Isaac Asimovs Foundation - Cycles of History :: Isaac Asimov Foundation

Isaac Asimov's Foundation - Cycles of History Foundation is a novel throughout which the cycles of history are present. Isaac Asimov's peculiar notions on how change in the environment affects the nature of historical change are present throughout this novel. Asimov uses principles of Marxism to fabricate his future history. Asimov also creates a future political structure modeled on the Roman Empire. According to Jean Fielder, one of the greatest influences on Asimov's Foundation novel is Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. This parallel is most discernible as Foundation depicts the gradual disintegration of a great empire, the concomitant rise in regional trade, and the eventual consolidation of political and economic power in the trading city- (or planet-) states. And, like a history, "[Foundation] focuses on mass movements rather than on individual actions"(Fiedler 59). In Foundation, the Galactic Empire is the gradually disintegrating great empire, just as the Roman Empire is the disintegrating empire in Gibbon's work. And, as in Gibbon's history, the Foundation builds a trading empire that later unites the planets together. Many popular histories seem to focus on the empire-builder's military conquests. However, in Foundation, Asimov's history of the future "makes the cogent point that the true tools of empire-building are economic and socio-political development" (Fiedler 57). This principle is shown through the use of the Seldon Crises. Most often, the resolutions to these crises are a unique mix of psychological manipulation and technological usage. For example, the Galactic religion provides a means of psychologically manipulating the people of the galaxy to become dependent upon the technological sophistication of the Foundation. Much of Asimov's Foundation is based upon Marxism and the Marxist principle of historical materialism. In Charles Elkins's opinion, these Marxist ideas include the old puzzle of historical inevitability (predestination) versus free will, which itself flows out of the often unsuccessful yet desperately necessary-and therefore always repeated-struggles of men to control their personal futures and the futures of their societies.(Elkins 100) These ideas are shown throughout Foundation, and in fact are the basis behind most of the heroic characters. Characters like Hober Mallow, Salvor Hardin, and Limmar Ponyets epitomize men who struggle to control their futures (Elkins 105). These men devote their lives to doing their part to help Seldon's Plan to be a success, but in reality, they are a planned part of Seldon's plan to help the Foundation succeed.

An Inspector Calls Essay

The playwright of ‘An Inspector Calls’ John Boynton Priestly was alive between 1894 and 1984, in this time he served in the First World War where in 1916 he was badly injured. It wasn’t until the end of the Second World War in 1945 that he wrote ‘An Inspector Calls’; he chose to set the play thirty years in the past before either wars had happened- in 1912. Priestly was a renowned socialist and highly respected in his time- with his own radio show which around twenty million tuned into each week. Unfortunately, Priestley was seen as too popular- for the conservative government at the time- and taken off air for fear that communities would listen to his left wing ideas more then the prime minister, Winston Churchill. Priestley’s ideas of socialism and morality are a frequent undertone throughout the play and enforce the main theme of the play: responsibility. Because of the timing of the play it is believed that ‘An Inspector Calls’ was supposed to send a clear message to the audience of Britain’s shared responsibility in both wars. In act 1 The Birling family and Gerald are celebrating Gerald and Sheila’s engagement in the dining room. Sheila and Eric are arguing in a not really serious way, while Gerald and Mr. Birling are talking about business, politics mostly about the Titanic. Mr. Birling is on his way to the next social class by getting an knighthood. Lady Croft has a very strong view of social classes; it looks like she isn’t too happy about the fact, that her son is engaged to a girl of a lower class. Just before the ring bells and the inspector arrives, Mr.  Birling shows his outlook on life to Gerald and Eric â€Å"a man has to make his own way, has to look after himself and his family†. The inspector enters and tells them about the suicide. He shows a photograph to Mr. Birling. and starts questioning him. It turns out that Eva Smith had been one of Mr. Birlings. employees and later on was discharged because she asked for more money, had been refused and went on a strike along with allot of other employees, and was later fired for being one of the ringleaders. Sheila enters into the dining room and is the next to be questioned. Shiela was also linked to Eva smith, she had been jealous of Eva because she looked better in a specific dress. She went to the manager and told him that this girl had been very impertinent so, indirectly she made Eva lose her job. The inspector goes on and tells that Eva Smith had changed her name into Daisy Renton. Now the inspector links Gerald to the incident, Gerald had an affair with her the previous summer. In Act 2 Mrs Birling is informed that Eric often drinks, Gerald talks about his relationship towards Daisy Renton one of the apparent alias’ of Eva Smith. After that, he went out for a walk. Then inspector turns towards Mrs Birling, she is linked to eva smith because she failed her â€Å"job† as a member of the Brumley Women’s Charity Organization by not helping deserving cases.

Philosophy of coaching

Many coaches have their own philosophy to live by. Some coaches are to win, some are to teach the players to be responsible, and some are to allow the players to Just have fun. When the word philosophy comes to mind I immediately think of the words and accomplishments a coach should live by. My coaching philosophy is one that is not fully developed. Right now my philosophy is to win but at the same time teach my players to be responsible. Of course everything is easier in words than it is to follow UT in actions.The way I plan to do this is by having the players become dedicated to the program and in the classroom. Grade checks will be sent out every week and attendance will be taking every day at practice. If a player has a G. P. A under a 2. 5 they will have to continue to get grade checks until the end of the year. If a player misses morning weights they will have to run at practice unless it is an excused miss. Also if they miss an afternoon practice they will out a quarter for e ach day they miss.Doing all of these I believe I can have a group of responsible young men eager to play and excited to win. With all the hard work there will be time for play. Every day there will a competition between offense and defense or lard buts and skinny farts. Winner will be able to get out of conditions for the day. These are all the things I plan to do when I am a coach. I believe if I use these guidelines to start off my career I can build my philosophy to become a great coach.