Demarcation Of Science And Pseudo Science Philosophy Essay

Demarcation Of Science And Pseudo Science Philosophy Essay introduction Please give a short summary of all three articles [1-3] taken together as a discussion of the difference between science and pseudo-science in general, and particularly astrology as example pseudo-science. The pseudoscience comes from a Greek prefix pseudo which means false. Pseudoscience pretends to believe in practice of methods which are not scientifically proven but appears with high probability. Pseudoscience obligation on some figures and facts are not appropriate evidence, proofs and practical tests. Science is making life of people easy and eliminates sophistication. Some people with little knowledge of science try to convince their idea without proper scientific methods in scientific domain. The following are some characteristics of pseudoscience Use of vague, exaggerated or untestable claims Over-reliance on confirmation rather than refutation Lack of openness to testing by other experts Absence of progress Personalization of issues Use of misleading language Astrology pretends to justify their work to scientist, astrologer and clients. Experiments of astrologers never be predicted and what kind of facts they will accept. Astrology tends to rely on client satisfaction arguing that if their clients are satisfied because astrology is accurate. Astrologers try to escape themselves from procedures and methods of science by saying that they can only help and guide people about their personal and hidden abilities, points that can have positive effect on their life and they can lead a better life by choosing right paths in their destination. However, science requires scientific evidence. Pseudoscience is a methodology, belief or practice that is claimed to be scientific or that is made to appear to be scientific, but it does not adhere to an appropriate scientific methodology. The word pseudo means false. The good way to find false predictions is to check it properly with best practices of scientist and researchers. Demarcation of science from pseudoscience is quite necessary. Due to high status of science, people try include their non scientific and pseudoscientific claims into scientific domain. Therefore demarcation issue is always on the pressing. Demarcation issue is important in many practical applications such as: Healthcare, Expert testimony, Environmental policies, science education etc. According to many authors, pseudoscience is a non-science claiming to be science. They also believe that to be pseudoscientific, an activity or claim has to satisfy following criteria: it is not scientific, and its major proponents try to create the impression that it is scientific. According to Popper, the theory be falsifiable, or more precisely that statements or systems of statements, in order to be ranked as scientific, must be capable of conflicting with possible, or conceivable observations. Kuhn disapproved Poppers theory of demarcation he criticized Popper for characterizing the entire scientific enterprise in terms that apply only to its occasional revolutionary parts. Paul states a two points criterion for a theory or claim to be pseudo scientific. One of these is that the theory fails to progress, and the other that the community of practitioners makes little attempt to develop the theory towards solutions of the problems, shows no concern for attempts to evaluate the theory in relation to others, and is selective in considering confirmations and disconfirmations (Thagard 1978, 228). Many authors have put forward a list of criteria as a demarcation criterion. One such list is as under: Belief in authority. Nonrepeatable experiments. Handpicked examples. Unwillingness to test. Disregard of refuting information. Built-in subterfuge. Explanations are abandoned without replacement. Why is it important to distinguish science from non-science? Describe the problem of demarcation and its significance for science according to Sven Ove Hanssons article [1] It is in general discussion that pseudoscience is non-science as brain Baigrie says what is objectionable about these beliefs is that they masquerade as genuinely scientific ones. Authors and researchers predict about two criteria. It is not scientific, and Its major proponents try to create the impression that is scientific. It is quite inevitable to distinguish between science and non science in many ways. For example, in Healthcare, Expert testimony, Environmental policies, Science Education etc. In Healthcare Pseudoscience activities can be dangerous for patients health and life. Accurate facts and figures are required in court cases. Judges decision should be based on best available knowledge. Sometimes litigants try to present non-science claims as solid science. Therefore, justice should be able to distinguish between science and pseudoscience. Environmental experts also need to differentiate between science and pseudoscience. Best available knowledge will help them to make decisions when there are valid but yet insufficient evidence of environmental hazard. State and school authorities should take measures to protect curricula from unreliable and disapproved teachings. Sconce is our most reliable source of knowledge in daily life, its quiet inevident to differentiate science from pseudo-science. Due to importance of science, some people attempt to exaggerate the scientific status of various claims, teachings, and products. In order to tackle this issue, demarcation of science is necessary. What are the characteristics of pseudoscience according to [2] Pseudoscience has following characteristics as mentioned in article. Use of vague, exaggerated or untestable claims Over-reliance on confirmation rather than refutation Lack of openness to testing by other experts Absence of progress Personalization of issues Use of misleading language Give a short account of astrotest [3] and its results. The Article was intended to proof weather astrologers can predict or not. Author invited astrologers to take part in an astrotest. He gave the astrologers the birth data of 7 anonymous test subjects and they also receive 7 questioner filled by the test subjects. They have to match each birth chart with the corresponding questionnaire. Author offered 2500 dollars for the astrologer who matched all 7 birth chart with the corresponding questionnaire. Then he looked for suitable test subjects that are not between two ascendent or if the subject was born 5 minutes late or before the registered birth date they would have been on different sign. So he rejected such subjects to avoid ambiguity for the astrologers. The astrologers sent 10 questions each and he made 25 questions and added 24 multiple questions to it and he gave the questions to 10 experienced astrologers to give their opinion on it and none of them had a big objection to it. All 50 participants were given 10 weeks to complete the astrotest and 44 participants completed the test. Many of the participants had experience in astrology. And they were asked about their expectations and half of the 36 participants who responded the questions said they expected that they have matched all correct. But the result was very different from their expectation the most successful participant only manages 3 correct matches and half of the participants didnt score a single hit. And there were a lack of similarities between the answers of the participants. There was also a difference in response to the results between the astrologers some were surprised by the lack of agreement and others admitted that the possibilities of astrology were more limited then they had thought and others say astrology only works in actual practice and sixteen still believe science can still prove astrology right. And they gave reasons like horoscopes are too much alike, the answers of the subjects were often similar, the questions were not always answered truthfully and some said about incomplete information of subjects. Astrology and science are in conflict since astrology says its methods are testable and science focuses on astrology where as astrology focuses on client satisfaction and use words that cannot be falsified What are your conclusions on science contra pseudo-science discussion? Pseudoscience is extremely dangerous for our society. Science on other side is supported by proper methods, proofs and logics. Mankind is relying more and more on scientific methods and practices in routine life. Therefore, work should be done on emergency basis to eradicate and prevent pseudoscience entrance in the demarcation of science. In my opinion, people try to take pseudoscience too easy or as a source of amusement or fun. This can at certain times be very dangerous and Quakers are encouraged by this attitude. For example: Our political system can be sabotaged by the pseudoscience. Our education system can also become a victim of pseudoscience, and can be disastrous for our youth. Hundreds of people lives can be lost if not provided appropriate treatment in time, healthcare department should be prevented from pseudoscience. Instability can be introduced in our routine life by asserting pseudoscience in the religion A very important responsibility lies on media as electronic and other kinds of medias influence are increasing day by day in our routine life.

Should Gun Ownership Be Banned?

Should Gun Ownership Be Banned? Gun is a weapon which consists of a metal tube from a projectile which is fired at high velocity into a flat projectile. There are many different types of guns such as rifles, shotguns, and handguns. 1.2 The habits of gun ownership The culture of the United States cultivates an attitude toward firearms and a right of the armed citizens. They believe that the gun is used for survival. The entertainment drama and movies in America have shown that the gun acts as an instrument to promote personal fairness among people. Many authorities claim that handguns are involved in the violence issues in the United States because handguns are easily available and they function as an instrument to commit suicide or a crime at any time without much effort. 1.3 Gun laws in the United States There are several gun laws present in the United States 1.3. 1 State and local gun control 1.3.1.1 Concealed weapon laws About seven states in US prohibit concealed weapons and it requires individual to show a need prior to obtain a license to carry a concealed firearms. The private sale to minor has been regulated. 1.3.1.2 Federal law, Minors underage18 are prohibited from owning guns and minor under age 21 are prohibited from purchasing any gun from dealers. 1.3.1.3 One handgun a month laws It limits legal purchases of handguns once a month per buyer. The majority of states have a pre-emption law which prohibits local authorities from passing local gun control ordinances, crediting to a dramatic reduction in violent crime. (n.d 2009) 1.3.2 Possession Americans underage 18 may own a firearm only if they have a valid hunters safety certificate and are overage 14, or are supervised under a parent or guardian or another person authorized by the parent or guardian. Americans below 18 may also posse any legal firearm while hunting with a valid license, participating in lawful target shooting or organized competition, attending a hunter safety or firearms training course, or are traveling to or from such activity with an unloaded and inaccessible firearm. Any person who is not a citizen of the United States to carry or possess any firearm, without first obtaining an alien firearm license which is valid for 5 years from the director of licensing is a serious crime. 1.3.3 Carry A person shall not carry a pistol concealed on his own without a permit license but he may carry concealed without a license in his place of abode or fixed place of business. American are not allowed to carry or place a loaded handgun in any vehicle unless he has a license to permit him to do so, or the person with the concealed carrying license is in the vehicle at all times that the handgun is there, or the person with that license is away from the vehicle and the handgun is locked within the vehicle and concealed from view from outside the vehicle. American above 18 years old who possesses an unloaded handgun shall not leave it in a vehicle unless it is locked within the vehicle and concealed from view from outside the vehicle.(Mantaldo n.d)It is unlawful for an Americans to possess on public, private elementary, secondary school buildings, school-provided transportation, and areas of facilities while being used exclusively by public or private schools any firearm which propel a p ellet or other projectile by the discharge of compressed air, carbon dioxide or other gases. It is law disobeys to carry, transport, convey, possess or control in or on a motor vehicle a shotgun or rifle containing shells or cartridges in the magazine or chamber, or a muzzle-loading firearm loaded and capped or primed. 1.3.4 Miscellaneous It is unlawful to alter, remove, or obliterate the name of the maker, model, manufacturers number, or other mark of identification on any firearm which creates a legal presumption that the possessor committed the offense. It is illegal to carry, display or draw any firearm in such a way as to manifest intent to intimidate another as it does not apply to persons who instances of self-defense or acting in furtherance of ones official duties. (n.d 2009) 2.0 The benefits of gun ownership There are a lot of purposes for owning guns in the United States. 2.1 Provides effective self-defense For those people who own guns, they can protect themselves. They can also defend their friends and families from violent crimes. The police cannot protect the public and the belongings of everyone at the same time so the United States citizens have their own responsibility to protect our property. (Phil 2006). Guns protect the victims during attacks. For instance, an individual can defend himself with a gun when he encounters a rapist, a robber, or a mugger. (Torr 2002). The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) generally believes that if more law-abiding citizens are armed, they would be better prepared to stop criminals from committing murders and other violent crimes.(n.d 2009) 2.1.1 For weaker sex or handicapped victims For example, women are usually physically weaker than men .A woman carrying a gun has greater effect on the crime than a man. This phenomenon will lower the rate of murder for women by 3-4 times. (Kim 2006). A 2003 study from the USA shows that having a gun in the home increased the overall risk of someone in the household being murdered by 41% whereas for women in particular the risk was nearly tripled. Women think having a gun in the home makes them safer to live there; a large majority of men think just the opposite.A handicapped person who is not very smooth in his movement might face a big threaten when he encounters an armed criminal. Owning a gun can help to ensure his safety. 2.2 Reduce gun violence Personalized guns are created by equipping the normal gun with some specific safety features which allow the adult owners to use them only. Such guns help to lower the rate of incidents such as homicide, robbery, suicide and accidental death from occurring in the real world. Personalized guns can reduce the injuries or the accidental death of the victims of unintentional and wrong gun usage. These guns also reduce gun violence are stolen and used by criminals to commit crimes. (Egendorf 2005)The law-abiding citizens cannot protect their own property and their lives. A woman who always goes back home late and passes through any gang-infested housing project. She needs a handgun so that she will be in safer condition and will not be a victim of the robbed and violated. (Kim 2006) 2.3 Protects the country from being invaded Countries where gun ownership is prevalent are also far less likely to be successfully invaded. No invader will want to invade a country where virtually every America citizen already has the means to fight back against them. 2.4 Protects people from the government Gun ownership is not simply a means for protecting oneself from those who may pose a danger within our society, but also a means of protection from the government, which as noted, can sometimes be pretty malevolent. Our right to bear arms is part of what keeps us free. With a gun in hand, the government dares not to violate peoples civil rights, enter peoples homes randomly and place political dissidents in prison camps. (Mccracken n.d ) 2.5 Protects ones family and property Having a gun in the home can greatly increase the chances of survival because if someone is trying to break in ones house and he is the only one in the house at that particular time, he might as well use the gun he owned to protect his property. With the present of at least one gun in each family, this may help to ensure the safety of each of the family members. Half of the people who have been interviewed think that having a gun in the home makes it safer for the people who live there versus about one-third who feel the opposite way. 2.6 Unites Citizens Police cannot be everywhere simultaneously, and have no duty to protect everyone. Armed citizens can help to decrease the number of violent crimes committed by cooperating with the police which actually decreases the police workload. This enables the police to be more productive. 3.0 Disadvantages of gun ownership There are several disadvantages of gun ownership. 3.1 Contributes to violent crimes In general, the higher the gun ownership in a state, the higher is the percentage of the occurrence of the homicides caused by firearms. Due to little gun control law enforcement, murder and crimes are on the rise. This is because the handguns are too easily accessible to the children, the teens and the adult and this increases the risk of gun violence towards innocent people. The gun owners can use their gun to commit suicide when they wish to. The robbers use the gun to get involved in robbery cases. (Egendorf 2005).Torr (2002) argues that a prayer service at the Wedgwood Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas, a gunman who opened fire with his handgun for killing seven people, injuring the other seven and kill himself. Within a week from February 7, 2008, the United States had seven shooting incidents happened, leading to 23 deaths and dozens of injuries. On March 27, 2008, five people in Georgia and Kentucky were shot dead (The Associated Press 2008). On the night of April 18, nine shootings were reported in a period of less than two hours in Chicago (The Chicago Tribune 2008). In year 2005, 30,694 people died from gun violence which includes 12,352 people murdered; 17,002 people who killed themselves; 789 people killed accidentally; 330 killed by police intervention; and 221 who died, with an unknown intent. While in year 2007, 69,863 people survived after gun injuries, including 48,676 people injured in an attack; 4,291 people injured in a suicide attempt; 15,698 people shot accidentally; and 1,198 people shot in a police intervention.( n.d 2009) Some Americans are convinced that more federal regulation of firearms is necessary to reduce the number of murders and injuries that are inflicted with guns and to ensure a safer, more civilized society. 3.2 Decreases personal safety Handgun Control Inc. (HCI) is an activist organization which claims that owning a gun in home will increase the risks of accidents to occur. There are many cases show that the victims are dying in their houses because they are shot by a robber. The Usage of guns increases the risk of death and injury among people as well as creates a false sense of security. A study by Peter Hart Research shows that many parents realize the dangerous of handgun for their children but they still keep their handgun in the unsafe place. (Torr 2002) Public shooting There is very common for a public shooting to be occurred anywhere and anytime. The students will feel very angry and unhappy if they are scolded or ridiculed by other students, and therefore they might shoot at people to vent their anger. The children who are unhappy with their teachers might shoot at the targeted teachers. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 1.35 million high school students in 2007 were either threatened or injured with a firearm at least once in school premises (United Press International 2008). A record about 34 Chicago Public School students were killed in 2007-08. (The Chicago Tribune 2008) 4.0 Conclusion Gun ownership among Americans brings them lots of advantages when compared to the disadvantages. Owning gun makes Americans to be able to defend themselves from dangers but in the meanwhile it also increases the crime rate. The increasing crime rate can be overcome by the actions taken by the government which includes the regulation of the gun ownership. Gun ownership should not be banned in USA because it brings a lot of advantages for the people who own the guns as they can use guns to protect themselves, families and property.

An Annotated Bibliography on the topic of Multiple Intelligences

An Annotated Bibliography on the topic of Multiple Intelligences Campbell, L., Campbell, B. (1999). Multiple Intelligences and Student Achievement: Success Stories from Six Schools. Alexandria, VA.: Association for supervision and Curriculum Development. Throughout this book Campbell and Campbell share stories about six schools (two elementary, two middle, and two high schools) that incorporated Multiple Intelligences into their curriculum. The authors outline how MI is applied, its role, and its effect on student achievement. Campbell and Campbell provide examples of how a Multiple Intelligence curriculum enables students to use their strengths to improve their academic weaknesses. Campbell, L., Campbell, B., Dickinson, D. (2004). Teaching and Learning Through Multiple Intelligences. (3rd ed.). Boston ; Montreal: Pearson/A and B. This book is introduced by explaining what the original seven intelligences are in detail. It continues on to describe how teachers can begin to integrate Multiple Intelligences into their classrooms. The authors of this book give specific examples of how an educator can plan their lessons or projects and give assessments using the MI theory. Gardner, H. (1993). Choice Points as Multiple Intelligences Enter the School. David Lazear Group | Multiple Intelligences. Retrieved December 12, 2010, from http://www.davidlazeargroup.com/multi-intell/articles/ChoicePoints.htm In this short essay written by Howard Gardner, he describes seven purposes of which Multiple Intelligence has been applied. He discusses that the theory of MI has been used to support a range of educational goals. Gardner describes the relationship of curriculum, instruction, assessment, targeted audiences and students in relation to Multiple Intelligences. Gardner, H. (1993). Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences (10th anniversary ed.). New York, NY: BasicBooks. This is the tenth anniversary of the original book that outlined Multiple Intelligences. Gardner broke this book up into three sections: Background of MI, The Theory itself, and Implications and Applications. In Frames of Mind Gardner describes the idea of Multiple Intelligence and how he came up with it; he discusses the nature and characteristic of each intelligence as well as how MI could potentially help our educational system. Gardner, H. (2002). Multiple Intelligences: The Theory in Practice (29. printing. ed.). New York: BasicBooks. Gardners Multiple Intelligences: The Theory in Practice is a collection of essays written about how Multiple Intelligence has been implemented in schools since the first book, Frames of Mind was published. In the Assessment and Beyond section of the book, Gardner outlines evaluations and gives an alternative form of assessment to standardized exams: a student portfolio to demonstrate strengths. Garnder, H. (2003, April 21). Multiple Intelligences After Twenty Years. American Education Research Association. Retrieved December 10, 2010, from www.pz.harvard.edu/PIs/HG_MI_after_2sss0_years.pdf Throughout this article, Gardner explains how he came up with the idea of MI and how it has evolved in twenty years. Gardner gives examples of colleagues and studies that have implemented the theory and how it enabled student achievement. He also describes and corrects some misconceptions that he has come across over the years. Mettetal G.,  Cheryl J.,  Ã‚  Sheryll H.  (1997). Attitudes toward a multiple intelligences curriculum.  The Journal of Educational Research,  91(2),  115.   Retrieved December 12, 2010, from ABI/INFORM Global. (Document ID:  29295806). This article is about a small school that adopted the Theory of Multiple Intelligence into their school district. Considering the school went from being a traditional school to a school that fully implemented MI into its classrooms, there were many research activities and studies done to evaluate student assessment. Some activities include: surveys to parents, observations, interviews, and classroom assessments. Hatch, T. (1997). Getting Specific About Multiple Intelligences. How Children Learn, 54(6), 26- 29. Retrieved December 10, 2010, from http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational- leadership/mar97/vol54/num06/Getting-Specific-About-Multiple-Intelligences.aspx This article describes how each student is smart in their own way. Hatch describes each intelligence in relation to professions. For example, a person with a linguistic intelligence may be a reporter. Hatch proposes that educators teach to the students strengths opposed to the intelligence itself. The main purpose of this article is to try to get educators to avoid labeling their students to a specific intelligence. Lazear, D. (2000). Multiple Intelligence Approaches to Assessment: Solving The Assessment Conundrum. Global Learning Communities. Retrieved December 10, 2010, from www.julieboyd.com.au/ILF/pages/members/cats/bkovervus/t_and_learn_pdfs/mi_approa ch_to_assessment.pdf This article goes into detail about assessments and how they can be conducted. According to Lazear, any student who performs successfully on a given test does not necessarily demonstrate genuine learning or understanding; it may tell us only who is good at taking that type of test (Lazear 2000). He feels as though students need to demonstrate their knowledge in various ways to show genuine learning and understanding. In his article he outlines Brain-Based and Research-Based Assessment procedures. McClaskey, J.   (1995). Assessing student learning through multiple intelligences.  English Journal,  84(8),  56.   Retrieved December 12, 2010, from Research Library. (Document ID:  9081119). McClaskey feels as though students need to have opportunities to identify and build on their strengths.

Describe an object that is important to you and explain why Essay examp

Describe an object that is important to you and explain why      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   My Kelty Redwing backpack is folded up in my closet. Cramped on a shelf next to a box of old textbooks and forgotten letters, my backpack, like me, would rather be elsewhere.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Gloomy New England is no place for an active pack such as mine. There, the pack's buoyant purple, teal, and navy blue colors seem lost in shadow. Helpless, I do likewise, and watch my skin turn from a healthy tan to sickly white. We can hardly wait for the upcoming vacation. I take my pack to and from school with me. Holding up to 5600 cubic inches, my pack feels comfortable on my back even with sixty pounds of gear.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   During winter vacation, I usually take a skiing trip to a cabin in the Washington State Wilderness. Loaded with everything from Monopoly to a waffle iron, my backpack shields me from snow dripped by evergreens. It never actually skis, but my backpack wouldn't dare miss a downhill ski trip in the Rockies of Idaho. I leav...

Al Capone :: essays research papers

A lot of Italian immigrants, like many immigrants of all nationalities, came to the New World with very few items. Many of the immigrants were peasants escaping the lack of opportunity in rural Italy. Gabriele Capone, Alphonse’s father, was one of 43,000 Italians who arrived in the U.S. in 1894. He was a barber by trade and could read and write in his native language. He was from the village of Castellmarre di Stabia, sixteen miles south of Naples. Gabriele, who was thirty years old, brought his pregnant twenty-seven-year-old wife Teresina , his two-year-old son Vincenzo and his infant son Raffaele. Unlike many Italian immigrants, he did not owe anyone for his passage over. His plan was to do whatever work was necessary until he could open his own barber shop. Gabriele's ability to read and write allowed him to get a job in a grocery store until he was able to open his barber shop. Teresina, in spite of her duties as a mother, took on sewing piecework to add to the family coffers. Her third child, Salvatore was born in 1895. Her fourth son and the first to be born and conceived in the New World was born January 17, 1899. His name was Alphonse Capone. A block from Al's home was the parish church, St Michael's, where the Reverend Garofalo baptized him several months after his birth. At the age of five in 1904, he went to Public School 7 on Adams Street. Educational prospects for Italian children were very poor. The school system was deeply prejudiced against them and did little to encourage any interest in higher education, while the immigrant parents expected their children to leave school as soon as they were old enough to work. Al did quite well in school until the sixth grade when his steady record of B’s declined rapidly. Al Capone :: essays research papers A lot of Italian immigrants, like many immigrants of all nationalities, came to the New World with very few items. Many of the immigrants were peasants escaping the lack of opportunity in rural Italy. Gabriele Capone, Alphonse’s father, was one of 43,000 Italians who arrived in the U.S. in 1894. He was a barber by trade and could read and write in his native language. He was from the village of Castellmarre di Stabia, sixteen miles south of Naples. Gabriele, who was thirty years old, brought his pregnant twenty-seven-year-old wife Teresina , his two-year-old son Vincenzo and his infant son Raffaele. Unlike many Italian immigrants, he did not owe anyone for his passage over. His plan was to do whatever work was necessary until he could open his own barber shop. Gabriele's ability to read and write allowed him to get a job in a grocery store until he was able to open his barber shop. Teresina, in spite of her duties as a mother, took on sewing piecework to add to the family coffers. Her third child, Salvatore was born in 1895. Her fourth son and the first to be born and conceived in the New World was born January 17, 1899. His name was Alphonse Capone. A block from Al's home was the parish church, St Michael's, where the Reverend Garofalo baptized him several months after his birth. At the age of five in 1904, he went to Public School 7 on Adams Street. Educational prospects for Italian children were very poor. The school system was deeply prejudiced against them and did little to encourage any interest in higher education, while the immigrant parents expected their children to leave school as soon as they were old enough to work. Al did quite well in school until the sixth grade when his steady record of B’s declined rapidly.

Coffee Crisis Essay -- BTEC Business Marketing GCSE Coursework

Coffee Crisis The Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe , and the Economist as well as many other media outlets of record were all in consensus when they declared the onset of coffee crisis in October 2001; farmgate prices had sharply dropped reaching a thirty-year low of $0.39 per pound in This price was below the cost of coffee production at the time, listed at USD 0.60 per pound.(Economist 2001) Price declines are not such an uncommon occurrence, but what is more troubling is that the cash market for coffee suffers from high price volatility. For a more detailed look please see Appendix 1: Cash Price Variation. Coffee producers , who are mainly located in developing countries , are highly vulnerable to price risk in the cash market , yet their profits in relation to their risk exposure has been steadily declining. In a 2001 study conducted by the European Fair Trade Association (EFTA)- an organization that promotes the sale of products that ensure price security for marginalized commodity produ cers- the general finding was a declining share of trade revenues from coffee remained in the coffee producing countries. Although the international coffee market has grown from $30 billion annually in the 1980s to $55 billion in 2001, in aggregate coffee producers have seen their share drop from $10 billion to $7 billion in 2001 (Renkema 59). From the perspective of the small producer, their received cash prices have not always been this volatile and had been stable up until 1989 ;although the data does not fully support this. Please see Appendix 2) Measures of Volatility. A price regime devised in 1962 by the International Coffee Association setup an agreement between coffee producing countries and coffee consuming countries.... ...//www.nybot.org> Pennings, Joost M.E. Research in Agricultural Futures Markets: Past Present and Future. Presentation Paper: Wageningen Agricultural University: Netherlands. 8 June 2001. Renkema, David. (2001). ¡Ã‚ ± Chapter 4:Coffee:The Speculator ¡Ã‚ ¯s Plaything ¡Ã‚ ± Fair Trade Yearbook..European Fair Trade Association: Amsterdam. World Bank International Task Force on Commodity Risk Management in Developing Countries.  ¡Ã‚ °Dealing With Commodity Price Volatility In Developing Countries: A Proposal For A Market-Based Approach. ¡Ã‚ ± Discussion Paper for the Roundtable on Commodity Risk Management in Developing Countries. World Bank. Washington, DC: 24 September 1999. United Nation Commission on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Secretariat.  ¡Ã‚ °Farmers and Farmers Associations In Developing Countries And Their Use of Modern Financial Instruments. Geneva: 10 January 2002.

Maria Isabella Boyd aka Belle Boyd Essay -- biographies bio biography

Have you ever dreamt of living an adventurous life? Well for me that was reality. I was a spy and actress, mercilessly charming Union officers into giving me information. Dubbed 'La Belle Rebelle' by a French war correspondent, I went by the name Belle Boyd instead of my original name, Maria Isabella Boyd. I have gone in and out of jail, marriages, and careers (three of each). Throughout the whole ordeal though, I have been constant in my loyalty to the Confederacy. Born on May 4, 1843, I was raised just like any other southern lady. My father was a merchant, and I grew up in Martinsburg, West Virginia with my parents, several brothers, one sister, and grandmother. I attended Mount Washington Female College of Baltimore from age 12 to 16. Ever since I can remember I?ve been getting into all sorts of trouble. Once when I was 10, I rode my pony into the hallway of my house causing havoc. I was known to be a fun-loving debutante. People described my voice as low and charming and my figure flawless. It was odd how I was considered either extremely beautiful or completely plain because ...