Sunday, April 12, 2020
Witchcraft In Hollywood Essays (1886 words) - Religion, Culture
Witchcraft In Hollywood Hollywood provides falsified information It is said by many that Hollywood is persuasive. People see something on television or in a motion picture and believe that what is shown is, in reality, true. Misconceptions will occur, and unless people are shown evidence against the delusions, it will be taken as fact. In the past, many groups have been poorly represented onscreen. Organizations such as the Mafia, the government, the military, spies, gods, monsters, and others are just a small example of those prejudiced. Since the misconceptions have occurred, much of the truth has come through for those mentioned. However, one topic that is repeatedly misrepresented in Hollywood is the practice of the Craft, more commonly known as witchcraft or Wicca according to Jeffrey Mann (personal communication, April 14, 1999). Witchcraft has been shown onscreen as evil, black magick, rather than a faith, and most people see spells cast by wiggling the nose or pointing a finger to be valid of the ?witchcraft fable' (1997, Bewitched online) . Is witchcraft a true, spiritual religion, and if so, are people willing to tolerate it? Many are uninformed of the religious aspect of the Craft, and those that are, believe it to be false or wrong according to Jeffrey Mann (personal communication, April 14, 1999). In today's society, religious tolerance of different groups of people or cultures is extremely important. By understanding and accepting the differences of real versus imaginary using witchcraft as the prime example, people will be able to see these groups as part of actual society and not just a fictitious, magickal portrayal in entertainment such as Bewitched, Charmed, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and The Craft. Hollywood's portrayal of witchcraft in movies and shows is invalid. Now on reruns, the television show, Bewitched, was once very popular. Samantha and Tabitha are shown casting spells nearly every other minute of the half-hour (1997, Bewitched online). The show brought forth a revival of the knowledge of witchcraft. In history, before Christianity, Paganism was a primary religion in Europe. Witchcraft is a form of Paganism, just as Wicca, Shamanism, and others are. When the Christian religion was being formed, many Pagan beliefs were still used (1998, A witches overview of Wicca online). The Pagan tradition of Yule, the winter solstice holiday, was to bring a live tree into the house and decorate it with food, balls, and a star on top to protect the household from the evil spirits (Adler, 1997). In the past century, a man named Gerald Gardener came forth with his ancestor's religious practice that has been passed down generation after generation called Paganism. He began bringing forth the Wiccan movement to modern witches according to Jeffrey Mann ( personal communication, April 14, 1999). Bewitched was made in the midst of the sort of ?coming out' of all that was practiced. Romanticizing witchcraft started with Bewitched, and from then on, a new fetish of shows and movies had begun. The Warner Brothers Network recently aired a new hour-long show featuring three sisters who have just discovered their witchy powers (see attached graphic one of Charmed sisters). They are referred to as the ?Charmed Ones', which are the most powerful of a long line of good witches. Their mission is to protect the innocent against all evil (1999, Charmed online). The show features many distinct realities of witchcraft. The show refers to the Book of Shadows, which is a book of memoirs, spells, thoughts, and goals, which must be handwritten and personal to that witch (1998, A witches overview of Wicca). The three sisters use this book for casting spells against evil, which is the basis for entertainment on the show. Freezing time, traveling to the past or future, and evaporating monsters are just some of the sisters' outlandish powers (1999, Charmed online). Religion has no part in the hour that the sisters are fighting the darkness. Witchcraft, in reality, has no ?natural' witches as implied in Charmed. Having ?power' is a belief that comes from within your soul, not from genetics (Valiente, 1998). The power of spells to witches is like the power of prayers to Christians. If Charmed was based on three Christian sisters, the show would be primarily about how they pray
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
The eNotes Blog 7 Middle School Book Recommendations for EnthusiasticReaders
7 Middle School Book Recommendations for EnthusiasticReaders As a 6th grade teacher, I have the hardest time finding books that challenge my students to think critically without crossing the line into mature content. YA novels can be some of the most violent, steamy, and explicit books on the market since they target readers aged ten to eighteen. On the other hand, middle-grade books can be too low for some of my advanced readers. For this reason, Iââ¬â¢ve spent a lot of time vetting books that have interesting themes, beautiful prose, or perspectives that my students might not encounter in their lives. Here are seven absolutely fantastic books that are age appropriate for middle school students. Offer them to readers who are looking for an engaging challenge! 1.à The Girl in the Blue Coat by Monica Hesse Genre: Historical Fiction; Mystery Page Count: 320 Age Range: 11-14 Set during WWII, The Girl in the Blue Coat follows Hanneke, a clever young girl who smuggles black market goods to customers in Amsterdam. Hanneke has a cynical outlook on the war after her boyfriend was killed fighting to keep the Nazis out of the Netherlands. But her desire to survive above all else is jeopardized when Mrs. Janssen asks her to perform a dangerous task: find the girl in the blue coat, a Jewish teenager that Janssen had been hiding. Hannekeââ¬â¢s journey leads her to resistance meetings, underground hideouts, and into the most notorious deportation center in Amsterdam. This is a stunning novel about courage, selflessness, and the human will to survive. 2.à I Will Always Write Backà by Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin Ganda Genre: Memoir Page Count: 416 Age Range: 9-14 This is an excellent book about compassion, sacrifice, and learning. Martin, a young boy living in Zimbabwe, and Caitlin, a white girl living in Pennsylvania, become pen pals in 7th grade. While Caitlinââ¬â¢s family lives comfortably in the US, Martinââ¬â¢s family lives within a notoriously poor slum in Zimbabwe. Martin works incredibly hard to be the top of his class, knowing that an education will be his ticket to a better life. But when he is kicked out of school because his family cannot pay, he must rely on the friendship he has built through his letters for support. Caitlin and her family dedicate themselves to supporting Martin as he bravely pursues his future. Caitlin learns how truly privileged she is, recognizing the injustice of the world. Told through two distinct voices and perspectives, this memoir will give your students a perspective not generally addressed in teen literature. 3. The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen Genre: Realistic Fiction Page Count: 336 Age Range: 12 and up Jessica is a runner. Running means everything to her. But tragedy strikes when she loses her leg in an accident. While Jessica initially believes her life is over, she puts herself back together over the course of the novel. She confronts her own biases towards disabilities as she realizes that she treated Rosa, a girl with cerebral palsy, differently just because of her disability. Jessica overcomes the dramatic change in her life, her biases, and her negativity to realize her dreams in this inspirational novel. 4.à Irenas Children: A True Story of Courage (Young Readers Edition) by Tilar J. Mazzeo Genre: Non Fiction Page Count: 272 Age Range: 10 and up This is the story of Irena Sendler, an incredible Polish woman who saved 2,500 children during WWII. Often called the ââ¬Å"female Schindler,â⬠Sendlerââ¬â¢s story has largely disappeared from history books. This young readerââ¬â¢s edition of her tale brings the story to life. Sendler used her wits, bravery, and fearlessness to smuggle children out of the Warsaw Ghetto. She used sewers and secret passageways, coffins and coats, abandoned buildings, and a network of underground resistance workers. Her heroic tale will not only teach young students about one of the most horrific times in modern history, but also about choosing to do the right thing when it is not easy. 5.à The Book Thiefà by Markus Zusak Genre: Historical Fiction Page Count: 608 Age Range: 13 and up à * ââ¬Å"When Death has a story to tell, you listen.â⬠So goes the tagline of Markus Zusakââ¬â¢s The Book Thief, a story of WWII told through the perspective of Death- a cantankerous narrator with a verbose vocabulary. Death becomes fixated on a young German girl named Liesel and her foster family the Hubermanns. They are not like the other families on their streets. Rosa, Lieselââ¬â¢s foster mother, shows love by hurling profanities and wooden spoons at those she loves. Her husband, Hans, paints houses and plays the accordion. But this unconventional family takes on the greatest sacrifice: agreeing to hide a Jewish man named Max. Beautifully written, heart-wrenching, and endearing, this novel explores the power of words and the human will to survive. Above all else, this is a story about how far people will go to do what is right. **This one is appropriate for more advanced and mature students because of the complex vocabulary and a few depictions of violence. 6.à Harbor Meà by Jacqueline Woodson Genre: Realistic Fiction Page Count: 192 Age Range: 9-15 This is an incredible book by the author of ââ¬Å"Brown Girl Dreaming.â⬠It follows six kids whose teacher asks them to skip their last period on Fridays so that they can talk in the ARTT Room (short for A Room to Talk). These kids have seemingly unconnected experiences: Thereââ¬â¢s Esteban, whose father may be deported; Haley, whose father is in prison; Ashton, whose family just lost everything; and Amari, who fears being racially profiled by the police. But when they are together in the ARTT room, they are able to discuss all the issues on their minds. Through their conversations, readers learn about the very real problems facing different teens in the US. 7.à The Girl Who Drank the Moonà by Kelly Barnhill Genre: Fantasy Page Count: 400 Age Range: 9-14 The Protectorate fears a witch. The people have been told that if they do not leave a baby every year as a sacrifice for the witch, she will destroy their city. Little do they know, their monster is actually a kind witch named Xan. Every year, Xan travels to the edge of the forest to rescue a baby that has been, seemingly, abandoned by its family. Xan feeds the child starlight and delivers it to a loving family in the Free Cities. However, on this journey, Xan makes a critical error: she feeds the baby moonlight and gives the human child magical powers. Now, Xan must raise the child as her own. But as Luna grows, so does the uncertainty in the Protectorate. A young man decides that he must hunt down the witch, and a volcano is close to erupting. This is a fast-paced, magical tale of love and self-discovery. It teaches the reader that stories, true or false, have power over oneââ¬â¢s imagination.
Sunday, February 23, 2020
Analyzing Global Products through the example of the H & M and Zara Essay
Analyzing Global Products through the example of the H & M and Zara industry - Essay Example This is done to avoid delays and over dependence on a particular country and less production within the system. The firm works with middlemen to offer the best to its consumers. The organization also considers the consumers using the product, and then it considers the middlemen who are the retailers and wholesalers that sell the products to consumers, and get feedback from the consumers. H&M level of product adaptation- packaging, pricing, promotion and ways of distribution Using the middlemen, the firm buys the right items from the suppliers and the right market. H & M has a creative experience in design and markets that considers fashion and textile. The company aims at working with the economical minds of its consumers. Distribution is the process of getting the organizations products to the consumers, and a channel of marketing that distributes the products around the market. The firm has a well distribution channel, and that it depends on the IT system to enable it work efficien tly in that it makes use internet strategies to improve on its production and development of garments. Lastly, the firm has a cooperate culture that works in harmony to make sure efficient sales of its products (Saminather, 2007). The firm distributes its products through direct sales that include those made to the beauty therapists, beauty pallor, supermarkets, and shops in town. Direct selling to the consumers allows the organization to be in charge of its prices, get responses from the clients, and take charge in the presentation of the products to the consumers. These direct sales make them sell their products to different consumers from different background. When the organization sells to retailers, they sell product directly to the retailers and the... The H & M industry is a Swedish industry that outsources the non core operations. The firm, a clothing industry, does not own any factory. The industry buys its products from a chain of suppliers that supply them with cloths. The Zara Company is the contradictory of H & M Company that also deals with cloths, and it is the first growing industry in Spain. The firm is owned by Spanish Inditex group. Zara has developed a unique business model and it has vertically merged the retailers; controls every step of the value chain, and it mainly outsources garments with a longer shelf/ fashion life. H&M business model focuses on outsourcing and Zara Company uses in-house model to increase its production. The business level entails the management directors, panel of directors, and business staff. The management function is to classify the delegation and goals of the business, establish what roles the company must be in charge of apportion of assets to the different enterprise areas of the company, and devise and execute strategies that extend over the businesses. The business level entails the leaders of the particularized business. Company leadersââ¬â¢ responsibility is to explain broad statements of intention at the business level into tangible strategies for particularized businesses. The two companies used the business level to implement their strategies that led to their success. The practical level consists of the business leaders of exact production operations. They build up practical strategies that aid the execution of the company and company -level strategic aims. They offer nearly all the new ideas that make it likely for the company and business -level wide-ranging managers to prepare strategies.
Friday, February 7, 2020
Identity theft Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words
Identity theft - Essay Example Personal data like Social security number, credit card number, bank account, etc. are not unique like for instance fingerprints and can be misused when they fall into the wrong hands. In the United States many people have suffered huge losses on account of unauthorized persons withdrawing funds from their bank or financial accounts and very often these persons who have stolen the identity have committed crimes and run huge debts using the victimââ¬â¢s identity. In short a criminal can use an individualââ¬â¢s identity to commit a wide range of crimes such as fraudulent withdrawal of money from banks, apply for credit cards and loans, fraudulent use of telephone calling cards, or buy goods or services which might not have been possible if the criminal had used his name hurry respond to "spam" à or unsolicited email à that request identifying data in the pretext of offering some benefits. Here people do not realize that in many of such cases the person who has requested for personal information has no intention of passing on any benefit to them. However Internet is not the only source. Misplaced or stolen wallets containing credit cards or other personal information, stolen laptops again containing personal data can prove easy targets for identity thefts. To prevent any kind of fraudulent use of oneââ¬â¢s identity one must have a security policy and certain guidelines in place about what personal information should not be given to third parties especially through electronic means like the email. The guidelines to be followed are: 1) There should be no personal or financial details in any of the emails sent. 2) Open only those mails that have come from known persons or trusted parties. 3) All suspicious mails should be reported to the conce rned authorities. 4) Online passwords must be changed frequently and passwords that can be easily be hacked, such as those related to birthdays and
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Interpersonal Communication Distinguish Between 2 Different Type of Communication Essay Example for Free
Interpersonal Communication Distinguish Between 2 Different Type of Communication Essay This paper was a little difficult for me to write at first because I have never had to analyze my own communication styles and apply concepts to the type of communication styles I have encountered. Here is to learning how to understand communication and the different styles we encounter every day. I spent a lot of this past week encountering a lot of non-verbal communication. Non-verbal communications is communicating through wordless messages. I have been sick and this has been the most sufficient and effective form of communication for me. While I was in the hospital, to effectively communicate to the nurse my needs sometimes I had to use gestures or facial expressions to let her know I was hungry or letting her know the room temperature was hot. Facial expressions are one of our primary means of conveying emotions. Deaf people rely on facial expressions and gestures to communicate. The machine I was hooked up to, to let the nurse know my stats, I believe is also form of communication. I believe it communicated to the nurse that I was not getting proper oxygen saturation so she was able to increase my oxygen intake base on what was communicated to her. I had a hard time speaking, so I did sometimes have to make some noises to let the nurse know I was in pain and needed assistance. She was able to understand my request and assist me accordingly. I also did a lot of online communication. I sent a lot of emails and messages to communicate with friends and family. I also have spent a lot of time listening. Listening is making an effort to hear something and to pay attention to either what is being said or the non-verbal communication gestures or messages given to you. Hearing what someone is saying to you is completely different then actually listening. Effective listening is to understand what is being said to you. I had to understand what the Dr. was explaining to me to be able to recover in a timely manner. I also had to remember to put into practice what the Dr. telling me in regards to my care. Remembering is an important stage of listening. Remembering is important because it can help me from getting into a sticky situation such as the Doctor asking me any questions regarding my treatment. If I was just hearing him and not listening and remembering what he said I would not be able to answer his questions accurately. I had to interpret what he was saying. I had to understand what was critical to my care as of right now and what I need to implement once I recover. I did this by listening to his words as well as watching his gestures and facial expressions. At some point I had to respond to the Doctor. I had to make him aware I was listening and remembering what he said I needed to do. I usually nodded my head and made direct eye contact given it was hard for me to communicate verbally until the last day. On the day of my discharge I was able to paraphrase to him what he needed me to do in order to recover and to maintain my health. When looking at this experience of listening, I would say it would be considered informational listening. I was engage to learn, taking information in so I was able to properly care for myself outside of the hospital and what I needed to do to keep from returning back.
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
I Hear an Army Charging Upon the Land Essay -- essays research papers
I Hear an Army Charging Upon the Land à à à à à Threatening forces are every where we look in life. Almost anything could be considered a threat in today’s society. The poem by James Joyce, “ I hear an Army Charging Upon the Land,'; contains evidence of a threatening force. The threatening force in this poem is punk rock kids at a punk rock show. à à à à à Threatening forces are very apparent in this poem. A prime example of one is when he says “ Arrogant, in black armor.'; He is talking about kids in leather jackets. It is there way of proving they are punk and it looks threatening. Seeing people in leather jackets is scary, especially when society has trained us to think that black is a sign of . We have been trained to think that anything that stands out is scary and people in black leather jackets stick out like a sore thumb. Obviously, when James Joyce says “ in black armor,'; it is a threatening force of punk rock.à à à à à à à à à à à à à à à Punk rock is a very firm theme of this poem that is supposed to be menacing. This is established when it says, “ Clanging, Clanging upon the heart as upon an anvil.'; This is saying how he feels that the chains that the kids wear are frightening. He feels that the sound of their chains dangling together is intimidating. When people who wear chains run the often make a loud noise ... I Hear an Army Charging Upon the Land Essay -- essays research papers I Hear an Army Charging Upon the Land à à à à à Threatening forces are every where we look in life. Almost anything could be considered a threat in today’s society. The poem by James Joyce, “ I hear an Army Charging Upon the Land,'; contains evidence of a threatening force. The threatening force in this poem is punk rock kids at a punk rock show. à à à à à Threatening forces are very apparent in this poem. A prime example of one is when he says “ Arrogant, in black armor.'; He is talking about kids in leather jackets. It is there way of proving they are punk and it looks threatening. Seeing people in leather jackets is scary, especially when society has trained us to think that black is a sign of . We have been trained to think that anything that stands out is scary and people in black leather jackets stick out like a sore thumb. Obviously, when James Joyce says “ in black armor,'; it is a threatening force of punk rock.à à à à à à à à à à à à à à à Punk rock is a very firm theme of this poem that is supposed to be menacing. This is established when it says, “ Clanging, Clanging upon the heart as upon an anvil.'; This is saying how he feels that the chains that the kids wear are frightening. He feels that the sound of their chains dangling together is intimidating. When people who wear chains run the often make a loud noise ...
Sunday, January 12, 2020
Economical and Environmental Cost-Benefit Analysis on Hybrid Cars Essay
A hybrid car is a car propelled by the application of two or more power sources. First attempts to introduce hybrid cars goes back to mid 1660, way before the discovery and introduction of the fuel powered conventional cars but were never commercially manufactured until 21st century when Japanese car manufacturer, Toyota produced the Toyota prius exclusively for its domestic market. In fact, it is estimated that the first attempt to produce a hybrid car was in 1665. The delay in the production of this class of vehicles was because of two main reasons; first, the limited range in the distance the vehicles could cover and secondly the difficulty and costly process of recharging their batteries. Furthermore, it is a basic science concept that the more complex a machine is the more it is prone to failure and thus the idea of commercial production of hybrid vehicles has been a slow process over the centuries. Worldââ¬â¢s population explosion, demand for fresh air and green cities, dwindling petroleum deposits, over dependency in overseas oil, economic recession and global warming are just some of the environmental and economic factors that have forced worldââ¬â¢s leading car manufacturers to provide to the market car models that are not only environmentally friendly but also cost effective. A cost-benefit analysis on this topic will attempt to bring out the cost of getting a hybrid car into the road in comparison to the benefits that the world stands to reap as a result of this venture. This research seeks to bring to the surface three major aspects that are associated with the introduction of hybrid cars into the transportation world. These three issues are: (i) The cost of producing a hybrid car: The successful landing of a hybrid car is in focus under this area. It is not easy to get into the road a car that makes use of a combination of two or more sources of energy. The research involved is estimated to run to millions of dollars thus sky-rocketing the price of a hybrid car. (ii) Environmental factors: Environmental factors simply refer to the concerns that a particular type of car produces substances that injure our surroundings thus making life on earth more dangerous and therefore more complex. These substances include green house gases as well as toxic metal compounds such as the ones that contain lead in their structure. (iii) Economic cost benefit factors: Economic factors have much to do with the living standards of people as far as the generation and investment of money is concerned. The economic make up of the world has gotten pegged heavily on oil and there are concerns from every right thinking citizen of the world that this is a self consuming trend that is likely to create serious economic problems if the oil industry hits a serious problem. This has already been witnessed before whereby a slight rise in oil prices has sent shockwaves in economies in both the developed and the developing world. Literature Review The former Vice President of the United States who later won the Democratic Party nomination and lost the presidency in a controversial manner to George W Bush, Mr. Al Gore, has had the world rethinking its actions as far as the degeneration of the environment is concerned. An inconvenient Truth, a film he worked on captures the problems that are already being experienced in various parts of the world as a result of global warming. This, he says is being fuelled by the use of environmentally unfriendly cars that use oil or gasoline (Gore, 2006, para1-3). It is not surprising that he went a head to win a Nobel Prize for this peace of work. Electric and hybrid cars have always received much appreciation due to the perceived ability to tackle this burning issue of climate change. Their ability to cut the emission of these toxic substances into the atmosphere that lead to negative climatic shift is the major reason for this (Anderson and Anderson, 2004, pp 6-10). In recognition of this serious problem, vital steps have been made in the research that is involved in the development and production of cars that make use of a combination of two or three sources of locomotive energy. Chief among these is the research into electric cars that promise to reduce the overreliance on oil (Westbrook, 2001, pp 34-39). The pioneer nation in the world in the research and possible mass production of hybrid cars is Japan. But the appetite with which the United States of America has picked up the issue points to the significance of this type of car. The driving force is the reduction in pollution, the saving that comes in terms of finances and most importantly national security that is put at risk with too much dependency on foreign oil. The argument is often projected in terms of supplying their dollars to nations that fund terror groups such as al Qaeda (Boschert, 2006 pp 2-7). It is common knowledge that mass production of hybrid cars will not only provide a partial solution to world environmental problems but also be a practical measure to save countries from losses running to millions of dollars due to escalating prices of world crude oil. The cost of producing a hybrid car The production of hybrid cars is not a cheap or a simple venture. Confessions by companies that have dipped their fingers into this hot pot have clearly shown that more than just simple technology is in play in the production of this type of cars. Research that has been on-going for a long time now is very complicated and has consumed millions of dollars. At the end of the day, despite the hyped advantages of shifting from purely oil consuming cars to hybrid cars, the cost that must be borne has to be high (Westbrook,2001,pp 56-61). It is the overall ability of the hybrid car to assist man in solving most of his economic and environmental problems that make the whole exercise worthwhile. Environmental factors While scientists agree that there can never be perfect environmentally friendly hybrid cars and that this depends solely on the design and model of hybrid power system. It is worthy appreciating that the use of this class of vehicles will automatically lead to the reduction of global warming by approximately 0. 3 to 0. 5 percent and that more advanced models and designs in the coming years due to technological advances would reduce this figure even further. The problems of the quality of urban air, reduction of noise due to application of electric motor in fuel power conventional cars, and elimination of smog forming pollutants could be solved in a century if research on mass production of hybrid cars is given a priority. The main source of air pollutants in cities and major towns is transportation. Fuel powered conventional motor vehicles produce much higher levels of carbon dioxide (Co2) carbon monoxide (Co), nitrogen oxides (Nox) and hydrocarbons (Hc) and this from the primary source of these dangerous pollutants. This is mainly because fuel powered conventional cars (FPCC) make short trips that do not give time for electric motor warm ups and cold starts. It is noted that hybrid cars reduced the levels of the carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide by 97% in comparison to other sources of these pollutants. Carbon monoxide (C0), when inhaled for long periods interferes with the proper functioning of the brain in that it impairs the flow of oxygen (O2) into the brain. Once the brain stops working in the expected way, the person involved turns into a vegetable. Carbon dioxide and water vapor form the principal components of green house gases that bring about the green house effect. Green house effect is a scenario in which too much heat is trapped within the atmosphere due to the presence of such toxic gases as carbon monoxide and this resultant effect is a highly raised earth temperature. Infact carbon dioxide (C02) is considered one of the major atmospheric pollutants, and is solely responsible for approximately 57% global warming. Negative effects of global warming include the rapidly declining numbers of polar bears and melting of ice in the tropics. It is therefore an open knowledge that releasing carbon dioxide (C02) into the atmosphere is detrimental to the lives of living organisms and the equilibrium of the ecosystem. Sulphur and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are very dangerous air pollutants produced by combustion of sulphur containing fuels. Over the years, scientists have devised means of producing sulphur and lead free fuels but achieving an excellent degree is still a distant mirage. Deposition of these compounds in the air is harmful to plants, man and infrastructure. Exposure to high concentration of sulphur dioxide irritates respiratory tracts making breathing difficult and can easily cause lung problems. Sulfur Oxide contributes to respiratory illness. Patients suffering from heart diseases risk aggravating their conditions if exposed to even mild concentration of sulfur oxides. These components also form secondary pollutants when transported and combined with other elements forming sulphates, nitrate salts, nitrogen dioxides and even nitric acid vapor. This is what is commonly known as acid rain that corrodes buildings, burns vegetations, burns the human skin and destroys infrastructure. Chlorofluorocarbons also form component of green house gases that bring about the effect of global warming. When exposed to gamma rays, these compounds break down to release chlorine atoms. The presence of chlorine atoms in the atmosphere catalyses splitting of Ozone (O3) into oxygen gas (O2), however the negative effects of their presence overweigh their importance. Photochemical air pollution, usually known as smog and is commonly sported in the tropics and subtropics is also caused by incomplete combustion of gasoline emitted by fuel powered conventional vehicles. This process leads to the production of Ozone gas that is responsible for irritation in the eyes, extensive damage to plants and crops and lung complications. The release of carbon dioxide (C02), chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides (N0x) and other pollutants into the atmosphere contributes to the destruction of plants on the earthââ¬â¢s surface. Photosynthesis, the process through which trees produce oxygen from carbon dioxide is so vital to human life in fact it is said that life cannot exist without trees. Destruction of trees by releasing these pollutants into the air is equal to destruction of both human life and plant life. While particulate matters are the main contributors to lung problems and most cancer cases, hydrocarbons are also a cause of lung problems and other tissue problems. Long exposure to high concentrations of hydrocarbons eventually leads to total organ failures. Furthermore it is a major contributor to birth defects and other complicated illnesses like cancer. With the commercial manufacture and introduction of hybrid cars, extensive damage to the environment is definitely reduced, quality of life enhanced and urban areas become clean to inhabit, the dream of world environmental rights groups. Economic factors Crude oil is the raw material that propels almost all components of worldââ¬â¢s economy in many ways. In fact the world is so dependent on crude oil that if its supply would be cut abruptly, major world economies like United States of America, Russia and China would immediately come to a standstill. United States depends on crude oil alone for 40% of its energy supply, triple than other sources. Overdependence on crude oil is not sound enough. First, crude oil is a non-renewable source of energy and analysts predict it will be largely exhausted within half a century. This rings an alarm bell that if measures are not put in place and countries go green by using hybrid cars, then the future is bleak and the word is in danger. Transportation sector depends entirely on oil for energy supply. Trucks, planes, ships cars and buses are propelled by motor engines that use oil. Introducing hybrid cars would reverse this trend, make the world safer from fluctuating oil prices and reduce dependence on this energy source (Paterson, 2007 para. 3-5). Reliance on crude oil for fuel supply is a major contributor to ethnic and tribal wars in Africa. This demonstrates the levels at which scramble for this commodity has reached. In fact notably China is so hungry for crude oil that it is ready to ignore the sufferings of millions of peoples around the world and specifically Sudan, so as to get its industry moving. It therefore points to the fact that lasting peace and safety will be found and armed conflicts reduced drastically when less fuel consuming cars are produced and thirst for oil curtailed. Hybrid cars are pocket friendly as they consume less gasoline in comparison to fuel powered conventional cars. Even though they are slightly expensive to purchase, the reward is achieved in long term due to lower fuel consumption. Further, governments and notably the United States of America give tax incentives to buyers of hybrid cars in to a move aimed at reducing the average prices of these vehicles and thus encouraging more people to purchase them. Dwindling petroleum deposits in a major concern to the world. It is widely acknowledged that only a total of one trillion barrels of recoverable crude oil reserves is available for exploration worldwide with only two percent (2%) of this value in the United States of America. Most of these oil deposits are found in the eastern hemisphere that is made up of countries that are well known for political instability. It is therefore very wise for countries that fall in the Western hemisphere and more so, the United States to adapt the mass production and commercial use of hybrid vehicles. This will not only cushion them from ever fluctuating oil prices but will also prevent the imminent collapse of most sectors of the economies of these countries. Conclusion From the foregoing, it is evident that the world stands to gain immensely from the introduction into the world of transportation hybrid cars. It is true that the cost of producing a hybrid car is not one that sends one smiling all the way to the bank. In fact it is prohibitively high and the faint hearted who will not pay attention to the long term benefits of this hybrid car model will not dare. But the benefits or gains both in terms of saving a planet in peril and a global economy in a shambles are so enticing and crucial that it is actually the way to go. The environmental problems that come as a result of oil utilization in transport and other areas of life will be dealt with once and for all. For instance, the release of dangerous gases such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide into the atmosphere that is responsible for global warming and numerous respiratory problems as well as problems in farming thorough such phenomena as acid rain will be solved. The economic woes that emanate from over dependence on oil will also be contained. The availing of financial resources to rogue nations such as Iran that fund terrorist groups, the shaking of the global economy due to shifts in oil prices as well as the escalation of conflicts in most third world countries in the east and Africa as a result of scrambling over oil resources will be eliminated. References: Anderson C. D & Anderson J (2004); Electric and Hybrid Cars: A History. ISBN-10: 0786418729, ISBN -13: 978-0786418725, McFarland & Company. pp 6-10 Boschert, S. , (2006); Plug-Ins: The cars that will recharge America. pp 2-7 ISBN-10: 0865715718, ISBN-13: 978-0865715714, New Society Publishers. Gore, A. (2006): An Inconvenient Truth. Retrieved on 24th March 2009 from: http://www. climatecrisis. net/aboutthefilm/. Para 1-3. Paterson, B. N. , (2007). Economic benefits of hybrid cars. Retrieved on 23rd March 2009 from: http://www. helium. com/items/1026111-economic-benefits-of-hybrid-cars, para 3-5. Westbrook M. H, (2001): The Electric Car: Development and Future of Battery, Hybrid and Fuel-Cell Cars. ISBN-10: 0852960131, ISBN-13: 978-0852960134. The Institution of Engineering and Technology. pp 56-61.
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