The Horizon of Happiness

This thesis is not intended for those who regard practical problems as something to be talked about. It is not for those who believe that every question has an objective, absolute, or interpretable answer. It is not intended for the individual who knows what happiness is, in that the very definition of happiness is not to be found; at best only suggested. It is not intended solely for Eastern thought. It is not intended solely for Western thought - it is intended for both. Most importantly, this thesis attempts to exclude the esoteric language common in the philosophical discipline. Arthur Schopenhauer once said that one should use common words to say uncommon things. This thesis is intended for both the common and the uncommon reader, as is the subject - Happiness. Simply stated, this thesis is an exploration into why the contemporary notion of how one should best pursue happiness is flawed. This exploration shall encompass a vast array of subjects, many now far departed from the philosophical tradition. In by neglecting these deeper, sometimes more intimate forms of inquiry, is to waste a central resource for the study of philosophy; let alone a study on happiness. From this, I take a particular interest in culture. And, regarding America\u27s contemporary culture, I hold, that we make a distinction between behaviors that bring true happiness and behaviors that only make you feel happy. For this reason, my thesis is as followed: The 21st century’s primary conflict is not the poverty in plenty but the unhappiness brought in the pursuit of pleasure by most. I hold that the current American model of what brings happiness is in direct contradiction to what it takes for actually being happy. In short, there is ongoing contradiction between restraint and freedom, between adversity and fulfillment, and between the individual and the whole. We pursued freedom but we now live in a world that is more monitored, and more subjected to a network of small complicated rules that strangle freedom. We pursued happiness and it leads to resentment, it leads to pathological disease, and it leads to even more unhappiness. We pursed happiness within, and forget that happiness is only real when shared. In sum, my attempt is to elucidate the themes, problems, and contradictions within today’s pursuit disclosed on the - Horizon of Happiness

The Horizon of Happiness

This thesis is not intended for those who regard practical problems as something to be talked about. It is not for those who believe that every question has an objective, absolute, or interpretable answer. It is not intended for the individual who knows what happiness is, in that the very definition of happiness is not to be found; at best only suggested. It is not intended solely for Eastern thought. It is not intended solely for Western thought - it is intended for both. Most importantly, this thesis attempts to exclude the esoteric language common in the philosophical discipline. Arthur Schopenhauer once said that one should use common words to say uncommon things. This thesis is intended for both the common and the uncommon reader, as is the subject - Happiness. Simply stated, this thesis is an exploration into why the contemporary notion of how one should best pursue happiness is flawed. This exploration shall encompass a vast array of subjects, many now far departed from the philosophical tradition. In by neglecting these deeper, sometimes more intimate forms of inquiry, is to waste a central resource for the study of philosophy; let alone a study on happiness. From this, I take a particular interest in culture. And, regarding America\u27s contemporary culture, I hold, that we make a distinction between behaviors that bring true happiness and behaviors that only make you feel happy. For this reason, my thesis is as followed: The 21st century’s primary conflict is not the poverty in plenty but the unhappiness brought in the pursuit of pleasure by most. I hold that the current American model of what brings happiness is in direct contradiction to what it takes for actually being happy. In short, there is ongoing contradiction between restraint and freedom, between adversity and fulfillment, and between the individual and the whole. We pursued freedom but we now live in a world that is more monitored, and more subjected to a network of small complicated rules that strangle freedom. We pursued happiness and it leads to resentment, it leads to pathological disease, and it leads to even more unhappiness. We pursed happiness within, and forget that happiness is only real when shared. In sum, my attempt is to elucidate the themes, problems, and contradictions within today’s pursuit disclosed on the - Horizon of Happiness

Short versus long silver nanowires: a comparison of in vivo pulmonary effects post instillation.

BackgroundSilver nanowires (Ag NWs) are increasingly being used to produce touchscreens for smart phones and computers. When applied in a thin film over a plastic substrate, Ag NWs create a transparent, highly-conductive network of fibers enabling the touch interface between consumers and their electronics. Large-scale application methods utilize techniques whereby Ag NW suspensions are deposited onto substrates via droplets. Aerosolized droplets increase risk of occupational Ag NW exposure. Currently, there are few published studies on Ag NW exposure-related health effects. Concerns have risen about the potential for greater toxicity from exposure to high-aspect ratio nanomaterials compared to their non-fibrous counterparts. This study examines whether Ag NWs of varying lengths affect biological responses and silver distribution within the lungs at different time-points.MethodsTwo different sizes of Ag NWs (2 μm [S-Ag NWs] and 20 μm [L-Ag NWs]) were tested. Male, Sprague-Dawley rats were intratracheally instilled with Ag NWs (0, 0.1, 0.5, or 1.0 mg/kg). Broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissues were obtained at 1, 7, and 21 days post exposure for analysis of BAL total cells, cell differentials, and total protein as well as tissue pathology and silver distribution.Results and conclusionsThe two highest doses produced significant increases in BAL endpoints. At Day 1, Ag NWs increased total cells, inflammatory polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs), and total protein. PMNs persisted for both Ag NW types at Day 7, though not significantly so, and by Day 21, PMNs appeared in line with sham control values. Striking histopathological features associated with Ag NWs included 1) a strong influx of eosinophils at Days 1 and 7; and 2) formation of Langhans and foreign body giant cells at Days 7 and 21. Epithelial sloughing in the terminal bronchioles (TB) and cellular exudate in alveolar regions were also common. By Day 21, Ag NWs were primarily enclosed in granulomas or surrounded by numerous macrophages in the TB-alveolar duct junction. These findings suggest short and long Ag NWs produce pulmonary toxicity; thus, further research into exposure-related health effects and possible exposure scenarios are necessary to ensure human safety as Ag NW demand increases

Thinking and acting both globally and locally : The Field School in intercultural education as a model for action-research training and civic learning.

We present the Field School model of intercultural civic education, service-learning, action research training, and collaboration (with local academic and community partners) based on field work in applied anthropology. Theoretical and methodological foundations of the Field School also include experiential learning and immersive pedagogy, multiculturalism and cross-cultural communication, international education and study abroad programs, collaborative international development, participatory research, and in-depth knowledge in one’s own specific discipline. The primary goals of these intensive, short-term action research projects in other, less-developed countries or regions are benefits for community partners that are as sustainable as possible and to foster and assess learning experiences of students. The Peabody-Vanderbilt Field School in Intercultural Education began in Ecuador and Argentina, but we focus on Field Schools in China, rural New Mexico, and South Africa. In Guangxi, P.R.C., U.S. and Chinese students learned to navigate political and cultural complexities to study migration, community needs and assets assessment, and health effects of changing diet on children, and assisted English language learning in schools, a university and a factory. Native American students from Gallup, NM, and students from Nashville, TN, travelled to each other’s locale to study the impact of diabetes in each culture and develop health education and other prevention strategies. In Cape Town, SA, students worked on health and education projects in three townships; we focus here on a collaboration with high school staff to study and reduce the high dropout rate. We analyze Field School impacts on local community partners and student-researchers