Plutarch Describes the Assassination of Caesar

The Ides of March was the day on which Julius Caesar was assassinated in the year 44 B.C. It was one of the major epoch-changing moments in the history of the world.  The scene of the assassination of Caesar was pretty bloody, with each of the conspirators adding his own knife wound to the fallen body of their leader. Plutarchs Caesar Here are the words of Plutarch on the assassination of Caesar, from the John Dryden translation, revised by Arthur Hugh Clough in 1864, of Plutarchs Caesar, so you can see the gory details for yourself: When Caesar entered, the senate stood up to show their respect to him, and of Brutuss confederates, some came about his chair and stood behind it, others met him, pretending to add their petitions to those of Tillius Cimber, in behalf of his brother, who was in exile; and they followed him with their joint supplications till he came to his seat. When he was sat down, he refused to comply with their requests, and upon their urging him further, began to reproach them severally for their importunities, when Tillius, laying hold of his robe with both his hands, pulled it down from his neck, which was the signal for the assault. Casca gave him the first cut, in the neck, which was not mortal nor dangerous, as coming from one who at the beginning of such a bold action was probably very much disturbed. Caesar immediately turned about, and laid his hand upon the dagger and kept hold of it. And both of them at the same time cried out, he that received the blow, in Latin, Vile Casca, what does this mean? and he that gave it, in Greek, to his brother, Brother, help! Upon this first onset, those who were not privy to the design were astonished and their horror and amazement at what they saw were so great, that they durst not fly nor assist Caesar, nor so much as speak a word. But those who came prepared for the business enclosed him on every side, with their naked daggers in their hands. Which way soever he turned, he met with blows, and saw their swords leveled at his face and eyes, and was encompassed, like a wild beast in the toils, on every side. For it had been agreed they should each of them make a thrust at him, and flesh themselves with his blood; for which reason Brutus also gave him one stab in the groin. Some say that he fought and resisted all the rest, shifting his body to avoid the blows, and calling out for help, but that when he saw Brutuss sword drawn, he covered his face with his robe and submitted, letting himself fall, whether it were by chance, or that he was pushed in that direction by his murderers, at the foot of the pedestal on which Pompeys statue stood, and which was thus wetted with his blood. So that Pompey himself seemed to have presided, as it were, over the revenge done upon his adversary, who lay here at his feet, and breathed out his soul through his multitude of wounds, for they say he received three and twenty.

Essay about Torture Against Human Rights - 1310 Words

Torture Against Human Rights Iain Banks once stated on the topic of torture, â€Å"torture is such a slippery slope; as soon you allow a society or any legal system to do that, almost instantly you get a situation where people are being tortured for very trivial reasons† (goodreads). When used in the appropriate way, torture can be very effective; however, it is often taken advantage of and is never acceptable. It has shown in the past that once a country has been accused of using torture, all credibility is lost and they are understandably looked down on. Torture is an extreme violation of human rights. Torture was started by early Romans dating back to 530 A.D. It was usually mainly used on criminals and slaves. Although they were†¦show more content†¦It was very painful way to die that involved extreme suffering, which is the reason why they used these types of torture. Today most torture is used in the military against terrorists. The United States is a big coun try that is accused of using torture. Guantanamo Bay is a camp in Cuba where the United States sends captured Taliban fighters. While they are there they are interrogated by means of torture. The Detainee Treatment Act was passed in response to what happened at Abu Ghraib in Iraq. The act banned the inhumane, cruel, or degrading treatment of prisoners in U.S military custody. On September 27, 2005, Private First Class Lynndie R. England and nine other Army Reserve enlisted soldiers were sentenced to three years in military prison for abuse and torture of prisoners. There was a photograph of England with a naked Iraqi prisoner on a leash (treatment of daintees). No matter if this is the enemy or not, this is not acceptable. No human being should be forced to suffer this kind of abuse. Although they were sentenced to prison, if torture wasn’t allowed in the first place this would have never happened. After this happened, President Bush made a big deal out of banning torture and treating prisoners not like animals, but like they are still people. However, he vetoed a bill that would have prevented the CIA from using interrogation techniques, such as waterboarding. It was still included in the US Army’s manual onShow MoreRelatedThe Convention Against Torture Essay1122 Words   |  5 Pages Around the world and around the clock, human rights violations seem to never cease. In particular, torture violations are still rampant all over the world. One regime, the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, establishes a strong elaboration of norms against torture. Despite its efforts, many countries still outright reject its policies against torture while other countries openly accept them, but surreptitiously still violate them. The US, IsraelRead MoreShould Torture Be Allowed or Not1342 Words   |  6 PagesShould Torture Be Allowed or Not The issue of torture is being very current and it arouses debate between those who are totally against it; those who think that it sometimes can be used for good; and those who are in between. The idea of torture was seen only as something that happened far away in time, and it should not even be considered as an issue of the modern society. Furthermore, torture was seen as a violation of the fundamental human rights, which were protected by different human rightsRead MoreShould Torture Be Allowed or Not1342 Words   |  6 PagesShould Torture Be Allowed or Not The issue of torture is being very current and it arouses debate between those who are totally against it; those who think that it sometimes can be used for good; and those who are in between. 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Numerous people are affected by torture in a lot of distinct ways and countriesRead MoreRussia And The Ukrainian Government1671 Words   |  7 PagesIn war-torn eastern Ukraine, both the Ukrainian government and the separatists acting on behalf of Russia violate the human rights established in the Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.Ukraine has been a nation in crisis since 2013, when then-president Viktor Yanukovych refused to sign an association agreement with the European Union that had been in the works for years, instead choosing to strengthen ties with Russia. This led to a politicalRead MoreWheel of torture1724 Words   |  7 PagesWHEEL OF TORTURE Ten (10) Philippine National Police officers have been discharged after revelations that they played a game called â€Å"wheel of torture† at a secret detention facility. The Commission on Human Rights is looking into the supposed maltreatment of up to 41 detainees in the Philippine National Police facility in Bià ±an, Laguna. The facility is a 200-square-meter bungalow being rented by the Laguna police intelligence branch first district unit composed of 12 staffs. At the kitchen areaRead MoreEssay on The Morality of Torture1338 Words   |  6 PagesThe Morality of Torture The moral issue of torture is one that has come under scrutiny by many national and international organizations as of late. To talk about torture one must really understand what torture is. As taken from Dictionary.com â€Å"1.a. Infliction or severe physical pain as a means of punishment or coercion. b. An instrument or a method for inflicting such pain. 2. Excruciating physical or mental pain; agony. 3. Something causing severe pain or anguish.† This is just the literalRead MoreThe Role Of Custodial Torture And Its Removal Of Body Parts Essay1560 Words   |  7 Pagesexposures in wounds, body cavities †¢ Attacks by animals, dental torture †¢ Exhaustion, forced labour, starvation Psychological Torture †¢ Threatening to harm or kill the victim or the victim s relatives †¢ Forced witnessing or hearing the torture of others †¢ Mock execution, forced to harm others †¢ Denigration and humiliations, threats of attacks by animals †¢ Violations of taboos, violation of religion INTERNATIONAL COMMITMENT Custodial Torture has been the concern of international community as the problemRead MoreTorture Is Not Always Protect The Vulnerable1672 Words   |  7 PagesTorture is not always used to protect the vulnerable; historically it has been used to extract information about the enemy, to bring terror especially during conflicts and to punish the defeated. Despite the fact that it might seem morally justifiable, it is morally unethical. Torture in this form of practice is uncontrollable; people lose their lives or became damaged for lifetime. There is not much control over that practice, it can start from occasional, non-leaving physical permanent injuryRead MoreA Long Period Of Time904 Words   |  4 PagesThe issues, related to tortures, have been a controversial topic for a long period of time. Torture is generally defined as â€Å"the act of deliberately inflicting severe physical or psychological pain and possibly injury to an organism, usually to one who is physically rest rained or otherwise under the torturer s control or custody and unable to defend against what is being done to him or her.† (Rejali 1994). The cases of torturing individuals are known from ancient times till nowadays in various countries

Popular English Phrases and Idioms

English phrases are part of everyday speech. They add the necessary zing to our communication. Here are some of the most popular English phrases and idioms. Use them to make an impact on your readers or listeners. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.Your guess is as good as mine.Rome was not built in a day.The ball is in your court.Let bygones be bygones.Hit the nail on the head.It takes two to tango.Hold your horses.Idle hands are the devils tools.Wear your heart on your sleeve.Dont put all your eggs in one basket.A fool and his money are easily parted.Dont look a gift horse in the mouth.Variety is the spice of life.Curiosity killed the cat.A leopard cant change his spots.Every cloud has a silver lining.Go down like a lead balloon.A picture paints a thousand words.Haste makes waste.Dont count your chickens before they hatch.A house divided against itself cannot stand.Go the extra mile.Blood is thicker than water.You cant take it with you.The bigger they are, the harder they fall.When it rains, it pours.A penny saved is a penny earned.He lost his head.Its a small world.Great minds think alike.If its not one thing, its another.Elvis has left the building.Actions speak louder than words. Its anyones call.Keep your chin up.Let sleeping dogs lie.Never bite the hand that feeds you.You cant judge a book by its cover.Drastic times call for drastic measures.Lend me your ear.Practice makes perfect.Rise and shine.You are what you eat.Let the cat out of the bag.Mums the word.

Concerning Love by Anton Chekhov - 1055 Words

Anton Chekhov’s Concerning Love is exactly that, a short story concerning the love that both Alyokhin and Anna Luganovich feel for each other but never act upon. The love started when Alyokhin took up a part-time job in town as the honorary justice of peace. Through his work he met Anna’s husband, Dmitry Luganovich, who invited Alyokhin back to his house for dinner. Alyokhin immediately took a strong liking towards Anna, â€Å"†¦here was a young, beautiful, kind, intelligent, enchanting woman, unlike any I’d met before† (148). However, he failed to act on his love for Anna because â€Å"judging from little details† he â€Å"†¦concluded that they [Anna and her husband] were living peacefully and happily† (148), a happy married life with children yet,†¦show more content†¦Therefore they went on concealing their love for one another and letting it tear themselves up inside. Alyokhin drew the assumption that he would not b e able to make her happy because his life was not â€Å"wonderful† or â€Å"eventful† (151). He made the fatal mistakes of thinking up many assumptions that drove him crazy therefore, he was fearful in acting out upon his love for Anna. Likewise, Anna was thinking would her love for Alyokhin make him happy and thinking of the family she had made with Luganovich and how distressing everything would be. They both knew they loved each other but were fatally holding back, â€Å"†¦through some lack of mutual understanding we would always say goodbye and part like strangers† (152). Alyokhin and Anna’s love for each other ultimately drive them to misery. Anna becomes depressive and ill ultimately because she and Alyokhin s love went unfulfilled and she had no desire for her life. The two lovers were in a case, a case of which neither of them wanted to conquer their love for each other and transgress the social order. Anna grew very bitter to Alyokhin out of anger for not enacting on his love for her even though she did not act upon it either. At last when it is too late and Anna is moving away for treatment, the two lovers finally embrace. They kissed and tears ran from both of the lovers, â€Å"How miserable we both were!†(153) It becomes apparent to Alyokhin that everything that stood in the way of confessing their love toShow MoreRelatedThe Brute1181 Words   |  5 PagesPersonality Profile: Mrs. Popov in The Brute by Anton Chekhov In The Brute, Anton Chekhov scripts a relatively short, one-act play which features two prominent and distinct main characters. Chekhov himself was born in 1860 in Russia to a lower-middle class family. At age sixteen, he was literally abandoned by his family, an event which would shape the course of his life and writings in the years to come. Chekhov’s outlandish stories are generally classified as farces, which are defined as lightRead MoreRealism In Anton Chekhovs The Lady With The Dog1639 Words   |  7 PagesAnton Chekhov hardly restrained from writing the dreary aspects of life during his writing career. Noted as one of Russia’s most prominent realist writers of the late 19th century, Chekhov’s work ranged from critical issues concerning the mental health system in â€Å"Ward No.6† to illustrating the tiresome cycle occurring for ordinary people sensing they are incomplete with their dull, normal life in â€Å"The Lady with the Dog.† â€Å"T he Lady with the Dog,† in particular portrays characters of Chekhov’s facingRead MoreMy Future Career As A Pediatric Cardiologist Doctor Essay918 Words   |  4 Pagesa clinic that has more repetitive information. In a medical field, doctors have the authority to decide what is right to do for their patients. In addition, physician assistants and nurses have the right to explain their ideas and opinions that concerning their patients. The obstacles that faced me during researching about the topic were the sources. I had to spend time to find the right book that explains doctors life. I had to compare couple books to see which one could give a clear idea forRead MoreA Tragic Love Quadrangle: An Analysis of The Seagull by Anton Chekhov1295 Words   |  6 PagesA Tragic Love Quadrangle: An Analysis of The Seagull Based on his real life events and experiences, The Seagull is one of Anton Chekhovs most distinguished dramatic works. The play explores love, loss and despair. Despite the play’s classification as fiction, the event that served as the catalyst to Anton Chekhov’s dramatization actually took place. As Keith Neilson stated: The Seagull was based on an event in Anton Chekhov’s life. One afternoon, while he was taking a walk with his friendRead MoreDescriptive Language in John Updike’s A P and Anton Chekhov’s The Lady with the Dog1734 Words   |  7 Pagesdetailed setting. A striking way to illuminate the importance of this ability is to juxtapose an authors original text with less colorful wording.   For example, one can take certain exemplary samples from two different stories, John Updike’s â€Å"A P† and Anton Chekhov’s â€Å"The Lady with the Dog† and dull down the language, to state it in a more factual manner, completely taking away any scenery the author so brilliantly created. In doing so, it will allow insight into the intricately employed craft, mechanicsRead Morewisdom,humor and faith19596 Words   |  79 PagesWalter G. Moss 1 Table of Contents (with links) 1 Wisdom, Perspective, and Values 2 Humor’s Contribution to Wisdom 4 Humor and Wisdom in Europe: Some Highlights 5 Renaissance Humor: Erasmus, Rabelais, Cervantes, Shakespeare 5 Two European Russians: Anton Chekhov and Vladimir Soloviev 9 Reflections on Humor from Nietzsche to the Theatre of the Absurd 12 Humor and Wisdom in the United States: Lincoln, Beecher, Twain, Sandburg, and Buchwald 17 From The Times (of London) obituary on him (January 19, 2007)

Importance of Scientific and Technological Development in China Free Essays

string(48) " efficiently provide help to the affected area\." Countries are defined by a lot of factors, which include its geography, demography, technology, economy and military power. Whichever country is superior in all aspects gets to be described as one of the most powerful countries in the world, like America, the British Empire, and Soviet Union, for example. In the history of the world, these mentioned countries were known as superpowers and were capable of influencing other countries in major ways. We will write a custom essay sample on Importance of Scientific and Technological Development in China or any similar topic only for you Order Now In recent years, though, there is another country that is slowly on its path on having such a title as well. This country is China. China is a very famous country not only because it is one of the largest and most populated countries in the world but also because it is one of the four ancient civilizations of the world. In terms of technology in the ancient world, China was probably not far behind. After all, China was to the ancient world like America is to the rest of the world today. And in the present 21st century, China is starting to progress again as it continues to improve its technology. After all, technological development can produce a better environment for the people of a country since it could make them happier and have good, satisfying lives (Spring 119). And truthfully, technology is one of the key factors for a country to be called successful or powerful. Whoever has the advanced technology is capable of holding the world in its grip. And since this paper is about the importance of scientific and technological development in China, then it is only proper to discuss first how the science and technology of China developed from the early times to the present. Anyway, China is an emerging power that given probably a decade or so, at least, will be able to compete with America on equal footing. And that statement is not an unfounded assumption. After all, there are now books like China: Friend or Foe by Hugo de Burgh (2006) and China, Inc. : How the Rise of the Next Superpower Challenges America and the World by Ted C. Fishman (2006) that fully discuss and explain the facts behind that assumption. Importance of Science and Technology in China Pre-Imperial China China’s science and technology had been booming since the fourth century BC1. According to David Wright in his book The History of China, pre-modern China, which was 1840 and earlier, already had advanced technology in the aspects of engineering, agriculture, and warfare, to name a few. Apparently, there were a lot of inventions, discoveries and innovations that the Chinese already made years before the Western world did the same thing. For example, in agriculture, the Chinese were the first to develop the trace harness. This was a very important agricultural invention, since prior to its invention, the farm animals that were used to plow the fields were harnessed around their throats and stomachs. (40) Of course, one can only imagine the pain those animals must have gone through. Not only would such a painful experience create an uncooperative attitude for the animal, but it probably could choke the animal if it carries a heavy load. With the trace harness, a yoke was placed â€Å"†¦across the animal’s chest from which traces or shafts connected it to a carriage. 1† He adds that it was only nine hundred years later that medieval Europe harnessed farm animals in the same way. At around the same time, the Chinese also did straight-line cropping, which was only practiced by Europeans in the 18th century AD, and in the sixth century BC, started using an iron plow. In medicine, the Chinese already understood that the blood circulates around the body and that it is pumped by the heart around the second century BC. This knowledge was obtained by the Arabs who later spread it to Europe. Also two centuries earlier, they were already using natural gas as a means for heating. They were even able to transport and store it after a few innovations. And even more amazing is the fact that around the same time, someone in China already thought of the first law of Newton and defined a circle properly as shown by Mo-ist writings (Wright, 41). Then, in 14th century BC, they were already using the decimal system and already understood and used the concept of a zero. The compass and crossbow also came from the Chinese. In addition, they were also the first ones to use chemical and poison gas as weapons in battle (Wright, 42). Early Imperial China During early imperial China, around 221 BC to AD 589, technological innovations in China did not cease. The Chinese were probably the first ones to use the power of rivers and streams and the waterwheel to produce power (Wright, 64). The fact that they already had this technology during that time is already amazing. Then add the fact that they actually used this to power huge bellows for iron-casting (Wright, 64). When I imagine the movies I watch were there are medieval blacksmiths, all I can visualize are the smiths themselves or their assistants doing the bellows work. The Chinese were also the first ones to use suspension bridges. It wasn’t really a flat passage then because the â€Å"bridge followed the curved contours of the suspended rope. † (Wright, 64) But later, the Chinese were able to remedy this after their invention and use of iron-chain suspension techniques1. Then, when they first invented paper, the first kind they made were so durable, rough and hard it was not only used for writing but also for clothing, light armor, mosquito nets, and curtains (Wright 65). They were also the first ones to develop the stirrups for horses in third century AD (Wright 65) and invent and use a seismograph (Wright 66). The seismograph did not really measure the intensity of an earthquake but it could provide the direction which helped the government officials to efficiently provide help to the affected area. You read "Importance of Scientific and Technological Development in China" in category "Papers" The Chinese were already hang gliding and using parachutes long before da Vinci sketched his design of one. There were actual recorded events that the Chinese really did so like an emperor requiring prisoners to jump from unbound kites or an instance of a Chinese jumping from a height and landing safely with the use of â€Å"several large conical straw hats tied together to his body† as written by the Chinese historian Sima Qian (Wright 66). Middle and Late Imperial China According to Wright, the technological ingenuity of the Chinese ceased after Mongol conquest. However, it was also during this time that the Chinese invented and perfected one of the most important inventions that had a great impact to the world, the gunpowder. The effect of this invention is an undeniable fact and further discussion on it will be made later in the paper. Then, the Chinese also were the first to print books, but not printing itself, via woodblock printing and invent the first movable type printing. They did the latter around 1040s, four hundred years earlier than Gutenberg’s invention, but did not make further efforts on it since it was impractical to use due to the thousand individual characters present in the Chinese writing. Then, they also made the first working mechanical clock and Mercator map projections (Wright 96). In addition, the Chinese made the first vaccines against smallpox and the first phosphorescent paintings (Wright 97). Spread of the science and technology outside China From the study of world history, one can determine that there are a number of factors responsible for how a certain country is today. For example, trade between people and countries in the early times were an important source not only of livelihood but also of science and technology. Knowledge, customs and cultures can also be spread to a certain area of the world via, ironically, war or conquests and religious activity. For a number of the inventions and innovations of the Chinese, some were spread to other parts of the world, both intentionally and unintentionally, probably by trading with other people and war. For example, despite efforts of the Chinese to prohibit its spread, the crossbow and secret of papermaking still spread anyway. Especially, the papermaking techniques, which was said to have been guarded by the Chinese for centuries, were supposedly shared to the Arabs when those who knew it became prisoners after the Tang dynasty were defeated by Arab armies (Wright 65). Then, there are the stirrups that were probably shared with Westerners by the Avars, whom the Chinese also knew (Wright 66). For the most part, it was revealed that Europe, the Arabs and the countries near China, Korea and Japan, were the beneficiaries of the science and technology of China. For example, for Europe, it was probably because it was then the superpower of the world. From world history, up until World War II, Europe had a lot of Asian colonies and having read parts of the history of China, it can be seen that Europe was interested in China as well. After all, it repeatedly tried to have both a friendly and not-so-friendly relationship with China. As for the Arabs, they were basically known to be desert nomads and thus it is not impossible for them to have been to China and traded with them. And since there also came a point in Arabic history that they were able to build their own dynasty that spread by conquering in Asia, they must have been to China as well and tried to conquer parts of it. And of course, Korea and Japan are just neighboring countries of China. Eighteenth century to the present China Unfortunately, I was unable to find more technological inventions or innovations that the Chinese have made during this time. As Bodde mentions in his book, it is indeed puzzling that the Chinese did not have the same scientific and technological revolution that really changed Europe and the rest of the Western world (3). After all, the Chinese did have a civilization that had existed for so long and produced so many useful inventions and technology that are actually the groundwork of today’s advancing science and technology way before the Westerners did. To think that if the Chinese continued on with their work, it is interesting to think where they would be at this point in time. Would they be the superpower instead of America? But as Bodde writes, such decline may have something to do with the mindset of the Chinese during that time. After all, the Chinese do adhere to their Confucian beliefs which are opposed to war and competition (3). Then, there’s also the Taoist distrust of innovative technology (4). The social aspect was probably partly a reason for the decline. Or maybe, as Bodde said, the Chinese recognized the hazards of an advanced technology (4). After all, technology is like a double-edged sword. It is capable of defending one’s self and at the same time attacking others. Technology can help man have an easier life but it could also be used for his destruction. One of China’s most important inventions: Gunpowder Speaking of technology that had been used both for the good and bad of mankind, we’ll now talk about gunpowder. It’s probably weird to say that it was actually used for the good of mankind when it has been primarily and most efficiently used in war. Well, according to Embree, the Chinese weren’t looking for gunpowder when they discovered it during the Tang dynasty. In actuality, they were in search of a pill that could fight aging (849) and prolong life, in short, a form of the fabled elixir of life. The product was able to treat some skin diseases, fevers and ringworm. Its recipe was even included in some pharmacology texts. They called it huoyao, or firedrug, because of its explosive tendencies that led to fire in the alchemists’ laboratories. It was then later used for firecrackers and blasting and thus, its military applications were immediately realized. Conclusion It is ironic that the Taoists, who are known for their practices in prolonging the lives of its devotees, were the ones who produced the gunpowder which was able to do the exact opposite. As mentioned earlier, its application was mainly in the military that used it to make bombs, grenades and cannons. Earlier designs of cannons used bamboo barrels. But they were probably able to improve it since bronze cannons that date back to 1332 were unearthed and are now at the Chinese History Museum. However, it was also discovered that as early as 1128, metal bombards were already used. Then, gunpowder was also used for its rocket-propelling capabilities which the Chinese used to develop â€Å". . . more than thirty different kinds of fire-arrows designed to rain down on the enemy, explode, and catch everything around on fire. † (Embree 850) The invention of gunpowder did not have as much impact to Chinese society as its introduction to the Western world did. After all, with gunpowder, Europe was able to move out of its medieval era via destroying the frontiers of the feudal castles that ruled it then and establishing a monarchy. This monarchy then further utilized gunpowder to strengthen and stabilize its position in Europe. It was later on innovated and used in guns and artillery and as the years go on in bombs, grenades, and everything else that explodes. But with the Chinese, the gunpowder did not have such an impact, as mentioned. Embree adds that it was because during the Tang dynasty, China was already a united empire and thus did not have feudal castles to destroy like the Europeans. Of course, the Chinese did not want to share the gunpowder and the other things they invented or innovated with it. What country would? However, they were unable to stop its spread. After using it to fend off invaders like the Jurchen from forests in the northeast and the Mongols, the Chinese still lost to them anyway in 1127 and 1234, respectively. Then, the Mongols ruled â€Å". . . China and used gunpowder against the Southern Song, the Japanese, and kingdoms in Southeast Asia. † (Embree 850) As for the spread of gunpowder to the west, the Arabs are certainly not the ones responsible, even if it appeared suddenly in Italy during the fourteenth century. Embree quotes an article by Lynn White, Jr. titled â€Å"Tibet, India, and Malaya as Sources of Western Medieval Technology. † Although the article does not explicitly mention gunpowder, what he says in his article is a probable explanation of how at least the technology of gunpowder suddenly appeared in Italy. White explains that it might be because of the slave trade in Italy. Since the Muslim slaves were gruff and almost always escaped and due to canonical prohibitions, the Genoese merchants thought of securing slaves from central Asia and made it the main source of slaves. It is not impossible for the Genoese merchants to do this since they are known to have been the first Europeans to have traded with the Mongolians, Russians and the Chinese (Embree 853). In addition, the slaves that were sold were of both sexes and were relatively old enough to have accurate memories of their own homelands. A study on the records of the slaves also revealed that the majority of the slaves came from areas near Tibet and China (Embree 852). Thus, it certainly implies that the technology of the gunpowder may have been carried through to Italy and into the Western world by the Asian slaves. And gunpowder is still relevant today as the other inventions that the Chinese came up with centuries ago. In connection with that though, the thought of what the world might have been today if it was the Chinese who did it continues to bug the mind. Anyway, it certainly seems that after a long rest, the Chinese government is taking steps to revive its scientific community. China has now established its new science and technology management system that integrates science and technology with industrial and agriculture production. And with their opening up policy, its scientists and engineers concentrated on the world’s advanced level of scientific and technological development. Thus, international exchange and cooperation is now the priority of China since technology acquisition will continue to bring about changes in China’s own technology (Yu 222). An example of this is the increase in the information and communication technology in China, which has one of the world’s largest telecommunications market. Its information technology industry has also been helping the economy triple its gross domestic product (Qiang 2). Indeed, the reforms and opening up that China did brought positive effects, with a fast economic growth. With its continual development and improvement of its science and technology policies, it will certainly close the gap between those with other countries in the near future. How to cite Importance of Scientific and Technological Development in China, Papers

One More Time Please free essay sample

â€Å"Can you say that again, please?† my grandmother asked me for the seventh time as we discussed the weather for the upcoming week. She didn’t ask me seven times because I’m a teenager and mumble a lot, but rather because of a nasty culprit: Alzheimer’s disease. Just like the conversation about the weather, any other conversation that anyone has with my grandmother takes patience. When my grandmother went to the bank and couldn’t remember what she was doing, the tellers were kind enough to talk to her and calm her down. As a result, when I am working and a grandparent doesn’t know how to correctly fill out a form for their grandson’s photos, I take time to make sure that he or she understands everything. As President of Student Council and the Board of Education Representative for my school, I have to use my patience and politeness on a daily basis. We will write a custom essay sample on One More Time Please or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Just the other day a student came running up to me and said â€Å"we need to change the homecoming parade because we have SAT’s that morning!† My next step was to walk down to the principal’s office without losing my patience because of the poor scheduling. I then worked out an agreement which with the administration, which would not have happened if I lost my temper. Another lesson that I have learned from my grandmother and everyone around her who loves her, especially my grandfather, is to never give up. When she didn’t remember how to make a salad the other night, she persisted. Eventually she finished it even though it was missing carrots and onions along with having an excess amount of tomatoes. When I was doing landscaping this summer, I put some plants in the wrong spot, and I began to get upset but instead I thought of my grandmother and how she must get aggravated every day because she cannot even do simple chores. This made me realize that gett ing angry at little mistakes I can correct is not productive. I’ve learned to overcome my fears in life because life is too short. I am sure my grandpa never imagined that my grandmother who once ran the household and took care of my mom and her sister would need round the clock care. I’ve realized that I need to be spontaneous, like when I sprinted up the side of Mount Washington to reach the best view, or when I closed my eyes and randomly pointed to a food on Moby Dick’s restaurant menu before ordering it. Although it takes extra work to spend time with my grandmother, the lessons I have learned from her are invaluable. When I hear her say â€Å"thank you,† in a soft whisper with a look of confusion on her face, I almost break down into tears, but instead I reply â€Å"you’re welcome.†