War from the Underworld - 1136 Words

The year was 1945, Hitler was dead, and the word was trying to pick up the pieces from the destruction of World War II (WWII) which was the worst war known to man causing the death of 60 million or more humans. The paper around the world had headlines such as â€Å"The Worst is Behind Us† or â€Å"Never Again†. The leaders of world nations were bamboozled by what had happened in the past 10 years, they never believed they would have witnessed such a scary reality of what was WWII. These leaders as well as the rest of the world were glad to see that the Axis force that consisted of Germany, Japan, and Italy was stopped along with their diabolical leaders. To prevent a disaster like this of ever happening again leaders of countries from around the†¦show more content†¦Jay waited for his father so that they could pray before they ate their meals. Leon was not feeling well while eating so they got to go boxes, paid their bill, tipped the bartender, and headed to the inn that they had made reservations at. Once they had arrived at the inn they got keys to their room. Jay said â€Å"Father what do you suppose had made your stomach so upset?† Leon replied with â€Å"Son it was probably the flight, I just need to sleep.† And at that point Jay said â€Å"goodnight father and goodbye† as he thrust a knife into his back killing him. From the stab wound Hitler had risen on April 30th exactly 40 years from the day he died. Hitler cracked his back and his neck then proceeded to Jay, he stopped feet away then said â€Å"thank you my young servant, together we shall raise my dead army and take over the world and split the power of those willing to live our way.† Jay replied by saying â€Å"what will we do with those who disobey us?†, â€Å"Well Jay Morris, they will have to join your late brave father, and poor mother.† During the night they went to a cave where myth said, the sorcerer Merlin that helped King Arthur gain power of England many centuries before. With them they only brought a vile which contained a satanic control potion. They climbed through rock until they had to have been at least a mile beneath earth’s crust where they finally saw a light, and at that point they announcedShow MoreRelatedVirgil s The Iliad And The Odyssey1403 Words   |  6 Pagescharacter form Homer’s Odyssey and constructs a life for him beyond Homer’s ideas. It is quite obvious that Virgil was heavily influenced by both Homer’s writings, The Iliad and the Odyssey. Both stories tell of parallel journeys home from Troy at the end of the Trojan War. Homer’s Odysseus is returning to Greece and the family he left behind ten years ago. Virgil’s Aeneas, in contrast has been given a direct command by the God, Mercury to create a new Empire. Both men set out on their ships, in toRead MoreThe Underworld and How It Reflects the Goals and Realities of Virgil and Homer1588 Words   |  7 PagesThe Underworld and How it Reflects the Goals and Realities of Virgil and Homer Two epic poems from two great civilizations depict their authors varying views of the Underworld: The Odyssey and The Aeneid. The Greek poet Homer describes the hardships of Odysseus and his struggle to return home to his beloved wife and family after the Trojan War in The Odyssey. The Roman poet Virgil composed The Aeneid for the first emperor of the Roman Empire, Caesar Augustus, in order to rebuild Rome afterRead MoreHades and the Odyssey1451 Words   |  6 Pagesregion called the underworld, which was inhabited by the â€Å"shades† or spirits of the dead. It was also home to dethroned or exiled deities who had been overthrown by Zeus and his allies. Hades and his brothers, Zeus and Poseidon, dethroned Kronos and the other Titans and then divided up earth among the three of them. Zeus reined the sky, Poseidon the sea and Hades ruled the underworld. The name â€Å"Hades† has been synonymously used for both the god of the underworld and the underworld itself. It is necessaryRead MoreEssay about Hades1389 Words   |  6 Pagesthe underworld as a place for all the dead and clearly visualized it in their myths and legends. The underworld in Greek mythology was not a lively place, for it was where all the dead souls went. When a person died, the soul would be sent to Hades, a more formal name for the underworld. quot;The dead would go to Hades because there was no annihilation in the Greek mythology. The dead are dead because they have a flavorless and unhappy existencequot;. The primary ruling god of the underworld isRead MoreComparing The Iliad And The Odyssey905 Words   |  4 Pagesof the Odyssey features a list of participants in the game (115-125) and the Iliad Book II features a catalog of ships (484-759). Secondly, both epics start in media res. The Odyssey starts ten years after the Trojan War and the Illiad starts nine years after the start of the war. Thirdly, the Muses are prayed to for inspiration to tell the story, which can be observed in the Iliad Book I (1-9) and in the Odyssey Book I (1-31). Fourthly, the main characters also give long formal speeches. ForRead MorePans Labyrinth775 Words   |  4 Pages* Pan’s Labyrinth: A Depiction of Post-Civil War Spain * The film â€Å"Pan’s Labyrinth† is a cinematic masterpiece of 2006, directed and written by Guillermo del Toro. Although the film is considered partly within the fantasy genre, several of the themes within the film reflect certain historical realities of post-civil war Spain. Themes of reality versus fantasy, gender roles, and children and war are developed within the film. Pan’s Labyrinth takes place during the Francoist period of 1944Read MoreOdysseus And The Underworld : Odysseus1389 Words   |  6 PagesOdysseus journeyed to the underworld on his return trip home from Troy, which is where dead mortal’s go to live out the rest of their existence. After his journey to the underworld, he encounters Alcinous, the King of the Phaeacians. Odysseus being able to journey home from the underworld is important, because it is believed that if a mortal journeys to the underworld they will not come back alive. Upon his return, Odysseus is with King Alcinous and Queen Arete with Odysseus telling Alcinous thatRead MoreHades: God of the Underworld779 Words   |  3 PagesIn Greek mythology Hades is the god of the Underworld. He is part of the first olympians. He was in his father Cronus stomach until Zeus tricked him and freed his brothers and sisters. Once they were free they needed to wage war on Cronus, but they needed the backing and support from some other creatures to help fight the war. So the went to Tartarus the Greek equivalent of hell. When they were the set the Cyclopes free, in return the Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades all got magical items. Hades got a magicalR ead MoreHades and the Underworld1043 Words   |  5 Pagesand war. Also there was Apollo, God of the sun, music, healing, prophecy, and poetry. Apollo’s twin sister Artemis Goddess of hunting and archery. Then there’s Poseidon, God of the ocean and brother to the most powerful God of them all, the God of all Gods, Zeus. However, there was only one specific God that mortals and even Gods feared, the brother of Poseidon and Zeus. He was the ruler of the underworld and the dead; he went by the name of Hades. In spite of controlling the underworld and theRead MoreEpics the Aeneid and Metamorphoses: a Comparison1045 Words   |  5 Pageswill focus on the underlying meaning in the Underworld scene in Vergils The Aeneid (lines 356 through 1199). I will also focus on three scenes in Ovids Metamorphoses. Both epics contain a larger message about the importance of the Roman past for its present and future under Augustus. The story of Aeneas in the Underworld can be interpreted as a brilliant rendition of the story of Romes past, present, and future. When Aeneas descends into the Underworld, he is escorted by the Sibyl (lines 347 -

Personal Philosophy Of Leadership And Generational Lines

PERSONAL APPROACH TO LEADERSHIP 2 Personal Approach to Leadership across Cultural and Generational Lines The world seems to be getting smaller, and a harmonized place of work seems to be something of the yesteryears. Instead, current leaders are required to deal with a diversity of employees across generational in addition to cultural lines, respectively with their personal values, work ethic, as well as desires. The situation can be a difficult profession to keep every person in high spirits and productive. Therefore, styles and approaches that function satisfactory with some individuals may be entirely unsuccessful with others. Nevertheless, a leader should not alter their entire leadership approach every time they have an interaction with someone from a diverse generation or cultural environment. It would be my suggestion to have one sound approach that would work for most of everyone. In spite of age or cultural circumstances, each member of a team for sure has one something in common: they work for a salary and they have to be productive in order to continue to receive a salary. Therefore, individuals should learn how to balance this and other mutual grounds into a place of work environment that not just accepts diversity, nevertheless embraces it. Stop allowing alleged divisions hurt team’s efficiency and learn the competences needed to successfully guide a diverse team.Show MoreRelatedAn Application Of Servant Leadership Essay930 Words   |  4 PagesPractical Application of Servant Leadership Jenni Ludwig Denver School of Nursing Practical Application of Servant Leadership Robert K. Greenleaf coined the idea of servant leadership in 1970 (Swearingen, 2004). In the simplest of terms, servant leadership is about serving others first with leadership following. These leaders assume the role only after believing it is the best way to serve others (Swearingen, 2004). The qualities and characteristics of servant leadership will be identified and explainedRead MoreAcademic Success : Career Goals1088 Words   |  5 Pagesto stay focus and insure my success. A. for Achievable: Utilizing UOP resources to gain the advantage to ensure my goals being reached. R. for Relevant: Me as a leader completing and reaching my goal to receive my degree will be effective in my leadership. T. for Time: Organizing and planning will help me be successful in completing the assignments and reaching my goals. This also goes with learning goals as well. â€Å"In general, learning goals are supposed to influence the students’ learning processesRead MoreLeadership Styles And How They Influence Social Work1364 Words   |  6 PagesLeadership Styles and How They Influence Social Work Curtis E. Mitchell Colombia College Hums 345: Working with Communities Organizations Abstract Acquiring positions of authority comes with the added responsibility of making sure you are correctly and competently communicating the ideals set forth by your agency. Social workers and helpers who are in leadership positions have to understand the many facets involved in leading and guiding people. Leadership styles are often affected by culturalRead MoreSummary : Eastern Washington University3541 Words   |  15 Pagesinternship working on leadership skills† (R. Murphy, Personal Communication, July 26, 2011). The Fairchild OAP, like many other organizations is looking for recent graduates to come prepared to do more than front line work. The OAP can train someone to run a raft or rent a bike, they need people that can lead others effectively and help the organization grow. Ryan later comments that the applicants who do have leadership skills have gone through programs like NOLS [National Outdoor Leadership School] or OutwardRead MoreManaging The Changes Within A Public Wor kforce Trends2652 Words   |  11 Pagesrevisit how to successfully manage a diverse workforce. A workforce that is composed of (1) multigenerational groups, (2) succession planning and (3) a thirst to bridge the strain among personal/professional elements seen in the workplace. Each aspect mentioned offers insight into the future in workplace philosophies. Whether a government official and/or employees in a public service appointment, all will have some form of contribution into how these changes are managed in the future. In this paperRead MoreDiversity Management1730 Words   |  7 Pagesemployees. Traditionally, diversity programs have focused mostly on race and gender and other physical dimensions. However, today ¡Ã‚ ¦s definition of diversity covers a broad spectrum of individual and group differences ranging from work styles and generational perspectives to political and religious preferences. The illustration below represents how diversity can be understood from a corporate/business point of view: Under the umbrella of diversity practices, organizations are employing methods ofRead MoreTmp Thesis Statement. Implementing A Comprehensive Training3042 Words   |  13 Pagesa corporate culture, despite members often working at a distance, begins with explicitly defining and then sharing common values. A fundamental belief is that a company with an inspiring dream, unparalleled integrity, a caring, humane management philosophy and solid values is better able to attract and respond to the profound aspirations of remarkably high-caliber, competent people. These people in turn will seek out a select clientele, one aware of the company s values, and will deliver high-qualityRead MoreTraining Management Plan For Cgi3248 Words   |  13 Pagesa corporate culture, despite members often working at a distance, begins with explicitly defining and then sharing common values. A fundamental belief is that a company with an inspiring dream, unparalleled integrity, a caring, humane management p hilosophy and solid values is better able to attract and respond to the profound aspirations of remarkably high-caliber, competent people. These people in turn will seek out a select clientele, one aware of the company s values, and will deliver high-qualityRead MoreThe Approach to Talent Management at Standard Chartered Bank7894 Words   |  32 Pagesemployee development, employee maintenance, employee relations’. (Bratton and Gold, 2007, p. 15) On the other hand there is the term of ‘personnel’, which is according to Cornelius (2001) the more traditional way and viewed as a support activity to line activities. It is closely associated with administrative tasks and coordinating and liaising between the demands of the management and the concerns and needs of the employees. Personnel management is essentially workforce centred, while HRM is resourcedRead MoreLeading and Managing People3567 Words   |  15 Pagesrewards over short periods and they include fast-track promotion and reward payments (Robinson, Kraatz and Rousseau 1994). Conversely relational contracts offer long term job security, career development, training and development opportunities, and personal support (Robinson, Kraatz and Rousseau 1994). More recently however, there is a view that these concepts are not mutually exclusive and that an employment contract may develop within both frameworks (Coyle-Shapiro and Kessler, 2000). 2.0 Recruitment

Around The Way Love Essay Example For Students

Around The Way Love Essay Around the Way LoverThis is story all about how my life got flipped turned upside down I like to take a minute just sit right there, Ill tell you how I became in love with the girl around the way. In the summer of 1995, I met this beautiful Mexican girl that just moved on my block. I was only in 5th grade and she was in 6th and 1year older than I was. I met her threw my friends that I played with everyday on my block. When I walked outside one day I saw this unfamiliar girl coloring with my friends on the sidewalk. I asked my best friend Brian who she was and he told me she was the new girl on the block. When Brian and I walked over, to go talk to our friends, I sat down right next to the new girl and asked her what her name was. She said Bianca but In a really shy voice. Through out the whole summer I talked to her and got to really know her. Then when the school year started I remember always getting home and trying to get all my homework done just so I could go outside and talk with her. Then about 4 months after meeting unfamiliar face, I told my friends, that I liked Bianca and I wanted to go out with her. But all my friend told me was to go and ask her out myself. So about a month later I finally got the guts to ask her while I was walking her home from our friends house. I remember I was so scared while I was asking her and she could tell I was because I was pretty much stuttering while talking to her. Then finally she spoke out saying, are you trying to ask me out? Then I said, yes. She said she doesnt know because her mom doesnt want her to have a boyfriend and she would tell me the next day. Then I went back and told all 5 of our friends that she said she would tell me the next day. The rest of that night we were outside all I could think about is what her answer would be. Then the next day about 12:30p.m. my friend called me up and said that she talked to Bianca and she was going to say no, because I was younger than she was. I told my friend to try and convince her into saying yes because I really liked her and that I would be really hurt if she said no. So later that night when all my friends came outside I went and got Bianca to come outside and she said she couldnt. So I told my friend to get her to come out and she came. When she came outside, she pulled me to the side of my friends house to tell me her answer. The thing that I can remember the most was how fast my heart was beating and how scared I was to hear the word no. Then she said Yes but we couldnt hold hands because her mom would get mad and not let her come out side with all the friends and anymore.Then we had a somewhat okay relationship until the end of the school year. One night she told me that she wanted to break up with me because she didnt like how everybody made fun of how I was younger than she was. That was the first time I ever got dumped and it hurt so much that I was to embarrassed to talk to all of our friends on the block because I thought they would make fun of me. Then I decided to move away from San Diego and move to Riverside with my father and my step-mom. After my first few months in Riverside I started meeting new people and mostly new girls that went to my school. I started talking to this girl that I had thought was really pretty. .u9ef60374a4b9d581f9afef96891eccec , .u9ef60374a4b9d581f9afef96891eccec .postImageUrl , .u9ef60374a4b9d581f9afef96891eccec .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u9ef60374a4b9d581f9afef96891eccec , .u9ef60374a4b9d581f9afef96891eccec:hover , .u9ef60374a4b9d581f9afef96891eccec:visited , .u9ef60374a4b9d581f9afef96891eccec:active { border:0!important; } .u9ef60374a4b9d581f9afef96891eccec .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u9ef60374a4b9d581f9afef96891eccec { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u9ef60374a4b9d581f9afef96891eccec:active , .u9ef60374a4b9d581f9afef96891eccec:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u9ef60374a4b9d581f9afef96891eccec .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u9ef60374a4b9d581f9afef96891eccec .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u9ef60374a4b9d581f9afef96891eccec .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u9ef60374a4b9d581f9afef96891eccec .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u9ef60374a4b9d581f9afef96891eccec:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u9ef60374a4b9d581f9afef96891eccec .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u9ef60374a4b9d581f9afef96891eccec .u9ef60374a4b9d581f9afef96891eccec-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u9ef60374a4b9d581f9afef96891eccec:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Mohandis Karamchand Gandhi Essay We talked on the phone every day for about two weeks. Then I asked her out a t school and

Starting a NPO Essay Example

Starting a NPO Essay The proposed Not for profit (NPO) will be a charitable organization with interests in assisting students from low-income backgrounds in their preparations for ACT/SAT.   The first step before starting an NPO is to identify the felt needs of the community.   In this case the problems and challenges majority of the people undergo while preparing for ACT/SAT is a truly felt need amongst the local community members. The above is the major reason for setting up a NPO. Lack of enough funds leads to such students’ mission opportunities which means they are likely to continue being marginalized even in the job market. The urge to help out the people is what drives the need for forming the NPO. Once the need is established, the next step involves registering the NPO in the suitable category, in this case, as a charitable organization.   The Board of Directors plays managerial roles touching on the day-to-day activities of the organization such as fund raising, financial management as well as planning (Anderson, Dunkelberg, 1990).   To select Board members, the criteria involve selection of individuals who are experienced and are of unquestionable character. The chief executive requires being experienced in entrepreneurial management and with an experience of not less than 5 years in a similar capacity. During the incorporation, filing of articles of incorporation is required; this requires signatures of the Board of Directors to be appended in the application.   The articles of association are very crucial in the setting up of an NPO since the stipulation steps necessary for amendment of laws, process such as nomination, expulsion, financial processes, management cyc le, as well as steps to follow up in winding up. We will write a custom essay sample on Starting a NPO specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Starting a NPO specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Starting a NPO specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer In setting up a NPO, the first thing is counter checking whether the chosen name is already in use by another group, if the proposed name is in use, then a unique name should be used and once verified, the NPO should be registered.   It is very necessary for the NPO to be filed with the local state authority through the NPO local offices.   Minutes of Board of Directors meeting and references are all necessary before setting up of an NPO and have to be produced in registration.   The identification of credible funding sources is also very crucial, in reality; a NPO has to incur costs hence the need to s solicit funds for its charitable works. The other necessary step in setting up a NPO is to identify sponsors willing to contribute towards the mission of the NPO. Sponsors can be corporate sector, churches and individuals all of which can gain from their goodwill activities in terms of receiving publicity. Once donors have been identified, one needs to establish communication structures to avoid conflicts and to ensure accountability and therefore achievement of NPO’s goals and objectives. NPOs usually are faced by financial problems and therefore are supposed to take every step to save operational costs. To minimize expenditure, NPOs can file for tax exemption. To file for tax exemption at the local tax authorities the NPO is supposed to have been incorporated with proper articles of association.   NPOs are also supposed to fill forms clarifying the purpose of the NPO as well as financial information form. Conclusion Setting up a NPO is a tedious and cumbersome exercise in the U.S. with a lot of duplicating functions, there is a need for different states to streamline the registration process in order to make it possible for those who have the will to help out in certain causes. There needs to be a one-stop shop in every state and county to help sort out all registration hassles.

Demanding, Demandable, and In Demand

Demanding, Demandable, and In Demand Demanding, Demandable, and In Demand Demanding, Demandable, and In Demand By Maeve Maddox This may be chiefly an ESL phenomenon, but confusion exists concerning the use of the adjective demandable. My attention was drawn to the topic by this email: I am an English teacher [from Turkmenistan]. I know English pretty well; however, I confuse the words â€Å"demanding† and â€Å"demandable.† Can you help me to distinguish those words? â€Å"He has a demandable character.† Or, â€Å"he has demanding character, or characteristics?† The OED defines demandable as â€Å"That may be demanded or claimed.† Merriam-Webster defines it as â€Å"subject to being demanded.† Here are examples of the correct usage of demandable: A bank at the time of levy was entitled under state law to set off against the balance in the delinquent taxpayers checking account only those debts owed to the bank by the taxpayer which were liquidated and demandable at the time of the levy. But the BIR argued the tax debts have become demandable and collectible, as [the debtor] has been ignoring a final assessment notice sent to him. Judicial power includes the duty of courts of justice to settle actual controversies involving rights which are legally demandable and enforceable. Errors with demandable occur when the word is used to mean demanding, desirable, or in demand. Here are examples of misuse: INCORRECT: My demandable father was never satisfied. CORRECT : My demanding father was never satisfied. A person who makes severe or difficult demands on others is said to be demanding. For example, one might have â€Å"a demanding employer,† â€Å"a demanding coach,† or â€Å"a demanding spouse.† One may also speak of such things as â€Å"a demanding profession† or â€Å"a demanding competition.† INCORRECT: [A gift of] jewelry is the best way to impress your loved one because it is one of the most demandable and loved product of the girls. CORRECT: [A gift of] jewelry is the best way to impress your loved one because it is one of the most wanted and loved product of girls. The syntax is still awkward, but desirable or wanted fits the context better than demandable. INCORRECT: Climate control system, effective air conditioner, powerful engine and many other features have made it one of the most demandable cars. CORRECT : Climate control system, effective air conditioner, powerful engine and many other features have made it one of the cars most in demand. Something or someone needed, wanted, or sought after is said to be â€Å"in demand.† If your intended meaning is â€Å"difficult to please† or â€Å"difficult to accomplish,† use demanding. If your intended meaning is â€Å"wanted† or â€Å"sought after,† use desirable or in demand (or wanted or sought after). Save demandable for a context in which one party has the legal right to demand something from another. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:100 Whimsical Words5 Brainstorming Strategies for Writers25 Favorite Portmanteau Words

Understanding Quantum Optics

Understanding Quantum Optics Quantum optics is a field of quantum physics that deals specifically with the interaction of photons with matter. The study of individual photons is crucial to understanding the behavior of electromagnetic waves as a whole. To clarify exactly what this means, the word quantum refers to the smallest amount of any physical entity that can interact with another entity. Quantum physics, therefore, deals with the smallest particles; these are incredibly tiny sub-atomic particles which behave in unique ways. The word optics, in physics, refers to the study of light. Photons are the smallest particles of light (though it is important to know that photons can behave as both particles and waves). Development of Quantum Optics and the Photon Theory of Light The theory that light moved in discrete bundles (i.e. photons) was presented in Max Plancks 1900 paper on the ultraviolet catastrophe in black body radiation. In 1905, Einstein expanded on these principles in his explanation of the photoelectric effect to define the photon theory of light. Quantum physics developed through the first half of the twentieth century largely through work on our understanding of how photons and matter interact and inter-relate. This was viewed, however, as a study of the matter involved more than the light involved. In 1953, the maser was developed (which emitted coherent microwaves) and in 1960 the laser (which emitted coherent light). As the property of the light involved in these devices became more important, quantum optics began being used as the term for this specialized field of study. Findings Quantum optics (and quantum physics as a whole) views electromagnetic radiation as traveling in the form of both a wave and a particle at the same time. This phenomenon is called wave-particle duality. The most common explanation of how this works is that the photons move in a stream of particles, but the overall behavior of those particles is determined by a quantum wave function that determines the probability of the particles being in a given location at a given time. Taking findings from quantum electrodynamics (QED), it is also possible to interpret quantum optics in the form of the creation and annihilation of photons, described by field operators. This approach allows the use of certain statistical approaches that are useful in analyzing the behavior of light, although whether it represents what is physically taking place is a matter of some debate (although most people view it as just a useful mathematical model). Applications Lasers (and masers) are the most obvious application of quantum optics. Light emitted from these devices is in a coherent state, which means the light closely resembles a classical sinusoidal wave. In this coherent state, the quantum mechanical wave function (and thus the quantum mechanical uncertainty) is distributed equally. The light emitted from a laser is, therefore, highly ordered, and generally limited to essentially the same energy state (and thus the same frequency wavelength).

Local Lawsuit Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Local Lawsuit - Assignment Example This information was relayed to the company’s manager via a short message using a phone. The dealer though did not categorically state the mode in which he expected a response from the company. On receiving the feedback from the dealer, the company manager decided to respond to the offer by a means of e-mail. In his email, he indicated that the stated $550 amount was too high and that since the company needed 10 horses, he would consider paying $500 for each of the horses. This mail was also accompanied by instruction informing the dealer that if the company does not hear from them by Friday, then the company will consider the deal done and will process paying for the 10 horses (Berenson, 2005). When Friday reached, the company processed the payments, but later found out that the dealer had sold the horses to another third party. The company was disappointed on the grounds that the dealer had breached the contract and in that regard filed a suit in a court to reverse the trans action made between the dealer and the other party. The dealer on the other hand insisted that he did not reach any contract since he had not received any communication from the company and considered that the company withdrew from the deal. What the Management Would Have Done To Curb the Lawsuit Scenario from A Rising The management in this situation ought to have been aware of the way a contract should be communicated; this is in the sense that if a communication from an offeror is made in a particular pattern, it is prudent then that any response to the communication is made in the same way unless otherwise stated by the offeror. This is because ordinarily in contracts, when a communication is done using a different way other than that used by the offeror, then the offeror may not be liable for any miscommunication that may arise due to engagement of a different method. The management decided to use an alternative method to communicate back without the knowledge of the offeror. T hey ought to have observed this before communicating using the email. Again, in contracts, silence in not considered as a way of acceptance. It can only serve as a way of acceptance if there has been such earlier communication between the two and it is in their knowledge. This is accentuated by the fact that communication is done via the same means used by the offeror. Given that there was no such history between the two, it was wrong for the company’s management to construe that their communication was heeded to by the offeror. The management ought to have taken the precautionary measures of making communication via the same means. Making replies to communication should be informed by the method that has been used by the other partner, this is to the extent that if the same communication is done using another method, chances are that the intended recipient may not access on specific time bound because of some reasons. This may make the partner misconstrue that the informatio n is accepted as in the case of the company discussed in this paper. Legally, the offeror is required to unequivocally state the mode of communication to avoid any communication that will deviate from the initial means of communication. This is the issue witnessed in this case where the offeror makes an offer and does not dictate the mode of relaying acceptance enabling the offeree to choose mail - this is what led to misconstrued communication and

Academic Response Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Academic Response - Essay Example In Rodriguez’s case, when his sibling started communicating to him in English at home in order to help him gain public confidence by learning a bit of English, the whole family underwent changes as the parents and the relatives were no longer at ease with him as marked by the silence spell in the house especially at dinner time. English transforms the entire family therefore limiting the intimacy they had with Spanish. This is a disadvantage to young children as supporters of bilingual education assert that children should first be taught in their first language. Rodriguez also argues that the ability of a bilingual person to speak two languages especially a language spoken by most people in public makes him more comfortable when speaking in public. The use of the first language only impedes social growth as one cannot communicate in English effectively thereby causing alienation from the public. When Rodriguez mastered English, he started viewing himself and his family as part of the American society as he could now fit in the public. He learned that Spanish is something that was not socially acceptable and appropriate in public and he got the feeling that he has the obligation and the right to communicate in English. This made him feel like a complete fully-fledged and worthy member of the American society. He says, "At last†¦I was an American citizen." Rodriguez also implies that speaking a language different than his private language in public makes the person lose a part of his identity. This is because bilingual education requires that the largest part of the first language is neglected thereby intensifying the separation among cultures. Rodriguez asserts that there must be a sacrifice in order to gain the acceptance and worthiness of being an American. His philosophy is that learning English requires that the native language is buried and forgotten in the mind of the students like the way he

Hucklbery Finn persuasive essay Essay Example for Free

Hucklbery Finn persuasive essay Essay Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Offensive Language in Literature In Mark Twain’s classic 1884 novel Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, regional and time-specific language is used in a way that offends some 21st century readers. Particular words are so disturbing that individuals across the country are still, to this day, attempting to have the book banned in schools and libraries. The idea that any book should be tucked away in a vault, let alone an example of a beloved American classic such as this, is ludacris and against what America stands for. Works of art, like this book, should be used to learn and to open up dialogue and analysis on both the piece itself and the society from which it came. With this particular Twain novel, we should be having a discussion about why the offending words are so offensive, and why it’s important that a record of these words and attitudes exist. Words carry weight, and the weight of the â€Å"N† word in Huckleberry Finn is heavy and dripping with sordid history. It is a term that holds an impassable amount of cultural appropriation and painful association. The word, used in a classic literary context, is then a perfect way to open up a dialogue about issues that are difficult to talk about. Political correctness, racial slurs, America’s dark past—these are all topics that can be used to teach young people how to have a gentle conversation about a torrid subject matter. Instead of banning the book and ignoring the past, we should be embracing the story and teaching people how to deal with the words in a tactful and progressive way. Moving forward from America’s shameful history of racism is difficult and taxing. But the only way we make steps to a new and more comfortable future is to learn from our past mistakes. Twain was a product of his time, putting words into the mouths of his characters that would easily have come from the mouths of real people. It’s also important to remember that the character of Huck Finn himself is anti-racist, so teaching the book to young people is not teaching racism, but acceptance. It is imperative to connect with the period of history that Huckleberry Finn comes from because shoving it to the side will only render us blind. Banning books is an effective way to censor, and censorship goes against a lot of what Americans believe to be a very important personal right. The right to free speech is sacred, and it is mostly untouched even in circumstances where highly polarizing or hateful words are being used. A work of fiction that integrates dialogue containing the â€Å"N† word may seem hateful to some, but it is certainly the intention of the author to use it in a context of satire. Censorship will just close the book when what we really need is to open it up in a different light. At a time when it is nearly impossible to find an adult engaged in a healthy debate or discussion, teaching our children how to think and speak analytically and fairly is a dire need. Using fictional novels such as Adventures of Huckleberry Finn as a jumping-off point of what used to be, and what has become, is the perfect opportunity for creating the ability to do this. By keeping books deemed controversial in rotation and out of the vault, we can begin to understand the preciousness of our own rights to speak our mind, as well as being able to speak to others with respect and with knowledge of the past. Downloaded from http://www. wikihow. com There are three possible organization patterns: Pattern 1: Thesis statement: PRO idea 1 PRO idea 2 CON(s) + Refutation(s) Conclusion Pattern 2: Thesis statement: CON(s) + Refutation(s) PRO idea 1 PRO idea 2 Conclusion Pattern 3: Thesis statement: CON idea 1  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Refutation   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  CON idea 2  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Refutation   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  CON idea 3  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Refutation Conclusion The  sample essay  has been written according to the third pattern. Thesis:  Do Reiki instead of taking medicine. Counter arguments Refutation 1. People should trust medicine since it is effective and scientifically proven. Reiki is also scientifically proven and does not have side effects. (refutation method: insufficient claim) 2. Serious illnesses such as HIV/AIDS and cancer cannot be treated without medicine. Medicine also cannot treat serious illnesses if not diagnosed at an early stage. (refutation method: opponents are partially correct) 3. Reiki, like alternative healing methods, requires a lot of time. Reiki requires less time if done regularly. refutation method: opponents are completely wrong) Language:  Signposts gain importance in the argumentative essay. They enable the readers to follow our arguments easily. When pointing out opposing arguments (CONs): Opponents of this idea claim / maintain that †¦Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Those who disagree / are against these ideas may say / assert that †¦ Some people may disagree with this idea. When stati ng specifically why they think like that: The put forward this idea because †¦ They claim that †¦ since †¦ Reaching the turning point: However, but On the other hand, When refuting the opposing idea, we may use the following strategies: compromise  but prove that their argument is not powerful enough: They have a point in thinking like that. To a certain extent they are right. completely  disagree: After seeing this evidence, there is no way we can agree with what they say. say that their argument is  irrelevant  to the topic: What we are discussing here is not what they are trying to prove. Their argument is irrelevant. HEALTH AND HEALING AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Throw out the bottles and boxes of drugs in your house. A new theory suggests that medicine could be bad for your health, which should at least come as good news to people who cannot afford to buy expensive medicine. However, it is a blow to the medicine industry, and an even bigger blow to our confidence in the progress of science. This new theory argues that healing is at our fingertips: we can be healthy by doing Reiki on a regular basis. Supporters of medical treatment argue that medicine should be trusted since it is effective and scientifically proven. They say that there is no need for spiritual methods such as Reiki, Yoga, Tai Chi. These waste our time, something which is quite precious in our material world. There is medicine that can kill our pain, x-rays that show us our fractured bones or MRI that scans our brain for tumors. We must admit that these methods are very effective in the examples that they provide. However, there are some â€Å"every day complaints† such as back pains, headaches, insomnia, which are treated currently with medicine. When you have a headache, you take an Aspirin, or  Vermidon, when you cannot sleep, you take  Xanax  without thinking of the side effects of these. When you use these pills for a long period, you become addicted to them; you cannot sleep without them. We pay huge amounts of money and become addicted instead of getting better. How about a safer and more economical way of healing? When doing Reiki to yourself, you do not need anything except your energy so it is very economical. As for its history, it was discovered in  Japan  in the early 1900s and its popularity has spread particularly throughout  America  and  Western Europe. In quantum physics, energy is recognized as the fundamental substance of which the universe is composed. Reiki depends on the energy within our bodies. It is a simple and effective way of restoring the energy flow. There are no side effects and it is scientifically explained. Opponents of alternative healing methods also claim that serious illnesses such as HIV/AIDS and cancer cannot be treated without drugs. They think so because these patients spend the rest of their lives in the hospital taking medicine. How can Reiki make these people healthy again? It is very unfortunate that these patients have to live in the hospital losing their hair because of chemotherapy, losing weight because of the side effects of the medicine they take. Actually, it is common knowledge that except for when the cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, drugs also cannot treat AIDS or cancer. Most of the  medicinethese patients use are to ease their pain and their sufferings because of the medical treatment they undergo. Instead of drugs which are expensive and have many side effects, you can use your energy to overcome the hardships of life, find an emotional balance, leave the stress of everyday life and let go of the everyday worries. Most of the chronic conditions such as eczema or migraine are known to have causes such as poor diet and stress. Deep-rooted anger or other strong emotions can contribute to viral infections as well. Since balancing our emotions and controlling our thoughts are very important for our well-being, we should definitely start learning Reiki and avoid illnesses before it is too late. Some people may still maintain that in our material world, everything depends on time. It is even â€Å"lacking time† that causes much of the stress that leads to the illnesses we mentioned. How would it be possible to find time to do Reiki to ourselves and the people around us when we cannot even find time to go to the theater? This is one good thing about Reiki; it does not require more than 15 minutes of our time. There is no need for changing clothes or special equipment. It is a wonderfully simple healing art, an effective method of relaxation and stress-relief. Most important of all, it is less time consuming than medicine if we think of all the time we spend taking medicine for some complaints and taking some more for the side effects as well. Having said these, resistance to Reiki would be quite illogical. Reiki is natural and drug-free. What is more, it is easy to learn by anyone, regardless of age and experience. It  can be used anywhere, anytime. It also enhances physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being and the benefits last a lifetime. It is definitely high time to get away from the drug boxes we store in our drug cabinet! _________________________________________________________________________ utline I Introduction/Thesis-Claim Body Paragraph  1: Present your 1st point and supporting evidence. Body Paragraph 2: Present your 2nd point and its supporting evidence. Body Paragraph 3:  Refuteyour oppositions first point. Body Paragraph 4:  Refuteyour oppositions second point. Conclusion/Restate Thesis Outline II Introduction/Thesis-Claim Body Paragraph  1:  Refuteyour oppositions first point. Body Paragraph 2:  Refuteyour oppositions second point. Body Paragraph 3: Present your first point and supporting evidence. Body Paragraph 4: Present your second point and supporting evidence. Conclusion/Restate Thesis Outline III Introduction/Thesis-Claim Body Paragraph  1: Present your first point and its supporting evidence, which also  refutes  one of your oppositions claims. Body Paragraph 2: Present your second point and its supporting evidence, which also  refutes  a second opposition claim. Body Paragraph 3: Present your third point and its supporting evidence, which also  refutes  a third opposition claim. Conclusion/Restate Thesis 3 Additional Outlines that You Can Print: Basic 5-Paragraph (Argument) Essay Outline: This outline also serves for other essays such as research papers, or the basic 5-paragraph essay. Highlight-and-print outline to fill in. Another Argument Essay Outline:  This outline asks questions that help you critically think about your topic. Highlight-and-print outline to fill in. Argument/Research Paper Outline Guide: This outline can help guide you through a series of questions. You can highlight-and-print this outline, but its not a fill-in-the-blank outline; use it as a guide. Many of my students like to use this outline for both research papers and argumentative papers. Basic 5-Paragraph (Argument) Essay Outline:

Free Essays - All Quiet on the Western Front :: All Quiet on the Western Front Essays

All Quiet on the Western Front Erich Maria Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front is one of the greatest war novels of all time. It is a story, not of Germans, but of men, who even though they may have escaped shells, were destroyed by the war. The entire purpose of this novel is to illustrate the vivid horror and raw nature of war and to change the popular belief that war is an idealistic and romantic character. The story centers on Paul Baümer, who enlists in the German army with glowing enthusiasm. But in the course of war, he is consumed by it and in the end is "weary, broken, burnt out, rootless, and without hope." Through Baümer, Remarque examines how war makes man inhuman. He uses excellent words and phrases to describe crucial details to this theme. "The first bomb, the first explosion, burst in our hearts." Baümer and his classmates who enlisted into the army see the true reality of the war. They enter the war fresh from school, knowing nothing except the environment of hopeful youth and they come to a premature maturity with the war, their only home. "We were eighteen and had begun to love life and the world; and we had to shoot it to pieces. We are not youth any longer." They have lost their innocents. Everything they are taught, "the world of work, duty, culture, and progress" are not the slightest use to them because the only thing they need to know is how to survive. They need to know how to escape the shells as well as the emotional and psychological torment of the war. The war takes an heavy toll on the soldiers who fight in it. The terror of death will infest the minds of soldiers and bring about horrible images of death and destruction until they break down and go to pieces. "Every hour and everyday, every shell and every death cuts this thin [line of sanity], and the years waste it rapidly." In these dangerous moments, anybody would have gone mad, have deserted their post, or have fallen. It takes a special kind of soldier to deal with this emotional abuse; a soldier who will not go to pieces at the sight of a mutilated body; it takes a soldier like Baümer. Baümer has "grown accustomed to it; war is the cause of death like influenza and dysentery.

Character Study: Scott Hastings Essay

The film strictly ballroom directed by Baz Lurmann is a drama/comedy about peoples attitudes towards dance and other cultures. A character that makes a dramatic change is Scott Hastings. He changes from being smug and self centred to being accepting of other cultures and that other people can be successful with the help of family and friends. Scott is a very arrogant, self centred person before he properly meets Fran. His mother Shirley has a great influence on his behaviour. â€Å"Half of the trophies in this room were won by Scott.† Shirley shows Scott that is alright to be rude to people and that the world only revolves around him. In Les Kendall’s dance studio, Scott is irritated by les and Shirley because they showed their disgust about Scott dancing his own steps and rebelling against Les and Shirley. This causes Scott’s partner Liz start dancing with the dancing champion Ken Railings, also Scott’s arch enemy. â€Å"I don’t want us to end up like that drunk Ken Railings. The director shows Scott’s reaction to this by using extreme close ups to show his facial expressions and mid shots to show his body language to the people around him. At the end of the scene Fran approaches Scott and asks to dance with him. This triggers the changes that Scott starts to make. Scott changes due to Fran approaching him and asking o dance with him, â€Å"Look what you’re carrying on about? You’re going to wake up tomorrow and feel like a real idiot about it.† Scott decides to give Fran a chance at dancing and realises that Fran can really dance. In the Fiesta scene Baz Lurmann uses the opportunity to reveal Scott. Rico confronts Scott about the kind of dancing Scott is doing with Fran and Scott lies to Rico and says that he has been practising the Pasa Doble, Scott then tries dancing the Pasa Doble, but soon learns that it is the wrong dance because the people at the Fiesta start to laugh at Scott for dancing the wrong dance. â€Å"What, why are you all  laughing at me?† Rico starts to dance the Pasa Doble and Scott joins in. The director uses this dance off to reveal the fact that Rico is Scott’s contrast and the extreme close ups on both of the dancers feet. This symbolises that Scott respects Rico and learns that he has to earn respect and not be given it like a handout. In this scene Rico is wearing a genuine matador’s jacket to show Rico has an upper hand on dancing the Pasa Doble. Scott also realises how he acted before he met Fran and Rico and his behaviour towards people ho he thinks are ‘below’ him. The ending sequence is another sequence that also changes Scott. This is the scene where Shirley pressures Scott into dancing with Liz after her new partner Ken Railings dumps her. Fran sees Scott and starts dancing in beginners dancing. â€Å"Fran is back in beginners where she belongs. Scott sees Fran upset and shows his true colours and feelings about Fran. Finally Scott realises Fran is the right dancer for him and this is also the time when Doug tells Scott the truth about his and Shirley’s past. â€Å"Son, can I bend your ear for a tick.† In the dance sequence following what Doug revealed to Scott, he realises that Fran and her culture is important. The matador jacket which Rico wears in the earlier Fiesta scene is now worn by Scott to symbolise the respect and knowledge he has gained through Rico and Fran. Scott now reveals his feelings for Fran by kissing her. Therefore the character Scott changes from an arrogant self-centred boy to a courageous admiral character. This is shown though the three main scenes when Scott feels challenged. In the opening scene Scott thinks of Fran and all of the people who cannot dance as good as him like they should look up to him but in the Fiesta scene, Rico and the Spanish community laugh at Scott proving his theory wrong. Scott’s new sense of respect leads through to the ending sequence when Scott portrays freedom and the sense to respect everyone, no matter what culture they are.

Economic Critique Essay

Maintaining a stable economy is no small challenge for any nation however possessing the ability to change and invent new and created ways of maintaining makes for a thriving economy. This newsletter will summarize the different economic factors that affect aggregate demand and supply such as unemployment, expectations, consumer income, and interest rates within the United States. Additionally, what fiscal policies are recommended by the United States government and whether or not these policies are effective and getting them back on track are discussed. Unemployment In the current state of unemployment as of July 2013, twenty eight states have had increases, eight states decreases, and fourteen states have had no change in unemployment rates, U.s. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2013). It was also reported that in June 2012 the rate was lower by .8 percent from 7.4 percent. While unemployment rates started to shoot to a high not seen in years, in 2008, the economy almost went into a recession. After President Obama took office he signed the Recovery Act in 2009. This act was the catalyst that sprung the economy out of its downward spiral and drove unemployment rates down. The act created more American jobs for out-of-work Americans bringing in 3.5 million jobs, Executive Office of the President (2013). Unemployment is consistently fluctuating and as of recently, the rates have been going down. Due to the government bail-outs and the Reinvestment Act also of 2009, more and more jobs have been created. Construction, road repairs, transit system enhancements and the auto industry in the U.S. have been invested in to restore jobs to the country. As of July 2013 some 7 million jobs have been added to the economy via private sectors contribution of employment for a span of 40 months. This just goes to show that the Recovery Act and the Reinvestment Act have made a sizable impact positively on unemployment to present. Expectations Consumers’ expectations of the economy and where it stands plays a vital role in the consumption expenditures. According to Fazel: â€Å"It has been argued that customers’ expectations about the economy’s future should have an impact on consumers’ decisions about how much to consume and how much to save. While consumers’ expectations seem to be a strong predictor for future consumption expenditures, there are potential statistical problems with the use of current available estimates of consumer’s expectations.† Consumers are not likely to spend or borrow money when the economy is unstable and uncertain therefore the consumption expenditures are down. This is a particular problem for a government trying to stable or maintain stability of its economy. The United States has generally done a good job at keeping their citizens vested in their economy. Consumer Income The United States is one of the greatest countries in the world with a population well over 300 hundred million citizens. It is the producer of the largest gross domestic product of the world. The primary factor contributing to this besides the market value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a given period of time is Consumer income. According to the BLS.gov (2011) â€Å"consumer income is generated through hourly wages, salary, tips, and other forms of income†. In the United States these income brackets can be divided into several classes, which include the Super-Rich (est.0.9%), Rich (est. 5%), Middle Class (majority; 46%), Working Class (est.40-45%), and the Poor (est. 12%) (BLS.gov, 2011). We as a society buy a variety of goods and services with our income resources, which contribute to the United States economy. The graph below demonstrates an average household income for typical U.S Household. Household Income by Quintiles According to the New York Times Data| All Households| Lowest 20%| Second 20%| Middle 20%| Fourth 20%| Highest 20%| Top 5%| Households (in 1000s)| 113,146| 22,629| 22,629| 22,629| 22,629| 22,629| 5,695| Lower limit| $0| $0| $18,500| $34,738| $55,331| $88,030| $157,176| Median number of income earners| 1| 0| 1| 1| 2| 2| 2| Owner occupied| 62.4%| 49.0%| 58.8%| 68.9%| 80.5%| 90.0%| 92.8%| Renter occupied| 29.2%| 48.3%| 39.7%| 29.9%| 18.7%| 9.6%| 6.9%| Non-family households| 31.93%| 58.92%| 40.02%| 29.96%| 19.12%| 11.64%| 9.36%| Family households| 68.06%| 41.06%| 59.97%| 70.04%| 80.87%| 88.35%| 90.61%| Married couple families| 51.35%| 19.03%| 38.89%| 51.00%| 67.05%| 80.08%| 85.59%| Single-male family| 4.32%| 3.08%| 4.64%| 5.69%| 4.89%| 3.30%| 2.47%| Single-female family| 12.38%| 18.94%| 16.43%| 13.35%| 8.93%| 4.24%| 2.54%| Interest Interest rates in one of the major components of why the United States economy is where it is stands today. Interest rate is the cost of borrowing money. The Federal Reserve has lowered interest rates to stabilize the economy. This is one of the fiscal policies they have applied to correct this problem. Yes, the recession of 2007 has caused for lowered interest rates in 2013. The economy has been on a downturn and one of the ways to turn this downward flow around is to lower interest rates. Applying low interest rates will help households across the states save money in addition to businesses finance new spending (â€Å"Why Are Interest Rates Being Kept at a Low Level?† 2013). Furthermore, because of the lowering of interest rates, the United States dollar is depreciating. Another policy the government has created is monetary incentives for businesses in hopes of getting them to hire more employees. This process will work however maybe not in the timeframe people want it to ha ppen. Overall, the Federal Reserve plays a vital role in that depreciation however, it has to for the economy to recover. Unemployment, expectations, consumer income, and interest rates all have an effect on the aggregate demand and supply. For example, high unemployment means there are less people working and less money to spend, therefore there is less demand on the economy. Additionally, unemployment could cause lower demand of labor which also effects aggregate demand and this shifts cause the aggregate demand to curve to the left. Next, expectations could increase the aggregate demand if households and businesses feel more comfortable about the stability of the economy, they will be more inclined to invest their money and make large purchases. Consumer income can increase or decrease aggregate demand simply by if a household has disposable income. Consumer expenditure is the largest factor to aggregate demand. When a household has disposable income, it is more  likely the household will spend or invest those funds. If consumption increases, the quantity demanded of goods and services increases therefore the demand for supply increases. On the other hand, if consumption decreases, the quantity demanded of goods and services and supply decreases. Finally, interest rates also play a role in the possible shift of aggregate demand. The higher the interes t rates are for borrowing, the less likely households and businesses will want to borrow. When interest rates increases, investments decreases and conversely, when interest rates decreases, investments increases. Unemployment, expectations, consumer income, and interest rates can have a positive or negative effect on the aggregate demand and supply. In conclusion, maintaining a stable economy is enormous challenge that must be dealt with extreme care. The United States have created new ways of stabilizing its economy even though it was on the verge of a recession such as creating jobs for the unemployed and incentives for businesses hiring new employees. The different economic factors that affect the economy are unemployment, expectations, consumer income, and interest rates. The United States has done a good job in managing these different factors. Lowering interest rates will help the economy create revenue because consumers are more willing to borrow and spend money. The United States has incorporated these policies in effort to stable their economy. Thus far, they are the right track. References: (2013). Retrieved from http://whitehouse.gov/economy (2013). Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/home.htm (2013). Retrieved from http://www.cnbc.com/consumer.htm, Retrieved on 08/26/2013 (2013). Retrieved from http:/www.bls.gov/ers/unemployment Fazel, S. (2005, Spring). Consumers’ Expectation and Consumption Expenditures. Journal for Economic Educators, 5(), 1-5. Why Are Interest Rates Being Kept at a Low Level?. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.federalreserve.gov/faqs/money_12849.htm

Diversity in Organizations Essays

Diversity in Organizations Essays Diversity in Organizations Essay Diversity in Organizations Essay Diversity in Organizations BUS 610: Organizational Behavior May 24, 2011 Diversity is the state of being different or having variety. Diversity is more than having individuals who represent different ethical backgrounds. Diversity is also comprised of having a variety of individuals who represent differences in ages, race, physical abilities and even gender. Being diverse is an essential part of operating a business. Employers have the ability to solicit creative ideas and implement them into successful business solutions when they have a diverse pool of people to receive feedback from. The workforce today has a wide range of diversity qualities. Within the workplace everyone has to communicate with one another. Communicating in a diverse workplace is essential for a business to operate successfully today. Managers are seeking individuals who are team players, exemplifies, good communication skills, and good interpersonal skills. Ribbink suggest, â€Å"Learning how the source culture receives information, training international employees early and often, and training the non-foreign born are some ways to ensure that communication is effective when there is a cultural difference† (2003). There are many other ways to maintain a diverse workforce and communicate effectively. Though, training employees to understand another person’s cultural differences may be costly it seems as if the benefits of understanding one another’s differences will outweigh the costs. The face of the workforce is changing everyday so communicating effectively is a priority in business. Diversity represents the multitude of individual differences and similarities that exist among people (Kinicki, 2010, p. 97). Diversity climate can be defined as employee’s attitudes and perceptions toward people from cultural groups other than their own. Such attitudes are manifested in the practices and behaviors of individuals in organizations. In order to minimize problems within an organization when it comes to diversity it is important that employee’s know and understand what diversity means in there company. Management should take the initiative to explain to employee’s that the organization will employ individuals who exemplify differences such as in race, gender, and even age. This would help minimize any misunderstandings nd decreases prejudices of what the organizations overall standards are. Diversity is a driving force of organizations today. It is very rare that you will find organizations that have individuals who are all the same gender or even race. So it is important that management embrace the idea of having diversity in their organizations. In order for employees and managers to accept diversity they should not have an attitude of ethnocentrism. Ethnocentrism is the belief that one’s native country, culture, language, and modes of behavior are superior to all others (Kinicki, 2010, p. 5). Ethnocentrism can be very negative for business. All cultures are ethnocentric, some more so than others. Ethnocentrism, in fact, can enhance group solidarity within a society and is often used by corrupt national or ethnic leaders as a means of building or consolidating power and excluding outsiders (O’Rourke, 2010, p. 288). In order for mangers to minimize ways of thinking that does not effectively embrace differences they could increase cultural awareness, more education, international experience, and make a conscious effort to value cultural diversity. R. Roosevelt Jr. suggests that there are eight characteristics that can be taken into consideration in order to manage diversity. These approaches can be used to address any type of diversity issue. The first diversity technique is include/exclude. This would entail increasing or decreasing the number of diverse people in an organization. Denying that differences exist is the second diversity technique that could be used. Assimilating is implying that all diverse people will to fit in or become more like the dominant group. The fourth option is suppressing. Differences are squelched or discouraged when using this approach. Isolation is maintaining the current way of doing things by settling the diverse person off to the side. The diverse person in the organization would not have an opportunity to influence change when they are isolated. The sixth technique is toleration. Toleration includes acknowledging difference but not accepting them. Building relationships entails that good relationships can overcome differences. The last technique is fostering mutual adaptation. This technique is when people are willing to adapt to change their views for the benefit of creating good relationships with others. Although these are all ways to manage diversity mutual adaption is one of the preferred ways to effectively manage diversity. The isolation technique and a few others are not ways to effectively implement change. Isolation, toleration, and suppressions are all techniques that recognize that there are differences that are present. These ways of managing diversity does not effectively manage or implement anyone to accept differences. If these techniques are used it does not help implement diversity. Overall in order to successfully have a diverse organization, management must be the first to recognize and accept differences in order to get other employees to go along. Management should make sure that everyone understands that diversity is an important factor in the organization and that the company will accept differences. Management and others should be very opened minded to change because you can learn a lot from people who are different. Like the old saying says there is more than one way to skin a cat. This saying is only mentioning that there is always more than one way to accomplish any task. References Kinicki, A. , Kreitner, R. (2009). Organizational behavior: Key concepts, skills best practices. (customized 4th ed. ). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Irwin. ISBN: 9780073381411 O’Rourke, J. (2010). Management communications (4th ed. ). Upper Saddle River, NJ:Pearson/Prentice hall. ISBN: 978-0-13-607979-8 Ribbink, Kim (2003). Seven Way to Better Communicate in Today’s Diverse Workplace. Retrieved from http://hbswk. hbs. edu/archive/3266. html

CamelCase

CamelCase CamelCase CamelCase By Maeve Maddox A reader commenting on my e-mail post brought my attention to a term I’d not heard before: It will end up simply as book, but before that happens it will be ebook- just as email ended up as email. eBook looks entirely too corporate to me, and I doubt if the general writing public will ever adopt camel case for anyThing, ever. Camel case, also appropriately spelled CamelCase, is the practice of writing a word with a capital inside it. For example: iPhone CinemaScope VistaVision AstroTurf The name comes from the fact that the uppercase letter makes a â€Å"hump† in the word. The Wiki article gives a long list of other terms for this practice. Here are a few: BumpyCaps, CamelBack, CamelCaps, CapWords, mixedCase, and RollerCoasterCaps. I have to agree that words written that way are a bit too cutesy to survive as real words. Thats not to say there is no practical use for the mingling of upper- and lowercase letters. For example, in chemistry: NaCl, AgF, BaSe, etc. As for the e-book poll, 326 DWT readers voted. The form e-book received 50% of the votes. The CamelCase version eBook came in second at 26%. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Spelling category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Spelling Test 1For Sale vs. On SaleHow Do You Pronounce "Often"?

Hominins Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Hominins - Assignment Example The original airing of the film was on March 27, 2003. It reveals the events that occurred nearly three million years ago (Turner 67). Professor Winston achieves to trace the history of humankind from the ape-man to the upright man. The film also captures the main points such as stone tool manufacture, meat eating, extended childhood, and bipedalism. The development stages start with an Afarensis, Lucy, also called the â€Å"First Ancestor.† The ape was the first primate to walk on two legs. Lucy’s societies engage in leadership conflict. The film focuses on the bipedality of the species. The second species is â€Å"Blood Bothers† that mainly dominates East Africa. The species consists of Homo habilis, Paranthropus boisei, and Homo rudolfensis. The third species in the tree is â€Å"Savage Family† which consists of Homo erectus and Homo ergaster (Barry, Robert, and Lynn 56). The setting of the species is Kenya and China. The last species in the species is â€Å"The Survivor† that includes Homo sapiens idaltu, Homo sapiens, Neanderthal and Homo heidelbergensis. The film has the strengths of enabling the audience to understand the evolution of human beings successfully. It presents the species as they occur in n orderly manner. It does well in covering the main these and events in human evolution. It gives detailed explanations on the environmental factors that could have influenced the species to acquire their distinct characteristics (Turner 79). The films use special effects from the latest scientific theories to enable the audience understand t easily. The film uses good visual effects that appeal to the audience. Though the film achieves to provide a comprehensive explanation about the evolution of human beings, it has some flaws. It uses a weak theory. For instance, it does not analyze the factors that the species were responding to when acquiring specific features. Strong theories should

Week 2 discussion replies Set number 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Week 2 discussion replies Set number 2 - Essay Example This would make them earn a decent penalty after they died. Indeed the belief in immortality caused most of the Egyptians artefacts. After death, bodies of the dead had to be preserved properly to prepare them for the next life. For instance, canopic jars would protect the head parts of the dead. Other internal parts of the body would be removes and be preserved, as well. The rest of the body would be wrapped with reed coffins, to dry quickly and then buried in wooden tombs. Additionally, belief in life after death made Egyptians make a book of death with a series of songs, pictures, texts made in papyrus, to accompany the dead. This book represents some of the Egyptians artefacts that made the trip to the other world easier. Besides Egyptians optimism because of civilisation they acquired through the work of their creative hands, they domesticated some animals as early as 8000 BC. This happened in the practice of religious activities as animals were used to characterize certain events. For instance, presence of a specific animal or lack of it would have specific interpretations. The different interpretations would cover the difference between life and death, wealth or poverty, and peace or war to the entire nation. This symbolism of animals caused the ancient Egyptians to include them to maintain various religious themes. This is how some animals like cows started living in the same compound with men adding to their produce. Some artefacts like stone roofed subterranean chambers housed domesticated animals like cows slaughtered to appease Egyptian gods. Egyptians had many reasons to smile about, which made them hopeful. The history of Egypt occurred in a series of stable kingdoms. After the Roman Empire, Egyptians adopted the Nile River valley project that hastened their civilisation. Farming produce from the fertile lands gave them money to spend in the country, and some to provide for other projects.

Portfolio Assessment and Revision Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Portfolio Assessment and Revision Plan - Essay Example One of the most immediate changes I see to my writing is an improvement in the organization. In my first essay, there was not necessarily a logical flow from one point to another. I essentially used two disconnected paragraphs that both spoke about the article in question, without actually combining together to form a cohesive argument. This can be seen very clearly by the topic sentence of my second paragraph, where I stated that â€Å"Also tackled in this article is the use of â€Å"Framing theory† as a guide in differentiating the media practices in China.† While this did describe a thing the article did, it did not actually connect that well with what I had done in my previous paragraphs. In my later essays, however, I paid much more attention to organization. I believe that one of the things that were most helpful to me was segmenting my essay into various sections, such as a â€Å"literature review†, â€Å"comparison between languages and so forth†. I did this in each of my two later essays. This forced me to structure my essay in a more cohesive way, with each particular subject having a clear relationship to the thesis or main point I was trying to make and kept each part of the paragraph clearly related to a specific aspect of that argument. I believe I will not have to use these types of headings as much in the future, but they were still certainly useful in keeping me on track in terms of organization. I believe the second major change that I made in my writing is the development of a simpler, clearer style. My first essay had some relatively vague language in it, especially in the introduction. The opening of my first essay, which stated that â€Å"with great power, comes great responsibility† worked well as a hook, but did not tell the reader anything about what I would be writing about. In my subsequent essays I became much more direct, launching immediately into my topic of discussion, and keeping my sentences short, precise, and to  the point.   

An Analysis Of Performance Management Strategies Business Essay

An Analysis Of Performance Management Strategies Business Essay Performance management (PM) includes activities to ensure that goals are consistently being met in an effective and efficient manner. Performance management can focus on the performance of an organization, a department, employee, or even the processes to build a product or service, as well as many other areas. In both definitions it is clear that performance management is process of continuously measuring performance of each individual in organization to achieve set goals. To check that organization is performing in right way, we use performance management strategy or system to measure performance of specific department or employees or to measure performance of whole organization. Performance management talks about important and broader issues of organization. It gives procedures to organizations to achieve their goals. Performance management links all people, teams and individuals associated with business. Performance management should include: Performance management throughout the organization for individual, team and increased productivity of organization. Development is also very important for improved performance. Unless there is no development plan for employees in organization there will be no performance improvement. Organizations should ensure that employees are encouraged and motivated to fulfill their responsibility. How It Works? As performance management is very key part of organization to make organization work effectively. So this strategy should be structured properly. There should be a performance management framework to operate it effectively and efficiently in organization. Tools of Performance Management Performance Reviews To measure performance management there should be regular reviews of individuals performance. There should be performance review meetings to evaluate performance management. The meetings should be properly managed and planned to measure. Learning and Development Most famous and successful organizations give importance to employee development for increased performance of organization. With the help of performance reviews employees can be encouraged to look for deficiencies in them. And it should be responsibility of organization to provide learning and development schemes. Organizations which have high emphasis on individuals learning have emphasis on performance improvement indirectly. Measurements Organizations which want to measure performance management effectively, there employees or individuals should know that on what criteria or through which procedures their performance is going to be measured. Organizations should measure performance on fairly and honest basis. Pay In many organizations performance management is related with performance related pay. Performance related pay is important tool in many organizations to motivate employees through performance related pay. PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY OF DERBY CITY COUNCIL I have taken the performance management strategy of DERBY CITY COUNCIL as example to evaluate their strategy. I am going to evaluate their performance strategy of 2007-2010. Objective The basic objective of performance management strategy of DERBY CITY COUNCIL is to manage performance across council and the steps they will use to achieve their goals. They have described everything in their strategy that what they are going to achieve and how they will achieve. Importance of Performance Management As from definitions it is clear that performance management strategy is used to make organization more effective and to engage every employee in development of organization. So DERBY CITY COUNCIL has taken the importance of performance management very seriously as well. Performance management strategy make council to look for current status of their work, monitor for problems and issues arising, how to solve them and plans to implement their strategy. Performance management strategy is important to DERBY CITY COUNCIL for number of reasons. Improving Services Council is always here to improve services for people. So thats why performance management strategy is very important to council as they want to continuously improve services for people. They are focused on achieving right goals according to needs and expectations of local people and community. And their strategy helps them to look out their progress in achieving those goals and to look for any issues occurring in their current plans or not. And according to council their strategy is main key to improve their services continuously for people. Motivating staff For DERBY CITY COUNCIL their performance management strategy is not only to achieve goals like to improve services of people. For council effective management strategy is that which motivate their staff to understand them what is their role in this strategy, how much they are involved in achieving goals set by council for local people and whether their staff is getting fit into framework set by council to achieve their targets. Thats why council has described in their workforce Development Plan the scheme called Achievement and Development to stay connected with staff and promote their learning and to motivate them to fulfill their individual duties to achieve organizational goals. Meeting Government Expectations Performance management strategy is important to council because they want to meet government expectations. As performance assessment which is annual assessment by local authorities to measure performance or achievements of council in last year. So to meet government expectations performance management strategy is important to them. Demonstrating Value for Money Council tax is always concern for local residents, and they want to see that while council is doing or improving services for them or not. So this strategy is important to them to make a clear vision in local community about their value of money and council is continuously working for improvements. Purpose of Strategy For DERBY CITY COUNCIL, purpose of their performance management strategy is to Establish strong planning and performance framework to continuously improve services. To implement performance management system to measure performances of individuals and of organization. To achieve their set goals and targets. To be classified as four star council by meeting government expectations by continuously improving services for people. For DERBY CITY COUNCIL effective performance strategy not only requires good strategy but also organizational culture which supports this strategy by encouraging staff to improve their services. Performance Framework of DERBY CITY COUNCIL Their performance framework includes community strategy, corporate plan, business plans, team plans and individual plans. In framework council used community strategy to set the long term visions and targets for local community. Its a long term strategy to improve services which can be renewable. The Council corporate plan is to support community strategy how they will focus on continuous improvements and key actions to be taken for improvements. Business plans in performance framework are there to describe how each section of council work for improvements. Team plans will demonstrate employees to develop their understanding that how they will individually or in teams contribute for improvements. For council performance framework has to be clear, accurate and timely planned. What Council is Aiming to Achieve? Through their strategy council want to create an environment where every individual knows his/her contribution towards improving services and feel motivated and encouraged to manage their own performance effectively. Council Main Principles Council target is based on five principles which lead towards improvement. Balanced measurements For every process three elements are always important like inputs, outputs and outcomes. According to council as outcomes are always important for end users but they want balanced set of all measures means inputs, outputs and outcomes in their strategy to improve services. Strong Decision Making For council strong decision making is very important to them. As it is their one of main principle that decisions maker should be confident enough in information which he/she is using for decision making. They should use data of good quality to make decisions. The data or information which is used for decision making should be accurate, strong and relevant. Clear The performance information must be clear and should be accessible to all users. Goal Oriented Information should be goal oriented, focusing on key goals and targets to be achieved. Individual role Every individual must know his/her role in managing performance and key actions towards improvements. How Council will achieve his Vision? In this section council will deliver his strategy to achieve their goal. For council there are some sections which should be fulfilled to make their strategy successful. Role of Leader in Culture of Performance Management A performance management culture is climate or environment in which organization is working. Through performance management culture every employee and individual knows the values and vision of organization and their own roles to achieve those goals for organization. It encourages and motivates individuals to act in their role properly and perform their duties. As it is important for everyone to manage performance culture, but it should be lead by effective leader who has strong leadership skills. Like in performance framework of DERBY CITY COUNCIL there should be effective leader to lead corporate or business plans. Strong and confident leaders know what kind of performance is required and have ability to clearly communicate every individuals role towards improvement. They make clear to everyone that these areas are to be focused or improve and whose role is required or important in this issue. Advantages: Managers or leaders set clear goals and expectations across all employees which are continuously monitored. With performance measures there are continuous appraisals. DERBY CITY COUNCIL has culture where excellent performance is praised and shared across council. Clear Roles and Responsibilities To make their strategy effective council has described every individuals roles and responsibilities in their performance management strategy. Some roles are described below: Corporate Directors: Take operational responsibility of key actions to be done by council. They continuously review performances. They made actions required regarding data quality for decision making. They ensure that performance is under consideration in department. Performance Board: This board monitors that performance management strategy is implemented properly or not. Heads of Service They identify opportunities for improvement in strategy or performance management system. They monitor underperformance and their responsibility is to take necessary actions when required. Cabinet Their responsibility is to deliver council priorities. They review performance every three months and take actions if performance is not managed properly. They have also responsibility of measuring either value for money is achieved or not. Council Their role is to provide clear vision and to make corporate plan accordingly. They approve all budgets. They ensure every achievement. Audits and Accounts Their role is to maintain the internal environment controlled and managed. All Staff Know what their roles and contributions are required by council to achieve goals and improvement in services. They know what is vision of team in which they are working and what are the visions of stakeholders? What are their own personal goals and what they require to improve in themselves? Internal Audit They have to assess overall procedure implemented for producing performance management. They check procedures which are high risk. Advantages Everyone knows what performance framework is and know that improving services for local people is vision of council. Every member plays an important role in monitoring and managing performance management strategy. Continuous and Strong Performance Information System Council performance information is regularly used by group of people, employees, individuals and stakeholders. The Council use performance eye as main tool to analyze, collaborate and reporting performance information to all of them. The system is accessible to all staff so thats why information is clear to all staff. Advantages: Performance eye tool includes all visions of performance management including value for money. Wide use of performance eye tool by all members, employees and stakeholders. While developing performance eye data quality is taken seriously. Local people get informed about council performance and progress in achieving their goals. Continuous Assessment of Performance Measurement of performance honestly and actively is very important part of performance culture. Council has taken this point in consideration as well to take effective actions against underperformance, ensuring right actions to be done to bring performance back to action. Council considers their employees to be best source for their success and their development is necessary for councils future. It is very important to agreeing objectives with employees, giving them appraisals on their achievements and addressing their development needs in right and set path. Outcomes: Council continuously manages poor performers and rewards good performers and work for their development. Learning and Development Learning forms the basis of development of performance managed culture of organization. Here learning is about collecting information about what plans has worked and what has not worked. Organizational performance board is there to improve learning and to view which actions are necessary. Training and development is always important for exploring knowledge of every individual in every organization and at all levels. With performance management strategy a separate training plan is implemented as well in relation with performance for support and development of individuals. Outcomes: Sharing of knowledge and learning between all departments of council and other stakeholders. With help of different plan, more structured learning with performance management strategy. Main Steps in Delivering our Strategy Council has delivered their performance management strategy in the form of short term, medium term and long term goals. Short term Goals Short term goals are those goals which are to be achieved in 1 year or shorter period of time. Improved areas of underperformance through strict and strong action planning and benchmarking. Council does benchmarking to compare his results with successful results achieved by other same type of organizations. To look at their planning and way to achieve targets. Training of performance tools to all staff to improve performance managed culture. It is short term goal of council to train all staff to how to use performance tool to stable the culture of organization. Council wants to achieve this goal in short period of time to improve performance for community. Communication of performance information with local community. Council wants to achieve this target in of communicating its progress to local community, and to tell them how they are progressing, how they are working , how they are converting resources into improvement for community. So there should be clear and transparent communication with local community. Celebrating the achievements. Council wants to celebrate and wants to tell to local community that they are achieving their goals and proved increased performance. Medium Term Goals Medium term goals are goals which are to be achieved in period of 1 to 2 years. Review of performance eye It is target of council to review performance eye tool according to council and future needs. After review, if council requires further changings, needed to be done effectively. Improvements in Learning and Development Learning and development scheme should be reviewed half yearly or yearly to manage performance effectively. If performance management is not working effectively it can be due to no learning and development as well. So its council target to review their learning and development plan continuously. Long Term Goals Long term goals are those goals for council which they want to achieve in period of three years. Change to Performance Management System Implement changes to performance management system to work it more effectively and issues which has affected the performance management of organization. Changes to Individual Performance Council wants to implement changes to every individual performance to make them more effective for organization. It is a long term goal for council to check individual performance management to check who needs learning and development. Conclusion Performance management strategy is used to measure performance of individual, team and or organization as a whole as well. With the help of this strategy organizations measure how effectively their employees as individual working and how much efficient is organization working. With the help of performance management strategy Everyone came to know that how much they are contributing towards organizational goals and targets. Everyone ensures that what is organization expecting from them and they has skills and support to achieve this or not. Effective communication increases in organizations between all employees. Managers encourages individuals to do best they can and opportunities of learning and development. Performance management strategy of DERBY CITY COUNCIL has describes some main principles which are important for them in their strategy. They have given importance to: Being clear and transparent to your staff about what is performance. Understanding to employees how they can improve performance management culture. Every individual should be focused on his own contributions needed by organization. Decision maker should be confident and strong enough in decision making. Decision maker should have good quality of data. Recommendations As I have evaluated strategy of DERBY CITY COUNCIL. They have given every information about how they will implement their strategy and what are important key roles to them for effective strategy. One thing which seems wrong to me in their long term plan is about changing of individual performance in long term plans. In my point of view, individual performance should be monitored continuously and sudden plans should be implemented to change in their individuals performance. If they need some improvement learning and development plan should be applied effectively.

Causes and Effects of the Civil War Essay -- essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Did you know America’s bloodiest battle fought on their own soil was the Civil War? The Civil War was fought on American soil between the northern states and the southern states. Many causes provoked the war, which would affect the nation for decades to come. Slavery, the Missouri Compromise, and John Brown’s attack on Harpers Ferry, Virginia, were some of the many causes. In turn hundreds of thousands of soldiers died, the South’s economy was devastated, and the northern ideals flourished.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the later 1700’s to 1863, slavery was an intricate part of the South. Slaves were needed for plantation work like planting, caring for, and harvesting crops to maintaining the land. After Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin, more slaves were needed to keep up with the increased cotton production. In the South their belief was African-Americans were property. On the other hand, the North’s economy was based on industry and manufacturing powered by European immigrants. They believed slavery was wrong and inhumane and African-Americans are just as human as everybody else. These two different views are one of the major reasons that led to the Civil War.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Americans in the early nation agreed that slavery was legal south of the Ohio River and illegal north of the Ohio River. However, in 1819 the issue came up should Missouri be admitted to the union as a slave state or a non-slave state since Missouri ...

Epistemic Opacity

Michelle Freeman 05/24/2012 English 101 Epistemic Opacity Computers, tablets, I-phones, I-pads, cellular phones, e-readers and more are now considered daily necessities as well as pleasure apparatus’ that society relies on exponentially to get through each day. From the time we wake until we lie our heads down at night, society is constantly â€Å"plugged in† to some sort of technological advance. Due to this dependency on these electronic devices, society has succumb to a world of bits and bytes with no real consideration to how these tools work or provide the connection(s) we have come to count on.Sherry Turkle, an Abby Rockefeller Mauze Professor of the Social Studies of Science and Technology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology states in her essay How Computers Change the Way We Think, â€Å"Some thinkers argue that the new opacity is empowering, enabling anyone to use the most sophisticated technological tools and to experiment with in complex and creativ e ways. But it is also true that our tools carry the message that they are beyond our understanding. It is possible that in daily life, epistemic opacity can lead to passivity† (568).Epistemic opacity is a fancy way of saying that the understanding of how something actually works does not mean that you don’t know how to use or work that same something. Take a lawnmower for example; a person of general intelligence understands that gasoline needs to be put into the engine in order for it to run. That same person understands that depositing of oil is equally important for the engine to maintain lubrication and cooling. A turning of a sharp blade that is powered by the engine is what cuts the grass.Intellectually we understand not only how to use the lawnmower but how the lawnmower actually works. Typically we are not passive in our acceptance of such general day to day use items, such as said lawnmower. Technology however, is different. The intellectual understanding of t echnology and how it actually works does not seem to be a priority for the masses of today. The importance of understanding of personal technologies is key to counteracting this opacity that appears to be more and more prevalent as technological developments continue to progress.By not paying attention to the basic understanding of technology, we are willingly and openly allowing ourselves to be directed and manipulated in a way that removes individual opportunity for growth and understanding where technology is concerned; our development in this arena is left to creators of technology to decide. Intellectual lack and lesser intelligence regarding these tools of technology does not appear to be the consensus opinion among our fellow citizens but rather there is the general thought that we are all part of a growing technological wave that makes us all smarter and more advanced.However, in all actuality, it is more that cognitively people are running the risk of intellectual deficienc y and passivity as Turkle expresses. Turkle states that soon after she joined the faculty at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the late 70’s, which was coincidentally the end of an era of the slide rule and the beginning of the era of personal computers, she witnessed several senior professors in engineering complaining that the transitions from slide rule (a mechanical analog computer used primarily for multiplication and division) to calculators had affected their students ability to deal with issues of scale (564). The Professors were arguing that when students used slide rules, they had to insert decimal points themselves. They insisted that inserting the points themselves required students to maintain a mental sense of scale, whereas those who relied on calculators made frequent errors in orders of magnitude. Because of this, the students with calculators had lost their ability to do â€Å"back of the envelope† calculations, and with that, an intuitive feel for the material† (564).It is possible that because society accepts at face value the technology that we have come to depend on, that the level of passivity is leading to a reduced intelligence as a whole. Personal experience has led me to witness many people more interested in the brand, make and model of their personal technological items than as to how these items send, receive, record and process information. The general core mechanics of each individual piece of technology should be made common public knowledge.It is not so much that people need to understand the inner workings of every motherboard out there; as it is that we receive a general understanding of how personal technologies work. How does a touchscreen actually operate? How can picture messages float through the air and land inside another phone or make their way to someone’s email inbox? What do we know really about the implication of radiation, if any regarding consistently placing technology aga inst the sides of our heads?I cannot answer these questions and many others because that information is not something readily available to or sought after by the general public. Society accepts openly that these technological items do what they are marketed and sold to do. Through blind acceptance we become susceptible to a possible deprivation of necessary knowledge. It is important to comprehend the effects and/or implications of daily use, in order to facilitate continued intellectual growth that parallels the technological boom.Charles McGrath, writer and editor for the New York Times, touches on epistemic opacity in his essay The Pleasures of the text. McGrath is referring to text-messaging when he states â€Å"text-messaging is â€Å"lateral† rather than â€Å"penetrative,† and the medium encourages blandness and even mindlessness† (474). McGrath suggests that as Americans we use text-messaging with no real consideration or thought. He is referencing a com mon practice among individuals who use text-messaging to convey quick, mindless jargon in an efficient and non-personal way (474).This line of thought connects to opacity in that it shows how text-messaging is just one example of many how society has become so relaxed and comfortable in the use of technology that not only do we not consider how technology works, we have taken it even further and we don’t even truly consider what we put out into the world with our technological devices. Society has become lazy where this is concerned. Turkle supports this idea in her aforementioned essay when she expresses her personal witness to the psychological effects of computational objects in everyday life.She states that passivity regarding technology is becoming more and more apparent in that the â€Å"people who built or bought the first generation of personal computers understood them completely. The next generation of operating systems were more complex, but they still invited tha t old-time reductive understanding†. Turkle states that contemporary information technology encourages different habits of mind. She goes on to say â€Å"today’s college students are already used to taking things at (inter)face value† (568). I witness this daily in my own life every time I see my children access all different types of technology.When I ask them to explain the deeper operation of the technology they are currently using, they cannot do it. They explain it is not important to be able to use the current chosen technology. This attitude causes me concern because I worry that they are becoming a culture that does not ask the deeper questions. They just accept at (inter)face value as Turkle expressed. To grow along with the technological boom and to understand the deeper reasoning behind the operation of said technology will keep minds active and aware.It is important that resignation to acceptance of our technological world does not continue to grow an d expand. We can accomplish this by thinking for ourselves, preparing for our children and teaching future generations they must not blindly accept what is given to them. If they do, opacity and passivity will prevail to the point that we are all walking around filled with intellectual knowledge that has been directly controlled, removing individuality of thought and expression.Technology today is an amazing and powerful thing, at times it might even be considered beautiful. I personally look forward to technological advances and the wonderful happenings that will accompany these events; however, it must not be at the cost of our own personal intellectual development. Opacity and passivity are not conducive to society maintaining an upward intellectual growth regarding technology. Let us grow with and because of, technology.