The eNotes Blog Goodbye to a Modern Pioneer Michael S. Hart, ProjectGutenberg

Goodbye to a Modern Pioneer Michael S. Hart, ProjectGutenberg Reasonable people adapt themselves to the world. Unreasonable people attempt to adapt the world to themselves. All progress, therefore, depends on unreasonable people. ~ George Bernard Shaw. On September 6, the literary world lost a true pioneer. Michael S. Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, died of a heart attack in his home in Urbana, Illinois. He was 64. Hart was the inventor of the now nearly-ubiquitous electronic books, or eReaders, which he conceived in 1971. The idea for eReaders came to him after he received a free copy of the Declaration of Independence.   At the time, Hart was a student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and had access to their (then powerful) computers. He typed up the Declaration and sent it through the computer network to other users. This free transmittal of literature became Harts lifes work for the next forty years via his Project Gutenberg. As of today, there are 100,000 works available to anyone who cares to download them, all free of charge. Dr. Gregory Newby penned the obituary for his friend and colleague.   It reads, in part: Michael prided himself on being unreasonable, and only in the later years of life did he mellow sufficiently to occasionally refrain from debate. Yet, his passion for life, and all the things in it, never abated. Frugal to a fault, Michael glided through life with many possessions and friends, but very few expenses. He used home remedies rather than seeing doctors. He fixed his own house and car. He built many computers, stereos, and other gear, often from discarded components. Michael S. Hart left a major mark on the world. The invention of eBooks was not simply a technological innovation or precursor to the modern information environment. A more correct understanding is that eBooks are an efficient and effective way of unlimited free distribution of literature. Access to eBooks can thus provide opportunity for increased literacy. Literacy, and the ideas contained in literature, creates opportunity. In July 2011, Michael wrote these words, which summarize his goals and his lasting legacy: â€Å"One thing about eBooks that most people havent thought much is that eBooks are the very first thing that were all able to have as much as we want other than air. Think about that for a moment and you realize we are in the right job. He had this advice for those seeking to make literature available to all people, especially children: Learning is its own reward. Nothing I can say is better than that.

Religion and Politics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Religion and Politics - Essay Example A long tradition of involving religion in political matters exists in the United States. According to Servin-Gonzalez & Torres-Reyna, questions have come up concerning the relationship between how government activities are conducted and the prevalent religious values in the United States (592). The American population has, however, for the longest time been split concerning whether political decisions should be largely influenced by religious beliefs. Servin-Gonzalez & Torres-Reyna write that although most Americans accept that the clergy and other religious groups have a role to play in politics; most people feel that these religious people should not be involved in actual politics and campaigns (593). Religion is used as a tool for ensuring that politicians keep in line with the moral issues of the society. In essence, this means that religious leaders are tasked with the responsibility of keeping politicians in line and ensuring that they do not oppress the society. One of the ways in which religion has contributed towards political strategies in the United States is through the practice school prayers. Prior to 1963, public schools used to conduct religious prayers but the Supreme Court banned this practice in that year (Servin-Gonzalez & Torres-Reyna 599). In subsequent years, although public opinion has increasingly supported religious prayers in public schools, the Supreme Court has ensured that religious activities are not encouraged in schools. In this case, Servin-Gonzalez & Torres-Reyna write that the religious groups have failed to influence political decisions because the constitution has not been changed to permit prayer in public schools (600). Concerning the issue of reading and teaching of the bible in public schools coupled with prayers, religious activity has failed to convince the public to take up political action and change the constitution. During the Reagan

Describing Your Development of a Competency Model (Business Mangement) Essay

Describing Your Development of a Competency Model (Business Mangement) - Essay Example 2. Criterion Sample: Choosing a sample of Human Resource Managers for the purpose of collecting data. These managers should be amongst the superior employees from whom points could be taken related to the sort of behaviour and skills as well as character that leads to the success of one’s jobs and company as well. 3. Gathering Data and analyzing it: Collecting information about the conduct that would lead to a success in Human Resource related jobs with the help of which propositions could be made as to what are the abilities of exceptional Human Resource Managers and how these exceptional skills, when combined together, produce the preferred outcomes. 4. Substantiation: Confirming and validating the results of data gathering and analysis. Validation should be done upon the data to check the authenticity of the cause-and-effect relationships. Pilot testing of the results should be done before applying it on the whole organization. Through this study, it was found that the most difficult aspect of this model would be the lack of resources at the time of implementation, disregard of stakeholders and lack of support from the top management (LaRocca, n.d.). Also, it was found that there are a couple of barriers which would result in the failure of a competency model. Projects are nearly always successful if they are done in a proper manner, step by step, especially when all the modules of the project are integrated together. Doing a project at once results in missing out on important but small things. This would eventually result in unidentified factors during implementation. The implementation of initial stages may workout smoothly, but there would be many unanswered questions at the later and imperative stages resulting in an overall delay in the implementation of the model, over-budgeting and wastage of resources and

Snakes and People Are One Essay Example for Free

Snakes and People Are One Essay In the Bible, it is written Now these are to you the unclean among the swarming things which swarm on the earth: the mole, and the mouse, and the great lizard in its kinds. † Furthermore it is said that These [including the snake] are to you the unclean among all the swarming things; whoever touches them when they [the ‘swarming things’] are dead becomes unclean until evening (Leviticus 11:29 and 31). Thus many, across cultures and different religions, have equated the snake as well, with sin, pestilence and devils and demons. No wonder many of us fear the snake. Indeed the snake is fearsome for its lethal capacity given its venom and all. But how fair is it to say ‘Just be gone with this creature’? How many of us have taken this beautiful creature for granted? Or better yet, see how many of us will respond to the presence of a snake the way the young man in the following story reacted: (www. australianexplorer. com) Quite some years ago I was visiting friends in a lovely seaside spot (well very near the sea) called Pottsville in New South Wales. An appropriate name it seemed at the time. My friends had an English friend staying with them also. His name was Nigel. My friends house was a rather dilapidated old weatherboard house with natural air-conditioning, i. e. , lots of holes. Nigel decided to have a bath in the rather primitive and holey bathroom. We could hear him singing happily away. Next minute there was a shriek ARRRRGGGGHHHHHHH!!!! We heard the bathroom door slam and saw Nigel making for the woodheap, nude. He went behind the woodheap and next thing we heard was thump, thump, thump coming from the bathroom along with cries of I got you, you b I got you We all thought it might be a good idea to go and see what was bothering Nigel. Imagine our horror to see Nigel, axe in hand, standing triumphantly astraddle a very large snake cut into several large pieces. We were horrified because the snake was Bob, our friends pet ratter, a rather sweet and lugubrious carpet python of nearly 2 meters in length who had a penchant for curling up at the bottom of my friends bed. Nigel explained, somewhat incoherently, that the snake had fallen out of the roof into the bath with him. What would you have done? he asked us. Yes, what would you have done in such a situation? We reckon that many would not pity the snake in this story and would quickly empathize with the man. If that is so, then there is a need to take a better look at the serpent, this reptilian that forsook its legs. If you said yes, consider the brief points raised here. We do not only have life in this small planet, but a web of life. That web wobbles and stretches in space-time as the existence of millions and millions of species hang in a precarious balance, all nurtured by one resource: the planet Earth. Various flora (that’s plant life), mammals (that’s includes us humans), birds, fishes, insects and, of course, snakes and reptiles — all life — are interconnected. That is why scientists have raised the specter of extinction of many species of flora and fauna. If we wipe out other species, like that of the snake, we will create a significant imbalance in the ecology and create a whole in the so-called web of life that could eventually destroy it, decimating us, humans, as well. Snakes and the other so-called â€Å"ugly creatures† have become a worldwide concern especially in congested habitats where human and snake populations overlap in certain territories (Firth, Sheikh-Miller, and Woodcock, 2001). Exploitation of natural snake habitats are further forcing the two species to live together and now with the human population expected to double within the next 40 years, both snakes and humans will greatly be affected as human needs world grow exponentially as well (Ricciuti, 2001). . Well, humans and snakes can live well together. There is no doubt. Early societies have shown this. For instance, there is evidence that the early North American people have manipulated their surroundings in such a way that snake and human habitats overlap. Eyewitness accounts from the early European explorers, trappers, soldiers and missionaries affirmed that prior to their settlement in the wilderness native Indians even consume some snake species (Nagda, 2002). This is not unique to the Americas and the relationship is not only about one serving as gastronomical delight for the other. Around the world, nature has provided humans with all the resources needed in order for both humans and snakes to survive. In this arrangement throughout history, the snake has been a food source, habitat balancer (being a natural predator of smaller animals), source of unique proteins for medical use, as pets (as in our story here), as symbols for religious practice, as source of sophisticated raw materials for clothing, footwear and accessories, and then, of course, snakes are also popular subjects for art and photography. (Firth et al. , 2001) Given all these, unfortunately, snake hunting, poaching, and especially indiscriminate killing continues (Mattison, 1992). Humans, why kill wantonly? Why be unduly afraid? References Graham, B. (2008). Murder by serpents. The mystery quilt, p. 439. Mattison, C. (1992). A-Z of snake keeping, p. 143; (1992) Keeping and breeding snakes. p. 132 and 183. Nagda, A. W. (2002). Snake charmer, Vol. 1. Ricciuti, E. R. (2001). The snake almanac, 192: 116. Sheikh-Miller, J. , Woodcock, J. (2001). Snakes. Usborne discovery, p. 63. Travel stories. Retrieved 10 May 2008, from http://www. australianexplorer. com/ forum/stories/128. htm

The Hero :: Example Personal Narratives

The Hero Another Sunday morning came, and as I contemplated whether I should do my laundry, or go to the super market, or maybe even down to the mall to buy that fishing rod that was on sale, the phone suddenly rang. "Hey Russ, do you want to go down to the mall? They have a sale at Big Video, all their heroes of action videos are on sale today" said my friend Gilbert. I guess he read my mind, which came as a blessing, since decisions of the mediocre kind tend to be fruitless at this hour of the morning. "I'll come by to pick you up in 20 minutes" I replied as I dragged my comb across my hair and was soon in my car on my way to the first task at hand. Parking was a breeze this weekend as many Americans have chosen to recess their spending since the September 11 attack by terrorist. Only I, whom at one time had confronted their type on the operation table, was not about to give them the pleasure. Now bless me for my behavior for I was rewarded for the first time by the gift of front row parking. As I headed for the sporting good shop, Gilbert dashed to the video sale to assure his chances of getting there before his prizes were all sold out. After I completed my procurement of that dashing blue fishing pole, I stopped at the Deli to pick up a hero sandwich in honor of a comrade in arms. As I ordered that big boy, I slipped the owner a ten-spot and asked if he could make this one special for someone deserving. He smiled and went to the oven to get a hot fresh loaf of bread. You could see the hot vapor rising, as he sliced though the crispy crust. He panned though the assortment of exotic mustards and picked out his all time favorites, spreading it across the aromatic loaf. He went straight for the refrigerator where he pulled fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and the large chunks of deli meats that were freshly sliced for the occasion. He added a few extra slices just to be sure the sandwich looked as good as its name.

Pursasive Paper on Why College Gap Years Are a Good Thing.

Another reason gap years are a good thing is that is enforces responsibility. When a student wants to undergo a gap year there are a lot of steps and processes that need to be made. Some might say that this might just overwhelm the student anyways, but it will not. It helps the students understand the responsibilities to have this goal of their pursued. Gap years, like stated before, are not just for getting out of school work for a year. By organizing your own gap year you are forced to take ownership and responsibility of your plan.You will have to decide where you are going to go, what exactly you are going to do and how you are going to pay for your trip. You may have to make your own travel plans and living arrangements. You are ultimately responsible for all the details that go into making your gap year dream become a reality. A gap year student, Ashley Jamkins, graduate from University of Arkansas 2011 says, â€Å"When I first discussed gap year with my parents I did not real ize just how much planning and organizing was going to be needed to make this happen.I am thankful though, because it made me an all-around better organized person in all aspects, not just in my schooling. † (Green). College is a child’s first time away from home, where no one is going to tell them to go do the work that needs to be done, planning a gap year and pursuing one definitely helps students get their head around being self-motivated and self-organized to get what they need to get done accomplished.Every parent’s worst nightmare is seeing their son or daughter get kicked out of school because they were lacking in school work and responsibilities. Gap years only help in the following fall for the responsibility students will not only need in college, but the rest of their lives. In conclusion, Students who take a gap year tend to be self-motivated, not afraid of taking a risk, not bound by conventions and open to explore their interests and discover their passions.

Effective Ways to Foster Discipline in Schools