Walden Two by B.F. Skinner Essay Example for Free

Walden Two by B.F. Skinner Essay B. F Skinner published Walden Two in 1948. The novel takes place in the United States shortly after the end of World War II. Rodge Rogers, whose first name is not given and Steve Jamnik became friends while serving in the military during the war. After the war, they find that it is difficult to return to a normal life, Jamnik and I are like a lot of other young people right now. We cant make up our minds. We dont know what we want to do (Skinner, 1948, p. 7). In an attempt to find the life they want to lead they visit Professor Burris, one of Rodges former professors, to discuss his ideas about utopia. Ironically Burris barely remembers mentioning the subject but finally recalls a fellow student he knew in graduate school named Frazier who had designed a utopian community named Walden Two. Burris contacts Frazier and arranges the three of them, as well as Castle, a colleague of Burris, Barbara Macklin, Rogers girlfriend, and Mary Grove, Jamniks girlfriend, to visit Walden Two (Skinner, 1948, pp. 7-15). When they arrive, Frazier shows them around the community and explains how it operates. They meet some of its approximate 1,000 inhabitants. The people appear to be happy. They live in communal quarters, share meals at communal dining halls and share the facilities of the community. Each of the adults works about four hours each day to provide for the needs of the community. They are not paid a salary because money is not used within Walden Two. The people in roles of leadership carefully monitor life in the community. If there is evidence suggesting a change should be made for the communitys good, it is made and its consequences carefully evaluated (Skinner, 1948). During their three-day visit, Burris and the others experience the community lifestyle. At the end of their visit, Steve Jamnik and Mary Grove love life at Walden Two so much the decide to stay. Rodge also likes the life there and wants to stay, but his girlfriend Barbara refuses to say so they both return to society. Castle likes nothing about Walden Two and returns to his regular lifestyle as a college professor. Professor Burris finds himself intrigued with life in the commune, but decides to return to his academic life. However, once he is at the station, he changes his mind and returns to Walden Two to live and gives up his life as a professor. I found this book disturbing, even threatening. As I read through the book, I found myself thinking of Orwells 1984 and Aldous Huxleys Brave New World. I felt like this even though 1984 wasnt published until the same year as Walden Two so it couldnt have influenced Skinners writing, and Skinner explicitly denies this with a vague reference to Huxleys work, I suppose you put phonographs in your dormitories which repeat I like to work in sewers. Sewers are lots of fun, said Castle. No, Walden Two isnt that kind of brave new world, said Frazier. We dont propagandize' (Skinner, 1948, p. 53). Although Walden Two was an insolated community, there is a latent undertone of expansion and trying to convert society as a whole to the Walden Two model. Castle argues with Frazier, Ill bet you have designs on the political machinery too . . . [youll] want to get the offices yourself, . . .. Yes, [Frazier responds] I must admit youre right. . . . As soon as were in the majority in any locality, we shall exercise our rights under a democratic form of government and take control' (Skinner, 1948, p. 231). As disturbing as the thought of communities such as Walden Two taking over the government is, this isnt really what disturbs me. Throughout the three-day visit, whenever anyone challenges Frazier about a point or questions something about the life in Walden Two, he always has what feels like a dispassionate, rehearsed response. Frazier is reminiscent of a used car salesmen who can deflect any criticism of the car he is trying to sell. He always has an answer at the ready that he delivers with a confidence and authority that appear to brush away the visitors objections as if they are unfounded and insignificant. It feels as if he is running a con game and the six visitors are the marks. According to Frazier Walden Two provides an ideal, satisfying lifestyle. It appears that all of the needs of Walden Twos inhabitants are provided with everything they need, they work only four hours per day, have recreation, and appear to have a great deal more freedom than people enjoy in the United States today. Despite this assurance, I would not want to live there. What Frazier has done has removed the individual person from consideration. There is a paternalistic quality that implies the managers of Walden Two know best and the inhabitants should just agree and enjoy the life there. In effect, Frazier/Skinner has reduced people to their basic responses to both internal and external stimuli. Of course this is precisely what Skinner, as a behaviorist, wants to do. For my part I prefer to think of myself as an adult person with a free will who takes an active part in living his own life. I would rather believe this, even if it is incorrect, than to submit to Skinners philosophy even if his theories were correct. References Skinner, B. F. (1948). Walden Two. New York: Macmillan.

Overpopulation :: Human Population

During the first 2 million or so years of its history the human population was a minor element in the world ecosystem, with at most 10 million members. In the New Stone Age, less than 10,000 years ago, the number of humans began to increase more rapidly. The rough equilibrium maintained before Neolithic times gave way when the human population developed agriculture and animal husbandry and no longer had to spread out in search of game. With the abandonment of a hunting-gathering way of life and the rise of permanent settlements and eventually cities, the human population underwent dramatic growth. By the beginning of the Christian era it had reached 250 million, and by 1650, half a billion. Growth of population during 20th century was very rapid. In 1994 the total world population was estimated at about 5. 6 billion people. It increased nearly by 4 billions of people during past 100 years. The most significant world trend is that death rates are currently falling in poor and rich countries alike, while birthrates remain high in most poor countries and low in most rich ones. Exceptions are the generally higher death rates of Africa and the high birthrates of the rich oil-producing countries. The most populous countries, in descending order, are China, India, the United States, Indonesia, Brazil, and Russia. The U.S. population totaled about 260. 8 million in 1994. In the 1990s about 4. 1 million children were born annually in the United States, and more than 2. 1 million persons died yearly. The greater number of births is due in part to a fertility rate that has increased by nearly 20 percent since the mid-1980s. International immigration, both legal and illegal, is another major element in U.S. population growth. Legal immigration has recently amounted to about 1 million per year; illegal immigration is thought to be several hundred thousand. In China, the world's most populous country, the 1994 population was estimated at nearly 1. 2 billion, more than double the 1953 census population of 584 million in mainland China. China's annual increase has been estimated at 1. 1 percent annually. India's population of more than 911. 6 million people (1994 est.) is increasing faster than that of China, and if present trends continue, it will soon catch up with or surpass China. Since the disintegration of the USSR, Indonesia and Brazil are now the fourth and fifth most populous countries, with 1994 estimated populations of 199.

Macroeconomic Situation Essay

The economic situation in the United States today could be considered as one of the deepest crisis the mankind has seen in so many years. The GDP growth rate of the country has decreased and ultimately got in the negative figures. The GDP growth rate in the year 2009 was -2. 4%, the inflation rate of the nation got around at 2. 2%. After the credit crisis and the subprime crisis, the overall economy was hampered with phases of rapid unemployment and bailouts for biggest financial sector companies. The overall trust in the service sector was reduced to a considerable level. The unemployment rate in April 2010 was estimated around at 9.9%. Due to continuous decrease in the growth rate of economy, the level of public debt also increased and reached $12. 28 trillion (January 2010) which is 84% of GDP. (â€Å"National Economic Accounts–nd†) But after the deep recession period, the economy is finally showing some signs of relief and recovery now. Though the expected growth rates are still negative, still the cumulative growth rates are expected to be better in the coming financial year. Provided the amount of the economic unscrambling the nation had witnessed in winter 2008-2009, the recovery pattern is still very weak, most importantly in persistent financial difficulties. The US congress and Federal Reserve have taken a number of steps in order to ensure that the current financial condition could be stabilized and active efforts could be made towards recovery and growth. The most extraordinary of those were producing a Primary Dealer Credit Facility and helping the acquisition of Bear Stearns by J. P. Morgan Chase. The Federal Reserve along with the Congress has continued to use the conventional macroeconomic tools in order to combat the current situation. (â€Å"The Current Economic Situation–nd†) The bailouts and government intervention into an otherwise free market are indications of such steps initiated by them. Taking account of the steps taken by Federal Reserve, the short term rates have fallen but still the amount of risk in the interbank loan market has not changed much over the time. References: The Current Economic Situation: Retrieved on 5th June 2010 from website: http://www. cbo. gov/ftpdocs/90xx/doc9078/Chapter2. 4. 1. shtml National Economic Accounts: Retrieved on 5th June 2010 from website: http://www. bea. gov/national/index. htm

Quote: Virtue and William Shakespeare Essay

â€Å"Virtue is choked with foul ambition†¦ † What does it mean? What was the famous William Shakespeare trying to accomplish with this quote? What was in his mind at this time? How can this quote help us? Who was this quote addressed to? Who can explain more about this quote? During this essay I will try to answer these questions, I want to know more about this. â€Å"Virtue is choked with foul ambition†¦ † But what is a virtue? A virtue is moral excellence, goodness, and righteousness. Another meaning for virtue is a particular moral excellence, example natural virtue, theological virtue, and cardinal virtues. How can we tell if people have good virtues? The person will be honest, respectful, courageous, forgiving, and kind to others. Choked. What does Shakespeare mean when he says â€Å"choked† in his quote? Choked, regarding a person or animal is effecting or completely stopping air from entering the body. But I don’t think that is what he meant when he used the word choke in this quote. I believe he was using this word â€Å"choked† as an expression meaning forbidding, not allowing, or stopping from. Now what is an ambition? Taken straight from an online dictionary, an ambition is a strong desire for success, achievement, or distinction; something so desired; goal; aim. Now that we know what a virtue and what ambition means we can sort of see what William Shakespeare is trying to say, it makes a little more sense to me now. â€Å"Virtue is choked with foul ambition† basically says we are our goals are foul, not correct. We all want to be good, but things go bad. It is easier to do bad thing instead of good things, so that effects good virtues. It is harder to become good, especially if you sin. When we sin our love with God hurts and it effects our good virtues. On top of that, it makes us come bad people, not children of Christ.

Free Essays on French Religion

Religion has played a major role in France’s storied history. The major religions of France are Catholicism, Protestantism, Judaism, and Islam. During the 1500’s France went through a series of religious civil wars started from the Protestant reformation. The French Protestants were known as Huguenots, The Huguenots and the Catholics fought and by 1520 20% of the French population was Protestant. Many struggles between the Catholics and the Protestants continued, by 1560 the Queen of England allowed the Protestants to meet outside of the city for religious meetings, however both the Catholics and the Protestants viewed this as a sin. In 1562 the religious wars rise up again. The Catholics were hanged in Normandy and the Huguenots or Protestants were hanged in Paris. By 1594 the religious wars of France were over. Catholicism has been the mainstream religion of France for years however during the first French revolution many people were angered at the Catholic Church. The church had taken on the form of a government and was corrupt; the Catholic Church had members in all branches of the French Parliament and was the largest land owner in France. During the war and afterward for a while the Catholic Church was driven underground and stripped of most of its property. The Catholic Church never regained the power over the government that it once held. Today the French population identifies itself as 60% Catholic, 3% Protestant, 10% Islamic, and the rest is made up of Jews, Buddhists, and others. Today’s France is very tolerant of other religions much like the United States gives us the freedom to practice any religion.... Free Essays on French Religion Free Essays on French Religion Religion has played a major role in France’s storied history. The major religions of France are Catholicism, Protestantism, Judaism, and Islam. During the 1500’s France went through a series of religious civil wars started from the Protestant reformation. The French Protestants were known as Huguenots, The Huguenots and the Catholics fought and by 1520 20% of the French population was Protestant. Many struggles between the Catholics and the Protestants continued, by 1560 the Queen of England allowed the Protestants to meet outside of the city for religious meetings, however both the Catholics and the Protestants viewed this as a sin. In 1562 the religious wars rise up again. The Catholics were hanged in Normandy and the Huguenots or Protestants were hanged in Paris. By 1594 the religious wars of France were over. Catholicism has been the mainstream religion of France for years however during the first French revolution many people were angered at the Catholic Church. The church had taken on the form of a government and was corrupt; the Catholic Church had members in all branches of the French Parliament and was the largest land owner in France. During the war and afterward for a while the Catholic Church was driven underground and stripped of most of its property. The Catholic Church never regained the power over the government that it once held. Today the French population identifies itself as 60% Catholic, 3% Protestant, 10% Islamic, and the rest is made up of Jews, Buddhists, and others. Today’s France is very tolerant of other religions much like the United States gives us the freedom to practice any religion....

Vibration White Finger Treatment and Prevention Options

Vibration White Finger Treatment and Prevention Options Vibration white finger,  or Raynauds disease, is also called hand-arm vibration syndrome and is a  repetitive stress injury  caused by exposure of the hands to vibrating equipment. Its a neurological injury and may be associated with pain, tingling, and numbness in the hands, a loss of sensitivity, and a decrease in grip strength. Fingers may become white and swollen when cold and then red and painful when rewarmed. If you have been diagnosed with vibration white finger or fear you might develop it, it is time to look at treatments and prevention. Vibration white finger is a cumulative disorder with no cure after you have developed it. However, the same measures you can take to prevent the disorder can help reduce the frequency and duration of white finger episodes. Other symptomatic treatments can ease your suffering as well. Cause of Vibration White Finger Tools that cause the vibration syndrome include jackhammers, angle grinders, chain saws, power lawn mowers, and like equipment, though vibrating electronic game controllers can also contribute. Episodes of vascular spasms that cause the white finger are usually triggered by exposure to cold or by contact with cold surfaces. Wet and damp conditions can also exacerbate the condition. Controlling the triggering cause can go a long way to reducing symptoms. Prevention If you use vibrating equipment on a regular basis, you are at risk for developing vibration white finger. Preventive measures can ward off this syndrome. Use sound ergonomic equipment that reduces vibration transference to the hands.Use vibration-absorbing gloves or pads. Gel padding is better than foam padding for protecting  your hands against vibration.Hold equipment loosely.Work in short durations with frequent breaks. Take at least one 10-minute break every hour.Keep your hands warm to keep blood flowing.Avoid smoking or taking drugs or substances that inhibit blood flow. Maintain a Healthy Body You need to stay healthy and fit. Maintain a healthy weight. Strong bodies are more resilient against the stressors that cause vibration white finger. Maintain good cardiovascular health. Good blood flow to the hands is crucial. Treatment Although vibration white finger has no known cure, some practices can alleviate the symptoms. Stop using vibrating equipment. The more you vibrate the affected area, the worse it will get.Stop smoking and the use of tobacco products. Tobacco makes the disorder worse.Caffeine and amphetamines can trigger bouts of vibration white finger. Remove these from your diet.Some prescription and over-the-counter drugs and supplements may trigger bouts as well if they restrict blood flow. Discuss possible drug interactions with your health care provider.Stay warm and avoid cold triggers.Exercise your hands and body to improve circulation.Keep your whole body warm outdoors in cold temperatures, to keep circulation moving to your extremities. Hand warmers and battery-warmed gloves may be useful.When a bout  of vibration syndrome occurs, warm the hands as fast as possible.Medication: Some medications do provide some effectiveness in treating vibration white finger. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Digital signatures Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5500 words

Digital signatures - Essay Example Moreover, the cases of e-commerce crimes are rising day by day. In this scenario, it becomes necessary for the organizations to take some effective steps to uphold the security of their e-commerce activities. Thus, digital signature is a suitable technique for saving customers from identity theft and various others frauds. This report presents a detailed analysis of digital signature. The aim of this research is to analyze the role of digital signature in forming e-commerce security. Business sector is by no means an exemption to internet mania. Since, with the passage of time, the online business is turning out to be an exhortation. The online business means that people can purchase and pay from home and even while sitting in their bedroom through an internet equipped PC or laptop. The global wave of information technologies (ITs) development and implementation has turned out to be a driving force in approximately every part of human job. In this scenario, the internet that is a main element of this global wave has been transformed into a double-edged weapon providing a lot of opportunities, facilities, tools, and capabilities to individuals and corporations, on the other hand as well bringing with it a considerably increased information security and privacy risks (Salifu, 2008). As the electronic methods of business expands rapidly throughout the world, security and integrity concerns turn out to be sensitive. Moreover, at the present, the customer satisfactio n and trust in internet transactions and the security measures implemented by online businesses are considered to be insignificant and perhaps the main limit in the acceptance of internet business practices (Dandapani, 2008). Electronic commerce or e-commerce refers to conducting both internal and external business activities over the internet, intranets, and extranets. In addition, e-commerce consists