The Differences Between Hard vs. Soft Drugs

The Differences Between Hard vs. Soft Drugs Addiction Drug Use Print The Differences Between Hard and Soft Drugs By Elizabeth Hartney, BSc., MSc., MA, PhD Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD is a psychologist, professor, and Director of the Centre for Health Leadership and Research at Royal Roads University, Canada. Learn about our editorial policy Elizabeth Hartney, BSc., MSc., MA, PhD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on July 22, 2016 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on January 07, 2020 Colin Brynn/The Image Bank/Getty Images More in Addiction Drug Use Cocaine Heroin Marijuana Meth Ecstasy/MDMA Hallucinogens Opioids Prescription Medications Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery The terms soft drugs and hard drugs are arbitrary terms with little to no clear criteria or scientific basis. Typically, the term hard drug has been used to categorize drugs that are addictive and injectable, notably, heroin, cocaine, and crystal methamphetamine.  Marijuana is usually the only drug included within the category of soft drugs, although some people include nicotine and alcohol in the soft drug category because of their legal status for use by adults, and their relative social acceptability compared to illegal drugs. The term soft drug is sometimes used interchangeably with the term gateway drug, a term that is equally inaccurate.?? Questions of the Terms Soft and Hard in Reference to Drugs Use of the terms hard and soft drugs raises more questions than it answers. Is a drug only hard when it is injected? Surely heroin, crack, and meth is not soft drugs when they are smoked. With these drugs, it is the purity, amount, frequency of use, social context, and route of administration that typically determines how harmful it is. And the implication that marijuana is a soft or relatively harmless drug is being increasingly questioned. There are several different types of marijuana, with hashish and hash oil traditionally being thought of as harder forms of cannabis. However, stronger strains of weed are being genetically engineered and longer-term harms are becoming more apparent. Criminology research shows that few drug offenders limit themselves to only one drug, bringing into question the idea that drug users are able to limit themselves to a single soft drug, although there is a clear pattern among this population of progression from marijuana to heroin.?? Difficulties With Categorization of Drugs If we were to categorize drugs according to how hard or soft they are, several drugs would be particularly difficult to categorize. Hallucinogens, such as magic mushrooms and LSD, and the rave drug ecstasy, are generally not considered by users to be addictive â€" although some research tells a different story.?? But given the lower incidence of addiction to these drugs  and the fact that they are taken orally rather than injected, would they be considered soft drugs? As the risks associated with bad trips and flashbacks are well-documented, and with their status as controlled drugs, it is unlikely that experts would support the view that they are soft drugs. And which category would prescription medications, such as tranquilizers and painkillers, go into? We dont usually hear the term hard drugs applied to these medications, even when they are abused, yet some are chemically similar to heroin, while others are among the most addictive drugs around and the most dangerous to withdraw from. So the soft drug category doesnt fit for them, either. Closing Thoughts So the terms hard drugs and soft drugs dont tell you much about the drugs being referred to. They are used mostly for dramatic effect, to get across the speakers perceptions about the relative harmfulness of one drug compared to another.

Alcoholism Is A Strong Predictor Of Job Loss Amongst Men

The current study seeks to answer a common question about alcoholism and unemployment; specifically, what is the causal factor. Researchers examined whether or not alcoholism caused an individual to lose their job, or if their job caused the individual to drink. Results of the study indicate that alcoholism was a strong predictor of job loss amongst men. The frequency and amount of alcohol consumed were crucial elements during this course of research. The greater the alcohol consumption, the more likely an individual would be unemployed. Amongst men, once they stopped binge drinking, they were able to maintain employment. To expand upon the phenomenon of alcohol consumption amongst college students from the study conducted by Champion, Lewis and Myers, the current study sought to expand upon the in-group phenomenon of excessive alcohol consumption. Specifically, experimenters sought to identify the perceived positive societal gains from social drinking. Results of the study indicated that males who consumed alcohol at a similar rate of their peers were considered the most popular. Alternatively, those who consumed greater amongst of alcohol than their peers were social ostracized. This study indicates that individuals who are willing to conform to group standards in regards to alcohol consumption are more likely to be excepted than individuals below or above the norm. The present study conducted by Champion, Lewis and Myers highlights the trend of alcohol abuseShow MoreRelatedThesis, Term Paper, Essay, Research Paper21993 Words   |  88 Pages Teenage pregnancy is prevalent in societies characterised by poverty, low education, fewer job opportunities and families headed by mothers who gave birth to their first children in adolescence (Dryfoos, 1996; Macleod, 1999). Teenage pregnancy is also associated with other problematic behaviour such as alcohol and drug use, and early initiation of sexual activity, which have been identified as predictors of pregnancy (Coley Chase-Lansdale, 1998; National Population Unit, 2000). Plant Plant (1992)Read MoreDeveloping Management Skills404131 Words   |  1617 Pages278 Observer’s Feedback Form 278 5 GAINING POWER AND INFLUENCE 279 280 SKILL ASSESSMENT 280 Diagnostic Surveys for Gaining Power and Influence Gaining Power and Influence 280 Using Influence Strategies 281 SKILL LEARNING 283 Building a Strong Power Base and Using Influence Wisely 283 A Balanced View of Power 283 Lack of Power 283 Abuse of Power 285 Strategies for Gaining Organizational Power 286 The Necessity of Power and Empowerment 286 Sources of Personal Power 288 Sources of PositionalRead MoreStatement of Purpose23848 Words   |  96 Pagesresponded, approximately half valued the essays as much as other parts of the application package. ï‚ · Determine the importance of the mentor system. The importance of the statement of purpose increases, as Robert M. Brown notes, at institutions with strong mentoring programs ―because it is the only place where an applicant can elaborate a research interest to the extent that faculty members can judge how well that interest dovetails with their ownâ€â€" (245). Identify graduate programs that specialize inRead MoreConflict Management and Emotional Intelligence63003 Words   |  253 Pagesa   study   sponsored   by   the   US   Departments   of   Labor   and   Health   and   Human   Services   (2001),   relentless   competition   is   one  of   the   major   causes   of   the   escalating   rates   of   depression   and   addiction   among   professionals.      Alcoholism   is   three   times   higher   for   professionals   than   it   is   for   the   general   population.      In   fact,   the   opposing   motives   of   cooperation   and   competition   are   among   the   areas   that   have   the   greatest   potential   for   serious   conflict

Why Christmas Trees Smell So Good

Is there anything more wonderful than the smell of a Christmas tree? Of course, Im talking about a real Christmas tree rather than an artificial tree. The fake tree may have an odor, but its not coming from a healthy mix of chemicals. Artificial trees release residues from flame retardants and plasticizers. Contrast this with the aroma of a freshly cut tree, which may not be all that healthy either, but certainly smells nice. Curious about the chemical composition of Christmas tree aroma? Here are some of the key molecules responsible for the smell Key Takeaways: Christmas Tree Smell The aroma of a live Christmas tree depends on the tree species. Three of the key fragrance molecules found in many conifers are alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, and bornyl acetate.Other molecules include the terpenes limonene, myrcene, camphene, and alpha-phellandrene.Other plants produce some of these chemicals. Examples include peppermint, thyme, citrus, and hops. ÃŽ ±-Pinene and ÃŽ ²-Pinene Pinene (C10H16) occurs in two enantiomers, which are molecules that are mirror images of each other. Pinene belongs to a class of hydrocarbons known as terpenes. Terpenes are released by all trees, although conifers are particularly rich in pinene. ÃŽ ²-pinene has a fresh, woody fragrance, while ÃŽ ±-pinene smells a bit more like turpentine. Both forms of the molecule are flammable, which is part of why Christmas trees are incredibly easy to burn. These molecules are volatile liquids at room temperature, releasing most of the characteristic Christmas tree smell. Alpha-pinene is an organic molecule produced by conifers. LAGUNA DESIGN / Getty Images An interesting side note about pinene and other terpenes is that plants partially control their environment using these chemicals. The compounds react with air to produce aerosols that act as nucleation points or seeds for water, promoting cloud formation and conferring a cooling effect. The aerosols are visible. Have you ever wondered why the Smoky Mountains actually appear smoky? Its from the living trees, not campfires! The presence of terpenes from trees also affects weather and cloud formation over other forests and around lakes and rivers. Bornyl Acetate Bornyl acetate (C12H20O2) is sometimes called heart of pine because it produces a rich odor, described as balsamic or camphorous. The compound is an ester found in pine and fir trees. Balsam firs and silver pines are two types of fragrant species rich in bornyl acetate that are often used for Christmas trees. Other Chemicals in Christmas Tree Smell The cocktail of chemicals that produces Christmas tree smell depends on the species of tree, but many conifers used for Christmas trees also waft odors from limonene (a citrus scent), myrcene (a terpene partly responsible for the aroma of hops, thyme, and cannabis), camphene (a camphor smell), and ÃŽ ±-phellandrene (peppermint and citrus-smelling monoterpene). Why Doesnt My Christmas Tree Smell? Just having a real tree doesnt guarantee your Christmas tree will smell Christmas-y! The fragrance of the tree depends primarily on two factors. The first is the health and hydration level of the tree. A freshly cut tree is typically more fragrant than one that was cut some time ago. If the tree isnt taking up water, its sap wont be moving, so very little scent will be released. Ambient temperature matters, too, so a tree outdoors in the cold wont be as fragrant as one at room temperature. The second factor is the species of tree. Different types of tree produce different scents, plus some kinds of tree retain their fragrance after being cut better than others. Pine, cedar, and hemlock all retain a strong, pleasing smell after they have been cut. A fir or spruce tree may not have as strong a smell or may lose its scent more quickly. In fact, some people strongly dislike the odor of spruce. Others are downright allergic to the oils from cedar trees. If youre able to select the species of your Christmas tree and the smell of the tree is important, you might want to review tree descriptions by the National Christmas Tree Association, which includes characteristics such as odor. If you have a living (potted) Christmas tree, it wont produce a strong smell. Less odor is released because the tree has an undamaged trunk and branches. You can spritz the room with Christmas tree fragrance if you want to add that special aroma to your holiday celebration.

Why I Want a Wife Free Essays

string(319) " who takes care of the needs of my guests so that they feel comfortable, who makes sure that they have an ashtray, that they are passed the hors d’oeuvres, that they are offered a second helping of the food, that their wine glasses are replenished when necessary, that their coffee is served to them as they like it\." Weddings are often a time of celebration, especially for my family. This past summer, as we prepared for my sister Gini’s wedding, the festivities extended to good-natured teasing of the bride- and groom-to-be. For example, WITH knowing smiles, my parents–self-proclaimed experts on marriage courtesy of their own wedding almost thirty years ago–dispensed advice about everything, including how to improve her cooking skills beyond instant rice and grilled cheese. We will write a custom essay sample on Why I Want a Wife or any similar topic only for you Order Now Gini’s typical responses included â€Å"That was a long time ago,† â€Å"Things are different now; times have changed,† and â€Å"Jason can do a lot of things for himself. † It was with particular delight that my family took to rubbing in one of Jason’s smoother moves. He waited until a few short weeks before the wedding to inform Gini that his Mom had always done his ironing for him, and now he expected Gini to take over that task—after all, he couldn’t wear wrinkled clothes to his new job, could he? Poking fun at the responsibilities involved in marriage is similar to the attitude presented in Judy Brady’s 1971 essay, â€Å"Why I Want a Wife. † In â€Å"Why I Want a Wife,† Brady offers hypothetical criteria for an ideal wife in a satirical commentary on how the work of wives is often taken for granted. The humor of the essay lies in its structure: on the surface it seems to accept the criteria it puts forth, while the meaning actually operates in the recognition that the narrator is being sarcastic. Using writing as one of her tools for activism, Judy (Syfers) Brady has established herself as a supporter of the women’s movement since she began more than thirty years ago. In â€Å"Why I Want a Wife,† she narrates a setting that mocks the situations and obligations wives find themselves immersed in. The narrator draws on her own experiences to present examples of how â€Å"good† wives are expected to behave. The satirical critique emerges as the narrator thinks through her reasons for wanting a wife. The language used has a satirical edge evident in both the author’s emphasis on certain modifiers (indicated by italics) and in the surface structure of the sentences, which belies the underlying criticisms. The audience should recognize the sarcasm from the language and attitude of the narrator. Now let’s consider all the elements supporting her satirical point, beginning with the author’s long history with this style of writing. Judy (Syfers) Brady has established herself as a supporter of the women’s movement, and critics point to this essay as typical of her career. â€Å"Throughout the article, [Brady] lists characteristics that she would like in a wife†¦She never comes out and says that the way that women are treated in family situations is wrong. She implies it by sarcastically creating her ideal wife. This technique works because it forces readers to realize it for themselves† writes Diego Vasquez on a webpage titled â€Å"A Rhetorical Critique of ‘Why I Want a Wife. â€Å"2 Vasquez’s analysis includes the supposition that the essay first appeared in pamphlet form, and suggests that Brady was a â€Å"†¦radical feminist writing for other radical feminists. † Vasquez also notes that Brady is reported to have said, â€Å"I am married, am a housewife, and have two female children; all three of those factors keep my anger alive,† and that â€Å"[Brady] t ried to persuade other housewives to take a step back and look at how they were being exploited. † Judy Syfers Brady, who was born in 1931 and later studied at the University of Iowa, now lives in San Francisco. In 1972, â€Å"Why I Want a Wife† appeared in the first issue of â€Å"Ms. â€Å"3 Although at that time, few critics expected the magazine to last4, almost twenty years later it (re-) featured â€Å"Why I Want a Wife. â€Å"5 Another decade later, almost thirty years after the essay first appeared in Ms. , Ms. Brady is still active in women’s movements. Her more recent work can be found in â€Å"Greenpeace Magazine†6 and in the â€Å"Women’s Review of Books. â€Å"7 Through all these works and critical commentary on it, we can see her personal focus on making a strong case for the feminist cause. Much as her personal life informs her recent article in the â€Å"Women’s Review of Books,† Judy Brady appears to have drawn on her own experiences when she wrote â€Å"Why I Want a Wife. † In the essay, the author/narrator drives home the amount and type of work expected of wives both by situating herself as involved in some it and by listing qualifications. In my reading, the setting of the over-worked housewife will take the form of the narrator both being such a wife and of describing such as wife through mimicry. To indicate this setting, I will use actions to reinforce the narrator’s words. For example, at the beginning, in the clause â€Å"while I was ironing,† the narrator slips in that she thought through her argument while engaged in domestic labor. When I read that line, I will direct a look at the audience that conveys just how thrilled I am to be pressing clothes. Which is to say, my look will suggest that yet again, while I was doing one of my many thankless jobs, I was thinking about that â€Å"poor† guy. A second way I intend to suggest the setting is to give the audience a withering look while I use my right hand to pick up and put away imaginary things as I read the lines â€Å"I want a wife who will keep my house clean. A wife who will pick up after my children, a wife who will pick up after me. I want a wife who will keep my clothes clean, ironed, mended, replaced when need be, and who will see to it that my personal things are kept in their proper place so that I can find what I need the minute I need it. Later, to show the perfect wife being the perfect hostess, I will offer up imaginary hors d’oeuvres with a graceful sweep of my hand when read the clause â€Å"I want a wife who takes care of the needs of my guests so that they feel comfortable, who makes sure that they have an ashtray, that they are passed the hors d’oeuvres, that they are offered a second helping of the food, that their wine glasses are replenished when necessary, that their coffee is served t o them as they like it. You read "Why I Want a Wife" in category "Essay examples" The gracefulness of the movement will hopefully reinforce the wife-seekers conception of feminine social skills in addition to suggesting and mimicking an actual setting where hors d’oeuvres are being offered. Also, to follow up that line and to show that the coffee is just right, I will bring up my right hand, holding my fingers folded down, except for my thumb and index finger, which will be touching at the imaginary point of perfection. This movement will signify the (anal) expectations about a wife’s responsibilities. In all these ways the author’s relationship to the setting supports the point of the essay through a performance of the character’s satirical tone. As a character, the narrator has chosen to view these (anal) expectations in a humorous, satirical light. To show this mark of a sharp mind and wit, I will read every line in light mockery. This sweet little wifey has a biting way of deftly masking her meaning in false agreement. The criticisms of the narrator aren’t malicious, but they are satirical, and I hope to project that satire in my reading. I imagine the narrator as someone with self-confidence and poise, dignified even in undignified circumstances, and I plan to portray that by standing upright, neither puffed with arrogance nor slumped with despair. That is how I will stand, too, when I read the brief paragraph on replacing the hypothetical wife (â€Å"If, by chance, I find another person more suitable as a wife than the wife I already have, I want the liberty to replace my present wife with another one. Naturally, I will expect a fresh new life; my wife will take the children and be solely responsible for them so that I am left free. â€Å") For that paragraph, I will assume the tone of a martyr, as if the wife-seeker is sacrificing him(/her)self for the well-being of the universe. Also, to show the narrator as parodying the self-centered concerns of a wife-seeker, I will gesture toward myself, occasionally laying my hand below the base of my throat, throughout my reading. This movement will direct attention to the self who is self-centered and will be a trifle melodramatic, as can be expected of someone who is over-acting to make fun of another person’s selfishness. And, to further express the overall satire of the essay, I will try to keep the hint of a smirk (a dubious, critical smirk-not a self-satisfied one) on my face. This smirk should put a sarcastic edge on my reading as the character considers all the benefits of having a wife which she would like to enjoy. Thinking about and sarcastically expounding on the thankless duties expected of â€Å"good† wives is how I envision the development of this piece’s â€Å"action. † I plan to show this action of â€Å"Thinking† in several ways. One way is to pretend as though I, the narrator, think some of my ideas are super, such as â€Å"I want a wife who is a good nurturant attendant to my children, who arranges for their schooling, makes sure that they have an adequate social life with their peers, takes them to the park, the zoo, etc. â€Å"). I will try to keep a fake, bland smile on my face to suggest how nice, easy, and convenient it must be to be able to rely on someone else for such tasks. Another way I will demonstrate the narrator’s thought processes will be to act as though some of my ideas have just occurred to me, including the somewhat random â€Å"I want a wife who will type my papers for me when I have written them. † I will pause before that line and try to look thoughtful before coming to the revelation that that would be quite handy. An additional way to indicate the narrator’s thinking will be to vocally (not verbally) suggest that some of my ideas are onerous duties I have long since grown tired of doing, such as â€Å"When I meet people at school that I like and want to entertain, I want a wife who will have the house clean, will prepare a special meal, serve it to me and my friends, and not interrupt when I talk about things that interest me and my friends. † I will adopt a haughty, superior tone to deliberately imitate how I have been told, in effect, to lower myself. Showing this process of reflecting on the expectations for wives will help to foster the sense of mockery the narrator employs throughout her satirical litany. This satire and sarcasm is evident in the language used even at the beginning of the piece, and I plan to play it up. For example, when I read the second line (â€Å"I am A Wife. â€Å"), I will say â€Å"I amm†Ã¢â‚¬â€œholding the â€Å"M† slightly longer than necessary for emphasis-before I punctuating â€Å"A Wife† with a demure smile to indicate the sublime pleasure I derive from the this, the most fulfilling of feminine roles. Also on â€Å"A Wife,† I will lower my voice to further emphasize the depth and fullness of my appreciation for my position. I plan this obviously exaggerated infusion of wife-dom with positive connotations to set up the satirical attitude toward â€Å"wife† in the rest of the piece. . Some other ways I plan to use the language of the essay to drive home the narrator’s voice is to take advantage of the author’s locations of emphasis. In two places, the author has italicized â€Å"my† when she writes â€Å"my physical needs† and â€Å"my sexual needs. In those two places I will particularly stress â€Å"my† to reflect the intensity of the selfishness being described, and I will gesture toward myself. The author has also italicized the â€Å"good† in â€Å"I want a wife who cooks the meals, a wife who is a good cook. † I will vocally stress the â€Å"good† and I will make an â€Å"Mmmm† face (quick raising of my eyebrows while smiling with my lips closed) to reflect the author’s intentional emphasis. These actions should help to make the satirical intention of the speaker clear to the audience. Making the sarcasm/satire of the narrator clear to the audience will be an essential part of my performance. To introduce the sarcasm in the opening, I will look over the audience’s heads, almost at an imaginary star that represents how dreamy my life as a wife is and how happy I am at my good fortune of being married when I read the lines â€Å"I belong to that classification of people known as wives. I am A Wife. And, not altogether incidentally, I am a mother. Of course, this dreamy look will be an act on behalf of the narrator, who is making fun of anyone who actually believes that that is the sum of how she feels. In the next paragraph, I will look at the audience as I brace them for my diatribe. I will be giving them a semi-serious look, with my eyebrows raised in a quizzical way, that matches the narrator’s dry tone. From this look, the audience should infer that the narrator actually judges her friend, or people like the friend, much harsher than the words bein g used would imply. Further into the essay, there is the paragraph about sexual needs (â€Å"I want a wife who is sensitive to my sexual needs, a wife who makes love passionately and eagerly when I feel like it, a wife who makes sure that I am satisfied. And, of course, I want a wife who will not demand sexual attention when I am not in the mood for it. I want a wife who assumes the complete responsibility for birth control, because I do not want more children. I want a wife who will remain sexually faithful to me so that I do not have to clutter up my intellectual life with jealousies. And I want a wife who understands that my sexual needs may entail more than strict adherence to monogamy. I must, after all, be able to relate to people as fully as possible. â€Å") When I begin that paragraph, I will give the audience a saucy, playful look. Then, I will look eager (chin and eyebrows raised, expectant smile) when I speak of making love eagerly, and I will look stubborn (eyebrows lowered, negative shake of my head) for when I am â€Å"not in the mood. † Although I will have maintained appropriate eye-contact throughout the reading, at the end, with the final sentence (â€Å"My God, who wouldn’t want a wife? ), I will pin the audience with a piercing look, looking them straight in the eye, as if to say, â€Å"Well, duh! ,† when the narrator’s true voice finally speaks. These actions should connect the audience directly to the progression of thought and satire as the speaker leads up to and makes her strong concluding statement. Judy Brady has strong opinions about what shouldn’t be automatically presumed as a wife’s obligations. Her opinion influenced her essay â€Å"Why I Want a Wife†, wherein she introduces the reader to an overworked housewife’s reasons for wanting a wife of her own. This housewife/narrator cleverly uses language to comment on the condition of wives by verbally condoning what she actually despises. Because the audience will be able to pick up on her sarcasm, they will understand her unsaid message. Although it might be possible to construe Brady’s essay as a bitter diatribe against the injustice of the way some wives are subordinated, I prefer to read this piece as the humorous product of a sharp wit, almost like Jonathan Swift’s â€Å"A Modest Proposal. Usually, when I read over this essay, a smirk finds its way to my face-the same kind of smirk I feel starting when I think back to the proud phone call my family received after my newlywed sister Gini succeeded in making meatloaf all by herself. Maybe Gini was right in those days before her wedding when she anticipated that things would be different for her and Jason, and that the two of them would share household responsibilities. They seem to be equally experiencing the hazards o f cooking. Recently, Gini told us about a kitchen disaster that involved them both. Ace-chef that she is, Gini failed to notice that some fresh-from-the-freezer sauerkraut was burning one of her (wedding gift) pans. Jason came to the rescue, though, convinced that he could save the day with his superior knowledge that only inorganic chemicals can clean up burned organic materials. And so, he set about â€Å"desperately† trying the salvage the pan using Gini’s nail polish remover. It does my heart good to know that the two of them work so well together in the kitchen. Although now I am torn about what to get them for Christmas: new cookware? Who knows, maybe I’ll get them a restaurant gift certificate. How to cite Why I Want a Wife, Essay examples

Environmental Sustainability in Construction for Low and Zero Carbon

Question: Discuss about theEnvironmental Sustainability in Construction for Low and Zero Carbon. Answer: Introduction Reduction of carbon production from different sections has been overwhelming with different countries setting standards and levels to be attained regarding the reduction of carbon production. The construction industry is a more significant producer of carbon, and various measures have been undertaken to achieve low/zero carbon. Adoption of different design measures to attain the low/zero carbon has been developed in different countries with the aim to accomplish the set standards. One of the key factors which shape the design of the low/zero carbon designs is the climate responsive designs (Giesekam, Barrett, Taylor, Owen, 2014). This design approach relies on the seasons and therefore designing the favourable to ensure structures are mechanically conditioned. Control of the cooling and heating effects on structures in different sections is used to control and attain the low/zero carbon on such locations. Another key strategy used in the evaluation of the low/zero carbon designs is the life-cycle considerations. This approach can monitor the life-cycle of the construction structure from the manufacture of materials, the construction process, and operation of the building and lastly the decommissioning of structures. Renewable energy facilities are used in the construction sites through this measure to achieve the low/zero carbon designs (McKinsey Co., 2009). The models of the low/zero carbon designs in construction sites focus on different aspects such as the selection of materials, innovation in the construction processes,managementof energy consumption and focuses on the recycling and reuse measures. Selection of low carbon construction materials Embodied carbon is one of the major sources of high carbon in the construction industry. The extraction, production and transportation of construction materials can produce carbon and use energy. In the aim to attain low/zero carbon designs in the construction industry, changes and use of alternative materials with lower embodied carbon has been embraced. The materials in construction can account for a total of 19% of the global greenhouse gas (GHG). According to review by Ibn-Mohammed et al., (2013), the embodied carbon from the construction industry is able to account for between 2 and 80% of the carbon emissions. The reduction of materials with high embodied carbon in the construction industry is a major focus. Concrete and steel have been identified to be able to emit a lot of carbon dioxide and therefore inhibiting the reduction of carbon in this industry. Use of timber as an alternative to the steel and carbon is embraced in term of low carbon production during the material pro duction process. Timber occurs naturally and therefore able to produce low/zero carbon to the industry in the manufacturing process (Arup World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), 2012). Timber is considered as a negative carbon producer since it the tree absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while growing. In addition use of green roof is another critical material selection which enhances the carbon reduction through the change of materials. The insulation membrane for the roof is able to improve the carbon absorption from the construction structure and therefore to improve the attainment of low/zero carbon production. Innovative construction process Construction processes are able to account for 10% of the total carbon production to the environment. These methods include the manufacture of construction materials, their distribution, operations on-site, refurb ad demolition of construction structures and design process. Innovating new measures to offer alternative procedures is key to reduction of the carbon production to the environment in this industry and therefore enhancing the achievement of low/zero carbon production (Royal Academy of Engineering, 2010). Construction processes are critical determinants of the performance of the structures and therefore able to account for the high level of carbon production. Methods such as over-arching of the waste are a crucial process which is ready to lead to the low/zero carbon production in this industry. Resource efficiency is another fundamental process which is targeting the increase of the innovation on the construction processes. The material producers also look at alternative pr oduction method which uses less energy. Management of operative energy consumption and Consumption behaviour More importantly, energy consumption in construction structures is able to account for high carbon production during the structures usage lifetime. The change in the operational energy consumption is a critical measure which has been focused on in the construction industry to attain low/zero carbon production (Sturgis Roberts, 2010). Use of renewable sources within the construction structure is a crucial method which has been embraced lately in the construction industry. The renewable energy sources as the mean of operation energy producers are able to reduce the carbon production of up to 80%. Moreover, more acceptable consumption behaviour is another key strategy aimed at the achievement of the low/zero carbon production. Switching off if some machines when they are not in use leads to the reduction of carbon production within the building structures (Osmani O'Reilly, 2009). Efficient lighting and equipment used within the building is able to reduce the energy use and carbon prod uction. Choice of renewable energy systems Renewable sources of energy are a vital source of replacing the carbon-intense carbon source of energy which has been used in the construction industry. The renewable system choice has proven to be essential in the construction industry has been crucial in the achievement of low/zero carbon targets (Riedy, Lederwasch and Ison, 2011). Use of rooftop solar arrays or photovoltaic (PV) systems is some of key renewable energy systems which have been embraced in the construction industry. Wind turbines have been used to generate required energy in the construction structures. The renewable energy systems are able to trim down the carbon production to the atmosphere. Renewable energy is a critical step in achieving zero carbon emission to the environment. The designs of different zero/low carbon strategies are well aligned with the renewable measures which are in cooperated in the construction structures. Solar access, wind and water sources as some of the key renewable energy sources which has been in cooperated in the construction industry. The use of these sources is aimed at reducing carbon production to the environment. In addition, the choice of the renewable energy system is based on different factors. Some of the key elements include the availability of the renewable energy source within the construction site and the efficiency of the renewable energy measures (Olivier, Janssens-Maenhout and Peters, 2011). All in all these steps are able to enhance reduction of carbon production and improving the achievement of the low/zero carbon to the environment. Other key factors of the choice of the systems include the design orientation and elevation of the renewable energy systems to the buildings. Recycle and reuse Most of the construction materials are in many cases recyclable and reusable. The production of most of the construction materials can attract more carbon production. Eliminating the production process through reuse and recycling can enhance the carbon production and therefore leading to low/zero carbon production (Knoeri, Binder, Althaus, 2011). The use of materials which can be recycled and reused after the structure life cycle have been embraced in the industry to achieve the low/zero carbon production. Use of steel structure which is entirely recyclable has been focused on in the industry to make low/zero carbon production in the industry. The salvage value of steel is estimated to be around 94%, and this ensures that the production rate is reduced (Tam, 2011). Use of steel structure in construction is considered to be sustainable due to the reuse and recycling factors of the materials. Although the manufacturing process is able to produce a lot of carbon which is not healthy, t he reuse and recycling factors enhance their target to achieving low/zero carbon production. Use of recyclable materials which do not lose their construction qualities is a key factor in strengthening the low/zero carbon designs in the construction industry. Timber has as well to some levels utilized as part of the construction industry due to its recycling and reusing factors after the structure cycle-time (Roos, Woxblom, McCluskey, 2010). The reuse and recycling are able to reduce the carbon production for most of the construction materials. Use of these materials has proven to be beneficial for the reduction of carbon in the construction industry and therefore embracing the low/zero carbon designs. Conclusion One of the key measures of enhancing sustainability in the construction industry is through the reduction of the carbon production. Low/zero carbon designs have been implemented in different aspects to achieve the low carbon production from this sector. First, the materials used in the construction industry are the primary source of carbon. Changing the carbon embodied materials to materials with low carbon is one of the significant steps has been taken to achieve the low/zero carbon designs. Innovative processes have been used to enhance the low/zero carbon designs in this industry as well. Changes in the methods have been used to enhance the construction procedures and enhancing the efficiency of energy use while lowering carbon production. Management of operational energy production and consumption is another key is of the design which enhances low/zero carbon production through proper designs. Adoption of appropriate renewable energy measures also plays a key role in achieving lo w/zero carbon design measures. PV is one of the strategies which have been used to enhance the low/zero carbon designs. Lastly, use of materials which are reusable and recyclable is another critical factor which has been used to enhance the low/zero carbon designs in the construction industry. References Arup World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). 2012. Material choice for green buildings. Retrieved from https://www.wbcsdcement.org/pdf/WBCSD_Material choice for green buildings_201201(Jan).pdf Giesekam, J., Barrett, J., Taylor, P., Owen, A. 2014. The greenhouse gas emissions and mitigation options for materials used in UK construction. Energy and Buildings, 78, 202214. doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2014.04.035 Ibn-Mohammed, T., Greenough, R., Taylor, S., Ozawa-Meida, L., Acquaye, A. 2013. Operational vs. embodied emissions in buildingsA review of current trends. Energy and Buildings, 66, 232245. doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2013.07.026 Knoeri, C., Binder, C. R., Althaus, H.-J. 2011. Decisions on recycling: Construction stakeholders decisions regarding recycled mineral construction materials. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 55(11), 10391050. doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2011.05.018 McKinsey Co. 2009. Pathways to a low carbon economy, version 2 of the global green house gas abatement cost curve, 2009. Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/dotcom/client_service/sustainability/cost%20curve%20pdfs/pathways_lowcarbon_economy_version2.ashx Olivier, J, Janssens-Maenhout, G and Peters, J. 2011. Trends in global CO2 emissions: 2012 report. PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, The Hague. www.pbl.nl/en Osmani, M., O'Reilly, A. 2009. Feasibility of zero carbon homes in England by 2016: A house builder's perspective. Building and Environment, 44(9), 19171924. Riedy, C, Lederwasch, A and Ison, N. 2011. Defining zero emission buildings review and recommendations: final report. Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council. www.asbec.asn.a Roos, A., Woxblom, L., McCluskey, D. 2010. The influence of architects and structural engineers on timber in construction perceptions and roles. Silva Fennica, 44(5), 871884. doi: 10.14214/sf.126 Royal Academy of Engineering. 2010. Engineering a low carbon built environment. The discipline of Building Engineering Physics. Sturgis, S., Roberts, G. 2010. Redefining Zero: Carbon profiling as a solution to whole life carbon emission measurement in buildings. RICS Research. Tam, V. W. Y. 2011. Rate of reusable and recyclable waste in construction. The Open Waste Management Journal, 4, 2832. doi:10.2174/1876400201104010028

The differing notions of power and freedom explored in the Gorgias Essay Example

The differing notions of power and freedom explored in the Gorgias Paper What starts off as a discussion surrounding rhetoric, within the Gorgias, quickly but unsurprisingly transcends into a dialogue concerning the nature of virtuex of which the notions of freedom and power are intrinsically linked. Plato has the dialogue played out between Socrates and four others. Gorgias a famous Sophist and rhetorician, Polus his eager student, Callicles x and Chairephon a friend of Plato who plays little part in the dialogue. This essay shall split the dialogue into three parts, with each part considering Socrates debate with each of the three main protagonists. In each instance, the ideas of each individual regarding power and freedom will be expressed, Socrates response examined and the resulting implications surrounding his personal ideas explored. From this analysis, any overriding ideas throughout the dialogue may then be distinguished. Throughout the dialogues, power is usually the focus of discussion as opposed to freedom but it is fair to conclude that the concepts of power and freedom are so deeply intertwined that it often becomes difficult to disentangle them. Certainly Socrates and the three others seem to have similarly conflicting viewpoints regarding freedom and power. Usually in disproving his opponents views on power, he also, in conjunction, shows their idea of freedom to be faulty. The dialogue first introduces the notion of power via Gorgias, whom when questioned by Socrates declares rhetoric to be the greatest and noblest of affairs. Upon being asked by Socrates why this and not other professions such as medicine are not as noble, Gorgias retorts that a rhetorician can persuade a crowd to their personal line of thought through their oratory skills. We will write a custom essay sample on The differing notions of power and freedom explored in the Gorgias specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The differing notions of power and freedom explored in the Gorgias specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The differing notions of power and freedom explored in the Gorgias specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer In this lies power since they can dictate the desires of the population and bend them to their own device. Gorgias uses an instance of him competing against a real doctor to outline his point, he states that it would for him, as a skilled person in rhetoric, be easy to persuade an assembly or equivalent that it is he who is the expert in medicine and not the doctor. He could then get profit from this by being selected for posts above the real doctor. This is the notion of power that Gorgias believes an orator possesses. Power for Gorgias is the main goal in life and since, through persuasion, he believes he can achieve power, rhetoric becomes the supreme art for him. Gorgias does not dispute Socrates attack on his ideas, in that there is no truth in what a rhetorician can state i. e no real medical knowledge is necessary in order for the orator to convince a crowd that he is the expert. Socrates points out that there is no worth in convincing a crowd ignorant of medicine that you are knowledgeable in the subject. No good will come from this, there is no benefit here for society, nor is there any good for the individual. The orator does not further themselves by continuing on with such flattery, they are merely guessing at true knowledge. Gorgias also claims to be able to last web page Polus enters the conversation on the side of his teacher Gorgias and in particular is shocked when Socrates dismisses rhetoric as being equivalent to cooking in worth and the idea of Despite talk of flattery, Polus maintains that the orator is the most powerful person in a community because he can do whatever he pleases, like tyrants, put to death any man they will is the example he offers. Socrates response to this is simply No, if by power you mean something good for its posessor the ability to do whatever one pleases is not actually power. Wielding power is not good in its own right, there also needs to be some benefit coupled with the power. Plato uses the idea that rhetoricians are not intelligent in their own right to comment that if power is the ability to get what you want then a rhetorician, without any intelligence nor rational expertise lacks power. Platos argument here is not as convincing since he redefines want continually throughout this section. He appears to restrict wanting to cases where it is actual and not just apparent. Some commentators argue that Plato is deepening our understanding of want and not just changing his definition to suit his argument or alternatively highlighting the spurious nature of oratory, there is no real knowledge at the base of rhetoric could be the subtle point he is making. This line of thought though probably affords Plato too much credit in this instance. Polus continues to claim that political speakers have power, to which Socrates paradoxically replies that they have the least power of any in the state. In order to back this up Socrates claims that, although you may be able to do what is best, it is not necessarily true that you can do what you actually want. This is because of the fact that what you want is going to be good for you, while politicians always aim for their own personal good but if they do not appreciate what this good is they will end up doing what they do not. If they are doing what they do not want then they surely have no power. To complete the paradox, the philosopher claims that politicians especially are likely to be led away by others in order to gain approval rather than pursuing there own personal good which would be beneficial for them. The conclusion is that those who apparently have the most power turn out to infact have the very least. More potential chat on Polus Socrates brings up the issue of freedom by insisting on a distinction between doing as one sees fit and doing what one wants i. e negative and positve freedom. Polus has showed that the orator can do as he sees fit, but that doesnt automatically mean that he can do what he wants. Socrates argues, and Polus agrees, that some things are good, some things are bad, and some things are in themselves indifferent but can be either good or bad depending on how theyre used. What we want are the good things, but sometimes we must do the indifferent things (some of which may be very disagreeable, like taking medicine or going on a sea voyage) in order to get the good things. We dont want the indifferent things for their own sake, though; we want them for the sake of the good things. So strictly speaking, its the good things we want. However Socrates in many ways is not really justified in drawing a distinction between freedoms since If, however, we are mistaken about the connection between what were doing and that for the sake of which were doing it, we wont in fact be doing what we want. If I willingly take a bitter medicine in order to attain health, but in fact the medicine wont cure me, Im not doing what I want, even though Im doing as I see fit. In the same way, if I put someone to death or confiscate his property, but doing these things wont actually be for good, then Im not doing what I want, even though Im doing as I see fit. Following Polus acception of Socrates ideas Callicles enters the fray, in this the last section of the book. His arguments go beyond that of Polus, he approves of power over others in order that one can indulge their whims. His philosophy on how one should live is that of might is right citing nature as his justification a very similar line that was ultimately to be taken up by Neit zsche. Socrates points out though that his ideas may leave one vulnerable to an aggressor. Can a man avoid being wronged if it be his will to avoid it is posed as a question by Socrates, intuitively and for Callicles this would appear to be false. To avoid being wronged and hence to have real freedom you need power to protect yourself be it political or otherwise. Since doing wrong is involuntary, a consequence of error, you especially need power to protect yourself from this seemingly inevitable occurance. For Socrates, the problem this idea of power being necessary brings is that it assumes life at any cost is desirable even at a cost of moral corruption. Socrates replies that if life is infact the highest good, then even if rhetoric lead to power and hence the ability to survive one should also consider other examples such as swimming which has the potential to save lives. Even more so the mechanic who may save an entire community through the machines he builds. If mere life is viewed as the highest good, then these are equally as important as power in this respect. This goes a long way in showing that power is not necessay for freedom. It goes against Callicles definition of power being the freedom to do what you wish. In essence we find that Socrates is arguing that power is not an external force but an internal one, power over oneself i. e. self control is more important than power over others. It is this critical idea that seperates Socrates from Gorgias, Polus and Callicles. Socrates links true power inherently to having an ordered, controlled body and soul. Since rhetoric, as shown by Socrates, contains no real knowledge and is simply false knowledge, no agathon or beneficial good is derived for the body or soul and hence this flattery does not provide you with any true power. The use of a dialogue on rhetoric to explore notions of power can be seen as clever on the part of Plato, since the common but false view of power, power over others, like rhetoric, gives out an impressive image but ultimately does little to advance the good and has little real worth. the discipline to act justly, live virtuously, and not need anything. Additional pertinence is carried, when one considers the recent events surrounding the historical Socrates death. Socrates was willing to die if it be the will of the government even though he had the means to escape. This treatment of power becomes all the more significant in light of the events surrounding Socrates actual trial and death. The philosopher was accused of corrupting through false instruction and treason, and convicted and executed because of his refusal to admit having acted wrongly. In light of this event and its close proximity to Gorgias creation, then, the nature of power for Plato takes on crucial importance in that he must prove his teacher died in strength rather than weakness. For Socrates contemporaries, the rampant view of power is the ability to rule over others and to satisfy ones own desires. This position is best expressed by Polus (466-69) and Callicles (490-492). Plato takes great care to debunk this formulation. On the one hand, Socrates argues, those who rule others often must perform actions they do not will in order to benefit the state of which they are in charge. In this sense then, apparently powerful tyrants are often unable to act as they will, and true power is shown to consist of something other than ruling over others. At the same time, those who repeatedly satisfy their desires do not possess real power because this gratification further fuels rather than extinguishes the appetites. A person capable of always satisfying desire is in constant need of more satisfaction, and as such possesses no true power. This point is illustrated in 493b by the metaphor of the leaky jar. Mention of probable proximity of Socrates execution to book and themes this may have inspired. Socrates views freedom for the most part, whether there is anything within that has any element of control. This would include not having any addictions or other strong needs. Ideally reducing ones needs until one is content with what is to hand is best.

How Much of My Novel Should I Post Online

How Much of My Novel Should I Post Online This is a hard question to answer because it isnt black and white. There are mixed messages on giving away your novel. Ive listened to agents speak about discovering good writers via serial releases of a novel. What they dont clarify when they say it can be done is this: Theyre only interested when the public gets lit up, afire with the material so that the blog explodes with interest and starts trend setting. If you only have twenty people reading your blog, waiting for the next chapter, you havent achieved what an agent seeks. Good means you are gathering several thousand followers because of how remarkably your work teases them to return for more. People dont just come to you because you posted your story somewhere. You have to work the system and coax people to come to you. That means lots of social media, maybe even a newsletter. You have to act as if the book has been published and you are seeking readers to buy. This is always such a long shot unless you have a platform already or youre pretty darn savvy and willing to work relentlessly to snare readers. What a Catch 22, right? You need to be published to sell well, so whats a writer to do if not post the book online to build afollowing? The problem here is that you take a chance. When you approach an agent about this book, and its been marketed online via your website or blog, or even self-published in eBook form, that agent will ask how many people read/bought your book. If you gathered 450 readers and a dozen reviews, you may be telling an agent you cant sell the book OR the book isnt marketable enough. You take a risk here. For every one person that does well using this tactic to make a name for himself, there are a thousand who crashed and burned. I tend to suggest to new novelists to seek a mid-size publisher that is willing to go the long-haul with you (the long tail business approach look it up). Mid-size and smaller presses want authors for a long time, for multiple books, and they work and cooperate with you as you build your platform through branding, social media, deals with Amazon, etc. That is the route Im taking. Youd think Id have a big platform, but my editors didnt have a clue what FundsforWriters was, and treated me like a newbie. So Ive been in the process for the past year of showing them how hard I can market. And remember this. If people already read the book for free, why would they buy it later when its published? Theyre waiting for book two. Id stick to the straight and narrow. Post other writing to build a following, but not the book youre trying to sell.