The Creation of the Universe Essay Example For Students

The Creation of the Universe Essay In my short life on this planet I have come to question things that manytake upon blind faith. We all know that we must some day die; yet wecontinuously deny the forces at work inside ourselves, which want to search outthe answers of what may or may not come after. It is far easier for humanity toaccept that they will go to a safe haven and be rewarded for their lives withpleasures and fantasies of an unfathomable scale than to question the existenceof a supposed omnipotent being. Yet, there are a few of us humans who tend toquestion the whys and wherefores that society puts forth to us. We questionthe existence of God, or the creation of mankind rather than blindly acceptingfaith-filled beliefs we may received from our parents as children. Perhaps itis because we live in a nation filled with many peoples of different beliefswhose Gods are all so varied and different that it is difficult to fathom thatthey are all the same divine being. It is also plausible that we just have adesire to quench the thirst for knowledge that lies deep within ourselves. Asfor myself, I cannot believe in a being which created a universe and a multitudeof worlds in a rather short period of time then deigns to lower itself intobecoming a puppet-master and pulling the strings of the Earth and all of thepeople therein. We will write a custom essay on The Creation of the Universe specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Since this paper touches upon many scientific terms, I feel that inorder for the reader to correctly grasp the content I must first define threewords: Theory, Law, and Hypothesis. The definitions will allow for a greaterunderstanding of this essay and give us an even ground upon which to begin. Theory; (th1e-r, thr1) noun1.a. Systematically organized knowledge applicable in a relatively widevariety of circumstances, especially a system of assumptions, acceptedprinciples, and rules ofprocedure devised to analyze, predict, or otherwiseexplain the nature or behavior of aspecified set of phenomena. b. Suchknowledge or such a system. 2.An assumption based on limited information or knowledge; a conjecture. Law; (l) noun12.a. A formulation describing a relationship observed to be invariablebetween or among phenomena for all cases in which the specified conditions aremet: the law of gravity. b. A generalization based on consistentexperience or results: the law of supply and demand; the law of averages. Hypothesis; (h-pth1-ss) noun1.A tentative explanation that accounts for a set of facts and can betested by further investigation; a theory. 2.Something taken to be true for the purpose of argument or investigation;an assumption. It is important that you thoroughly read the above definitions or youwill be at a disadvantage if you do not. You will note that there are severaldifferent definitions to each word. I felt it was important to include theadded definitive statement to theory because it shows the difference between ascientific theory and an everyday theory based upon conjecture. Theadditional definitions to law and hypothesis are both added for a furtherunderstanding of these words. The definition of creationism is somewhat more complex. One must startby saying that the belief in the creation of the universe given at the beginningof the Bible is literally true. Creationism is a belief based solely upon faith(which is a belief in and of itself). There are no scientific facts as a basisfor this belief, solely conjectural theories and speculations. It is ingrainedinto our minds, as children that a belief of a force, or supernatural entity,which is all powerful and all knowing, is watching over us and taking care ofour needs. Yet, to me, saying this very sort of thing is heretical in its veryessence. To be so crude as to think that some being which created the universeitself and all things in it would take the time to care for each and everyindividual is incomprehensible. In practically all ancient cultures, thebiblical included, the universe was thought of as an original chaos into whichorder had been introduced by a creative hand: This was the essence of creation. 1In this statement alone we can see one of the major flaws of creationism. Whilescience can prove without doubt the universe up to the first 20 milliseconds ofexistence, we cannot prove anything before that point at this time. Thestatement above, regarding creationism, suggests that

7 Disadvantages of Joining a Fraternity or Sorority

7 Disadvantages of Joining a Fraternity or Sorority The benefits of joining  a fraternity or sorority are many, and its important to realize that Greek life in college has a lot of impressive things to offer. Its also important, however, to realize that there might be some challenges. So just what do you need to be aware of before officially pledging? You Might Be Stereotyped by Peers Even if you had a great impression of fraternities and sororities before you came to college - and an even better one once you learned about all the great initiatives your schools Greek organizations do - not all students share the same perception. Ignorant or well-informed, your fellow students might stereotype you once they know you belong to a certain Greek house. And while there might not be much you can do about that, its important to at least keep in mind. You Might Be Stereotyped by Faculty You might be having an amazing, life-changing experience as a member of your fraternity or sorority. But your professors - who were, after all, college students themselves once - might not have had as great of an experience during their own undergraduate years. Or they could have had problems in the past with students from your particular organization. While you are your own person and should be judged accordingly, just be aware of the perceptions some faculty members might have about how you spend your time outside of class. You Might Be Stereotyped by Future Employers While your Greek organization might be dedicated to, say, the study of biology or to social justice, an employer might not realize that while quickly skimming resumes. And while belonging to a fraternity or sorority with a large network can be an incredible asset, there might also be some challenges along the way. Being Active Can Be a Major Time Commitment Does this necessarily have to be a drawback to membership in your house? Of course not. But it is something to be aware of in advance, especially if you struggle with time management or you know that your time is going to be extremely limited during your college years. Joining Can Be Expensive While there often are scholarships available to students who need them to remain members of their Greek community, theres no guarantee those scholarships are going to come through. If finances are tight, make sure you are aware of what financial obligations youll have to your house. Ask about joining fees, dues, and other expenses - such as helping fund an annual event - that youll be responsible for. There Can Be Strong Personality Conflicts This, of course, is inevitable whenever youre involved with a group of people. And youll undoubtedly encounter personality conflicts in everything from your Chemistry study group to your rugby teammates. Keep in mind, however, that personality conflicts in a fraternity or sorority can get especially tense, given that people spend so much time together and often live in a shared space for several years in a row. You May Sometimes Feel Stuck in Routine and Commitments This years Halloween party might seem like the most amazing thing ever. But after working on it for months in advance, three years in a row, the Halloween party during your senior year might lose some of its ​luster. There can be ways to branch out and try new things within your fraternity or sorority, and a good one will encourage you to do so. Just be aware of what it will mean to pledge the rest of your college experience to one particular group.

Initial topic proposal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Initial topic proposal - Essay Example It is so bad that the ethnic difference itself becomes a cause of conflict because unidimensional and simplistic presentation of conflict between ethnic groups. This topic is important because the negative representation of the minority groups is the major source of conflict between ethnic groups. Moreover, media as the societal mirror play an important role in shaping social functions of the society, as well as the perception of the public towards several issues. In addition, portrayal of diversity in media programs make the public develop a positive attitude towards the minority groups while misrepresentation and underrepresentation lead to a negative attitude towards the minority groups. Racial profiling is an enduring culture since the days of our ancestors that has dominated the social society to date. This means that several elements of the society including media are widely influenced by racial profiling. In a The Criminalisation of Ethnic Groups: An Issue for Media Analysis, Marcello Maneri  &  Jessika ter Wal (2005) reveal the composition of newsrooms reflect on an unequal distribution of power between the White majority and the Black minority. This prejudice and discrimination within the newsrooms produce the stereotyped portrayals of racial groups in the media. In another article titled A Long Way to Go: Minorities and the Media, the author expands on the view that media is the number one teacher of stereotype in the community whether intentional or unintentional (Cort, 2011). The media has a powerful image on the public, and thus, the image they portray of the minority groups is what other people in indirect contact with this group take to be true. Furt hermore, he notes that depicting the minority groups negatively by the media has driven them to create their own shows, magazines, radio, newspapers, and television shows where they can

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY 2 questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY 2 questions - Essay Example In addition to that, there are many natural phenomena that play a fundamental role in promoting global warming. Some of them as identified by (Strasburg) are discussed as follows: Volcanic eruptions: Volcanic eruption is a commonly observed natural phenomenon. As volcanoes erupt, they release tremendous amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere. Solar cycles and cosmic rays: Some people hold consent upon the concept that solar cycles and cosmic rays are also a source of global warming. However, there are many who hold controversial views about the role of solar cycles and cosmic rays in aggravating global warming. According to the results of research conducted by some European scientists, â€Å"The chance of the natural cosmic-ray or solar irradiance explanation being responsible for more than 14% of the observed warming is quite negligible.† (Strasburg). Water vapors: Water vapor has been largely recognized as one of the most obvious greenhouse gases. Although it does not contribute towards global warming by adding to the CO2 level in the atmosphere unlike many other causes of global warming, yet it plays the same role as many other greenhouse gases. It is noteworthy that existing CO2 in the air increases the content of water vapors in the air as a feedback. Some misconceptions: People who tend to deny the human contribution in the global warming say also consider plants as a cause of global warming. They base their assertion on the fact that plants generate CO2 into the air particularly when they don’t photosynthesize. However, they are quite ignorant of the fact that they are the fundamental source of O2 in the atmosphere as they consume CO2 released by humans and in turn, produce O2 during the process of photosynthesis. Reason of the controversy about role of humans as promoters of global warming: People all over the world tend to acquire more and more money throughout their professional life. It is indeed, a call of human nature. The technological b oom has facilitated them in fulfilling their dreams in many ways. If people easily confess their contribution in the global warming, they are likely to loose all environment unfriendly facilities that they so frequently utilize. Therefore, in an attempt to defend their unhealthy practices that make them money, they visualize technical measures as the ultimate solution for global warming instead of changing their own attitude towards the world and the nature. However, there is enough scientific evidence to prove the enormous role of humans in promoting the global warming in comparison to the natural phenomena that are commonly referred by humans as the cardinal causes of global warming. There is a need to realize that man only forms a minute part of the vast nature, and is not its owner to exercise rights over it. People should realize that their practices pollute the air and water that in turn promote global warming. How can the supply of water be increased in order to resolve the o ncoming shortage of water fit for human use on Earth? Shortage of pure water is one of the most fundamental environmental calamities humans are encountering in the contemporary age. According to the results of a research conducted by United Nations, an estimated 2.7 billion people are expected to suffer from extreme shortage of water by 2025 provided that the current consumption rates do not decline (Montaigne). â€Å"Severe water shortages affecting at least 400 million people today will affect 4 billion people

Financial Markets and Institutions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Financial Markets and Institutions - Essay Example The derivative market can be further sub-divided into the OTC (over the counter) market and the exchange traded derivatives market. While the former is more customized and offers tailor made innovative instruments in the later all transactions take place via exchange. The OTC market transactions are done mainly by the investment banks that heir traders or agents to market derivative instruments to clients. Some instruments of OTC market include forward contract, swaps (interest rates and currency), credit derivatives, and hedge funds. The derivative market transactions in US are mostly dominated by large multinational financial institutions. The global economic importance of derivatives market is that they are important instrument for determining current and future prices of underlying asset. In addition, a derivatives market also helps to reduce the risk of transaction by bringing certainty in to expected cash flows. The derivatives market encourages speculative trading and arbitrag e. A derivatives instrument reduces transaction costs and also offers liquidity of the instrument in market (Parsons, 2013, pp.2-6). Factors Affecting Interest Rates Interest rates are amount payable by the borrower to the lender for using capital for certain amount of time. They are also referred to as financial cost of borrowings. Generally the federal bank or the central bank of a country determines the rate of interest on borrowing. Interest rates are determined primarily from the forces of supply and demand. Inflation plays a very important role for determining the interest rates since almost every lender expects to be compensated after considering the purchasing power of money. Thus, the rate of interest is also driven by the market trends and corresponds to changes in inflation levels. The credit of the borrower is also taken into consideration while determining the interest rates. For instance, entities with good credit ratings are able to enjoy debt at cheaper rates compare d to entities with bad credit ratings. This is mainly because the entities with poor credit rating have more chances of defaulting both in terms of regular fixed interest payments as well as the principal. Another important factor that determines the rate of interest is the duration of debt. Generally, the short term rates are less costly since predicting risk factors and inflation levels are more accurate for shorter time frame. However, the same is not true for long term rates since the future is uncertain and only expected or probabilistic returns are possible. Forecasting of Interest Rates Changes Forecasting the changes in interest rates is an important factor for determining the bond prices. When the interest rates are expected to appreciate in future, the objective of the investor should be to hold bonds with shorter maturity and not to hold long term bonds so as to minimize losses. Conversely, when the interest rates are expected to decline in future, it is an opportunity fo r the investors to invest in good credit bonds. Hence, interest rates directly influence the market value of debt instruments including bonds, money market securities, mortgages, and so on. By determining the key factors that have significant influence on interest rates, the interest rates for future can be forecasted. Some of the important factors that influence interest rates are economic growth rates, inflation rates, monetary policy, and budget deficit

Auditor Predecessor Successor

Auditor Predecessor Successor Question: What is the purpose of predecessor-successor auditor communications? Which party, the predecessor or successor auditor, has the responsibility for initiating these communications? Briefly summarize the information that a successor auditor should obtain from the predecessor auditor. The purpose of the predecessor-successor auditor communications is to help an auditor determine if a firm should engage with a new client. This communication will inform the auditor about the history of the client with the previous auditor and possibly expose some information that would suggest that accepting this client is not in the best interest of the firm. In recent times it has become important to carefully choose with whom a firm engages in an agreement with for representing them as their auditor. Not only is the firms reputation at stake but they can be held liable for their clients fraudulent activities. The Auditing Standards Board has issued a Statement on Auditing Standards Number 84 in October of 1997. SAS No. 84 replaced the SAS No. 7 which has the same title and was written to update the statement to the present environment. SAS No. 84 defines the required communications between the predecessor and successor auditor before accepting an engagement; what to do when the predecessor limits the responses to the successor; contains sample client consent and an acknowledgement letter and a successor auditor acknowledgement letter. Many of the CPA firms use caution when accepting new clients and go through a detailed procedure before accepting a new client. This is necessary to protect the firm from potential future liabilities based on their clients activities. SAS No. 84 made several modifications or improvements to SAS No. 7 which include communications prior to engaging with the client, discusses the usage and types of working papers, discusses the use of different types of correspondence letters for the predecessor-successor with examples, and outlines actions that the successor should follow if the financial statements are found to be misstated. This Statement was then amended by no. 93 because the statement didnt address the case where an auditor started an audit but didnt complete it. SAS No. 93 clarifies the definition of the predecessor auditor to include this situation. The definition was refined to include any auditor who is engaged to perform an audit but does not complete it. In the ZZZZ Best case study, Greenspan was an independent auditor that completed an audit of the ZZZZ Best Company in 1986. He used analytical techniques to look at the financial data and he confirmed the existence of their jobs by reviewing their documents. After completion of the audit, Minkow that owned the ZZZZ Best Company dismissed Greenspan and retained Ernst Whinney as the companys auditor. A congressional subcommittee was probing into the predecessor-successor communications that occurred when this transition occurred. When the congressional subcommittee asked what information he provided to the successor auditor, Greenspan was said â€Å"Nothing. I did there was nothing because they never got in tough with me. Its protocol for the new accountant to get in touch with the old accountant. They never got in touch with me, and its still a mystery to me.† According to SAS no. 84, the successor cannot accept the new client until they have communicated with the predecessor and have reviewed their responses. Even though the successor is required to initiate the communication, the predecessor is required to respond. The predecessor is required to get permission from the client before providing any information about the client. This means that there is a possibility that the predecessor will state that they will not be providing any information but they must respond stating this. If the predecessor doesnt provide any information, this most likely means that the client doesnt want them to disclose some potentially harmful information about the client and raises some concerns about accepting the new client. In the ZZZZ Best Company case, Ernst Whinney said that they communicated with Greenspan prior to accepting ZZZZ Best as an audit client. They didnt state any details related to the communication and Greenspan did not confirm this communication. Even if Ernst Whinney did initiate communication with Greenspan, given that neither one confirmed the details of what was communicated means that Ernst Whinney didnt follow requirement of reviewing the predecessor responses before accepting the client. The successor auditor should obtain information that will help decide whether to accept the client as their auditor. The type of information that the successor auditor should be inquiring about is related to the integrity of the management and any disagreements that the predecessor had with the management over accounting or auditing procedures. If theres has been issues with management integrity or concerns about their integrity from the predecessor auditor, it most likely will be an ongoing concern which may cause problems in the future. Also, if the predecessor auditor had disagreements with the client about accounting or auditing procedures then it would best to discuss these procedures with the client before starting the engagement with the client. Another item that the successor auditor should request is access to the predecessors working papers. â€Å"SAS no. 84 includes a list of the working papers ordinarily made available to the successor, including documentation of planning, internal control, audit results and other matters of continuing accounting and auditing significance†.1 The predecessor may limit the access to this working papers for reasons such as confidentiality agreements or litigations. These working papers provide the good insight into the client and give exposure to the predecessor and clients working arrangements. They will be the fastest and most detailed information for evaluating the client. When responding to the successor after the initial communication, the predecessor may request a written agreement disclosing the terms of what they disclose. They may request that the successor keep the information confidential and agree not to engage in litigations against the predecessor related to the material disclosed. Another item they should discuss is the reasons for the change in auditors. This information could show some insight into any management integrity issues if the predecessor auditor withdrew as the auditor. The successor will need to document the communications with the predecessor. They should document when the communications occurred, the results of the communications, and details of what material was disclosed. Even though the communications may be oral instead of written, it is good practice to document the details of what communications were made and the nature of the communications. SAS No. 84 doesnt require the documentation of this communications but the successor auditors working papers should show the details of communications that occurred. The predecessor-successor auditor communications is the key to determining if the firm should accept the new client. This communication will allow significant information to be gathered in determining whether to proceed into an agreement or not. The success auditor must initiate the communication with the predecessor. The completion of this exchange of information is vital to protect the firm from potential future liabilities based on their clients activities.

Software Ethics :: Copyright Plagiarism Technology Essays

Software Ethics INTRODUCTION Webster dictionary defines copyright as â€Å"the exclusive legal right to reproduce, publish, and sell the matter and form (as of a literary, musical, or artistic work). The copyright law extended to software and technologies aims at protecting the artists who created the product. The owner of the product has the exclusive right to distribute or reproduce his work. To be qualified for the protection, the work has to be original and in a â€Å"concrete medium of expression† [1]. In every product that we use daily, there is already a copyrighted law protecting it. We can’t simply write the same book and call it a different name. That’s plagiarism and violating the copyright law. The creator of a software technology patented and copyrighted his work, and he can take violators to court for stealing his idea, and reproducing his work without his permission. Why? Simply put, U.S Copyright act, 17 U.S.C Sections 101-810, protects the owner of the product . We should be thankful that we live in a country where our inventions and ideas are protected from theft and being copied. In other countries, such as Vietnam, artists are not so lucky. For many years, songs artists didn’t make a lot of money, and their songs are being sung everywhere, by all the singers. It’s like a free song, and anyone could make money off of that. That’s the precedent. Who would want to create the product, and then turn around in split seconds only to have it posted it on the web or reproduced for free. The work is wasted, the people are discouraged, and the country is ailing. Now, the artist can now protect his work. So Vietnamese, living in America, enjoy the same rights and privileges as Americans. Countries that don’t have copyright law or fail to truly protect the artists of a product will continue to struggle economically, politically, and socially. Viet Nam has improved and been more developed over the past decades. The country is beginning to see foreign investors come in and utilize the resources such as the talents, the cheap labor and materials. However, the country is not flourishing other Asians because of the lack of copyright laws, ignorance, and government monopoly and corruption.