Moral Heroism (Essay Intro Draft)

Daniel P.            
Teacher              
Class                  
28 October 2014

Moral Heroism

The Second World War was one of the most extreme and terrible wars that occurred in history with estimated death tolls as high as 60 million. Officially beginning on September 1st, 1939 with the invasion of Poland and ending on September 2nd, 1945 with the surrender of Japan, World War II devastated Europe and the Pacific sector for a seemingly never ending six years. Over 60 cities were completely or mostly destroyed with more than 2.5 million tons of bombs dropped. It was a global crisis, but to an extent that most do not know about. In fact, 61 countries were involved and 1.7 billion people participated one way or another, three quarter’s of the world’s population! 

 
     Heroism, a characteristic most commonly associated with soldiers and wars, was not solely based on being on the ‘good side’ during the war. It was not just battle for defense and it was not just the fulfillment of military duty for one’s country. War has absolutely no humane side or no right justification, yet heroism is doing the good, the right thing, or whatever is moral, even though it might go against authority. Thus, even if a person was forced to fight for a cause they didn't believe, the simple action of resistance proved them to be heroes. These people used logic to clearly see what was right. They stood from a judicious and objective point of view and strived for the good. 

 
     Ultimately, heroism is not defined by the end game success, but by the attempt at putting morality and lives of others above danger, which is exactly what Philipp Freiherr von Boeselager did. In his book, Valkyrie, Philipp uses chronological progression and personal experiences/examples to portray his message: morality above danger. He explains what these dangers were and how the risks affected him, but, more importantly, Philipp tells the reader of why it was important to continue the resistance and why morality did, indeed, need to stand above danger. 

Our Techie World

      There’s no better marker for human progress than innovation and advancement in the field of technology. From the first computer the size of an entire room to mini tablets that fit in pockets, mankind has transformed the structure, functioning, and design of technology. In fact, the change is so grand that what is considered modern today has barely any connections at all to what it was ‘back then’. However, the question remains: “What is technology?” Some argue it is purely the electronics. Others believe it is simply the tools people use; it doesn't have to have wiring or on/off switches. Yet, another group would suggest a dictionary based definition: “the branch of knowledge dealing with engineering or applied sciences.” Thus, this definition would be focusing more on the educational aspect of learning, not physical materials.
      All definitions seem true, yet the most prominent one is the ‘stuff’. People, in general, define things with observation or personal experience. A majority would instantly imagine a cell phone, a laptop, or an Apple product when hearing the word ‘technology’. Not surprisingly, no one would think of the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC), the first computer. This only reveals the amazing process and journey the technology field has undergone physically and visually. As I sit here, using a Microsoft Works Word Processor, I too realize that the image and the ease with which one can use modern technology is severely different from the antique computers that had to have programs encoded for every action. If it was presented to a child in these times, would he even consider it a computer? The Apple company has revolutionized our depiction of electronics. Limitations have been broken with touch-screens, air connectivity (e.g. Air Printers), and multi-functioning tools that are part of our everyday lives. Design, simple but stylish, has had a tremendous impact as well.
      Image and design can, however, be used when describing the ‘simple tools’ technology, the products not requiring electrical engineering. Objects like mechanical pencils, shoes, building material, paper, cleaning liquids, and microscopes all have one thing in common. They are, in one way or another, a technology of the modern day. None of these, however, use complicated electrical circuits, or run electricity (considering that the microscope is not battery powered). Invention is founded from desire and necessity. Being invented in 105 A.D. (paper) or in the 1590’s (microscope) does not change anything; they are still considered a technology created by humans, and will remain so for eternity. Therefore, this definition argues that anything man made, can be considered a technology.
      Besides actual products and materials themselves, a more philosophical approach explains that technology is the knowledge. It is the progress, the calculation, the experiments, and the understanding that define technology. The physical objects are simply an embodiment of the mental concepts. Under this definition, the change from mental to physical technology, or the application for practical purposes, can be included as well. People describe technology to be only what they can see and use, yet it is limitless. Anything concerning human involvement becomes affiliated with technology.
      All day, everyday, and everywhere we see it, we use it. Society has become dependent on modern technologies, like cell phones, and takes older technologies, like paper, for granted without giving it a single thought. The cumulative effort in creating technology throughout history has created such an enormous mass of information and data that individuals do not acknowledge the fact that it surrounds them in every situation. I ask myself again: “What is technology?” It is everything mankind has created!

Closet Character

     The closet, primarily thought of as a storage space for clothes, has evolved into something completely different in today’s world. While maintaining its traditional function, it serves many other purposes for different people. These purposes, along with closeting behaviors, can reveal a person from the inside. They show that person’s true qualities, an idea that might seem creepy at first, but, essentially, is the absolute truth. A fashion statement, athletic participation, an individual trait revealer, and the place to hide in or fear are all doors that lead to unique closets. Surprisingly, the closet becomes, in many ways, a part of a person’s description.

     As the primary function states, the closet holds clothes. This is the most common category of closets, probably the only one most people are aware of. The clothes inside the closet are what make this type of closet special. They represent the style, fashion, and overall appearance preferences of the individual. The closet can be filled with top quality brands, representing preference to the luxurious style, or it can be filled with sweatpants, t-shirts, and hoodies, appealing to the comfortable style. However, the previous examples represent, a normal behavior of mixed brands. Some people, lean towards the more extravagant side, tending to buy a single brand because others don't seem to hold any worth. Thus, their closet becomes a representation of their tastes.

  However, closets can assume a different classification. They are able to represent a person’s interests beyond fashion and appearance. The most common feature of these closets is their containment of sports related items. Whether it be basketball shorts, swimming suits, or martial arts uniforms, closets are able to reveal what activities a person might be participating in. Older, worn out tennis shoes or running shoes can even tell the story of the past: what a person used to like.

  Then there are the trait revealers. These closets tend to be on the extreme sides of the spectrum. For example, a closet that has some clothes folded nicely, but other wrinkled won't say much about the owner. However, there are closets that look like a jungle with clothes thrown everywhere, including on the floor, and not a single item that is wrinkle free. Surely these represent someone who is lazy, disorganized, but also someone who just doesn't care. On the other hand, closets with organized hangers and neatly folded clothes must represent people who are neat and organized. Whatever the extreme is, some closets simply function as behavior displays.

  The last category of closets belongs to children. Contrastingly though, they don’t primarily serve as storage for attire. Their most important function is a ‘hide-out’, a place to hide from the big world, a place where childhood games took a side adventure. To other children, however, the closet represented the hiding place of the world’s most feared monster. Many can still relate to the habit of closing their closet door before going to bed.

  A closet is not just merely a closet. It is a place that secretly represents a person for who they are. It tells about their preferences, activities, and memories. What would the world be like if we judged people based on their closets? What closet category would you fall under?

Louis XIV: Absolutely King of Kings

      The Middle Ages was a time period in Europe, where a power shared among kings and assemblies could be observed. Yet, the advent of Absolutism marked the real beginning of complete monarchical rule in many countries across Europe. This meant that kings would have no limits, an idea feared by many because of the potential tyranny laying underneath. During the second half of the seventeenth century, the monarchical absolutist Louis XIV gained control of France. This was possible through his religious, economic, and political efforts, which essentially lead France to become a world power. However, his rule extended further than France, for he revolutionized tradition and etiquette across Europe. The new cultural trends he set would last long after his time.
Many developing European nations faced a similar issue at hand. Religion was the most influential factor in the division of nations. With the Reformation sweeping across Europe, religious war erupted among the traditional Catholics and the newly formed Protestants. French Protestants, called Huguenots, were what prevented France’s complete unification. One of the ways in which Louis XIV became an absolute monarch was by getting rid of the people he could not control. Therefore, Louis, being a Catholic, revoked the Edict of Nantes, which was established earlier to allow the Protestant practice. Not only did he ban Protestantism, but he persecuted those who did not convert or were still suspected to be Protestant. In unfair trial, he became the jury, judge, and prosecutor. Unifying France under one religion was an important step towards absolutism. Another important characteristic of Louis was the way in which he supported his kingship. Holding a firm belief in the divine right of kings meant that Louis would only be responsible to God, and God alone. Whatever he interpreted from God, or just his own ideals, would become the law of the country.
Louis XIV's reign and authority would not have been possible if it weren't for the enormous wealth that he acquired. All of this was the work of one man: Jean-Baptiste Colbert, the controller general. Colbert’s mercantilist position and his ideal of wealth serving the state became very favorable with Louis, allowing Colbert to strengthen the French economy. The new motto became “selling more than buying,” a motto that led France’s industry to expand, producing all necessary products for the French people. Abolishment of domestic tariffs, new regulations, and encouragement of immigration into France helped create the economy that gave the funds for a successful absolutist rule. With this new establishment, France became the center of diplomacy. Louis XIV’s rule was so magnificent that every country began using French in negotiations.
An even more important contribution to Louis XIV becoming the most successful absolutist monarch was his political strategy. Louis XIII’s rule was weak and his mother, Marie de Medici, had a greater role in ruling the country. The famous Cardinal Richelieu also held great political authority. As Louis XIV came to the throne, the chief minister was Cardinal Mazarin. In order to increase his own power, Louis dismissed him and removed the position of advisor. He attained complete personal control. To keep an eye on everything, Louis appointed new, loyal nobles, who depended on him for their titles, lands, and wealth. In fact, nobles were ordered to visit Versailles, the new capital, and serve the king for a certain period of the year. Louis could gather reports on the situation in the kingdom and rule more efficiently. His expansion of the empire, centralization of the army, and training of professional officers, caused him to be the most powerful ruler in Europe during the peak of his reign.
Louis XIV is, perhaps, the best example of an absolutist ruler. He came to the throne, conquered, ruled, and achieved the height of France’s development, while spreading his influence across Europe. The Versailles palace, grand, luxurious, and expensive, was to be the new model for monarchical estates. His courtly etiquette and daily rituals inspired kings in many countries to follow suit. Under Louis XIV, France became the center of the world!