Socrates believed that right insight leads to right action Essay Example

Socrates believed that right insight leads to right action Paper Socrates believed that right insight leads to right action, this means that our judgment in choosing right over wrong causes us to do good. He says that our actions should be based from our reason and that ignorance causes us to think wrongly and in turn will make us do evil. We must conquer our ignorance if we want to do good in order to achieve our end goal, to have a happy life. A happy life is understanding what life really is, doing what is apt and conquering ignorance.Socrates philosophy has a big impact in my life. I know that I am still so ignorant about a lot of things. Even simple things like locating places in Cagayan de Oro and so many more. This bothers me so much it hinders me from being happy. It makes me uncertain of my direction in life. I am quite uncertain of my future, I am so afraid to move forward because I dont know what Im going to leave behind. I dont want to go to college because I am afraid of what it would be like, I am ignorant of college life and besides , it also means that soon, ill be graduating and I then will be leaving my family because if God permits, I would be working abroad, that has always been my dream.But Socrates said that ignorance hinders us from doing good then I realized, Im afraid not because by the thought of being away from my family, but because I dont know what to do in college, moreover, I dont have any idea on what life would be when I will soon be independent. I guess I am too spoon-fed by my family that I usually depend on their decisions and not on mine alone. I hate my ignorance; it thwarts my happiness, which is for me, one of my priorities that have to be achieved in my life.PLATO believed that reality is of two realms; the world of senses and the world of ideas. The world of senses is the material world, it is changing and there is incomplete knowledge. The world of ideas, on the other hand is the permanent world. Our soul belongs to this world; there is perfect knowledge of truth. I believe in souls, I believe that we are all souls and our bodies are only shelters. Plato believed that truth is difficult to understand because we fail to see that there are things that are really true. We dont use our minds. Just like Socrates, we fail to see the truth of something because of our ignorance.Many of us are materialist, I, oftentimes are. I see things by its appearance but not by its deeper meaning. There was a time when I encountered someone, who today, became one of my closest friends. I did not really like her at first because she looked, not really bad, but sort of untidy and at first I found her so annoying. I hated the mere sight of her but then, it just happened, I was given an opportunity to actually know that girl, and found out we have a lot in common.In that situation, I was trapped in the world of senses, I judged her by her looks which was not very attractive, yet, her real self is stunning. Compared to a time I tried to befriend someone who looked so pretty, physically. However, I only ended up as her follower and I did not like it. The situation I once encountered is similar to the saying foul is fair, fair is foul. From that experience, I realized what Plato was saying the Idea of something is more real than the appearance of something. He was referring to the inner beauty of something is far more important than its physical features. Platos philosophy affected my life in such a way that I dont judge a book by its cover; I dont judge people through their appearance or status. Rather than, I first look into their real self, if they have good hearts, then, no problem.I can relate Arristipus Epicureanism in my life. Though I may contradict a lot of their belief, I would just like to point out some of the things the Epicurus believed that I too do. Pleasure to the max is slightly similar to my motto two years ago which is Live life to the fullest for the future is scarce. The future is uncertain, for the time being, you only have the present, theref ore, we must make the most out of the now. But I dont mean living life to the fullest includes vices, I limit my motto to making my life exciting in a good sense. And it works! I have lots of joyful memories during my childhood years and even until now. The second thing I like about the philosophy of these people is about the four medicinal herbs, particularly about death is nothing to be feared.I believe that death is a natural occurrence; it is there for a purpose, to regulate life on earth. Why fear death? When we are alive, death is not present, when we are dead, then better death will not come back. But why do we fear to die? I made my own reflecting and I came up with an answer it is the process of dying which is frightening, not death. The uncertainty of how we die, how great the pain we have to go through before we pass away, is the main thing that make us fear. Another thing would be the fear of leaving behind your loved ones. Like when a mother still has dependent children to care for, the mother fears death because she worries about the future of her kids if she will die.I can relate this to the situation when I was in elementary. My mother was in manila, undergoing several operations, she told me that she almost gave up and nearly died, but she thought about what would happen to me if she no longer is there, and found the courage to fight. Whenever she tells me that Im her only reason why she is still around, why she still works, I often get teary-eyed I hate to think that death is unpredictable I dont want to see another member of my family pass away, to tell you the truth, I dont fear death. In fact, I would stand first in line to save my family, I could not bear to see my loved-ones pass. I know Im being unfair. I know I am wrong; this is one ignorance I find hard to rid off.

Rebuilding New Orleans

Rebuilding New Orleans Free Online Research Papers The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in 2001 named a major hurricane hitting New Orleans as the most serious emergency threat to the nation. In August 2005, a category IV Hurricane by the name of Katrina ravaged the City of New Orleans. After the storm, LT. General Carl Strock, Chief of Engineers for the Army Corp of Engineers stated â€Å"the intensity of this storm simply exceeded the design capacity of this levee†¦which had a 200 or 300 year level of protection. That means that an event that we were protecting from might be exceeded every 200 to 300 years.† [1] The following probability will be the basis for determining the expected profit of rebuilding the city of New Orleans. As consultants advising the City of New Orleans, we felt it necessary to quantitatively prove that rebuilding was the best option before exploring recommendations for the rebirth of the city. After proving that rebuilding New Orleans is financially astute, we will discuss the current structure of the Commission along with recommendations for changes that would allow the commission to be more effective. Because of the many diverse groups associated with the BNOB Commission we asses that the ability to negotiate effectively will be key to satisfying the stakeholders and thus achieving the more broad strategic goals. Finally, we should not rebuild the City of New Orleans without a more effective flood control system. We used the concept of positive deviance to identify other areas in the world that have experienced similar disasters and had success in rebuilding. We identified the Netherlands a positive deviant for building a more modern and effective flood control system for New O rleans. Two estimates will be significant in determining the cost and benefits of rebuilding New Orleans. First, an estimate of how much money will be required to repair the flood damage from Hurricane Katrina. The second important factor is the estimated Gross Metro Product (GMP) for a newly rebuilt New Orleans. I will base this estimate on  ¾ of New Orleans pre-Katrina population and multiply this number by New Orleans’ 2004 per capita GMP. This is to compensate for the fact that at least in the short run, a rebuilt New Orleans will most likely have a significantly smaller population due to permanent migrations away from the city. How much money will it take to rebuild the city of New Orleans? Congress allocated $62 billion in September 2005 and the House of Representatives approved an additional $20 billion on March 16. Obviously, the Federal Government will provide the bulk of the recovery money for damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. There will be additional state; county and city monies along with private donations that will help rebuild the city of New Orleans. A conservative estimate of the amount required to rebuild New Orleans is $28 billion more than the amount promised by the federal government. So far, $110 billion is the amount needed for rebuilding but this amount does not address the issue of Louisiana’s sinking coast. The city of New Orleans was built on a river delta formed by natural silt deposits from the Mississippi river. After the Great Mississippi floods of 1927, the city of New Orleans surrounded the river with levees to protect the city from future flooding. Hurricane Betsy in 1965 caused a great deal of flooding in New Orleans and the federal government began building more levees to protect the city from a category 3 hurricane. The levees have blocked the natural silt from replenishing the delta, which has caused the coastal wetlands of Louisiana to wash away, and the city of New Orleans to sink deeper below sea level [1]. To combat this degeneration of the coastal wetlands the state and federal government has recently passed a $14 Billion plan to rebuild the wetlands. Many of the levees protecting the city of New Orleans broke during hurricane Ka trina and must be replaced. Recently, the Army Corp of Engineers revised their estimates of how much money it would take to rebuild the levees to federal standards. â€Å"The change followed a surprise announcement from the Army Corps of Engineers that the levee reconstruction project, most recently estimated at $3.5 billion, would now cost $9.5 billion if insurance-certified levees were extended throughout the region.† [2] From the above-mentioned costs, the aggregate total is $134 Billion to rebuild the city of New Orleans. This is a conservative estimate, and others have estimated the costs of rebuilding to be as much as $200 Billion, but I will use $134 Billion as my benchmark in the expected profits equation. The second important estimate to take into consideration is the predicted Gross Metro Product of New Orleans. In 2004, according to the US mayor website, New Orleans Gross Metro Product was $47 Billion dollars for the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The U.S. Bureau defines an MSA as â€Å"that of a core area containing a substantial population nucleus, together with adjacent communities having a high degree of social and economic integration with that core. Metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas comprise one or more entire counties.† Since the core of New Orleans plays such a key role on the communities surrounding it, I will be using the 2004 metropolitan population of 1,363,750 from the Census Bureau County estimates and multiplying it by  ¾ to take into consideration the short term population loss that will take place due to permanent migrations of former New Orleans residents away from the city. I then multiply the derived number 1,022,812 by the 2004 per capita GMP of $35, 606 to give me 36.4 Billion. Expected Profit = (.005 x -134 Billion) + (.995 x 36.4 Billion) = 35. 5 Billion Prob. disaster Cost (Bil) Prob. no disaster GMP (Bil) Profit (Bil) 0.005 -134 0.995 36.4 35.548 0.025 -134 0.975 36.4 32.14 0.045 -134 0.955 36.4 28.732 0.065 -134 0.935 36.4 25.324 0.085 -134 0.915 36.4 21.916 0.105 -134 0.895 36.4 18.508 0.125 -134 0.875 36.4 15.1 0.145 -134 0.855 36.4 11.692 0.165 -134 0.835 36.4 8.284 0.185 -134 0.815 36.4 4.876 0.205 -134 0.795 36.4 1.468 0.225 -134 0.775 36.4 -1.94 0.245 -134 0.755 36.4 -5.348 0.265 -134 0.735 36.4 -8.756 0.285 -134 0.715 36.4 -12.164 0.305 -134 0.695 36.4 -15.572 0.325 -134 0.675 36.4 -18.98 Using the information on hand, the expected profit to rebuild New Orleans is $35.5 Billion, which quantifies the decision to rebuild. However, the spreadsheet above indicates that if the probability of a disaster the size of Katrina ever reached the point where a disaster of the same nature took place once every five years (approx. 21% probability), it would no longer be profitable to rebuild the city of New Orleans. The federal government should watch this statistic very closely. Statistically the chance of a disaster of this magnitude hitting New Orleans within the next 5 years is very slim. However, if it did this could be an economic harbinger for the federal government to close shop on any projects in New Orleans, move historical buildings out of the area and invest any remaining money in either the expansion of Baton Rouge or the movement of New Orleans to a safer area. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina a team of six qualified urban planners were assembled to assess the capacity of the city’s planning function. The American Planning Association assembled this team as part of a request by the New Orleans City Planning Commission in association with the Louisiana Chapter of The American Planning Association. The present plans are for the City of New Orleans to be different in the future. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita changed the landscape and the community forever. Mayor Ray Nagin led the efforts in the establishment of the commission. In fact, Mayor Ray Nagin created The â€Å"Bring New Orleans Back† (BNOB) Commission. The mayor was faced with the monumental task of developing a plan for the city’s rebirth by the end of the year. Mayor Nagin saw fit to engage a panel of civic leaders for the task. While the key members of the BNOB Commission have attempted to explain the full mission and concept of their organization, they have not official revealed their strategic goals, or a comprehensive plan. In a news briefing, Mayor Nagin stated that â€Å"The commission is charged with a fundamental goal to advise, assist, plan and help the city of New Orleans as it makes recommendations for how the city will be rebuild. Additionally, New Orleans Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes stated that â€Å"the commission members represent a cross-section of race, ethnicity, geography, background, expertise and experience†. The primary attr ibute that unites the current members of the BNOB Commission is a commitment to work together for the common good. Archbishop Hughes said that Mayor Nagin gave them a mandate: â€Å"To finalize a master plan, to advise, assist and plan the direct funding of the rebuilding of New Orleans culturally, socially, economically and uniquely for every citizen.† The Commission’s deadline for delivery of the plan was December 31, 2005. The Mayor will present the plan to the City Council for review, refinement and adoption. The commission further divided into seven sub-committees. These sub-committees are chaired by members of the Commission and composed of people from the community. The issues that they will be addressing include urban planning for housing and land use, infrastructure, economic development, education, health and social service, culture and administration and/or government efficiency. Four of the most important sub-committees are: The Education Committee, The Cultural Committee, The Technology Committee and The Government Effectiveness Committee. The Education Committee is responsible for developing a plan to reform and rebuild the educational system in Orleans Parish. The Cultural Committee is developing a plan to repair and rebuild the cultural fabric of New Orleans. Hence, the Cultural Committee’s objective is to establish a sustainable economic environment for the local creative industries by preserving in perpetuity the heritage and vitality that create a unique cultural fiber. The Technology Sub-committee’s goal is to assure an open, inclusive and vibrant business community that will create a livable wage and higher salaried jobs. The Government Effectiveness Committee will recommend changes in local government structure and function that would ensure effective responses to the challenges facing the city post-Katrina. Despite their efforts, it took four months after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans before it unveiled its plan. In this plan, the mayor approved a moratorium on building permits. Most affected by this proposal were lower income areas of New Orleans. Not only did the mayor and the commission impose the moratorium on the poorest of citizens, but it also forced that same region to pass a so called â€Å"critical mass† test if they would have any chance of returning to their property. During this same period, it was incumbent upon the residents to demonstrate with sufficient and substantial evidence that the community could meet the â€Å"critical mass† in their neighborhoods that the population planned to return and rebuild. People from those neighborhoods and communities that failed to obtain the needed numbers to past the â€Å"critical mass† test would be at risk losing their property. The Crescent City Redevelopment Corporation would buy some out and others would be seized through eminent domain. Areas not rebuilt would be returned to wetlands and green space. The Bring New Orleans Back Commission’s mission in part is to develop a master plan for rebuilding the City of New Orleans. The master plan is broad in scope and focuses initially on the displaced citizens of New Orleans. The commission set out to host six town hall meeting to gather displaced citizens of New Orleans input into the rebuilding strategies and to foster constructive participation in the revival of New Orleans. The six meeting will be held in Atlanta, Ga., Houston, Tx., Baton Rouge, La., Memphis, Tn., Dallas, Tx., and Fort Worth, Tx. All of these communities were selected because the relocation areas where the largest portions of New Orleans residents now reside. The Urban Land Institute (ULI) is the agency that stands at the forefront of BNOB Commission. ULI, an international research and education institute dedicated to responsible land use, will assist the commission with its master visioning efforts. The program of work will be carried out through four key activities: 1) the formation of an advisory panel of international and national experts on post-disaster redevelopment and urban regeneration; 2) the development of Ten Principles for Temporary Communities; 3) input from the breadth of ULI’s membership; and 4) coordination with other groups who have dedicated valuable resources to the rebuilding effort. Immediately after inception the ULI presented a proposal to support the commission’s goal to develop a rebuilding vision during the first three months of the entity’s tenure. It is imperative to protect this extraordinarily valuable asset. This statement is on the minds of many of the displaced residents. The BNOB Commission is faced with several essential elements that are crucial to the economic recovery of New Orleans, so much so that it was made a part of the plan to rebuild. The BNOB Commission felt that they must focus on these four areas; Administration of Funds – they feel that with the funds obtained from government agencies and private donors they must maintain sound fiscal management structure to maximize its impact. The administration felt that without sound fiscal management structure many businesses and other industries would break down or not return at all. In this plan, it speaks of the need to be business friendly. Because of the major setback that Katrina imposed, and a significant competitive disadvantage, the administration felt that the city that they must consider adjustments to taxation and regulation accordingly to get the industries and business back and running. The BNOB Commission has developed plans to jumpstart the economy as an immediate acti on that must be taken. Their reasoning behind this move is to get industries operational and returned to steady state business as usual. Other measures include temporary housing, government guaranteed loans and grants, and business incentives are essential, tax-exempt bond financing for rehabilitation of business properties in the disaster zone. The BNOB Commission feels that without the security of the infrastructure investors will lose confidence. Therefore, the infrastructure of the city must be sound for business to flourish. A secure infrastructure would mean, levee system repaired to category III storm protection. The committee’s approach focused on two physical scales and periods simultaneously. City residents of New Orleans denounce the rebuilding plan of the â€Å"Bring New Orleans Back Committee†. Based on the plan more than two third of the poorest and hardest hit communities would not be allowed back to begin rebuilding. In addition, Mayor Nagin im posed a moratorium on the issuance of building permits. The moratorium is expected to last for approximately four months. During the city’s imposed moratorium each affected neighborhoods must demonstrate the existence of sufficient â€Å"critical mass†. The residence must demonstrate this by showing that at least one half or more of the population intend on returning and rebuilding. This is a monumental task that the administration is placing upon the residents on such short notice considering their financial situation. An overwhelming number of the displaced residents feel as if the plan amounts to a calculated scheme to depopulate the low-income parts of New Orleans. They also feel that wealthy investors will, at some point, get an option to purchase the vacant land at very low prices and later make a killing in the real estate market. Moreover, tens of thousands of working class New Orleans residents scattered over the United States think that they will be left out on their own as Mayor Nagin underscores an agreement of the two political parties to tailor the rebuilding effort to the wealthy. The same sentiments were driven home when President Bush visited and underscored his administration’s opposition to boosting the city’s limited resources. The President’s demeanor and comments revealed his true feeling toward the suffering of the poorest residents. The President’s took a 10-minute ride from LAI Airport to a closed-door meeting with business leaders and elected officials in an area showing no signs of hurricane damage. The Bush administration touted support of $3.1 billion in federal funds to repair and reinforce the levees. However, experts estimate that it would cost over $9.5 billion – or more than 3 times what the Bush administration is willing to spend. The organization responsible for the reconstruction of New Orleans, BNOB Commission has several faults, which will ultimately decrease its effectiveness in completing the rebuilding of the city. The primary fault is the fact that the commission did not identify all of the stakeholders, therefore the organizations mission, and strategic goals have not taken into account many of their needs. This will ultimately cause problems as the reconstruction of the city proceeds and conflicts arise. The association of homeowners in the lower 9th ward, who is currently pursuing legal action against the city of New Orleans to prevent their homes from being demolished after failing to show they could achieve â€Å"critical mass† as previously discussed, is having a significant negative impact on reconstruction efforts in the area. There are several reasons that the BNOB Commission has not integrated all of the stakeholders into the overall process of planning the reconstruction. The primary reason is a large portion of the population, particularly in the poorer areas of the city, has not returned to New Orleans. Related to the first reason, the second reason is, some special interest groups appear to be taking advantage of the fact that there are people have not returned to accomplish their goals. Our team is recommending a â€Å"whole scale change† approach to helping the organization to move from its current structure to one that; integrates all key stakeholders’ needs. (The Change Champion’s Field Guide, 5) Ensuring the interests of all key stakeholders are integrated into the Strategy and actions will require the BNOB Commission to create a structure that can identify and integrate conflicting positions among all of the stakeholders to ensure that each contributes to the overall success of the reconstruction program and not just to their own area of interest. In discussing, the actions required by the BNOB Commission we will talk first about the most complicated; integrating all of the stakeholders needs into the process. The primary reason that this is so difficult is, many of the displaced people from the city of New Orleans are scattered across the country and even simple communication with them is challenging. First, there must be a concerted effort to identify and contact those people to determine whether they plan to return to the city. Second, after taking into account their interests (homeowner, business owner, etc.) they should be educated and given the opportunity to align themselves with different representative bodies based on those interests. Only after these groups of stakeholders have been identified and made their interests known can the BNOB Commission truly move forward with confidence that they are operating with the stakeholders interests in mind. Before moving on, a brief mention of the star model of success is important. (The Change Champion’s Field Guide, 9) The BNOB Commission must consider each star point to have a clear understanding of the strategic direction, what work they must do to reach their goals and how they should accomplish that work. Of the five star points one, the resources point, enjoys broad support from the American people and all levels of government from local to federal, so for the purposes of this discussion we will assume that the resources point is â€Å"twinkling†. Two other points, processes and form, as related to the reconstruction effort itself are both somewhat driven by the nature of reconstruction work. We will consider both of these to be sufficient as long is they are both designed to allow the different parts of the organization to efficiently accomplish their goals ensure that each goal supports the achievement of the overall strategic goals. Since we discussed Strate gic Direction earlier, I want to focus now on shared information. Sharing information within an organization so diverse and geographically separated is a significant challenge, but one that must be met if the organization is to reach its goals. Information sharing must be seamless from the onset. Just to get the word out to all of the scattered stakeholders will require extensive use of mass media. After the organization is more firmly established an organizational structure must establish the microcosm(s) using organizational structure to build committees and subcommittees and connecting them through simple effective communications methods. The BNOB Commission must develop systems to ensure continued interaction between committees and subcommittees to maintain focus on the larger â€Å"system†. To summarize, processes, forms and resources will likely not be the major challenges of BNOB Commission. Rather it will be effectively sharing information across diverse groups and over large geographic areas and establishing strategic goals that truly represent the stakeholders in the reconstruction of New Orleans. Both will require organizational leadership that truly has the best interests of the stake holders in mind as well as leaders that are willing to courage to allow all of the voices to be heard. Ultimately, if they fail to capture the true strategic goals of the people who will live in New Orleans after the reconstruction is complete the people will miss an excellent opportunity to reshape their city into something that is more than the sum of its parts. The power of negotiation is vital to the success of BNOB Commission. There will be many different viewpoints from each sub-committee as well as each population group in New Orleans. In order for the Mayor’s plan to come to fruition, there needs to be a consensus to one idea and that idea needs to be effectively coordinated within the committee and the citizens of New Orleans. The structure is already set to perform a strategic negotiations committee. This committee should have a negotiator to represent each subcommittee from the educational, cultural, technology, and government, and other groups. In addition, there needs to be representation from the citizens of New Orleans. This piece of negotiation is the most important, because the displaced citizens are the main effort of this rebuilding process. The negotiations committee works directly for the mayor. Their main goal is to have each committee and group in agreement with one idea that takes into account all of the following: coordination, timeline, and resources/funding. Each group is going to have their own idea of how to accomplish this, so the negotiations committee should put these ideas together into one consolidated plan. Once the mayor approves this plan, the implementation will occur in an efficient manner in which all parties involved are supportive and willing to help in the rebuilding process. The task of negotiations should be handled first within each subcommittee. The subcommittees or groups should come up with one plan in place that includes all of the main elements discussed above. We will presuppose that the Mayor has already sectioned the city of New Orleans in zones and that a substantial population of citizens from each zone is represented in each work group or committee. Once a plan is developed, the negotiator should develop the â€Å"Best Alternative to the Negotiated Agreement† (BATNA) for negotiations with the other committees or groups. After each group has met and formulated a detailed plan, the negotiating committee will meet and present these plans with broad guidelines set by the mayor such as: timeline, budget, and resources. This process will take some time as negotiators will have to go back to their committees repeatedly to develop new BATNAs. The result should be an agreement on one plan composed of all groups in which all broad guidelines are met and mutual gains between the subcommittees are realized. These are the suggested steps for a negotiations committee to take in the planning phase of the rebuilding effort. We believe that once these steps are taken; the implementation phase will run effectively and efficiently. Jerry Sternin describes Positive Deviance as â€Å"based on the belief that in every community there are certain individuals/entities whose special practices or strategies enable them to find a better solution to a pervasive problem than their neighbors who have access to exactly the same resources.† (The Change Champion’s Field Guide, 20) Although Sternin’s focus was individuals, the same principle can be applied to countries. Some countries can develop special practices or strategies that distinguish them from other countries with similar problems. Living below sea level and fighting the water are situations that both the Netherlands and the City of New Orleans faced. However, the Netherlands, the positive deviant learned on earlier in its history the importance of defending its shores from the onslaught of the unpredictable sea. How do we know that the Netherlands is a positive deviant? On January 9-12 2006, five months after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the city of New Orleans. The governor of Louisiana as well as an entourage of state senators toured the modern flood protection system developed in the Netherlands to learn more about effective water control. The education that they received in the Netherlands will hopefully lead to the construction of an effective flood control system set up in the city of New Orleans. The Netherlands learned the hard way the importance of having a competent water control plan in place. In 1953, the Netherlands experienced a flood, which was the worst Dutch disaster in 300 years. â€Å"In February 1953 the Netherlands faced disaster when the dikes protecting the southwest of the country were breached by joint onslaught of a hurricane force northwesterly wind and exceptionally high spring tides†¦resulting in almost 200,000 hectares of land swamped, 3000 homes and 300 farms destroyed and 47,000 heads of cattle drowned.† (The Holland Ring) The disaster was a wake up call for the country and inspired the Delta Project that would one day be considered the most advanced water control system in the world. The significance of the delta project was the fact that it was based on a cost-benefit analysis. â€Å"The required safety level was based on a comparison between the economic damage owing to failure of seawalls and the cost of strengthening the coastal defense works.† (d’Angremond) This detailed analysis meant that much more money was spent on protecting highly populated areas with flood walls that would be exceeded only once every 10,000 years vs less populated areas with dikes that would be exceeded once every 1,250 years. This is a vast contrast to the levees in New Orleans which where built to be exceeded once every 200 years. The Oosterschelde dam is 1.75 miles long and crosses three channels in the Eastern Schelde. The dam is made up of 65 pillars, which can slide 62 iron floodgates in less than an hour during an emergency. This is an example of the ingenious Dutch engineering that has made the Netherlands safe from major flooding in the last fifty years. The Maaslandkering storm surge barrier at Rotterdam is the largest hydraulic project in Netherlands. Almost as long as the Eiffel Tower in Paris and weighs four times as much. If a water level of 3.20 metres above NAP is anticipated for Rotterdam the Storm Surge Barrier in the New Waterway has to be closed. As a group of consultants, we were charged with assisting the Bring Back New Orleans Commission in developing a successful organization. After a cost benefit analysis, which validated the BNOB Commission’s decision to rebuild New Orleans, we explored the current composition and disposition of the BNOB Commission. We discovered that there were some shortcomings in the Commission, which were holding it back from achieving its goals. While our recommendations for change to the organization will assist them in ultimately achieving their goal, we identified that due to the complexity of the organization negation skills and strategies would be crucial to success. Finally, we used the concept of positive deviance to determine that Norway’s complex national flood control system could be a model for the future reconstruction of the city of New Orleans. References [1] Hurricane Preparedness for New Orleans http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/predictions_of_hurricane_risk_for_New_Orleans [2] Levee Repair Costs Triple washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/30/AR2006033001912.htm [3] Sternin, Jerry, The Change Champion’s Field Guide, Practice Publications, 2003 [4] 1953 Flood Disaster: The Dutch Struggle against the water thehollandring.com/1953-ramp.shtml [5] D’ Angremond, Kees: From Disaster to Delta Project: The Storm Flood of 1953. March 2003 [6] Bring New Orleans Back Commission Announced. 5.11.2006. http://new.neworleans.com/index.php?option=com_content task=viewid=83Itemid=37 [7] Bring New Orleans Back. 5.01.2006 bringneworleansback.org/ [8] Bring New Orleans Back Commission to Work with Urban Land Institute on Developing Rebuilding Strategy for the City. 5.01.2006 [9] City residents denounce â€Å"Bring New Orleans Back† rebuilding plan. 05.06.2006. wsws.org/articles/2006/jan2006/newo-j14.shtml Research Papers on Rebuilding New OrleansQuebec and CanadaCanaanite Influence on the Early Israelite Religion19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraThe Project Managment Office SystemDefinition of Export QuotasPETSTEL analysis of IndiaInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesAnalysis of Ebay Expanding into AsiaIncorporating Risk and Uncertainty Factor in CapitalNever Been Kicked Out of a Place This Nice

Linnaean Classification System (Scientific Names)

Linnaean Classification System (Scientific Names) In 1735, Carl Linnaeus published his Systema Naturae, which contained his taxonomy for organizing the natural world. Linneaus proposed three kingdoms, which were divided into classes. From classes, the groups were further divided into orders, families, genera (singular: genus), and species. An additional rank beneath species distinguished between highly similar organisms. While his system of classifying minerals has been discarded, a modified version of the Linnaean classification system is still used to identify and categorize animals and plants. Why Is the Linnaean System Important? The Linnaean system is important because it led to the use of binomial nomenclature to identify each species. Once the system was adopted, scientists could communicate without the use of misleading common names. A human being became a member of Homo sapiens, no matter what language a person spoke. How to Write a Genus Species Name A Linnaean name or scientific name has two parts (i.e., is binomial). First is the genus name, which is capitalized, followed by the species name, which is written in lowercase letters. In print, a genus and species name is italicized. For example, the scientific name for the house cat is Felis catus. After the first use of a full name, the genus name is abbreviated using only the first letter of the genus (e.g., F. catus). Be aware, there are actually two Linnaean names for many organisms. There is the original name given by Linnaeaus and the accepted scientific name (often different). Alternatives to Linnaean Taxonomy While the genus and species names of Linneaus rank-based classification system are used, cladististic systematics is increasingly popular. Cladistics categorizes organisms based on traits that can be traced to the most recent common ancestor. Essentially, its classification based on similar genetics. Original Linnaean Classification System When identifying an object, Linnaeus first looked at whether it was animal, vegetable, or mineral. These three categories were the original domains. Domains were divided into kingdoms, which were broken into phyla (singular: phylum) for animals and divisions for plants and fungi. Phyla or divisions were broken into classes, which in turn were divided into orders, families, genera (singular: genus), and species. Species in v were divided into subspecies. In botany, species were divided into varietas (singular: variety) and forma (singular: form). According to the 1758 version (10th edition) of the Imperium Naturae, the classification system was: Animals Classis 1: Mammalia (mammals)Classis 2: Aves (birds)Classis 3: Amphibia (amphibians)Classis 4: Pisces (fish)Classis 5: Insecta (insects)Classis 6: Vermes (worms) Plants Classis 1. Monandria: flowers with 1 stamenClassis 2. Diandria: flowers with 2 stamensClassis 3. Triandria: flowers with 3 stamensClassis 4. Tetrandria: flowers with 4 stamensClassis 5. Pentandria: flowers with 5 stamensClassis 6. Hexandria: flowers with 6 stamensClassis 7. Heptandria: flowers with 7 stamensClassis 8. Octandria: flowers with 8 stamensClassis 9. Enneandria: flowers with 9 stamensClassis 10. Decandria: flowers with 10 stamensClassis 11. Dodecandria: flowers with 12 stamensClassis 12. Icosandria: flowers with 20 (or more) stamensClassis 13. Polyandria: flowers with many stamensClassis 14. Didynamia: flowers with 4 stamens, 2 long and 2 shortClassis 15. Tetradynamia: flowers with 6 stamens, 4 long and 2 shortClassis 16. Monadelphia; flowers with the anthers separate, but the filaments united at the baseClassis 17. Diadelphia; flowers with the stamens united in two groupsClassis 18. Polyadelphia; flowers with the stamens united in several groupsClassis 19. Syngenesia; flo wers with 5 stamens having anthers united at the edges Classis 20. Gynandria; flowers having stamens united to the pistilsClassis 21. Monoecia: monoecious plantsClassis 22. Dioecia: dioecious plantsClassis 23. Polygamia: polygamodioecious plantsClassis 24. Cryptogamia: organisms that resemble plants but dont have flowers, which included fungi, algae, ferns, and bryophytes Minerals Classis 1. Petrà ¦ (rocks)Classis 2. Minerà ¦ (minerals)Classis 3. Fossilia (fossils)Classis 4. Vitamentra (possibly meant minerals with nutritional value or some vital essence) The mineral taxonomy is no longer in use. The ranking for plants has changed, since Linnaeus based his classes on the number of stamens and pistils of a plant. The animal classification is similar to the one in use today. For example, the modern scientific classification of the house cat is kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Mammalia, order Carnivora, family Felidae, subfamily Felinae, genus Felis, species catus. Fun Fact About the Taxonomy Many people assume Linnaeus invented ranking taxonomy. In actuality, the Linnaean system is simply his version of ordering. The system actually dates back to Plato and Aristotle. Reference Linnaeus, C. (1753). Species Plantarum. Stockholm: Laurentii Salvii. Retrieved 18 April 2015.

War trauma and masculinity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

War trauma and masculinity - Essay Example These two changes are extremely ambivalent and are determined by the personal qualities and conditions the person faces. First of all, in order to understand masculinity as a phenomenon, it is important to study its definition. Maculinity is a specific gender identification, related to stress, independence and self-management. "Like femininity, masculinity operates politically at different levels. At one level, it is a form of identity, a means of self-understanding that structures personal attitudes and behaviours" (Leach, 1994,p.36). Another level is associated with seeing masculinity as a form of ideology, in which "it presents a set of cultural ideals that define appropriate roles, values and expectations for and of men" (ibid, p.36). It is important to note that masculinity is not 'natural', as it can be developed (or, conversely, destroyed) throughout the life course as a response to certain social expectations. It can be viewed as cultural interpretation of maleness, developed and maintained by participating social relationships. The sociocultural nature of masculinity is shaped by values, beli eves, and, naturally, requirements, dictated by the epoch. For instance, Spiegelman and Hemingway's time is characterized by the belief that man is a breadwinner, problem-solver, or more specifically, autonomous, strong and independent person, who is capable of defending his motherland from invaders. Furthermore, this definition of masculinity is basic for the present paper, as it is the starting point of the whole analysis.In 'Soldier's home' Hemingway depicts a personality, torn in two by controversial attitudes towards his home, where he's just returned. In spite of Harold Krebs's parents comfortable middle-class life, he experiences a sense of homelessness, of quilt and despair, because of having experienced his close friends' death' and all the problems related to war. First of all, it is important to note that Hemingway doesn't reveal why Harold has been wandering for many years before he comes back (about ten years, in fact), so this time probably has been devoted to searchin g for a new home and re-thinking his own life. By that time "all the other former soldiers have found a niche for themselves in the community" (Imamura, 1996, p.102), but Krebs needs some more time to get accustomed to new conditions; he plays pool, "practiced on his clarinet, strolled down town, read, and went to bed" (Hemingway, 1995, p.146). "What he is doing, of course, is killing time" (Imamura, 1996, p.103).The problem is associated with Harold's understanding of who has become. He realizes he has been altered by the circumstances, and this alteration becomes much more dramatic, once he sees that his town has remained almost the same comparing to the period when he graduated from higher school: the same streets and the same girls walking down the streets, the same parking place for his father's car (Hemingway, 1995). In fact, these changes in his own outlook can be explained by his pre-war and war experiences.Before the World War I, as Hemingway narrates us, Harold studied at a Methodist school, an educational

E-Learning in Pharmaceutical Industry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

E-Learning in Pharmaceutical Industry - Essay Example There are three major forms of e-learning, which include computer-based learning, internet-based learning, and virtual learning environments. In this paper, we will discuss the role of virtual learning environments in enhancing pharmaceutical students’ knowledge. A slight overview of the effectiveness of web-based learning will also be included in the paper. In the present world, online learning is getting more and more famous because it is proving very beneficial for the students. "E-learning with its more active and interesting opportunities is gradually replacing the traditional form of teaching† (Roy). It not only helps pharmaceutical students manage their study schedule in accordance with other commitments of life but also provides a good overview of the market, which they need to serve. â€Å"E-learning is one way of helping to change the sales force’s perception of the market† (â€Å"E-Learning†). The pharmaceutical industry of any specific co untry has a well-established practice of providing effective training to the pharmaceutical students, medical representatives, and pharmacists. However, trainers related to this field cannot provide regular attention to every sales person properly in the field. â€Å"Much more personal support can be provided with a well structured e-learning programme as long as there is an effective tracking system in place† (â€Å"E-Learning†). Distinguishing Features of Online Learning Environment â€Å"E-learning is undoubtedly a more flexible way of learning† (Roy). Online learning environments provide an interactive way of learning to the students in which teachers and students can interact with each other without physical presence. Online quizzes, assignments, and threaded discussion boards are some of those features, which distinguish online learning environments from traditional learning environments. Discussion boards not only enable communication between students and teachers but also provide a way to the students to interact with other students enrolled in the course. Some online institutes make use of graded discussion boards to measure knowledge of the students. In graded discussion boards, teachers ask the students to write short paragraphs on the topics provided by them. Students need to have awareness of the ways to use internet and other modes of communication not only to participate properly in general and graded discussion boards but also to complete their quizzes and assignments within time. Ways to be Successful in Online Learning Environments â€Å"Although the online education is a popular option among the students, not all students suit the education style in online setting† (Harvard). The reason is that some students do not know the basics of learning in such environments. Some students do not have the required skills whereas some students do not have proper facilities to study in such environments. To be successful in onl ine learning environments, students need to possess some key skills and abilities. There exist a number of strategies for the students to do well in online learning environments. Some of the main techniques include development of proper study schedule, written communication skills, and web navigation skills. All of these skills play a very important role in making students adapted to the online learning environments. Let us discuss these skills in some detail in order to know how these skills can help students of pharmacy learn

Executive Summaries Essay Example for Free

Executive Summaries Essay The executive summary is usually no longer than 10% of the original document. It can be anywhere from 1-10 pages long, depending on the reports length. Executive summaries are written literally for an executive who most likely DOES NOT have the time to read the original. †¢Executive summaries make a recommendation †¢Accuracy is essential because decisions will be made based on your summary by people who have not read the original †¢Executive summaries frequently summarize more than one document Types of Summaries Summaries written in order to recommend a specific course of action are executive summaries. Summaries that highlight the major points of a long piece are called abstracts. The purpose of an abstract is to allow readers to decide whether or not they want to read the longer text. View our Writing Guide about Abstracts Standard summary only refers to a summary of someone elses published work and is written for a variety of purposes. View our Writing Guide about Standard Summaries Processes for Writing an Executive Summary Executive summaries are typically written for longer reports. They should not be written until after your report is finished. Before writing your summary, try: †¢Summarizing the major sections of your report. You might even copy text from your report into the summary and then edit it down. †¢Talking aloud or even tape recording yourself summarizing sections of your report. Questions to Ask Yourself as You Write †¢What is your report about? †¢Why is it important? †¢What is included in the report? †¢What is included in each section? Concise Statement As a cover sheet to your document, an executive summary need not go into ANY mention of how you conducted your analysis and/or what youre basing your conclusion on. Instead, begin with a concise statement of the conclusion you reached after conducting your analysis and/or research is the paper that will be attached. For example, after a comparison of what other schools like CSU do about personal calls for faculty, you conclude that the CSU is charging for calls most other institutions do not. How you word the conclusion will differ depending on your audience and what they care most about. The following examples illustrate how the wording must change given an audiences needs. Example One Colorado State should discontinue the practice of charging faculty for personal calls. This is a good example if the people you work for are only interested in this issue. It begins with a summary of conclusions regarding only the CSU population. Example Two Because I have found that over 75% of comparable institutions do not charge for personal calls, I have concluded that our faculty is justified in objecting to this practice which should be seen as a perk for our faculty. This sentence provides unnecessary information about other institutions and/or why the faculty think they deserve to have these calls paid for. Your readers can get that information from the report. Further, the use of I is unnecessary since your readers already know who wrote the report. Writing Recommendations After beginning with a summary statement of your findings, the executive summary should go on to provide a specific recommendation for action geared toward your audience. For example, the report on charging for personal calls was requested by the presidents office, not the individual departments and colleges who actually determine policy. As a result, the recommendation for action is geared toward what the presidents office should do, not the other departments involved. To learn more about writing recommendations: After summarizing the entire article and/or research report(s), an executive  summary ends with a one or two line recommendation for action. Simple Formula Executive summaries frequently make use of transitional phrases to encapsulate the preceding information in the same sentence as the recommendation. The format can almost be envisioned as a formula: [transitional word] + [concise statement of information provided in summary], I recommend that [corporation, office, person in question] do [recommendations]. More Complex Recommendations In other cases, the recommendation might be complicated enough to justify a summary of causes for the recommendation. In this case, the recommendation paragraph usually begins with a summary of how the writer reached the recommendation. Example Susies Cookies began as a small business in Cleveland, Ohio which has expanded to include 45 stores throughout the Midwest. Plans have already been instituted to expand sales nationwide, using the same mall-concept marketing strategy which has proven successful in the Midwest. Despite these plans, Susies Cookies may be in danger of bankruptcy. Susies quadrupled its sales in the last two quarters, realizing a profit of $750,000 in the current year, an increase of $250,000 over the previous year, due to its increase in advertising. To realize equivalent sale figures nationwide, however, it is projected that advertising costs will increase by 200% for the first two years of the national expansions. Further, construction costs for the new stores are estimated to be 20 million dollars. The result of increased advertising and construction costs will put a substantial debt burden on Susies cookies, an estimated $750,00 to 1 million a year. Given that sales did not reach current levels in the Midwest until the 45 stores had been operating for five years, projected sales nationally will not cover expansion costs. As a result, Susies Cookies is likely to show a loss of almost $2 million for at least the next five years. Due to the high advertisement and development costs of national expansion. Susies Cookies may not be able to continue doing business in the future. Therefore, I recommend that Mrs. Fields does not participate in the hostile takeover  under consideration because the threat of competition will not be realized. Justification Finally, an executive summary provides an analysis and/or justification for the proposed action in terms the audience will consider important. In many cases, this might involve a monetary analysis as in the example to the right, but actions can be justified many ways, depending on the concerns of the audience and the topic of the report (e.g. for CSU these might include increase in student learning, better relationship with the community, etc.). justification for the recommendation by referring to information summarized. A recommendationà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s justification is usually based on a reference to material already provided in the summary. In other cases, the justification for the recommendation might be complicated enough to justify a summary of causes for the justification. In this case, the recommendation paragraph usually begins with a summary of how the writer reached the conclusion that leads to the justification. Example Justification Based on the current number and length of long-distance personal calls by faculty, such a proposal would cost the university $150,000 annually. In comparison to the overall budget, this is a small amount, but one which might pay for itself in terms of faculty satisfaction and possible recruitment benefits. Example Susies Cookies began as a small business in Cleveland, Ohio which has expanded to include 45 stores throughout the Midwest. Plans have already been instituted to expand sales nationwide, using the same mall-concept marketing strategy which has proven successful in the Midwest. Despite these plans, Susies Cookies may be in danger of bankruptcy. Susies quadrupled its sales in the last two quarters, realizing a profit of $750,000 in the current year, an increase of $250,000 over the previous year, due to its increase in advertising. To realize equivalent sale figures nationwide, however, it is projected that advertising costs will increase by 200% for the first two years of the national expansions. Further, construction costs for the new stores are estimated to be 20 million dollars. The result of increased advertising and construction costs will put a substantial debt  burden on Susies cookies, an estimated $750,00 to 1 million a year. Given that sales did not reach current levels in the Midwest until the 45 stores had been operating for five years, projected sales nationally will not cover expansion costs. As a result, Susies Cookies is likely to show a loss of almost $2 million for at least the next five years. Due to the high advertisement and development costs of national expansion. Susies Cookies may not be able to continue doing business in the future. Therefore, I recommend that Mrs. Fields does not participate in the hostile takeover under consideration because the threat of competition will not be realized. Example Executive Summary The Mountain Resort charges below average rental rates. (concise statement of findings) The attached report recommends a 20% increase in price for the following equipment: 1. downhill skis, 2. telemark skis, 3. boots/shoes for downhill, telemark, and cross-country skis. (specific recommendation for action) Based on average rental business for 1992-1995, these increases would generate an annual rental profit for Mountainview of $750,000. This figure represents an overall gain of $150,000 over current rental profits.(justification for proposed action) Additional Resources Other Writing Guides are available to help you write executive summaries. Choose any of the following for more information: †¢Purpose †¢Audience †¢Organization

Alzheimer’s Disease Essay -- Alzheimers Disease Essays

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder, meaning it attacks the neurons within the brain. Neurons are the areas of the brain that allow for chemical messages, or neurotransmitters, to be transmitted. These neurons are necessary for connections with other nerve cells, and without them, the neuronS ultimately die. Alzheimer’s is a form of, and the most common cause of, dementia, or loss of intellectual capacity and personality. ("Dementia.") Alzheimer’s disease, or AD, is not a normal part of aging, although risk of developing the illness increases with age. The onset behavior of the disease normally doesn’t appear until age sixty and older. Though symptoms that appear before age sixty have occurred, it is less common and tends to run in families; these early onset also tend to progress more rapidly. (â€Å"Alzheimer’s Disease†) AD is one of the top ten most leading causes of death in America. In fact, estimates say that as many as 5.1 million people in the U.S. may have Alzheimer’s; that number steadily increasing with the growing elderly population. (â€Å"About Alzheimer’s†) In the last forty years, AD has become a prevalent topic amongst the medical and non-medical communities affecting lives and families; giving us motive for further our understanding of the brain. Alzheimer’s disease has been known since the turn of the century but was not a prevalent concern until the 1970s. In 1907, Alois Alzheimer, a German physician, documented a case of a fifty-one-year-old woman who was suffering from severe cognitive disabilities. She exhibited difficulties in areas such as memory, language, and social interactions. (Reger 1) After death, Alzheimer performed a brain autopsy using silver staining techniques. This allowed him to ... ...int. â€Å"Dementia.† Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 02 May. 2015. Reger, Beth. "Alzheimer's Disease: A Brief History and Avenues for Current Research." Journal of Young Investigators: Undergraduate, Peer-Reviewed Science Journal 6.2 (2002): 1-3. Web. 29 Apr. 2015. Robinson, Lawrence, Joanna Saisan, and Jeanne Segal. "Alzheimer’s Disease: Signs, Symptoms, and Stages of Alzheimer’s." Helpguide.org: Expert, Ad-free Articles Help Empower You with Knowledge, Support & Hope. HelpGuide, Mar. 2011. Web. 29 Apr. 2015. "Studies Demonstrate Link Among Alzheimer's Disease, Down Syndrome and Atherosclerosis." ScienceDaily, 15 Jan. 2010. Web. 3 May 2015. Wattamwar, Pandurang, and P. Mathuranath. â€Å"An Overview of Biomarkers in Alzheimer’s Disease.† Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology 13.6 (2010): 116. ProQuest Research Library. Web. 12 April 2015.

Frank Norris’ work “Vandover and the Brute” Essay

The development of sexuality in Frank Norris’ work â€Å"Vandover and the Brute† is an interesting reflection of the Puritanical views that Americans have towards sexuality, promiscuity and the consequences thereof. The importance of this book is that it openly examined this value system in 1914, a time when Vandover’s behavior, even without the lycanthropy, was considered brutish and improper. Yet the American environment was in the midst of the first â€Å"sexual† revolution as many young women of the 1920s would don clothing that revealed their flesh and boyish haircuts for the â€Å"Roaring Twenties†. Again in the 1960s, the next major era of women’s rights movements, sexuality would be tied to freedom and women would equate burning their bras and free love with freedom and independence. This book then is a look at how a young man might acquire the values of the community around him without ever being taught directly that sex is dirty and that women are somehow degraded when they participate in it. The interesting thing about Norris’ work, which was published after his death, is that Vandover managed to acquire these misguided notions of sexuality on his own. In the first chapter, the author points out that during his adolescent years Vandover’s only female contact was with the housekeeper with whom he was constantly at odds. In addition, because his father would not discuss sexuality with him, he was forced to turn to an Encyclopedia Britannica to answers his questions about women and sex. He was subjected to the crude jokes and unconscious sexual immaturity of boys going through puberty, but without a mother, governess or other strong feminine influence to teach him right from wrong. Indeed, if one assumes that the author was in fact trying to make a statement about society rather than just tell a story about a maladjusted young man in the late 19th century, it becomes clear from the very first chapters that one of Norris’ indictments is against Vandover’s father and his unwillingness to talk to his son about the facts of life. In dead, one of the underlying themes through the entire work is the idea that people only hint at their feelings and do not openly discuss the sexual nature of humanity even though it is a significant portion of their lives. One of the most interesting facets of this book is the discussion of Vandover’s first sexual encounter and his embarrassment and guilt over it. If the situation had perhaps been handled with some amount of discussion, it might have prevented the events that would later occur, including Vandover’s seduction of a â€Å"good girl†, her subsequent suicide, and his eventuality degradation to gambling and alcoholism. The author’s message that society needs to quit hiding its own nature and covering for the high class when they engage in reckless behavior is evident mid-book when Haight explains to Vandover that several of the young, classy women at a cotillion were drunk. Haight tells his friends that society should call a spade a spade and that when women of class drink too much they should be considered drunk as much as any man. This dual criticism of the means by which people receive a sexual education and the double-standards applied to men and women is perhaps the most interesting passage in the book. Another interesting idea that Norris sets forth through the theme of the book and the story itself is that Vandover’s sexuality and promisecuity are to blame for the turn of events for him, including the loss of his family fortune and his new role as a werewolf. Interestingly, rather than approaching the concept that Vandover’s situation might be a result of his addictive behavior including his sexually predatory nature, his alcoholism and his gambling addiction, the reader is left with the idea that the bad things which happen to him are consequences of his sexuality alone. Though Norris portrays Vandover throughout the novel as a weak-willed individual who is too lazy to work hard and get what he wants out of life, everything in his life is blamed on his sexuality and his desire for women of a certain type. The fact that Vandover does not settle down with a fine, upstanding woman, regardless of his feelings for her is seen as an affront to society as a whole. The most important messages about sexuality that are relayed via â€Å"Vandover and The Brute† are the concepts that sexuality exists as it does because people don’t talk about it and that there are consequences for sexual behavior. The first concept is perhaps the most intriguing because it still applies now, almost 100 years later. Though we do not have the same level of closed-mouth attitudes toward sex as Vandover encountered, it is not uncommon even in the modern day to find parents of high school students who do not want their children exposed to sex education for fear that the education will lead to promiscuity. Instead of teaching real information regarding the dangers, both physical and emotional, of beginning a sexual relationship at the wrong time, too many parents concentrate on the Puritanical approach to sex education, associating it with guilt and sin. Young people are not properly educated regarding the safety issues of sex and sexually transmitted diseases continue at epidemic levels when they could be prevented with adequate discussion of the topic. Ironically, as we approach the 100-year mark for the publication, Norris’ primary criticism of the teaching of sexuality still stands today.

On the Roles of Microfinance in Developing Countries

Much of the underdeveloped world grows and produces agricultural products. Because many of these underdeveloped nations have very little political clout with the rest of the world, and because farmers in wealthy nations have lots of political power, the goods from these poorer nations are tariffed and quota'd right out of the richer nation's markets. † -Keith Brown, Free Trade & Foreign Policy: The Independent Institute, May 1, 2000 IntroductionThe quote above provides a very nice generalization of exactly what we will discover in this chapter: the roles of microfinance in promoting economic growth, development, and sustainability. Microfinance can provide exactly what most of the underdeveloped world needs: capital to invest in themselves in order to reach themselves out of poverty, thus creating self sufficiency. However, as Mr. Brown stated, what microfinance has failed to do (albeit it was not designed to do) is make these poorer farmers globally competitive.They cannot be competitive due to larger ountries' inability to make the free market free for all nations, not Just those who control most of it. However, even without making major strides on the global market, microfinance has done most of exactly what it was designed to do. It has brought most of its participants out of a fruitless future, one full of deabilitating poverty. There are many statistics out on the books about microfinance's effect on the poor of the world. Throughout the chapter, we will go into further detail on how these statistics reflect the exact influence of microfinance on the world, poor and middle class.The statistics will reflect exactly what has been stated in past chapters: microfinance works. It isn't the end-all, be-all solution to the world's poverty, but it is a solid start to eradicate it. Another topic we will cover in detail is the paradox between economic growth and sustainability, and whether or not they are mutually exclusive. An article, brilliantly written by Dr. Karen Higgins of Claremont Graduate University in California suggests that â€Å"limitless economic growth counters sustainability'. If the economy grows too big, will we end up exhausting our resources, thus actually making the economy more hort lived?Furthermore, we will go in depth on the effects of microfinance on the world, and more specifically, developed and developing nations. There is a plethora of information on what impact microfinance has on the world, mostly in the form of a poor farmer receiving a loan to buy supplies in order to make more product, so that the farmer's family can actually live on as well as sell their stock. However, there are also stories in which an especially lucky person receives a loan, invests in a good product or business, and actually goes from abject poverty to middle class.Such As you read, keep in mind that, as stated earlier, microfinance will not solve poverty and all its ills. Whether you are a passionate skeptic or supporter of it after reading this book, know that there are many more obstacles in the way of a poverty free world, those obstacles including political corruption, power inequalities on a global scale, climate change, war and conflict, disease, education, and availability of resources. By no means does microfinance seek to save the world.It does not mean to take the place of charity and giving, nor does it mean to take the place of hard work and perseverance. However, it does hope to make it easier for those who struggle amidst hard work, perseverance, and charity. It means to give every child a chance to live and be educated. In a world where nanotechnology and outer space travel are taken for granted, why does three quarters of the world still live on less than a dollar day? While we know that there are many answers to that question, we also know for a fact that microfinance can solve some of those problems.What is Economic Growth, Development, and Sustainability? According to the Center for the Advancement of the Steady State Economy (CASSE), economic growth is defined as: â€Å"†¦. n increase in the production and consumption of goods and services. It entails increasing population and/or per capita consumption. It is indicated by increasing gross domestic product (GDP). † It goes on to say that â€Å"economic growth literally refers to an economy that is getting bigger, not necessarily one that is getting better†. According to BusinessDictionary. om, economic development is defined as progress in the economy, or a qualitative measure relating to it. It usually refers to the adoption of new technologies, the transition of agriculture-based to industry-based economy, and a general improvement in living tandards Finally, according to Wise Geek, economic sustainability is â€Å"the term used to identify various strategies that make it possible to use available resources to their best advantage†. So what do those definitions mean when we apply microf inance to them?Simply put, microfinance can be attributed to all three of these things. As has been proved since microfinance first stepped onto the economic scene, microfinance can cause economic growth in the simple fact that once a poor family receives a microloan, they can use it to invest in themselves or their children, thus making it possible for them o repay the loan, and in due time (in most cases) make a profit that will allow them to expand their propensity to consume. In terms of economic development, microfinance has also changed the face of businesses, small and large.Poor farmers in the third world can receive a microloan, and go from having to perform backbreaking labor to purchasing a machine to help them do it. Finally, as for economic sustainability, microfinance can assure that stocks are not going to waste, and in the case of poor farmers, they can actually sell their crops, instead of having to eat them to stay alive. Economic Growth, Development, & Sustainabil ity As much as we would all love a straight answer to the question that is poverty and scarce resources, we all are aware that such a big problem is rooted in more than one thing.However, we all know that complex problems also have complex solutions. Microfinance is one thing that contributes to economic growth, but sometimes, its effect can be negated and bolstered by factors out of the control of those who run microfinance firms. Gender and Sex Inequalities Women in America are considered to be independent. Most women work, have their own property, and in some cases, even are the heads of their households. The same goes for most of the developed world. The problem here is that in developing nations, women are still, with little hope of the contrary, subjugated to men.Women in developing nations have nowhere near the rights as their developed nation counterparts do. In most Middle Eastern countries, women are still expected to wear veils over their faces, in accordance with the Mus lim religion. Furthermore, they are also expected not to work, but to bear children and take care of home. In short, most of the world still has a very traditionalist point of view. This being said, when a oman's husband dies, or leaves her, what is she to do other than to starve? Her children come first, but she barely has enough to feed the eight of them that her husband gave her before his passing.Microfinance has helped women gain more equality to their husbands and to men in general, but the fact of the matter that only when these restricting views are abolished will the chains of poverty start to come off. Once women are allowed to make their own money, they will be able to feed their children, saving the from malnutrition. They will be able to pay for their education, thus setting the children up to make something of themselves. Once women become independent, no longer will they not be able to live with a man by their side.They will be able, all things considered, to sustain their standard of living without falling into the traps of poverty. Power Trip: Political Corruption This mainly pertains to Africa and it's long, dark history of warring nations. Ever since time began, tribes have been fighting in Africa over land, resources, and money, which could all be considered the same thing. While the heads of these tribes and regimes are eating plentifully, their followers still live in abject poverty, and are food insecure. Also, they are dying at an alarming rate. Yes, that's right.In some African nations, men, women, and children are brutally murdered in the name of politics and power. The shameful part is that microfinance can't stop a bullet. So how exactly do we counteract the chains of political corruption? A microloan may help a child get an education, but it means nothing if we cannot motivate them to do greater things. Just think about all of the potential Albert Einsteins, Barack Obamas, and Marie Curies out there, growing up in Africa. Now think about the fact that they were either too scared of the politics of government or killed too early to ven try and show off their potential.A main stay of the microfinance movement as well as economic development is to need to make their living situation better. What purpose do American doctors serve coming to Africa if the children they are healing never get the chance to be great like them? What purpose does a microloan serve when it pays for a child's education that will only end up dying at the age of 1 5 from a gunshot wound? These are the questions that skeptics of microfinance need to ask themselves. Without the proper learning environment, or the proper environment in general, a child cannot be uccessful by conventional means.That goes double for a child whose parents never had an education either. A Deadly Detriment to Economic Growth: Disease Yes, a few dollars can get you that cough medicine that you need to get rid of that dastardly common cold. A few more dollars, and yo u can get the vaccine for the flu. A doctor's visit is rarely too costly, but Just in case you're running a really high fever, a call to your insurance company can get you to the nearest hospital, where you can get quality care by trained doctors that rarely have too many patients that they can't attend to your needs. Such is the luxury of living in the developed world.At least for the lucky ones. However, if you're that special person who has to choose between your medicine or paying for college tuition, then this may mean something to you. A huge number of the Juvenile deaths in developing nations comes from disease, whether it be HIV, AIDS, malaria, malnutrition, birth defects, or even cancer. What's worse is that in most of these developing nations, they dont have the luxury to pay for, not to mention the convenience of even being close to a research hospital. Consequently, we are presented with the same problem I mentioned before.Children, full of potential and intelligence, de ad before their time. Microfinance can only do so much, but it can cause a domino effect. Say you aren't in reach of a hospital as a poor family in West Africa. You apply for a microloan, and invest in your children's education as well as your farm. In time, your children go from becoming potential HIV infected children to being able to work on a cure for it. Of course, that's an idealist's situation, but also a completely possible one. The point here is that disease, although completely natural, is responsible for much of the turmoil we see in the developing world.However, food inequality is a big part of this. Most people don't realize how countries like the United States suffer from obesity and heart disease while countries like Indonesia suffer from malnourishment and starvation, which leads into the next detriment from economic growth, development, and sustainability. Nominal FMF: Free Market Freedom Ever since the introduction of the free enterprise system, especially on a glo bal scale, the intelligent, innovative, and witty people of the world have amassed fortunes beyond the wildest dreams of even their middle class counterparts in the developed world.They have had the opportunity to be themselves and create something that will ultimately better the world, and make a decent fortune at the same time, with certain government regulations, but not too many as to limit creativity. Such is the same in all the developed world. People have made fortunes from Steve Jobses, Bill Gateses, or Mark Zuckerbergs come from the developing world. The answer to that dilemma is quite simple, and it was the first thing you read. Most businesses in the developing world are agriculture based instead of industry based.However, that is all that they have in terms of business. They grow food, and their economy depends on selling the food to prosper. The cruel irony is that they have been unceremoniously taken out of the free market economy to sell their goods to richer nations. Tariffs and quotas have done their Job well, making selling goods on the world market a process that makes pulling teeth look like the easiest thing in the world. The free market has been that way in name only. The reality is that only those who control most of the free market are actually free in it.Just think if an African country like Sierra Leone traded frequently with the I-JK? Sierra Leoneans would have more money than they could spend on a regular basis. However, the I-JK has so many trade barriers set up that Sierra Loeneans cannot afford to trade with them, thus forcing them to trade locally, and limiting their earning potential. Why would the US and their allies do something like this? Most sources say security. Trading with African nations, especially in the midst of political turmoil could lead to another world war.Also, African nations are not exactly household names. For example, you will usually buy a purse made of Italian leather instead of leather made in South Afr ica. The biggest motive is money, but what richer nations dont realize is that trading with African nations can actually alleviate some of the problems that they face. When you have an abundance of land and resources, you no longer have a need to fght, and conflicts can be solved diplomatically, more or less. Microfinance can't sway the decision of a country that has been doing something a certain way for over a century.But what it can do is provide a developing country with not only the money to be able to afford to trade, but the power to take control of their own lives, instead of being pushed back and forth into poverty based on the ecisions of a few, powerful nations. It All Starts Here: Education and Microfinance If you are reading this book, then you already know the value of a quality education. You know for a fact that without one, you can be stuck in a situation with no hope of getting out of it. Education, or better yet, and abundance of it, can only add to our economy.Un fortunately, not everyone has access to the same quality education. Even in developed nations, we can see that certain nations have an edge over others, and thus the more educated you are, the better standard of living you can enjoy. Take America, for example. A high school diploma is much more education than you can get in a developing nation, but in America, the mean salary for a high school graduate only is 38% less than the mean salary for a college graduate, from a study done by the Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics.Accordingly, based on a study done by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there was an unemployment rate of 14. 4% among those with only a high school diploma. Among those with a college a degree, the unemployment rate was 7. 6%. The irony is that Sweden, and Japan in terms of education, and accordingly, we have a lower standard f living. The lower you go down the ladder, the worse the standard of living gets. Let's take a country lik e Ethiopia.Ethiopia is a third world country on the east coast of Africa, and it is needless to say that they are in need of a better educational system, but for the sake of proof, here are some facts. In the years 2007-2011, a study from UNICEF showed that 82. 5% of Ethiopian children who were of age attended primary school. In those same years, the same study showed only 16% of Ethiopian children of age attended secondary school. Translation: only 16% of Ethiopian children went past the sixth grade. The previous section was aimed at what we need to get rid of in order to promote economic growth, development, and sustainability.Now we focus on what drives those things. Education is the only one worth noting, because the others are only possible when things like disease and political corruption and nominal freedom are no more. While it is not equal among nations, it is to be noted that educational competition sparked outer space travel, one of man's greatest innovations, back when t he United Stated and the former USSR were in competition. Maybe that same fire with education will spark a race to end poverty once and for all.

buy custom Strategies to Curb Domestic Violence in New York essay

buy custom Strategies to Curb Domestic Violence in New York essay For a long period of time, domestic violence has been the most unreported crime. It includes an individual or group saying hurtful or debasing words hitting, seizing a person, lashing, sexual assault, chocking or even murdering. It involves majorly cohabiting or married couple but sometimes extends the other members of the household. New York has set some strategies to fight domestic violence as discussed in the next paragraphs. The state has acknowledged domestic violence as one of the greatest problems. This helps in fighting by applying to the efforts to estimate the situation. The establishment of New York City Anti-Violence Project is an evidence of this recognition. This project has proposed various strategies through reports adopted not only in New York but by the United Nations, as well. This encourages those who experience violence to contact anti-violence programs for support and to document the form of violence to avoid future repeat. It has taken joint anti-violence actions in the social media to steer the fight. It has also encouraged national advocacy, technical and financial support aiding the fight of domestic violence. There are many shelters for abused women that provide more services such as the Sandgate Womens Shelter of Georgina and Yellow Brick House. These non-profit organizations provide services to help victims of the domestic violence abuse and empower them thereby aiding in the control and protection. Access to these shelters is through contacting the agents by the provided New York City hotline at 800-621-HOPE (4673). The victims are advised to take important documents with them on their departure, include those who have applied or are receiving public assistance. In case, the domestic violence shelter is full, the victims are helped to acquire a safety plan. The services are offered at a sliding fee scale. There are times that the waiting list is long, but the shelters keep in contact so that offer assistance collaboratively. There are various resources available to help in situations of violence. These include the emergency and homeless shelter, NYS domestic violence hotlines, the legal systems, computing resources, public libraries, help families, New York department of Health assistance, social security and financial assistance programs. They provide information on how to know that you are in a violence state, when, where and how to act. The state has provided information guides (both online and print versions) to develop awareness and extend the knowledge of the forms of domestic violence. The office for the prevention of domestic violence provides more links to useful resources. Buy custom Strategies to Curb Domestic Violence in New York essay

Asian Tourism Comparison And Effect On Economic Growth Tourism Essay

Asian Tourism Comparison And Effect On Economic Growth Tourism Essay Tourism is one of key industry in the development of some countries in Asia. Malaysia, itself depend on tourism in its nation growth. In Asia, country like Malaysia has benefited a lot from the development of its tourism industry. The developments of tourism in Asia are differing amongst countries. Natural disaster such as air pollution, floods and earthquake will bring an effect on the tourism industry in Asia. There has been previous research regarding to tourism which study the relationship between natural disaster and tourism. In the year of 2010, hazardous flooding in Pakistan has influence its economy growth. Decision-making by tourists on travel plan is influenced by economic, technological, international or political, sociocultural and environmental factors including those directly related to environmental and natural hazards ( Mathieson and Wall, 1993). According to Sinclair and Stabler (1997), the range of goods and services encompassing tourism include natural resources a nd especially the non-price feature and the positive benefits derived from attractive environment and the negative effect of pollution. Sinclair and Stabler noted that the perceived cost of travel increases by the realization of natural disaster has effect tourism at all. The research by Campos, (1999) stated that there was relationship between tropical cyclone (natural disaster) and the income of hotels (tourism industry), meanwhile Chang (1983) found that hurricane and other natural disaster can decreases revenues to a municipality through reduce tourism revenues, although the increases assistant by Federal Government to the effect area. Comparison and effect of tourism in Asia on the development of economy can be discussed specifically by making comparison between the chosen countries. The countries included on the list of this study were Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Philippines, Indonesia,Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Cambondia. 1.3.1 Malaysia The research by Mohd Hafiz Hanafiah a nd Mohd Fauzi Mohd Harun in June 2010 regarding to tourism in Malaysia show that tourism in Malaysia is the third largest industry after oil and automobiles. Malaysian economy will increase due to the increase in tourism sector. Number of tourists visits Malaysia is a major factor which influences the Malaysian economy alone. During Asian Financial Crisis 1997, number of tourists declined and reached a new record after the economic stalemate. There was another research which shows how tourists influence the growth of tourism in some countries. According to Song and Witt (2000), they described tourist products as the amount of tourism demand that the consumers are willing to acquire during a specific period of time and under certain conditions which controlled by the explanatory factors used in the demand equation. Smeral (1988) and Syriopoulos and Sinclair (1993) empirically examined the relationships between the variables underlying the determinants of tourism demand. Lim (1997), S ong and Witt (2000) and Song et al. (2003), used econometrics forecasting model to which forecasts changed as a result of changes in the variables that act as economic drivers of tourism. Loeb (1982), Nordstrom (1996), Uysal and Crompton (1982) have used the demand function approach to identify the quantitative relationships of tourism demand. Jorgensen (1996) and Muller (1999) have focus on the statistical properties of an important time series, namely on the international tourist demand.

Case study and Virtual Negotiation between Law Firms for solving the Essay

Case study and Virtual Negotiation between Law Firms for solving the issues - Essay Example This suggests that the Mary was not technically an employee of the charity as she was responsible for the payment of her national insurance and income tax. It is also however, important to note that just paying the national insurance and income tax by the employee does not automatically term the employee as the self employed. This also depends upon who decides the work and what are the terms and conditions of the contract and some other factors.2 One of the key contractual issues arising out of this case therefore would be to make a decision on determining the employment of the employee and her contractual relationship with the employer. This is probably the key element in the case. Length of the Contract and legal status of employment Document D01 outlines that the contract for employment was from September to July which totals to one year of services with the current employer i.e. You Can. According to document D08B, Mary has in fact accepted the offer to renew her contract and as such both the employer and the employee are in contractual agreement to honor each other’s commitment. ... conditions mentioned in document D1 therefore You Can may significant legal challenge in this regard. As such, You Can made an offer to renew the contract of Mary which was duly accepted and therefore is binding on You Can to honor different conditions and obligations stipulated in the contract. You Can also failed to properly terminate the contract despite the fact that a Marry clearly indicated her intentions to take a break from teaching during the session. This should therefore be viewed from the perspective of forming a contract between two parties and legal obligations arising under the contract. There are different conditions under which the overall status of the employment of a person is decided as to whether a person is a self employed or an employee. Most importantly, it is critical to assess as to who directs the work under the circumstances and how the employee is paid. It is important to note that You Can actually directs the work however, Mary is not paid regularly as s he is only contracted to do a part time job of once a week. Accordingly, first condition may entitle Mary as a employee of the charity however, since she is not paid regularly therefore she may not claim that she is an employees. It is also important to note that rights given to en employee under the contract are always in addition of the rights given under the law of the land. As such rights such as paid holidays etc should also be given to the employees and employers are obliged to complete this condition. However, it is important to note that contract in DO1 clearly outlines that Mary may not be entitled to some entitlements under the contract which may be in direct conflict with