Alternatives to Nuclear Energy Essay Example for Free

Alternatives to Nuclear Energy Essay Risky Nuclear Energy Nuclear energy is a bargain on the short run; it is cheap, produces a lot of power, and a nuclear plant can be built virtually anywhere. The plant does not give off any carbon dioxide or sulfur, but unfortunately, the good news ends here. Nuclear Energy produces a by-product called radioactive waste, or spent fuel rods, and can be dangerously radioactive for more than four hundred human generations. Fortunately, there are alternatives that provide clean, cheap energy without the use of radioactive elements. A newly developed power plants that runs off of spent fuel cells and geothermal power can be solutions to nuclear energy. Even though alternatives such as reused uranium and geothermal power can be solutions, they have a few drawbacks such as location and distance, but the advantages outweigh the disadvantages and are much safer to operate than nuclear energy. Nuclear energy makes up 20% of the United States electricity and provides 17% of the worlds electricity (EPA. gov, Nuclear Power). Although nuclear reactors do not produce greenhouse gasses, mining and refining uranium requires large amounts of energy. If Transatomics reactor is built, it would capture 98 percent of the energy in spent fuel pellets, meet the nations energy needs for 70 years, and makes the radioactive waste inert within a couple of hundred years (David Ferris). Although radiation meltdown is and other nations. Instead fuel calls lasting more than four hundred generations, it might Just last for only four. Another solution to nuclear power and oil drilling is geothermal power. Using hot water from deep underground, geothermal energy might provide a cheaper alternative to diesel (Loy). Geothermal power utilizes heat from the Earth to superheat water and create enough steam to power a generator. The heated water is then fed back into the Earth to replenish the supply and continue the process. Power is generated similarly in nuclear and geothermal power plants. Both use heat to increase the temperature of water and then send the steam to drive a turbine. The only difference between the two is that nuclear power plants uses dangerous nonrenewable fuel while geothermal power uses the heat of the Earth, an almost inexhaustible source of energy. Geothermal power plants have to be located next to or above specific locations with high hot springs underneath. This is a problem in some countries because it either has no hot underground reservoirs or geothermal areas are too far away from urban centers, where electricity is needed the most. Although location is a drawback, the only potential danger from a geothermal power plant is a pressure exposition from one of the income pipes or pressure tanks. In the event of a pressure exposition, the only gas released into the atmosphere is water vapor and flying debris. It does not have the potential to spread cancer to thousands or harm more than 6 million people. An addition to clean, safe power, the plant can be hidden underground because it does not produce any emissions such as carbon dioxide or even water vapor. All the gasses are contained in the tubes and chambers, allowing the plant to be able to operate in confined areas. This can enable power plants to be built in pristine locations or urban centers without affecting the wildlife or busy traffic on the surface. Nuclear energy should not be there future of the worlds power source. Although it is a cheaper alternative to renewable resources, it is many times more environmentally costly and can affect millions of peoples lives if an accident were to occur. Nuclear power has developed over the decades, but I think we should let go of this last-century source and move on to more earth-friendly alternatives. Many power companies use power from renewable sources such as solar or wind, you can help change the course of America by switching power companies or contacting your local politicians about changing our infrastructure for the better.

The True Gentlemen of Great Expectations Essay -- Great Expectations

The True Gentlemen of Great Expectations In Victorian society, a gentleman was brought up from birth, molded and manipulated to act, dress, talk, and live as true gentility. Upon reaching adulthood, these gentlemen were expected to conduct themselves as society dictated. What happens, however, when a man of lower social stature wishes to become a gentleman, and suddenly finds himself in a position to do so? He now has the financial standing, but lacks the social etiquette that a "true" gentleman possesses. Whom can he turn to for a role model and guidance? This is exactly the situation Pip is faced with in the novel Great Expectations. When he first arrives in London, aspiring to be a gentleman, Matthew Pocket, Wemmick, and Herbert Pocket provide the best examples of true gentlemen.    Matthew Pocket displays the qualities of a gentleman as a hardworking tutor and a patient husband. Although he does not posses a great deal of wealth, Mr. Pocket houses well-to-do pupils, such as Startop and Drummle, and conducts himself in a gentlemanly manner. His passion for learning and knowledge is fervent, but his perseverance in Pip's education is even greater. Pip comments that, "...he was always so zealous and honorable in fulfilling his compact with me that he made me zealous and honorable in fulfilling my compact with him."(196). Although Pip learned to be hardworking in the forge, Matthew Pocket teaches him to work for the sake of others. Matthew's married life is quite a different story. His wife is so eccentric, adleheadded, and uneducated that he constantly lifts himself up by his hair. His patience with his wife, day in and day out, is extraordinary. For example, Mrs. Pocket doesn't greet Pip with ... ...n loyal.    In order to be able to live as a gentleman, Pip learns from the examples set by Matthew Pocket, Wemmick, and Herbert Pocket. Each contributes his own qualities to shed a different light on how a gentleman conducts himself. All contribute to help Pip become what he is at the end of the book, a true gentleman at last.    Works Cited and Consulted:    Dickens, Charles. Great Expectations. Ed. Edgar Rosenberg. New York: Norton, 1999.    French, A.L   " Imprisonment: The Case of Great Expectations." Discussions of Charles Dickens, 82-92.   William R. Clark, ed.   Boston: D.C. Heath & Co., 1961.    Russell, Frazier.   " 'When I Was A Child'- An Introduction to Great Expectations."   Yahoo Homepage, 1. Penguin Reading Guides, 7 Nov. 2000.     <www.penguinputnam.com/academic/classics/rguides/dickens/frame.html>.   

Is Fame Good Or Bad?

Most people think that being famous is heaven, but it's more like hell. What do you think? Phenomenom of fame is widespread around the world. Being famous today is not the same as it was 50-100 years ago. Andy Warhol once said : In the future everyone will have their 15 minutes of fame. Well, in my opinion, that time has come. People from all around the world are trying to get their way out there on the stage. It has become easy to acquire fame, but difficult to keep it. People get famous for doing nothing and the ones who want to become famous don't have many obstacles on their way.They can just apply on a reality show and soon their names will be on the tops of „the most searchedâ€Å" lists on Google and Yahoo, and not to mention the yellow press. Little girls and boys from all around the world are, when asked what do they want to be when they grow up, usually answering that they want to be famous. Fame has lost its value. Celebrities with or without justified reasons to be famous are followed by a bunch of paparazzi each day. They are getting interviewed and photographed for worthless magazines intended for masses.Their private lives become a matter of abstraction and are endangered. As for those whose fame is a result of hard work, talent, high IQ or great achievements, their fame is well-earned. Such are, for example, great writers, mathematicians and artists. They are usually the ones who are, no matter how good they are at what they do, less famous than the ones who deserve it less. That is good because they don't need to sacrifice their private lives, they have their freedom of expression + they make a lot of money. As for me, I'm not a fan of fame and I think it's lame.People are sometimes desperate, don't receive enough of attention in their private lives and they search for a way out by becoming an object of admiration in other peoples life by being famous. On the other hand, there are people whose fame is a result of their great work and the y have to take that difficult burden of fame on their backs. Either way, I wouldn't like to be famous. Sometimes I don't like being alone, but there are people whose solitude is not even a matter of choice and represents an impossible mission. Threathing my private life, I do the same thing to my familys' and friends' life and that I cannot cope with.I don't need other peoples admiration to accept myself the way I am. Money, fame, fortune, and everything that goes with it- yes, sure it can be helpful, but having everything is sometimes just the same as having nothing, because it usually means not wanting anything. Any by not wanting anything, we don't have real goals in our life or anything that can bring us joy. That's why I prefer solitude over fame and fortune. It's hard enough to prove to myself everyday, proving myself to whole world everyday would really be a hell.

Essay on Beowulf is a Christian Poem - 1371 Words

The epic poem Beowulf, was written sometime in the eighth century by an unknown author. It was based on legend passed down over time. Prior to the time the poem was written, Anglo Saxons had converted from Germanic Paganism to Christianity. Some people argue that it was a Pagan poem rewritten by a person or persons educated in Christianity. â€Å" has come down from heathen times and acquired its Christian character gradually and piecemeal from a succession of minstrels.† ( Hector Monro Chadwick as quoted by Brodeur 182), while others believed that Christianity and Paganism both belonged in the poem. â€Å"almost without exception so deeply ingrained in the very fabric of the poem that they cannot be explained away as the work of a reviser or†¦show more content†¦The poet used Christianity and paganism as a tool for his poem. â€Å"It is through such a blending that there was available to a poet who set out to write a poem,†¦. on a scale and plan unlike a minstrel’s lay, both new faith and new learning (or education), and also a body of native tradition (itself requiring to be learned) for the changed mind to contemplate together. The native ‘learning’ cannot be denied in the case of Beowulf.† (Tolkien 26). The character Beowulf embodied the Pagan heroic code (comitatus), but he also exhibited Christian values. Overall, he was a warrior and a hero who sought fame and reputation. Most of his actions were motivated by his desire to be remembered after his death as a courageous and loyal warrior. When Beowulf hears about Hrothgar’s trouble he goes to help him. He wants to help him for a few reasons, all of which relate to the comitatus. He wants to acquire fame and he wants lifelong honor. By beating Grendel he would receive honor and his reputation would be enhanced. Also, Beowulf wants to repay Hrothgar for settling a feud for his father years before. Beowulf is willing to do battle for the old king even though it means that he could die. When Boewulf faces off against Grendel’s mother, and later when he fights the dragon it is revenge that he is after. â€Å"The Pagan and the Christian elements that combine in the person of Beowulf complement, rather than oppose, one another. Beowulf’sShow MoreRelatedEssay Beowulf: A Christian and Pagan Poem3470 Words   |  14 PagesBeowulf – a Christian-Pagan Poem  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In Beowulf the pagan aspect is revealed through many passages and many heathen rites or customs in which the form of expression or the thought suggests pagan usage or beliefs. The Christian aspect is revealed through 68 passages in which the form of expression or the thought suggests Christian usage or doctrine (Blackburn 3). The Christian element seems to be too deeply imbedded in the text of Beowulf for us to conclude that it is due to additionsRead MoreChristianity And Paganism In Beowulf1005 Words   |  5 Pagessavior? Well, that is every day for one epic hero named Beowulf. Beowulf is an epic poem about good versus evil written by an anonymous Christian monk. Paganism was the Geats first religion, and once Christianity became introduced, the religion slowly shifted from paganism to Christianity. 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It was written during a time when the society was in the process of being converted from paganism to Christianity. The Christian influences are combined with early folklore and heroic legends of Germanic tribes. Yet, the pagan elements in the epic poem Beowulf clearly overshadow the Christian elements, and it is visible in the character’s superhuman personifications, their hunger for revenge, and their strong belief in fate