of children. This will cater for the children, especially those previously employed in production of soccer balls. In addition to the above, Co-op America has suggested various measures to assist consumers in selection of products for purchase. They advise e that the consumers choose a particular product which they often buy, and stick to it. They should also ensure that they buy the products from a fair trade organization or a green business company. The other thing they advice is to raise awareness.If possible, consumers should be bold enough to question retail stores whether there is any exploitation of workers of whatever kind in production of their products. Consequently, they could send coupon or questionnaires to manufacturer companies and request them to be filled by both employees and employers (Kirsh, 1997).As a result, awareness will be created to both the local and international community.Companies who sell products resulting from sweatshops will run great losses and close down if they do not stop sweatshops.As the sweatshops will be reduced, better working conditions and protection will be accorded to workers. This is because, trade unions will be empowered and many employers will seek to abide to the law. On the other hand, une mployment levels may increase for immigrants who are not educated or do not have skills that match job descriptions in the foreign nations. Therefore, the governments should establish centers to train and equip them for the job market and also to provide basic needs for them until they are employed and able to vend for themselves. Preferring to live and work in the country of origin will lead to greater heights of development; hence, employment opportunities will also increase and, therefore, immigration to western countries will reduce.As a conclusion, the sweatshops have been with us for many years. Eradicating them completely may take some time. A majority of sweatshop workers come from the third world countries. This is mainly caused by the demand of cheap labor in order to meet market demand. As a result, the companies end up employing immigrants who are desperate to earn a living and survive since they are not educated enough to do well paid jobs. Governments are not aggressiv e in fighting the problem, since some feel that it contributes to low unemployment rate. However, several anti sweatshops groups have raised up to express their displeasure in operation of sweat shops. The measures, such as mobilizing both the local and international communities and creating awareness about highly infringed human rights of those immigrants, were taken. This has led to closure of some companies and establishment of labor laws to protect the welfare of workers and to stop child labor in sweatshops.The bodies involved in this exercise include ECPAT, National Anti Sweating League and the international Ladies Garments Workers Union; they and many worker unions have been established to protect the workers` rights. Other companies have resulted to construct their own factories to get rid of the problem, for example, Nike and Reebok constructing factories in Pakistan to produce soccer balls and to build rehabilitation centers for children abused before.Even though it has b een argued that sweatshops pay workers more than local firms in the third world countries, they cannot be accepted. This is because in comparison with output products, the wages are low and also the working conditions are practically inhuman. Research conducted by organizations such as Co-op America shows that we can live and produce effectively and efficiently without sweatshops.Finally, in my opinion, sweatshops should be banned completely in both the local and international communities. This is because sweatshops degrade humanity. Every human being has a right to proper treatment, especially in working places, no matter whether he or she is an immigrant or not Buy custom Sweatshops essay

Principle, Principal

Principle, Principal Principle, Principal Principle, Principal By Sharon Principle and principal are easily confused. It doesnt help that they are homophones, which means they sound alike. Heres a guide to what they mean and how you can tell them apart. Principle The word principle means a standard, a law or a rule. This means you can have: the principles of economics, which are the laws that govern economic theory moral principles, which are the rules and standards that govern your behavior Principal The word principal usually refers to a person. Remember that it ends in pal, which is a person. A principal can be: the head of a school the head of an organization the main person involved in a contract or financial negotiation Putting It All Together If you remember that principal is a person, then you can easily make sense of this sentence: The principal taught us the first principle of social responsibility. 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 Misused Words category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Congratulations on or for?In Search of a 4-Dot EllipsisTypes of Plots

Marine engineering Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Marine engineering - Essay Example This actuator C is the one that controls the forming operation labeled as (1) in the diagram. In order to return the actuator C to its normal position, solenoid C- is operated through a Normally Opened Contact (R1). However, on its way back through the cylinder, actuator C comes into close proximity of sensor TC- which leads to operation of actuator labeled D under the effect of solenoid D+. The actuator D is used to control forming operation (2). Another normally opened contact (R2) is then used to return actuator D back to its normal position under the effect of solenoid D-. Later on, when the sensor TD- has been activated, actuator B is returned to its original position by the effect of solenoid B-. Meanwhile, sensor TB- is activated by the actuator B which leads to operation of actuator A, which returns to normal position, through effect of solenoid A-. This effectively summarizes the working of the

Writing 1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Writing 1 - Essay Example the pleas presented were based on the fact that privacy is being eroded. Federal Court was moved in this regard in order to assess and specify the limits and scope of their working and check the nature of questions presented before the jury. By the end of the hearing, the court announced that the practices of National Security Agency did not violate any major civil rights or privacy rules majorly (LIPTAK). Prior to the recent ruling, a former case undertaken with this regard assessed the scenario and termed the working of N.S.A as obstructing the privacy and basic rights of ordinary citizens. The set of recommendations have come forth on account of response to the concerns expressed by Jeff Jarvis in a further response to the findings and decision made by the Federal Court (Jarvis). In one of the proceedings and case result the court termed the activities of N.S.A as that of one leading the country towards a totalitarian state outlook with no private life protection and privacy respect. In order and effort to make up for the concerns of number of citizens, a ten point recommendation plan has been suggested with aims of providing the N.S.A a working mechanism which will allow for a more transparent, efficient and little controversial working mechanism with regard to privacy and public personal life (Brand). For the purpose a Board has been brought into force with regard to the working of the N.S.A and possible definition of its scope and privacy breach protection. These recommendations include the following: The board advised the N.S.A for a possible redefinition of the identifying and then targeting a particular suspect action or individual. This will allow for a better understanding of the scenario with regard to the privacy protection. This part of recommendation largely pertains to the cooperation with the foreign security agencies and the American citizens monitoring who may be outside the American soil. This

The wire showing its resistance Essay Example for Free

The wire showing its resistance Essay I want to find out how the length of a wire changes the amount of voltage and current flowing though the wire showing its resistance. My prediction for the experiment is that as the length of the wire increases the resistance will also increase and as the wire decreases so will the resistance. I think this will happen because the loose electrons are being transported around the circuit and the wire will provide resistance to these, as it is like passing through a sponge rather than air. And so as there is more wire or sponge to pass through it will take increasingly longer and that is why I predicted that. I will change the length of wire between 20cm and 100cm in intervals of 10cm each of these lengths I will do 3 times at different voltages, which are 0. 3v, 0. 6v and 0. 9v. I think this is important to ensure a reliable average. I will measure the amount of voltage and current passing through the circuit. I will keep the voltage the same through each set of experiments e. g. at 0. 3v I will make sure there is 0. 3v at 20cm and 0. 3v at 100cm by using a variable power pack. I will keep the same wires that link up the circuit so that they have the same resistance for each experiment. I will keep the adjustable wire the same and use the same crocodile clips, voltmeter, ammeter and power pack to ensure a fair test. Doing a preliminary experiment helped me to decide what ammeter and voltmeter to use also what voltage to run through the circuit and how short the wire can get before overheating. It also helped me confirm my prediction. It helped me decide to use a digital voltmeter because it gave more accurate readings. The equiptment I will need Power Pack 5 wires Ammeter 1 metre of wire 2 crocodile clips Voltmeter Diagram Resutls Table and Graph. Length of wire (cm) Ex 1 Current at 0. 3 volts ( ) Ex 2 Current at 0. 6 volts ( ) Ex 3 Current at 0. 9 volts ( ) Ex 1 Actual Voltage (v) Ex 2 Actual Voltage (v) Ex 3 Actual Voltage (v) Length of wire (cm) Ex 1 Current x Actual Voltage ( ) Ex 2 Current x Actual Voltage ( ) Ex 3 Current x Actual Voltage ( ) Conclusion I have found out that the longer a wire the more resistance in that circuit which is exactly the same as my prediction. The trends and patterns are that the longer the wire the smaller the difference in current and resistance. As in experiment 1 the difference in resistance between 10cm and 20cm is 0. 16 but the difference between 90cm and 100cm is just 0. 01. The reason we got these results is because the longer or larger a circuit that the current has to pass through the more resistance there is for the current because the wire provides resistance to the current and the more of that wire the current has to pass through the higher the resistance is going to be. The results arent exactly what I predicted because I thought the graph would be a straight line and not curved, I dont know why this is. Evaluation I think that the experiment went very well and I got the results I predicted and did not have any odd results. My method was probably the best method for carrying out this experiment. I could improve it though by doing each experiment more times and at smaller intervals of wire size e. g. every 5cm. I could make the results more accurate by making sure the voltage was exactly what is meant to be e. g. 0. 6v not 0.605v. I think I have enough data to support my conclusion and the results are reliable however I could make them more reliable by doing each experiment more times. I think to provide more evidence for my idea by doing wires with different widths or thickness to prove that the more for the current to pass through the more the resistance. Show preview only The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE Electricity and Magnetism section.

Epic of Gilgamesh Essay - Desperate Search for Immortality :: Epic Gilgamesh essays

Desperate Search for Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh The search for immortality seems to be an obsession for many men and women all throughout history. In the Epic of Gilgamesh a man investigates the possibility of immortality following the saddening death of his friend, his brother Enkidu. That man, Gilgamesh, feeling the fear of the possibility of his own mortality which was before unrealized before the death of Enkidu, searches for a way to preserve himself.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Is it truly that Gilgamesh searches for a physical immortality or more of a spiritual immortality? Gilgamesh wishes to give the flower of immortality to the elders of the city to rejuvenate them and return the youth to the kingdom of Uruk. This show of selflessness and concern for his people is a sight that might not have been seen a short while before his meeting with Enkidu and his influence on Gilgamesh which changed his view of life. Gilgamesh clearly tries in the end to restore the youth to the elders for the purpose of keeping the memory of not only himself but also Enkidu alive. As long as your culture and relatives survive so do you. Every relative has a piece of you carried along with them.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Why didn’t Gilgamesh just eat the plant and live as an immortal? Perhaps it was because if he were to eat the plant he would become a lonely king who just would become more and more saddened by his people whom he loved die over and over again and only he would remain. His close friend, Enkidu, was gone.   His father warnied him of the loneliness - perhaps this convinced Gilgamesh of his course of action.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Gilgamesh has been through many adventures and he gained wisdom to go along with his god like physical powers. Gilgamesh learns that the greatest type of immortality is the noncorporeal. The worth of a man's life is many times said to be measured by the things he has done and the legacy that he has left behind. After realizing that he was not a god-man, Gilgamesh understood that the real glory is in the deeds you have done and the people you have affected in good ways over your life.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Many ancient peoples had stories with morals to them. The Epic of Gilgamesh clearly promotes the moral feelings of the time.