A Brief History of the Doomsday Clock

In June 1947, almost two years after the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by atomic bombs, the first issue of the magazine Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists was printed, featuring a stylized clock on its cover. The clock displayed the time seven minutes to midnight, a symbolic representation of how close humanity was to destroying itself in a nuclear war, at least according to the judgment of the Bulletins editors. Since then, the Doomsday Clock has been an ever-present fixture on the world stage, set back when nations behave reasonably, set forward when international tensions wax, a constant reminder of how close we are to catastrophe. As you can probably infer from its title, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists was created by, well, atomic scientists: this magazine started as a mimeographed newsletter circulated among the scientists working on the Manhattan Project, an intensive, four-year effort that culminated in the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. (The Bulletin is still published today, no longer in print form, since 2009, but on the web.) In the 70 years since its appearance, the mission of the Doomsday Clock has been slightly tweaked: it no longer refers specifically to the threat of nuclear war, but now signifies the likelihood of other doomsday scenarios as well, including climate change, global epidemics, and the unforeseen dangers posed by new technologies. The Ups and Downs of the Doomsday Clock One common misapprehension about the Doomsday Clock is that its updated in real time, like a stock-market ticker. In fact, the clock is only changed after meetings of the Bulletins advisory board, which happen twice a year (and even then, the decision is often  taken to keep the time as it is). In fact, the Doomsday Clock has only been set forward or back 22 times since 1947. Here are some of the most notable occasions when this has happened: 1949: Moved up to three minutes to midnight after the Soviet Union tests its first atomic bomb. 1953: Moved up to two minutes to midnight (the closest the Doomsday Clock has ever reached this mark) after the U.S. tests its first hydrogen bomb. 1963: Moved back to 12 minutes to midnight after the U.S. and the Soviet Union sign the Partial Test Ban Treaty. (One interesting side note: the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 started, and was resolved, in between meetings of the Bulletins advisory board. One imagines that if the clock had been reset during these seven tense days, it would have displayed a time of 30 or even 15 seconds to midnight.) 1984: Moved up to three minutes to midnight  as the Soviet Union is mired in war in Afghanistan and the U.S., under Ronald Reagan, deploys nuclear-tipped Pershing II missiles in western Europe. The international social fabric is further weakened by the U.S. boycott of the 1980 Olympic Games and the Soviet boycott of the 1984 Olympic Games. 1991: Moved back to 17 minutes to midnight (the farthest away the clocks minute hand has ever been) after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. 2007: Moved up to five minutes to midnight after North Korea tests its first atomic bomb; for the first time, the Bulletin also recognizes global warming (and the lack of firm action to counter it) as an imminent threat to civilization. 2017: Moved up to two  and one-half minutes to midnight (the closest the clock has been since 1953) following Donald Trumps tweets touting the U.S. nuclear arsenal  and the prospect of decreased legislative action to slow global warming. How Useful is the Doomsday Clock? As arresting an image as it is, its unclear just how much of an effect the Doomsday Clock has had on public opinion and international policy. Clearly, the clock had more of an impact in, say, 1953, when the prospect of a Soviet Union armed with hydrogen bombs conjured up images of World War III. Over the ensuing decades, though, one can argue that the Doomsday Clock has had more of a numbing than an inspiring effect: when the world is constantly a few minutes from global catastrophe, and the apocalypse never quite happens, most people will choose to ignore current events and focus on their daily lives. In the end, your faith in the Doomsday Clock will depend on your faith in the Bulletins high-powered advisory board and its network of professional experts. If you accept the evidence in favor of global warming and are alarmed by nuclear proliferation, youre likely to take the clock more seriously than those who dismiss these as relatively minor issues. But whatever your views, the Doomsday Clock at least serves as a reminder that  these problems need to be addressed, and hopefully soon.

The Low Country Healthy Start Program - 919 Words

The Low Country Healthy Start program was designed to eliminate disparities in perinatal health, improve birth outcomes, and quality of life in African American women and infants living in Allendale, Bamberg, Hampton, and Orangeburg counties. This process evaluation sought to determine whether the services provided by LCHS were effective in changing the birth outcomes associated with chronic disease in African American women. Data collected from the initial risk screening and assessment survey along with attendance data from services provided by LCHS was utilized. Case summaries and frequencies were ran on all data linked with chronic disease to determine the risk factors, recognize who was at risk, and what services were provided. Findings suggest that Asthma was the most common chronic disease amongst its participants with smoking tobacco, poor coping skills, negative feelings, and inadequate housing being the risk factors associated with asthma. The services provided by LCHS were found to be insufficient in reaching participants with chronic disease. The program in general proves to be useful and beneficial in addressing the major issues associated with low birthweight infants, however the data collected for this particular study is all self-reported which leaves gaps and unanswered questions due to inconsistency in the data received. Keywords: Pernatal health, Chronic disease, African American Women Introduction In 1991, the Health Resources and servicesShow MoreRelatedThe Low Country Healthy Start Program1503 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction The Low Country Healthy start program is designed to eliminate disparities in perinatal health, improve birth outcomes, and quality of life in African american women and infants living in Allendale, Bamberg, Hampton, and Orangeburg counties. 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Walt Disney Essay Research Paper Walt Disney 2 free essay sample

Walt Disney Essay, Research Paper Walt Disney, one of America? s most celebrated manufacturers of all clip, admired by people of all races and ages, from kids to great grandfather and grandmother, Walt Disney was decidedly a popular adult male. I truly admire him for his productions, his lifes, and his achievements. He shows his leading by the ends in which he set and achieved. Besides by the people he directed and assisted. Walt Disney is a great illustration of a leader. Walt Disney was born on December 5, 1901 in Chicago, Illinois. He left school at the age of 16. Subsequently he was educated at art schools in Chicago and Kansas City. In 1923 he began bring forthing animated gesture images in Hollywood in partnership with his brother Roy O. Disney. Walt? s foremost cartoon series was? Oswald the Rabbit. ? He produced it for Universal Studios in 1926. ? Steamboat Willie? was produced in 1928 by his ain company. We will write a custom essay sample on Walt Disney Essay Research Paper Walt Disney 2 or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This was when Disney? s most popular and digesting sketch character, Mickey Mouse was introduced. ? Steamboat Willie? utilised sound for the first clip in an animated sketch. Many other characters which are popular today were introduced subsequently. For illustration, in 1930 Pluto was foremost seen in the sketch? The Chain Gang. ? Then in 1932 Goofy was seen by the populace in? Mickey? s Revenue. ? Donald Duck appeared in 1934 in? The Wise Small Hen. ? One of Walt? s foremost awards was given in 1932. Walt won an honorary Oscar ( Academy Award ) for his creative activity of Mickey Mouse. His first animated feature-length movie was produced in 1937. ? Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs? still remains popular today. In 1939 ? The Wizard of Oz? became a Disney Movie Classic. Many Children? s books have since inspired Disney characteristic length animated movies such as ? The Little Mermaid, ? ? Cinderella, ? ? Bambi, ? ? Beauty and the Beast, ? ? Peter Pan, ? ? Aladdin, ? and many more! Other than making and bring forthing lifes Disney besides has many other achievements. He foremost opened Anaheim, California? s Disneyland in July of 1955. $ 17 million dollars was invested in this amusement park and it began with 22 attractive forces. Ten old ages subsequently, in 1965, the investing was recorded as $ 48 million dollars with 47 attractive forces. Disney was shortly doing remarks of get downing a? 2nd Disneyland. ? In 1958 he was already measuring possible sites for his ? 2nd park. ? A twelvemonth subsequently he decided on Fl orida. He began chalk outing out hotels, lakes, campsites, and entrywaies for visitants and tourers. Unfortunately the hebdomad after the programs for the? Second Disneyland? were publically announced on telecasting, Walt died of lung malignant neoplastic disease. His spouse of 40 old ages, brother Roy O. Disney, carried on with? Walt Disney World. ? On October 1, 1971 the Magic Kingdom opened at Walt Disney World. This 27,400 acre park was a antic success. Dwelling of The Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, MGM Studios, H2O Parkss, hotels, race paths, and golf classs. Disney World is rather a big topographic point for holidaying. Over the old ages, from the 1920? s to the 1990? s Walt Disney has been a really admired person. All over the universe you will happen subject Parkss, shops, images, keepsakes, shirts, and other points stand foring him and his plant. His lifes and creative activities have remained really popular throughout the old ages. I would hold to state he is my most admired leader because he ranges out to kids with his lifes. He makes people and households happy with his films and his subject Parkss set in the? perfect and blissful world. ? He fulfilled his dreams and his ends by making lifes and doing people cheerful. His leading accomplishments are shown by his orchestration of the building of two universe known and loved subject Parkss which promote wholesome household ethical motives. He besides used his leading accomplishments when making the well known mouse, ? Mickey? and friends. His lifes have touched the Black Marias of many and still convey all of us a particular thaumaturgy! Walt Disney was a good known, antic leader. He showed the features of a good leader by his ends, actions, and achievements. Walt Disney is and will ever be my admired leader 596 Walt Disney? Maestro of Make Believe? Copyright by Elizabeth Rider Montgomery USA Current Biography Copyright 1940 The HW Wilson Co New York Current Biography Copyright 1953 The HW Wilson Co New York Chronicle of America Copyright 1993 Jaqes Legrand JL International Publishing Multiple sclerosis Internet www.disney.com/investors/factbook96/disyears.htm ? Disney through the Decades? Internet earth.vol.com/~micknmin//disney.htm ? The Magic of Walt Disney World?

Pulling Up the Dress Code Essays - Clothing, Uniforms, Formal Wear

Pulling Up the Dress Code The wonderful dress code. Every public school student has dealt with it before. Every student's worst enemy as it forces kids to choose something that covers their entire body. Teachers have the time of their lives scolding girls about their skirt being 1 millimeter above the acceptable height. It seems that no one in the school has a clue why this obnoxious and questionable rule is in place. The dress code does not even apply for the entire year. It stays in place for a couple weeks and after that, the teachers could not care less. The strict dress code is leading to a fashion epidemic at school. Students cannot be fashionable and stylish and they are forced to wear something that is not cool or in style because of the dress code. The dress code is quite simply as productive as the U.S. Congress. Let's go through some of the dress code rules because they will surely make complete and logical sense. "All garments must cover shoulder to shoulder." The school officials were definitely thinking that exposed shoulders would cause a huge distraction in the classroom environment. It is actually very common for a male to be extremely aroused when he sees an exposed shoulder. This is has been proven by the top scientists in the world. According to the National Research Council, "approximately 79.2% of males aged 6-18 showed increased heart rate and shortness of breath when viewing an exposed shoulder." The covering of the exposed shoulders would certainly lead to more problems in the future. We should be fortunate that the minds of our top school officials are looking after the students. This is surely an issue that needs attention instead of an insignificant issue such as allocating government funds. Another dress code rule states, "All undergarments must remain at the waist level even while seated." Another example of an excellent dress code rule, all students must wear their pants at waist level. The school disapproves students of wearing pants below the waist level and above the waist level too. Many intelligent students in schools often wear their pants above the waist level. Therefore by stating that pants must remain at waist level, it is implying that students cannot wear their pants above the waist. This is clearly discrimination towards intelligent people because the school is prohibiting wearing pants above or below the waist level and many intelligent people wear their pants above the waist level. Schools have already enforced this dress code by requiring all teachers to measure if pants are exactly at the waist level. If they are not, the student would be suspended or in severe cases, expelled from the district. A school in Cress Dode, California states, "a stude nt whose pants are not exactly at the waist line must be considered dangerous and a direct threat to students." This dress code in particular demonstrates how dangerous it is to wear pants at a level that is not at the waist. Forcing students to wear their pants exactly at their waist is definitely an efficient use of attention and focus. One more dress code rules declares that, "No flip-flops, sandals or chains should be worn on school premises due to health safety concerns." This is the most logical rule of them all. Apparently wearing sandals causes health concerns to all students and staff. I was not aware that students started dying because another student chose to wear sandals on a particular day. This a widespread issue because schools started to enforce this rule and everyone knows that when a school enforces a rule, it is reputable because it is coming from a place full of education. Also, students cannot wear chains either because of safety issues. Chains are becoming self-aware and recently started to strangle students during class. According to the New York Public School District, "there has been 5 fatalities in the past year, the nature of the fatalities were all chain strangling." Schools are taking charge as they are starting to throw away all visible flip-flops, sandals, hats and chains. It is ni ce to see that schools are taking charge and battling the chain threats and the