System analysis and design (model your life) Article

System analysis and design (model your life) - Article Example Another aspect of human life is the social pillar. Every living human being is part of society and in so need to participate in the agreed upon ways of interaction within the niche that they live within. One should have a valuable network of friends, family, and acquaintances from a wide range of life system. Being social is a very significant pillar in a well-designed life model. The third aspect of life and another important need of a well-modeled life is a cultural pillar. Culture is the way a group or a society perceive or view certain things (International Society for Quality of Life Studies, 2006). One need to be part of a cultural group as it helps shape their lives and provide guidelines to a wholesome life. The cultural pillar includes and not limited to such examples as spiritual, law, governance and other systems that give people purpose and help develop principles. The fourth pillar and the last one in this paper is the knowledge pillar. In order for people to live wholesome life individuals, need to be informed on a wide span of the system they live in. Having information creates knowledge and processed knowledge leads to wisdom, which is very significant (International Society for Quality of Life Studies, 2006). People should not have too much of one pillar and very little of the others. Being very social with very little knowledge is not a very good model of

Prison Inmates Should Be Allowed To Take College Courses Essay Example for Free

Prison Inmates Should Be Allowed To Take College Courses Essay Prison Inmates Should Be Allowed To Take College Courses Prison inmates should be allowed to take college course because having an education helps reform the inmate into a useful member of society. Education is useful in helping the inmate acquire the life skills necessary to make a life change for the better. Studies have shown that inmates who participate in educational programs were less likely to recidivate once released back into to society than those who did ot participate. Allowing prisoners to take college courses restructures the way inmates think and benefits society as a whole by helping inmates adapt once released, providing Job skills necessary to find work, and aiding in inmate rehabilitation. Providing an education for inmates helps them acquire the necessary life skills to make better choices once released and makes it easier to adapt to life outside the prison walls. An educated person is better able to choose etween right and wrong and also make wiser decisions. By restructuring the way an inmate thinks, the inmate makes better choices and finds better role models to emulate. An inmate who has the ability to read and write is better able to find information for himself and is more likely to use that information to make informed decisions. It is therefore easy to deduce, an inmate who has received a prison education can think more clearly and will act more positively preventing most inmates from recidivism. Using the education gained in prison will facilitate an inmates adaption to society and provides the necessary Jobs skills to find work once released. Education for inmates helps build a foundation for future success and provides the Job skills necessary to help inmates find work once they are released. Teaching basic educational skills to inmates such as reading, writing, and math skills increases their chances of passing employment tests and greatly improves their..

Importance of Sleep in Shakespeares Macbeth Essay -- GCSE English Lit

Macbeth: The Importance of Sleep Macbeth Sleep is a time when our minds are at rest and the subconscious comes out to play. Sleep is oftentimes considered the place where we are able to see into our future and perhaps figure out how to solve our problems. Sleep is also what heals and cures our minds and bodies. Without sleep we slowly begin to disintegrate. Mind and body no longer cooperate without the healing force sleep brings with it. Shakespeare uses sleep both as a reward and as a consequence in his plays. If a character is innocent and pure, he is allowed restful, fulfilling sleep. If the character lacks these traits of goodness, he is condemned to a lifetime of insomnia and other problems. In Shakespeare’s tragedy, Macbeth, the reader can see this idea manifest itself in many different ways. From the beginning, when Macbeth hears the voice to the end of the play when Lady Macbeth sleepwalks, the reader sees many examples of this use of sleep. One first encounters the idea of sleep in Macbeth when the central character, Macbeth, murders the sleeping king. After the murder, Macbeth believes he hears a voice cry out, "Sleep no more†¦ Glamis hath murder'd sleep, and therefore Cawdor shall sleep no more, Macbeth shall sleep no more"(II.ii.58-60)! At this point the reader does not really think much of this warning, assuming it to merely be Macbeth's guilty conscience rather than anything important. But as the signs of the voice's prophecy begin to surface like the symptoms of a disease, Macbeth slowly becomes irrational and ruthless. This is partially due to the, "terr... ...ally 'good' people were changed drastically after sleep was withheld from them. King Duncan and his sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, were considered innocent in this play and therefore they were allowed to sleep. Their sleep was a restful, healing sleep that gave them clear judgment and, in the case of the sons, the will to avenge the wrongful death of their beloved father. For their 'good behaviour' they were able to sleep unhindered. Innocence and purity in a Shakespearean play have rewards attached to them. If a character is good, he is allowed a deep, peaceful, refreshing sleep. If he is evil, he is barred from sleep as a reminder of and a punishment for his wrongdoing. This, in turn, leads to a decline in his mental, emotional and physical well being as is evidenced in Macbeth by the plight of both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.

Mexican food Essay Essay

Despite the popularity of Taco Bell and Chipotle across the country, many Americans don’t really understand Mexican food. Most people who live in America don’t get to see the true beauty of food. We have fast food and microwavable food, while Mexican food is fresh and homemade. Mexican food varies by region, and there are certain ingredients that are used throughout Mexico. Mexican food has its roots from different countries. Each region in Mexico has its own type of food. Meat dishes are popular in the north, while in the south more dishes with vegetables and chicken are common. Communities along the sea enjoy a lot of seafood dishes; using fish like grouper, red snapper, mojarra and snook. Lobster, crab and oysters are abundant. Some Mexican recipes incorporate influences from South America, the Caribbean and Africa. Common foods, such as tacos and tamales, receive a special touch in each region of Mexico. White corn, beans, squash, tomatoes and chiles are the staples that have formed the foundation of Mexican cooking. The Mexican Indians relied on the combination of corn and beans for their protein, and they included small game, birds and fish whenever available. They either simmered or smoked the food. They did not have bread, but invented tortillas made of corn. When the Spainards arrived in Mexico, they brought influences from the Romans: wheat, bread, olives and olive oil, the Germanic tribes: pork and lard, and the North African Moors: sheep, chickens and spices, such as cinnamon and cumin, fruit, rices and nuts. The Mexican Indians incorporated these ingredients into tacos, stews and tamales which we now consider typical Mexican cuisine. Chiles, one of the most recognizable flavors in Mexican cooking, was originally cultivated in South America. Mexicans continue to use dozens of varieties of chiles in cooking. Anchiote seeds and paste often season chicken and fish; dried and smoke jalapeà ±os give Mexican soups, salsas and sauces a smoky flavor. Mexicans cooking also uses canella (white cinnamon), which has a more delicate flavor than its American counterpart. In conclusion, Mexican food is unique in many ways! The food they eat can be exotic but delicious . Most food that they cook is healthy, filling, and is well desired. Different types of food comes from different regions of Mexico. Chiles is one of the most used ingredient of Mexican food. The ingredient can be used as a spice and was originated in Mexico.

Maths Research and budgeting

Starr full time earning $17. 50/hrs working 40 hours a week with a net Income of $32, 841. I need to buy a car wealth my price range to make sure I can get to work on time. Starr is approximately km away from home so driving to and from work will approximately be km a day. Working 5 days a week in total I will be traveling km.I choose a 2014 Mediumistic Mirage Sport LA that costs $9,990 because it is fuel efficient, runs well, parts are easy to find and reasonably cheap, I eve Mediumistic and the look of this particular car, I have friends that own this car and they say It Is the most reliable car they have ever owned, It Is small but has lots of room with a massive boot space which is 235 liters (plenty of room for the shopping it is easier to park into tight spots and has the power of a sports vehicle.The car has a USB port inbuilt to the stereo, Bluetooth for hands free phone calls, CD player, MPH/ AX compatible, ABS, cup holders, power windows, 5 star UNCAP rating and 6 airbags o r added safety. It comes with 5 years warranty or 130,000 kilometers and 5 years road side assistance. This mirage is a 5 speed manual hatch back, 5 doors, and 5 starter car. It's a front wheel drive with a 3 cylinder 1. AL petrol engine, the rims are steel and tire size is 195/65 ROR and diameter being xx, it is silver in color.The approximate cost of running this vehicle will be $69 per smokes. At current petrol prices it will cost around $51 to fill the tank at 35 liters. Driving to and from work at bout skims per week will cost around $14 in fuel, adding in weekend driving at about skims for Saturday and Sunday it should only cost me $21 a week in fuel. Registration for this vehicle for 12 months will cost about $1200 with green slip being $578, pink slip $35 and registration approximately $530. Comprehensive Insurance will cost $64. 0 per month going through Budget Direct as the insurer. Maintaining this car with a full service every smokes for 12 months will cost $750 if taken to a mechanic but If you know what you're doing when servicing a car you can buy the arts and do the service yourself at a much lower price. The cost of running this car per year will cost $3,816 without any unexpected repairs or failures. My other expenses Include rent being $70 per week, food costing around $50 per week, entertainment $100, savings account $50, and miscellaneous $50.I have learnt that this type of car is relevant for my situation as it is, very affordable, economic and efficient. It comes with the 5 year warranty so if anything went wrong in the first 5 years it's not a cost that I would have to deal with. It has low carbon emissions, which makes it better for the environment and knowing that I have the 5 year road side assistance for the next 5 years gives me piece of mind that I will not be stranded and late for work.This assignment has taught me that shopping around Is an Important factor as you need to consider reliability, affordability and economics not jus t looks. You can find bargains out there and it can take time but if you make the right purchase you will never regret spending your entire savings on a brand new car as I ill have it for a longer period of time and is reasonably cheap to maintain.I did enjoy this assignment as I learnt about budgeting, how to research what car would be right for my Immediate and future needs, efficiency, fuel consumption and carbon the following: cardioids. Com. AU Redbook. Com. AU gummier. Com. AU mutinous. Com. AU arms. News. Gob. AU grisliness's. Com. AU facilitator. Com. AU compartmented. Com. AU Below are pictures of the Mediumistic Mirage I have chosen to purchase.

Freedom to Wed essays

Freedom to Wed essays Same-sex marriages are illegal in California, as well as many other states. Two people in love, no matter what their sexual orientation, race, or status should be allowed to wed. The institution of marriage has been controversial for centuries. It was only after the civil war that African-Americans could wed in the United States. People of different races were not allowed to marry until 1967, when the US Supreme Court ruled they could. People in same-sex relationships are facing the same battles fought and won by African-American and mixed race couples of the past. Marriage is a basic human right and the state should not interfere with a couples choice to wed. By interfering and condemning same-sex marriages and unions, the state is discriminating against those in such a relationship. Most people do not understand that marriage comes with benefits and privileges that same-sex couples are denied. When a heterosexual couple marries the state grants them about 400 rights and the federal government grants and additional 1,000 benefits. Some of these benefits are taken for granted by heterosexual couples. Why does a married man have the right to visit his dying wife in the hospital while in a similar situation, the partner of another man must sit in the waiting room and be treated like a stranger? If we asked people if this was fair, most would say no. But, by not allowing same-sex marriages we are denying couples this privilege. People that are against same-sex marriage have said that by allowing same-sex couples to marry we are undermining the sacredness of marriage. I do not see how. How is it any less sacred for two loving people, who happen to be of the same sex, to take vows and commit to their relationship than it is for two people of the opposite sex? What I find more harmful to the sacredness of marriage is when two people whom are not committed to each other get married. What is sacred ...

Act 1 Scene 7(lines 1-28), Act 2 Scene 1(lines 33-64) and Act 5 Scene 5(lines 18-27) Essays

Act 1 Scene 7(lines 1-28), Act 2 Scene 1(lines 33-64) and Act 5 Scene 5(lines 18-27) Essays Act 1 Scene 7(lines 1-28), Act 2 Scene 1(lines 33-64) and Act 5 Scene 5(lines 18-27) Paper Act 1 Scene 7(lines 1-28), Act 2 Scene 1(lines 33-64) and Act 5 Scene 5(lines 18-27) Paper Essay Topic: Macbeth Macbeths state of mind changes drastically throughout the course of the play. This change is shown in his three main soliloquies. In Act 1 Scene 7 Macbeth is hesitant about killing Duncan and tries to think of reasons to justify killing him but Macbeth can only think of reasons not to kill Duncan. In Act 2 Scene1 Macbeth has a hallucination of a dagger with the handle pointed towards him. This dagger resembles his own and the blade is pointed toward Duncans room and, as the soliloquy goes on, appears to have blood all over it. This is Macbeths sub-conscious warning him not to kill Duncan. Finally, in Macbeths last soliloquy in Act 5 Scene 5, Macbeth is regretting killing Duncan, Banquo and Macduffs wife, children and household. Macbeth starts at the fact that he had tried so hard to be memorable but he will be forgotten. Also, Macbeth states how meaningless his life has been and, like a candle, his end is inevitable. Before Act 1 Scene 7 King Duncan has arrived at Macbeths castle and he has so far played the humble guest. However, Macbeth has been persuaded by Lady Macbeth to kill Duncan so the prophecy of the witches comes true, Macbeth is very noble at this point and is thinking hat killing Duncan will go against his values. Macbeths first soliloquy about his changing state of mind is in Act 1 Scene 7(lines 1-28). This soliloquy sees Macbeth contemplating whether or not to kill Duncan and Macbeth is desperately trying to think of reasons that would aid him in the killing of Duncan. However Macbeth can think of no such reasons, the only thing the he can think of are things that serve only to keep Duncan alive and that killing him now would be the greatest act of villainy. Because Duncan is at Macbeths castle he is in double trust first as Macbeth is his kinsman and his subject and then as his host, who should against his murderer shut the door, not bear the knife himself. Another thing that Macbeth tells himself is that killing Duncan would be about as cruel as leaving a naked newborn babe striding the blast and that tears would drown the land at Duncans death, since he was such a good and just king. Furthermore, Duncan is portrayed as a kind and gentle king as he showers Lady Macbeth with gifts when he enters Macbeths hospitality. When Macbeth makes his decision he has thought of all the possible outcomes. Macbeth is scared to kill Duncan because he fears eternal damnation. This is relevant at the time because people believed that the King was chosen by God and that killing the king would be like killing a part of God, it would also upset the natural order. At the end of the Scene Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth his decision not to kill Duncan but adamantly this is met with rage and abuse as Macbeth is called a coward by Lady Macbeth. This serves to change his mind. By Macbeths second soliloquy, in Act 2 Scene 1, he has decided to kill Duncan and is on his way to do so when he starts to see a dagger. Firstly he sees the daggers hilt pointing toward him, the blade points towards Duncans room. Macbeth tries to grab the dagger but his hand goes straight through it as it is not real and only a manifestation of his guilty conscience. The dagger then changes to having blood all over it. This is what Macbeths dagger will look like once he has killed Duncan. Furthermore, during the soliloquy Macbeth thinks that the stones that his castle are made from are moving and if they were then they would certainly be crying out at the terrible deed that Macbeth is going through. There is a lot of reference to movement in this soliloquy; Macbeth speaks of ravishing strides, a stealthy pace and Moves like a ghost. This could show that he is concerned that if he stops moving he will become scared of killing Duncan and so will not. Macbeth seems to be going mad at this juncture; he realises that the dagger, which at this point is moving towards Duncan, is not real. His eyes are the fools othother senses. This could mean that his eyesight is either much better or much worse that his other senses. At the moment Macbeths state of mind is one of great fear at both his thoughts and feelings and at being discovered. He also feels dread at what is to come in the future. As we know Macbeths future is not the best, but he is not to know that at this point in the play. Another reason for Macbeths fear is that while he is walking around talking to himself and thinking about the dreadful deed he is about to commit, Duncan still lives; and Macbeth could be discovered at any time and he would be unable to explain himself. The last two lines of this scene are a rhyming couplet. Macbeth is commenting that the bell ringing in the background is Duncans knell, a funeral bell rung to announce a death, summoning him to heaven or hell. This could be seen as some sort of dark humour on Shakespeares part, Macbeth is sure of where both he and Duncan are going. Duncan to heaven; Macbeth to hell. In Act 5 Scene 5 the battle between the armies of Macbeth and Malcolm is about to begin and Macbeth is starting to think that all his plans are coming undone. Macbeths castle is under siege and he begins to contemplate life and its petty pace from day to day, meaning that life, especially his, is meaningless and like a brief candle his end is inevitable despite his trying to make an impression on the world. At this point Macbeth is totally incapable of emotion whether fear at his impending doom or, as it happens, grief at his wifes death. His only comment is that she should have died hereafter. This is almost as if to say that Lady Macbeths death was inconvenient at this time. Macbeth again states that life is worthless, and is not as exciting as it seems, not unlike a tale told by an idiot, which is told with a lot of exuberance but, in the end, signifies nothing. Furthermore, like a poor player being forgotten and unsuccessful, Macbeth has not made enough of an impression to be remembered, even as a great tyrant and traitor. Macbeth mentions a dusty death which, in his case, would mean that his death shall not be remembered and like a dusty book on the top shelf he will not be acknowledged or honoured. Macbeth changes again in Act 5 Scene 5. He is now impervious to any emotion and he believes that all life, his mainly, is a waste of time and should not have been bothered with in the first place. He has gone past being a nobleman and being afraid of an unjust death and now is not able to feel any emotion at all. By the end of the play Macbeth becomes a cold-blooded killer from a noble lord and his actions are ruled by his dependence on the prophecy of the witches and his eventual total victory through their words. Little does Macbeth know that the prophecy is not intended for his victory but is designed to make him suffer for yielding to the power of the witches, murdering Duncan and trying to elevate his status in Scotland. This shows that Macbeth deserves the death that he gets because he is a true tyrant and traitor to the crown.

9 Professional Lessons from Donald Trump

9 Professional Lessons from Donald Trump Hate him or love him, Donald Trump has proved to be an†¦ummm, colorful addition to the 2016 presidential race. But long before he was wearing those Make Donald Trump Again hats, he was a go-to resource for flashy business entrepreneurtainment. Now, we’re not recommending a full on Trump-ification of your professional life, but here are some things we’ve learned from him (even if it’s what not to do) that could be applied to our own careers.1. Never let them forget your name.via Richard Bravo2. How ’bout a little flash?via Wikipedia3. Try new things.4. Be ready for the unexpected.5. Don’t take your job for granted.6. Don’t hate the player, hate the game.(Unless you do hate the player- in which case don’t go on a Twitter tirade against said player.)via BoardGameGeek7. Sometimes you just need a break.8. You’re not here to make friends.9. It ain’t over ‘til it’s over.via AmazonOh, and this goes without sayin g. Don’t sell steaks at sharper image. You will fail. Period.

Managing Across Cultures Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words - 1

Managing Across Cultures - Essay Example Along with the major changes in the structure and flow of business transactions today, developed countries continuously aim to increase their returns on investment not only by transferring the Western management practices all over the developing countries but also in learning more about the culture and sub-culture of other countries (Jaegar, 1993). One of the most influential research studies on cultural values was conducted by Geert Hofstede. In line with this, Hofstede conducted an extensive research study which involved 74 different countries all over the world where he identified the unique cultural values in each country using the five dimensions known as: high vs. low power distance, individualism vs. collectivism, masculinity vs. femininity, uncertainty avoidance vs. uncertainty acceptance, and short-term vs. long-term orientation (itim International, 2011; Tian, 2004, p. 18). Upon examining the culture and sub-culture in different countries, Hofstede concluded that â€Å"cul ture is more often a source of conflict than of synergy† (itim International, 2011). ... Sub-cultures in China Based on Hofstede’s research survey report, China’s score on Hofstede’s five dimensions include the following: PDI IDV MAS UAI LTO China 80 20 66 30 118 Source: itim International, 2011; Anonym, 2006, p. 4 Power Distance The rank of China’s Power Distance is 80. This figure is considered high as compared to the average score of 60 in other Far East Asian countries and the world’s average of 55 (itim International, 2011; Anonym, 2006, p. 4). As explained by Hofstede (1980), â€Å"Power Distance explains how different societies treat inequalities in social structure†. It means that people in China wholeheartedly accept differences in authoritative power within a hierarchy in the society and that people in China gives low importance on egalitarianism (Hunter and Tan, 2005, p. 210). This is possible because of the historical background of Chinese people who were accustomed in having a centralized government authority which f ollows the law of Confucianism (Schwartz, 2007, p. 121; Hu and Grove, 1999, p. 6; Bargiela-Chiappini and Harris, 1997, p. 42). To simplify the concept of Power Distance, this particular cultural dimension is simply referring to the norms that are heavily reflected in China’s economic and cultural background including the existing relationship between a typical husband and wife, relationship between the parents and their children, the way political issues are being managed and religious beliefs which significantly affect the progress of China’s economic condition (Tian, 2004, p. 19). A high score of Power Distance is pointing out the way businesses are formed in China particularly with regards to whom among the family members have

Journalism - Media Representation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Journalism - Media Representation - Essay Example But upon the age of industrialization when the printing press went out in the market, the fray for information and various data that printed matter can provide started. The use of the airwaves soon contributed to the evolution of mass media as radio became portable and mass produced. The forms of entertainment also expanded to fill the void that news, opinion and information left for listeners and their anchormen. Television also provided a turning point, not only for the media industry but for world history. It became a milestone invention and product that every home had to own. And more than that, every room of a home need to feature like a basic commodity. Today, mass media encompass many other forms but the latest phenomenon has become the computer and its peripheral products and services courtesy of the information and communication technologies (ICT). This paper will discuss and analyze media representation in a specific article â€Å"Liking Is for Cowards. Go for What Hurtsâ €  by Jonathan Franzen published in May 28 at New York Times print and online editions. It is an adaptation from a commencement speech he delivered on May 21 at Kenyon College. Discussion Media representation refers to the various direct and indirect messages conveyed to the audience or reader of any form of communication. In a certain page, whether a magazine, a newspaper, or a website, various messages are delivered across the audience. These messages are dependent on several factors that have been intentionally or unintentionally provided by the media entity. Media entities are the various imprints, sites, stations, competing publications or publishers, or products of a media conglomeration. The messages provided by the media may reflect their representation. Conway (65) discussed the danger of representation where journalists were left on their devices and decision-making on how to interpret a memorandum issued by their supervisor. At length, Conway noted that: â€Å"The que stion of who represents whom is politically fraught, especially when it is journalists who make the decision. In their coverage of the constitutional debates in 1991 and 1992, for instance, CBC and Radio-Canada journalists followed identifiable professional norms when choosing representatives to speak on behalf of the groups identified by McQueen, the end result being that they favored certain speakers while leaving others out. In other words, through their exclusions they failed to meet the task McQueen had set for them.† (65). She was referring to the task given by McQueen as head of the news and current affairs of Canadian Broadcasting Corporation to her staff to provide their viewers a chance to hear the point of view of various groups affected by the debate. Representation in this manner was limited by the inadequacy of the media personnel to identify objectively their sources of information. There are various ways that representation may be interpreted. This paper will p roceed to discuss and analyze a New York Times article with regards to its media representation and messages imparted. Media Article: Political Commentary Jonathan Franzen’s (1) commentary begins with the popular trend of technological consumerism. He narrated how he, too, was a gadget user who fell for the hypes and commercial aspects of products specifically the PDA Blackberry series. He soon went on to point out the

Comparative Literacy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Comparative Literacy - Essay Example Basically, when a play is tackling a particular issue, the audience can empathize thus achieving the level of influence that advocates of certain ideas and philosophies target. This can be considered as the power of the multi media. In the study of comparative literacy, the main target is the presentation of two plays that can be considered to have received literary recognition on the basis of being able to tackle the important and controversial issues that influence the members of the population. These issues can be considered as included in the problems that are being faced by the public to some degree. The controversy lies in the fact that these issues are also political in some aspects thus these plays were able to also catch the attention of the political sector. The play revolves around three characters that have different roles in the story. Paulina and Gerardo is a couple who had experienced first hand different political and social cruelties due to the fact that they had been living in a country that had experienced a long period of dictatorship. Paulina Salas had specifically experienced being violated during the time of the dictatorship due to her connection with her husband. She had been undergone torture which had been performed by the third character who is a doctor whom she wrongly given her trust. Basically the events that transpired during the course of the play were able to present political issues through the interplay of strong emotions specifically when the character of Dr. Roberto Miranda surfaced. This has brought about a faà §ade of strong emotions specifically displayed by Paulina. Due to the fact that she had been victimized by the people with power and capabilities to do such acts, her character had evolved from a normal woman who had overcome her past to a violent person. The character of

Biofuel Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Biofuel - Essay Example Biofuels have existed since the 1970s. Before 2010, every international commercial biofuels plant was either a biodiesel or a first generation ethanol. The United States of America has been termed to be the world’s largest producer of ethanol. Back in 2009, the USA produced approximately 10.5 billion gallons of ethanol using corn. Brazil comes in second producing eight billion gallons of ethanol using sugarcane. It is strange to see that in a world where there is scarcity of food, there is a massive use of water resources and land in growing crops for the production biofuels. According to the United Nations, the up-and-coming biofuels industry may risk the rising of food prices. In line with the UN-Energy report: Sustainable Energy: a Frame Work for Decision Makers, it states that biofuels production has already driven up maize prices between the year 2006 and 2007. The report also states that biofuels possibly would have a dual consequence on food supplies. Alternatively, suc h crops could avert water, land as well as other resources away from the production of food. The report quotes that unless policies are formed and endorsed to guard threatened lands, push bioenergy development in sustainable direction in general and secure communally acceptable land use, the social and environmental damage could in some cases overshadow the benefits. A key argument exists on the scope to which policies of biofuels have contributed to high volatility and agricultural prices levels. A current study meant for the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development illustrates that market driven growth of ethanol in United States’ increased corn prices by 21% in 2009,compared to the prices that would prevailing if the production of ethanol had been frozen in 2004. Lester R. Brown stated that by converting the whole grain harvest of the Americans would only generate 16% of its auto fuel wants, energy markets are efficiently positioned in opposition with foo d markets for limited arable land, consequential in a higher food price. A large number of R&D efforts are at present being positioned to the production of 2nd generation biofuels from waste, crop residues and non food crops. Second generation biofuels may possibly merge farming for fuel and food and in addition electricity could be produced simultaneously, this could be beneficial to third world countries as well as the rural areas in the developing countries (Desilva, 4). Strengths Renewability: Biofuels are easy to renew compared to fossil fuels which take relatively long time. This is because new crops are planted and their waste material is gathered. Cost: Biofuels are significantly less expensive compared to gasoline. This is true since increased worldwide demand for oil dwindles oil supplies hence biofuels becoming the only option. Security: Since biofuels

INTERMED MACROECON Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

INTERMED MACROECON - Essay Example It basically measures output and thus is a totally different concept from GDY (Gross Domestic Income) because the latter measures incomes. Also, only domestic production is counted in GDP and no foreign or abroad output. The calculation of GDP is facilitated by the use of price indices whereby current prices are measured against the price of a base year and thus, changes in the level of output are measured every year. Output and GDP changes are positively correlated. GDP is not directly impacted by a change in the level of prices and interest rates but indirectly, they bring about changes in employment levels and therefore, GDP is indirectly affected by these variables. APE (Aggregate Planned Expenditure) APE is the measure of total goods and services demanded by all the sectors in a country. Because it is the demand which creates GDP in domestic market, APE in reality also includes foreign imports which tend to increase the APE. In order to arrive at the actual APE, all imports (F) are subtracted from the sum total of household consumption (C), business investment (I), government purchases (G) and exports (X). Mathematically, it is denoted by the following formula: APE= C + I + G + X –F Variables affecting the APE are GDP and the interest rate levels. For GDP, the change is positive, strong and quick while for interest rates, it is slow, negative and weak. However, APE is not directly affected by price level changes. ASF (Aggregate Supply of Funding) To measure and define ASF, it is first essential to understand the meaning of velocity of money (V). V is the number of time a dollar is used to purchase goods or services within a year. Also, funds in a country can be categorized in currency and coins (CC) and checking account balances (CA), the sum of which gives us the money supply (M). While M increases with the increase in bank lending, V increases with the increase in non-bank lending. As such, ASF comes out to be: ASF= (M * V) / p where p= price inde x Consequently, change in ASF is directly proportional to a change in interest rates while it is inversely proportional to change in price levels. ADF (Aggregate Demand for Funding) Concept of ADF creeps in when we establish equality between APE and GDP. In case of APE almost equal to GDP, ASF supports the funding of production as well as sales. However, when APE is less than GDP, producers and businessmen need additional revenues to compensate their bills and costs. It thus follows that ADF equals APE when APE equals GDP. However, ADF equals GDP when APE < GDP. Chapter 2 Plotting GDP on a graph When plotting the macroeconomics variables of GDP, APE, ASF and ADF, the vertical axis is the interest rate level (i) and the other three are shown on the horizontal axis. Since interest rate level has no direct impact upon GDP level, the GDP line goes vertical unaffected. It just moves right or left by the amount of change in GDP. Adding APE to the graph To plot APE line on the graph, use o f the following formula is done which has already been discussed above: APE= a + b (GDY) – ci. The slope of the APE line is always to the left and upwards because rise in interest rates signifies fall in APE. Another line called IS which is not a measuring unit, depicts all the combination of interest rate levels and GDP at which GDP equals APE. The Macroeconomic Coordination Process tends the three lines to intersect at common points whether they shift to the right or left

Biofuel Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Biofuel - Essay Example Biofuels have existed since the 1970s. Before 2010, every international commercial biofuels plant was either a biodiesel or a first generation ethanol. The United States of America has been termed to be the world’s largest producer of ethanol. Back in 2009, the USA produced approximately 10.5 billion gallons of ethanol using corn. Brazil comes in second producing eight billion gallons of ethanol using sugarcane. It is strange to see that in a world where there is scarcity of food, there is a massive use of water resources and land in growing crops for the production biofuels. According to the United Nations, the up-and-coming biofuels industry may risk the rising of food prices. In line with the UN-Energy report: Sustainable Energy: a Frame Work for Decision Makers, it states that biofuels production has already driven up maize prices between the year 2006 and 2007. The report also states that biofuels possibly would have a dual consequence on food supplies. Alternatively, suc h crops could avert water, land as well as other resources away from the production of food. The report quotes that unless policies are formed and endorsed to guard threatened lands, push bioenergy development in sustainable direction in general and secure communally acceptable land use, the social and environmental damage could in some cases overshadow the benefits. A key argument exists on the scope to which policies of biofuels have contributed to high volatility and agricultural prices levels. A current study meant for the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development illustrates that market driven growth of ethanol in United States’ increased corn prices by 21% in 2009,compared to the prices that would prevailing if the production of ethanol had been frozen in 2004. Lester R. Brown stated that by converting the whole grain harvest of the Americans would only generate 16% of its auto fuel wants, energy markets are efficiently positioned in opposition with foo d markets for limited arable land, consequential in a higher food price. A large number of R&D efforts are at present being positioned to the production of 2nd generation biofuels from waste, crop residues and non food crops. Second generation biofuels may possibly merge farming for fuel and food and in addition electricity could be produced simultaneously, this could be beneficial to third world countries as well as the rural areas in the developing countries (Desilva, 4). Strengths Renewability: Biofuels are easy to renew compared to fossil fuels which take relatively long time. This is because new crops are planted and their waste material is gathered. Cost: Biofuels are significantly less expensive compared to gasoline. This is true since increased worldwide demand for oil dwindles oil supplies hence biofuels becoming the only option. Security: Since biofuels

Educational Reform in the Antebellum Period Essay

Educational Reform in the Antebellum Period - Essay Example This movement also fought for the expansion of schools. They compelled the government to allocate public funds towards public schooling systems so as to meet expansion needs. They also advocated the need of public schools to be accountable to state governments and school boards. As a result, the government was forced to finance public schools (Simpson, 2004). The government also came up with laws that made elementary school attendance compulsory. In subsequent years, education became universal. The impact it has had on me as a twenty-first-century learner is the fact that through the government, I have the ability to access various learning resources. Consequent results of the movement’s fight also included government’s establishment of a practical educational curriculum system. Quality of education had become a major concern for most people. Most philosophers at the time insisted on a system that would not only enable people to read and write, but also one that would h elp eradicate poverty through innovation and creativity (Simpson, 2004). Similarly, people developed the perception that, the more educated they were, the more productive they became. Over the years, these ideas have contributed to the general development and improvement of educational curriculums. As a learner in the 21st century, the impact these ideas have had on me is that I can access quality education that has expanded my thinking and reasoning capacity to a great extent. Moreover, I have developed a value system.

Book of Sand Essay Example for Free

Book of Sand Essay 1.The book had affected the narrator to a great extent. At first he did not care for the book, until the stranger selling Bibles said â€Å"the number of pages in this book is literally infinite. No page is the first page; no page is the last†. This intrigued the narrator’s mind. After he had bought the book, he began investigating. He noted down things in the book. He began losing sleep from the investigation and when he actually got sleep, his dreams were about the book. As it states in the short story, â€Å"At night, during the rare intervals spared me by insomnia, I dreamed of the book†. He had grown an obsession with the book, which altered his lifestyle and forced him to hide the book in the library. 2.The literary device that the author uses to compare the book and himself to was a metaphor. When the narrator said, â€Å"it was cold consolation to think that I, who looked upon it with my eye and fondled it with my ten flesh-and-bone fingers, was no less monstrous than the book†, this proved that he was comparing himself to the monstrous book. The meaning and significance of this metaphor states that he was no different from the book. His mind was now as dense and endless. The book carried infinite secrets and toyed with its readers. As it stated in the short story, â€Å"I felt it was a nightmare thing, an obscene thing, and that it defiled and corrupted reality†. The narrator felt that the deadly secrets that emanated from the book were all getting to his head. His fear of infinite evil caused him to hide the demonic book and run away from the eternal thoughts. 3.In the short story, â€Å"The Book of Sand† by Jorge Luis Borges, the narrator states that he had become a â€Å"prisoner of the book†. This is evidently shown when he obsessively investigates the book. He barely slept because all he could think about was the book, and he barely left his house. As it’s shown, â€Å"I had but few friends left, and those I stopped seeing. A prisoner of the book, I hardly left my house†. He became isolated and trapped in the secrets and mystery of the book. 4.The salesman’s previous warning to the narrator about the book as he stated, â€Å"Look at it well. You will never see it again†, had come true in this short story. The book was infinite, full of endless amounts of illustrations and had no beginning or end. When the narrator said, â€Å"They never repeated themselves†, this proved that it was impossible for anyone to revisit the same page. Therefore the salesman’s previous warning had come true. 5.The author of the short story, Jorge Luis Borges, illustrates the idea of giving up the things we should have valued but instead take for granted for the sole purpose of pleasing one’s obsession to obtain things that will end up destroying humanity regardless of the fulfillment of curiosity. In the beginning, the narrator didn’t seem to care about The Book of Sand. It was not until the salesman had said that it had infinite pages that caught the attention of the narrator. He now wanted the book and would pay a great amount for it. When the narrator offered a trade, â€Å"I will offer you the full sum of my pension. . . and Wyclif’s black-letter Bible†, it proved that he would give up his valuables to get a hold of that book, which little did he know would actually destroy him. He grew an obsession for the book. As it states in the story, â€Å"At night, during the rare intervals spared me by insomnia, I dreamed of the book†. This provides evidence of the fact that he had been so extremely fixated on the diabolical book that even when his body was asleep, his mind was still obsessing over it. When he realizes the mistake he made, giving into his curiosity, he decides to get rid of the monstrous book. However at this point he had already lost his friends and the things he valued. The book had taken up a great extent of his time that could not be taken back, because unlike The Book of Sand, his life was not infinite. 6.The literary device used is a metaphor. I think this because when the narrator says â€Å"the best place to hide a leaf is in the forest†, he is referring to a way to hide The Book of Sand. At first he considered destroying the evil thing. Although he thought that the â€Å"burning of an infinite book might be similarly infinite, and suffocate the planet in smoke†. Therefore he thought to hide the book in plain sight. Hiding a leaf in the forest is like hiding a book in a library. He hid the book on one of the library’s damp shelves in the basement and tried not to notice where exactly he put it. He did this so he and anyone else wouldn’t be able to find the monstrous book. He didn’t want to be a â€Å"prisoner of the book† anymore. The book had ruined his life and took away time, the most precious thing we have in life. He didn’t want to be trapped by the isolation of the book and so he hid it where it could never be found.

Network Opimisation Problems And Forecasting

Network Opimisation Problems And Forecasting The Makonsel Company, a fully integrated company that both produces and sells goods at its retail outlets. After production, the goods are stored in companys two warehouses until needed by the retail outlets. Trucks are used to transport the goods from the two plants to the warehouses, and then from the warehouses to the three retail outlets. Using units of full truckloads, the following table shows each plants monthly output, its shipping cost per truckload sent to each warehouse, and the maximum amount that it can ship per month to each warehouse. Unit Shipping Cost For each retail outlet (RO), the next table shows its monthly demand, its shipping cost per truckload from each warehouse, and the maximum amount that can be shipped per month from each warehouse. Unit Shipping Cost The Managements objective is to determine the shipping plan (number of truckloads shipped per month from each plant to each warehouse and from each warehouse to each retail outlet) that will minimise the total shipping cost. In order to achieve the objective, the following issues will be discussed : The distribution network of Makonsel Company, algebraic formulation for the network model, spreadsheet formulation for this problem by using the solver of excel and interpretation and recommendation of the result. The distribution network A network model for the Makonsel Company problem as a minimum-cost flow problem According to the data from the table above we put it into a distribution network. The supply nodes in this network are P1 (plant1) and P2 (plant2), the transshipment nodes are W1 (warehouse1) and W2 (warehouse2) and the demand nodes in this network are RO1, RO2 and RO3. And the shipping cost and the shipping capacity differ considerably among these shipping lanes. The cost per unit shipped and the maximum amount that it can ship per month (given in square brackets of the arc) through each lane is shown above corresponding arrow in the above Figure. Algebraic Formulation Solution: Decision variables Makonsel must determine how much to ship per month from each plant to each warehouse and from each warehouse to each retail outlet. Let Xij = Number of truckloads to ship from i to j (i = P1, P2; j = W1, W2). Let Xjk =Number of truckloads to ship from j to k (j =W1, W2 k=RO1, RO2, RO3). Then Makonsels problem may be formulated as Objective: Subject to: The first five constraints ensure that each retail outlet is meet their monthly demand, and the 2 Sources constraints are ensure that each plants monthly output and the last 10 ensure the maximum amount that can be shipped per month. Spreadsheet Formulation After we finished the algebraic formulation, we can transform them to spreadsheet, and using the solver of Excel to work out the distribution problem. The spreadsheet formulations are all showed in the graph below. A spreadsheet model for the Makonsel Company minimum-cost flow problem, where the changing cells (C4:C13) show the optimal solution obtained by the Solver and the target cell (E15) gives the resulting total cost of the flow through the network. Interpretation and Recommendation The optimal solution for the Makonsel Company problem, where the shipping amounts are shown in parentheses over the arrows By using excel we can calculate the minimum total shipping cost of Makonsel Company is  ¿Ã‚ ¡488.125. In order to make the minimum total monthly shipping cost of  ¿Ã‚ ¡488.125, the Makonsel Company should first transport 125 truckloads per month from plant 1to warehouse 1 and 75 units to warehouse 2. And ship 175 truckloads per month from plant 2 to warehouse 1, ship 125 truckloads per month to warehouse2. After that the retail outlet1, retail outlet 2 and retail outlet 3 should get 100 truckloads, 50 truckloads and 100 truckloads from warehouse 1 respectively. And should separately transport 50 truckloads, 150 truckloads and 50 truckloads from warehouse 2 to retail outlet1, retail outlet 2 and retail outlet 3. As we have known the shipping cost per truckload from each plant and each warehouse from the table. Thus the Minimum Cost= 425*125+560*75+510*125+600*175+470*100+505*50 +490*100+390*50+410*150+440*50 =488,125 Conclusion Determined the shipping plan which can minimise the total shipping cost is the management objective of Makonsel Company. By building the distribution network , formulating the constraints and calculating the result through using the solver of excel , Makonsel Company successfully solve the distribution network problem and construct the shipping plan with the minimum total shipping cost of  ¿Ã‚ ¡488.125. Forecasting Introduction The time-series below relates to the Sales of a company (00s) for the last five years. The objective is to use the information contained in the time-series data above to construct a forecast of the next four quarters sales. In order to achieve the objective, the following issues will be discussed: Analysis this time-series, Detrend a Time-Series and construct the Seasonal Indices by MINITAB, Forecasting the next four quarters sales and use measures to identify the forecast accuracy, Reservations about the appropriateness of the forecasting procedure used. Time-series Analysis Main characteristics of this time-series The first step in any forecasting exercise is to plot a graph of the time-series. We transfer the data from the table to Minitab and use the time series plot-simple of Minitab to make the graph, since the time-series was recorded in quarter, so we choose the quarter of calendar in time scale. The plot of this time-series looks like: Form the graph above We can roughly find out that there is a decreasing trend over time, a clear quarterly seasonal effect and it is a table time series, the pattern is regular with little random noise. With the purpose of confirming the characteristics of the time-series, we use the cantered moving averages (CMA). Since the CMA is the average and smoothed data of the actual figures, which is much easier for us to determine the characteristics of the time-series, we use this plot instead. As the time-series was recorded in quarters and with quarterly seasonal effect so the length of moving average is 4, and chose the moving averages, plot the graph smoothed vs. actual. Negative Trend Structure, an decreasing trend over time It is a negative trend structure. Look at the smoothed line of this time-series, as at the beginning of the time-series the sales of this company is about 485 ,however , it keeps decreasing and from about 485 down to around 478 to roughly 471 and finally it decrease to around 405. A clear seasonal structure , additive seasonal structure It can be seen from the graph above that there is a clear quarterly seasonal structure, for each quarter 1 the actual observed value is about 13 units below the trend value. For quarters 2, 3 4 estimating from the graph the actual observed values are 30 above, 22 above and 23 below the estimated trend values. Seasonal Structures: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 -13 30 22 -23 These are estimates of the seasonal indices; and also in this case, for a given variable the quarter 1 is 13 units below trend, quarter 2, 3 are 30 units and 22 units above trend, quarter 4 is 23 units below trend. And it can be seen from the graph above, seasonal deviation is constant about the trend so this seasonal structure is additive. A table time series, the pattern is regular with little random noise The graph of Moving average plot for sales above shows us that the pattern is regular with little random noise, it decreasing stability of the seasonal pattern, and also from the smoothed line we can find that the series reduce stability, from about 485 down to around 478 to roughly 471, ect. No more than 10units lower. Model the time-series QUADRATIC TREND MODELS There are two trend models ,one is linear trend model (Trend = a + b*t ) and the other is Quadratic trend model (Trend = a + b*t + ct2 ), and as we have been calculated the Cantered Moving Average (CMA)above, which is the average and smoothed line of the actual sales, so by using the CMA, we can use value of these two models to compare with the value of CMA, and then choose the model which the value is much closer to the CMA as our forecasting model. There are three commonly used measures of forecast accuracy: Mean Square Deviation (MSD), Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD) and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE). And the smaller the data is, the more accurate of the forecast. And it can be seen from the graph above that the Quadratic Trend Model, MAPE=0.43297, MAD=1.91172, MSD = 5.44313, and to the Linear Trend Model, MAPE=0.51281, MAD=2.21232, MSD = 7.74838. The data of the Quadratic Trend Model are all smaller than the Linear Trend Model, which means that the value of quadratic trend model is much closer than value of the CMA; the quadratic trend model is much more accurate than the linear trend model, so choose the quadratic trend model to forecast. Detrend a Time-Series and construct SI of MINITAB Detrend a Time-Series Detrend a Time-Series, which means Sales-Trend (DIV), the gap between the actual sales and the forecast sales. After we have decided to take the quadratic model to forecast, we can record the data as the trend data, and the plot the graph above to compare with the sales and trend. And use the actual sales data minus the forecast one we can Detrend a Time-Series. As the graph shows us above the DIV1=472-500.367=-28.3673, DIV2=516-493.333=22.6674, DIV3=507-486.459=20.5414, DIV4=462-479.745=-17.7454, etc. By using the Minitab, we can use the calculator to figure the result. Construct the Seasonal Indices by MINITAB As Seasonal Indices is the quarter average of DIV, after we have calculated the DIV, we can use MINITAB to construct the seasonal indices. And in the MINITAB, we use the decomposition to figure out the SI. As we have described before that the sales trend of this company is additive and seasonal and the data were recorded in quarter, so the seasonal indices is four quarters as a unit, the seasonal length is 4 and the model type is additive. And Seasonal Indices is the average of each quarter of DIV, so the seasonal indices can be calculated as below: Quarter1=SI1= (DIV1+DIV5+DIV9+DIV13+DIV17)/5= -24.0937 Quarter2=SI2= (DIV2+DIV6+DIV10+DIV14+DIV18)/5=20.4062 Quarter3=SI3= (DIV3+DIV7+DIV11+DIV15+DIV19)/5=17.2812 Quarter4=SI4= (DIV4+DIV8+DIV12+DIV16+DIV20)/5=-13.5937 Since seasonal indices is the average of each quarter of DIV so SI is quarterly cycle, the value of SI5 will equal to the value of SI1, SI6=SI2, etc. And also it can be seen from graph above that the SI is quarterly cycle. Forecasting and measures of forecast accuracy Future Forecast As the Future Forecast equal Future Trend plus Future Seasonal Indices, so first we should use the CMA to calculate the future trend of the next four quarters. Since the CMA is the average and the smoothed data of the actual data, using the data of CMA can let forecast more accuracy. And the time-series is seasonal structure of quarter, so the number of forecast is 4. And we use trend analysis to calculate the future trend. After we figure out the future trend, copy the first four Seasonal Indices (SI is quarterly cycle) which we have calculated before (-24.0937, 20.4062, 17.2812, -13.5937), as Future Seasonal Indices. And then use the FTrend and FSI to figure out the Future Forecast value (FFC=FTrend+FSI). After figure out the FFC, copy them after the FC to plot a forecast. The plot of time series of sales and forecast looks like: So the next four quarters; Q1, Q2, Q3 Q4 of 2009 are: Q1=366.116, Q2=406.796, Q3=400.011, Q4=365.637 Measures of forecast accuracy After we calculate the forecasts for the next four quarters, we need to know whether the forecast is accurate or not, so we use the three commonly used measures of forecast accuracy: MSD, MPE and MAD to check the forecasts. i. Mean Square Deviation: MSD = S (Xt Ft)2/n ii. Mean Absolute Deviation: MAD = S |Xt Ft| /n iii. Mean Percentage Error: MPE = S |(Xt Ft)/Xt| /n Since all of measures above need the value of Xt Ft (error), so we should calculate the error first. Error = Sales-FC, in the Minitab we use calculator to figure it out. After calculated the error, we can figure out the value of accuracy. MSD = S (Xt Ft)2/n MAD = S |Xt Ft| /n MPE = S |(Xt Ft)/Xt| /n And for this forecast the MSD=29.3526, MAD=4.69560, MPE=1.08963. As we all know for each forecast indicator, the lower value, the higher prediction accuracy. And usually we use the MPE to confirm the accuracy. Lets look at the MPE, the value of MPE is equal to 1.08963%, though the value of MPE is slightly higher than 1%, it close to 1%, the forecast is still accuracy. Reservation In this forecasting procedure we faced two choices, one is determined the seasonal structure of the time-series, determining whether the seasonal structure is additive or multiplicative. And the other one is to confirm the trend model, choosing the linear model or the quadratic model. The choice we make will affect the accuracy of forecasting. Additive or Multiplicative In this forecasting, we analysis the time-series as additive seasonal structure by using method below ¼Ã… ¡ Seasonal Structures: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 -13 30 22 -23 In this case ¼Ã…’for a given variable the quarter 1 is 13 units below trend, quarter 2 is 30 units above trend, etc. This is an Additive Seasonal Index. Alternatively we could have expressed the index as follows: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 -13% 30% 22% -23% Here the quarter 1 data is 13% below the trend value, or more conventionally 87% of trend, similarly for the other quarters. It is conventional to express this Seasonal Index as: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 87% 130% 122% 77% This is called a Multiplicative Seasonal Index and if the seasonal deviation is proportional to the trend then the seasonal structure is multiplicative. In this case we preferred the additive seasonal structure as the time-series constant about the trend, but in fact it could proportional to the trend and become the multiplicative seasonal structure in the future, so we should make appropriate adjustments base on the future data. Linear or Quadratic model In this case, we modeled the time-series as quadratic model due to the data the company provided closer to the quadratic model now, however, with the future data the model may be transformed into the linear model. Conclusion The objective of the company is to use time-series data to construct a forecast of the next four quarters sales. So as to do the forecast first we analysed the time-series to determine main characteristics of this time-series and modeled it, then found out the difference between the sales and trend to construct the seasonal indices, after that did the forecasting and to identify whether the forecast accurate or not by using the MAD, MSD and MPE. And the next four quarters sales of this company are Q1=366.116, Q2=406.796, Q3=400.011, Q4=365.637. However, during the forecasting procedure we should also consider about the choice we have made whether to choose additive or multiplicative, the linear model or the quadratic model will affect the accuracy of forecasting.

The friar - An Analysis Essay -- Essays Papers

The friar - An Analysis Character Analysis The Friar-- Humble Shepherd or Crafty Wolf? Chaucer was known for his ironic descriptions of various sojourners in the Canterbury Tales . The description given to the Friar in the "General Prologue" does not stray from Chaucer’s trademark. The Friar is described as a "limitour" [begs on the behalf of the poor], yet we see that he is a bachelor on a love hunt, a crooked businessman and does complete his duties as a Friar. The Friar knows many beautiful women, many affluent men, and rarely associates with the class of people he should live among. The Friar’s duties were to live among the poor, to beg on their behalf and to give his earnings to aid their struggle for livelihood. However, Chaucer allows the reader to see the true character of the Friar. He knows: â€Å"so muche of daliance and fair language..† (Norton 211). This no doubt is a way to woo women with sweet words and a crafty tongue. This strategy is also in lines 265-266: â€Å"somwhat he lipsed for his wantounesse to make his English sweete upon his tongue... † This was repeated in lines 215-217: â€Å"Ful wel biloved and familer was he..... with the worthy wommen of the town-" A Friar’s duties was not supposed to flirt with the women of the town but to beg for poor. The Friar, using what money he has earned â€Å"his tipet was ay farsed ful of knives and pinnes for to yiven faire wives..† (233-234). This states that he buys gifts for women as well. The Friar, as it turns out, is not begging for money to appease his goal to fee d the poor, but rather is wooing women to appease his flesh! The Friar is not just a ladies' man under the guise of a humanitarian, he is also a crooked businessman. He uses his position in the church to get... ...on, E. Talbot, et al. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. Ed. M.H. Abrams. New York. W.W. Norton & Company,  © 1993 http://www.freeimages.com Provided by The Free Site. Online. Internet. 14 Dec 1998. http://www.freeimages.com http://www.barrysclipart.com Gowen, Barry. Online. Internet. 14 Dec 1998. http://barrysclipart.com http://www.mhare.com/mhare/FriarFolk.htm March Hare © 1998. Online. Internet. 15 Dec 1998. http://www.mhare.com/mhare/FriarFolk.htm http://wally.rit.edu/cary/19th_century/16.html Millersville Univesity. Online. Internet. 15 Dec 1998. http://wally.rit.edu/cary/19th_century/16.html http://icg.harvard.edu/~chaucer/ Harvard University. Online. Internet. 15 Dec 1998. http://icg.harvard.edu/~chaucer/ Deluxe Ellesmere manuscript of the Canterbury Tales, housed in the Huntington Library, in San Marino, California. 21 Dec 1998.

Discuss ethical considerations related to research studies at the cognitive level of analysis Essay

Discuss ethical considerations related to research studies at the cognitive level of analysis There are plenty of ethical considerations connected to research studies at the SCLOA, for example the right to withdraw, deception, knowledgeable agreement and excessive stress or harm. For example, Festinger’s â€Å"When Prophecy Fails† observation of a doomsday cult has ethical invasions of deception as well as knowledgeable agreement. Festinger and his group of researchers invade a doomsday cult that thought that the world would come to an end on December 21st and aimed to see how they would react when it wouldn’t end. By pretending to be one of them, Festinger violated the ethical thought of asking for their authorization and consequently, since it was a secret observation, he also cheated them. They were incredibly upset when he said who he really was; to be an undercover researcher. It is most likely that Festinger would not have been able to earn a full understanding of the cult’s behaviour and how it played into the social recognise theory if he had not cheated them, as he was observing them on their normal day without any effects influencing their behaviour. However, he cheated on ethics. This is a matter with other observations at this level of analysis as being secret that tricks them and is unethical if they aren’t in a public place, during undisguised influences their natural behaviour that is precisely what you are trying to study. Milgram’s study on people’s willingness to do authority also is an invasion of ethics in terms of cheating, but also with excessive stress or harm and even the right to withdraw. Members that participated were asked to ask a number of questions to someone they were only able to hear and to give a number of electric shocks every time the other person, who was normally only a tape recording, would give an answer to the question incorrectly. The voltage of the shock would be increased per incorrect answer. Although the members that  participated delivering the shocks weren’t able to actually hurt someone, they still became more and more stressed every time the person on the reco rding would sound more hurt or even stop saying something. The whole point of this experiment was to be able to see how far someone would go when carry out authority so some people, when forced by a calm researcher, would deliver shocks that were marked as lethal. When the experiment was over, the people who had done it all the way to the strongest shocks were questioned and told that they hadn’t actually harmed anyone. Nonetheless, they were still tricked and were stressed by the cries of pain or silence that showed that the person was dead. Moreover, the long-term effects of this study on the members that participated, is that they know that they are capable of hurting someone or even killing them, which may traumatize them. Nonetheless, the experiment was controlled, and so was artificial and lacked ecological acceptance. Also, it was done on other people who had sound like they had mental health problems, so this experiment can be easily generalized and used for the SCLOA as it studies how others influence one’s behaviour. As mentioned before, however, Milgram had some problems with the right to pull back, which Zimbardo’s â€Å"Prison Study† also had. Milgram made it able for people to leave if they became uncomfortable; nonetheless, his aim for this study made him to become more uncertain and made them continuously to stay. This is not the case with Zimbardo’s study. In his study, he randomly chose mentally healthy members that participated to the role of a prison guard or a prisoner to search the role of dispositional and situational factors in behaviour. Nonetheless, over the course of this study, Zimbardo and his members that participated became so involved in their roles that they were made to that not only the prisoners were humiliated, physically punished and felt violated and in danger, at some moments they were forcedly undressed and given a piece of clothing that covered little of their private parts; however, they weren’t able to be let out of the study. Only one member that participated with the role of a prisoner was released because of a severe state, but the others members that participated who screamed and cried to be released, couldn’t be released. On top of the excessive stress and harm inflicted on the prisoners and   guards, who might have been traumatized by their actions during this study, none of them could leave the experiment. The researcher was not Zimbardo himself, he became absorbed in his own role as the prison officer, and consequently he is biased when analysing his own study. Overall, this was an unethical study, even though; fortunately the members that participated were questioned and offered psychological counselling because of the long-term effects. It is obvious that deception, knowledgeable agreement, the right to withdraw and undue excessive stress or harm are ethical considerations at the SCLOA. It is frequently hard to keep away of such ethical violations at this level, though, as in order to study someones behaviour and how we are influenced by others in their natural state, the existence of a researcher may affect this behaviour. Therefore, questioning is important in sensitive ethically risky studies such as Festinger’s, Milgram’s and Zimbardo’s studies. However, when studying someone’s behaviour, a researcher must stay a secret, for example, not becoming affected by the group, and keep paying attention to the rights of the members that participate; being denied the right to withdraw has no excuse.

Early Childhood Education and Children Essay

Are there any benefits for children stay one of parent with them at home? Mothers who stay at home are helpful for their family. Many mothers prefer to give their children to their mothers, but if there is not grandmother to care child, that will be problem especially if the child is still baby or infant. Mothers are compelled to find a place to put their child there. Many kinds of places that may mothers join their child to stay there and to have education, such as to educational settings which consist of early child education, pre-school, nursery school, and pre-kindergarten. Also, there are many places to get care and education for children nanny, governess, babysitting, au pair, and extended family, for example. In fact, mother’s decision; that choosing stay with her children at home or going to work and joining her children in convenient place, is important critical for her. A mother who stays at house are more probable to have time to be involved with their children. Those mothers who stay home is able to become more completely involved their children activities. For example, mother will give carful and interest for her children. Moreover, many people mention to needs childhood such as feeding, sustenance, and nurturing. Most women have been housewife to be breadwinners, and to be caretakers. â€Å"Child care can cost up to $15,000 for one year in the United States. Approximately six out of every ten children, or almost 12 million children, age five and younger, are being jointly cared for by parents and early childhood educators, relatives, or other child-care providers† (Lynn, 2002). Indeed, many societies have been assumed that women will stay home and take care of their children while their spouses go out and work. In addition, woman pregnancy suffers to go out and doing hard work many hours without rest times, but when she stay home will get time to have rest and lying. Many mothers work to be ready for unexpected situations like a husband’s unemployment, husband’s death, a divorce, or sickness. In fact, nobody wants to be working more than eight hours a day and missing his or her family life. In encouragement of mothers who want to work, Dr. Phil says that many mothers optimism to be a parent and pursue an occupation and they often become miserable when they are stuck just in a parenting capacity. â€Å"If the child is mothered by a parent who is feeling frustrated and depressed and empty, that is not a good thing,† he says. Even though some parents are now separated, father continues in the role of primary caregiver to his children, while mother continue to support her family. A man is not hard to give up the traditional role as breadwinner. However, A woman can be more responsibility to earn money and take care for her family. A lot of women have been socialized to be service workers for their societies, not solely to be housewife. Some time a man feels difficult to abdicate some things like giving up self-worth, feelings of masculinity and personal power. It can be tough on men, especially in the beginning. In conclusion, it’s these deeper issues. Making the decision to stay home with your children or join the workforce can be a difficult process. It appears approximating employed moms just can’t success. Every woman has dream to be effective in her society and earn money, but she will face challenges with her care children. Sources 1. Dr. Phil: http://drphil. com/articles/article/284 2. Olson, Lynn (2002). [According to the 2002 Quality Counts survey conducted by Education Week, approximately six out of every ten children, or almost 12 million children, age five and younger, are being jointly cared for by parents and early childhood educators, relatives, or other child-care providers. â€Å"Starting Early†]. Education Week 21 (17): 10–11. Retrieved 24 November 2012.

Introducing government in america Essay

A. Defining Democracy 1. Democracy is a means of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy reflects citizens’ preferences. B. Traditional Democratic Theory 1. Equality in voting 2. Effective participation 3. Enlightened understanding 4. Citizen control of the agenda 5. Inclusion 6. Democracies must practice majority rule and preserve minority rights. 7. The relationship between the few leaders and the many followers is one of representation. C. Three Contemporary Theories of American Democracy 1. Pluralist theory states that groups with shared interests influence public policy by pressing their concerns through organized efforts. 2. Elite and class theory contends that societies are divided along class lines, and that an upper-class elite pulls the strings of government. 3. Hyperpluralism contends that many groups are so strong that government is unable to act. D. Challenges to Democracy 1. Increased Technical Expertise 2. Limited Participation in Government 3. Escalating Campaign Costs 4. Diverse Political Interests (policy gridlock) E. American Political Culture and Democracy 1. Political culture consists of the overall set of values widely shared within a society. 2. Liberty 3. Egalitarianism 4. Individualism 5. Laissez-faire 6. Populism F. A Culture War? (Is America polarized into rival political camps with different political cultures?) G. Preview Questions about Democracy VI. The Scope of Government in America (pp. 23–26) A. How Active Is American Government? B. Preview Questions about the Scope of Government VII. Summary (p. 26) LEARNING OBJECTIVES After studying Chapter 1, you should be able to: 1. Describe what government is and what governments do. 2. Understand how politics is the struggle over â€Å"who gets what, when, and how.† 3. Identify the important features of the policymaking system and explain how public policies are the choices that government makes—and declines to make—in response to political issues. 4. Understand the nature of democratic government and traditional democratic theory, and the key questions concerning democracy. 5. Distinguish among the three contemporary theories of American democracy and politics (pluralist, elite and class, and hyperpluralist) and identify some of their strengths and weaknesses. 6. Understand the nature of American political culture and identify the elements of the American creed. 7. Understand the nature of the scope of government in America and the key questions concerning the scope of government. The following exercises will help you meet these objectives: Objective 1: Describe what government is and what governments do. 1. Define the term â€Å"government.† The institutions that make authoritative decisions for any given society. 2. What are the two fundamental questions about governing that serve as themes throughout the textbook? 1. How should we govern? 2. What should government do? 3. List the five functions that all national governments perform. 1. Maintain a national defense 2. Provide public services 3. Preserve order 4. Socialize the young 5. Collect taxes Objective 2: Understand that politics is the struggle over â€Å"who gets what, when, and how.† 1. Define the term â€Å"politics.† Determines whom we select as our governmental leaders and what policies these leaders pursue. 2. Give examples of the â€Å"who,† â€Å"what,† â€Å"when,† and â€Å"how† of politics. 1. Who: Voters, candidates, groups, and parties 2. What: New taxes, medical care for the elderly 3. When: When people speak up 4. How: Voting, supporting, compromising, lobbying Objective 3: Identify the important features of the policy system and explain how public policies are the choices that government makes, and declines to make, in response to political issues. 1. Draw a diagram of how a policy system works. Political issues get on policy agenda Policymakers make policy Policies affect people People Linkage institutions Policy Agenda Policymaking institutions Policy People 2. List four key linkage institutions in a democratic society. 1. Parties 2. Interest groups 3. Media 4. Elections 3. Define the term â€Å"policy agenda.† The issues that attract the serious attention of public officials and other people actually involved in politics at in given point in time. 4. How does a government’s policy agenda change? Responds more to societal failures than successes. For example, when jobs are scarce and business productivity is falling, economic problems occupy a high position in the agenda. 5. List the four major policymaking institutions in the United States. 1. Congress 2. The Presidency 3. The Courts 4. Bureaucracies 6. Define the term â€Å"policy impacts.† The effects a policy has on people and problems. Impacts are analyzed to see how well a policy has met its goal and at what cost. Objective 4: Understand the nature of democratic government, traditional democratic theory, and the key questions concerning democracy. 1. Define the term â€Å"democracy† as used in this text. A system of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the public’s preferences. 2. List the five cornerstones of an ideal democracy. 1. Equality in voting 2. Effective participation 3. Enlightened understanding 4. Citizen control of the agenda 5. Inclusion 3. Explain the principles of majority rule and minority rights. When choosing among alternatives, the will of over half the voters should be followed, but restraints protecting the minority’s rights. Objective 5: Distinguish among the three contemporary theories of American democracy and politics (pluralist, elite and class, and hyperpluralist) and identify some of their strengths and weaknesses. 1. Complete the following table comparing pluralist, elite and class, and hyperpluralist theories according to who holds the power and how policy is made. Theory| Who Holds Power| How Policy is Made| Pluralist| Groups with shared interests| Pressing their concernsthrough organized efforts| Elite and Class| Upper -class| They can afford to finance election campaigns and control key institutions| Hyperpluralist| Groups| Groups are so strong that government is weakened| 2. List the major challenges facing American democracy. 1. Increased Technical Expertise 2. Limited Participation in Government 3. Escalating Campaign Costs 4. Diverse Political Interests Objective 6: Understand the nature of American political culture and identify the elements of the American creed. 1. What is ‘political culture’ and why is it crucial to understanding American government? An overall set of values widely shared within a society. It is crucial to understanding American government because Americans are so diverse in terms of ancestries, religions, and heritages. A set of shared beliefs and values unites Americans. 2. List and give an example of the five elements of the American creed according to Seymour Martin Lipset. 1. Liberty 2. Egalitarianism 3. Individualism 4. Laissez – faire 5. Populism 3. List three ways in which America might be experiencing a crisis of cultural values. 1. A loss over time of traditional values, such as the importance of religion and family life 2. An unfavorable comparison with the citizens of other countries in terms of values such as patriotism or support for moral principles 3. The division of society into opposed groups with irreconcilable moral differences Objective 7: Understand the nature of the scope of government in America and the key questions concerning the scope of government. 1. Make a list of items that illustrate the scope of American government. Owns 1/3 of the land I the U.S., owns and operates over 400,000 nonmilitary vehicles, employs over 2.2 million people, etc 2. What is gross domestic product and how does the term illustrate the scope of American government? The sum total of the value of all the goods and services produced in a nation. Gross domestic product illustrates the scope of American government because it not only spends large sums of money but also employs large numbers of people. About 18 million Americans work for our government. KEY TERMS Identify and describe: Government – The institutions that make authoritative decisions for any given society public goods – Services the government provides that can be shared by everyone and cannot be denied to anyone politics – Determines whom we select as our governmental leaders and what policies these leaders pursue political participation – The ways in which people get involved in politics single-issue groups – Groups so concerned with one issue that members cast their votes on the basis of that issue only, ignoring the politicians stand on everything else policymaking system – Reveals the way our government responds to the priorities of its people linkage institutions – The political channels through which people’s concerns become political issues on the policy agenda. In the US, linkage institutions include elections, political parties, interest groups, and the media. policy agenda – The issues that attract the serious attention of publ ic officials and other people actively involved in politics at any given time political issue – The result of people disagreeing about a problem or about the public policy needed to fix it policymaking institutions – Congress, the presidency, and the courts public policy – Every decision the government makes policy impacts – The effects that a policy has on people and on society’s problems democracy – A means of selecting policymakers and organizing government so that policy reflects citizen’s preferences majority rule – In choosing among alternatives, the will of over half the voters should be followed minority rights – Rights the majority cannot infringe on representation – The relationship between the few leaders and the many citizens pluralist theory – States that groups with shared interests influence public policy by pressing their concerns through organized efforts elite and class theory – Contends that our society, like all societies, is divided along class lines and that an upper-class elite pulls the strings of government hyperpluralism – Groups are so strong that government is weakened, as influence of many groups cripples government’s ability to make policy policy gridlock – Each policy coalition finds its way blocked by others political culture – The overall set of values widely shared within American society Gross domestic product – The total value of all goods and services produced annually by the United States Name that term: 1. Something in which any member of society can share without diminishing the supply to any other member of society. ____Public Goods__________ 2. It consists of subjects and problems getting the attention of government officials and their associates. _________________________ 3. This is a choice that government makes in response to an issue on its agenda. ____Policy Agenda_________ 4. This arises when people disagree about a problem or about public policy choices made to combat a problem. _____Political Issue________ 5. Political parties, elections, and interest groups are the main ones in the United States. _____Linkage Institutions___ 6. The effects a policy has on people and on society’s problems. _____Policy Impacts_______ 7. The most fundamental aspect of democratic theory. _____Majority Rule_______ 8. According to this theory of American government, many groups are so strong and numerous that the government is unable to act. _____Hyperpluralism______ 9. This problem is magnified when voters choose a president from one party and congressional majorities from the other party. ____Policy Gridlock_______ 10. A key factor that holds American democracy together. ____Political Culture________ 11. The total value of all goods and services produced annually by the United States. __Gross Domestic Product____ MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS Circle the correct answer: 1. Which of the following statements is TRUE? a. There is no relationship between political knowledge and age. b. In the mid-1960s, there was virtually no relationship between political knowledge and age; now, in the early twenty-first century, political knowledge increases with age. c. In the mid-1960s, there was virtually no relationship between political knowledge and age; now, in the early twenty-first century, political knowledge decreases with age. d. Today, in the early twenty-first century, there is virtually no relationship between political knowledge and age; in the mid-1960s, political knowledge increased with age. e. Today, in the early twenty-first century, there is virtually no relationship between political knowledge and age; in the mid-1960s, political knowledge decreased with age. 2. Political scientists argue that higher levels of political knowledge a. foster tolerance. b. foster intolerance. c. promote partisanship. d. promote bipartisanship. e. increase wealth. 3. Despite their differences, all governments a. provide public services. b. maintain a national defense. c. collect taxes. d. All of the above e. C only 4. Which of the following is an example of a public good? a. Libraries b. Parks c. College education d. All of the above e. Both a and b 5. Single-issue groups a. aid effective policymaking for the public interest. b. are concerned with a wide range of problems. c. have very little influence on voters or politicians. d. tend to have a narrow interest and to dislike compromise. e. view politics as a vocation, rather than as an avocation. 6. Which of the following is NOT a component of the policymaking system? a. People b. Linkage institutions c. Policy agenda d. Criminal justice institutions e. Policymaking institutions 7. Which of the following is TRUE of the policymaking system? a. Linkage institutions transmit people’s interests to government. b. Media investigate social problems and inform people about them. c. Elections enable Americans to make their opinions heard by choosing their public officials. d. People, linkage institutions, media, and elections all help to shape the policy agenda? e. All of the above 8. In a democratic society, parties, elections, interest groups, and the media are all examples of ____ between the preferences of citizens and the government’s policy agenda. a. cross-pollination b. inputs and outputs c. ideological bridges d. obstacles e. linkage institutions 9. Karl Marx and Freidrich Engels published a. The Communist Manifesto b. A Theory of Democracy c. The Federalist Papers d. Poor Richard’s Almanac e. War and Peace 10. Which of the following is NOT a type of public policy? a. Congressional statute b. Regulation c. Court decision d. Budgetary choices e. Mandate 11. The principle of â€Å"one person, one vote,† is an expression of the principle of a. equality in voting. b. effective participation. c. enlightened understanding. d. inclusion. e. citizen control of the agenda. 12. The principle of traditional democracy theory guaranteeing rights to those who do not belong to majorities and allows that they might join majorities through persuasion and reasoned argument is called the principle of a. majority rule. b. minority rights. c. representation. d. pluralism. e. enlightened understanding. 13. Pluralists a. believe that the public interest will prevail through bargaining and compromise. b. depend on fragmented, decentralized, and dispersed power in the policy process. c. oppose the principle of majority rule. d. compete through a system of â€Å"minority rule† for influence. e. All of the above 14. Who referred to the U.S. as a â€Å"nation of joiners†? a. Thomas Jefferson b. Alexis de Tocqueville c. Robert Putnam d. Ronald Reagan e. George H. W. Bush 15. Increased technical expertise poses a potential challenge to democracy because a. it is difficult to have an informed â€Å"nontechnical† public debate on technical issues. b. it goes against the tenets of pluralist political theory. c. it violates the notion of one man, one vote. d. elected officials find it hard to understand technical experts. e. interest groups have a difficult time securing technical expertise. 16. A condition that occurs when no coalition is strong enough to form a majority and establish policy is a. PAC. b. policy gridlock. c. policy failure. d. policy impact. e. hyperpluralist policy. 17. The overall set of values widely shared within a society is called the society’s a. political culture. b. public opinion. c. media influence. d. linkage institutions. e. popular culture. 18. America’s bountiful frontier provides a partial explanation for which element of the American creed? a. Egalitarianism b. Populism c. Individualism d. Opportunism e. Liberty 19. Which of the following is NOT a possible way that Americans may be experiencing a crisis of culture values, according to Wayne Baker? a. A loss of traditional values, such as religion and family life b. An unfavorable comparison with citizens of other countries in terms of patriotism and/or support for moral principles c. The division of society into opposed groups with irreconcilable moral differences d. A decline in citizens’ commitment to equal opportunity e. None of the above 20. Which of the following statements is TRUE? a. When expenditures grow, tax revenues must grow to pay the additional costs. b. When taxes do not grow as fast as spending, a budget deficit results. c. In 2009, the federal deficit was more than $400 billion. d. The national debt is more than $9 trillion. e. All of the above TRUE FALSE QUESTIONS Circle the correct answer: 1. The voter turnout rate among young Americans is consistently higher than among older Americans. T / F 2. Emergent communication technologies and the proliferation of television channels make it easier to avoid information about politics. T / F 3. All governments protect national sovereignty, frequently by maintaining a national defense and armed forces. T / F 4. The daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools is a tool of political socialization used to instill national values among the young. T / F 5. The courts are an example of a linkage institution. T / F 6. The policy agenda responds more to societal failures than it responds to societal successes. T / F 7. Most people around the world believe that democracy is the best form of government. T / F 8. Over one-third of the nation’s wealth is held by just 1 percent of the population. T / F 9. The tax burden on Americans is small compared to other democratic nations. T / F 10. Lincoln’s famous phrase, â€Å"government of the people, for the people, and by the people,† is a classic expression of laissez-faire. T / F

The Moorish Empire Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Moorish Empire - Essay Example It was the system of learning and education established by the Moors in Spain that gradually gained grounds in the rest of Europe. While in the Christian Europe the populations predominantly happened to be illiterate, Moors placed a highly value on knowledge and learning (Sordo & Swaan 117). During the times of the Moorish Empire, when the entire Europe could boast of merely two universities, the Moorish Empire was the home to almost seventeen universities placed at Almeria, Toledo, Cordova, Malaga, Cordova and other important cities (Sordo & Swaan 131). The Moorish Empire in Spain had well stocked libraries housing some of the most important manuscripts and books. The library at Cordova happened to be one of the most expansive and well stocked libraries in Europe (Sordo & Swaan 55). It was this rich and well endowed system of education introduced by Moors in Europe that laid down the foundations for European Renaissance. It was the Moors who organized agriculture in Spain along the modern lines. They introduced elaborate systems of irrigation through artificially planned and constructed water channels, used modern manures and cultivation methods and introduced many new crops to Europe that included citrus fruits, cotton, sugarcane, dates, ginger, peaches, apricots and many more (Fletcher 63). The new crops introduced by Moors in Spain in a way altered and transformed the local cuisine and this had a profound influence on the culinary techniques and tastes in Europe. The Moorish Empire also influenced the fashion and dressing styles in Europe (Sordo & Swaan 145). The urban planning of the Moorish Empire readily excelled over that of any other European nation or city. The capital of Al Andalus that is Cordoba happened to be an important city of those times that had all the modern urban utilities like hospitals, street lights, public baths, mosques, libraries and running water (Fletcher 65). The Moors introduced to Europe a detailed and

Disertation proposal, perception of nuclear power, associated risks, Dissertation

Disertation proposal, perception of nuclear power, associated risks, and communication strategy - Dissertation Example The cheap, safe and reliable energy sources could predetermine both a society’s functioning as a whole and any individual’s well-being in particular. Against the background of rapidly rising energy consumption worldwide and more or less dwindling reserves of fossil fuel, along with still unfolded potential and certain limitations concerning the electricity generation from renewable sources, nuclear power appears to become an increasingly reasonable option - at least according to many governments, scientists and professionals. In the case of the public opinion, however, the overall picture is alarmingly different. According to a selection of reputable opinion polls conducted in the UK between 2004 and 2007, there is low support for nuclear energy, especially compared with energy from renewable sources (Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, 2007, p.3). In 2010, just 38 per cent of the respondents to a Cardiff University/Ipsos MORI poll ‘believed the benefi ts of nuclear power outweighed the risks and only 39 per cent trusted the industry to run the plants safely’ (Ecologist, 2010). ... Given the legacy of the Cold War thinking, reinforced by past and recent incidents in nuclear plants like those in Chernobyl and Fukushima, along with the usual mistrust towards the government, such a trend is not a complete surprise; moreover, most of the people as a whole, and perhaps a good deal of those polled in particular, either don’t fully realise the scale and consequences of the climate change, or do consider them a faraway future and therefore not an issue to worry about, as against the existing, yet greatly exaggerated, immediate risks for people’s health and lives, which appear to form the poor image of nuclear power. This issue is being repeatedly addressed by governmental and scientific reports, documents and writings, with varying, but definitely insufficient effect, as seen from the latest polls’ results. Though the set of intentions and recommendations contained in those writings, aimed at influencing the public opinion, is considered generally correct, namely well-targeted educational campaigns, nuclear waste solutions, continued focus on safety, etc., the result, or more precisely the faint result, implies two possibilities: These efforts would need much longer time to bear fruit; There is something wrong with the messages themselves – whether in terms of formulation and clarity, or in the way they are communicated to the general public; As in most of the cases, the truth might lie in somewhere between the two – whereas a daunting task, like gaining public support for something that full of misconceptions and therefore so badly understood by the average person in the street, as nuclear power, inevitably

Japanese and Chinese Buddhist Nuns Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Japanese and Chinese Buddhist Nuns - Essay Example Buddhism took root in China in the 1st century A.D. It came from India through central Asia, and scriptures were later translated into Chinese. They also became monks, following the example of those who came from central Asia. More men and women became monks and nuns as the years passed and the Chien Kang Era (313-316 A.D.) records in the Biographies of Buddhist Nuns how twenty four women led by Ching Chen converted to nuns as they received the tonsure and took the ten precepts from the master Chih Shan who came from central Asia. These nuns then built the Bamboo Forest Temple where they practiced the Dharma. It was in the fifth century that the first woman, Hui-kuo, became the first bhiksuni by taking upasampada or the taking of full ordination. Buddhism in Korea first travelled from China to the Kingdom of Koryo, and later made its way to the kingdoms of Paekshe and Silla. Evidence show that the first full ordination of Korean nuns happened soon after the full after the ordination of Hui-kuo and her nuns. Buddhism was introduced into Japan in the 6th century A.D. King Sheng Ming of the kingdom of Paekshe presented Emperor Kin-myo with several Buddhist religious figures in 538 A.D. However, Korean migrants to Japan have already introduced the religion on an earlier date and it had been practiced privately. The Chinese also contributed to the growth of Japanese Buddhism on a later date when the main doctrines were directly handed over during the Nara Dynasty (710-781 A.D.). Women in early Buddhist myth and reality As orders of bhikunis were founded, large numbers of prominent women came to join them. These women were attracted by the teachings of the Buddha and the empowerment it gives them. Among the celebrated women who became nuns are: Prajapati Gotami who became the first bhikuni; Uppalayanna and Khema who were considered as the "foremost of the bhikunis"; and Kisagotami and Patacara who were prominent in many stories about early Buddhism. Prajapati Gotami who is considered as the first bhikuni, was the second queen of Prince Siddharta's father. When Queen Maha Maya who was the prince's mother died seven days after giving birth to Siddhartha, Prajapati Gotami gave up her son who was born the same day the queen died, and took Prince Siddhartha as her own. She loved him so much that the prince could not remember his own mother. The bhikunis or Buddhist nuns began with Prajapati who was given special permission by the Buddha himself, ending and exclusively male monastic assembly. The daughter of a rich man, Kisagotami was married and had a son. The boy died and Kisagotami carried the dead body around asking everyone for medicine that would restore the child's life. People thought that her grief had made her mad. However, a wise man thought otherwise and decided to help her. He told her to approach the Buddha and ask for the medicine that would bring her son back to life. The Buddha instructed her to get some mustard seeds from a house where there had been no death. Still carrying her dead child, Kisagotami went from house to house asking for mustard seeds. People wanted to help her but she could not find a house where there had been no death. She realized that hers was not the only family who had deaths, and that there were more dead