Friday, March 20, 2020

An Interesting Coming of Age Ritual in Germany

An Interesting Coming of Age Ritual in Germany This weekend my soon to be 14-year-old son took part in a ceremony that I had known only from my knowledge about the German Democratic Republic (GDR), the Jugendfeier also known as Jugendweihe.   A quick history of this coming of age ritual It marks the coming of age of the participants with a memorable celebration and it thought as an alternative to religious initiations like the Kommunion and Firmung (Catholic Church) or Konfirmation (Protestant Church) where children declare that they choose to be self-declared members of these churches. While the concept is from 1852, the Jugendweihe was adopted in 1954 by the socialist GDR and turned into a ritual where the young had to make an oath (scroll to the end of this article to find the oath with translation into English) in favor of the socialist state. The Jugendfeier nowadays does not require the participants to make any vow or swear an oath. The only tradition that has survived the GDR is that they all get a rose and a book with thought provoking texts about becoming an adult.  You can read a bit more about this event that still is popular among former inhabitants of the GDR or their descendants here on Wikipedia. From a fathers experience We took part in this event due to the fact that my son Simon goes to a school in the Eastern part of Berlin with many parents that still seem to feel some (N)Ostalgy  and brought this topic up in class. As 20 out of 28 classmates of Simon wanted to participate in it, we didn’t want him to stand out and asked him whether he’d like to participate or not. At that age it is important for him to be part of the group and so he decided for it.   As I was born in Western Germany and had gone through a rather Catholic education and initiation I didn’t have any idea what to expect but neither had I any rejection of that idea nor was I much excited about it. I took Simon to parachute jumping last year which we inofficially declared to mark his transition into an adolescent. His mother, originating from Poland, another formerly socialist country, didn’t really know the Jugendweihe either but we were on the same track regarding our participation. Its seems still pretty popular The fact that we had to register for the event in 2013, almost 18 months ahead of time, shows how popular it still is. There were also several seminars planned that would cover certain topics of adolescence and start a thought process in the children about who they wanted to be and become. Many of those seminars where also thought to be lead or at least organized by the parents. But this task seemed to be more difficult than many had hoped. In those months until the Jugendweihe, Simon took part probably in two events and I didn’t really get the impression that he took much from it. In socialist times, those preparations would have been organized by the state and would have included quite some propaganda.   Its not the ritual, its what you make of it I’m not blaming others. I understand that our lack of deeper interest and conviction in the sense of such an initiation also had a huge influence on everything. Another parent with more enthusiasm would have described this experience probably quite differently.   When the great day came, we were invited with approximately 2000 other people to meet at the Friedrichstadtpalast, a revue theater in the evening. There the Humanistischer Verband Deutschlands (HVD, Humanistic Organisation of Germany) had organized quite a show with professional dancers and singers and has managed to get some popular entertainers like e.g. Joko Winterscheidt or actress Anna Loos to leave a few encouraging words to the children. My interim conclusion Parts of it I personally found a bit over the top and it all was a bit surprising as neither of us really knew what to expect of that day. On the other hand it was mainly entertaining and short enough to enjoy it and the message for the young participants was to trust in themselves, to question authority and to understand that with growing up they will be confronted with new rights and obligations in their life. I can’t really object to that, can you? The rest of the day As everything started at 8.30h on Saturday morning, we were home by noon and both families (my son’s mother remarried a while ago and has two little adorable daughters today) had a nice brunch   in a cafà © next door and then just enjoyed the rest of the day with my half of the family. A unique experience I am very thankful to have been able to witness this event. In a way it was inpiring, though I would have also enjoyed a more humble approach to it all. Coming of age is a challenge for all members of the family and I would have integrated the parents and siblings way more into the preparation. But as I don’t expect others to take care of my responsibilities, my overall experience was a positive one. I hope you enjoyed this little insight into the German culture and I would like to know what you do in your culture to mark the coming of age of your children. If you are religious: do you consider the existing religious rituals to also cover the coming of age or is it rather focussing on being a more responsible member of your church/religion? Das à ¶ffentliche Gelà ¶bnis   The public oath of the GDR Jugendweihe (not in use nowadays) (as found first on this page  which also contains many more information on the topic of GDR but unfortunately only in German language.)  My translation is at times very literally so that you can also learn something about the German sentence structure and grammar here. Where a literal translation would be difficult or impossible to understand, I have put a more comprehensible version into parenthesis. Liebe junge Freunde!Dear young friends. Seid ihr bereit, als junge Bà ¼rger unserer Deutschen Demokratischen Republikare you ready as young citizens of-our German Democratic Republic mit uns gemeinsam, getreu der Verfassung,  with us together, according the constitution fà ¼r die große und edle Sache des Sozialismus zu arbeiten und zu kmpfenfor the big(ger) and noble cause of-the Socialism to work and to fight und das revolutionre Erbe des Volkes in Ehren zu halten, so antwortet:  and (to keep) the revolutionary heritage of-the Nation in honor to keep, so answer: Ja, das geloben wir!Yes, this-is-what we pledge! Seid ihr bereit, als treue Sà ¶hne und Tà ¶chter  Are you prepared, as faithful sons and daughters unseres Arbeiter-und-Bauern-Staates nach hoher Bildungof-our workers- and peasant nation (to strive) for higher education und Kultur zu streben, Meister eures Fachs zu werden,  and culture (to strive), (to become) Master of-your (professional) discipline, unentwegt zu lernen und all euer Wissen und Kà ¶nnen fà ¼r die Verwirklichung  incessantly to learn and all (to utilise) your knowledge and skill for the realization   unserer großen humanistischen Ideale einzusetzen, so antwortet:  of-our grand humanistic ideals (to utilise), so answer: Ja, das geloben wir!Yes, this-is-what we pledge! Seid ihr bereit, als wà ¼rdige Mitglieder der sozialistischen Gemeinschaft  Are you ready, as worthy members of-the socialist community stets in kameradschaftlicher Zusammenarbeit, gegenseitiger Achtung  always (act) in companionate cooperation, mutual respect und Hilfe zu handeln und euren Weg zum persà ¶nlichen Glà ¼ckand help (to act) and (to always unite) your path to personal fulfillment immer mit dem Kampf fà ¼r das Glà ¼ck des Volkes zu vereinen, so antwortet:  (always) with the struggle for happiness of the nation (lit.: the people), so answer: Ja, das geloben wir!Yes, this-is-what we pledge! Seid ihr bereit, als wahre Patrioten die feste Freundschaft mit der Sowjetunion  Are you prepared as true patriots, the steadfast friendship with the Sovjet Union weiter zu vertiefen, den Bruderbund mit den sozialistischen Lndern zu strken,  further to deepen, the brotherly association with the socialist countries to strengthen, im Geiste des proletarischen Internationalismus zu kmpfen,  in-the spirit of-the proletarian internationalism to fight, den Frieden zu schà ¼tzen und den Sozialismus gegen jeden imperialistischen Angriffthe peace to protect and the socialism against every imperialistic attack zu verteidigen, so antwortet:  to defend, so answer: Ja, das geloben wir!Yes, this-is-what we pledge! Wir haben euer Gelà ¶bnis vernommen.  We have heard (lit.: perceived) your pledge. Ihr habt euch ein hohes und edles Ziel gesetzt.  You have (set) yourselves a high and noble goal (set). Feierlich nehmen wir euch auf in die große Gemeinschaft  Solemnly take we you in, into the grand collective des werkttigen Volkes, das unter Fà ¼hrung der Arbeiterklasse  of-the working nation, that under the leadership of the working class und ihrer revolutionren Partei, einig im Willen und im Handeln,  and her revolutionary party, united in will (intention) and acting die entwickelte sozialistische Gesellschaft  (errects) the developed socialist community in der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik errichtet.in the German Democratic Republic (errects). Wir à ¼bertragen euch eine hohe Verantwortung.  We transfer to-you a huge responsibility. Jederzeit werden wir euch mit Rat und Tat helfen,  At-any-time will we (help) you with advice and deed (help), die sozialistische Zukunft schà ¶pferisch zu gestalten.(to design) the socialist future creatively (to design).

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Fusion Definition (Physics and Chemistry)

Fusion Definition (Physics and Chemistry) The term fusion refers to key concepts in science, but the definition depends on whether that science is physics, chemistry, or biology. In its most general sense, fusion refers to synthesis or to the joining of two parts. Here are the different meanings of fusion in science: Key Takeaways: Fusion Definition in Science Fusion has several meaning in science. In general, they all refer to the joining of two parts to form a new product.The most common definition, used in physical science, refers to nuclear fusion. Nuclear fusion is the combination of two or more atomic nuclei to form one or more different nuclei. In other words, it is a form of transmutation that changes one element into another.In nuclear fusion, the mass of the product nucleus or nuclei is lower than the combined mass of the original nuclei. This is due to the effect of binding energy within the nuclei. Energy is required to force the nuclei together and energy is released when new nuclei form.Nuclear fusion may be either an endothermic or exothermic process, depending on the mass of the initial elements. Fusion Definitions in Physics and Chemistry Fusion means combining lighter atomic nuclei to form a heavier nucleus. Energy is absorbed or released by the process and the resulting nucleus is lighter than the combined masses of the two original nuclei added together. This type of fusion may be termed nuclear fusion. The reverse reaction, in which a heavy nucleus splits into lighter nuclei, is called nuclear fission.Fusion may refer to the phase transition from a solid to a light via melting. The reason the process is called fusion is because the heat of fusion is the energy required for a solid to become a liquid at that substances melting point.Fusion is name of a welding process used to join two thermoplastic pieces together. This process may also be called heat fusion. Fusion Definition in Biology and Medicine Fusion is the process by which uninuclear cells combine to form a multinuclear cell. This process is also known as cell fusion.Gene fusion is the formation of a hybrid gene from two separate genes. The event may occur as the result of a chromosomal inversion, translocation, or interstitial deletion.Tooth fusion is an abnormality characterized by the joining of two teeth.Spinal fusion is a surgical technique that combines two or more vertebrate. The procedure is also known as spondylodesis  or  spondylosyndesis. The most common reason for the procedure is to relieve pain and pressure on the spinal cord.Binaural fusion is the cognitive process through which auditory information from both ears is combined.Binocular fusion is the cognitive process through which visual information is combined from both eyes. Which Definition to Use Because fusion can refer to so many processes, its a good idea to use the most specific term for a purpose. For example, when discussing the combination of atomic nuclei, its better to refer to nuclear fusion rather than simply fusion. Otherwise, its usually obvious which definition applies when used in the context of a discipline. Nuclear Fusion More often than not, the term refers to nuclear fusion, which is the nuclear reaction between two or more atomic nuclei to form one or more different atomic nuclei. The reason the mass of the products is different from the mass of the reactants is due to the binding energy between atomic nuclei. If the fusion process results in a nucleus lighter in mass than the isotopes iron-56 or nickel-62, the net result will be an energy release. In other words, this type of fusion is exothermic. This is because the lighter elements have the largest binding energy per nucleon and the smallest mass per nucleon. On the other hand, fusion of heavier elements is endothermic. This may surprise readers who automatically assume nuclear fusion releases a lot of energy. With heavier nuclei, nuclear fission is exothermic. The significance of this is that heavier nuclei are much more fissionable than fusible, while lighter nuclei are more fusible than fissionable. Heavy, unstable nuclei are susceptible to spontaneous fission. Stars fuse lighter nuclei into heavier nuclei, but it takes incredible energy (as from a supernova) to fuse nuclei into elements heavier than iron!