English Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 6

English - Essay Example In the poem â€Å"I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud† a man described himself floating with the clouds in the daytime on the bank of a lake in a field of daffodils. The man wished to share a serene scene of peacefulness so the reader can understand his feelings. The reader can feel the inner contentment of the author. This poem paints the picture of peacefulness that can come from a simple view in one’s mind of a field of flowers once saw. The man of this poem imagined he is lonely, floating like a cloud. In his loneliness, the character found a multitude of golden daffodils by a lake underneath a grove of trees. The flowers waved in the wind, looking like they were dancing. From up above the daffodils looked endless. The water gleamed brightly, but the flowers out shone the water with its beauty. The man had to be elated at the sight of these daffodils. Whenever the man feels sad and alone, he thought of the dancing daffodils, immediately feeling better. William Wordsworth’s poem imbues the ideal of a character soothing their unrest with a image of nature. Although the man in the poem was lonely, he craved others. Yet if a person is depressed, lonely, hurt, or even angry the cause is normally another person. That makes this poem more sensible. There are no better friends than daffodils. Flowers cannot hurt you. Thus this beautiful dream helped the character to meditate into a better mood every time he imagined it.. â€Å"I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud† is an example of how the meditation allowed this man to cheer himself up in solitude. This poem is a prime example of fixating on an imagined time and place to make oneself feel better. A popular technique used by numerous people all over the world. This is what makes â€Å"The Daffodil† enjoyable to read. Most people can identify with the sentiments expressed by the author. Readers have experienced the feelings of bad, loneliness, and distrust of their fellow humans. William

Competency Goals Essay Example for Free

Competency Goals Essay In order for children to feel safe away from home they need a safe environment where they can learn and play comfortably. I am always alert and continuously observe the children at all times. Children must never be left unsupervised. In the class, safety precautions such as checking all tables and chairs for damage and sharp edges is done weekly. All electrical outlets that are not being used are covered with safety caps. I guarantee that the children’s work and play areas are free of clutter. When the children are using scissors, pencils or other instruments, I make sure they carry them in an appropriate manner to prevent injury. We have on file written permission from the parent’s to take their child for any emergency medical care if the nurse isn’t on campus. Outdoor play areas are checked daily for harmful objects such as bottles, cans, or other litter items before the children go out to play. In the center, a fire drill is conducted Once a month. A Healthy Environment A healthy environment is essential for effective learning. A visual daily health check is done each day upon each child’s arrival. I respond immediately to accidents, health concerns and emergency conditions calmly. The classroom is maintained in a clean and hygienic environment. While working with parents, together we assist the children in building good grooming habits b maintaining consistent routines at school and encourage them to do so at home. Hand washing following toileting, washing hands before meals and brushing teeth is done in the center to encourage healthy needs. Children are able to flourish in an environment that influences their growth and development. A Learning Environment Children learn by doing and by imitating each other, their parents and their teachers. I respect and acknowledge each child’s ideas, concern and feelings. We provide a variety of materials in the class from the books we  use to the toys with which the children play. Participation is encouraged without any of the children feeling frustrated. An environment is provided where each child has fun during activities that are allowed and encouraged to participate in various activities to appreciate each other’s cultural differences. Each child display their work around the classroom they enjoy seeing their accomplishments. Open communication is provided for each child. I try to make sure the children’s daily schedule is followed, but sometimes we get a little behind. Transition from one activity to another is smooth. COMPETENCY GOAL II TO ADVANCE PHYSICAL AND INTELLECTUALCOMPETENCE Physical Physcial development is important for healthy development. Physical activities are designed to be fun for the children. Children like a lot of physical movement. In the class we schedule time to use both gross and fine motor skills. We plan physical activities during outside time, such as relay races, jumping rope, hula hoops, throwing a ball and just plain exercising. Play enhances learning both inside and outside. My enthusiasm is shown when I actively play with the children. In the class, we exercise to music, combining music and movement. Parents are encouraged to get involved in physical activities with their children. We plan, develop and coordinate fine and small motor skill activities such as stringing large and small beads, cutting with scissors, turning single pages in books, drawing and putting puzzles together. Sleep is also important for growth. Children need rest during the day. Quiet time with music is played in order to help the child relax. Intellectual Children want answers to their questions. Most of their questions start with â€Å"Why†. As their teacher, I know that it is important to their questions answered. It is their way of learning. They need to learn how to perceive different things. In the class we use symbols as part of comprehending.  Books are used to ask questions and think about what is being read to them. As part of our schedule, I let the children plan their own activities. They tell me what center they want to go in and what they plan to do in their centers. Children are given the opportunity to talk about their parents, friends and things happening around home and community. On some Fridays we do show and tell or idol Friday. The children bring items from home and tell the class something about the item. We also bring something to share; this way the children in turn ask us questions. In the class, we sing our Alphabet and sounds song. This helps them to learn letters of the alphabet. We play number gam es for rote counting and shape searching in the class for shapes recognition. COMPETENCY GOAL III TO SUPPORT SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TO PROVIDE POSITIVE GUIDANCE Social Development Teachers are very important role models for a child. Promoting social skills includes helping children begin to understand the feelings and needs of others. In the class, I always model good social skills around the children. Observation is an important tool while learning how a child feels and behaves. When a child tells me no one will play with him/her, through observation, the child is monitored around his/her peers to see if there is a lack of social developing skills. Helping, sharing, showing concern and cooperation with each other is always encouraged. Children are rewarded with praise for kindness, being helpful and cooperative to each other. Each child is made to feel special. Addressing social skills, knowing the children’s cultural background and environment is very important to me. Social interactions are provided through play. Play socially helps children to cooperate and appreciate each other. Children have to be able to get along with each other in order for the day run smoothly. Emotional Development As a teacher, I try to make a great difference in developing emotional skills in the children. Children are encouraged to express love, fear, and anger. It is important for me to help the children control both negative and  positive emotions. Emotional development through play is encouraged. It helps children relieve feelings in a safe environment and promotes self-confidence. I respect each child as an individual and the natural differences in how children express their feelings. In the class, puppets and role-play are used in exhibiting emotions whether positive or negative.in the class, I plan and provide a place for the children to have some down time when they are experiencing negative emotions. Positive Guidance The way a teacher acts influences the children. I always maintain a positive attitude around the children. The climate of the class is always relaxed. My tone of voice is calm, when speaking with the children. As the teacher in the class, I use guidance techniques such as modeling appropriate behavior and allowing the children to act their age. Directions are given in a positive way. The schedule is provided and followed daily so the children will know the routine and can make transitions easier. A helper chart is put up this way, all the children share responsibility of keeping the classroom clean and orderly. As a group, we together come up with a set of class rules, which are agreeable with the students and me. Children are encouraged to feed and dress themselves. Children are praised when they cooperated and help each other, especially during clean up Time. COMPETENCY GOAL IV TO ESTABLISH POSITIVE AND PRODUCTIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH FAMILIES It is very important to me to let parents and families of the children I work with know and feel they are a big part of our program. The parents as well as their children are important to me and the overall success of the program. I encourage a cooperative atmosphere among each child’s relationships within the family structure. Parents are always welcome in the classroom. Regular communication with the parents is important. It is important to present a united effort to the family of the children with whom I teach. Newsletters are sent home on a weekly basis t parents to inform them of upcoming events. A parent news board is set up to provide daily  updates to parents on meals, activities and important dates. In order to maintain an open, friendly and cooperative relationship with each child’s family we provide parents with opportunities to become involved in the programs. We encourage parents to volunteer in the classroom, attend workshops, serve on policy and advisory committees, attend field trips and attend parent meetings. During parent meetings suggestions are made for improving the daily program. Information about their child’s experiences and achievements in the center is provided to the parents. Reports are distributed periodically to help parents understand the progress of his or her child. Home visits are made twice throughout the school term to share activities and materials that parents can use at home with their child. Each family’s cultural background, religious and parenting beliefs are respected. Parent-Teacher conferences are another means of communication with parents they are also held twice in a school term. Parents need to know and feel they are a part of the teaching team in the classroom. Together, our common goal is always, the children. COMPETENCY GOAL V TO ENSURE A WELL-RUN PURPOSEFUL PROGRAM RESPONSIVE TO PARTICIPANT NEEDS To ensure a well-run program, I maintain an open communication with my Lead Teacher and other staff members. We work as a team to provide quality, developmentally appropriate activities and materials for the children each day. I’m always willing to work with bus monitors, parents and volunteers. It is important to me that the children can flourish well in an environment that influences their growth and development. Each child’s nutritional needs are met. Up-to-date records is maintained on each child. Each child’s record is kept confidential. Confidentiality secures the privacy of the children and their families. The parents, staff members Lead Teacher and myself work to identify the strengths and needs of each child. Records and reports concerning growth, behavior, health, and progress of each child is maintained. This information is shared with each child’s parent. Schedules are posted and followed daily they are where the parents can read them. This way, they know what their child is working on daily. By using appropriated  guidelines, I observe the children for signs of abuse or neglect and follow through if needed. Center brochures are distributed to each child’s family. Each child’s progress is discussed with his/her respective parents. Planning is essential. A great deal of time is sent on planning, so that children will have their needs met. I ensure that the classroom is clean and safe. The classroom is always prepared before the children arrive. Reference materials, are utilized as needed each day. To stimulate and motivate the children, I consistently look for new and innovative methods. I read various books and education websites to acquire acknowledge. It is important to maintain appreciation for each child’s cultural background. COMPETENCY GOAL VI TO MAINTAIN A COMMITMENT TO PROFESSIONALISM As a teacher, I enjoy teaching Pre-K. I demonstrate a positive attitude toward the children and their parents. It is important to promote quality services. I take advantage of all opportunities to improve my personal and professional growth. This growth is beneficial for the children I teach, as well as their parents. I take advantage for personal development by attending conferences, in-service trainings, staff meetings and study groups. I read books, stay in contact with other pre-k teachers and resource coordinators to help keep me informed of changes in the teaching field. Information about the children, their families and staff is kept confidential. Effective communications and working well with my co-workers is very important. I perform my duties professionally no matter where I work. While dressing in a professional manner, my hair, nails and attire are maintained clean and attractive. A positive, professional attitude is projected at all times. Cultural differences in the chi ldren are respected at all times. Parents are informed about field trips, home visits and conferences. I ask parents to volunteer in the class, each week I send home a family activity this keeps them involved in learning about their child’s experiences at school. I am committed to keeping the children safe, providing good communication, positive guidance and working with the families of the children. It is important for the children’s family and me  to work together. The key is teamwork. The common goal is that the parents and myself will do what is best for the child.

Social Security Essays -- essays research papers

Social Security   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Social Security is a public program designed to provide income and services to individuals in the event of retirement, sickness, disability, death, or unemployment. In the United States, the word social security refers to the programs established in 1935 under the Social Security Act. Societies throughout history have devised ways to support people who cannot support themselves. In 1937 the government began issuing Social Security identification cards to all citizens. Each card had a unique number that the government used to keep track of a person’s earnings and the taxes collected from those earnings that went to finance Social Security benefits. The Social Security Act is an act in which taxes would be deducted from workers earnings to finance both old age benefits and unemployment compensation. The government began collecting Social Security taxes in 1937 and putting them in a trust fund. It was a fund that the government could use to pay benefits, cover administrative costs, and invest in securities to earn interest.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Since 1935, the U.S. government has modified the Social Security Act more than 20 times by major amendments. One of the first amendments, passed in 1939, added benefit support for the family members of retired workers and for survivors of deceased workers. In 1956, under President Dwight Eisenhower, the U.S. Congress added monthly benefits for disabled workers to Social Security. Along with the amendment of 1939 for benefits to family members and survivors, this new amendment created the form of Social Security that still exists today, which is known as Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI). In 1965, President Lyndon Johnson signed an amendment that created Medicare. Medicare is a program that provides hospital insurance to the elderly, along with supplementary medical insurance for other medical costs. During the 1970s and 1980s, concern arose about the financial integrity of the Social Security trust funds. The balance was shifting between money co ming in from taxes and benefits going out of the funds. The administration of President Ronald Reagan passed a set of major legislative changes to Social Security laws in 1983. These changes included the cancellation and, in some cases, taxation of certain benefits. The Congress also improvised a slight ... ...onesty, we will succeed.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I am really against the change of the Social Security system because it is going to dismantle the system and it is going to take very hard work to change the system the way he wants it to be. The Social Security system will face a crisis. The plans that President Bush plans to go about will amount to a huge cost. The United States is already in debt, so why make it more in debt? Sources http://www.governmentguide.com/govsite.adp?bread=*Main&url=http%3A//www.governmentguide.com/ams/clickThruRedirect.adp%3F55076483%2C16920155%2Chttp%3A//www.ssa.gov/history/history.html http://www.socialsecurityreform.org/history/index.cfm http://college.hmco.com/history/readerscomp/gahff/html/ff_168800_socialsecuri.htm http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/progdesc/ssptw/2002-2003/americas/united_states.html http://www.disabilityresources.org/SS.html http://www.foreignborn.com/self-help/social_sec/6programs.htm http://www.law.cornell.edu/topics/unemployment_compensation.html http://www.law.cornell.edu/topics/medicare.html http://www.newsbatch.com/socialsecurity.htm http://www.swem.wm.edu/GOVDOC/welfare.html Social Security Essays -- essays research papers Social Security   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Social Security is a public program designed to provide income and services to individuals in the event of retirement, sickness, disability, death, or unemployment. In the United States, the word social security refers to the programs established in 1935 under the Social Security Act. Societies throughout history have devised ways to support people who cannot support themselves. In 1937 the government began issuing Social Security identification cards to all citizens. Each card had a unique number that the government used to keep track of a person’s earnings and the taxes collected from those earnings that went to finance Social Security benefits. The Social Security Act is an act in which taxes would be deducted from workers earnings to finance both old age benefits and unemployment compensation. The government began collecting Social Security taxes in 1937 and putting them in a trust fund. It was a fund that the government could use to pay benefits, cover administrative costs, and invest in securities to earn interest.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Since 1935, the U.S. government has modified the Social Security Act more than 20 times by major amendments. One of the first amendments, passed in 1939, added benefit support for the family members of retired workers and for survivors of deceased workers. In 1956, under President Dwight Eisenhower, the U.S. Congress added monthly benefits for disabled workers to Social Security. Along with the amendment of 1939 for benefits to family members and survivors, this new amendment created the form of Social Security that still exists today, which is known as Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI). In 1965, President Lyndon Johnson signed an amendment that created Medicare. Medicare is a program that provides hospital insurance to the elderly, along with supplementary medical insurance for other medical costs. During the 1970s and 1980s, concern arose about the financial integrity of the Social Security trust funds. The balance was shifting between money co ming in from taxes and benefits going out of the funds. The administration of President Ronald Reagan passed a set of major legislative changes to Social Security laws in 1983. These changes included the cancellation and, in some cases, taxation of certain benefits. The Congress also improvised a slight ... ...onesty, we will succeed.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I am really against the change of the Social Security system because it is going to dismantle the system and it is going to take very hard work to change the system the way he wants it to be. The Social Security system will face a crisis. The plans that President Bush plans to go about will amount to a huge cost. The United States is already in debt, so why make it more in debt? Sources http://www.governmentguide.com/govsite.adp?bread=*Main&url=http%3A//www.governmentguide.com/ams/clickThruRedirect.adp%3F55076483%2C16920155%2Chttp%3A//www.ssa.gov/history/history.html http://www.socialsecurityreform.org/history/index.cfm http://college.hmco.com/history/readerscomp/gahff/html/ff_168800_socialsecuri.htm http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/progdesc/ssptw/2002-2003/americas/united_states.html http://www.disabilityresources.org/SS.html http://www.foreignborn.com/self-help/social_sec/6programs.htm http://www.law.cornell.edu/topics/unemployment_compensation.html http://www.law.cornell.edu/topics/medicare.html http://www.newsbatch.com/socialsecurity.htm http://www.swem.wm.edu/GOVDOC/welfare.html

Wolf Motors Success Story

John Wolf, president of Wolf Motors, had just returned to his office after visiting the company’s newly acquired automotive dealership. It was the fourth Wolf Motors’ dealership in a network that served a metropolitan area of 400,000 people. Beyond the metropolitan area, but within a 45-minute drive, were another 500,000 people. Each of the dealerships in the network marketed a different make of automobile and historically had operated autonomously. Wolf was particularly excited about this new dealership because it was the first â€Å"auto supermarket† in the network.Auto supermarkets differ from traditional auto dealerships in that they sold multiple makes of automobiles at the same location. The new dealership sold a full line of Chevrolets, Nissans, and Volkswagens. Starting 15 years ago with the purchase of a bankrupt Dodge dealership, Wolf Motors had grown steadily in size and in reputation. Wolf attributed this success to three highly interdependent factors . The first was volume. By maintaining a high volume of sales and turning over inventory rapidly, economies of scale could be achieved, which reduced costs and provided customers with a large selection.The second factor was a marketing approach called the â€Å"hassle-free buying experience. † Listed on each automobile was the â€Å"one price–lowest price. † Customers came in, browsed, and compared prices without being approached by pushy salespeople. If they had questions or were ready to buy, a walk to a customer service desk produced a knowledgeable salesperson to assist them. Finally, and Wolf thought perhaps most important, was the after-sale service. Wolf Motors had established a solid reputation for servicing, diagnosing, and repairing vehicles correctly and in a timely manner—the first time.High-quality service after the sale depended on three essential components. First was the presence of a highly qualified, well-trained staff of service technic ians. Second was the use of the latest tools and technologies to support diagnosis and repair activities. And third was the availability of the full range of parts and materials necessary to complete the service and repairs without delay. Wolf invested in training and equipment to ensure that the trained personnel and technology were provided. What he worried about, as Wolf Motors grew, was the continued availability of the right parts and materials.This concern caused him to focus on the purchasing process and management of the service parts and materials flows in the supply chain. Wolf thought back on the stories in the newspaper’s business pages describing the failure of companies that had not planned appropriately for growth. These companies outgrew their existing policies, procedures, and control systems. Lacking a plan to update their systems, the companies experienced myriad problems that led to inefficiencies and an inability to compete effectively.He did not want tha t to happen to Wolf Motors. Each of the four dealerships purchased its own service parts and materials. Purchases were based on forecasts derived from historical demand data, which accounted for factors such as seasonality. Batteries and alternators had a high failure rate in the winter, and air-conditioner parts were in great demand during the summer. Similarly, coolant was needed in the spring to service air conditioners for the summer months, whereas antifreeze was needed in the fall to winterize automobiles.Forecasts also were adjusted for special vehicle sales and service promotions, which increased the need for materials used to prep new cars and service other cars. One thing that made the purchase of service parts and materials so difficult was the tremendous number of different parts that had to be kept on hand. Some of these parts would be used to service customer automobiles, and others would be sold over the counter. Some had to be purchased from the automobile manufactur ers or their certified wholesalers, and to support, for example, the â€Å"guaranteed GM parts† promotion.Still other parts and materials such as oils, lubricants, and fan belts could be purchased from any number of suppliers. The purchasing department had to remember that the success of the dealership depended on (1) lowering costs to support the hassle-free, one price–lowest price concept and (2) providing the right parts at the right time to support fast, reliable after-sale service. As Wolf thought about the purchasing of parts and materials, two things kept going through his mind: the amount of space available for parts storage and the level of financial resources available to invest in parts and materials.The acquisition of the auto supermarket dealership put an increased strain on both finances and space, with the need to support three different automobile lines at the same facility. Investment dollars were becoming scarce, and space was at a premium. Wolf wonde red what could be done in the purchasing area to address some of these concerns and alleviate some of the pressures. How can supply-chain management concepts help John Wolf reduce investment and space requirements while maintaining adequate service levels?

Progressive Presidents Essay

At the start of the 19th century, a new era had begun that would forever change the course of American history. This new era was known as the Progressive era; an era of change amongst the common worker and the powerful giants of industry. Two major leaders that occupied this specific moment in time were Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson. However, these prominent men had contributed much to the efforts of the progressive movement; each one had different personal views that dictated their approach. This paper attempts to compare and contrast these men’s progressive ideas apart from their actions. We will start with Woodrow Wilson, in his inaugural speech, he had addressed changes in the government to show favor towards the popular Party (Wilson, 1913). Wilson explains, by asserting that the nation desires the Party to interpret and change the nation’s designs and views. He claims that now the government and the nation’s job are to cleanse and correct the carele ssness and ills conveyed about by the country’s industrialization (Wilson, 1913). Wilson also touches on the matters that need settlement, which extends from the need to adjust the foreign tariff, the banking strategy, the industrial scheme, and the agricultural strategy. He also discusses how the government desires to protect its people’s lives with sanitary regulations, untainted food regulations, and work regulations. He stresses that there will be repairs in the financial strategy, and that â€Å"Justice, and only fairness, shall always be our motto† (Wilson, 1913). With Theodore Roosevelt’s Progressive platform, he called for the direct election of United States senators, woman suffrage, reduction of the tariff, and many social reforms. Roosevelt, who served as the 26th president of the United States from the years of 1901 to 1909, he commenced on an energetic campaign as the party’s presidential candidate. A key point of his platform was the â€Å"Square Deal.† This was Roosevelt’s concept of a society based on fair business competition and increased welfare for needy Americans (Bowles, 2011). Despite Wilson’s measured successes in labor, child labor, banking, business, and farming reforms during 1914 and 1915, his New Freedom was a disappointment amongst woman and African Americans. In 1916, Wilson began pushing for a multitude of reforms that were in part motivated by the upcoming election. The reforms included the Federal Farm Loan Act, the Adamson Act, the Keating-Owen child labor law, and support for women’s suffrage. After, 1916, Wilson accepted much of Roosevelt’s New Nationalism, supporting greater federal power and regulation. However, as America soon began sending military to intervene in the war in Europe, this action ended his reform ambitions (Roosevelt, 1911). Roosevelt had his successes and failures as well. Roosevelt brought about change in the meat packing industry with the Meat Inspection Act and Pure Food and Drug Act, which is due to the work of Upton Sinclair (Roosevelt, 1911). However, like Wilson, he would fail to achieve any changes for women and African Americans. This occurred because of growing criticism and his belief in African American inferiority. As for women, he did not bring about their right to vote. It would not be until the ratification of the 19th amendment during Woodrow Wilson’s presidency that the suffrage movement reached its goal (Roosevelt, 1911). When Roosevelt’s time in office ended, he felt his chosen predecessor, Taft, would lead the country and carry on the progressive movement. Throughout his years as president, Roosevelt increasingly disapproved of his methods, and choices. One of those choices that angered him was when Taft transferred over 1 million acres to private industry. All this came to a head when Roosevelt sought to gain the Republican nomination to run for president in the 1912 election, supersedes Taft. However, Roosevelt lost the nomination, and decided to run for president anyway by forming his own party, the Bull Moose Party. Even though Wilson became the president, he stole enough votes to make sure Taft had no change in winning (Bowles, 2011). For years to come the work, Roosevelt and Wilson in the Progressive era helped to improve American life, business and make it safe and a competitive market. These two presidents met the problems head on created by industrialization and urbanization that the government had not yet addressed. Each of them brought a slightly different approach to the concept of trusts, big business, and improving the life of the everyday person, although, they were successful in establishing new precedents in the way which the federal governm ent would regulate these new reforms. View as multi-pages

Journal for Galatea 2.2 by Richard Powers

Journal for Galatea 2.2 by Richard Powers Galatea 2.2 is a pseudo-autobiographical novel by Richard Powers which is partially based upon the events of the author’s life. Through the voice of the main protagonist named Richard Powers, the author raises important problems of body-mind duality, the possibility of investigating consciousness and the links between art and politics.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Journal for Galatea 2.2 by Richard Powers specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Even though Galatea 2.2 is defined as a pseudo-autobiographical novel by Richard Powers, the personality of the author has a significant impact upon the readers’ perception of the plot lines. The novelist intentionally names his main character Richard Powers to produce certain impression upon the readers. The main protagonist shares a number of characteristics and even experiences with the author, for instance, he is a novelist and even his books mentioned in the nov el are the same as those written by a real author. Certainly, the protagonist cannot be identified with the living author because a number of events depicted in the novel never occurred and a number of traits found in the fictional character are not characteristic of Richard Powers in real life. However, to draw the line between autobiographical materials and fiction is rather difficult though most readers would at least attempt to. Therefore, the assumption made by Barthes concerning the death of the author after the work of fiction is completed can be only partially applied to the novel Galatea 2.2. Even though the readers would respond to this novel in their unique unpredictable manner, the illusion that the novel is based upon autobiographical materials may have a significant impact upon the readers’ perception of the text. One of the main plot lines that clearly demonstrate that the autobiographic basis of the novel is only an illusion is the interplay between cybernetic s and literary theory. Analyzing the experiment involving the creation of artificial intelligence in the form of a machine which might be able to analyze a literary text and the main protagonist educating this machine, it can be stated that the events take place in unreal setting. Ironically, the machine has a human name Helen and has even more human features than some of the characters do. After Richard Powers as the main protagonist tells the machine the stories from his life and discusses the current events in the world, Helen admits that she cannot bear the realities of the world, closes the programs down and exits. After receiving random news reports and police bulletins, Helen rejects to become a part of this world if it looks like the reports describe it (Powers 314). Lacking any substantial connections with the surrounding world, the main protagonist interacts with artificial intelligence and experiences a rebirth after this interaction.Advertising Looking for essay on american literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Thus, the questions raised by the novelist include not only the possibility of simulating human thoughts and especially creativity by artificial intelligence, but also the source and nature of consciousness. It is notable that discussing the problem of consciousness in the novel, the characters try to use the advances in brain-imaging for establishing the physiological links between consciousness and brain. However, Richard Powers considers the mind-body problem as insoluble and admits: â€Å"Awareness no more permitted its own description than life allowed you a seat at your own funeral. Awareness trapped itself inside itself† (Powers 217). Therefore, the author accepts the possibility of simulating the process of thinking and creating intelligence outside of body but denies the possibility of investigating the underlying processes. Whereas the main protagonist denies the possibility of investigating the connection, the answer to the mind-body dilemma can be found in the plot lines. This answer is that mind cannot be separated from body. Along with this solution, Powers’ understanding of literature and art are inseparable from his personal identity. As it can be seen from the development of the plot lines, experiencing the mid-life crisis at the age of thirty-five, the main protagonist cannot write novels. Powers’ alma mater, the university to which he returns during his crisis seeking to restore his personal identity referred to as U. plays an important role in forming his identity and understanding of art. â€Å"U. was the place I saw how paint encode politics, first heard a sonata layer itself like a living hierarchy, first felt sentences cadence into engagement† (Powers 4). However, understanding of the connection between art and politics appears to be less important than the solution of the mind-body problem for t he restoration of self-identity in the main protagonist. Even though the researchers miraculously create artificial intelligence and a self-conscious machine, Helen’s exit proves that mind and body are inseparable. Only after the interaction with Helen described as a blind box, Powers experiences transformation and rebirth which enable him to continue his life in this world. The main reason for which Helen rejects to become the part of this world is her passivity because of her disembodiment. In other words, Helen sees the cruelty of this world but cannot interfere. She cannot correlate the humanly embodied knowledge she possesses with her own disembodiment. The main conclusion which Richard draws from his interaction with Helen is that mind is inseparable form body and owing to his own embodiment, he can become an active member of the community and continue his existence.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Journal for Galatea 2.2 by Richard Powers spec ifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The plot lines of a pseudo-biographical novel Galatea 2.2 reveal the problems of body-mind duality and scholars’ attempts to investigate the source of consciousness and thinking process and separate them from the body. Powers, Richard. Galatea 2.2. Berkeley, CA: Atlantic Books Limited, 2010. Print.

australian history essays

australian history essays The roaring twenties showed Australia s social life taking on more exciting and radical complexion compared to the pre - war days. In general desire to leave behind the unhappy experiences of the 1914 to 1918 war, there was a great pursuit of worldly pleasure and a breaking free from social constraints. However the depression in 1929 was brought about by factors largely beyond Australias control. In the late 1920 s the world economic situation had been steadily deteriorating. There was a significant decline in the volume of international trade and stock market crash in the USA in October 1929 greatly accelerated a general fall in prices for farm commodities. Overseas investment dried up. Australia was highly vulnerable, as it was heavily dependent on export earnings and external supplies of capital. A drastic fall in the price of wool and wheat in particular, and the standstill of overseas borrowing were the main causes of the economic crisis in Australia. I, James Scullin, was Australia's Prime Minister beginning in October 1929. The world depression was deepening and the government was divided on how to deal with it. The Labor Party lost the election of December 1931 and I remained leader of the Party until 1935. I left Parliament in 1949. Previously In 1910 I stood for Federal Parliament but lost my seat in 1913. Whilst editor of the Ballarat Evening Echo I rallied round the Labor anti-conscription cause. I failed to win a seat in the Victorian Parliament in 1920, but within two years I was back in federal politics. An inspired speaker, I was made leader of the Labor Party in 1928. I became Prime Minister in 1929 only days before the Wall Street crash. The depression resulted in mass unemployment among wage and salary earners. Severe entrenchments occurred in both the private and government sectors. Wages and salaries were reduced, thus making it difficult even for those with jobs to survi...

Anna Pavlova Quotes on Happiness, Success,Dance, Life

Anna Pavlova Quotes on Happiness, Success,Dance, Life Anna Pavlova was trained in classic ballet, and while she helped transform the classical ballet by her lighter, more natural style, she did not go outside the classic forms as did her contemporary, Isadore Duncan. Anna Pavlova is especially remembered for her portrayal of a swan in The Dying Swan and Swan Lake. Selected Anna Pavlova Quotations The right to happiness is fundamental. When a small child, I thought that success spelled happiness. I was wrong, happiness is like a butterfly which appears and delights us for one brief moment, but soon flits away. To follow without halt, one aim; there is the secret of success. And success? What is it? I do not find it in the applause of the theater. It lies rather in the satisfaction of accomplishment. What exactly is success? For me it is to be found not in applause, but in the satisfaction of feeling that one is realizing ones ideal. Master technique and then forget about it and be natural. As is the case in all branches of art, success depends in a very large measure upon individual initiative and exertion, and cannot be achieved except by dint of hard work. No one can arrive from being talented alone, work transforms talent into genius. God gives talent. Work transforms talent into genius. Although one may fail to find happiness in theatrical life, one never wishes to give it up after having once tasted its fruits. [Last words of Anna Pavlova] Get my swan costume ready. Then Play that last measure softly. More About Anna Pavlova Anna Pavlova BiographyBiographies: Women in Dance About These Quotes Quote collection assembled by Jone Johnson Lewis. Each quotation page in this collection and the entire collection  © Jone Johnson Lewis. This is an informal collection assembled over many years. I regret that I am not be able to provide the original source if it is not listed with the quote.

The Impact of Internet on Thinking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Impact of Internet on Thinking - Essay Example Despite this the internet has many advantages on the way people think. My research question is: does the web shorten our attention spans? Attention span can be defined as the ability of a person to concentrate on a task without distraction. Attention varies with age and is measured by the time we spend continuously on a particular task. No, the internet does not shorten our span of attention as the studies conducted have shown that adults who spend time on the web boosted their brain power and also helped in preventing cognitive turn down like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Spending time on the internet is beneficial to both adults and the young people. To the young the web has been of great importance as they use the internet as a tool of education and has registered positive effects on their academic performance. However the exposure of the web to children at a younger age should be minimal and if necessary, can be increased moderately with time and age as studies show th at the use of web increases attention of the adults better than the children (Dreyfus 60). The use of the web has made people to function like computers as they are able to receive, encode process and retrieve information faster than before and have become adapted to multi-tasking as a result of engaging or brains into activity. The attention span has improved because when people spend time on the web, this means that they spend time reading and studies have shown that students who spend at least 30 minutes on the internet have been shown to perform better. The use of the web keeps our brains active and improves our efficiency as well as our attention span. The brain has a nature of a muscle and therefore needs regular exercise, when we use the web, the brain is engaged in some activity and therefore it becomes more attentive. Failure to engage the brain makes it to be passive and thus lowers the span of attention. Most people have are easily distracted when reading a book than when on the web. The monotonous nature of the book makes one to be easily distracted unlike when one is on the web. The web has interesting things and one can learn new information at a very short time. Most people can concentrate for about 30 minutes when not using the internet and this span increases when they are using the web. The reason behind this is that the web has a lot of new, interesting information and this makes the person to want to learn more and therefore ends up concentrating on a particular task for a long period without getting distracted or bored (Brockman 176). The use of the web has enabled people to easily access information and learn new information unlike when not using the internet where people may spend a lot of time looking for specific information at the libraries for a long time. However, precaution is necessary as the use of the web has its setbacks among them is addiction to the wrong information. Studies conducted in the past have shown that students who are use the internet regularly do not use the internet in a productive way as they may be on social network sites ( Dreyfus 87). Most institutions are coming up with ways in which they can divert their attention from these social networking sites and makes their time when using the web more productive. The institutions are blocking the accessibility of these sites when students are in the institution and can only access the sites when they leave school.

Global warming Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Global warming - Research Paper Example As a result, there are diverse ways through which these effects manifest on the surfaces of oceans. Some ways through which global warming affects the oceans include; rise of sea level, formation of strong and destructive ocean current, ocean acidification and rise in ocean water temperature. These effects of global warming on oceans have led to destabilization of the ecosystem because it triggers imbalance in very many systems of the environment the course of its continuity (Cheel, 2007). Rise in see level which result from the increase in ocean water result from global warming that melts the glacier in temperate areas, expansion of the ocean water due to increase in temperature rise and human changes to underground storage of water. Change in temperature of the ocean water at different points of the ocean influence formation of ocean currents and, the intensity of any current is determined by the temperature different between the source and destination. Global warming causes some p oints on the surface of the ocean, especially those within the tropics, rise in temperature and, therefore, becomes areas of low pressure leading to the flow of water towards them (Fournier, 2011). Ocean acidification results from the increase in carbon (IV) oxides that mix with water to formal carbonic acids that have a high pH value. This happens when the rise in atmospheric carbon (IV) oxide destabilizes the equilibrium between the carbon (IV) oxide in water, and that one in the air and, therefore, it dissolves in water to cause acidic substances. Rise in temperature in the atmosphere causes an obvious increase in temperature of the ocean water because when a wave of warm air flows over the water, it radiates some heat energy to the water causing it to be warm (Weart, 2008). Research Findings In the development of the research, the research question that guided the study indirectly related to the topic of how global warming affects oceans. The study focused on production and the effects of greenhouse gases which contributed too much of the global warming on earth’s surface. The questions focused on the methods that people can use to reduce the production of green house, the forms of energy that contribute to low pollution of the atmosphere with greenhouse gases and the methods that could reduce the already present greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Out of the analysis of the analysis of the findings, the research identified some ways of controlling greenhouse gases in the atmosphere which included; use of few and efficient machines, use of renewable sources of energy and planting trees to absorb the excess the excess carbon (IV) oxide gas in the atmosphere. Rationale Choice of the research question is involving two aspects of the environment which may not be closely related and therefore, it will look at the environment of each of them, to find out the ways through which regulation of one can affect the other. The result of the analysis of the cause s of global warming will offer different means through which implementation of well selected means to reduce global warming, to cause a reduction in effect on the ocean water. When the research has a good coverage of the background of the issue of global warming, it will be possible to explain the effects it has on oceans, and it will be possible to recommend ways to curb it. Research recommendations I. We can use fewer machines to reduce greenhouse gas

The Sexual Response Cycle Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Sexual Response Cycle - Essay Example Additionally, sexual response is likewise largely a product of our society's values and traditions as well as personal and individual preferences. Religion, morality, folklore and also traditions intrude into how people view and engage in sex (Nevid & Rathus, 2007, p. 432). In most societies, there are incest taboos. Sex is a very natural act or function but often, religion imposes many restrictions on various sexual practices (Thelos, 2003, p. 9). Discussion People anywhere in the world have the same biological and anatomical features. In the society we live in today, people have different attitudes towards sex due to the various types of influences mentioned earlier. In this brief paper, discussion is focused on the human sexual response cycle and the many similarities between male and female human sexual responses. It might be a shocker to many people who generally believe that men and women have different types of responses to sex. This paper likewise discusses in detail the phas es of the human sex response cycle for both males and females. Finally, sexual dysfunctions are also discussed and the more common methods of dealing or treating these dysfunctions or ailments. This sections talks on the different phases of the human sexual response cycle for the male as well as the female. ... The erection is due to the flow of blood to the mainly erectile tissues in the penis. Plateau – this is the so-called stable phase in which excitement is further intensified and sexual interest is maintained further by physiological, physical and psychological stimuli (Heffner & Schust, 2010, p. 40). The breathing becomes rapid, the heartbeat increases and blood pressure continues to rise from all the excitement. Orgasm – this counterpart in the male orgasm phase is called ejaculation and consists of two distinct stages of muscular contractions. The first stage happens when the semen is pushed out from the testes towards the base of the penis and then the internal sphincter muscle of the urinary bladder will contract to prevent urine from being mixed with the semen. In the second stage, the semen (ejaculate) will be propelled out of the body by strong contractions. A pleasure sensation ensues, depending on the strength of the contractions (at 5 contractions for every 4 seconds or 0.8 contractions/second) and the amount of seminal fluid being expelled. Resolution – the male body returns to its normal or unaroused state in which blood pressure returns to normal levels, the erection disappears as blood flow to the penis is now reversed and the testes also return to their more normal sizes. Refractory Period – this is the phase in between the orgasm and resolution phases that is unique only to the males in which further erection is almost impossible. This means that any further stimulation will not produce an erection, orgasm or ejaculation. Female Human Sexual Response (4 Phases) Excitement – this phase is characterized by vaginal lubrication due to the

Performance Analysis Between Ibsens Play Ghosts and Robert Lepage Blue Essay

Performance Analysis Between Ibsens Play Ghosts and Robert Lepage Blue Dragon - Essay Example Ghosts by Henrik Ibsen Henrik Ibsen is known for his plays that portray issues regarding morality. Ghosts is also one of the plays that represent 19th century morality through its characters. This is a story of a woman Helen Alving who is about to establish an orphanage in the memory of her dead husband. Mrs. Alving consults her spiritual adviser Pastor Manders as well. Throughout the play, Mrs. Alving is seen dealing with different issues related to morality thrown at her from different aspects of life. Mrs. Alving has been trying to save her family from her philandering husband throughout the story. In order to save her son from being corrupted by his father, she sends her away. Her worries double when it is disclosed that her son is suffering from an inherited sexually transmitted disease which cannot be cured. In addition to a large number of moral issues, another issue is raised in the play when Mrs. Alving finds out that her son Oswald has fallen in love with Regina Engstrand, Helen Alving’s maid. The morality comes into question when it is disclosed that Regina is an illegitimate daughter of Captain Alving, thus Oswald’s half-sister. Amid all the problems, Mrs. Alving is occupied in the dilemma of whether or not to euthanize her son as he wishes. Thus, another issue of morality i.e. euthanasia is raised towards the end of the play. Regarding the performance of the play, it was observed that the acting was not psychologically engaged. The actors did not put their heart and mind into bringing the play to life. It felt like a flat delivery of the script and did not have any feel to it. The fact that Ibsen’s script is very strong cannot be denied but in order to show the significance of the play, it has to be acted well as well. Thus, it can be said that the significance of the issues raised by this play were lost somewhere amid the poor acting by the actors. The overall theatrical setting was not impressive as well, as it was observed t hat the theatrical setting required rich context but here it was merely flat which lowered the significance of the play. In some of the scenes, it was observed that the lines were delivered in a flat manner rather than in a dynamic tone. For example; when Manders interrogates Regina, the interrogation seemed reckless and flat rather than being serious and dramatic. The delivery of lines was mostly flat and without any expressions. In order to bring the feel into a play, it is highly important that the lines be delivered in just the manner as intended by the writer otherwise the meaning of the lines may be lost. This was the case with this play where the meaning and significance of the lines were lost amid the lack of expressions by the actors. It was noticed that there was lack of sufficient discussion among the actors before the play. There was no psychological connection between the actors and everyone seemed to deliver his own lines without considering the intensity of the respon se from the opposite actor. It was also observed that actors crashed into one another’s lines. This was the evidence of the fact that there was lack of sufficient practice. The characteristic of a good theatre is that it connects its audience emotionally but this attribute was missing in the overall performance. There were certain bits where the actors emanated feelings such as the grief shown by Oswald upon his condition. The point that was done well was the representation of the tension

Investigating children and their childhoods (babies with senorineural Literature review

Investigating children and their childhoods (babies with senorineural hearing loss and developent under 6months) - Literature review Example Shulman Brian and Capone Nina concluded that nearly all persons affected with senorineural hearing loss usually experience some degree of speech clarity problems and the severity of the loss does not indicate the clarity of the speech (2009, p.116). Congenital hearing loss is seen in newborn babies in most circumstances either by inheritance or by abnormal development in the foetal stages of a child. A comprehensive research done by Valente, Hosford-Dunn and Roesser found that three out of a thousand children born have birth defects that results in hearing loss; sixty per cent of these being inherited, and seventy per cent of the inherited defects are nonsyndromic while fifteen to thirty per cent being syndromic (2008, p.251). One of the most common causes of sensorineural hearing loss amongst children is congenital cytomegalovirus, although majority of children affected by this virus have normal hearing. There are indicators present in newborn children that can be used to predict va lues necessary for the development of loss of hearing with congenital cytomegalovirus infection. ... Congenital hearing loss may also happen after the birth of a child, which is caused by trauma, Meniere’s disease, age-related loss of hearing – presbycusis, and exposure to noise causing machines such as firearms. In order to be able to manage hearing loss, it is advisable to detect senorineural hearing loss at an early stage by the use of high-risk registry. Screening procedures that are conducted in hospitals has great importance in determining audio sensitivity. A child begins learning about language in the womb and staying a minute without sound affects the speech and language development of an infant. Most important domains in the development of a child are speech and language acquisition. A child who has lost speech after acquiring language is able to communicate orally than a deaf child. Early identification of hearing loss enables a child to have high language quotient for development of language as compared to a child who is identified at a later age. From the journal written by Iyer and Oller, there is an interpretive advantage in maturation of children (2008, p.120), as children with similar age are supposed to be alike in several aspects of maturity except when affected with factors such as canonical babbling. However, with a difference in other factors such as hearing, children experience difference in maturation. The explanations for late maturity in children with the onset of canonical babbling in infants with typical hearing are the fact that there are more syllables produced per utterance in sessions of canonicals than when in canonical precessions. The fact that utterances respond to breath, infants with typical hearing problem, who start producing canonical

Novel Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Novel Analysis - Essay Example In essence, then, to reach an entirely subjective meaning of Pynchon’s novel a reader must do exactly what Pierce Inverarity advises Oedipa to do; namely to keep bouncing the massive reception of information in order to decode the meaningful clues from the meaningless ones. Pynchon’s protagonist, Oedipa Mass, spends the novel engaged in the pursuit of clues or else debating whether she should involve herself in the mysteries that surround her. As coexecutrix of Pierce’s estate, Oedipa takes off on an odyssey to unlock the full impact involved in Inverarity’s bequest. As her odyssey progresses Oedipa comes to perceive that Pierce Inverarity’s influence not only on her life but on the rest of the world appears to be more substantial, such as when she recollects that Pierce â€Å"owned a large block of shares, had been somehow involved in negotiating an understanding with the county tax assessor to lure Yoyodyne here in the first place. It was part, he explained, of being a founding father" (25-26). Executing Pierce’s will sets Oedipa on her journey to begin boucing information back and forth in an attempt to balance it and understand it, causing Oedipa to eventually piece together clues so that they form a truth about Pierce that assigns him great authority, including the power to leave behind the clues to the mystery of Tristero as an inordinately elaborate plan of some sort that is directed entirely for her benefit. This idea causes Oedipa to reflect upon the possibility that Pierce "might himself have discovered the Tristero, and encrypted that in the will, buying into just enough to be sure shed find it. Or he might even have tried to survive death, as a paranoia; as a pure conspiracy against someone he loved" (179). The novel engages with the theoretical ideas of Newtonian forces, especially action and reaction through the idea that Inverarity still manages to be a moving force

Investigating children and their childhoods (babies with senorineural Literature review

Investigating children and their childhoods (babies with senorineural hearing loss and developent under 6months) - Literature review Example Shulman Brian and Capone Nina concluded that nearly all persons affected with senorineural hearing loss usually experience some degree of speech clarity problems and the severity of the loss does not indicate the clarity of the speech (2009, p.116). Congenital hearing loss is seen in newborn babies in most circumstances either by inheritance or by abnormal development in the foetal stages of a child. A comprehensive research done by Valente, Hosford-Dunn and Roesser found that three out of a thousand children born have birth defects that results in hearing loss; sixty per cent of these being inherited, and seventy per cent of the inherited defects are nonsyndromic while fifteen to thirty per cent being syndromic (2008, p.251). One of the most common causes of sensorineural hearing loss amongst children is congenital cytomegalovirus, although majority of children affected by this virus have normal hearing. There are indicators present in newborn children that can be used to predict va lues necessary for the development of loss of hearing with congenital cytomegalovirus infection. ... Congenital hearing loss may also happen after the birth of a child, which is caused by trauma, Meniere’s disease, age-related loss of hearing – presbycusis, and exposure to noise causing machines such as firearms. In order to be able to manage hearing loss, it is advisable to detect senorineural hearing loss at an early stage by the use of high-risk registry. Screening procedures that are conducted in hospitals has great importance in determining audio sensitivity. A child begins learning about language in the womb and staying a minute without sound affects the speech and language development of an infant. Most important domains in the development of a child are speech and language acquisition. A child who has lost speech after acquiring language is able to communicate orally than a deaf child. Early identification of hearing loss enables a child to have high language quotient for development of language as compared to a child who is identified at a later age. From the journal written by Iyer and Oller, there is an interpretive advantage in maturation of children (2008, p.120), as children with similar age are supposed to be alike in several aspects of maturity except when affected with factors such as canonical babbling. However, with a difference in other factors such as hearing, children experience difference in maturation. The explanations for late maturity in children with the onset of canonical babbling in infants with typical hearing are the fact that there are more syllables produced per utterance in sessions of canonicals than when in canonical precessions. The fact that utterances respond to breath, infants with typical hearing problem, who start producing canonical

Economics System Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Economics System - Essay Example They ensure that the limited resources are prioritised and allocated accordingly. In a traditional economic system, society takes precedence over individual interests. Resources are shared equally and individuals work together. Australia is a region that uses this type of system, among the aboriginal communities. In the mixed economic system, most decisions are made by individuals in the market. The United States is an example of a nation that uses this system. In market economies, decisions on the economic standing of a region are made by individuals. The interaction of people and organizations determines how resources are allocated, for example, Brazil. In the command economic system, the government is in charge of the economic status of the region. The distribution and allocation of resources is determined by the state (Myers 2012, p. 83). Socialism is the perfect type of such a system, an example being Cuba. Free market economy A free market system is an economic system in which the state’s government does not interfere with businesses. The exchange of goods and services between individuals is voluntary. ... All factors of production are owned privately. Mixed economic systems on the other hand have regulations that need to be followed. There are price guidelines stipulated by major parties that control the movement of goods and services in the economy (Ertuna 2012, p. 76). The basic principle that surrounds this system is that the means of production are carried out by private owners as well as government agencies. Self-interests run the objectives of free markets, but they do respond to the needs of the consumers in the market. Mixed markets have the opposite objective as they aim to give everyone; consumers, the government, and even workers, what they work for in the region. No price mechanism runs the mixed economic system as with the free market system. Things change from time to time, but it is often done for the overall good of all individuals (Cowie & Ison 2010, p. 37). The free market system advocates for prices that only benefit privately run resources in the economy, which som etimes weighs on the poorer individuals in the region. How free market economy is more effective than mixed economy The free market system is believed to be more effective than the mixed economic system because more players are involved in the economy. This is because all that is offered through a free market system comes from all around the world. The free market pricing system makes the availability of goods and services from all around the world a welcome phenomenon. Entrepreneurs and business minds are given the largest scope and opportunity to risk their capital in a bid to offer resources that satisfy the needs of consumers (Cowie & Ison 2010, p. 48).

Broadening Your Prospective Essay Example for Free

Broadening Your Prospective Essay 1. Compute the activity-based overhead rate for each activity cost pool. Activity-based overhead is determined by dividing estimated overhead by the estimated cost drivers. Activity cost Pool Estimated Overhead /Cost drivers=ACB Overhead Rate Market analysis 1,050,00015,000$70 Product Design2,350,0002,500$940 Product development3,600,00090$40,000 Prototype testing1,400,000500$2,800 2. How much cost would be charged to an in-house manufacturing department that consumed 1,800 hours of market analysis time, was provided 280 designs relating to 10 products, and requested 92 engineering tests? The total charged to an in-house manufacturing department would be $1,046,800. This dollar amount is determined by multiplying the overhead rates of each activity to the amount consumed for that activity and added together for a total. (1,800*70= 126,000), (280*940=263,200) (10*40,000=400,000), (2,800*92=257,600) 3. How much cost would serve as the basis for pricing an RD bid with an outside company on a contract that would consume 800 hours of analysis time, require 178 designs relating to 3 products, and result in 70 engineering tests? $539,320 would serve as the basis for pricing an RD bid with an outside company because that dollar amount is the breakeven point. (800*70=56,000), (178*940=167,320), (3*40,000= 120,000), (70*2,800=196,000) 4. What is the benefit to Ideal Manufacturing of applying activity-based costing to its RD activity for both in-house and outside charging purposes? The benefit to Ideal Manufacturing of applying activity-based costing to its RD activity for both in-house and outside charging purposes is it will allow the company to gain control of the operating costs of the department. Activity-based costing allows a company to appropriately assign overhead head cost. For example, Ideal manufacturing activities fell into four pools and activity-based costing helped the company to properly allocate its overhead dollars. Under using or over using overhead dollars means the company has to supplement those funds from or to another activity which is a waste to the company. The basis of activity-based costing is to assign cost only to those activities of a product that is actually using the activity in essences cutting costs. This is not only a benefit to Ideal Manufacturing but to any company that is looking to become more efficient and effective.

Total Quality Management And Continuous Quality Improvement Management Essay

Total Quality Management And Continuous Quality Improvement Management Essay Total Quality Management (TQM) Total quality management refers to organizational functions that denote the quality of products and process is the responsibility of every person involved in the creation and consumption of products and services offered by the organization (Hakes, 1991). The aim of TQM is to increase the product quality to meet the customer expectations. Thus, TQM process requires the participation of management, workforce, suppliers and customers. According to Cua et al. (2001), there are nine common TQM practices such as cross-functional product management,   supplier quality management, product process management, customer participation, customer  feedback, committed  leadership,  strategic planning, cross-functional training, and employee participation. Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Continuous Quality Improvement refers to philosophy of organizational product and service quality. This process leads to systematic analysis of organization for decision making process based on the facts and organization activity. It deals with risks involving the quality of the product and service by improving the communication both internally and externally. Through the systematic procedure of CQI employees and workforce are educated and team work relationship is created among them. According to It further creates Seymour (1992), CQI creates a structure conducive to never-ending, incremental improvement by developing cooperative workforce-management relations. Similarities between TQM and CQI As far as similarities between both approaches are concerned, CQI is such management approach which improves maintains the quality by emphasizing the regular internal assessment of causes of quality issues and it is further followed by the undertaken of reducing the quality risk and improving the product quality. CQI is the broader term of TQM they share number of similarities such as TQM similar to CQI is such approach which involves planning and implementing continuous improvements in quality. Thus, TQM utterly involves the employees and demands them to realize requirements of customers and client (Kanji, 1995), the use of data-related tool that assesses and improves the quality of the output produced by team. Both approaches share further following similarities: Non-stop improvement Customer or Client focus Structured and Systematic processes Wide participation of Organization Importance of TQM and CQI TQM and CQI possess an important role in the organizational management activity. Since, the principle task of these approaches is to ensure the quality of the product and service offered by the organization. These management approaches with goals are implemented and proceeded to achieve the quality issues along with the quality standard present in the organization. With the globalization and increased economic competitive environment high customers expectation has been observed. High customer expectation can possibly be met with by controlling the production process in terms of managing and maintaining the quality. Thus, quality management and quality improvement approaches have great importance to organization for a variety of reason. The importance of continuous quality improvement and total quality management can be understood by the following benefits availed by applying them: Product Quality: Quality management and quality improvement ensure that product is being manufactured by applying standard quality procedure. This may include performance of the product, reliability as well as durability. Thus, through these quality management and improvement organization is able to manage and improve the quality of the product by increasing its performance. In this regard, quality management struggle to produce product efficiency according to stated promises. Customer Satisfaction: For every organization it is very important to provide customer satisfaction to increase the organizational productivity. Quality management and quality improvement ensure the customer satisfaction by maintaining the quality such as conducting customer survey to understand what customer really want and who are the customers of the product. Thus, organization is able to have insight of competitors and customers. In this regard, customer survey results are used to target the customers for the product or services. The quality management and improvement programs are helpful use methodology to create particular type of product according to customers desire (Rogers, 1996). Increased Revenues: Quality of products and services maintained with the help of TQM and CQI leads to reputation of company. The reputation of company due to quality provides the company with the opportunity to gain more customers and increase the sale of the products. CQI and TQM increase the efficiency of the production system in the company (Winchell, 1991). The efficiency of production system is improved by the removal of inefficiency and defects in production activities that contribute to the quality of the products. For example, if workforce is not consuming much time on production activities to the products quality, thus, workers are spending more time in production activity but the company does not increase the salary. The application of CQI and TQM helps the company to re-capture the lost investment caused due to inefficiencies. Reduce Waste: The implementation of CQI and TQM in the organization allows the management to reduce the waste caused by the inefficient production activity. Company that house inventory pays for the storage, management and tracking of the inventory. The inventory cost of the company increases the price of the product and implementation of CQI and TQM reduces the cost of the inventory (McLaughlin Kaluzny, 2006). CQI and TQM build a systematic approach that keeps the inventory at the affordable level of waste. Benefits of Implementing CQI and TQM Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) with a systematic approach achieves continuous improvements in a product or service. The implementation of CQI allows defining the problem, mapping the process, identifying improvement opportunities, implementing the improvements and continually monitoring the outcomes for improvement opportunities. Other benefits of CQI are as follows: Use of Data: The implementation of CQI within the company allows using quantitative information such as output, defects rather than subjective information for improving the production process (Hubbard, 1993). The monitoring of the data helps to identify ongoing opportunities for the improvement in the quality process. Improved Morale: The implementation of CQI allows the management in the organization to focus on the improvement of employee morale without blaming the employee for the problems and defects occur in the business operational system. CQI rather focuses on the problem in the process than focusing on the people performing the process (White, 1997). Better Customer Service: Since CQI focuses on the continuous improvement in the performance and removal of the problem from the system, and increases and quality of the product and service, through the means of quality this process increase provision of better customer service by improving customer satisfaction (Dew Nearing, 2004). Increased Productivity: The removal of defects and other problems from the system leads to less waste and repeat of procedure by the employees. Less repetition of activity allows the organization to have increased productivity. Increased Revenue: The removal of errors and increased customer satisfaction provides the organization with the opportunity to increase the sales of the products and services which increases the revenue of the company. Benefits of Implementing Total Quality Management As far as benefits of implementing TQM are concerned commonly it allows the company to build its reputation by removing the faults and leading to zero defects. The management process helps the organization to have good relationship with employees by increasing their morale, team work and involvement in decision making process. As a result of quality control inspections and lower costs to the production process it can result in the following benefits: Higher Quality Products: TQM emphasizes the importance on the quality of product and as a result company is able to focus on the creation of high level quality production. TQM allows the management to be aware of quality level of products and services being provided by quality assurance product testing which is a key aspect of the Total Quality Management. Better Reviews from Customers: As a result of assuring the quality level of product and services, customers are more satisfied. Owing to quality assurance testing by TQM the products and services of the organization constantly meet the quality requirement of the customers. Thus, customer satisfaction as a result of high performance of product and service can lead to have good reviews from the customers and increased better reviews from client and customers further increases the sale of the product and business. Better Production from Employees: TQM stresses on the need to place attention on the fulfillment of employees requirements. The satisfaction of employees in the organization causes the company to achieve the objectives of the Total Quality Management. Employee satisfaction can increase the productivity of the organization as it creates motivation for the employees to work harder to achieve the organizational goals. Components and Factors of CQI There are three main factors or components of CQI i.e. customer satisfaction, scientific approach and team approach. Customer Satisfaction: The implementation of CQI in the organization requires working on the customer satisfaction by improving the internal system. The customer satisfaction may include customers participation, and the participation by employees in the organization performing different functions. Thus, according to Al-Assaf (1993), quality can be achieved when the needs and the expectation of the customers are met. Scientific Approach: The implementation of CQI also requires adopting scientific approach such as data analysis, system thinking, benchmarking and variation. The data analysis allows the management to take decision on the basis of sound proof. Systems thinking involve the process and relationship among the data. Benchmarking is used to identify the beast practice in related and unrelated setting to emulate as process or used as performance targets (MCLaughlin and Kaluzny, 1994) as results of the benchmarking are important in CQI (Buccini, 1993). Team Approach: The implementation of CQI process is better done if it is undertaken in team work than done by an individual. Thus, team approach is the main factor of the implementation of CQI and it needs support from the management, employees and other unit of the organization. As a result of team approach people from different departments perform as a team. Suggestions for the Future Implementation of CQI and TQM There are correlated concerns of many researches between organizational performances; structure and quality control system exist in the organization. Since the purpose of the implementing CQI and TQM is to enhance the possibility of the organization to achieve its goals by controlling the quality of information, building standards for evaluation and designing adequate rewards and punishments, the factors of CQI and TQM influence the manufacturing performance system. However, implementing CQI and TQM is the most effective and recognizable process to achieve the quality in the organization, the changes proposed for the quality can be analyzed and assessed effectively in terms of quality. Thus, the need for improved quality can be perceived and can be changed effectively (Salvendy, 2001). To measure the effectiveness of CQI and TQM can be the most significant aspect after the implementation of process. Company often employs future strategy to improve the implementation of the approach through scrutinizing the Quality Circle which allows the management to maintain the quality of the products and services offered by the organization. The advantage of employing the Quality Circle is that it analyzes the goals of the process and helps to understand the accomplishment of the goal by maintaining the specifications. If organizations aim is to produce an automatic shock absorber the measurement of the accomplished products can easily be made while manufacturing process are adjusted to maintain the specifications. Moreover, CQI and TQM is not just one time event its accreditation visit is periodic (Salvendy, 2001). The implementation of quality improvement and management is an ongoing process and it should remain so. The most importantly there should be measurement of accomplishment of mandate events and analysis to continue those mandates there should be positions meetings held by the management with employees and units of organization. This future strategy allows the organization to review mandate and integrate the strategic initiatives goals into single process. This single process conducted by the means of outlined process. The outcomes of the assessments of CQI and TQM are interrelated notions and products outcomes assessment constitutes the basis for CQI and TQM. As a result of the results of assessment organization keeps striving to continuously improve the quality of the outcomes to better serve the clientele (Stupak Leitner, 2001).

Humanity and Reason in Othello Essays -- Othello essays

Humanity and Reason in Othello  Ã‚  Ã‚      In Othello Shakespeare probes deeply into the human condition by creating characters, who, by their inability to think rationally, surrender what sets them above animals. Before he succumbs to Iago's poisonous innuendoes, Othello himself expresses his clear understanding of this role of the human intellect. He initially refuses to listen to Iago's suggestions that Desdemona cannot be trusted, "Exchange me for a goat/When I shall turn the business of my soul/To such exsufflicate and blown surmises" (3.3.194-96). Othello feels that he would be acting like an animal if he became irrationally jealous because someone would say "my wife is fair, feeds well, loves company" (3.3.198). He tells Iago that he will not blindly fall into jealousy, especially when he never has had reason to suspect Desdemona, "I'll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove;/And on the proof, there is no more but this--/Away at once with love or jealousy" (3.3.205-07). Othello is at this point a confident man, both in his wife's faithfulness, and in his ability to think rationally. However, Shakespeare shows that this confidence is often not enough. In his Sonnet 129, Shakespeare describes lust as another force that destroys the ability to reason effectively. The poet depicts lust as desire that is Past reason hunted, and no sooner had, Past reason hated as a swallowed bait On purpose laid to make the taker mad: ... All this world well knows, yet none knows well To shun the heaven that leads men to this hell. (7-8,15-16) In his sonnet, Shakespeare laments that even when we know that lust is dangerously irrational, most people cannot resist falling under its spell. Othello finds the same to be true ab... ...mplete Works of Shakespeare . Ed. David Bevington. 4th ed. NY: Longman, 1997. Soellner, Rolf. Shakespeare’s Patterns of Self-Knowledge . N.p.: Ohio State UP, 1972. OUTLINE Thesis Statement: When the characters in Othello cease to use reason they lose their humanity and are associated with animal imagery. Roderigo Irrationally in love with Desdemona Wants to drown himself like "cats and blind puppies" Iago calls him a snipe Iago Irrationally jealous of Othello and Cassio Equates love with animalistic lust Encourages others to "be a man" A man is decisive A man looks out for himself A man loves himself Roderigo calls him an "inhuman dog", Lodovico a "Spartan dog" Emilia implores him to tell the truth "if thou be'st a man" Othello Irrationally jealous of Desdemona and Cassio Equates lack of reason with animals Refers to himself as a dog.

Autobiography †What life means to me? Essay

I was born on 28th of April 1991. I started my education from a nearby primary school called Ladybird. I was living with my parents, three brothers and my sister. At the age of 5 I was in class 1 in Toronto School of Academic Excellence. In 1996 I had an outstanding vacation to Canada for 2 months. We liked it so much that we visited to Canada again in 1998 and 2000. What life means to me? â€Å"In the end, it’s not going to matter how many breaths you took, but how many moments took your breath away†. â€Å"When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry, show life that you have a thousand reasons to smile†. Unforgettable Moments Some memories are unforgettable. I have two moments to share. One of them is a happy moment whilst the other one is sad. However I will share the sad one first so I can end my autobiography with a happy ending. It was about one of the most burning hot afternoon, the temperature would have been around 35 to 40 degree centigrade. I was with my brother in the car, and my dad was sitting on a bench across the street, outside the AGA Khan Hospital. My mom was in the hospital for a routine check up. I wanted to go to my dad across the street. As my brother was sleeping in the car, I decided to go by myself. I could see my dad talking to a person next to him. I was only 7 years old. As I was young and immature, without looking right and left, I started crossing the road and headed towards my dad impatiently. When I was only half way across unexpectedly I heard tires screeching and felt a sudden rush of pain coming from my legs. It happened all so quickly. Within a jiffy I was laying flat on the street crowded by dozens of people. When I gained consciousness I saw my mom crying and sitting beside me in the car and holding me in her arms. I saw my feet covered with by mom’s blood soaked scarf. The first hospital we went to said that they couldn’t do anything because it was a police case. Due to lack of time and excessive bleeding from my feet and bruises on my head, we couldn’t wait for the police so they told us to go to another hospital that do not have stringent rules about police case victims. So my dad drove as fast as he could. He was driving through the hot dry wind. And the frigid wind screamed across the wilderness. Finally, we got there on time and the doctors bandaged my feet and cleaned up my bruises. I was ordered to have three days of bed rest. My brother got told off, as he ought to have taken care of me. But still my dad calmed down after looking at me. I felt sorry for my brother and I knew it was entirely my fault. I learned a lesson in this incident that â€Å"never cross the road without someone older than you or if you are mature enough then you should look around before crossing the road. Well that was the bad part. Now it’s time for the good part. I don’t really remember when this happened as it is a bit of a blur in my memory but still I managed to remember the gist of it. It was before my ninth birthday. When my dad took me to the market to buy some groceries. When we were going inside the grocery shop, the bicycle shop next to it caught my eyes. I was crazy about bikes. When I saw my dad busy buying groceries, I sneaked outside and started exploring the different bikes and their advanced mechanisms like their smooth brakes. I just could not get my hands off those bikes as, I had always dreamed of having one. I started to visualize myself with each one of those bikes, riding swiftly down the streets, smashing through the autumn breeze. I was so engrossed in my day dreaming that I didn’t hear what the shopkeeper said but his interruption broke the chain of my dreams. I asked the shopkeeper how much would the bike cost to which he instantly replied â€Å"18000 rupees†. I started to wonder that this was too expensive and would take a lot of my months pocket money to get to 18000 rupees and probably by that time I would not have so much of a crave for those bikes. I was so disappointed that I left the shop without saying a word. I went back to the grocery shop and started looking for my dad. A voice came from behind â€Å"Salman I am behind you†. I ran towards him excitedly. I wanted to tell him about the bikes but I thought to myself that they are too expensive. I should just let them go. Looking at my facial expression, my dad asked me â€Å"what’s wrong do you want to say something son? † I sighed, and said â€Å"No it’s ok†. We walked back home together and I was quiet for most of the journey, still imagining those fascinating bikes. The next morning when I woke up my mom wished me happy birthday and hugged me. There was no one at home. My brother and sister had already left for school and my dad was at work. I waited for them to come back so I could cut my chocolate cake topped with cherry and vanilla icing. It looked so delicious. I just could not wait to get a mouth full of the soft chocolate. Everyday my dad used to be home by six in the evening but for some reason he was late. I waited for him anxiously so that I could cut my cake and open up my presents. Finally he was home at seven and surprisingly he was not alone. He had bought me the same bike. I could not believe my eyes. I was completely gob smacked. I stood there for a couple of minutes staring at the bike. It seemed too good to be true. I was jumping all around with excitement. After I had released my excitement, I started to look at my dad and I tried to work out â€Å"how he knew that I wanted this bike†. I was still thinking about it when he started to answer my thought by saying â€Å"I saw you at the bicycle shop and I was very aware of your passion for bicycles† I was completely astonished that he even knew what I was thinking just by reading my face. He continued saying that â€Å"Parents always know about their children’s needs†. I thought â€Å"that just explains it all†. It was the best birthday I ever had. These are some of the moments I wanted to share with everyone. I can’t forget these two episodes of my life. They play a very important part in my life.

Human Resource Management Essay

The first stop at the place of employment on the first day of work is human resource management (HRM) office. Known in the past as the personnel department is now HRM; the place where contracts and all necessary documentation is processed before employment begins at the workplace. To some this is a friendly place and to other is threatening. Definition To understand what human resource management means and does, it is necessary to begin with a definition of its terms: Human: of, relating to, or characteristic of humans, consisting of humans (Merriam-Webster). Resource: a source of supply or support; an available means usually used in plural; a natural source of wealth or revenue often used in plural; a natural feature or phenomenon that enhances the quality of human life; a source of information or expertise (Merriam-Webster). Management: the act or art of managing; the conducting or supervising of something (as a business); judicious use of means to accomplish an end; the collective body of those who manage or direct an enterprise (Merriam-Webster). From these definitions an idea of human resource management forms and can be states as: The art of conducting or supervising the source of supply or support of humans. The purpose obviously is to perform tasks assigned in exchange for a wage or salary during a specified period of time or shift. Primary function HRM can be seen as the welcoming door to the company for new employees, but it represents much more than that. As part of the organization, HRM deals with the changes in the world affecting the company and its employees. Preparation is constant in this fast-paced world to cope with the newest changes in globalization, technology, workforce diversity, and labor shortages (DeCenzo 2007 p4). In today’s world, skill requirements are constantly changing and the improvement of the workforce is also continuous. HRM is responsible for overlooking the fulfillment of these needs in the company and all its different locations throughout the world. Globalization expanded the horizons for business and requires a deep understanding of the cultural diversity. Organizations like McDonalds, Exxon, BMW, General Motors, Sears, and many more like these generate their revenue from  different parts of the world. Making a presence in different countries requires knowledge and understanding of their cultures, not only the language and and typical traditions. HRM is responsible for the training of the company representatives asigned to the various countries where the company has operations. The primary function is no longer just the hiring and processing of new employees, but the primary function is now to manage the human resources available and their labor relations for the company’s operations locally or globally. Role of HRM in an Organization’s Strategic Plan The organization’s strategic plan is the core for the entire operation and the goals set to accomplish. HRM plays a very important role in this plan and the success or failure of the strategy starts off by how three of the management principles are applied by HRM. Oganizing, as a management principle, falls under the responsibility of HRM for specifying tasks, establishing departments, establishing channels of authorities, delegation of authorities, and coordination of subordinates activities. Basically this represents the foundation bricks for the strategic plan (Bateman, 2009). Leading is another management principle that falls under the HRM role and it is getting others to get the job done and motivating subordinates. Standard operating procedures, code of ethics, employees benefits, and other tools are used by HRM to accomplish this part of the role in the organization’s strategic plan (Bateman, 2009). Controlling is the management principle used to set standards for expected results and implement corrective actions when not going in the right direction. HR managers measure the efficiency of persons employed for the tasks and maintain turnover to low levels. HRM is responsible for the control of labor practices to keep them within legality, the avoiding of discriminatory actions and potential losses due to lack of training (Bateman, 2009). HRM is the backbone for any organization and is critical that human resource managers keep updated on all the changes affecting business. References Merriam-Webster Dictionary. (2012). http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/management?show=0&t=1347165029 DeCenzo, D. and Robbins, S. (2007) Fundamentals of Human Resource Management, 9e p4 John Wiley & Sons Management: Leading and Collaborating in a Competitive World, by Bateman and Snell (8th edition, 2009) Retrieved from EBook Collection, https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/classroom/ic/classroom.aspx

My one Point Presentation Essay

What are the three strongest reasons to support your point of view? 1. Media Habits – Aggressive Attitudes and Behaviors 2. Impact on media violence on kids and young adults on the rise 3. Children and adults alike have become additive I. Introduction Video games have been in existed since the 1970’s, but it was not until the 1990’s that violent games came of age. Due to the numerous school shootings since the 1990’s, it attracted the attention of nation. Over the years, violent video games used both by children and adults have increased. II. Body: 1. Media Habits – Aggressive Attitudes and Behaviors Expert finding a. Youth violence resulting in deaths and injuries has direct and indirect costs in excess of $158 billion each year. b. Video game habits are significantly related to children’s hostile attribution scores, the frequency with which they get into arguments with teachers (by self-report), their grades, and their levels of hostility. 2. Impact on media violence on kids and young adults on the rise? Statistics a. 90% of U.S. youth aged eight to 18 play video games, with boys averaging about 19 hours a week and girls 5 hours a week. b. 70% of fourth to 12th graders report playing â€Å"Mature†-rated games (suitable for those 17 and older), which contain the most graphic violence of all. c. Children & College students who had played the violent children’s game displayed a 40% higher aggression rate than those who had played a nonviolent game. 3. Children and adults alike have become addictive. Testimony a. 10 percent to 15 percent of gamers meet the World Health Organization’s criteria for addiction. b. 88% of young people in the U.S. play video games, indicating that up to three million could be showing signs of addiction c. Nationwide survey – ages 8 to 18; found that 1 in 12 teens show signs of behavioral addiction to video games. III. Conclusion After 50 years of studying video games and trying to figure out what the cause that violent video games have on kids and young adult. We are still no closer to knowing the exact answer. With games today being more realistic and bloodier than ever; yet it is not at all clear whether, over longer periods, such a habit increases the likelihood that a person will commit a violent crime, like murder, rape, or assault, much less a Newtown or Columbine massacres. It is our responsibility to know our limits with  anything in life, bottom line we will be held accountable for our actions.