The Pros and Cons of Nuclear Science Essay Example

The Pros and Cons of Nuclear Science Essay Nuclear energy is a powerful source of energy compared to other conventional fuels. All crude oil based fuels derive their energy from oxidation, which is a change in the energy levels of electrons outside the nucleus. However,  nuclear energy  derives power from changes in the nuclear energy levels of the atomic nucleus! Tremendous energy lies locked up inside a radioactive nucleus and nuclear fission is a way of tapping this energy. Nuclear power plants derive energy from controlled nuclear fission reactions. This article discusses the pros and cons of using nuclear energy. Every powerful source of energy discovered by man, comes at a price. Nuclear energy comes with its share of risks and hazards. This article discusses nuclear energy pros and cons. It explore both sides of nuclear energy, that is its upside and downside. The pros and cons of nuclear energy use, need to be put in front of our policy makers in the government. Read on, to know and understand the price we must pay for nuclear energy to work and the benefits it offers over conventional energy resources. Nuclear Energy: Pros Here are some advantages of using nuclear energy over other conventional energy sources. Phenomenal Energy Output Among the pros and cons of nuclear energy, this is the most important pro point. The energy produced in nuclear fission of fissionable material like Uranium-235, is 10 million times the energy obtained by burning same mass of coal! There are many  uses of nuclear energy. The heat derived can be driven to power multitude of applications. If you are interested in knowing how such a phemomenal energy output is made possible, read, How does a Nuclear Power Plant Work? Low Emission Levels Nuclear fission leads to almost zero green house gas emission. So compared to conventional energy sources, nuclear fission is very clean! Reliable Energy Source Nuclear energy is a comparatively reliable energy resource, unaffected by strikes and shortages around the world, as very little is required at a time and its well distributed around the world. Nuclear Energy: Cons We will write a custom essay sample on The Pros and Cons of Nuclear Science specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Pros and Cons of Nuclear Science specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Pros and Cons of Nuclear Science specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Here are some points which illuminate the downside of nuclear energy  use. Nuclear Meltdowns and Disasters A nuclear meltdown occurs when there is an acute shortage of coolant water in the nuclear reactor. This can lead to disastrous consequences, causing a reactor equipment meltdown, exposing the world to high dosages of radioactivity. The Chernobyl disaster which killed thousands, remains a blot on the history of nuclear energy. For more information on this, read Nuclear Power Plant Disasters. There is a risk of such a disaster occurring and destroying everything in its wake. The designing and maintenance of nuclear reactors is crucial in avoiding such disasters. Radioactive Exposure The danger of radioactive exposure during mining and extraction of uranium like radioactive ores, looms in developing countries. The radioactive rubble and debris left after mining, if not properly disposed, can lead to several diseases like cancer and mutation. For more information on radioactive exposure hazards, read effects of nuclear radiation. Radioactive Waste Disposal Problems The safe disposal of radioactive waste is a major problem. Fission of a material like Uranium leaves by products, which are themselves radioactive and highly harmful to the environment. Radioactivity cannot be turned off and therefore there is no way but to bury radioactive waste, without leading to extra complications arising out of it. A Catalyst for Nuclear Weapons Proliferation Often, nuclear breeder reactor programs are smoke screen for the development of  nuclear weapons. There is no guarantee that fissionable nuclear fuel supplied to a country will not be used to produce weapons of mass destruction like atomic bombs and hydrogen bombs! If this technology falls in the wrong hands, like fundamentalist and terrorist groups, can spell disaster for the world. So there is a considerable risk in promoting the use of technology, which makes nuclear energy possible. This compilation of pros and cons about nuclear energy will give you an idea about the measure of risk involved in nuclear energy production. I have tried to be as unbiased as possible, while discussing nuclear energy pros and cons here. There are risks involved as one can see. For more information read, Advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power. What I personally think is that nuclear energy should be an energy option, but shouldnt be the only one we are relying on for the future. After all, it is not a renewable energy resource and like crude oil, uranium like radioactive fuel sources will be exhausted one day. So nuclear energy is not a permanent solution to the energy problem but a temporary and inevitable one at best. The long term solution lies in developing technology based on renewable energy sources like  wind energy, tidal energy and  solar energy. Hope the discussion of nuclear energy pros and cons here has put things in perspective for you.

Juvenile Drug Courts essays

Juvenile Drug Courts essays Drug Courts came about as a result of a backlogged court system and a steady, rapidly increasing prison population. Drug courts are a form of diversion that helps the offender through rehabilitation and the community through an increased sense of protection, which serves the best interest of everyone. Drug Courts are community based intermediate sanctions that incorporate treatment principles into the Criminal Justice System and divert drug offenders from traditional punishments of probation and prison. The objective of drug courts programs is to treat the underlying problems of addiction among drug offenders and eliminate participants future drug use and crime (Cresswell, Deschenes, 2001, 259). Drug courts came about as a result of the 1980s war on drugs where all levels of government came together to crack down on an epidemic of crack-cocaine use that had society believing that drugs were the main problem of the criminal justice system (Burdon, Roll, Prendergast, the number of adults arrested for drug-related violations increased 273% between 1980 and 1995, in the same period, the percentage of prisoners in the custody of state correctional authorities for drug offenses increased from 6.4% to 22.7% (Burdon et al. 2001). With this rate of increase in drug offenses going through the courts system, something had to be done to manage the large number of cases that were only related to drugs. In the beginning, drug courts were only used to alleviate the overcrowding in the court system and paid no attention to treating the offender or their drug problem. In 1989, Janet Reno and Timothy Murray began a drug court program in Dade County, Florida that became a prototype for the nation (Listwan, Sch...

Terri and the Turkey Thanksgiving Day Play

Terri and the Turkey Thanksgiving Day Play The author grants permission for anyone to use this short play for educational and/or amateur purposes. Terri and the Turkey By Wade Bradford Stage Right: The humble home of Grandpa and Grandpa. Stage Left: The animal pen. Narrator: Thanksgiving. A time of joy and celebration. Of food, relaxation, and family. A day beloved by everyone. Everyone that is except†¦ Tom Turkey! (A Turkey named Tom walks on stage left, flapping his wings.) Tom: Gobble, gobble! On stage right, Grandma and Grandpa enter. Tom listens to them as they speak. GRANDMA: I mashed the potatoes, I crammed the cranberries, I yammed the yams, and now it’s time for you to do what you always do on Thanksgiving Day. GRANDPA: Watch football? GRANDMA: No! It’s time to prepare the turkey. TOM: Prepare? That doesn’t sound so bad. GRANDMA: Prepare? That’s such hard work! I have to pluck the feathers. TOM: Ow! GRANDPA: And pull out the innards. TOM: Eek! GRANDPA: And toss him in the oven. TOM: Oh my! GRANDMA: But don’t forget. First, you must chop off his head. TOM: (Grabs his neck, fearful.) And all this time I thought I was going to be the guest of honor. (PIG enters.) I’ve got to get out of here! These people are going to eat me! PIG: Oink, oink. Welcome to my world, buddy. GRANDPA: Well, I guess I better get busy. A happy couple, Mom and Dad, enter. MOM and DAD: Hi Grandpa! MOM: Happy Thanksgiving. DAD: Is there anything we can do to help? GRANDPA: I’m glad you asked that. Go out back and chop off the turkey’s head. DAD: Oh. I was hoping you would have me set the table. GRANDPA: Too bad. Get chopping! MOM: Be brave dear. DAD: But honey, you know the sight of blood makes me queasy. MOM: I’m needed in the kitchen. DAD: Well, sometimes a man has to do what a man has to do (A son and a daughter (Terri) enter.) DAD: Make his kids do the work. SON: Hey Dad, is dinner ready yet? DAD: Son, this is a very special Thanksgiving because I’m giving you a very special responsibility. I need you to chop off the turkey’s head. SON: Gross! DAD: And while you’re at it, pluck the feathers, take out the innards, and give it to Grandma to put in the oven. SON: But – but – but†¦ DAD: Have fun, son. The son turns to Terri, who has been engrossed in a book. SON: Terri! Hey bookworm! Did you hear what Dad just said to me? TERRI: No, I was too busy reading my history book. SON: You mean you didn’t hear a single word Dad said? TERRI: No. What did he say? SON: He wants you to kill the turkey. He pushes her toward the animal pen, then exits. Note: All of the other human characters have cleared the stage too. TERRI: Well, I guess if we want a turkey dinner, someone has to do it. Optional: She picks up a prop ax – make sure its something safe. TERRI: (Approaching Tom) Sorry, Mr. Turkey. The time has come. TOM: I – I – I feel faint! The turkey starts to sway back and forth. He falls to the ground. TERRI: Oh no! I think he’s having a heart attack! GRANDMA: (Entering.) Who’s having a heart attack? TERRI: (Checking the turkey’s pulse.) He doesn’t have a pulse. GRANDPA: (Entering.) I don’t have a pulse? TERRI: Not you, Grandpa. The turkey! DAD and MOM enter. DAD: Terri, what are you doing? TERRI: CPR. I learned it in health class. MOM: She’s such a good student. SON: (Entering.) What the heck is going on? TERRI: I think it’s working. Live, Mr. Turkey! Live!!! (Optional: If you want to get really silly with this skit, the actress can pretend to use a defibrillator.) TOM: (Coming back to life.) Gobble gobble! MOM: You did it honey! DAD: You saved his life. TERRI: Yep. Now I guess I better cut off his head. GRANDMA: Now wait, child. It just doesn’t seem right. TERRI: You know, according to my history book, presidents such as Harry Truman and John Kennedy have spared the lives of their turkeys. And since 1989, the White House has been granting a presidential pardon to each live turkey that is presented to the president. Maybe this year we could do the same kind of thing. GRANDMA: I think that’s a lovely idea. After all, one of the many things we should be thankful for is simply how many families have been able to have wonderful Thanksgiving dinners all because of this noble bird. Besides we have many other delicious foods we can eat. Yams, cranberries, freshly made bread, and mashed potatoes. GRANDPA: That’s right, Grandma. Now, who’s up for some pork chops? PIG: (Feeling faint.) I gotta get out of here! The End

Palestinian-Israeli Conflict Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Palestinian-Israeli Conflict - Case Study Example Several peace solutions were made since the PLO was granted the observer status in the UN as the delegate of the Palestinian Arabs in the year 1974. Along with the UNRWA which was set up in 1949 for relief of the Palestinian refugees, numerous UN institutions were set up to support the cause of the Palestinians. The UN General Assembly resolution 3379 in 1975 which declared Zionism to be a form of racism caused the UN to lose the complete credibility as a neutral mediator in the eyes of Israel and the peace process was never an easy task for the international community. Israel and Egypt signed a peace treaty in 1979 after the US mediation, for which Israel returned the Sinai Desert to Egypt. The secret negotiations in Oslo resulted in an agreement between Israel and the Palestine in which a Palestinian National Authority was established under the leadership of Arafat and the PLO in 1994 and Israel was agreeable to gradually transfer land to this authority. However, theOslo peace proc essgot slowed down as both the parties did not stick to agreements they made and the leadership on both sides failed to build confidence and to prepare their own people for the necessary compromises. Thus, confrontations continued and the peace process gradually dragged on towards the negotiations on Camp David in 2000 which was also a failure. The then US president Bill Clinton presented the 'bridging proposals' in December 2000 which suggested the parameters for a final compromise that included a Palestinian state comprising the Gaza Strip and about 97% of the West Bank, division of Jerusalem and no right of return to Israel for Palestinian refugees. Whereas Israel received this proposal in principle, Palestinian was not ready to accept the suggestion. The two sides failed to reach a settlement in the last minute negotiations at Taba in January2001, in spite of further Israeli concessions. Both the sides, in a joint communiqu, agreed that they had never been so close to an agreeme nt, though issues such as the refugee issue remained. The peace process continued and new negotiations were made in the course of time. "Although both parties accepted the 'Road Map to Peace', launched by the Quartet of US, UN, EU and Russia in 2003, no serious peace negotiations have taken place in recent years between Israel and the Palestinians. Israeli PM Ariel Sharon did take unilateral measures such as the disengagement from the Gaza Strip in 2005, but he demanded an end to Palestinian terrorism before he would engage in negotiations with Arafat's successor Abbas concerning final status issues." (The Arab-Israeli Conflict) However, the peace process for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is still going on and the international community is expecting a miracle in the solution of the long struggle and the ongoing dispute between the Israelis and the Palestinians. The most pertinent obstacle among the various obstacles against a final and peaceful conclusion to the Palestinian Isra eli conflic

Parental Substance Misuse the effects on Children Essay

Parental Substance Misuse the effects on Children - Essay Example Pregnancy and parenthood are important events to all people. They can serve as the spur for substance abusers to seek treatment, to continue treatment, and/or to seek assistance for their children. Parenthood may present a major opportunity for assisting clients in their treatment and assessing the needs of their children. This review has been prepared with the intention of encouraging efforts to respond to this opportunity in the United Kingdom. The proportion of women in drug abuse treatment programs or in need of drug abuse treatment has been increasing. During 2004, 30% of all admissions to drug treatment were female. (Rosenbaum, 2005) Much less is known and documented about the risks of child maltreatment associated with parental cocaine use. This is true despite the prevalence of cocaine use and evidence that cocaine dependency can substantially incapacitate the user (Robins, 2000). A May 2000 United Kingdom study yielded an â€Å"extremely conservative† estimate that some 2.2 million English are â€Å"hard core† cocaine addicts. Such users are reportedly over represented among the homeless and persons arrested for crimes. (Saunders, 2002) According to a study ‘The addicts who break into our homes, turn our neighbourhoods into war zones, and spread disease by selling their bodies are not casual, once-a-month users of illicit drugs-they are UK’s hard core addicts. The children of the hard core addict suffer even more severely, often from physical abuse, and always from neglect’. (Babbie, 2001) Generational continuity in the use of alcohol and drugs is documented in a number of recent studies (Coombs & Dickson, 2001). Adolescents are more likely to drink and use other drugs if their parents do. For example, Kandel and associates (2002) found that 82% of drinking families rise youth who also drink, while 72% of abstaining families produce

Introduction To What Is A Hammer Mill Engineering Essay

Introduction To What Is A Hammer Mill Engineering Essay It is a machine used to shred material into fine particles (size reduction). They have many sorts of applications in many industries, including: Milling grain, Ethanol plants (corn), Grinding used shipping pallets for mulch, Sawmills, size reduction of trim scrap and planer shavings into boiler fuel or mulch, A farm machine, which mills grain into coarse flour to be fed to livestock. Operation The principle of hammermill is straightforward. A hammermill is a steel drum containing a vertical or horizontal rotating shaft or drum on which hammers are mounted. The hammers are free to swing on the ends of the cross, or fixed to the central rotor. The rotor is spun at a high speed inside the drum while material is fed into a feed hopper. The material is impacted by the hammer bars and is thereby shredded and expelled through screens in the drum of a selected size. Hammer mill apple shredder for juicing. Small grain hammermills are operated on household current. Large automobile shredders could use one or more 2000 horsepower (1.5 MW) diesel engines to power the hammermill. The Screenless hammer mill uses air flow to separate small particles from larger ones. It is designed to be more reliable, much cheaper more energy efficient than regular hammermills. In the feed processing process there may be a number of ingredients that require some form of processing. These include coarse cereal grains, corn that requires particle size reduction which will improve the ingredient performance increase the nutritive value. One of the methods to achieve this particle size reduction is using hammer-mills. Both hammering and rolling can achieve the desired result of achieving adequately ground ingredients, but other factors also need to be looked at before choosing the suitable method to grind. Excessive size reduction can lead to wasted electrical energy, unnecessary wear on mechanical equipment and possible digestive problems in livestock and poultry. For more in depth information regarding what actually occurs to the ingredients during size reduction please refer to this link: particle size reduction.    Mechanism of action: Hammer mills reduce the particle size of materials by impacting a slow moving target, such as a cereal grain, with a rapidly moving hammer. The target has low kinetic energy, whereas the hammer has high kinetic energy. The transfer of energy resulting from the collision fractures the grain into many pieces. Since impact is the primary force used in a Hammer mill to reduce the size of the particles, so, whatever increases the chance of a collision between a hammer and a target, increases the magnitude of the collision, would be an enhancer to particle size reduction. Particles produced using a hammermill are spherical in shape with a polished surface. A wide variation in the particle size distribution would occur where there will be some large-sized and many small-sized particles. Advantages: being to produce a wide range of particle sizes suitable for friable material and fiber easy to use lower cost when compared with a roller mill easy to maintain particles produced are spherical, with a surface that appears polished. Disadvantages: Less energy efficient than roller mill May generate heat so considered as a source of energy loss. Greater particle size variability (less uniform) Noisy generate dust pollution General Design The major components of these hammermills, include: A delivery device: used to introduce the material to be ground into the path of the hammers. A rotor comprised of a series of machined disks mounted on the horizontal shaft performs this task. Free-swinging hammers that are suspended from rods running parallel to the shaft and through the rotor disks. The hammers carry out the function of smashing the ingredients in order to reduce their particle size. A perforated screen and either gravity- or air-assisted removal of ground product. Acts to screen the particle size of the hammer mill to ensure particles meet a specified maximum mesh size. Feeder design Materials are introduced into the paths of the hammers by a variable speed vein feeder. This type of feeder can have its motor slaved by a programmable controller to the main drive motor of the hammer mill. The operational speed of the feeder is controlled to maintain optimum amperage loading of the main motor. Hammer design and configuration The design is determined by operating parameters such as rotor speed, motor horsepower, open area in the screen. Optimal hammer design provides maximum contact with the feed ingredient. Hammer mills in which the rotor speed is approximately 1,800 rpm, should be using hammers which are around 25cm (~ 10 inches) long, 6.35cm (~2.5 inches) wide, 6.4mm (0.25 inches) thick. A rotor speed of about 3,600 rpm, hammers should be 15 to 20 cm (~ 6-8 inches long, 5 cm (~ 2 inches) wide, 6.4 mm (0.25 inches) thick. The number of hammers used for a hammer mill of 1,800 rpm, should be 1 for every 2.5 to 3.5 horsepower, and for 3,600 rpm, one for every 1 to 2 horsepower. Hammers should be balanced on the rods so that they wonà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢t trail one another. The distance between hammer and screen should be 12 to 14 mm (~ 1/2 inch) for size reduction of cereal grains. The velocity is important for proper size reduction. Tip speed is the speed of the hammer at its furthest edge(tip) from the rotor, and is calculated by : Range of tip speeds seen in hammermills is commonly in the range between 5,000 and 7,000 m/min (~ 16,000 and 23,000 feet per minute). When the tip speeds exceed 23,000 feet per minute, consideration must be given to the design of the hammer mill, the materials used, and the fabrication of components. Changing the rotational speed of the drive source is not a recommended method of increasing hammer speed in excess of 23,000 feet per minute. The primary force used in hammermill is the impact, which increases the chance of a collision between a hammer and a target provides an advantage in particle size reduction. The magnitude of the collision is increased by increasing the speed of the hammers. Screen Design The amount of open area in a hammer mill screen controls the particle size and grinding efficiency. The screen must be designed to provide the greatest amount of open area. Recommended ratio for grains would be 55 cm2 (~ 8-9 inches square) per horsepower (Bliss, 1990). The removal of sized material from a hammermill is a critical design feature. Proper output of material affects not only the efficiency of operation, but also particle size. When the correct ratio of screen area to horsepower is used and proper distance between hammers and screen face is maintained. Excessive size reduction is anti-productive. Energy is wasted in the heat production, throughput is restricted, resulting in the particles becoming too small. Most newer hammermills are equipped with an air-assist system that draws air into the hammer mill with the product to be ground. Systems are designed to provide reduced pressure on the exit side of the screen to disrupt the fluidized bed of material on the face of the screen, thus allowing particles to exit through screen holes. Some full circle hammer mills are designed so the screen is in two pieces. It is possible to use a larger hole size on the upward arc of the hammers to further reduce the amount of material on the face of the screen.    Hammer Mill Perforated Screens Hammer mills screens are used inside a hammer mill to seperate particle sizes. Particle of small diameter that has been grinded by the hammer mill passes through the screen and leaves the hammer mill with the aid of the pneumatic system. Application: Hammer Mills Uses and Advantages in Grinding Oil Seeds Other Materials Availability Hammer Mills are known as the best grinding machine for all kinds of material, besides oil seeds. A wide assortment of highly developed and advanced Hammer Mills / Disintegrators are available in the market today. They are fabricated to have a strong and sturdy body and are also available in different types, size, and capacities. These come with automatic controls, which makes the machines very easy to use. The number of hammers can also be customized as however the user requires it. Its use increases the output by a large quantity, thus saving more time and energy. Oil Seeds Grinding Grinding of seeds with Hammer Mills increases the quality level of the seeds. Some of the seeds that can be grinded and disintegrated using Hammer Mills are as follows: Cotton seeds Ground nuts Copra Soybeans, etc. Advantages of Using Hammer Mill in oil seed grinding: * Efficient grinding at the shortest time. * Time and Effort saving. * Less electricity power consumption. * Available in different capacities sizes. * Very low maintenance. Conclusion: Hammer Mill is the most common equipment used for the purpose of particle size reduction. It has wide scale of applications in grinding seeds, nuts, and beans and other materials for more industrial purposes. It has the advantage of High efficacy in the shortest time. Thus, considered time saving and less consuming for the human efforts. Beside the low energy consumption, high availability and ease of use and maintenance. It has some drawbacks the most important of which are energy loss, less uniform product and being noisy dust polluting. Its mechanism of action had been explained above in details that it acts to reduce the size of the particles, so, whatever increases the chance of a collision between a hammer and a target, increases the magnitude of the collision, would be an enhancer to particle size reduction.

Plato, Descartes, and The Matrix Essay

The Matrix movie had many similarities with the readings from Plato and Descartes. All three discussed the scenario in which reality was discovered to be a non-reality. Specifically, in The Matrix, reality that was experienced by multitudes of people is actually a computer simulation called â€Å"The Matrix†. This is actually a deviation from the Plato and Descartes readings in that computers were not mentioned or available at the time of those writings. Plato (380 BC) speaks of people having their â€Å"legs and necks fettered from childhood†, while a source of the restraint is not specifically mentioned, it is most certainly a physical restraint as opposed to the material, computer generated reality as described in The Matrix movie. Descartes was the only one of the three situations that contemplated God in the various reality verses truth contemplations. Plato speaks to the initial shock of discovering that known reality is actually a lie and goes on to speak of the resulting repercussions of this discovery. The denial of the true reality is so tangible that the people in the described scenario would rather believe that the lie was real than to believe and accept what they were actually experiencing. In The Matrix movie (1999) Morpheus asks â€Å"Have you ever had a dream, Neo, that you were so sure was real?† Similarly, Descartes (1641) also contemplates how often he dreamt that he was in familiar circumstances, dressed and by a fire, only to realize that he was undressed and lying in bed. Plato, Descartes, and The Matrix are all similar in that they consider people living in a world that they discover is not real and that they exist in perceived delusions that produce resulting anti-realities. The Matrix movie is parallel to the Descartes reading in that they both examine our senses as sources of realities. Descartes contemplates how our senses occasionally mislead us  whereas The Matrix describes a continual sensual overhaul which is controlling our mind and ultimate realities while our bodies lay dormant. In The Matrix movie Neo never expresses happiness over his liberation from the computer program but he does feel the need to liberate those still living under the control of the computer program. In contrast, the Plato reading describes and expresses a feeling of joy that would be experienced after emerging from the controlled reality. Can we prove the world we are experiencing is real? In order to contemplate how we know that our current state of being is real we must first decide what â€Å"real† is to us. What is reality? In my opinion, reality is what we see, hear, smell, feel and taste in the present. Reality is what is occurring to us right now, this very second. Is what is happening to us, the world we are experiencing, real and can we prove that it is real? How do we know we are not dreaming? It has been my experience that dreams do not produce anything but thoughts and visions. I do not feel, taste or smell while dreaming. Therefore I can prove that the world I am currently experiencing, while I type this essay, is real because I can feel the keyboard that I am typing on and I can taste and smell the coffee that I am drinking. Which is better: the harshness of reality or the â€Å"ignorance is bliss† of illusion? In my opinion, the harshness of reality is a far better state than the â€Å"ignorance is bliss† illusion. I believe this to be true because I believe that true depth of character cannot be achieved without experiencing the full harshness of reality. How can our intellects and philosophies be explored without experiencing the full range of life events? If you lived your life in ignorance then the world you experienced would skew the thoughts you pondered while excluding the full range of contemplations, restricting them to a bliss-filled reality. With intelligence comes a plethora of knowledge, both good and bad. Conclusion In conclusion, through the viewing of The Matrix and the reading of both Plato and Descartes, we can see that all three bring to mind many philosophical questions related to actual and perceived reality. Obviously, it is very fascinating to imagine a world where alternative and controlled  realities are possible and even very real. The truth is sometimes stranger than fiction and, in my opinion, The Matrix and the thoughts contemplated by Plato and Descartes are just stories that will never be reality. I believe that my Christian worldview is such that would prevent me from ever believing any different. While all of the situations explored were interesting, they will remain, in my mind, fantasies. References Plato. (380 BC). â€Å"The Allegory of the Cave.† In The Republic (Book VII, 514A1 – 518D8). Descartes, R. (1641). Meditation I of The Things of Which We May Doubt. In Meditations on First Philosophy. Wachowski, Andy, and Lana Wachowski. The Matrix. Directed by Andy Wachowski and Lana Wachowski. Los Angeles: Warner Bros. Pictures, 1999.