Brave New World The Advancement of Science - 1450 Words

Brave New World: The Advancement of Science Christy Campbell Mrs. Doig Eng OAC 2 16 May, 1996 When thinking of progress, most people think of advances in the scientific fields, believing that most discoveries and technologies are beneficial to society. Are these advances as beneficial as most people think? In the novel Brave New World, the author Aldous Huxley, warns readers that scientific advances can be a threat to society. This is particularly evident in the fields of biology, technology and psychology. According to Huxley, The theme of Brave New World is not the advancement of science as such; it is the advancement of science as it affects human individuals(Huxley CLC 79 290). One scientific advance of which Huxley warns†¦show more content†¦Games consist of advanced technological apparatus, and low organization, creating very superficial entertainment. According to Huxley, this frustrates one of humanitys vital needs to be creative. Men no longer amuse themselves creatively but sit passively amused by mechanical devices(Hillegas 115). Among technological advances, one danger Huxley warns of is the advance in pharmacology. In Brave New World, an artificial form of happiness is present in a drug called soma. Soma propels the user into a hallucinatory dream world, pro viding relief from negativity, allowing constant happiness People are rewarded for work by receiving rations of soma. The soma ration varies according to the social classes, with the lowest classes receiving the least, and the highest classes receiving the greatest. Society is conditioned to believe that One cubic centimetre cures ten gloomy sentiments(Huxley Brave New World 53). This reasoning deceives the user into believing that soma is a cure- all remedy. Since soma has no side effects, it can be a threat to society because people may be drugged into a hallucinatory dream world twenty-four hours a day. It could be used as a drug not to escape the pressures of life, but to escape life itself. Similar to biology, technology can be a danger to society if used without regard for the welfare of mankind. Finally, the most dangerous of all scientific advancements Huxley warnsShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Aldous Huxley s Brave New World 1153 Words   |  5 PagesMartin Perez Honors English 4 Mr. Valdez Period.5 March 21 2016 The advancement of science can progress throughout the years, it is the effect that will make a long lasting impression on humanity. In the novel Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, one sees the dystopian society in which the advancements of science have reigned supremacy over morals and human ethics. By the advancement of science throughout the Brave New World and the way it is implemented in their society one sees the effect on humanRead MoreBrave New World Discussion Questions1321 Words   |  6 PagesBrave New World Discussion Questions Question 1: Each novel immerses us, instantly, into a world that simultaneously is foreign and familiar. Establish the characteristics of the society that the author creates and analyze the intricacies (complexities) of the society being presented. In what ways is it like and unlike our own society? In Aldous Huxley’s science fiction novel Brave New World, a distinct society is illustrated. The author depicts a civilization that is specifically based on severalRead MoreThe Great Depression Of The Brave New World934 Words   |  4 PagesThroughout the Brave New World there were many interesting things that occurred, but would not be acceptable within today s society. As human have become more civilized the evolution of eugenics, economies, and politics recently occurring events could lead one to believe that humans will eventually have a society like the one in Brave New World . The first example is how every country s economy is in some type of national debt. If major economy were to collapses it will cause a rippleRead MoreEssay On Brave New World And Gattaca953 Words   |  4 PagesMedical advancements are very important for extending the quality and quantity of life, however a strong moral compass is needed to make sure, in the name of science, ethical and m oral science are not crossed. Brave New World, written by Aldous Huxley, and the movie Gattaca propose a technologically advanced society that challenges these ethical and moral views. Although Brave New World and Gattaca relate in the aspect of genetic discrimination, they differ in the limits and powers of technologyRead MoreEssay on Huxleys Brave New World1362 Words   |  6 Pageslife. However, it comforted society so much that society started to depend on it too much. By depending on it too much, society allowed technology to replace the use of one’s mind. In Brave New World, Huxley predicts what is happening in today’s world and what will continue happening in the near future. In Huxley’s world, everything is based on technology and the people that live there are pretty much dehumanized. And all of this starts in small test tubes with embryos inside of them. In this societyRead MoreThe Island Of Dr. Moreau, Wells And Aldous Huxley s Brave New World1492 Words   |  6 Pages Science and technological advancement require limits according to H.G. Wells and Aldous Huxley; their respective novels argue that the loss of individuality is inevitable when science attempts to perfect every aspect of society. Technology without laws holds the danger to eliminate individuality and ultimately requires humans to assimilate to a new standard without error and within the bounds of scientific advancement. In H.G. Wells’ novel The Island of Dr. Moreau, Wells argues the influence technologyRead More 1984 And Brave New World Essay566 Words   |  3 Pages Brave New World and 1984nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;As I read Brave New World and 1984, I noticed how some of Aldous Huxley and George Orwell’s prophecies are becoming true. As science and technology progresses, we have the opportunity to alter few aspects of our lives, even though our freedom and privacy may be in jeopardy. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;In Brave New World, science allows babies to be artificially produced in a laboratory. Nowadays, parentsRead More The Application of Utopia in Brave New World Essay1190 Words   |  5 PagesThe Application of Utopia in Brave New World      Ã‚   Aldous Huxleys Brave New World illustrates the loss of morality when established standards are replaced by amoral criteria.   In his novel, Huxley criticizes the practical applications of Utopia in actual society. Huxleys depiction of love, science, and religion support the ineffectiveness of implementing Utopia in everyday life.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In Brave New World, Huxley shows contempt for the human emotion of love.  Read MoreCriticism of Practical Application of Utopia in Brave New World1192 Words   |  5 PagesUtopia in Brave New World Debra Ackerman Mrs. Eileen Waite Criticism of Practical Application of Utopia in Brave New World Aldous Huxleys Brave New World illustrates the loss of morality when established standards are replaced by amoral criteria. In his novel, Huxley criticizes the practical applications of Utopia in actual society. Huxleys depiction of love, science, and religion support the ineffectiveness of implementing Utopia in everyday life. In Brave New World, Huxley showsRead MoreBrave New World Vs. Today Essay717 Words   |  3 Pages Close your eyes and imagine a world free of war, suffering and pain; an environment that provides all the necessary luxuries to maintain eternal happiness; one that is stable, friendly, peaceful and enjoyable. In this world, every inconvenience known to man is rid of. We are no longer affected by disease, aging, heartbreak, depression or loneliness; conformity is at hand and stability is achieved. Now envision a world where there is no love, families do not exist, humans are no longer

Individual Rights Versus Public Order Essay - 1644 Words

The basis of criminal justice in the United States is one founded on both the rights of the individual and the democratic order of the people. Evinced through the myriad forms whereby liberty and equity marry into the mores of society to form the ethos of a people. However, these two systems of justice are rife with conflicts too. With the challenges of determining prevailing worth in public order and individual rights coming down to the best service of justice for society. Bearing a perpetual eye to their manifestations by the truth of how the trade-off between freedom and security, so often proposed so seductively, very often leads to the loss of both (Hitchens, 2003, para. 5). The first inception of individual rights began with the†¦show more content†¦Forced to balance order against rights, the community versus the individual, and private issues as opposed to public ones in each moment on the job. In a race that individual rights often seems to lose without the full support of its people and government behind it as is necessary. Leading to public order, which one could say is simply the absence of disorder in a public place. Demonstrated by the immense amount of time law enforcement officials spend merely maintaining public order as punishment of crimes against such are intended to uphold minimum standards of civility. These crimes are largely considered victimless or consensual crimes, which Siegel (2004) references as crime which [sic] involves acts that interfere with the operations of society and the ability of people to function efficiently. Generally considered as those inclusive of: alcoholism, deviant sex, disorderly conduct, driving while intoxicated, drug offenses, homosexuality, liquor law violations, pornography, precocious sex, prostitution, and public drunkenness (Siegel, 2004). Public order is thus necessary for the simple reason that, if order is not maintained, there will be total chaos. Society would have the freedom to do as they please in public; in turn this would put other citizens in danger. For example, the public order crime of driving while intoxicated, if notShow MoreRelatedIndividual Rights Versus Public Order10036 Words   |  41 PagesIndividual Rights 1 Individual Rights Versus Public Order Individual Rights 2 Public order and individual rights are not new controversy and how, since, Immemorial, governments and individual citizens have had to walk a thin tightrope between the two ideals. This controversy was the catalyst that sparked the first ten amendments of the Constitution that we know as the Bill of RightsRead MoreThe Problem Of Making Unethical Choices938 Words   |  4 Pagesand ‘administrative evil’ (Svara, 2015,p.110) o Systematic corruption occurs when the military system of following orders, apply directly in the public service, forces participants to follow instructions and punished those who resist, even though the instructions is unethical and it means the suffering of some citizens. o Government claimed to have been abide by and maintain law and order, but contradicted by their practices. ï‚ § They unwilling to release a criminal suspect who is a military officer.Read MoreComparing The Crime Control Law Enforcement1218 Words   |  5 PagesWhen comparing the crime control law enforcement approach in contrast to the approach the rights-based approach to law enforcement it is import to the differences in being a crime fighter versus a public servant. The dynamics of each bring uniquely different philosophical objectives and outcomes for the public. What is the primary role of law enforcement? Some would argue combating crime is the primary role. Others would argue providing protection through service is the primary role. In either caseRead MoreWhat Is Economic Freedom?1509 Words   |  7 PagesDelano Roosevelt â€Å"True individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence†¦Ã¢â‚¬ . Combine the sayings of these two great men and we get the true essence of what it really means to have economic freedom. In more technical terms, for an indi vidual to have economic freedom is to have complete authority over his/her own property and independence to choose how to produce sell and use your own resources while respecting the others’ right to do the same. In order to truly explain whatRead MorePublic Administration and Ethics Essay677 Words   |  3 PagesPublic Administration amp; Ethics In public administration, decisions are a lot of times made based upon ethical principles, which are the perception of what the general public would agree is correct. This helps keep the administrators ethical because they first must ask themselves if they will be under public scrutiny if they don’t make an ethical decision. Ethics has also placed additional burden on public administrators regarding how they handle their personal lives. When a person entersRead MoreWhat is the Bill of Rights?1440 Words   |  6 PagesThe Bill of Rights Essay â€Å"Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others.I do not add ‘within the limits of the law because law is often but the tyrants’ will,and always so when it violates the rights of the individual† -Thomas Jefferson. The Constitution was created because of the ineffectiveness of the Articles of Confederation did not simply protecting the rights of the people which the Founding Fathers was concernedRead MoreMarbury v Madison: Judicial Review1185 Words   |  5 Pagesshould this power be used to curtail national legislative power and increase the liberties given to individuals? During the period around the Great Depression, the court dealt with many economic cases regarding these questions, and at first glance, it appears that they did not seem to favor either the government or the individual. Looking closer, however, one sees that the cases that side with the individual struck down legis lation that interfered with the commerce clause or police power. When legislationRead MoreSpecial Bond Between Fellow Police Officers Essay1730 Words   |  7 PagesIt is safe to say that one of the most arduous and taxing, both physically and mentally, occupations in the country right now would be that of a police officer. Just imagine having to witness half of the atrocities these brave men and women must endure through, knowing that to them it is â€Å"just another day at the office.† Unfortunately, police officers are not, by any means, impervious to these scenes and some are even traumatized by it. This is why it is up to their fellow officers, their brothersRead MoreThe Death Of A Pregnant Woman1192 Words   |  5 PagesNatural Rights to Life Committee, 2004). Before the Public Law 108-212 was ever put in place, the unborn child was not recognized as a separate victim when involved in violent acts of crime. As stated before, for years now, many unjust cases in the United States have been brought forth in the fight for the rights of an unborn child to be recognized as a loss of human life. In turn this has led to many cases being unjustified, as many people have put forth the action to fight for the rights of theRead MoreThe Negative Portrayal Of Celebrities1611 Words   |  7 PagesA single photograph - how it is captured, the angle in which it was shot, the context behind it - can alter the perception of reality. One image, if executed maliciously, can create such an intense pernicious effect on the individual photographed, that it can cause undue effects on their reputation, or even psychological state. Celebrities often find themselves victimized by the paparazzi in this way, and breakdowns due to a negative appearance in the spotlight have become prevalent in modern day

Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet Free Essays

â€Å"In time we hate that which we often fear† – William Shakespeare. Shakespeare understood what most do not: the true nature of hatred. Since most people do not realise that their hatred simply masks their fears, they   never confront the real problem. We will write a custom essay sample on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet or any similar topic only for you Order Now Consequently, hate continues to ruin countries, cities and families. This notion of hatred is never more evident than in Shakespeare’s tragic play, Romeo and Juliet. In this play, the characters’ hatred masks their fear of being powerless and drives them to prove their superiority, but this only causes their destruction. First, characters identify with imaginary labels such as power and courage to mask their self-doubt and to feel belonging. For instance, Tybalt tries to prove his superiority over the Montagues by projecting himself as powerful and socially dominant. When he sees Romeo intruding on the Capulet feast, he insults him as a â€Å"slave† (1.5.54) that he should â€Å"†¦by the stock and honour of [his] kin / To strike him dead [he] holds it not a sin† (1.5.56-58). Tybalt belittles the Montagues as worthless slaves that he should punish and kill without guilt. Therefore, he will rid Verona of their filthiness and prove his social power. Likewise, Sampson pretends to be a courageous warrior to improve his reputation and social standing. To Gregory, Sampson can easily portray himself as â€Å"†¦a tyrant† (1.1.19) that after having â€Å"fought with the men, †¦ will be civil with the maids; / [and] cut off their heads† (1.1.20-21). In short, they use their illusions of power and courage to deceive others and themselves into welcoming and accepting them.However, when humiliated, their illusions are destroyed and their insecurities are threatened to be revealed which leaves them defenceless to exclusion. In fact, when Tybalt is stripped of his power and forced into submission, he runs away ashamed to hide his inferiority. After arguing with Capulet, Tybalt is forced to leave his own banquet which with his â€Å"patience perforce with wilful choler meeting† (1.5.88) makes his â€Å"†¦ flesh tremble† (1.5.89). Tybalt trembles with rage and shame due to his forced submission to Capulet which proves he has no true social power as he must obey orders not command them. Similarly, Sampson quickly shies away from a fight when confronted by the Montague servants to hide his cowardice. Sampson urges Gregory to fight as he â€Å"will [supposedly] back thee† (1.1.35) and to â€Å"take the law on [their] sides, let them begin† (1.1.35) although he proclaimed himself a merciless tyrant. When he is confronted with a fight, Sampson backs away and encourages Gregory to take the lead which proves he is just a narcissistic coward. In other words, when the inferiority and cowardice of characters are exposed, they scramble to hide their true identities.As expected, to regain their lost status, characters resort to aggression to distract others from their vulnerability. For example, Mercutio, feeling offended and disgraced, quickly belittles Tybalt to regain control of the situation and his social power. Angered by Romeo’s â€Å"†¦ calm, dishonourable, vile submission† (3.1.70), Mercutio disgraces Tybalt as a â€Å"rat-catcher† (3.1.72) and challenges him to a fight so â€Å"‘Alla stoccata’ carries it away† (3.1.71). Mercutio challenges Tybalt to a fight so that people will fear him, remember him as a strong, brave fighter and remember Tybalt as a ‘rat-catcher’. In the same manner, Romeo immediately challenges Tybalt to a duel to avenge Mercutio and justify that he caused his death. Romeo decides that someone needs to â€Å"keep [Mercutio] company: / Either thou or [Romeo], or both, must go with him† (3.1.124-125). Romeo, infuriated, allows his emotions to take control and seeks revenge to justify and compensate for his cowardly submission which caused Mercutio’s death. In other words, characters that lose their illusions of power and courage struggle to feel accepted due to their fear of rejection, so they violently and desperately defend themselves.Undoubtedly, they do not achieve their goal of self-redemption and only continue the cycle of hatred which creates a never-ending path of destruction. In fact, Mercutio’s violent attempt to gain social power blinds his reason and brings about his social and physical downfall. After being struck, Mercutio exclaims â€Å"I am hurt† (3.1.86) while his opponent-Tybalt- has â€Å"gone and hath nothing† (3.1.88). Mercutio’s attempt to prove himself powerful ends with his death not Tybalt’s. This proves that aggression is not the solution and only ensures self destruction. In contrast, Romeo’s mother-Lady Montague- pays the consequence of death for Romeo’s rash decisions. Before discovering his dead son, Montague declares: â€Å"†¦my wife is dead tonight / Grief of my son’s exile hath stopp’d her breath† (5.3.210-211). Romeo’s impulsive actions, which lead to his exile, causes his mother’s death which proves that when characters resort to violence, they not only unintentionally destroy themselves but take down others too. In other words, when characters project their self-hate unto others through aggression, they cause their own destruction and collateral damage. How to cite Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Papers

Internet History Report Essays - ARPANET, Cultural Globalization

Internet History Report The Internet was created in 1969 by scientists working for ARPA. ARPA stands for advanced research projects agency, and was formed to create a network of computers that could save information in the event of a nuclear attack. UCLA, Stanford Research Institute (SRI), UC Santa Barbara (UCSB), and the University of Utah in Salt Lake City were the first ARPANET locations. The ARPANET is what is now called the Internet. The plan was unprecedented: A professor at UCLA, and his small group of graduate students hoped to log onto the Stanford computer and try to send it some data. They would start by typing login, and asking by telephone if the letters appeared on the far-off monitor. On their first attempt, the "L" and "O" were transmitted successfully, but after they typed the letter "G" the system crashed. From 1969 to 1983 a lot of different packet switching schemes were tried and TCP/IP is what grew OUT of ARPANET, not what started ARPANET. During most of the seventies, the protocol was generally referred to as just the Network Control Protocol or NCP. The term Internet was probably first applied to a 1973 research program that culminated in a demonstration system in 1977. It demonstrated networking through various mediums, including satellite, radio, telephone, ethernet, etc. using packet switching. And this formed the roots of the Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). But it was not until 1983 that all nodes on ARPANET were required to use TCP/IP to connect to it. Also in 1983, the Department of Defense moved the unclassified portions of the Data Defense Network to create MILLET. Then in January 1983, the ARPA Internet first appears and operation was passed to the Defense Communications Agency. The first operating, non-experimental, real live Internet with a capital network, was a military network with a couple of hundred computers connected to it. Universities and the general public were not welcome on the ARPANET. It was a network for Department of Defense contractors and military sites. Then a group of military contractors with strong ties to business and universities not on the MILLET were constantly in a situation where many of their peers were not on the Net while they were on. They began campaigning for access for other researchers. In 1984 the National Science Foundation established an office for networking. a number of universities and research groups actually did get access to ARPANET. In 1993, Tim Lee created an interface to the World Wide Web he called Mosaic. The NSF actually funded further development of a Macintosh and Microsoft Windows version of Mosaic through a grant to the University. The first Microsoft Windows version appeared about November of 1993. The Mosaic Web Browser put a pretty face on the Internet. You could navigate the World Wide Web by clicking on links with the mouse. More importantly, it allowed users to add players for sound, video clips, or anything else they wanted to add. Today, advanced Mosaic browsers such as Netscape have added other functions quite beyond World Wide Web, including electronic mail. Electronic mail, or E-mail as it is commonly called, was invented by Ray Tomlinson in 1971 as a way of sending messages of the Internet to other users on-line. His program for sending E-mail was called SNDMSG, which stands for send message. Now E-mail has grown so much that next year people will send an estimated 6 trillion messages. A new use for the Internet that is influencing the lives of many Internet users is the creation of E-wrestling leagues. E-wrestling is a type of game in which you create wrestling matches over E-mail. You can challenge other members of your E-fed (a group of members in your league) by posting messages on the message board. The other member will then respond to your challenge by writing back on the message board. If the commissioner approves of the match then he will send an E-mail to the two members telling when the match will take place. There are two ways a commissioner can create matches, depending on the rules of your federation. One way is to write out the entire match. This takes a long time and the results are based on the opinion of the

International Trade Simulation

International Trade Simulation International Trade Simulation"International trade is the exchange of goods and services between countries." (Heakal, 2007). International trade is helpful to the economy. The trade allows countries to exchange goods in order to have an assorted supply for the residents. The trade brings in supply which creates more demand and the economy grows.The international trade simulation shows the reasons for the international trade. The purpose of the simulation is to make decisions and study the outcomes. This is a three part simulation. The first part is to decide which countries to trade with. The second part is to decide which goods will be exported or imported. Finally the decision will be made on whether or not to impose trade restrictions.Advantages and Limitations of International TradeInternational trade has both advantages and limitations. An International trade advantage is that a country's wealth potential can be maximized. Supply and demand can increase.English: comparative adva ntage in economicsThe country should then export corn and import cheese. Suntize had an advantage in producing electronic goods while Uthania had an advantage in both agriculture and electronic goods. Comparative advantages develop from many factors such as natural resources, availability and relative effectiveness of factors of production, and the state of technology. These can also change over time, which is why the organization of a country's trade could change over time. A labor-intensive country that has fertile soil and a good climate for growing would have a comparative advantage in producing agricultural goods. An underdeveloped country may not have fully utilized resources due to shortages in capital, under developed technology, and a small economy size. International Trade is able to help these countries develop changes in the division...

Empress Wu Zetian of Tang and Zhou

Empress Wu Zetian of Tang and Zhou Like so many other strong female leaders, from Catherine the Great to the Empress Dowager Cixi, Chinas only female emperor has been reviled in legend and history.  Yet Wu Zetian was a highly intelligent and motivated lady, with a strong interest in government affairs and literature.  In 7th century China, and for centuries afterward, these were considered inappropriate topics for a woman, so she has been painted as a murderer who poisoned or strangled most of her own family, a sexual deviant, and a ruthless usurper of the imperial throne.  Who was Wu Zetian, really? Early Life The future Empress Wu was born in Lizhou, now in Sichuan Province, on February 16, 624.  Her birth name probably was Wu Zhao, or possibly Wu Mei.  The babys father, Wu Shihuo, was a wealthy timber merchant who would become a provincial governor under the new Tang Dynasty.  Her mother, Lady Yang, was from a politically important noble family.   Wu Zhao was a curious, active girl.  Her father encouraged her to read widely, which was quite unusual at the time, so she studied politics, government, the Confucian classics, literature, poetry, and music.  When she was about 13, the girl was dispatched to the palace to become a fifth rank concubine of the Emperor Taizong of Tang.  It seems that she likely did have sexual relations with the Emperor at least once, but she was not a favorite and spent most of her time working as a secretary or lady in waiting.  She did not bear him any children. In 649, when Consort Wu was 25 years old, Emperor Taizong died.  His youngest son, 21-year-old Li Zhi, became the new Emperor Gaozong of Tang.  Consort Wu, since she had not borne the late emperor a child, was sent to Ganye temple to become a Buddhist nun.   Return From the Convent Its not clear how she accomplished the feat, but the former Consort Wu escaped from the convent and became a concubine of Emperor Gaozong.  Legend holds that Gaozong went to the Ganye Temple on the anniversary of his fathers death to make an offering, spotted the Consort Wu there, and wept at her beauty.  His wife, Empress Wang, encouraged him to make Wu his own concubine, to distract him from her rival, Consort Xiao. Whatever actually happened, Wu soon found herself back in the palace.  Although it was considered incest for a mans concubine to then pair up with his son, Emperor Gaozong took Wu into his harem around 651.  With the new emperor, she was a much higher rank, being the highest of the second rank concubines.   Emperor Gaozong was a weak ruler and suffered an illness that frequently left him dizzy.  He soon became disenchanted with both Empress Wang and Consort Xiao and began to favor Consort Wu.  She bore him two sons in 652 and 653, but he had already named another child as his heir apparent.  In 654, Consort Wu had a daughter, but the infant soon died of smothering, strangulation, or possibly natural causes.   Wu accused Empress Wang of the babys murder since she had been the last to hold the child, but many people believed that Wu herself killed the baby in order to frame the Empress.  At this remove, it is impossible to say what really happened.  In any case, the Emperor believed that Wang murdered the little girl, and by the following summer, he had the empress and also Consort Xiao deposed and imprisoned.  Consort Wu became the new empress consort in 655. Empress Consort Wu In November of 655, Empress Wu allegedly ordered the execution of her former rivals, Empress Wang and Consort Xiao, to prevent Emperor Gaozong from changing his mind and pardoning them.  A blood-thirsty later version of the story says that Wu ordered the womens hands and feet chopped off, and then had them thrown into a large wine barrel.  She reportedly said, Those two witches can get drunk down to their bones.  This ghoulish story seems likely to be a later fabrication. By 656, Emperor Gaozong replaced his former heir apparent with Empress Wus eldest son, Li Hong.  The Empress soon began to arrange for the exile or execution of government officials who had opposed her rise to power, according to traditional stories.  In 660, the sickly Emperor began to suffer from severe headaches and loss of vision, possibly from hypertension or a stroke.  Some historians have accused the Empress Wu of having him slowly poisoned, though he had never been particularly healthy. He began to delegate decisions on some government matters to her; officials were impressed with her political knowledge and the wisdom of her rulings.  By 665, Empress Wu was more or less running the government. The Emperor soon began to resent Wus increasing power. He had a chancellor draft an edict deposing her from power, but she heard what was happening and rushed to his chambers.  Gaozong lost his nerve and ripped up the document.  From that time forward, Empress Wu always sat in on imperial councils, although she sat behind a curtain at the back of Emperor Gaozongs throne. In 675, Empress Wus eldest son and the heir apparent died mysteriously.  He had been agitating to have his mother step back from her position of power, and also wanted his half-sisters by Consort Xiao to be allowed to marry.  Of course, traditional accounts state that the Empress poisoned her son to death, and replaced him with the next brother, Li Xian.  However, within five years, Li Xian fell under suspicion of assassinating his mothers favorite sorcerer, so he was deposed and sent into exile.  Li Zhe, her third son, became the new heir apparent. Empress Regent Wu On December 27, 683, the Emperor Gaozong died after a series of strokes.  Li Zhe ascended the throne as Emperor Zhongzhong.  The 28-year-old soon started to assert his independence from his mother, who was given regency over him in his fathers will despite the fact that he was well into adulthood.  After just six weeks in office (January 3 - February 26, 684), Emperor Zhongzhong was deposed by his own mother, and placed under house arrest. Empress Wu next had her fourth son enthroned on February 27, 684, as the Emperor Ruizong.  A puppet of his mother, the 22-year-old emperor did not exert any actual authority.  His mother no longer hid behind the curtain during official audiences; she was the ruler, in appearance as well as fact.  After a reign of six and a half years, in which he was virtually a prisoner within the inner palace, Emperor Ruizong abdicated in favor of his mother.  Empress Wu became Huangdi, which is usually translated in English as emperor, although it is gender-neutral in Mandarin. Emperor Wu In 690, Emperor Wu announced that she was establishing a new dynastic line, called the Zhou Dynasty.  She reportedly used spies and secret police to root out political opponents and have them exiled or killed.  However, she was also a very capable emperor and surrounded herself with well-chosen officials.  She was instrumental in making the civil service examination a key part of the Chinese imperial bureaucratic system, which allowed only the most learned and talented men to rise to high positions in government. Emperor Wu carefully observed the rites of Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism, and made frequent offerings to curry favor with higher powers and retain the Mandate of Heaven.  She made Buddhism the official state religion, placing it above Daoism.  She also was the first female ruler to make offerings at the sacred Buddhist mountain of Wutaishan in the year 666.   Among the ordinary people, Emperor Wu was quite popular.  Her use of the civil service examination meant that bright but poor young men had a chance to become wealthy government officials.  She also redistributed land to ensure that peasant families all had enough to feed their families, and paid high salaries to government workers in the lower ranks. In 692, Emperor Wu had her greatest military success, when her army recaptured the four garrisons of the Western Regions (Xiyu) from the Tibetan Empire.  However, a spring offensive in 696 against the Tibetans (also known as Tufan) failed miserably, and the two leading generals were demoted to commoners as a result.  A few months later, the Khitan people rose up against the Zhou, and it took nearly a year plus some hefty tribute payments as bribes to quell the unrest. The imperial succession was a constant source of unease during Emperor Wus reign.  She had appointed her son, Li Dan (the former Emperor Ruizong), as the Crown Prince.  However, some courtiers urged her to choose a nephew or cousin from the Wu clan instead, to keep the throne in her own bloodline instead of that of her late husband.  Instead, Empress Wu recalled her third son Li Zhe (the former Emperor Zhongzong) from exile, promoted him to Crown Prince, and changed his name to Wu Xian. As Emperor Wu aged, she began to rely increasingly on two handsome brothers who were allegedly also her lovers, Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong.  By the year 700, when she was 75 years old, they were handling many of the affairs of state for the Emperor.  They had also been instrumental in getting Li Zhe to return and become Crown Prince in 698. In the winter of 704, the 79-year-old Emperor fell seriously ill.  She would see nobody except for the Zhang brothers, which fueled speculation that they were planning to seize the throne when she died.  Her chancellor recommended that she allow her sons to visit, but she would not.  She pulled through the illness, but the Zhang brothers were killed in a coup on February 20, 705, and their heads were hung from a bridge along with three of their other brothers.  The same day, Emperor Wu was forced to abdicate the throne to her son. The former Emperor was given the title of Empress Regnant Zetian Dasheng.  However, her dynasty was finished; Emperor Zhongzong restored the Tang Dynasty on March 3, 705.  Empress Regnant Wu died on December 16, 705, and remains to this day the only female to rule imperial China in her own name. Sources Dash, Mike.  The Demonization of Empress Wu, Smithsonian Magazine, August 10, 2012. Empress Wu Zetian: Tang Dynasty China (625 - 705 AD), Women in World History, accessed July 2014. Woo, X.L. Empress Wu the Great: Tang Dynasty China, New York: Algora Publishing, 2008.

Efficient market theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Efficient market theory - Essay Example This information may make them perceive that a stock may rise or its price may decline and they may take decisions accordingly. Efficient market theory is of the idea that individuals within the market have similar information and rejects the idea that different individuals may have different information. This even means that the investor that first receives the information will benefit more than those who have received the information later. For example: some investors of the stock market receives information that the sales of Procter & Gamble have increased by 100% as compared to the figures of last year. As a result of this the trader may end up purchasing the stock. If the trader had received this information later as compared to other traders, then the trader may not have purchased the stock at the right price since other traders may have already purchased the stock and the stock prices may have