Prehistoric Life During the Pliocene Epoch

By the standards of deep time, the Pliocene epoch was relatively recent, commencing only five million years or so before the start of the modern historical record, 10,000 years ago. During the Pliocene, prehistoric life around the globe continued to adapt to the prevailing climatic cooling trend, with some notable local extinctions and disappearances. The Pliocene was the second epoch of the Neogene Period (23-2.6 million years ago), the first being the Miocene (23-5 million years ago); all of these periods and epochs were themselves part of the Cenozoic Era (65 million years ago to the present). Climate and Geography During the Pliocene epoch, the earth continued its cooling trend from previous epochs, with tropical conditions holding at the equator (as they do today) and more pronounced seasonal changes at higher and lower latitudes; still, average global temperatures were 7 or 8 degrees (Fahrenheit) higher than they are today. The major geographic developments were the reappearance of the Alaskan land bridge between Eurasia and North America, after millions of years of submersion, and the formation of the Central American Isthmus joining North and South America. Not only did these developments allow an interchange of fauna between three of the earths continents, but they had a profound effect on ocean currents, as the relatively cool Atlantic ocean was cut off from the much warmer Pacific. Terrestrial Life During the Pliocene Epoch Mammals. During large chunks of the Pliocene epoch, Eurasia, North America, and South America were all connected by narrow land bridges—and it wasnt all that difficult for animals to migrate between Africa and Eurasia, either. This wreaked havoc on mammalian ecosystems, which were invaded by migrating species, resulting in increased competition, displacement, and even outright extinction. For example, ancestral camels (like the huge Titanotylopus) migrated from North America to Asia, while the fossils of giant prehistoric bears like Agriotherium have been discovered in Eurasia, North America, and Africa. Apes and hominids were mostly restricted to Africa (where they originated), though there were scattered communities in Eurasia and North America. The most dramatic evolutionary event of the Pliocene epoch was the appearance of a land bridge between North and South America. Previously, South America had been much like modern Australia, a giant, isolated continent populated by a variety of strange mammals, including giant marsupials. Confusingly, some animals had already succeeded in traversing these two continents, before the Pliocene epoch, by the arduously slow process of accidental  island-hopping; thats how Megalonyx, the Giant Ground Sloth, wound up in North America. The ultimate winners in this Great American Interchange were the mammals of North America, which either wiped out or greatly diminished their southern relatives. The late Pliocene epoch was also when some familiar megafauna mammals appeared on the scene, including the Woolly Mammoth in Eurasia and North America, Smilodon (the Saber-Toothed Tiger) in North and South America, and Megatherium (the Giant Sloth) and Glyptodon (a gigantic, armored armadillo) in South America. These plus-sized beasts persisted into the ensuing Pleistocene epoch, when they went extinct due to climate change and competition with (combined with hunting by) modern humans. Birds. The Pliocene epoch marked the swan song of the phorusrhacids, or terror birds, as well as the other large, flightless, predatory birds of South America, which resembled meat-eating dinosaurs that had gone extinct tens of millions of years earlier (and count as an example of convergent evolution.) One of the last surviving terror birds, the 300-pound Titanis, actually managed to traverse the Central American isthmus and populate southeastern North America; however, this didnt save it from going extinct by the start of the Pleistocene epoch. Reptiles. Crocodiles, snakes, lizards, and turtles all occupied an evolutionary backseat during the Pliocene epoch (as they did during much of the Cenozoic Era). The most important developments were the disappearance of alligators and crocodiles from Europe (which had now become much too cool to support these reptiles  cold-blooded lifestyles), and the appearance of some truly gigantic turtles, such as the aptly named Stupendemys of South America. Marine Life During the Pliocene Epoch As during the preceding Miocene, the seas of the Pliocene epoch were dominated by the biggest shark that ever lived,  the 50-ton Megalodon. Whales continued their evolutionary progress, approximating the forms familiar in modern times, and pinnipeds (seals, walruses, and sea otters) flourished in various parts of the globe. An interesting side note: the marine reptiles of the Mesozoic Era known as  pliosaurs  were once thought to date from the Pliocene epoch, hence their misleading name, Greek for Pliocene lizards. Plant Life During the Pliocene Epoch There werent any wild bursts of innovation in Pliocene plant life; rather, this epoch continued the trends seen during the preceding Oligocene and Miocene epochs: the gradual confinement of jungles and rain forests to equatorial regions, while vast deciduous forests and grasslands dominated higher northern latitudes, especially in North America and Eurasia.

Poverty And The Hunger Games - 1888 Words

Poverty has been a long-lived global phenomenon, affecting many people’s way of life and their survival on earth. In the United States, poverty is an issue that has been battled since our nation’s birth, and the fight seems endless. The depiction of worldwide poverty and specifically poverty in America is exemplary in many American films. Two that reveal this global issue are The Grapes of Wrath (1940) and The Hunger Games (2012). Regarding current poverty rates in the United States, â€Å"Individuals also transition into and out of poverty over time, though many of those who are poor at any given time will spend multiple spells in poverty. Research shows that transitions into or out of poverty often happens after major life events such as†¦show more content†¦Ultimately, poverty has became a part of life for many Americans and even though official numbers on poverty appear to be improving, people are still feeling the effects of poverty. Everybody would like to stop Poverty in the world, but with the inequalities in education, employment, and economic opportunities, this would be near impossible to ever accomplish. (Source: http://thecrux.com Accessed on July 14, 2017). The image above shows what appears to be an impoverished family and the lack of a father/male guardian in the photo, suggests the mother may be providing for the family by herself. I grew up a young boy with a single mother who raised me for some time before she met my stepfather. Up until that point, besides being loved unconditionally and not missing a meal, I didn’t have many things that other kids had, or not until much later on. It’s rather unfortunate that even with the infinite evolvement of technological inventions, poverty remains an issue in such a developed nation. (Source: http://www.motherjones.com Obtained on July 14, 2017). The above illustration reveals just how expensive it is to merely live in most major cities in the United States. This shows the legal, federal poverty income line at $23,550 which is comparable in my knowledge as an E-3 in the U.S. Military’s income (give or take a bit). The point being made is that the average American household cannot evenShow MoreRelatedComparing 1984 And The Hunger Games930 Words   |  4 Pagessqualor, oppression,disease, and overcrowding† (Dystopia). Both 1984 and The Hunger Games are novels that revolve around dystopian societies. These two dystopian societies have many aspects in common. Each area is controlled by a high authority and contained by a hierarchy, consumed by poverty and struggle, inhumanely surveilled, and revolutions have been formed. The first similarity found between 1984 and The Hunger Games is the authority figures that have control over the public. . In 1984, theirRead MoreGeorge Orwell s The Hunger Games979 Words   |  4 Pagesoverbearing government plowed the way for novels such as the Giver, Fahrenheit 451, The Maze Runner, Divergent, and the Hunger Games. George Orwell wrote 1984 as a warning/prediction of what was to become of the world if it kept on its route. In many ways, some of Orwell’s predictions came true. The main ideas of Orwell’s 1984 inspired Suzanne Collins in her writing of the Hunger Games, drawing many similarities. The idea of one all-controlling government, ill-treatment of the lower class, and a mainRead MoreThe Hunger Games The Capitol851 Words   |  4 PagesIn The Hunger Games the Capitol is a place of vast wealth while the districts especially the districts of eleven and twelve are living in poverty. This wealth that the Capitol has it a type of social control beca use it keeps the districts from being able to gain the ability to fight back against the Capitol due to their poverty status. The poverty in the districts is so bad that Katniss Everdeen from District Twelve requires that she break a law of the Capitol’s, which is not leaving the fenced areaRead MoreThe Hunger Games By George Henry George1296 Words   |  6 Pagesmeaning of this quote is that things work better when there is equality, and this relates to The Hunger Games theme of inequality between the poor and the rich. As seen in The Hunger Games, anyone who didn t live in the capital was living in poverty. The only way to get out of poverty was to win The Hunger Games. The importance of this research paper is to show how the themes are presented in The Hunger Games. The themes that can be found in the story are the inequality between the poor and the richRead MoreEssay about The Hunger Games and Child Soldiers: the Sad Truth1441 Words   |  6 PagesHunger Games and Child Soldiers: The Sad Truth The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins,(Collins) and Child Soldiers are intertwined together because they are both children fighting for their lives. The children are alike because they got executed into being prisoners, that fight to their deaths and kill savagely. The children live similarly because they both have organizations or sponsors helping them get out of their situation. Lastly, the children experience the same emotions because The Hunger Games(Collins)Read MoreThe Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Essay631 Words   |  3 PagesThe Hunger Games novel written by Suzanne Collins reflects significant issues in the reality world nowadays which relate to the humanity, the poverty, the violence,†¦ It describes the issues through the characters and what happens in the story, and the most significant issue occurs throughout the novel is the gap between rich and poor people. In the beginning of the novel, Suzanne Collins describes clearly the scene of the poverty, the terrible fe ar of the 12-district’s villagers, in contrast to theRead MoreThe Hunger Games By Suzanne Collins984 Words   |  4 PagesSuzanne Collins’ dystopian novel The Hunger Games, published in 2008, portrayed a post-apocalyptic Northern America, in the hedonistic nation of Panem. The Hunger Games were an annually televised event in which the governing body, â€Å"The Capitol†, appointed two tributes from each impoverished district. Twenty-four children were in opposition of each other and were forced to compete for their survival. The novel concentrated on the link between the contemporary society to an enhanced adapted dystopianRead MoreSociology of Hunger Games1719 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿ Sociology of â€Å"Hunger Games† By. Tom ************ Soc 101 11/17/13 Introduction The nation of Panem has risen out of the ravaged ruins of what was once known as North America. 74 years ago, the poverty-stricken districts of Panem rebelled against the wealthy, controlling the Capitol. After its crushing victory, the Capitol devised the Hunger Games as an annual reminder to the twelve districts of its authority, and as continuing punishment for the rebellionRead MoreThe Hunger Games By Suzanne Collins1712 Words   |  7 PagesDang Truong Mrs. Carter World Literature November 12, 2016 The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins: Survival The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is a novel about a teenage girl, Katniss, struggling to survive in the life oppressed by the government. Living with the injustice of the Capitol, Katniss soon develops her own hatred toward the Capitol; by using what she have and striving for the best against it, Katniss is able to hold the odds in her favor. Katniss volunteering in Prim s place in the arenaRead MoreThe Hunger Games By Suzanne Collin899 Words   |  4 Pages Suzanne Collin’s â€Å"Hunger Games† seems to be about a dystopian society struggle to become a utopia. However, when the readers read further in to the book or watches the movie one can see that is about all the characters that make use human. As human, we feel the need to build an ethical framework based on our needs for authority rather than tradition. The Capitol in the Hunger Games exploits human needs to keep authority in place. After rising seas and poverty consumed much of the land, the Capitol

Essay On The Ballot Or The Bullet By Malcolm X - 750 Words

Yoshua Lasky Dr. Roethler History 1320: U.S. History from 1877 14 November 2017 The Leaders and their Influences on the Civil Rights Movement Dr. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X are notable activists during the civil rights movement in America. They were leaders highly credited by the public. They carried similar, and different views on how to take on oppression in America. â€Å"Nonviolence: The Only Road to Freedom† (1966) by Martin Luther King and â€Å"The Ballot or the Bullet† (1964) by Malcolm X had points were they agreed with one another, points of controversy were the did not see eye to eye, and points of disagreement about violence in the civil rights movement. Malcolm X and Dr. King shared concepts that something must be done about the†¦show more content†¦Montgomery, Albany, Birmingham and Selena have paved the way for untold progress.† (Nonviolence: The Only Road to Freedom p.g 3) Malcolm X and Dr. King faced disunity in violence during the civil rights movement. Dr. King encouraged peaceful protests, and does not see obligation in violence to get a point across. â€Å"What is ne eded is a strategy for change, a tactical program which will bring the Negro into the mainstream of American life as quickly as possible. So far, this has only been offered by the nonviolent movement.† (Nonviolence: The Only Road to Freedom p.g 3) Dr. King says that nobody should use self-defense if assualted during demonstration. That everyone should assume that there is a risk, and it would be contradicting to retaliate during a peaceful movement. â€Å"It is as ridiculous for a Negro to raise the question of self-defense in relation to nonviolence as it is for a soldier on the battlefield to say his is not going to take any risks. He is there because he believes that the freedom of his country is worth the risk of his life. The same is true of the nonviolent demonstrator. He sees the misery of his people so clearly that he volunteers to suffer in their behalf and put an end to their plight.† (Nonviolence: The Only Road to Freedom p.g 4) Malcolm’s attitude to v iolence is that anyone that is taking what belongs to you like your civil rights and freedom is a criminal. It is under your legal right to claim what isShow MoreRelatedThe Three Core Philosophies Of The Black Nationalism Movement1220 Words   |  5 PagesOn April 12, 1964 Malcolm X, born Malcom Little, delivered his famous Ballot or the Bullet speech before of crowd in Detroit, Michigan. The speech, was Malcom’s way of appealing to the black community to come to self-realization and uplift themselves. In his speech, the noted civil rights leader presents the three core philosophies of Black Nationalism: political, economic and social. This essay will provide an in-depth analysis of the three core philosophies of the Black Nationalism Movement andRead MoreEssay on Black Arts Movement1626 Words   |  7 Pages(Smith). This movement created the most prevalent era in black art history by taking stereotypes and racism and turning it into artistic value. This connection between black art and politics was first made clear in a great essay written by Larry Neal in the summer of 1968. This essay illustrated the Black Arts Movements manifesto or plan. Neal wrote: The Black Arts Movement is radically opposed to any concept of the artist that alienates him from his community (Smith). Meaning, all black peopleRead MoreBlack Arts Movement Essay1606 Words   |  7 Pages(Smith). This movement created the most prevalent era in black art history by taking stereotypes and racism and turning it into artistic value. This connection between black art and politics was first made clear in a great essay written by Larry Neal in the summer of 1968. This essay illustrated the Black Arts Movements manifesto or plan. Neal wrote: The Black Arts Movement is radically opposed to any concept of the artist that alienates him from his community (Smith). Meaning, all black peopleRead MoreChangjiang Liu Essay 21476 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿Changjiang Liu AMST 252 Essay 2 Professor Francille Rusan Wilson TA: Maytha Alhassen 11/10/2013 When talking about the perspective of Assata Shakur, we always remember her radical style. Assata felt the power of oppression when she was a child. As she narrated in her autobiography, there was a zoo near her grandparents’ home. Everyday she would beg, plead, whine and nag her grandmother to take her to the zoo. However, one day her grandmother told her that they were not allowed to enter the zooRead MoreA Comparative and Contrasting Essay on 20th Century Black Political Leaders: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X2551 Words   |  11 PagesA Comparative and Contrasting Essay on 20th Century Black Political Leaders: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. And Malcolm X This essay will discuss Martin Luther King’s integration and assimilation in addition to Malcolm X’s separatism and Black Nationalism. Through Manning Marable’s assessment I will demonstrate that the ideological belief of Martin Luther King’s integration is a favourable representative of 20th century Black politics. The Civil Rights Movement symbolized the challenge and oppositionRead MoreWhat does Tone have to do with it?1470 Words   |  6 PagesDr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. King was a Baptist minister and humanitarian. X was a Muslim minister and activist. However, the two possessed diametrically opposed political philosophies. King pursued social reform by following in the peaceful tradition set forth by Mahatma Gandhi (Dasa). Malcolm X, on the other hand, was not averse to using violence. During the African-American Civil Rights Movement that occurred between 1954-1968 in the United States, X and King delivered a number ofRead MoreThe Effectiveness of Martin Luther King Jr, as Opposed to Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Dubois and Malcom X2045 Words   |  9 Pagesfor the African American individual in attempt to gain civil equality. The pioneer civil rights leaders of the twentieth century were Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Dubois. Their respected ideas were known to have cont radicted with each other. Malcolm X, a black supremacist was a member of the NOI (Nation of Islam) and based his platforms of teachings off from religion. Martin Luther King Jr.’s approach towards gaining equality was of nonviolent actions. This proved to have been the most effectiveRead MoreMalcolm X2078 Words   |  9 PagesYear 12 Modern History Individual History Essay To what extent did Malcolm X play a positive role in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and the 1960s in America? Word Count: 1923 words To a limited extent Malcolm X played a positive role in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s in America. Malcolm X was an African-American Muslim minister, leader and human rights activist. During the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 60s Malcolm X became one of the most prominent advocatesRead MoreWhat Does It Take? An Unjust Law?2068 Words   |  9 Pagesreach a large audience because some individuals cannot be persuaded. When there is no justice, no logic, and no peace to be shared for a group of individuals, one must do whatever it takes to achieve their goals of change. In addition, through this essay, I will explain why this way is the only way. Socrates is a master of persuasion and he firmly believes that it’s the most effective means of protest. In Plato’s Crito, Socrates is awaiting his sentence, which is death for corruption of the youthRead MoreEssay Question: Assess the Extent That Malcolm X Achieved His Goals in The Civil Rights Movement in America. (Consider the Legacy Malcolm X Left Behind)2298 Words   |  10 PagesEssay Question: Assess the extent that Malcolm X achieved his goals in The Civil Rights Movement in America. (Consider the legacy Malcolm X left behind) Malcolm X aspired for justice and liberalisation for all African-American people during the late 1950s and early 1960s. He was a dynamic spokesperson and used religious concepts from the Nation of Islam to appeal to many African-Americans. Malcolm X was an activist for Black Nationalism and separation as solutions to the scourge of white

Social issues in advertising free essay sample

Materialistic values are values that deal with possession. It deals that as people we want things that we can touch and feel like shoes and furniture. (2) Advertising is everywhere and many people would agree that it promotes materialistic values. I would have to say that I also agree advertising promotes materialistic values. Advertising contributes to a sense of wants and needs of items. For instance, when you are exposed to store ads and billboard the particular item portrays this luxurious lifestyle or ideal world. Most people can relate to this feeling. According to George Zinkhan, as a society, we are no longer involved on what we need but what products we want to have. (2) Everyone is familiar with the saying â€Å"money can’t buy happiness† well advertisements lead you to believe otherwise. Buying into a brand gives you a sense of belonging and a misinformed judgment. For example it creates the illusion you are like the woman in the poster and your life is perfect, fueling the fire of materialism. We will write a custom essay sample on Social issues in advertising or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page (1) Advertising Does Not Promote Materialistic Values Although some people would agree advertising promotes materialistic values, others would say all the commotion over advertising is because of the social aspect. (2) Throughout advertising history, a focus has been given to selling products with a promise of social acceptance, because not being accepted socially is a major individual fear for most people. (3) For example, Axe body spray ads. These advertisements insinuate the social acceptance from women to men. If a guy uses this body spray, women will want to be around him. 2. Advertising Contributes to Socially Unacceptable Behavior (sex, drinking, disrespect) In my opinion advertising may have a small impact on unacceptable behavior, especially for teenagers. One reason advertisements may influence teenagers to unacceptable behavior is because they do not understand the actual message of the advertisement. For example, teens and underage drinking. Being exposed to ads about alcohol and social acceptance can create curiosity about alcohol. â€Å"Minors who were familiar with television alcohol advertisements were more likely to have tried alcoholic beverages and binge drink than those who could not recall seeing such ads,† according to the Pediatric Academic Societies. TV commercials can portray an image of social acceptance and a relaxed allusion from drinking. Therefore, this could lead to underage drinking or drinking too much until the feeling of satisfaction is accomplished. (4) Another example of unacceptable behavior associated with advertising is violence. â€Å"In one particular study, the researchers found that children watching a violent ad had more aggressive thoughts than those who did not watch the violent ad,† says advertising professor Nora Rifon. (5) Both of these can be connected to being socially accepted in society. The drinking ad may send a message to a teenager as ‘looking cool’ or older. The violence associated with an advertisement may come off as being a hero, or again ‘looking cool’ to friends and love interest. To young children and teenagers their main concern is to be accepted. Therefore they are completely blinded by the real message of the advertisement.