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Since its first documented use in 1943, lysergic acid diethylmide, or LSD, has grown to be one of the most potent and controversial drugs in society today. The ways in which LSD produces its effects within the brain is still unknown, and no practical use has been found for it. However, this substance has been described to give incredible insight and revelation to some of those that have taken it, although others have had frightening and nightmarish experiences. LSD is an unpredictable and possibly dangerous substance, but can and has changed the lives of many. A Swiss chemist named Dr. Albert Hoffman first produced lysergic acid diethylmide –or best Known as LSD in 1938 (Dye, p. 2). Hoffman discovered the drug while trying to synthesize a new drug for the treatment of headaches. He obtained the lysergic acid from the parasitic fungus that grows on rye plants known as ergot. From the lysergic acid, he synthesized the compound LSD. He used the compound to test for its pain killing properties on laboratory animals. Being that appeared totally ineffective, the bottle of LSD was placed on a shelf and remained untouched for five years. On April 16, 1943, Dr. Hoffman decided to do further research with the LSD compound (Dye, p. 5). While handling the drug, he accidentally ingested an unknown amount. Then he experienced the world’s first LSD trip. About eight hours later Hoffman drifted back into normal reality and the Psychedelic Revolution was born. Three days later, in an attempt to prove that the previous episode was indeed caused by the ingestion of LSD, Dr. Hoffman ingested what he thought would be a small quantity of LSD, 250 micrograms. In actuality, this is approximately five times the dosage necessary to produce heavy hallucinations in the average adult male (Solomon, p. 34). The drug produced effects that were much more intense than the first time Hoffman took the LSD. He noted that he felt unrest, dizziness, visual disturbances, a tendency to laugh at inappropriate times, and a difficulty in concentration (Dye, p.7). Dr. Hoffman’s condition improved six hours after taking the drug, although visual disturbances and distortion continued. LSD was first shipped to the United States in 1949 (Solomon, p. 54). American scientists tested LSD on animals to learn of its effects. It produced dramatic behavior changes in all animals investigated. During the 1950’s, experimentation of LSD on humans began (Solomon, p.

The Making of the Writer, Richard Wright

The making of the writer, Richard Wright In Richard Wright? s autobiography Black Boy Wright describes his life from a very young boy to his early twenties. He gives us a good perspective on what it is like to be a black person in the 1920? s. But not only that, he gives us a very good perspective on what it is like to be an individual. How did Wright become a writer? What events in this book described why Wright became a writer? Wright discovers the power of words at a young age and is a rebellious little kid. He kills a cat over one of his father? careless comments, â€Å"Kill that damn thing†, â€Å"Do anything, but get it away from here†. He gets drunk in a bar and starts whispering words he does not know to some of the women in the bar, â€Å".. for a penny or nickel, I would repeat to anyone whatever was whispered to me†. He writes bad words he learns from his classmates on almost all the windows in the neighborhood without knowing what they mean. And when his grandma is cleaning his ass he says to her, â€Å"When you get through, kiss back there†. When Wright gets new words and expressions he uses them before knowing what they mean.It is like you could give him a detonator to a bomb and he would push the button before asking what the button was for. But after all the punishment he gets for all the events he learns little by little that he need to think before speaking. It is not only from his family that he learns that, it is mostly strangers. Like when he was out on delivery for the clothing store and his bike brakes. Some white folks offer him a ride back to town, Wright says yes. When they offer him a drink he says â€Å"Oh, no†. He gets a whiskey bottle smashed between his eyes. The white man says â€Å"Nigger, ain? you learned no better sense? n that yet†. †Ain? t you learned to say sir to a white man yet†. Wright realizes little by little that words are â€Å"weapons† and you get punished if you â€Å"shoot† the wrong person. Wright learns the power of words the tough way with beating and punishments. But when Wright discovers books, it changes his life. The first real story Wright writes is in 8th grade, the story is called â€Å"The Voodoo of Hell? s Half-Acre†. When the kids at school read the story in the newspaper they asked Wright why he wrote it and they think he copied it out of a book.He doesn’t get any support from his family neither. Nobody in his society understands why he wants to become a writer. It sounds like it is the stupidest thing they ever heard. When Wright gets Ella to reads him a story from the book she is carrying, it is like a new reality to him. â€Å"She whispered to me the story of Bluebeard and His Seven Wives and I ceased to see the porch, the sunshine, her face, everything. As her words fell upon my new ears, I endowed them with a reality that welled up from somewhere within me†.The story is so intriguing t o him that he vows to himself that when he is old enough, he is buying all the novels he can. Nothing could change his mind after that. Wright realizes that books are a better reality that the reality he is living in now. It is his way of dreaming away from all the misery he is living in. But how is Wright so determined when most of the people he knows make fun of him and don’t understand why he wants to become a writer. Why can? t he just be like his family and the society around him wants him to be? Where is he getting all this inspiration? Anything seemed possible, likely, feasible, because I wanted everything to be possible †¦ Because I had no power to make things happen outside of me in the objective world, I made things happen within†. It? s like he lives in his own nutshell, with windows and a door. He knows what’s outside and he even goes outside sometimes. But he just waits to find his place in society so he can leave his nutshell, come out and expr ess everything on his mind. He hopes the north can give him that. The rumors Wright hears that in the north black people are treated better than in the south.This makes Wright drops out of school so he can work more and save up more money to travel up there. When he gets there he is by himself for the first time in his life. No family or friends, we see that Wright is maturing and acting more like a man and not like the boy he used to be. When Wright first meets Mrs. Moss and her daughter Bess, he is really uncomfortable. He has no previous experience on how to deal with them. Mrs. Moss is like the complete opposite to his mother. But we see that during the stay in Memphis, he has more of a chance to stand up for himself.He handles Bess? s overwhelming crush and establishes a workable relationship for all of them. Wright handles it like a more mature person. There is a transition from Richard as a boy to Mr. Wright, the writer he became when he wrote this book, two points of view go ing into one. When Wright gets help from his Catholic coworker to get a library card he finally fulfills his vow to himself to read all the novels he can get his hands on. This is the real beginning to his self-education. He reads and reads, every day he reads. He gets to know all the writers.It is like he is swimming in parallel universes, but instead of universes he is swimming in different peoples? minds. â€Å"I was jarred and shocked by the style, the clear, clean, sweeping sentences†. He never read anything like it before. After reading book after books Wright gets a revelation. He is not alone anymore. There are other people like him out there, who feel and think like Wright does. They also feel like individuals in this society and the world they are living in. This makes Wright really satisfied. For the first time in his life he feels like he is part of a group, a society.He wants to tell somebody about his discovery. He just wants to talk to somebody about this, tell about what he has learned and his dreams for the future. But Wright has nobody to talk to about this. His coworkers, friends, and family would not understand. They would ask Wright why he is reading, what? s the point? After Wright is satisfied he becomes sad. He knows he is not alone, but the people that share the same view and understanding as him are not around. He is still alone. Wright became a writer because that was his only way out.He was an individual, trying to fit in to the society where he was born. It was the only way he could express himself, as an individual. Writing allowed him to say what was on his mind without getting punish for it. It was an escape from the reality he was living in. After learning more and more he became more secure on the path he had chosen. Words became his weapon in life. We see that writing and reading was his inspiration and motivation. He feels like he can do anything when he reads or writes. â€Å"Anything seemed possible, likely, feasib le, because I wanted everything to be possible†.

Why Is Chemistry Important

Why is chemistry important? If you take chemistry or teach chemistry, youll be asked to answer this question pretty often. Its easy to say chemistry is important because everything is made from chemicals but there are a lot of other reasons why chemistry is a big part of daily life and why everyone should understand basic chemistry. If youve ever wondered about the question yourself, this selection of answers from real chemists, teachers, students, and readers just like you will give you an idea of the many reasons why chemistry is so vital to our lives. We Are Chemical Beings: Many biology and anatomy and physiology courses begin with chemistry. More than just nutrients, medicines and poisons, everything we do is chemical. Geology too: why do we wear diamonds and not calcium carbonate on our fingers?—foxkin Importance of Chemistry to Life: (1) Many thing that are our in environment are made of chemicals. (2) Many things that we observe in the world are made of chemical effects.—Shola Well, now you have asked something. My first days of chemistry started at the age of about 9 not long after WWII. Since then, I have received from the study a vast interest in everything and still I am learning at 70 years old—but in my mind I know it is chemistry that has made me what I am and what I believe in, to myself it is the most powerful mind mover of all...making ones mind explore and discover and understand what its all about. I am still looking, experimenting, and wondering. Yes, to [me] chemistry is the all-powerful mover and doer of the whole mystery of life and the meanings. But sadly I can no longer explore the underground I so loved to in search for the Philosophers stone.—David Bradbury Prevents Poisoning or Worse: Water or sulfuric acid? Propylene glycol or ethylene glycol? Its good to be able to tell them apart. Chemistry is important because it helps you identify toxic or dangerous substances. Of course, labeling your chemicals helps a lot too.—Gemdragon Chemistry [has] great importance in our daily life... In our [bodies,] chemical reactions are going on. With the help of chemistry, we are able to cure most deadly or dangerous diseases. By the study of chemistry, we can learn the biochemical changes going on in our body.—Sneha Jadhao Chemistry is a path of creativity, at least to me. Its a subject of logic and it creates a new way of thinking... Organic is like a puzzle which is very interesting to solve and bonding is just awesome. Chemistry is a study of life. Life is made of a string of particulate matter.—Dr. C. W. Huey Because chemistry is all over in world girls are impressed by this subject.—yog Chemistry Means a Lot of Dollars: If you want a lot of dollars you must learn chemistry.—emad Witchcraft: In Africa, we believe chemistry explains witchcraft [and that which is] responsible for the manufacture of the concoctions used in the art.—Patrick Chege Chemistry is important as it is interrelated with many sciences such as physics biology, etc.—ANAS Life is Made up of Chemistry: For me, chemistry is very interesting because I feel by learning it we can understand the other sciences too. My specialization is in analytical [chemistry.] This tells us about nutritional values, specimen analysis, toxicity, sampling, and so many valuable things. So chem is around us and inside us. Moreover, with todays instrumentation and with the help of a large variety of chemical measurements available, we can get the results of clinical, environmental, occupational health, safety applications, and industrial analysis.—Irfana Aamir It is very important. Chemistry applies in every field of life. Education in chemistry is not only the source of getting a good job but also a fun and practical way to make life interesting.—sony Its in Everything: ELECTRONS RULE!! Chemistry pervades all processes from air particulate to cellular specialized functions to the engineering materials for space exploration. We are Chemistry!—MJ Paint Pigments: If it werent for chemists, we wouldnt have all the modern pigments for paints we have today (including my long-time favorite Prussian blue, although the color maker was trying to make a red)!—Marion BE Chemistry is important because everything around us is made of chemicals.—ntosh Everything is chemistry so nothing can exist without chemistry.—Guest superchem Answer: Everything in the world is basically now made up of chemistry.—Madelyn Interactions Are Fun to Learn: Studying chemistry is not all about observing any reactions and recording the result. Its about knowing why they are able to react like that. It is really fascinating and an exercise for our brain.—Kate Williams Why is Chemistry Important? As the earth originated, chemistry also began to play an important role... Life... began because of chemicals. Chemistry is everywhere. It is important to know it and to sustain life on Earth peacefully. Because of all these reasons humans [have become] more interested and given more importance to it. The mystery of chemistry is always taunting man to reveal its mystery.—Megha Why is Chemistry Important in Our Society? Chemistry is important because it helps to build our body system. It helps us in our daily activities... and is also important because it helps us to know how to take good care of our health.—Ani Samuel Chemistry plays a central role in science and is often entwined with other branches of science like physics, biology, geology etc.—Radhi R. Chemistry Daily Life: Chemistry is a branch of science which deals with the study of everything in our daily life. Chemistry is nonstop because it is spread in our daily life.—a7h Chem is Life: Chemistry deals with the composition of things, from the food we eat, the rocks and the minerals, the mattresses we sleep on, etc.—Saha Aboo Chemistry is Life Science: Chemistry is a science that is very close to human, non-human life and nonliving matters. It is essential to learn chemistry because of mans desire to improve medical solutions to the challenges of newly discovered ailments.—Peter Chiti [When you add one chemical to another chemical, can have a violent reaction. For example, take water and add it to acid and see what a violent reaction you get as the two mix, resulting in the release of thermal energy and vapor. For this reason, it is important to know chemical properties and compounds.]—Kallie [Chemistry helps our industry produce more materials—such as paints, plastics, iron or steel, cement, kerosene, and also motor oil. Chemistry also helps farmers to enrich the soil with chemicals ... to grow fresh vegetables.]—~gRatItUdEgIrL25~ Chemistry is important, especially in household things like condoms, cleaning, and cooking.—Cougar Chemistry is Essential! In just one line we can say that the importance of chemistry is unparalleled and the scope of chemistry is unlimited. The importance of chemistry cant be pinned down with [a few] examples! We can lead a better life with chemistry.—Swathi P.S. No Life Without Chemistry: Without chemistry no life for human beings... Chemistry is the God for all other subjects.—Sarandeva Chemistry is important because everything around us is made up of chemicals and we use it in our day-to-day activities—in our house, industry, companies, etc.—Immanuel Abiola Chemistry is the Universe: It is said that chemistry is the knowledge of observing this universe. And in our holy Quran, Allah Almighty said that intelligent is that person who observes this universe. Thats all about chemistry.—amin_malik About Chemistry: [Chemistry is important as it makes us aware of the small secrets of our environment around us. By studying chemistry, we are able to know the basic mechanisms in our body in our daily life.]—Mrinal Mukesh Learning of chemistry is important so as to get [good grades] in the examination.—nishant Fish in Water: [Talking of chemistry in human life is like a fish, deep inside the River Ganga, speaking of what Water is. Since the beginning of a body, until it vanishes in fire or soil, its chemistry and chemistry. Think about it and understand.]—Bira Madhab What we use in our everyday life that is made by different chemicals, so chemistry is very important for us.—jiten Importance of Chemistry: Environmental chemistry describes various chemical elements present in the environment their reactions and effects on the environment. It illustrates the major environmental segments and their interrelationship and significances.—Aminul Chemistry in Use 24 X 7: When we wake up we brush our teeth with toothpaste which is chemistry, then we bathe with soap (alkaline),  we eat our food (vitamins, minerals, water, folic acid), we go to work by vehicles which feed on petrol... We ward off mosquitoes with repellents which is chemistry!—Prandeep Borthakur Chemistry: It is important because it helps us to be more productive and develop our country.—Encarnacion Its a Blessing: [I think chemistry is very important for our lives and for our existence. If there were no chemical reactions, then there would be no air—no air means no life, no life means no existence, and no existence means nothing living.]—Summa Question: What is a chemical element? Answer: A chemical element, or an element, is a material which cannot be broken down or changed into another substance using chemical means. Elements may be thought of as the basic chemical building blocks of matter. Depending on how much evidence you require to prove a new element has been created, there are 117 or 118 known elements.—Guest The importance of chemistry wont be diminished over time, so it will remain a promising career path.—Important [I think chemistry is important to our life. Look around us—the drugs, weedkiller,  and food come from chemistry.]—Osei Stephen Why is Chemistry Important in Life? I think without chemistry, one can not imagine his life. Chemistry is as important as food.—Dimple Sharma Health: [If not for chemistry, by now, the world will not exist. Chemists all around the world through rigorous research have saved us, in term of health.]—Ajileye Importance of Chemistry: Besides considering ‘what chemistry is and what one has in mind when he/she thinks of chemistry,’ the essence of importance of chemistry is hidden in the quintessence that it is not only the central science but also the mother of sciences and it is the mother that matters the most in every aspect and all respects.—Dr. Badruddin Khan Why is Chemistry Important? The food we eat, air we breathe, water we drink—everything is made up of chemicals. Life cant exist without chemistry.—nag What is Chemistry? [According to me, we can define chemistry as follows: C-creates H-hell or heaven on E-earth M-mysteriously I-investingly and S-surprisingly T-through R-reactions and its Y-yields.]—Sridevi Though chemistry is difficult to learn, it is very important to learn it. The major advantage is in the medicinal field.—Shefali Its Important: It doesnt take a chemistry major to know that some chemicals are dangerous. Having a basic knowledge chemistry can help you avoid materials that you would rather not come in contact with. Thats why they put a list of ingredients on everything at the supermarket.—Blake From morning to evening anything and everything we use is the product of chemistry.—Chandini Anand Importance of Chemistry: Chemistry aids in the improvement of healthcare, the conservation of natural resources, and the protection of the environment. Chemistry is the central science, central to the understanding of other sciences and technology.—OhHowThisGenerationHasFallen [Learning chemistry is important if you want to pass your chemistry exams.]—Keerthy Definition of Chemistry: [In Hindi the word for chemistry is rasayan so chemistry gives us the ras of a subject. When we wake up, when we look at anything, that thing is made by chemicals and when we go to sleep, the bedsheet also is made by use of chemistry. Around us everywhere is chemistry so chemistry is an important subject. It carries us to success. I like chemistry very much.]—Aditya Dwivedi Chemistry is so important because it has to do with everything in our daily lives. Chemistry just makes us understand how everything works a little better. For example, why a certain pain reliever works more than the other, or why you need oil to fry chicken. All this—believe it or not—is possible because of the study of chemistry.—Joselitop Chemistry in Our Life: Chemistry is the most important thing in our lives. Everything that we use—from the toothbrush in the morning to the food we eat to the road we travel by and the books we read—are all there due to chemistry and that is why it is very important in our day-to-day life.—Priya Science Student: [Chemistry is important to study because, in our day-to-day activities, chemistry shows us how we can manage things. For example, take the food we eat—chemistry explains how we can eat to a time table in such a way that it will suit our bodies. If not for the knowledge of chemistry, there would be no medicines. Chemistry also provides knowledge about how to produce many things for commercial purposes as well.]—Wuese Daniel Why is Chemistry Important? Because everything is made of the chemicals which are needed in our daily life. We can not live without chemistry.—Liton Kitchen Chemistry: Everything in the kitchen is chemistry. Mixing of substances is chemistry.—Abby Sams Importance of Chemistry: Chemistry creates an atmosphere of understanding how and what our most precious world is made of. Everything is made up of multiples of infinitesimal atoms closely packed together to give us one whole product. Moreover, it elaborates on how different chemicals react with each other. Therefore, it is clear that chemistry is everywhere at any time!—Manqoba Mthabela Uses of Chemistry: Chemistry is useful in all areas of life. You  need chemistry to know how your cooking gas is been produced and even the name. You still need it to know the chemical process that is occurring in your cooking and even in your environment. Chemistry is essential to life.—Bimbim Chemistry is important because it is the source of human activities.—Gift.21