Monday, August 24, 2020

Celebrate Veterans Day - History and Origin of Veterans Day

Observe Veterans Day - History and Origin of Veterans Day Individuals once in a while confound the implications of Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Dedication Day, regularly called Decoration Day, is watched the last Monday in May as a recognition of the individuals who kicked the bucket in military assistance of the United States. Veterans Day is seen on November 11 to pay tribute to military veterans. The History of Veterans Day In 1918, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in the eleventh month, the world cheered and celebrated. Following four years of severe war, a peace negotiation was agreed upon. The war to put to shame all other wars, World War I, was finished. November 11, 1919 was put aside as Armistice Day in the United States. It was a dayâ to recollect the penances that people made during World War I so as to guarantee an enduring harmony. On Armistice Day, fighters who endure the war walked in a procession through the places where they grew up. Lawmakers and veteran officials gave talks and held services of much obliged for the harmony they had won. Congress casted a ballot Armistice Day a government occasion in 1938, twentyâ years after the war finished. Be that as it may, Americans before long understood that the past war would not be the last one. World War II started the next year and countries incredible and little again partook in a wicked battle. For a spell after the Second World War, November 11 proceeded by be seen as Armistice Day. At that point, in 1953, the townspeople in Emporia, Kansas started callingâ the occasion Veterans Day in appreciation to both the World War I and World War II veterans in their town. Before long, Congress passed a bill presented by Kansas congressman, Edward Rees renaming the government occasion Veterans Day. In 1971, President Nixon proclaimed it a government occasion to be seen on the second Monday in November. Americans despite everything express appreciation for tranquility on Veterans Day. There are services and discourses. At 11:00 toward the beginning of the day, most Americans watch a snapshot of quietness, recalling the individuals who battled for harmony. After the United States contribution in the Vietnam War, the accentuation on vacation exercises has moved. There are less military processions and services. Veterans assemble at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. They place blessings at the names of their companions and family members who fell in the Vietnam War. Families who have lost children and little girls in wars turn their considerations more toward harmony and the shirking of future wars. Veterans of military help have sorted out care groups, for example, the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. On Veterans Day and Memorial Day, these gatherings raise assets for their beneficent exercises by selling paper poppies made by handicapped veterans. This splendid red wildflower turned into an image of World War I after a grisly fight in a field of poppies called Flanders Field in Belgium. Approaches to Honor Veterans on Veterans Day It is significant that we keep on offering the hugeness of Veterans Day to more youthful ages. Attempt these thoughts with your children to assist them with understanding why its imperative to respect our countries veterans. Show your kids history of the occasion. Passing on the historical backdrop of Veterans Day and guaranteeing that our youngsters comprehend and recall the penances that servicemen and ladies have made for our nation is an important method to respect our veterans. Understand books, watch narratives, complete Veterans Day Printables, and examine Veterans Day with your children.â Visit veterans. Make cards and compose cards to say thanks to convey to veterans at the VA medical clinic or nursing home. Visit with them. Express gratitude toward them for their administration and tune in to their accounts if they’d like to share them. Show the American flag. The American banner ought to beâ displayed at half-pole for Veterans Day. Take time on Veterans Day to show your kids this andâ other American banner decorum. Watch a parade. If your cityâ still holds a Veterans Day march, you can respect veterans by taking your children to see it. Being there applauding on the sidelinesâ demonstrates to the people in the motorcade that we despite everything recall and perceive their penances. Serve a veteran. Take time on Veterans Day to serve a vet. Rake leaves, cut his or herâ lawn, orâ deliver aâ meal or dessert.  Veterans Day is substantially more than essentially a day when the banks and post workplaces are shut. Set aside some effort to respect the people who have served our nation and show the cutting edge to do likewise. Verifiable realities kindness of Embassy of the United States of America Refreshed by Kris Bales

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Euthanasia Informative Essay free essay sample

The Controversy of Euthanasia One of the greatest and most dubious subjects all through society today is the demonstration of killing in people. In the clinical field, willful extermination is regularly known as helped self destruction that is basically for in critical condition patients as it were. When pondering killing, Americans will in general relate it towards the rights for creatures, yet in this particular model I will concentrate on the dubious subject of sanctioning in the interest of individuals who are expertly determined to have a perilous illnesses. This wo exclude minorities younger than eighteen or the old beyond sixty years old. In this way when taking a gander at the information in today’s society, killing is plainly characterized as making a move of completion a person’s life to soothe persevering and determined agony. Starting today, most of our countries populace accepts that killing is indecent. In spite of the fact that willful extermination is unlawful in the United States at present, a few residents contend with regards to passing on quiet with nobility rather then languish in a clinic bed over months on end. Following a very long while of thought, killing is amazingly troublesome errand to separate because of the two differences inside the decision for and against this training. For example, the term ‘euthanasia’ originates from the Greek words eu meaning god, and thanatos meaning passing (Manning 2). Willful extermination can likewise be alluded to as ‘mercy killing’ or the act of helping somebody the guide of death whether it might be legitimate or illicit, contingent upon a countrys ward. In different nations it is legitimate, similar to Belgium, Norway, Sweden, and Albania. The vast majority of the United Kingdom, since 2009, proclaimed authorization in all emergency clinics for clinical willful extermination under the condition that a patient is experiencing incessant torment alongside a serious ailment (Mattlin). The particular characterization of killing inside lawful locale turns out to be progressively unpredictable when seeing what is viewed as reasonable and what is treacherous. During the 1300s self destruction or helping an individual carry out self destruction was considered as a criminal demonstration. The possibility of ‘mercy killing’ was not upheld by the predominance of rising Christianity. In the United States of America, the principal law against helped murdering, known as ‘anti-euthanasia’ was passed in 1828, New York. Willful extermination, as actuated fetus removal, had been a significant subject for pondering from that point forward. Inside quite a few years willful extermination as isolated into two principle subgenres known as dynamic deliberate and uninvolved intentional killing (Manning 3). Deliberate is a clinical grouping of kicking the bucket with assent from a patient inside a sensible measure of time before the end procedure. Automatic wil lful extermination is once in a while observed today and is extremely remarkable because of new technologic progresses in security and clinical legal sciences. In intentional killing, can in spite of the fact that be essentially characterized as passing on without assent (Nitschke). Under the English impact during the fifteenth century, dynamic and uninvolved killing was sorted underneath deliberate clinical practices. This is shown during the time spent the patient’s passing. For instance, dynamic killing is to end a people life by utilization of medications, regardless of whether without anyone else or with the guide of a doctor, when detached willful extermination is taking a people life by not taking helping the patient get by during a ‘DNR’ condition, medicinally known as ‘do not resuscitate’ when need. Likewise detached end can incorporate pulling back water, food, medications, clinical or surgeries required so as to keep up life while wiped out (Manning 3). Deliberate willful extermination is so dubious with regards to the dynamic practices on the grounds that in the United States, inhabitants have a legitimate right to the right to speak freely of discourse and self-conclusion. At the point when feelings impact, we can't just legitimize the two gatherings on equivalent footing under the government laws of the U. S Constitution. In Washington, Montana and Oregon, it is lawful for dynamic willful extermination to happen if a clinical practice concurs with their wiped out customer. Since authorizations in 2009, insights show that Oregon’s clinical practices have practically no proof on patients who had reported wild torment. The entirety of the patients who mentioned helped self destruction refered to mental and social worries as their essential reasons. As indicated by the Health Division, this obviously doesn't give the United States court framework any verification of sensational conditions in the utilization of dynamic willful extermination. Ben Mattlin, who is a known to be a celebrated creator in the clinical and legitimate viewpoints of society, composed â€Å"Suicide by? Not all that Fast,† in November 1, 2010. Mattlin communicates, â€Å"My work as a doctor is to guarantee that individuals can see their inalienable respect reflected in they way they are minded for† (Mattlin). He discusses the issues on how ‘active euthanization’ it isn't sufficiently sanctioned to turn out to be broadly worthy because of the proof of no difficulties found inside the territory of Oregon. Mattlin effectively communicates that effectively having the choice to end ones life is uncalled for and ought not be made lawful. Given the closing information made in the territory of Oregon, He accepts that an individual ought not have the option to settle on a choice for them or for another on the demonstration of ending a real existence. In this manner, he powerfully extends the thinking of why a human life, handicapped or slight, ought not need to pick demise to get stately. Willful killing might be glimpsed downward on inside dynamic clinical practices, in spite of the fact that now and again, the perspective on detached killing is ethically worthy. For example, inside basic life-threating ailments, a patient will assume control over outrageous measures. At the point when given a negative finding, a debilitated patient argues to take their life, so as to not experience more torment and languishing. In many states, except for Washington, Montana and Oregon, an ensured specialist must will not allow the person to kick the bucket and spare their life regardless. Regardless of the passionate or physical agony an individual perseveres through, a specialist must stay positive and push treatment on their debilitated patient. A man named Derek Humphrey sensibly contends that, â€Å"In this century, medication has made huge steps towards keeping us sound and living longer, for which we are largely appreciative. Be that as it may, current medication has not so much tackled the issue of terminal agony, and it positively always will be unable to respond to the exceptionally close to home inquiry of an individual people nature of life† (Humphrey 34). He guarantees his professional willful extermination considerations through his noteworthy novel about helped self destruction, called The Final Exit. Humphrey pronounces it isn't on the whole correct to state dynamic willful extermination is ‘wrong’ in the feeling of how latent killing is ethically sufficient. He drives his contemplations further by clarifying that uninvolved willful extermination is utilized in everyday cases and there is nothing we as individual residents can do about it. This is on the grounds that a specialist can't compel a terminally tolerant treatment on the off chance that they aren’t ready to remain positive nor corporate. On a legitimate stance, Humphrey contends and discusses the reasons of why dynamic willful extermination isn't right because of the way that numerous people reject oppressive clinical treatment all together as a lawful and safe choice of biting the dust at any rate. Likewise, Derek Humphrey states that effectively slaughtering oneself is only equivalent to requesting physical clinical help with request to end the life of somebody with a lethally sick infection (Humphrey 16). Both dynamic and latent deliberate willful extermination is so far from being obviously true because of clinical real factors appeared in chronicled examines. For instance, a man, regularly known as Dr. Passing, or Jack Kevorkian, was an American pathologist, and willful extermination lobbyist who is most popular for openly supporting the guide of hazardous patients, on rights to bite the dust through doctor helped self destruction. On March 26, 1999, Dr. Kevorkian was accused of second-degree murder because of the away from and legitimate documentation of closure in any event 130 of his patients to death so as to demonstrate a point in his doing combating legal dispute. After his conviction, Jack Kevorkian pronounces, on live TV, kicking the bucket isn't a crime† (Robinson). Before long after the emotional misfortune in court, Kevorkian is compelled by columnists who openly declare the government reasons regarding why he was condemned to jail with second-degree murder by the court. Residents of the U. S before long find that 60% of the patients who ended it all, with Dr. Jack Kevorkians, help were not critically ill, and thirteen had not whined of wild torment. The reports additionally stressed that Kevorkians advising was excessively short when choosing to euthanize a real existence. General society turned out to be authoritatively mindful of the horrendous behind ‘Dr. Death’. The nineteen patients passed on inside under twenty-four hours after first gathering Kevorkian and proof was discovered that he didn't, indeed, preform a mental test in the nineteen cases he picked (Robinson). For Kevorkian’s ended patients, five of people had extreme narratives of despondency and Kevorkian was appropriately mindful. Notwithstanding knowing the historical backdrop of Kevorkians five people who were miserable for reasons their ailment, he despite everything chose to illegall end their life. Because of his emotional model, legitimizing dynamic killing is lawfully unjustified. Having check of exact physiological testing by a lot of various clinical specialists and numerous understanding structures from the seriously sick individual who is intellectually fit for deciding. Ben Mattlin, a moved on from Harvard University and brought into the world with spinal strong decay, trusts it is difficult to follow along and confirm killing (Mattlin). Therefore finishing up, not all of Dr. Kevorkian’s patients were qualified for the dynamic treatment of willful extermination. Analysis despite everything emerges inside the U. S on the unanswered qu

Saturday, July 25, 2020

Life as a Service (LaaS)...

Life as a Service (LaaS)... Do you ever get the feeling that your life is all about you and your own little world? I sometimes do, and when it happens I feel very small. Those are the moments where I think I need to travel the world or somehow make a bigger difference. But then there are moments where I understand on a deep level that my life is a contributionâ€"and that every life is a contribution, whether human or plant or animal. In those moments there is no separation between me and the universe. Last week I managed to get outside of my small-brained thoughts for long enough to feel that magical connection, and to write a poem about it. My life changed for the better after writing this poem. People reached out to me more, congratulated me and affirmed me more, and even gave me free stuff! Here is my message My Life as a Blessing I am a host to the wind, the trees, the birds. It is my charge to care for every living creature. I hold space for the leaves to shake and shimmer. I hold space for the moon to shine, for the rain to cleanse the earth. I hold space for the sludge, the earthquakes, the fire ants. I wake up early to usher the sun to the sky. I make the bed for its setting. I pick up the litter. I pick raspberries for breakfast. Earth, do you have everything you need? Shall I put flowers in a vase by your bedside? A mint on your pillow? How may I serve you? How might I host you? Come on in. Rest your weary head. You are welcome here. ***** You, my reader, are welcome here on my site and as part of my work and life. What can I do for you? In the spirit of contribution and service, I invite you to ask yourself this question: How can I care for myself and the people and world around me? I look forward to hearing your thoughts. (For the non-techies out there, the title of this blog is a reference to cloud services such as Sales as a Service (SaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS). Maybe some of you geeks out there caught that!)

Friday, May 22, 2020

Guide to Prehistoric Europe Lower Paleolithic to Mesolithic

Prehistoric Europe covers at least one million years of human occupation, starting with Dmanisi, in the Republic of Georgia. This guide to prehistoric Europe skates the surface of the vast amount of information generated by archaeologists and paleontologists over the past couple of centuries; be sure to dig deeper where you can. Lower Paleolithic (1,000,000-200,000 BP) There is sparse evidence of the Lower Paleolithic in Europe. The earliest inhabitants of Europe identified so far were Homo erectus or Homo ergaster at Dmanisi, dated between 1 and 1.8 million years ago. Pakefield, on the North Sea coast of England, is dated to 800,000 years ago, followed by Isenia La Pineta in Italy, 730,000 years ago and Mauer in Germany at 600,000 BP. Sites belonging to archaic Homo sapiens (the ancestors of the Neanderthal) have been identified at Steinheim, Bilzingsleben, Petralona, and Swanscombe, among other places beginning between 400,000 and 200,000. The earliest use of fire is documented during the Lower Paleolithic. Lower Paleolithic Sites in EuropeRead more about the Lower Paleolithic Middle Paleolithic (200,000-40,000 BP) From Archaic Homo Sapiens came Neanderthals, and for the next 160,000 years, our short and stocky cousins ruled Europe, such as it was. Sites showing the evidence of Homo sapiens to Neanderthal evolution include Arago in France and Pontnewydd in Wales. Neanderthals hunted and scavenged meat, built fireplaces, made stone tools, and (maybe) buried their dead, among other human behaviors: they were the first recognizable humans. Middle Paleolithic Sites in EuropeRead more about the Middle PaleolithicRead more about Neanderthals Upper Paleolithic (40,000-13,000 BP) Anatomically modern Homo sapiens (abbreviated AMH) entered Europe during the Upper Paleolithic from Africa by way of the Near East; the Neanderthal shared Europe and parts of Asia with AMH (that is to say, with us) until about 25,000 years ago. Bone and stone tools, cave art and figurines, and language developed during the UP (although some scholars put language development well into the Middle Paleolithic). Social organization began; hunting techniques focused on a single species and sites were located near rivers. Burials, some elaborate are present for the first time during the Upper Paleolithic period. Upper Paleolithic Sites in EuropeRead more about the Upper Paleolithic Azilian (13,000-10,000 BP) The end of the Upper Paleolithic was brought about by a severe climate change, warming over a fairly brief period that brought immense changes to the people living in Europe. Azilian people had to deal with new environments, including newly forested areas where savanna had been. Melting glaciers and rising sea levels obliterated ancient coastlines; and the main source of food, large-bodied mammals, disappeared. A severe human population drop is in evidence as well, as the people struggled to survive. A new strategy of living had to be devised. Azilian Sites: Mas dAzil, Balma Guilanya, El Miron, el HornoRead about Megafaunal Extinctions Mesolithic (10,000-6,000 BP) The increasing warmth and rising sea levels in Europe led people to devise new stone tools to handle the new plant and animal processing that was required. Large game hunting concentrated on a range of animals including red deer and wild pig; small game trapping with nets included badgers and rabbits; aquatic mammals, fish, and shellfish become part of the diet. Accordingly, arrowheads, leaf-shaped points, and flint quarries appeared for the first time, with a wide range of raw materials evidence of the beginning of long-distance trade. Microliths, textiles, wickerware baskets, fish hooks, and nets are part of the Mesolithic toolkit, as are canoes and skis. Dwellings are fairly simple timber-based structures; the first cemeteries, some with hundreds of bodies, have been found. The first hints of social ranking appeared. Mesolithic Sites in EuropeRead more about the Mesolithic First Farmers (7000-4500 BC) Farming arrived in Europe beginning ~7000 BC, brought in by waves of migrating people from the Near East and Anatolia, introducing domesticated wheat and barley, goats and sheep, cattle and pigs. Pottery first appeared in Europe ~6000 years BC, and the Linearbandkeramic (LBK) pottery decorating technique is still considered a marker for first farmer groups. Fired-clay figurines become widespread. First Farmer Sites: Esbeck, Olszanica, Svodin, Stacero, Lepenski Vir, Vinca, Dimini, Franchthi Cave, Grotta dell Uzzo, Stentinello, Gazel, Melos, Esloo, Bylansky, Langweiler, Yunatzili, Svodin, Sesklo, Passo di Corva, Verlaine, Brandwijk-Kerkhof, VaihingenRead more about the First FarmersLearn about animal domestication histories and plant domestication historiesRead more about the LBK culture Later Neolithic / Chalcolithic (4500-2500 BC) During the later Neolithic, also called Chalcolithic in some places, copper and gold was mined, smelted, hammered and cast. Wide trade networks were developed, and obsidian, shell and amber were traded. Urban cities began to develop, modeled on Near Eastern communities beginning about 3500 BC. In the fertile crescent, Mesopotamia rose and innovations such as wheeled vehicles, metal pots, plows and wool-bearing sheep were imported into Europe. Settlement planning began in some areas; elaborate burials, gallery graves, passage tombs and dolmen groups were built. Maltas temples and Stonehenge were built. Houses during the late Neolithic were primarily built of timber; the first elite lifestyles appear in Troy and then spread westward. Later Neolithic Sites in Europe include: Polyanitsa, Varna, Dobrovody, Majdanetskoe, Dereivka, Egolzwil, Stonehenge, Malta Tombs, Maes Howe, Aibunar, Bronocice, Los MillaresRead more about the Chalcolithic Early Bronze Age (2000-1200 BC) During the Early Bronze Age, things really get started in the Mediterranean, where elite lifestyles expand into Minoan and then Mycenaean cultures, fueled by extensive trade with the Levant, Anatolia, North Africa and Egypt. Communal tombs, palaces, public architecture, luxuries and peak sanctuaries, chamber tombs and the first suits of armor are all part of the lives of Mediterranean elites. All of this comes crashing to a halt ~1200 BC, when Mycenaean, Egyptian and Hittite cultures are damaged or destroyed by a combination of intensive raiding by the sea peoples, devastating earthquakes and internal revolts. Early Bronze Age sites include: Unetice, Bihar, Knossos, Malia, Phaistos, Mycenae, Argos, Gla, Orchomenos, Athens, Tiryns, Pylos, Sparta, Medinet Habu, Xeropolis, Aghia Triada, Egtved, Hornines, AfragolaRead more about the Minoans Late Bronze/Early Iron Age (1300-600 BC) While in the Mediterranean region complex societies rose and fell, in central and northern Europe, modest settlements, farmers and herders led their lives comparatively quietly. Quietly, that is, until an industrial revolution began with the advent of iron smelting, about 1000 BC. Bronze casting and smelting continued; agriculture expanded to include millet, honey bees, and horses as draft animals. A great variety of burial customs were used during the LBA, including urn fields; the first trackways in Europe are built on the Somerset Levels. Widespread unrest (perhaps as a result of population pressure) leads to competition among communities, leading to the construction of defensive structures such as hill forts. LBA Sites: Eiche, Val Camonica, Cape Gelidonya shipwreck, Cap dAgde, Nuraghe Oes, Velim, Biskupin, Uluburun, Sidon, Pithekoussai, Cadiz, Grevensvaenge, Tanum, Trundholm, Boge, DenestrRead more about hill forts Iron Age 800-450 BC During the Iron Age, the Greek city-states began to emerge and expand. Meanwhile, in the Fertile Crescent Babylon overruns Phoenicia, and concerted battles over control of Mediterranean shipping follow between Greeks, Etruscans, Phoenicians, Carthagenians, Tartessians, and Romans began in earnest by ~600 BC. Farther away from the Mediterranean, hillforts and other defensive structures continue to be built: but these structures are to protect cities, not elites. Trade in iron, bronze, stone, glass, amber and coral continued or blossomed; longhouses and ancillary storage structures are built. In short, societies are still relatively stable and fairly secure. Iron Ages Sites: Fort Harraoud, Buzenol, Kemmelberg, Hastedon, Otzenhausen, Altburg, Smolenice, Biskupin, Alfold, Vettersfeld, Vix, Crickley Hill, Feddersen Wierde, Meare Late Iron Age 450-140 BC During the late Iron Age, the rise of Rome began, in the midst of a massive fight for supremacy in the Mediterranean, which Rome eventually won. Alexander the Great and Hannibal are Iron Age heroes. The Peloponesian and Punic Wars affected the region deeply. Celtic migrations from central Europe into the Mediterranean region began. Later Iron Age Sites: Emporia, Massalia, Carmona, Porcuna, Heuenberg, Chatillon sur Glane, Hochdorf, Vix, Hallstatt, Tartessos, Cadiz, La Joya, Vulci, Carthage, Vergina, Attica, Maltepe, Kazanluk, Hjortspring, Kul-Oba, La Tene, Vergina Roman Empire 140 BC-AD 300 During this period, Rome transitioned from a republic to an imperial force, building roads to connect its farflung empire and maintaining control over most of Europe. About AD 250, the empire began to crumble. Important Roman Sites: Rome, Noviodunum, Lutetia, Bibracte, Manching, Stare, Hradisko, Brixia, Madrague de Giens, Massalia, Blidaru, Sarmizegethusa, Aquileia, Hadrians Wall, Roman Roads, Pont du Gard, Pompeii Sources See specific Guides for more sourcesCunliffe, Barry. 2008. Europe between the Oceans, 9000 BC-AD 1000. Yale University Press.Cunliffe, Barry. 1998. Prehistoric Europe: an Illustrated History. Oxford University Press.

Friday, May 8, 2020

Learning Theories A Comparison Of Behavioral And...

Learning Theories: A Comparison of Behavioral and Cognitive Views Cognitive and behavioral learning theories tend to dominate modern discussions of learning theories. Employed in both educational and clinical settings, both have important contributions to understanding how and why individuals learn. Is one approach statistically better than the other, or do they each have their own place where one approach may be more effective under specific circumstances? Each theory has supporters who claim the efficacy of their theory is superior. Comparison of the theories is necessary to determine if one is significantly better than the other, or even if one theory may be slightly more effective than the other. Determining if one competing theory†¦show more content†¦Although Watson was not the first to suggest an empirical and objective approach to psychological research he was the first to offer a coherent and organized program, and is often viewed as the catalyst for behaviorism, especially among American psychologists (Bewsbury, 2013). Perha ps the most famous behaviorist is B.F. Skinner (b.1904-d.1990). Skinner’s approach almost completely disregarded anything outside of observable behaviors, and his strict approach to looking at anything other than observable behaviors resulted in the development of the term radical behaviorism (Feist et al., 2013). There is no single theorist or group that the cognitive theory of learning was built upon, it is a multifaceted approach built upon information presented by numerous contributions of many theorists (Yilmaz, 2011). However, it is generally accepted that cognitive learning theory was pioneered by Jean Piaget and further expounded upon by Lev Vygotsky in the 1920’s (Ormrod, 2012; Yilmaz, 2011). Cognitivism was birthed as a result of behaviorists failing to explain how and why individuals process information and make sense of the information that has been processed (Yilmaz, 2011). Concepts Behaviorism is rooted in the belief that behavior should be studied scientifically, and

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Chapter 3 The Invitation Free Essays

string(54) " brandished a piece of purple writing paper at Harry\." By the time Harry arrived in the kitchen, the three Dursleys were already seated around the table. None of them looked up as he entered or sat down. Uncle Vernon’s large red face was hidden behind the morning’s Daily Mail, and Aunt Petunia was cutting a grapefruit into quarters, her lips pursed over her horse-like teeth. We will write a custom essay sample on Chapter 3 The Invitation or any similar topic only for you Order Now Dudley looked furious and sulky, and somehow seemed to be taking up even more space than usual. This was saying something, as he always took up an entire side of the square table by himself. When Aunt Petunia put a quarter of unsweetened grapefruit onto Dudley’s plate with a tremulous â€Å"There you are, Diddy darling,† Dudley glowered at her. His life had taken a most unpleasant turn since he had come home for the summer with his end-of-year report. Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia had managed to find excuses for his bad marks as usual: Aunt Petunia always insisted that Dudley was a very gifted boy whose teachers didn’t understand him, while Uncle Vernon maintained that â€Å"he didn’t want some swotty little nancy boy for a son anyway.† They also skated over the accusations of bullying in the report – â€Å"He’s a boisterous little boy, but he wouldn’t hurt a fly!† Aunt Petunia had said tearfully. However, at the bottom of the report there were a few well-chosen comments from the school nurse that not even Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia could explain away. No matter how much Aunt Petunia wailed that Dudley was big-boned, and that his poundage was really puppy fat, and that he was a growing boy who needed plenty of food, the fact remained that the school outfitters didn’t stock knickerbockers big enough for him anymore. The school nurse had seen what Aunt Petunia’s eyes – so sharp when it came to spotting fingerprints on her gleaming walls, and in observing the comings and goings of the neighbors – simply refused to see: that far from needing extra nourishment, Dudley had reached roughly the size and weight of a young killer whale. So – after many tantrums, after arguments that shook Harry’s bedroom floor, and many tears from Aunt Petunia – the new regime had begun. The diet sheet that had been sent by the Smeltings school nurse had been taped to the fridge, which had been emptied of all Dudley’s favorite things – fizzy drinks and cakes, chocolate bars and burgers and filled instead with fruit and vegetables and the sorts of things that Uncle Vernon called â€Å"rabbit food.† To make Dudley feel better about it all, Aunt Petunia had insisted that the whole family follow the diet too. She now passed a grapefruit quarter to Harry. He noticed that it was a lot smaller than Dudley’s. Aunt Petunia seemed to feet that the best way to keep up Dudley’s morale was to make sure that he did, at least, get more to eat than Harry. But Aunt Petunia didn’t know what was hidden under the loose floorboard upstairs. She had no idea that Harry was not following the diet at all. The moment he had got wind of the fact that he was expected to survive the summer on carrot sticks, Harry had sent Hedwig to his friends with pleas for help, and they had risen to the occasion magnificently. Hedwig had returned from Hermione’s house with a large box stuffed full of sugar-free snacks. (Hermione’s parents were dentists.) Hagrid, the Hogwarts gamekeeper, had obliged with a sack full of his own homemade rock cakes. (Harry hadn’t touched these; he had had too much experience of Hagrid’s cooking.) Mrs. Weasley, however, had sent the family owl, Errol, with an enormous fruitcake and assorted meat pies. Poor Errol, who was elderly and feeble, had needed a full five days to recover from the journey. And then on Harry’s birthday (which the Dursleys had completely ignored) he had received four s uperb birthday cakes, one each from Ron, Hermione, Hagrid, and Sirius. Harry still had two of them left, and so, looking forward to a real breakfast when he got back upstairs, he ate his grapefruit without complaint. Uncle Vernon laid aside his paper with a deep sniff of disapproval and looked down at his own grapefruit quarter. â€Å"Is this it?† he said grumpily to Aunt Petunia. Aunt Petunia gave him a severe look, and then nodded pointedly at Dudley, who had already finished his own grapefruit quarter and was eyeing Harry’s with a very sour look in his piggy little eyes. Uncle Vernon gave a great sigh, which ruffled his large, bushy mustache, and picked up his spoon. The doorbell rang. Uncle Vernon heaved himself out of his chair and set off down the hall. Quick as a flash, while his mother was occupied with the kettle, Dudley stole the rest of Uncle Vernon’s grapefruit. Harry heard talking at the door, and someone laughing, and Uncle Vernon answering curtly. Then the front door closed, and the sound of ripping paper came from the hall. Aunt Petunia set the teapot down on the table and looked curiously around to see where Uncle Vernon had got to. She didn’t have to wait long to find out; after about a minute, he was back. He looked livid. â€Å"You,† he barked at Harry. â€Å"In the living room. Now.† Bewildered, wondering what on earth he was supposed to have done this time, Harry got up and followed Uncle Vernon out of the kitchen and into the next room. Uncle Vernon closed the door sharply behind both of them. â€Å"So,† he said, marching over to the fireplace and turning to face Harry as though he were about to pronounce him under arrest. â€Å"So.† Harry would have dearly loved to have said, â€Å"So what?† but he didn’t feel that Uncle Vernon’s temper should be tested this early in the morning, especially when it was already under severe strain from lack of food. He therefore settled for looking politely puzzled. â€Å"This just arrived,† said Uncle Vernon. He brandished a piece of purple writing paper at Harry. You read "Chapter 3 The Invitation" in category "Essay examples" â€Å"A letter. About you.† Harry’s confusion increased. Who would be writing to Uncle Vernon about him? Who did he know who sent letters by the postman? Uncle Vernon glared at Harry, then looked down at the letter and began to read aloud: Dear Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, We have never been introduced, but I am sure you have heard a great deal from Harry about my son Ron. As Harry might have told you, the final of the Quidditch World Cup takes place this Monday night, and my husband, Arthur, has just managed to get prime tickets through his connections at the Department of Magical Games and Sports. I do hope you will allow us to take Harry to the match, as this really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; Britain hasn’t hosted the cup for thirty years, and tickets are extremely hard to come by. We would of course be glad to have Harry stay for the remainder of the summer holidays, and to see him safely onto the train back to school. It would be best for Harry to send us your answer as quickly as possible in the normal way, because the Muggle postman has never delivered to our house, and I am not sure he even knows where it is. Hoping to see Harry soon, Yours sincerely, Molly Weasley P.S. I do hope we’ve put enough stamps on. Uncle Vernon finished reading, put his hand back into his breast pocket, and drew out something else. â€Å"Look at this,† he growled. He held up the envelope in which Mrs. Weasley’s letter had come, and Harry had to fight down a laugh. Every bit of it was covered in stamps except for a square inch on the front, into which Mrs. Weasley had squeezed the Dursleys’ address in minute writing. â€Å"She did put enough stamps on, then,† said Harry, trying to sound as though Mrs. Weasley’s was a mistake anyone could make. His uncle’s eyes flashed. â€Å"The postman noticed,† he said through gritted teeth. â€Å"Very interested to know where this letter came from, he was. That’s why he rang the doorbell. Seemed to think it was funny.† Harry didn’t say anything. Other people might not understand why Uncle Vernon was making a fuss about too many stamps, but Harry had lived with the Dursleys too long not to know how touchy they were about anything even slightly out of the ordinary. Their worst fear was that someone would find out that they were connected (however distantly) with people like Mrs. Weasley. Uncle Vernon was still glaring at Harry, who tried to keep his expression neutral. If he didn’t do or say anything stupid, he might just be in for the treat of a lifetime. He waited for Uncle Vernon to say something, but he merely continued to glare. Harry decided to break the silence. â€Å"So – can I go then?† he asked. A slight spasm crossed Uncle Vernon’s large purple face. The mustache bristled. Harry thought he knew what was going on behind the mustache: a furious battle as two of Uncle Vernon’s most fundamental instincts came into conflict. Allowing Harry to go would make Harry happy, something Uncle Vernon had struggled against for thirteen years. On the other hand, allowing Harry to disappear to the Weasleys’ for the rest of the summer would get rid of him two weeks earlier than anyone could have hoped, and Uncle Vernon hated having Harry in the house. To give himself thinking time, it seemed, he looked down at Mrs. Weasley’s letter again. â€Å"Who is this woman?† he said, staring at the signature with distaste. â€Å"You’ve seen her,† said Harry. â€Å"She’s my friend Ron’s mother, she was meeting him off the Hog – off the school train at the end of last term.† He had almost said â€Å"Hogwarts Express,† and that was a sure way to get his uncle’s temper up. Nobody ever mentioned the name of Harry’s school aloud in the Dursley household. Uncle Vernon screwed up his enormous face as though trying to remember something very unpleasant. â€Å"Dumpy sort of woman?† he growled finally. â€Å"Load of children with red hair?† Harry frowned. He thought it was a bit rich of Uncle Vernon to call anyone â€Å"dumpy,† when his own son, Dudley, had finally achieved what he’d been threatening to do since the age of three, and become wider than he was tall. Uncle Vernon was perusing the letter again. â€Å"Quidditch,† he muttered under his breath. â€Å"Quidditch – what is this rubbish?† Harry felt a second stab of annoyance. â€Å"It’s a sport,† he said shortly. â€Å"Played on broom-â€Å" â€Å"All right, all right!† said Uncle Vernon loudly. Harry saw, with some satisfaction, that his uncle looked vaguely panicky. Apparently his nerves couldn’t stand the sound of the word â€Å"broomsticks† in his living room. He took refuge in perusing the letter again. Harry saw his lips form the words â€Å"send us your answer†¦in the normal way.† He scowled. â€Å"What does she mean, ‘the normal way’?† he spat. â€Å"Normal for us,† said Harry, and before his uncle could stop him, he added, â€Å"you know, owl post. That’s what’s normal for wizards.† Uncle Vernon looked as outraged as if Harry had just uttered a disgusting swearword. Shaking with anger, he shot a nervous look through the window, as though expecting to see some of the neighbors with their ears pressed against the glass. â€Å"How many times do I have to tell you not to mention that unnaturalness under my roof?† he hissed, his face now a rich plum color. â€Å"You stand there, in the clothes Petunia and I have put on your ungrateful back -â€Å" â€Å"Only after Dudley finished with them,† said Harry coldly, and indeed, he was dressed in a sweatshirt so large for him that he had had to roll back the sleeves five times so as to be able to use his hands, and which fell past the knees of his extremely baggy jeans. â€Å"I will not be spoken to like that!† said Uncle Vernon, trembling with rage. But Harry wasn’t going to stand for this. Gone were the days when he had been forced to take every single one of the Dursleys’ stupid rules. He wasn’t following Dudley’s diet, and he wasn’t going to let Uncle Vernon stop him from going to the Quidditch World Cup, not if he could help it. Harry took a deep, steadying breath and then said, â€Å"Okay, I can’t see the World Cup. Can I go now, then? Only I’ve got a letter to Sirius I want to finish. You know – my godfather.† He had done it, he had said the magic words. Now he watched the purple recede blotchily from Uncle Vernon’s face, making it look like badly mixed black currant ice cream. â€Å"You’re – you’re writing to him, are you?† said Uncle Vernon, in a would-be calm voice – but Harry had seen the pupils of his tiny eyes contract with sudden fear. â€Å"Well – yeah,† said Harry, casually. â€Å"It’s been a while since he heard from me, and, you know, if he doesn’t he might start thinking something’s wrong.† He stopped there to enjoy the effect of these words. He could almost see the cogs working under Uncle Vernon’s thick, dark, neatly parted hair. If he tried to stop Harry writing to Sirius, Sirius would think Harry was being mistreated. If he told Harry he couldn’t go to the Quidditch World Cup, Harry would write and tell Sirius, who would know Harry was being mistreated. There was only one thing for Uncle Vernon to do. Harry could see the conclusion forming in his uncle’s mind as though the great mustached face were transparent. Harry tried not to smile, to keep his own face as blank as possible. And then – â€Å"Well, all right then. You can go to this ruddy†¦this stupid†¦this World Cup thing. You write and tell these – these Weasleys they’re to pick you up, mind. I haven’t got time to go dropping you off all over the country. And you can spend the rest of the summer there. And you can tell your – your godfather†¦tell him†¦tell him you’re going.† â€Å"Okay then,† said Harry brightly. He turned and walked toward the living room door, fighting the urge to jump into the air and whoop. He was going†¦he was going to the Weasleys’, he was going to watch the Quidditch World Cup! Outside in the hall he nearly ran into Dudley, who had been lurking behind the door, clearly hoping to overhear Harry being told off. He looked shocked to see the broad grin on Harry’s face. â€Å"That was an excellent breakfast, wasn’t it?† said Harry. â€Å"I feel really full, don’t you?† Laughing at the astonished look on Dudley’s face, Harry took the stairs three at a time, and hurled himself back into his bedroom. The first thing he saw was that Hedwig was back. She was sitting in her cage, staring at Harry with her enormous amber eyes, and clicking her beak in the way that meant she was annoyed about something. Exactly what was annoying her became apparent almost at once. â€Å"OUCH!† said Harry as what appeared to be a small, gray, feathery tennis ball collided with the side of his head. Harry massaged the spot furiously, looking up to see what had hit him, and saw a minute owl, small enough to fit into the palm of his hand, whizzing excitedly around the room like a loose firework. Harry then realized that the owl had dropped a letter at his feet. Harry bent down, recognized Ron’s handwriting, then tore open the envelope. Inside was a hastily scribbled note. Harry – DAD GOT THE TICKETS – Ireland versus Bulgaria, Monday night. Mum’s writing to the Muggles to ask you to stay. They might already have the letter, I don’t know how fast Muggle post is. Thought I’d send this with Pig anyway. Harry stared at the word â€Å"Pig,† then looked up at the tiny owl now zooming around the light fixture on the ceiling. He had never seen anything that looked less like a pig. Maybe he couldn’t read Ron’s writing. He went back to the letter: We’re coming for you whether the Muggles like it or not, you can’t miss the World Cup, only Mum and Dad reckon it’s better if we pretend to ask their permission first. If they say yes, send Pig back with your answer pronto, and we’ll come and get you at five o’clock on Sunday. If they say no, send Pig back pronto and we’ll come and get you at five o’clock on Sunday anyway. Hermione’s arriving this afternoon. Percy’s started work – the Department of International Magical Cooperation. Don’t mention anything about Abroad while you’re here unless you want the pants bored off you. See you soon – Ron â€Å"Calm down!† Harry said as the small owl flew low over his head, twittering madly with what Harry could only assume was pride at having delivered the letter to the right person. â€Å"Come here, I need you to take my answer back!† The owl fluttered down on top of Hedwig’s cage. Hedwig looked coldly up at it, as though daring it to try and come any closer. Harry seized his eagle-feather quill once more, grabbed a fresh piece of parchment, and wrote: Ron, it’s all okay, the Muggles say I can come. See you five o’clock tomorrow. Can’t wait. Harry He folded this note up very small, and with immense difficulty, tied it to the tiny owl’s leg as it hopped on the spot with excitement. The moment the note was secure, the owl was off again; it zoomed out of the window and out of sight. Harry turned to Hedwig. â€Å"Feeling up to a long journey?† he asked her. Hedwig hooted in a dignified sort of a way. â€Å"Can you take this to Sirius for me?† he said, picking up his letter. â€Å"Hang on†¦I just want to finish it.† He unfolded the parchment and hastily added a postscript. If you want to contact me, I’ll be at my friend Ron Weasley’s for the rest of the summer. His dad’s got us tickets for the Quidditch World Cup! The letter finished, he tied it to Hedwig’s leg; she kept unusually still, as though determined to show him how a real post owl should behave. â€Å"I’ll be at Ron’s when you get back, all right?† Harry told her. She nipped his finger affectionately, then, with a soft swooshing noise, spread her enormous wings and soared out of the open window. Harry watched her out of sight, then crawled under his bed, wrenched up the loose floorboard, and pulled out a large chunk of birthday cake. He sat there on the floor eating it, savoring the happiness that was flooding through him. He had cake, and Dudley had nothing but grapefruit; it was a bright summer’s day, he would be leaving Privet Drive tomorrow, his scar felt perfectly normal again, and he was going to watch the Quidditch World Cup. It was hard, just now, to feel worried about anything – even Lord Voldemort. How to cite Chapter 3 The Invitation, Essay examples

Monday, April 27, 2020

Visual Communication Essay Example

Visual Communication Essay Nowadays, visual communication has developed in the line of the developing of technology. Firstly, what is the meaning of visual communication? In my word, visual communication is a process where by information is delivered using media that can be read or looked. Moreover, the idea of visual communication is how to express your idea into its media and it is really depend on your ability to synchronise between your idea in your brain and your translation into its media. The aim is to tell the people in attractive way, so people can easily understand it. In the past people used a visual communication just in limited way. For instance, they just use a typography as a media to deliver the idea or information likes newspaper, telegram, etc. Nowadays, visual communication has developed into wide variety such as typography, drawing, graphic design, illustration, and so on. Actually im concerning about graphic design; so in here, I try to explain more detail about typography and graphic design, and combine it to make an implementation into business communication such as advertising. Secondly, making a visual communication really need sense of art in every side. For instance, if you want to make an advertising banner, you cant overlooked the character of the text that you used in that banner because each type of character has a different meaning and purpose. Therefore, the art of creating, selecting, arranging the glyph is called typography. In addition, each character has each function, so you must really pay attention of this thing, otherwise people will not understand what the exact meaning that you want to tell. For example, the character type using a serif at the end of the stroke represent a formal type of text. If you use it on the title, it looks elegant and exclusive. We will write a custom essay sample on Visual Communication specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Visual Communication specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Visual Communication specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Many famous luxury brands use this kind of character as their type of character in their brand such as Victorias Secret, The Executive, Zara, etc. Moreover, it is also used when you want to type an essay or something like that in long characters, so it makes people easy to read. For instance, you can see it on the newspaper, magazine, and my essay that you are reading. However, if you want to make something that looks fun and attractive, you can use type of character that a little bit irregular shape. For example, you can see in the banner of distro store and clothing brand for teenager usually use it as their character of their brand. Actually I really like to learn about typography but my skill still is very limited. So, I always analyze many banners that usually found in the cross road and guess what actually they are trying to explain to the viewer and I found out that most of them really dont pay attention of this thing which is actually very important. Nowadays, graphic design become popular by the teenager to express their creation, imagination, etc. it is supported by many software that developed such as Coreldraw Graphic Design, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, etc. Graphic design is an art which combine many element such as shape, line, and colour. Behind it all, to be master of graphic design is not easy. In addition, a lot of practice is needed and the idea must also be able to continue to appear. And the most difficult part is the idea itself. Searching a clue about a good picture sometimes really difficult and frustrating. The idea is very expensive even it is simple. For instance, Nike takes millions of dollar in order to create their tagline Just do it. Now, I want to implement what I explained above in to advertisement. A good ad is an ad that can make a persuasive communication on the target market and it is able to package the product messages that fit on the target. Analytically, of course, it can not be done by graphic designers who only have an ability to operate the program. However, it takes a deep understanding of product understanding and the ability to build a character and identity of the product and then transform it into a visual form in a creative and communicative way, so it will be blended with the message and it can be received by the fixed market segment. In conclusion, visual communication is important if people want to communicate an information in different way. It is very effective and efficient if you can use it properly. There are some elements that you have to be focused when you want to make an advertisement such as typography and graphic design. In fact, some marketers actually overlook of this things. As we can see, many banners in the cross road that actually not interesting and tend to be bored, so people dont care about the banner and of course it is just wasting money for the marketer. However, if you want to use visual media; you have to concern of this thing so people can be interested of your ad.

Thursday, March 19, 2020

Biography of Bill Gates essays

Biography of Bill Gates essays Bill Gates, a young hacker with dreams to develop a software for computers. Computers for companies and computers for home users. He was not alone in this dream. He had a fellow friend to help him out, Paul Allen. His full name is William H. Gates. He is the chairman and chief executive of Microsoft. He was born on the 28th of October in 1955. Having more than fifty billion dollars, he is said to be the richest man alive today. He married a product manager at Microsoft, her name is Melinda French. Now that the intro is over lets see how it all began. In 1968 a company called Computer Center Corporation opened in Seattle. They were offering computing time at good rates. Gates who was at Lakeside Prep school got computing time because CCC made a deal with the school. Gates and his friends started exploring the new machine. It wasn't long that they started causing trouble. They caused the computers to crash many times and they seemed to find how to break the computers security system. They got caught by CCC when they were altering the files that recorded the amount of computer time they were using. CCC banned them from the computers for several weeks. Him and Paul Allen and two other hackers started the Lakeside Programmer Group in 1968. The group wanted to find a way to apply their computer skills in the world. Their first opportunity to do this was a direct result of their activity with the schools computer time. The CCC business was beginning to suffer because the systems weak security and the frequency that it crashed. The CCC was impressed with Gates and the other Lakeside Computer hackers. The CCC decided to hire the students to find bugs and expose weaknesses in the computer system. In return the CCC gave them unlimited time on the computers. They could not refuse. Although the group was hired just to find bugs, they also read any computer related material. They would pick new employees for new info. ...

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Shakespeare for Kids

Shakespeare for Kids Shakespeare for kids should be fun – and the younger you get into it, the better! My Shakespeare for kids activities are sure to spark an early interest in the Bard ... but these ideas are just for starters. If you have your own ideas, please share them on our Readers Respond: Your Shakespeare for Kids Activities page. The key thing is not to get bogged down in the detail and the language - that comes later! For starters, it is about getting your kids excited about Shakespeare and perhaps saying some snippets of text. Here are my top Shakespeare for kids games and activities for some family fun! Top 6 Shakespeare for Kids Activities Build Shakespeare’s Globe: Start by building your own model of Shakespeare’s Globe. There’s a great free resource at Papertoys.com where you can print out, cut out and assemble the Globe. You can download the Globe construction kit here: www.papertoys.com/globe.htm Do a Bit of Acting: Kids hate reading Shakespeare (I certainly did!), so get them on their feet. Extract a short script extract and do some drama. The two best scenes for this are the witches scene from Macbeth and the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet. They will probably already know the words to these scene extracts – even if they didn’t realize it was Shakespeare! Stage a (choreographed) fight: Get some sponge swords and choreograph the opening swashbuckling scene from Romeo and Juliet in the back garden. â€Å"Do you bite your thumb at me, sir?† If possible, film it on your home video camera and watch it back the next day. If your kids are up for a bit of direction, see h ow much of the scene you can get through. If they are too young, put them into two teams: Montagues and Capulets. You can them theme any two player/team game into a Romeo and Juliet adventure. Tableau:  Work together to tell the story of a popular Shakespeare play in just ten freeze frames (tableau). Photograph each one on a digital camera and print them out. You can now have fun getting the photos into the right order and sticking speech bubbles to them with selected lines from the play. Draw a Shakespeare Character: For older kids, the best way to do a basic character study is to pick the name of a Shakespeare character out from a hat. Talk about who they might be, what they are like, are they good or evil ... and then let them loose on with the pens, crayons and paints. As they are drawing/painting, keep talking about the character and encourage them to add the details into their picture. Trust me, you will be surprised at how much they will learn. Shakespeare Dress Up: Get the dressing up box out and put in the middle of the floor. Let your kids pick a Shakespeare character and ask them to dress up as the character. You will need to be ready to tell them all about t he character as they are choosing the clothes. When ready, give them a line from the play to practice. This works well if you take a photo and review them with your kids afterwards to reinforce who the character is in their minds.    Please do share your own Shakespeare for kids activities (big or small) with fellow readers on our Readers Respond: Your Shakespeare for Kids Activities page.

Sunday, February 16, 2020

Lean implementation and supply chain development at Oak Hills Case Study

Lean implementation and supply chain development at Oak Hills - Case Study Example The mergers and acquisitions which characterize the company have an implication on the supply chain and thus it is necessary that the company implements strategies which will not impact negatively on the efficiency and effectiveness of the supply chain. The competition in the market is growing as illustrated by the rise of competitors such as Triangle Corps. The competition is stiff within the market because the two companies deal in the same products and services. The essence of effective supply chain development within Oak Hills is attributed to the fact that the company is in the process of being acquired even though the acquisition process has not been successfully completed. The revenues of the company are expected to rise as the combination of companies is to offer an array of upstream services. Oak Hills is in dire need of improving its supply chain processes in terms of effectiveness and efficiency. The special testing instrument as the main product of the Oaks Hill manufacturing facility requires applying a lean system in ensuring that all of the operations within the supply chain are coordinated. With the headquarters of Oaks Hill being in Houston, it needs to coordinate the activities of all of its branches so that they are integrated into a common business unit. As a result, the special project of the facility in testing oil and gas exploration can achieve its goals and objectives. The most important stakeholder of any supply chain is the customer (Hilletofth and David 264). This means that customers must be given priority consideration in the processing of the activities of a supply chain. Both the external and internal customers of the facility must be given due consideration in the supply of the products so that their needs are met. The effectiveness of a supply chain can only be achieved through the

Sunday, February 2, 2020

Discuss and evaluate the various methods available for long term Essay

Discuss and evaluate the various methods available for long term investment appraisal - Essay Example 33). It is essential to conduct any investment proposal (long-term or short-term) appraisal in order to ensure funds invested would accrue maximum gains in future. Since financial resources tend to be limited (in majority of the cases), a business firm, instead of choosing several proposals, must evaluate and select only the ones that are most appropriate for investing purposes (Sullivan and Steven, 2003). Therefore, it can be assumed that there would be certain techniques followed specifically for appraising proposals for investment. In this context, the paper will now examine various methods available for long-term investment appraisal (capital budgeting). Investment appraisal comprises of analysing a firm’s financial plans, its investments, as well as predicting the firm’s expenditure in a certain proposed project (Levy, 2002). Long-term investment appraisal in small firms often takes into account the possibility of future growth, new enterprises, and a future move into a completely new arena (ibid). Factors for long-term investment appraisal are chosen keeping the requirements of company policymakers and stakeholders in mind, and focus on long-term and sustainable growth of the firm (as opposed to short-term profits). Various methods are used for long-term investment appraisal of a firm. These are: Net present value (NPV): This appraisal method calculates the cash flows (deficit or excess), once the customary obligations are completed (Khan, 1993). All forms of long-term or short-term investment appraisals aim at deriving a positive figure for the firm’s NPV. The process calculates the total cash flow of a firm (incoming and outgoing) at a certain specific time (t), at a discount rate (i) at that particular time, which translates to: t-funds invested initially, making NPV inversely proportional to discount rates (Pike and Neale, 2008, p. 123-124). Therefore, NPVs are reduced with rise in discount values (i), while high interest rates

Saturday, January 25, 2020

Does the Media Matter?

Does the Media Matter? Does the media (print, broadcast and mass entertainment) matter? Do they change society or merely reflect society? Or do they reflect the changes made by others? Look carefully at the Frankfurt school as a source of information. The media is an integral part of modern life experience in western society today (Giddens 2001, 452). It surrounds us in its various forms through each waking moment of our lives, whether TV or radio, newspapers and magazines or most recently the internet and mobile phones. The extent of media penetration into peoples lives leads to many questions concerning the relation of society and the media: does the media matter, does it change or reflect society and if so, what parts of society? This kind of questioning of the modern mass media was pioneered by the Frankfurt School in the 1930s, who examined the economics of the mass media, or culture industry, as well as recognising them as significant agents of socialisation, reifying or creating social norms and ideologies in the interests of the dominant social groups (Hardt 1979, 28f.; Curran Seaton 2003, 323-29). This essay will explore these questions. Perhaps the most significant difference between modern and past societies is the existence of the mass media. The development of printing and the spread of paper manufacture represented the first major advance in the dissemination and preservation of information since the invention of the book form (Gardiner Wenborne 1995, 618). A consequence of cheaper reading matter, made cheaper and more available still by the industrialisation of the process in the late 18th and 19th centuries, was a rise in literacy, which in turn led to the increasing politicisation of the mass of society and a press reckoned by some to express public opinion and make governments accountable (Curran Seaton 2003, 4). Even before those developments, pamphleteering, made possible through the burgeoning print media, aided the spread of ideas essential to the Reformation. The sheer growth and spread of the media, beginning with the printing revolution, shows that indeed it does matter. Nowadays, it would be fair to say that we live in a mass media society, dominated by the print media and a variety of electronic media. Advances in technology, in particular the internet and mobile phones, have become rapidly widespread. Concerning the extent to which the media dominates peoples lives, Giddens observes that people aged four and over watch an average of twenty-five hours of TV a week and that if current trends in TV watching continue, by the age of eighteen the average child born today will have spent more time watching television than in any other activity except sleep (Giddens 2001, 453f.). This being the case, what exactly the media promotes or reflects is of prime concern. The commoditisation of culture that some have identified may be indicated by the prevalence of TV advertising. The revenue and commercial interest in the media certainly show its considerable importance. The National Association of Broadcasters in the USA sets a limit on the amount of time that can be devoted to TV advertising: 9.5 minutes per hour during prime time and 16 minutes at other times (Giddens 2001, 454). Such statistics could indicate that watching advertising may take up over 6 hours per week. The revenue from such adverting is enormous and this in itself shows the belief that the media thus influences culture and behaviour. Indeed, the power of media advertising has lead to the creation of media simply aimed at opening new markets (Curran Seaton 2003, 29-34). In the above discussion, we have briefly observed the importance of the media in terms of society and economics. Kellner observes that the Frankfurt School were the first social theorists to see the importance of what they called the culture industries in the reproduction of contemporary societies, in which so-called mass culture and communications stand in the center of leisure activity, are important agents of socialization, mediators of political reality, and should thus be seen as major institutions of contemporary societies with a variety of economic, political, cultural and social effects (Kellner 2005). We should now examine more closely whether the media changes or merely reflects society. There is considerable evidence to suggest that the media has the power actively to change society rather than merely present a passive reflection of it, discussed briefly above. The very existence of censorship and rules governing advertising proves that there is a widespread belief that the media will affect behaviour. Other evidence that suggest the mass media has an effect on society could be the standardisation of languages and the forging of national identities as well as the use of advertising campaigns that deliberately seek to change behaviour on a mass scale, with regard to, for example, seatbelt use in cars, drink driving and AIDS/HIV awareness (Cardiff, D. Scannell, P. 1987). The media has also been implicated in promoting and reifying particular gender roles through the characterisation of men and women. Trowler observes that women were seven times more likely to appear in TV advertising for personal hygiene product than not; 75% of all adverts using females were for pro ducts used in the bathroom or kitchen; 56% of women in adverts were shown as domestic housewives and only eighteen different occupations were shown for women, in comparison to forty-three for men (Trowler 1996, 96). The ban on tobacco advertising also shows a clear acceptance on the part of the government that such advertising has an effect on behaviour. It is evident that the Frankfurt School had a value-laden judgement of mass media culture.Adorno commented that I consider . that the average television entertainment is fundamentally far more dangerous politically than any political broadcast has ever been (quoted in Underwood 2003). Important in this view was their concept of an authentic culture and a debased mass culture that produced illusions of individuality while maintaining vested interests.Discussing this notion in their work Dialectic of Enlightenment, Adorno and Horkheimer stated: From the standardized jazz improvisation to the original film personality, who has to hang a curl over her eye so that she can be recognized as such, pseudo-individuality is everywhere. Individuality is reduced to the generalitys power to stamp the accidental detail so firmly that it is accepted as such. Precisely the defiant reserve or the sophisticated appearance of the individual on show is mass-produced like Yale locks (quoted in Underwood 2 003). The FrankfurtSchool were undoubtedly influenced by the rise of totalitarianism, as well asMarxist theories of society and Fordist systems of mass production (Curran Seaton 2003, 323f.; Giddens 2001, 383, 462). However, it has been noted that the Frankfurt School failed to differentiate between the mass and the individuals that form it (Underwood 2003). Underwood, in more pluralistic fashion, emphasises both the active participation of individuals in their relationship with the media, selecting and interpreting the messages they receive and notes that this participation feeds back to the media itself(Underwood 2003). This is in contrast to the deterministic position of theFrankfurt School, which seems to observe the mass as a homogeneous and passive victim of the media. Of course, it should go without saying that the media is made up of many thousands of individuals who have families and actively participate in society the media is not external to society or the individuals that form it. Another member of the Frankfurt School, Marcuse, however, viewed advertising as a manipulation of the false needs of society, and therefore may have concluded that even the extent to which people actively participate in a relationship with the media is defined by its manipulation of them (Curran Seaton 2003, 328). Significant in the debate over media influence is the creation of grassroots media, notably inLatin America (Green 1997, 102f.). This movement has appeared both as areaction to the domination of the media by big business and against the dominance particularly of North American cultural models expressed in film, TVand music. In conclusion, it can be seen that the media is undoubtedly important and that there is extensive evidence that it both reflects and shapes society and individuals in both positive and negative ways. The ideas of the Frankfurt School are useful in considering the relationship between the media and society but tend to view the masses en masse, and as passive victims of the media, rather thanas individuals who participate in an active relationship with the media. The issue of control and ownership of the media, and the extent to which this affects society, remain problematic. Bibliography Cardiff, D. Scannell, P. 1987. Broadcasting and national unity. In Curran, J., Smith, A. Wingate, P. (eds.). 1987. Impacts and Influences: Essays on Media Power. London: Methuen, pp157-173. Curran, J., Smith, A. Wingate, P. (eds.). 1987. Impacts and Influences: Essays on Media Power. London: Methuen. Curran, J. Seaton, J. 2003. Power Without Responsibility. London: Routledge. Kellner, D. 2005. The Frankfurt School and British Cultural Studies: The Missed Articulation. Available at: http://www.uta.edu/huma/illuminations/kell16.htm (16/3/5) Gardiner, J. Wenborne, N. (eds.). 1995. The History Today Companion to British History. London: Collins Brown Limited. Giddens, A. 2001. Sociology. 4th edition. Cambridge: Polity Press. Green, D. 1997. Faces of Latin America. 2nd edition. London: Latin America Bureau. Hardt, H. 1979. Social Theories of the Press. London: Sage. Trowler, P. 1996. Investigating Mass Media. London: HarperCollins. Underwood, M. 2003. Mass Media: cultural Effects. Available at: http://www.cultsock.ndirect.co.uk/MUHome/cshtml/media/marxism.html 16/3/5) Has Science Done More Harm Than Good? A Reflection Has Science Done More Harm Than Good? A Reflection Anuradha Boodoo-Balliram Academic Essay Title:â€Å"Science has done more harm than good to the overall development of society over the last 200 years† â€Å"The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom.† (Isaac Asimov) As I drove along the Golconda bypass I looked towards the sky and noticed something I never thought I’d see in our country. The skies over Point Lisas and the outskirts of San-Fernando were filled with smog. I then started to wonder if science had done more harm to humanity than good. I came to the conclusion that science has indeed done more good than harm, and it is humanity that is solely to blame for the problems that their irresponsible use of science has caused. It can be said that technology is making people more and more lazy and people are getting laid off of their jobs because of increased mechanization. Its also not natural; it is something that has to be created, but on the other hand, it has helped humankind advance in the world more over the last 200 years than in a thousand years before. â€Å"Science is the quest for truth about Nature. Its aim is not to produce technology, but to understand how Nature works and discover the tremendous order and intelligence operating around us. If Nature were chaotic, if sometimes a stone went up and sometimes down, then there would be no science. But definite causes produce definite effects, and that is why science is possible. The scientist does not create order, he merely studies it.† (Prof. P. Krishna, 2005). There is no doubt that with the development of science, mankind has been affected; the way we think, the way we live and even the way we worship has changed all due to science. A few thousand years ago man lived a terrible and nomadic existence and the average lifespan wasn’t even 50. Science has become so important to human life because it enhances the way we live. When Dutch spectacle makers Janssen and Lipperhey developed the concept of the compound microscope, they had no idea that it would be the basis o f many important scientific discoveries. The discovery of cells would create the foundation for a new way to look at life and medicine. Louis Pasteur used a microscope when he discovered yeast fungus which led to the process of pasteurization. Antonio van Leeuwenhoek discovered bacteria through the lens of a microscope and because of this humanity has been able to learn about sickness and how it is spread. The invention of the electron microscope is solely responsible for humanity’s knowledge on the atom†¦the foundation of everything and all technologies! Can we even begin to imagine life without science or its applied counterpart – technology? No vaccinations or anaesthesia, no electricity to work our appliances, no telephones, computers or internet! Two hundred years ago in the nineteenth century bloodletting and leaching was practiced to help alleviate the ills of man. Fortunately, because of proper application of scientific knowledge we now know how to treat various disorders using the right medication and surgical methods. Antibiotics have become the biggest life saver, vaccination is the best preventative method of potentially fatal illnesses and most importantly surgical procedures can be done with no pain through anaesthesia. Methods of communication are improving at a rapid pace today than in any other century. We now have telephones, emails and cell phones that can send text messages and are internet ready. When the telegraph was invented in the 1830’s it allowed messages to be sent through a series of electric impulses. Although inconvenient compared with modern technology, it provided a lead forward in communication when compared with traditional mail. This would not have been possible if wasn’t for science and scientific experiments. It is in my opinion that when scientist learned to harness the power of electricity, the entire world changed for the better, development and progress in science and technology was done at a quicker pace. Society had a safe source of light; electricity replaced gas lamps and fires and eliminated accidents that may have been occurred because of this. It made refrigeration possible and because of this food lasted longer, food safety improved and food transportation was easier. The quality of life improved with electricity, industrialization was possible; dangerous jobs that were done manually were now done with machines. Various forms of communication stemmed from electricity such as the telegraph, telephone and television. The main function of the scientific goal is to carry out a comprehensive and thorough inquiry into nature and society, leading to new knowledge. This new knowledge provides educational, cultural and intellectual enrichment and leads to technological advances and economic benefits. New scientific knowledge may lead to new applications and new technological advances that may lead to new scientific discoveries. For example, the discovery of the structure of DNA was a fundamental breakthrough in biology. It formed the basis of research that would ultimately lead to a wide variety of practical applications, including DNA fingerprinting, genetically engineered crops and tests for genetic diseases. DNA copying and sequencing technologies have led to important breakthroughs in many areas of biology, especially in the reconstruction of the evolutionary relationships among organisms. The impact that science has had on society can be seen anywhere we turn, it is very visible; progress in agriculture, medicine and health care, telecommunications, transportation, computerization and so on, it is part of our daily living. To say that science has done more harm than good is naive, science does neither harm nor good because it is simply a disciplined way to understand how things work. It is mankind that uses the knowledge that science provides and they decide what kind of application to make of it. As the quote by Isaac Asimov says; science is gaining knowledge faster than man gains wisdom. If there is wisdom, we will not use the knowledge gained by science for destructive purposes. Albert Einstein whose theory of relativity was used in the making of the A-Bomb said â€Å"the discovery of nuclear reactions need not bring about the destruction of mankind anymore than the discovery of matches.† The gun was invented with the sole purpose to kill, an equalizer in so me way. The individual who invented the gun intended it to promote peace, by discouraging violence. It made hunting easier for man to do than with bow and arrow. All tools that are made are made for the sole purpose of making life easier. If a hammer is used to kill someone, the hammer is not to blame, it is the person who used it, and same too is the gun. Therefore in conclusion, I can now say that science without wisdom and conscience will be the destruction of humanity as we know it. Science is a good tool but it is only a tool. Like a knife, science has to be used with knowledge, wisdom and understanding. It needs to be guided by people who understand this concept so that it benefits mankind and not destroy it. Science can be referred to an intelligent child with a lot of potential, without the right guidance, that child will wreak havoc with his newfound power†¦his knowledge. â€Å"Science has generated tremendous power; knowledge always gives power and is useful because it increases our abilities. But when we do not have wisdom and love, compassion or brotherhood, which are all by-products of wisdom, then power can be used destructively. Sixty- five percent of all the scientific research being done currently is directly or indirectly meant for developing weapons, and supported by the Defence Ministry in every nation. In the last one century, 208 million people have been killed in wars, which is without precedent in any previous century.† (Prof. P. Krishna, 2005) References 10 Science Experiments That Changed the World : Discovery Channel. (n.d.). Discovery Channel : Science, History, Space, Tech, Sharks, News! : Discovery Channel. Retrieved March 7, 2013, from http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/curiosity/topics/10-science-experiments.htm Benefits of science. (n.d.). Understanding Science. Retrieved March 7, 2013, from http://undsci.berkeley.edu/article/0_0_0/howscienceworks_18 Category. (n.d.). Timeline The History of Guns Rifles and Machine Guns. Inventors. Retrieved March 8, 2013, from http://inventors.about.com/od/militaryhistoryinventions/a/firearms_2.htm History of the Microscope Who invented the Microscope?. (n.d.). Best Microscope Reviews and Microscopy Research. Retrieved March 8, 2013, from http://www.microscopemaster.com/history-of-the-microscope.html Krishna, P. (n.d.). The Impact of Science on Society. Homepage of Prof. P. Krishna. Retrieved March 7, 2013, from http://www.pkrishna.org/Impact_science_society.html My Century | BBC World Service . (n.d.). BBC Homepage. Retrieved March 7, 2013, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/people/features/mycentury/science.shtml

Friday, January 17, 2020

Natural Selection Lab

Natural Selection Lab This hands-on laboratory exercise is a highly simplified model that attempts to simulate evolution by means of natural selection. Predators will act as agents of selection on their prey, a species whose members vary in color. We will assume that color is an inherited trait. Small squares of paper will represent the prey, which will be spread out of a piece of printed colored fabric that will serve as the habitat. The predators (you) will prey upon the population, with the surviving members reproducing and passing along the genes for color. Problem:How does a population change as a result of natural selection? Materials: * 5 different colors of paper cut into 1 cm ? 1 cm squares (at least 100 squares of each color) * Multicolored fabric or newspaper, approximately 1 meter ? 1 meter * 1 or 2 partners (friends or family) Procedure: * The prey will be represented by the small 1 cm ? 1 cm squares of paper and the habitat is represented by the 1 meter ? 1 meter piece of fabric. Hypothesize which color prey you think is most likely to be captured by the predator and which color prey is most likely to survive, and then record your hypothesis.Be sure that your hypothesis includes explanations for your predictions. * Have the two partners (prey) stand with their backs to the habitat while you scatter 20 squares of each color randomly on the fabric. Try to achieve a uniform distribution, and be sure to separate any that are clumped together. * Have the partner(s) randomly pick up the prey as fast as they can. Have them stop when they have collected a total of 75 prey, leaving the other 25 remaining in the habitat. * Count the number of survivors of each color. Each surviving prey has three offspring of the same color, bringing the total population back up to 100.Record the number of each color in the next generation in your data table. * Count out the correct number of each colored prey and scatter them on the fabric. Repeat the process two more time s, for a total of three generations. Hypothesis: I think the black color pieces are most likely to be captured because they are so easy to be identified. I think the blue color would most likely survive because of its color shade. Data and Observations: Color| 1. Blue| 2. Yellow| 3. Red| 4. Green| 5. Black| Generation 0| 20| 20| 20| 20| 20| Generation 1| 4| 1| 5| 10| 5|Generation 2| 6| 3| 2| 11| 3| Generation 3| 3| 2| 4| 15| 1| Record any observations. Data Analysis: Conclusion: * The surviving amount of prey population was drastically different from the original. There was much less of each color in the end. Over half of each color prey I gone. * When my two partners had their backs turned and I was scattering around the color pieces, once I told them that it was okay to turn around and pick them up, I saw that they tended to pick up the brightest colors. So, in conclusion, the brighter the prey the more the predators attract to them and hunt them. The green pieces of paper barely even got touched, but the yellow seemed to stand out the most. * If I were to continue, the yellow would have been extinct in like Generation 4. But, the prey as a whole would have been very scarce within two generations. The green would be the last to go. * Whatever the brightest color was would have died off first. * 1) You can’t re-collect the same prey once it’s been picked off 2) There might not be 25 surviving prey all the time. There could be more or less. 1) A large number of predators can really decrease population in a species dramatically. ) It’s a prime example of survival of the fittest because there will be animals trying to eat other animals. * If the predator knew the habitats of his prey. Then, he could bring back some more predators and they could take out a whole area of prey. * Camouflage can really help you survive in times of need. Let’s say there is a predator behind you and it is ready to eat you. If you know the perfect places to hide then you are safe. Especially if the hiding spot matches with your body color. The predator probably won’t recognize you.

Thursday, January 9, 2020

Market-Based Management Boeing Case Free Essay Example, 1000 words

Boeing has been at the forefront of innovation as far as aviation is concerned. This has been an ongoing process since the company s formation up to date. For this to be sustained, Boeing has to adopt a methodology of finding out its comparative advantage, measuring success and organizing activities. Boeing should, therefore, restate its mission statement and tailor it in such a way that innovation is part and parcel of the company s core strategies in addition to being entrenched in the company s culture as a continuing process in which the workers methodically advance the company s competencies and markets, define objectives, plan for accomplishing such objectives as well as monitor progress(Best, 2013). The new mission statement should clearly spell out what Boeing does and intends to do best. Such a mission statement should not only be used for strategic planning but also for employee inspiration. When employees understand this, they will have a better individual value creation, automatically, paving the way for innovation to take root and thrive. Boeing by use of MBM and VDM can grow maintenance programs that satisfy operators needs; a very important aspect of customer support for the company. We will write a custom essay sample on Market-Based Management: Boeing Case or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page In conclusion, therefore, the core systems of firms are usually extremely interdependent and thus the key aspects of MBM require to be implemented as a consistent system so as to accomplish their potential in full.