Essay on The Love of Dido and Aeneas - 685 Words

The love of Dido and Aeneas: Could it have been viable? As one hopes to have a long-term relationship, one cannot assure its existence or permanence. Some relationships are destined to fail from the start. Dido and Aeneas’s relationship exemplifies this. When Dido and Aeneas engage in their relationship, they fail to realize how they each perceive their love for each other. Dido perceives their relationship as a marriage, whereas Aeneas perceives their relationship as something merely sexual. By failing to understand their love for each other, their relationship was doomed from the start. In addition, their relationship could have never lasted because Aeneas was fated to marry Lavinia and not Dido. Aeneas had to marry Lavinia because it†¦show more content†¦He perceived it more as a romantic fling; Aeneas only engaged in a relationship with Dido out of lust. Although Aeneas acts like Dido’s husband by building walls for Carthage, he never explicitly accepts the position. He only stays in Carthage because of the benefits made available to him: Dido’s love and her luxurious gifts. When he is about to leave, Dido berates him for deceiving her in their â€Å"marriage.† Adamant that he never entered upon a marriage, Aeneas replies, â€Å"Do not think/I meant to be deceitful and slip away./I never held the torches of a bridegroom,/Never entered upon the pact of marriage† (IV, 465-8). His response to Dido reveals Aeneas’s ignorance in their relationship; he never realizes her deep obsession with him. When he leaves, he wants to console her, but does not act upon it because he feels he has committed no wrong and he has obligations to fulfill. Even when he visits the underworld, he still does not understand how Dido felt or how much he was at fault for her death. He asks her, â€Å"Was I, was I the cause?† (VI, 616). His ignorance as to how she felt and what she wanted shows his inability to be cognizant of other s’ feelings, which makes him look stupid. The least Aeneas could have done was to have said goodbye, but instead he excuses himself by claiming the gods forced him to leave her. Due to misperception and fate, the love of Dido and Aeneas could have never lasted. When Dido and Aeneas engagedShow MoreRelatedAeneas And Dido : The Outcome Of One Of The Most Tragic Love Stories Essay1578 Words   |  7 PagesAeneas and Dido are the outcome of one of the most tragic love stories, first described in Virgil s Aeneid. Before Aeneas founded Rome, in the days of being a Roman Soldier, he left a fallen troy, and a number of followers on 7 ships. He however was shipwrecked on the shores of Carthage, the great African City ruled by Queen Dido. Dido and Aeneas fell deeply in love, but the gods called Aeneas away to fulfill his destiny in Italy, and Dido was left heartbroken and alone. In her despair, she builtRead MoreThe Relationship Of Dido And Aeneas1652 Words   |  7 PagesWhiteman Dido and Aeneas Marriage The relationship of Dido and Aeneas is a complicated story. Beginning at the end of book one and continuing until after she is dead and in the underworld in book six. The two lovers disagree on the terms of their relationship, Dido believes they are wed while Aeneas does not believe they are in a formal relationship. The two Goddesses who put Aeneas and Dido together were Venus, of erotic love and fertility, and Juno, of marriage. Originally Dido’s love was forgedRead MoreEssay on The Relationship between Dido and Aeneas774 Words   |  4 PagesThe Relationship between Dido and Aeneas Throughout the beginning of the Aeneid Dido, the queen of Carthage, and Aeneas, son of Venus and leader of the Trojans have an intimate relationship that ends in death. The relationship begins in Book I when Venus, the goddess of love, has her other son Cupid fill Dido with passion for Aeneas, to ensure Aeneass safety in this new land. Meanwhile Venus/Plotted new stratagems, that Cupid, changed/ In form and feature, should appear instead/ Of young AscaniusRead MoreEssay on Love and Duty in Virgil’s Aeneid and Augustine’s Confessions1589 Words   |  7 Pagesromance of Aeneas and Dido produced such an emotional effect on him. Augustine says that Virgil’s epic caused him to forget his own â€Å"wanderings† (Augustine 1116). He wept over Dido’s death, but remained â€Å"dry-eyed to [his] own pitiful state† (Augustine 1116 – 7). Augustine later rejects literature and theater because he believes that they distract the soul from God. Noneth eless, Augustine shares many of the same experience as the characters in the Aeneid. Augustine discovers that love can be destructiveRead MoreThe Aeneid : The Struggle Of Establishing An Empire1136 Words   |  5 PagesThe Aeneid, the famous epic poem written by Virgil, depicts the struggle of establishing an empire. The beginning of The Aeneid introduces Aeneas, son of the goddess Venus, whose fate is to find a new home in Italy after the fall of Troy. Throughout the perilous journey, Aeneas faces great obstacles as he strives to fulfill his prophecy and gradually transform into the ideal Virgilian hero. To emphasize his growth, I will discuss three themes in this essay: the extent of free will as it relates toRead MoreEssay about The Women of the Aeneid1745 Words   |  7 PagesThe Roman epic of Virgils Aeneid describes the hardship and misadventures of Aeneas and the Trojans quest from Troy to Italy. Like Homer’s famous epics, the Iliad and Odyssey, Virgil’s narr ative style and structure portrays similar attributes in the finding of Rome. Aeneas encounters several women on his journey who play a significant role throughout this epic in assisting or destroying his journey to Rome. His representation of female characters provides the readers with a better understandingRead MoreThe Aeneid And The Pax Romana1580 Words   |  7 PagesGreeks. Aeneas and his men must now travel to the land of Italy, were they will become founding fathers of the great Roman Empire. This is voyage is lead extremely by Aeneas fate in the gods and the notable characteristics of Aeneas which is piety and obedience to the will of the gods. The fate of Aeneas is tested throughout his voyage to the city of Rome; he encounters numerous strife’s which includes the death of his father Anchises; the constant obstacles posed by Juno and his new found love, DidoRead MoreThe Role of Fire in Romantic and Family Love on Reading the Aeneid1224 Words   |  5 Pagespieces o f love in Virgils epic Aeneid: the romantic, lustful love (as felt by Dido for Aeneas) and the grounded, honest, family love (as felt between Aeneas and Anchises). There is a dynamic relationship between the two sides of love which causes each to emphasize the other Ââ€" an emphasis that is facilitated by Virgils common use of fire and flame imagery to describe both types of love. Upon analyzing the lustful episode between Dido and Aeneas and the image of Aeneas fleeing troyRead MoreDidos Suicide Essay1390 Words   |  6 Pagespassions, or some combination thereof. Dido dies by her own hand; however, the work behind the action is carried out by a great number of other parties. The actions of Pygmalion, Anna, Juno, society, the gods, and Aeneas, play a role in the causation of Dido’s suicide, as does fate (Rothleder discussion). Each one of these factors leads Dido closer and closer to the brink of death, before finally pushing her over the edge and forcing her to take her own life. Dido has to die in order for Aeneas’s fateRead MoreFire, Furor and Internal War Essay1193 Words   |  5 Pagesfrom which ancient cultures defined love. Her views on love have influenced many works of literature, including The Aeneid of Virgil. Love is an uncontrollable force that strikes an individual from the outside and can occur suddenly as well as u nexpectedly. Love is often depicted as a positive emotion that causes people to feel blissful, but this can easily turn into furor; furor is the aspect of love associated with violence and insanity. Dido’s love for Aeneas exemplifies the internal turmoil that

Essay on Prayer At Public School Athletic Events - 965 Words

Prayer at Public School Athletic Events -Can We Get a Moment of- -Silence Here?- nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;If public schools are just that, public, then why is the issue of prayer in school such a prominent and controversial debate especially when most of the public wants prayer in school? The first amendment grants the right to free speech, yet everyday students are punished and ridiculed for their beliefs. Is this a fair system? Every person has his or her own rituals and for many students prayer is one of them. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Agreeing with this matter is Andy Johnson, a current high school†¦show more content†¦Who wouldnt want any given soldier to make it back? nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;quot;My hearts for it, but I think a moment of silence is just as effective.quot; Said Olins Hooks, a high school football fan. That idea is totally possible. No one would feel as though a faith is being quot;pushedquot; on them, and at the same time everyone could choose if they would like to say a prayer or a wish in their mind, if they wished. Something such as this could be a possible solution for schools who choose to lead a quot;prayerquot; type situation. Creating a quot;universal-type prayer,quot; is a difficult task, considering you have to possibly incorporate hundreds of religious sects. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;quot;Do you think that is it fair and constitutional for a student to take the microphone at a public high school football game and leave the crowd in a prayer or a moment of silence?quot; When posed with this question, Juan Acosta, who happens to be the son of a Catholic priest in San Diego, had this to say on the matter quot;I dont think it belongs there, maybe a moment of silence, but not a prayer. I think its constitutional but not very considerate.quot;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;So where do you draw the line for this? The use of a moment-of-silence orShow MoreRelatedPrayer at Public School Athletic Events1007 Words   |  5 PagesPrayer at Public School Athletic Events -Can We Get a Moment of- -Silence Here?- If public schools are just that, public, then why is the issue of prayer in school such a prominent and controversial debate especially when most of the public wants prayer in school? The first amendment grants the right to free speech, yet everyday students are punished and ridiculed for their beliefs. Is this a fair system? Every person has his or her own rituals and for many students prayer is one ofRead MoreHist-1302 Essay1269 Words   |  6 PagesPrimary Source Analysis Paper 1. In the pictorial, Miss Colombia’s School House (1894), my initial impression is that this picture serves as the basis for the term â€Å"the great melting pot†. The pictorial shows the exclusion of Hawaii and Canada from the United States at that time but the desire to include them. The views of the South are expressed with the presence of the African American child being accosted with a weapon. The picture further depicts an Anglo child assaulting an Asian child. InRead MoreEssay on Academia vs. Athleticism1100 Words   |  5 Pagesare in elementary school. Some may mention they want to be doctors, nurses, and artists while others answer â€Å"I want to be famous.† There is no bigger dream among childhood sports than making it into a professional league. Those children feel a little bit of exposure will be enough to open the door and answer their prayers of stardom. The instructions are well known even among some of the youngest of players. They just need to play well in high school, then accept an athletic scholarship to aRead MoreEssay on Separation of Church and State in the Educational System2455 Words   |  10 PagesOne of the most common questions asked about public prayer is whether or not it is legal to hold it in a public school. It depends on the type of prayer we are talking about, and who is doing the praying, since people are usually talking about organized classroom prayer, often led by a teacher. The Supreme Court has set a law that states that organized prayer in a public school goes against the First Amendment, whether its in the classroom, over the loud speaker, or even at aRead MoreChristianity, Judaism, And Islam1805 Words   |  8 Pagesand say a personal prayer. I personally wanted to explore this topic a little more because we don’t often hear about it on ESPN or other news outlets. Scope of the Issue: Many athletes, including those mentioned above, take sport as an opportunity to openly share their beliefs and witness to others, encouraging them to follow. These athletes, also, contribute their successful careers to their spiritual faith, and declaring that they have been blessed by receiving their athletic talents from GodRead MoreThe Mission Of Athletics At Oasis Christian Academy3753 Words   |  16 PagesINTRODUCTION AND PHILOSOPHY The mission of athletics at Oasis Christian Academy is to leverage athletic competition to train young people in how to more faithfully reflect Jesus Christ. We encourage student-athletes to keep the various elements of their school experience in perspective. In other words, Christ-like qualities and academics are first priority, but we are not slow to encourage participation in extracurricular activities while striving for excellence in all that we do. The drive isRead MoreThe Governing Body And League Format For American Football1600 Words   |  7 Pagesgifted athletes, especially African Americans who are more likely to suffer poverty in the US. In the preseason of the 2016 season, 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick sparked controversy by refusing to stand for the American national anthem. The public condemnation and support from opposing parties and coverage from the media shows the platform these athletes have however an ethnic minority echoing same mantra as white bigoted sensationalist strike very different chords highlighting massive racialRead MoreOutline of Ancient Greece Society and Culture1833 Words   |  7 Pages weave, and clean †¢ Girls of wealthy families were expected to marry the man their father chose for them at age 15 †¢ Boys were considered more important than girls †¢ Went to school at age 6 †¢ Learned to read, write, and add †¢ Expected to have a healthy mind and body †¢ Began to train for the their future jobs at age 16 Events 1. The Battle of Thermopylae †¢ Took place in 480 BCE †¢ Between the Greeks and the Persians †¢ First battle in the Persian Invasion of Greece †¢ The Greeks were vastly outnumberedRead More Athletic Biography of James Frances Thorpe Essay examples5324 Words   |  22 PagesAthletic Biography of James Frances Thorpe On the morning of May 28, 1888, one of the most versatile, and arguably the greatest of athletes was born in a one-room cabin made of cottonwood and hickory, on the Sac and Fox Indian Reservation located in Prague, Oklahoma. His name was Wa-tho-huck, which means Bright Path , in the Native American language spoken by the Sac and Fox Tribe. His father was Hiram P. Thorpe an Irish trapper, and his mother was No-ten-o-quah, and Indian member of the ThunderRead MoreJewish Baseball : Jews And Baseball3213 Words   |  13 PagesBaseball Jews have always integrated themselves into society whether it is through economics, politics or media, but they have historically struggled establishing a presence in athletics. This all changed in 1866 when Lipman E. Pike became the first Jewish professional baseball player, when he joined the Philadelphia Athletics for $20 a week. He broke the mold, allowing generations of great Jewish baseball players to follow. While Jews loved and embraced baseball, baseball did not reciprocate at

Healing Hospital Free Essays

Healing hospital paradigm is centered on the removal of stress and other health risks for the patients and their families in the hospital environment. Healing hospital paradigm is important because treating a patient’s illness is not the only intrinsic component when they are admitted to the hospital. A good example for this is stress. We will write a custom essay sample on Healing Hospital or any similar topic only for you Order Now Stress can be brought about due to many things when a patient is in the hospital, for example painful treatments, financial problems due to being admitted, loss of social life etc. Reducing these sort of stressors may ensure that the patient’s wellbeing is being maintained and the comprehensive care Minimization of these stressors ensures that the patient’s well-being is maintained while the comprehensive care part of the treatment makes certain that the patient’s recovery process is done without breaking confidentiality. The healing hospital paradigm can also be looked as healing the whole patient rather than just curing the ailment (Young Koopsen, 2006). According to Dr. Milstein, paradigm doesn’t only focus on healing the physical body but â€Å"it aims to enhance the overall well being by addressing the patient’s and their families’ cognitive, emotional and spiritual concerns† (Milstein, 2005). This paper will describe healing hospital paradigm, its impact on the process of care giving and its components expanding on it relationship with spirituality. Components of Healing Hospital Based on the paradigm of healing hospital, Caring for a patient is not limited to only medical interventions and medication but it also includes how the healthcare provider engages the patients and their families to the process of treatment. This theory is based on the notion that both spiritual and emotional wellbeing applies to physical wellbeing. The healing hospital comprise of three major components. The first component is the culture of radical loving care. This may include the kind of care the patient receives and the type of conditions he/she is exposed to in the hospital. This component focuses on making the patient comfortable and preparing the patient psychologically for the treatment they would receive. Caregivers most have compassion to meet the spiritual and emotional needs of a patient and not only their physical needs. They most be able to demonstrate loving care and show the patients that they are willing to go the extra mile for them. Being compassionate and showing love can help reduce the stress for the patients and their families, healthcare provides bring hope. The next component is the healing physical environment. The physical environment in which a patient is being treated is also very crucial in the treatment process (Samueli, 2010). Hospitals should be free of stressful disturbances for the patient and their families. This kind of disturbances may include dull settings, noise and disorganization. A good healing physical environment must be well organized and constructed. Evidence has shown that rest is an important part of a patient’s healing process, but many hospitals are noisy with pagers beeping here and there and lots of people talking along the hallways. A good healing physical environment should address these kinds of challenges. Other things such as lighting and temperature must be well regulated to keep the patient as comfortable as possible. The final component of healing hospital is the integration of technology with work design. Technology is intertwined into the healthcare field to help the healthcare team help their patients recover in a good environment. Technology allows the staff members to work efficiently and to work in a manner that maximizes the comfort of the patients. In a good healing environment, patients get more sleep which helps with their healing. Staff members are giving technological equipments such as cordless phones, vibrating pagers and dynamaps for blood pressure, and they are educated to use them efficiently to promote healing in a noise-free environment. These technological advancements help to create stress-free environment for the patients and helps reduce medical errors. The healing hospitals also use technology to provide satisfaction, security, decreased cost and privacy for the patients and their families. These are crucial in the psychological needs of the patient. Challenges of Creating a Healing Environment There are various challenges involved in implementing a good healing hospital environment. First and foremost, the advancement of technology (e. g. more tubes and more wires) has complicated healthcare and is dominating in that healthcare providers are forgetting the original essentials of healing such as the compassion and the loving care. If the balance between technology and compassion can bee implemented, the results of patient satisfaction will increase. Another challenge with technology advancement also focuses on the profits rather the compassionate care of the patient. The next challenge is that there are a lot of similarities between prisons and hospitals. Patients’ clothing’s are replaced by gowns, their names with barcodes and identification numbers, there is no longer any intimacy and they share their living space with strangers. Even restriction in visiting hours can make an individual feel like a prisoner. This is all due to that fact that healthcare providers are suppose to their tasks with robotic precision. According to Chapman, the hospital system is a â€Å"bureaucracy† and it is â€Å"an organization that acts as machines and are difficult to work with† (Chapman, 2010). Another challenge is that some healthcare providers or even family members and patients could be cynics. Cynicism is damaging to the care of patients. Healthcare providers should not be skeptic to the fact that love is a vital part of a patient’s recovery. Finally, leadership is an important aspect of healing hospital paradigm. The leaders in a healthcare setting have the responsibility to make sure love and compassion is at the top of the list in their plan to care for a patient. Biblical Passage that Supports the Concept of Healing Hospital In psalm 107 verses 17-22, the message version, David wrote â€Å"then you called out to God in you desperate condition; he got you out in the nick of time†. Here he describes how God heals the sick when they call on him. The sick in this passage have faith and are not cynics or skeptics which is and important part of healing. David explained the reality, living a bad life could get you sick and having faith that you would get better can heal you. It’s all about the positivity. David went on saying â€Å"So thank God for his marvelous love, for his miracle mercy to the children he loves†. This goes on to show that God’s love brings healing. This passage supports the paradigm of healing hospital because it has to do with healing the overall person and God does that too. The healing hospital is gaining more popularity now because there are a lot of benefits to it. This care system helps to enhance the overall wellbeing of the patient and their relatives and not only their physical body. This paradigm focuses on compassionate care that helps patient with stress and coping mechanisms through spirituality. This will help the community at large and bring it solace and hope. References Chapman, E. (2010). Radical loving care: building the healing hospital in America. Nashville, TN: Vaughn Printing. Milstein, J. (2005). A paradigm of integrative care: healing with curing throughout life, â€Å"being with† and â€Å"doing to†. Journal of Perinatology, 25, 563-568. doi: 10. 1038/sj. jp. 7211358 Samueli Institute (2010). Optimal Healing Environments. February 12, 2013. Retrieved from http://www. siib. org/news/280-SIIB/version/default/part/AttachmentData/data/OHE_final. pdf Young, C. , Koopsen, C. (2006). Spirituality, health, and healing (1 ed. ). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. How to cite Healing Hospital, Papers

PM Application Systems in Project Monitoring- myassignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about thePM Application Systems in Project Monitoring. Answer: The PM application systems seem to be critical in enhancing the work of project managers in monitoring performance and managing changes within the project. Given the current complexity in projects, project managers should possess PM skills based on the methods and tools to help the project management and planning (SEBoK 2017). Systems engineering applications form the basis of this reflection because many engineers use these applications to transform the world. The researchable question relating to this reflection is how systems engineering is used in the real world. Systems engineering is a unique interdisciplinary approach that ensures systems operate successfully. It involves operational sustainability, development of the solution, and formulating problems. The systems engineering has economic value because of its collaborative approach to other specialists, management, and engineering disciplines. Studies have demonstrated that systems engineering are used to enterprise and servi ce systems (SEBoK 2017). Consequently, the systems engineers require relevant competencies to manage and monitor projects at all organizational levels. Monitoring performance is also important for managing projects. It involves keeping an eye on the activities and operations of the project team. The systems engineering and management are critical in formulating standard life cycle, practices, and processes. Importantly, the foundations and knowledge of the system define the systems engineering. Based on SEBoK, the systems engineering applications can help in creating life cycle management of systems (SEBoK 2016). It entails a system of systems, enterprise systems, service systems, and product systems thus facilitate the change management. Without a doubt, the way the project manager handles change depends on the circumstances. For instance, with technology and efficiency taking the central point in project management, engineering systems have become relevant. The project manager must serve the interests of project sponsors and owners. This is possible through measuring the success of projects (SEBoK 2017). The measurement will depen d on the outcomes like the developed product and improved performance. However, if the change fails to take place, stakeholders get demoralized. The change to any project affects the goals and targets. The portfolio or program is never important because project manager can adjust the operations based on the situation. Bibliography SEBoK 2016, September 27, Part 4: applications of systems engineering. https://sebokwiki.org/wiki/Applications_of_Systems_Engineering SEBoK 2017, March 27, Guide to the systems engineering body of knowledge (SEBoK). Available at: https://www.sebokwiki.org.

Sunset Blvd Women Sexuality in the Dark Side of the Reality and Films Noir

How to bridge language barriers - Emphasis

How to bridge language barriers How to bridge language barriers A new dictionary is set to make sense of that most inscrutable of languages: teen speak. This comprehensive reference book, called Pimp Your Vocab, aims to allow bemused parents and teachers to comprehend such teenglish terms as owned (meaning embarrassed), smacked it (to have done well), and teek (adjective for very old; from antique). Understanding your child or pupil may help you to save face (though its probably best not to adopt these words yourself); but being completely clear in business communications can be the difference between winning and losing a client. Thinking globally In the modern world of global commerce, chances are at some point youll have to correspond with someone in another part of the world. We know technology can instantly transport information to just about anywhere on the planet, but are you sure your message will be completely understood once its there? If you are writing any work document (including any letters and emails) for someone whose first language isnt English, there are some rules that you must follow if you want to be understood. 1. Think of the reader and keep it simple This advice really applies to all business writing, but it is particularly important across language barriers. Use the most straightforward words and sentences you can. So, instead of saying, we have been thinking of implementing some alterations, please see them outlined in the attached document, try descriptions of the changes we want to make are in the attached document. Usually you should try to avoid tions (like description, recommendation etc.), as they tend to make sentences heavy with extra words. However, in this case its good to use them, since other languages often have recognisable equivalents. 2. Structure thoughtfully You want to make the readers journey through your document as smooth and easy as possible. Plan thoroughly first to make sure you structure it in the most logical way and use clear subheadings to guide them. If they have to work even harder by following a haphazard stream-of-consciousness, you risk irritating them and losing their interest entirely. 3. Be literal and explain yourself Be very aware of the language you choose. English is bursting with idioms (expressions that dont make sense from literal translations), like put the project to bed, cut the mustard and clear as mud. Avoid these entirely. What is an everyday term to us could well be utterly bewildering to your reader just imagine them looking up each individual word to understand the sentiment behind think outside the box or a different kettle of fish. Even such simple phrasal verbs as turned up and stand for dont make literal sense. Use came and represent or mean instead. Abbreviations and acronyms should also be used with care, or left out if possible. If you really cant avoid including them, make sure you explain them at your first use, or add a glossary. If you stick to these principles in your global dealings, you will reap the rewards. But when you do, just try to resist telling your colleagues that you totally smacked it.

Political Violence in Syria And Iraq Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Political Violence in Syria And Iraq - Essay Example It is believed that the Syrian civil war was sparked by school boys. The boys were discussing the uprising that had engulfed Syria, expressing their frustration that their nation was ruled by the repressive Assad’s family. Bashir Abazed, painted in huge letters a defiant message that was aimed at President Bashar Assad, (Lischer & Kenyon 2007). The defiant message written in Arabian was translated to mean it is your turn doctor. Another teenager a slogan saying ‘down with Bashir as-Assad’. The government responded to the protests with violence and shooting, that led to the death of many people. This forced the protests to spread to the rest of Syria.Political repression was a major cause for rebellion and protests among the citizens. When President Bashar assumed power in 2000 after his father’s death, he promised people to make reforms that would better their lives. The reforms were needed since his family had retained political power since the year 1970 a nd left citizens with little power to participate in decision-making. Syria had a one-party-political system that was heavily dominated by the Assad’s family. Bashir failed to deliver on his promise of better reforms to diffuse power and give citizens a more political say over decisions that affected them directly. The poor economic situation in Syria also caused the revolution. The government reforms opened doors to private investors. The privatization favored families that had close links to the Assad’s family.

Corporate risk management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 2

Corporate risk management - Essay Example If the quantum of investment is significant and depending on the size of the firm, sizeable enough to affect future earnings in a way that negatively affects the firm, then it is more preferable to go for risk transfer. Conversely, if the investment is not of a quantum that can affect the firm negatively it is better to go for risk retention. 2) Risk Transfer: Risk transfer, also known as Risk sharing is in many ways the complete opposite strategy of Risk retention. The principle of Risk transfer is the underlying tenet behind most insurance transactions. Risk transfer generally involves the shifting of risk to another party, most usually by means of insurance or through warranty. This method assumes the longevity of the third party and the ability of the insurer to maintain business continuity. Cash Flow Regularity: One of the biggest risks associated with investment decisions, particularly in light of whether or not to transfer risk or not, or to whether just bear with the uncertainty is how regular or irregular the earnings of that particular investment decision are. It follows then that the more irregular or uncertain the earnings of a particular investment decision are, the more likely a firm is to increase its security or safety in regards to that investment or that line of cash flows. Hence, the greater irregularity is seen in cash flows, or the higher risk factor involved, the more likely a firm is to transfer risk either via Insurance or Warranty. 3) Risk Avoidance: Risk avoidance, on the spectrum of Risk management activities is on one end of the spectrum, wherein the company decides to altogether excuse itself from all possibility of risk. Although this strategy is often considered the safest form of risk management it also entails the loss of any potential revenue that could have been gained from the investment, therefore while it is the safest strategy it

Examination of Major Epistemological Constraints Essay

Examination of Major Epistemological Constraints - Essay Example Similarly, it is fundamental to comprehend these terminologies for reasons of building a strong argument and supporting points with regards to the subject matter. A precise definition of epistemology is the study of nature, limits of the human understanding and origin of concepts and logical framework of various ideologies. However, there are some key points to note in epistemology for instance the possibility of various pulls of knowledge. Additionally, the kind of knowledge that is in question. It further seeks to find out whether some knowledge is in born or all knowledge is acquired (Fumerton 2006, p.66). History, on the other hand, is the study and analysis of past chronological events, facts and knowledged that has either been documented or is evident in various aspects. One of the most significant way of predicting the future happenings is by using past historical events (Neustadt & May 1988, p.25). Similarly, in the intelligence, world history has been used greatly to learn t he behavior and the reactions various armies, kingdoms, dynasties and empires. However, in as much as history is playing a major role in the development intelligence, and further act as a learning tool, it also has various applicational limitations. There are several underlying factors that contribute to limiting history as a learning tool with regards to intelligence (Butterfield 1965, p.35). In the United Kingdom (UK), for example, the intelligence unit was termed as the invincible man by both government and the general public. Additionally, most of these operations were not heard of. It was a silent movement, and most of its work was a secrete. Due to the high level of secrecy of the United Kingdom (UK) Secret Service, most of its operations were never documented hence limiting history as a tool for learning. In the early 20th century, most countries had spies who were responsible for gathering intelligence in a foreign country on behalf of their country. Due to this kind of oper ations it made documentation of the secret service strategies and operations extremely vulnerable. If this kind of information would leak to another country through spying, then it could put the whole United Kingdom (UK) in jeopardy. As a consequence of this documented history of previous operations, it is very difficult to find hence cannot be used as a historical tool for learning purposes. The existence of the secret service was a major secret to a point that even the UK government denied the very exixtance of this unit in order to protect it from foreign spies and foreign units who sort information in the UK. Another major limitation to using history as a tool of learning in regards to intelligence is that, in the United Kingdom, the documents that were used by the secret service were never kept by the Public Records Office (PRO). These records were exempted from storage by the Public Records Act of 1958. These records were famously know as the blanket exception records (Neustad t & May 1988, p.38). Similarly, the Act grants the chancellor exemption power to withhold these documents that were related to intelligence. The death of basic or primary sources of information posed a great challenge and limitation to historians and other people who would want to use this form of history as a tool of learning and for scholarly purposes. The main aim for this secrecy was to intensify operational security and eliminate any prospects of external

Psychosocial Effects of Technology

Psychosocial Effects of Technology Olivia Di Giulio Introduction As individuals of a modern society, we are use to technology being present in almost every area of our everyday lives. Being that technology is so present in our everyday lives, it is almost impossible to live a normal life without it. Technology such as laptop computers and cell phones have become fixtures of modern culture, affecting how we communicate, work, and spend our free time. Though the effects appear minimal on the surface, technology can alter an individual’s physiological state. Technology affects how view ourselves, our relationship with others, and the ways in which we communicate, therefore, creating negative psychosocial affects on the lives of individuals. Though technology is meant to promote the positive aspects of human connection, it creates an abundance of negative affects and backlashes. Technology has been created and manifested in numerous forms throughout the twenty first century. Technology is a large umbrella term, due to the thousands of creations that can fall under its category. Technology can range from a physical creation such as a laptop and a cellphone, to a virtual creation such as the Internet, its various websites, and various social media applications that can be accessed from both cell phones and computers. The internet, which can be accessed from numerous technological devices, allows individuals to fully participate in its virtual world through sharing pictures, online chat forums, blog posts, and to write about their life and daily activities through social media. Through these various avenues, the Internet allows users to create virtual relationships and communicable ties. Though all of these facets seem extr emely positive, the negative impacts outweigh its benefits. For every positive feature, in turn, creates a negative psychological impact in some shape or form. Technology can affect our individual mental states of being, how we view ourselves, the ways in which we communicate, and our relationships with others, which are some of the most important features of our human existence. Through technology we have redefined acceptable behaviors and moral norms, the basis of communication, and who we are as a culture. One might ask why it matters that technology has affected our psychosocial sates of being. It matters because we are mentally no longer the same culture that we were before these technological advancements. As a society, our mental states have changed negatively. We have become lazy, dependent on technology, isolated, and unable to put down our technological devices. Though technology can be extremely helpful, these are not positive changes, and have affected the human brain, human interaction, and communication culture as a whole. We must be observant as a culture in how often we use our technology/ the ways in which we use our technology, in order to lessen its negative psychosocial affects, otherwise, we will not be able to live without it. In order to be proactive and lessen these affects, we must look at the devices that have forever changed the face of communication and the negative ways in which it affects our mental state and social aspects of society. There are numerous technological advancements that have entirely redefined communication as a whole and the ways in which our society communicates. These technological advancements consist of cell phones, which allow instant communication through texting, and computers, which allow for the download of various communication software, applications, and social media apps (which can be found on both devices). Frequent uses of these devices and applications have allowed methods of communication to be entirely redefined, because most elements of communication can now take place virtually. Technology is extremely convenient and appealing, making it extremely difficult for users to resist, or wish to have face-to-face communication. A survey of undergraduate students showed that 85 percent use technology and social media to stay in touch with friends as opposed to other forms of communication (HumanKinetics.com). Due to its convenience and easy accessibility, technological communication has become a staple of our society and has entirely redefined not only the way in which we communicate, and but also affecting one’s relationships, due to communication playing a significant role in the creation of human ties. Technology Negatively Affecting Personal Relationships The quality of and logistics of human relationships have suffered negative affects due to technology use. Communication is a huge aspect of relationship building and when the basis of communication changes, the basis of relationship building changes as well. Communication plays a fundamental role in producing â€Å"the common understandings† that help create moral norms and â€Å"social value systems† (Bruce Drake, Kristi Yuthas, Jesse Dillard). Within technological avenues such as texting, communication is entirely virtual and many elements of conversation are lost such as body language, tone, and facial expressions, allowing conversation to become extremely impersonal and lack depth (Pyschcentral.com). According to psychologist Sherry Turkle, technological communication, such as texting, ironically interrupts relationship building, and does not foster conditions, which are necessary to build a true connection with another individual (Pyschcentral.com). Being that indi viduals are constantly connected through texting, they do not receive the proper alone time, which is necessary in developing a connection with others (Pyschcentral.com). In a recent study it has been found that the interruption of texting in a physical conversation â€Å"inhibits the development of closeness and trust†, and reduces the empathy that one can feel for others (Wbur.org). Technology does not substitute the quality of physical conversation and does not reach the same heights and depth that physical conversation can. Through conversation, individuals search for and create moral norms, in which technology prevents the possibility of having these in depth conversations (Bruce Drake, Kristi Yuthas, Jesse Dillard). Physical conversation provides the tools necessary in which people can develop â€Å"personal identity, build close relationships, solidarity and community†; elements that are all lost within technological communication (Bruce Drake, Kristi Yuthas, Jesse Dillard). Instead, communication and relationships fostered through technology are extremely substance less, due to the fact that it is difficult to kindle a true connection in a virtual world, have in depth conversations, and rely on virtual fulfillment. Therefore, technological relations have numerous backlashes. Like realistic relationships, the relationships created through technology give individuals reassurance and validation. If the multitude of these associations is not fulfilled through virtual interaction, it can cause one to feel empty. It is extremely likely for one to feel empty when they rely on this type of validation, because it is virtual, and therefore, less likely for these associations to be fulfilled instantly, as opposed to physical contact. Relationships and the process of relationship building have changed, due to our societies shift in dialogue thanks to technology. What we say and how we say it has been entirely changed thanks to technology, which has reinvented the technicalities of language. Cell phones and computers that operate off of a wireless connection can provide users with extremely fast technological communication, allowing messages to be delivered with speed. Abbreviations and colloquial language allow users to type fast messages within texts and chat rooms to one another. Though these aspects seem extremely positive, they are can be extremely dangerous for communication culture. Wireless connection and new conversational mechanisms provide the perfect equation to entirely redefine the face of communication. Users have become extremely accustomed to this type of fast pace communication, to the point where they can no longer live without it, due to its convenience and simplicity. Technology makes users desire speed as an essential need, which is extremely detrimental to quality communication. Technological communication, such as text ing, and online chat rooms, have virtually destroyed the English language and uses of its correct forms within these devices, have become few and far between. Individuals are no longer taking the time to place emphasis on certain expressions or to be grammatically correct, because it is simply easier and faster to speak colloquially, therefore, preventing quality communication (Donovan A. McFarlane). Quality communication requires effort and without it, it leads to various misunderstandings (Donovan A. McFarlane). When communication is misunderstood, it is no longer efficient or achieves its purpose (Donovan A. McFarlane). In our society speed is often mistaken for efficiency (Donovan A. McFarlane). Individuals would rather summarize what they are saying, instead of properly explaining their ideas, due to our society’s need for speed, that technology makes us desire (Donovan A. McFarlane). Though it is meant to simplify communication, technology has made communication more di fficult, due its impersonal nature and lack of quality, which promotes ineffectiveness, as opposed to cohesive dialogue (Donovan A. McFarlane). Technology Affecting Behavior, Mental Health, and Mental Processes As a culture, behavior has also been redefined through what is now seen as morally correct and acceptable. Technology has set these new standards in behavior and implemented entirely new social boundaries. It been said that technology such as the Internet, does not promote social integration (Kraut, Patterson, Lundmark). Over the last 35 years â€Å"Citizens vote less, go to church less, discuss government with their neighbors less, are members of fewer voluntary organizations, have fewer dinner parties, and generally get together less for civic and social purposes† (Kraut, Patterson, Lundmark) due to technology, therefore, enabling social disengagement and a less unified society. According to HumanKinetics.com, technology can cause one to feel, â€Å"distracted, overly stressed, and isolated†, due to frequent use. Technological avenues, such as texting, further manifest negative behavioral habits by hindering our ability to confront situations, allowing individuals to hide behind the screen of their phone (Pyschcentral.com). Bernard Guerney Jr., founder of the National Institute of Relationship Enhancement, believes that texting creates a â€Å"lack of courage† to approach an intense or awkward situation, because it is simply easier to hide behind a screen, which can hinder one’s social growth (Pyschcentral.com). One can grow from certain life experiences, which now have now become obsolete through the advent of texting (Pyschcentral.com). Technology also manifests lazy behavior (Insidetechnology360.com). Technology’s numerous functions enable most manual work to be done digitally, therefore, making the lives of individuals much easier and ultimately making them lazier. As technology evolves, devices are able to do more and more for users (Insidetechnology360.com). For example, Apple’s iPhone feature Siri, allows users to press a button and talk into the phone to request an action such as surfing the web, or making a p hone call. As if making a phone or surfing the web was not easy enough, Apple has made it all the more easier by allowing users to perform these actions with a push of a button. Features like this, in addition to many other features of technology, breed a lazy society, because we no longer have to perform any actions ourselves, because technology can simply do it for us. Additionally, technology enables the developing of more severe personality disorders. With features that enable users to create a profile about their life on social media sites, such as Facebook, and features that allow users to post up-to-the minute pictures on their daily activities on social media apps such Instagram, it allows users to become fixated on their appearance and reputation. Therefore, users will often post their best traits via Internet, enabling for the manifestation of behavioral conditions, such as narcissism (Humankinetics.com). The more one is engrossed, the more likely one can experience physiological, emotional, and behavioral changes such as narcissism (Yi-Fen Chen). Certain activities and interactions a user can partake in will increase the likelihood that there will be psychological traces left behind from the virtual environment, within the individual, after experiencing it (Yi-Fen Chen). The negative affects of technology, which are visible to the human eye, appear minimal. These affects can be seen in the way communication has changed and the way in which we narcissistically portray ourselves via Internet, and do not seem extremely harmful. The affects in which we cannot see, such as, those that affect the brain are the most detrimental, because they target our mental health. Negative affects of technology of have further manifested themselves in the forms of possible addictions and mental illnesses. Being that technology is extremely present in our lives and convenient, it is hard for some to live without it, creating an inseparable and unhealthy relationship between the user and technology in the form of an addiction. Though it is not a recognized disorder by the American Psychiatric Association, there has been much speculation to include Internet Addiction in in the latest addition of the DiagnosticandStatisticalManualofMentalDisorders (U.S. National Library of M edicine), due to the manifestation of unhealthy relationships between users and technology. Internet Addiction is seen as an impulsive â€Å"spectrum disorder† which consists of â€Å"online and/or offline computer usage and consists of at least three subtypes: excessive gaming, sexual preoccupations, and e-mail/text messaging† (U.S. National Library of Medicine). In 2012 study done by the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado, showed a strong correlation between problematic Internet use and psychotic-like experiences (U.S. National Library of Medicine). As a society, we must be extremely conscious and aware towards our technology use, due to its horrible psychosocial affects. Due to the way that it is positively promoted within our society, most individuals would never suspect the horrible backlashes of technology. We must be proactive about the way in which we use technology/ how we use our technology in order to prevent serious changes towards our behavior, mental health, relationships, and how we communicate. These affects are extremely detrimental towards our society and if we do not act upon them by monitoring our technology use, communication, social interaction, and our own mental health will only grow worse, and we will therefore have a communication crisis. Works Cited Adler, Iris. â€Å"How Our Digital Devices Are Affecting Our Personal Relationships.† wbur.org. 2013. Web. 02 Nov. 2014. http://www.wbur.org/2013/01/17/digital-lives-i Chen, Yi-Fen. â€Å"See you on Facebook: exploring influences on Facebook continuous usage†. Behaviour Information Technology 39 (2014): 59–70. Web. Drake, Bruce, Yuthas, Kristi, Dillard, Jesse. â€Å"It’s Only Words – Impacts of Information Technology on Moral Dialogue.† Journal of Business Ethics 23 (2000): 41-59. Web. Human Kinetics. â€Å"Technology can have positive and negative impact on social interactions.† humankinetics.com. Web. 02 Nov. 2014. http://www.humankinetics.com/excerpts/excerpts/technology-can-have-positive-and- negative-impact-on-social-interactions Kraut, Robert, Patterson, Michael, Lundmark, Vicki. â€Å"Internet Paradox: A Social Technology That Reduces Social Involvement and Psychological Well-Being?† American Psychologist 9 (1998): Web. McFarlane, Donovan. â€Å"Social Communication in a Technology-Driven Society: A Philosophical Exploration of Factor-Impacts and Consequences.† American Communication Journal 12 (2010): 1-2.Web. Mittal VA, Dean DJ, Pelletier, A. â€Å"Internet addiction, reality substitution and longitudinal changes in psychotic-like experiences in young adults.† Early Intervention Psychiatry 3 (2013): 1751-7893. Web. Mohan, Bharath. Is Technology Making Humans More Lazy – Yes. Insidetechnology360.com. R.R. Donnelley, 20 Feb. 2011. Web. 24 Nov. 2014. http://www.insidetechnology360.com/index.php/is-technology-making-humans-more-lazy-yes-5968/ Pies, Ronald. â€Å"Should DSM-V Designate â€Å"Internet Addiction† a Mental Disorder†?† Psychiatry 2 (2009): 31-37. Web. Suval, Lauren. Does Texting Hinder Social Skills?Psych Central.com. Psych Central, 2012. Web. 02 Nov. 2014. http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2012/05/02/does-texting- hinder-social-skills/ 1

Individual Presentation: Kevin Mitnick :: Computers Technology Kevin Matnick Essays

Individual Presentation: Kevin Mitnick Introduction Originally, I had planned on researching George Lucas as my creative genius. I am in love with the Star Wars saga, but I really could not get interested in George Lucas. Then, late one night, I saw a movie called Takedown. It was based on a true story that dealt with the pursuit and capture of Kevin Mitnick, one of the most infamous computer hackers of all time. I was instantly amazed. As soon as the movie was over, I began scouring the internet looking for information concerning him. I am quite interested in computers, and Mitnick’s mastery of them drew me towards him. I knew then that he was who I wanted to research. His creativity encompasses a wide range of skills. Obviously, his mastery of computer and telephone systems deals with the Mathematical/Logical domain. Also, he is talented at acquiring information from people, which is an intrapersonal skill. Plus, he is strongly self-motivated and that deals with the interpersonal domain. This combination of skills elevated him to be one of the best hackers the world has ever seen. I have a great deal of respect for Kevin Mitnick because he is able to use a computer creatively to acquire whatever he wants to know. In a way, I wish I could be like him. A computer is such a valuable asset, but many times it is not close to being used to its full potential. Kevin Mitnick realized this, and put his computer to maximum usage. However, it is unfortunate that what he did was against the law. Due to this, I really cannot consider him a role model. I have no desire to risk going to jail over a computer-related crime. Even so, there is still a great amount of potential within Mitnick. Since he knows so much about breaking into computers, he could use that knowledge when he gets out of jail to design security systems that would be almost impenetrable. He knows all the tricks of the trade on how to tap into someone’s system. It is this insight that could enable him to design a nearly full-proof security system. Only time will tell what happens with Mi tnick in the future.

Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal Chapter 11

Chapter 11 Since my escape attempt, I can't get the angel to leave the room at all. Not even for his beloved Soap Opera Digest. (And yes, when he left to obtain the first one, it would have been a good time to make my escape, but I wasn't thinking that way then, so back off.) Today I tried to get him to bring me a map. â€Å"Because no one is going to know the places I'm writing about, that's why,† I told him. â€Å"You want me to write in this idiom so people will understand what I'm saying, then why use the names of places that have been gone for thousands of years? I need a map.† â€Å"No,† said the angel. â€Å"When I say the journey was two months by camel, what will that mean to these people who can cross an ocean in hours? I need to know modern distances.† â€Å"No,† said the angel. (Did you know that in a hotel they bolt the bedside lamp to the table, thereby making it an ineffective instrument of persuasion when trying to bring an obdurate angel around to your way of thinking? Thought you should know that. Pity too, it's such a substantial lamp.) â€Å"But how will I recount the heroic acts of the archangel Raziel if I can't tell the locations of his deeds? What, you want me to write, ‘Oh, then somewhere generally to the left of the Great Wall that rat-bastard Raziel showed up looking like hell considering he may have traveled a long distance or not?' Is that what you want? Or should it read, ‘Then, only a mile out of the port of Ptolemais, we were once again graced with the shining magnificence of the archangel Raziel? Huh, which way do you want it?† (I know what you're thinking, that the angel saved my life when Titus threw me off the ship and that I should be more forgiving toward him, right? That I shouldn't try to manipulate a poor creature who was given an ego but no free will or capacity for creative thought, right? Okay, good point. But do please remember that the angel only intervened on my behalf because Joshua was praying for my rescue. And do please remember that he could have saved us a lot of difficulty over the years if he had helped us out more often. And please don't forget that – despite the fact that he is perhaps the most handsome creature I've ever laid eyes on – Raziel is a stone doofus. Nevertheless, the ego stroke worked.) â€Å"I'll get you a map.† And he did. Unfortunately the concierge was only able to find a map of the world provided by an airline that partners with the hotel. So who knows how accurate it is. On this map the next leg of our journey is six inches long and would cost thirty thousand Friendly Flyer Miles. I hope that clears things up. The trader's name was Ahmad Mahadd Ubaidullaganji, but he said we could call him Master. We called him Ahmad. He led us through the city to a hillside where his caravan was camped. He owned a hundred camels which he drove along the Silk Road, along with a dozen men, two goats, three horses, and an astonishingly homely woman named Kanuni. He took us to his tent, which was larger than both the houses Joshua and I had grown up in. We sat on rich carpets and Kanuni served us stuffed dates and wine from a pitcher shaped like a dragon. â€Å"So, what does the Son of God want with my friend Balthasar?† Ahmad asked. Before we could answer he snorted and laughed until his shoulders shook and he almost spilled his wine. He had a round face with high cheekbones and narrow black eyes that crinkled at the corners from too much laughter and desert wind. â€Å"I'm sorry, my friends, but I've never been in the presence of the son of a god before. Which god is your father, by the way?† â€Å"Well, the God,† I said. â€Å"Yep,† said Joshua. â€Å"That's the one.† â€Å"And what is your God's name?† â€Å"Dad,† said Josh. â€Å"We're not supposed to say his name.† â€Å"Dad!† said Ahmad. â€Å"I love it.† He started giggling again. â€Å"I knew you were Hebrews and weren't allowed to say your God's name, I just wanted to see if you would. Dad. That's rich.† â€Å"I don't mean to be rude,† I said, â€Å"and we are certainly enjoying the refreshments, but it's getting late and you said you would take us to see Balthasar.† â€Å"And indeed I will. We leave in the morning.† â€Å"Leave for where?† Josh asked. â€Å"Kabul, the city where Balthasar lives now.† I had never heard of Kabul, and I sensed that was not a good thing. â€Å"And how far is Kabul?† â€Å"We should be there in less than two months by camel,† Ahmad said. If I knew then what I know now, I might have stood and exclaimed, â€Å"Tarnation, man, that's over six inches and thirty thousand Friendly Flyer Miles!† But since I didn't know that then, what I said was â€Å"Shit.† â€Å"I will take you to Kabul,† said Ahmad, â€Å"but what can you do to help pay your way?† â€Å"I know carpentry,† Joshua said. â€Å"My stepfather taught me how to fix a camel saddle.† â€Å"And you?† He looked at me. â€Å"What can you do?† I thought about my experience as a stonecutter, and immediately rejected it. And my training as a village idiot, which I thought I could always fall back on, wasn't going to help either. I did have my newfound skill as a sex educator, but somehow I didn't think there'd be call for that on a two-month trip with fourteen men and one homely woman. So what could I do, what skill had I to gentle the road to Kabul? â€Å"If someone in the caravan croaks I'm a great mourner,† I said. â€Å"Want to hear a dirge?† Ahmad laughed until he shook, then called for Kanuni to bring him his satchel. Once he had it in hand, he dug inside and pulled out the dried newts he'd bought from the old hag. â€Å"Here, you'll be needing these,† he said. Camels bite. A camel will, for no reason, spit on you, stomp you, kick you, bellow, burp, and fart at you. They are stubborn at their best, and cranky beyond all belief at their worst. If you provoke them, they will bite. If you insert a dehydrated amphibian elbow-deep in a camel's bum, he considers himself provoked, doubly so if the procedure was performed while he was sleeping. Camels are wise to stealth. They bite. â€Å"I can heal that,† Joshua said, looking at the huge tooth marks on my forehead. We were following Ahmad's caravan along the Silk Road, which was neither a road nor made of silk. It was, in fact, a narrow path through the rocky inhospitable highland desert of what is now Syria into the low, inhospitable desert of what is now Iraq. â€Å"He said sixty days by camel. Doesn't that mean that we should be riding, not walking?† â€Å"You're missing your camel pals, aren't you?† Josh grinned, that snotty, Son-o'-God grin of his. Maybe it was just a regular grin. â€Å"I'm just tired. I was up half the night sneaking up on these guys.† â€Å"I know,† said Joshua. â€Å"I had to get up at dawn to fix one of the saddles before we left. Ahmad's tools leave something to be desired.† â€Å"You go ahead and be the martyr, Josh, just forget about what I was doing all night. I'm just saying that we should get to ride instead of walking.† â€Å"We will,† Josh said. â€Å"Just not now.† The men in the caravan were all riding, although several of them, as well as Kanuni, were on horses. The camels were loaded down with great packs of iron tools, powdered dyes, and sandalwood bound for the Orient. At the first highland oasis we crossed, Ahmad traded the horses for four more camels, and Joshua and I were allowed to ride. At night we ate with the rest of the men, sharing boiled grain or bread with sesame paste, the odd bit of cheese, mashed chickpeas and garlic, occasionally goat meat, and sometimes the dark hot drink we had discovered in Antioch (mixed with date sugar and topped with foaming goat's milk and cinnamon at my suggestion). Ahmad dined alone in his tent, while the rest of us would dine under the open awning that we constructed to shelter us from the hottest part of the day. In the desert, the day gets warmer as it gets later, so the hottest part of the day will be in the late afternoon, just before sundown brings the hot winds to leach the last moisture from your skin. None of Ahmad's men spoke Aramaic or Hebrew, but they had enough functional Latin and Greek to tease Joshua and me about any number of subjects, their favorite, of course, being my job as chief camel deconstipator. The men hailed from a half-dozen different lands, many we had never heard of. Some were as black as Ethiopians, with high foreheads and long, graceful limbs, while others were squat and bowlegged, with powerful shoulders, high cheekbones, and long wispy mustaches like Ahmad's. Not one of them was fat or weak or slow. Before we were a week out of Antioch we figured out that it only took a couple of men to care for and guide a caravan of camels, so we were perplexed at why someone as shrewd as Ahmad would bring along so many superfluous employees. â€Å"Bandits,† Ahmad said, adjusting his bulk to find a more comfortable position atop his camel. â€Å"I'd need no more than a couple of dolts like you two if it was just the animals that needed tending. They're guards. Why did you think they were all carrying bows and lances?† â€Å"Yeah,† I said, giving Joshua a dirty look, â€Å"didn't you see the lances? They're guards. Uh, Ahmad, shouldn't Josh and I have lances – I mean, when we get to the bandit area?† â€Å"We've been followed by bandits for five days now,† Ahmad said. â€Å"We don't need lances,† Joshua said. â€Å"I will not make a man sin by committing an act of thievery. If a man would have something of mine, he need only ask and I will give it to him.† â€Å"Give me the rest of your money,† I said. â€Å"Forget it,† said Joshua. â€Å"But you just said – â€Å" â€Å"Yeah, but not to you.† Most nights Joshua and I slept in the open, outside Ahmad's tent, or if the night was especially cold, among the camels, where we would endure their grunting and snorting to get out of the wind. The guards slept in two-man tents, except for two who stood guard all night. Many nights, long after the camp was quiet, Joshua and I would lie looking up at the stars and pondering the great questions of life. â€Å"Josh, do you think the bandits will rob us and kill us, or just rob us?† â€Å"Rob us, then kill us, I would think,† said Josh. â€Å"Just in case they missed something that we had hidden, they could torture its whereabouts out of us.† â€Å"Good point,† I said. â€Å"Do you think Ahmad has sex with Kanuni?† Joshua asked. â€Å"I know he does. He told me he does.† â€Å"What do you think it's like? With them I mean? Him so fat and her so, you know?† â€Å"Frankly, Joshua, I'd rather not think about it. But thanks for putting that picture in my head.† â€Å"You mean you can imagine them together?† â€Å"Stop it, Joshua. I can't tell you what sin is like. You're going to have to do it yourself. What's next? I'll have to murder someone so I can explain what it's like to kill?† â€Å"No, I don't want to kill.† â€Å"Well, that might be one you have to do, Josh. I don't think the Romans are going to go away because you ask them to.† â€Å"I'll find a way. I just don't know it yet.† â€Å"Wouldn't it be funny if you weren't the Messiah? I mean if you abstained from knowing a woman your whole life, only to find out that you were just a minor prophet?† â€Å"Yeah, that would be funny,† said Josh. He wasn't smiling. â€Å"Kind of funny?† The journey seemed to go surprisingly fast once we knew we were being followed by bandits. It gave us something to talk about and our backs stayed limber, as we were always twisting in our saddles and checking the horizon. I was almost sad when they finally, after ten days on our trail, decided to attack. Ahmad, who was usually at the front of the caravan, fell back and rode beside us. â€Å"The bandits will ambush us inside that pass just ahead,† he said. The road snaked into a canyon with steep slopes on either side topped by rows of huge boulders and wind-eroded towers. â€Å"They're hiding in those boulders on top of either ridge,† Ahmad said. â€Å"Don't stare, you'll give us away.† Joshua said, â€Å"If you know that they're going to attack, why not pull up and defend ourselves?† â€Å"They will attack one way or another anyway. Better an ambush we know about than one we don't. And they don't know we know.† I noticed the squat guards with the mustaches take short bows from pouches behind their saddles, and as subtly as a man might brush a cobweb from his eyelash, they strung the bows. If you'd been watching them from a distance you'd have hardly seen them move. â€Å"What do you want us to do?† I asked Ahmad. â€Å"Try not to get killed. Especially you, Joshua. Balthasar will be very angry indeed if I show up with you dead.† â€Å"Wait,† said Joshua, â€Å"Balthasar knows we are coming?† â€Å"Why, yes,† laughed Ahmad. â€Å"He told me to look for you. What, you think I help every pair of runts that wander into the market at Antioch?† â€Å"Runts?† I had momentarily forgotten about the ambush. â€Å"How long ago did he tell you to look for us?† â€Å"I don't know, right after he first left Antioch for Kabul, maybe ten years ago. It doesn't matter now, I have to get back to Kanuni, bandits scare her.† â€Å"Let them get a good look at her,† I said. â€Å"We'll see who scares who.† â€Å"Don't look at the ridges,† Ahmad said as he rode away. The bandits came down the sides of the canyon like a synchronized avalanche, driving their camels to the edge of balance, pushing a river of rocks and sand before them. There were twenty-five, maybe thirty of them, all dressed in black, half of them on camels waving swords or clubs, the other half on foot with long spears for gutting a camel rider. When they were committed to the charge, all of them sliding down the hillsides, the guards broke our caravan in the middle, leaving an empty spot in the road where the bandits' charge would culminate. Their momentum was so great that the bandits were unable to change direction. Three of their camels went down trying to pull back. Our guards moved into two groups, three in the front with the long lances, the bowmen just behind them. When the bowmen were set they let arrows fly into the bandits, and as each fell he took two or three of his cohorts down with him, until in seconds the charge had turned into an actual avalanche of rolling stones and men and camels. The camels bellowed and we could hear bones snapping and men screaming as they rolled into a bloody mass on the Silk Road. As each man rose and tried to charge our guards an arrow would drop him in his tracks. One bandit came up mounted on a camel and rode toward the back of the caravan, where the three lancers drove him from his mount in a spray of blood. Every movement in the canyon was met with an arrow. One bandit with a broken leg tried to crawl back up the canyon wall, and an arrow in the back of his skull cut him down. I heard a wailing behind me and before I could turn Joshua rode by me at full gallop, passing the bowmen and the lancers at our side of the caravan, bound for the mass of dead and dying bandits. He slung himself off his camel's back and was running around the bodies like a madman, waving his arms and screaming until I could hear the rasp as his throat went raw. â€Å"Stop this! Stop this!† One bandit moved, trying to get to his feet, and our bowmen drew back to cut him down. Joshua threw his body on top of the bandit and pushed him back to the ground. I heard Ahmad give the command to hold. A cloud of dust floated out of the canyon on the gentle desert breeze. A camel with a broken leg bellowed and an arrow in the eye put the animal to rest. Ahmad snatched a lance out of one of the guard's hands and rode to where Joshua was shielding the wounded bandit. â€Å"Move, Joshua,† Ahmad said, holding the lance at ready. â€Å"This must be finished.† Joshua looked around him. All of the bandits and all of their animals were dead. Blood ran in rivulets in the dust. Already flies were collecting to feast. Joshua walked through the field of dead bandits until his chest was pressed against the bronze point of Ahmad's lance. Tears streamed down Joshua's face. â€Å"This was wrong!† he screeched. â€Å"They were bandits. They would have killed us and stolen everything we had if we had not killed them. Does your own God, your father, not destroy those who sin? Now move aside, Joshua. Let this be finished.† â€Å"I am not my father, and neither are you. You will not kill this man.† Ahmad lowered the lance and shook his head balefully. â€Å"He will only die anyway, Joshua.† I could sense the guards fidgeting, not knowing what to do. â€Å"Give me your water skin,† Joshua said. Ahmad threw the water skin down to Joshua, then turned his camel and rode back to where the guards waited for him. Joshua took the water to the wounded bandit and held his head as he drank. An arrow protruded from the bandit's stomach and his black tunic was shiny with blood. Joshua put his hand gently over the bandit's eyes, as if he were telling him to go to sleep, then he yanked out the arrow and tossed it aside. The bandit didn't even flinch. Joshua put his hand over the wound. From the time that Ahmad had ordered them to hold fire, none of the guards had moved. They watched. After a few minutes the bandit sat up and Joshua stepped away from him and smiled. In that instant an arrow sprouted from the bandit's forehead and he fell back, dead. â€Å"No!† Joshua wheeled around to face Ahmad's side of the caravan. The guard who had shot still held the bow, as if he might have to let fly another arrow to finish the job. Howling with rage, Joshua made a gesture as if he were striking the air with his open hand and the guard was lifted back off his camel and slammed into the ground. â€Å"No more!† Joshua screamed. When the guard sat up in the dirt his eyes were like silver moons in their sockets. He was blind. Later, when neither of us had spoken for two days, and Joshua and I were relegated to riding far behind the caravan because the guards were afraid of us, I took a drink from my water skin, then handed it to Joshua. He took a drink and handed it back. â€Å"Thank you,† Josh said. He smiled and I knew he'd be all right. â€Å"Hey Joshua, do me a favor.† â€Å"What?† â€Å"Remind me not to piss you off, okay?† The city of Kabul was built on five rugged hillsides, with the streets laid out in terraces and the buildings built partly into the hills. There was no evidence of Roman or Greek influence in the architecture, but instead the larger buildings had tile roofs that turned up at the corners, a style that Joshua and I would see all over Asia before our journey was finished. The people were mostly rugged, wiry people who looked like Arabs without the glow in their skin that came from a diet rich in olive oil. Instead their faces seemed leaner, drawn by the cold, dry wind of the high desert. In the market there were merchants and traders from China, and more men who looked like Ahmad and his bowmen guards, a race whom the Chinese referred to simply as barbarians. â€Å"The Chinese are so afraid of my people that they have built a wall, as high as any palace, as wide as the widest boulevard in Rome, and stretching as far as the eye can see ten times over,† Ahmad said. â€Å"Uh-huh,† I said, thinking, you lying bag-o'-guts. Joshua hadn't spoken to Ahmad since the bandit attack, but he smirked at Ahmad's story of the great wall. â€Å"Just so,† said Ahmad. â€Å"We will stay at an inn tonight. Tomorrow I will take you to Balthasar. If we leave early we can be there by noon, then you'll be the magician's problem, not mine. Meet me in front at dawn.† That night the innkeeper and his wife served us a dinner of spiced lamb and rice, with some sort of beer made from rice, which washed two months of desert grit from our throats and put a pleasant haze over our minds. To save money, we paid for pallets under the wide curving eaves of the inn, and although it was some comfort to have a roof over my head for the first time in months, I found that I missed looking at the stars as I fell asleep. I lay awake, half drunk, for a long time. Joshua slept the sleep of the innocent. The next day Ahmad met us in front of the inn with two of his African guards and two extra camels in tow. â€Å"Come on, now. This may be the end of your journey, but it is merely a detour for me,† Ahmad said. He threw us each a crust of bread and a hunk of cheese, which I took to mean we were to eat our breakfast on the way. We rode out of Kabul and into the hills until we entered a labyrinth of canyons, which meandered through rugged mountains that looked as if they might have been shaped by God out of clay, then left to bake in the sun until the clay had turned to a deep golden color that reflected light in a spray that ate up shadows and destroyed shade. By noon I had no sense whatsoever of what direction we were traveling, nor could I have sworn that we weren't retracing our path through the same canyons over and over, but Ahmad's black guards seemed to know their way. Eventually they led us around a bend to a sheer canyon wall, two hundred feet tall, that stood out from the other canyon walls in that there were windows and balconies carved into it. It was a palace hewn out of solid rock. At the base stood an ironclad door that looked as if it would take twenty men to move. â€Å"Balthasar's house,† Ahmad said, prodding his camel to kneel down so he might dismount. Joshua nudged me with his riding stick. â€Å"Hey, is this what you expected?† I shook my head. â€Å"I don't know what I expected. Maybe something a little – I don't know – smaller.† â€Å"Could you find your way back out of these canyons if you had to?† Joshua asked. â€Å"Nope. You?† â€Å"Not a chance.† Ahmad waddled over to the great door and pulled a cord that hung down from a hole in the wall. Somewhere inside we heard the ringing of some great bell. (Only later would we learn that it was the sound of a gong.) A smaller door within the door opened and a girl stuck her head out. â€Å"What?† She had the round face and high cheekbones of an Oriental, and there were great blue wings painted on her face above her eyes. â€Å"It's Ahmad. Ahmad Mahadd Ubaidullaganji. I've brought Balthasar the boy he has been waiting for.† Ahmad gestured in our direction. The girl looked skeptical. â€Å"Scrawny. You sure that's the one?† â€Å"That's the one. Tell Balthasar he owes me.† â€Å"Who's that with him?† â€Å"That's his stupid friend. No extra charge for him.† â€Å"You bring the monkey's paws?† the girl asked. â€Å"Yes, and the other herbs and minerals Balthasar asked for.† â€Å"Okay, wait here.† She closed the door, was gone only a second, then returned. â€Å"Send just the two of them in, alone. Balthasar must examine them, then he will deal with you.† â€Å"There's no need to be mysterious, woman, I've been in Balthasar's house a hundred times. Now quit dilly-dallying and open the door.† â€Å"Silence!† the girl shouted. â€Å"The great Balthasar will not be mocked. Send in the boys, alone.† Then she slammed the little door and we could hear her cackling echo out the windows above. Ahmad shook his head in disgust and waved us over to the door. â€Å"Just go. I don't know what he's up to, but just go.† Joshua and I dismounted, took our packs off the camels, and edged over to the huge door. Joshua looked at me as if wondering what to do, then reached for the cord to ring the bell, but as he did, the door creaked open just wide enough for one of us to enter if we turned sideways. It was pitch black inside except for a narrow stripe of light, which told us nothing. Joshua again looked at me and raised his eyebrows. â€Å"I'm just the stupid no-extra-charge friend,† I said, bowing. â€Å"After you.† Joshua moved though the door and I followed. When we were inside only a few feet, the huge door slammed with a sound like thunder and we stood there in complete darkness. I'm sure I could feel things scurrying around my feet in the dark. There was a bright flash and a great column of red smoke rose in front of us, illuminated by a light coming from the ceiling somewhere. It smelled of brimstone and stung my nose. Joshua coughed and we both backed against the door as a figure stepped out of the smoke. He – it – stood as tall as any two men, although he was thin. He wore a long purple robe, embroidered with strange symbols in gold and silver, hooded, so we saw no face, only glowing red eyes set back in a field of black. He held a bright lamp out as if to examine us by the light. â€Å"Satan,† I said under my breath to Joshua, pressing my back against the great iron door so hard that I could feel rust flakes imbedding in my skin through my tunic. â€Å"It's not Satan,† Joshua said. â€Å"Who would disturb the sanctity of my fortress?† boomed the figure. I nearly wet myself at hearing his voice. â€Å"I'm Joshua of Nazareth,† Joshua said, trying to be casual, but his voice broke on Nazareth. â€Å"And this is Biff, also of Nazareth. We're looking for Balthasar. He came to Bethlehem, where I was born, many years ago looking for me. I have to ask him some questions.† â€Å"Balthasar is no more of this world.† The dark figure reached into his robe and pulled out a glowing dagger, which he held high, then plunged into his own chest. There was an explosion, a flash, and an anguished roar, as if someone had killed a lion. Joshua and I turned and frantically scratched at the iron door, looking for a latch. We were both making an incoherent terrorized sound that I can only describe as the verbal version of running, sort of an extended rhythmic howl that paused only when the last of each lungful of air squeaked out of us. Then I heard the laughing and Joshua grabbed my arm. The laughing got louder. Joshua swung me around to face death in purple. As I turned the dark figure threw back his hood and I saw the grinning black face and shaved head of a man – a very tall man, but a man nonetheless. He threw open the robe and I could see that it was, indeed, a man. A man who had been standing on the shoulders of two young Asian women who had been hiding beneath the very long robe. â€Å"Just fuckin' with you,† he said. Then he giggled. He leapt off of the women's shoulders and took a deep breath before doubling over and hugging himself with laughter. Tears streamed out of his big chestnut eyes. â€Å"You should have seen the look on your faces. Girls, did you see that?† The women, who wore simple linen robes, didn't seem as amused as the man. They looked embarrassed and a little impatient, as if they'd rather be anywhere else, doing anything but this. â€Å"Balthasar?† Joshua asked. â€Å"Yeah,† said Balthasar, who stood up now and was only a little taller than I was. â€Å"Sorry, I don't get many visitors. So you're Joshua?† â€Å"Yes,† Joshua said, an edge in his voice. â€Å"I didn't recognize you without the swaddling clothes. And this is your servant?† â€Å"My friend, Biff.† â€Å"Same thing. Bring your friend. Come in. The girls will attend to Ahmad for the time being.† He stalked off down a corridor into the mountain, his long purple robe trailing behind him like the tail of a dragon. We stood there by the door, not moving, until we realized that once Balthasar turned a corner with his lamp we'd be in darkness again, so we took off after him. As we ran down the corridor, I thought of how far we had traveled, and what we had left behind, and I felt as if I was going to be sick to my stomach any second. â€Å"Wise man?† I said to Joshua. â€Å"My mother has never lied to me,† said Josh. â€Å"That you know of,† I said.

In the Art Institute of Chicago

In the Art Institute of Chicago, there is a painting that stands out in my mind. It is the painting La Grande Jette by George Seuret. The painting features Parisians enjoying a Sunday by the Seine, a river near Neuilly. Many of the Parisians that are pictured are very well to do. Proven by the various activities and dress shown in this painting. As I look at this painting I view this painting I see ladies wearing nipped in corseted waists and bustles. Some of the activities to be viewed are boating and fishing. Other then well to do impictured in this piece there is a mixture of the social classes. Take for example the oarsman who seems to sit harmoniously with the middle to upper class lady and dandy next to him. Impicutred as well are prostitutes, who use the sport of fishing to hide their main reason for being there, which is to catch the soldiers who are standing on the bank as well. Off to the bottom right of this picture is a monkey attached to a leash. The leash h!eld by a l ady, who is part of the upper class stature. Kept as pets, Capuchio monkeys were all the rage in the day of Seuret. Although some skeptics say Seuret uses the monkey to licentiousness, and maybe even a coded message of hypocrisy that was a feature of French society in the 1880s. Seuret explored and used geometric landscapes in this piece. Many of the figures in La Grande Jatte are pictured in profile. This maybe a glimpse as to the influence of Ancient Egyptian Art, which during this period in time Seuret was studying. Having made many sketches from the Ancient Egyptian reliefs on his many visits to the Louve in Paris. La Grande Jatte was painted from 1884 all the way up till 1886. This two year masterpiece of Seurets is an Oil on Canvas, and is 81x 120(205x304cm). It is currently displayed in The Art Institute of Chicago. It is hard for some to believe that a man not quite thirty coul...

Free Essays on The Mayor Of Casterbridge

In the Mayor the Casterbridge, Thomas Hardy presents Michael Henchard as a dynamic character, who, over the course of the novel, slowly changes from a selfish prideful young man into a downtrodden poor old man. This metamorphosis can be seen in myriad instances throughout the novel. It is through these instances that we can make the judgement whether Henchard is a dynamic character. Early on in the novel, Henchards exhibits his dynamic nature. For example, in the beginning of the novel, Henchard sells his wife and child, Susan and Elizabeth Jane, to a sailor named Newson, for five guineas, â€Å"I’ve lived with thee a couple of years, and nothing but temper! Now I’m no more to ‘ee; I’ll try my luck elsewhere. ‘Twill be better for me and Elizabeth Jane, both. So, good bye!† (pg 10-11). Later on in the novel, when Henchard and his estranged family reunite for the first time in eighteen years, Henchard sends Susan and Elizabeth Jane a letter with five guineas contained within (pg 65). In effect, Henchard is buying his family back again. This act cements Henchard as a dynamic character, for though the actions are very similar, he does them for completely opposite reasons. In the first instance, Henchard uses the five guineas to sell his family, while in the second he uses the money to persuade his family to rejoin him. In th is way, Henchard can be seen as a dynamic character, for he has changed from a man concerned only about his own comfort to a man who cares about others. Secondly, Henchard finally confesses to his past, an act that a static character would find impossible. Throughout his solitary life in Casterbridge, Henchard is quite unforthcoming about his life’s history. It is only until the furmity woman makes an appearance in Casterbridge that some of Henchard’s past history is finally uncovered (pg 212). Through the unveiling of his past deeds, Henchard once again is able to be classified as a dynamic chara... Free Essays on The Mayor Of Casterbridge Free Essays on The Mayor Of Casterbridge In the Mayor the Casterbridge, Thomas Hardy presents Michael Henchard as a dynamic character, who, over the course of the novel, slowly changes from a selfish prideful young man into a downtrodden poor old man. This metamorphosis can be seen in myriad instances throughout the novel. It is through these instances that we can make the judgement whether Henchard is a dynamic character. Early on in the novel, Henchards exhibits his dynamic nature. For example, in the beginning of the novel, Henchard sells his wife and child, Susan and Elizabeth Jane, to a sailor named Newson, for five guineas, â€Å"I’ve lived with thee a couple of years, and nothing but temper! Now I’m no more to ‘ee; I’ll try my luck elsewhere. ‘Twill be better for me and Elizabeth Jane, both. So, good bye!† (pg 10-11). Later on in the novel, when Henchard and his estranged family reunite for the first time in eighteen years, Henchard sends Susan and Elizabeth Jane a letter with five guineas contained within (pg 65). In effect, Henchard is buying his family back again. This act cements Henchard as a dynamic character, for though the actions are very similar, he does them for completely opposite reasons. In the first instance, Henchard uses the five guineas to sell his family, while in the second he uses the money to persuade his family to rejoin him. In th is way, Henchard can be seen as a dynamic character, for he has changed from a man concerned only about his own comfort to a man who cares about others. Secondly, Henchard finally confesses to his past, an act that a static character would find impossible. Throughout his solitary life in Casterbridge, Henchard is quite unforthcoming about his life’s history. It is only until the furmity woman makes an appearance in Casterbridge that some of Henchard’s past history is finally uncovered (pg 212). Through the unveiling of his past deeds, Henchard once again is able to be classified as a dynamic chara... Free Essays on The Mayor Of Casterbridge In Thomas Hardy’s novel, The Mayor of Casterbridge, the fruit of cruelty and insensitivity appear throughout the novel. Hardy portrays this fact through most of his characters, including the novel’s protagonist, Michael Henchard. Henchard displays his insensitivity when he shuns Elizabeth-Jane Newsome; he discovers that she is not his biological daughter. In addition to the cruelty and insensitivity of the novel’s protagonist, Hardy’s portrayal of Joshua Jopp, the townspeople, and Elizabeth-Jane, show signs of cruelty and insensitivity at times. Joshua Jopp, a corn-factor in Hardy’s The Mayor of Casterbridge, shows his ability to be cruel and insensitive in the novel. Jopp first show signs of cruelty and insensitivity when he joins Michael Henchard, the Mayor, in a plot to cripple Donald Farfrae’s business. Donald Farfrae, who wins the love of the people because of his ability to work the agricultural resources, takes Jopp’s position a s the town’s corn-factor earlier in the novel. Jopp, obviously still upset about past events, gladly conspires to take him down. He and Henchard make a plan, which involves a weather prophet, who prophesizes that the weather would be bad for corn-growth in Casterbridge. Upon the hearing of this news, Henchard, with Jopp’s consultant, decides to store up all the corn. After the plan fails (the weather was good and Farfrae’s crop prospers) however, Henchard, of course fires Jopp. Jopp vows to get Henchard back and gets his chance when the ex-mayor has to live with him. Henchard asks Jopp to deliver a package, which contains the secrets of Henchard’s past relationship with Lucetta Templeman, wife of Donald Farfrae. Jopp, who is unaware of the contents of the package, decides to look in the package, and when he does, decides to be cruel and insensitive for the final time. He takes the contents of the package, which were love letters written form Lucetta to He nchard, and reads them to the ...

Most Valuable Provisions Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Most Valuable Provisions - Research Paper Example This is only possible if the nurses are aware of the specific health needs of the patients, as well as other concerns that affect health such as environmental pollution, violation of the human rights, inaccess to healthcare amongst others (Lachman, 2009). The provision also involves the public in ensuring that the health needs of a people are met (Lachman, 2009). The public is expected to work closely with the nurses in making the community responsive to the circumstances that contribute to illness, and how they can modify their lifestyle to promote fit lifestyles. The nurse must also incorporate all the cultures in an attempt to proffer health services to the public. In the thought of Sasso, et. al. (2008), provision 9 is accountable for expressing nursing values that uphold integrity for the nursing profession, and its involvement to shaping the nursing policy. According to the provision, the profession organization is expected to be in touch with and avow the values to its members; hence, encourage self assessment and reflection within the profession. This leads to the public holding the opinion that nursing plays a crucial role to social change that improves health. It is in this argument that the profession ensures that they ensure collective liability through the concerned professional associations. This provision also checks for principles of practice. Additionally, Lachman (2009) indicates that the provision scrutinizes the mechanisms of assessing the efficacy of professional nursing. The provision also makes sure that inter-professional uprightness is attained through the proviso. Educational requirements for official recognition and practice of nursing are well scrutinized by the provision (Lachman, 2009).The nursing profession and practice, in this case, is evaluated for effectiveness, all for the benefit of the public. In the course of my nursing profession, these provisions have been of fundamental nature as

Competitive Strategies. Chaos Camera Company Competitive Advantages Assignment

Competitive Strategies. Chaos Camera Company Competitive Advantages - Assignment Example The analysis is made on all these accounts and keenly canvasses the company on the competitive advantage it gains over other companies in the industry and the strategies that the company undertakes to sustain this advantage. Competitive advantage being key to any business’ success is therefore a crucial aspect of a company and is well elaborated throughout the course of the paper. An analysis of the strategic approach that the company made to compete successfully in four geographic regions is also made. We also examine the ways that the company could improve the important value chain activities it has. An elaborate break down is made of the company’s corporate social responsibilities it has running and justifications made on why the company is running them. The style of making decisions that the company used is also explained in the paper as well as the decisions that supported the team’s strategy execution efforts. The team mandated with the task of running the company did a tremendous job through cooperation and hard work and these elements of the team are outlined throughout the whole paper. Competitive Strategies In order to find a footing in the fiercely competitive digital camera market, our company had to undertake a series of strategies that helped us be competitive. First and foremost, we had to attract customers with the best possible product at a competitive price. Therefore, we made a high quality product and offered it at a price that gave value for money. The company had to set a price that was reasonable to most customers and at the same time offer a product that was of higher value than what our competitors offered at the same price. Capitalization on attractive growth opportunities also gave our company the edge over other companies in the market. The business incessantly looked for growth opportunities in the market to exploit and make a killing. This helped the company increase its revenue streams as well as better positi on the business in the marketplace. It is imperative for any business to find ways of lowering their costs. Through this a business is able to make profits out of its business and our company subscribed to this school of thought. The company constantly looked for ways to reduce the operational costs by better managing the functional pieces of the business. The business that better manages its operations to lower its costs and eventually makes a higher profit, holds a competitive advantage over its rivals. (Mooij, (2009) This was one of our company’s fundamental objectives since it helped us gain a competitive advantage over our competitors. Performance targets are a guide as to the amount of revenue or profits that the business should earn over a given period of time. These targets are crucial since they guide the company on how much to strive for but the targets should not deviate and contradict with the quality of the product. The company always ascertained that performance targets and product quality were directly related therefore ensuring that product quality was not severed in the process of achieving high performance targets. Sustainable Competitive Advantage Gaining a competitive advantage over our rivals was crucial but sustaining that competitive advantage was even of more essence. Our team looked into various ways of sustaining our competitive advantage; firstly improving our product design was of fundamental importance to any success that we would have. Therefore, we focused on producing an unbeatable