Thursday, October 31, 2019

Training and Development in the Companies Essay

Training and Development in the Companies - Essay Example The essay "Training and Development in the Companies" talks about the needs of the training modules, the retail chain initiates numerous measures to prepare the workforce in J Sainsbury, Plc, the renowned retail chain of the United Kingdom. Sainsbury has a dedicated system of review known as Performance Development Review. The Tesco company has implemented dedicated programs of training and development of its highly skilled work force so that it can align with the changing needs and dynamics of the business environment. The same is true for the other prominent retail chain of the country, J Sainsbury. The company is one of the closest competitors of Tesco and so was selected to be the other grocery chain to carry out the report. J Sainsbury, Plc has been the renowned retail chain of the United Kingdom. The organization is celebrating its 140th year of establishment this very year and therefore has come up with a whole lot of schemes and promotional offers to cater to the changing pur chasing needs of the customers. To ensure efficient and effective training sessions, at the outset it is important to identify the areas in which training is required. For the purpose, Sainsbury has a dedicated system of review known as Performance Development Review. Through the Performance Development Review, all the employees of the company discuss the issue of career development with the respective managers and also consider the progress made towards the double objective of organizational goal.

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

CAPM Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

CAPM - Term Paper Example Since capital asset pricing model is not a valid method, there are alternative methods used instead of CAPM. Alternative method includes weighted average cost of capital plus the tailor made marker risk assessment method. The paper ill illustrate the reason as to why the weighted average cost of capital is a better method/approach than the capital asset pricing model method. A brief conclusion will summarize why capital asset is a biased methodology and present why WACC is a better method in assessing cost of capital. Beta measures investment risk of non-diversified venture. Beta measures risk of an already diversified investment portfolio. Beta risk is the only risk which investors do receive a relatively high return than the risk free interest rate. The beta part of asset serves to measure riskiness in an asset. Beta measures individual asset risks and represents non diversifiable risk part of an asset. Beta of a portfolio is an average measure of all individual betas of an asset. Individual asset standard deviation squared measures risks associated with deviations/fluctuation of asset rate of return over time. According to the CAPM, investors are compensated for taking risk and so as to capture the element of time value of money in valuation of risky assets. The risk free rate captures the time value of money in the above formula.it shows how an investor ought to be invested for putting resources in a certain investment over time. Beta is a measure of risk in the model2. The decision rule in the model is that an investment is only undertaken when the expected return meets required return in an investment3. A security market line shows the relationship between CAPM results and various risks in the capital market. Risky assets are the assets which are traded in the asset market. Risk free assets refer to the process of lending and borrowing of assets with a certain interest rate. The CAPM assumes information on

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Understanding The Conflict In Darfur Sudan History Essay

Understanding The Conflict In Darfur Sudan History Essay In the early 2000s, Darfur, located in western Sudan, was in the news. The reason was due to mass killings that took place. Scholars have isolated three predominant reasons for the killings. One being that it was an ethnic issue between the Arab North and the African South. The second being a matter of religion, the North was Muslim while the South was Christian and native religion. The third reason was natural resources and nomadic tribes that resided in the area. Most scholars believed that one or a mixture of the three reasons listed caused the violence in Darfur. This topic was important because hundreds of thousands of people have died and millions displaced due to the conflict. Another reason was due to the fact that the United Nations have not acknowledged that what happened in Darfur was genocide. If they acknowledged that fact, they would have to act. Going back through history could provide the origin of the conflict in Darfur. By doing so, it was possible to see how historians agree or disagree on these issues. Each scholar brought his or her own strength to the debate of what caused the war in Darfur, Sudan. Most of the authors narrowed their argument down to one or two main causes. Whether it was ethnic conflict, religion, land, cultural identity, politics, resources, or a mixture of any of these, each scholar used their research to the best of their ability to explain to the public why their argument best explained the root of what has seemed to be constant warfare. Amir Idris author of the 2005 book Conflict and Politics of Identity in Sudan, looked at the conflict as being the product of a radicalized state that transformed cultural identities into political identities.  [1]  He stated that this was the cause of the current conflict but he came to this thesis by looking into the past of Sudan. He focused on the enslavement of people as being where these identities emerged. He quoted Douglas Johnson on the Darfur kingdom, established in the seventeenth century AD, and how they raided the southern part of the country.  [2]  Idris continued his slavery argument by showing how in Northern and Central Sudan owning land was having a high social status but tilling ones own land was socially humiliating.  [3]  This was where the importance of slaves came in. Northern Sudan obtained slaves from Southern Sudan through raids.  [4]   These raids focused on the non-Muslim/non-Arab peoples of these states.  [5]  By attacking those who were not Arab or followed the same religion as themselves they used this as social justification for slavery.  [6]  As Northern Sudan continually invaded the South, this undoubtedly would cause tension between North and South Sudan. This also brought forth the basis of Idris argument. With the North constantly raiding the South there was a constant racialized interaction.  [7]  Northern Sudan Muslims claimed they were the descendants of distinguished Arab ancestors.  [8]  Though Southerners eventually converted to Islam, they were not accepted into society because they were African.  [9]  Idris argued that those involved with the slave trade were the ones who came up with the racialized terms.  [10]  By coming up with terms that described those who were not Arab or Muslim as inferior, slave traders could use that as justification for enslaving people. Religion and race tend to go hand-in-hand in Sudan. Idris brought up religion in passing when he stated that Muslims saw themselves as superior to those of the non-Muslim and Arab groups.  [11]  In these societies just because a person was Muslim did not mean that they were safe from enslavement as Idris pointed out.  [12]  Slave raids brought Western Sudan Muslims to the North.  [13]   Amir Idris argument about the fighting in Sudan can be applied to Darfur. Race has often been one of the issues looked at when scholars have investigated the causes behind the war in Darfur. The racial tension brought forth during the slave raids of the 18th and 19th century undoubtedly left scars that would reappear in the early 21st century. The Arab versus non-Arab conflict showed through Idris argument was a possible reason behind the systematic killings that took place in Darfur. In The Worlds Worst Humanitarian Crisis,: Understanding the Darfur Conflict, an article written by Ahmad Sikainge in 2009, he argued that the conflict in Darfur was due to an explosive combination of environmental, political, and economic factors.  [14]  The first area Sikainga explored was the environment. He gave a brief overview of the climate in Darfur. The Northern part of Darfur was vast desert, the South contained rich savanna, and the Central part of Darfur was plateau.  [15]  This striking difference between the North and the South undoubtedly caused tension. For people located in the north to see their southern neighbors with far more natural resources had to cause some feeling of animosity. Sikainge stated in his article that it was not only the vast difference in the climate that was partly responsible for the outbreak of war but also the land system, which brought fourth questions of ownership. He presented the Hakura system, which was the land ownership system established by the Fur Kingdom that ruled until 1874.  [16]  This system revolved around communal land ownership.  [17]  The local chief was responsible for allocating land to members of his group, which they would cultivate.  [18]  The chief of the Hakura would be responsible for settling any disputes that arose.  [19]  However, post-Sudanese independence rulers saw this system as outdated and put forth policies that affected the chiefs authority thus taking away his authority of settling disputes.  [20]   Sikainga highlighted one important cause of conflict was between the Northern Darfur nomads and pastoralists in the South.  [21]  As the climate changed, nomads of the North were forced down into parts of the South where the Hakura system was in place, and any conflict that arose between these two groups were settled locally as was custom.  [22]  However, as stated above post-independence rulers did away with the Hakura system, and the local chiefs were no longer able to resolve conflicts.  [23]   Sikainga, in his article, covered his basis as he also looked into the ethnic conflict that was present in Darfur. He stated that post-colonial government saw many Arabic speaking elites taking high-ranking positions.  [24]  These elites were mainly from the North and Central parts of the country, where the population was mostly Arab, and tried to forge a national identity between Islam and Arabism.  [25]  Sikainga pointed out that this national identity caused a rise in resistance in the non-Arab and non-Muslim South.  [26]   In his article, Sikainga looked at multiple viewpoints as the source of conflict in Darfur. He did not focus on one particular aspect of the conflict but instead he argued that multiple aspects led to the genocide in Darfur. He looked at the environmental issue, land ownership, and race as being explosive causes, each contributing to the conflict in Darfur. In the 2007 book Explaining Darfur: Lectures on the Ongoing Genocide, authors Agnes Van Ardenne-van der Hoeven, Mohamed Salih, Nick Grono, Juan Mendez, and Fouad Ibrahim look into the conflict of Darfur. They went about laying the groundwork with basic information. Once established, they dived into the cause or causes behind the conflict. As the authors of this book pointed out, there seemed to be a fallacy that the fighting was about resources.  [27]   Much like other scholars, these authors looked at race being one the main causes behind the fighting.  [28]  In addition to race, they looked into the heritage of slavery between Arabs and Africans.  [29]  This slavery went back to the 18th century, a topic that Amri Idris addressed in his book. As Arabs enslaved Africans, this caused the creation of an inferiority complex among those of the African ethnic groups.  [30]  The Arabs until recently were semi-nomads who commanded a larger amount of territory than their African counterparts did.  [31]  These authors pointed out that land was another contributing factor for the near constant conflict. For the Arab Janjaweed who attacked African ethnic groups their aim was to expand their territory and power.  [32]   The authors pointed out there were not always conflict between nomads and farmers. They pointed out that farmers, after harvesting their crop would allow nomads to bring in their cattle to eat the residue and fertilize the soil.  [33]  However, as the climate changed pushing the desert further south and with an increase in population, the friendly relationship turned hostile.  [34]  Traditional law once resolved this conflict over land, now the government in charge has turned a blind-eye to the conflict.  [35]   Race and religion have been presented, so far. This was most likely because these two topics are the most explored and researched by scholars. Not only are these two topics most explored but also they are both the most obvious causes to the conflict. It was also perhaps easy to research these two topics as there are more primary sources available. One scholar that went outside of the scope of these two topics in the crisis in Darfur was Fana Gebresenbet. She looked at the climate and environmental factors as being causes of the conflict in Darfur. One reason that the environment was important was due to pastoralism and dry land agriculture in the area.  [36]  In the Darfur states, there has been an irregular but marked decline in rainfall.  [37]  This decline in rainfall would be devastating for pastoralist and those who relied on the land. The area that was suffering from this decline in rainfall was Northern Darfur.  [38]  This decline naturally caused a decline in productivity.  [39]  While the people who lived in Darfur are used to harsh condition the current change in the environment has put strains on the people.  [40]   Two other authors who expanded on the work that Fana Gebresenbet did were Balgis Osman-Elasha and Amin El Sanjak. These authors looked at how droughts in Northern Darfur have driven people into Southern Darfur.  [41]  People of Northern Darfur are mostly Arabs and Muslims, while people in Southern Darfur are mostly African and either Christian or have their own religion. It was not hard to believe that there would be some conflict between these ethnically and religiously different people. Both authors recognized that the conflict was the result of many complex problems but they focused on natural resources.  [42]   As drought became more common, nomads migrated to the wetter parts of Southern Darfur.  [43]  However, as more people moved into the South, the added population put further stress on resources there. Osman-Elasha and Sanjack cited weak institutions and administrative power, because of their late response to the conflict over resources.  [44]  They stated that since the collapse of the traditional administration system, which handled conflicts over resources, it took more time to deal with these conflicts, which allowed them to grow.  [45]  Ahmed Sikainge showed the local administrative system and land ownership was set up during the Fur Kingdom, which existed until 1874.  [46]   Fana Gebresenbet, Balgis Osman-Elasha and Amin El Sanjak looked outside what other scholars have looked at by focusing on the environment and resources. As the environment changed people would undoubtedly have to adapt to the changes. However, with little resources already and with the changes in environment making the situation worse, violence over resources is a good argument into the crisis in Darfur. Sources are important to any scholars research. Other scholars will look at the sources that they decide to use for their research to see where and what types of sources they used. By looking at sources, they can also point out any sources that may be bias to what the scholar argued. A good scholar would try to incorporate sources that went against their argument so that they can disprove what that source argues. The sources that Amir Idris used are mainly secondary sources from scholars who have written on Sudan. The sources that he used backed up his argument. One author that he cited multiple times was Douglas H. Johnson. The reasons that are not many primary sources were because oral tradition was in these areas were widely used in these areas. Muslims did bring written records to the area. However, considering that Muslims were often the ones enslaving people in Southern Sudan, their records might reflect their bias. Ahmad Sikainge much like Amir Idris used secondary sources. The sources that Sikainge incorporated into his article were ones that primarily dealt with race, and the issue of land. Each author that Sikainge used he did so efficiently. He used research from Alex de Waal who has written on the subject of Darfur. The authors of Explaining Darfur: Lectures on the Ongoing Genocide used secondary sources one of which was a report done by the United Nations. What was good about bringing in a report from an international organization was that it is less likely to be biased. They also incorporated maps to show the ethnic groups of Darfur. Scholarly work was important. However, there was always the possibility of bias towards one thing or another. By bringing in work from a supposedly neutral source, they bolster their argument. The sources that Fana Gebresenbet used to show her argument are primarily based on the changing climate in Darfur. While she did use secondary scholarly work, she also incorporated works from numerous organizations. She used multiple reports published by the International Panel on Climate Change to show how the climate in Darfur has changed. Gebresenbet also used work published by the Global Humanitarian Forum and The World Initiative for Sustainable Pastoralism. She also used a report from the United Nations Environment Programme, another non-governmental organization. Not only did she utilize these reports in her work but she also used graphs to show how the rainfall had decreased in certain areas. These graphs are on many pages throughout her work. Balgis Osman-Elasha and Amin El Sanjak both used secondary sources and works published by non-governmental organizations. Their work focused on the environment similar to Fana Gebresenbet. Non-governmental organizations such as Food and Agriculture Organization, Foundation for Environmental Security and Sustainability, World Meteorological Organization, and African Centre for Technology Studies did some of the reports that Osman-Elasha and Sanjak used in their work. They used multiple reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and United Nations Environment Programme. Much like Fana Gebresenbet, Osman-Elasha and Sanjak used graphs and maps to show how rain decreased while the population in Darfur increased. Scholars presented their argument in a way that made it easy to pinpoint what they were trying to convey. Most of the authors focused in on one or two reasons behind the conflict in Darfur, while other authors looked at broader reasons and incorporated multiple aspects. Each of the books and articles presented has their aspects that build on the understanding of Darfur. However, each book and article has its flaws. In Conflict and Politics of Identity in Sudan, Amir Idris argued that it was fighting between Arabs and non-Arabs that has caused the conflict. Idris also brought up religion as it built upon his argument. While two aspects undoubtedly caused turmoil in the area, Idris focus was so narrow that he failed to consider that perhaps race and religion are but one of many problems for Sudan. While he did bring up valid points concerning slavery, his failure to broaden his area of focus by not including other possible arguments left his work, while good on points of slavery and the conceptions of race categories, somewhat lacking. Ahmad Sikainges article The Worlds Worst Humanitarian Crisis: Understanding the Darfur Conflict was a good article that outlines multiple aspects of the conflict. Because his focus was not so narrow, he was able to bring in more sources that better round off his argument. He looked at the environment, land ownership and the ethnic conflict as being reasons for the Darfur crisis. It was hard to find any flaws in Ahmad Sikainges article because he was incredibly thorough in covering his basis. Explaining Darfur: Lectures on the Ongoing Genocide authors Agnes Van Ardenne-van der Hoeven, Mohamed Salih, Nick Grono, Juan Mendez, and Fouad Ibrahim looked at race, slavery, land, and the changing climate as causes of the conflict. They covered many topics well. However, they did not look into the matter of religion, which is an important topic in Sudan. Fana Gebresenbet wrote that the environment and climate change was the primary cause of the conflict in Darfur. Because Gerbresenbet focused solely on the environment, she did not bring up other points of view. She did address the importance of the environment to pastoralist as they are tied to the land. However, she based the entire conflict of Darfur on the environment and land issues. While both are important for people who rely on the land for their source of food and income, she does not even address other causes that could have contributed to the conflict. Unlike Gebresenbet, Balgis Osman-Elasha and Amin El Sanjak both recognized that many complex issues contribute to the conflict in Darfur but they focused on natural resources. They do bring in the land system that other scholars have mentioned in their work. While they do not go into detail about the other complex issues, they acknowledged that the feud over land and resources was just a part in conflict. Undoubtedly, many problems contributed to the conflict in Darfur. Some scholars argue that it was ethnic feuding with religious undertones, feuds over limited resources due to changing climate, or land. The written scholarship on the conflict has been extensive. Scholars took their own unique approach to what may have caused the conflict in Darfur. They presented arguments may or may not convince readers of the origins of the conflict. However, they do show the many problems have plagued Darfur and Sudan for centuries. The genocide that was taking place in Darfur will undoubtedly not be resolved until these issues are dealt with.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Brave New World :: Essays Papers

Brave New World Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley, while fictitiously showing the future possible advances of science and technology, is actually warning people of what science could become. In the Foreword of Brave New World, Huxley states: â€Å"The theme of Brave New World is not the advancement of science as such; it is the advancement of science as it affects human individuals† (xi). He is not suggesting that this is how science should advance, but that science will advance the way that people allow it to. The novel is not supposed to depict a â€Å"utopian† society by any means, but it is supposed to disturb the reader and warn him not to fall into this social decay. Huxley uses satire to exploit both communism and American capitalism created by Ford. Huxley’s first example of satire is that he shows elements of communism in the World State. Dictatorship is an element of communism and is shown in Brave New World by means of the World Controller, Mustapha Mond. In the World State, people â€Å"belong† to everyone else. Mustapha Mond, when lecturing students, says, â€Å"†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢every one belongs to every one else’† (40). This thought in the novel is similar to that of communism where everyone shares everything. In Brave New World, however, Huxley takes this thought to another level. Sex, in the World State, is encouraged to occur with everybody. Even kids are encouraged to participate. People are scolded for having only one partner. Fanny, Lenina’s friends said, â€Å"’I really do think you ought to be careful. It’s such horribly bad form to go on and on like this with one man†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢Ã¢â‚¬  (41). Lenina could possibly be punished for â€Å"having† only one man. This is how Huxley uses satire to exploit communism. Huxley also uses satire to show that consumption is becoming a religion in America. Henry Ford is a god in this novel because he invented the assembly line. The assembly line creates a means for mass production of items. In the novel, mass production is how people are born. Because of this, Ford is an ideal god for the World State. He symbolizes a religion that lets a ruler rob people of their individuality for progress and stability. People in the novel use the name of Ford like people today use God’s name. Bernard, when talking to Lenina, said, â€Å"†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢for Ford’s sake, be quiet!’† (90).

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Break Room Rules and Regulations

In our effort to give more comfort to our employers, we are presenting this new break room that can be used by every employee during their lunch time or other free times. To be able to maintain its cleanliness and orderliness, we make some guidelines on using it. This memo contains the rules and regulation on using the said room.1. This room is made for all the employees only. Inviting some guests or visitors is discouraged. 2. Please be reminded that you are not alone in this room. Doing something that may disturb other employees is strictly prohibited.3.  Smoking is prohibited because it may affect the health of others. 4. Posting a note on the wall is prohibited. There will be a place provided to you to put your note. 5. Be sure to clean up all the food wrappers, tissues, dirty dishes every time you finish your meal.Please be reminded that there are some employees that will use the room after you. 6. The refrigerator is for food storage only. Storing things, except for food, is strictly prohibited. 7. Please use garbage cans to avoid dirty environment. This will make the room more pleasant in the eyes of every employee.Violators of these rules are subjected to any punishments according to what intense of the violation made. These rules and regulations are open for suggestion and any comments. References Haworth inc. Office etiquette 101 Retrieved on August 28, 2007 from http://sourcebook. haworth. com/websourcebook/content/items/document/e1062. pdf American Bar Association (2007). Office Etiquette Essentials. Retrieved on August 28, 2007 from http://www. abanet. org/media/youraba/200704/article12. html New York Magazine Holdings (2007). Codes and Conduct. Retrieved on August 28, 2007 from http://nymag. com/guides/2007/officelife/30012

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Cheating in College Essay

In the article, Cheating in College by Scott Jaschik published in Inside Higher Ed (September 2012), we look in depth as to why we as students sometimes cheat and are okay with it. A scandal took place at Harvard University that had to do with cheating, and what professors and educators could do about stopping students from doing so. Professors from various universities asked many questions regarding the article and seemed interested in helping with the matter. â€Å"Is cheating getting worse?† Jaschik answers back with several things. They had done a study to test how many students were cheating in 2010 and shows declining in cheating. They planned to do more tests in 2012. Students try and justify that cheating is okay because it’s simply â€Å"the real world† and believe they can use Internet for anything because it’s faster and easier. Studies found that students that have time management issues are the ones doing most of the Internet using and cheating, but also they argue that while asked to do something for an employer, they don’t have enough time to come up with original work and need factual information so it makes it okay. The article also compares information to generations before. â€Å"†¦students do not appear to be less aware of moral implications associated with cheating, but have convinced themselves that what they are doing isn’t cheating†. Students came up with excuses and rationalized choices that made morals become invalid and convince themselves that there is no other choice. Cheating on more written assignments rather than testing is the difference between cheating throughout the generations. Colleges are now trying to find ways to better educate students so they don’t cheat. They came up with an honor code to build more of an ethical  community and culture throughout the University. Not all universities have jumped onto the Honor Code idea, but they are finding new codes everyday to help with the issue of cheating in colleges. Cheating in colleges is an issue all around the United States, and coming up with ways to prevent the issues is what the article is trying to do. It’s trying to get educators to come up with a way, such as an honor code, to get cheating to stop on campuses.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Why Its Dangerous to Mix Bleach With Alcohol or Acetone

Why It's Dangerous to Mix Bleach With Alcohol or Acetone Mixing chemicals can be a bad idea, particularly if one of the chemicals is bleach. You may be aware household bleach gives off dangerous fumes when mixed with bases, such as ammonia, and acids, such as vinegar, but did you know its also risky to mix it with alcohol or acetone?  Bleach reacts with alcohol or acetone to form chloroform, a chemical that could knock you out and cause organ damage. Making Chloroform: The Haloform Reaction Chloroform is an example of a haloform (CHX3, where X is a halogen). Any of the halogens can participate in the reaction, except fluorine because its intermediate is too unstable. A methyl ketone (molecule with R-CO-CH3 group) is halogenated in the presence of a base. Acetone and alcohol are two examples of compounds that can participate in the reaction. The reaction is used industrially to produce chloroform, iodoform, and bromoform (although there are other reactions better for chloroform). Historically, its one of the oldest known organic reactions. Georges-Simon Serullas made iodoform in 1822 from reacting potassium metal in a solution of ethanol (grain alcohol) and water. Phosgene Many online sources mention the production of highly toxic phosgene (COCl2) from mixing bleach with alcohol or acetone. This is a chemical with practical applications, but may be best known as a deadly chemical weapon known to have an odor of musty hay. Mixing bleach with the other chemicals doesnt produce phosgene, however, chloroform breaks down into phosgene over time. Commercially available chloroform contains a stabilizing agent to prevent this degradation, plus it is stored in dark amber bottles to reduce exposure to light, which can hasten the reaction. How Mixing Could Occur While you wouldnt put bleach in a mixed drink, you might use it to clean up a spill or use it in a cleaning project with alcohol-containing glass cleaner. Acetone is found in pure form and in some nail polish removers. The bottom line: Avoid mixing bleach with anything except water. Chloroform can also result from disinfection of water using bleach. If the water contains high enough levels of reactive impurities, haloform and other carcinogenic chemicals may be produced. What Should I Do If I Mix Them? Chloroform has a sweet smell, very unlike that of bleach. If you mix bleach with another chemical and suspect a nasty fume was produced, you should: Open a window or otherwise air out the area. Avoid breathing in the gas.Leave at once until the vapor has had time to dissipate. If you feel faint or sick, be sure  another person is aware of the situation.Make certain children, pets, and other household members avoid the area until youre sure its okay. Usually, the concentration of chemicals is low enough that the amount of toxic chemical is low. However, if youre using reagent grade chemicals, like for a lab experiment to intentionally make chloroform, exposure warrants emergency medical attention. Chloroform is a central nervous system depressant. Exposure can knock you out, while high doses can lead to coma and death. Remove yourself from the area to avoid additional exposure! Also, please keep in mind that chloroform is known to induce tumors in rats and mice. Even low exposure isnt healthy. Chloroform: Fun Fact In books and movies, criminals use chloroform-soaked rags to knock out their victims. While chloroform has been used in some real-life crimes, its actually almost impossible to knock someone out with it. About five minutes of constant inhalation is needed to cause unconsciousness.

Monday, October 21, 2019

Free Essays on Computers And Consciousness

Computers and Consciousness Can a computer have a mind? This question has been debated upon for decades by philosophers, mathematicians, physicists’ etc. Alan Turing, a mathematician, said that if we cannot distinguish between the answers a computer gives to questions and the answers a human being gives, then the compute has a mind. But I stand at a different view. In the course of my paper I will discuss the various reasons I believe that computers are not conscious in the same way a human mind is conscious. To come to such a conclusion, as to whether or not computers are conscious the same way as a human mind, what we need to understand first is what exactly does it mean to be â€Å"conscious†. To be conscious means that one is aware of their existence, possesses feelings and has thoughts of their own. Computers were invented by human beings, humans who are not perfect and not all knowing. Computers are programmed by humans, and thus they don’t have the awareness of their own existence, they don’t have feelings and they are programmed to think the way their programmer has designed them to think. Computers lack the free will to think and make decisions by themselves, they do what they are programmed to do. Processing speed is irrelevant to what’s most important in human cognition. Computers have fabulous calculation power, bottomless memory, endless patience and stamina, but they lack consciousness and emotion. While technology offers â€Å"help† and solutions too it is no substitute for the human mind. In the 18th century, philosopher David Hume said, â€Å"All morality in the end is rooted in emotional response.† Our sensibilities, ethical and aesthetics make us human and distinguish us from computers. Computers do not have and therefore cannot adopt points of views. They do not have feelings. No amount of processing speed or memory storage capacity can surmount that obstacle. A computer’s response to a question w... Free Essays on Computers And Consciousness Free Essays on Computers And Consciousness Computers and Consciousness Can a computer have a mind? This question has been debated upon for decades by philosophers, mathematicians, physicists’ etc. Alan Turing, a mathematician, said that if we cannot distinguish between the answers a computer gives to questions and the answers a human being gives, then the compute has a mind. But I stand at a different view. In the course of my paper I will discuss the various reasons I believe that computers are not conscious in the same way a human mind is conscious. To come to such a conclusion, as to whether or not computers are conscious the same way as a human mind, what we need to understand first is what exactly does it mean to be â€Å"conscious†. To be conscious means that one is aware of their existence, possesses feelings and has thoughts of their own. Computers were invented by human beings, humans who are not perfect and not all knowing. Computers are programmed by humans, and thus they don’t have the awareness of their own existence, they don’t have feelings and they are programmed to think the way their programmer has designed them to think. Computers lack the free will to think and make decisions by themselves, they do what they are programmed to do. Processing speed is irrelevant to what’s most important in human cognition. Computers have fabulous calculation power, bottomless memory, endless patience and stamina, but they lack consciousness and emotion. While technology offers â€Å"help† and solutions too it is no substitute for the human mind. In the 18th century, philosopher David Hume said, â€Å"All morality in the end is rooted in emotional response.† Our sensibilities, ethical and aesthetics make us human and distinguish us from computers. Computers do not have and therefore cannot adopt points of views. They do not have feelings. No amount of processing speed or memory storage capacity can surmount that obstacle. A computer’s response to a question w...

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Definition and Examples of Sarcasm

Definition and Examples of Sarcasm Sarcasm is a mocking, often ironic or satirical remark, sometimes intended to wound as well as amuse. Adjective: sarcastic. A person adept at using sarcasm is sarcastic. Also known in rhetoric as  sarcasm and the bitter taunt. Sarcasm, says  John Haiman,   is  a particularly transparent variety  of cheap talk or hot air insofar as the speaker is overtly meaning (and saying) the opposite of what he or she ostensibly claims to be saying (Talk Is Cheap: Sarcasm, Alienation, and the Evolution of Language, 1998). Pronunciation: sar-KAZ-um ​​​Etymology: From the Greek, bite the lips in rage Examples and Observations Oh, a sarcasm detector. That’s a really useful invention!(Comic Book Guy, The SimpsonsOh, Lou, my mother would whine, dressed for a cocktail party in her muted, earth-tone caftan. Youre not going to wear that, are you?Whats wrong with this? hed ask. These pants are brand-new.New to you, shed say. Pimps and circus clowns have been dressing that way for years.(David Sedaris, The Womens Open. Naked. Little, Brown and Company, 1997Dr. House: So youre treating professional sports injuries now?Patient: Oh, no, Im not . . .Dr. House: . . . familiar with the concept of sarcasm. Dont sweat it, its new.(Dying Changes Everything, House, M.D.Abed: Another muffin basket, from another actress who wants to be in my next film.Jeff: Does that work?Abed: Yep. Meryl Streep has two Oscars because of her baking. Ah, thats sarcasm, but I forgot to inflect. This sounds way more like sarcasm. Inflection is so interesting.[Abed should have said intonation, not inflection.](Danny Pudi as Abed and Joel McHale as Jeff in Communication Studies. Community, Feb. 11, 2010 Neither irony or sarcasm is argument.(Samuel Butler)First, situations may be ironic, but only people can be sarcastic. Second, people may be unintentionally ironic, but sarcasm requires intention. What is essential to sarcasm is that it is overt irony intentionally used by the speaker as a form of verbal aggression.(John Haiman, Talk Is Cheap: Sarcasm, Alienation, and the Evolution of Language. Oxford University Press, 1998 Irony and Sarcasm Classical rhetoricians admired irony as a rhetorical device primarily because of its ability to engage the audiences interest. . . .However, as Aristotle pointed out, irony frequently implies contempt for its target and therefore it must be used carefully. Moreover, while Aristotle observed that irony befit[s] a gentleman, he warns that to be most effective, [t]he jests of the ironical man [should be] at his own expense, not at the expense of others. . . .For example, when [Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Antonin Scalia accuses] the Court of misleadingly describing its previous sex-classification cases, Scalias sarcasm is patent: The wonderful thing about these statements is that they are not actually falsejust as it would not be actually false to say that our cases have thus far reserved the beyond a reasonable doubt standard of proof for criminal cases, or that we have not equated tort actions, for all purposes to criminal prosecutions. He is equally sarcastic elsewhere.(Michael H. Frost, Introduction to Classical Legal Rhetoric: A Lost Heritage. Ashgate, 2005) Contrary to frequent usage, irony, the device, does not always communicate sarcasm, the effect. The speaker or authors rhetorical goal may be anything from gentle humor, intended to produce a mutual laugh and so establish rapport between speaker and hearer, to corrosive derision meant to insult the audience or reduce a target to a smoking ruin. What is attempted or achieved (the speech act or illocutionary dimension of the utterance) depends, as always, on the variables of the rhetorical situation, and on how the device and its detection contribute to those variables.(Jeanne Fahnestock, Rhetorical Style: The Uses of Language in Persuasion. Oxford Univ. Press, 2011)Let it be first provided that this figure (sarcasmus) be not used without some great cause which may well deserve it, as arrogancie, insolent pride, wilfull folly, shamefull lecherie, ridiculous avarice, or such like, for it is both folly and rudenesse to use derision without cause: but to mocke silly people, innocents, or men in misery, or the poore in distresse, argueth both the pride of the mind, and the crueltie of the heart.(Henry Peachum, The Garden of Eloquence, 1593) Adrian Monk: This is my assistant, Sharona.Ambrose Monk: Hello, we spoke on the phone.Adrian Monk: Oh, so you can dial a telephone! I was worried. I thought you might be paralyzed, or something.Ambrose Monk: I wasnt paralyzed.Adrian Monk: I was being sarcastic.Ambrose Monk: You were being sardonic. Sarcasm is a contemptuous ironic statement. You were being mockingly derisive. Thats sardonic.(Tony Shalhoub and John Turturro in Mr. Monk and the Three Pies. Monk, 2004)Whatever the reason, I was saddled with this strange name, which meant that I was constantly, constantly, being serenaded with the sometimes you feel like a nut Almond Joy/Mounds jingle, which I would have liked to quote in full, except that Hersheys legal staff denied me permission. I can certainly understand why. God only knows what ruin might befall Hersheys if this jinglewhich hasnt been used in two decadeswere suddenly brazenly resurrected by a young Jewish candy freak. One shudders to consider the fallout for the ent ire fragile candy-trademark-jingle trademark ecosystem.(Steve Almond, Candyfreak, 2004) Sarcasm is related to our ability to understand other peoples mental state. It is not just a linguistic form; it is also related to social cognition.(Dr. Shannon-Tsoory, qtd. by David Adam, Highest Brain Areas Spot Lowest Form of Wit. The Guardian, June 2, 2005)Sarcasm I now see to be, in general, the language of the devil; for which reason I have long since as good as renounced it.(Thomas Carlyle, Sartor Resartus, 1833-34) The Lighter Side of Sarcasm Teen 1: Oh, here comes that cannonball guy. Hes cool.Teen 2: Are you being sarcastic, dude?Teen 1: I dont even know anymore.Homerpalooza, The Simpsons) Leonard: You convinced me. Maybe tonight we should sneak in and shampoo her carpet.Sheldon: You dont think that crosses the line?Leonard: Yes. For Gods sake, Sheldon, do I have to hold up a sarcasm sign every time I open my mouth?Sheldon: You have a sarcasm sign?(Johnny Galecki and Jim Parsons in The Big Bran Hypothesis. The Big Bang Theory, 2007)Leonard: Hey, Penny. Hows work?Penny: Great! I hope Im a waitress at the Cheesecake Factory for my whole life!Sheldon: Was that sarcasm?Penny: No.Sheldon: Was that sarcasm?Penny: Yes.Sheldon: Was that sarcasm?Leonard: Stop it!(Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, and Jim Parsons in The Financial Permeability. The Big Bang Theory, 2009)

Saturday, October 19, 2019

The condition of secondary education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The condition of secondary education - Essay Example lt, secondary schools in the US are under constant pressure to perform regardless of the availability of materials and programs capable of improving educational quality. The vast majority of American secondary schools are public institutions dependent on funding from local, state, and federal governmental sources. However, this funding is contingent on the performance of students on standardized tests within core academic areas. The â€Å"No Child Left Behind Act† requires that schools maintain certain levels of achievement in math and English and provide proof of this through yearly state testing of the student body. This law applies to both primary and secondary schools, and facilities which fail to achieve the required standard risk losing their federal funding and may fall under the requirements of their state (New York Times, 2011). Besides the additional expense related to standardized testing, this increases pressure on teachers and administrators and limits the flexibility of the educational system in general concerning topics of academic concentration and teaching methods. While secondary education is subjected to constant governmental statues demanding compliance with current statutes, that funding which is available is not adequate to provide schools with all of the required materials, staff, faculty training, and educational programs needed to provide high quality education. As over 90 percent of secondary schools are public institutions, they bear near total responsibility for educating the minors within the population. Overcrowding within dense populations further strains available text books and other learning materials and limits the availability of instructors. Recent studies suggest that the combination of these circumstances greatly inhibits a student’s ability to learn (wik.edu.uiuc.edu, n.d.). This threatens the ability of individual schools to achieve testing standards in order to gain future funding while reducing the quality of education

Friday, October 18, 2019

Mundell-Fleming model Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Mundell-Fleming model - Essay Example If the monetary policy is constant and is not modified, higher level of government spending might entail the sharp rise in the demand for money which in turn may lead to higher interest rates. As one knows from the course in macroeconomics, capital inflows that, the nation can receive in this scenario, may strengthen the exchange rate to the level that it can hamper the export operations of the private companies and thus reduce or even stultify any positive expansionist effect of the government spending. The following graph illustrates the model; it also provides the illustration on the effect that fiscal policy under floating exchange regime might cause on the economy of the country. Thus monetary policy is one of the most effective tools in the economic policy of the Government under floating exchange rate regime; if the government increases the supply of money, which leads to the reduction of the interest rates, which consequently entails capital outflow, that in turn depreciates exchange rates and consequently stimulates export activities in the country and leads to the expansion in the economy through higher level of net exports. 2 The opposite situation occurs under the regime of fixed exchange rates. As one can see under floating exchange rates in the short time period, the interest rate is bound to decrease (which might take more positive effect on the economy and stimulate investment activities in the country... First, there should be one "interest parity" condition. National interest rates on the bonds i should equal interest rates overseas i* with the expected rate of the depreciation of the exchange rate (Et (et+1 - et)). In the above mentioned equitation, e is a logarithm of the exchange rate (foreign currency denoted in national one), whereas Et is the expectations of the markets based on the time t information. As one can conclude from the situation mentioned, there is no difference between the profitability of national and foreign bonds; however as in current economic system, the capital is highly mobile so the two bonds could pay various interest rates only if the investors expect to receive some compensation from the differences in exchange rates. It is assumed in this model that the country is comparatively small in the global capital market and the foreign interest rate i* is exogenous in this case. (On this picture MM- short time equilibrium, whereas GM -goods market equilibrium, q long run equilibrium level of the real exchange rate, e exchange rate, C and B various levels of the economy). 3 The rate parity equitation in this case is written as the following: it +1 = i + Et (et +1- et), in this equation it +1 is the nominal exchange rate whereas (et +1- et) predicted rate of charge of exchange rate. Dornbusch's model was based on the assumption that there was no uncertainty in the economy; many observers also claim that above mentioned equation of uncovered interest parity is rather an exception from the rule, and the interest parity situation rarely happens in practice. According to equation of Dornbusch high interest rates might lead to the increase in the opportunity cost of keeping money and thus entail the decrease in the demand for money; the

Alternative Methods of Involving Employees in Decision Making Essay

Alternative Methods of Involving Employees in Decision Making - Essay Example Moreover, I have realised the method of transition from one paragraph to another in order to keep the flow of a paper from feedbacks. Introduction â€Å"Employee involvement is not the goal nor is it a tool. Rather, employee involvement is a management and leadership philosophy about how people are most enabled to contribute to continuous improvement and the ongoing success of their work organization† (Employee Involvement: How to Involve Employees in Decision Making, 2012). Advancements in science and technologies and subsequent development of new organizational principles stress the importance of employee involvement in decision making process in an organization. Earlier, top management and middle management were responsible for taking critical decisions with respect to the functioning of the organization. However, the necessities of employee involvement in decision making process are well documented by modern researches. â€Å"For a company to remain healthy over the long term, a new strategic direction that would help it to grow and offer its people challenging work, is needed† (Xarcos, 2009). Ensuring employee participation in the decision making is one way of giving a strategic direction to an organization. â€Å"The concept of employee involvement originates from a leader kind of philosophy where people contribute to the effectiveness of the company and improvement is continuous. Companies that employ this strategy are most successful in areas of their business†(Alexander, 2011). Employees are the most important resource as far as an organization is concerned. In fact employees are the only active resource of an organization and the supervision from this active resource is necessary mobilize all the other passive resources of an organization. Being the only active resource in an organization, employees should be given participation in the decision making process so that they may feel more attachments towards the organization. Differe nt methods are used by different for ensuring employee participation in the decision making process. This paper analyses the alternative methods of involving employees in decision making and the benefits and challenges that these might present for an organisation. Alternative methods of involving employees in decision making The following figure illustrates the ladder of decision making in an organization. Ladder of Decision Making Level 1. Executive Decision Level 2. Executive Decision with Report Level 3. Consultative Decision Level 4. Employee Recommendation Level 5. Delegated Decision (with Veto) Level 6. Delegated decision (w/o Veto) Level 7. Employee Decision Responsibility for the Decision (Gallagher, 2002) At level 1, the chief executive is taking decisions independently and he may or may not inform his decision to the employees during latter stages. At level 2, the executive takes decisions and inform it to the employees in the near future itself. At level 3, the executive welcomes ideas from employees before the decision making process. At level 4, the executive assigns the duty of decision making to the employees whereas at level 5, the executive can accept or reject the decisions taken by the employees. At level 6 employee decisions will be accepted by the executive whereas at level 7, employees may not even inform the executive about their decisions. â€Å"Strategies to encourage employee involvement through participatory, consultative and cooperative workplaces have been widely promoted since the 1970s†

Cambodia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Cambodia - Essay Example This is what will be dissertated in the following. One of Cambodia's major natural resources is its forests, but illegal logging has severely hurt this industry. Both the environmental groups Global Witness and Friends of the Earth have collected videotape testimony of logging officials admitting to the illegal exportation of timber. Vietnam stated that the government "firmly respects the forestry policy of Cambodia and has advised all provinces and competent authorities to carry out the Vietnamese Prime Minister's order to ban logging exports to Vietnam." (Vietnamese 'Furniture' Plundered from Cambodian Forests, p.2). The issue of deforestation in Cambodia is a major one, not only because of the fact that their forests are one of their major natural resources, but also because the act of deforestation takes away from another problem they are experiencing, which is wildlife extinction. Many measures have been taken in an attempt to at least cut down the element of deforestation, considering how terribly damaging it is to Cambodia as a whole. In February of 1999, the Prime Minister of Cambodia even tried to pass measures to crack down on illegal logging, and as well he asked for donors to give money in order to help protect the forests. "But despite the measures taken and an estimated 1.3 billion dollars in aid, Global Witness says that the illegal logging and exportation continue." (Leggett, n.d.). The root cause of the deforestation which is taking place in Cambodia seems most likely to consist of many elements. Not only a combination of governmental mismanagement and corruption and economic development, but also the ever-widening gap between classes continue to cause deforestation across Cambodia. The significance of forests both for their natural resources as well as for their innate beauty continues to decline, and environmental protection remains undervalued. Although there is not one sole cause, the element of guerilla factions can for the most part be considered as the root cause of Cambodia's deforestation. In regards to these guerilla factions, we are speaking namely of the Party of Democratic Kampuchea or Khmer Rouge. "During the Cambodian conflict, guerilla factions and the State of Cambodia used logging to finance their war efforts. The SOC exported timber to Thailand. Thailand depended on neighboring countries like Cambodia for timber as it had to adhere to a 1989 logging ban." (Think Quest, 2005). Another major environmental problem in Cambodia is that of their wildlife extinction dilemma. This issue includes the wildlife of many different species, including the freshwater dolphin. Wildlife preservation officials are extremely worried that Cambodia's rare freshwater dolphin species will be extinct in the next 10 years; with most of these dolphins dying in fishing nets. Studies have shown that an estimated 10 dolphin calves are born a year, but Fisheries Department data shows that 14 died in 2003, 18 in 2004 and 13 in 2005. Tourism Ministry Secretary of State Thong Khon said the ministry has begun patrols along the river and is further investigating the reasons behind the deaths of the dolphins to prevent their extinctions. Hunting is widely considered to be the greatest immediate threat to wildlife in the Dry Forests, as well as throughout the rest of Cambodia. Although people primarily hunt for

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Case Study - Research Proposal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Case Study - Research Proposal - Essay Example This diminishes their quality of life and increase health care costs even though early detection can either prevent or lessen or postpone some of the emotional social and debilitating physical effects that these impairments have on the older people (Parmeleet al, 1992). The major key issue that I have encountered in this field is that those who have the responsibility of taking care of the aged always have a negative opinion towards the behavior of the aged people; they claim that, the aged are too demanding and always complaining. In addition to poor memory and loss of important sense which disable them to understand, reason and act as expected and due to these complications they create an unpleasant relationship with nurses in care homes and public in general and this sometimes results in neglect, abuse and mistreatment (Lau et al, 2001). Nursing homes should be located in a serene cool environment free of any form of disturbances and pollution with access to shops public transport and most importantly close to family and friends. It should also be designed such that it contains:- These properties ease work and reduce e stressing conditions experienced by nurses. A nursing home should also contain occupational and recreational facilities for the needs of its residents (Parmeleet al, 1992). ... A nursing home should also contain occupational and recreational facilities for the needs of its residents (Parmeleet al, 1992). There should be also sufficient security to ensure maximum safety and must of course comply with the building regulations and with general fire and safety rules since the homes are required to provide the residents with comfort. A nursing home must ensure that suitable, sufficient, nutrition and a variety of food is provided since dietary restriction on medical or religious grounds must be common also involving the residents in planning meal time and choice of food will reduce the rate of conflicts (Zerhusen et al, 1991) (ii) Education and training Nurse's area very busy due to the amount of work involved in nursing homes and must be in relatively good physical shape. They should also be good in communication skills in order to deal effectively with their patients by practicing good listening and giving clear directions to both patients and aides (Zerhusen et al, 1991). This is essential in dealing with human suffering and emergencies. In addition to fostering mutual understanding between the nurses and aged, the nurses must completely undergo through training in state approved practical nursing programs, which can be offered through community based, and technical programs. Also periodic licensing renewal is essential where the nurses are interviewed and their performance scrutinized and their service record checked (McCurren et al, 1999). In the improvement of prompt service provision new technology has to be implemented and this calls for further training of the nurses in regard to new systems and equipments introduced. Educating the nurses increases their understanding; attitude and insight in

Discuss the conflict between human intelligence and artificial Essay

Discuss the conflict between human intelligence and artificial intelligence - Essay Example These utopian societies tend to change what ‘human’ is all about. Technology has affected the way humans have lived to such an extent that normal functions, like sleep, eating or even reproduction, has been replaced by an artificial means† (â€Å"Utopia†, 2006). In this view, the robots are nearly indistinguishable from humans in the way they function and in their ability to respond in much the way humans might, with only slight differences circulating around the ability to feel emotion. Still other viewpoints hold that technology of this caliber would lead to a technological dystopia, in which all these advances lead instead to a decline in the quality of life led by the human citizens. â€Å"A dystopia is usually characterized by an authoritarian or totalitarian form of government, or some other kind of oppressive social control† (â€Å"Dystopia†, 2006). This question of whether or to what degree a man-made creation can feel human emotions pl ays a large role in the interpretation of how this society develops as well as the development of the creations themselves. In both cases, utopia or dystopia, the judgment call is made on the quality of life of the humans, with little to no regard for the lifestyle and options available to the robots who have achieved a higher level of existence. Several films have been created to illustrate these varying viewpoints, including Frankenstein, War Games, Blade Runner, The Terminator, Stepford Wives, I Robot and AI: Artificial Intelligence. Technology first allows man to create life out of nothing, without the interference of God, in the tale of Frankenstein, first written in the 1817 by Mary Shelley and made into film in 1931 (Irvine, 1997). In this instance, technology attempts utopia by conquering death but goes awry by bringing to life a creature that can find no acceptance and little understanding in the tiny German village

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Case Study - Research Proposal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Case Study - Research Proposal - Essay Example This diminishes their quality of life and increase health care costs even though early detection can either prevent or lessen or postpone some of the emotional social and debilitating physical effects that these impairments have on the older people (Parmeleet al, 1992). The major key issue that I have encountered in this field is that those who have the responsibility of taking care of the aged always have a negative opinion towards the behavior of the aged people; they claim that, the aged are too demanding and always complaining. In addition to poor memory and loss of important sense which disable them to understand, reason and act as expected and due to these complications they create an unpleasant relationship with nurses in care homes and public in general and this sometimes results in neglect, abuse and mistreatment (Lau et al, 2001). Nursing homes should be located in a serene cool environment free of any form of disturbances and pollution with access to shops public transport and most importantly close to family and friends. It should also be designed such that it contains:- These properties ease work and reduce e stressing conditions experienced by nurses. A nursing home should also contain occupational and recreational facilities for the needs of its residents (Parmeleet al, 1992). ... A nursing home should also contain occupational and recreational facilities for the needs of its residents (Parmeleet al, 1992). There should be also sufficient security to ensure maximum safety and must of course comply with the building regulations and with general fire and safety rules since the homes are required to provide the residents with comfort. A nursing home must ensure that suitable, sufficient, nutrition and a variety of food is provided since dietary restriction on medical or religious grounds must be common also involving the residents in planning meal time and choice of food will reduce the rate of conflicts (Zerhusen et al, 1991) (ii) Education and training Nurse's area very busy due to the amount of work involved in nursing homes and must be in relatively good physical shape. They should also be good in communication skills in order to deal effectively with their patients by practicing good listening and giving clear directions to both patients and aides (Zerhusen et al, 1991). This is essential in dealing with human suffering and emergencies. In addition to fostering mutual understanding between the nurses and aged, the nurses must completely undergo through training in state approved practical nursing programs, which can be offered through community based, and technical programs. Also periodic licensing renewal is essential where the nurses are interviewed and their performance scrutinized and their service record checked (McCurren et al, 1999). In the improvement of prompt service provision new technology has to be implemented and this calls for further training of the nurses in regard to new systems and equipments introduced. Educating the nurses increases their understanding; attitude and insight in

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

The role and the purpose of the US Special Forces during the Vietnam Era Essay Example for Free

The role and the purpose of the US Special Forces during the Vietnam Era Essay Introduction: What is theory? Theory is other man’s experience. Otto von Bismarck put it this way: â€Å"Fools say they learn from experience. I prefer to learn from the experience of others.† Vietnam War taught many a new tactics to the US army in counter-guerrilla warfare. But the crusade in the jungles of Vietnam war not a happy experience for the US Army. The guerrilla warfare was not part of the US military culture. Vietnam War taught voluminous lessons to the US military. The Special Forces branch (Special Forces, SF, or Green Berets) is an elite special operations force; a part of the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC), a component of United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM).Special Forces units given many types of special responsibilities. â€Å"During the Vietnam war, special forces played an important role. Among their number were the US armys 5th Special Forces Group, Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) units, the Military Assistance Command—Vietnam—Studies Observation Group (MAC-V-SOG), US navy Sea Air Land (SEAL) teams, US Marine Force Reconnaissance units and USAF Air Commandos, special operations squadrons, and combat control teams of forward air controllers.† (Special Forces..) During the Vietnam War era, some of the assigned duties to these forces were unconventional warfare, special reconnaissance, foreign internal defense, counter terrorism, psychological operations, and proliferation and information operations. Vietnam War was a special type war for America. It was the war in a small country in a big way. The war was not ending even when they wished to terminate it early. It prolonged, went beyond their control, and ultimately Vietcong emerged victorious humbling the mighty USA. Humiliation and defeat were the two words which the US Army found hard to digest, yet they had no other alternative. What were the matchless guerilla warfare skills of the Vietcong, which contributed to the defeat of the mighty military force, including the US Special Forces? The task of fighting a war for a Western country like USA in an Asian country poses the language and communication problems. A wing of the Special Forces is trained in local language skills, familiarizes itself with the local culture and acquires special skills in working with foreign troops. The listing of their duties is fairly long and duties are added depending upon the contingencies. Some of the important duties taken care of by the US Special Forces during the Vietnam Era are peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, de-mining and counter-drug operations, combat search and rescue, coalition warfare and support etc. Many of the operational techniques of the U.S. Special Forces are secret but doctrinal manuals are available for the common man, press and research scholars. Their official motto is De Oppresso Liber (Latin: â€Å"To Liberate the Oppressed† Special Forces are not under the command of the ground commanders, unless otherwise specified. While in theatre, mostly they report directly to the United Sates Central Command. The Special Forces organized Civilian Irregular Defiance Groups (CIDG) during the Vietnam War. For most of the duration of the War, the 5th Special Forces trained and led CIDG mobile strike forces. To create such forces, minority tribes and groups from the border and mountain regions were drafted. Small-unit patrols defended their home bases in the border areas, to deter the Vietcong and North Vietnamese regular units of the army. Initially this plan succeeded and the U. S. Special Forces units encountered success after success. (U .S. Army†¦) â€Å"Whats more, during 1966-67 American field commanders increasingly employed Special Forces-led Mike units in long-range reconnaissance missions or as economy-of-force security elements for regular units. Other CIDG-type forces, called mobile guerrilla forces, raided enemy base areas and employed hit-and-run guerrilla tactics against regular enemy units†Ã‚   (U. S. Army†¦)From recruits amongst the Nung tribes, three units were formed, Dela, Sigma and Omega, which formed part of the Special Forces. They were both reaction forces and put on duty of reconnaissance. Their contribution to the war effort was significant. The 2500 regular soldiers of the U.S Army raised and led an army of 50,000 tribal fighters. Being familiar with the local conditions and geography, they operated successfully in some of the most difficult terrains and areas of Vietnam. â€Å"The CIDG patrolling of border infiltration areas provided reliable tactical intelligence, and the units secured populations in areas that might have been otherwise conceded to the enemy.†Ã‚   (Clarke, pp.196-207) In short, the CIDG, CAP, and CORDS programs encountered success in pursuing the counterinsurgency in Vietnam. They contributed in greater measure to the scope and area of actionable intelligence. They provided valuable experience and lessons to the US army as to how to fight wars in Vietnam-like situations. In war situations and in an ongoing conflict, it is futile to talk about permanent victory or permanent defeat. Only permanent efforts matter. In the initial stages, the US offensive led by the Special forces in many areas and departments of the war were successful. But soon, problems began to surface one after another. The once US solutions became the present US problems. The seeds of hostility between the South Vietnamese and the ethnic minority groups of the CIDG strike forces blocked the US efforts to Republic of Vietnam Special Forces take command of the CIDG program. The second drawback was that the villagers became habituated to the security cover provided by the Special Forces. They proved incapable of defending themselves, due to poor leadership and equipments. Conclusion: In the end, even the well-trained Special Forces of USA, assisted by the Vietnamese, were no match for the grit and determination of the Vietcong. They proved capable to fight a prolonged war in their own territory, and in the unconventional war, they succeeded in conducting surprise ambushes and giving telling blows to the Special Forces. They excelled in every area, guerrilla warfare, subversion, evasion and escape and sabotage. â€Å"Clear and hold† counterinsurgency strategy by the American military including the Special Forces, in the concluding stages of the Vietnam War, doomed the American military might. The policy of General William Westmoreland to seek out every soldier and kill him (â€Å"search and destroy†) proved counter-productive. He was replaced by General Creighton Abrams, who reversed the earlier order by another strategy—controlling and defending patches of territory and population. But even that did not work. The people began to hate Americans intensely. Tiny villages and hamlets were bombed by the American army. The civilian casualties were heavy. In a six-month operation, the US 9th Division, counted 10,000 dead, but only 751 weapons were recovered. This indicates a large number of civilian causalities. Viet Cong did suffer heavy losses from 1968-1972, but soon the US Administration realized that the Special Forces had outlived their role in Vietnam. The debate whether the U.S. political authority   let down the war efforts or was it the   awesome ordeal of fighting the war for two decades, that contributed to the eventual defeat of the American forces   still goes on unabated. To fight a interminable guerrilla and conventional war in the enemy territory for such a long period is no ordinary job. The long run had the telling effect on the morale of the army, which was haunted by corruption and factionalism. The popular support had dwindled. At such a juncture, the Communists took to the offensive and the defeat of the American Army was round the corner.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  .   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚           References: Special Forces: Definition and Much More www.answers.com/topic/special-forces 95k Retrieved on June 14, 2008 U.S. Army Professional Writing For much of the Vietnam War, the 5th Special Forces Group†¦ www.army.mil/professionalwriting/volumes/volume2/august_2004/08_04_02pf.html 43k Cached – Retrieved on June 14, 2008 Clarke, Jeffrey J:   Advice and Support: The Final Years (Washington: US Army Center of Military History, 1988), pp. 196-207.

Monday, October 14, 2019

The Eye 2002 And 2006 Movie Comparison

The Eye 2002 And 2006 Movie Comparison 2.0 Literature Review 2.1 Introduction To make sure the research can be done in correct way with relevant content. Researcher can use relevant article, journal even theory to provide an idea or evidence of the research topic so that credibility and accuracy of the works can be increased. Thus, literature review is one of the important parts in completing research. 2.2 Horror Films According to the journal of Tim Dirks (1996), horror films are unsettling films designed to frighten, panic and dread to invoke people hidden worst fears while captivating and entertaining people at the same time in a cathartic experience. Horror films effectively centre on the dark side of life, the forbidden, strange and alarming events. Thus, it deals with people most primal nature and fears, nightmares, vulnerability, alienation, revulsions, fear of death and dismemberment, loss of identity and fear of sexuality. From the earliest days, people used their vivid imaginations to see ghost in shadowy shapes, emotionally connected to the unknown and fear things that are improbable. People can get into an outlet for the feeling of fear itself without actually being in danger by watching horror films. Theres a very real thrill and fun factor in being scared when watching horrific images. A good horror film does not need complex technology special effects to produce in some situations. This is because when horror films done with less reliance on horrify special effects, it can be extremely effective film forms which tapping into people dream states the horror within man himself or unknown. The earliest horror films were in Gothic style, which means they were usually set in fog-shrouded, spooky old mansions, or castles, dark and shadowy locales. For the main characters have included supernatural or grotesque creatures, monsters, vampires, devils, ghosts, zombies, demons even an unknown human. Horror films can be developed from several sources such as folktales with witchcrafts, devil characters, myths, fables, ghost stories and novels. In horror films, the irrational forces of horror invariably need to be defeated. These films normally will end with a return to normalcy and victory over the antagonism. 2.2.1 Plot Dorian Scott Cole claims that plot is refer to the main plan of the story, the structure of an event to telling what is happening from the beginning to the end of the event. Its also the engine that drives the story forward on the course. It plays an important role in an event like films and literatures. To make a plot of the story, writers need to consider what the character needs and his situation in the story. When the characters are put in a situation, they are going to start working to get what they want. Writers need to get clear with everything in the story so that they can construct the plot clearly without any confusion. There are many types of plot that writers can use to construct their story. One of the famous types of plot that frequently used by writers is Freytags pyramid. Classically Freytags pyramid can be divided into 5 parts which are exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution and denouement. In the exposition, the background information that is needed to understand the story properly is provided. Such information includes protagonist, antagonist, basic conflicts, settings, and so forth. The exposition ends with the inciting moment, which is the single incident in the storys action without which there would be no story. The inciting moment sets the remainder of the story in motion, beginning with the second act, the rising action. During the rising action, the basic conflict is complicated by the introduction of related secondary conflicts, including various obstacles that frustrate the protagonists attempt to reach his or her goal. Secondary conflicts can include adversaries of lesser importance than the storys antagonist, who may work with the antagonist or separately, by and for themselves. The third act is that of the climax, which marks a change, for the better or the worse. If the story is a comedy, things will have gone badly for the protagonist up to this point and things will begin to go well for protagonist. If the story is a tragedy, the opposite state of affairs will ensue, with things going from good to bad for the protagonist. During the falling action, the conflict between the protagonist and the antagonist unravels, with the protagonist winning or losing against the antagonist. The falling action may contain a moment of final suspense, during which the final outcome of the conflict is in doubt. The resolution is the character solves the main problem or conflict or someone solves it for him or her. Everything of the story will be settled in this stage. The comedy ends with a denouement in which the protagonist is better off than he or she was at the storys outset. The tragedy ends with a catastrophe in which the protagonist is worse off than he or she was at the beginning of the narrative. Writers are very depending on their creativity in composing the flow of plot in order to make the event attractive and interesting. If the plot is not composed in suitable and attractive way, the final event will not in good condition no matter how good the idea is. Thus, there is a big challenge to a writer in composing an interesting plot for a film or literature. 2.2.1.1 Developing a Plot for Horror Films There is a challenge for a writer in developing a plot for horror film. According to Theresa Hoppers journal in 2002, writers need to keep their mind to be original when work out a plot for horror film. Writers can make their writing original by adding own personal take on a familiar plot. There are so many horror plot devices that people familiar with such as happy family moving into haunted houses, naà ¯ve people abusing Ouija boards, charismatic vampires, vengeful witches, demon lovers and so on. These have all been used since the beginning of the genre, but it is not meaning that writer cannot still employ them successfully. They just have to think of a unique way by looking at the subject so that they can give a new life in the old device. Christina Hamlett claims there are several steps in developing a plot for horror film in proper way. First of all, writers need to familiarize themselves with as many horror films as they can and study the techniques that filmmakers like to use to scare their audiences. For example, use fairly ordinary items like dolls, cars, dogs, houses and other daily things and imbue them with extraordinary and malevolent powers. Besides that, they also escalate the suspense and terror by systematically isolating the potential victims, utilizing gruesome visuals and scary sound effects, and playing on the apprehensions that many of people had as children. After that, writers can make a list of the top 10 thing that people are most afraid to according the level of threatening. Then pick the one that absolutely terrifies writer the most and form the basis of the plot. There is a must writer to pick out the scariest object for them in order to develop the story with true feeling. If not they will no t able to develop the story that really touch audience because writers even not able to persuade themselves the story or the object is scary. Once the object has been chosen as the main things in horror film then writers need to outline the scary story before start to write it. Outline is very important part in developing a plot because it helps writers to clarify every single elements or conflicts in the story before they write out the detail things. To outline the scary story, writers need to give the villain in the story a plausible motive for what it does. For example, the villain is seeking revenge against the descendants of the person who killed him, the villain is seeking to avenge the honor of a deceased sweetheart, responding to an ancient curse that forces the main character to do evil things or reacting to the effects of a bad lab experiment. There are so many possible way to let writers develop, it is just depending on the creativity of the writers. To avoid the protagonist in the scary story just simply be reacting to everything that the monster do, writers need to give them some solid motivations. For instanc e, hero needs to accomplish to be thwarted in some way by the presence of the evil forces. He cant simply walk away from this scary conflict because if he does, something even worse could happen as a result. After all the characters basic information and the conflicts between protagonist and antagonist have been developing. It is the time writers indentify the story into 5 parts of the plot which are exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution and denouement. Writers need to get clear with what is happening within the 5 parts of plot. During the moment, writers need to decide how many characters that needed in the storyline and what kinds of locations will be required. Last but not least, the dialogue should always sound natural, horror films tend to have less dialogue in them than other genres because their strength is derived from the scary visuals and action sequences. 2.3 Music in Horror Films Simon Boswell is a music composer who famous for his involvement in several classic horror films. Those involvements are including many by Italian horror master, Dario Argento. According to Boswells statement Music in horror films is probably more powerful than in any other genre, so its good for a composer to do them because he can be very influential on the action. John Hubinette claims that music in horror films is more powerful than in most other films due to the dramatic nature and shifting pace of horror films. The main purpose of horror film is to scare people. To do these by all means possible, filmmakers will not only depend on visual. Even though music is a very important aspect of horror films, it must never distract the audience. The music should fit the action as well that is not perceived as a separate aspect of the film, it should be integrated with the visual and work to seamlessly intensify the events in the film. This is perhaps the reason why music in films is so often overlooked. It the music is well composed and well implemented, it will becomes a part of the overall experience. In the earliest years, orchestral music is the most characteristic type of horror film music. It has been used since the birth of the genre even today orchestral music is the most popular type of music used in horror films, thrillers and adventure films. Theres a reason why orchestra music is so popular and rapid used in horror film until today. Orchestral music has open-endedness and great dynamic range that allows the composer to greatly vary his compositions to follow the event in a film. Another reason could be that orchestra music is very neutral and appeals to a wide audience, but perhaps the main reason is that powerful orchestral music simply works very well when there is a need to convey emotions and set a certain mood. Today, orchestral music is not the only genre used in horror films. Many films differ in this area by using other kinds of music such as synthetic based music and industrial music. For example Blair Witch 2 which uses alternative rock and meal music. This selection of music works pretty well, as it is quite dark, brooding and suits the visual style of the film. In several times, classic orchestral horror music has been replaced with music that would normally never even be considered for a horror film. Perhaps the most extreme case is American Psycho, which mainly uses American 80s rock and pop music. In this film, it becomes obvious that horror films require the right kind of music to function properly. A very odd feeling is produced when Patrick Bateman (the male protagonist) slaughters one of his victims to the tune of Hip to be Square by Huey Lewis and the News. It produces a complete audio-visual dissonance, but when this music decreases the fear factor of this particular scene, it does create a very odd experience, which is probably what the film makers aimed to create. 2.4 Sound Effects in Horror Films Besides music, sound effects are also one of the important elements in horror film. It has the ability to give a big shock to audience and enhance the scary atmosphere in the scene dramatically. Besides that, sound effects helps to make the action in horror film become lively and increase the reality feeling. According to the statement by John Hubinette, he claims that both the music and sound effects are directly linked to the visuals of the film. Music works by accompanying the events in the film to create or adjust a certain mood or atmosphere. Sound effects are usually tied even more closely to the events in the film, most of the cases are applied to intensify or mark direct action such as movements and impact. These sounds are usually exaggerated especially in action film and horror film. Theres a classic example of an exaggerated sound effect which is punches, which often sound like whip lashes when normally filmmakers would produce a barely audible. Although this kind of sound effect might negatively affect the realism of certain events in a film, it does serve to increase the power and intensity of movements, impacts and other actions which is very important especially in horror films that aiming to create a confrontational audio-visual experience. There is also a type of sound effect known as ambient sounds that widely use in horror films nowadays. In horror film, ambient sounds usually insert in looped sequences and used to create a background noise for a scene. Thus, it will looks natural even enhance the particular moods in the scene. There are some examples of ambient sounds that people can found in horror film such as crickets, humming, the wind blowing, thunder and rain. It is also interesting to note that in particular horror films tends to highlight sounds that people would normally not pay attention to, such as a beating heart or someone breathing. This usually happens when there is a single victim being chased or stalked by a monster or ghost. The purpose is to draw audience into the scene and to make it part of the action or put it in the situation of the victim. This tactic works very well in horror film in most of the time. Other than that, silence can also function as a sound effect in some scenes. It can be used when there is a need to create high tension and also be used together with loud musical hits in a turn-taking sequence. Silence has the function that emphasizes the certain atmosphere or situation in the scene instantaneously. Compare with music and sound effects, silence will be the best weapon for filmmaker to draw audiences attention in particular scene. Audiences needs nowadays are become more complicated, they will not satisfy with the effort on visual effect in horror film. Music and sound effects are also the element they concern with. 2.5 Theories and Concept Applied Theories are very important in conducting a research; it helps research to explain certain phenomenon or situation with evidence. Thus, the result of research will be more persuasive once research applied theory in his work. Auteur Model and Feminist Model will be included to analyze the content analysis in this research. 2.5.1 Auteur Model In the 1950s and 60s, the film critic Andrew Sarris became the leading American proponent of what is now called Auteur Theory. Auteur is come from French word which means author. Talk of artistic and the term auteur placed the director centrally as the author of the film. An auteurist critic looks for consistency of theme and design throughout a directors film. If the film maker was to be seen as auteur they would have to exhibit through a series of films clear auteur characteristic. To fulfill the requirement of Auteur model, there are four characteristics author refer to. Firstly, the visual style of the film; which means the Mise en scene and designation of cinematography in the film. Secondly, the narrative structure and feature of the film; which referring to the story genre and the message that bringing by the film. Third, the particular character traits and situation; which referring to the acting style and the performance of actors. The last characteristic is referring to the theme that set in the film. If the filmmaker has reached those entire mentioned characteristic, these characteristics will be clearly seen in all of his work in whatever genre. Gillkings statement claims Alfred Hitchcock as a director frequently studied from an auteur perspective. When Auteur Model was being developed, Alfred Hitchcock was frequently acknowledged as the consummate exemplar. Even his name evokes immediate expectations in terms of themes and techniques. As the master of mystery and suspense, Hitchcocks films play with the audiences nerves, sexuality or tabooed areas assume central or implicit places. For example the latent homosexuality of Strangers on a Train (1951), the Parody of an Oedipus complex in Psycho and the traumatic remembrance of repressed Memories of Marnie (1964). Hitchcock was influenced by the German Expressionists and he admired their ability to express the ideas in purely visual terms. It is the visual expression of thought and psychology that Hitchcock achieves throughout his films. Hitchcocks films are marked by his mastery of cinematic technique which is exemplified in his use of camera viewpoints, elaborate editing and soundtrack to build suspense. There are several example can be found in his films. For the first, Notorious (1946) includes an incredible zoom-in from a high shot to an extreme close-up of a significant plot detail and suspense building inter-cutting of the final scene. Secondly, In a scene in Blackmail (1929), Hitchcock uses a complex pattern of sound and dialogue based around the word knife to reflect feelings of guilt. Besides that, there is a cut from a womans scream to the similar sound of a train whistle in the The Thirty-Nine Steps (1935). In Suspicion (1941), his personal stamp is typified by the use of a light bulb to produce the effect of an ominous, glowing glass of milk. This attribution of symbolic power to inanimate objects is another hallmark of Hitchcock which a bread knife in Blackmail (1929) and a key in Notorious (1946). He a lso places great focus on the creation of set pieces where he is able to exercise his talent for detail and suspense. According to the statement of Gillking, he also claims that Hitchcocks vision of the world is reflected in the themes that predominate in his films. The specific psychology that is presented in the films such as the fascination with wrongful accusation and imprisonment is a significant part of the Hitchcock signature. One of the basic themes is that the mistaken identity, the wrong man accused who must find the real perpetrator in order to prove his innocence for example The Lodger (1926), The Thirty-Nine Steps (1935), North By Northwest (1959) and so on. Other than that, Hitchcock also found visual expression for his themes in recurrent motifs that express his vision of the world like staircases in Strangers On A Train (1951), Vertigo (1958), Psycho (1960), sinister houses in Psycho (1960), chasms in Vertigo (1958), North by Northwest (1959) and National Landmarks that the most obviously in North by Northwest which includes the United Nations Building and Mount Rushmore. Besides Alfred Hitchcock, there are so many directors that under Auteur Theory, such as John Ford from United States, Pang Brothers from Hong Kong, Jack Neo from Singapore. They have their own strong characteristic in directing a film and it is hard to imitate or replace by others. People are familiar with their style even can recognize their film easily with the characteristic of film that mentioned above. 2.5.2 Feminist Model Feminist model is widely used to discover and describe a distinctively female perspective on film, as well as those ways in which the cinema might not be found uniquely pleasurable by female viewers. There are two elements which are psychoanalytic and ideological analysis has blended by Feminist model criticism. The psychoanalytic component is found in attempts to understand the ways cinema arouses the pleasure and desires of its audiences and how this might differ on a gender basis. In the other side, ideological is found in the efforts of feminist criticism to relate the portrayal of women in films to particular social attitudes, assumptions and practices that may be found in the more general society of which those films are a part. According to the statement of Stephen Prince, he claims that Feminist film criticism tends to assume two forms. The first is an analysis and description of how a male-dominated film industry has selectively shaped images of women in films that have been created largely by men. Male director has portrayed womens image in their desired way through the visual spectacle and the use of the close up function in film to present women as erotic object for the contemplation of an ideal male audience. For example, Marilyn Monroe or Marlene Dietrich is the most popular star who is the erotic image for a male audience. She gave the extraordinary visual attention through her body in the film which directed by male director. The second form is closely related to the first, it is the discovery of alternative feminist forms or filmmaking and images of characters. There is a wide range of filmmakers and models of filmmaking to choose by the feminist critic. The critic could examine the work of a director such as Jane Campion, who makes films that are not slotted into particular genres or targeted to be large crowd pleaser employing traditional formulas. Two of her films are The Piano (1993) and Orlando (1993). The Piano (1993) , stars Holly Hunter as a mute, Victorian, unwed mother who travels to New Zealand to fulfill an arranged marriage to an English farmer who living there. The film explores her torturous reception as both a woman and an artist. She have to live in a culture which is alien to her and that places her into the most insensitive and brutal husband. Orlando (1993), this film examines the consequences of gender roles and how they affect the way people live their lives. Sally Potters film is adapted from a Virgina woolf story about a young man during the Elizabethan era who lives for over four centuries without aging but who mysteriously changes into a woman. Orlando has experiences the world from the perspective of each gender through living as both a man and a woman. Orlando comes to appreciate the uniqueness of each genders role and how socially conditioned these roles are. The Piano (1993) and Orlando (1993) are philosophically and aesthetically distinct from male-directed productions. In the unique term of their narrative and image all the perspective brought to gender. Its social definition and impact on sexuality, speech and art, each film offers the pleasures of distinctive female voice in cinema. 2.6 Summary This chapter explains horror films, plot, music, sound effects and 2 theories which are Auteurist Model and Feminist Model with several facts and example. Researcher can learn and understand more about the background of the titles throughout this chapter. By studying all the titles above, it will give researcher a clearer image about what is going to focus in the following chapters. Thus, it also minimizes the chances researcher out of topic when doing this research.

Sunday, October 13, 2019

Government Essay -- Analysis, Thoreau

Thoreau starts his essay by supporting the motto- â€Å"that government is best which governs least† (177), which implies the reduction of governmental interference in everyday affairs by reducing the government’s capacity to tax for unpopular causes. A case in point is a poll tax – a â€Å"per head† tax imposed on all citizens to help support, what Thoreau considered an unjust war against Mexico, which would extend slavery into new US territories, organized by a small elite of persons who have manipulated government to their benefit against popular will (177). Furthermore, Thoreau maintains that government rarely proves itself useful and that it derives its authority from the majority since they are physically the strongest group, not because they hold the most legitimate viewpoint. He continues that individual’s prior obligation is to do what they believe is right and not to obey the law dictated by the majority. It can be suggested that when a go vernment is unjust, people should refuse to obey the law and dissociate themselves from the government in general. This implies that a person is not obligated to devote his life to eradicating evils from the world, but he is ought not to participate in such evils, which could mean not being a member of an unjust institution such as the government. However, at the same time, it could not be the most appropriate approach for one to dissociate from the society and be ultimately responsible to herself alone, especially in current interconnected world. Moreover, it is worth noting, that there is a strong sense of individualism and skepticism toward the government throughout Thoreau's work. It can be argued that Thoreau is deeply skeptical of the government because he despises the view that an individu... ...mply not make the world any worse. To return to the original question, it would appear that a man has a duty to act according to the dictates of his conscience, despite the latter goes against majority opinion, or the laws of society. In cases when the state supports unjust or immoral laws, Thoreau's notion of service to one's country paradoxically shifts to the form of resistance against it. Resistance is the highest form of patriotism because it illustrates a desire not to demolish government but to build a better one in the long term. Thus, Thoreau does not advocate a complete rejection of the administration, but resistance to those specific features considered to be unjust or immoral. Even though Thoreau’s ideas were not much influential in nineteenth century, it helped to inspire Mohandas Gandhi’s and Martin Luthor King’s theories of nonviolent resistance.

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Essays --

When most people think of dairy animals they immediately think of a cow because that’s what they are taught growing up. More recently dairy goats operations have become more and more popular because of this dairy goat products will continue to be product in demand. In 2013 there were three hundred sixty thousand milking goats with Wisconsin being number one with forty six thousand milking goats . In the United States cow’s milk is most commonly consumed milk; but worldwide its goat’s milk that is most widely consumed. Milk overall is known as a natural source of nutrients, goats milk is a popular alternate to cow’s milk with it being easier to digest. Overall goats are much more efficient than dairy cattle. They produce more for their body size, the cost to raise them is much cheaper, and the components in goat’s milk are on a much higher scale than any dairy cattle. Goats are a smaller statured animal than a cow; they are about one sixth the size of a mature cow . Goats also have a longer production span than a cow; they can produce for about eight to ten years, where as a cows average is only four to six years . On a daily basis goats milk up to nine pounds a day, for their body size they are they are producing seven percent of their own body weight a day. Comparing that average for a goat to a dairy cow that weighs about fourteen hundred pounds and produces eighty pounds a day; that means cows are only producing four point four percent of their body weight. Since dairy goats are smaller they don’t need as much feed as a dairy cow does to produce milk. For their body size, goats are slightly more efficient than cows; it takes less feed for a dairy goat to produce a gallon of milk than for a cow to produce a gallon . F... ...in B which helps with the nervous system control and is also high in riboflavin which affects growth. There are many reasons people choose to raise dairy goats. Goats may be smaller than cows but they can out shine a dairy cow any day. Goats have many positive aspects to them that many people may not know about. Even though goats are only one sixth the size of a dairy cow they produce more for their body size than any dairy cow. Since goats are smaller that means they will eat substantially less than a dairy cow does. If someone is looking milk just for a family a goat would be a better choice because of the fact that cows will produce way more milk than one family can consume. Also there are many health reasons goats milk is better for a human than cow’s milk. Goats are a blooming industry and many farmers are realizing that there is more money in raising them.