The Importance of Being Nice

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Nice is the French term for “pleasant” or “friendly.” People who are nice act in a friendly, ingratiating way towards others. They try to please others, and they may go out of their way to do so. They might treat everyone the same and make an effort to avoid discrimination on the basis of race, age, gender, sexuality, or religion. They often try to help people who are in need. They might offer to give someone directions or help them with their luggage. They might say hello to everyone they meet, even total strangers on the street. Nice people are polite and courteous, and they never say anything mean or hurtful to other people.

The word nice also has several other meanings, including “foolish” or “stupid.” The history of the word shows that its semantic development is quite varied, and any attempt to insist on a single sense as the only correct one would be difficult to sustain.

Generally, being nice requires a lot of empathy and selflessness. Nice people try to understand the world through the eyes of other people, and they are interested in other cultures. They are empathetic to people who are sad or sick, and they try to be helpful to them. They do not gossip or judge other people, and they try to resolve conflicts peacefully. They are aware of the importance of establishing healthy boundaries, and they set limits on their behavior to prevent exploitation.

In addition to being a kind person, it is important for nice people to be punctual. They respect other people’s time, and they try to arrive on time for meetings and appointments. They also try to be courteous, and they use phrases like “nice of you to come” when they receive a compliment. People who are nice often take the trouble to do small acts of kindness, such as helping someone cross the road or holding the door for them. They might even do things for strangers, such as buying them a coffee or sending them a card.

It is also important for nice people to be able to listen attentively and respectfully to other people’s opinions. They try to avoid interrupting or rushing into conversations, and they try to stay focused on the topic at hand. They also try to avoid judging other people, and they always treat everybody equally.

Being nice can have its downsides, however. If people are trying to be nice all the time, they can end up repressing their true feelings, which might explode in an emotional outburst at some point. In addition, if they are only being nice to certain people, it might seem artificial or hypocritical. They might also miss opportunities to be nice, because they are afraid of displeasing other people.

The Meaning of Good in Philosophy and Morality

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Good is a general term used to recommend or express approval in many contexts, such as:

In philosophy and morality, “good” may refer to:

The good is the object of ethical, philosophical, religious, and scientific inquiry and study. It is also the subject of an extensive range of social, political, and cultural beliefs, values, and practices. The good is usually contrasted with evil. It is a central concept in most religions and, more generally, a key part of ethics, morality, philosophy, and theology.

Several theories of good have been advanced, including utilitarianism, deontology, virtue ethics, and natural law. A basic idea is that the good is something that a person can seek and achieve, while evil is something that a person cannot. The good is a rational goal for human life, and the way to it involves the cultivation of certain virtues.

For Plato, the good is a particular synthesis of the virtues, elaborated as a pattern through reason. It is a standard or norm that defines the right course of action in any situation. For Aristotle, the good is that for which all actions are directed. It may be identified as the ultimate end of an activity, or it may be a less specific and lower good, such as pleasure or wealth. It must, however, transcend lower goods, and be distinct from a mere product of an activity.

Aristotle distinguishes between intrinsic goods — things that are valuable for their own sakes — and extrinsic goods — things that have value only in relation to something else. He also identifies an intermediate good, which may be desired for its own sake or as a means to other ends. He argues that man can only be certain of the existence and nature of the ultimate good by revelation.

In contemporary English, the use of “good” is generally restricted to positive or desirable aspects of a person or thing, and to expressing satisfaction, praise, commendation, or approval. It is frequently used in the idioms, colloquialisms, and metaphors of everyday speech, and is more informal than the word well (which is a common alternative).

When an article or statement makes a strong case, the phrase that is “a good point” is often employed to stress its significance. Alternatively, the phrase that is “a great good point” can be used to emphasize its importance and relevance.

It is important to remember that writing a good article involves more than just presenting accurate information and using logical language. The process of creating a good article includes identifying and addressing reader needs, making the topic accessible to all readers, and adding an emotional dimension to the piece. The best way to do this is by using idioms, colloquialisms, analogies, and metaphors that your audience will recognize and understand. They will also help to make the article more personal, allowing your audience to connect with the material on a deeper level.

The Basics of a Bicycle

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A bicycle is a two-wheeled device that can be steered by the rider, who stands on the seat and pushes on the pedals. Millions of people worldwide use bicycles for fun, exercise and transportation, as well as for sport (called cycling).

Bicycles have a frame with handlebars for steering, a seat and two pedals. The cranks (arms) are connected to the back wheel by a chain, and when the rider presses on the pedals, the back wheel turns, moving the bicycle forward. The bicycle is a great way to get around, and it is also a work of mechanical art.

The first modern bicycles appeared in the 19th century. The inventor, German-born Karl Drais (1785-1851) created a wooden prototype called a draisine in 1817. In France, blacksmiths made metal versions of the draisine with a front wheel up to 60 inches (152.4 cm) in diameter. They were known as boneshakers because of their harsh ride.

In the 1860s, James Starley of Coventry improved the design of the French bicycle with the use of tangent spokes and a larger front wheel. This improved the ride and allowed for faster speeds. During this time the bicycle became popular in America, and a large number of small manufacturers started operations to meet demand. Inventors experimented with different methods of transmitting power from the rider’s legs to the bicycle, but none could match the efficiency and cost of the chain drive.

Inventors also worked to improve the comfort of bicycles by adding ball bearings and a solid rubber tire. Those improvements, combined with the chain drive, led to the development of the modern bicycle as we know it today.

In recent decades, the popularity of bicycles has surged in many countries, especially in developing nations. This has been largely due to their effectiveness as a means of both transportation and recreation. A bicycle can travel much farther than a human can walk or run in the same amount of time, and it requires less energy to operate than a motor vehicle. In addition, a bicycle provides an excellent form of exercise, which strengthens muscles and increases cardiovascular fitness.

If a news story mentions a bicycle, it is usually in the context of a negative event or act. For example, if a person is caught dropping litter or stealing a bike, the reporter will probably make sure to include a picture of the offending bicycle in the article. This is done to imply that the bicycle was somehow responsible for the crime.

A bicycle is the most popular mode of mechanized transport in the world. In China, the country’s largest manufacturer of bicycles is called Flying Pigeon, and a bicycle in the home is considered an indicator of prosperity. Deng Xiaoping, the Chinese leader who launched economic reforms in the 1970s, once claimed that a bicycle in every household is one of the keys to economic success. However, there is a downside to bicycles: they are not environmentally friendly and can lead to health problems such as obesity and muscle injuries.

GOES-T Launched to Earth’s Geostationary Orbit

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GOES, or Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites, are NOAA spacecraft that continuously provide imagery and data on atmospheric conditions and solar activity (space weather). They aid in search and rescue operations and help forecasters predict the development of severe localized weather events such as storms, hurricanes, tornadoes and fog.

Located in geostationary orbit 35,790 km (22,240 mi) above Earth, GOES provides continuous, near real-time observations of the entire continental United States and adjacent oceans. These observations are a vital part of the nation’s weather, ocean and climate system, providing a unique view of the dynamic weather that affects all areas of our lives.

The GOES series of satellites, built by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, include the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI), the Magnetometer, the Extreme Ultraviolet and X-ray Irradiance Sensor (EXIS) and the Space Environment In-Situ Suite (SEISS). All are controlled from the Satellite Operations Control Center in Suitland, Maryland.

Since 1975, the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) have provided continuous imagery and data on atmospheric conditions and solar activity. These observations have contributed to more accurate and timely weather forecasts, aided in the search and rescue of people in distress, and improved our understanding of long-term climate conditions.

GOES-13, formerly called the GEOS-5 satellite, was lost in a space debris collision in 2006 and is no longer operational. GOES-15, formerly known as GEOS-6, was made operational in 2007. GOES-16 and GOES-17 are currently operating in a full-time capacity.

The launch of GOES-18 is scheduled for April 29, 2020. The satellite will be positioned over the CONUS and is expected to reach its operational declaration in early 2021. Until then, ABI data files will be available with the caveat GOES-18 Preliminary, Non-Operational Data.

The GOES-T launch will mark the third time ULA has delivered a GOES satellite to orbit. The Atlas and Delta launch vehicles, which inherited the heritage of NASA’s original GOES satellites when ULA was formed 15 years ago, have launched every GOES satellite ever launched.

The Go-Go’s were a girl band that was a major influence on the punk rock movement. It was a style of music that rejected corporate radio and the Svengalis who tried to mold it. The Go-Go’s did it their own way, which was a big part of why their songs spoke to so many young people. We’re thrilled that the GOES-T mission will be powered by the Atlas V and Delta IV, our heritage launch vehicles. Those rockets have a long record of success and continue to demonstrate their value in the challenging environment of commercial satellite launches. We look forward to the opportunity to work with the GOES-T team and its partners to deliver this critically important new technology to our customers.

What Does it Mean to Be Nice?

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Nice (pronounced NEESS) means pleasant and agreeable in nature: a nice day; a nice dress. It also means showing courtesy and politeness: a nice smile; a nice gesture. It can also refer to something done with delicacy and skill: a nice shot of hockey. In psychology, nice is one of five broad personality traits psychologists call “agreeableness.” Being nice means that you tend to be kind and compassionate and show support for others. You have a good understanding of how other people feel, and you often put their needs before your own. You can easily accept criticism and take advice from others. People enjoy your company and trust you.

Nice people are generous, and they are willing to go out of their way for others. For example, if you see someone struggling to carry their groceries, you may offer to help them. You could also share a meal with a stranger or give your friend or neighbor some of your spare change. You might even put yourself out for a complete stranger by saying, “Good morning” to them when you greet them on the street or in a crowded mall.

While being nice is a good thing, it’s important to recognize your own limitations. Nice people tend to let their guard down with everyone, which can make it easy for toxic individuals to take advantage of them. In addition, they may not always follow through on their promises because they prioritize being nice over meeting expectations.

Being a nice person takes a lot of energy. This is especially true if you’re one of those people who are naturally outgoing and have a large social circle. It’s tempting to rely on niceness for social survival, but you must be careful not to use it as an excuse to avoid hard work or taking responsibility for mistakes.

People who are truly nice are open to learning and growing. They are not afraid of challenges and do not avoid them because they think they will be bad for their image. They also realize that not everyone will like them, but they accept others regardless of differences in values or beliefs.

The Good in Philosophy

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The good (Aristotelian: , hodos) is any end of human action or pursuit that meets a need or desire. Philosophers have expanded the concept to include various types of goods ranging from abstract moral notions to specific goals of individual and collective action, such as happiness or health. In theological speculation, some have equated it with God’s absolute perfection.

In everyday usage, the word good describes an objective or subjective state. It can be used to indicate a person’s overall happiness or satisfaction, the suitability of an object, or the level of achievement in an activity. It is also frequently employed in judgments about others’ behavior: A naive person may be said to lack the good sense needed to understand social mores; a person who has a bad temper is often described as having poor self-control.

A good article meets a core set of editorial standards and passes through the Wikimedia Foundation’s Good Article nomination process successfully. It is well-written, broad in coverage, factually accurate and verifiable, neutral in point of view, stable, and illustrated, where appropriate, with relevant copyrighted images. It does not have to be as comprehensive as a featured article, but it must cover the major facets of its topic.

In philosophy, the good has been a central concept in many discussions. It is a key element in philosophical ethics, political philosophy, and metaphysics.

Platonic Origins. The earliest concept of the good in philosophy was that of a rationally desirable end that a person should seek. Plato saw the good as an activity of the soul, and as such it could be either pleasurable or useful. He distinguished the good from the unpleasant, such as punishment or injustice.

Kant’s Notion of the Good

Immanuel Kant criticized this phenomenal idea of the good as subjective and relative. He sought a moral relation that was universally valid and based on something absolute in man, such as the good will or good intention. Hegel synthesized both views.

For Aristotle the good was the end for which all activities are undertaken. He saw a hierarchy of ends, wherein the lower ends were desired as means to the higher ones. This allowed him to identify the good with the useful, but he held that there was an ultimate good, not identified with anything else, which was desired for its own sake.

Modern philosophers have expanded the notion to include an ontological and moral good as well. The former includes all that is inherently good or desirable, such as the innate qualities of being; the latter refers to what is good for man’s development here and now. The hedonists emphasize the pleasure that an act might afford; the utilitarians stress its effectiveness in promoting a community’s welfare.

The contemporary existentialist philosophy of Bergson sees reality from a dynamic perspective and stresses the good as action begetting more action, or elan vital. This reflects his mystical conception of life as an ever-expanding, creative principle.

The Basics of a Bicycle

bicycle

A bicycle, also known as a bike or velocipede, is a human-powered, two-wheeled machine for getting from one place to another. Millions of people worldwide use bikes for recreation, exercise, transportation and sport (called cycling). Bicycles have handlebars for steering, a seat, and two pedals that are connected to the rear wheel by a chain. The rider pushes on the pedals, which turn the wheel and move the bicycle forward. Bicycles were invented in the 1860s and spread quickly around the world. There are many styles of bicycles, ranging from basic models to highly sophisticated racing machines.

The bicycle’s invention had a major effect on modern culture and helped develop the modern industrial world. It is the most efficient means yet devised for converting human energy into mobility. Many of today’s advanced components for the bicycle, such as ball bearings, pneumatic tires, and chain-driven sprockets, were developed to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Bicycles are available in many sizes, from tiny to big and heavy. Some are designed for children and feature smaller-diameter wheels and child-sized seats, handlebars, and crank arms. Other designs are intended for adult riders and may have features such as adjustable handlebar height, derailleur or internal hub gearing, and hydraulic disc brakes. Adaptive bicycles, which include hand-cranked and recumbent models, help people with nerve, skeletal, or muscle issues that prevent them from riding conventional upright bikes.

Performance bikes are built for fast, long rides on paved roads. They often feature lightweight frames and components, a more comfortable rider position than regular bikes, wider tires for more stability and traction, and a wide range of gearing to handle climbs or descends. Some are equipped with accessory mounts for racks and bags to allow them to carry loads for longer distances.

The bicycle craze of 1868 began with an American newspaper, The Velocipedist, and spawned several small manufacturers. It ended, however, when long-distance bicycle travel was found to be impractical and Calvin Witty’s patent monopoly made further development difficult.

Bikes can be modified to make them more useful for specific uses, such as racing or touring. Specialized tires, racks and carriers, lights, and other accessories can be added. Many cities have programs to encourage the use of bicycles by constructing and maintaining safe routes, providing parking spaces for bicycles, and educating people about safety and the benefits of riding.

A person operating a bicycle on a roadway is a user of that roadway and must obey all laws that govern the movement of vehicles on that road, including all traffic signs and signals. The operator must give audible notice when passing a pedestrian or other bicycle, and must yield the right-of-way to such traffic when it is safe to do so. Bicyclists must also ride as close as practicable to the right edge of the roadway. If a shoulder or other non-paved surface is available, they should ride on that surface rather than on the roadway. In addition, all motorists must be courteous toward bicycles and give them plenty of room to maneuver.

NOAA’s GOES Satellite Program Monitors Earth’s Surface and Atmosphere for Severe Weather Tracking and Prediction

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The GOES satellite program provides vital environmental data to NOAA forecasters for severe weather tracking and prediction. Its key function is monitoring Earth’s surface and atmosphere through two types of electromagnetic radiation: visible light and infrared radiation. GOES’s geostationary orbit allows one satellite to watch the same region of the US over the course of a day, monitoring the atmospheric “triggers” that cause tornadoes, flash floods and hail storms, hurricanes, etc.

GOES has been in service for 40 years and is the largest fleet of operational environmental satellites ever launched by the United States. NOAA’s GOES satellites are operated by the National Weather Service, which is part of NOAA’s Office of Science and Technology (OSAT).

A GOES satellite orbits the Earth in the plane of its equator. NOAA maintains two geostationary GOES spacecraft, GOES East and GOES West. GOES East monitors the eastern half of the U.S., and GOES West monitors the western half of the country as well as Alaska and Hawaii.

Each GOES satellite has two main instruments: the GOES Imager and the GOES Sounder. The Imager senses radiated infrared energy from the Earth’s surface, atmosphere and clouds. It can detect the presence of water vapor, cloud top temperature and ozone. The Sounder measures reflected solar energy and emitted thermal energy to calculate vertical profiles of atmospheric temperatures and moisture.

There are other instruments on the GOES satellites that provide additional meteorological information. For example, the Search and Rescue Satellite (S&RSAT) is able to identify emergency beacons carried aboard aircraft and ships and send their location to ground stations for recovery. The Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) can observe when lightning strikes the ground and detect lightning build-up in clouds, both of which are important for predicting the severity of storms and the likelihood of tornadoes.

The GOES-R series of satellites, which are scheduled to launch from 2017-2018, will have several improvements over previous generations of GOES spacecraft and their payloads. The Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) has a higher spatial resolution, meaning that it can discern smaller features of the atmosphere and surface. It can also detect smoke and dust at a much greater distance. In addition, the ABI has a built-in redundant sensor to improve its reliability.

These satellites will also have an enhanced Space Environment Monitor (SEM), which can detect the effects of space debris on the near-Earth solar-terrestrial electromagnetic environment. The GOES-R series will have the capability to transmit imagery and soundings directly to the ground, instead of using the SBN, which is currently used to do this.

The GOES-R satellites are also expected to have a faster scan rate than the current satellites, which will be able to provide 1-min imagery on demand in certain situations. For instance, GOES-14 has been used for this purpose as part of the Super Rapid Scan Operations for GOES-R (SRSOR) experiment, which provided near-real-time 1min imagery to forecasters during severe weather events in 2012-16. This new capability is expected to increase the value of the GOES-R satellites and allow them to be used in new ways for operational meteorology.

How Much Niceness Is Too Much

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Being nice is a positive thing, and prosocial behavior is linked to many health benefits. However, it can be challenging to know how much niceness is too much. This is especially true when someone is unable to recognize their own boundaries and is overly committed to the needs of others. In these situations, it is important for the person to learn how to balance their need to be nice with their need to be self-reliant.

People often confuse niceness with kindness, but there is a difference. Kindness is an act of compassion and empathy, while niceness is a trait associated with the personality trait agreeableness. Nice people tend to be warm and friendly, but they also respect others’ privacy and are good communicators. In addition, nice people are generous, and they usually enjoy helping and giving.

Nice people are often praised for their selflessness, but the truth is that being nice involves balancing the needs of others with your own. For example, if you are having a bad day, and you see your friend in need, you might want to spend time with them to cheer them up. But if you are with your coworkers and they are planning an office happy hour, you might decide to hang out somewhere else because you have work to get done.

A good way to avoid this trap is to be clear about what you expect from your colleagues. Set clear expectations for how you want people to interact with each other and what kinds of meeting you will have. In addition, you should clarify your standards for intellectual honesty and courageous conversations.

When a colleague is not following through on their commitments, make sure that you clearly communicate your frustrations and hold them accountable. It is also helpful to use writing tools such as Grammarly, Hemingway, and ProWritingAid to catch spelling errors and improve the clarity of your writing.

It’s also a good idea to read your writing out loud, as this can help you catch problems that you might not notice on a screen. This will also allow you to hear when something sounds off.

When you are nice, you are able to control your emotions and stay calm in stressful situations. You might even be able to help others with theirs. In fact, studies show that performing random acts of kindness triggers a release of serotonin and oxytocin, two hormones that promote feelings of happiness and connection with others. So next time you are feeling stressed, think about being nice to yourself by holding the door open for a stranger or bringing your colleague a cup of coffee. You might just find that your mood will improve. Your friends and coworkers might thank you for it later.

The Concept of Goodness in Philosophy

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Good is a word that can have multiple meanings, ranging from the purely practical to the essentially metaphysical. A common meaning is the right or proper thing to do; for example, to “do good” means to act in a way that is morally correct. It can also refer to something that is inherently valuable or worthwhile, as in the phrase “a good education” or, more generally, “a good life.” A purely ethical sense of “good” focuses on the character and virtues of a person or organization, and thus tends toward a form of perfection or excellence.

The concept of goodness in philosophical thought has a complex history, and is influenced by the various philosophical traditions that precede it. Some of these are:

Aristotelian Development

Aristotle, in his ethics, defines “good” as that toward which human activity aims. He distinguishes between lower and higher ends in the context of human action; he notes that some lower ends are desired for their own sakes, while others are wanted as a means to something else (for example, pleasure, health, and rest). Aristotle identifies happiness with a strictly human good. He argues that it is the result of virtuous actions undertaken over the course of a full life, and thus he equates it with a virtuous life.

Platonic Origins

Plato likewise stresses the importance of the good, but in a different manner. For him, the good is what a man ought to do. This includes both the pleasurable and useful; but, he adds, it does not exclude the unpleasant, for example, punishment, which can be a good thing if it corrects vices such as injustice or intemperance.

Hegelian Development

The philosophy of Hegel reflects a similar metaphysical-ethical view of the good. For Hegel, the ultimate good is Spirit, which embodies all reality; and the moral life is a process of striving consciously to realize this. This explains why, for Hegel, both a metaphysical explanation and an ethical view of reality are required.

Augustinian Teaching

St. Augustine synthesizes Plotinian philosophy with Christian revelation to formulate a doctrine of the good as being and a degree of perfection. He argues that God creates being, making it of this or that nature; hence the goodness of a given thing lies in its having a particular kind of being.

In contrast, Kraut argues that goodness of the third sort enjoys a privileged justificatory status in practical reasoning. All good practical arguments ultimately rest on claims that something is good for someone or another; and it is these reasons, he contends, that make the claim valid. Nonetheless, his claim is weakened by the fact that most of the time these reasons bottom out in the simple facts that the thing in question is either pleasant or useful. In addition, he notes that the distinction between good and bad is often blurred in actual practical life. See also eudaimonia; utilitarianism; Hegelianism; existentialism.