In his statement “The lamps are going out all over Europe. We shall not see them lit again in our lifetime”, the British Foreign Secretary, Sir Edward Gray, provides an eerily accurate prophecy of what happened in the following thirty years. While Gray’s remark was made subsequent to his failure in advocating diplomacy and aiding France in her struggle against German power, Gray’s remark is an accurate explanation not only of what was happening to Europe on the eve of World War I, but also an accurate realization of the repercussions and consequences which World War I would carry long after its completion and into World War II. Gray’s statement was an accurate assessment of what transpired throughout Europe in the next thirty years because World War I not only drastically affected the population and social organization of Europe, but it also brought about important cultural changes which would permanently alter Europe and eventually lead to a second war.

One of the most apparent and devastating effects of World War I was the massive casualties felt by all the major participants. Practically an entire generation of young men was eradicated and Europe felt the impact of decreased working populations, a (more…)

The definition of history is “the study of the past”. Many students don’t believe that history is an important part of their studies. This, however, is untrue. The study of the history is a remembrance of people and past events; this would include such things as slavery, the American Civil War, Nazi Germany and the Vietnam War, to name a few. These are specific events that should never be forgotten, lest they might be repeated.

A look at history can, also, explain the reasons for why things are as they are, today. Would the Berlin Wall coming down have been such a monumental event, if no one knew why it had been built in the first place? Race relations is another issue that is better understood, when looking into history, no matter what race we are looking at. This explains the attitudes of today, in relationship to what they were in the past. In other words, history can be used in understanding sociology and the issues within that subject. Referrals to history have often been used in political debating. History does, indeed, apply to (more…)

If you ask any colored gemstone connoisseur, they will tell you that tanzanite is becoming the most desired gem in the United States. We also see this trend manifesting itself in Europe. American and European designers, collectors and tanzanite jewelry manufacturers are keenly aware that with only one relatively tiny and unique geological source in Tanzania, tanzanite pricing fluctuations have sometimes been extreme and tend to move with the current news and season of the year. In fact, wholesale tanzanite prices have more than doubled since early 2004, with regular price increases being passed to retailers on an ongoing basis.

It is tanzanite’s color and relative scarcity which has caused these dramatic price fluctuations. We all remember the days when one could purchase a very deeply colored tanzanite for around $300 per carat. There were even smaller tanzanites in the 1 to 2 carat range that had rich color. Just try finding one of these today! These tanzanites were mined mostly in the D shaft of Merelani Hill, just outside of Arusha, Tanzania. This area has since been depleted and new shafts have been opened. The color being produced by these new shafts is not quite what Block D (more…)

Do you ever wonder what happened to the Food Guide Pyramid?

The Food Guide Pyramid was created more than ten years ago by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Pyramid illustrated what the USDA said were the elements of a healthy diet. The Pyramid was taught in schools, appeared in the media and brochures, on cereal boxes and food labels. It seemed like the absolute final word on what we should really eat.

The Food Guide Pyramid is now like a fairytale. It did not point the way toward healthy eating. We are told now the Food Guide Pyramid was based on shaky scientific evidence. It still has not changed over the years to reflect major advances in our understanding of the connection between diet and good health.

Recently, the USDA retired the old Food Guide Pyramid and replaced it with MyPyramid, a new symbol and “interactive food guidance system. This revision is basically the old Pyramid turned on its side.

Good news about the new MyPyramid:

• It tears apart and buries the flawed Pyramid.

Bad news about the MyPyramid:

• The new MyPyramid does not give us enough information to help (more…)

Geography can be so much fun when you know what buttons to push so your kids can recall that certain land mass. I got myself an africa cookie cutter and let them play with it with their cookies, letting them cut them cookies using that. Now, they can easily recall the continent, and when I got the United States Cookie cutter set, and used it, they never had a hard time in school identifying the different States no more. Cookie cutters are an effective tool in educating kids. Not only that, it promotes bonding and quality time among family members. If you would want the same thing, then drop by Cheapcookiecutters.com. Aside from an africa cookie cutter, you’ll get more than you bargained for. Check out the cartoon character cookie cutter tab, and it will unlock cookie cutters ranginf from Superman, Spongebob, Garfield, Minnie Mouse, Road Runner, and cookie cutter sets like Shrek, Starwars, Pokemon and Sesame Street. They also have the basics , like Nautical cookie cutters and automotive cookie cutters, much more numbers nad alphabet cookie cutters. But the best is, they have accessories as well, like cookie mix, cookies, aprons and oven mitts that you will need when you bake. When you analyze it, it does make a lot of sense that if you want to have fun with yiour family the simplest way, you can get to Cheap Cookie Cutters and make the best out of the experience that is cookie cutting, and everyone will love it.

I live in a far-flung area. My house is close of nature and I love it. The scenery makes my brain and artistic hormones function properly. I paint as a living so that is important for me. I’ve heard on the radio recently about the safety hazards of living alone especially in not so populated areas. Mine for instance, was extra hazardous since the next house is a 3 minute drive away. Add the fact that I am a woman. I don’t mean to underestimate my capacity as a woman but I also do not want to overestimate my capacity to protect myself from harm. And so I decided to get Home Security Systems. I cannot kid myself of being a wonder woman. I need extra protection. I got motion sensors that would immediately light up when someone passes by it. I also got a security camera and alarms. All are DIY Security Systems. That meant I did not have to hire a carpenter or utility man to install everything. I did everything by myself. With my kind of work, which involves the arts, I should not necessarily be lax and adhere to the Buddhist dictium “go with the flow.” I should get protection and that’s what I did. Even artists like me should be extra careful for their safety. The last thing we want are any attack from outsiders who may think that we are too concerned about art to even care about our security.

Are you an aspiring musician, photographer, or painter? Are you trying to look for potential guys to form a band? Or would you just like to share your own artwork with a lot of people? If this is the case, then you should create free website to showcase your talent. A number of people are doing the same thing nowadays, and why shouldn’t you? The good thing about a lot of website builders nowadays, is the fact that they’re free. You can make a credible portfolio online without putting a dent in your pocket. So how does one create free website? The great thing is, you do not need extensive technical skills in order to create a professional looking website. All you would need to do is log on to a free website builder online, something like wix.com. The next thing to do is to think of a design that works for you. Luckily, wix.com already contains a wide arrange of website templates that you can choose from. Never mind that you do not know anything about Java applications and other technical stuff like that. All you have to do is to drag and drop the pictures, videos or flash animations of your choice on to your website template. The best things about this website builder are the facts that it’s free, has pretty basic features, and a big storage capacity. Having a gallery of your creations has never been this easy before. You can also use your website for advertising or e-commerce purposes.

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There are certain facts about the interaction of humans with the physical world which seem to be usually ignored.

Human activity takes place within the physical world, deals with matter/energy and, therefore, is limited ultimately by the laws of physics Since, in so far as we know, matter/energy is what makes up our physical universe, all wealth can be traced to transfers of these; hence, the ultimate basis of all wealth is energy. All wealth, then can be considered to be subject to the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics, which are often stated respectively as, “You can’t win,” and “You can’t break even.” That is, in whatever system you care to examine there is a finite amount of resources and when anything is done with those resources, some are lost irretrievably. there is waste of matter/energy in any interaction.

It follows from the above that any economic system not fed wealth from outside itself must ultimately collapse. So we may continue with the following line of reaoning. Earth may be considered as an economic (more…)

For most of the past 300 years or so Ireland has had the dubious distinction of being a country more known for the hardships suffered by its inhabitants than for its beautiful countryside. While people in other parts of the United Kingdom and in Europe enjoyed a relatively high standard of living Ireland lagged far behind. Up until the early 1970’s the average income in Ireland was approximately one half of that of the rest of the UK. Over the next 35 years that status would change dramatically.

Today Ireland is rated one of the best countries in the world in which to live. Ireland boasts the fourth highest gross domestic product per person and very low unemployment. University tuition is free and there are a high percentage of skilled positions available.

How did Ireland accomplish such a dramatic turnaround?

New Economic Policies

Economists who have analyzed the emergence of the “Celtic Tiger” (a popular nickname for this period of unprecedented economic growth) have identified economic policies that encouraged growth. Beginning in the 50’s and 60”s Ireland began to shift away from protectionism and started to plan long-term for expansion and to increase international trade. (more…)

French history: The outcome of the French Revolution

The French Revolution was one of the bloodiest revolutions waged during the modern era. It massacred many innocent French civilians. It was waged against the ruling elite and it used any and all means possible to achieve its goal. It will be the revolution that set the tone for revolutions to follow.

The Revolution was a product of the Enlightenment and used the ideology of Locke, Hobbes and Rousseau. What was more astonishing is that the French looked at the British Colonies in America for inspiration. The colonist, today’s USA, was in a fight for their lives and for their independence against a monarch that ruled with an iron hand. The French could feel their pain. Although their situation was different, they had one common link, a monarch that did not take into consideration the plight of its people. This common link set the tone for the French Revolution and other revolutions to follow.

Many of you are probably saying what was the outcome in light of such a bloody revolution? All we see is that the French went from one dictator, Louis XVI to (more…)