July

[Editor's Note: I would have had this in earlier, but I have been in Florida with limited internet, which made things a little harder; nevertheless, here it is...]

Let us assume you met a rudimentary magician. Let us assume he can do five simple tricks--he can pull a rabbit out of his hat, he can make a coin disappear, he can turn the ace of spades into the Joker card, and two others in a similar vein. These are his only tricks and he can't learn any more; he can only do these five. HOWEVER, it turns out he's doing these five tricks with real magic. It's not an illusion; he can actually conjure the bunny out of the ether and he can move the coin through space. He's legitimately magical, but extremely limited in scope and influence.Would this person be more impressive than Albert Einstein?


Many individuals have been described as extraordinary, influential, and brilliant in the past century, but collectively, these words easily describe one of the most significant people in recorded history: Albert Einstein. "His name is synonymous with genius and he's a recognizable celebrity even now, many years after his death. The contributions he made to science were far reaching and turned this introspective scientist into a legend" (Leong).Einstein was also known for his philosophical views and his opinions regarding politics, religion, and the arts. Consequently, even with the ability to utilize “real magic”, a simple magician who only can perform five tricks, could not have as much influence on culture as the prominent figure that was Einstein. Therefore, Albert Einstein would be considered more impressive, not only because of his brilliance and contributions to the scientific world, but also because of his significant scope and major influence world-wide in the realms of politics and philosophy.

Einstein’s early and young adult life reminds one that Albert Einstein was a real person; he was not a being unlike us, even with his advanced mind. Unable to “fluently speak until he was almost nine years old”, Albert “did not like school and would often cut classes so he could study physics on his own or play the violin” (Leong, B.). Later in life, he seemed to “have….a problem with monogamy, perceiving all marriages as ‘dangerous’. His dalliances with women other than his wives are well documented” (Leong). So, even though his brilliance may form a disconnection between Einstein and ourselves, he was still a human being with hopes, feelings, and fears, which makes his feats and accomplishments in life all the more impressive.

Einstein proved his genius in mathematics and science countless times with his theories and ideas regarding modern science. “Einstein's researches are, of course, well chronicled and his more important works include Special Theory of Relativity (1905), Relativity (English translations, 1920 and 1950), General Theory of Relativity (1916), Investigations on Theory of Brownian Movement (1926), and The Evolution of Physics (1938)…” (Albert Einstein: Nobel Peace Prize in Physics 1921). “Albert Einstein received honorary doctorate degrees in science, medicine and philosophy from many European and American universities. During the 1920's he lectured in Europe, America and the Far East and he was awarded Fellowships or Memberships of all the leading scientific academies throughout the world. He gained numerous awards in recognition of his work, including the Copley Medal of the Royal Society of London in 1925, and the Franklin Medal of the Franklin Institute in 1935” (Albert Einstein: Nobel Peace Prize in Physics 1921).These experiments, papers, and lectures have contributed a great deal to our understanding and extent of our knowledge of modern physics.

Einstein’s political views were evident early in his adult life and were a large part of his contributions to the public’s viewpoint. “At the start of the Second World War, Einstein quickly left Germany for the United States, in fear of Hitler’s reign” (B.), a decision made by many other Germans soon after. “After World War II, Einstein was a leading figure in the World Government Movement; he was offered the Presidency of the State of Israel, which he declined…”, proving that not only were Einstein’s political opinions and ideas weighed on an international level, but they were also favored by many (Albert Einstein: Nobel Peace Prize in Physics 1921).

Einstein’s work on the atomic bomb was also controversial politically. Although it would be a great advancement in molecular science, many feared could lead to such turmoil the Earth would not be able to withstand its force. Einstein also feared the power of the Atomic bomb, saying, “The release of atomic energy has not created a new problem. It has merely made more urgent the necessity of solving an existing one.” President Roosevelt was greatly influenced by Einstein in his decisions regarding the study and development of the bomb, which may have changed how history transpired during that time.

Philosophically, Albert Einstein had the ability to compress profound thoughts into simpler terms and “relate to minds simpler than his own” (Leong). These thoughts concerned many aspects of existence: knowledge, teaching, love, human interaction, the arts, religion, the universe, or his own scientific theories and ideas. Einstein was able to explain his theory of relativity by simply stating, “You sit on a hot stove for two minutes, and it feels like two hours; you sit with a pretty girl for two hours, and it seems like two minutes. That’s relativity.” The ability to verbalize these ideas into uncomplicated, often humorous terms allowed the masses to appreciate, and be very much influenced by, Einstein’s theories and beliefs.

These quotations and thoughts have also been known to make frequent appearances in society today. They are repeatedly found in our cultural means of expression: clothing, posters, coffee mugs, computer mouse pads, graffiti, and the like. Illustrated perfectly by the attention still paid to his teachings, Einstein is obviously still a driving force in society even after his death, which is a great feat in itself.

In comparison, a magician who can only perform five tricks could not influence humanity in so many ways. This man of magic could easily be compared to a blind individual driving a car. The sightless person could physically manage the feat of basic driving, but their abilities would be extremely limited without the capability to see where they are or what is happening around them; they most likely could not manage an excursion without incident. Similarly, the magician could perform his tricks, but his abilities would be so hindered by his blindness of how the tricks are truly accomplished and why he can make such things happen, or proverbially, where he was driving on the road. He could not “drive” anywhere by himself to make any lasting impressions without adding a few more cheap tricks and illusions to his arsenal of five. Therefore, the magician’s scope and influence are nearly nonexistent, making him, at most, an individual with a unique, but trivial ability.

Albert Einstein influenced history scientifically, politically, and philosophically. This rudimentary magician could not influence anything more than the entertainment at children’s birthday parties or the opening for a show in Las Vegas. This magician could never win awards for his genius, influence international politics, or even inadvertently change the course of history itself. He could, at most, be admired for his given ability to influence space and molecules on a very small scale. Thus, Albert Einstein’s teachings, contributions to science, and abilities are far more impressive than a magician with very limited scope and influence. As Einstein himself said, “It is right in principle that those should be the best loved who have contributed most to the elevation of the human race and human life” (B.)



Bibliography


"Albert Einstein." Wikipedia 26 July 2009 Web.21 Jul 2009. .

"Albert Einstein: Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921." Les Prix Nobel, Nobel Lectures 1967 Web.22 Jul 2009. .

Leong M.D., Kristie. "8 Little Known Albert Einstein Facts & Trivia!." Associated Content 28 June 2007 1-2. Web.28 Jul 2009. .

Moncur, Michael. "Albert Einstein Quotes." QuotationsPage.com 1994-2007 Web.27 Jul 2009. .


B., W.. "Albert Einstein." History and Thought of Western Man 23 April 2003 Web.29 Jul 2009. .

Also Regarding Clydesdales:

Taken moments before I entered the caged-in boxing ring (pictured), challenged, battled, and won against a massive Budweiser Clydesdale to save my fellow man.

AP WORLD ESSAY- JUNE

June
Let us assume a fully grown, completely healthy, Clydesdale horse has his hooves shackled to the ground while his head is held in place with thick rope. He is conscious and standing upright, but completely immobile. And let us assume that--for some reason--every political prisoner on earth (as cited by Amnesty International) will be released from captivity if you can kick this horse to death in less than twenty minutes.You are allowed to wear steel-toed boots.Would you attempt to do this?

The relevance of human lives in comparison to those of other animals is an age old debate that many feel very passionately about. To choose between ending the life of a powerful animal, such as a healthy Clydesdale horse, and the lives of every political prisoner on Earth implies that either animals’ innocence takes priority over the lives of men and women, or that humans, who are animals themselves, should feel no compassion towards other living creatures because they are fixed farther atop Darwin’s evolutionary ladder. Although humans should not strive to hurt other living creatures, they should do what is necessary to protect and prolong their own existence and the existence of their fellow human beings, especially those who are held captive because of their political or religious views. Therefore, if given the choice between kicking an immobile, but otherwise healthy Clydesdale horse to death in less than 20 minutes using steel-toed boots so Amnesty International would release every political prisoner on the globe from captivity, or letting the prisoners remain in captivity to save the life of the animal, I would attempt to kill the horse on the grounds that humans have a responsibility as creatures of reason to help their own kind before leaving them to die to save a “lower animal.”

Primarily, one must deliberate on human rights in relation to animal rights. Animals are an important element of the global ecosystem that are often used as sources of food, as companions, and subjects for medical and medicinal studies, as well as serving many other valuable functions. Although many people feel strongly that animals, both domestic and wild, live on the same level as humans and should be treated almost as equals, the fact remains that humans are creatures more advanced than most others. “Rights are ethical principles applicable only to beings capable of reason and choice. There is only one fundamental right: a man's right to his own life” (Locke). Following the teachings of the “survival of the fittest”, evolution, or the even book of Genesis, it is obvious that humans do, and were meant to, dominate, and should not endanger their biological standing with sympathy for the existence of less evolved animals over the lives their own kind. Therefore, if the life of a Clydesdale horse and the life of a human being, or the lives of many human beings, are being weighed in respect to one another, the humans’ lives should certainly take priority over the sole Clydesdale’s life.

Although any human life should take priority over another animal’s, the fact that the lives of people whose liberty has been taken from them as a result of their political, religious, or philosophical believes presents an even better reason for killing the Clydesdale. “To reduce controversy and as a matter of principle, Amnesty International’s policies regarding release of prisoners only applies for those who have not committed or advocated violence” (Political Prisoner). “In many cases, political prisoners are imprisoned with no legal veneer directly through extrajudicial processes” (Political Prisoner). Any concerns that the released prisoners would have a negative effect on society would not influence the decision to choose the humans over the horse. These freed people could return to their families, their homes, and their jobs, so they would actually benefit their communities and countries with their safe return.

Animal rights activists may counter this reasoning with arguments that animals, like people, can reason, and should therefore be treated as equals. The fact remains, though, that “animals do not survive by rational. They survive through sensory-perceptual association and the pleasure-pain mechanism. They cannot reason. They cannot learn a code of ethics. A lion is not immoral for eating a zebra (or even for attacking a man). Predation is their natural and only means of survival; they do not have the capacity to learn any other” (Locke). Humans can think and decide to help their fellow humans. Knowing we have this gift, be it given or acquired over time, it would be a travesty to waste it by choosing not to help our fellow man.

In practice, kicking a Clydesdale horse to death may prove to be a challenge, but it would be a justified attempt to free thousands of people, even if one did not physically succeed in the allotted 20 minutes. “A Clydesdale horse is, on average, almost six feet tall, 2,000 pounds, and is usually used primarily as either a working horse or a show horse” (Thomas). A way to defy the horse’s impressive stature would be to use the boots and kick it in the head multiple times, fracturing its skull. “Horses suffering a skull fracture often have a history of being handled with the horse rearing and flipping over, and striking its head on the ground, or hitting its head on an overhead structure such as a trailer or stall ceiling. In other instances, the history indicated the horse running directly into an object…” (Skull Fractures in Horses). “Consequently, striking the horse in the skull with the steel-toed boot multiple times could result in a fracture, which leads to hemorrhaging, which would kill the animal” (Skull Fractures in Horses). Knowing this, killing the animal could be a quick, painless, and practical process.

Subsequently, killing a nonhuman animal to potentially save the lives of thousands of innocent prisoners would be an acceptable sacrifice. With the help of a pair of steel-toes boots and Amnesty International, numerous injustices to individuals could be absolved with the grant of freedom, even though one Clydesdale’s life was taken to do so. Human beings are creatures of rationale and reason that have a responsibility to aide their own before any other species, and certainly not sacrifice another human being for a common and less evolved animal’s life. Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home - so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world…. Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.”


Bibliography

Locke, Edwin A.. "Animal "Rights" Versus Human Rights." Intellectual Conversation 02 June 2005 Web.16 Jun 2009. http://www.intellectualconservative.com/article4376.html.

"Political Prisoner." Wikipedia 12 June 09 Web.16 Jun 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_prisoner.

Thomas, Cindy. "Clydesdale Working Horse Breed Description & Equine History." Horses and Horse Information 2007 Web.16 Jun 2009. .

University of Kentucky's College of Agriculture. "Skull Fractures in Horses." The Horse 7254 17 July 2006 Web.16 Jun 2009. http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=7254.

[Editors Note: Copy & paste and the blog's formatting pretty much killed the indentation of the paper and bibliography.]