Monday, September 30, 2019
Challenges Facing International Hr
60 HR Predictions for 2008 By Floyd Kemske The top 10 predictions in Workplace Flexibility, Global Business, Work and Society, Workforce Development, Definition of Jobs, and Strategic Role of HR. Workplace Flexibility Collaborative cultures will be the workplace model. Creative employment contracts will support more time off, flexibility in hours and work location, technological job aids and more pay at risk with significant upside potential. Company intranets will become a major tool for communication, training and benefits administration; HR will play a leading role in developing this important tool. Intelligence through knowledge transfer capability will separate the best employees from the rest. Employees will have more and more choices about work arrangements, allowing them to meet their individual needs. Work hours scheduling will become less important as organizations focus on performance and results. Company facilities will become ââ¬Å"virtualâ⬠through work-at-home, telecommuting and outsourcing. The workweek will be less structuredââ¬âemployees will still work 40-plus hours, but at varied times and places other than the office. Legislation will lead to greater portability of health, welfare and retirement benefits. Free-lance teams of generic problem solvers will market themselves as alternatives to permanent workers or individual temps. Global Business The role of corporate HR will change to that of creator of overall values and direction, and will be implemented by local HR departments in different countries. Technology, especially the Internet, will enable more businesses to enter the global marketplace. HR professionals will have advanced acumen in international business practices, international labor laws, multicultural sensitivities and multiple languages. HR professionals will need to be knowledgeable of ther cultures, languages and business practices to help their companies find and enter more markets. HR people will have to understand other cultures and help people work with, and transfer among, various cultures. Megaglobal business alliances will grow in number and scope, requiring great finesse on the part of the HR professional. There will be an explosive growth of companies doing b usiness across borders, and it will be the most significant change for the economy in modern times. Cultural understanding and sensitivity will become much more important for the HR professional of the future, whereas multiple language ability isnââ¬â¢t going o become a necessary competency. The continued emergence of a world marketplace will require development of an international workforce. Small teams of HR professionals will focus on providing performance improvement consulting services to a variety of locations around the world. Work and Society Family and life interests will play a more prevalent role in peopleââ¬â¢s lives and a greater factor in peopleââ¬â¢s choices about workââ¬âthere will be more of a ââ¬Å"work to liveâ⬠than a ââ¬Å"live to workâ⬠mentality. Employees will demand increases in workplace flexibility to pursue life interests. Dual-career couples will refuse to make the sacrifices equired today in their family lives and more people (n ot just women) will opt out of traditional careers. Families will return to the center of society; work will serve as a source of cultural connections and peripheral friendships. Workers will continue to struggle with their need for work/ life balance, and it will get worse. Integration of work with quality-of-life initiatives will create solutions to problems formerly seen as the responsibility of government. Community involvement and social responsibility will become part of an organizationââ¬â¢s business vision. ââ¬Å"Cocooningâ⬠will become more popular as workers look o their homes for refuge from the pressures of a more competitive workplace and depersonalized society. Just as defined-contribution plans have begun to take over from Social Security, companies will take on responsibility for elder care, long-term care and other social needs through cafeteria-style benefits programs. Those people who refuse or are unable to adapt to new technologies will find theyââ¬â ¢re working harder and accomplishing less. Workforce Development Lifelong learning will be a requirement. The focus of training/learning activities will be on performance improvement and not just on skill uilding. Employees with varied skills and competencies will be valued more highly than those with a depth of expertise in a single area. Problem solving and decision making will become a required curriculum with practical work problems as the training medium. Training will be delivered ââ¬Å"just in time,â⬠wherever people need it, using a variety of technologies. Companies will demand constant personal growth, and employees will respond positively to higher expectations. It will not be possible to survive in the workplace without basic computer skills. People who can learn new skills/competencies quickly ill be highly valued in a faster changing world. Team projects and special assignments will be a major factor in personal development. As the computer-savvy generation is mo re assimilated into the workforce, employees will become much more productive in complex tasks and less dependent on other people and departments. Definition of Jobs Organizations wonââ¬â¢t pay for the value of the job but for the value of the person. Versatility will be the key factor in determining employee value with strategic thinking, leadership, problem solving, technology and people skills close behind. Compensation systems will be linked to business utcomes. All jobs will require higher levels of computer skills. Positions will be organized in teams focused on a task, not organized around a hierarchy. Positions will be defined by the competencies needed to be performed. Employees will be more independent, moving from project to project within their organizations. Many jobs will be redesigned to be much broader in scope, especially in management positions, resulting in leaner head counts. Employees will be increasingly measured by how much value they contribute to the busi ness, not by whether they fulfilled predetermined objectives. Work will be more challenging, and jobs will become increasingly complex. Strategic Role of HR Successful HR departments will focus on organizational performance. HRââ¬â¢s value will be to have the right people ready at the right time: recruiting leaders to join the companyââ¬â¢s mix of talent and keeping the ââ¬Å"benchâ⬠full of enabled, competent workers. The focus of the HR function will be human capital development and organizational productivity; HR may be renamed to reflect this. HR will evolve from strategic business partnership to strategic business leadership (driving change and results, not just monitoring them). A key HR role in the future will be multidisciplinary consulting around individual, team, business unit and corporate performance. Managers will grow to depend more and more on HR professionals as they realize that good people management can be the strategic advantage in the next decade. Leading change will become HRââ¬â¢s greatest contribution to the corporation. More and more businesses will use HR as a strategic partner. HR will have a ââ¬Å"seat at the tableâ⬠as part of the top management team and report directly to the CEO in most companies. A key HR role will be managing increasingly scarce human and intellectual capital
Sunday, September 29, 2019
Apple Inc. and the Macro Environment Essay
Economic Environment: More or less, every economic factor has an effect on the operations of Apple Inc. These may include; current economic situation (boom, recession, etc.), credit terms, inflation or deflation, strictness of interest rates, unemployment levels, stability of exchange rates, stock exchange trend, etc. Appleââ¬â¢s business can be affected by all these factors either positively or negatively. For example, during the inflation periods in the United States of America, the purchasing power of the people had decreased and as a result of this, the sales of Appleââ¬â¢s products had decreased with it. To make matters worse, The US dollar had also decreased in value, and so, Apple decided to purchase itself foreign currency to minimize the effect of inflation. This will allow for their revenue from international markets to increase. Socio-Cultural Environment: Social factors such as consumer preferences, life priorities, income groups, and perceptions about different brands have a huge impact on the sales of Appleââ¬â¢s products. People all over the world are well aware of its brand image. The social environment has a huge positive impact on Apple for their products are seen as an image for todayââ¬â¢s modern individualââ¬â¢s life. People see it as highly reliable and innovative, however they are also seen as highly expensive and the software very limited for people who wish to use their iPhones for more than just phone calls and emails. This regrettably influences people to seek a competitorââ¬â¢s products for a lower price or with more features. Technological Environment: Apple currently has the spotlight as the market leader in innovation. However, what Apple fails to realize is that technology can become outdatedà quite quickly (sometimes over-night) and yet Apple casually cruises through the years releasing new models of products with very little hardware or software changes compared to the previous models. Their refusal to continuously bring innovative products will result in other market leaders stealing their throne. For example, Googleââ¬â¢s Open Source Operating System, Android, has resulted in the migration of many Apple users to Android smartphones due to the reduced costs and in some cases such as with the Sony Xperia or the HTC One, their hardware specifications far exceeded that of the latest iPhone model. Political & Legal Environment: Apple has to duly adhere to all the rules and regulations for each company that they do business with such as tranquil rules and regulations, tax rates, tariffs. Etc. If they do not keep an eye on the changing government behaviors and patterns, it may be rather difficult for Apple with regards to marketing and the selling of their products and in severe cases, their products may be banned altogether. Apple also has to ensure that there is no copyright infringement in their products, or that of competitors. There have been many cases where Apple and Samsung confront each other in a legal battle over copyrighted material/ideas/names such as the rounded launch buttons in Appleââ¬â¢s home screen. Physical Environment: Apple is always finding ways to reduce their carbon footprint and as a result, they have a positive reputation with regards to their care for the environment. Apple has very few disagreements with environmentalists because the manufacturing process of their products usually follows all of the laws and regulations regarding the environment. Furthermore, Apple also encourages its users to dispose of harmful products such as used batteriesà and fluorescent backlighting systems properly at their nearest iStore. Appleââ¬â¢s packaging is usually made of either plastic or glass, which is easily recycled and only a few products are distributed in cardboard boxes. Appleââ¬â¢s data centers are also 100% powered by renewable resources! International Environment: Globalization describes the mobility of goods, services, labour, technology and capital throughout the world. Apple has increased dramatically as an international business and have harnessed globalization and used it to their advantage. For example, by using their most famous piece of Apple software, iTunes. A large variety of songs are available on iTunes and because the business has offered this on the Internet and as software has increased their sales internationally as it has become accessible internationally. The products that Apple provides are sold internationally. Stores exist all over the world, allowing the business to become an international company. Not only does the use of stores help Apple to become an international company but the use of the Internet also allows this to occur. However, by going international with their products, they have also broadened their spectrum for competition. Not every country is as passionate about Appleââ¬â¢s products as America is and this as a result, could have a negative effect on their sales. However due to their strong brand image and good reputation, many people around the world seek the glorious Apple Logo for their brilliant, bright, innovative products.
Saturday, September 28, 2019
Ap English Free-Response Questions Essay
John Downed writes a letter to his wife Jukes from the United States to England. Downers purpose in the letter is to persuade his wife Jukes into coming to America. He adopts an objective tone in order to glorify America in his letter to Jukes using ambiguity, repetition, and pathos. Downed begins his letter to Jukes by describing the incredibility of what America has given him. He then shifts to pathos when he begins using repetition. He appeals to repetition by repeating my dear when addressing Jukes. He does this in order to emphasize his feelings awards his wife through his writing. When Downed moves to pathos, he uses guilt to persuade her. He describes that without her and the family he couldnt be happy, but if they were to come and Join him he could be happy again. He does this in order to motivate her into coming. Keys husband then opens the letter by loosely describing the crossing of Atlantic. He states that [she] will find a few inconveniences, and that after she has made the Journey over he knows It will be worth it all because he feels that she will like America.He does this in order to glorify America and not focus on any negatives because his goal to persuade her. If he was to tell her fully what the cross would be like, she would not wish to go, and thus defeating Downers purpose. He wants her to believe that America is a good place, so he coaxed her into coming by creating America into something superb instead of the truth. He told her that America Is not like England, thus making it seems America is a better place. Jukes would have no other choice, but to come to America and see her husband.
Friday, September 27, 2019
Film Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1
Film - Essay Example This was because they aimed at putting across to many people about their philosophy, as they worked on a minimal budget. For this reason, they used techniques like jump cuts. These are strident edited cuts, which occur unexpectedly. It was done by changing the angle of the camera to less than thirty degrees, and it had a disturbing effect on the viewer (Greene 45). This was for saving costs but not to rush the movie. Another technique is the improvised film making. This is whereby shooting was usually done in public places, constructed plots on the go and dialogues were constructed. This captured a spontaneity and vibrancy, which no other film could match. There was also the use of natural sound, whereby, the New Wave did not remix their sounds. A natural sound, recorded during the shoot was used instead. Evenà though, it had intrusions and mistakes, it was still used. This gave the films a sense of energy and freshness. It also uses hand held devices that are easy to maneuver with. This enabled them to take long shots and flow the camera, they could also shoot in tight areas that gave an illusion of bulkiness and intimacy. The term auteur was coined to mean that a movie of a particular writer, director or author was not similar to any other movies. Therefore, the New wave directors strived to make unique movies. They also placed homage to films that were before their work. This is evident in movie genres like Jerry Lewis comedies and crime movies (Greene 84). In conclusion, these techniques have been widely adopted by film makers, and have proved to be beneficial to them and to the audience. However, the question to be answered is whether the techniques used in the French new wave are still relevant
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Corporate Governance in Argentina Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words
Corporate Governance in Argentina - Term Paper Example As has been realized, having active majority shareholders might be positive and present good governance since they could give active oversight when it comes to management and also give a ready source of capital support. However, these majority shareholders could also work against the interests of smaller shareholders. Most of these big companies in Argentina do work as groups of companies that are diversified and having a common ownership and control. To them, it is very normal for the profits reaped from these group companies to be used as cash cows in the financing of growth for the capital hungry firms in the group. The development of such groups was partly as a means of effectively financing the capital intensive enterprises. Major changes have occurred in the corporate governance sector in Argentina during the past decade (ACCA 8). 2.0 Rights of Shareholders and Key Ownership Functions As far as Rights of Shareholders and Key Ownership Functions in Argentinaââ¬â¢s corporate g overnance are concerned, they seem to concur with OECD principles. In the Argentinaââ¬â¢s corporate governance, shareholders have various rights that are provided for them. These rights seem to have a full correspondence with the requirements of OECD after they were reformed following the roundtable discussions and changes in legislation after the crisis where major companies found themselves in economic scandals. These rights include the right to get informed on the operations of their business where they have to be periodically informed on any issues arising and the trend their business is taking. An annual report on the current trend and boardââ¬â¢s opinion on the upcoming business plans and the corporate financial statements are also given to shareholders by the board of directors. This information could be obtained from the supervisory board by a request for those shareholders with not less than 2% of capital ownership and through investigations of those denouncements giv en by shareholders who represent not lower than 2% of capital contribution. The shareholders also have a voting right dependent on the extent of shares owned and this right needs to be exercised within the formal dispositions of legislation and by-laws. The shareholders have thus the right to be given the opportunity to participate and vote effectively in the general shareholder meetings. They should therefore; be informed on the rules, voting procedures and any other relevant information that governs general shareholder meetings. The shareholders also have the right to being given a secure method of registering for ownership. They should be able to convey or transfer their shares besides being able to elect and remove the board members when need arises (OECD 18-20; Waring, et al. 205-207). The shareholders also have the inherent right of participation in the decision making processes that are related to certain fundamental corporate changes and should be sufficiently informed regar ding these decisions when they do arise. Such changes include the amendments done to the documents that govern the company such as decisions on the by-laws; authorizations of any additional shares which
Reading Log Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1
Reading Log - Essay Example Pickpockets are individuals who are skilled in stealing other peopleââ¬â¢s sweat. The actions of these individuals are immoral, since they are not in harmony with the laws of ethics that governs relationship of individuals in the society. They vigorously take what does not belong to them, and considers it as theirs. The protagonist in the film Pickpocket is a young a man named Michael. His perceptions towards crime are that individuals possessing high intellectual capacities should not be held accountable for their doings. He takes this theory into practice by snatching wallets from individuals. In the beginning, Michael encounters difficulty in his pick pocketing tendencies as he is constantly arrested by police officers. Moreover, life is unfair to him because he lacks the knack to live luxuriously. He is ashamed of visiting his sick mother in the hospital. Instead, he resorts to develop a love interests on a woman he clearly knows he can not date. The situation gets worse when even the apartment he resides in depicts his deteriorating financial status (Cunneen, 2004, p.73). However, his continuous practice and intelligence in pick pocketing exalts him to a status where he changes his life style. He develops a sense of fashion in his dressing and becomes mildly mannered. These traits make it impossible for outside individuals, and even neighbors to group him as a pickpocket. Michaelââ¬â¢s first encounter as a pickpocket was when he stole money from a ladyââ¬â¢s handbag at a Paris racetrack. He was propelled to become a mastermind in pickpocket by his own compulsion. The story ends when Michael is torn between making choices. He is locked up in a cell, and the only person who pays him a visit, is his mother. His freedom of choosing between his mother and his habits are limited in the end because he lacks the freedom of choosing, since he is sentenced to prison (Cunneen, 2004, p.71). Lââ¬â¢ Argent (ââ¬Å"Moneyâ⬠)
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Issues in employee preformance essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words
Issues in employee preformance - Essay Example In a production oriented organization or manufacturing organization, the employees function like a chain. If any one link (employee) goes out of order or damaged in a chain (Organization), the strength and cohesion of the chain (Organization) will be lost. For example in a tire manufacturing unit, it is important that all the three divisions (mixing, building and curing) function properly in order to ensure 100% productivity. If the mixing people fail to deliver the processed rubber compound in time, green tire building will be affected whereas if the building people fail to complete their duties in time curing will be affected. Thus all the employees in a manufacturing unit complement each other in order to attain maximum productivity. Management of employees in a manufacturing unit is not an easy task. In fact the job of a production supervisor is a complex one since he should act as the link between the employees and the management. The interests of employees and the management may often contradict each other and the production supervisor is the person who needs to satisfy both the management and the employees. This paper briefly analyses the management of employee performances in a manufacturing unit by a production line supervisor. In most of the manufacturing units, the production supervisor has the responsibility of finishing the production in time. He should follow the schedules he received from his superiors or planning department in order to ensure maximum production in his shift. At the same time, unforeseen problems may occur at the time of production. For example, some of the employees might be absent, some of the machineries faced breakdowns or some of the other departments linked with the production have not performed well. In all such circumstances, the employees will contact the production supervisor for the advice and instructions. For example, if some of the employees absent in a particular shift, it is difficult for
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Diversity in Criminal Justice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words
Diversity in Criminal Justice - Essay Example As a result, Arizona felt it had that right to to enhance existing federal provisions, openly enforce them, and add state misdemeanor charges to anyone found to be in violation of being in the country illegally. The law itself gave much more power to law enforcement personnel than was previously possible, which lead to much public outcry. One such provision was that individuals suspected of being an illegal immigrant could be stopped by a police officer, or other agent of the law, and asked to prove his or right to be in the state. Failure to provide such proof would be a misdemeanor in Arizona, and potentially result in federal prosecution as well. This, and several other provisions of the law, reflect a great divide in the criminal justice in America today and form the basis for this brief report. At the time that this particular bill was passed in Arizona in 2010, it was believed to be the strongest and strictest piece of immigration currently enacted to guard against illegal immigration. Part of what made the law so strong was the sweeping power that it gave to the police in their interaction with people within their jurisdiction. The law itself springs off a federal law that does require that any alien over the age of 14, and desiring to be in the country for longer 30 days, register with the federal government. Such registration provides individuals with a document that they are to have in their possession at all times, and failure to abide by this would result in being charge with a misdemeanor. Arizona added onto this law and made it a misdemeanor according to state law as well, which allowed local police the right to ascertain the immigration status of any individual stopped during a ââ¬Ëlawful stop, detention, or arrestââ¬â¢. This right carried over to any lawfu l contact that the police might have with such an individual, regardless of
Monday, September 23, 2019
Small and Medium Enterprises Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 10000 words
Small and Medium Enterprises - Coursework Example It has been found that over the past several years throughout the industrialized countries the extra growth that has been achieved is due to the large growth in SMEs (Barakat, 2001). SMEs constitute the dominant form of business organization, accounting for over 95% and up to 99% of enterprises depending on the country. They are responsible for between 60-70% net job creation in OECD countries. Small businesses are particularly important for bringing innovative products or techniques to the market (OECD, 2006). SMEs in any country can grow by partnerships between the private and the public sector by provision of high quality business support that includes training for the development and improvement of the managerial skills for potential and currently operating SMEs. Furthermore, government can assess SMEs in selling their products and services domestically as well as on international front. But most important factor is the financial support. Availability of capital and credit is considered as a major stimulant for the development of the SMEs in many industrialized nations and specially the developing world. Besides government larger and bigger businesses and corporations operating in an economy can help SMEs become more viable business partners by providing training in basic skills such as management, bookkeeping, business planning, marketing, distribution, and quality control. They can assist through technology transfers, direct investment in infrastructure, and the sharing of knowledge. This will make SMEs more competitive and facilitates access to credit. SMEs as their start up financing and also operations and working capital needs require greater access to financial services and investment capital. Unlike SMEs big businesses have little difficulty in securing sizeable bank loans and private investments. At the same time, microfinance, consisting of very small loans, tends to benefit individual entrepreneurs. SMEs fall in between and often struggle to obtain credit and loans. Some 90% of entrepreneurs in Latin America are obliged to source much of their financing from personal savings according to Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) estimates, a picture true throughout much of the developing world (World Business Council for sustainable development). Many financial institutions in the developed and the developing world are reluctant to fund SMEs because of perceived risk and high transaction costs.16 SMEs in the developing world are considered high-risk, as their managers are perceived as lacking managerial expertise, credit history, and/or tangible assets to secure loans. Thus loans to SMEs, when they are able to obtain them, tend to carry higher interest rates and shorter pay-back times. Definition of an SME There is not a single characteristic that is used to define an SME; and thus there is no single definition of SME that can be used as a standard for businesses to qualify as and SME or a large business. Some economists, governments and analysts define SMEs in terms of their revenue generation capabilities, others see how many people have been employed, more criteria consider the land that is occupied for business operations. European Union's indication for a small business is one with a headcount of less than 50 and a microenterprise as one with a maximum of 10 employees; whereas
Sunday, September 22, 2019
Making decisions Essay Example for Free
Making decisions Essay Written by Bernard Malamud, ââ¬Å"The Naturalâ⬠title does place a key meaning to the term, ââ¬Å"the naturalâ⬠as it is an inspiring baseball story that places a good read. The author discusses several character traits as well as interesting characters that are found in real life. Therefore, ââ¬Å"The Naturalâ⬠represents its meaning in such a way that it portrays the natural real life characters of America. Furthermore, ââ¬Å"The Naturalâ⬠by Bernard Malamud is a work different from the rest of the literature he has written. ââ¬Å"The Naturalâ⬠is a title that portrays ââ¬Å"the naturalâ⬠baseball craze of Americans; this is something that is very ââ¬Å"naturalâ⬠in this literature because the game of baseball places a ââ¬Å"naturalâ⬠exciting feeling within the American public. The craze of the game is absolutely ââ¬Å"naturalâ⬠and therefore, the author reflects many characteristics and story plots throughout the novel. Therefore, this can be one of the reasons why the title term, ââ¬Å"The Naturalâ⬠would place the same meaning as, ââ¬Å"the natural. â⬠After reading through Bernard Malamudââ¬â¢s novel, ââ¬Å"The Natural,â⬠I also felt that there were mixed natural feelings of loss and victory associated with the natural life pattern. Malamud highlights on natural traits of manââ¬â¢s emotions throughout the novel where we experience heightened love, sense of victory as well as loss. The beginning of the novel is strange but the story slowly picks up after a span of 15 years where we see the coaches desperately trying to win the baseball game slot. At this particular stance, we sense the ââ¬Å"naturalnessâ⬠displayed in the story by the author when Roy takes a straight hit at his first ball throw that makes Roy seem very ââ¬Å"naturalâ⬠at his game. By ââ¬Å"naturalâ⬠here, we mean Royââ¬â¢s fluent attempt at his game that makes him the hero of the novel. Though the psychiatrist tries to messes with his mind, a ââ¬Å"naturalâ⬠instinct is always followed by a sense that shows familiarity as well as fluency with the task that Roy is trying to accomplish. Roy is not a trained baseball player and that is the reason why we would state that Royââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"naturalnessâ⬠in his game is an attribute he has from within. The title, ââ¬Å"The Naturalâ⬠can also be related to love or infatuation that Roy develops for Memo Paris since his arrival at Knights. Love or infatuation is truly a ââ¬Å"naturalâ⬠feeling and again, the author maintains the theme of his title that precisely corresponds to the story he is narrating to his audience. Apart from the natural skill of Roy that Bernard Malamud displays in his character, we also come across the natural feeling of love in the story. ââ¬Å"The Naturalâ⬠truly places an emphasis on its title and the Bernard Malamud knows his choice of the title. ââ¬Å"The Naturalâ⬠not only displays the realistic aspects of feelings but also skills that the character in the novel is fluent in. ââ¬Å"The Naturalâ⬠as stated earlier, also displays several characters that show a natural resemblance to real life characters. It is evident to come across beautiful and wicked women in real life and thus, what we read in ââ¬Å"The Naturalâ⬠too relates to the natural life. Bernard Malamud discusses the several factors that are associated with the natural aspects of oneââ¬â¢s life by narrating Royââ¬â¢s story. Bernard has been extremely entertaining in providing a perfect baseball story that is of ââ¬Å"naturalâ⬠interest for its readers and the readers comprise of millions of American baseball fans due to the fact that American baseball is the national sport of the country. We further witness how Bernard Malamud tackles the several issues of Royââ¬â¢s life naturally where victory is definitely a part of one picture and another picture that Malamud represents at the end of the story is the loss. ââ¬Å"Natureâ⬠or ââ¬Å"Naturalâ⬠has different meanings, of which Bernard Malamud has attempted to cover most of the meanings that have been portrayed in the story. Mostly, it is the realism stance of the story that counts in the Bernard Malamudââ¬â¢s narration. The stance of growth and advancement, as in real life, is another sign of ââ¬Å"naturalnessâ⬠in Bernard Malamudââ¬â¢s text, ââ¬Å"The Natural. â⬠The real ââ¬Å"naturalâ⬠life also accounts for the good and the bad. We witnessed characters that came from good backgrounds as well as bad backgrounds. Therefore, the realistic ââ¬Å"naturalismâ⬠in the novel plays a vital role in giving an insight into the title; that is ââ¬Å"The Natural. â⬠Overall, the themes that can be found in ââ¬Å"The Naturalâ⬠placed a natural feeling in the heart of the readers. We saw how victory takes place and how the character in the story, Roy faces defeat as well. We also come across the sense of greed that leads Roy to accepting the bribe that made his team lose. The story serves as a valuable lesson for the readers to take the actions and consequences act into account as for every action, there is a consequence. If the action is good, the consequence is good and if the action is bad, the consequence will also be the same. With regards to the title of the novel, ââ¬Å"The Naturalâ⬠, I agree with it due to its coinciding incidences with the realism of life. The author successfully draws a sense of naturalness in the entire novel thereby making the title, the perfect match for it. Including the themes of love and infatuation, Bernard Malamud completes his story by highlighting on every aspect of human emotions. Bernard Malamudââ¬â¢s style of presenting the story in a realistic manner pertaining to the game of baseball as well as several characters draws a tremendous interest for the readers to look into the realistic factual characters presented by him in the novel. ââ¬Å"The Naturalâ⬠is a perfect title that applauds victory and sheds light on failure; love and infatuation; the good and the bad as well as choices. This characteristic feature of the novel makes it distinct and unique, the themes of which are truly ââ¬Å"naturalâ⬠in every senseâ⬠¦ LESSON 2: TROY AND ROY COMPARISON Troy and Roy are characters that are similar as well as differ from each other in many ways. Roy had clearly been an achiever in his life, till the ââ¬Å"almostâ⬠end. In case of Troy, we donââ¬â¢t see that coming in his life except before he was jailed. Instead, Troyââ¬â¢s life revolves much around his own family and his own past and his own emotional drama. Roy had his love and his piece of infatuation, victory, failure as well as growth throughout the story. We see the same happening in Troyââ¬â¢s case but with a much different note. The only similarity I found through both the characters was their aim to become a baseball player of which, Roy had achieved a permanent status of a ââ¬Å"naturalâ⬠baseball player while Troy had given up on baseball based on his age. However, in Troyââ¬â¢s case, we didnââ¬â¢t see this aim in his life. Yes- he wanted to become a baseball player, he became the best baseball player but never returned back. He lost the opportunity when he was provided with one. Roy, however, is wise while making his decisions though at the end of the story, he too loses himself towards greed. That is another part of the story. I agree that both the characters have faced setbacks and triumphs in their own way in their respective stories but they cannot be stated as the ââ¬Å"black and whiteâ⬠versions of the same kind of American male. Troy is more of a confused personality who loses opportunities while Roy is an achiever and the only moment he failed was when he was presented a lofty sum by Judge to lose the game or else, it was clear that Roy would have had led Knights to the path of victory. Troy revolves much around his personal life where he is involved with his sons, Cory and Lyons with his wife Rose and his girlfriend, Alberta. His brother Gabriel has a small role to play but Troyââ¬â¢s feelings towards his brother Gabriel where he holds himself responsible for his misfortunes shows Troyââ¬â¢s naive attitude towards understanding issues. Unlike Roy (whose game and success came naturally to him), Troy has an abusive childhood who was abused by his father. Eventually, the same influence and history was repeated by Troy on his other two sons. There is no change of heart throughout the story. We also sense that though there is a considerable time lapse between the lives of Troy and Roy, age didnââ¬â¢t deter Roy from playing baseball again while Troy easily gave up his game. The other similarity that I can state in both the characters is the sense of moral weakness. Troy and Roy are morally weak. Troy cheated on his wife by involving himself with another woman while Roy gives himself in to the bribe by the Judge. Royââ¬â¢s character is exhibited less emotionally except when he involved himself in love and infatuation. Troyââ¬â¢s character is more on an emotional stance where he has his life and feelings in dilemma since the beginning. Though, both the characters face their actions and their consequences in their own manner, both the stories end with a sad note; Roy with his failure and Troy with his death. However, Troyââ¬â¢s daughter, Raynell does seem like an angel in the story. Troy had imaginarily built fences around his relationships wanting to keep death away from those he loved and those he hated as well. He had built his own boundaries and thus, was an unsuccessful father and even an unsuccessful husband (as he cheats on his wife). Royââ¬â¢s weakness lies mainly with money and love as he too had a poor childhood and therefore aimed to become a baseball star. Troy is a fifty-three year old man who has built imaginary fences around himself from everyone in his life, including his own wife and therefore cheated on her. Roy, on the other hand, didnââ¬â¢t cheat on him and thus, Troy and Roy cannot be regarded as the black and white versions of the same American protagonist displayed by the two authors. Troy and Roy are similar, but in a smaller sense with each other. They come across misfortunes and in the end, have a sad ending to their lives. Their emotional stance on the events they faced in their lives is different. In both the novel stories, we come across a time lapse that had passed between the characters. Roy, as I believe, is sincere in his motives and is only confused about certain issues in his life. Troy, on the other hand, does not understand the essence of life at all and proceeds with life as it is, without willing to make any changes. Roy, a personality mostly not guided and mistaken, is underestimated though he has had a few bad hits in the baseball game, based on the story. Troy has faced a long hurdle of hardships throughout, especially when he quit his career as a baseball player after going to the prison. We also witness discrimination, apartheid in August Wilsonââ¬â¢s play, ââ¬Å"Fencesâ⬠where Troy is Black and is not promoted for a long time to the position of the driver based on his skin color. We come across no such issue of discrimination in Royââ¬â¢s case but further, Royââ¬â¢s foolishness to achieve the woman he wants. Roy is willing to do anything for her and therefore, blindly accepts what Judge offers and thus, lands in a situation where he is a loser. He could have been victorious only if he had used his senses in a stronger way while making decisions (and by not letting his emotional part overtake him). Troy, on the other hand, has his life in a completely irreversible state where Troyââ¬â¢s confidence is completely shattered by the term he spent in prison. Therefore, he couldnââ¬â¢t change what already happened in his life and therefore, didnââ¬â¢t have sufficient confidence to go back to his previous life. Troy and Roy both differ in a great respect but share only some similarities.
Friday, September 20, 2019
Sympathy In The Story Perfume English Literature Essay
Sympathy In The Story Perfume English Literature Essay As Perfume created by Suskind unravels the story of an olfactory vampire, the reader is introduced to its tragic anti-heroà JeanBaptiste Grenouille the literal translation of which is frog, an amphibian known for its despicable appearance and keen sense of smell. Grenouille is introduced with traits like arrogance, misanthropy, immorality, or, more succinctly, wickednessà [1]à . Born amidst the stench and the squalor of Paris with streets that stank of manure, the stench of costic Iyes from the tanneriesà [2]à , Grenouille is rejected by his mother at his birth and by cutting of the umbilical cord with her gutting knifeà [3]à she disassociates and distances herself from him forever. Unlike her four still births, who she left to die, Grenouille survived in this repulsive and sickening neighborhood to evolve into a serial killer.à This childhood trauma of abandonment and abuse and the grotesque way in which the mother literally leaves Grenouille to fend for himself in the foetid odour of burnt animal hornà [4]à evokes pity and sympathy for the baby.These smells create an atmosphere and prepare the reader for what has yet to come. He is callously dumped in an orphanage where the other children almost asphyxiate him to death but he survived the measles, chicken pox, a twenty foot fall into a well and a scalding with boiling water poured over his ch està [5]à which left him with a slightly crippled footà [6]à and a limp but he lived.à [7]à Any other child faced with such traumatic experience without the care of a mothers warmth would have breathed his last, but not Grenouille. He was a survivor and ironically lived in the claustrophobic world of eighteenth century France in which he was overpowered by olfactoryà experiences. The House of the Spirits crafted by Isabelle Allende is set against the backdrop of political turmoil and social upheaval of Chile à a politically volatile country in Latin America. Esteban Trueba belonged to that minority of socially and economically elite class which controlled the fortunes of the majority: peasants and laborers. He is the outcome of an alliance between his wealthy mother Dona Ester Trueba and a good for nothing immigrantà [8]à father who squandered away the wealth leaving his children to resurrect their lives. Esteban is, like Grenouille, devoid of warm, caring touch of his mother since she was immobile in her chair and was put back into her bed, propped up in the half seated position that was the only one her arthritis allowedà [9]à . Being in the company of a money driven father and a bed ridden mother, Esteban Trueba is a character sculpted by the circumstances. His had been a childhood of privations, discomfort, harshness, interminable night-time ros aries, fear, and guilt.à [10]à à In Perfume the uncanny description of Grenouille committing his first murder accidentally to capture the smell of a young virgin elicits two strong emotions from the reader: repulsion for killing an innocent; bafflement at having not assaulted her;However,Grenouillerealized the meaning and goal and purpose of his life had a higher destiny: nothing less than to revolutionize the odiferous world.à [11]à A murder had been start of his splendor. If he was at all aware of the fact, it was a matter of total indifference to him.à [12]à Later, when he begs Baldini to give him work the reader wants him to succeed even though we hope that he fails. Moreover, in his ruthless killing of young girls in pursuit of a distilled, pure scent, we are morbidly fascinated by the vials of perfume yet sickened by our own thoughts. The reader is confronted with Grenouilles desperation and his need for acceptance for which he would go to any length. At the end of his self imposed hibernation, he real izes that only one odour was not there-his own odorà [13]à , a scream as dreadful and loud as if he were being burned aliveà [14]à came out of him.Since Grenouille determines identity through smell and the fact that he cannot smell himself brings himthe realisation that he does not have an identity. He experiences the fear of not knowing anything about himself. The reader identifies and sympathises with the insecurity that Grenouille possesses, because he has no odour and thus he is an outcast in society. Similarly, Esteban is a savage and a barbaric in Tres Marias tumbling young girls on the rushes of the riverbankà ¢Ã¢â ¬Ã ¦sowing the entire region with his bastard offspring.à [15]à However, Tres Marias is the microcosm of the systematic and generational abuse of the labour class and Esteban represents the autocratic dictator. he could tolerate no opposition; he viewed the slightest disagreement as a provocationà [16]à This evokes extreme dislike for Esteban but by bringing out the callous and insensitive side of Esteban, Allende depicts the oligarchy that controlled the government, preventing the voice of the people from being expressed.The peasants had not heard of unions, or Sundays off, or the minimum wages.à [17]à Atrocities were committed against the citizens as torture, beatings, and rape was common practice. Esteban Truebas rape of PanchaGarcà a is a reflection of the exploitation of the peasant classes by the upper classes. Thus, Esteban is a metaphor for all the ills plaguing the society at that time. He has to be seen not as a cruel patriarch but embodiment of the rotting, declining system that mirrors the class struggle, the gender bias and the political dichotomy.à Both books follow the tradition of bildungsroman: the protagonists suffer an emotional loss in the beginning of the story and both feature their journey through life, conflicts between them and society and their steely determination to excel and follow the path they have chartered for themselves. Grenouille found purpose to his life in Baldinis perfumery and Suskind cheats the reader into believing that they are witness to a genius in making. Grenouille is driven, excessively obsessed with the idea of perfecting the best perfume. The reader admires his passion, his frantic pace of rushing against time to prove something to himself for which he suffered tiny cramped living quarters, surviving on bare minimum food and winning the battle against life threatening syphilitic small pox. In The House of the spirits Esteban Truebas cruel treatment of his wife, daughter, and female workers represents Allendes depiction of females as sexual objects. But despite the fact that Esteban rapes, pillages, kills and conspires, he never entirely loses the readers sympathy. It is a remarkable achievement to make the old monster lovable not just to his wife, daughter, and granddaughter, and the other women in his life, but also to the reader. This is done through the third voice that belongs to Esteban Trueba, whose first person accounts serve to express either his intense passion or his acute suffering. Im the patron here now. Esteban is a complex character as his words would reveal. Had these words not been there, we would have summarily dismissed him as a fiendish rogue. Despite his hatred of peasants, Esteban is driven by a desire for the attention and affection of others. Approaching death however, he begins to see the negative outcomes of his violent, selfish actions and be comes increasingly aware of how lonely he is. à The gothic and the gruesome start early in The House of the Spirits with Clara witnessing the autopsy of her sister and the assistant ravaging her corpse. When Nivea meets with an accident and her head is split from her body and thrown away in the bushes an acute chill runs down the readers spine which is further accentuated by the head being brought and placed in the basement of the house. These gory images coupled with a matter of fact tone to bring forth the massacre, violence and Albas captivity during the coup serve to highlight that the characters and their situations are mirrors of the clash and turmoil in Chile at that time. We respond to the tragic and repulsive nature of the unfortunate Grenouille and Esteban with a certain amount of horror and pity. Grenouilles mastery at creating an unparalleled perfume is not overshadowed by the mass orgy that he evokes on dousing himself with this perfume made from the skin of virgins. It is ironic that each man, each woman, in the hands of the little man in the blue frock coat for better or worse loved him.à [18]à Ironic also because of the terror instilled by the murders that went into the making of the scent. à We admire his intelligence and his amazing sense of smell which leads to his success in achieving acceptance from society. He does not kill others for pleasure, but to obtain their scent. For this reasons his victims were only the ones who Grenouille thought had extraordinary scents. Since the reader knows that scent represents identity it could be said that Grenouilles motive for murdering his victims is to acquire an identity. Suskind and Alendes writing techniques are also distinctive in the way that they use phrases and imagery to make violent and grotesque descriptions realistic and repulsive. They drove their claws and teeth into his flesh, they attacked him like hyenasà [19]à and Esteban wore a tiny suede bag à ¢Ã¢â ¬Ã ¦in it were his wifes false teeth, which he treated as a token of good luck and expiationà [20]à Through these techniques, we are drawn into the world of Grenouille and Esteban. Esteban and Grenouille follow the path that they charter for themselves. In their pursuit to seek identity and acceptance, they commit unforgivable crimes for which the reader does not pardon them but accepts their reasons for doing so. They hold a mirror to the society and ask the question: who really is the monster?
Iago: Suffering Through Evil Essay -- Literary Analysis
What is it that makes a person evil? Is it their actions, their words, or their thoughts? Is it more acceptable if ââ¬Å"the end justifies the meansâ⬠? Telling a lie that doesnââ¬â¢t have a negative effect on anyone, and that saves someone grief, is considered good. So why is killing someone to save others considered bad? The morality of an action is based solely on the outcome. Thus, doing anything whatsoever that is required to get the desired result, regardless of the methods used, would be considered ââ¬Å"okâ⬠if the result was of a good nature. Human nature is hardwired in us through the brain. So, human nature, being good or evil, is hardwired in us as well. It is our choice whether or not to act on these thoughts of sinful nature. For Iago, he not only thinks about crude things he also acts upon those thoughts. The actions of a military warrior, executed in normal society, show the ââ¬Å"ethical blindnessâ⬠of a man with no filter of morality (). The soldierââ¬â¢s jealousy converges with his personal injustice to direct his passion of hate towards the Moor. Iago accuses Othello of having relations with his wife, and that Othello has not given him the correct rank that he has earned after years of service at Othelloââ¬â¢s side. Iago had devoted his intelligence and efficiency to good and, from that he gained nothing. Othello gave the lieutenant ship to Cassio and thus turned Iagoââ¬â¢s jealousy towards Cassio as well. After this, he changes his course of action to obtaining his own personal interpretation of justice. Even though Iago is intelligent, crafty, and subtle he canââ¬â¢t control his jealous suspicions that ââ¬Å"Othello has played him false with Emiliaâ⬠(McCloskey). Iago then goes on to state his plot to get revenge, ââ¬Å"nothing can or shall content my sou... ...e canââ¬â¢t effectively foresee the events coming to him (McCloskey). The irony of his quest of justice and revenge is that he suffers in the end. Works Cited Abnernethy, Julian W. "Honest Iago." Jstor: The Sweannee Review. The John Hopkins University Press. Web. 11 Apr. 2012. Kennedy, X.J., and Dana Gioia. Backpack Literature. 4th ed. Upper Saddle River: Pearson, 2012. 762-875. Print. West, Fred. ââ¬Å"Iago the Psychopath.â⬠South Atlantic Modern Language Association. South Atlantic Bulletin. 43.2 (1978): 27-35. Web 11 Apr. 2012.. McCloskey, John C. "The Motivation of Iago." National Council of Teachers of English . 3.1 (1941): 25-30. Web. 11 Apr. 2012. . Machiavelliââ¬â¢s The Prince a summary with quotations
Thursday, September 19, 2019
Nikola Tesla Essays -- Tesla Coil Science Electricity Electron
"Nikola Tesla is the world's greatest inventor, not only at present but in all history...His basic as well as revolutionary discoveries, for sheer audacity, have no equal in the annals of the intellectual world." (Hugo Gernsback, science editor and publisher.) Father of Alternating Current and AC induction motors, Nikola Tesla is known best for the high voltage generator that bears his name- the Tesla Coil. But this limited recognition hardly does justice to his legacy as an inventor. His name should be placed besides Thomas Edison, perhaps his biggest rival, for his contributions to electronics. But while electromagnetism was Tesla's primary focus during his life, the scope of his work and ideas were not so limited. He had many strange inventions and discoveries, many of which where not realized because of his opponents or for personal reasons. Others, as we will see, were simply too far-fetched or ambitious. But much of that story's been told before, just as it has been for countless other great scientists and inventors. Here I hope to focus more on the nature of the man that gives birth to the idea of a global night-light or a mail tube beneath the Atlantic, and the other radical ideas that such a mind could create. It's difficult to say why some of the more abnormal, and perhaps more interesting, details of history are forgotten or conveniently left out. Perhaps for simplicity, or perhaps to make history look more noble and admirable. Personally, I believe it's similar to people trying to forget their mistakes and the times they were "less than bright," in order to create an exaggerated image of themselves. Similarly, history tries to forget its more embarrassing moments, so that it may create a more more noble... ...If she needed me, nothing else mattered. As long as I had her, there was a purpose in my life. Then one night as I was lying in my bed in the dark, solving problems, as usual, she flew in through the open window and stood on my desk. I knew she wanted me; she wanted to tell me something important so I got up and went to her. As I looked at her I knew she wanted to tell me- she was dying. And then, as I got her message, there came a light from her eyes- powerful beams of light...Yes, it was a real light, a powerful, dazzling, blinding light, a light more intense than I had ever produced by the most powerful lamps in my laboratory. When that pigeon died, something went out of my life.Up to that time I knew with a certainty that I would complete my work, no matter how ambitious my program, but when that something went out of my life I knew my life's work was finished."
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
Fatty Acids are Needed for Growth Essay -- Health Nutrition Papers
Fatty Acids are Needed for Growth The lipids of our central nervous system contain high proportions of arachidonic acid (20:4 n-6, AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 n-3, DHA) which are the two most important polyunsaturated fatty acids in the brain. Levels of linoleic acid (18:2 n-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (18:3 n-3) are low, usually less than 1% to 2% of total fatty acids (Innis, S78-79). Linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid are precursors to AA and DHA; they are elongated and desaturated to form AA and DHA (Clandinin, 27). The brain growth in humans begins early in the third trimester of pregnancy. This is the most important period for brain AA and DHA accumulation (Innis, S78-79). Therefore, the composition of fat in the brain during this period is very important for normal growth and development of the brain. Any changes in the balance of the fatty acids in the dietary fat intake will result in changes in the membrane functioning of brain cells. During this prenatal life, lipids are mostly needed for structural and regulatory functions. After birth, the infant is challenged by changes in the lipid sources. The response to these changes can be altered by changes in the diet composition. For example, a newborn infantââ¬â¢s response to human milk is considered to be ideal, therefore baby formulas try to mimic that response (Biervliet, S101). Studies have shown that fatty acid accumulation in the brain increases as the pregnancy progresses. It reaches the maximum level of accumulation toward the end of the pregnancy. But there are differences in the rate of accumulation of these fatty acids. For example, DHA levels in the cerebrum increase as the percentage of the total fatty acid, whereas AA levels decrease during ... ...awlosky, Robert J, and Salem, Norman Jr. "Ethanol exposure causes a decrease in docosahexaenoic acid and an increase in docosapentaenoic acid in feline brains and retinas." The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 61 (6). June 1995, 1284-9. Stryer, Lubert. Biochemistry. Fourth edition. W.H. Freeman and Company, New York. 1995, 687-88. Uavy, Ricardo, Birch, Eileen, Birch, David, and Peirano, Patricio. "Visual and brain function measurements in studies of n-3 fatty acid requirements of infants." The Journal of Pediatrics. 120 (4)(pt 2). Apr 1992, S168-80. Van Biervliet, J.P., Vinaimont, N., Vercaemst, R., and Rosseneu, M. "Serum cholesterol, cholesteryl ester, and high-density lipoprotein development in newborn infants: Response to formulas supplemented with cholesterol and gamma-linolenic acid." The Journal of Pediatrics. 120(4)(pt 2). Apr 1992, S101-8.
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
The Twilight Saga 5: Midnight Sun 23. Race
As I was kneeling down on the ground I felt sturdy hands bring me to my feet and the thoughts that accompanied them. Alice. Edward, she's not dead. We have to hurry. I know where she's going! I sprung to my feet and flew towards the parking structure, which luckily had a covered pathway. She didn't need to think or say any other words to get me to my feet and bring me from the almost catatonic state I was slipping to. Alice was running next to me while Carlisle, Emmett and Jasper were trailing behind. I whipped in and out of the many rows of cars looking for a vehicle that would be fast enough to save the precious life that had consumed me and filled me with a warmth I would never get back if she ?C gulp ?C were dead. All the while Alice was shouting orders and directions to all of us. ââ¬Å"Fifty-Eighth Street and Cactus,â⬠she was running next to Jasper now. ââ¬Å"The Ballet Studio.â⬠Several images floated across her mind to direct me where to go. I winced as the images also showed the death or newly created vampire life that was now Bella's future. A mixture of emotions poured into my mind. Pain. Grief. Agony. Relief? Would I feel relieved if she became a vampire? ââ¬Å"Carlisle, go with Edward,â⬠Alice continued to bark orders. ââ¬Å"Jasper, Emmett ?C you're with me.â⬠I could see the inner workings of their minds as they mentally brought maps of the Phoenix area to the forefront trying to map the best possible routes to get to Bella. I can't wait to get a piece of him. Emmett raced through the cars excitedly. Another feeling ?C anger ?C was pulsing through my body in rapid fluid movements down my veins. Emotions were filling me as I continued to witness and hear my families reactions to the human girl they once tried to condemn to death. I listened mostly to Jaspers rampant thoughts. Take a leftâ⬠¦wait, no, go straight. He was mentally mapping the area. I have to get to her in timeâ⬠¦ Edward. He winced at the feelings he could feel emitting off of my body. All the different emotions were heightened as each situation ran through my mind. Alice. Jasper put a little more force behind each step he took. And Bellaâ⬠¦ He didn't understand his affection for her, but it was strongly there. A shiny black car caught my eye as I dashed around a corner. I saw the little letters on the bumper that instantly pulled me to it ?C SLK55 AMG. Mercedes. I didn't know who I was sending my thanks to, but I said it anyways. ââ¬Å"Thank you,â⬠I mumbled. Excellent, Alice had found an almost equally fast vehicle, a STSV Cadillac. I gripped the door of the Mercedes hard enough that it easily opened, breaking the handle in the process. Alarms went off. ââ¬Å"Open the hood,â⬠Carlisle shouted. I pressed the button for the hood and it flew up. The alarms stopped instantly. ââ¬Å"Okay. Let's go.â⬠Carlisle yelled while slamming the hood shut. He ran back to the passenger's side door pulling it open and slumping to his seat, slamming the door. Go. He didn't need to tell me, I had already put the car in reverse and was flying out of the parking spot ââ¬â Alice whizzing around the corner behind me. I put the car in first gear, and moved my feet so fast between letting off the clutch and pressing the accelerator that the car darted forward, squealed tires and flew out of the parking garage with an angry attendant screaming at us. Carlisle was mentally listing all the possible supplies we might need once we arrived at the studio. ââ¬Å"What did Alice see again?â⬠ââ¬Å"A lot of blood,â⬠something was obstructing my throat. ââ¬Å"Anything else?â⬠ââ¬Å"Nothing obvious, it was blurry.â⬠Bella possibly becoming a vampire, I added mentally. I shifted into second gear as we turned a corner, the RPM running close to red as I speed towards the I-ten. I pressed the accelerator down harder as I switched into third gear. The engine roared in approval at my speed. It was only point eight miles to the exit I needed to take. Exit 147. Jasper thought mentally. Alice was keeping up with me, practically trying to race me down the interstate ?C we were in a race, a race to get to Bella. I flew past several cars as horns blared and hand gestures came flying out of windows. We both weaved in and out of traffic as I listened to Alice's thoughts to see which moves she would make next, making our driving seem synchronized. A semi truck made it impossible to pass so Alice and I both moved into the emergency lane. I was finally hitting fifth gear as our exit loomed into view. I pushed the car faster as we turned off the exit. Highway fifty-one, Emmett acknowledged. I saw the mental map in his mind as I realized it would be a grueling thirteen point nine miles until we would reach our next turn. There were seven cars waiting at the red light right off the interstate. We can make it without any accidents if we time this right. Alice pictured our best move through traffic and running the red light ahead of us. We both separated, moving together but separately as we flew through gravel and side shoulders to pass the many waiting cars. At the exact same time we flew through the red light, both of our back ends sliding out sideways. I put my car into first gear and threw my foot down on the accelerator. Tires squealed and smoke billowed out behind me as the car lurched forward. Again, Alice and I drove in an intricate pattern in and out of traffic as she predicted the traffic light outcomes and our best possible routes. Three minutes had passed since I stood at the end of the sidewalk, at the end of dark and light. If Bella had been turned into a vampireâ⬠¦I trailed off in thought as many mixed emotions swam around in my brain. I hit second gear and the car flew forcefully forward as I pressed the gas down. Anxiety was ripping through me at the thought of Bella no longer living. Alice's vision was brought to the forefront of my mind as I began to think contingency plans. During Alice's insight I saw Bella's limp, dead and broken body strewn across the studio floor, blood covering every last inch of her. Alice saw me running into the room and bringing Bella to my chest, refusing to let go as I continued to try and listen for her beating heart that was no longer moving the precious blood that smelt so delicious. Imagining my life without Bella was excruciating and I knew that if I were too late, I too would die. But how would I? Jasper wouldn't help, and neither would Emmett. I knew Carlisle would refuse to end my life and Esme would back him up. Even Rosalie would not take my life, even if I begged and graveled. I shifted into third gear as we flew down the highway. Cop ahead, slow down. Alice warned me, but I refused to let up on the accelerator. I pressed the pedal down harder as the car's RPM reached Eight thousand. I shifted into fourth gear and the car jerked forward. I didn't bother to see what the outcome would be when I flew past the parked cop. He turned his lights on and began speeding down the road after me. What he didn't know was that I could read his mind. I knew exactly what his plans were and Alice could see the future outcomes of them and I would ultimately get away. The cop's sirens blared behind me as he called for backup. I put the car into third gear, advancing the Mercedes. Alice was now behind the cop, trying to distract him with her reckless driving. The cops mind became incoherent with panic as Alice tried to run him off the road. When we finally had the cop between the two of us, he began to mutter under his breath little prayers to his god. Ahead was a car, and we were going to pass it, the cop was going to have to stop or wreck. As with most humans, their first reaction is to protect self. The cop slammed on his brakes while cussing loudly. I put the car back into fourth gear as it advanced down highway fifty-one. We swerved in and out of more cars as traffic began building up as the morning hours ticked on. My skin began to glitter fantastically out the window as many pedestrians began to gawk at me as I drove by. I slammed the clutch in and threw the car into fifth gear. Another lurch forward and the car went flying past several vehicles and buildings, making them almost blurry. The quicker my speed became the more Alice's vision began to change, but it was still too cloudy to depict the outcome. I blocked out her visions because I was afraid they would bring me into a false sense of security. I saw East Lincoln Drive and knew that we were bang on course. I stomped the clutch down again as I brought the car into sixth gear. I was now flying through cars along with Alice going one twenty five. Each second that passed me felt like an eternity. Come on Alice, press the damn gas down, Jasper roared in his head. I didn't understand his thoughts. He had no connection to Bella, no link of any kind. If she were to perish, he would survive, but he continued to press the imaginary gas pedal from the passenger's side. Traffic was backing up down several blocks now and I had to find a way around them all. I mentally began mapping other roads in my mind. They will all be blocked. Alice informed me. With each new plan and thought I was thwarted by more traffic, more people and vehicles all pilling up on top of each other while Bella was nearing death. Cold fury swept through me as I yanked the car to a hard right and was now driving along the wide sidewalk next to several businesses. People were diving into the street and backing up against buildings as I speed past, Alice closely behind me. The chill that was in my stomach seemed to surge icy cold as my fear and panic rose with each second. During our drive Carlisle sat calmly in the passenger seat as we exposed ourselves and attracted unwanted attention. I hadn't been paying attention to his thoughts but finally noticed the calm composure that he had. ââ¬Å"Why are you so calm?â⬠I yelled. I want to save her life as much as you. We need to hurry ?C and if we have to make the papers, then so be it. Carlisle shot me a smile. His face was sparkling spectacularly, sending rainbows and waves of color out of the vehicle as we finally hopped off the sidewalk. I shifted down into third gear as I slowed behind some more cars. As soon as the way was clear I slammed the accelerator down, speeding down the road once more, pushing the clutch in to change into fourth. I brought the mental map back to the forefront of my mind as I tabulated how much longer it would be before we would be turning onto Cactus. I saw the street sign a quarter of a mile away and the car automatically went forcefully forward to punctuate my need. At long last I was going to be close enough to Bella that I would be able to hear her heart beat. As we approached the turn I refused to slow down. I stomped on the brake as it came upon us and sent the car sliding sideways until I was turned ninety degrees from where I was before, speeding hastily down Cactus. My stomach was screwed tight with pain when I heard the fluttering noise of an angel. Bella's heart was not thrumming at its normal pulse; it was quickened, yet pumping sluggishly at the same time. My heart lifted in spite of myself as I realized she was still alive. Relief so exquisite that it was nearly pain entered my body, but was suddenly replaced by anger. I made my way quickly down the road as we passed malls and parks where people were happily oblivious to the danger just blocks away. I saw Carlisle give an appreciative nod as I flipped the car into third gear, watching the RPM meter fly up until I grabbed the shifter and slammed it into fourth gear. I saw Carlisle grab the handles inside the car ready to eject himself out into the street to get to Bella. An upsurge of noise erupted in my mind as I heard Bella's cries of agony and scream ripping through the morning air. I could hear the mental pleasure in James' thoughts as he threw her body across the room. I turned a tortured face to Carlisle as he added to his mental list of possible supplies he would need once we arrived to the studio. A red haze clouded my visions as we drove closer ?C we were now only a block away. The vision in Alice's mind was solidifying and what I saw ripped my heart in two. Bella ?C a vampire. The monster, my monster, which had been so eager to escape, was now being liberated. Brutal violence ripped through my body and out through my fingertips as I gripped the steering wheel tighter. I could hear James' delicately inflected voice ââ¬Å"That's a very nice effect.â⬠Carlisle was stealing glances in my direction as we finally reached Fifty-Eighth Street. I barely slowed down as I drove the vehicle so close to the entrance it was only inches away from touching the glass doors. I could hear Bella's pulse reaching danger point as I practically pulled the car door off its hinges trying to get to her. I didn't bother opening the studio doors as I left Edward shaped holes in the glass. The second I entered the building the most delicious smell filled my lungs and I paused for only a brief fraction of a second to take in the aroma before my eyes fell immediately upon the monster hovering over Bella. It was a scene of total devastation ââ¬â glass was strewn across the floor and blood glittered in the sunlight coming from the windows. My eyes were solely focused on Bella, though. Her limp body lay unmoving and broken ?C bleeding. My worst fears had come to life. My view was suddenly obliterated by anger as I dived into James, sending him flying across the studio. He began snapping at me but I held him up around the throat, tightening my grip. Behind me I heard Bella gasping and groaning in agony. James struggled in my grip as Jasper flew up behind me, grabbing James' arm and ripping it off. I looked over my shoulder to see Emmett plummeting through the studio, his expression rapt and exultant at his new prey. I let go of James, realizing Bella needed me more. I was not oblivious to Jasper's thirst, which he kept in check as he had a different type of prey to attend to now. Carlisle was not far behind as he helped Jasper and Emmett kill the one creature I would personally like to torture for an eternity. Alice had already rushed to Bella's side. Bella's breathing was harsh and ragged as she took several heavy panting breaths. I ran over to Bella, kneeling in a pool of blood. I didn't even bother to hold my breath, as each flame that ripped down my throat only punctuated the fact that she was still alive, her heart was still beating. My hands moved over her but I didn't know what to do as her body finally went limp. ââ¬Å"Oh no, Bella, no.â⬠I cried out, rubbing the blood from her eyes. Pain in dimensions that I had never felt before tore my body to pieces. I could feel the tearing of my heart ?C her heart. ââ¬Å"Bella, please!â⬠I begged for her to return to me, to just show me a sign that she was conscious. ââ¬Å"Bella, listen to me, please, please, Bella, please!â⬠I pleaded as heavy tearless sobs sent my body into near convulsions. ââ¬Å"Carlisle,â⬠I shouted behind me with a bite of impatience. I turned back to Bella who was lying aslant, like her body had been broken in many places. Fragments of glass were deeply imbedded into her hair. I watched as dark red and gluttonous blood flowed rapidly from her head and leg. I swallowed my venom back. ââ¬Å"Bella, Bella, no, oh please, no, no!â⬠Another tearless sob. I listened as her heart began to move sluggishly, like there wasn't enough blood on her body to keep it going. I'll try to stop the bleeding. Alice moved towards Bella's head and put pressure on her wound. The blood instantly stopped leaking from her head. There was no hesitation in Alice's thoughts ?C her mind had one mission, and that was to save Bella. Bella became paler and damper than normal and her skin grew cold. I heard running footsteps behind me as Carlisle slid to the floor and began working over her immediately, putting pressure on her leg wound. Tears seeped through her eyelids before they opened wide with pain and a cry came through her lips. Her cry was like a stimulant. ââ¬Å"Bella,â⬠I cried as relief swelled in me indescribably. Carlisle began his inventory mentally. ââ¬Å"She's lost some blood, but the head wound isn't deep. Watch out for her leg, it's broken.â⬠Icy cold rage filled my body like acid and a feral growl ripped up my lips. Cuss words went flying through my mind quickly as I imagined all the ways I would like to tear James' apart, put him back together and do it again, just for fun. Carlisle continued his inventory by feeling for other broken bones. He moved over Bella's ribs. She jerked and another sob escaped her lips, her eyes were blank, like she couldn't see clearly. ââ¬Å"Edward,â⬠Bella mumbled with an unearthly and beautiful sound. It was the most glorious and welcomed voice I had ever heard in my entire existence.
Monday, September 16, 2019
Patient Satisfaction Survey Essay
Healthcare is a very important aspect of todayââ¬â¢s society. Thus, there is a conscious effort on the part of all stakeholders to constantly monitor the quality of healthcare services provided to patients in order to determine the need for improvement or innovation. The primary concern of this effort is the improvement of the present health condition of the people and the ethical concept of promoting life itself due to which, significant efforts and concerns are always given for the quality of healthcare services. (Fleming, 2004, 16). In order to effect this laudable goal of assessing the quality of healthcare provided by different concerned institutions, tools such as surveys are developed and used. Surveys that assess the level of satisfaction derived by patients from health care providers could be helpful for the improvement of services (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2007). On a daily basis, feedback from patients could give insight on the kind of service they experience in hospitals or other medical facilities (Kowalczyk, 2005; Fahy, 2008). Medicare, in an effort to understand the needs and experiences of patients, came up with the Patient Satisfaction Survey program. Problem Statement. In order to gain better understanding of the Patient Satisfaction Survey, as well as its effects on the behavior of professionals belonging to the health care industry, research that is based mainly on current literature is aimed to be conducted. Review of existing literature on the subject of patient satisfaction through the Medicare program called Patient Satisfaction Survey (Health Resources and Services Administration) could give substantial information on the institutions that implemented the project and feedback from different stakeholders. Such information could shed light on the effectiveness of the project vis-a-vis the intent for its launch. Patient satisfaction on the kind of service received from health care institutions like hospitals could be determined through the survey tool formulated by Medicare (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2007). Hospitals who implement the program would be able to churn out a good number of accomplished survey forms on a daily basis (Kowalczyk, 2005; Fahy, 2008). Research on data from such institutions would therefore be very helpful in gaining insight on the kind of performance that a hospital is able to give to its patients. The literature review could give answers to a lot of heretofore unanswered questions concerning various aspects of the health care industry, such as the speed with which a patientââ¬â¢s call is attended to by a health care professional, the degree of attention given by a physician to a patientââ¬â¢s concerns, and the cleanliness of health care facilities (Kowalczyk, 2005; Skehan & Petrillo, 2003). Significance of the Studyà Since the Medicare Survey, particularly the questions and answers, would be posted on its website in an effort to push hospitals into improving health care and promote quality service delivery (Kowalczyk, 2005; Skehan & Petrillo, 2003), current literature could help paint a picture of the state of health services being given to patients across the United States today. Existing literature could also show how far implementation of the project has come through, especially the institutions that have adopted and enforced the program. A particular question that needs to be addressed by the literature is the effect of the survey results on the perception and belief of patients on the hospitals they choose to serve their medical needs. Thus, it is important that the facts to be gathered include tables, graphs and statistics that would show the general trend and effect of the survey results on the mindset of the patients.
Sunday, September 15, 2019
Analysing on Liberty by John Stuart Mill Essay
Humanityââ¬â¢s attempts to study the state of society have stretched back throughout the ages. From forefathers such as Socrates or Aristophanes to the great enlightenment philosophers of Locke or Voltaire, all have grappled with the questions of how humanity best functions as a collective. John Stuart Mill, hailed as a paradigmatic liberal political philosopher, continues this tradition of thought in his work On Liberty published in 1859. Millââ¬â¢s major argument made is that the individual is sovereign in their actions insofar as they do not impeach upon the rights of others. His justifications centre strongly on the principles of utilitarianism, providing a model he believes to offer the greatest happiness to the greatest number. Through specific analysis it can be seen that he optimizes societal benefit by placing import on individuality but conversely justifying exactly when governance and restraint need to be exercised. Overall, his conclusions are an attempt to unify two competing social factors, individual liberty against circumstances in which power can be exerted over another, articulated in what has become known as the ââ¬Ëharm principleââ¬â¢. The first and most fundamental principle Mill holds is outlined in the introductory chapter and describes the necessity for man to be free over ââ¬Å"Over himself, over his own body and mindâ⬠(Mill, 1859: 31). Individual liberty is not only considered personally fulfilling, but also beneficial to the progress of civilisation for ââ¬Å"Mankind are greater gainers by suffering each other to live as seems good to themselves, than by compelling each to live as seems good to the restâ⬠(Mill, 1859: 33). It is important to note that Mill does not endorse freedom of expression for its own sake but for the greater purpose of stimulating discourse ââ¬Å"His argument for liberty of expression is in fact an argument for liberty of discussionâ⬠(Larvor, 2006: 3) To support his claims, he highlights three primary freedoms in order of importance. Firstly, the freedom of thought itself should be unrestricted; second we should have the freedom to pursue ââ¬Ëtastes â⬠¦ to suit our own characterââ¬â¢ (Mill, 1859: 33) regardless of whether social convention deemsà otherwise; lastly, the freedom for citizens to unite, providing such action will not harm others. This idea of the ââ¬Ëharm principleââ¬â¢ is prominent in On Liberty for each of these freedoms are subject to the overarching rule that liberty is complete so long as it does not ââ¬Å"without justifiable cause, do harm to othersâ⬠(Mill 1859: 72). He also notes that it is obvious that freedom of thought and of the mind does not directly correlate to freedom of action, for ââ¬Å"No one pretends that actions should be as free as opinionsâ⬠(Mill 1859: 72). He bases this on the logic that if ones free actions impinge upon anotherââ¬â¢s happiness, then the affected partyââ¬â¢s own freedom is violated, outweighing the benefits of the first individualââ¬â¢s liberty. His conclusion is therefore ââ¬Å"that in things which do not primarily concern others, individuality should assert itselfâ⬠(1859: 73). This reasoning is fundamentally based in utilitarianism, which Mill is a eminent proponent of, as the key deciding factor needs to be maximum pleasure for minimum harm. The harm principle is the primary restraining factor on an individualââ¬â¢s calculus of liberty however Mill is not so blindingly liberal that he does not acknowledge the importance of government in maintaining social stability. In fact, Millââ¬â¢s definition of liberty itself is intimately linked with authoritative intervention for he ââ¬Å"takes liberty to be the absence of human interference with the individuals actionsâ⬠(Crocker, 1980: 1). Again, utility becomes the object of question in deciding how pervasive governing bodies ought be. Mill contends, ââ¬Å"the sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protectionâ⬠¦ His own good, either physical or moral, is not sufficient warrantâ⬠. It is here where Mill refers to the idea of ââ¬Ëtyranny of the majorityââ¬â¢, that pressure from the masses can be as pervasive as an oppressive state for there is more intangible a difficulty in arguing ââ¬Å"against the tyranny of the prevailing opinion and feeling.â⬠(Mill, 1859: 7) Yet here it is apparent that Mill defends the use of public pressure to control offensive opinion. Where then is the line drawn regarding what is unique, individual and valuable thought, and what is deemed inappropriate? While Millââ¬â¢s consistent self-criticism often enriches his argument, there are contradictory moments wherein his ââ¬Å"expressions are not only ambiguous, but contradictoryâ⬠(Parker, 1865: 5). The idea of utility is once again at play, however Millââ¬â¢s contradictions destabilise hisà main point being that the use of outside force can be used defensively against anotherââ¬â¢s individuality if it would cause anotherââ¬â¢s liberty harm. As well as discussing and arguing Mill offers a number of disclaimers in his argument including the inapplicability of children or those who require the care of others and also ââ¬Å"backward states of society in which the race itself may be considered as in its nonageâ⬠(Mill, 1859: 14). He also notes that a person ââ¬Å"A person may cause evil to others not only by his actions but by his inactionâ⬠such as failing to help save a person when they are directly able to but choose against it. This idea has been argued against extensively in modern debate, particularly on a legal level. Many states, Australia amongst them, require no duty or obligation to act in such a way, the ââ¬Å"rationale [being] the protection of the autonomyâ⬠(Edelman, 2011: 2). Liberty is irrevocably violated if one has no choice in a matter, even if that matter may be for social good. In an attempt to promote utilitarianism and provide an argument that supports social wellbeing, Mill has contradicted his own seemingly inviolate idea of individual sovereignty. Another hole in his discourse is that ââ¬Å"There seems then no obstacle in principle within utilitarian morality to a policy which indeed prevents harm but at the expense of the most basic interests of a minorityâ⬠(Gray, 2003: 7). Once more the tyranny of the majority is at question and Millââ¬â¢s regard for individuality is destabilized by the conflicting interest of utilitarianism. It is apparent that Millââ¬â¢s account is not watertight and this is acknowledged with the criticism On Liberty has received. In essence Mill concerns himself with the ââ¬Å"struggle between authority and liberty,â⬠(Mill, 1859: 3) as the essential factors to be balanced in order to maintain stable society. On an individual level, liberty is restrained by the harm principle and on a social plane; governance and public pressure control it. Beyond these factors, individuality is considered a sacred thing, which should be embraced for the good of progress. His entire theory is grounded solidly in utilitarian ideals, whereby social progression and greatest satisfaction is the primary goal. While a number of contentious arise throughout Millsââ¬â¢ discussions, overall the arguments are logical and coherent. On Liberty wi ll continue to be an iconic if not contentious piece in political literature, as will most social theory which has been and will come in the future. Reference List Edelman, James. 2011. ââ¬ËChange of position: A defence of unjust disenrichmentââ¬â¢ (presented at the launch of the Restatement (Third) Restitution and Unjust Enrichment, Boston University Law School 16-17 September 2011) Gray, John and Smith, G.W., eds. 2002. ââ¬ËJS Millââ¬â¢s On Liberty In Focusââ¬â¢. London: Routeledge Gray, John. 1983. ââ¬ËMill: On Liberty. A Defenceââ¬â¢ Gray, John. 1979. ââ¬ËJohn Stuart Mill: Traditional and Revisionist Interpretationsââ¬â¢. Literature of Liberty 2(2): 7-37 Hayek, F.A. 2011. ââ¬ËThe Constitution of Libertyââ¬â¢. New York: The University of Chicago Press. Larvor, Brendan. 2006. ââ¬Å"Mill on Liberty of Thought and Discussionâ⬠in John Stuart Mill: On Liberty Discussions (British Humanist Association). Mill, John Stuart. (1859). On Liberty. London: Cambridge University Press.
Saturday, September 14, 2019
Mr. Jax Fashions
Mr.. Ajax is a professional/career woman's dresses and suits designer and manufacturer in Canada during late ass's. The Mr.. Ajax business level strategy is product design and quality. How did they do it? The following is a list of Distinctive Competencies that put Mr.. Ajax in the lead of professional/career woman's fashion Mr.. Ajax hired Louis Seaman who was a well-known women's fashion executive. At the time Mr.. Ajax didn't focus on professional/career woman's dresses and suits and Louis Seaman shifted the focus of the company into the professional/career woman's market segment.Quality of materials used. Mr.. Ajax purchased West Coast Woolen Mills Ltd. This acquisition, although it took time to be profitable, enabled Mr.. Ajax to take control of fabric production scheduling, design, and quality. At the time of market saturation in Canada most competitors used materials that were sub-par for the market segment. The quality and craftsmanship of the garments Mr.. Ajax made were see n as high quality garments produced from high quality materials.The majority of the competition at the time was producing garments off-shore (in Asian) which lead to finished products which could be seen as inferior to those companies that produced finished product only using North American materials and production lines. Mr.. Ajax had also developed a reputation when it came to delivery of goods. Mr.. Ajax had seen delivery rates as high as 90% for (time and orders fulfilled), compared to the industry average of 75%. Mr..Ajax financial reports (see chart below for fiscal years 1981 to 1988) show that there was steady growth in the business but the market has reached a saturation point as seen by the net profit line. (revenue, COGS, Gross Margin, Expenses, Net Profit). Porters Five Forces: Threat of New Entrants: High. Entry into the market can easily be done by any firms, rage or small, with very little startup costs to do so. Threat of Substitutes: High. In order to stay ahead of the threat of substitutes Mr.. Ajax needs, and has, stayed ahead of the competition by keeping tabs on what is happening in the European fashion industry.Bargaining Power of Buyers is high. Distributes have the power, and authority, to turn away deliveries for a number of reasons ââ¬â lack of quality, outdated styles, breach of contractual obligations, etc. Mr.. Ajax needs to keep up the standards they have set with their buyers. Bargaining Power of Suppliers is low. Since Mr.. Ajax currently manufactures the trials they use (30 to 40 percent) to make professional/career woman's dresses and suits they have the option to negotiate with the other suppliers, current or new, for better prices.The Free Trade Agreement (FAT) also makes it easier for Mr.. Ajax to purchase textiles from other North American firms as they can take advantage of lowered or removed tariffs. Seaman has studied two alternatives approaches for entering the U. S. Market: 1 . Establishing a retailing chain, or 2 . A U. S. Based wholesale distribution subsidiary (regional or national) Given the amount of competition in the U. S. Establishing a retail chain would not be in the organization's best interest (even though this is the option with the highest rewards).I would suggest to Seaman that he move Mr.. Ajax into the U. S. Via a Regional Distribution Subsidiary, and the reasons for doing so are: Enough cash has been raised to support this entry move into the U. S. Without having to undertake drastic measures. Example: selling off less profitable companies (Surrey Classics or Olympic Pant and Sportswear) to raise more capital for a National Distribution Subsidiary Management for a National Distribution Subsidiary can be developed as the Regional Distribution Subsidiary grows. This will give Mr..Ajax time to see if the entry into the U. S. Is successful, and if so, what is needed to move forward. A Regional Distribution Subsidiary would allow Mr.. Ajax to develop distribution channels in the U. S. , which would be needed for a National Distribution Subsidiary. Also, a Regional Distribution Subsidiary would allow the consumers in the newly entered market to see the high quality, up to date fashions, and quality of goods. This will allow the consumers in the market segment to become acquainted with the new Canadian product.
Friday, September 13, 2019
Write about a contemporary song about small-town life and talk about Essay
Write about a contemporary song about small-town life and talk about it and relate it to Our town by Thornton Wilder - Essay Example In his song, Mellencamp brought forward a message that someone does not necessarily need to live in a city for him or her to experience a full life. According to him, living in the countryside was something of value that anyone should appreciate because that is where the family and close friends live (Mellencamp, 43-45). According to Franklin (254-255), the play ââ¬ËOur Townââ¬â¢ by Thornton Wilder is about the fictional American small town of Grocerââ¬â¢s Corner. The play explores the kind of lives for the people in small towns, where the normal life revolves around birth, marriage, and death. The theme in the play is quite similar to the lyrics of the song by Mellencamp as they both depict the graceful lives of people in the countryside. I agree with their views of small town life because it is our duty to maintain our originality and appreciate the simple and peaceful life in the countryside. It is something that those from the city should envy, as there is no anonymity in the countryside. Just as you know everyone, everyone knows you in the small town life. People should appreciate others and the little things they do as they are actually among the most important ones. The ââ¬ËSmall Townââ¬â¢ song by Mellencamp, rhyme in terms of the subject matter with the play ââ¬ËOur Townââ¬â¢ by Thornton, as they both tell of the life experience in a small town setup. The play and the song give a positive outlook of a unique and admirable
Thursday, September 12, 2019
Orientalism. Franois Bernier and Kaempfers Manuscripts Essay
Orientalism. Franois Bernier and Kaempfers Manuscripts - Essay Example This was extensively practiced by the imperialistic European scholars and it paved the way for an entirely new discipline of study called "Orientalism". Orientalism is the study of near and Far Eastern societies and cultures, languages, and peoples by Western scholars. It also refers to the imitation or depiction of aspects of Eastern cultures in the West. When used in a neutrally descriptive sense, "Orientalism" describes a development in the history of ideas that was shaped by the attitudes of the era of European imperialism in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. But, the term when it is interpreted antagonistically, it implies trivializing, dismissive and prejudiced interpretations by Westerners of Eastern cultures and peoples. Thehistoryandcultural influence of these "Oriental books" can be felt consistently. Writers who explored various facets of the countries cultures revealed only those in consistency with their culture and despised the other facets of the target countries culture. The traveler's manuscripts were beneficial in a number of ways, for example the traveler's records have paved the way to improve the trade relations between the east and the west. Also we learn ancient secrets from their books. From their rich experience the travelers provide a huge amount of information which is useful at many times and confusing at times. Sometimes works by some intellectuals are merely baseless, thanks to their very little knowledge about other intimates and ethos of the country they describe and so they end up with some records which are just entirely misleading. Let us evaluate the various pros and cons of these travelers's account. Kaempfer's manuscripts: At Kaempfer's death his mostly unpublished manuscripts were purchased by Sir Hans Sloane, and conveyed to England. Among them was a History of Japan, translated from the manuscript into English by J.G. Scheuchzer and published at London, in 2 Vols. in 1727. In this manuscript he gives a good account about Japanese and their culture. In first hand, he describes the highways of Japan. Kaempfer has provided a map about ancient Japan paving way for various explorers in the later years. Kaempfer says "An incredible number of people daily use the highways of Japan's provinces, indeed, at certain times of the year they are as crowded as the streets of a populous European city." He also gives a good account of Japanese Shrines and 33 important temples. Further, he gives a good account about the Japanese warlords richness and their might. Besides Japanese history, this book contains a description of the political, social and physical state of the country in the 17th century. For upwards of a hundred years it remained the chief source of information for the general reader, and is still not wholly obsolete. But his description about the pilgrims as 'Beggars', clearly portrays author's ignorance about the Japanese tradition. Pilgrimages to Ise have been popular for centuries and seven visits was said to ensure salvation. Even in the secular Japan of today, Ise holds a place equivalent to Mecca or Jerusalem for many Japanese. It is their holy duty to walk to the shrine barefooted. They renounce their earthly wealth before starting on the pilgrim and depend on the alms for their living in their travel. Further, his categorizing of 'Beggars' as 'Kannons', silent, common and his description about the prostitutes clearly depicts his imperialistic goals. He tries his best to establish the superiority of the West over the East. In this contest he even criticizes the work of moderate Oriental writer like Francois Caron. Further, his ridiculous description
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
Interpersonal communication research paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words
Interpersonal communication - Research Paper Example ther itââ¬â¢s the process of thinking or indulging in a soliloquy interpersonal communication is the phenomenon wherein two or more individuals communicate, that is, share meaning either through their usage of words (verbal communication) or through the means of symbols or gestures (nonverbal communication). Therefore, study of the process of communication in general and interpersonal communication in particular can serve to build harmonious and mutually beneficial and empowering relationships which in turn can promote progress and prosperity for the entire world. This paper seeks to explore the phenomenon of interpersonal communication with specific reference to interpersonal communication competence. After delving into the concept of communication competence at large this paper will endeavor to look into the multifarious issues surrounding the phenomenon of interpersonal communication in the contemporary world. Basically, the communication is the process of transmitting or getting information, messages or any type of data. This quality facilitates humans to share attitudes, knowledge and skills. There are so many ways to conduct the communication. For instance, verbal communication in which people make use of words to communicate their ideas and viewpoints. In the same way, in non-verbal communication people use body language to transfer their ideas and messages. For instance, a person can wave their hand in the air in order to say hello to a person. In fact, there are also a large number of methods that are used to communicate ideas and messages. However, the basic objective of communication is to convey ideas and messages from one place to another. Communication is the most significant attribute of an organization. No company or business can be run without communication. In an organization, people work to accomplish the particular goals and objectives. In order to accomplish the organiza tional objectives, the people working in the organization need to share
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