Vision 2030

KENYA VISION 2030 The vision 2030 objectives are to transform Kenya into an economic powerhouse with a sustainable growth rate of 10 per cent by 2030 thus becoming a middle-income, prosperous country. The goals are to wipe out: 1. Absolute poverty 2. Famine 3. Mass unemployment and 4. Preventable deaths from malaria and water-borne diseases. The vision also aims to build a democratic political system, rule of law and protect the rights and freedoms of every individual and society. It is an ambitious document. It almost sounds like Utopia. I like that. A good vision must exercise our imagination and require more than normal effort to attain, otherwise it wouldnt be worth calling it a vision for Kenya. We will not get anywhere doing things as we have always done them. I commend vision 2030 in the realization that inequalities and decentralization should be addressed through the instrument of devolved funds. Much good will follow that, provided the funds are actually accessible (hard lessons need to be learnt of the youth fund). I also like the idea sector to particiapte in them. I am very disturbed that the vision doesnt seem to anticipate the future. It largely focuses on solving the problems we face now, rather than preparing us for the future. We dont want to climb the ladder only to realize when we have reached the top that we started on the right base but leaning on the wrong wall. What shall be the basis for the stable, prosperous and sustainable nation in 2030? In the end, it depends on how committed everyone is to the vision. The stuff on social pillar, political reforms and the constitution sounds very good. I am optimistic that they shall be implemented to some degree. But I am yet to see zeal in government for this vision outside the ministry incharge of it. The government should not sell the vision (and buy the commitment) to the citizens and then submit itself to being held accountable by the people for its success. And, yes, it is feasible to attain the noble aims of 2030 vision and beyond. Paradoxically, this will have little to do with the politician yet it significantly should. The speedily achievement will be driven by a strong civil society, independent media, the private sector and the overly optimistic and hardworking peace loving mwananchi; i. e. me and you. Inclusive of this should be a strong appraisal and review framework to hold the government into account.

Drama Monolouge

All my life I have had aspirations to become an ambitious and strong leader, I wanted to grow up and become the president of the United States of America. I had many dreams and hopes that would make the world I lived in a better place for the people of America. That was all changed because of one man, my father. He was very old fashioned, he wanted me to follow in his ‘footsteps' and have a ‘meagre' job as a farmer. I hated my father, he was a cruel man. He was a heavy drinker – a dire alcoholic. In the end my mother and I had enough of his attitude and problems; he used to become very abusive and violent towards us for the smallest of reasons so my mother and I left home when I was only ten years old. I never heard from him ever again from that day on. I received word that he died a lonely death just last year but I must say that even so I am happy that he was alone after all the suffering he caused on my mother and me. Even Now I hate reminiscing about my child hood, I grew up during the cold war, I despised the fact that I could have been blown to pieces at any moment by a Russian nuclear weapon. I loathed the fact that I could lose my friends and the only family member I had – my mother at any second. That's when it happened, my mother passed away. She committed suicide. She took an overdose of pills, and to think I was only fourteen when this occurred. That was the moment I had no one in my life. All my family was gone. My mother just could not handle life anymore. She was jobless and we had little income. I had to work after school in a little cafà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½, clearing up the place just to earn enough money to feed us that night. I had to go to school and work at such a young age. Her life became unbearable then ‘click' (N.B *click your fingers during the performance) she was gone. That was I had the burden of deciding my future, I had the choice of going back to live with my father or to stay with a foster family that had been found for me to live with. I did not want to live with my father because he would oppress me again. I decided to live with a foster family. My foster father was a colonel in the army so he would always be away working with the government. My foster mother was always at home, she would always tell me amazing stories about her husband and how he was helping America. I appreciated the way she looked after me, and having a foster father who you could look up to and respect was for me truly inspirational. He was the father that my real father could not be. My foster parents encouraged me to follow my dream. I studied and excelled in my work so that one day I could live my dream as a reality and lead America in to a free and peaceful tomorrow. I have almost fulfilled that and can not begin to show my gratitude towards the people who raised me into what I am today. Through all of that though I will never forget my real mother. For her I will become the most patriotic man to walk America. Use of Movement For the opening of the monologue I am going to be positioned near to the corner of the room. I will slowly walk from the corner towards center stage at a diagonal. My facial expression should be firm and strong with a hint of vacancy. When delivering the opening I would inhale deeply so that my chest will push outwards. Facial expression should show some what pride and slightly joyful when speaking. Slowly walking towards the audience for the delivery of the second paragraph. Moving upstage in a straight line. Now with a slightly more grimace tone on my face. When speaking I would be using powerful arm gestures throughout the paragraph. The arm gestures are to be what seems to the audience random, jerky and fast. Ideally when mentioning the facts about my father I would use powerful arm movements. Now I should be walking backwards in a straight line but slowly while delivering this paragraph, I should return to the position at the centre of the stage where I delivered my opening from. My facial expression should be very strong and firm showing my anger but with a certain amount of fear and concern. Showing anger by frowning at this stage will affect the drama positively. Arm gestures should be made specifically on the phrases ‘blown to pieces' and ‘loathed'. When speaking I would be looking down slightly towards the floor. At centre stage before the performance I would have set up a chair specifically for this paragraph. With a bereaved expression, this paragraph is to be acted out while seated. Having my head in my hands would highlight the emotion with me taking my head out of my hands after each sentence and looking up at the audience. Now, for this section I would stand up for this paragraph. Positioned center stage, with smooth arm gestures moving outwards after every sentence. For the final section of this monologue, I would again come towards the audience in a straight line. Slowly getting closer with each word and using arm gestures such as clenching my fists throughout the paragraph with tense but sustained movements. Positioned upstage at the center where I would become noticeable to the audience. Then to end I would finish with a freeze with my hand placed over my heart, with a still and strong finish sustained. Use of Voice The prologue to the monologue should be started in a very proud and optimistic tone, with particular expression put on the adjectives such as ‘ambitious' and ‘strong'. The opening should be at a medium pace but at the same time calm and smooth whilst expressing a joyful opening. Now with the second section bathos – a change in tone should occur. With the emotional content in this part, the tone should change to sad. I would change my voice so it is in a hurried fashion. While sadness is shown at particular points when concentrating on the words ‘footsteps' and ‘meagre' sarcasm should be shown. The paragraph should be sharp and at a quite heavy and loud tone but maintaining the emotion at the same time. A protective tone of voice should be adopted when talking about your mother and yourself becoming subjects to violence. When mentioning that you were happy when your father passed away, a glimmer of hatred and evil would affect the piece positively. When speaking here a similar tone should be maintained as the previous section. Here concentrating on how your childhood had burdens. Subsequently expressing your self through exaggeration when talking about being blown to pieces b a nuclear bomb at any moment. With jealousy expressed when using the word ‘loathed'. This part of the monologue should be performed in a lethargic tone of voice. Speaking slowly with a twitchy voice after every few words or so. Contrasting the first paragraph drastically. Stressing on the points of your mother dying and having a job and school to consider, using deliberately pessimistic tone. With the humorous type of sarcasm when saying ‘click' then she was gone. Mood and tone are again contrasted from the last segment of the monologue. Tone should be a significant amount more formal and with signs of things becoming better for you. Fast pace but with optimistic tones present. Pace should be built up for the conclusion with it going from a slow opening to the end to a climactic finish. Contrast again to the last paragraph. Tones of self belief and strongly sustained. Pauses after every sentence should be invoked. A build up is required for a dramatic ending. Optimism and varied loudness should be used until the last line. A dramatic impact with the uses of the emotions of pride joy but a hint of sadness. A calm expression of voice near the beginning would aid the build up. With a use of a loud voice at the end of the passage to highlight the end. The ending should not be conflicted with any sarcasm because it would ruin the stage for a grand finish with all of your energy inputted into it. Impact on Audience With the opening I want to project the mood of pride and optimism. The audience should get the sensation of a meaningful and joyous introduction. It should engage the audience in to thinking whether the monologue will be †cheerful† or †gloomy† in the simplest of terms. The voice should convey a message that it is an optimistic opening and is filled with happiness. The issue that should raise a question and again make the audience think is where I enter from. Why did I enter from the corner of the room? The reason v=being it has a hidden meaning of despair about it – the despair being obvious later on during the performance. The contrast should stun the audience. With the sarcasm and cruelty with speech it should make the audience feel pathos for me. The movement towards the audience should show tension. I want to communicate the feelings of hatred and anger through my voice so the audience can see that their first possible impression was wrong. I want to show them the frustration that has been built up in me for years. I am projecting myself to show them that I am furious about the past. I want to convey and portray my fear. Again a slight contrast to the previous paragraph. Even though fear and jealousy are invoked, at this point I want to try and make the audience feel what I feel – all the tension and fear from the war. I could make the audience involved by particular messages and use of body language. The audience should feel my emotion and feel they have lost something when they hear my tragic story of losing my mother. I want to portray a grieving relative / family member, but show the variation with the slight sarcasm with the ‘click' section. This has a deeper meaning – the audience may realise certain sarcasm. The burden upon me of choice should reflect the previous paragraph; I want to communicate the idea that still life for me is all hardship. The final paragraph should show the audience that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It shows the variation to them that can be seen throughout the piece. It should make them see that life is a virtue and that not everything is bad. Inspirational things can happen to anyone. The contrast is my method of acting out and showing to the audience a broader variety of emotions, language and movements. Belief and patriotism is another point I am trying to convey through the use of my language – this is shown when talking about my foster father and my dreams to turn America in to a peaceful country. The last line and sustained freeze would make a bold point by giving the piece a climactic finish and endeavour the audience to really see the provocative emotions used; in turn causing the audiences provoked reactions and mixed feelings to the piece. The object of my monologue was to convey many messages about voice, movement and dramatic performance in drama.

Schooling Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Schooling - Case Study Example the author also highlights the importance of education in the enculturation process. the author analysis Brad's behaviour who grew to adopt antisocial behaviour. The method used to gather data was a face to face interview, Brad who is the respondent is interviewed by the author whereby the respondent narrates his life history and this helps the author to compare his behavior with anthropological theories. Data is analyzed by comparing the character traits of Brad with appropriate character traits of others, Brad life history helps in identifying the importance of an appropriate social system that will ensure adoption of appropriate behavior. From the paper major conclusions are that education plays other major roles other than schooling, this include helping individuals to adopt socially acceptable behaviors whereby individuals adopt cultural traits that control behavior. the paper highlights the importance of proper enculturation in developement of socially acceptable behaviour, from the case study Brad was not raised in an appropriate social system and therefore this has led to some antisocial traits.

Project Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 10000 words

Project Report - Essay Example There were opportunities in various areas, with the combination of both the companies’ products reaching a wider customer base. However, there were challenges as well because of lack of apt and optimum integration or merger, with Fiorina not able to achieve success. This lead to the initiation of change management process, with the new CEO Mark Hurd taking over the combined entity. So, this paper will review the merger between HP and Compaq in 2001, identifying the strategic management issues that preceded the merger on both sides, along with the changes in the management strategy resulting from the combined operations Organized human activities which are carried out in-group will be most times organized or constituted into an organization. Thus, organizations are physical ‘structures’, in which humans or employees from different backgrounds will converge to accomplish the allocated work under the under the supervision of a leader and managers, for the benefit of the organization as well as their personal benefit. ‘Collage’ of employees in the sense, organizations will be normally constituted with employees coming from different backgrounds, culture, etc, who will also have different education qualifications, skill level and attitude. Employees will be recruited and apportioned into different departments based on their skills and knowledge and for better arrangement in the organization. These departments, which make up an organization, only play an omnipresent and crucial role in the proper and effective functioning of the organizations, by adopting various feasible and e ffective strategies. That is, with every organization wanting to expand their reach and achieve success through one means or other, they have to formulate and implement various strategies. So, when the organization has enough opportunities, it can set targets and

Evaluate the causes, consequences and lessons from the Cuban missile Essay

Evaluate the causes, consequences and lessons from the Cuban missile crisis - Essay Example In response, the Kennedy administration found it necessary to reveal to Khrushchev that he had not made any space missiles. Khrushchev had always known the U.S. had more missiles but now he knew that the Americans knew. Khrushchev knew that Soviet missiles were sufficiently powerful to be launched against Europe but U.S. missiles were able to find all of the Soviet Union. (Article Think Quest, 2011) Moreover, Khrushchev felt boxed in the enemies. For example, he cited the U.S. missiles in Turkey, only 150 km away from the Soviet Union, Cuba was only 90 km from the coast of Florida, but the gap of 60 km was "no anti-missile" Khrushchev said. Above all, however, Khrushchev feared the first strike in on whether the Soviet Union lost the arms race so badly, he worried, call the first strike with nuclear weapons the United States because of Khrushchev began looking for a way to counter the United States, for example. (Article Think Quest, 2011) One of the main reasons was the fear of inva sion of Cuba, the United States since he came to power in 1959, Cuban Premier Fidel Castro was aware of certain United States is trying to move him. First there was the failed Bay of Pigs invasion by CIA-backed Cuban exiles in 1961. One was a U.S. military exercise in 1962. The armed forces in a mockery of an attack on a fictitious Caribbean island to overthrow the dictator, whose name was Castro Ortsac back. In addition, the United States was drawing up a plan to invade Cuba (Operation Mongoose). Mock attack and the attack plan was drawn up to keep Castro nervous. Finally, the CIA was running covert operations throughout Cuba trying to damage the Castro government. So, Castro was convinced the United States was seriously invade Cuba. (Article Think Quest, 2011) In April 1962, designed the Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev to the idea of placing intermediate-range missiles in Cuba. Deployment in Cuba would double the Soviet strategic arsenal and provide a real deterrent to a possible U.S. attack against the Soviet Union or Cuba. Khrushchev promoted the KGB station chief in Cuba Alexander Alekseev to Ambassador to negotiate for Castro's approval of the plan. Castro did not openly reject the idea at first, but instead he gave it serious. To believe it is better to risk a great crisis than wait helplessly for an invasion, Castro accepted Khrushchev's offer. In mid-July 1962 the USSR began its construction of offensive weapons in Cuba. The crisis could have and should have been avoided. If we had done an earlier, stronger and more clearly explain our position regarding Soviet nuclear weapons on the Western Hemisphere, or if the Soviet government was more thoroughly assessed the evidence existed at that point, it is likely that the missiles would never have been sent to Cuba. Importance of accurate assessment of mutual interests between the two superpowers, are clear and consistent. Reliable intelligence and allows the effective selection, the response was just the right time. It 'been mostly political mistakes, and professionals who have made a lot of intelligence is available in the past. But it was also a timely recognition of the need not fly to the bottom of the dangers that produced the decisive photographs. The need and extent of control from above, including the audit work of the Soviet missile withdrawal should not be underestimated. When the importance of accurate data crucial policy decision is high enough, otherwise

Study case3 Case Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Case3 - Case Study Example Despite the poor performance, 25% of the company’s revenue is generated from beauty products sales that has brought forth highly innovative product under the leadership of A.G. Lafley as the CEO. Under his first tenure (2000 to 2009), P&G undertook various creative innovations that saw to double increase of its products sales. As the CEO, A.G. Lafley has come up with various measures that are aimed at propelling the company’s profitable sales of its products. The company has been pruning some of its production segments which include the selling of pet food producing segment to the Candy Bar and Pedigree-maker Mars Inc. for $2.9 billion which is enough cash to undertake innovations and reinvest in the growing shaving, baby care, beauty and fabric segments (Brown, Bruce, and Scott D. Anthony 42-56). In 2010, the company revealed a sustainable program to drive 20% reduction in energy used for every unit of production by the year 2020. This has cut down energy consumption by 8% per unit, and also continues to introduce energy management systems at new locations that will help the company save millions of dollars. Moreover; P&G has engage momentous mechanisms to enhance productivity, counting a five-year cost savings initiative that will last through 2016. Through this, Proctor and Gamble CO. Targets to save $10 billion in costs related to goods traded, marketing expenses and non-manufacturing expenses. This program helped the company save $1.2 billion in cost of goods sold in the fiscal year 2013. The company has also incorporated a reshuffling process of its worldwide sales operation, combining Eastern and Western Europe into the single transaction. While the other combination is for India into its African and Middle East operations aiming at organizing the sales distribution in parallel geographical location and cutting cost (Brown, Bruce, and

The European Union Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

The European Union - Case Study Example As a market on its own, the EU becomes significant because of the large population, the availability of resources and the production opportunities which are present in the region. Of course the EU may not have the lucrative advantages that could be offered by China or other Asian countries but it does have the infrastructure in many places to support business at a level which countries such as India or even China may not be able to provide. Additionally, as a democratic force and as an international body, the European Union is unique amongst its peers since it has a very complex and highly evolved system of creating and establishing its democracy. Since the treaties of Paris and Rome, the body has been creating, expanding and explaining the democratic principles that have led to its inception. Even though the system designed by the stalwarts of the EU is held in high regard by many critics, there are those who say that the system produced by the organisation is cumbersome, a hindrance to the economy, non-transparent and does not take into account the sprit of democracy. Therefore, on issues such as the Iraq war and other points which can lead nations to be divided, the EU loses some of its bite because different countries within the union may have different opinions on how the matter should be dealt with. Additionally, the larger powers within the EU often have more weight in international matters than smaller powers. For example, political support for a war which comes from France and Germany has a lot more value than opposition with comes from Romania or Italy. Even the EU itself realises that the balance of power between countries as it had been maintained by the treaties needs to reflect in the ways it deals with the world if it has to have a significant global impact. The current distribution gives too much power to smaller members and it has been pointed out that when the EU increases its number to 25 members, the group of seven smallest countries would represent only 1.25% of the total EU GDP while they will have more voting rights than the six largest member countries that contribute more than 80% of the total GDP (Hain, 2003). Such inequalities will certainly create and increase democratic issues and may be a threat to the stability of the union as a whole. On the other hand, the economic value of a country adds to the political clout that country has within the European Union even if the application of the one country, one vote rule remains firm. With that idea, the wishes of the majority of the countries are represented and turned into laws while the majority of individual Europeans living in those countries may be against the creation of that very same law (Beetham & Lord, 1998). In a way it represents the same issues which the American presidential election system faces where a majority of votes from the general public may be defeated by a majority of votes in the Electoral College. This democratic deficit weakens the position of the EU as a law making body and a force for the unification of the continent. For example, the European draft constitution, when it was presented, was given very diverse views from the member nations. The UK opinion was to look at

Lesson Plan High School Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Lesson Plan High School - Assignment Example Then gradually we bring another balloon near to this balloon. It is found that the balloon hung with a thread tried to go away from the other balloon. This is happening because of static charge. Perspex Rod Experiment: Students are asked to charge a Perspex rod by rubbing it with a silk cloth. The rod is placed on a watch glass table. Then another rod is charged by rubbing with the silk cloth. When we try to take the second rod near to the first one, it is found that the rod on the watch glass starts nudging away. This indicates that how the rods get charged, while the ordinary silk cloth is acting as a charger. Thereafter, students are shown the Van De Graff generator in the laboratory and explained to the students that the Van De Graff is not a generator in strictest possible sense, because it doesn't generate electricity or charge on its own. It is instead a simple equipment in which the negative charges are transferred to the top, where these charges get accumulated.

Amazon.com - transfer pricing, taxation and the role of corporate Research Paper

Amazon.com - transfer pricing, taxation and the role of corporate social responsibility - Research Paper Example tion of these issues are described below Transfer Pricing and taxation Issues for Amazon.com Simply the transfer pricing is the price that is set for the intercompany transactions. Transfer pricing is used when the divisions of an organization need to charge other divisions of the same organizations for the goods and services provide to them. For example as in the case of Amazon.com, it is mentioned earlier that Amazon is operating the variety of departments and websites in many countries. Transfer pricing in this might possible, as a department of Amazon in United Kingdom deals in a component in United Kingdom. The same component is also required by a costumer in China. The transfer of this component form the department in US to department in china will be valued at internal price and will be referred as transfer price. In the context of transfer pricing these some factors can effect on the operations of Amazon.com. Transfer prices are particularly appropriate for profit centers bec ause if one profit center work for another, the size of the transfer price will affect the costs of one profit center and revenue to other. In the case of Amazon, each department has its own products and activities and every department in different counties is responsible to maintain its profit level. So in relation to the prospective of transfer pricing each department can try to work in their own interested segments to increase their profits. Decisions might be taken by a department manager in the best interest of his own part of business, and it may possible that this decision may affect against the interests of other departments. The profit center managers for Amazon tend to put their own profit performance above everything else. Since the profit center performance is measured according... The intention of this study is Amazon.com as a largest cyber selling company in modern cyber environment. Amazon.com started their business by selling their first book in 1995. At that time the main aim of amazon is based on a dream to develop a new trend in e-commerce. After the great success of this business Amazon now have selling every kind of products and have many sites those are serving efficiently in seven countries. The working of Amazon is an art not a science. They are dealing in lots of products. The main art of capturing the cyber market is multi-level e-commerce strategy. Due to this strategy, anyone sell almost anything using the platform of Amazon.com. The another main key factor for the success of Amazon.com is their efficient data based system which has also ranked in the top three world largest Linux data base system in 2005. The purpose of this report is to clear these mentioned issues can affect the Amazon’s performance in material manner. On the other han d, in current modern environment the value of cyber markets is increasing day by day. So it is much necessary for Amazon.com to control the all negative aspects of mentioned factors to win the race. There is also a strong need to control the problems that is stated is the Amazon’s Annual report. In short, by taking account of all these issues Amazon.com can perform in more efficient manner and easily capture the cyber market share in near future.

The Day My Life Changed Forever Essay Example for Free

The Day My Life Changed Forever Essay I believe it is a severe tragedy that children’s pastimes have changed drastically today from what they were years ago: from riding bikes, playing house, and having imaginary friends to texting, playing video games, and listening to mp3 players. When I was young, children learned to use imagination, self-entertain, and willingly respect their elders. I remember going across the street to play with the other neighborhood kids. I would impatiently wait for them to come out on Saturday morning, anticipating all the excitement we were going to have that day. I spent the whole day (until suppertime) outside playing ball, riding bikes, making mud pies, or conquering other planets that were actually just huge piles of dirt. Children today are lazier, more disrespectful, and more unsociable. My kids prefer to spend the day watching cartoons, playing video games, surfing the web, or listening to music. I try to encourage them to spend time outdoors and immediately the boredom whine begins or else they’re too hot/cold. â€Å"There’s nothing to do† is a common phrase that I hear when I say, â€Å"Go outside and play†. Many parents fear that their children are turning into geeks because of their preoccupation with gadgets, gizmos, and anything with a battery in it. They lament that children now lack social skills and that the real fun has been taken out of playtime as they spend hours glued to the computer (Selvarani, 2011). The increase in violence may play a role in parents keeping their children  indoors these days. Rape, murder, kidnaps, and pedophiles are concerns that parents face every day. Danger seems to be lurking around every corner; as a result, we’re terrified to let our children out of our sight. By keeping kids confined to a small enclosed area, are we really protecting them and keeping them safe or are we doing more harm to them? Child obesity has become a problem today because of the lack of movement by children. â€Å"8- to 18-year olds’ daily exposure to televisual media reaches 8 hours a day. As television viewing time has increased, time spent in other activities such as playing, reading, and family interaction has correspondingly decreased† (â€Å"Children†, 2008). Although experts seem to agree that â€Å"the shift to an indoor childhood has accelerated† (Cauchon, 2005), there is a vast difference in the explanation as to why this change has occurred. Whether it’s the change in the parent’s attitude, the increasing violence, or some other unknown phenomenon the change is still undeniable. It is true that pastimes today are geared to entertain just as they always have, but shouldn’t they also educate? If we turn off all the technology and take kids for a trip back in time, then perhaps we can manage to turn pint-sized zombies into active, well-rounded adults. REFERNCES Cauchon, D. (2005, July 12).Childhood pastimes are increasingly moving indoors. USA Today. Retrieved from http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-07-11-pastimes-childhood_x.htm Children, Impact of Television on. (2008). In Encyclopedia of Violence, Peace, and Conflict. Retrieved from http://www.credoreference.com.ezp-01.lirn.net/entry.do?id=8445608 Selvarani, P.; Choe, T. C. (2011, August 21). Those cool games of yesteryear. New Straits Times. P. Main Section

Positive Social Competence in Mainstream Deaf Students

Positive Social Competence in Mainstream Deaf Students A Study of Behaviors, Characteristics and Environmental Aspects Michelle Swaney Social Competence of Mainstream Deaf Students Mainstreaming of deaf students in the general education classroom has drastically increased over the past 10 to 15 years. Generally, deaf students in general education/mainstream settings demonstrate lower social competence (e.g., self-concept, self-esteem, social skills and peer relationships) (Antia, Jones, Luckner, Kreimeyer, Reed, 2011) reporting feelings of isolation and loneliness (McCain and Shirin, 2005; Gent, Goedhart, Knoors, Westenberg, Treffers, 2011) than those in inclusion settings. Considerable research has been conducted related to deaf students and low social competence (Vogel-Walcutt, Schatschneider, Bowers, 2011) in general education settings, but there is not research readily available for deaf students who have positive social competence in these settings. This study proposes to ascertain behaviors and characteristics of deaf students who exhibit positive social competence as well as environmental aspects they interact within. As mainstreaming of deaf students continues to significantly increase, having studies available that provide information about deaf students with positive levels of self-concept, self-esteem, social skills and peer relationships in the mainstream setting will greatly benefit parents and educators alike. Design This proposed design of the study will be to determine behaviors and characteristics of deaf students with positive social competence as well as environmental aspects that may lend to enhancing the students’ social competence. Questions to be considered in this study include: 1) How does the deaf student interact and communicate with hearing peers (sign language, writing notes, etc.)? 2) What is the deaf student’s level of self-concept in relation to their deafness? 3) Does the deaf student have supportive and involved parents and/or family relationships? 4) What are the characteristics of the educational classrooms and the environment for the student (e.g., do teachers willingly recognize and interact with the student)? 5) Is the deaf student involved in extra-curricular activities? Answers to each of these questions will provide guidance and help educators to determine what behaviors could be modeled, environmental changes that could be made as well as what characteri stics they should encourage in deaf students in order for more deaf students to begin to develop positive social competence in the general education setting. Participants This study will include up to 25 deaf students in the mainstream/general education setting who demonstrate positive social competence. Students will be selected from elementary, middle/junior high, and high school levels in order to determine characteristics, behaviors, and environmental aspects of these students at each interval of education. Preference will be to have 5 students at the elementary level, 8 students at the middle/junior high level, and 12 students at the high school level. Participant use of amplification (hearing aids) or whether they have a cochlear implant will also be noted in the study as well as their preferred mode of communication as this may indicate a correlational relationship with social competence. Procedure The study procedure will include both observations of the student at home as well as in the educational environment and interviews with the student, educators, and family members. The student will participate in an interview with researchers where they are asked relevant questions to provide their perspective on each of the five questions. After the interview has been conducted with the student, observation in the educational and home setting will be held in order to determine if the student’s answers are an appropriate reflection of their environments. Once the observations have taken place, researchers will also interview educators and parents/family and ask for their perspectives regarding the student on each of the five questions. Interviews and observations will be documented through researcher note-taking as well as video recording for review as needed. Follow-up will occur with elementary and middle/junior high students one-year after they have transitioned to the next level to determine if there have been any noticeable positive or negative changes in any of the five questions. Follow-up for high school students who were freshmen through juniors at the time of the study will occur mid-year of the students’ senior year in high school. This type of follow-up will provide researchers a longitudinal study that will provide a strong basis of information on positive social competence for deaf students as they transition throughout their elementary and secondary education (Wolters, Knoors, Cillessen , Verhoeven, 2012). Predictions Predictions regarding the questions of the study come from the researcher’s knowledge and understanding of the aspects of deafness. Predictions are listed for each study question. 1) How does the deaf student interact and communicate with hearing peers (sign language, writing notes, etc.)? Unless the deaf student utilizes speech, it is predicted that communication and interaction initially originates with writing notes and progresses with lip reading and then into the use of sign language if the student utilizes sign language. If the student is oral, it is highly likely that deaf students will immediately utilize speech in communication and interaction with hearing peers. 2) What is the deaf student’s level of self-concept in relation to their deafness? It is predicted that the deaf student will have a mainly positive level of self-concept in relation to their deafness. They will likely view their deafness as part of their identity rather than a disability that negatively impacts their lives. In addition, they will also be satisfied with their mode of communication, speech/language use, and amplification if used. 3) Does the deaf student have supportive and involved parents and/or family relationships? As with any child who has positive social competence, it is predicted that deaf student’s parents and families will be supportive and involved and well as have consistent ongoing communication with the student. This is not always the case for deaf students, especially with fathers as the lack of communication in the family unit occurs frequently. 4) What are the characteristics of the educational classrooms and the environment (e.g., do teachers willingly recognize and interact with the student) for the student? It is predicted that the characteristics of the educational environment will include teachers who model positive relationships and communication with the deaf student. Likely, the interpreter or other accommodations that the student utilizes are viewed in a positive light and the student is constantly encouraged to be an active member and participant. 5) Is the deaf student involved in extra-curricular activities? The prediction for this question is that a high percentage of the student participants will likely be involved in extra-curricular activities and have integrated themselves into the school culture. Implications The implications of the findings from this study have the potential to make positive changes for deaf students in the mainstream environment as it relates to their level and development of social competence. This may occur several ways: 1) by providing educators and parents with information on behaviors and characteristics that demonstrate positive social competence for deaf students in the mainstream/general education setting, 2) helping both educators and parents determine what potential environmental changes could take place in both settings that could promote positive social competence, and 3) provide deaf middle and high school students transitioning into the mainstream/general education environment with examples of deaf students who have had positive social experiences and thereby been successful in both academic and social realms of the mainstream/general education setting. References Antia, S. D., Jones, P., Kreimeyer, K. H., Luckner, J., Reed, S. (2011). Social outcomes of  students who are deaf and hard of hearing in general education classrooms. Exceptional  Children, 77 (4), 489+. Antia, S. D., McCain, K. G. (2005). Academic and social status of hearing, deaf, and hard of  hearing students participating a co-enrolled classroom. Communication Disorders  Quarterly, 27 (1), 20+. Van Gent, T. Goedhart, A. W., Knoors, H. E. T., Westenberg, P. W., Treffers, P. D. A. (2012).  Self-concept and ego development in deaf adolescents: A comparative study. Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education, (3), 333-351. Vogel-Walcutt, J. J., Schatschneider, C., Bowers, C. (2011). Social-emotional functioning  of elementary-age deaf children: A profile analysis  American Annals of the Deaf, 156 (1), 6-22. Gallaudet University Press. Wolters, N., Knoors, H. Cillessen, A. H. N., Verhoeven, L. (2012). Impact of peer and teacher  relations on deaf early adolescents’ well-being: Comparisons before and after a major school transition. Journal Of Deaf Studies And Deaf Education, (4), 463-482.

Mythological Realism in Fifth Business :: Fifth Business

Mythological Realism in Fifth Business Spellbinding like his creation Magnus Eisengrim, Robertson Davies is a wizard of the English language. Who says that Canadian literature is bland and unappealing? New York Times applauded Fifth Business – the first of the Deptford triptych – as "a marvelously enigmatic novel, elegantly written and driven by irresistible narrative force." How true this is. Dunstable Ramsay – later renamed Dunstan after St. Dunstan – may be a retired schoolteacher, but what an engaging narrator he is! Shaped by Davies’s colourful writing, Ramsay masterfully relays the story of his role as "fifth business," the unobtrusive yet vital character in life’s drama. Fifth Business, told in the form of a letter to the schoolmaster, begins with a snowball that young Percy Boyd Staunton throws at Ramsay. The stone-in-a-snowball misses Ramsay but hits Mary Dempster, causing the premature birth of Paul Dempster. Paul grows up to be Magnus Eisengrim, a mysterious and graceful magician. Tormented by his guilt of avoiding the snowball, Ramsay makes Mary his personal saint and is weighed down by his conscience until Mary’s eventual death in an asylum. On the eve of becoming the lieutenant governor of Ontario, "Boy" Staunton is found dead in the Toronto harbour with the fateful stone in his mouth. Though the adventures that Dunstan embarks on in Fifth Business are that of the spiritual nature, make no mistake: this is not a occult novel that attempts to lure one into a religion, but a magnificently told tale of maturation. It is a story of revenge, of redemption, of becoming. Told from the perspective of being nearly completed, the novel follows Ramsay in his search for balance in his life – and balance he does find when the grotesque yet intelligent Liesl seduces him. With depth and breadth of knowledge in Jungian concepts, Robertson Davies draws us fathoms beneath the surface of the human personality. The audience is not left grasping for breath, but is enraptured by the rich dualism in this fantastical world of Dunstan Ramsay. Good and evil; illusion and reality; history and myth – the shadows and lights of the world are exposed and explored. These juxtaposing elements are never revealed under a glaring light, however. Davies uses prose that is nothing short of elegant, and weaves a mythical tale that is imbued with much realism. Real-life incidents are transfused with many amazing "coincidences," paving the path to surrealism.

The Roommate Debate :: Personal Narrative College Essays

The Roommate Debate College is a life altering experience. It is a place where you leave anything and everything you have ever known, to come to a place where nothing is familiar. The summer before your freshman year of college can be a nerve racking experience. You anxiously wait for the day when the mailman will bring you that envelope that holds your fate. Enclosed in this envelope is the name of your roommate. Your roommate can have the biggest influence on your freshmen year. They can turn into your best friend or your worst enemy. You anticipate the day when you actually get to meet the person you will be living with for the whole year. At Penn State there are no guarantees that you will have anything in common with your roommate at all, and that is a scary thing. As the Housing Administration of Penn State, I ask you to put yourself in the shoes of the incoming freshmen. As a freshman, you hope for a roommate you can relate to and spend your time with. But at Penn State the chances of you getting along with your roommate are slim to none. I know so many people who cannot stand living with their roommates. Two of my friends actually switched at the semester because they could not deal with their living situation. At Penn State we are placed together by major. Two people with the same major are not guaranteed to have any of the same habits, interests, or goals. I feel that this is not an effective way of matching people up. I researched other colleges to see how roommates were paired. The colleges I researched were: Albright, Bucknell, Virginia Tech, Saint Joseph’s University, Millersville, and University of Pittsburgh. At Albright, Bucknell, and University of Pittsburgh the housing administration requires incoming freshmen to fill out a survey that asks about their sleep patterns (early bird/ night owl), taste in music, if they smoke, their qualities of an ideal roommate, pet peeves, and major. This enables the housing administration to effectively match up freshmen that would be compatible with each other. My friend Maureen, who attends Bucknell, said, â€Å"My roommate and I have become best friends and I am so thankful that we were matched together. I think that all colleges should use surveys to match up freshmen. The summer before my freshmen year, I was less nervous about meeting my roommate, because I knew that even if we were not the best of friends, I knew we would be compatible enough to live together. The Roommate Debate :: Personal Narrative College Essays The Roommate Debate College is a life altering experience. It is a place where you leave anything and everything you have ever known, to come to a place where nothing is familiar. The summer before your freshman year of college can be a nerve racking experience. You anxiously wait for the day when the mailman will bring you that envelope that holds your fate. Enclosed in this envelope is the name of your roommate. Your roommate can have the biggest influence on your freshmen year. They can turn into your best friend or your worst enemy. You anticipate the day when you actually get to meet the person you will be living with for the whole year. At Penn State there are no guarantees that you will have anything in common with your roommate at all, and that is a scary thing. As the Housing Administration of Penn State, I ask you to put yourself in the shoes of the incoming freshmen. As a freshman, you hope for a roommate you can relate to and spend your time with. But at Penn State the chances of you getting along with your roommate are slim to none. I know so many people who cannot stand living with their roommates. Two of my friends actually switched at the semester because they could not deal with their living situation. At Penn State we are placed together by major. Two people with the same major are not guaranteed to have any of the same habits, interests, or goals. I feel that this is not an effective way of matching people up. I researched other colleges to see how roommates were paired. The colleges I researched were: Albright, Bucknell, Virginia Tech, Saint Joseph’s University, Millersville, and University of Pittsburgh. At Albright, Bucknell, and University of Pittsburgh the housing administration requires incoming freshmen to fill out a survey that asks about their sleep patterns (early bird/ night owl), taste in music, if they smoke, their qualities of an ideal roommate, pet peeves, and major. This enables the housing administration to effectively match up freshmen that would be compatible with each other. My friend Maureen, who attends Bucknell, said, â€Å"My roommate and I have become best friends and I am so thankful that we were matched together. I think that all colleges should use surveys to match up freshmen. The summer before my freshmen year, I was less nervous about meeting my roommate, because I knew that even if we were not the best of friends, I knew we would be compatible enough to live together.

Organizational Theory Applied to the Retail Industry Essay -- Essays P

Organizational Theory Applied to the Retail Industry PART I Introduction Antonio’s, as it will be referred to for confidentiality purposes from here on in, is a retail shoe store that operates in Fredericton, N.B.. It is part of an open system. This company originated in Montreal, Quebec. The head office is now located there and retail outlets are located throughout Canada, the United States and parts of Europe. The market in which this company operates may be considered a division of the fashion industry. This industry is known for being highly competitive and dynamic. Also for obvious reasons many companies within it concern themselves with company image. This particular shoe company has been in existence since the early 1990’s. Antonio’s has grown significantly and is currently a leader in the shoe industry, even on an internationally level. It produces quality shoes at a reasonable price. From its beginnings until now Antonio’s has been operating in the formation stage. This company has met with great success, though, and has grown quickly. It now faces the task of moving into the growth stage. Antonio’s must be careful in managing every aspect of its company now in order to survive. Since the industry in which Antonio’s operates is very image oriented a key issue in moving from the formation to growth stage that must be discussed is company culture. In this situation â€Å"managed† (as it is referred to in its most popular definition) means changed. In order to manage the company culture through the move from stage to stage in the life cycle of this organization the culture within the current stage, the formation stage, must be discussed. The culture, in my opinion, must be managed as it currently has a negative impact on the organizational effectiveness. The organizational effectiveness as a result of culture must analyzed in order to determine if in fact it does have a negative impact on the company, if so, it must be managed for the sake of the company’s survival in the growth stage. PART II Analysis of current company culture The current culture existing in Antonio’s organization is effective according to most of the strict definition meanings. It is not particularly strong, this is because most organizations which are young or have constant turnover (Antonio’s finds both of these things to be t... ...ething so shallow as their appearance. Thus in the long run they are indirectly and unintentionally promoting organization decline by doing this. PART III Conclusion In my opinion the main problem that exists within this organization is the fact that Antonio’s fits into a certain aspect of the Competing Values approach mentioned above to a greater extent than need be. They take organization culture too far despite the fact that it is very well fitted to its industry. My experiences there as an employee were not all negative yet many I did have made me feel very unappreciated and worthless within the organization. A stress on this particular type of culture results in high turn over. This will ultimately lessen the chances of survival for the organization as it moves through the stages of the life cycle. If this culture persists, Antonio’s will be run by disloyal employees who purposely defy it costing them time and money in the long run. It will have a damaging effect on their so preciously held reputation and this will not fair well for them considering the competitive nature of the fashion industry. Bibliography: Robbins. Organizational Theory

Hamlet-Soliloquy

Hamlet's perceptions of himself and his way of responding to his ‘quest' for revenge? Upon examination, It is clear that Hamlet Is ‘a divided mind' due to his Introspective way of thinking; a typical Renaissance character. Soliloquy 3 reveals that Hamlet has realized that his honor code demands him to exact revenge upon Claudia. However, halls moral code manifests itself Into constant self-recrimination, testament to his character.Hamlet begins by metaphorically comparing himself to a â€Å"peasant slave†, indicating that he has not dressed his honor code, as this distinguished the aristocrat from the peasant in Elizabethan times. The use of the exclamation is the first sign of his denunciation of himself due to his lack of action. This theme is advanced when he classically alludes to Hachure in reference to the play he has Just witnessed. Hamlet is ashamed that â€Å"he should weep to her† and ponders what the actor would do â€Å"had he the motive and the cue for passion that I have? Along with revealing the intellectuality of the Renaissance Hamlet, the classical allusion demonstrates that he is clearly frustrated by his Impotence for revenge. This is consolidated In the simile â€Å"Like John-a-dreams, unapparent of my cause† where Hamlet blatantly admits to Inaction, cutting a self- deprecating Image of himself. The rhetorical question â€Å"Am I a coward† attests to his Introspective nature as he Is self-analyzing whether the last portion of his soliloquy Is true or not.This begins a series of rhetorical questions in an attempt to conjure up a ensue of passion in the demoralizes Hamlet, which culminates with the fragmented sentence, â€Å"Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindles villain! O, vengeance! † We can finally observe Hamlet thinking about revenge and this is affirmed when he begins to devise a plan to catch his Uncle's guilt, so that he â€Å"knows his (my) course†. Despite acquiring this new-found passion, his introspection still comes through when he claims that â€Å"The spirit I have seen may be the Devil†.This religious allusion reminds Hamlet of the mantra, ‘innocent until proven guilty, and Hamlet Is out to rove Claudia' guilt as â€Å"the plays the thing wherein he'll (I'll) catch the conscience of the king†. This rhyming couplet sets the stage for his plan for revenge and affirms that he Is truly â€Å"looking for certainties In a world of Gardner). All in all, soliloquy 3 is a perfect summation of Hamlet's complicated Renaissance mind: a journey from self-deprecation to blatant passion, culminating in the official beginning of his quest' for revenge.Hamlet-Soliloquy 3 By capital responding to his ‘quest' for revenge? Upon examination, it is clear that Hamlet is ‘a divided mind' due to his introspective way of thinking; a typical Renaissance demands him to exact revenge upon Claudia. However, his moral code manifests itself into constant self-recrimination, testament to his character. Hamlet begins by by his impotence for revenge. This is consolidated in the simile â€Å"Like John-a-dreams, unapparent of my cause† where Hamlet blatantly admits to inaction, cutting a self- deprecating image of himself.The rhetorical question â€Å"Am I a coward† attests to his introspective nature as he is self-analyzing whether the last portion of his soliloquy is can finally observe Hamlet thinking about revenge and this is affirmed when he reminds Hamlet of the mantra, ‘innocent until proven guilty, and Hamlet is out to that he is truly â€Å"looking for certainties in a world of uncertainties†(Helen Gardner). All in all, soliloquy 3 is a perfect summation of Hamlet's complicated Renaissance mind; a Journey from self-deprecation to blatant passion, culminating in the official beginning of his ‘quest' for revenge.

History of philosophy Essay

The study of philosophy may deal with every dimension of human life and can raise questions in any field of study or endeavor. Philosophy pursues questions rather than answers. Philosophy is not bound by any particular â€Å"truths† that set limits to the desire to continue asking questions. Philosophy changes historically both in respect to its content and its character. Definitions Etymologically, philosophy is derived from the Greek word philein or philia meaning â€Å"love† or â€Å"friendship† and sophia meaning â€Å"wisdom. † Hence, â€Å"love of wisdom. † The Chinese define philosophy as Zhe-Xue or Che Shueh (originally coined by Dr.Nishi Amane). Zhe means â€Å"wisdom† while Xue means â€Å"study. † Significantly, the Chinese character Zhe bears the emblem of mouth and hand which suggests the inseparability of words and action. This philosophy is the translation of words into action or the application of theory into praxis. Hence, for the Chinese, philosophy singles out a person to live on what he says. For the Hindus, philosophy is Darsana. Darsana means seeing, not only through the eyes but through the whole being of the one that sees. In other words, philosophy for the Hindus means seeing the whole reality through a total advertence and involvement of the looker. Philosophy refers to the field of study of the process which includes standards and guidelines for thought and for logic by which people develop concepts and principles which describe people, things and events, and techniques for using the concept and principles for the purpose of observing, analyzing, understanding, evaluating, organizing, and dealing with themselves and other people, things, and events who/which comprise reality (Kroepel, 2011) Philosophy refers to a human drive in the search of knowledge and wisdom to facilitate the evolution of man. Philosophy studies the fundamental nature of existence, of man, and of man’s relationship to existence. CONCEPT OF PHILOSOPHY In order to live, a man must act; in order to act, he must make choices; in order to make choices, he must define a code of values; in order to define a code of values, he must know what he is and where he is, he must know his own nature (including his means of knowledge) and the nature of the universe in which he acts. All of this things put together, is the very concept of PHILOSOPHY. Origin of Philosophy Western Philosophy began in Miletus ( accdg.to Reginald Ellen). The radix of the claim lies on Thales: the acclaimed first philosopher. Historically, western philosophy began in Greece. The word philosophy is even derived from the Greek language and means a love of wisdom. Ancient western philosophy had three main branches: ethics, logic, and physics. These three branches have now broken into even smaller sub-sections, covering everything from epistemology to aesthetics. Socrates was a large influence on western philosophy, but there was a pre-Socratic era that covered philosophical topics. Eastern philosophy has its roots in religion, specifically the Abrahamic religions (Islam, Judaism & Christianism). It is more concerned with asking questions about God and how the world relates to God. Abrahamic religions (also Abrahamism) are the monotheistic faiths of Middle Eastern origin, emphasizing and tracing their common origin to Abraham or recognizing a spiritual tradition identified with him. They are one of the major divisions in comparative religion, along with Indian religions (Dharmic) and East Asian religions (Taoist). Abraham was said to have lived during the Iron Age sometime after 2000 B. C. E. , in the city of Ur in Mesopotamia. The way eastern philosophers created theories on knowledge and religion has led people to practice the philosophies of certain philosophers without adopting all aspects of that branch. For example, some people may consider themselves believers in the Buddhist philosophy, but they never actually go and worship Buddha. The eastern philosophers historically believed that religion was a large part of the study of philosophy. Contemporary practices of eastern philosophy often remove the religious part. Islam impacted much of what we now consider eastern philosophy, meaning that most branches have a religious aspect. The most common branches of eastern philosophy include: Taoism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Maoism, Shinto, Confucius, and Legalism. Both regions can attribute a large amount of current philosophical thought to some form of religion. The eastern world chose to embrace religion as their main pursuit of knowledge, while the western world broke philosophy into a bunch of different branches. Branches of Philosophy Epistemology This refers to the branch of philosophy that is broadly defined as the study of knowledge. It answers the question, â€Å"how do we know? † It encompasses the nature of concepts, the construction of concepts, the validity of the senses, logical reasoning, as well as thoughts, ideas, memories, emotions and all things mental. It is concerned with how our minds are related to reality, and whether these relationships are valid or invalid. Aesthetics refers to the branch of philosophy that is broadly defined as the study of art. It answers the question, â€Å"what life can be like? † In philosophy, aesthetics is important because it delves into the reason why art has always existed to reflect and express the desire and need of mankind through the ages to see the world in a different and clear way. It further evaluates art by using the standards of human life, and if whether it accomplishes the job of satisfying man’s intellectual needs, or whether it tends to hurt or make worse of those needs. Metaphysics Literally means beyond physics, this refers to the branch of philosophy that is broadly defined as the study of existence. It answers the questions, â€Å"What is out there? † or â€Å"What is real? † As the foundation of philosophy, metaphysics is also regarded as the fundamental view of the world. It encompasses everything that exists, as well as the nature of existence itself. It determines whether the world is real, or merely an illusion. Ethics This refers to the branch of philosophy that is broadly defined as the study of action. It answers the question, â€Å"what should I do? † Ethics deals with the proper course of action for man. Specifically, it answers whether or not a human act is good or bad. At a more fundamental level, Ethics can also be defined as the method by which people categorize values and pursue them. Logic It is the branch of philosophy that is broadly defined as the study of reason. It answers the question, â€Å"what is correct reasoning? † Furthermore, logic attempts to distinguish a fact from fallacy. Politics It refers to the branch of philosophy that is broadly defined as the study of force. It answers the question, â€Å"what acts are permissible? † Under its philosophical perspective, politics is ethics applied to a group of people. Brief History of Philosophy. Pre-Socratic Philosophy Characterized by the rejection of the mythological explanation on the nature and phenomena in the universe. The thinkers under this time period were mainly concerned with the search for the â€Å"true essence of things† and made use of systematic and scientific approach in uncovering the realities in the universe. Pre-Socratic Philosophers Thales (c. 624 – 546 B. C. ) Greek philosopher who was regarded as the first philosopher in western tradition. He became known for positing that water is the single element that comprised all things in the universe. He also made famous the aphorism, â€Å"know thy self. † Anaximenes (c. 610 – 546 B. C. ) A student of Thales who postulated that air is the source of all things in the universe. His major contribution, however, was stating that nothing can be created from nothing. Matter, force, and energy are indestructible. These ideas later reappeared in physics in the laws of the conservation of matter and energy. Anaximander He explained the world as originating in conflicts between contraries, such as hot and cold and wet and dry. The cold partly dried up, leaving the Earth and its water. The hot turned some water into mist and air, while the remainder ascended to form fiery rings in the heavens. Holes in the rings are the sun, moon, and stars. CLASSICAL PHILOSOPHY Classical Philosophy was primarily characterized by the rise of the â€Å"Great Greek Triumvirate† – Socrates, Plato & Aristotle. Classical Philosophers Socrates (c. 469 – 399 B. C. ) A Greek philosopher who became known as one of the most prominent philosopher in Ethics. Unlike his contemporaries, Socrates was more concerned with how people should behave rather than how the world works. Plato (c. 428 – 348 B. C. ) A student of Socrates who become known for through his dialogues which contained the presentation of his ideologies and theories in a conversational form. Aristotle (c. 384 – 322 B. C. ) He was the student of Plato and became known as the first thinker to create a comprehensive system of philosophy, encompassing Ethics, Aesthetics, Politics, Metaphysics, Logic and Science. MEDIEVAL PHILOSOPHY Medieval Philosophy was the period predominantly composed of philosophers who were concerned with proving the existence of God and with reconciling Christianity/Islam with the classical philosophy of Greece particularly that of Aristotle . This period also saw the establishment of the first universities, which became an important factor in the subsequent development of philosophy. Medieval Philosophers Avicenna (980 – 1037) A Persian philosopher, physician and polymath during the Golden Age of Islam. As a philosopher and a devout Muslim, he tried to reconcile the rational Greek philosophy with Islamic theology. St. Thomas Aquinas (1225 – 1274) An Italian philosopher and theologian who became a great influence on subsequent Christian philosophies, particularly that of the Roman Catholic Church. EARLY MODERN PHILOSOPHY Early Modern Philosophy. The rise of Modern Philosophy can be attributed to certain historical and cultural changes that happened between the Age of Reason during the 17th century and the Age of Enlightenment during the 18th century. Among the changes during the said period were the advancement in science, the growth of religious tolerance and the rise of liberalism (promotion of liberty and equality). Early Modern Philosophers Rene Descartes (1596 – 1650) A French philosopher, mathematician, scientist and writer of the Age of Reason. He has been called the â€Å"Father of Modern Philosophy†, and much of a subsequent Western philosophy can be seen as a response for his writings. He is responsible for one of the best-known quotations in philosophy: â€Å"Cogito, ergo sum† or â€Å"I think, therefore I am† (Mastin 2008). Baruch Spinoza (1623 – 1677) a Dutch philosopher who was a contemporary of Descartes. Spinoza became famous for his belief that absolutely everything including human behaviour occurs through the operation of necessity, leaving absolutely no room for free will and spontaneity. Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646 – 1716) A German philosopher, mathematician, scientist and polymath who postulated the concept of â€Å"monads† which refers to the ultimate element of the universe from which all things, including human beings and God himself are made of. Immanuel Kant (1724 – 1804) A German philosopher during the Age of Enlightenment. He is regarded as one of the most famous thinkers in modern philosophy. His contributions in all branches of philosophy are often described as being, â€Å"immeasurable†. Kant’s Copernican Revolution. One of the most popular Kantian theories which states that the â€Å"representation† of an object greatly helps the perceiver to perceive a certain object and not the object per se. To put it more accurately, tangible materials (such as the actual glass) are less important in perceiving the glass. What is important is how we experience the â€Å"glassness† of the glass through experience. Kant believed that the human mind can be compared to a tabula rasa (blank tablet). Examples: It is like a computer with no operating system. A computer with no â€Å"O. S. † should be installed with various programs to function properly. A new born baby should be exposed with positive experiences which may affect his lifestyle and manner on how he/she perceive things. MODERN PHILOSOPHY Modern Philosophy. The modern period of philosophy generally refers to the 19th and 20th centuries. The late 20th Century which is sometimes referred to as the contemporary period, became the venue of major development in philosophy characterized by the rise of new philosophical movements. Modern Philosophers Jeremy Bentham (1748 – 1832) An English philosopher, political radical and legal and social reformer of the early modern period. He became the founder of the Utilitarianism which refers to the principle that holds that the right action is that which would cause â€Å"the greatest happiness of the greatest number†. John Stuart Mill (1806 – 1873) An English philosopher and political scientist who was the protege of Bentham and conducted major improvements on the principles of Utilitarianism. Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (pronounced NEE-cha) (1844 – 1900) A 19th Century German philosopher who was known for challenging the foundations of Christianity and traditional morality, famously uttering, â€Å"God is Dead†. EASTERN & WESTERN PHILOSOPHIES: AN OVERVIEW Western Philosophy Refers to the philosophical thinking in the Western or Occidental world, particularly in Europe. Historically, it refers to the philosophical thinking of Western civilization, beginning in ancient Greece. Western thought puts more emphasis on individualism, science, math, and politics – hence, rational and materialistic. It can be seen as the triumph of reason and empiricism over faith/religion – a search involving many questions. Eastern Philosophy. Refers broadly to the various philosophies in the Eastern or Oriental world, particularly Asia and some Arab countries. Historically, it is heavily influenced by Hinduism — the world’s oldest religion, beginning in India. Eastern thought puts more emphasis on interdependence (of human beings and nature), harmony, unity, and faith – hence, meditative and spiritual. It can be seen as the triumph of faith/religion over science and reason – an answer following realization. KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF EASTERN & WESTERN PHILOSOPHIES Western Philosophy. Is rational because most western thought focused on refining epistemology and logic. It emphasized that it is the individual using his/her rational ability to deduce the truth about the things around him/her, and this separates the individual as a subjective mind different from objective reality: Nature, God, the Universe. Eastern Philosophy In the East, philosophers have been more concerned with ordaining society in a harmonious manner, finding humanity’s proper place in society and nature, acting and thinking in a way that would promote unity and order in the universe. It does not have to rely on rationality and often tries to transcend individuality itself to reveal a person’s inherent sameness with the universe/nature. Reason is in fact seen as a stumbling block to truly understand reality. It focuses on how to live and tends to accept the way things are. Eastern thought is focused more on the mind and the spirit/soul, tending to offer a different level of internal experience (meditative) from which to draw conclusions. Thus, it would be hard to separate philosophy and religion.

American Home Product Essay

1. How much business risk does American Home Product face? How much financial risk would American Home Product face at each of the proposed levels of debt shown in case Exhibit 3? (Hint: Calculate impact on net income of 10% reduction in EBIT). How much potential value, if any, can AHP create for its shareholders at each of the proposed levels of debt? 2.Construct a simple EBIT-EPS Analysis chart for AHP for each of the proposed levels of debt shown in case Exhibit 3. Give your analysis based upon this chart. 3.What capital structure would you recommend as appropriate for AHP? What are the advantages of leveraging this company? The Disadvantages? How would leveraging up affect the company taxes? How would the capital markets react to a decision by the company to increase the use of debt in its capital structure? 4.How might AHP implement a more aggressive capital structure policy? What are the alternative methods for leveraging up? (Short answer will be OK, no calculation). 5.In view of AHP’s unique corporate culture, what arguments would you advance to persuade Mr. Laporte or his successor to adopt your recommendation? Note: Make sure that you do understand how to find the numbers on Exhibit 3 and Exhibit 4, number 8. Answer: 1.Business risk: Stable annual growth (10~15%) and profit margin (11~12%). Overall low-risk investments; ‘proven’ formulas instead of R&D. AAA Bond Rating. (EBIT 1981 / EBIT 1980) / % increase in sales (EBIT 1981 / (Net Income 1980 / (1 – Tax Rate))) / % increase in sales (EBIT 1981 / (Net Income 1980 / (1 – 48%))) / % increase in sales (954,8 / (445,9 / 52%)) / (4.131,2 / 3.798,5) = 1,02. (954,8 / 857,5) / 108,8% = 1,02. Financial risk: DFL = % change EPS / % change EBIT = (1 + ((3,18 – 2,84) / 2,84)) / (1 + ((954,8 – 857,5) / 857,5)) = 1,120 / 1,113 = 1,006. Higher DFL means higher EPS variability. 0%   1,006 30% 1,090 50%   1,116 70%   1,143 Debt to Capital = total debt / net worth. Higher DtC ratio means higher risk. 0% ïÆ'  0,009 30% 0,429 50% 1,000 70% 2,333 Potential value: EPS goes up as % of debt goes up ($3.18 – $3.49). 0% $3.18 30% $3.33 50% $3.41 70% $3.49 Dividends rise. 0% $1.90 30% $2.00 50% $2.04 70% $2.10 2.EBIT-EPS Analysis Chart Although leveraging decrease the company’s EBIT, it gives more value per share to its shareholders. 3.Recommended capital structure: Most appropriate capital structure for American Home Products is 30% debt to total capital. Several reasons will explain the reason why this structure gives advantage to AHP. The first, as using 30% debt ratio, the company  would be able to be recapitalized; hence, common shares outstanding of 19.8 million can be repurchased. The second, AHP would have advantage to save taxes of 37.8 million dollars and its shareholders benefit by getting more values. Exhibit 2 shows that Warner Lambert company’s debt ratio is approximately 32% and its bond rating is AAA or AA. It means that if AHP uses 30% debt and 70% equity, its bond rating will be same as Warner Lambert; consequently, bond interest to pay will not increase much due to bond rating. Addition to these reasons, AHP would face less risk to compare heavier capital structures. The advantages of leveraging this company: a.Higher value for shareholders. b.Reduction in tax through interest. c.Access to additional capital. The disadvantages of leveraging this company: a.Higher risk to shareholders. b.Lower net income. Leveraging effect: As debt increases, tax decreases. Market reaction: Market will expect higher return and stock price will rise. 4.AHP should use heavier capital structure which means increasing to use more debt instead of relying wholly on shareholders’ capital, which has its limitation as far as the shareholders’ wealth. So, by using debt to finance AHP’s growth (leveraging up), AHP’s capital structure might be more effective and aggressive. Leveraging up may enable AHP in innovating new products, using better technology, and motivating labor. While during Mr. Laporte’s era, the company can only conduct the â€Å"me too† strategy, relying heavily on its marketing prowess. 5.Mr. Laporte stated that his company works in order to increase  shareholders’ wealth. However, using 30% debt to capital would give possibility to save 37.8 million dollars from taxes; thus, its shareholders would benefit from getting higher dividends per share. Also, if the company uses more debt to its operations, it will be possible to repurchase common stocks of 19.8 millions of shares from market, increasing its EPS, thus affecting in rise in stock price.

Evaluating a Website for Credibility Essay

A search for men’s health related website conducted using the public search engine Google.com. Men’s Health Network (MHN), http://www.menshealthnetwork.org, is a nonprofit organization reaching out to males and their families focusing on the growing health crisis that affect the premature mortality of men (Men’s Health Network, 2014). Approximately 50% of the population is male; evaluating the sites credibility is important when using it as an educational tool for male patients related to prevention and management of health. Evaluation of website MHN is comprised of spokespersons and advisory board. The website discloses a limited list of spokespersons with title and areas of educational focus. The site states, â€Å"†¦there are over 800 physicians, mental health experts, and other key thought leaders among the MHN Board of Advisors†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Men’s Health Network, 2014). The readability of the website is not technical, the average person will be able to read the information on the site and be able to understand the intent of the organizations message. The information that is presented is accurate but referencing to studies and citations are lacking or difficult to find. Brief explanations of diseases are summarized followed by links to outside sources such as the American Urology Association, National Institute of Health, or Journal of Men’s Health for additional information. MHN is sponsored by monetary donations from the public as well as internships to promote education to the public and policy makers related to men’s health (Men’s Health Network, 2014). Partnerships are publicly display at the bottom of the website and range from for-profit drug companies such as Glaxo Smith Kline, Bayer and Pfizer as well as nonprofit organizations such as Boy Scouts of America and Veterans Health Council. Since the number of for-profit partnerships with MHN supersedes the  nonprofit partnerships, one can view the information provided on MHN as favoring the for profit companies despite MHN having links to outside sources for information on diseases. MHN website navigation is user friendly with headings at the top of the web pages that are identical on every page. The font utilized is clear, easy to read, and not strenuous on the eyes. All links in headings are operational and link phrases are clearly described to target page. MHN security link states commitment to ensuring user privacy and that any information collected is used only in accordance to the November 2012 policy (Men’s Health Network, 2014). MHN informs that the website will request permission to place â€Å"cookies† on user’s computer. The term â€Å"cookie† is defined and gives the user informed consent. MHN clearly states that clicking links to partnerships and outside sources link takes the user away from MHN site and states, â€Å"we cannot be responsible for the protection and privacy of any information which you provide whilst visiting such sites and such sites are not governed by this privacy statement.† (Men’s Health Network, 2014). Empirical evidence Building credibility for a website requires providing links to reputable organizations which increase traffic, thereby increasing its relevance in search outcomes (Calabro, 2010). MHN achieves this with a banner containing links to other organizations for the reader to get additional information, but the sites that the reader is linked to do not always reciprocate a link back. Calabro (2010) suggests that updating the home page regularly with updated graphics, information, and testimonials are vital to enhancing the websites presence on the internet. MHN, compared to www.nih.org which publicly displays the sites last revision, information contained on the site doesn’t display last revision although there is updating to the site by evidence of seminar announcements, online flyers, and press releases. In a study of 1,442 acute care nurses employed in one large hospital system with readily available library sources, 43% reported starting a search with Google. Of that group 64% reported success in obtaining results using a general search engine such as Google. While 49% started a search using CINAHL or MEDLINE, a much smaller percentage reported successful searching (20% and 24% respectively) of these professional databases. (Miller, Graves, Jones, & Sievert, 2010, p. 3) Not having a subscription to CINAHL or  MEDLINE, according to (Miller et al., 2010), should not hinder knowledgeable nurses in using public search engines for credible information as a tool to educate patients and families. Application to nursing practice Evaluating information found on the internet is important to properly educate patients as MHN provides educational material for men, boys, women and families. The professional nurse can utilize the site resources to aide families to cope with ailments that affect their male loved ones. Nurses can resource MHN to provide information to families to co-pay card programs to curb the high cost of health insurance. Summary MHN demonstrates credibility by the use of expert advising board and links to creditable organizations which have done studies to support their mission. The site is easy to find on public search engines, easy to read for the lay person while giving links to more detailed information for the healthcare professional. References Calabro A 2010 Endhave your presensce on the internet with an improved website.Calabro, A. (2010). Enhance your presence on the internet with an improved website. O&P Business News, 19(12), 18. 201409201149291993026019 Mens Health NetworkMen’s Health Network. (n.d.). Retrieved September 15, 2014, from http://www.menshealthnetwork.org 201409161816071882827044 Miller L C Graves R S Jones B B Sievert M C 2010 Beyond Google: Finding and evaluating web-based information for community-based nursing practice.Miller, L. C., Graves, R. S., Jones, B. B., & Sievert, M. C. (2010). Beyond Google: Finding and evaluating web-based information for community-based nursing practice. International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship, 7(1), 1-16. doi:10.2202/1548-923X.1961 201409201214161550333619

Nutrition Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Nutrition - Essay Example On the other hand, a poor one has the potential of injuring health and leading to deficiency diseases such as kwashiorkor and scurvy and also threatening conditions like osteoporosis, obesity and diabetes. This paper will research on nutrition and the implications of both poor and proper diets. Gardner and Halweil (2000) opine that a good health goes beyond the absence of disease and reflects a positive quality of physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual and social well being. Only an optimum nutrition that provides all the essential amount and type of nutrients can achieve good health. The food people consume and their constituent nutrients are the most significant, long-term environmental factors that influence their health, development, growth and functional abilities (Zoellner, Bounds & Yadrick, 2009). Nutritional knowledge, especially including education for health professionals and the general public, is critical if the rate of premature mortality and morbidity must be redu ced significantly from the primary killer diseases. The way people structure their lives with proper health habits, nutrition and regular exercise will cut down on chronic diseases and medical expenditure. Depending on the quantities required by the body, the six classes of nutrients may further be categorized into either micronutrients or macronutrients (Bolin, Caplan, & Holyday, 2010). The body requires macronutrients in large amounts and they include proteins, carbohydrates, water and fats. The body uses lipids to build cell membranes, and amino acids are essential for the formation of proteins while carbohydrates and fats are made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen molecules. Vitamins and minerals fall under micronutrients. Apart from water and the fibrous content of food, all macronutrients provide the body with structural material and energy (Bolin, Caplan, & Holyday, 2010). This is the energy used to carry out all the activities of the body and the essential support of life. A dditionally, proteins are used in the repair and formation of tissue as well as various hormones and chemicals. Water is essential in eliminating the waste products of metabolism. Every food consumed has a direct impact on a person’s health. Certain levels of variation in quantities will lead to nutritional disease, which can be defined as disease or condition related to nutrition. The variations may include both excesses and deficiencies in one’s diet. Poor or unbalanced diets, and hence bad nutrition, cause developmental abnormalities and worsen chronic diseases. For instance, research has shown that diets high in sugar, sodium and saturated fat adversely affect health and well being (Bolin, Caplan, & Holyday, 2010). Such a diet places the consumer at a high risk of developing diseases such as cancers, diabetes, heart diseases and hypertension. On the other hand, nutritionists recommend diets high in fiber, calcium, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Such diets hav e the potential to reduce chances of most diseases by up to 80 percent. The research confirms that unhealthy eating habits are the leading causes of disease and disability as well as loss of independence. More significantly, the use (or abuse) of alcohol and tobacco should strictly be avoided, especially for persons with pre-existing conditions

Terrorism Hazards Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Terrorism Hazards - Essay Example erefore just as it is important to be informed about the imminent threats it is equally important to have an informed viewpoint towards the information. In this article we will examine how this be done as a service to the public. John Tierney, in his article in the New York times talks about how Sept 11 attacks on America as â€Å"the start of a new age of international terrorism in America, but you wouldn’t know it from the six quiet years on the home front since then.† (2008). But these six years have been injected with many instances of terror scares that for some people the feeling of peace is a bit far removed. Any unusual act of aggression is viewed as terrorism. Therefore if we were to design a terrorist awareness program, the following initial measures will need to be taken to involve the community as a whole in the process. The first task would be to educate the people on terrorism from more of an international point of view and help define the history of terrorism in their minds. Research shows that people as a community come together more during natural disasters than during technological or terror attacks. The reason for this can be attributed towards a heightened fear of individual safety. Therefore it is necessary to gather the community to act as a whole and come together as a whole. There is a need for many counselling cells for individual and group session where people can share their insecurities and fear and gain more insight by communicating with people with similar thoughts and fears. Trained psychologists will serve as moderators for he group session. Special attention will be given to children and elder members of the community who feel a bit more helpless. Once people are educated on what constitutes terrorism and begin to appreciate the fact that the various stringent measures taken by the government to check future attacks has resulted in the prolonged period of peace after the initial storm. Whilst doing this we will also instil

Dance Paper Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Dance Paper - Assignment Example Therefore, according to the narrator in the video, respect for other people’s ideas is paramount to encourage tolerance. He adds that silence is the worst form of decision because it stifles opinion on important matters. LaLaLa Human Steps: LaLaLa Human Sex duo no. is video by Edourd Lock and it runs for 1.6 minutes. It involves a gestural dance characterized by fast and difficult partnering during movements while using the horizontal plane. However, there are contrasting views concerning the male dancer’s energy including the body language to that of the female dancer. First, both dancers are vigorous in their undertaking to depict the gestures of sex when done without the necessary precaution (Minton 167). Second, the dominance on stage by the dances is demonstration of the unifying belief of the dangers posed by irresponsible sex. However, issues of gender stereotypes are being pushed in the choreography worth noting. For example, women are cast in the video as passive and, thus, direct recipients of the sexual innuendos. Likewise, the choreography assumes that only men are the stronger sexual beings as opposed to their counterparts. Smoke is a video by Mats Ek and it lasts for 20 minutes demonstrating the relationship between a man and woman namely Niklas Ek and Slyvie Guillem. The use of the wall, hence, is a vital platform to convey the tension between the dancers because it reveals the barrier in sexuality. It also displays the essence of continuation from a neutral background. On the other hand, the camera tricks such as retrograde and close-ups enable the telling of the story to assume authenticity because it makes both dancers in real in the choreography. In that perspective, the dancers mostly use their arms and bellies as surfaces for partnering to send a clear message of sexuality and its undertones. Ms Guillem’s character, however, during her sole takes the form of

Asbestos at the Regional Airport in Virginia Case Study

Asbestos at the Regional Airport in Virginia - Case Study Example Asbestos fibers do not have any detectable odor or taste. They do not dissolve in water or evaporate and are resistant to heat, fire, chemical and biological degradation. Because of these properties, asbestos has been used in a wide range of manufactured products, mostly in building materials, friction products, and heat-resistant fabrics. Asbestos has been used in building-construction materials, cement, textiles, missile and jet parts, asphalt and caulking compounds and paints, and in friction products such as brake linings. These materials are needed for the construction for the new Virginia airport. According to (Timbrell, 2000) "Exposure to asbestos fibers and dust, however, can cause asbestosis, a disease of the lungs caused by the inhalation of asbestos particles, and, after a latent period of up to 30 years and more, various cancers, especially lung cancer and mesothelioma, which is an inoperable cancer of the chest and abdominal lining" Since some materials are not as hazardous like asbestos its better to discontinue patronizing all the products that contain high in asbestos materials for constructing the airport.

Issues That Lead to the Recession Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Issues That Lead to the Recession - Term Paper Example What are the correct investments in a recession and the revised policies and procedures put into operation by the government to combat recession. Thirdly, this report will discuss the impact of the recession and the lessons learnt from it. Definition of Recession â€Å"The NBER does not define a recession in terms of two consecutive quarters of decline in real GDP. Rather, a recession is a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months, normally visible in real GDP, real income, employment, industrial production, and wholesale-retail sales.†(Business†¦.) â€Å"A significant decline in activity across the economy, lasting longer than a few months. It is visible in industrial production, employment, real income and wholesale-retail trade. ... With the steep rise in the unemployment levels, the government is obliged to extend unemployment benefits to a wider section of the society. Higher borrowing leads to higher taxes and additional interest payments in the future. As shares turn unattractive, the prices begin to dip. Lower profitability and lower dividends create a depressive mood for the investors and they look out for alternative sources of investment. The fall in share prices continues in anticipation of recessionary trends prolonging. But this is only the initial phase. When recession is at its hardest phase, the developments take a strange turn. In anticipation of economic recovery, share prices begin to recover, as the prudent investor calculates that it is the favorable time to invest from the point of view of long term gains. Falling prices of shares may be due to various other factors as well, not alone recession. The normal reaction to recession is that it should result in a lower inflation rate. The highlight of recession is it reduces demand and wage inflation. The issue to be examined is what economic factors impact the recession hard. The current recession is due to rise in oil prices. The expert opinion about this inflation is, it is bound to reduce demand, will result in price wars, as the firms will make all-out efforts to retain consumers. The scenario of falling investments takes volatile shape and hampers economic growth. The vicious circle begins. The slowdown in the growth rate, with the economy expanding with a slower pace, may result in substantial fall in investment. Fall in employment opportunities is the most feared factor during recession. The demand for labor takes a down turn. Not all sectors are impacted hard in equal measure

Excessive Police force In america Research Paper

Excessive Police force In america - Research Paper Example When the officer was being tried for killing, the jury was told to consider the following verdicts: second degree or involuntary manslaughter. The juror decided to charge him with involuntary manslaughter even after substantial evidence was provided. This kind of judgments also contributes a lot to police officers become brutal to their citizens. Even after congress had passed Violent Control and Law Enforcement Act, they have neglected their responsibility to continuously provide the necessary funds for its enactment. There is no need for the police to keep and criminal records since the legislations can handle this matter. It is quite unfortunate that the legislation department does not hold police officers responsible for their criminal acts and the violation of human rights. When police officers murder innocent citizens in America, they are most of the time charged with involuntary manslaughter. The definition of this term in legal terms is the unlawful killing of person that was done unintentionally (Alexander, 2005). May states in the world do not even have the proper definition of this term, thus many people go unpunished for the criminal act they have committed. Many people who are brutally murdered by the police officers rarely get justice. Even after a police officer is found guilty, his sentence is reduced. Some p olice officers are even released on parole when current fracas reduces and people have forgotten about the incident. When the court does not hold police officers accountable of his actions after committing a crime, citizens start demonstrating. The same police officers mishandle the citizens by arresting them in large numbers even if they are holding peaceful demonstrations. The citizens are disconnected to the police officers because of being handled heavily and brutally (Alexander, 2005). Families that are not served with justice after one of them is murdered are

Professional vs training Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Professional vs training - Essay Example Retrieved from http://tomakeaprairie.wordpress.com/2013/10/30/learning-vs-training-the-power-of-real- professional-development/ Many people go through several challenges in their professions and most likely in the times of gaining experience. This occurs mostly when an individual gets some job in a firm with less or different machineries from the ones he or she has learned leading to poor orientation. Poor training and monitoring of the work force during the orientation period is unprofessional. Companies should implement policies and procedures that expose all their employees to enough experience because much of the learned information or knowledge is lost if not put into practice. In the process of gaining experience, the interns should have mentors who are very knowledgeable in the same field to take them through the required procedures besides monitoring them. In gaining experience, interns go through a few practices whereby they gain the required knowledge in their professions. However, not all interns get the required or enough exposure in their fields of study. This is because the involved instructors or tutors may not be willing to take them through the process of gaining experience as required. Mostly, many interns get exposure to less than what they learned or to other things or machines besides their career. As a result, most of them feel demoralized besides this affects their learning process through losing interest in their profession and as well making them change their minds of furthering their studies in the same field. Professionalism In The Workplace. (2013). 2013 Professionalism In The Workplace. Retrieved 19 April 2014, from

Frankenstein and Blade Runner Essay Example for Free

Frankenstein and Blade Runner Essay The texts, Frankenstein and Blade Runner reflect changing contextual values; however the treatment of content remains the same. Mary Shelley’s didactic Frankenstein published in 1818 centres on scientific advancement of the Industrial Revolution, as presented through a consolidation of Gothic and Romantic elements in response to the shifting paradigms of the Enlightenment Age. Similarly, Blade Runner directed by Ridley Scott in 1982, transforms the notions of Frankenstein to position its postmodern audience to consider the negative ramifications of the Cold War and the rise of capitalism. These contextual ideas will be explored through the thematic concerns pertaining specifically to the destructive potential of abusing scientific power, the flawed responsibility of man as creator and the nature of humanity. Indeed, Blade Runner is a realisation of the sublime warnings highlighted by Shelley’s Frankenstein in 1818. Destructive potential of abusing scientific power Frankenstein highlights the destructive potential of abusing science through overpowering human morality and provoking irresponsibility. The 18th Century Age of Enlightenment was a social movement where logic and reason was advocated as the primary source of authority, characterised by scientific advancements such as Galvani’s concept of electricity as a reanimating force and theorists such as Erasmus Darwin. Hence, Walton’s metaphor, influenced by Age of Enlightenment, â€Å"What may not be expected in a country of eternal light? † is mantric for both Walton and Frankenstein who display a â€Å"thirst for knowledge† in their respective scientific quests. The metaphor and symbol of â€Å"eternal light† represents the mysteries the pair wish to uncover and accompanied with rhetorical question it reflects the optimism of society embracing the Age of Enlightenment. However, the irrevocable consequences of abusing scientific power is highlighted when Frankenstein says, â€Å"â€Å"All my speculations and hopes are as nothing, and like the archangel who aspired to omnipotence, I am chained to an eternal hell. † as he is tormented by the â€Å"filthy daemon† he creates; a monster â€Å"even Dante could not have conceived. The allusions to John Milton’s Paradise Lost and Dante Alighieri’s Inferno through metaphor and simile emphasises the destructive potential of abusing scientific power as Frankenstein’s environment decays into hell. This caution of the destructive potential of abusing science is realised in Blade Runner through Scott’s mise-en-scene of the dystopian urban wasteland of 2019 Los Angeles, emphasising the destruction of the natural environment as a result of the Cold War’s nuclear threat and rise of consumerism. In the opening sequence, the slow-panning panorama shot, under chiaroscuro lighting, captures a hellish megalopolis with huge smokestacks spewing fire into the atmosphere and large pagan corporate edifices towering over the city. This disorienting imagery is coalesced with violent, non-diegetic sounds and visuals of constant rain, symbolizing concerns of acidic rain and the burning of the environment. Hence, Scott’s utilization of futuristic â€Å"film noir† cinematography establishes a grim, claustrophobic environment that is completely devoid of the natural world. By depicting such dystopia and understanding contextual concerns such as the capitalist deregulation and the ‘trickle down’ theory of Reagan’s era, Scott applies Shelley’s â€Å"Promethean† motif to caution viewers about the potential environmental dangers of abusing modern technology and nuclear warfare, which were widespread social concerns at the time due to the climax of the Cold War. Flawed responsibility of men as creator Frankenstein highlights how unrestrained science undermines man’s responsibility as creator. Shelley’s era was a time of religious revival where philosophers such as Kierkegaard asserted spirituality was more than â€Å"objective appearance† and demanded engagement. In both texts, several biblical allusions are made to the image of man usurping the title of â€Å"creator† and creation becoming the forsaken â€Å"fallen angel. † Hence Victor’s Godly damnation reflects man as illegitimate to play the role of God: â€Å"Wretched devil! You reproach me with your creation; come on, then, may I extinguish the spark which I so negligently bestowed. Through the emotive biblical language and poetic allusion to â€Å"Milton’s Paradise Lost†, Shelley evokes the retelling of Satan’s fall from grace, where the monster’s likeness to the â€Å"fallen angel,† exacerbates the notion that man, corrupted by the moral insensitivity of science, is flawed as creator. Moreover, the â€Å"spark† alludes to the â€Å"eternal light† which irresponsibly leads to the immoral creation of a monster that is both extravagant and aberrant. This is illustrated by the graphic imagery of the monster’s impurity such as â€Å"skin arely covered† and â€Å"yellow eye† alongside the creature’s painful personal recollections through direct use of the first person, â€Å"I was a poor, helpless, miserable wretch. I knew, and could distinguish, nothing; but feeling pain invade me on all sides. † Hence, Shelley highlights to readers in the Enlightenment period that innate selfishness of men corrupts the moral grounding of scientific pursuit rendering man as illegitimate to play the role of God. The issue of mankind as selfish creators, disengaged from institutionalized structures such as Christendom, is extended in Blade Runner in the â€Å"meeting of the maker’ scene. Tyrell ruthlessly exploits his economic power by separating himself from the decaying dystopia of Los Angeles. Tyrell’s fundamentally flawed intentions are personified in the Tyrell Corporation’s edifice of a Grandiose, Mayan style pyramid physically exerting a powerful dominance over the city. It is presented through an upward panning low angle shot, spliced with close up shots to reinforce the dominance of consumerist progress in dystopia. The pyramid’s historical association with Egyptian royalty links them with the divine, typifying Tyrell’s ‘God-like’ role as creator. This is reinforced in Tyrell’s costuming of white clothing amidst long shots of a candle-lit church atmosphere, typifying his glorified religious status. Moreover the low-angle shots of the ‘artificial owl’ with dark shadows emphasises the extent to which the natural environment has been artificially remodeled due to the rise of consumerism in the 1980s. Hence, the dehumanised portray of Victor Frankenstein and Tyrell demonstrates that despite differering contexts, science leads to an abandonment of moral responsibility and man is flawed as creator. What constitutes humanity in an individual Frankenstein highlights the true nature of humanity as influenced by the 18th Century Romantic Movement. The 18th Century Romantic Movement was a social reaction against the 18th Century Age of Enlightenment, characterised by stressing the beauty of the natural world and emotional feeling. The natural world’s splendour is highlighted as Frankenstein flees to Mont Blanc for conciliatory peace away from his torment. â€Å"The unstained snowy mountain-top, the glittering pinnacle †¦ the eagle soaring amidst the clouds. † The Romantic and emotive language, imagery and allusion to Edmund Burke’s On the Sublime and the Beautiful portrays the beauty of the natural world, free from destructive science. Further humanity’s emotions are romanticised through the benevolent portrayal of the Monster. â€Å"No father had watched my infant days; no mother had blessed me with smiles and caresses†¦ What was I? † Through the combination of emotive language, a personal tone created through the personal pronoun â€Å"I† and a rhetorical question to question what constitutes humanity within a being, Shelley transcends the Gothic stereotype typically bestowed upon a monster to emphasise the monster’s human longings for parental love and companionship. Hence, as the Romantic Movement and its fascination with the sublimity of nature, was being overcome by the strict rationality of the Age of Enlightenment, Shelley foreworns of the destruction of the magnificence of humanity, both in the natural world and in human emotions, as a result of rampant science and irresponsibility. Similarly, the â€Å"more human than human† portrayal of Roy in Blade Runner also highlights our mistreatment of scientific creations as artificial commodities, blurring the distinction between humans and products of artificial intelligence. In the final scene, Scott uses a close-up shot at Roy’s nailed hands, literally portraying him as a Christ-like figure, as he is enslaved and morally detached from humanity from the goals of â€Å"commerce†. The condescending aphorism in Tyrell’s comment at Roy’s desperate cry for life, â€Å"the light that burns half as long, burns twice as bright† alludes to the â€Å"eternal light† in Frankenstein’s Age of Reason and its effects on humanity’s disregard for the human consequences of its actions. Hence Roy asserts â€Å"I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe†, which reflects about his personal, human pain and suffering as a result of the commoditised world. Furthermore, a close up of Roy, alongside the pure white background creates a cathartic moment as Roy becomes ‘the fallen angel’, magnanimously giving life to Deckard and instilling human qualities within him. It is through illustrating Roy’s sensitivity that Scott ‘appropriates’ Shelley’s dilemma of what constitutes humanity within any being, questioning the morality of the technology-dependent audience of the 1980s; as they take scientific creations for granted. Hence after suffering and succumbing to brutal dehumanisation, both Replicant and Beast have emotively evoked pathos and senses of profound solemnity. Ultimately, both Frankenstein and Blade Runner are products of their cultural milieu and forewarn us of the destructive potential of abusing science, illegitimately playing the role of God and the values of humanity that degrade our morality and responsibility. More subliminally, however, each text embodies the moral limitations of being human through the oppressive nature of scientific and technological advancement.