Prehistoric Life During the Permian Period

Prehistoric Life During the Permian Period The Permian period was, literally, a time of beginnings and endings. It was during the Permian that the strange therapsids, or mammal-like reptiles, first appearedand a population of therapsids went on to spawn the very first mammals of the ensuing Triassic period. However, the end of the Permian witnessed the most severe mass extinction in the history of the planet, even worse than the one that doomed the dinosaurs tens of millions of years later. The Permian was the last period of the Paleozoic Era (542-250 million years ago), preceded by the Cambrian, Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian and Carboniferous periods. Climate and Geography As during the preceding Carboniferous period, the climate of the Permian period was intimately linked with its geography. Most of the earths land mass remained locked up in the supercontinent of Pangea, with remote offshoots comprising present-day Siberia, Australia, and China. During the early Permian period, large portions of southern Pangea were covered by glaciers, but conditions warmed considerably by the beginning of the Triassic period, with the reappearance of vast rain forests at or near the equator. Ecosystems around the globe also became significantly drier, which spurred the evolution of new types of reptiles better adapted to cope with the arid climate. Terrestrial Life During the Permian Period Reptiles: The most important event of the Permian period was the rise of synapsid reptiles (an anatomical term denoting the appearance of a single hole in the skull, behind each eye). During the early Permian, these synapsids resembled crocodiles and even dinosaurs, as witness famous examples like Varanops and Dimetrodon. By the end of the Permian, a population of  synapsids had branched off into therapsids, or mammal-like reptiles; at the same time, the very first archosaurs appeared, diapsid reptiles characterized by the two holes in their skulls behind each eye. A quarter of a billion years ago, no one could have predicted that these archosaurs were destined to evolve into the very first dinosaurs of the Mesozoic Era, as well as pterosaurs and crocodiles!Amphibians: The increasingly dry conditions of the Permian period were not kind to prehistoric amphibians, which found themselves out-competed by more adaptable reptiles (which could venture further onto dry land to lay their to ugh-shelled eggs, whereas amphibians were constrained to living near bodies of water). Two of the most notable amphibians of the early Permian were the six-foot-long Eryops and the bizarre Diplocaulus, which looked like a tentacled boomerang. Insects: During the Permian period, conditions werent yet ripe for the explosion of insect forms seen during the ensuing Mesozoic Era. The most common insects were giant cockroaches, the tough exoskeletons of which gave these arthropods a selective advantage over other terrestrial invertebrates, as well as various types of dragonflies, which werent quite as impressive as their plus-sized forebears of the earlier Carboniferous period, like the foot-long Megalneura. Marine Life During the Permian Period The Permian period has yielded surprisingly few fossils of marine vertebrates; the best-attested genera are prehistoric sharks like Helicoprion and Xenacanthus and prehistoric fish like Acanthodes. (This doesnt mean the worlds oceans werent well-stocked with sharks and fish, but rather that the geologic conditions didnt lend themselves to the fossilization process.) Marine reptiles were extremely scarce, especially compared to their explosion in the ensuing Triassic period; one of the few identified examples is the mysterious Claudiosaurus. Plant Life During the Permian Period If youre not a paleobotanist, you may or may not be interested in the replacement of one weird variety of prehistoric plant  (the lycopods) by another weird variety of prehistoric plant (the glossopterids). Suffice it to say that the Permian witnessed the evolution of new varieties of seed plants, as well as the spread of ferns, conifers, and cycads (which were an essential source of food to the reptiles of the Mesozoic Era). The Permian-Triassic Extinction Everyone knows about the K/T Extinction Event that wiped out the dinosaurs 65 million years ago, but the most severe mass extinction in earths history was the one that transpired at the end of the Permian period, which annihilated 70 percent of terrestrial genera and a whopping 95 percent of marine genera. No one knows exactly what caused the Permian-Triassic Extinction, though a series of massive volcanic eruptions resulting in a depletion of atmospheric oxygen is the most likely culprit. It was this great dying at the end of the Permian that opened up the earths ecosystems to new kinds of terrestrial and marine reptiles, and led, in turn, to the evolution of dinosaurs.

Making Print Pretty with Microsoft Word

Making Print Pretty with Microsoft Word Print on Demand makes publishing print books easy, but to look professional, formatting is key. Here are general tips for a polished layout using Microsoft Word. Check your Help menu for specifics on your version of Word. Start setting up as you write: = Use the indent setting rather than tabs or hitting the space bar several times. This allows you to adjust your indentations precisely. (Use the Find and Replace option to remove tabs or extra spaces, replacing with nothing.) = Use section breaks rather than page breaks between chapters. More on this later. Save a document specifically for your print version, separate from your ebook version. Set your page size to the books trim size. 6 x 9 is common. For margins, use Custom Margins. Select Multiple Pages and then Mirror Margins for different inside and outside margins. For CreateSpace POD, your interior margin must be at least .375 for books up to 150 pages, and .75 for books with 151 to 400 pages. Other margins must be at least .25 inches but may be larger for aesthetics. You may also need to adjust your header and footer distances to get the margins you want. I use Top Margin .7; Inside .75; Gutter 0; Bottom .3; Outside .3. Find print books that are visually appealing to you and measure their margins. The first page is automatically a right-hand page. Make this a title page. The following pages list the publisher, ISBN, dedication, etc. Study traditional books on your shelf for ideas. Use section break between every page. The first chapter should start on a right-hand page. All other chapters can start on either the left or right page in novels. Non-fiction books should have a blank page before each chapter. If you need a blank page, insert an additional section break. Choose your font and type size. Adjust the leading, the space between lines. In Word 2007, go to the Home Tab - Paragraph - Line Spacing and choose Exactly and then the leading you want. 12.4 and 13.3 are common for leading, but you may want more or less depending on the font and font size. Make sure youre not cutting off hanging letters from the line above. Double check in the PDF version of your document, as it may look different from the Word version. Use a serif font and keep fonts simple. Avoid large passages of hard-to-read italics, cursive-style fonts, etc. Use double justified text (not ragged right). Title and other front matter may be center justified. Format chapter headings. You may want to center these and adjust the size. Study other books for ideas, and play around to see whats possible. Use the Insert button for any interior art. Insert your Headers or Footers with page numbers. Use alternating pages to put your author name on one page and the book title on the facing page. Adjust the font and font size. Remove any extra returns forcing hidden blank lines. Set your header with no header on first page, to remove headers on title pages and the first page of each chapter. Avoid headers in your front and back matter. Using section breaks between every page plus no header on first page should remove these. Review for widows, orphans, rivers, etc. Be sure your formatting is consistent. Save a copy as a PDF, choosing standard format. Check the ISO option if its not embedding the fonts. Double-check that all your formatting came through, such as italics and spacing. Now you can upload your document. CreateSpace leads you through the process. Make sure that you choose the trim size equal to your formatted document. Order a proof copy and study it for errors. And now youre in print! Resources Industry standards from The Chicago Manual of Style Proper typography marks, such as em versus en dashes Tips for using graphics within the text DIY Book Formats has an online tutorial for How to Format a Book in MS Word CreateSpace has downloadable templates and instructions CreateSpaces Trim Size chart lists available trim sizes

Terrorism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 8

Terrorism - Essay Example In an attempt to understand terrorism and integrate the protection against terrorism in the laws, different governments and agencies have come up with the definition of terrorism to help in designing intervention against the vise. This paper will analyze some of the definitions of terrorism and provide a critique to the definitions in an attempt to ensure the definitions are in conformity with the current socio-economic changes and the dynamics in technological advancements. Even before the 9/11 attack, there had been debates concerning extremism, however, following the 9/11 attack, the aftermath propelled the definition of terrorism into the forefront of the contemporary consciousness. Nevertheless, despite the public spotlight on the actions of terrorists, there has not been a concrete and a universally accepted definition of terrorism, thus the definition of terrorism varies from one state to another and between different law enforcement agencies. In the current world, national security is of paramount importance; hence, the political and the legal systems need to have a universal way of definition of terrorism to help in designing effective counter-terrorism strategies. Due to lack of a universally accepted way of defining terrorism, the international community cannot strengthen their cooperation in the fight against the vise since different definitions results to different priorities in the fight against terrorism (Sandler, 2011). Terrorism can be viewed from three parameters; the cause, the means of attack and the perpetrators. Focusing on a single parameter is not adequate to the definition of terrorism since terrorism is multidimensional, fluid and complex. The diversity in the three parameters used in the definition of terrorism makes it difficult to formulate a universally accepted definition. Some of the reasons why the application of the three parameters has

Improving our Ethical performance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Improving our Ethical performance - Essay Example (Annual report, 2004, swisslife) When a large retailer like TESCO is considered, one can find that they made ethical trading an integral part of the way they do business. They took care that the buyers, technical managers and ethical trading team to work with their suppliers to upheld labour standards in the supply chain. The company have developed a core regarding Ethical issues. TESCO started implementing ethical issues in business and ended up in making their staff earn more while the share market was jittering. This was made possible to make staff to save while they earn. (Social responsibility 2006). The company started investing in Kenyan flower supply base, South African wine producing and Dominican banana producing. The investment in these areas has linked the productin with social responsibility. As a result the living standards of flower, wine and banana producers in the above mentioned areas were enhanced and resulted in quality produce for the present and in future. (Social responsibility 2006) When we consider the marks and Spencer's ethical issues the communication, equality and diversity pay and benefit, training and development, health, safety and well being, business ethics were considered in the ethical practices. (2006, work place, Marks & Spencer) The communication between the management, suppliers and the emp... result the living standards of flower, wine and banana producers in the above mentioned areas were enhanced and resulted in quality produce for the present and in future. (Social responsibility 2006) When we consider the marks and Spencer's ethical issues the communication, equality and diversity pay and benefit, training and development, health, safety and well being, business ethics were considered in the ethical practices. (2006, work place, Marks & Spencer) The communication between the management, suppliers and the employees was well maintained to share knowledge that helps in the promotion of the business. By retaining the culturally and socially diverse work force the company is maintained equality and diversity in maintenance of the work force. The pay and benefits for the employees were at the right level and they are attractive for the people who want to join it. This made the employees feel secure and work for the promotion of the business as the company is maintaining continuous communication with the employees to be attentive. The company took care of training and development issues of the employees, which made them, develop their skills according to the need of the hour. It is taking care of health and safety and well being of their employees which makes the absence due to illness scarce. Along with the company the employees and suppliers are made to behave and trade ethically while working for and trading with the company. 2. Comparison of TESCO and Marks and Spencer's When we compare marks and Spencer's regarding their ethical trade practices the similarity lies in maintaining cordial relations with employees and suppliers by communicating and taking care of them. The communicating with employees is a difference of marks and Spencer's from that of

Peer Violence Essay Example for Free

Peer Violence Essay Peer violence/abuse is something that takes place in the everyday life of some people and their families. Peer violence/abuse is when a person undergoes improper or unfair physical or verbal maltreatment, injury, sexual assault, violation, unjust practices, wrongful practice or custom, offense, and crime. There are many different types of peer violence such as verbal, physical, cyber bullying, and social alienation. As you continue to read you will better understand the effect, consequences (in school and out of school), and examples of peer violence. Youth violence has played a big part of everyday life for some; youth violence includes bullying, punching, slapping, verbal abuse and using weapons, towards another. These violent acts are a disruption to people’s lively-hoods and to the learning process. The most serious effect that youth violence has on people is death and injury; most students are victims of homicides in the schools and suicides at home. Most of these deaths occur before, after, or during lunchtime. Other victims can be examples of nonfatal injuries like cuts, broken bones, bruises and even gunshot wounds. Some can even have a long-term effect on a person emotionally/mentally, a person can suffer depression, fear other people, anxiety and even post-traumatic stress which does not just effect the person but it also effects the persons immediate family and close friends. Peer violence can affect the way a child lives and their lives, they will feel shame for being a victim and won’t tell anybody what’s going on and could be afraid that the problem might escalate if they do tell a trusted adult. In recent news, in Southern Las Vegas two brothers were sentenced to jail and correctional facilities for the bullying of a disabled boy who attended their school. The boys had one of their friends record the attacking of the boy and posted it on YouTube. One of the boys was sentenced to 12 months of probation and 40 hours of community service while the other was sentenced to serve time at Spring Mountain Youth Camp with supervision until released. Consequences are one of the things many people do not think about before they began bullying each other or began attacking one another. In most schools a punishment is 3 to 6 days of suspension and even a court date with the victim. In Las Vegas depending on your age you can get anything from probation to 30 days in a juvenile correction center or a correctional center such as boy’s town or Spring Mountain Youth Camp. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbine_High_School_massacre#Medication\ http://www.modernmom.com/article/the-effects-of-school-violence-on-victims http://www.modernmom.com/article/the-effects-of-school-violence-on-victims

Exegesis and Critique of Nietzsche’s Conception of Guilt In The Second

Exegesis and Critique of Nietzsche’s Conception of Guilt In The Second Essay of On the Genealogy of Morality In the Second Essay of On the Genealogy of Morals (titled â€Å"â€Å"Guilt,† â€Å"Bad Conscience,† and the Like†), Nietzsche formulates an interesting conception of the origin and function of guilt feelings and â€Å"bad conscience.† Nietzsche’s discussion of this topic is rather sophisticated and includes sub-arguments for the ancient equivalence of the concepts of debt and guilt and the existence of an instinctive joy in cruelty in human beings, as well as a hypothesis concerning the origin of civilization, a critique of Christianity, and a comparison of Christianity to ancient Greek religion. In this essay, I will attempt to distill these arguments to their essential points. Near the beginning of the Second Essay â€Å"â€Å"Guilt,† â€Å"Bad Conscience,† and the Like† of On the Genealogy of Morals Nietzsche asserts that forgetting is absolutely necessary for â€Å"all the nobler functions and functionaries† (2.1) and even the present to be possible. Furthermore, according to Nietzsche, memory, which inhibits the above functions, is not merely an inability to forget, but an active will not to forget (2.2). Primeval man acquired the faculty of memory, according to Nietzsche, in response to his sudden enslavement at the hands of a master race (2.17). These masters set as their task the imposition of a few general rules of civilized existence (otherwise known as the morality of mores) upon their subjects, who had been â€Å"slaves of momentary affect and desire† (2.3) before their enslavement. This project, according to Nietzsche, necessitated the searing of these basic rules into the minds of the populace by means of immensely cruel acts and resulted in t... ...no way implies that Nietzsche is presenting the ideas of the Genealogy in bad faith; he certainly believes that they have some truth to them-but perhaps not to the extent that they are definitive. Thus, it is possible that Nietzsche, in writing his polemic, has other goals than the mere straightforward elucidation of a philosophical system. If this view is adopted, many of Nietzsche’s radical notions and unsupported assertions become easier to stomach. Of course, such a softening of the impact of Nietzsche’s claims may destroy the fundamental mind-opening project that lies at the heart of the book, since the shock of encountering such views is clearly essential to that project. Works Cited: Nietzsche, Friedrich On the Genealogy of Morals contained in: Nietzsche Basic Writings Of Nietzsche translated and edited Walter Kaufman. New York: The Modern Library, 1992.

Benjamin Franklin: Man Of Manytalents

To say that Benjamin Franklin was a jack-of-all-trades is an understatement. Franklin, a notable polymath, excelled in politics, diplomacy, writing, printing, math and science. His inventions, both physical and social, subsist in modern societies worldwide. But Franklin influenced no country more than the land he fathered, the United Sates of America. His signature is on our Declaration of Independence, but Franklin’s influence does not stop there. His signature is also on the lightning rod, glass harmonica and bifocal glasses.His signature graces the abolition movement, republicanism and the Franklin Institute of Boston. Franklin’s contributions to the advancement of the United States of America were diverse and long-standing. Verification lies in Franklin’s involvement with the American Revolution and abolitionism, as well as his lasting legacy in American society. To understand a person and his contributions, it is important to know the man behind the ideas. B enjamin Franklin was born in 1706 to Puritan parents Josiah Franklin and Abiah Folger. Benjamin was one of Josiah’s seventeen children, ten of which were born of Abiah Folger.From a young age, Puritan values were instilled in Benjamin’s daily life. Hard work and equality are two such values that followed Franklin through his professional career. At twenty years of age, according to his autobiography, Benjamin penned a list of thirteen virtues by which he should conduct his life. The list includes common Puritan values, such as humility, moderation and chastity. Franklin also added a few of his own principles, including resolution, order and justice. â€Å"These names of virtues, with their precepts were: 1. Temperance: Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.2. Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation. 3. Order: Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time. 4. Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve. 5. Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself, i. e. , waste nothing. 6. Industry: Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions. 7. Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly. 8.Justice: Wrong none by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty. 9: Moderation: Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve. 10. Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation. 11. Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable. 12. Chastity: Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation. 13. Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates. † This diverse list would prove invaluable throughout Franklin’s career.Be it his diplomacy during the American Revolution, the abolition movement after the war, or his lasting contributions to American society, Franklin rarely saw a dichotomy between personal beliefs and public persona. Our first glimpse into the mind and times of Franklin came via his 1733 publication of Poor Richard’s Almanack. Under the pseudonym Richard Saunders or â€Å"Poor Richard,† Franklin composed an abstract almanac. The publication included conventional information such as calendar, weather astronomical and astrological information.It was abstract, however, in that Poor Richard’s Almanack contained proverbs composed personally by Benjamin Franklin. The same pages that included temperature fluctuation and moon cycles also housed some of the most recognizable maxims of modern history. â€Å"Fish and visitors stink in three days,† warned Franklin in Poor Richard’s Almanack. Some sayings have changed slightly over time. For example, we know â€Å"a penny saved is twopence dear† as â€Å"a penny saved is a penny earned,† but both hold true in modern society. The mere compilation of information and statistics was commendable in Franklin’s time.Poor Richard’s Almanack was notably accurate and popular among American citizens. The annual publication ran without interruption from 1733 through 1758. Franklin sold roughly 10,000 copies of Poor Richard’s Almanack per year, an amount comparable to nearly three million copies by today’s standards. Franklin was not content publishing a traditional almanac. In 1750, Franklin reported what would prove to be our country’s first unofficial demographic. Franklin continually redefined and remolded Poor Richard’s Almanack throughout its tenure.However, it would be Franklin’s proverbs of Puritan virtues that proved most noteworthy of Poor Richard’s Almanack subject matter. Nowhere are Franklin’s virtues more apparent than in his supp ort in the abolition of slavery. It was not until after that American Revolution that Franklin declared himself an abolitionist. However, it goes without saying that Franklin’s Puritan morality had been leading him there for some time. It is also interesting to note that Franklin’s maternal grandmother, Mary Morrill, was an indentured servant prior to marriage.It could be said that abolitionism ran through Franklin’s veins. Franklin’s first public exposure to slavery and abolition came during the American Revolution via a British court ruling by Lord Chief Justice Mansfield. Mansfield presided over the case of James Somerset, a British-owned slave who ran away from his master. After much deliberation, Mansfield ruled in favor of the runaway slave. Mansfield determined that since slavery had never existed as an institution under British law, Somerset was free. This marked the beginning of the end of slavery in England.While abolition was a giant step for h uman rights in England, Franklin and the other colonists viewed the ban on slavery as contempt toward America. The end result was an increase in revolts among American-owned slaves. Franklin finally stepped in after the British downplayed America’s call for human rights. The British labeled the Americans hypocritical for preaching human rights while many of their leaders still owned slaves. Franklin responded publicly by mocking England’s so-called attempt toward abolition.Franklin pointed out that freeing one slave, yet still permitted the Slave Trade is also hypocritical. After the war, Franklin led by example, freeing both of his slaves. In 1787, Franklin accepted the presidency of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society. As outspoken as he was on the issue of slavery, Franklin understood the dangers of premature abolition. â€Å"‘Slavery is such as atrocious debasement of human nature that its very extirpation, if not performed with solicitous care, may sometimes open a source of serious evils,’ Franklin wrote in a November 1789 address to the public from the society.† Franklin still fought for the abolition of slavery. He also took special precaution by establishing a twenty-four-person committee divided into the following subcommittees: â€Å"Committee of Inspection, who shall superintend the morals, general conduct, and ordinary situation of the free Negroes, and afford them advice an instruction. Committee of Guardians, who shall place out children and young people with suitable persons, that they may (during a moderate time of apprenticeship or servitude) learn some trade or other business.Committee of Education, who shall superintend the school instruction of the children and youth of the free blacks. They may either influence them to attend regularly the schools already established in this city, or form others with this view. Committee of Employ, who shad endeavor to procure constant employment for those free Negroes wh o are able to work; as the want of this would occasion poverty, idleness, and many vicious habits. † Franklin’s petitions for abolition were strongly denounced, especially in the South.Still, Franklin dedicated the latter part of his life to anti-slavery lobbying in the form of essays and actions. Franklin is best known for his involvement in the American Revolution and subsequent drafting of the Declaration of Independence. Ironically, it was Franklin, a plain-clothes politician who never stepped foot on the battleground, that made as lasting an impression as any on the American Revolution. â€Å"Franklin had been instrumental in shaping the three great documents of the war: the Declaration of Independence, the alliance with France, and the treaty with England.† Franklin used the pen instead of the sword to fight for his country. Franklin was unanimously chosen as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress, which was to meet amidst the battles of the American Revolution. Franklin would prove quite useful in the Continental Congress. â€Å"In the Congress, Benjamin Franklin accepted every duty thrust upon him. After all, he had more experience, more intimate knowledge of British intentions and wiles, more accumulated wisdom than most of the other delegates. † Ironically, Franklin never made a Congressional speech.He left that to the orators. Instead, Franklin stuck to his strong points of organizing, writing and committee regulation. At the time, he was a silent leader in Congress. But history writes him in a different, more honorable light. Today, Franklin is perhaps best known for his patriotism and dedication to the advancement of his homeland during the American Revolution. Temperance was a virtue that made Franklin’s list of Puritan ideals to live by. He practiced temperance, along with humility, chastity and the other virtues in his personal and professional life.Franklin was diligent in his beliefs, but fortunately f or his fellow patriots and the future of our country, Franklin knew when to shift hears. In his autobiography, Franklin published the following letter written to his British companion, William Strahan, on July 5, 1755: â€Å"Mr. Strahan, You are a member of Parliament, and one of that majority which has doomed my country to destruction. You have begun to burn our towns, and murder our people. Look upon your hands! They are stained with the blood of your relations!You and I were long friends: You are now my enemy, and I am, Yours, B Franklin† It should be noted that Franklin never sent the letter to his companion, William Strahan. The letter was, however, used to rile up his fellow American patriots during the early part of the American Revolution. The war had begun; the war to end all wars, according to Franklin’s beliefs. The British had become domineering and inhumane toward Americans. It was time, according to Franklin, to stand our country’s ground.â€Å"It was a true old saying that make yourself sheep and the wolves will eat you: to which I may add another, God help them that help themselves. † Friendship and pacifism were put on hold starting April 19, 175 at Lexington and Concord, the first battle of the American Revolution. The battles would not cease until July 4, 1776 and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. â€Å"This is the greatest revolution the world has ever seen,† Franklin wrote in his autobiography. Attacks and counterattacks plagued these two countries for over two years.Franklin, his mind leveled upon the cease-fire, understood the severity of such conflict. â€Å"The extreme cruelty with which we were treated extinguish’d every thought of returning to [England], and separated us forever. England thereby lost limbs that will never grow again. We too suffered greatly, but our losses would soon be repair’d by our good government, our industry, and the fertility of our country. â₠¬  In hindsight, we can acknowledge the progress made by both countries in the years following the American Revolution. Nothing stands out as much as liberty and justice for all.The Benjamin Franklin legacy exists worldwide, but it is especially strong in Franklin’s homeland, the United States of America. Many of his inventions, including the lightning rod, bifocal glasses and the flexible urinary catheter, are used daily in modern American society. His aphorisms of civic duty and personal virtue are instilled in modern American thought. A positive image of Benjamin Franklin exists in the hearts and minds of most Americans. It is safe to say, however, that Franklin’s most noticeable legacy is his monetary investment in the United States of America.Franklin donated ? 1,000 each to the cities of Boston and Philadelphia. Rather than being put to immediate use, Franklin requested that the funds be invested in a trust to gather interest for 200 years. The trust resulted fr om a parody of Poor Richard’s Almanack written in 1785 by Charles-Joseph Mathon de la Cour called Fortunate Richard. Mocking the spirit of American optimism, the story told of Fortunate Richard’s small donation to the United States of America only to be used after a 500-year investment.Franklin was able to put a positive spin on the parody by accepting the Frenchman’s arrangement in a literal sense. Franklin donated ? 1,000 to his native cities, Boston and Philadelphia, with instructions to invest for 200 years. The trusts grew beyond the million-dollar-mark before the investments came due. The money has predominantly been spent on mortgage loans and scholarships. A portion of Boston’s trust was used to establish a trade school that became the Franklin Institute of Boston. Although Franklin was a man of many talents, he was not a man of many faces.The most noteworthy aspect of Franklin’s life is that he compromised little to none of his values when shifting duties. Be it the transition from personal to political or political to scientific, Franklin carried his Puritan ideals throughout his life and career. It can be seen in his diplomacy during the American Revolution, the abolition movement after the war, and his lasting contributions to American society. Franklin rarely saw a dichotomy between personal beliefs and public persona. Franklin was quoted as saying, â€Å"fear not death; for the sooner we die, the longer shall we be immortal.† Franklin surely was not fearful; not during his tenure as a politician, or an inventor, or a family-man. Americans are fortunate to have been preceded by such a dedicated man. His patriotism and promise shine all the way through to modern society. ? BIBLIOGRAPHY Aldridge, Alfred Owen. Benjamin Franklin: Philosopher and Man. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott Company, 1965. Ben Franklin Institute of Technology. http://www. bfit. edu. Gaustad, Edwin. Benjamin Franklin. Oxford: Oxford Unive rsity Press, 2006. Independence Hall Association of Philadelphia.http://www. ushistory. org. Isaacson, Walter. Benjamin Franklin: An American Life. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2003. Jennings, Francis. Benjamin Franklin: Politician. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1996. Medicolegal. http://medicolegal. tripod. com. New York Times. http://query. nytimes. com. Skousen, Mark. The Completed Autobiography by Benjamin Franklin. Washington DC: Regnery Publishing, 2006. Virtual Library. http://www. vlib. us. Wikipedia. http://www. wikipedia. org. Wright, Esmond. Franklin of Philadelphia. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1986.