The Industrial Revolution. Mental or Physical?

Abstract: The process of the Industrial Revolution represented primarily a mental revolution. Sources for the essay includes: The Wealth and Poverty of Nations by David S. Landers, schoolshistory.com, and library.thinkquest.org. The importance of this paper is to show how revolutionary changes can't just be physical, and that they have to be accepted by people, and will change the way people see the world around them.

The Industrial Revolution posed both mental and physical revolution; but primarily mental, because every invention and new process starts with a mental idea, every new process takes human mental acceptance to be used and thrive, the way it effected people for and against it, because of the changes in ideas about class and how people perceived each other, how spirituality changed, and how the mental changes still show up today.

Every invention or process starts with a mental thought process; more specifically, a scientific thought process. At the core of every invention is a scientific thought process. The water frame, which was one of the biggest machine contributors to the Industrial Revolution, works by the force of moving water to move paddles on a wheel, causing it to turn. This rotation would then be channeled to the machinery it was powering. Before all this could happen, someone likely empowered by the Scientific Revolution, had to process the ideas. They had to put together the ideas of the power of water, the ability of one objects motion to affect another, and how to make that useful. Then experiments could be made, and then the water wheel could be put together to power multiple machines and allow factories to be possible.

The steam engine had to go though the process of scientific thought to get to it's best point. From a steam powered pump of water, to blowing air for furnaces, it evolved through the work of James Watt into an engine instead of just a pump. From there it was developed further through science and invention to be used for trains and to power machinery for factories.

Every invention starts with a mental Scientific thought process, that will bring the physical aspects to life. Once the physical part of the revolution starts more mental changes occur. A change has to happen in the minds of the people for them to accept the new physical developments. Otherwise, the physical changes would not continue and there would not be any revolution at all.

Before many of the machines and factories of the Industrial Revolution were put in full motion, the way people lived and worked was different. There were no, or very few factories; most people supported themselves. Almost every person, with the exception of some artisans, was their own farmer, many things were on barter basis, and businesses were mostly held in the home. As better farming tools and techniques became available, farmers were able to produce more food then just needed by their own families. Being able to buy food instead of having to grow it yourself, freed up some people to have the opportunity to have other jobs. As factories began to be set up, the positions were filled by those who no longer had to farm for their needs. I the factory products were produced cheaper and more rapidly than if the same products were being made by specialized workers in their home by hand. The factories took job away from most of these specialized workers, but they also allowed for more products than were necessary for the area so they were able to be sold for extra profit for the country.

This was a big change, and in order for it to take place the mentality of the people had to undergo much change itself. It took time for people to accept and adapt to the new machines and the new way of working that they brought with them. It was an extreme mental change for them to go from the thinking of a person who works in his home making four pairs of socks a day, to some one working in a factory helping to produce hundreds a day. Or someone who farmed for himself and his family, and now produces enough for multiple more people. Most people eventually adapted the way they thought about work to fit the new ways in which they were being expected to work; but some refused. The people who clung to the old ways and were against what the revolution was pushing for were called Luddites. Luddites were protesters who often broke machinery to make their point. They protested because of the jobs that were being lost due to machinery, the reducing of wadges, and the quality of what was being produced. The Luddites did not mentally accept the changes coming at them so in consequence did not go along with the revolution presented before them. Because they did not change mentally from the old ways, they were not revolutionized themselves; if every person had acted in this same way, the revolution wouldn't have had much of an affect.

The Industrial Revolution caused huge change in the way people thought about each other. Mostly because of the development of factories, social classes were once again very pronounced. The Under Class of poverty stricken and mostly jobless people were at the very bottom. Next came the broad category of Working Class. The Working Class ranged from unskilled workers at the bottom, to skilled at the top. After the Working Class came the Middle Class; mostly merchants, and then the Upper Class. The Upper Class was reestablished due to people who excelled at commerce and industry. Where before people were on a more equal level, the Industrial Revolution heightened the class separation. Upper class factory owners would look down on the working class who worked for them, and the higher parts of the working class felt they should not associate with the lower part of their class.

The mental state of people's minds changed more than just in class distinctions. Making money became the biggest priority. People started spending more time away from their families and church to make more and more money. Competition was more heated. People wanted the best possible, and if their neighbor had better, they wanted to get better than that. People's mindsets changed and became more affixed with material things.

The Industrial Revolution was primarily a mental revolution, and many of the mental affects can be traced to today. Most people's priorities are still centered around money in one way or another, and people compete more than ever to be at the top and to have the best. Though there were physical aspects to the Industrial revolution, because the machines helped power the changes; but the changes happened in the mind, and all the beginnings of anything physical, starts with something mental.

Truth Can Not Contradict Truth. So When Do We See The Truth?

Truth is sought by all people; whether to find purpose, how something works, how to deal with things, or to find what is real. How to define and discern Truth has created conflict for many years; starting strongly around the 1600-1700's during the Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment, and continuing today, where Faith and what scientific progress has to say clash.

Before the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment people generally found Truth based on logic and science, but ultimately Faith. For anything involving religion, tradition, or things that would attempt to disprove long believed tradition, faith was the superior and deciding factor. From the Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment came the idea of the need for materialistic evidence for truth. That the evidence or opinion of a number of scientifically learned men could over rule long believed matters of faith. Neither way is bad in itself; but when materialistic views attempt to disprove and throw out matters of faith, conflict arises between people on either side; and those confused and stuck between the two. Some examples of this in history would be the battle between Heliocentricism and Geocentricism, and the scientific contributions in the Encyclopedia that went against Church teachings. Conflict still rises in modern times with the idea of Creation versus The Big Bang Theory and Evolution.

Copernicus proposed the idea of Heliocentricism (a sun centered universe) but Galileo was the one to really bring about conflict with the Church through his publicity of the Copernican idea and his continuing effort to show the evidence he believed to prove it as truth. The Church was opposed to this because it had always taught that the earth was the center of the universe due to other scientist's (such as Bacon) beliefs, and ultimately the scriptural passages of the Bible that seem to suggest an earth centered universe. Galileo said all the proof could be seen through his telescope; that there was enough material evidence to prove his theory, and faith was not necessary. The Church however did not agree. If it came down to having faith in the Bible and the scientists who believed in the teachings of the Bible, or believing Galileo and his material evidence, it was obvious for them to choose faith. Galileo still held to his Heliocentric Copernican ideas because the material evidence was more to him than faith.

The Encyclopedia was created in the in the 1700's by Diderot and a few contributors. The Encyclopedia was a resource to things of every subject; math, science, history, food, specialized skills, and more. It was a relatively new concept to have such a variety of information available to practically anyone, and consequently the Encyclopedia became very popular. Some of the scientific articles in the Encyclopedia were written based on the beliefs of scientists who believed what they thought to be truth due to the form of logic they had used to arrive at their conclusion. For them the logic was enough to prove the idea as truth. Some of these logic derived scientific "truths" contradicted church tradition and teaching. The Church disproved these ideas because it did not believe that the logic used by some scientists was enough to over rule the faith they had in their long held traditional teachings. Diderot believed that the logic used by these scientists and himself was enough proof for truth, but the Church was afraid of publishing true facts along with Diderot's ideas that went against church teachings. The Church did not feel that these ideas were well enough proven and that having them written in a book with proven facts could confuse the people.

The beginning of the world is very controversial today. Christian Creationists have faith in the Bible and God, that the world was created by God. In the past one hundred years another idea for the origin of the world has become widely accepted called The Big Bang Theory which simply put says that due to density and temperature the universe has expanded to it's present state. This theory totally throws out the idea of God creating the world, causing conflict that is still unresolved. The scientists and those who follow them believe the evidence found in favor of The Big Bang Theory is enough to suffice for truth. Those opposing believe that the evidence is not substantial enough and that their faith in God is more solid than the evidence presented against his existence. Neither side gives way for the other because if one is true, the other is utterly wrong.

Another theory that is conflicting with creation is the Evolution Theory. The Evolution Theory was proposed by Charles Darwin, and is the idea that over time animals and plants have evolved to their present state slowly from a previously existing form. This theory conflicts with Creation because it says that humans animals and plants evolved, and in creation God created the animals and plants and then humans from dust and bone. If evolution were to be truth then the Bible, the basis of all Christianity, and any other evidence to prove otherwise would be wrong. Many modern scientists firmly believe in evolution, but people who believe in creation of life by God generally stand against evolution because of their faith and the belief that the theory is not firm enough to be truth. But the Evolution Theory holds enough ground for many to take it as truth.

Because of the conflictions between finding truth through only materialistic science or using faith, many things have changed. Firstly, Galileo and Copernicanism, and the articles against church teaching in the Encyclopedia brought stronger questioning of the Church, and more than that, it made science seem separate from religion; where before they went hand in hand. The church tried to compromise with Galileo by having him write a book showing both views equally on what the center of the universe was and have the Pope's opinion placed in the book. But Galileo firmly believing in his sun centered universe wrote a completely biased work that insulted the Pope. The compromise failing the separation between modern science and religion grew. Now, with the Big Bang Theory and Evolution, modern science is often completely against religion all together, so that if you wanted to believe in the science of today it would be almost impossible to have religion at the same time. Some compromises have been tried, such as the idea that the seven days were not literally seven days but a longer span of time allowing for evolution to take place, or that if there was a Big Bang, God caused it to happen. For the most part though Christian people believe these theories go against God and their faith, and that the evidence is no where close to enough for it to replace their truth. Religion and modern science have never been more separated.

What it comes down to is there are people who will believe material evidence, but when it challenges a matter of their faith, Faith prevails. This is because they will trust their religious tradition and God more than the evidence that another man can put before them. There are also people who need materialistic evidence that can be presented before them; that they can use their senses to try to comprehend. They need something that is on their level, not above them; they will trust that, and find it truth before they will consider something that is beyond their comprehension, as faith would require. Both sides know that if one alone is right the other must be wrong. There can not be two conflicting truths; they would not be true. So one side must be right, but neither will give in to the other. Both these views will continue to exist, and so long as they do, conflict can not be avoided.

Consilience

Galileo, Cigoli, and The Church, all came together to create a significant, unique, impact on the world. The three, through their friendship, conflictions, and impacts on each other, all combined as one to foster the beginning of a conflict still going on today.

Galileo Galolei (2/15/1564 - 1/8/1642 pictured at right) was an Italian astronomer, and also mathematician, philosopher and physicist. Galileo studied and found proof for Copernicanism; the belief that the planets and earth revolve around the sun, opposing the belief that heavenly bodies orbited the earth. Some of his other astronomy accomplishments were: Improving the telescope, discovering four of Jupiter's satellites, observing sun spots, and craters and mountains in the moon. Unfortunately, due to his Copernican ideas and writings he was called to Rome and eventually put under house arrest.

Lodovico Cardi (1559-1613), is an Italian architect and painter who is better known as Cigoli. His paintings are very religious related, and one of the most famous of his is "The Sacrifice of Isaac." (pictured at left) He was a student of Buontalenti; who decorated the Boboli Gardens, and was also a member of the Accademia del Disegno; which is an art school in Florence, and the first drawing school in Europe.

The Church in the Renaissance time was still a big political part of the world as well as religious; practically as it had been in the Middle Ages. The head of the Church; the Pope, was set up in Rome, with bishops and priest spread throughout Europe to administer to the laymen. The Church handled the spiritual well being of the people, many financial issues, and had a huge influence on political matters and who got into different offices.

Galileo Galolei and Cigoli were good friends, who helped and influenced each other. Cigoli helped to get Galileo into the Accademia del Disegno where he learned chiaroscuro. It was with the help of this technique, that while looking at the moon with his telescope Galileo came to the conclusion that the moon had mountains and craters; instead of just seeing blotches and wondering about the discoloring. Galileo's discoveries concerning the moon's surface caused his friend Cigoli to incorporate these ideas into his painting. Cigoli's painting "Assumption of the Virgin" (pictured at right) shows the Virgin Mary standing on a cratered moon, where before paintings depicted the moon as smooth.

The Church had a very large influence on Cigoli's art. This is clearly evident simply by the fact that all his known pieces are of religious scenes. In a time when Humanism was flourishing, Cigoli could very likely have painted other images and not have been out of place, but he chose to paint on a holy level, because of his Christain faith and the influence that it had on him. Though as in his "Assumption of the Virgin" he chose to incorporate scientific elements he learned from Galileo, but did not stray from his religious theme.

The Church affected Galileo in a big way as well. The common belief before Copernicus and even for a time after him, was that the earth was the center of the universe and that the planets and sun went around it. Copernicus, however, proposed the idea that the sun was the center of out universe. Galileo adopted this theory and through his studies began to adamantly preach it. The Church and other scientists such as Bacon, disapproved of this because it went against what they taught, and after some time Galileo was condemned as "suspected of heresy," and placed under house arrest until he died.

Cigoli, Galileo, and the Church all played a role in creating a huge impact on the world. Cigoli's influence on Galileo helped him to make discoveries and keep studying astronomy, which lead to his further enthralment in Copernicanim. Galileo's testaments to the Copernican theory brought opposition from the Church. Neither the Church nor Galileo changed their minds at the time. This was the first serious science versus religion conflict, and not the last.

These three separate, though related, components: Galileo, Cigoli, and the Church, brought the beginning of a still on going struggle between some aspects of modern science and religion. Today there is still controversy between religious beliefs and what is accepted as scientific facts or theories. The theory of Evolution being the most conflicting of them all, because unlike Galileo who only questioned one aspect in the religious belief system, evolution throws out the whole idea of the existence of God at all. From the simple beginnings of science and religious friction, has come the complete displacement of God through science, which once went along with religion.

Political Map Of Europe

Revolution

In order for a Revolution to occur it takes more then just one aspect of life to cause a big enough change. However, the most causative piece of PERSIA in revolution is Society. Society is, according to dictionary.com, "an organized group of persons associated together for religious, benevolent, cultural, scientific, political, patriotic, or other purposes." Therefore most all other aspects of PERSIA (politics, economics, religion, intellect, and aesthetics) fall in some way under Society, until as the cause for revolution behind society grows, these other aspects blow up into their own causes.

In the Middle Ages practically every person was Catholic. Society was based around Catholicism. People went to church together, and all had the same ideas about getting to heaven and what that meant for them. As the Renaissance started coming in things began to slowly change. Tim Parks in Medici Money expresses how the people began getting upset with how some of the Church men were dealing with society. How some church officials were said to have disregard their vows of chastity, or commit such sins as usury, when they were quick to punish lay men for such offenses. Perhaps it was not how church men were dealing with society, but the fact that they were in it so much that was upsetting. The problems that people and some clergy and officials of the Church had with the mistakes of other church officials and popes grew, until this piece of society exploded into it's own piece of the cause of revolution.

Social classes in society play a part in bringing about revolution. Jacques Barzun in From Dawn to Decadence, explains how in France there were two types of people, peasants and nobles. Eventually artisans and merchants were able to make more money and rise above the peasants, but because of the way of society, they could not rise into a very high social standing, even if they were more rich then all the nobles around, because they were not born into the title. Tim Parks also demonstrates the separation of class when he writes about how there were regulations on what people who were plebs could and could not wear, and even eat. Eventually such obvious separation of classes and regulations on the lower class becomes infuriating, for the plebs, and/or those who feel as though they are more fit to be in high noble classes but can't get there. These things will lead to another cause for revolt, leading to possible revolution.

When societies values are changing and the government, whatever type it may be, or a large amount of the population, is not going with these changes, it causes friction, and quite possibly revolution. In the American Revolution the people of America were tired of the way the king in England was not treating them how they wanted. The were tired of the excessive taxes, tired of not having the representation they wanted, tired of trade regulations, and were becoming more interested in more liberal, democratic and republic ideas. England was not compromising and neither were the Americans. Result? Revolution. In the French Revolution the low classes of France wanted change. For years the poor and middle class had wanted change and they didn't seem to be getting it from the nobles and the King, and then by the time they had a few nobles on their side pushing for them it was too late. They had gotten to the point where it was all or nothing, some change wasn't going to satisfy them, they wanted liberty, and they would kill for it. Result? Revolution. In the time of Medici Money, the values of people were changing. The people were becoming frustrated with funding all the petty wars going on, and as Humanism flowed in people's attachment to the church, though still rather strong, began to change, and art changed. The Church and the governing system were not quite ready for this, and clashes rose up. Result? Revolution. In Germany, Martin Luther's religious values were changing. He brought out completely different ideas about religion, one being "Solo Fidelis," by faith alone, another being "Solo Scriptora," by script alone, meaning only the Bible has authority. Needless to say the Church wasn't impressed, but Luther wouldn't change, and he gathered followers. Result? Well, Revolution of course.

There is no one cause for revolution. Revolution needs causes from multiple aspects of PERSIA to take place. When friction starts to happen in more than one aspect, that is when the beginning of a revolution is formed. When analyzing revolution to find the most causative part of PERSIA in revolution, Society is the root. The other parts of PERSIA are important because of society, because of how they affect the way people live and interact with each other, which is society. From within society each other aspect of PERSIA grows until it explodes into its own huge cause for revolution, but unless the other parts affect society, they will not bring about a revolution.

Humanism and The Flat World

The Flat World and Humanism in their revolutionary aspects affected people in many similar ways, however, they still had contrasting aspects as well. Both empowered people, drove them deeper into discovering art and passions, and both have aided in the quenching of the thirst for knowledge. By using what we know of Humanism and how it affected the world reasonable predictions about The Flat World can be made.

Humanism began to change people by giving them the idea that their individual lives had meaning. Before Humanism the whole of peoples lives was centered around getting to heaven and only that. Things they did in their lives meant nothing, except it's relevance to getting or deterring them from heaven. As Humanism developed and spread people saw their lives as having a greater purpose than being just a stumbling block to getting to heaven. Heaven was still important to them, but instead of a stumbling block, there lives became something that was for meaning, and naturally because of the changed outlook, the way they lived their lives was changed.

The idea of The Flat World and it's technology is that people from every part of the world are now much more collaborative, competitive, and connected to one another because of advanced technology. The business world is becoming more open with equal opportunities for many people all over the world, and the numbers are growing. In the Flat World it is an extremely competitive race to the top, and you have to run it to make it anywhere.

Humanism and The Flat World both inspire a strong force of human empowerment. Humanism empowered people to find meaningful things to do with their lives for themselves as well as God, instead of being fully one sided. People began to delve into art and much of the style was changed. Humanism caused people to question, to dig deeper into their lives, to find how or if what they did in their lives affected the world or others. The Flat World is also empowering people. In the Flat World, because you have to be so competitive with a greatly increased number of people, many are being empowered to strive for better and better education. Not only does the Flat World empower people to strive for better education but, like Humanism, it is giving people power and opportunity to let their lives and opinions affect the world, but with the Flat World it is through internet resources like blogging.

Both the Flat World and Humanism made art and passion more important. Humanism caused a change in art that brought more realistic pieces. The images had not just a part of life in them, but were life captured in a moment. Peoples passions became important because now that humanity in itself was something special, the passions that make humanity what it is became something to be thought on, admired, and cultivated. In the Flat World artistic abilities and mindsets along with passion are very important. Now, with so many people competing for your job in this flattening world, it is crucial that you have something special to offer to get the job. If you and another have the same ability but the other person has more passion, or better artistically inclined ideas, you lose out.

The availability of knowledge is something that Humanism and The Flat World have had a hand in. Humanism encouraged asking questions and learning because learning has to do with the human experience. Because Humanism encouraged learning, more people began to be able to acquire knowledge, and it became desirable to obtain it. Knowledge has never been easier to come by than in the Flat World. The internet makes access to countless forms of knowledge attainable, and easily at that. Anyone with some way of having internet access can acquire knowledge on practically anything. In the Flat World knowledge is not only desirable, but necessary.

Humanism had more of an affect on the Catholic Church, while The Flat World affects economy rather than religion. Humanism caused people to appreciate life and the significance of it in the present and future, which lead them to question the things in their lives, including the Church. Eventually the questioning became stronger and later caused a rift. The Flat World does not appear to be causing trouble for a particular religious power, however, it is affecting the economy. The technology in the Flat World is affecting hierarchy of superpower nations and powerful businesses, because the playing field is being leveled. Countries that formerly were lower on the list are rising because of the empowerment their people get from the Flat World technology to rise to higher positions in the world. Large scale businesses won't always be able to dominate over every other company, because the smallest business, as long as it has the right technological access, can connect with anyone in the world.

From the history of Humanism you can make the conclusion that ultimately, Humanism and The Flat World will lead to many of the same things, but with opposite intentions. Humanism questioned, encouraged education and knowledge, grew in passions and art, for the reason of giving their lives purpose, for aesthetic development, and becoming better people with more understanding of their own nature. In the Flat World, though maybe some people have the same intentions as those of the time when Humanism began, most seek greater knowledge and cultivate their passions and creativity because they are competing to get to the top of a practically flat economical world, not to improve for greater meaning, but for greater job and standing, quite possibly just because they must. Before Humanism people strove for one goal only, to get to heaven; then they discovered other ways to identify themselves and give their lives meaning. In the Flat World people still use these things to help identify themselves, but once again, like the time before Humanism, they are striving towards one ultimate goal, only this time, instead of being eternal happiness in heaven after death, it is for corruptible money, power, and/or fame until death.

The World Is Flat #6

My personal feelings and ideas towards the The World Is Flat have been a little bit confusing to say the least. I don't believe that I will be very directly and dramatically affected by the flat world, but still I am sure to be affected in some way. As of now, I think it affects me more in that it goes against some of my ideas, than how it affects my life. My friends seem as though they will be pretty well off in this new flatter than ever world, seeing as most of them seem to grasp the concept of it, and are very excited about the prospects of it. Those of them who maybe aren't as enthusiastic about the flatness of our world are very intelligent though, and should be able to do quite well. I myself am still slightly confused about the flat world, so maybe what I need from teachers, parents, and those more intelligent than me is more information, to give a clear understanding, so I am sure of what I am doing and how to do it. I do not really see any way my future will be hindered, at least by the flat world, seeing as I plan to do some musical theatre and then become a mother. All in all I am not quite sure yet where I stand on my ideas about the flat world, resent is a bit strong, but embrace is a bit strong on the other side. I know I can live with it, and I know there are good things involved with it, but I am certainly not over joyed at the whole concept of it.

The Once and Future King: The Candle In The Wind

Under Arthur's rule England has become a much safer place, might against right is more in check, and the arts are beginning to prosper. Unfortunately, Mordred and Agrivaine, in their hatred for Arthur and Lancelot are desperate to destroy them. To accomplish this they make plans to boldly bring the affair of Lancelot and Guenever to light to Arthur, then bring him proof. Arthur has worked so hard for his ideals and new Justice laws that if found out he would have to prosecute his best friends, or undermine his own authority and betray all he has worked for.

Gareth, who loves and looks up to Lancelot, warns him of Modred and Agrivaines plans and tells him not to go to Guenever. Lancelot, however, does not listen, and he and Guenever are found out. After killing Agrivaine and all the guards who had come for them but Modred, Lancelot escapes to his own castle.

Arthur is forced to put Guenever to death under his laws, but on the day she is to be burned Lancelot flies in to save her. Arthur and Gawaine are both actually glad for this, but the joy soon leaves when it is revealed that the unarmed Gaheris and Gareth were both killed.

Peace is attempted at by banishing Lancelot from England and having Guenever sent back to Arthur, but Gawaine wants revenge on Lancelot for his brothers deaths, so he and Arthur lay siege on Lancelot in France. While they are away Mordred is in control, and totally corrupted by cruelty. He plans to tell England that both Arhtur and Gawaine have died, that he will take Guenever as his wife, and worst of all, declare himself king.

A letter from Guenever is sent to Arthur explaining to him Mordred's plots. After reading it Arthur decides to leave off fighting Lancelot and return to England to right what Mordred is doing. Another letter is also sent, this time from Gawaine to Lancelot. Gawaine forgives Lancelot for killing his brothers and bids him return to England to help Arthur. He also tells Lancelot that his is about to die.

The night before Arthur's armies are going to meet Mordred's, Arhtur is in is tent contemplating war, the reasons for it, and how to prevent it, when he sends for a page. He tells the page the story of a king, his ideals and how might should always be used for right. He also tells that there will be a bloody battle and all will die but one page. He sends this page off to spread the ideas he spoke of so that they are not forgotten.


This is the way that T.W. White ends his book The Once and Future King. In many ways it is utterly tragic. The destruction of all the good that Arthur tried to, or did accomplish, came from within, from his friends, his wife, his family, and even some bits from himself. The trickery and lust of his half sister which lead to Mordred. Arthur listening to prophesies and advice concerning his son which lead to trying to kill Mordred, which heightened Mordreds cruelty. The affair between the two people he loved most, which caused sorrow for Arthur and his undeniable duty to punish them. Gawaine's pride and stubbornness to have revenge on Lancelot, and Arthurs own inability to say no to it, all contributed to the bloody and sorrowful end. Tragedy and sorrow follow through the tree latter books. No matter how much good is done, no matter how much good is intended or how much good is strived for, tragedy follows and happiness is short lived. You would think that this would leave the reader feeling hopeless and like there is no point in trying to do good, but at least for me, this is not the case. No matter how awful the circumstance, Arhtur never stopped trying for his ideals, he believed in them, even at the end, when all seemed lost he wanted them to stay alive, so someday, someone could try again. The ideals were worth all of it, and because of all that happened people could learn. It wasn't all tragedy, because ideas were born, and progress was made, and even though everything seemed to fall apart, all was not lost, because the ideas stayed. The last few lines of this book made the end that was hopeless, full of hope, when T. H. White wrote the words:

Explicit liber regis quondam regisque futuri

The Beginning

Faustain Bargain

In the play Dr. Faustus by Christopher Marlowe, Faustus is a learned man but he desires more knowledge, and so he resorts to dark magic to give him the knowledge. He sells his soul to the devil in exchange for life for twenty-four years and a demon Mephistophilis to serve him in what ever he asks. Despite being coaxed by the Good Angel and some of his own thoughts to repent, Faustus couldn't overcome his temptation to power and knowledge. In the end, though Faustus was willing to give everything for the deal he made, he regretted it, but it was too late.

Faustus was willing to give anything at all to obtain knowledge and power. That is the meaning of Faustian bargain. To have such an obsessive and greedy desire for intelligence and power, that you would give anything or all to obtain it. There might also be a little bit of a hint that you will regret it, that it won't turn out as you wished.

The World Is Flat #5

Friedman believes that the flat world is indeed a good thing for America. His reasoning is that, although many people are worried about the loss in jobs for Americans if we have free trade agreements, that there is no need to worry. This is because he believes that although there may be lumps of jobs lost in places, there will be new jobs in smaller amounts all around. He thinks that with jobs going to other countries, money also goes and so the other countries economies are boosted, and the people want more and better things, like computers or cars, or smaller things and that with this desire and the better means they will buy more from us. In this way it is sort of like a circle. He also firmly believes that there are always going to be more jobs created, because not everything that is going to be invented has been, and not every idea to be thought has been used. Also, he is sure that there is no limit to jobs for creative minds, "idea-generated jobs" people who can find new ways to do things, more efficient ways of doing things, or anything new or helpful in general. So, although jobs may be lost, and some wages decreased, in the long run, the flat world will be a good thing for America. That is, if actions are taken to make sure that America's people are educated in the ways they will need to excel in this world and it is made sure that we have and keep enough of our own resources going so as not to be over taken. The key is 'if'. America can prosper in the flat world but only if these things are taken care of and taken care of correctly.

The Once and Future King: The Ill-Made Knight

In the third book of The Once and Future King, The Ill-Made Knight, the french boy Lancelot, son of the french king Ban, meets King Arthur. Arthur tells Lancelot of his attempts to end might being used without good cause, and asks Lancelot if he would help him when he is older. Lancelot agrees and spends his his time in France working to become a great knight, and becomes more and more dedicated to Arthur. Finally after training of years he comes to the court of Arthur.

In the beginning Lancelot hates Arthur's wife Guenever, because he feels like she is in his way of being close to Arthur, but as time goes on, Lancelot and Guenever begin to have an attraction to each other. When Arthur and Lancelot come back from wars with the Romans, they are even more tightly bonded, but seeing Guenever, Lancelot knows that she could get in the way. Tired of fighting his love affair with Guenever, Lancelot leaves on a quest. On his quest Lancelot has many adventures and fights against might being used in the wrong way. Every one he triumphs over he sends back to Guenever to repent. When he returns, it is even harder for him and Guenever to fight temptation in their affair. Through all this Arthur blinds himself to his best friend and wife's affair and instead focuses his attention on trying to find a way to divert his knights from their obsession with games and competing for greatness amongst each other.

Over whelmed with hatred for himself Lancelot leaves on another quest. On this quest he saves a beautiful girl named Elaine, who could only be saved by the best knight in the world. Elaine's father Pelles invites Lancelot to stay at his castle, but Lancelot is lonely there, missing Guenever. Elaine loves Lancelot but knows that he only loves Guenever and won't be with her so she tricks him. While he is drunk, Elaine has her butler tell him that Guenever is near and waiting for him. He flees to her and in the night he doesn't realize that it is really Elaine waiting for him, and by morning she is baring his child, who she says she will call Galahad. When Lancelot realizes, he is furious, believing that now that he has slept with a woman he can no longer preform miracles, so thinking that he has nothing left to lose, he goes back to Camelot and begins sleeping with Guenever.


When Guenever realizes the a woman named Elaine has Lancelot's child, she is crazed with anger. At this point Arthur has realized the affair going on but refuses to recognise it. Meanwhile Elaine comes to Camelot, and once again tricks Lancelot into sleeping with her. A raging Guenever confronts Lancelot and Elaine stands up for him saying she tricked him, but Guenever is still crazed. Lancelot goes mad and jumps out Guenever's window and runs away. After Lancelot runs off insane, various accounts of a strange wild man who may be Sir Lancelot float about.

Eventually Elaine finds Lancelot and has him taken care of until he comes out of his madness. Lancelot starts living with Elaine, and goes by the name Le Chevalier Mal Fet, french for "the ill made knight. At a tournament Lancelot defeats all opposers and meets with two knights from the round table who he reveals his real identity to. These knights convince him to come back to Camelot.

Much of England has been doing well and improving under Arthur's ideals, but there are still problems, so Arthur decides that maybe just ideals are not enough so sends his knights on a search for the holy grail, which is supposed to be the cup Christ drank from at the last supper. After searching many knights give up with no luck and come back to Camelot, but holy knights like Galahad and Bors keep searching. Galahad defeats his father Lancelot making him the greatest knight, and leaving Lancelot feeling distressed. He decides to make reparation for his sins and when he returns to Camelot he does not continue his affair with Guenever. Guenever is very upset by this and demands he leave on a quest instead of torturing her, so he goes.

Camelot is starting to fall apart and Mordred and Agravaine are trying to destroy it more and try to ruin Guenever. While Lancelot is gone, Guenever has a banquet an sets out apples because Gawaine loves them, but another knight poisons them and the blame is rested on Guenever. Sir Bors agrees to fight for her cause, but before the fight takes place Bors finds Lancelot and he fights for her instead, saving Guenever. Later her innocence is proven by Nimune.

Lancelot goes to visit Elaine, but soon leaves her and she realizes that Lancelot does not love her and never will so she commits suicide. Soon afterwards Guenever is captured by Sir Meliagrance, and Lancelot goes to save her, which, of course he succeeds in, but he also begins his affair with Guenever once again.

At the end of this book a man with unhealable wounds comes to Camelot to be healed by the greatest knight in the world, and no can heal him, until Lancelot lies his hands on the man. The man is cured, but Lancelot finds no joy in preforming this miracle, and instead cries in sorrow.

One of my favorite parts in this book is the confrontation between Guenever and Elaine. After Lancelot goes mad and jumps out the window Elaine seems suddenly less child like, and stands up to Guenever, speaking against Guenever's love affair, which I don't believe Guenever had ever heard before. Elaine seems suddenly Clam, stately, and only slightly cruel, while Guenever is beside herself. Elaine Questions Guenever on why she had to drive Lancelot mad. She had The greatest husband in all the world, but she could not leave Lancelot for someone else, not even a girl who loved him and bore him a son. When Elaine leaves, walks out with just the cutting, but true words, "Yes, he is mad. You have won him, and you have broken him. What will you do with him next?" The whole scene is tragedy, and yet I think it is Elaine's finest moment, and makes you think more about Guenever, and in different ways.


Arthur has been spending his whole life trying to better his kingdom. Making sacrifices and doing all he can to bring the world to higher ideals, and for periods of time it seems to be working and progressing well, but there is always something else to be fixed and worked on. Towards the end of the book we realize that Arthur's kingdom and ideals are on the decline, despite all that he tries to do, despite his best intentions and all he suffers, but he doesn't stop trying. The most depressing thing, is that we really realize now that it is going to be Arthur's family and and the ones he loves most that bring down his ideals and all he has fought for and suffered to accomplish.

The World Is Flat #4

Having a flat world has many potential negative consequences. One being, when you are outsourcing so many of your countries jobs who really is benefiting? On the one hand, it might seem as though it could be very good for both sides, the country who outsources the jobs get the work done cheaper and the consumer gets better products probably for less, and the country being outsourced to gets more jobs with a decent wage for their country and this helps their economy. On the other hand, the country outsourcing the jobs loses jobs for people in it's own country. Also, for an American perspective, how long will it be before we become the country being outsourced to, instead of the big country outsourcing all it's jobs? As we build up their economy with jobs, they won't stay poor countries accepting our low wages. For them this is good and really it is a good thing to help boost other peoples economies, but if this happens, it won't be cheap like it was to outsource to these places, and then where do those jobs go, back to America? And then, will the jobs still be cheap? Or, what if these countries begin outsourcing to us? What will that do to us, and how will we feel then? I think maybe our pride might be slapped around a bit if anything close to that happens.



Another problem is, when countries are expanded and based all over the world it is harder to tell what kind of company it really is and where it's loyalties are. Maybe it is an American company but a lot of the parts are made in China and the company has head quarters in India. It gets rather jumbled that way. Also, it must be harder to tell how your country really is going business wise, because unlike years ago when if businesses in your country were going well your country probably was doing fine, but now a business in a country really doesn't have to have that much to do with the country at all, it could be more involved and important to somewhere else.



Another thing is cheap working employees with bad benefits. It is harder to find out what to do about that. People want cheap products and in order to make them cheaper, in the long run, it seems companies pay their employees less and give worse benefits to do so. The problem is now these employees are have bad benefits and not so decent wages, which is no good, for us to have cheaper prices. But are we really paying that much less? Many of these employees with bad benefits we will have to pay for with our tax money. So what do we do.



A problem that when I was reading I saw as pretty big in my own mind was when Friedman brought up and kept mentioning Karl Marx. Friedman was saying how many of the things Marx wrote about are extremely similar to what he is writing about now. Possibly I am over reacting but when someone starts talking lightly about how what is going on in society today seems very like what a huge communist writer spoke of, a red light comes on. We have all this talk about capitalism, and then Friedman tells how Karl Marx described capitalism as "a force that would dissolve all feudal, national, and religious identities giving rise to a universal civilization governed by market imperatives." What bothered me the most about this was that some of it was things I had already been thinking of that sounded like they were happening and others were things that Friedman seemed to be hinting at. While reading this book I had started to think on my own that it seemed almost like a basically universal civilization would be something not so far fetched. The way businesses are disregarding boundaries and different countries are all starting to use the same products. Also, the way businesses are so important to everything and changing so much the way we live, who is to say that they won't be a serious part of our government? It would seem to me that anything that resembled something Marx had been writing about should be taken very seriously, and it is frightening to think that our world might be headed toward something like what Marx wrote about. People should be taking steps to make sure that our countries don't turn out to the way that people like Stalin, who was a Marxist, made their countries.

Another thing that bothers me is the lack of personal contact. Everything is machines, and technology. The kind of job you get and if you are successful is becoming more and more about how tech savy you are and less about your character and how your people skills are, and just how decent of a person you are. I think it is a little excessive how heavily we rely on our technology. Not to mention there are different kinds of smarts. Repeatedly in this book Friedman states how in order to keep up people will have to be able to move up in the technological world, by having new things to contribute and by thinking up new ways or better ways to do things technologically. Not everyone can do that. It is as simple as that. It doesn't mean that they aren't smart but people have different ways in which they excel. Also, if mediocre jobs keep being outsourced, this could be bad too. Some people need those jobs, we can't all manage businesses or be the head of something. Middle man jobs are needed. It seems to me that if this flat world is going to work, and work for more than one country, or one class of people, many things are going to have to be worked out.

The Queen of Air and Darkness

The second book in The Once and Future King, The Queen Of Air and Darkness, sets a different tone than the happy childhood story of Arthur in the first book The Sword in the Stone. The second book starts the hardships and tragedy that follow Arthur through his life while he tries to set up just ideals and better England.

In the beginning we see the Orkney boys Gawaine, Gaheris, Agravaine, and Gareth, and their mother Morgause, and the disturbing life they lead. Morgause is obsessed with herself and her sick beauty, paying little heed to her children's upbringing, showing them cruelty, and then random moments of affection to make herself feel perfect. The boys struggle with their lives and the confusion put forth by the mother they love. All show deep scars to their character do to their mother's poor parenting.

While fighting some of his Gaelic aggressors, Arthur has many discussions with Merlyn and Kay about might and right, and how might should be used. Merlyn states his opinions but forces Arthur to come to his own conclusions. Arthur finally puts down his opponents, and begins to start forming his ideals, his moral code of chivalry and decides he should have knights at a round table to avoid quarreling among the knights about rank.

In the end unknowing that Morgause is his half sister Arthur is seduced by her natural charm and a charm she wore around her neck, to sleep with her, and nine months later she gives birth to Mordred.

T.H. White is a perfectly wonderful writer. He weaves controversial subjects like war, and how it should be used into into his story thoughtfully and touchingly. His own opinions are obvious but there is room for discussion. Merlyn does not believe in fighting unless in self defence, and when Kay states that he thinks that if you had a valiant ideal but, people are to stupid to convert to it that you could use aggression for their own good, to make them understand it was for the best, Merlyn gets angry and makes reference to World War II and Hitler.

The Orkney boys are a tragic example of the effect that your lifestyle, surroundings and influences can have. Each of the boys loves his mother but all suffer because of her influence on them. they are never sure what is right or wrong, because their mother doesn't say, she will punish or ignore on a whim. They try to please her by catching the unicorn that she wanted, and at first she fails to even notice what they had done, and when she finally does notice, she has them beaten. Her flaunting of her sexuality and appeal ruins her son Agravaine, because he becomes confused and loves his mother in a way that he shouldn't.

In all the book is becoming more deep and the tragedy of it is starting to come out. Arthur has realized the basics of his ideals and plans to better England, but he still has the struggle to try to have them realized and followed ahead of him, and he will have to do it with only the help of Merlyns teachings sense Merlyn is soon to leave.

The World Is Flat #3

Convergence, as Friedman describes it, is the coming together of certain elements, to together rapidly flatten the world. These elements work together to flatten the world and without them being converged, they could not work as they are and as they have and none of the other flattening processes would have had the same effect without it. Friedman also states that he believes that it is a Triple Convergence, and there are three specific things that make it up. These are:

First, the equipment and technology that has developed. Work flow hardware and software, things like one machine that can do multiple tasks. Also, the continuing improvement of mostly all technological hardware and software. And finally, that this technology is becoming more and more accessible to people and places all over the world, connecting and allowing people all over to collaborate and compete with one another.

Second, the adaption of people to the use of all the new and improved technology being offered them. This is extremely important because what good is specialized technology and new equipment if people can't take advantage of it and can not use it? With out innovative thinking, and with out people learning the skills needed, new technology would be fruitless. Also, the new ways people have developed to run their businesses. Such as the UPS taking advantage of the opportunities offered them, helping their business to thrive by using insourcing for companies large and small to help them, or Wal-Mart supply chaining their stores and keeping track of the items sold.

Third, people who before were not very involved in business with others from far distances because of their economies, all came onto the playing field because of new technology that enabled them to do so. Because of this billions of new collaborators and competitors arose from China, Eastern Europe, India, Russia, Central Asia, and Latin America. All these new people who joined the flattening world not only joined, but stretched it farther because more of the world was now opened up.

These three convergences all together have helped flattened the world more, and more quickly by coming together. The first convergance flattened the world by opening it up, allowing distance to no longer be a huge barier against the communication and colaboration of people. This became more useful and more flatening when the people started to adapt and use the technology to better their businesses, which was the second convergence. All this was expanded and made more of the rest of the world flat when the billions of people who had not collaborated before began to join in, which was the third convergence. All together they flatten the world greatly as the Triple Convergence.

The Once and Future King: The Sword and the Stone

The Sword and the Stone, the first book of T.H. White's The Once and Future King, tells of Arthur when he is a boy until the point when he is made king. Arthur lives with his foster father Sir Ector and his foster brother, Kay. While in the woods one day looking for Kay's hunting hawk, Arthur met the wizard Merlin, and brought him back to be his and Kay's tutor. Merlin, knowing that Arthur is destined to be king, teaches him lessons that will help him in the future. Many of these lessons consist of turning Arthur into animals for him to see their different ways of governance. Arthur also finds some little adventures when he meets King Pellinore, and when he and Kay meet Robin Wood (not Hood). In the end, Arthur while looking for a sword for Kay, finds a sword that had been stuck in an anvil. The person who could pull this sword from the stone was the rightful king of Brittan, not knowing this Arthur pulls the sword out to take it to Kay. When it is revealed what sword it is and how it was obtained, Arthur is made King.

I love this book. If I had a favorite book, this would likely be it. I really like the dialogue, and how, unlike Mallory, White delves deep into the characters personalities, reasoning, and feelings. The book is written very well and with a lot of feeling, as though White wants you to not be in the story, but in the people in the story. Mallory made events into a storyline, and did well with that, but T.H. White took events and looked at why people would do the things they did, what effects they would have, and what lessons they could teach. The story seems almost secondary.

My most favorite part in this first part of the book was when Merlin and Arthur first meet, and Merlin realizes that they have only known each other for an half hour. It breaks my heart when Merlin says "So little time to pas?" and the big tear rolls down his cheek. The whole idea of him living his life backwards is really tragic to me. When he meets people, it is his last time ever seeing them. When he met Arthur, he already knew things that would happen to him, and probably knew him better than anyone else. Arthur was his best friend, but the last time that he gets to see him, Arthur doesn't really know him at all. It is confusing, and just sad.

I love this book so much, I have already read it so I can very well make predictions, but I am so happy to read it again. It proposes so many things to think on, it is more than just a story.

The World Is Flat #2

Technology has been steadily progressing and slowly changing the way humans interact, until recently. Now, with all the computer and internet technology that has been being developed and improved technology has been reshaping human interactions at an incredibly rapid speed.

Huge numbers of people all over the world have computers at home and most all of them now have internet access. Just this one thing has changed so much on its own and helped lead to many more changes in interaction. With their internet access people can communicate so easily and fast. You can send a letter to your friend a couple towns away and it will get there in a couple days, or you send an email and it gets there in a second. Because of computers allowing you to digitalize information and the internet allowing you to send it around, people can connect with each other faster and easier.

Businesses have taken advantage of this to expand, or find cheaper or easier ways of doing things. Because of just how easy it is to be in touch with people at far distances, many businesses have taken advantage of the fact that you can hire people cheaper in other places than where your business is located. This is called outsourcing...you can hire some one in another state, or maybe some one from India to do the job for you cheaper, and maybe more efficiently too. Businesses no longer have to rely only on people in the towns close by or even the people in the country of the business. If you don't want to outsource, you could always offshore your business, move the whole thing to another country, maybe China, hire workers from there and still sell your products in America, and if you want to have a web site, you can sell to people all over the world. Businesses like Wal-Mart supply chain their stores. They place their stores all over the country and world, then set up distribution centers around that work 24/7 supplying all their stores. Technology enables them to track when their individual products run through the scanner as you buy them to know when, what, and how much to restock.

Computer and internet technology that enables people to upload has changed interaction dramatically. Any average person who has internet access can upload. And you can upload practically anything. As I sit here blogging I am uploading my thoughts about uploading. Thousands of people blog and upload onto the internet their thoughts, views, ideas and information. People upload news, information, photos, videos...and just like anyone who has internet access can upload, anyone with internet access can access the uploads. It is a fast, easy, and generally free way to share with most of the world, basically anything you want to, and anyone who wants to can see. Think of youtube...everything is uploaded. The internet is full of uploads...the internet is uploads.

With all the uploading, there is information about almost anything you could be looking for on the internet, and with more being added every day, someday maybe everything will be. So, when people are looking for information on a subject, where do they look? More often than not, the internet. It is very convenient, and with search engines, relatively easy. The internet is a number one resource. You can read newspaper articles on the internet, find a recipe, look for a job. You can research online, and if you see words you don't know, there are dictionaries on the internet. Why get up from your computer when it is all there?

Businesses can market to places and people across the globe now. Whether it is a huge business or a small one, with technology today, any of them can go across country or international. From the UPS synchronizing global supply chains for any size business, to having your business online, it is becoming very common and not too hard to expand and/or go global with your business. This means your business can market to people every where. It also means your business has competition from every where. If you sell internationally, you will have to compete that way too. But it doesn't just mean competition, it can also be help. Your co-worker might be from another country, or some parts that your business needs cheaper you might get from a business in another country or state.

Cell phones allow you to be mobile. People can talk to others from practically anywhere. And pretty soon (if there isn't already...I think there might be...) there will be international calling with your cell phone. You can take pictures with your phone, listen to music, and recently, be able to go all over the internet on your phone. You can pay bills on your phone, not by talking to someone, but by pressing some buttons. Pretty soon all your information will be on your cell phone, and you'll pay for everything with it too.

All this seems to me to be good in the obvious ways, convenience and such, but I am a little bit sceptical of if it will be mostly good. For one thing, if people all over the world can buy and sell and working like they aren't distant from each other, will they lose their unique cultures? And is that already happening?

Le Morte d'Arthur

The Le Morte d'Arthur excerpts begin by telling how, when Arthur was born son to Uther Pendragon, king of Brittan, he was, at Merlin's advising, sent to be taken care of by Sir Ector. Arthur was still a boy living as son to Sir Ector and brother to Ector's son Kay, when Uther died. After Uthers death an anvil with a sword stuck in it in the church of St. Peters bore the inscription, "Who so ever pulls out this sword from the stone and anvil is by right of birth king of all Brittan." Many men tried to pull the sword out but did not succeed. Eventually a tournament was to be held that would decide who was to be king. Sir Ector, Kay, and Arthur were all in attendance at the tournament, but Kay, having forgot his sword, begged Arthur to fetch it for him. Arthur could not obtain Kay's sword but was determined that he should have one, and seeing the sword in the stone pulled it out and brought it to Kay. Confusion followed and tests to the truth that Arthur really was the one who pulled the sword from the stone, but eventually Arthur was proclaimed king of Brittan.

The second part of the excerpts are about Arthur's greatest knight Sir Lancelot. Lancelot went on many questing adventures including saving many knights from Sir Tarquine who imprisoned and treated cruelly all the knights whom he had beaten. Sir Lancelot was imprisoned by four queens who cast a spell on him, but was saved by king Bagdemagus' daughter, and to repay her, fought and won a battle for her father. He helped many other women in distress, killed giants and always defended the laws of chivalry.

The last excerpt tells how while Arthur was out fighting Lancelot, Modred faked Arthur's death on the battle field and had himself made king, and tried to have Gwynevere made his wife. When Arthur heard of all this he came to fight Modred. Bloody battles followed. In the last battle between Arhtur and Modred, almost every man on both sides was slaughtered. Arthur did kill Modred, but he suffered a deadly wound and was brought to and buried in a hermitage in Glastonbury, where he was morned by Bedivere and the former Archbishop of Canterbury.

Thomas Malory seems to have a differant way of writing. he doesn't seem to find it impotant or nessisary to have discriptions. There is very very little discriptive work, it was very to the point. I feel like it is more about what happened then about the characters, they don't seem as developed. That could also be because it wasn't the whole book that was read. Even like that though, I still liked this reading. I love Arthurian legend and would like to read the rest of this book, all the middle parts that weren't in the packet. I just find Arthur and his story, and ideals, really interesting. My favorite part when I read anything about him though is always the end. "Here lies Arthur, the once and future king." It gives me shivers every time.

The World Is Flat responce #1

Friedman says "the world is flat". When he says this, what he means is that in the world of buisness the "playing field has been leveled", countries are on a more equal level regarding buisness. This is because of the ease in which people can communicate. It is no longer difficult for people in different countries to to have speedy communication. People can as easily do buisness with people on the other side of the world, as easily as with those in their own country, state, or even city. It is as though there is no longer distance, and the world is a much smaller place. People doing buisness are no longer competing only with those in a close or even medium sized proximity to them, but other buisness people everywhere. Also, the flatness of the world caused by easy communication makes it possible for people anywhere to take advantage of eachothers personal, cultural, or any other assets.