Beyond The Human Essay Example for Free

Beyond The Human Essay Nature is benevolent. It may condone one mistake of the human being. It may accommodate him in his yet another folly. But when the human beings continue with the deliberate, malicious and intentional negative activities to destroy Nature, Nature will hit back with tremendous vigor, for it has to recoup its original, natural health. Man is not the creature of Nature. Rather he is the product of the divine creative force that sustains the world. This novel by Atwood is grim and depressing and the contents therein, if it were to become true, do not augur well for the wellbeing of humanity. This book can be categorized as Science Fiction or speculative fiction, but as one goes through the contents, it reads like predictions that will come true. There is a method in the imaginative narrations which reach the borders or truth. At the end of each chapter, the reader is compelled to nod his head and say-yes, this can happen! How then to make this Planet Earth heaven-like? The answer is simple and direct. Eyes full of understanding, heart full of love and deep respect for the laws of Nature and the life that refuses conflicts—enough, these alone are enough! Two main themes dominate the book, Oryx and Crake. The novel relates to the distant future, the global warning has taken its toll, it has created many changes to the geography of Earth, that the coastal cities do not exist, and the name of New York is New New York. Umbrellas wont do to go outside in the sun; one invites certain death. The wealthier areas of the world still dominate, well-protected under places known as compounds and areas known as The Pleebands still exist. People live the normal life here, and understand Nature and its glory better. They know the real worth of Gods gifts to humanity. The plot of the book has three central characters. The narrator, Snowman, formerly known as Jimmy, is the only surviving human being on this Planet Earth. The sad beginning of the novel describes this terminally ill Snowman, sleeping in a tree. Food is in short supply; the sun is so hot that the Snowman has blisters on his body. The genetically engineered beings wolvogs and the pigoos that have managed to escape are now roaming the grounds, with no human beings to control them. At this stage, Atwood makes the reader ponder, as to what a sad pass the human race has arrived and the responsibility rests squarely on the shoulders of the captains who led the human race. The role of the scientists becomes suspect here. No doubt, they obey the orders of the politicians and do research on weapons of more and more and destruction. When questioned, their reply is that they have no responsibility for its use. Atwood provides the imperative advice to those who govern the affairs of humanity that if proper review is not made in time, even the desperate remedies will not be able to avert the forthcoming desperate situations. The important question is not who is responsible but what will happen to the Planet Earth, when such irreversible grim situations confront humanity—in this particular story, the humanity itself is extinct so who is there to tell the story and also listen to the story! To what a calamitous situation this mad craze for unending research has brought the human race, the so-called crown of creation! How the human beings are unable to know the real source of happiness? True happiness is not in reading more and more books, creating innovative materialistic objects. The products of mind related thinking can never be the permanent source of happiness. To achieve the state of bliss, an individual has to cross the barrier of mind, rather transcend it. Now the only surviving human being the Snowman, has the added responsibility of looking after a group of humanoid creatures named the Crackers. His best friend Crake invented them and created such class of people. They are supposed to be ideal human beings. If only the individual who created such human being were to know the exact nature of ideal human beings! Crakers are strange creatures, with no emotions, no desires, and no sex drive. They just procreate, as matter of reflex action. They are without any motivation. The concept of war is not known to these creatures, and this aspect seems to be the only good point about them. Being strict vegetarians, they have no desire for meat. They are simple people, but the meaning of their simplicity is not amenable to human reason. The question is, why for these Crakers were created at all? An important conclusion is the mind-less craze for research must stop. How to stop it and where to stop it, should be the concern of the leadership of the humanity. A popular protest to halt the undesirable and unhealthy growth of research that affects the human life must be on the top of the agenda. This aspect of research can be illustrated with an example. An over the counter medication for diabetes claims—the cure for diabetes is guaranteed with this medicine. But the side effects reported are, hypertension, night-blindness, hair fall, palpitation of the heart, with possible heart attack, high blood pressure, blisters etc. Further research is in progress as to how to avoid these side-effects. Is it not prudent to own the original disease, instead of extending a cordial invitation to so many side effects? So, this much about the world of research related to the medical world. So, the important question is why the world ended and why should it have ended thus. Due to the follies of the miniscule of minority of human beings, the majority had to face the ultimate disaster—total extinction! —Atwood elucidates this aspect convincingly and indicates her deep concern for the real happiness of human beings, which is an attainable reality provided right type of efforts are made. Conclusion: One must read this book; one must re-read and ponder over the contents. The points mentioned in the book are logical and the conclusions are frightening. Just remember the atomic blasts done over Hiroshima and Nagasaki. That was the time when the research on atomic weapons was still in its infancy. What if some mad political authority should initiate triggering the push-buttons of these silent demons? There wont be a Snowman to collect the ashes of humanity perhaps! Does the humanity deserve this? Perhaps not! Are we taking action and thinking strongly to avert such a situation? Perhaps not! Then who is to blame? Perhaps ourselves! The science-community, especially the bio-engineering division, is taken to task by Atwood and her deep suspicions about the craze of unending research are absolutely right. So, the scientists! —you may cross the moon and beat the stars; but probe and research you must the mysteries of a happy human heart! ************************** References Cited: Atwood, Margaret (Author) Book: Oryx and Crake. Paperback: 376 pages Publisher: Anchor (March 30, 2004) Language: English ISBN-10: 0385721676 ISBN-13: 978-0385721677

Technology and Gabriel Marcel :: Philosophy Essays

Technology and Gabriel Marcel ABSTRACT: I present the arguments of Gabriel Marcel which are intended to overcome the potentially negative impact of technology on the human. Marcel is concerned with forgetting or rejecting human nature. His perspective is metaphysical. He is concerned with the attitude of the "mere technician" who is so immersed in technology that the values which promote him as an authentic person with human dignity are discredited, omitted, denied, minimized, overshadowed, or displaced. He reviews the various losses in ontological values which curtail the full realization of the human person in his dignity. The impact of technology leads too often to a loss of the sense of the mystery of being and self, authenticity and integrity, the concrete and the existential, truth and dialogue, freedom and lover, humanity and community, fidelity and creativity, the natural and the transcendent, commitment and virtue, respect of the self and responsiveness to others, and especially of the spiritual and the sacred. Thus, the task of the philosopher is to be a watchman, un veilleur, on the alert for a hopeful resolution of the human predicament.. Technology as the ever-present dynamic factor affecting our daily lives and transforming our contemporary civilization could be described as the rationally created artificial world of learnable operational rules, methods, recipes, and skills furnishing a complex of universally available standardized means used automatically to attain predetermined goals in any variety of endeavors with more mastery, more efficiency, more productivity, more predictability, more durability, and more practicality. (1) Technology, under all its forms, dominates every aspect of our lives by making it possible for us to manipulate any physical or mental activity dealing with domestic, social, political, economic, medical and aesthetic concerns, facilitating means of transportation and communication, enhancing conditions of work and play, and helping in harnessing the forces of nature and in transforming raw material. (2) The advent and progress of technology as it becomes a global all-encompassing phenomenon appears to be both a blessing in the way it improves the human condition in its efforts at coping with life and the world and as a tragedy in its destructive outcome as it is affecting the physical universe and impacting on the future of humanity. (3) It lessens the hardship, the suffering, and the despair in the face of overwhelming odds in mastering the universe and achieving chosen goals and enhances self-mastery, higher achievements and hope in performing essential tasks and chores demanded or chosen for survival or human flourishing.

Development of Egyptian Pyramids from Sumerian Ziggurats Essay

The Egyptian pyramid structures represent a great range of civilization techniques that have been used in various other parts such as in Rome and Greece. This is despite the fact that the eventual architectural construction of pyramids in Egypt took place in slow transitional steps during the 3rd transition to a unique Egyptian character and permanency in the 4th dynasty although the â€Å"idea was brought to Egypt by the Mesopotamians† (Isler 90). The original idea came from the structures of the Ziggurats that are of various sizes and whose bases range from 20 meters on the side and 90 meters on a side. They are usually very high temples built on a platform of adobe brick with a series of platforms that create a stepped pyramid. They are therefore of major importance as they are mainly used for city planning and are dedicated to the god or goddess of the city’s patron. This is a major form of civilization which was introduced in Mesopotamia through the epic journey of Gilgamesh in 2700 B. C who later built the city of Uruk (Hooker par. 3-6). His account which was inscribed in some of the oldest and earliest tablets existed before those provided on the pyramid texts. Since the structure of ziggurats does not have a specific definition, the staged towers which possess consciously constructed stages are generally referred to as ziggurats. They are mainly found in the area of Mesopotamia. The siak ziggurat dates back to 5500 B. C although it is not yet clear what was anciently used to classify structures as ziggurats. Most temples on accumulated ruins were the original staged towers even though the stages which were made of accumulated ruins were not constructed for the tower. Hence the structures are only referred to as ziggurats when the stages are constructed and modeled after the piled up ruins. Some of their functions arise since they were built as a representation of mountain to offer protection for the temple against floods, and religiously they appear in the form of unity since they form a place where the gods dwell. There are a number of evidences that the Egyptian pyramids borrowed their building techniques from the Sumerian ziggurats. For instance, the ziggurats â€Å"and typically the elamite ziggurat exhibit a striking resemblance â€Å"(Isler, 32) and are similar in shape to the early Egyptian pyramids most especially the step pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara except that they do not â€Å"possess a sanctuary at its apex and had a system of internal tunnels and chambers† (World Mysteries par. 3) . In addition, they date some years later than the earliest ziggurats as the great pyramid dates back to around 2500 B. C. The architectural forms of the pyramid began as a simple mastaba which was built in several stages. This step pyramid is a product of the â€Å"Egyptian third dynasty which was simultaneous with the early dynastic period in Mesopotamia† (Walton par. 1-5). However, they are built by use of mud bricks, a technique developed in Palastine in the Neolithic period and not in Mesopotamia. The civilization in Egypt which is accompanied by the technique of building pyramid tombs is a sign of concern about death and the search for immortality. This is because they were worried about the nature of death and the hope for survival after death, a factor realised by Gilgamesh when he discovers â€Å"the fateful truth that death awaits every person† (Smart 201-203). Works Cited Hooker, R. Gilgamesh. 6 June 1999. 24 August 2010 . Isler, M. â€Å"Sticks, stones, and shadows: building the Egyptian pyramids. † USA, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press, 2001. 32-90. John H. Walton. Is there archaeological evidence of the Tower of Babel? 2001. 24 August 2010 . par. 1-5 Smart, N. â€Å"The World’s Religions, 2nd Ed. † USA: Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1998. 201-203. World Mysteries. The Age of the Great Pyramid. 2009. 24 August 2010 .

Analysis of Marketing Environment - 878 Words

1) Macro environmental analysis Macro analysis is also known as PESTEL analysis which stands for- Political factors Economical factors Social factors Technological factors Environmental factors Legal factors Political factors The business operation of an organization is always influenced by the policies of state and its government. McDonald’s business is also under the control of government’s rules and regulations. The main issue of controlling food business is health and other issues are license, employee laws, tax issues etc. McDonald’s follows the local government’s policies as well as foreign investment policies on its franchise business strategy. Political instability of local state also affects McDonald’s business.†¦show more content†¦If every company maintains the legal process, not only the company itself but also every part of our society will be benefited. McDonald’s, as a giant food chain, has to be seriously responsible regarding legal issues. 2) Micro environmental analysis: Micro environment covers the internal factors which influence the operations of organization. McDonald’s is influenced by its internal factors .The internal factors are- Suppliers Competitors Customers Publics Intermediaries Suppliers McDonald’s has its own suppliers and it practices very close relationship with suppliers. McDonald’s divides its suppliers into two divisions who are called direct suppliers and indirect suppliers. The indirect suppliers deliver the ingredients to the direct suppliers and the direct suppliers produce the food for McDonald’s. McDonald’s understands the importance of its suppliers and always co-operates with professional manners. (aboutmcdonalds.com) Competitors As the global market of 21st century is highly competitive, McDonald’s has some strong competitors, for example, KFC, Burger King, Pizza Hut etc. all competitors have good brand image, remarkable market share, long business history and so on. On this competitive situation, McDonald’s needs to consider its competitors power to ensure its dominating position. Customers McDonald’s is serving millions of customersShow MoreRelatedMarketing Environment and Marketing Analysis800 Words   |  4 Pages In the case study ‘Youngcare and the donation landscape’ it is evident that the not-for-profit organization needed to raise funds to provide facilities to Young adults with high needs. In order to do this the organization had to study its environment ie its competitors, raising awareness amongst people and setting its targets. Youngcare competes with other renowned not for profit organizations such as the Red Cross and the McGrath Foundation; its direct competitors. 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