Saturday, August 31, 2019

Asian Countries Essay

Many Asian countries such as Singapore, HK, and South Korea have achieved tremendous economic growth in the last forty years of development. One of the key success factors has been macroeconomic stability in these countries. Multiplier effect — population Talk aboit the characteristic of Asian countries-past 40 years –deveoping country –vast raw material 1.  Economic growth is defined as an increased in the level of production of goods and services by a country over a certain period of time. Economic growth can be in terms of real economic growth or potential economic growth. I agree with the author that one of the key factors that have allowed many Asian countries to have achieved economic growth has been macroeconomic stability such as low inflation, low unemployment rate and stable exchange rate in the currency market. However these Asian Countries have achieved tremendous economic growth are also due to other supporting key success factors such as globalisation and political stability enjoyed in these countries which I will explain in this essay. 2.Low Inflation I agree that macroeconomic stability due to low inflation is one key success factor that leads to economic growth in many Asian countries. Inflation is defined as the sustained increased in general price level. When there is low inflation in these Asian countries, it helps to ensure a competitive export industry. This implies that its exports will have a higher price competitiveness over their trading partner hence its export will increased. For example, Singapore, a small and open economy with no natural resources depends mainly on its trade for its economic growth. Hence having a low inflation allows Singapore goods to be relatively cheaper than foreign goods and this cause the net export of Singapore to increase.Low inflation protects domestic industry away from foreign goods competition as the price of the domestic goods is cheaper than foreign goods will cause the demand for imports to fall. Thus low inflation would result in an increased in net export (X-M Low inflation also leads to an increase in the investment expenditure. Since Singapore has low inflation ,it implies that Singapore tends to be more stable and there is less uncertainty, firms and foreign direct investors will find it easier to estimate the costs and revenues of  investments. Hence when inflation is low it will give a good business sentiments and this leads to an increase in investment expenditure. Since net export (X-M) and investment expenditure are components of aggregate demand when net export (X-M) increased and investment expenditure increased, AD will also increase. ( Graph figure1 ) As seen from figure 1,when AD curve shift right from AD1 to AD2 the general price level increase from p1 to p2 and real GDP increases from Y1 to Y2.Thus,Singapore experience real Economic growth as a result of macroeconomic stability due to low inflation. Thus, I agree with the author that one of the key success factors leading to economic growth in many Asian countries is due to macroeconomic stability. 3. Low unemployment Another key success factors that leads to economic growth has been macroeconomic stability due to low unemployment rate. Unemployment is defined as the number of people who is willing and able to work but is unable to find a suitable job and is contantly searching for a job. Asian countries for example Singapore have a low unemployment rate. The low unemployment rate allow the economy in Singapore to produce a larger amount of output and implies a large amount of people in Singapore have income. Thus, having low unemployment rate that the consumers in Singapore have higher spending powers due to higher disposable income and more people having the ability to spend as they holds a job. Thus consumption level in Singapore will increase. In addition, when the unemployment rate in Singapore is low, the government will be able to collect more tax revenue. Also, lesser unemployment benefits is needed to be given to the unemployed and these tax revenue and unemployment funds could be used by government to improve the infrastructure of Singapore which would attract more foreign direct investor. Since consumption( C ) ,(G) government expenditure and (I) investment which are components of AD, when C,G and I increase, AD will also increase. An initial increase in AD will leads to a more than proportionate increase in the real national income through the multiplier process. However for Asian countries like Singapore the mulitiplier size is small due to a small population size and large leakage of the circular flow of income. Hence the extent of shift of the AS curve is greater than the extent of  shift of the AD curve. As seen from figure 2 ,when AD curve shift from AD1 to AD2 and AS curve shift from AS1 to AS2 , the general price level decrease from P1 to P2 and the real GDP increases from Y1 to Y2.Thus , there is econonomic growth where hence there will be increased in real GDP thus there is in the short run there is real economic growth in the short runwhereas In the long run, the increase in investment expenditure will cause an increase in potential economic growth due to the increase in productivity and productive capacity as a result of the increase in capital goods. Hence , Asian countries like Singapore experience real economic growth in the short run and potential economic growth in the long run as a result of macroeconomic stability due to low unemployment. Thus I agree with the author that macroeconomic stability due to low unemployment is one of the key success factors that leads to economic growth in many Asian countries. 4. Stable exchange rate Another key success factors that leads to economic growth in many Asian countries like Singapore has been macroeconomic stability due to stable exchange rate. Stable exchange rate provides good business sentiments for firms and investor as the outlook of the economy is optimistic. Also, stable exchange rate is important especially to investors who depend heavily on importing raw materials for production of their goods. This is because stable exchange rate allows these firms and investors to estimate ahead the costs of operations and the returns in the long run. Thus having stable exchange rate in Asian countries like Singapore provide confidence to investors and hence stable exchange rate serve as an incentive to attract foreign director investor. Since investment expenditure is a component of AD when investment increased, AD will increased in the short run and AS will increase in the long run as investor brings in new technology and more efficient production methods which helps to i mprove the productivity and increase the productive capacity. As seen in figure 3,when AD curve shift right from AD1 to AD2 and AS curve  shift right from AS1 to AS2 ,the general price level decrease from P1 to P2 and the real gd* increases from Y1 to Y2.Since real GDP increased,it implies that there is economic growth. For Asian countries like Singapore, where we are small and open with no natural resources we depend heavily on foreign direct investment apart from trade to achieve economic growth.( Investment revenue statistic how much Investment contribute to GDP†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦)Thus, I agree with the author that macroeconomic stability due to stable exchange rate is one of the key success factors that leads to economic growth in many Asian countries. 5.Globalisation However, to achieve tremendous economic growth in many Asian countries based solely on macroeconomic stability is not enough, hence there are other supporting key success factors such as globalisation and political stability that helps to contribute to the tremendous economic growth in many Asian countries. Globalisation is a phenomenon where the markets of global economy become more integrated. With globalisation it also means that there will be faster diffusion of ideas, information, and technology across the world. Globalisations have led a reduction in trade barriers. Globalisation helps to increase international trade between countries which is especially important for countries like Singapore who depends heavily on export revenue for economic growth. Globalisation has allow the production costs to lower because countries specialise in goods which they have comparative advantage in producing and allow them to import the cheapest raw material helps them to lower their cost of pro duction. Singapore has no natural resources this means that Singapore import all of its raw materials. Thus, the process of globalisation helps Singapore to lower its cost of production and allow the price of its final goods and services to be cheaper. This will increase the price competiveness of Singapore exports as they are relatively cheaper than foreign goods. Since the export revenue will be higher than the import expenditure net exports(X-M) will increased. Net export is a component of AD, thus AD will also increased. As seen from figure 4,when AD curve shift right from AD1 to AD2 the real GDP increases from Y1 to Y2.Thus,Singapore experience Economic growth as a result of macroeconomic stability due globalisation. and real GDP will increased hence economic growth is achieved. Thus globalisation is undeniable playing as key success  factors that leads to economic growth in many Asian countries. 6.Political Stability Political stability provides the outlook of the economy of the country. Many Asian countries like Singapore has very good governance with strict rules and regulations together with the sound infrastructure making it a conducive place for investment. When there is political stability there will be good business sentiments as investor are able to plan ahead their expected costs of operations of the business and the returns in the long term. Politically stable country means the likelihood of civil war or political war is low hence the operation of the firms will be stable and there will be low risk of facing the possibilities of shutting down. Hence foreign direct investors are attracted to politically stable country because of the stability of the business outlook. Since investment expenditure is a component of AD an increase in Investment expenditure will lead to an increase in real GDP and help Singapore to achieve economic growth. Thus Asian countries that are politically stable acts as a key success factors to support other factors to help Asian countries like Singapore to achieve economic growth. 7.Conclusion I agree with the author that one of the key success factors has been macroeconomic stability that leads to economic growth in many Asian countries. However with macroeconomic stability alone, without globalisation and political stability in these Asian countries,it is unable to achieved tremendous economic growth.This the tremendous economic growth is achieved as these key success factors exist together and support each other.If not the tremendous economic growth if based on macroeconomic stability will only be in the short terms but globalisation and political stability allows the tremendous economic growth to last in the long run.

Friday, August 30, 2019

Nature Ralph Walden Emerson and Henry David Thoreau Walden

SELDA PUR 2009105153 ‘NATURE’ AND ‘WALDEN’ ‘Nature’ and ‘Walden’ are two art works basically giving the similar messages to the readers. Their writers are different but one of the things which make these works similar is Henry David Thoreau is affected by Ralph Waldo Emerson’s works and ideas very much. Secondly, their essays are both inspired from transcendentalism movement. Finally, their theme are both the same, they deal with mainly the idea of ‘nature’. While comparing these two essays, it is better to look at them deeper separately. Nature is an essay written by Ralph Waldo Emerson and published in 1836.The importance of this work is that transcendentalism arose with this art of work. Transcendentalism is mainly a combination of reason and emotion; in a more detailed way, transcendentalism is about self-reliance. One has to look into herself/himself and turn her/his face to the nature, purity and has to be away from society, and their mind is supposed not to be full of organized believes and political theories. This movement became a leading aspect in literature with the publication of Nature; therefore, when analyzing the work ‘Nature’, the main features of transcendentalism will be encountered and understood better.In Nature, Emerson explains the relationship between man and nature. In the nature, every object is simple and sign of wisdom. In earth, as living creatures, people have pleasures and this is not only because they are human but also due to the nature. When people look at nature, they realize the perfectness, happiness of the nature. They realize the existence of God. Nature makes people realize that they are a part of God. In nature, everything is designed for humanity. People get benefits from nature. Everything in it is interconnected and they serve to people.By this perception, Emerson also implies that nature is alive, surrounding and serving to human. By his transcendentalist perception, Emerson also implies everything that human is need of is in nature, so people must look at and live the nature, they must be purified from dirtiness of the society and industry. Emerson also defines beauty in Nature. Beauty must be searched in the nature. Beauty is the pleasure of perceiving the nature. Emerson links the morality and nature because all two has extreme purity. God give people virtue and intellect. With these features, people can reach the beauty, the ruthiness of nature. Emerson sees these values as a part of nature, and man can be relieved only in nature. Nature connects people to each other. As a living aspect, nature has a language. Language is a combination of systematic symbols. Also nature has symbols in it. People use these symbols to be able to understand each other and the nature. In other words, nature provides people communication. According to Emerson, man and nature are in interconnection. They are dependent, if man beh aves nature in a good way, so the nature serves the man in a best way.Therefore, man has to follow the nature, has to take nature’s purity, its moral values. Nature is a present for man from God. Man uses nature to find his spirit, truth, morality and values. With the help of nature, man can get rid of earthly devilry. Nature is the last place of destination. Man came from the nature and will go to the nature again. Nature is a server of man. It is pure and stainless. If man can reach this purity, he can find his soul. If man gets rid of the society’s destroyed values and environment and keep the nature pure, nature will serve humanity in its best way.As mentioned above, Emerson expresses his feelings about in a reasonable way. It can be seen that Emerson used both emotion and reason in his essays, which is related to transcendentalism movement. Also, in aspect of the theme, it is obvious that Emerson focuses on the self-reliance and its relation to the nature. He deal s with the nature and man in a detailed way and connects these features to each other in a sensible way. Briefly, Emerson writes how the nature serves to man, how man use the nature to live in morality and purity. ‘Walden’ is written by Henry David Thoreau and published in 1854.This art of work is a product of a real experience and inspired by the transcendentalism movement. Not only his writing style is inspired by transcendentalism but also Thoreau applied this movement, idea in his life style and wanted to experience this idea. It can be said that transcendentalism is not only an idea for Thoreau, but it is also must be put into practice in real life and this shows his pragmatic approach. Thoreau by living in a cabin for two years near Walden Pond which is formally owned by Emerson wanted to create his own perception of society and nature.He focused on simple ways of living and self-sufficiency. He decided to direct his life in this way when he encountered Emersonâ⠂¬â„¢s works. He liked the idea, movement ‘transcendentalism’ and actually practiced it. Living with no money and alone, only with nature and understanding the society by this way was his main goal. He shared his experiences in his book Walden. He did not live in a wild environment as he mentioned also in his book, he lived near the town near a lake. He pragmatically wanted to see if living in this simplicity is really good or not.In Walden, he firstly explains his plans for this two-year life in a cabin. In this simple life, he has just food, shelter, clothes and fuel. He supplies these with the help of his friends and family. In his work, he criticizes his neighbors who dedicate their lives to working for a better living. However, he, himself, also works for building his house and growing plants. He writes everyday in this house in addition to daily routines like cleaning land, preparing and growing food. He reads many books and wishes a utopian world in which people are educated very well so the all of the people would be noble and wise.One of the aspects Thoreau argued in his book is that transcendentalism is not only an idea and it is something also that must be lived, experienced and put into life. He explains his life in this cabin within the perspective of transcendentalism. He is delighted with the beauty of nature and his basic, simple daily routines. He is delighted with not being in a rush, not being governed by money. Nature helps him to gain a more pure, clear, moral perspective and to analyze the real life by comparing it with his simple life. As a result, he criticizes the city life and its effects on the nature.Society and industry ruins the beauty and purity of the nature. For example, he is interrupted by the voices coming from trains, railway. Railway is a symbol of city life which is ruining the nature and its natural way. His being alone along these two years is beneficial according to Thoreau, because he thinks that his soli tude made him closer to the nature. He is left to his own resources in nature and the nature is the only friend of him. He has the opportunity of analyzing the nature and his desolation in the nature makes his pastoral way of life morally upright.Thoreau wanted to experience this because he wanted to escape from civilization and experience the purity of nature. He wanted to see whether or not he could live without luxury. However, what he did in Walden is also writing and reading a lot. Like Emerson does in Nature, Thoreau also talks about the goodness of nature, being solitude and being close to the nature. They both state that man need to live in purity to relief and reach the happiness and to be able to purified from the society. They both criticize the bad effects of society n nature, they both represent that society and industry ruins the purity and clarity of the nature. They both criticize the materialist way of living. However, in Walden it can be seen that Thoreau tries to find a way to connect civilization and nature in a pure concept. The main difference between Emerson and Thoreau is that Thoreau is pragmatics in his belief of ‘transcendentalism’. Emerson supports this idea but does not put into action. Also, while Thoreau explains transcendentalism on the basis of his real experiences, Emerson explains it only in a theoretical way.Therefore, while Emerson only talks about the nature’s purity and society’s devilry, Thoreau also tries to find a middle course between nature and society to some point. This can be because Thoreau is more realistic and he does critics on the basis of his own experiences. Emerson and Thoreau criticized the society and industry in the same way. They both state that it ruins the nature. They both state that desolation provides people to be closer with the nature and to analyze the nature and society.Desolation makes people understand that they are a part of the nature and the nature gives its pur ity to people and people must not pollute this purity by society and industry. They both use emotion and reasoning in their writings and explain things in a sensible way. However, their style is different. While Thoreau uses a more complicated language which is full of metaphors, paradoxes, sarcasm, irony, oxymoron, Emerson uses a more simple language and Emerson becomes more understandable and ‘Nature’ becomes easier to read when compared to ‘Walden’.Another point that must be assessed while comparing these art works must be that while Emerson puts forth the movement transcendentalism himself, Thoreau is the one who is inspired by this transcendentalism philosophy. It can be observed that by trying to look into deeper the idea of transcendentalism, Thoreau reflects the idea in a more realistic way. This is also because of the Thoreau’s pragmatic approach to the idea. Both these works have similarities more than differences, because the writers both have the same desire, they both criticize the materialism but supports the idea ‘transcendentalism’.

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Heritage Assessment Essay

The culture of a person can change the way one views different aspects in life. Medical professionals are not exempt from this. Patients may be treated by one medical professional differently than they would be treated by the next just based on the culture the medical professional grew up in. This paper will examine the usefulness of applying the heritage assessment tool in evaluating the needs of the whole person. This author’s family and two other families have been interviewed and in this paper it will be explained how the cultures differ from one another, as well as showing many similarities regarding ones view on healthcare. Healthcare in America has changed drastically over the years. One reason for this is the recent trend in immigration and migration to the United States. With this, the United States is experiencing many different cultures that bring different values and beliefs. This brings a challenge to healthcare professionals as they attempt to care for patients a s individuals. The heritage assessment tool is a list of 29 questions that can be asked regarding family, religion, traditions, demographics and food choices. The more positive answers one gives the greater the person’s identification with traditional heritage is. This tool is unique due to the fact that unless you are siblings no two people’s answers will be the same. The questions are the same but the answers are individual. This assessment tool was beneficial when interviewing these families because it helped the interviewer to see how ones heritage sways their values and beliefs and their outlook on the importance of health care. Using this tool also shows the uniqueness of different cultures and how beliefs are passes from generation to generation. Another interesting thing the assessment tool does is that it shows interesting similarities between people from different cultures as well. The heritage assessment was used in analyzing the writer’s heritage and all 29 questions were answered with mostly positive answers. This writer’s family has high expectations regarding their healthcare. Modern medicine is the choice for this family and healthcare is very important to them. Yearly checkups with a primary care provider are sought out. Healthcare is paid for using an insurance health plan and cash to cover deductibles. However, this family’s heritage also includes some older home remedies. The elders used to believe that if you had fever they could use rubbing alcohol and bath you in it and it would make the fever go away. This culture also believes you should avoid chocolate to prevent acne. There is also a belief that eating carrots could make your eyesight better. These wives tales have been passed from generation to generation. The preferred food for this family was red meats and the only common health problem appeared to be hypertension. The second family assessed came to the United States as migrant workers in the early 1960’s from Mexico and started having a family here and have been In the United States since. This family also had mostly positive results on the assessment tool. This family has high beliefs in preserving their ancestor’s traditions. This family did report that due to finances modern medical treatment was not of great importance to them. This family reported that being of lower income they had to use what they call a Curandera( witch doctor) for medical purposes. The Curandera is trusted in the Mexican culture to give healthcare advice and remedies. This family prefers using the Curandera for reason such as being in the states illegally and they feared being turned in if they went to modern medical clinics. The heritage of the Mexicans also has many home rituals that are bel ieved to work besides medicine. This culture uses candle burning for healing purposes. The fat from a cow’s udder is also used for killing pain according to this family. The diet of the Mexican culture is high in fat. This culture also believes in the â€Å"evil eye† and believes that this can cause illness or curses and they were black charms to keep this evil away. One common health problem this family reported was a trend with diabetes. The third person interviewed immigrated to America in 1969 from Greece. This family came to America Due to military purposes. The woman interviewed explained that she grew up in Athens Greece and that family and the Greek culture is very important to them. This person also reported that teaching her children to speak Greek even though they grew up in the US was a must. The woman interviewed, explained that health care is very important to the Greek culture. She stated that there is free health care for the poor. Some people have private insurance, but she talked of her family being farmers and they paid into a private insurance once a year that covered anything medical that they needed. She reports that they get a book and all their medical treatments and illnesses are kept in this book. According to the woman interviewed many people in this culture also turn to a witch doctor for health care treatment and advice. This culture also believes in the evil eye; however this family report wearing a blue eye, or gem around their neck or on a bracelet to protect them from the evil This family reports that one of their favorite staples is lamb. There are many things learned from a person’s heritage that affect the way we think of others and of health care needs. Being aware of the differences in cultures may help medical professionals to provide better quality healthcare. Reference Edelman, C. L. (2010). Emerging Populations and Health. In Health Promotion Throughout the Life Span. Healthy People 2010 (2009). Goal 2: Eliminate Health Disparities. Retrieved on October 5, 2012 from http://healthypeople.gov/data/midcourse/html/exesummary/Goal2.htm Spector, R. E.(2009). Cultural Diversity in Health and Illness (7thed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education,Inc.

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Competitive use of technology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Competitive use of technology - Essay Example For attaining these purpose organizations across the globe are bringing innovations by effectively using new technology and enhancing the role of information system (IS) and information technology (IT) (Stair, and Reynolds, 2009). Furthermore these information system and information technologies are being used as a weapon to gain competitive advantage over the rivals (Avlonitis, and Karayanni, 2000). Conventionally businesses used to practice and use IT and IS systems specifically for data processing but things got change as various innovations came forward. With the advent and rapid growth of internet and global economy, the role of IT and IS showed ameliorations, as the concept of economic growth and expansion of businesses around the globe is very much related to effective use of technology with reference to successfully implanting and using IT and IS systems intelligently (Ward, & Peppard, 2002). At present businesses that are effectively using information technology and other co mpetitive technologies are amongst the global leaders in their respective domains. As these businesses have garnered understanding that competitive use of technology is going to create win-win situation for the

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

The nature of communication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The nature of communication - Essay Example The manager’s complaint was that the area was not cleaned to her liking in the allotted time. She was accurate in her assessment, but because of mitigating circumstances, including an extensive influx of customers late in the evening, and minimal help from co-workers who had left earlier, she mis-communicated the blame. While elements of her criticism were effective, a great deal of it was misdirected as it was founded on erroneous assumptions. It fell short in that it didn’t leave room for a dialogue to occur that could create a constructive solution. Instead, the observations were relayed in a way that spoke to the necessarily limited perspective of one individual. For work place communication to be effective, open communication among workers within the organization must be promoted. Without this collaborative environment, the workplace becomes dry and monotonous and the creativity necessary for beneficial improvements is squashed. I believe effective communicators embody a number of positive traits that emerge when they relate to fellow human beings. In the situation at my work, communication did not occur because there was not an open dialogue occurring between the two individuals, but a one sided lecture. Effective communicators must take an interest in the people they communicate with, as nobody wants to listen to someone who isn’t engaged in the conversation. It’s important they look at the person’s eyes as it indicates that you are intent and engaged in the conversation. They speak clearly and directly, using language suitable for the conversation. While situations and types of language will differ greatly, effective communicators have a way of speaking that goes beyond merely giving a speech. They are able to strategically and competently relate to the individual and adapt the conversation to better convey the message they are attempting to impart. In not opening the

Halecar and Mid Lans Automotive Two cultures merge Coursework

Halecar and Mid Lans Automotive Two cultures merge - Coursework Example s starting from recruitment and selection of staffs to managing performance, eliminating employee dissatisfaction, bringing advancement in training and development as well as controlling issues relating to equity and diversity of the employees (Armstrong, 2012). As a result of growing competition and technological advancement, more and more firms tend to merge with comparatively strong firms in order to protect their existence and to enjoy economic and technological advantages arising out of strong background of the companies merged with. However, as a result of such amalgamation the employees of two different companies experience difference in terms of rules and regulations, working procedure, employee benefits as well as different working culture. Hence, employees of one organization are bound to adopt the cultural practices of the other organization. If not controlled properly, such incidents may lead to serious consequences for the newly merged company in terms of employee dissat isfaction, employee turnover, reduced production and profitability (Legge, 2005). Therefore, human resource team should take corrective actions in timely manner for organizations to sustain in the long run and to enjoy advantages arising out of merger. Halecar is a long established UK based Automotive Manufacturing Company producing British cars for well known Indian Company, Tutu (Excerpt from case study). However, with the decline in the UK car industry, Halecar started experiencing rapid detriment in their production and the company ceased to exist. Workforce had been reduced and the only source of revenue was the Indian Company, Tutu for which they manufactured Nano, the cheapest passenger car in the world. Further pressure from the Indian company as well, to bring efficiency in production process and to shift production to 3 lines on a 24 hour basis, led the management to impiment structural changes into the organization. On 1st of August, 2014, Managing Director of Halecar

Monday, August 26, 2019

Business Systems Analysis and Design Coursework - 1

Business Systems Analysis and Design - Coursework Example Performance appraisals build effective habits among members such as employees are able to clearly understand the organisational goals and identifying the best way forward to meeting these goals. Managers ensure that they evaluate the best process that will be able to improve the performance of their employees (Jones, 1997). In this process managers should be capable of ensuring that the team members achieve their goals and objectives. Team members should also be improving constantly and developing in their skills to become in order to become a great asset to the organisation. Managers should ensure that the hindrances to improvement are addresses by having a personal conversation with team members and listening to every issue. The issues and concerns raised should be solved immediately and in the most effective manner in order to avoid major issues in the future. Managers should also be in a position of asking themselves whether their employees are achieving the desired expectations of the business and whether they have the potential to achieve these goals. Finally managers should be able to gauge how much the employees have improved since the previous appraisal or the value they have added to their development since the manager started supervising. Once the above goals are well focused, then managing people will become an easy process. Kate (2011) describes that effective management include assessing the current situation of a team member, setting effective goals and working together to ensure that member achieves those goals. The first step in managing people is to have a clear vision. The managers should be able to be precise on the expected performance by analysing the role of every team member. These expectations should then be communicated to the team members informing them to be accountable of their activities. The second step of effective people management is to make the expectations clear to the team members. The objectives should be discussed in a pos itive way to the members and the manager should communicate the ongoing basis for the team member to know exactly what they have achieved and what is remaining to attain their target. The third step involves letting the team members be aware that their work is of value to the entire organisation. Richard et al. (2009, p. 50) shows this involves a short brief to everyone reminding them of the purpose of the organisation, the purpose of the team and the benefits to other departments. Managers should make sure that the team members are aware that they play a major part in achieving the entire output of the organisation. This should be a continuous assessment that the supervisor has to show to their members. This makes the employees feel valued therefore making them motivated to performing better. The forth step involves getting to know each team member basing on their abilities, skills and personal behaviour. This will make you understand them well and it also improved mutual respect. 2. Rich picture Rich pictures represent processes, structures and issues within an organization that are relevant to the problem definition. These also provide a thinking model about the system, how to think about the system and also how to group pertinent issues. Rich pictures also enable an

Sunday, August 25, 2019

E-procurement and E-supply Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

E-procurement and E-supply - Coursework Example Internet and e-business has become so much popular these days and a lot of business is moving towards e-business. This is specially the case with both large and small business. People like to market their product or project online as it takes less cost and benefits are much higher if properly planned. E-business and marketing are indispensible to each other, if one has a marvelous goods, products or services but he doesn’t have accurate and strong market skills; there are less chances of its success. On the other hand, if a person has normal quality products but he knows how to market them at economical rates, its results will be much better. E-procurement is an accommodative procurement of products, services and tasks using any electronic procedure in every stage for boosting in efficiency & transparency of the goods or services. Unified theory of acceptance and use of technology According to Venkatesh et al. (2003), there is a requirement to improve business’s men kno wledge of technology Utilization by investigating newer applications, accounting for additional difference in usage attitude and connecting it to individual usage results. the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) that incorporates major drivers and balks of web systems usage for e-procurement, investigates the consequence of such usage on corporate buyers and heightens the overall view of the UTAUT. It is calculated that eighty to ninety percent of the deals conducted over the Internet are business-to-business deals (Rosen and Howard, 2000). Although, little research has incorporated on web systems utilization from the point of view of corporate buyers. Figure 1: Research Model E-procurement has many objectives, few of them are: To perform as the catalyst for procurement reclaim, to improve transparency, supervising and manage in procurement procedure, to add in economies of scale via accumulation of demand, to cut off the cost of doing business for both suppli ers and government, to launch level playing field and â€Å"fair† private-enterprise platform for the suppliers. E-tendering is the second concept of e-procurement, features of e-tendering are: Publication of NIT, downloading of tender documents by contractors and suppliers, bids opening, Auto-bid evaluation, award publication. There are some famous examples of e-procurement: Public procurement service, Korea, Gebiz Singapore and Indian railways. E-procurement methodologies include software that allows purchasing agents to book their required items from various locations and generate invoices, purchase orders, receipts and request for quotations. Online auctions are another tool of e-procurement. Cathy-Pacific had a good plan to e-procurement but there are some flaws in their plan. Website marketing and online auction, selling is one of the best options via the web but it needs proper management, they had focus on –procurement but they didn’t focus on management and maintenance of such a long project. No doubt, their plan is good for cost reduction but some areas need proper attention like ticket booking and seat allocation needs extensive care and proper management as if it becomes tough, passenger will surely face issues at the time of travelling. No matter, which method they have used but by applying proper and accurate e-procurement technology they could gain a lot

Saturday, August 24, 2019

Strategic Marketing & Planning (Blue Ocean Strategy) Essay

Strategic Marketing & Planning (Blue Ocean Strategy) - Essay Example Based on the findings of the report and the desert climate of Saudi Arabia, the frozen yogurt business may succeed. The strategy targets families with children between three years and twenty years, thus this is the target market for the company. Ideally, the company may bait them by offering punch cards and coupons upon a given number of purchases. Today, the most appropriate method of reaching the teenagers and youths is the social media. The company could attract customers to the company by offering coupons and other promotional gifts through their social media such as Twitter and Facebook. This will attract a loyal customer base as well create awareness on the company’s products and prices (Willy et al., 2011:150). In all stages of the strategy, the idea is to create value innovation and differentiation from the existing industry. The paper proposes a blue ocean-based campaign labeled â€Å"Froyo Goes Green†. The main objective of the campaign is to attract customer to the company through offering environmentally friendly products and services, including biodegradable consumables such as spoons, cups, and containers. Moreover, the company will provide unique flavors and toppings that are not available in other competing stores. Introduction Every business, regardless of the industry of operation, has a chance to fail or succeed. As with all other business ventures, a frozen yogurt business can prove profitable if run properly. Indeed, we live in an informed generation where people are conscious about their diet and health, thus constantly looking for healthier alternatives to their favorite foods and drinks. Conceptually, the traditional ice-cream corn is a favorite for many people, thus initiating a frozen yogurt venture at any time is essentially right. Nonetheless, a business owner must undertake a comprehensive research of the target market to ensure that their business ideas are viable. Depending on the marketing and organizational framewo rk, a frozen yogurt may be either market oriented or sales oriented. This paper seeks to determine the orientation of the frozen yogurt industry in Saudi Arabia using illustrations to back the orientation. Additionally, the paper explores the strategies to improve the effectiveness of the company, with emphasis on improving the strategic planning process using the Blue Ocean Strategic model (Kim and Mauborgne, 2005:23). Background Saudi Arabia is among the fast-growing economies in the world. A significant portion of the country’s GDP comes from oil and gas, and the growing private sector. The climate in the country is desert-like, with average temperatures of 45o and highs of 50o. This climate creates a potential market for frozen desserts in the market. The company may tap this opportunity and provide the Saudi Arabians with healthy frozen yogurts to cool off their day. More than 50% of the Saudi Arabians earn incomes above $50,000, thus majority will afford a frozen yogurt dessert worth between $3 and $5. Saudi Arabia provides a promising business environment for organizations that focus on customer needs and demands, as well as those that observe the health regulation of the kingdom. The frozen yogurt market is not a new venture in Saudi Arabia: the industry has

Friday, August 23, 2019

Unit 5 IP introduction to law enforcement Essay

Unit 5 IP introduction to law enforcement - Essay Example Members, especially, those living in organized societies have the right to be protected by law. Most states have law enforcement agencies at the local, national and international level. Apart from this, there are specialized agencies that focus on specific areas like drugs, terrorism because local agencies do not have the required expertise, reach or resources to effectively tackle them. In general, it is the local police that arrive at the scene of a crime. But taking into consideration the nature, extent and scope, the local police may require or be compelled to work with other law enforcement agencies. The advantage is that a cooperative effort will be much more effective in solving and controlling such crimes mentioned above. But the disadvantage is the conflict of interests, lack of cooperation or coordination among the agencies involved and to a certain extent, ethical dilemmas. This paper focuses on the concept of ethical dilemmas that may occur during cooperative effort between various law enforcement agencies and the local law enforcing department or agency (police department). In the process, the paper will attempt to identify possible dilemmas and also provide practical solutions in order to solve or prevent such occurrences. The paper will take the form of a case study with regard to a local enforcement agency in a large city in the United States. The city in question is large and multiracial in nature. Typical of similar places, the main instances of crime are robbery, dealing and use of drugs (illegal substances), homicide and murder. Within the past decade new forms of crime have appeared the two major ones being terrorism and cyber crime. It should be noted that the city has not experienced any form of terrorist attack in the past. But after the 9/11 attack, security has been strengthened and the local enforcement administration has to work in

Thursday, August 22, 2019

How to Empower Employees Essay Example for Free

How to Empower Employees Essay In today’s marketplace it is more important than ever to implement employee empowerment policies in order to keep a competitive advantage. An empowered employee feels in control of their position, as well as a valued member of their organization. These employees have a sense of job enrichment which creates a more productive work environment for them, as well as their coworkers. Employee empowerment is a way to allot power in the company while raising productivity and creating job fulfillment in the organization. This helps to offer some valuable advantages to the organization and lowers the employee turnover rate (Korkmaz, 2012). There are many different ways a company can increase employee empowerment. A few important examples are by allowing for a large degree of autonomy, creating jobs with significance and areas for future advancement, giving and receiving employee feedback, and having a competitive benefit and compensation program for employees. These enrichment techniques will help to improve productivity, create higher employee morale, relieve some of the pressure on management, and help to recruit high-skilled individuals for employment (Gerhart, Hollenbeck, Noe, 2011). The most important technique with regards to employee enrichment is Autonomy, which is adding more freedom in the decision making ability an employee holds. This is a great way to empower an employee. Two examples of this would be giving an employee the ability to decide the best process for creating a project, rather than instructing them on definite steps to take. One may also receive the authority to handle customer complaints. These critical thinking practices will make an employee much more involved in their position, while helping to relieve management of the constant supervision of less important tasks (Hardrà © Reeve, 2009). Another effective method would be creating a position which conveys a sense of importance, as well as having the possibility for promotion. This is a great way to create a long lasting relationship with an employee, while also encouraging them to strive for future advancement. Stressing the importance of the job at hand will motivate the employee, while giving them a greater sense of pride in the position they hold. This could be demonstrated by getting the employee involved in the bigger picture of what a company is trying to accomplish (Gerhart et al, 2011). Another technique with regards to employee enrichment is giving and receiving employee feedback. This action helps to motivate the employee by constructing positive reinforcement on the favorable aspects of their performance. This aids in guiding the employee with direct future expectations and goals, while also verbally rewarding them for their positive characteristics. This is a very motivating, yet cost effective technique that will benefit both the employee and the company. By also allowing the employee to give feedback regarding management and production, the employee gains a feeling that their opinion is meaningful and beneficial to the operations of the company(Harms Roebuck, 2010). The last example for creating employee empowerment is to have a competitive benefit plan for employees. Along with some of the benefits included in a standard plan, some examples of benefits that empower employees could include letting an employee create their own schedule, giving extra time off for meeting certain requirements, and the ability to choose certain assignments over others. Other ways to empower employees through benefits would be to allow each member to pick and choose what benefits are right for them based on their specific lifestyles. (Gerhart et al, 2011). Empowering employees is an important aspect for any company. There are many enrichment techniques that can be implemented to improve productivity, raise employee morale, and recruit high skilled employees for future success. By applying these techniques, management gives their company the competitive advantage over the rest, while creating long lasting relationships with their employees. References Gerhart, B., Hollenbeck, J., Noe, R., Wright, P. (2011). Analyzing Work and Designing Jobs. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management, 95-116, 390-404. Hardrà ©, P. L., Reeve, J. (2009). Training corporate managers to adopt a more autonomy-supportive motivating style toward employees: an intervention study. International Journal Of Training Development, 13(3), 165-184. Harms, P. L., Roebuck, D. (2010). Teaching the Art and Craft of Giving and Receiving Feedback. Business Communication Quarterly, 73(4), 413-431. Korkmaz, O. (2012). Differences in Employees Perception of Employee Empowerment Practices. European Journal Of Social Science, 34(1), 43-57.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Way of preserving your wine Essay Example for Free

Way of preserving your wine Essay As a wine importer, educator and wine writer, I get asked time and again- â€Å"how long can I keep undrunk bottle of wine once it is opened? † and â€Å"what is best method for preserving half drunk wine? † Each and every time I have answered the questions to questionnaires, today I felt like writing about the ways of preserving half drunk wine that can remain fresh and drinkable for several days after opening the bottle. We often completely drink a bottle of wine once it is opened since we socialize a glass or two with family and friends and it gets completely drink. Once wine is completely finished drinking, there is no concern about preserving remaining wine that was purchased for expensive price. Usually, that is the case in Nepalese market. However, in some occasions, we have some undrunk wine and we want to keep it for future consumption but we know that it gets undrinkable in couple of days later and don’t know how to preserve it. I have seen people looking for ways of preserving undrunk wine as fresh as possible for several days’ later consumption but they have reported that wasn’t the case more than often. It is regrettable and disappointing to see such a good bottle of wine go wasted. Don’t worry, we have several solutions to our problem and apply whichever we find easy, cost effective and appropriate. Below are tried tested several ways preserving our wine as fresh as possible for at least next five days: 1) Argon gas preservation method: This method of preserving half drunk wine is very simple and easy; however, unavailability of argon gas in Nepal; we couldn’t apply this method at the time of writing this article. Hope demand for this gas increases in future and we could import or create in Nepal. Usually Argon gas comes in bottle with pressurised one way valve system. Simply release pressurised argon gas inside the half drunk wine bottle for three to four second and close your wine bottle with cork or other type of stopper. Keep your wine bottle inside the fridge or outside in room temperature; wine remains fresh for next 3-4 days. Longer it can keep if wine has good quality wine which needs oxidization after opening the bottle. 2) Transfer Method: There is cost effective, quick and easy way of preserving our undrunk wine is transferring remaining wine in smaller bottle. Transferring wine in smaller bottle prevents wine coming to contact with oxygen; therefore, we can remain fresh for several days. The main enemy of wine spoilage is oxygen coming in contact with wine and being terms called ‘oxidized’. Once wine bottle is opened and few glass of wine is drunk, oxygen sits in empty space of the bottle. In later time, oxygen comes in contact with wine and wine gets ‘oxidized’ and becomes undrinkable. For preventing wine from oxidization, transferring remaining wine from bigger bottle in smaller bottle prevent the wine to be as fresh as the day it was opened. This method is most practical and cost effective for regular wine drinkers at home or in the restaurants. 3) Using Coravin method: Coravin method is the technique of taking required amount of wine out of bottle without taking cork out. With this method, an innovative device is used for injecting wine by inserting syringe type of device which penetrates through cork and helps to take required amount of wine out of bottle. As we take wine out of the bottle, argon gas gets injected in the bottle for filling empty space. Caravin method is applied for very expensive wines which can be drunk little by little for longer period of time. Usually, wine is expensive and we don’t want the wine to go off in any cost. This device in not available in Nepal and it is very expensive purchase. 4) Using Shielder: Wine Shielder is type of innovative round think object that is dropped inside the bottle which sits on top of surface of wine, separating wine from empty space in the bottle. Wine Shielder basically prevents oxygen coming in contact with remaining wine inside the bottle so that wine doesn’t get oxidized. The shield is assorted with nitrogen which floats on top of wine inside the bottle preventing oxygen coming in contact with wine. Wine Shielders are very hard to find in wine accessory stores but can be often purchased online. The Shielder is costly and it can’t be reused. 5) Using vacuum method: This method is very simple, cost effective and easy to use too. A vacuum method is the practice of taking oxygen out of half empty wine bottle using vacuum pump that are available for purchase in wine stores. After drinking whatever amount of wine, simply place the one way valve stopper and using vacuum pump to take air out. Also there are types of vacuum pumps available which do take air out from bottle as well as work as cork or stoppers. They serve two purposes. Vacuum pumps are available in Nepalese market and the devices are reasonably well priced. Let’s hope from now on, we don’t need to worry about spoilage of our unfinished beloved wine. We believe, despite of many constraints, we have illustrated few simple solutions that can be applied at home with very little cost. Those who are passionate of trying to drink different type of wine every day and need for preserving remaining wine as fresh as first glass drunk, it is best to use high tech method such as Coravin method. Finally, buy screw capped bottle wine so you could put cap back after drinking your desired amount. It is cost effective and easy way for preserving the wine for few days. Note: All Mark Davidson wine available in Nepal are screw capped and can stay fresh for next five days after opening the bottle. Look for the same bottle and give us a feedback. Drink for good health.

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Street Children in Egypt

Street Children in Egypt Street Children Phenomena in Egypt The street children phenomenon in Egypt as known for most people is one of Egypts serious problems. Egypt is one of the countries with the highest number of street children. I decided to research this topic because it is one of the long lasting problems Egypt is facing. There are a lot of misunderstandings regarding the meaning of the word street children, according to the UNICEF; children must fall under one of these two definitions in order to be called street children. First, Children who are engaged in some kind of economic activity ranging from begging to stealing. Most go home at the end of the day and contribute their earnings to their family. They may be attending school and retain a sense of belonging to a family. Because of the economic fragility of the family, these children may eventually opt for a permanent life on the streets. Second, Children of the street actually live on the street (or outside of a normal family environment). Family ties may exist but are tenuous and are maintained only casually or occasionally.†I aim by this research to evaluate the situation of street children in Egypt and to know their priorities, activities and problems. Also, identify the actions done by the governmental and non-governmental organizations regarding the problem of street children. Finally, raise awareness to the street children problem in Egypt. In Egypt, government legislation and rules relating to street children remains primarily disciplinary to the street children who are viewed as criminals and a threat to the society. Generally, the society looks at delinquents and street children as a disease that should be treated by isolation. Despite the lack of conclusive information about street children, many socio-economic indicators show that the phenomenon of street children is growing, especially in large cities. â€Å"The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) conducted a Rapid Situation Assessment of street children in the two biggest cities in Egypt: Greater Cairo and Alexandria. According to this study, Poverty, family breakdown, and child abuse and neglect, seem to be the leading causes of the problem of street children. â€Å"Eighty percent of the children are exposed to real or constant threat of violence from employers, hostile-abusive community members, and their peers. Ignorant about health, hygiene, a nd nutrition and deprived of services to protect them, street children are a malnourished sub-population subsisting on an inadequate diet. Functionally illiterate (70 percent of the sample were school drop-outs, 30 percent had never attended schools in the first place), economic survival means working at the most menial tasks, or worse, begging, or thieving†. A lot of efforts have been made to try and estimate the number of street children in Egypt, but it is said that they all lack accuracy and reliability. Sedik (1995), based on the records of Al-Amal Village in Cairo, estimated that the number of street children in Egypt, both males and females, is 93,000. Data show that the reasons for the lack of valid and dependable information on the magnitude of the problem of street children are because it is hard to carry out surveys on the number of street children because of they dont live in one place. Another reason is because the police records dont keep record except on the children who are caught and sent to the corrective institutions by a court order. Through my research I found out a lot of causes for the street children phenomena. Children run away from their homes in Egypt because of child abuse, sensation seeking, neglect, existence of other brothers and sisters on the street and peer pressure. Children say that they were kicked out of their homes and forced to live in the streets and abused by their family or the people they work for. There are a lot of ways for abuse. Abuse usually takes the form of severe beating and insults for small mistakes. A lot of children choose to live on the streets because they feel they are free from any boundaries. A huge number of children said that one of the main reasons for moving to the street life is neglect. It could happen due to the illness of one of the parents, or the presence of a large family, or neglect because of divorce. The existence of other brothers and sisters especially older ones affect their younger siblings to follow their lead and move to live on the streets if their fa mily is facing the problems that they cant handle. Sometimes they move together and look for one another on the streets. Peer pressure acts as one of the most effective methods to increase the street children phenomena. Children explain that peers help them adjust to the life on the streets during their early days on the streets by providing food, entertainment, shelter and protection. Street children are usually there for each other. They help each other cope with the street life by explaining where to live, how to earn money and what should be done in case a problem happens. Street children usually do work that doesnt require any technical skills but they do marginal jobs that could provide them with money to survive only. Some of the work done by street children according to UN reports include â€Å"Begging, washing cars or shop windows, selling paper tissues on the streets, working temporarily in shops or factories informally, collecting plastic from wastes to sell to recycling factories, fishing and selling the catch, shining shoes, carrying luggage in the markets for people for money, selling newspapers and finally prostitution. Street children usually carry out their work every day, working in a range of â€Å"4 to 18 hours a day whether in doing one activity or a number of activities consecutively. They usually earn from 3 to 20 Egyptian pounds per day.à ¢â‚¬  Street children are exposed to problems everyday because of the life on the street with no elder supervision or protection. One of the problems is violence. Street children could face violence in many ways. For example, violence inside the children groups where older street children abuse younger children violence from the surrounding community which dont approve of their presence, Violence in the environment where employers exploit street children. Violence is often associated with sexual abuse which younger street children and street females are exposed to. Another problem that street children face is the community disapproval. Street children are rejected by society. They are not accepted due to their appearance and behavior. People generally tend to drive street children away as a result of fear and disgust. A third problem is the police arrests. Street children are always exposed to being arrested by police and returned to their families or committed to correction institutions. This process does not involve any efforts to change the original reason for escape from homes leading to the escape again to the street and the repetition of the vicious circle. The final problem is substance abuse. Street children are facing a serious problem which is free usage of drugs and substances that lead them to lose consciousness, suffer from continuous disorientation and spending all their daily earnings. Absence of good model and refusal of society lead to prevailing frustration of the street children and losing of hope in any good future. Government used to completely ignore the problem of street children who represented to the government a source of shame and embarrassment. The reaction was to ignore and hide the problem rather than face it and try to find solutions to the causes that lead to the spread of this problem. Sometimes the government may use law enforcement forces (police) to gather street children and put them into juvenile correctional institutes where they mingle with criminals and eventually the children escapes back to the streets with criminal background. NGOs, on the other hand, have dealt with the problem in a more consciences way. Programs have been developed and funded to admit the street children to houses and orphanages and try to fit them in the society and enroll them in schools. NGOs have several angles to approach the problem. They use the media to advocate the rights of street children and to promote their fight to protect these children and to treat them as victims rather than criminals who must be locked up. NGOs try to partner with the Government to conduct studies to establish laws to protect the rights of these children. NGOs also have programs that help street children in their own environment which is the streets. NGOs provide food medical care and financial assistance to the street children. NGOs also try to reunite as many street children as possible with their families and provide psychological therapy and social consultations to the children and their families to reach to the bottom of the problem and find a solution to the problems that drive children away from their homes. To conclude, everyone would agree on the magnitude of the problem of street children. The government and the NGOs have exerted many efforts to face the phenomena of street children but more work is needed if they want to achieve their target which is eliminating or at least reducing this problem in Egypt. Laws and legislations should be made to protect street children and help them fit in the society. As to the society I think that more awareness campaigns are needed to get people involved in this problem. We interact with the street children everyday but we always unintentially neglect them. Sometimes people treat street children as if they are something disgusting. Other times people treat street children as if they dont exist. Thats the reason why awareness campaigns should take place to explain to people that nearly all these children were forced to live on the streets and they didnt choose this themselves. Every person should feel that they have an obligation towards these chil dren and want to help them and provide them with a better life. Works cited: â€Å"Street children in Egypt: from the home to the street to inappropriate corrective institutions† by Iman Bibars- Environment and Urbanization, Vol. 10, No. 1, 201-216 (1998) DOI: 10.1177/095624789801000108 Article: â€Å"EGYPT: Street children worst hit by violence, experts say†19 Nov 2006 Source: IRIN SPAAC (1993), Street Children in Egypt, UNICEF, Cairo. Street Children in Egypt: Group Dynamics and Subculture Constituents.by Nashaat Hussein Article: Uncountable Figures Of Street Children Create New Worries By Michaela Singer First Published: February 24, 2008, Daily News EGYPT Mehdi, Ali. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. 17th of November, 2009 . Sedik, A. Experiences with Street Children in Egypt. Center for Child Rights and Protection, Cairo, 1995. Abu El-Nasr, A., 1992; Abdel Nabi, A., 1994; Sedik, A., 1995; and Koraim, A., 1998. Hussein, N. 1998; Azer, A. The Problem of Child Labor in Egypt, 1996.

Roller Coaster Physics :: physics amusement theme park

Undoubtedly roller coasters are the kings of amusements parks. Whether you enjoy a older, rickety wooden roller coaster with its thrill of positive and negative G's and a fairly wobbly feeling. Or, you prepher something newer, a tube steel roller coaster. A coaster that is faster, one that includes death defying speeds, hairpin turns, and of course the crï ¿ ½me de la crï ¿ ½me, loop de loops. However, regardless of you personal tastes and preferences, through exploring this page you will find that all roller coasters are indeed bound by the same fundamental laws. Laws that govern everything in our daily lives, the laws of physics. While exploring this paper, please remember this simple fact: Roller coasters are fast, they're fun, they're exciting, but above all, they're PHYSICS! The basic physics that apply to roller coasters can be seen when we examine some of the simple thrills of roller coasters: * The relation between Height and speed * Positive and Negative G's * The corkscrew * The loop de loop Some of you out there might be wondering, what exactly I mean that when I say that there is energy associated with roller coasters? And the answer is very simple, although roller coasters don't produce, or use energy as most people today would define it--electricity. They do posses what physicists call kinetic (or mechanical) energy, which is the energy of motion and is defined with the equation: K= ½mv ² which is read: ï ¿ ½Kinetic Energy equals one-half mass times velocity squared.ï ¿ ½ However, there is another type of energy associated with roller coasters, and that is gravitational potential energy, which is simply the energy that the roller coaster has due to its position above the earth, and has the formula: U=mgh which is read: "Potential Energy equals mass times velocity times height." Then, when we take into account the First law of thermodynamics (also called the conservation law), seen below: The First Law Of Thermodynamics: ï ¿ ½Energy can be changed from one form to another, but it can not be created or destroyed.ï ¿ ½ click here to see the source page. So, after taking thermodynamics into account we see that at any given point during the roller coasters ride, (granted we are using a traditional roller coaster in which there are no extra chains, or engines to lift it other than the first hill, and that friction is negligible) we see that:

Monday, August 19, 2019

Malibu Fires Essay examples -- essays research papers

Malibu Fires Human beings are able to adapt to almost any environment, unfortunately sometimes we take advantage of our natural surroundings. We find ourselves amidst a struggle between our lifestyles and nature. Although we affect nature profoundly with our activities, we in turn are shaped by nature's potent forces. Nature can be brutal to humans, but we must remember that it merely is following its course. As a result, we must learn to coexist with it. Fire is a naturally occurring phenomenon which humans have learned to deal with throughout history. Yet when fire burns uncontrollably, there is great potential for monumental damage to all surrounding biomass. The Malibu wildfires are an example of one such instance. Historically, wildfires had been left to burn uncontrolled for weeks. Fires were caused by different sources such as lightning or human hunters who wanted to chase animals out of the woods. As prolonged as these fires were, they had limited catastrophic effects on the nomadic humans. This is due to the low population density and the fact that the fires were not very intense. As people began to change from a hunting-gathering society to agriculturists, they settled in communities. Homes built among the wild brush were perfect prey to wildfires. Initially, wildfires were put out immediately and people were barred from setting fires in open spaces. Due to the policy of fire suppression, only one percent of all wildfires escaped early control. The land was safe from fires temporarily, but this set the stage for catastrophe as the brush grew more dense. There have been more than 20 catastrophic wildfires in Los Angeles County since the beginning of organized fire protection. The first "big one" happened in December of 1927. The fire started in the La Crescenta Valley, climbed over the Verdugo Mountain range and destroyed more than 100 homes. In addition to the damage caused in 1927, fires have profoundly affected the Southern California environment. Almost every square mile of chaparral land in Los Angeles county has been burned at least once, since 1919. There are basically two large fire breeding grounds in Los Angeles county: the San Gabriel Mountain range and the Santa Monica Mountains. In 1993, the Kinneloa Fire ... ...xperience. Human beings attempt to fight nature by trying to change or disturb its natural surroundings for the sole benefit of consumption. This is not only bad for the environment, but also for its inhabitants. When Malibu was home to the Chumash Indians, old vegetation was periodically burned to foster growth of new vegetation. The Chumash, who were more closely connected to nature than we are now, learned how and when to cause fires. "A long time ago the Chumash were here and they used to burn the brush every once and a while. It did wonders for the vegetation. the flowers were so beautiful. Then we built houses in their way. we really should not be here (Resident of Malibu)." Perhaps we should learn from their techniques: rather than allowing the chaparral to dry out and die (causing a high fire risk), we should clear out old vegetation to prevent massive fires and learn to respect the environment in which we live in, not abuse it. Nature is not man's enemy, but should be seen as an ally. Humans need to learn about their environment in hopes that a better understanding of natural processes will help humans to peacefully coexist with it.

Sunday, August 18, 2019

Creon as Tragic Hero of Sophocles Antigone Essay -- Antigone essays

Creon as Tragic Hero of Sophocles' Antigone There has always been a bit of confusion as to the tragic hero of the Greek Drama Antigone. Many assume that simply because the play is named for Antigone, that she is the tragic hero. However, evidence supports that Creon, and not Antigone, is the tragic hero of the play. Examining the factors that create a Greek Tragedy, and a tragic character, it is clear that the tragic hero is in fact Creon. First, take into account the timeframe in which Antigone was written. During the time of Sophocles, women were considered second-class citizens. They would not even be permitted to act i... ... Haimon are minor characters and are clearly not the tragic heroes of the play. Creon suffered the most, his losses were the greatest, and he was the only character to posses a tragic flaw. It is safe to assume that the only reason for Antigone ever being considered a tragic hero, is the misleading title of the play.

Saturday, August 17, 2019

Leadership Impact Essay

This research paper is written on the Leadership styles and the impact they have on the workforce. My information is based on my direct observation while being employed in the U. S. Air Force. My paper will analyze Leadership styles by using two concepts from Robbins and Judge (2009). The two concepts I have chosen are Leader Behaviors (p. 397) and Vision Statement (p. 415). Leadership Behaviors Being in the military for the past nine years has giving me an opportunity to see many different leadership behaviors. Four leadership behaviors Robbins and Judge (2009) defined are directive, supportive, participative, and achievement-oriented leaders (p. 397). The directive leader defines what is expected of the worker and schedules the work (p. 397). I feel that most people start off in with this leadership behavior until they grow as a leader. The supportive leader is concerned with the needs of their followers and interacts with them (p. 397). I have worked with many leaders that have used this behavior and it make them a popular leader, but can make it hard for them to get work done by some of their followers. I have seen were the workers take advantage of a leader because they feel more like a friend and not a boss. The participative leader takes the input of the follower and uses them before making a decision (p. 397). The Air Force leadership does use this behavior by using a yearly climate survey. The last leader behavior is the achievement-oriented leader. I feel that for the most part the behavior is the hardest to work for. This leadership style does not show much concern for the followers and does not take in their input. The leader is goal orientated and expects the followers to perform at their best to meet the goals (p. 97). Vision Statement A vision statement is a tool that leadership can use to tell why the organization exists (Kaplan & Norton, 2008). Most military units have a vision statement to motivate its members. My unit’s statement is Safety first, By the book, Then on time. Our vision statement put the safety of the workers first and the sets the attitude of how the work is to be done. Robbins and Judge (2009) state that a vision should be value centered (p. 415) and all the military units I have worked for have had a vision statement that puts it people first. I feel it can make it easier to work for someone if they value you. Conclusion Leaders may use any of the behavior styles talk about in the paper. Charismatic leaders will try to set a goal and good work environment for their workers (Fischer). The leaders of an organization will have to ensure they use the right behavior to motivate its workers. In Psalm 28:11 David asks to be taught the Lords way and be lead in a straight path. I think this is how a lot of employees feel and it is the job of the leaders to ensure they know what path the organization is going.

Friday, August 16, 2019

Related Literature Essay

Reading is an important skill to help people learn from human knowledge and experience. Through reading, knowledge has greatly contributed to the growth of mankind. Reading is the fastest and simplest way to raise people’s educational level (Hung & Tzeng, 2001). Thus, reading also improves the cognitive perspective of a person. No people are more educated unless they read. Reading also enhances not only the brain, but the awareness of a person to different words that he/she didn’t encounter before. It increases one’s vocabulary and comprehension. Through reading also, many people increased their critical thinking skills especially when finding the main ideas or for analytical purposes. In short, reading is the best and only way of enabling humans to absorb new experience and replace old views. Reading is a process of how information is processed from the text into meanings, starting the information from the text, and ending what the reader gains. Goodman (1976) and Smith (1973) indicated that reading is a language process, not merely the sum of various decoding and comprehension skills. In short reading is the process of reconstructing the author’s ideas, perspective and information. On the other hand, Aikat (2007) stated that the â€Å"the act of reading is a dynamic transaction between the reader and the text† (p. 700), an idea taken from Louise M. Rosenblatt’s 1978 book, The Reader, The Text, The Poem. According to the aforementioned book, there are two kinds of reading – reading for leisure, called Aesthetic Reading and Efferent Reading in order to gain information. Efferent readers read for the purpose of the facts they will learn, while aesthetic readers read for the reading experience making it easier for them to â€Å"connect emotionally† to the text. In order to for readers to attain this connection and fully comprehend the text that they read, Dolch (1951) asserted that the process of reading requires the different capabilities of the mind, as the reader processes words and their meanings. To become a skilled reader, children need a rich language and conceptual base, a broad and deep vocabulary and verbal easoning abilities to understand messages that are conveyed through print. Children also must develop code-related skills, an understanding that spoken words are composed of smaller elements of speech (phonological awareness); the idea that letters represent these sounds (the alphabetic principle), the many systematic correspondences between sounds and spellings, and a repertoire of highly familiar words that can be easily and auto matically recognized (McCardle & Chhabra, 2004; McCardle, Scarborough, & Catts, 2001). According to Carrell, Pharis and Liberto (1989), they explained the term metacognition refers to a reader’s understanding of any cognitive process. Metacognition in the context of reading consists of a reader’s knowledge of strategies for learning from texts, and the control readers have their own actions while reading for different purposes. In brief, metacognition refers to awareness of one’s own reading processes (Brown 1980). It means awareness of one’s own understanding and non-understanding of reading strategies, and of monitoring comprehension during reading. Nuttal (1996) proposed that learners needed to understand how texts worked and what they did while reading, they must monitor also their own comprehension. For example, students are able to recognize that they don’t understand a text, and then adopt a strategy that will improve matters.

Thursday, August 15, 2019

Potential Dangers of Hypnosis Essay

This composition was entailed to probe the dangers inflicted in humans by using hypnosis as means of mind therapy.   Many investigative reports have been compiled to get to the bottom of hypnosis and edify humans about it. As you read along, many issues will be discussed and you might as well find yourself fascinated by the world of hypnosis. Hypnosis is an instinctive psychological method in which vital thinking capacity of the mind is circumvent and a form of selective thinking and perception is recognized. This piece of writing will embark upon on the possible dangers caused by hypnotism on humans, as humans seek remedy on their ailment or plainly would want to experience the shot of hypnosis. Possible Menace and Difficulties of Hypnosis   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   To begin with, a number of psychologists and other mental health professionals are being apprehensive that practitioners of hypnosis who are unlicensed health professionals might bring about extreme emotions in their clients. Adverse consequences might occur when unexpectedly or decisively recalling traumatic events or, some believe, impulsive mental breakdowns. Fallacious memory accomplished by means of hypnosis has formed outstandingly in many investigations done by the authorities and court cases, as well as cases of alleged sexual abuse. Until now, there is no scientific approach to provide evidence that any of these recollections are absolutely precise.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Whichever tool can be utilized either to benefit us or harm us. The person using hypnosis is the one drawing danger interrelated with hypnosis.   Threat does not come from the tool itself, but rather from the person using it.   The true menace lies in an incompetent therapy at the hands of unscrupulous hypnotist (Niehaus, p. 67). Another thing that can explain why hypnosis is treacherous, the mind loses its capability to differentiate between reality and flight of the imagination (truth and error). It also hold backs one’s ability to tell the difference between factual memories and suggested or engrafted memories. That can be harmful because if you can be easily hoodwinked, then anybody can take benefit from this lucky break. On the way to the end of 1994, the death of Sharon Tabarn shocked the Great Britain. Her story of death was all over tabloids.   She died several hours after involving herself in a hypnotic show performed by a young hypnotist by the name of Andrew Vincent. When the call was made asking for volunteers, Sharon, a 24-year-old mother of two daughters had experienced that inner inclination to put herself forward into the hands of Vincent. Sharon was evidently one of the foremost stars of the show as Vincent did his routine through a Madonna technique and other out of the ordinary post-hypnotic suggestions. As the show came to a close Vincent told her that he will count from one to three and clap his hands, and as he clap his hands she will feel 10,000 volts of electricity will be directed through her chair and it will bring too much pain. The next morning, Sharon was found dead in her bed. Sharon received a bad electric shock experience as a child and ever since that day, she had a great fear of electricity. Due to Sharon’s fear or phobia about electricity, the fact that she was a deep- reverie subject, and the senseless, dreadful and malevolent suggestion of experiencing a 10,000-volt electric shock which would really injure, this was the reason why her pituitary gland releases hormone called Prolactin. It prevented her from awakening when she vomited in her sleep. Probably the concoction of alcohol, endorphins and Prolactin could be categorized as a way of death through natural causes, even though hypnosis was the trigger which caused this tragic accident. Stage hypnosis is tremendously dangerous. Aside from the fact that there are the dangers of hypnosis, it is also morally mortifying for the participants involved. Many of whom will have no memory recall, but it can, and has, led to the death of a young mother. It also has been the trigger for possibly dozens or even hundreds of people go through into emotional and mental disproportion, leading these people eventually to the mental hospital. Hypnotism condenses self-determinism by interjecting the instructions of another underneath the analytical level of an individual’s mind. It is a control mechanism in which a domineering individual, cult, or ideology delight. People who pander to hypnotism may only be interested in experimentation involving human minds (Atack, 1995).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There were reports of complications occurring after a person undergone a hypnosis. Some causes of strange behaviour after such mind therapy can be an amateur hypnosis, removal of symptom by a direct command, treatment of condition that the hypnotist is not trained to treat without the use of hypnosis and when an inadvertent post hypnotic suggestion has been made (Kougell, 2000).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Presently, hypnosis was also being practiced by some medical practitioners to treat persons who are ill-infected.   Although hypnosis was exercised by some medical practitioners, there can still be an array of unexpected unwanted impressions, feelings or behaviours during or after hypnosis which are incompatible with settled goals and hold back with the hypnotic process by destructing optimal mental performance with no prior occurrences or history of similar mental or physical symptoms. Here are some list of complications associated with hypnosis, it may include one of these behaviour; antisocial acting out, anxiety, panic attacks, identity crisis, self-image distortion, comprehension loss, concentration loss, depression, headache, nausea, vomiting, memory impaired, dizziness, medical emergencies, stiffness of arms and neck, sexual acting out, traumatic recalls, sexual dysfunction, phobia aversion, physical discomfort, obsessive ruminations, symptom substitution, psychotic-like delusional thinking, impaired coping skills, body tremors, uncontrolled weeping   and may others.   These after-effects of hypnosis were experienced by those who have undergone hypnosis, medical researches has been conducted to explain why these things happen after such procedure but until today, no one can fully convey why these things takes place. Conclusion Hypnosis is denoted to as an altered transformation of state of consciousness, which generally comprises a social interaction between two people. It includes two individuals which is the hypnotist and his subject.   Involving hypnosis to treat various diseases or sickness is widely used by medical practitioners around the globe, from simple dental settings down to cancer ill patients. Hypnosis is also subject to significant assessment and analysis, as with any other eccentric forms of therapy. There are numbers of psychiatrists who come up with the assumption that hypnosis is dangerous, more than ever when practiced by non-psychiatrists. Countless well-known magazines and medical journals have published articles lay emphasis on the dangers of this form of therapy when acted upon by non-certified practitioners. Hypnosis, however, is open to use wrongly by non-certified practitioners and at times the danger lies there. According to experts, in order to avoid danger, any hypnotic performance should always come to an end; or a period of time should be set for this to end. An example of this is in case like hypnotic anesthesia. A period of time to end the activity should be set when inducing hypnotic anesthesia, for the reason that pain has a meaning and it is nature’s way of forewarning us that something is wrong in our body and in our system. No pain should be fastened off using hypnosis unless the starting place of pain is ascertained. As a final point, hypnosis, as with any other forms of therapy, does not come wholly without any technical hitches or complications. Proper erudition and understanding of this method is necessary to avoid serious complication. References: Atack, John C (1995). Never believe a hypnotist: An investigation of L. Ron Hubbard’s   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   statement about hypnosis and its relationship to his Dianetics. Retrieved April 2, 2008,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   from http://home.snafu.de/tilman/j/hypnosis.html/ Kougell, Maurice (2000). Possible dangers and complications. Retrieved April 2, 2008, from   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.brooksidecenter.com/possible_dangers_and_complication.htm Niehaus, Joe (1998). Investigative forensic hypnosis. United Sates: CRC Press   

Tennessee Valley Authority

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) was the first large regional planning agency created by the United States Government in May of 1933. The TVA was one of the most innovative and significant ideas of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to help tackle the economic, social, and political problems in the Tennessee Valley, a region with no economic growth and was heavily impacted before and after the Great Depression. The TVA is a federally owned corporation that provided a series of environmental regulations and resource management to help stabilize and generate economic growth in the Tennessee Valley. The regulation includes: flood control, fertilizer manufacturing, electrical generation, and economic development. The TVA was a significant economic development agency and a regulator during the time. This paper will provide the history and the foundation of the TVA and the essential significance of it to help construct and developed economic and political achievement from regionally to nationally. Tennessee Valley The Tennessee Valley was one of the most impoverished and poor areas of the United States. This region was one of the hardest hit regions after the Great Depression. Much of the land had been farmed too hard for too long, which erodes and depleted the soil (Ezzell). Crop productions had fallen along with farm incomes. Sadly, this region showed no economic growth before and after the Great Depression. Due to this reason the government had established the Tennessee Valley Authority. Tennessee Valley Authority in the 1930s When President Franklin Delano Roosevelt won the election of 1932, he pledged himself to the American people for a â€Å"New Deal†. This order of central economic agenda and economic stimulus plan includes the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). On March 1933, Congress and President Roosevelt passed the Tennessee Valley Authority Act to aim for reforestation and the proper use of the marginal lands in the Tennessee Valley (Ezzell). The TVA regulated proper forest, controlled forest fires, and to boost environmental habitats for wildlife. It also promised to improve navigability on the Tennessee River, as well as providing flood controls (U-S-History. com). The most significant transformation during the 1930s was electricity generated by the Tennessee Valley Authority dams. Due to electricity, farmers were more productive and sufficient. Modern devices also made farming much more sufficient and prolific. Electricity also inspired and drew in industries into the Tennessee Valley region. This provided the jobs necessary for those in needs and created even more jobs. Many privately owned power companies in the Tennessee Valley were either bought by the federal government or went out of business because they could not compete with the TVA during the time. There were also Government regulations that were put into effect to prevent competition with the TVA. Controversies There were many economic libertarians who believed the government should not be involved in the electricity generation business. Libertarians fear that government intervention and possession would result to the misuse of hydroelectric sites. The TVA was one of the first federal hydropower organizations. The TVA encountered many setbacks and failures and was involved in many controversies. In the case of Ashwander vs. Tennessee Valley Authority, the court distinguished that regulating commerce among the states includes regulation of streams and that controlling floods is required for keeping streams navigable, and is therefore, considered constitutional (Badger). Directions of the TVA The TVA was presided over by three-member board who held differing ideas about the direction of the TVA (U-S-History. com). A man by the name of Arthur Morgan believed in social planning. His view on the TVA was that it was an opportunity to establish a relationship between government and privately owned businesses. Another man by the name of Harcourt Morgan believed and supported the elimination of poverty and the unemployment of the Tennessee Valley and that it should be the representation for national and regional development. David Lilienthal was a promoter of public power who wanted the TVA to compete directly with the private power interests. There were major conflicts between the three men until March 1938 when President Roosevelt dismissed Morgan for his public criticism of the TVA (U-S-History. com). Dams The first major construction ever built by the Tennessee Valley Authority was the Norris Dam. Named after Senator George W Norris for his creativity and inventiveness. The dam is a hydroelectric and flood control structure located on the Clinch River in Tennessee. The dam was constructed in the 1930s to initiate and establish economic growth to the region and to control the unrestrained flooding that had long afflicted the Tennessee Valley. TVA constructed a total of sixteen dams and steam plant between 1933 and 1944 (Ezzell). Due to the massive constructions the employment reached approximately 28,000 workers. This impacted significantly in the Tennessee Valley region and provided immediate economic growth. Economic Development of the TVA and the Significant Changes By the 1960s, the Tennessee Valley region experienced a significant economic growth. The overall environment of the region was in better shape. This means that farms and forests were extremely in good conditions. The TVA had delivered efficient generating units into service. The electric rates were among the nation’s lowest (Ezzell). Due to the unprecedented growth, the TVA had aimed for a different direction. The TVA began building nuclear plants as a new source of economic power (Ezzell). However, due to the increase of cost in electricity and fuel and the decrease in demand and construction cost rising in the early 1970s, the TVA shut down several nuclear plants. The TVA started to become more productive and efficient while cutting costs. By the late 1980s, TVA had replaced its variable power rates with a fixed rate that lasted for a long period of time. TVA in the 1990s to present day Like many other power industries that are moving towards restructuring, the TVA prepared for competition. The TVA set an agenda to meet the energy needs of the Tennessee Valley. The company cut back on operation costs by nearly a billion dollars every year, it reduced its workforce, stopped building nuclear plants, and generated full capacity of its plants (Edsforth). There were many significant changes for power industries that the TVA had to prove itself to the public. The TVA had to prove its responsibility, efficiency, and reliability. (Edsforth) Conclusion Before and after the Great Depression, the Tennessee Valley was proven to be an impoverished region with high unemployment rates and low standards of living. During the election of 1932, Franklin Delano Roosevelt won by a landslide, defeating Herbert Hoover. He had pledged himself to the American people for a â€Å"New Deal†. Within the structure of the New Deal was the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). This was one of FDR’s most innovative and successful programs up to this day. The TVA established environmental regulations and resource management. TVA had impacted many aspects of American politics and economics. The TVA definitely established economic growth and nurtured it through providing jobs. The TVA held its strategy to its solution even as the issues changes over the years. It also had changed the lives of farmers because farming became much more productive and efficient due to its modernized devices. The electricity-generated dams attracted many industries into the region of the Tennessee Valley, providing the jobs for those needed. Up to today, the TVA had proved to be a very stable and successful government operated organization. The power system continues to operate with an astonishing level of reliability and dependability. TVA continues to strengthen its position as a leader in energy and environmental issues.

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

A Failure to Hide One’s True Motives in The Lame Shall Enter First

A Failure to Hide One’s True Motives in The Lame Shall Enter First In the short story The Lame Shall Enter First, author Flannery OConnor describes a widowers attempts to mask his grief over his wifes death. In order to fill the void in his heart, the widower, Sheppard, throws himself into miscellaneous charitable endeavors. He shows this philanthropy most notably in his treatment of a young delinquent named Rufus Johnson, whom he takes in and cares for as his own son. Through his treatment of Rufus, Sheppard also tries to teach his son Norton-whom he judges as extremely selfish-about sharing. What Sheppard fails to realize, however, is that he is actually just as selfish as he judges his son to be-they are using the same coping mechanisms to try to deal with their loss. Consequently, his generosity and kindness will not profit anyone; in fact, it will actually cause harm. OConnor uses devastating irony-manifested through parallel descriptions of the characters and various interactions between them-to convey the idea that artificial philanthropy wil l accomplish nothing. O Connor uses parallel descriptions of Sheppard and Norton in order to expose the same character flaws in Sheppard that he scorns in his son. Throughout the story, she describes them in such similar ways that their shared traits become obvious. Nortons apparent self-centeredness is revealed at the very beginning, when he gorges himself until he vomits (Walters 103). Sheppard then looks upon him with disdain, thinking, his own child, selfish, unresponsive, greedy, had so much [food] that he threw it up (OConnor 374). Although Sheppard is criticizing his son for being selfish, he later realizes that he had stuffed his own emptiness with good works like a glutton (403) and had thus behaved no better than his son had in attempting to cope with his wifes death. Though this shared reaction to their loss is their most obvious similarity, Sheppard and Norton also have other parallel characteristics. Sheppard criticizes Nortons lack of intelligence near the beginning of the story when he lam ents, Norton was average or below and had had every advantage (374). When Rufus (whose intelligence Sheppard revered, in stark contrast to his own sons lack thereof) joins the household, however, Sheppard finds that the tables have been turned and he is now the one being criticized for his stupidity. Rufus insults Sheppards intelligence several times and in fact compares him unfavorably to Norton when he says, He [Sheppard] dont know his left hand from his right, he dont have as much sense as his crazy kid! (402). He later verbally attacks Sheppard to his face when he tells him, You aint any smarter than that cop (396). Through these descriptions, OConnor paints similar pictures of father and son-making Sheppards criticisms seem even more ironic and his character less credible. In addition to juxtaposing the characters of Norton and Sheppard, OConnor further reveals Sheppards flaws and inconsistencies through various interactions with Rufus. From his first meeting with the boy, it is obvious that Sheppard seems to take pleasure in analyzing Rufuss motives and behavior, failing to realize how it mirrors his own. For example, Sheppard, of course, seizes upon the foot as the unquestionable source of Rufuss delinquency, interpreting his criminal behavior as simple compensation for his physical defect (Walters 103). What Sheppard does not immediately see, however, is that he is also trying to compensate for his own defect-his overly philanthropic gestures are an attempt at filling the hole in his heart left by his wifes death. It is not until much later that he realizes he has been stuffing his emptiness with good works (OConnor 403) in order to find fulfillment. Sheppard is also the object of Rufuss discrepancy between the Christlike image Sheppard tries to co nvey and his actual selfish motives, and he openly accuses Sheppard of confusing himself with Christ (Walters 102). He first does this behind his back during a conversation with Norton, exclaiming, God, kid, how do you stand it? He thinks hes Jesus Christ! (383). In a subsequent conversation, while explaining to Norton the concept of heaven, Rufus mocks Sheppard outright when he says, Ill tell you all about it [heaven] tomorrow, kid, when Himself has cleared out (387). In fact he takes this even further, later calling Sheppard a lying stinking atheist (403)-a stark contrast to the Christlike character Sheppard attempts to show. In the midst of Rufuss criticism, Sheppard valiantly attempts to maintain his image as a genuine humanitarian by saying, If I can help a person, all I want is to do it. Im above and beyond simple pettiness (383). Rufus, however, does not believe anything Sheppard says, as he tells Norton: Yaketty yaketty yakand [Sheppard] never says a thing. Gas. Gas (279). T hrough these and other insightful, yet derogatory comments, Rufus reveals Sheppards selfish, hypocritical character. As Rufus helps to point out, Sheppard is so entrenched in his grief-induced selfish ambitions that he completely loses sight of his son Nortons struggles and makes himself a hypocrite; however, with Rufuss further assistance he is able to begin the process of self-discovery that eventually leads to his revelation. Sheppard is arguing with Rufus when he begins to see the first glimpses of his true self-and he is understandably taken aback. He thinks, The boys eyes were like distorting mirrors in which he saw himself made hideous and grotesque (397) and a moral leper (398). His violent epiphany comes shortly after this moment of clarity. He realizes that he had done more for [Rufus] Johnson than he had done for his own child (403) and that in so doing he had failed to help Norton through his grief like a loving father would. He also realizes how self-centered he had been-even as he had lectured Norton about being selfless, he had ignored his own child to feed his vision of himself (40 3). The hypocrisy in his actions is readily apparent-although he was preaching generosity and compassion, he was in reality practicing selfishness and thoughtlessness. This is in itself ironic, and OConnor takes advantage of this throughout the story. In fact, she uses mankinds innate selfishness as the source of nearly all her irony (Malin 36), and nowhere is this more apparent than in Sheppards situation. OConnors final, most heart-wrenching use of irony occurs when Sheppard at last realizes his grave mistake through a violent revelation and is overcome with love for Norton-only to learn that his epiphany has come too late and all his apparent benevolence has failed him. He is shocked and horrified when he recognizes how he has neglected his child in the name of charity, and he promises, He would make everything up to him, He would never let him suffer again. He would be a mother and a father (404). Sheppard immediately rushes to Nortons room to begin making amends for his past behaviors-only to discover that the child hung in the jungle of shadows, just below the beam from which he had launched his flight into space (404). Sheppards neglected child had killed himself in an attempt to be reunited with his mother in heaven. Sheppard is absolutely devastated, because he knows that Nortons extreme action is evidence of his acute longing for love (Walters 103). Sheppard grieves because h e had deprived Norton of the love he so desperately needed-and when he is ready to give that love, it is too late. It is also cruelly ironic that he had previously thought, in his efforts to reform the intractable Rufus, he had fatally neglected his own son (103). The most frustrating irony of all, however, is that of the timing of Sheppards revelation-had he recognized the error of his ways only minutes earlier, he could have saved his sons life. At this point he fully realizes that all his philanthropy has gained him nothing-in fact, it has caused him to lose everything. This painful irony makes The Lame Shall Enter First an unforgettable tale of hypocrisy, frustration, and ultimately tragedy. Bibliography Frieling, Kenneth. Flannery OConnors Vision: The Violence of Revelation. Contemporary Literary Criticism, Vol. 2. Detroit: Gale Research Company, 1974. Malin, Irvin. Flannery OConnor. Contemporary Literary Criticism, Vol. 13. Detroit: Gale Research Company, 1980. OConnor, Flannery. 3 by Flannery OConnor. New York: New American Library, 1983. pp. 371-404. Walters, Dorothy. Flannery OConnor. Boston: Twayne, 1973.