Avner Offer
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- October 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199216628
- eISBN:
- 9780191696015
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199216628.001.0001
- Subject:
- History, Economic History
Since the 1940s Americans and Britons have come to enjoy an era of rising material abundance. Yet this has been accompanied by a range of social and personal disorders, including family breakdown, ...
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Since the 1940s Americans and Britons have come to enjoy an era of rising material abundance. Yet this has been accompanied by a range of social and personal disorders, including family breakdown, addiction, mental instability, crime, obesity, inequality, economic insecurity, and declining trust. This book argues that well-being has lagged behind affluence in these societies, because they present an environment in which consistent choices are difficult to achieve over different time ranges and in which the capacity for personal and social commitment is undermined by the flow of novelty. The book's approach draws on economics and social science, makes use of the latest cognitive research, and provides a detailed and reasoned critique of modern consumer society, especially the assumption that freedom of choice necessarily maximizes individual and social well-being. The book falls into three parts. Part one analyzes the ways in which economic resources map on to human welfare, why choice is so intractable, and how commitment to people and institutions is sustained. It argues that choice is constrained by prior obligation and reciprocity. The second section then applies these conceptual arguments to comparative empirical studies of advertising, of eating and obesity, and of the production and acquisition of appliances and automobiles. Finally, in part three, the book investigates social and personal relations in the USA and Britain, including inter-personal regard, the rewards and reversals of status, the social and psychological costs of inequality, and the challenges posed to heterosexual love and to parenthood by the rise of affluence.Less
Since the 1940s Americans and Britons have come to enjoy an era of rising material abundance. Yet this has been accompanied by a range of social and personal disorders, including family breakdown, addiction, mental instability, crime, obesity, inequality, economic insecurity, and declining trust. This book argues that well-being has lagged behind affluence in these societies, because they present an environment in which consistent choices are difficult to achieve over different time ranges and in which the capacity for personal and social commitment is undermined by the flow of novelty. The book's approach draws on economics and social science, makes use of the latest cognitive research, and provides a detailed and reasoned critique of modern consumer society, especially the assumption that freedom of choice necessarily maximizes individual and social well-being. The book falls into three parts. Part one analyzes the ways in which economic resources map on to human welfare, why choice is so intractable, and how commitment to people and institutions is sustained. It argues that choice is constrained by prior obligation and reciprocity. The second section then applies these conceptual arguments to comparative empirical studies of advertising, of eating and obesity, and of the production and acquisition of appliances and automobiles. Finally, in part three, the book investigates social and personal relations in the USA and Britain, including inter-personal regard, the rewards and reversals of status, the social and psychological costs of inequality, and the challenges posed to heterosexual love and to parenthood by the rise of affluence.
Josephine Mcdonagh
- Published in print:
- 1994
- Published Online:
- October 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780198112853
- eISBN:
- 9780191670862
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198112853.003.0008
- Subject:
- Literature, 19th-century Literature and Romanticism
De Quincey finally died, after several efforts at predicting his death, on 8 December 1859 in the home which was procured by his children, and, for one who experienced living on social margins, he ...
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De Quincey finally died, after several efforts at predicting his death, on 8 December 1859 in the home which was procured by his children, and, for one who experienced living on social margins, he had a respectable and quiet death. In spite of how he had been recognized as an opium addict, he lived a relatively long life and died at the age of 74. Much of his work, however, tended to be neglected in some critical studies, as his works were viewed to be works of different kinds of knowledge instead of literary gems. Nonetheless, the variety and abundance of his work contributed greatly to the structure of Victorian society and culture, and his works serve as a commentary on how knowledge in a particular context was established during a particular time.Less
De Quincey finally died, after several efforts at predicting his death, on 8 December 1859 in the home which was procured by his children, and, for one who experienced living on social margins, he had a respectable and quiet death. In spite of how he had been recognized as an opium addict, he lived a relatively long life and died at the age of 74. Much of his work, however, tended to be neglected in some critical studies, as his works were viewed to be works of different kinds of knowledge instead of literary gems. Nonetheless, the variety and abundance of his work contributed greatly to the structure of Victorian society and culture, and his works serve as a commentary on how knowledge in a particular context was established during a particular time.
E. J. Milner-Gulland and Marcus Rowcliffe
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- January 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780198530367
- eISBN:
- 9780191713095
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198530367.003.0002
- Subject:
- Biology, Biodiversity / Conservation Biology
This chapter summarizes the methods available for estimating the population parameters that may be needed to assess biological sustainability, including population abundance, population and ...
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This chapter summarizes the methods available for estimating the population parameters that may be needed to assess biological sustainability, including population abundance, population and individual growth rates, rates of survival and productivity, and patterns of movement and distribution in space. The emphasis is on the need to sample populations effectively, and on understanding the strengths and weaknesses of a wide range of available survey methods. This provides a basis for selecting the most appropriate methods in a given situation, and for assessing how much effort will be required to get useable data. Extensive links are provided to detailed information on analytical methods, including software and online resources.Less
This chapter summarizes the methods available for estimating the population parameters that may be needed to assess biological sustainability, including population abundance, population and individual growth rates, rates of survival and productivity, and patterns of movement and distribution in space. The emphasis is on the need to sample populations effectively, and on understanding the strengths and weaknesses of a wide range of available survey methods. This provides a basis for selecting the most appropriate methods in a given situation, and for assessing how much effort will be required to get useable data. Extensive links are provided to detailed information on analytical methods, including software and online resources.
E. J. Milner-Gulland and Marcus Rowcliffe
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- January 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780198530367
- eISBN:
- 9780191713095
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198530367.003.0004
- Subject:
- Biology, Biodiversity / Conservation Biology
This chapter shows how data of the types discussed in Chapters 1 and 2 can be analysed to give an indication of sustainability in the present. A wide range of possible indicator variables is ...
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This chapter shows how data of the types discussed in Chapters 1 and 2 can be analysed to give an indication of sustainability in the present. A wide range of possible indicator variables is explored, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each. In particular, distinctions are drawn between studies that focus on biological variables (such as species abundance), variables related to the interaction between hunters and prey (such as offtake rates), variables associated with economics (such as profitability), and variables associated with the social setting (such as consumer preferences). A range of analytical approaches is described, from simple comparisons of the indicator variable with a benchmark, trends in the indicator over time, associations between indicator and multiple explanatory variables, and comparison of indicator states across multiple studies (meta-analysis).Less
This chapter shows how data of the types discussed in Chapters 1 and 2 can be analysed to give an indication of sustainability in the present. A wide range of possible indicator variables is explored, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each. In particular, distinctions are drawn between studies that focus on biological variables (such as species abundance), variables related to the interaction between hunters and prey (such as offtake rates), variables associated with economics (such as profitability), and variables associated with the social setting (such as consumer preferences). A range of analytical approaches is described, from simple comparisons of the indicator variable with a benchmark, trends in the indicator over time, associations between indicator and multiple explanatory variables, and comparison of indicator states across multiple studies (meta-analysis).
Claire Kremen
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- September 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780195316957
- eISBN:
- 9780199871575
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195316957.003.0002
- Subject:
- Biology, Animal Biology, Plant Sciences and Forestry
Historically, farmers obtained pollination services from wild, unmanaged bees or made habitat modifications to attract them. Today, agriculture demands the use of managed bees, usually honey bees, ...
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Historically, farmers obtained pollination services from wild, unmanaged bees or made habitat modifications to attract them. Today, agriculture demands the use of managed bees, usually honey bees, although their availability is becoming uncertain due to diseases, pests, and other unknown causes of mortality. This chapter addresses the roles that wild bees play in agriculture today, and what roles they could play in the future. Research has shown that in some circumstances, wild bees can partially or fully replace managed bees or actually enhance their effectiveness as pollinators. Land use changes and habitat loss impact wild bee communities and their ability to provide pollination services within agricultural systems, and agricultural intensification can affect wild bee diversity and abundance in both positive and negative ways. The economic value of wild bee services is discussed, and the ways in which agricultural lands can be managed to restore healthy communities of wild bees.Less
Historically, farmers obtained pollination services from wild, unmanaged bees or made habitat modifications to attract them. Today, agriculture demands the use of managed bees, usually honey bees, although their availability is becoming uncertain due to diseases, pests, and other unknown causes of mortality. This chapter addresses the roles that wild bees play in agriculture today, and what roles they could play in the future. Research has shown that in some circumstances, wild bees can partially or fully replace managed bees or actually enhance their effectiveness as pollinators. Land use changes and habitat loss impact wild bee communities and their ability to provide pollination services within agricultural systems, and agricultural intensification can affect wild bee diversity and abundance in both positive and negative ways. The economic value of wild bee services is discussed, and the ways in which agricultural lands can be managed to restore healthy communities of wild bees.
Graham Bell
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- May 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780198569725
- eISBN:
- 9780191717741
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198569725.003.0002
- Subject:
- Biology, Evolutionary Biology / Genetics
This chapter gives some quantitative information about the rates of genetic and environmental deterioration. The first section in this chapter is about history, chance, and necessity, and includes ...
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This chapter gives some quantitative information about the rates of genetic and environmental deterioration. The first section in this chapter is about history, chance, and necessity, and includes subsections on Lamarckian evolution; the selection of undirected variation; descent; and delection. The second section is about drift and includes subsections concerning the rate of genetic deterioration; two scaled mutation rates; the rate of deleterious mutation; decay of isolate lines in the absence of selection; mutation rate in other replicators; mutation rate in stressful environments; the genomic mutation rate; the effect of mutations; beneficial mutations; the effect of gene deletion on growth; the rate of accumulation of genetic variance in fitness; the replication limit; the size spectrum; the distribution of species abundance; and finally genetic variation and species abundance. The final section is on the rate of environmental deterioration. Subsections in this section concern aggregation; the ecological population concept; dispersal; and the genetic population concept. Five theories of the environment are offered and environmental variation in space; environmental variation over time; and the biotic environment are also detailed.Less
This chapter gives some quantitative information about the rates of genetic and environmental deterioration. The first section in this chapter is about history, chance, and necessity, and includes subsections on Lamarckian evolution; the selection of undirected variation; descent; and delection. The second section is about drift and includes subsections concerning the rate of genetic deterioration; two scaled mutation rates; the rate of deleterious mutation; decay of isolate lines in the absence of selection; mutation rate in other replicators; mutation rate in stressful environments; the genomic mutation rate; the effect of mutations; beneficial mutations; the effect of gene deletion on growth; the rate of accumulation of genetic variance in fitness; the replication limit; the size spectrum; the distribution of species abundance; and finally genetic variation and species abundance. The final section is on the rate of environmental deterioration. Subsections in this section concern aggregation; the ecological population concept; dispersal; and the genetic population concept. Five theories of the environment are offered and environmental variation in space; environmental variation over time; and the biotic environment are also detailed.
Joshua S. Weitz
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- October 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780691161549
- eISBN:
- 9781400873968
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691161549.003.0006
- Subject:
- Biology, Disease Ecology / Epidemiology
This chapter introduces the theoretical and modeling approaches necessary to estimate (i) viral abundance, (ii) viral diversity, and (iii) virus–host interactions. Viruses are extremely abundant in ...
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This chapter introduces the theoretical and modeling approaches necessary to estimate (i) viral abundance, (ii) viral diversity, and (iii) virus–host interactions. Viruses are extremely abundant in the oceans, with estimates of virus-like particle densities ranging from approximately 104 to 108/ml. Virus abundance is estimated to be at its highest in coastal environments, during blooms, and in sediments. Viral diversity remains elusive. Those features of viral diversity that are estimable include Shannon and Simpson diversity, and should be utilized instead of attempting to estimate the total number of virus “species” in the community based on measurements of a small subsample. Viral diversity includes genotypic, genetic, and functional diversity. Individual viruses infect more than one host type, and individual hosts are infected by more than one virus. The cross-infection networks in natural systems include evidence of specialization, as measured by modularity, and hierarchical order, as measured by nestedness.Less
This chapter introduces the theoretical and modeling approaches necessary to estimate (i) viral abundance, (ii) viral diversity, and (iii) virus–host interactions. Viruses are extremely abundant in the oceans, with estimates of virus-like particle densities ranging from approximately 104 to 108/ml. Virus abundance is estimated to be at its highest in coastal environments, during blooms, and in sediments. Viral diversity remains elusive. Those features of viral diversity that are estimable include Shannon and Simpson diversity, and should be utilized instead of attempting to estimate the total number of virus “species” in the community based on measurements of a small subsample. Viral diversity includes genotypic, genetic, and functional diversity. Individual viruses infect more than one host type, and individual hosts are infected by more than one virus. The cross-infection networks in natural systems include evidence of specialization, as measured by modularity, and hierarchical order, as measured by nestedness.
Andrea Belgrano, Mauricio Lima, Nils Chr. Stenseth, and Odd Lindahl
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780198507499
- eISBN:
- 9780191709845
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198507499.003.0008
- Subject:
- Biology, Aquatic Biology
This chapter presents a general statistical approach to studying changes in phytoplankton species abundance in relation to climate variability. It then applies this method to an example where changes ...
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This chapter presents a general statistical approach to studying changes in phytoplankton species abundance in relation to climate variability. It then applies this method to an example where changes in phytoplankton species diversity, the dynamics of three phytoplankton species in a Swedish fjord, are related to the North Atlantic Oscillation and other abiotic factors. The chapter concludes with a general outlook underlining the importance of further studies of changes in phytoplankton biovolume.Less
This chapter presents a general statistical approach to studying changes in phytoplankton species abundance in relation to climate variability. It then applies this method to an example where changes in phytoplankton species diversity, the dynamics of three phytoplankton species in a Swedish fjord, are related to the North Atlantic Oscillation and other abiotic factors. The chapter concludes with a general outlook underlining the importance of further studies of changes in phytoplankton biovolume.
J. Antonio Baeza and Martin Thiel
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780195179927
- eISBN:
- 9780199790111
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195179927.003.0012
- Subject:
- Biology, Aquatic Biology
This chapter proposes a conceptual model predicting the mating system of symbiotic crustaceans. It assumes that males and females have different optimal mating strategies which they attempt to attain ...
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This chapter proposes a conceptual model predicting the mating system of symbiotic crustaceans. It assumes that males and females have different optimal mating strategies which they attempt to attain by defending and moving between hosts, and that host characteristics and predation risk limit the behavioral options of symbiotic individuals. Five mating systems are predicted: (i) monogamy when predation risk is high, hosts are scarce, morphologically simple, and small in size; (ii) host-defense polygyny when predation risk is high, hosts are scarce, simple, and intermediate in size; (iii) pure-search polygynandry of mobile females when predation risk is low, hosts are abundant, complex, and large; (iv) pure-search polygynandry of sedentary females when predation risk is moderate to high, hosts are scarce, and extremely small; and (v) female-centered polygyny when predation risk is moderate, hosts are neither abundant nor scarce, and intermediate in size. Empirical evidence supports the model's predictions.Less
This chapter proposes a conceptual model predicting the mating system of symbiotic crustaceans. It assumes that males and females have different optimal mating strategies which they attempt to attain by defending and moving between hosts, and that host characteristics and predation risk limit the behavioral options of symbiotic individuals. Five mating systems are predicted: (i) monogamy when predation risk is high, hosts are scarce, morphologically simple, and small in size; (ii) host-defense polygyny when predation risk is high, hosts are scarce, simple, and intermediate in size; (iii) pure-search polygynandry of mobile females when predation risk is low, hosts are abundant, complex, and large; (iv) pure-search polygynandry of sedentary females when predation risk is moderate to high, hosts are scarce, and extremely small; and (v) female-centered polygyny when predation risk is moderate, hosts are neither abundant nor scarce, and intermediate in size. Empirical evidence supports the model's predictions.
Anders Angerbjörn, Pall Hersteinsson, and Magnus Tannerfeldt
- Published in print:
- 2004
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780198515562
- eISBN:
- 9780191705632
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198515562.003.0008
- Subject:
- Biology, Biodiversity / Conservation Biology
This chapter examines the life history characteristics of two Arctic fox populations, a relatively stable one in Iceland and a fluctuating one in Sweden. Intraspecific variation in reproductive and ...
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This chapter examines the life history characteristics of two Arctic fox populations, a relatively stable one in Iceland and a fluctuating one in Sweden. Intraspecific variation in reproductive and social strategies of Arctic foxes in Sweden and Iceland suggests that adaptations to different resource distributions in have resulted in divergence in strategies between the two populations. In Sweden, where food availability fluctuates widely in time but less in space, the foxes have adopted the ‘jackpot’ strategy which exhibits enormous variation in reproductive output from year to year with much inter-annual variation in cub and juvenile survival, depending on food availability. In Iceland, on the other hand, where food availability is predictable in time and space, reproductive output is stable with small litter sizes, high cub survival, and intermediate dispersal distances, and female yearlings frequently use their natal territories as a base while searching for a vacant territory or mate in the neighbourhood.Less
This chapter examines the life history characteristics of two Arctic fox populations, a relatively stable one in Iceland and a fluctuating one in Sweden. Intraspecific variation in reproductive and social strategies of Arctic foxes in Sweden and Iceland suggests that adaptations to different resource distributions in have resulted in divergence in strategies between the two populations. In Sweden, where food availability fluctuates widely in time but less in space, the foxes have adopted the ‘jackpot’ strategy which exhibits enormous variation in reproductive output from year to year with much inter-annual variation in cub and juvenile survival, depending on food availability. In Iceland, on the other hand, where food availability is predictable in time and space, reproductive output is stable with small litter sizes, high cub survival, and intermediate dispersal distances, and female yearlings frequently use their natal territories as a base while searching for a vacant territory or mate in the neighbourhood.
