Second Foundation Prologue

The First Galactic Empire had endured for tens of thousands of years. It had included all the planets of the Galaxy in a centralized rule, sometimes tyrannical, sometimes benevolent, always orderly. Human beings had forgotten that any other form of existence could be. All except Hari Seldon. Hari Seldon was the last great scientist of the First Empire. It was he who brought the science of psycho-history to its full development. Psycho-history was the quintessence of sociology, it was the science of human behavior reduced to mathematical equations. The individual human being is unpredictable, but the reactions of human mobs, Seldon found, could be treated statistically. The larger the mob, the greater the accuracy that could be achieved. And the size of the human masses that Seldon worked with was no less than the population of the Galaxy which in his time was numbered in the quintillions. It was Seldon, then, who foresaw, against all common sense and popular belief, that the brilliant Empire which seemed so strong was in a state of irremediable decay and decline. He foresaw (or he solved his equations and interpreted its symbols, which amounts to the same thing) that left to itself, the Galaxy would pass through a thirty thousand year period of misery and anarchy before a unified government would rise once more. He set about to remedy the situation, to bring about a state of affairs that would restore peace and civilization in a single thousand of years. Carefully, he set up two colonies of scientists that he called â€Å"Foundations.† With deliberate intention, he set them up â€Å"at opposite ends of the Galaxy.† One Foundation was set up in the full daylight of publicity. The existence of the other, the Second Foundation, was drowned in silence. In Foundation (Gnome, 1951) and Foundation and Empire (Gnome, 1952) are told the first three centuries of the history of the First Foundation. It began as a small community of Encyclopedists lost in the emptiness of the outer periphery of the Galaxy. Periodically, it faced a crisis in which the variables of human intercourse, of the social and economic currents of the time constricted about it. Its freedom to move lay along only one certain line and when it moved in that direction, a new horizon of development opened before it. All had been planned by Hari Seldon, long dead now. The First Foundation, with its superior science, took over the barbarized planets that surrounded it. It faced the anarchic Warlords that broke away from the dying Empire and beat them. It faced the remnant of the Empire itself under its last strong Emperor and its last strong General and beat it. Then it faced something which Hari Seldon could not foresee, the overwhelming power of a single human being, a Mutant. The creature known as the Mule was born with the ability to mold men's emotions and to shape their minds. His bitterest opponents were made into his devoted servants. Armies could not, would not fight him. Before him, the First Foundation fell and Seldon's schemes lay partly in ruins. There was left the mysterious Second Foundation, the goal of all searches. The Mule must find it to make his conquest of the Galaxy complete. The faithful of what was left of the First Foundation must find it for quite another reason. But where was it? That no one knew. This, then, is the story of the search for the Second Foundation!

Knowledge, Truth, and Belief Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Knowledge, Truth, and Belief - Case Study Example Hence, assumption of burnt bulb cannot be taken as final but considered along with the issue of fuse. Only when the fuse is also tested, that the reality of bulb being burnt or not can be conclusively defined. Thus, rational approach of problem, where well articulated or logical arguments become basis for problem solution, needs to be adopted. (words: 158) Russell’s approach of looking at things is hugely important because it uses empirical knowledge to interpret the world around from wider perspective of rational approach. He believes that perceived reality is important part of human interaction with the world which is often interpreted in context with the real life situation. While perception is linked with the sensory organs, its interpretation and understanding hugely depends on cognitive processes that relies on manipulation of information as stored in memory. At the same time, Russell also employs skepticism to understand emotional and metaphysical reaction. The expanding knowledge promotes rational approach where skepticism facilitates in coming to the right conclusion. As part of experience, skepticism helps to evolve options that support not only accrued knowledge comprising of scientific and priori knowledge but also the intuitive and inductive knowledge that comes from experience. Hence Russell’s approach lends credibility to the wider empirical knowledge of rationalization process. (words: 151) Out of the variety of considerations that Reid presents in support of his common sense position, I believe the strongest argument is that human intellect is most important factor in social interaction. The human intellect takes into consideration the conscious and unconscious working of mind along with the ability to rationalize events based on construction and deconstruction of object reality. The cognitive theory helps to explain why and how the events take place and subsequent pattern of

Immigration Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Immigration Law - Essay Example Descent is another mode of becoming a British citizen if the applicant was born outside the UK and if the applicant’s parents were British. Citizenship can also be obtained through naturalisation which is subject to the discretionary powers of the Home Secretary. At the present instance, the rights of citizens are under critical review and legislation has been enacted in order to prohibit any manner of discrimination. The central idea behind this review is to create an equal and vibrant society (Citizenship 1906-2003). The composite citizenship of the UK and its Colonies provided by the British Nationality Act of 1948 has been replaced by the British Nationality Act of 1981, which had been effective from 1983. Under this act, British citizenship can be attained only by birth in the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, Gibraltar or the Falkland Islands to a parent who was a British citizen, or a settled resident there, by descent, by registration or by naturalization. In the year 1999 the Government restored full citizenship to UK Overseas Territories and Overseas citizens. Further, Commonwealth citizenship includes all sorts of British citizenship besides citizenship of any country of the Commonwealth. Citizens of the UK automatically become citizens of the EU (British citizenship, 2003). Naturalization is a legal process through which a non – citizen of a nation, by taking an oath of allegiance, attains the citizenship and the rights of a natural – born citizen of a nation. The British Nationality Act of 1981 stipulates the requirements for naturalization in the UK. These conditions include a definite period of residence or service for the Crown abroad, good character, considerable proficiency in English, and an intention to reside in the UK (Naturalization, 2003 ). The British Nationality Act 1981 restricts the acquisition of the status of a British subject to persons on whom the British Nationality Act 1948 bestows this status. Persons who had been citizens of the UK and its Colonies under the 1948 Act, but failed to become citizens of the country where they lived, would continue to enjoy their status as British subjects.  

Probation and Intermediate Sanctions #8 Term Paper

Probation and Intermediate Sanctions #8 - Term Paper Example 6). On other hand, intermediate sanctions refer to illegal judgments that connect ordinary audition and imprisonment. Intermediate sanction usually includes the following, thorough trial, house detention, electronic scrutinization, boot campus and drug management (Siegel 2011 p. 7). Intermediate sanctions serve the following two functions in criminal integrity scheme. First, the granting of intermediate sanctions over confinement helps in reducing congestion and eases the saddle on any county’s jail organization. Secondly, it facilitates the reduction of recidivism by aiming the behaviors of the defendants that led to the committing of the crime. Intermediate sanctions can be very effective if used in the right way. The condition number eight sets out one of the ordinary Conditions of Juvenile Probation which was permitted in 1995 by the New Jersey Supreme Court. The condition stipulates well that one is obliged to answer completely, truthfully and promptly to all the enquiries made by his or her probation officer. This condition usually forms the basis of good probationer performance. In case the person under probation does no adhere to the condition, the probation officer may impose an appropriate sanction against the probationer as provided by the law. When one repeatedly goes against this condition, this is considered as a contravention of probation particularly when one has violated other

TBA Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

TBA - Essay Example In the video, Mrs. Kondo fights to reduce the increasing rudeness among Japanese youth (ABC News: Cultural Differences In Manners Between Japan And The U.S.). During the interview, we see her smiling the whole time of the interview. In addition to we also see the women in her class speak in low tones, which is an indicator of the non-verbal communication skills in the video. 2. In the McDonalds commercial, there is a young shouting, this is a clear indication of the non-verbal codes. The young man shouts while raising his hands up to show excitement. The gesture indicates that there is the use of non-verbal codes in the short video. Mrs. Kondo is shaking her head when she says that there is a decline in manners among the youths in the Japan. She argues that the American culture has a strong influence on the modern Japan culture. Deborah Tannen shakes her head when she says that modern youths are comfortable in using technology. 3. The use of non-verbal gestures and codes in the video plays a major role in the video. The non-verbal messages in the individuals in the video to sensitize their views on the impact f American culture on the Japanese culture. It helps show the emotional state of most of the individuals in the video. The state official indicates to the interviewer that he has finished speaking by nodding his head. It is an indication that regulates the flow of communication between conversations. It provides appropriate feedback to individuals during interviews. Mrs. Kondo feels that the modern youth do not have manners when holding discussions. She insists that they do not have manners. According to her, the Japanese youth does not act the way the society expects them to do. At the beginning of the video, we find Mrs. Kondo teaching the interviewer how to bow in front of people during greetings. The gestures indicate that of politeness in the

Personal Reflection on Early Childhood Development Essay

Personal Reflection on Early Childhood Development - Essay Example The development center I chose to observe and participate in was CB and in the following paragraphs is a breakdown of what this facility does and the theories of child development it promotes. CB is a non-profit organization which was established to provide services for families affiliated with the cancer center. The methods that this organization demonstrates very much coincide with two different theories, these being Erickson's and Piaget's approaches within the belief system of child development. It provides a very supportive, nurturing environment so individual personalities of each child can blossom forth. The developmental need of the 'whole child' is the priority of CB while at the same time responding to each families needs. The philosophy of CB is one that wants to promote personal self expression so that every child will be able to accentuate on their own potential, self worth, confidence, interests, and also have a complete sense of joy and fulfillment while in the early learning processes. There are three systematic steps associated with the program at CB and the details that have been observed are in the following bulleted outline. Learning Process the setting for cognitive development at CB is structured to a homelike atmosphere. This promotes comfortability and trust so that the children feel free to immerse themselves in the learning experience Developmental Awareness CB works wholeheartedly to match each child's progressing abilities through child and teacher interaction, though the child is allowed to decide what type of activity will be involved Developmental Goals The development goals are the key essentials of CB in order to provide a secure and sound foundation filled with a myriad of opportunities for children to grow and develop to get positive reinforcements for great achievements within the future There is various information about the program and during my tour and by personal observations; I noticed a monthly newsletter is available as well as information about different staff members in the form of essays. Also, I gathered information as to the sites fee's, enrollment, and age groups of acceptance. The fee is based on a sliding scale so it proves to be beneficial to working class families in the financial aspectual areas. As far as age groups, CB accepts six weeks of age up to kindergarten, and currently has an enrollment of 150 children, including infants. Many families search for programs for their children where they are guaranteed the employee's have the credentials necessary to properly care for their children. CB insures this as all 45 of their employee's have some form of expertise in early childhood development. Also, CB urges its employee's to become actively involved in the workshops that are available on a monthly basis to further their current knowledge. Those without a CDA (Child Development Associate Degree) go through precisive staff training. As aforementioned, CB follows closely in the footsteps of cognitive theorists such as Piaget and Erickson. The CB structure promotes active exploration through interaction with adults and other materials. It is a fact that the stage involving the development of sensorimotor is one of the most detrimental because

“On Being Sane in Insane Places” Essay Example for Free

â€Å"On Being Sane in Insane Places† Essay It was very interesting to read about Rosenhans study and how psychiatrists, who go through big coursework and training, could wrongly classify a patient. It surprised me how some psychiatrists couldn’t say they don’t know what’s wrong with patients instead they could possibly diagnose someone as insane. Though reading this chapter I found the strange things from Rosenhan’s study that was hard to believe. Slater states, â€Å"The strange thing was, the other patients seemed to know Rosenhan was normal, even while the doctors did not. † (69). I believe patients can know that better than doctors because they are in that situation already and some doctors don’t analyze their patients carefully to know what’s actually happening with them. For example, if someone studies about one culture doesn’t mean that person knows way better that person who actually lives with that culture. Both chapters I found interesting because it relates to my life very well. I found out Elliot Aronson, Darley and Latane all kind of try to show that people needs to find reason for their actions. I believe each person as a human have to help everyone no matter what. Darley and Latane’s mention is about how to help someone in an emergency that relates with Catherine Genovse murder. Slater says, â€Å"You must interpret the event as one in which help is needed† (95). We read about Catherine’s murder and saw that after she had asked for help, someone yelled, leave that girl alone, instead of helping, and the only thing that happened was that the killer ran away (95). I agree with Darley and Latane’s that we need to know which help is needed and what help is not. The person may have helped with getting the killer away, but Catherine needed the help the most, so she wouldn’t die. I been in so many situations that someone needed my help and I helped as much as I could, but knowing what helped was needed help me a lot. Leon Festinger talked about how people really pay attention to what is going on in their life and around them. I think some people just pay attention to what they want. Its true most of the people like to listen to people who agree with them and ignore who doesn’t. The chapter also discussed how people can believe in something they can’t prove such as God working through  a person. I think even for believing a god it has many prove to make a person to believe it. I believe for believing on something need to have something as prove. This section is a really great one however I didnt prefer how the experiments were described. I additionally didnt prefer the experiments and there result. Harlow was a fascinating man and I preferred how the author discusses the experimenter and how they grew up on the grounds that it permits me to understand their conclusions about their examinations and why they are imperative to them. I thought it was interesting that the monkeys adored the cover yet when they were displayed a face they might be scared and yell or cry about it. What I establish fascinating was that when they were babies they existed like a typical life however when they got older they went insane. A percentage of the monkeys were introducing a mental imbalance, gnawing them, and one of the monkeys bit off his hands. This discovering was entertaining since Harlow was supporting the surrogate moms and this wound up going terrible for him. I wish the author might stick more to the investigations and less to her editorializing. I cant agree with what Zola-Morgan does say â€Å"our human lives are intrinsically more valuable; monkey studies yield information that helps those lives† (153). Of course humans are more valuable than the monkeys, but still monkeys are animals and I think it’s so cruel to hurts them only because to do the experiment. If that kind of research saved the life of loved then I will be okay with that. I still feel awful with doing that type of experiment on poor animals that didn’t do nothing wrong.   This is another important finding because it just shows that psychiatrists may not have any idea about what they are doing, but no one questions them because of their authority. Of course after whom goes through big coursework and training, don’t expect someone to tell them they are wrong but from Rosenhan’s study they may be wrong too.