Blown Back to Oz

Blown Back to Oz On Sunday morning the Design/Build/Fly team rolled out of bed at 6:30 AM, roughed up and ready to fly on the last day of the competition. We had one more mission to fly and we wanted to re-fly a mission as well in order to score a little higher. We were on the clockthe weather forecasted heavy rain and a thunderstorm starting around noon, in which case the competition would go on hold and awards would be given based on the current scores. The last mission was the emergency medical mission: the assignment was to carry a two-pound payload (distributed between four blocks arranged to simulate medical attendants standing next to patients on gurneys) for three laps around the course in as short a time as possible. We knew that our Corn Dog was the fastest plane at the competitionhowever, the heavy winds of Saturday showed no signs of dying down, and Corn Dog was a little worse for wear after yesterdays heavy flying. The time to beat was 1 minute and 55 seconds. Corn Dogs turn came while the sun was still out, and we quickly moved outside, packed the cargo into the payload bay, and got ready to fly.   Loading up. Corn Dog took off smoothly into the wind, turned around, and completed two and a half laps with no problems at all. As it came around the final turn to approach the finish line, a collective gasp went up from the crowd (along with fearful yelps and held breaths from we the team members) as Corn Dog yelped a loud SNAP and began making the very unhealthy-sounding buzzing sound of an electric razor. Corn Dog dipped out of the airthen fluttered back up againthen dipped again and charged forward through the finish line with a final time of 1 minute and 49 seconds. Success! But Corn Dog was still in the air, still buzzing loudly, and stumbling around looking like it had broken a leg. As we held our breaths and crossed our fingers, Adam (our pilot) turned Corn Dog around and landed it intact on the pavement.   Coming in literally on a wing and a prayer. Cue sighs of relief and thunderous applause. Adam (who we are forever and ever indebted to for his amazing flying, and who has also guest-blogged for MITAdmissions), told us that hed lost control of one of the ailerons (so Corn Dog was indeed a crippled dog for the last 100 feet or so of the flight). Examining the plane revealed that that aileron had undergone flutter, where it essentially resonates with the air going over it and vibrates wildly out of control. For Corn Dog, this meant that a lot of Bad Forces were exerted on the wingand our beautiful composite wing layup buckled pretty badly. See those wrinkles? Those are caused by the Bad Forces put on the wing by the aileron flutter. As the more experienced members of the team set about the very delicate task of repairing and reinforcing our wing in anticipation of reflying our last mission and shaving a few more seconds off our time, the rest of us found lunch at Chipotle and then camped the scoreboard for updates. Eventually it refreshed, and there we werewith our punishing weight of 4.66 pounds balanced out by our excellent mission score (in fact, the highest mission score), we sat at a solid fifth place, ten points ahead of Penn State. Performing surgery on Corn Dog. We attempted a reflight later that afternoon, but our wing couldnt take itas soon as we finished one lap, that uncomfortable buzzing sound returned and Adam quickly turned Corn Dog around and landed it before it exploded in flight. This time it was the other aileron that failed. We called it a wrap and spent the rest of the afternoon huddling in the wind and watching the other teams fly (and in many cases, crash) their planes between spats of rain and thunder. Were very happy with our fifth-place finish, but we also took home a few lessons from the competition. Predominant is the fact that, though Corn Dog was designed well and constructed beautifully, it was way too heavyand therefore lost out to lighter planes that didnt perform as well on the missions. Corn Dog was a very structurally solid plane (hence why its still in one piece), but that meant that Corn Dog was conservative. Planes that pushed the envelope a little more, using less power and less structure and flying a little less stably, gained more from the decreased weight than they lost in performance. The University of Southern California, for instance, had a mission score only 80 percent of oursbut since their plane was less than half the weight of Corn Dog, and mission score is divided by weight, USC finished with in first place with a whopping 407.24 while we settled in fifth with a meager 210.87. And so we packed up Corn Dog and came home to MIT. Were going to be bringing our A-game next year, thoughso be prepared. Corn Dog, Jr. is on its way. For now, if youre ever in building 33, stop by the hangar and pay a visit to Corn Dog, one of the sexiest RC planes to ever fly the Kansas winds. Signing off, Allan

Schreiben (To Write) German Verb Conjugations

Analysis Of Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee - 880 Words

Analysis on Tom Robinson’s Trial Harper Lee’s â€Å"To Kill a Mockingbird† is set in a small Southern United States community called Maycomb during the Great Depression era. The whole book primarily revolves around segregation and racism and how it relates to Maycomb’s history. It eventually leads to the trial of Tom Robinson where he is accused of beating up and raping Mayella Ewell. Even though it was clear that Tom Robinson did not do anything wrong he was convicted by an all white jury simply because he was black. The trial of Tom Robinson and its verdict shows an example of how segregation in the court system prevents fair trials from occurring. In Maycomb, a black man named Tom Robinson is on trial for raping beating up Mayella Ewell. From the beginning Mr. Robinson never really received a fair trial. The law states that someone should get a fair trial from a jury of their peers. However, in Maycomb this doesn’t happen. The Courthouse in Maycomb is filled with local white people. Tw o men say â€Å"You know the court appointed him to defend this nigger...Yeah, but Atticus aims to defend him. That’s what I don’t like about it†(163). This quote is important because it shows the overall attitude of Maycomb’s white citizens. One critical moment may have shown why the trial wasn’t a fair trial. Atticus proved that Tom Robinson was not involved in the attack. â€Å"His left arm was fully 12 inches shorter than his right and hung dead at his side† (186). This represented the physicalShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Theme Of Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee1765 Words   |  8 PagesAnalysis Of Themes In To Kill A Mockingbird The novel To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, published in 1960, comes out during a flourishing time of tremendous segregation and injustices in the United States. In fact, during this time in America, Civil Rights Movement are at their peak; also, some residents are pushing for equality for all, during this time period. One of those United States citizens who is exposing the South for what it truly is, is Harper Lee. Harper Lee, born on April 28, 1926Read MoreAnalysis of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Essay1360 Words   |  6 PagesAnalysis of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee In 1960, Harper Lee published her critically acclaimed book To Kill a Mockingbird. Only a year after being published the American classic novel was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in fiction as well as the Brotherhood Award of the National Conference of Christians and Jews. Gregory Peck stared as Atticus in the successfully adapted 1962 motion picture of To Kill a Mockingbird that won an Academy Award. This book is based on many childhood experiencesRead MoreEssay on Analysis of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee1323 Words   |  6 PagesAnalysis of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee â€Å"To Kill a Mockingbird† by Harper Lee is a story of national magnitude that contains complex characters. Harper Lee deals with the emotions and spirits of the characters insightfully. A few of these characters display courage at one point or another in the story. These flashes of courage come during turbulent times of the story, and often led to success. Atticus Finch displayed courage on numerous occasions. Without his wife he had toRead MoreAnalysis Of Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee1431 Words   |  6 PagesPrison in To Kill A Mockingbird Historically, women have spent time living in the shadows of men, purely because of their gender. Women are oppressed and expected to conform to certain gender roles/expectations because of their sex, just like men. Caitlyn Jenner is a transgender female. Her name was Bruce Jenner however she felt trapped in a male’s body when deep in side she knew that she was a female. Caitlyn Jenner did not fit well into the stereotypical description of a male. Harper Lee wrote ToRead MoreAnalysis Of Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee988 Words   |  4 PagesDo you have the courage to stand up for good when evil lingers all around? To Kill a Mockingbird is set in the town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the great depression, while facing social status discrimination, racial discrimination, prejudices, and stereotyping. However, there remained courage by some to see good in all. While Atticus Finch was of a higher social status as an attorney in Maycomb, he always displayed the courage to sta nd up for what was right, or for good, even when evil lingeredRead MoreAnalysis Of Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee1078 Words   |  5 Pagesmeans those who are poor have less. In To Kill a Mockingbird many of the poverty struck people are looked down on because of status, and there is little to support why they are. If someone has less, it does not necessarily indicate they are less, they just don’t have the means to be where others are in society. Today, there are many, even some who work, that live in poverty. When they get looked down on it is an injustice to society. In To Kill a Mockingbird, two examples of poverty are the CunninghamsRead MoreAnalysis Of Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee785 Words   |  4 PagesInequality is an issue that the American society has been struggling to solve for generations. Though we would like to say that this problem has been solved throughout time, it sadly has not gotten much better. In the classic novel To Kill A Mockingbird, author Harper Lee takes us back in time to when this issue was more commonly known, the 1930’s. The Finch family had lived in the town of Maycomb for generations and throughout the book it was clearly shown and stated how both women and blacks were seenRead MoreAnalysis Of Harper Lee s Kill A Mockingbird 1593 Words   |  7 PagesAnalysis of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Major Themes †¢ Standards of behavior †¢ Morals/values †¢ Racism Important Symbols †¢ Mockingbirds (Innocence/ morals and values)– The book depicts mockingbirds as innocent creatures that shouldn’t be harmed since they did nothing to harm others. While practicing with their rifles, Atticus tells Jem and Scout that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird. The mockingbirds share a connection with Tom Robinson since they are both innocent and don’t deserve toRead MoreAnalysis Of Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee1545 Words   |  7 PagesSouth during the 1930’s, Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird was an instant classic that has endured for more than half a century. Still taught in schools and often referenced in popular culture, Lee’s story of the Finch family in tiny Maycomb, Alabama is known as a â€Å"Great American Novel† because of Lee’s entertaining examination of so many timeless, socially relevant themes. Through her characters of Atticus Finch, his daughter Scout, and their mysterious neighbor Boo Radley , Lee considers the theme ofRead MoreAnalysis Of Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee999 Words   |  4 PagesTo Kill a Mockingbird vs A Time to Kill To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic film, originally published as a novel by Harper Lee in 1960 and republished as a film by Robert Mulligan in 1962. This movie is based on a white attorney, Atticus Finch, defending an African American man, Tom Robinson, which was accused of raping a white woman. This trial illustrates how server racisms was in the early 1960’s. A Time to Kill is the prefect demonstration to show how racism still exists 30 years later. In 1966

Common Criticisms in Psychology Paper Free Essays

The artificiality of inventive conditions in experimental environments is a repeated concern. How real can laboratory-based research be? This paper will explain the criticism of artificiality in the discipline of psychology and apply this criticism to at least three sub disciplines within psychology. This paper will also compare and contrast the breakthrough model of scientific research and the principle of connectivity in explaining events and outcomes; finally ending with comparing and contrasting the concepts of the single cause explanation and the principle of multiple causation in explaining events and outcomes. We will write a custom essay sample on Common Criticisms in Psychology Paper or any similar topic only for you Order Now Criticism of Artificiality Long gone are the days of William Wundt but what remains at the fore front is the expostulation of experimentation from critics that confining psychology to the laboratory spontaneously confines the mental phenomena it can analyze. An appropriate estimation of the artificiality criticism requires distinctively several intentions experimentalists follow. The discipline of psychology’s laboratory studies are seen by some as bizarre. Viewing psychology as an inadequate science by the public stems from belief that evidence cannot be acquired unless natural circumstances are examined (Stanovich, 2007). Social Psychology The college sophomore problem and criticisms of representativeness are most often aimed at social psychology, which makes frequent use of college subjects in laboratory paradigms in an attempt to develop theories of social interaction, group behavior, and information processing in social situations† ( as cited in Stanovich, 2007, page 114). Bio-medical research is correspondent in today’s state of social psychology, and many of times founded on problem searching and very well may be funded on the footing of the problem it intends to alleviate (Krueger, 2003). Popular and political interest plays a role in the search for a particular cure of disease. More over it is the methodical, theory based research of fundamental physiology that deciphers the operations of the human body’s functions as well as how under certain conditions it malfunctions (Fields, 1994; Skalka, 1993). In a correlating style, fundamental, â€Å"theory driven research on social psychological processes† will completely enlighten the distinctive defects and the adaptable successfulness of the social creature (Krueger, 2003). Abnormal Psychology In discussing the artificiality criticism within abnormal psychology, it has been shown that as a laboratory science, it has many times had to deal with solitary and maybe abnormal section of human behavior, more specifically college students; therefore inefficient of considering any ample warmth, richness, and inventiveness of human behavior. More concerns include the kind or representativeness of subjects participating in academic research. A quote taken from William Robinson (2007) sums up the artificiality criticism saying â€Å"If our interpretation of the human mind is based on the behavior of American college sophomores in artificially contrived situations and interpreted in terms of laws derived from domesticated rats and pigeons, then our psychology is truly culture bound† (Robinson, 2007). Organizational Psychology As the field of Organizational psychology has evolved and grown, so has the array of topics and important research questions needing answers. A common systematic approach implemented to start understanding work related psychological issues can be investigated. â€Å"Theory-driven and research-based human resource and organizational improvement efforts can be evaluated using state-of-the-art evaluation science approaches, and evaluation findings can be used to continually improve and institutionalize positive change efforts† ( Donaldson Bligh, 2006). Connectivity and Convergence When a new theory in science touches upon previously verified empirical facts, this is definitive of the connectivity principle (Stanovich, 2007). Consideration as an advance is contingent upon explaining new facts while accounting for old ones. It makes no difference if the theory explains old facts differently from the earlier theory, just that they are explained. This necessity guarantees the accumulative development of science. Despite a new theory explaining new facts, if there is no explanation for the old ones then there are no considerations of finalized advancement and no immediate replacement of them (Stanovich, 2007). What will occur will be both the old and new theory coexisting as probable ideas until a new theory abdicates them null and void? Leading us astray is the breakthrough model of scientific research by suggesting that new findings violate the principle of connectivity (Stanovich, 2007). This suggestion deems risky because by abandoning the connectivity principle, the primary beneficiaries are purveyors of counterfeit science and incredulous theories. Notorious are headlines that lead off with â€Å"New Breakthrough. † Theories such as these acquire most of their interest and publicity by claims that they are astoundingly new. The next deception is to cast out past information by asserting them impertinent. The reason being given, that such information does not yet exist due to the newness of the theory. This breeds an environment of pseudoscience. Better explained is by the evolutionary theory the ghost of creationism, with its connectivity display of such different areas of science as morphology, biogeography, paleontology and many more. With the universe and earth estimating at around 10 thousand years in age, then many modern sciences of physics, chemistry, astronomy, cosmology, paleontology and beginning human history are entirely abolished (Unspoken Bible, n. . ). Darwin’s theory called pangenesis, abandons the principle of connectivity to illustrate the means heredity correlating with natural selection (Unspoken Bible, n. d. ). Where the problem lies is creationism proving no connectivity among any other things in science like in geology, genetics, ecology, chemistry and biology (Unspoken Bible, n. d. ). The utmost connectivity is proven with all the other sciences by evol ution (Unspoken Bible, n. d. ). Single Cause Explanation and Principle of Multiple Causation Even though a cause of behavior may be determined does not imply the only or most important cause of behavior (Stanovich, 2007). Causal analysis stems from the event explained as extreme, negative or unexpected. Preferences in single cause explanations may happen, such as when not enough time has been made looking for other possibilities, or a lack of cognitive resources. On the other hand, where constraints are lacking consideration in real effort may be given on a multitude of feasible causes for the event in question (Chu Shaw, 2005). In providing a complete abdication of a specific behavior the weight of many different variables must be studied by the researcher as well as mixing the results of the studies in order to give a thorough snapshot of all the causal associations (Chu Shaw, 2005). Despite an outcome having numerous different variable determinants this does not minimize the significance of a causally related outcome by one variable, this being the case for variables accounting for a mere percentage of the outcome. In considering multiple causes, explanations are often based on past experiences or intuitive theories (Chu Shaw, 2005). This resulting in the accepted explanation that is most approachable or believable. Even though individuals understand and credit the existence of multiple causes they many times conduct themselves more along the lines of unitary beliefs (Stanovich, 2007). Complex behaviors are multiply determined. A multitude of factors perform to generate their occurrence. Mitigating a difference in the effect of acting together variables than what can be due easily studying them separately. Don’t fall prey to thinking that there is a single cause to a particular behavior. Conclusion In conclusion this paper has explained events and outcomes through compare and contrasts of both the breakthrough model of scientific research and the principle of connectivity and the concepts of single cause and the principle of multiple causation. A mutual consensus because psychology experiments are not like real life, this should be looked upon as a strength and not a weakness. No lone experiment is conclusive but instead gives leave of some alternative explanations, perpetuating the ability of zeroing in on the truth. References Chu, Y. Shaw, J. (2005). Causal chaining: Effects of behavioral domain and Outcome valence on perceived causal structure. Retrieved August 10, 2009 from http://www. uiowa. edu/~grpproc/crisp/crisp10_14. pdf Donaldson, S. I. Bligh, M. C. (2006). Rewarding careers applying positive psychological science to improve quality of work life and organizational effectiveness. In Donaldson, S. , Berger, D. Pezdek, K. (Eds. ) Applied sychology: New frontiers and rewarding careers. ( pp. 277 – 295). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Fields, B. N. (1994). AIDS: Time to turn to basic science. Nature 369: 95 – 96. Krueger, J. (2003). Towards a balanced social psychology: Causes, consequences and cures fro the problem-seeking approach to social behavior and cognition. Retrieved August 10, 2009 from http://www. scribd. com Robinson, W. (2007). Is 531: Psychology. Retrieved August 10, 2009 from http://www. web. utk. edu Skalka, A. M. (1993). Lobbying for research dollars: as more money goes into specific diseases available for basic research diminish. Washington Post (June 22) WH6 Stanovich, K. (2007). How to think straight about psychology. (8th ed. ). Allyn Bacon: Pearson Education Company. The Unspoken Bible. (n. d. ). The scientific method. Retrieved August 10, 2009 from http://www. usbible. com How to cite Common Criticisms in Psychology Paper, Papers

Personal Navigation Devices free essay sample

Personal Navigation Devices (PNDs) TM 583 Why have personal navigation devices (PND) become popular? What technologies are required to facilitate the success of PNDs? PND’s are featured in both handheld and vehicle models. These devices assist the user to determine the most efficient path of travel. It can save the selections to memory. The internet updates these devices regularly with new data. GPS satellite technology can give the location of the device. Other than just giving you a point A to point B, it has become a useful tool. Who are some of the leaders in PNDs? What are the likely factors that will contribute to winning in this marketplace? Garmin, Magellan, TomTom and Motorola are popular. These devices have been readily adaptable to most situations. These devices have become a dependable technology for the vehicle. Saving time and giving an efficient way to conserve fuel and time. The prices have been reducing in price every year. We will write a custom essay sample on Personal Navigation Devices or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page What will be a likely future for PNDs? There are 114 million devices worldwide and that number is only expected to grow more. The immediate threat to this market is factory-placed navigation systems incorporated with new vehicles. Individuals are also using their mobiles as a PND. Mobile towers can triangulate their position. Smartphones can use mobile towers and GPS satellites for a location. The market for PNDs is still growing where campers, hunters and hikers are concerned. They depend almost entirely on GPS satellites. Apply as many TCOs to PND devices as possible. TCO A- TOMTOM has created a PND through innovation of a product that is multi-useful and dependable. The system runs on the ATamp;T Network. It is dependable and user-friendly to the vehicle owning public.

The Rights Revolution essays

The Rights Revolution essays The author has made a strong point of mentioning how Canada has been a prime example of the rights revolution. Throughout his lectures he discusses the importance of Canada and rights, and how other nations learn about rights by learning about Canada. Using the history of Canada in order to shows the struggle of two unique groups, aboriginals and French speaking. As well as the conflict between these group rights versus individual rights. Ignatieff argues that since the 1960's Canada's political history can be seen as the story of unwillingness of the majority to discard the connection between equality, individual rights, and group assimilation. He effectively explains how the aboriginals have been fighting for rights since before the construction of Canada, and it was not until 1969 that the aboriginals were accorded full citizenship rights as individuals. He argued that before this the aboriginals did not enjoy an equality of rights with other Canadians. As well the author makes a similar argument for the French Canadians, arguing that the French have also been fighting for rights since before Canada was formed. Similarly he argues that it was not until 1969 when " all Canadians were granted the right to bilingual services in French and English in all federal institutions". He effectively explains how these changes were expected to break down the barriers between English and French-speaking Canadians, to assi! milate them into a national community. He successfully seeks to explain that these groups seek political recognition, and that these are claims of nationhood, based on historical priority on the fact that they were present at the creation of the state. The author compares these rights to individual rights, which are based in entitlements to freedom of religion and assembly, and used by groups to maintain cultural heritage. Ignatieff argues that these political claims (group rights) pose enormous problems for the majority...

Introduction to Gross Domestic Product

Introduction to Gross Domestic Product In order to analyze the health of an economy or examine economic growth, its necessary to have a way to measure the size of an economy. Economists usually measure the size of an economy by the amount of stuff it produces. This makes sense in a lot of ways, mainly because an economys output in a given period of time is equal to the economys income, and the economys level of income is one of the main determinants of its standard of living and societal welfare. It may seem strange that output, income, and expenditure (on domestic goods) in an economy are all the same quantity, but this observation is simply the result of the fact that there is both a buying and a selling side to every economic transaction. For example, if an individual bakes a loaf of bread and sells it for $3, he has created $3 of output and made $3 in income. Similarly, the buyer of the loaf of bread spent $3, which counts in the expenditure column. The equivalence between overall output, income and expenditure is simply a result of this principle aggregated over all of the goods and services in an economy. Economists measure these quantities using the concept of Gross Domestic Product. Gross domestic product, commonly referred to as GDP, is the market value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a given period of time. Its important to understand precisely what this means, so its worth giving some thought to each of the definitions components: GDP Uses Market Value Its pretty easy to see that it doesnt make sense to count an orange the same in GDP as a television, nor does it make sense to count the television the same as a car. The GDP calculation accounts for this by adding up the market value of each good or service rather than adding up the quantities of the goods and services directly. Although adding up market values solves an important problem, it can also create other calculation problems. One problem arises when prices change over time since the basic GDP measure doesnt make it clear whether changes are due to actual changes in output or just changes in prices. (The concept of real GDP is an attempt to account for this, however.) Other problems can arise when new goods enter the market or when technology developments make goods both higher quality and less expensive. GDP Counts Market Transactions Only In order to have a market value for a good or service, that good or service has to be bought and sold in a legitimate market. Therefore, only goods and services that are bought and sold in markets count in GDP, even though there may be a lot of other work being done and output being created. For example, goods and services produced and consumed within a household dont count in GDP, even though they would count if the goods and services were brought to the marketplace. In addition, goods and services transacted in illegal or otherwise illegitimate markets dont count in GDP. GDP Only Counts Final Goods There are many steps that go into the production of virtually any good or service. Even with an item as simple as a $3 loaf of bread, for example, the price of the wheat used for the bread is perhaps 10 cents, the wholesale price of the bread is maybe $1.50, and so on. Since all of these steps were used to create something that was sold to the consumer for $3, there would be a lot of double counting if the prices of all of the intermediate goods were added into GDP. Therefore, goods and services are only added into GDP when they have reached their final point of sale, whether that point is a business or a consumer. An alternate method of calculating GDP is to add up the value added at each stage in the production process. In the simplified bread example above, the wheat grower would add 10 cents to GDP, the baker would add the difference between the 10 cents of the value of his input and the $1.50 value of his output, and the retailer would add the difference between the $1.50 wholesale price and the $3 price to the end consumer. Its probably not surprising that the sum of these amounts equals the $3 price of the final bread. GDP Counts Goods at the Time They Are Produced GDP counts the value of goods and services at the time they are produced, not necessarily when they are officially sold or resold. This has two implications. First, the value of used goods that are resold doesnt count in GDP, though a value-added service associated with reselling the good would be counted in GDP. Second, goods that are produced but not sold are viewed as being purchased by the producer as inventory and thus counted in GDP when they are produced. GDP Counts Production Within an Economy's Borders The most notable recent change in measuring an economys income is the switch from using gross national product to using Gross Domestic Product. In contrast to gross national product, which counts the output of all of an economys citizens, Gross Domestic Product counts all output that is created within the borders of the economy regardless of who produced it. GDP Is Measured Over a Specific Period of Time Gross Domestic Product is defined over a specific period of time, whether it be a month, a quarter, or a year. Its important to keep in mind that, while the level of income is certainly important to the health of an economy, its not the only thing that matters. Wealth and assets, for example, also have a significant effect on the standard of living, since people not only buy new goods and services but also get enjoyment from using the goods that they already own.