John Maynard Keynes, a Biography

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[Abstract: Born in Cambridge, England. A bright student. An influential economist of the twentieth century. Considered the father of modern macroeconomics, advocated interventionist governmental policy. ]

John Maynard Keynes, a Biography

Widely considered the father of modern macroeconomics, John Maynard Keynes is an important figure in the field of economics. He advocated and interventionist governmental economics. He was a British economist of the twentieth century; Keynesian economics has taken an important factor in fighting back the global ‘recession’ that begun in 2007. He wrote on every influential social science treatise that had a major impact on how the world sees the way economic works, General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money (1936). So influential was him that been that he has an entire school of modern thought bear his name, Keynesian economics.

John Maynard Keynes was born in 1883 at 6 Harvey Road, Cambridge. He is born in comfortable circumstances. He was the first of three children the family would have. His father, should not come as much as a surprise, was an economist lecturer at Cambridge University. His mother was one of the first women to graduate from Cambridge University. She was an active charitable person that worked to help the less fortunate. She works as mayor of the city. His parent who outlived him continued to live at the 6 Harvey Road Cambridge Road for the rest of their lives. At four and a half year old he is asked what interest is and he replies, “6 Harvey Road, Cambridge. “ Keynes received his elementary education at home. He then attended Faith's preparatory school. His teachers noted that he was great in algebra and arithmetic and noted his large vocabulary. They critiqued his carelessness. Keynes easily ranks to the top of his class. Unfortunately Keyes apparently is affected by all the hard work and gets ill various time through out his school career which makes him miss school. He got himself several scholarships that to Eton University. With the help of his father who coached him Keynes prepared days before for the scholarship exam. His performance was good he was tenth of twenty overall.

He begins Eton three days late, following a fever. Keynes is noted as being taller that his classmate, his voice has broken and is instinctually self confident. He is a natural leader, his classmates look to him for leadership. He displayed a wide interest in subjects, particularly mathematics, classics and history. He mixed easily with upper-class students, despite his middle-class background. The new and young twentieth century sees Britain as a participant in the Boer War. Keynes does not join “Eton shooters”. At Eton Keynes becomes reputable for his debating skills and become president of the College Pop, Eton prestigious debate society.

In October of 1902 Keynes begins at King College. He becomes very involved with his evening social activities. He is invited to join several debating societies, he is a frequent speaker at the Union—Cambridge’s renowned debating society. Although he is an intellectual he does not abandon spots and wins a cup when his boat wins in the Trail Eights. Of the three life-long connections Keynes had one was he would remain a fellow of King’s College. Keynes studied mathematics at King’s College. The famous Alfred Marshalls begged him to become an economist. Keynes was more inline to philosophy, especially the ethical system of G.E. Moore. He became a member of the semi secretive Cambridge Apostles society, reserved for the brightest students. He received his first Bachelor degree in Mathematics in 1904.

Keynes Civil Service began in 1906 as a clerk in the India Office. From his experience at the office he wrote his first book, India Currency (1913). In 1914 he was called to the UK treasury were he was asked to financing of the British war economy. He succeeded and excelled at his job and was asked to partake in the Versailles Peace Conference in 1918. He was appalled by the vindictive nature of the peace settlement especially the harsh “reparation” payments levies on Germany. He resigned in the economic forum and published Economic Consequences of the Peace (1919) in which he publicly denounced the Versailles Conference and with brought him into the world spotlight. After the publication of his eloquent book he was considered a celebrity. After resigning he also returned back to teaching. He was part of the Bloomsbury Groups of literary great, which included Virginia Wolf and Bertrand Russell. In 1925 Keynes married ballet dancer Lydia Lopokova. He was made lord in 1942. He died on April 21, 1946, survives by this father, who was also a prominent economist of this days.

In 1920 Keynes believed in quantify theory of money called monetarism. He writing on the subject was principle he had learned from his mentors. In 1923 he wrote Tract on Monetary Reform and later published Treatise on Money, both about monetary reform. His major policy view was that central banks should have low interest rates and that major was to stabilize the economy it to stabilize the price level.

Keynes ideas dramatically changed after unemployment in Britain dragged in the inner war period, at some point unemployment almost reached levels as high as twenty percent. He investigated other causes of Britain economic woes which resulted in the production of The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money. It became very influential, it stated that in order to maintain jobs government hast to spend money. A idea that has been widely used in United Stated and England after the economic fall in 2007. It also it introduced the notion of aggregate demand as the sum of consumption, investment.

Works Cited

Alan S. Blinder, "Keynesian Economics." The Concise Encyclopedia of Economics. 2008. Library of Economics and Liberty. 21 February 2010. .

Fonseca, Gonzalo L. "John Maynard Keynes." The History of Economic Thought.
Economic New School, n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2010. .

"John Maynard Keynes." The Concise Encyclopedia of Economics. 2008. Library of Economics and Liberty. 21 February 2010. .

"John Maynard Keynes, the Timeline." John Maynard Keynes. N.p., 2007. Web. 21 Feb. 2010. .

Adam Smith, His Life and Works

[Abstract: Adam Smith, the economy philosopher. When he was born, where he was born, and his education background. The economic ideologies he is famous for, what book or books did he write and what is the topic and substance of the book or books.]

Adam Smith

Adam Smith was one of the first political economists. He was a very curious individual, he enjoyed reading and learning. Smith became known as a great lecturer² although he was personally very quite. His book “Wealth of Nation,” published in 1776, has remains the most influential book on economics ever written. He was heavily influence by Aristotle.

Adam Smith was born on June 5, 1723¹ in Kirkaldy, Scotland. His father had been a comptroller of customs and had died before he was born.² He live with him mother for the majority of his life, she live to be ninety. His education began at the University of Oxford at the age of fourteen, he was sent of on a scholarship. It is there where he learned Latin and was formerly introduced to the Greek education, which influence could be appreciated in his way of thinking. It is there where he read up on Hume’s A Treatise of Human Nature (1734-5). Smith’s interest in the work of Hume brought him into conflict with Oxford University. In 1750 Smith met Hume who later became a close friend.¹ When he returned he became part of the literati, "the brilliant circle in Edinburgh which included David Hume, John Home, Hugh Blair, Lord Hailes and Principal Robertson."²

He became the professor at Glasgow University in 1751 as professor of logic. He then transferred to the chair of moral philosophy in 1752. He had many unexpressed ideas which he would deliver seldom, yet with great oratory. His lecturers were about the “field of ethics, rhetoric, jurisprudence and political economy.”³ His students loved him and people came from afar to take him in. His lectures on moral philosophy were the subject to his first book The Theory of Moral Sentiment published in 1759. In his writing he talked about the standards of ethics that hold society together and the emphasis harmony of human motives under “beneficent providence.” He wrote about the origins of our feelings about moral approval and disapproval, ethics. Part of the explanation he mentions in his book is our ability to put ourselves in the shoes of others, sympathy. He also writes about the ability we have to judge ourselves as others would judge us. The book was become very popular; it was a success France and Germany.² Smith continued to revise it until his death in 1790.

Smith moved to London in 1776.2 That same year Smith published an Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, “which examined in detail the consequences of economic freedom.”3 It covered many concepts pertinent to economics that dealt with economy like division of labor, origin and use of money, stock, and commercial systems.4 His work was part of his philosophy studies, in those times much of the study carried out by universities was in history and philosophy. A course in jurisprudence, under philosophy, would in turn have the study of various leg at studies which in turn leads to the study of government and finally to the study of political economy. He had discussed form his work with the literati of the day, it was there where he met the illustrious Benjamin Franklin and Samuel Johnson. He traveled to France in to meet some of the “physocrats” including Voltaire. It was there he started writing the Wealth of Nations.

It affected the middle class of Europe and freshly independent United States of America.5 Europe was still heavily influence by the institution of feudalism, a medieval social system, in which vassals held land from lord in exchange for military services. The feudal system placed limitations and restrictions on the rising industrial bourgeois. US revolutionaries had just broken chain from that obnoxious system. Wealth of nations provided the “theoretical cannon hot for the chorus of growing bourgeois” that sparked their own strike against the Feudalistic bureaucracy and society. Smith critiqued the feudalist society ability to further develop Europe’s economy, it
would strangle industrial growth. He plead that the only correct way to practice economics was through the dictates of capitalism and not the “defunct feudalism.”5

Wealth of nations had the impact of establishing economics as an autonomous subject. It launched and laid the foundation for the doctrine of free enterprise that still holds today. He is commonly recognized as for the expression of the “invisible hand.” He uses the “invisible hand” to demonstrate how self interest guides the most efficient use of a nation’s resources, with public welfare coming as a by product. “He argued that state and personal efforts to promote social good are ineffectual compared to market forces.”3

After his return from France he stayed din his hometown of Kirkcaldy with his mother, he lived on the annuity of Duck of Buccleugh . He occupied himself in study only. Smith died in Edinburgh on July 17, 1790, at the age of 67, from an illness; “he was buried Canongate churchyard.”2 After his death it was discovered that he had devoted a “considerable part of his income to numerous secret acts of charity.”3

Works Cited

1. DeLong, Brad. “Adam Smith.” Ecomomist. U of California at Berkley, 13 July 1997. Web. 27 Jan. 2010. .

2. Landry, Peter. “Adam Smith.” Blupete. N.p., 2005. Web. 27 Jan. 2010. .

3. Chew, Robin. "Adam Smith." Lucidcafe. N.p., 2010. Web. 31 Jan. 2010.

4. Canaan, Edwin, ed. "An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of
Nations." Library of Economics and Liberty. Liberty Fund, Inc., 2000. Web.
31 Jan. 2010.

5. Baggins, Brian. "The Wealth of Nations." Adam Smith Reference Archive. Marxist
Internet Archive, 2000. Web. 31 Jan. 2010. .

About the Essays, Part 2

It has been two year since I started my career at Science Academy I am currently a senior. I will be graduating this year and be part of the Class of 2010. I recently turned 18, I am now and adult:)/:(

I obtained a job during the summer of Junior year, after sophomore year. I still have that same job, at Marshall, part of the TJX Company. I have stayed their because the scheduling is flexible and part time which is great for me, due to the fact that I am still in school and part take in extracurricular activities. That is also why they have a high employment rate of high school an college students, at least in my store. The pay is not so good, minimum wage. It is difficult to get a raise, I have learned from co-workers who have been working there for many years. Some have even left to get a job somewhere else. I have seen my co-workers come and go; I am actually one of the most experienced workers, with the most time there. It has been a good experience, the company is definitely scared of UNIONS.

Sort of got of on a tangent there, I had been wanting to Artie about my job for a while now. Now that I have shared that with you I want to talk about the following essays that I will post. They are again assignments for a class, and AP economics course. The deal is I have to write a biography of sorts on three prominent economic figures; Adam Smith, John Maynard Keynes, and, Milton Friedman. I have completed the first biographies, I just need to do the essay on Milton Friedman. I have actually read up on them and learned quite a lot. I hope you find them entertaining :) and informative. Have a good one readers:)

Consumer Report, Nike + iPod

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Nike + iPod

As an intermediate runner, I have had experience with running shoes. I have also, through the course of my training, used different running watches and various pace trackers, many calorie and step counters. I have been looking for a product that is easy to use and provides better ways to track my running development. I have found this product; it is the Nike + iPod Sport Kit. It was revealed on March 21, 2006.

The Sport Kit can be used to measure and record the pace and distance of your run or walk. It has great features which make it easier to use, even for those who are not very good with technology. The kit consists of two components: the piezoelectric accelerometer and a Nike + shoe model. Piezoelectric means that the accelerometer generates an electric potential in response to applied mechanical stress, the foot. The accelerometer is nothing more than a small sensor that goes inside your shoe that keeps track of the number of steps, enabling you to focus on your training. Although I only mentioned two components to the kit, add an iPod to the list of components, sold separately.

To start using the kit, you first plug the receiver unit into the iPod, and then you navigate through the iPod menu. You then set a goal, whether you set it to a specific distance, a specific training time, or the number of calories burned. When the goal has been set, the receiver seeks the accelerometer, probably by asking the user to walk around to activate the sensor. This is a great feature because it is very helpful in tracking my progress. What makes it even better is that audio feedback is provided. You can even hear pre-recorded congratulations from an athletic star, like Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods, or other very significant athletes. Depending on the type of workout chosen, different feedback will be provided. For goal-oriented workouts, feedback corresponds to significant milestones toward the goal. A distance workout will inform the user each time a mile or kilometer is completed, as well as the half-way point of the workout, and finally a countdown of four 100-meter increments as the workout comes to an end. This helps you track your training. It especially helps you stick to your training regime, especially by knowing how you're doing toward the completion of your workout.
Besides tracking your performance, Nike + integrates directly with the Nike website. Your workout data can be automatically uploaded during iPod sync with iTunes. The information uploaded isn't personally identifying. You have the ability to name runs online. There are also forums allowing you to interact online, meet and challenge others. You can also ask questions and give feedback. There is also a gallery where all user-created challenges are viewable.

It is much like a personal trainer. Feedback is provided while you're running— listen to your pace, time, distance and calories burned with your iPod. You can even see it all in the recently developed Nike + Sportband, released this month, April 2008. The sportband means you won't have to carry and iPod with you, which lowers the chance of muggings. Once you're done with your workout, take out the attached memory stick and plug it into your computer to sync your data with Nike.com.
Personally, the Nike + iPod Sport Kit makes running a lot more enjoyable. And participating in the online challenges is great.

This product would have been a great support to Ralph in helping him get better at running so he could have run a lot faster when he was running from the hunters in the last chapter of Lord of the Flies, "Cry of the Hunters." Ralph has to escape the other children, savages, who are trying to "smoke him out" of the forest on a deserted island. In the end they get rescued when Ralph runs into a naval officer who rescues them. They return to civility as they are being rescued. The naval officer is a representation of civility.

I think the only flaw some people might find is the cost. The Nike + iPod Sport Kit currently sells on the market for $29. The shoes range from $100 upwards. And an iPod nano 8GB is $200. The total comes out to about $350; this is assuming you have a computer.

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Essay for Another Class: Art

Essay for another Class: Art
Painting to be critiqued;
Double Portrait of an Artist in Time


In this painting, a young child is seated at a table. She is clothed in a billowy white dress and shiny black shoes. The child's skin is a creamy white color. Her hand is resting on a table and is clutching a pink flower that has not yet bloomed. The table is small, black, has a pale yellow cloth draped over it, and there is a clock on it (the clock reads 2:15 approximately). Under the table is a small white mat. Behind the child is a long purplish shadow that extends up to a painting hanging directly behind the child. The painting within the painting shows a woman in a dark shirt with a white collar, gazing in the direction of flowers which she holds in her hand; she appears to be seated at a table with an open dish.

The child is emphasized in this painting. Behind her, the long shadow creates a line of movement that leads to the painting behind the child, which is the second point of emphasis. The portrait is well balanced with the painter's use of mostly neutral tones except for the dark shadow and the brightness of the dress. This painting is asymmetrical. The child and the adult are unified by being on the same line of view. They are each holding a flower in their hands, as well. The child is young, while the woman is old. The child is wearing light-colored clothing, while the woman is wearing black. You can see a pattern repeated in the folds of the clothing the woman and child are wearing.

This painting has a lot of symbolism. The painting seems to represent the passing of time through two stages of life. The first stage is childhood, and the second is adulthood. The clock in the painting represents the passing of time. The flower in the child's hand that has not yet bloomed symbolizes the innocence and the life ahead of the child, while the flower that has bloomed and the shadows of the flowers on the table symbolize growing and the memories of the past that are always preset. We can also see the smile on the child's face. It shows how carefree she is, while the more serious expression on the woman's face shows the adult's worries, which she might be enduring.

We can see this painting is clearly a work of art because there is obvious intent by the artist, trying to get a message across. She does this by organizing the painting to the very last detail. The artist was also successful in conveying a message because when you look at the painting it "speaks to you." The elements are well organized and help to convey her message through lines such as the uncluttered background, which helps you focus on the spare but very important details. It makes you sense the aesthetic experience which only good painting can make you feel.

This painting says to me that to kids, life is like an illusion, that as we grow up we have to face. It reminds me of the story "The Glass Menagerie," by Tennessee Williams. Throughout this story the characters, in order to not face reality, are tempted toward illusions, illusions that cover up the harsh reality. The story is about a family living through the Great Depression. In the living room, the memory of the husband that left the family is present at all times. The mother (Amanda) sometimes forgets she married a less than ideal man. The photography shows [pic]the face of [her husband] a very handsome young man in a doughboy's First World War cap ... gallantly smiling, ineluctably smiling.[pic] This photography of the husband that dominates the living room reminds me of this painting I just wrote about.

Advice: Advice for the Runner

I recently started to run as a competitive sport. My first race in my life went very badly especially for my feet. I had not trained or run races before so I did not know I needed to wear proper clothing. The day after the race, the soles of my feet hurt a lot, and some days later I even got blisters. It was hard for me to run or even walk for some days after the race; that is why I want to help you know what to wear, whether you run or walk.

The first thing I did was tell my friends because they might know what to do because they had been practicing sports for some time already. They told me the problem was probably the shoes I wore. I then went to get new shoes and that solved the problem. This brings me to my first point. Whether you run or walk. Either for fun, sport, or to maintain a healthy lifestyle, you need to dress properly.

It could even save your life, running from someone who wants to assault you or from you neighborhood dog. The last chapter of Lord of the Flies, “Cry of The Hunters,” demonstrates how running can be crucial during an assault. In Lord of the Flies Ralph runs for his life. Ralph tries to hide and is running from the other kids because he is, ironically, hunted. The kids in this story crash onto a deserted island, without adults, and most of them become savages. The island is set on fire by the others who are trying to “smoke him out.” He tries to hide, but when they get near, he runs, “racing trough the forest toward the open beach.” In the end they all get saved when Ralph runs into a naval officer who rescues them.

As you can see, running can even be useful when running for your life, so you need to dress properly. First, wear the right shoes. This is the most important thing to consider. The shoe you choose should be the size of your foot; consider the arch of your foot and your gait (whether you’re a pronator or a heavy heal striker, etc.). The best way to figure out your gait is by taking the “wet test.” First stick your foot in water, and then put it on a blank paper. This will give you your foot “profile.” Go to your local specialized retailer and the salesperson will be able to help you pick the type of shoe you will need with the imprint of your gait.
Runners don’t give much attention to their socks. Our attention is focused on the shoes we wear; do they cushion, do they fit, do they cause blisters. We should also be asking the same question of our socks. Like all clothing that your wear next to your skin, you should avoid one-hundred percent cotton. Most athletic socks are acrylic or cotton-acrylic. Acrylic is typically a combination of polypro, CoolMax, or nylon. The chief idea is to find a combination that effectively wicks moisture away from your skin. It is particularly important, since it is moisture and friction that cause blisters.

When choosing your shorts, try to avoid heavy fabrics, along with shorts that are so loose that they may irritate your inner thighs as the miles stack up. It will hurt, trust me. Try to get shorts that are made of Supplex nylon. It is soft, light, and fast drying; best of all, they usually have an inner CoolMax contour to help wick away moisture from the skin.

If you don’t want to be reminded how hot or cold it is, don’t get yourself a cotton singlet. Don’t get me wrong, cotton shirts are soft, comfortable, and they breathe, but when they get wet with sweat, the cotton swells and is very uncomfortable (on cold days it makes you chill quicker). For a much more comfortable run, try one of the lightweight synthetics designed to wick moisture away from your skin and allow it to evaporate quickly. These synthetics are soft and non-abrasive, and are often ventilating mesh or more tightly woven fabric. CoolMax or DuPont are probably the well known kinds of these fabrics, but Nike has a similar product named DriFit. When choosing winter tops, Corium by Asics is the most recommended. It stands up to the drier, although it can become rather fragrant with use, although less than polypro. On mild days this alone is enough. On cooler days, it’s a good idea to wear another layer of absorbent material (cotton or wool, for example) to draw away moisture and trap warmth between the layers.

I hope this advice helps, and good luck if you decide to run a race. Now you can lace up your shoes and go for it.

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