Reflection on professional development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Reflection on professional development - Essay Example Reflective practice has been recognised to be an important tool for professional development. It helps one to objectively assess if what he has learned and done in the recent past is enough to help him move on and move up to higher levels of learning and doing. Lipman (2003) defines reflective thinking as â€Å"thinking that is aware of its own assumptions and implications as well as being conscious of the reasons and evidence that support the conclusion† (p. 26). Reid (1993) presents a motivational definition of reflective thinking as â€Å"a process of reviewing an experience of practice in order to describe, analyse, evaluate and so inform learning about practice.† Van Manen defines reflection in terms of a means of mental action that distances the person from events in order that they may be viewed in a more objective manner (as cited in Moon, 1999). In all of these definitions, I learned that it takes much objectivity in assessing the efforts I have put into my stu dies and practice in the past year. I take on a dual role – one as a reporter and another as an assessor. Reflective practice has both advantages and disadvantages. ... The risk is in realizing that one may not be suited to the profession he has chosen to undertake. Reading about how such scholars regard reflective practice as an essential process in professional growth, I pressed myself to look back to my experiences from the time I began my NVQ-3 and objectively assess my growth and performance in practice in order to be able to look forward to the long road leading to my future success as a professional. I began Year 1 in September 2010. In less than I year, I have learned so much already, although I am aware that there is still so much to be learned in the coming years. I used to think nursing tasks were limited to washing and dressing patients, administering medicine prescribed by doctors and not much else. I was definitely wrong! I realized that it entails so much more especially after learning about the foundations of nursing practice. Learning about anatomy and physiology was difficult enough, not to mention being able to manage time properl y, complying with assignments and generally being a good student. It was particularly trying for me since I am already 40 years old and have five children of my own to care for. Nevertheless, I am fired up by the challenges I face every day. My reflective account will include my graduate skills, my computer literacy skills, feedback from my mentors and the internal and external factors that influence my development. 1. Graduate Skills Being on my first year, I am still in the adjustment phase of my graduate student life. Perhaps I have an easier time than my peers who are in the same year level because of my basic knowledge in nursing practices that I have gained from my work as a health care assistant. However, the

Endowment Effect, Behavioural, and Standard Economics Theories Essay

Endowment Effect, Behavioural, and Standard Economics Theories - Essay Example Regardless of the participants’ immense experience in the real world market, he found out that the willingness to accept the mugs was nearly three times higher than the willingness to pay. This is an indication that even experienced negotiators are also susceptible to the endowment effect (Angeletos, Repetto, Tobacman, and Weinberg, 2001; p. 57). The result of these two experiments is similar indicating that the human brain makes a decision almost in a similar way and on the other hand, it is apparent to note that persons under the same environmental conditions often operate under the same constraints (List, 2004; p. 617). It should also be noted that the same constraints affect even those who have experience in certain fields. The endowment effect can be analysed using neoclassical or standard economics that is strongly built on the assumptions that ever turned to well established facts (Babcock et al. 1994; pg. 928). The most vital and preferred assumption is that all econom ic agents that include consumers, suppliers, and companies among others are fully rational and their visible hand works create market efficiency (Knetsch and Wong, 2009; p. 410). Rational economists often consider these assumptions a basic, logical, and self-evident; hence, they do not require any empirical scrutiny (Babcock and Loewenstein, 1997; p. 110). Materialism has also been identified as one of the forces behind endowment effect. Some people believe that the material they own is a central occupation that provides them with success and happiness. Using materialism to determine the existence of endowment effect, 317 first year students at Katholieke University Leuven, Belgium were subjected to a study. The survey provided a...This paper discusses the endowment effect, which can be analysed using neoclassical or standard economics that is strongly built on the assumptions that ever turned to established facts Materialism has also been identified as one of forces behind endowmen t effect. Analysing endowment effect through experimental evidence often leads to the behavioural economics that targets the analysis of new variables that are often ignored by the standard economics Endowment effect largely depends on behavioural decision making that analyses how people often make certain decisions. Behavioural decision-making is a vital field that is used by different other fields including psychology, political science, management, and economics among other Endowment effect is an essential element in economics since it causes conflict between the actual behaviour and macroeconomic theory that says that value of an object should be independent of the ownership The core behavioural economics depict realism of the psychological economic analysis that aims at improving the economics on its own terms including generating better phenomena predictions, generating theoretical insights, and suggesting better policies At the same time behavioural economics does not disregard neoclassical approach to the understanding and analysis of economics and neither does it reject utility maximization, efficiency, and equilibrium The understanding of standard economics is purely pegged on the understanding of behavioural economics without concentrating on the psychology of such concepts. In regards to human behaviour, standard economics model assumes that the actions of people are fully pegged on their full information on the action in question

Impact of the Digital Environment on Copyright

Impact of the Digital Environment on Copyright Critically assess the blurring of the boundaries between the expression of an idea in a material form (which is protected by copyright) and an idea itself (which is not). In your response, you will need to examine the impact of the digital environment on copyright and initiatives like open access and Creative Commons. Discuss whether protecting original works is becoming obsolete, considering the effect of a copyright-free world on individual creators, producers and distributors. Be explicit about how you respond to and extend the examples presented in the topics podcast and town meeting. Copyright can be defined as the ownership of the expression of ideas, not the ideas themselves (Bourne 2008). The issue of copyright is perhaps facing its greatest challenge. The line between the expression of ideas in a material form (which is protected by copyright) and an idea itself (which is not) is being increasingly blurred due to the increasing prevalence and penetration of digital technologies in the national (Australian) and international (global) communication environment. With the proliferation of copyright violations as digital technologies offer file sharing capacities, the development of author favouring initiatives approximating to Open Access and Creative Commons eroding the corporate power of copyright corporations, the existence of legally protected copyright protections a creator craves, corporations pursue and governments protect, is under serious threat. Traditionally the free market economy has envisioned a hierarchy from producer to consumer in the development and dissemination of cultural information. Conventionally, the mode of production had envisioned a role for creator, manufacturer, distributor and consumer. This was a centralised system. Copyright pervaded and that which was protected by copyright was difficult if not impossible to illegally obtain without paying the royalties to the creator or copyright holder. Yochai Benkler believes there has been a decentralisation of the process due to the onset of the digital revolution, particularly with Internet technologies, while technology simultaneously sustains the centralisation of cultural information. I will suggest that we call the combination of these two trends the radical decentralization of intelligence in our communications network and the centrality of information, knowledge, culture, and ideas to advanced economic activity the networked information economy (Benkler 2003, p.1252). The strength of Benklers argument is that its a fresh idea that argues somewhat from a political economy perspective, the production process. The production process has been decentralised due to digital technologies and therefore individuals who previously held no part can create their own ideas by either mimicking, disseminating, copying, plagiarising without consequence. This networked information economy (or decentralisation of production) has led to a blurring of the lines between the expression of ideas in a material form (which is protected by copyright) and an idea itself (which is not) due to the increasing mobility and creativity individuals can utilise as a result of the onset of digital technologies. Benkler believes ubiquitously available cheap processors have radically reduced the necessary capital input costs. What can be done now with a desktop computer would once have required a professional studio (Benkler 2003, p.1254). According to Benkler, a primary contributor to cultural production is pre-existing information, a publicly accessible good while others include human creativity and the physical capital necessary to generate, fix, and communicate transmissible units of information and culture like a recording studio or a television network (Benkler 2003, p.1254). The Internet and digital technologies have to an extent decimated the dominance of the capital generators, those owners and proprietors of copyright such as the television networks and publishers, and allowed consumers to edit pre-existing copyrighted material, or create their own, to the detriment of copyright holders. This leaves individual human beings closer to the economic centre of our information production system than they have been for over a century and a half (Benkler 2003, p.1254). The failing of Benklers argument is that it views digital technologies as offering endless opportunities for individual production. While this may be true, usually the product produced is usually distributed for free and those who attempt to make economic gain are wiped out by the competition that produce free and higher quality software and programs. The impact of the digital environment has led to the proliferation of copyright violations and use of materials by consumers in their own productions and ideas without regard for the intended royalties. This has been seen no better than in the rising prevalence of file sharing software on the Internet, its popularity, dominance, and targeting by corporations for law suits. The most radically new and unfamiliar element in this category is commons-based peer production of information, knowledge, and culture, whose most visible instance has been free software (Benkler 2003, p.1254). An example of these peer network systems Benkler speaks of includes file sharing systems such as Limewire, BitTorent, eMule and Gnutella. Based on peer-to-peer technology (Fattah 2002; Oram 2001), so-called filesharing systems offer the possibility to exchange any sort of digital data for free and without restriction (Quiring 2008, p.435). Considerable losses in revenues have resulted in the film, gaming and particularly communications industries due to the illegal copying and sharing of their products. According to the communications industry, it misses out on considerable revenues each year due to the illegal exchange of communications data (Quiring, von Walter Atterer 2008, p.435). Similarly there has been propagation in the amount of quality free programmes on the Internet that supplant those supplied by corporations and have no copyright protections of their own. The networked information economy opens for radically decentralized collaborative production peer production† a process by which many individuals, whose actions are coordinated neither by managers nor by price signals, contribute to a joint effort that effectively produces a unit of information or culture (Benkler 2003, p.1254). Free software has become the quintessential instance of peer production in the past few years. Over 85 percent of emails are routed using the sendmail software that was produced and updated in this way (Benkler 2003, p.1254). Over 60% of Australians use msn, yahoo, Google or other free E-mail providers as their primary E-Mail account and the development of free virus scanning software such as AVG, free communications composing and artistic programs have gradually eroded communications corporations copyright power and grip on the consumer market. However here, within these filesharing and producing communities the lines between the expression of ideas in a material form and an idea itself are more deeply blurred as the providers of free programmes and those who illegally copy and distribute software, programmes and cultural files (such as communications), known as warez have developed their own codes of production and consumption. An academic of Southern California University, D. Thomas alludes to this in his article Innovation, Piracy and the Ethos of New Media identifies three key fundamentals in the warez ethos (Thomas 2002, p.87). Firstly, keeping information free and open in the face of corporate control, an act which they see as embodying the spirit of the Internet; communications or game lovers right to redistribute goods they have purchased providing they do not profit financially. Secondly the sense of an entitlement to digital content, as after buying a computer and internet access they see the content as already paid for (Thomas 2002, p.87). It can therefore be seen that the digital environment erodes copyright protection and the benefits copyright brings to its owners and distributors. Due to the erosion of copyright protections, debate has arisen as to whether the erosion of copyright is desirable. According to Spinello, while they are evermore protected by government legislation, property rights are often dismissed or disparaged in academic circles. Post-modern critics, for example, find it hard, to accept that creative works have a single author, so the assignment of a property right loses intelligibility (Spinello 2003, p.2). It has therefore been argued by many academics, including Lessig that innovation and creativity depend upon free, uncontrolled resources and more precisely, according to Lessig the Internet forms an innovation commons,† that is, a space where innovation and creative expression can flourish (Spinello 2003, p.3). In an effort to protect themselves from the increasing breaches of copyright brought about by these kind of principles and digital technologies that facilitate these breaches of copyright, copyright owners have lobbied governments to extend copyright protection to lifetime plus seventy years and are attempting to override exceptions granted to institutions such as universities and parliaments along with removing the copyright ownership from creators to themselves. This has facilitated the rise of movements against this trend known as Open Access and Creative Commons in order to protect creators and consumers. Open Access and Creative Commons are two organisations that espouse opposing, yet fundamentally similar goals to deal with the blurring of the boundaries between the expression of ideas in a material form and ideas themselves. On the one hand Creative Commons argues for the protection of creators through the benefits of minimal copyright protections known as moral rights by issuing their own legally recognised copyright licenses. The moral rights extend the rights of creators to the basic entitlements of attribution and integrity that have adopted in the developed world, including Europe and Australia (excluding USA). While attribution is the right of the creator to have his work recognised by attribution, integrity is the right of the creator not to have his work falsely portrayed or misused. Creative Commons aims to promote better identification, negotiation and reutilization of content for the purposes of creativity and innovation. It aims to make copyright content more active† by ensuring that content can be reutilized with a minimum of transactional effort (Fitzgerald Oi 2004, p.1). Alternately, Open Access seeks to minimize copyright in its entirety. Open Access† means access to the full text of a scientific publication on the internet, with no other limitations than possibly a requirement to register, for statistical or other purposes (Bjà ¶rk, Roos, Lauri 2008, p.1). The purpose of this initiative is to accredit creators with their copyright and offer access to materials at minimum or no cost so as not to stifle creativity due to excessive copyright protections under the law. However one must consider the implications of the erosion of copyright as discussed above and whether protecting old works is becoming obsolete. Some scholars and economists believe that copyright is crucial to the development of society and its advancement due to the protections of copyright and their benefits owners of copyright aspire to. A particular point raised in the town meeting was the relevance of copyright if individuals can merely download audio, visual and software files from file sharing programs on the Internet for no-charge. However a report commissioned by the Australian government in 1998 raised the interesting point that copyright is crucial to the capitalist system of innovation and development. These industries form a significant and, to date, growing part of the Australian economy in 1992-93, the net contribution of copyright based industries to the total economy was an estimated $11 billion in constant prices, or 2.9% of the total GDP and the report concluded Copyright is the glue in the various transactions between creators and investors the legal mechanism which ensures that the value of creative effort or investment is not undermined and devalued by others taking a free ride on that effort or investment (McDonald 1999, p.2). It can be affirmed then, that a system of copyright, limited even, is desirable, if not to protect creators, then to at least achieve a balance between the rights of creators and copyright producers and distributors for revenue and moral accreditation, while allowing access to the public for consumption. A system of limited intellectual property protection is justified both as an inducement for future creative activity and as a reward for the intellectual labor associated with that socially valuable activity (Spinello 2003, p.2). It has been argued by many academics that the complete erosion of copyright protections may dislodge the profitability of many industries such as the gaming, communications and film, to the detriment of future production as creators see no purpose in creation without economic gain (McDonald 1999; Lee 2005). For example Illegal file sharing on the internet leads to considerable financial losses for artists and copyright owners as well as producers and sellers of communications (Quiring, von Walter Atterer 2008, p.434). It can therefore be strongly stated that while at times, when applied without distinction, copyright can be an encumbrance if argued from n Open Access perspective. However one must consider copyright as the glue that McDonald describes it as when considering the incentive effect copyright has in relation to the development and dissemination of cultural information (McDonald 1999, p.2). In conclusion it can be seen that the blurring of the boundaries between the expression of ideas in a material form (which is protected by copyright) and an idea itself (which is not) has led to the development of what Benkler has named the networked information economy (Benkler 2003, p.1245). The networked information economy makes it possible for nonmarket and decentralized models of production to increase their presence alongside the more traditional models, causing some displacement, but increasing the diversity of ways of organizing production rather than replacing one with the other (Benkler 2003, p.1247). This has led to the decentralisation of the process of cultural production files (mp3s, film, communications, etc) and is what has ultimately led to the blurring between ideas in material form and ideas themselves as seen with the development of filesharing and peer-to-peer production networks against the backdrop of the digital environment. This has gradually led to the erosion of copyright and the strengthening of legislation in reponse, in turn leading to the development of movements such as Creative Commons and Open Access. The ensuing debate over whether copyright is desirable to retain in the digital environment has led me to conclude that while copyright can act as encumbrance to creativity and learning, by removing its protection the incentive it generates for innovation and cultural production, have necessitated the need for a balance of the two. References: Thomas, D. (2002) Innovation, Piracy and the Ethos of New Media, pp. 82-91 in D. Harries (ed.) The New Media Book. London: British Film Institute.

Joy Luck Club :: essays research papers

Growing Up In A New World â€Å"`Then I wish I wasn’t your daughter. I wish you weren’t my mother,’ I shouted.† â€Å"`Too late change this,’ said my mother shrilly.† â€Å"`Then I wish I’d never been born!’ I shouted. `I wish I were dead!’† (p. 153) In the novel, The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan, many conflicts arise between the mothers and their daughters. Problems arise from the high expectations from Chinese mothers, the mothers’ pride in their daughters, and the daughters’ disrespect towards their mothers. Two very similar problems grow and resolve in the novel. The problem between June and her mother reflects the problem between Waverly and her mother. The conflicts between the mothers and daughters of the novel come from the mothers’ high expectations for their daughters. Suyuan expects her daughter June to be a prodigy at something. This idea of a prodigy came from Auntie Lindo, Waverly’s mother. Lindo takes pride in her daughter’s skill in playing chess. Suyuan expects something to be proud of about her daughter as well. â€Å"Of course you can be prodigy, too†¦ You can be best anything. What does Auntie Lindo know? Her daughter, she is only best tricky.† (p.141) She begins to give June piano lessons. June practices for two hours everyday in preparation for a talent show a few weeks later. Suyuan wanted to show the whole Joy Luck Club her daughter’s talent. She expected a lot from June, exacerbated by Auntie Lindo’s pride in Waverly. In Waverly’s situation, Auntie Lindo watched closely to her practice playing chess. She gave her tips that she never listened to because her mot her never played chess before. Both mothers are very tight on their daughters, hoping to boost their skill and talent. In the end, their encouragement ends everything in their daughters. Problems only worsen as the mothers brag about their daughters having their talents. The traditional Chinese mothers have expectations for their daughters so they can show them off to everyone. Their daughters having a special talent gives them an augmented appearance, being the mother of that special gift. It gives the mothers a feeling of being higher in society; being able to brag. One incident of their bragging back and forth is a few weeks before June’s piano talent show. Auntie Lindo talks about her daughter being a celebrity in Chinatown as the chess champion. â€Å"Our problem worser than yours. If we asked Jing-mei wash dish, she hear nothing but music.

Claims to Equality: Langston Hughes’ Utilization of the Word “I”

The black man has struggled for a long time to be considered equal to the white man.   Being called â€Å"African American†, and being given the same rights as other ethnicities in America, is the legitimization of his claim to his American heritage.   â€Å"I, Too† and â€Å"Theme for English B† are some of the poems written by Langston Hughes, an African American poet and writer who is interested in putting a higher stake on the claim by creating poetry which boosts the place of the black man in literature.   â€Å"I, Too† and â€Å"Theme for English B† proclaim the equality of the black man to the white man, but while â€Å"I, Too† sounds like one man conversing with anyone, â€Å"Theme for English B† is addressing the white man directly, in the person of the professor.â€Å"I, Too† may seem like one side of a conversation, but the determination to be recognized as an equal is not any weaker.   There is a quiet confid ence in the narrator when he says â€Å"Besides/ they'll see how beautiful I am/ and be ashamed– /I, too, am America† (Hughes, I. Too lines 15-18).   The â€Å"besides† at the beginning of the stanza makes it conversational and relaxed.   In the first stanza, the narrator says â€Å"but I laugh/and eat well/and grow strong (Hughes, I. Too lines 5-7)† in response to the segregation that black people are suffering.   Though the poem may sound relaxed, the â€Å"treatment† is â€Å"not casual† because it â€Å"speaks of the oppression of the black people and relates to any oppressed group in America† (Mitchell and Henderson 28).Though the laugh that the narrator uses to respond to adversities seems to be too carefree on his part, he is not without a plan.   After all, he talks about getting stronger.   The fight to equality here is not loud, but quieter and more planned.   It can be as serious as an underground plan for a pro test or as simple as improving oneself in order to show that black people are equal to any other race.   The poem itself is testament to that quiet move to prove equality.   Hughes uses the â€Å"I† in his poem not to limit the poem or to become â€Å"introspective†, but like Anglo-American poet, Walt Whitman, to expand.â€Å"Theme for English B† is a more direct claim to equality, made possible through the narrator’s letter to his white professor.   It is a man’s claim to his inheritance, despite being considered by others as unworthy of it because he does not have the expected qualities of an heir.   â€Å"Theme for English B† is said â€Å"to explode the notion of a racially pure self despite the white writing instructor’s insistence on it in the text’s opening exhortation† (Jarraway 833).   The first stanza is the writing instructor’s assignment:   â€Å"Go home and write/ a page tonight./ And let that page come out of you—/ Then, it will be true† (Hughes, Theme for English B lines 1-4).The rest of the poem is the response of the narrator, who believes that since he is young and the only black student in his university, his ideas may be considered unlike those of his professor’s and his classmates’; the ideas, after all, come from a different background.   However, he still believes that no matter how different he is to his writing instructor, they are the same – equal:  Ã‚   â€Å"But it will be/ a part of you, instructor. / You are white—/ yet a part of me, as I am a part of you./ That's American./ Sometimes perhaps you don't want to be a part of me./ Nor do I often want to be a part of you. But we are, that's true!† (Hughes, Theme for English B lines 28-35)   Equality is not limited to being alike because no matter how their colors are different, the professor and the narrator are both Americans, and of course, both hu man.   The poem is about equality in America, but it can well be equality in the world with the narrator declaring himself as a human being with human traits and rights.The two poems from Langston Hughes’ collection of poetry, which speaks about how black people live, struggle and celebrate, are similar in their objective to describe a narrator that moves forward in his goal of being recognized as an equal.   Though Hughes makes use of the â€Å"I† in the wider sense of the word, his writings are also very autobiographical in the sense that his narrators reveal his own views on the state of black America.  Ã‚   What makes his poetry wider and less introspective is the importance of the topics themselves, and their effects on many people and to societal change.The two narrators’ uses of â€Å"I† differ in energy and mood.   The narrator in â€Å"I, Too† claims equality but has a more passive role in the quest for that recognition.   Nevert heless, he has a positive attitude and does not let discrimination destroy him; instead, he strives to be stronger in order to prove himself equal.   On the other hand, the narrator in â€Å"Theme for English B† uses â€Å"I† in relation to â€Å"you†, the other, the white man.   He uses the two pronouns to emphasize the similarity underneath the surface.   Instead of staying put and reacting towards discrimination and segregation, he actively confronts the professor who represents white people.Langston Hughes’ has effectively used â€Å"I† to strongly claim the black man’s rights in America.   In the two poems â€Å"I, Too† and â€Å"Theme for English B,† he shows that no matter how the black man declares his equality, be it passive or active, he is undoubtedly equal to any other man from any other race despite outward differences.Works CitedHughes, Langston. â€Å"I. Too.† n.d.Hughes, Langston. â€Å"Theme for English B.† n.d.Jarraway, David R. â€Å"Montage of an Otherness Deferred: Dreaming Subjectivity in Langston Hughes.†Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   American Literature, Vol. 68, No. 4 (December 1996): 819-847.Mitchell, Arlene Harris and Darwin L. Henderson. â€Å"Black Poetry: Versatility of Voice.† The English  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Journal, Vol. 79, No. 4 (April 1990): 23-28.

Child Obesity Essay

Who’s To Blame for Obesity? Do you want to be surrounded with a society filled with obese children? Obesity has become a big problem in America. Parents are not being careful with the amount of junk food they’re allowing their kids to take in. According to Daniel Wientraub’s article â€Å"The Battle Against Fast Food Begins in the Home†, he claims that parents are in the position to fight the epidemic of overweight children, not the government or fast food companies. I agree with Daniel Wientraub because parents should be held accountable for the obesity of their children. Advertising has become Americas biggest tool for manipulating kids in the U.S as indicated in David Barboza’s â€Å"If you Pitch It, They Will Eat It†, New York Times article , professor Linn of Harvard says â€Å"The programs have become advertising for the food and the food has become advertising for the programs (Barboza,P.39,Par.33).† Children are getting attached to television and programming, wh ich is where the fast food commercials vastly appear. For example, kids begin to ask their parents for fast food just because there happens to be a toy in their â€Å"Happy Meal†. Parents don’t have the strength needed to continue managing on telling their children â€Å"No!† because they will cry, nag, and proceed to bug their parents to take them. Marketing strategies aim on manipulating kids, and the more being targeted, the more money they continue making. Parents need to start saying â€Å"No!† and begin acting like the boss, instead of it being the other way around. Exercising is a huge factor on staying healthy. A vastly amount of kids in America are not participating in physical education. In the article â€Å"The Battle Against Fast Food Begins in the Home† Daniel Weintraub indicates â€Å"We limit television and encourage our boys to get out the house, either to participate in organized sports or to ride their bikes, skateboards, or roller blades(Weintraub,P.43,Par.15).† This particularly indicates that parents need to push and motivate their children to exercise daily, to remain active. Staying fit is more important because it prevents obesity. The majority of children lack exercise and stuff themselves with fast food but it isn’t their fault because their too young to comprehend any better. Parents need to step it up and provide their kids with consistent physical education to prevent their children becoming obese. Adolescents need to start noticing what they are feeding their children. A great amount of food comes from the home kids are living in. in Daniel Wientraub’s  article â€Å"The Battle Against Fast Food Begins in the Home†, he states that, â€Å"We try to cook as many meals as possible on the theory that even the last healthy home cooked meal is probably better for our children than the healthiest fast food serving (Weintraub, P.43, Par.15).† I support this claim because when kids are given a meal at home, their parent can provide and control the ingredients they are feeding them, in contrast to when they are eating out. Therefore, kids can consume vegetables and healthy edibles that their parents are serving at home, without worrying about the bad factors that fast food is giving them. In other words, cooking at home is a veritable good way for parents preventing obesity. Others may suggest that fast food services are at fault for childhood obesity. However, I believe this is faulty reasoning because fast food places provide a great amount of high fattening food that makes kids gain weight. Support of my position can be found in the following â€Å"Fast foods marketing strategies, which make perfect sense from a business perspective, succeed only when they induce a substantial number of us to overeat (Brownie, P.33, Par.6).† This clearly substantiates my position by illustrating that purchasing fast food products may be cheap and less time consuming, but it is a bad decision for parents to make on their children. In conclusion, I am adamant that parents are responsible for what they feed their kids. As such, in my opinion it would be in our best interest for parents to stand up and help children at most they can. If parents follow this course of action, I am confident that child obesity will decrease not only in America, but all over the world.

Climate and Air Pollution

Climate and Air Pollution The earth has a number of climatic systems that ensure the distribution of heat across the face of the earth. Global warming is the result of retention of heat by the earth’s atmosphere originally from the sun because of the presence of green house gases released through many natural and artificial processes. Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Climate and Air Pollution specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Cunningham and Cunningham (2008) point out that â€Å"The greenhouse effect is a natural atmospheric process that is necessary for life as we know it†, and need not be a major concern so long as the fluctuations in the emission levels remain within safe levels. Human activity has however titled the scale of emissions to levels currently considered by many scientists as untenable and human beings are the major culprits behind global warming. Cunningham and Cunningham (2008) warn that too high emissions  "may cause harmful environmental change†. The implications of global warming are dire, extremely diverse and far-reaching. All spheres of human existence seem tragically interlinked by the consequences that global warming threatens to unleash. Indeed, global warming threatens the very existence of human civilization, as we have known it. Global warming threatens food security the world over. The changes it brings about in climate patterns affect growing seasons adversely, in some places causing too much rainfall, and in others prolonged drought. It also has led to more difficult disease prevention and control as pests and parasites move to newer regions, which can support their life systems as the climate in their old habitats change. â€Å"Biologists report that many animals are breeding earlier or extending their range into new territory as the climate changes.† (Cunningham Cunningham, 2008). The residents of the island of Tuvalu have already announced plans to leav e their homeland for higher ground, probably to New Zealand, as a direct result of rising sea levels, which they fear may sub merge their homeland in the coming years. Their story is illustrative of the effects that climate change will have on coastal cities all over the world due to rising sea levels caused by the melting of glaciers. Advertising Looking for essay on ecology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Climate change will create a new brand of refugees that Cunningham and Cunningham (2008) have referred to as â€Å"climate change refugees†, as people migrate to safer ground. The other effects climate change will have is; severe weather patterns characterized by frequent and stronger hurricanes, El Nino and La Nina phenomenon, severe heat waves and drought. Fresh water will become even scarcer and may be a serious cause of conflict in many societies. The biodiversity of the earth depends on the air qualit y in the atmosphere for its successful propagation and as such, no cost is too high for air quality improvement. In fact, climate change has become an issue today that determines the survival of humankind. No single approach will be able to stem the tide of climate change. However, it is cheaper to begin implementing mitigation measures now, as the same measures will cost more in the years to come. Failure to tackle the changes in air quality on time will result in consequences which will require vast sums of money to tackle and this in turn will stretch and severely impair the economic muscle of most countries especially the poorer countries. If the basic interest of humanity is to survive and to do so with as many species as possible, then there exists sufficient justification for an all out effort to improve air quality in the atmosphere. One of the suggestions for a place to start is at policy level where Mendelsohn (2008) suggests that â€Å"climate policy should also include a compensation package for poor countries†. References Cunningham, M.A., Cunningham, W.P. (2008). Principles of environmental science: Inquiry and applications (Custom 5th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. Mendelsohn, R. (2008). The policy implications of climate change impacts. In Zedillo, E. (Ed.). Global warming: Beyond Kyoto. Harrisonburg, Virginia: R.R. Donnelley.

File Your Canadian Income Taxes Online with NETFILE

File Your Canadian Income Taxes Online with NETFILE NETFILE is an electronic tax-filing service that allows you to send your individual income tax and benefit return directly to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) using the Internet  and a NETFILE-certified software product. To file your Canadian income taxes online, you first have to prepare your tax return using a commercial tax preparation desktop software package, a Web application or a product for an Apple or Android mobile device. These products must be certified for NETFILE. When you file your taxes online, youll get an immediate confirmation that your return has been received. If youve made arrangements for direct deposit and the Canada Revenue Agency owes you a refund on your income taxes, you should get a faster refund than if you file on paper, possibly within two weeks. However, its not quite as simple as hitting the send button on your email program, so leave some time to get prepared and to get comfortable with the system. Eligibility to File Taxes Online Although most income tax returns can be filed online, there are some restrictions. For example, you cannot use NETFILE to file a return for a year before 2013, if you are a non-resident of Canada, if your Social Insurance Number or individual tax number begins with 09  or if you went bankrupt during the preceding two years. There are quite a few other specific restrictions, so be sure to check the full restrictions list before you begin. Software to File Taxes Online To file your tax return online, you must prepare your income tax form using software or a Web application certified by the CRA for the current tax year. The CRA tests and certifies software between December and March, so it is usually at least late January before a commercial tax software package or Web application is put on the approved list of certified software. Be sure the software you plan to use is certified for the current tax year. If you purchase or download your income tax software before it is certified by the CRA for use with NETFILE, you may have to download a patch from the software vendor. Some software certified for use with NETFILE is free for individuals. Check the list of certified software and the vendors site for specific details. Identification for NETFILE Your current address must be on file with the CRA before you send your income tax return by NETFILE. Heres how to change your address with the CRA. You wont be able to do it through NETFILE. You will need to provide your Social Insurance Number and date of birth when you file. You need to provide the location of your .tax file containing your tax return that you prepared using NETFILE-certified tax preparation software or Web application. If you have concerns about the security of your personal and financial information when using NETFILE, you should check the ​NETFILE Security page from the CRA. NETFILE Confirmation Number As soon as you send your income tax return online, the CRA does a very quick preliminary check of your return (usually in minutes) and sends you a confirmation number telling you that your return has been received and accepted. Keep the confirmation number. Tax Information Slips, Receipts, and Documents Keep all the tax information slips, receipts and documents you use to prepare your income tax return. You do not need to send them to the CRA unless the agency asks to see them. Be sure to include your telephone number on your income tax return so the CRA can contact you quickly. Your notice of assessment and tax refund may be delayed if the CRA has to contact you. Getting Help With NETFILE For help using NETFILE, consult the CRAs Online Help. The Frequently Asked Questions may also be useful. Remember, if you run into problems, you can still file the old-fashioned way- by getting a paper income tax package, filling in the paper form, attaching the schedules and receipts, and getting it to the post office in time to be postmarked by the deadline.

Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society

Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Great Society was a sweeping set of social domestic policy programs initiated by President Lyndon B. Johnson during 1964 and 1965 focusing mainly on eliminating racial injustice and ending poverty in the United States. The term â€Å"Great Society† was first used by President Johnson in a speech at Ohio University. Johnson later revealed more details of the program during an appearance at the University of Michigan. In implementing one of the most impactful arrays of new domestic policy programs in the history of the U.S. federal government, the legislation authorizing the Great Society programs addressed issues such as poverty, education, medical care, and racial discrimination. Indeed, the Great Society legislation enacted by the United States Congress from 1964 to 1967 represented the most extensive legislative agenda undertaken since the Great Depression era New Deal of President Franklin Roosevelt. The flurry of legislative action earned the 88th and 89th Congress the moniker of the â€Å"Great Society Congress.† However, the realization of the Great Society actually began in 1963, when then-Vice President Johnson inherited the stalled â€Å"New Frontier† plan proposed by President John F. Kennedy before his assassination in 1963. To succeed in moving Kennedy’s initiative forward, Johnson utilized his skills of persuasion, diplomacy, and extensive knowledge of the politics of Congress. In addition, he was able to ride the rising tide of liberalism spurred by the Democratic landslide in the 1964 election that turned the House of Representatives of 1965 into the most liberal House since 1938 under the Franklin Roosevelt administration. Unlike Roosevelt’s New Deal, which had been driven forward by sweeping poverty and economic calamity, Johnson’s Great Society came just as the prosperity of the post-World War II economy was fading but before middle and upper-class Americans began to feel the decline   Johnson Takes Over the New Frontier Many of Johnson’s Great Society programs were inspired by the social initiatives included in the â€Å"New Frontier† plan proposed by Democratic Senator John F. Kennedy during his 1960 presidential campaign. Although Kennedy was elected president over Republican Vice President Richard Nixon, Congress was reluctant to adopt most of his New Frontier initiatives. By the time he was assassinated in November 1963, President Kennedy had persuaded Congress to pass only a law creating the Peace Corps, a law increase in the minimum wage, and a law dealing with equal housing. The lingering national trauma of Kennedy’s assassination created a political atmosphere that provided Johnson an opportunity to gain Congress’ approval of some of JFK’s New Frontier initiatives. Harnessing his well-known powers of persuasion and political connections made during his many years as a U.S. Senator and Representative, Johnson swiftly managed to gain congressional approval of two of the most important laws forming Kennedy’s vision for the New Frontier: The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibited discrimination in employment based on race or gender and banned racial segregation in all public facilities.The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 created the U.S. Office of Economic Opportunity, now called the Office of Community Services, charged with eliminating the causes of poverty in America. In addition, Johnson secured funding for Head Start, a program that  still provides free preschool programs for disadvantaged children today. Also in the area of educational improvement, the Volunteers in Service to America, now known as AmeriCorps VISTA, program was created to provide volunteer teachers to schools in poverty-prone regions.    At last, in 1964, Johnson got a chance to start working toward his own Great Society. Johnson and Congress Build the Great Society The same Democratic landslide victory in the 1964 election that swept Johnson into his own full term as president also swept many new progressive and liberal Democratic lawmakers into Congress.    During his 1964 campaign, Johnson famously declared the â€Å"war on poverty,† to help build what he called a new â€Å"Great Society† in America. In the election, Johnson won 61% of the popular vote and 486 of 538 electoral college votes to easily defeat ultra-conservative Republican Arizona Sen. Barry Goldwater. Drawing on his many years of experience as a legislator and strong Democratic control of Congress, Johnson quickly began to win passage of his Great Society legislation. From January 3, 1965, to January 3, 1967, Congress enacted: The Wilderness Act, which protected over 9 million acres of forestland from development;The Voting Rights Act banning literacy tests and other practices intended to deny African-Americans the right to vote;The Elementary and Secondary Education Act providing federal funding for public schools;The Social Security Amendments of 1965, which created Medicare and Medicaid;The Older Americans Act of 1965 creating a wide range of home and community-based services for older Americans;The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 ending discriminatory immigration quotas based on ethnicity;The Freedom of Information Act making government records more easily available to the people; andThe Housing and Urban Development Act providing funding specifically for construction of low-income housing. In addition, Congress enacted laws strengthening the anti-pollution Air and Water Quality Acts; raised standards ensuring the safety of consumer products; and created the National Endowment for the Arts and Humanities. Vietnam and Racial Unrest Slow the Great Society Even as his Great Society seemed to be gaining momentum, two events were brewing that by 1968 would seriously jeopardize Johnson’s legacy as a progressive social reformer. Despite the passage of anti-poverty and anti-discrimination laws, racial unrest and civil rights protests – sometimes violent - grew in frequency. While Johnson would continue to use his political power in an attempt to end segregation and maintain law and order, few solutions were found. Even more damaging to the goals of the Great Society, ever larger amounts of money originally intended to fight the war on poverty was being used to fight the Vietnam War instead. By the end of his term in 1968, Johnson suffered criticism from conservative Republicans for his domestic spending programs and by his fellow liberal Democrats for his hawkish support for expanding the Vietnam War effort.    In March 1968, hoping to prompt peace negotiations, Johnson ordered a near halt to American bombing of North Vietnam. At the same time, he surprisingly withdrew as a candidate for re-election to a second term in order to devote all of his efforts to the quest for peace. While some of the Great Society programs have been eliminated or scaled back today, many of them, such as Medicare and Medicaid programs of the Older Americans Act and public education funding endure. Indeed, several of Johnson’s Great Society programs grew under Republican presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. Although Vietnam War-ending peace negotiations had begun when President Johnson left office, he did not live to see them completed, dying of a heart attack on January 22, 1973, at his Texas Hill Country ranch.

Managerial accounting final project Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Managerial accounting final project - Coursework Example Required: 1. Prepare a correct analysis of the changes in volume on operating income. Prepare a tabulated set of income statement at levels 200,000; 250,000; and 300,000 yo-yo. Also show percentages of operating income in relation to sales. 2. Compare your tabulation with the manager’s tabulation. Why is the manager’s tabulation incorrect as the above? Answer1: Volume in Units 200,000 250,000 300,000 Sales @ $3 $600,000 $750,000 $950,000 Unit Variable Cost@ $1.40 $280,000 $350,000 $420,000 Contribution Margin $320,000 $400,000 $530,000 Fixed Costs* $150,000 $150,000 $150,000 Operating Income $170,000 $250,000 $380,000 Operating Income Margin (%) 28.33% 33.33% 40% *Fixed Costs Fixed Manufacturing Costs $125000 Fixed Selling & Distribution Costs $25000 Fixed Costs $150000 Answer 2 The manager used $2.00 full cost per unit to calculate the impact of changing sales volume over the operating income which is misleading. The effect of variable cost differs with the increase or decrease in sales volume which is best described and exposed in the contribution method. The operating income as calculated by the contribution method reveals the increase of operating profit at a different rate with respect to sales than the analysis created by the manager. As per the manager’s analysis, at 200,000 sales volume the operating profit to sales percentage rests at 33.33% whereas, our analysis reveal it to be at 28.33%. Hence, manager’s analysis shows an artificially better picture of income. On the other hand, operating income to sales ratio of 31.5% is misleading as it provides a deteriorated picture of the income/sales ratio. The actual operating income margin is 40% at 300,000 level of sales. Question 2: Chapter 6 Assume that XYZ company reports the following costs to make 17.5oz bottles for its juice cocktails: QYZ company Cost of making 17.5-ounce bottles Total Cost for 1,000,000 bottles Cost per Bottle Direct materials $80,000 $0.080 Direct labor 3 0,000 0.030 Variable factory overhead 60,000 0.060 Fixed factory overhead 85,000 0.085 Total Costs 255,000 $0.255 Another manufacturer offers to sell XYZ the bottles for $0.25. The capacity now used to make bottles will become idle if the company purchases the bottles. Further, one supervisor with a salary of $60,000, a fixed cost, would be eliminated if the bottles were purchased. Prepare schedule that compares the costs to make and buy the 17.5-ounce bottles. Should XYZ make or buy the bottles? Answer Description Make Buy Each bottle Total Each bottle Total Purchases Costs 0.25 250000 Direct Material 0.080 80000 Direct Labor 0.030 30000 VOH 0.060 60000 Fixed Factory OH 0.060 60000 Total Relevant Cost 0.23 230000 0.25 250000 Savings on Making 0.02 20000 Conclusion: The company should make to save $20,000 as the analysis

Is Trial by Jury an Efficient and Just System Essay

Is Trial by Jury an Efficient and Just System - Essay Example Const., amend. VII). Many states have considered the right to a trial by jury so important that it is written into state constitutions as well (Saks). It is, therefore, not an exaggeration to say that the right to a trial by jury is considered a fundamental right of the American legal and judicial system. A trial by jury has its roots in Great Britain, where juries were used to provide protection against the harsh judgments of those that were in the favor of the King, and therefore handed down relatively harsh judgments for relatively small crimes (Graham, 2009). That system has grown, from Britain, to the United States, where in 2006 an estimated 154,000 jury trials were held nationwide (Mize, Hannaford-Agor & Waters, 2007). However, this does not mean that the system itself is perfect; indeed, if incarcerated criminals were questioned, most would likely say that the judicial system had not done what they hoped it would do. Trials by jury take time to put together, and can be expens ive to everyone involved (VanKoppen, 2009). Trials by jury also have the benefits, however, of fairness and impartiality, the bigger availability of resources, and because juries do not have the same concerns over image or power as a judge does. For these reasons, a trial by jury is an efficient and just system in proving guilt or innocence. One reason that trial by jury is an efficient and just system is that juries are chosen based on their ability to be impartial and fair towards the one who stands accused. This is proven during the jury selection, when both lawyers ask questions and ensure that each person impaneled on the jury can be fair and impartial during the trial (Saks). Potential jurors that have a problem with certain sets of circumstances, such as racism or even possibly voting for the death penalty in capital cases are dismissed (Saks). In this way, fairness towards the accused is ensured. In contrast, a judge must go through no such procedure. The role of a judge was created for the very reason of protecting an accused (Graham, 2009). It is taken for granted that a judge will be impartial; even though the Constitution does not say that a judge must be, it is the right of every American to enjoy such a privilege at trial (Siegel, 2010). However, this is not always the way that the judicial system works. Corruption is not unknown, and judges have, in the past, been bought or bribed to render decisions. Consider Operation Greylord, a Federal probe that exposed widespread corruption in the Cook County, Illinois court system in 1983 (Bogira, 2005). Judges had been found to be extorting money from prosecution and defense lawyers, as well as taking money directly in exchange for certain verdicts (Bogira, 2005). Had a jury trial been the route taken, instead of the judge being able to be bribed, twelve people would have had to be bribed or replaced. While it is true that jury tampering can certainly occur, it stands to reason that it is much harder to tamper with and convince twelve people to vote a certain way, as opposed to one judge. Juries, whether they are made up of six

Piece of Art from San Francisco's Legion of Honor Essay

Piece of Art from San Francisco's Legion of Honor - Essay Example I decided to display the difference in colors of the body and the posture of the body. In El Greco’s painting, the skin is a lighter tone which gives more of a happy yet almost dramatic feel, whereas Preti’s painting shows darker colors, and John leaning over a rock rather than standing. This shows a dramatic last stand pose, telling the people his last words of wisdom before he passes to the great beyond. In El Greco’s, I pointed out the sleeping sheep and its placement near John’s feet, which displays the happiness in El Greco’s painting. In number four on Preti’s, I showed the sheep as a symbol of John’s sacrifice for the greater good and similarly placed near John’s feet. In Preti’s, I pointed out the cross in the dark sky, symbolizing rebirth and regeneration in heaven. In El Greco’s painting, I decided to display the color of the sky and its apparent aura around St. John. This conveys a feeling of power to John by taking up a majority and leaving a deeper blue color around the body of John. In Preti’s painting, Preti clearly displays the fact that most the Muslims and Christians revered John, as he was a prophet for both religions. In El Greco’s, there is harmony amongst the land, displaying a similar message, but not taking up nearly as much room, giving more of a feeling of righteousness for Heaven. Lastly, I saw a comparison between the grey ring in the sky in El Greco’s painting to the writing on John’s staff in Preti’s painting. Preti wanted to convey John’s prophetic and protective message.

Biology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 8

Biology - Essay Example Although there are many definitions of ethics, perhaps the most universally accepted definition regards ethics as an individual or group’s ability to make choices regarding how to behave. Ethical behavior can be broken down into two categories: the choice as it effects the society around the person making the decision, and the decision as it effects the self of the individual making the choice. An individual who is making an ethical decision must think of how the behavior will affect others, in an altruistic manner. There are many different kinds of stem-cells and uses for them, and many people have different ethical perspectives on what science should and should not be able to do in terms of autonomous limits. Forms of therapeutic cloning currently involve taking cells, often stem-cells, to help the individual in terms of rehabilitation and organ transplants. People feel different ways ethically about cloning. These stem cells can be preserved in the individual’s placental cells or other cells and then can used to make replacement cells if there is a problem or disease that comes up during the individual’s life. Therefore, therapeutic cloning uses techniques that are not designed towards cloning an individual per se, but instead using cell growth to help them with possible ailments and therefore improve their quality of life substantially. This process is set to solve problematic The uses of stem cells are broad: they can be used to fight genetic diseases and treat blood disorders, and cord blood carries less risk of infection. There have been studies in which adult patients have received blood cord stem cell units that were only partially matched and grafted successfully. Also, patients with gene disorders have been given stem cell transplants to replace genetic structures, and the exactitude of this measure is heightened

Personal Epiphany Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Personal Epiphany - Essay Example Since my destination was still an hour away, I did sit back to observe the station. To my astonishment, a group of children dressed in dirty clothes rushed into the train. Before I could realize what was happening, they started to do all sort of things – begging, singing, offering to polish the travellers’ shoes, cleaning the floor and selling knickknacks. I happened to notice a very small boy who stood out from the crowd. His grimy face camouflaged cherubic features. There were four of them in the group, but all the others dispersed as soon as I met them. I guessed they went to the other compartments, probably in search of other large-hearted people scattered in the train. The lady sitting next to me was complaining about the heat and how she failed to get a ticket in First Class A/C due to the pilgrim season. She also realized that the food served in the train was not something to her taste and was about to throw it away when the boy went near her and stretched his palm to her as his pain-filled eyes implored all those in the cabin. In a reflex action, she shoved the food packet to his hands and he went out of the train and stepped to the platform in a hurry. It seemed that he was just looking for some food and forgot the need to get something more before the train moved. As the train stayed in the station for five more minutes, I couldn’t help looking outside to see what the boy was up to. I saw him settle down near a pillar and open the packet hastily. I also saw how much he needed the food, from his slim frame and the anticipatory glee writ large on his face. At the exact moment he opened the packet, I saw an older girl like him, in tatters, approaching him and before he could do anything, she snatched the packet away from him and started to run through the platform making hysterical gestures. She laughed aloud and threw the food

Race and Race Theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Race and Race Theory - Essay Example It is also difficult to determine what characteristics of human beings need to be considered for racial discrimination. The concept of categorizing human beings according to their blood and kinship is a newer theory. Towards the end of the Middle Age, this concept took concrete form when anti-Jewish feelings were evolved as a manner to express resentment towards the religious beliefs of the Jewish community. These kinds of antagonism towards Jewish blood and kinship paved the reasons for hatred towards a community instead of an individual. Baptism among the Jews caused threat to the Christian community as the former could not prove their purity of blood to the Inquisition. The concept of racism had its roots in the Mediterranean slave trade during the Middle Ages when the Western world equated the blacks with slavery. In the modern time the concept of distinguishing human beings based on social, physical and intellectual features has proved to be unsound. This notion has generated fo r ages and is more specifically a social and historical process. Race cannot be confined to the physical or biological traits cultivated by an individual. The genetic inheritance of human beings that contribute towards those traits does not form the concept of â€Å"race†. ... There is a continuous inclination to regard race as an essence that is concrete and objective. There is also a contrasting view of the non-racist society that race is merely an illusion created purely by some ideologists. It was with the growth of political economy in the global arena and the advent of seaborne empire that race began to take a concrete shape. During economic crisis it is often the ethnic minorities who endure discriminations in the labour market. They even have limited access to proper education and health care facilities and this happens even during economic well-being although to a lesser extent. Although racial prejudices exist all over the world, the racial discrimination of human beings was originated by the Europeans. The era of European imperialism suggested that only those people belonging to the highest social rankings must govern the earth and it is they who should get access to all kinds of facilities for their development. It is however not correct to sta te that the European’s attainment of imperialism gave rise to race, but on the contrary it can be stated that race has created sociopolitical discriminations and has shaped the international economy: â€Å"this is not to say that the European attainment of imperial and world-encompassing power gave rise to race. Indeed it is just as easy to argue the opposite: that the modern concept of race gave rise to, or at least facilitated the creation of, an integrated sociopolitical world, a modem authoritarian state, the structures of an international economy, and the emergence over time of a global culture† (Winant, 172). What I find interesting about the article is that it discusses about the theoretical elements of race with the advent of the twenty first

Personal Epiphany Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Personal Epiphany - Essay Example Since my destination was still an hour away, I did sit back to observe the station. To my astonishment, a group of children dressed in dirty clothes rushed into the train. Before I could realize what was happening, they started to do all sort of things – begging, singing, offering to polish the travellers’ shoes, cleaning the floor and selling knickknacks. I happened to notice a very small boy who stood out from the crowd. His grimy face camouflaged cherubic features. There were four of them in the group, but all the others dispersed as soon as I met them. I guessed they went to the other compartments, probably in search of other large-hearted people scattered in the train. The lady sitting next to me was complaining about the heat and how she failed to get a ticket in First Class A/C due to the pilgrim season. She also realized that the food served in the train was not something to her taste and was about to throw it away when the boy went near her and stretched his palm to her as his pain-filled eyes implored all those in the cabin. In a reflex action, she shoved the food packet to his hands and he went out of the train and stepped to the platform in a hurry. It seemed that he was just looking for some food and forgot the need to get something more before the train moved. As the train stayed in the station for five more minutes, I couldn’t help looking outside to see what the boy was up to. I saw him settle down near a pillar and open the packet hastily. I also saw how much he needed the food, from his slim frame and the anticipatory glee writ large on his face. At the exact moment he opened the packet, I saw an older girl like him, in tatters, approaching him and before he could do anything, she snatched the packet away from him and started to run through the platform making hysterical gestures. She laughed aloud and threw the food

Funding my used book store Essay Example for Free

Funding my used book store Essay This will be an outlet that deals in second-hand or used books. Literacy of a people is the foundation of a nation. We wish to encourage the culture of reading in order to eliminate illiteracy. We have chosen to go this route due to affordability. The shop’s name â€Å"Daily Books† is bound to be a crowd puller. The service will be targeting the thousands of shoppers and those whiling away window shopping or taking casual walks. Considering the hard economic times we are going through as a nation, this idea could not be timelier. Concept Funding my used book store Business Statement SBA loans are available and we are going for the lowdoc that addresses needs below $150k. This is part of the 7(a) loan program. The loans not only come with low interest rates and minimum hassles but also with entrepreneur education. This is a very helpful resource. Since some banks allow one to access funds for the business from relatives, then your proposal is well within all legal requirements. Competitive edge Products and services: Ease of getting classical novels and writings which may not be available from the conventional book shops. These may as well be collectors’ items. Inexpensive: All our books will be way below the market prices. Organization: The arrangement and placement of books will make it easy for shoppers to locate what they want and hence save valuable time. The lighting will be artistic and professional. Location: -. The shop’s strategic location is a sure winner. The university and schools’ readership will come in handy. Public relations: This is one of our greatest strengths as my partner is deep and wide reader, not to mention that I am an excellent people person and marketer. We have been careful to hire committed staff whose vision is similar to ours. Market / Industry information While the knowledge search continues to expand, there is stiff competition in the horizon. New players are joining the market not to mention new technology. The government is putting in place structures that will aid in the growth. Product/Service Information The crucial service on offer is the provision of an accessible, unique product, convenient, and a cheap service facility which promises easy access to the avid reader. The county council has been of great support since we shared our idea with them. On the launch, they have offered the parade grounds at no charge at all. They will also be sending word out to the local dwellers. Goals and strategies In the short term, we will be focusing on getting people to see the big picture. What has all along been thought of a rich man’s hobby that owning a rich home library is their preserve will now be common place. Due to our strategic location, we are assured of traffic. Our goal then, will be to focus on those walking in and around the complex. We aim to serve at least 50 walking customers per day. The tills in the stores around the town will be offering discount vouchers to all their customers in the first month after launching. The next level and secondary goal will entail advertising by use of flyers and banners. We shall also do rounds in the offices. Our marketers will visit every school in the area and the university as well. For these students, we intend to offer a discounted price especially for the course books. We shall introduce membership to all our customers with an aim of giving away bonus gifts and discounts. This will see our customer base grow from 50 to 100 after 6 months of business. In the long term, we are looking at electronic sales. This will entail a website that will advertise as well as offer on-line sales. A delivery van will come in handy for those members who may be a little out of town. The bookshop should have a readability of 500 plus faithful customers after a period of 2 years. As a backup plan for the above strategy, we will be liaising with the local bookshops as well as those in the nearby towns. We shall introduce a partnership programme that should see their sales soar as well. The idea is to bring about symbiosis and cut unfair competition. We plan to have stock lists of al the other outlets and when customers make enquiries, referential sales will be seamless. We shall encourage book owners to exchange or deposit old books that they no longer use. This idea will go along way in reducing our capital requirement for re-stocking. Payback As per the bank’s requirements, we have negotiated a very low payback interest rate. We have a 60 days initial grace period after which we shall be required to pay only 1. 5% PA on a reducing balance. This arrangement will go along way in helping us repay you within a comfortable period. It will not stretch the business neither will you be strained financially while it gives you peace of mind that your investment is secured. References Advani, A. (2005). SBA loans for your startup. Entrepreneur. com. Retrieved November 18, 2008 http://www. entrepreneur. com/money/financing/startupfinancingcolumnistasheeshadvani/article79254. html

Building Information Modeling In Site Management Construction Essay

Building Information Modeling In Site Management Construction Essay The construction industry is ever evolving with increasing performance demand. Project handover deadlines are shorter, costs are tighter, regulation more stringent, project briefs are more complex, construction procurement methods more varied, Technology forever developing, parallel to technology quality more difficult to achieve and maintain. How do we, as construction professionals, respond to these increasing demands and retain implementing quality in an environment of such increasing complexity and competing constrain? The purpose is to deconstruct the process of managing construction site to investigate how a BIM approach to design and development as well as documentation might assist us to meet the future demands of implementation and site management practice. I will try to focus on present techniques used and successfully implemented examples, especially with the help of BIM tools to assist the process of site management. This report will show an outline methodology in regard to the site management work flow in practice. Particular emphasis will be placed upon the fast track nature of site implementation that is becoming more commonplace in the construction industry. These approaches, supported by property developed and implemented standard and procedures will assist to maximize the efficiency of our practices workflow as well as clarify some myths under the increasing pressure of contemporary site management. Keywords: BIM, Construction, Site Management, Site implementation, collision. Background Industrial Context Managing site is a process that consists of the building or assembling of infrastructure. Far from being a single activity, large scale construction is a feat of human multitasking. Normally, the job is managed by a project manager, and supervised by a construction manager, design engineer, construction engineer or project architect. For the successful management and execution of a construction project, effective planning and technical supports are essential. Involved with the design and execution of the infrastructure in question must consider the environmental impact of the work, the successful scheduling, budgeting, construction site safety, availability of building materials, logistics, inconvenience to the public caused by construction delays and bidding, etc. Participants in the whole managing process are constantly challenged to deliver successful projects despite tight budgets, limited manpower, accelerated schedules, and limited or conflicting information. The BIM concept en visages virtual construction of a facility prior to its actual physical construction, in order to reduce uncertainty, improve safety, work out problems, and simulate and analyze potential impacts.  [1]  Sub-contractors from every trade can input critical information into the model before beginning construction, with opportunities to pre-fabricate or pre-assemble some systems off-site. Problem Of course, BIM is an absolutely wonderful tool, and it has great potential to streamline costs, processes and time, to help different disciplines communicate effectively and to ensure little confusion on a construction site. But to get to that promised land of benefits, you have to pass through the wilderness of adoption, which always seems to hinge on organizational change, not technology. This is the inconvenient truth. Without having a clear concept and following some myths, BIM has become another cost, instead of a cost-savings tool for site management. Learning Objectives: What is BIM? What is virtual construction and how it helps to manage site? What is BIM 3D to 6D approaches for construction site management? How BIM collaborate all contractor works in a single platform to the project from collision? Approach Masters(ConREM) Course materials of Product Modeling, literatures, recent real estate journals, Conference Lectures of world renowned practicing BIM experts and site managers of these days were my key features for investigation and analysis of this discussion topic. Course materials were well organized and highly informative to understand BIM and personally I have used 2D / 3D CAD for more than 2 years and have had the opportunity to work in a largest construction site (satellite city) in Bangladesh as a Project Engineer in my professional career. Analysis What is BIM? Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. A BIM is a shared knowledge resource for information about a facility forming a reliable basis for decisions during its life-cycle; defined as existing from earliest conception to demolition.  [2]  For the professionals involved in a project, BIM enables a virtual information model to be handed from the design team (architects, surveyors, civil, structural and building services engineers, etc.) to the main contractor and subcontractors and then on to the owner/operator; each professional adds discipline-specific knowledge to the single shared model. This reduces information losses that traditionally occurred when a new team takes ownership of the project, and provides more extensive information to owners of complex structures. BIM can be used to demonstrate the entire building life cycle, supporting processes including cost management, construction management, project management and facility operation. Quantities and shared properties of materials can be extracted easily. Scopes of work can be isolated and defined. Systems, assemblies and sequences can be shown in a relative scale with the entire facility or group of facilities. Dynamic information about the building, such as sensor measurements and control signals from the building systems, can also be incorporated within BIM to support analysis of building operation and maintenance.  [3]  BIM also prevents errors by enabling conflict or clash detection whereby the computer model visually highlights to the team where parts of the building (e.g.: structural frame and building services pipes or ducts) may wrongly intersect. Features of BIM in site management One of the features of BIM in site management is Virtual design and construction. Virtual Design and Construction is the use of integrated multi-disciplinary performance models of design-construction projects to support explicit and public business objectives. Virtual models are virtual because they show computer-based descriptions of the project. The Virtual project model emphasizes those aspects of the project that can be designed and managed, i.e., the product (typically a building or plant), the organization that will define, design, construct and operate it, and the process that the site management teams will follow. These models are logically integrated in the sense that they all can access shared data, and if a user highlights or changes an aspect of one, the integrated models can highlight or change the dependent aspects of related models. The models are multi-disciplinary in the sense that they represent the Architect, Engineering, Contractor (AEC) and Owner of the project, as well as relevant sub disciplines. The models are performance models in the sense that they predict some aspects of project performance, track many that are relevant, and can show predicted and measured performance in relationship to stated project performance objectives. 3D Model Model walkthroughs: These provide a great visualization tool enabling designers and contractors to work together to identify and resolve problems with the help of the model before walking on-site. Clash detection: Traditionally design drawings must be coordinated to assure that different building systems do not clash and can actually be constructed in the allowed space. Accordingly, most clashes are identified when the contractor receives the design drawings and everyone is on-site and working. With clashes being detected so late, delay is caused and decisions need to be made very quickly in order to provide a solution. BIM enables potential problems to be identified early in the design phase and resolved before construction begins. Illustrating the advantages of BIM, one project for the General Services Administration in America saw BIM model reviewers find 257 constructability issues and 7,213 conflicts. On the same project, traditional plan reviewers found six constructability issues and one conflict. Project visualization: Simple schedule simulation can show the owner what the building will look like as construction progresses. This provides a very useful and successful marketing tool for all those involved in a project. Contractors can also use project visualization to understand how the building will come together. Virtual mock-up models: Often on large projects the owner will request physical mock-up models so they can visualize, better understand and make decisions about the aesthetics and the functionality of part of the project. BIM modeling enables virtual mock-ups to be made and tested for a fraction of the cost. Prefabrication: The level of construction information in a BIM model means that prefabrication can be utilized with greater assurance that prefabricated components will fit once on-site. As a result, more construction work can be performed offsite, cost efficiently, in controlled factory conditions and then efficiently installed. 4D Time Construction planning and management: BIM models provide a means of verifying site logistics and yard operations by including tools to visually depict the space utilization of the job site throughout a projects construction. The model can include temporary components such as cranes, Lorries and fencing. Traffic access routes for lorries, cranes, lifts, and other large items can also be incorporated into the model as part of the logistics plan. Tools can further be used to enhance the planning and monitoring of health and safety precautions needed on-site as the project progresses. Schedule visualization: By watching the schedule visualization, project members will be able to make sound decisions based upon multiple sources of accurate real-time information. Within the BIM model a chart can be used to show the critical path and visually show the dependency of some sequences on others. As the design is changed, advanced BIM models will be able to automatically identify those changes that will affect the critical path and indicate what there corresponding impact will be on the overall delivery of the project. 5D Cost Quantity Takeoffs: To determine a projects construction cost and requirements, contractors traditionally perform material take-offs manually, a process fraught with the potential for error. With BIM, the model includes information that allows a contractor to accurately and rapidly generate an array of essential estimating information, such as materials quantities and costs, size and area estimates, and productivity projections. As changes are made, estimating information automatically adjusts, allowing greater contractor productivity. Real Time cost estimating: In a BIM model cost data can be added to each object enabling the model to automatically calculate a rough estimate of material costs. This provides a valuable tool for designers, enabling them to conduct value engineering. However, it should be noted that overall project pricing would still require the expertise of a cost estimator. 6D Facilities Management Lifecycle management: Where a model is created by the designer and updated throughout the construction phase, it will have the capacity to become an as built model, which also can be turned over to the owner. The model will be able to contain all of the specifications, operation and maintenance (OM) manuals and warranty information, useful for future maintenance. This eliminates the problems that can currently be experienced if the OM manual has been misplaced or is kept at a remote location. Data Capture: Sensors can feed back and record data relevant to the operation phase of a building, enabling BIM to be used to model and evaluate energy efficiency, monitor a buildings life cycle costs and optimize its cost efficiency. It also enables the owner to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of any proposed upgrades. Project communication and Collaboration Communication is essential to integrated site management processes. Without tools that simplify communication and allow the decision maker to make timely decisions, it is difficult to minimize errors and keep everyone in the loop. A collaborative approach by BIM to project communications is the best way to minimize problems. In an integrated process, it is the only way. Different BIM models ideally, a construction project would utilize a single BIM model used by designers, contractors, subcontractors and fabricators for all purposes. Each party could access the model at will, adding content that all others could immediately utilize. The reality is that for many years there will rarely be a single BIM model. The architect may have its design model, each engineer may have an analysis model for its discipline, and the contractor may have a construction simulation model and the fabricator its shop drawing or fabrication model. Interoperability the sharing of information between these di fferent models is critical to the collaborative use of BIM, by assuring that each model consistently represents the same building. However, current technologies, and levels of BIM adoption, do not yet allow seamless coordination between different BIM models. The use of multiple models undermines the collaborative use of BIM and prevents project parties from reaping the full benefits of BIMs capabilities. Identify Collisions before They Cause Issues in the Field: Heres an example of how BIM can dramatically reduce construction cost overruns. KAI was providing BIM services for a large hospital project already under construction. When the managers integrated the MEP, HVAC and fire protection drawings into BIM model, they detected a potential collision between the electrical cable raceways and the HVAC. Then they met with the owner, the designer and the affected contractors to review the 3-D BIM model and work out the best solution for co-locating the raceways and the HVAC. The three-hour meeting saved thousands of dollars in change orders and weeks of potential construction delays. In addition to collision detection, BIM enables the cost-saving power of reusability. For example, for health-care portfolio, they developed standard hospital room types in our BIM system that they continuously adapt for standard components, such as wall and bathroom designs. That allows them to build quickly and keep costs competitive. BIM also makes more off-site fabrication possible. BIMs benefits for general contractors include higher quality work completed on a faster schedule, better design visualization, ability to clarify and control scope of work, more detailed scheduling and phasing, more accurate estimates and quantity takeoffs, improved spatial coordination and, of course, better collision detection. Results and Business Impacts Key Findings BIM building information modelling is a co-ordinated set of processes, supported by technology, that add value by creating, managing and sharing the properties of an asset throughout its lifecycle. BIM incorporates data physical, commercial, environmental, and operational on every element of a developments design. Better outcomes through collaboration All project partners different design disciplines, the customer, contractor, specialists and suppliers use a single, shared 3D model, cultivating collaborative working relationships. This ensures everyone is focused on achieving best value, from project inception to eventual decommissioning. Enhanced performance BIM makes possible swift and accurate comparison of different design options, enabling development of more efficient, cost-effective and sustainable solutions. Optimised solutions Through deployment of new generative modelling technologies, solutions can be cost-effectively optimised against agreed parameters. Greater predictability Projects can be visualised at an early stage, giving owners and operators a clear idea of design intent and allowing them to modify the design to achieve the outcomes they want. In advance of construction, BIM also enables the project team to build the project in a virtual environment, rehearsing complex procedures, optimising temporary works designs and planning procurement of materials, equipment and manpower. Faster project delivery Time savings, up to 50%, can be achieved by agreeing the design concept early in project development to eliminate late stage design changes; using standard design elements when practicable; resolving complex construction details before the project goes on site; avoiding clashes; taking advantage of intelligence and automation within the model to check design integrity and estimate quantities; producing fabrication and construction drawings from the model; and using data to control construction equipment. Reduced safety risk Crowd behaviour and fire modelling capability enable designs to be optimised for public safety. Asset managers can use the 3D model to enhance operational safety. Contractors can minimise construction risks by reviewing complex details or procedures before going on site. Fits first time Integrating multidisciplinary design inputs using a single 3D model allows interface issues to be identified and resolved in advance of construction, eliminating the cost and time impacts of redesign. The model also enables new and existing assets to be integrated seamlessly. Reduced waste Exact quantity take-offs mean that materials are not over-ordered. Precise programme scheduling enables just-in-time delivery of materials and equipment, reducing potential for damage. Use of BIM for automated fabrication of equipment and components enables more efficient materials handling and waste recovery. Whole life asset management BIM models contain product information that assists with commissioning, operation and maintenance activities for example sequences for start-up and shut-down, interactive 3D diagrams showing how to take apart and reassemble equipment items and specifications allowing replacement parts to be ordered. Continual improvement Members of the project team can feed back information about the performance of processes and items of equipment, driving improvements on subsequent projects Business Impact BIM is the future of construction and long term facility management but there is still much confusion about what exactly it is and how it should be utilized and implemented. BIM is a relatively new technology in an industry typically slow to adopt change. Yet many early adopters are confident that BIM will grow to play an even more crucial role in building documentation. BIM provides the potential for a virtual information model to be handed from Design Team (architects, surveyors, consulting engineers, and others) to Contractor and Subcontractors and then to the Owner, each adding their own additional discipline-specific knowledge and tracking of changes to the single model. The result greatly reduces information losses in transfer. It also prevents errors made at the different stages of development/construction by allowing the use of conflict detection where the model actually informs the team about parts of the building in conflict or clashing. It also offers detailed computer visualization of each part in relation to the total building. Conclusion BIM is much more than an electronic drawing tool. In a nutshell, BIM is the creation of a complete digital representation of all stages of the building process in order to facilitate the exchange of project information in a digital format. Driven by an information-rich database, it enables members of the project team to simulate the structure and all of its systems in three dimensions and to share this information. The drawings, specifications and construction details are integral to the model. As a result, the team members are able to identify design issues and construction conflicts well before the first earth mover arrives at the site. A project can realize its greatest potential and highest value when it is collaboratively designed and built that is, when the entire design team works together starting in the early planning and design phase. When effectively used by all key members of a project team the architecture/engineering firm (A/E), general contractor or construction manage r, and specialty contractors, in particular, the mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection contractors BIM is a platform for true collaboration. In fact, input from the mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection contractors in the design phase is critically important to prevent collisions or conflicts in the field. Practical Tips and Key Lessons: Virtual modeling by BIM 3D to 6D approach Cost saving More organized site management Prediction of site problems Collaboration of site works Well scheduled management of site Acknowledgements I would like to thanks my BIM course tutor Janne Salin (part time lecturer, ConREM) and Pà ¤ivi Jà ¤và ¤jà ¤ (teacher, ConREM) for providing me helpful information in the field of Building Information Modeling.

Plan for a A Virtual Community for Teenagers on the Web :: Internet Communities Essays cyberspace

Plan for a A Virtual Community for Teenagers on the Web The Internet, though only considered to be approximately a decade old, has blossomed into an incredible method of communication. However, many of the resources contained on the Internet are hard to find, especially for less-experienced users. A virtual community project would ideally consist of all resources needed for high school juniors and seniors to access at any time and at any location. A perfect online community for teens would consist of many useful resources while allowing for expandability as technology advances. The most important factor of a virtual community would be the obligatory desire to visit and use the site. This could be accomplished by utilizing various techniques. A simple yet appealing interface would have to be employed to build a successful online village. Contests would also draw students from around the world to such a site. Daily winners to trivia or knowledge contests, all with some educational component involved, could win prizes supplied by the site's advertisers. Another important element, the aspect of customization, would also draw students to the site. An abundance of popular Internet sites are progressing toward personalization within the confines of their Web presence. All users to the virtual community would enroll using a short but complete registration form directly linked to the main page of the site. The initial form would consist of such straightforward entries as the user's name, e-mail address, ZIP code, time zone, desired username, and password. By using existing technology, the user would be greeted with a "Hello [name]!" message each time that he or she visited the site. The key to a successful community is accessible information about all of the site's users, but a sensitive issue arises with the mention of personal information. Many students and parents feel uncomfortable releasing information about themselves to a worldwide audience. It is important, therefore, that any particular user does not have to submit personal information to be released to all other users of the site. A strong emphasis would be placed on the importance of releasing enough information so that other users could find those students with similar interests. It is important to note that after completing the initial entry form, all registered users could access all services of the site. After providing personal information, users would be able to create a profile utilizing that information to show such information as interests, location, and current classes.

Race Conflict and Issues: Whites and Non-Whites Post- Revolution Essay

European settlers have a long history of mistreating Native Americans. The most famous example is the Trail of Tears in which President Van Buren and the federal government forcibly and violently removed Cherokee Indians in 1838 from their native land. Over 18 thousand Cherokee women, men and children were forced to walk 1,000 miles from Georgia to Oklahoma. Of these people, 4,000 died from harsh weather, starvation and exposure to illnesses. European settlers during this time viewed Native Americans as uncivilized savage and used this perception to justify violently removing the Native Americans from their land. Native Americans initially accepted the European settlements but pleaded against being removed. The status of African-Americans in this time has generated debate among historians but there is enough evidence to show they were perceived similar to Native Americans; as not equal to European settlers. European settlers justified this by denying their natural rights. African-Am ericans, however, were seen as useful resources and they remained on their land and were used as slaves. In return African-Americans responded by attempting to escape to their freedom. Native Americans were viewed poorly in the eyes of European settlers. "Europeans early perceptions of Indians were an important factor in how explorers and early colonist dealt with Native American people and in the end subdued them. They were sometimes considered barbarians because of their different lifestyle. European settled discussed in primary sources how their rituals and traditions were "horrible and abominable, and deserving punishment.† For example, Native Americans sacrifice souls to their idols as a ritual. Europeans did not think this was good behavi... ...wn ever received a like sentence. The court made these rulings simply because of the color of their skins, which to them reduced African-Americans to a status lower than any white person. It is evident that the Native Americans were unfairly removed from their homeland because the Europeans settlers saw them as savages not worthy to live among them. The Native Americans responded to their cruelty with pleads of desperation. These pleads of desperation were annoyed and instead excuses of doing what’s â€Å"best† for them both proceeded. Works Cited Breen, T. H., and Stephen Innes. "Myne owne ground": race and freedom on Virginia's Eastern Shore, 1640-1676. 25th anniversary Ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2004. Wheeler, William Bruce, and Susan D. Becker. Discovering the American past: a look at the evidence. 6th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 2007.