Tuesdays With Morrie Essays (376 words) - Self-help Books

Tuesdays With Morrie This book is an intriguing description of an old mans battle with death. More specifically that man is suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); a disease that affects the neurological system. There is no cure for this disease, and the only good that can come out of having it is the chance to say goodbye. The chance to educate people on the meaning of life and the chance to give back what so many have given you. I think Morrie does exactly that, in this novel and in life. In this novel there are two people that are at the base of the story and several supporting people for both Morrie and Mitch. Mitch is a former student of Morrie's who has come back to bid his professor and his good friend goodbye. While doing this, Morrie and Mitch both agree to do a final thesis on Morrie's death. They meet on Tuesdays and discuss several different topics about life. Mitch films these sessions in hopes of being able to watch them after Morrie's passing, and to help him in writing this thesis. As Morrie gets into the final stages of his illness he can no longer do anything except talk, and even that is quickly passing away. Morrie said that he knew it would be bad when he could no longer wipe his ass. But when that time came he said he actually enjoyed it, that it was like being a baby again. Morrie demonstrates tremendous caring in this book; trying to help people until the very end. He even goes as far as to say that if he could have another son he wishes that it could be Mitch. The final session ends with Morrie telling Mitch he loves him and Mitch doing the same and they both start to cry; something Mitch said he would never do. Morrie spends his final days with his nuclear family and dies alone in his bed, almost like he had planned it that way. This is probably one of the best books I've ever read. The lessons you learn just by reading the book are tremendous. Morrie is a great professor, even after his death, as this book proves to be true. I know I'll never forget this book and the numerous lessons it has taught me. Life is a precious thing, live for the now.

Why Dating in Early Ages Isn’t a Good Idea Essay Essays

Why Dating in Early Ages Isn’t a Good Idea Essay Essays Why Dating in Early Ages Isn’t a Good Idea Essay Essay Why Dating in Early Ages Isn’t a Good Idea Essay Essay When you walk in a hallway in your school and see a individual that crushes your bosom. you wish that you can talk to that individual or interact with him/her. But things happen to rapidly. as you have to travel to your category. The ideas of the individual of your dreams stay in your head. throughout the whole twenty-four hours and you still want to make something about your individual you wish to speak to. Dating in your early age is a batch worse than it looks. It will do you to desire to turn back when you’re in the center of it. but you’ll realise that it’s excessively late. Bing an obvious fact. dating in an early age would interrupt your acquisition. Scientists have proved that it interrupts your thought. since the ideas of holding to pass clip with your true love would be your first precedence. Of class. faculty members are really of import to your life. as it would assist you acquire occupations. But if your head was concentrating on love and dating during your early age. you wouldn’t be successful to acquire a occupation. Students become influenced to get down a relationship when they see another twosome. It is indistinguishable to peer force per unit area. so pupils get to â€Å"show off† or boast about their spouse to their friends. Two facts about dating during early age are ; One in four striplings study verbal. physical. emotional and sexual maltreatment every twelvemonth. The bulk of adolescent dating maltreatment occurs in the place of their spouse. About every adolescent thinks whether they should get down dating a batch. Brett Ullman. premiere talker in Canada or Christianity gave a presentation to simple pupils. Brett Ullman told the pupils that a bulk of relationships that take topographic point during simple school or early high school end up neglecting. or interrupting apart. The ground? Because kids and teens at immature ages aren’t prepared for dating. due to their adulthood and duty. Many pupils think that dating is merely a game. where there is really merely a little opportunity where they can be successful in their relationship. Should we day of the month in such an early age. is one’s pick. But many teens fall into the obvious trap that would destroy their repute in school. or in life. Failing can be really light for one individual. where they can easy travel on to their aim in life. But for the other. sing a broken relationship can take to self injury. depression or self-destruction. I myself hasn’t experienced a relationship that fell apart. but seen one. Since I’m still in an early age. the reactions. and result of a broken relationship wasn’t really terrible. All there was were merely a few yearss of unhappiness. and the following hebdomad was back to normal. But if I were to see one later on in life. I hope non to see one. the result of a broken relationship might be more intense. Dating during preteens or merely a small other than preteens is most likely a bad thought. Dating isn’t something that one can easy manage or populate through. When you see person that you wish to day of the month with. bury about it. and merely believe of that individual as a friend.

Netflix Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Netflix - Essay Example What Type Of Competitive Advantage Is Netflix Trying To Achieve? Being the largest online movie rental in the world, Netflix is trying to increase the number of clientele to more than 6.3 million that will be able to access more than 70,000 DVD titles. They are also expanding their markets throughout United States by having a cheaper physical presence than their competition, as well as a good customer base for the same. Their other advantage was differentiation where they delivered and charged their movies differently from their main competitors (Netflix, Inc., 2012). Though the strategy could only work for short term basis, it was trying before they came up with other ideas. The strategy made them dominate the markets, and they got loyal customers who still subscribed to them even after few changes were made. Netflix also invested in a unique design referred to personalization that further differentiated their services and helped maintain most of their customers. This design helped Netflix strengthen their relationship with their customers in var ious ways especially by giving them smarter services than other competitors. Question 2 How Strong Are The Competitive Forces In The Movie Rental Marketplace? Competitive forces in the movie market world are not very strong at the moment because there are only three competitors, Redbox, Netflix and Blockbuster. Majority of the people around the world prefer recording movies from their televisions, or prefer watching movies from sites where subscription is not required or watch them online giving most of the movie renters to shut down. This leaves few competitors who have been in the business long enough to know what is required to still have people using their services on a daily basis. They ensure that for every lost client, there is a new one by introducing various strategy of beating the competition and keeping up with technology. Providing best qualities of movies, as well as the latest DVDS has made the three renters stay in business. Knowing the needs of customers is key to success and the three companies have endeavored to know the requirements of thei r customers and endeavored to provide all their needs. Do Five-Force Analysis To Support Your Answer? By using Porters five forces analysis which includes: rivalry, from research there not much competition in the movie rental world with competitors being; any local vendors, Blockbuster, Netflix and Redbox. Secondly there is the threat of substitutes where it can only be websites that allow people to watch movies online for free. Satellite companies and cables allow people to pay the required fee and watch anything they want from the comfort of their homes (Netflix, Inc., 2012). The third force is the buyer power where it indicates that it is up to the buyer to make a choice of whether they want to rent a certain movie or not and if they have the capability to do so. If they chose not to rent any films there is nothing the renters can do about it. Supplier power is another force which indicates that the more films they have the more power they get over their competition. The last for ce is the barriers to entry where specific rental

Major Challenges along Silk Route Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Major Challenges along Silk Route - Essay Example Moreover, Silk Route proved to be a significant avenue for the exchange of ideas, cultures, and religions. Some of the primary ideas and technology travelled to the world through Silk Route, such as, paper making technology, printing, and gunpowder production are a few to name. Explorers, migrants, traders, soldiers, refugees, and pilgrims contributed to Silk Routes’ extensive cross-continental exchange through their religion, culture, animals, flowers, vegetables, plants, herbs, fruits, and diseases as well (Ma, 1998, pp.1-2).It is not surprising that Silk Road was considered to be the ‘melting pot,’ and ‘the lifeline of the Eurasian Continent’ (Franck and Brownstone 1986; Werblowsky 1988 cited in Ma, 1998, p.2).Routes expansion due to apparently hostile conditions, such as, war between tribes and robbery, Silk routes reached to India, Tibet, Iraq, and Russia(today’s). Moreover, it merged into previously established routes, such as, spice rout es with India (Rowan, 2006). 2. Silk Sea Route Sea route is considered to be another Silk Route which links South China Sea to Indian Ocean and to Mediterranean through both Persian Gulf and Red Sea route. Sea route served the same purpose for silk trade as overland route. In ancient times, overland or sea routes were alternate routes. Over a period of time, sea routes didn’t prove more efficient due to primitive ships, inefficient navigational tools, and lack of geographical knowledge. Seafarers used to stay close to the shorelines; therefore, they cover very small distances (Needham and Wang, 1954, pp.174-80). The rise of Islam played crucial role in the development of overland and sea Silk Route. Muslim ship masters pervaded into not only Indian... Strength of the windstorm and nature of the surface make it more dangerous. Though local people have huge respect for this â€Å"Land of Death,† only few travellers said well about this region in the past. A few roads pass through this vast region, caravans skirted the edges of this region from one oasis to another throughout ancient times. Climate has always been harsh; in summers, the day time temperature is in 40s and greater than 50 degree Celsius frequently measures in the sub-sea-level basin of Turfan. On the other hand, in winters, the temperatures dip below -20 degrees. Temperatures are high in day time, but drop sharply after dusk. Moreover, Taklimakan desert has much sparse water resources (Wild, 1992).Such severe environmental conditions posed great threats to traders from ancient times. Other regions surrounding Taklimakan were equally dangerous. To the northeast, there lies Gobi desert with equally hostile climate. On other three sides, there are highest mountains in the world: Himalaya, Karakorum, and Kunlun ranges. Only few icy, but dangerously narrow and difficult passes cross the region. Most of these passes are more than 5000 meters in altitude, with deep and steep side valleys. North ranges, Tianshan and Pamir are comparatively green and low, however, passes crossing these ranges have enormous problems for the travelers and traders in ancient times. However, a comparatively easier entering point is along the ‘Gansu Corridor’ while entering the region from east (Wild, 1992).

Evaluate an existing information management system within healthcare Case Study

Evaluate an existing information management system within healthcare organization in the Abudhabi hospitals - Case Study Example It is evident from the argument of research scholars that implementation of IMS in hospitals is a pertinent but hotly debated topic. Hence, the researcher has decided to dig deep in this topic by shedding light on existing IMS in hospitals of UK. Description and Functional Evaluation In UK, majority of hospitals are covered under the supervision of National Health Service Estate hence these hospitals show the common tendency while implementing a new IT application. Puig-Junoy (2000) and Tsai and Molinero (2002) have pointed out that in most of the cases, hospitals implement a new system in order to decrease the patient management cost. However, these researchers have suggested that hospitals should implant those systems which can save money and time of patients and deliver service in profitable manner. E-Prescribing has been selected by the researcher as the IMS to study in this paper. Hospitals like Chelsea and Westminster Healthcare NHS Trust has already been implemented the e-Pres cribing in order to manage cost of servicing patients (European Commission, 2012). Although e-Prescribing might sound like it’s the electronic version of formal prescription but in real scenario it’s much more than prescribing. E-Prescribing is the modified version of patient management facilities which requires active involvement of stakeholders such as doctors, nurses, patients and many others. Generally hospitals such as Chelsea and Westminster Healthcare NHS use e-Prescribing as packaged software but there examples, where hospitals use customized version of e-Prescribing. Now, the study will try to understand what exactly meant by e-Prescribing. NHS Connecting for Health (NHS CFH) (2009) has defined E-Prescribing as the information management system which is created in order to facilitate and enhance the communication of medicine order or prescription, increasing the options for administration of hospitals to provide medicine to patients in accordance with their pr escription, creating decision support and audit support system for the hospital to manage medicines used throughout the treatment of patients. In simple words, objective of e-prescribing is to manage patient information in efficient manner and help the hospital to audit its medicines used per patients. Many of the UK hospitals create the link between e-Prescribing and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) in order to help audit section of the hospital to conduct the cost-benefit analysis of its patient service. Implementation of e-Prescribing system is stepwise process which involves the engagement of various clinical stakeholders such as doctors, patient care division in the hospital, Information Management and Technology (IM&T) professionals, senior clinicians, senior managers etc. Specifically, IM&T is responsible for providing technical and infrastructural support to e-Prescribing (NHS CFH, 2009). E-Prescribing cannot be viewed as simple automation of manual task function for presc ribing medicines rather than it should be viewed as transformative process. For example, using e-Prescribing empowers doctor and nurses can change the traditional prescribing process and indicate the

Cardiovascular control in exercise, the contribution of central command and muscle afferents

Cardiovascular control in exercise, the contribution of central command and muscle afferents Cardiovascular Control in Exercise, the contribution of Central Command and Muscle Afferents The human body has the ability to easily adapt when exercise begins with many of these adaptations occurring in the cardiovascular system. It is well documented that at the onset of exercise heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP) and muscle sympathetic nerve activity progressively increase to higher levels (Lind et al, 1964). These cardiovascular adaptations are controlled by either central (Central Command) or peripheral (exercise pressor reflex) mechanisms (McCloskey Mitchell, 1972). Central Command (CC) is thought to be a feed-forward process controlling both HR and respiration, both of which are known to increase in the anticipation of exercise (Secher, 2007). CC originates from higher areas of the brain (motor cortex and subcortical areas) and works in parallel with both the locomotor and cardiorespiratory systems during exercise (Green et al, 2007). The feed-forward efferent input converges on the cardiovascular centres of the brainstem along with feedback returning from afferents located in the active skeletal muscle providing the changes seen at the onset of exercise (Fisher et al, 2005). The changes within the cardiovascular system during exercise are helped via peripheral mechanisms as well as CC. CC inhibits the parasympathetic nervous system by decreasing vagal tone allowing HR to rise, the sympathetic nervous system eventually takes over to allow further increases. Activation of the sympathetic nervous system is produced via feedback from muscle afferents, mainly mechanoreceptors (Murata and Matsukawa, 2001), and forms the sensory arm of the exercise pressor reflex. Muscle afferents are split into two separate classes, group III and group IV. Group III afferents, classified as mechanoreceptors, are stimulated via muscle stretch, contraction or pressure (Kaufman et al, 1983) whereas group IV afferents, classified as metaboreceptors, are chemically sensitive (Gladwell and Coote, 2002). Afferents are also said to be polymodal and can respond to both mechanical and chemical stimuli (Mense and Meyer, 1985). The exercise pressor reflex is evoked when afferents become sensitised allowing feedback to the cardiovascular centres within the brain. This then allows adequate perfusion of the muscles by increasing cardiac output and constricting the vascular beds (OLeary, 1993). A number of studies aim to distinguish between the role of CC and muscle afferent feedback in humans during exercise. When the blood supply to an exercising muscle is occluded CC is not present, this process known as post exercise circulatory occlusion (PECO) activates metaboreceptors (Gandevia and Hobbs, 1990). Electrically evoked exercise also bypasses CC so when this method is used CC is redundant (Kaufman and Rybicki, 1987). These two methods allow the elimination of CC showing muscle afferents provide all feedback which could evoke a cardiovascular response. CC is activated in proportion to the intensity of the exercise; results from a study by Williamson et al (2002) have shown this through hypnosis. Originally an individuals perceived exertion during exercise was thought to be independent of any force being produced, allowing the magnitude of CC to be seen (Gandevia et al, 1993). Williamson et al (2002) obtained results related to this idea; they found that the level of CC activated was related to an individuals sense of effort independently of any force being produced. Increases in HR were found during hypnosis despite no exercise being performed and increases were therefore independent of feedback from afferents within the active limb. Passively stretching muscles allows cardiovascular responses to be evoked within humans; two studies by Gladwell and Coote (2002) and Fisher et al (2005) have proposed opposing ideas. Gladwell and Coote (2002) activated mechanoreceptors in the triceps surea to measure the effects on HR and BP. Voluntary isometric contraction of the plantar flexor followed by a sustained stretch of the triceps surea by dorsiflexion were performed. Fisher et al (2005) used a similar protocol but blood supply was occluded throughout and different percentages of maximal voluntary contraction were used. They aimed to see whether cardiovascular response to sustained muscle stretch was altered by varying metabolites within the muscle. Gladwell and Coote (2002) found HR increased soon after the onset of muscle contraction with part of the HR response being mediated via mechanoreceptors since stimulation of receptors via stretch decreased parasympathetic activity. Fisher et al (2005) found that HR and BP were unaffected by levels of metabolite accumulation, therefore stretch was seen to activate mechanically sensitive afferents which are unaffected by the metabolic condition. This studys use of occlusion shows that the response to stretch is purely from muscle afferents as it is known that CC is not present in these conditions. Gladwell and Coote (2002) did not use occlusion and though cardiac vagal tone activity was measured throughout stretch there is no way to ascertain whether CC was present. The conclusion drawn by Fisher et al (2005) is more reliable as the cardiovascular response seen is entirely down to mechanoreceptors, it must be certain that CC has been eliminated in Gladwell and Cootes (2002) study befo re the results can be taken into consideration. The use of stimulated and voluntary exercises is an easy way to directly compare the effects of CC and muscle afferent feedback on the cardiovascular system. An early study by Krogh and Lindhard (1917) showed through electrical stimulation that an increase in pulse rate was reflexly induced (by muscle afferent) whereas increases in voluntary exercise originated from cerebral impulses (CC). Alam and Smirk (1937) took this further and looked into the changes in BP during muscular work when circulatory occlusion was applied. A cuff placed around the thigh occluded flow whilst knee raises were performed at repeated intervals using only the calf muscle. BP rose as a result of the exercise and dropped when the exercise stopped, however it remained at an elevated level compared to rest. BP did not return to resting level until PECO was ceased. Mental efforts which are associated with muscular work are not the main reason for the rise in BP; when no cuff was placed around the leg increases in BP were less or abolished. Therefore the small fall in BP whilst PECO is still in place is due to the cessation of mental activity concerned with muscular exercise and muscle afferents must be causing the cardiovascular response thereafter. The studies indicated previously provided the basis for the concept that CC and muscle afferents affect cardiovascular response in separate ways. More recent studies by Coote et al (1971) and Bull et al (1989) have looked further into the effects of voluntary and stimulated exercise. Bull et al (1989) compared the pressor reflex during and following voluntary and involuntary contraction of the triceps surea whilst under occlusion. When voluntary contraction ended but PECO was maintained BP rapidly fell to a lower though still elevated level compared with rest. It was thought that the initial drop was attributed to the removal of CC, matching the results of Alam and Smirk (1937). The immediate drop in HR back to resting level seen post exercise whilst still under PECO suggests that it cannot be the metabolites which cause the increase in HR, if this were the case HR would stay elevated in PECO. The study concludes that the elevated BP following both types of contractions (electrical and voluntary) were due to circulatory arrest caused by trapped metabolites within the muscle. This suggests that the cardiovascular responses of HR and BP must be controlled by two separate mechanisms, CC and peripheral feedback respectively. Coote et al (1971) looked at the pressor reflex response to muscular exercise in cats. The cats were anaesthetised and contraction of the hindlimb was elicited by electrical stimulation of the ventral root, CC was not activated as electrical stimulation bypasses the brain. An increase in BP was still seen without CC being present therefore the conclusion was drawn that cardiovascular response arises from within the contracting muscles themselves, either mechanically or chemically, rather than from CC. Evidence for a chemical stimulus within humans has come from Alam and Smirk (1937) which can provide the link that results drawn from cats can be similar to those that occur in humans. It was also found that the pressor reflex was proportional to the tension developed by the contraction and so the stronger the contractions the large the pressor reflex is likely to be. Distinguishing between CC and muscle afferent feedback can also be undertaken through neuromuscular blockade (NMB) and anaesthesia. Two studies employing this technique are by Gandevia and Hobbs (1990) and Iwamoto et al (1987) both looked at cardiovascular response in man, McCloskey and Mitchell (1972) also employed this technique but investigated cats. The latter study sought to provide evidence that NMB would abolish the cardiovascular response in exercise. Cats triceps surea were electrically stimulated via the ventral root with two nerve blocking techniques being used: anodal blockage was used to eliminate large myelinated nerve fibres and anaesthesia was used to eliminate small and unmyelinated nerve fibres. Anodal block did not change the pressor reflex from the control condition; this is due to only the large fibres being blocked which are predominantly muscle spindles and Golgi tendon organs. However under anaesthetic the cardiovascular responses were abolished. This is due to small and unmylinated fibres being blocked which are predominantly mechano- and metaboreceptors. The fact that only anaesthesia affects the cardiovascular response shows that the response is entirely due to the pressor reflex as no CC could be present. Iwamoto et al (1987) did a similar study but experimented on both cats and humans. The cat procedure was the same as McCloskey and Mitchell (1972) whilst humans performed voluntary and evoked knee extensions before and after NMB (tubocurarine). In cats blockade eliminated all cardiovascular responses compared with the control condition. In human voluntary contraction HR increased and strength was large, NMB reduced strength but allowed further increases in HR. Stimulated contraction reduced strength but HR was as large as in voluntary exercise though increased from the second R-R interval, NMB reduced strength further but HR still increased from second heart beat. BP increased in both types of exercise but to a lesser extent in stimulated exercise, NMB further reduced BP. As HR was unaffected by NMB it is suggested that it is governed by processes outside the muscle (CC) this is in line with Sechers (1985) findings. However BP was affected suggesting that muscle afferent feedback pl ays a role in the control of BP within the cardiovascular response, this matches the McCloskey and Mitchells (1972) conclusion drawn from cats. Gandevia and Hobbs (1990) looked at changes in HR and BP to graded contraction in man with the use of anaesthesia. Handgrip contractions were performed with a period of 3min PECO, arm muscles were then acutely paralysed via anaesthesia and the exercise performed again. HR and BP increased in line with the preceding contraction with PECO showing the degree to which the metaboreflex was activated. BP increased in direct relation to the preceding contraction but HR did not. In paralysis graded increases in HR were seen but not in BP, suggesting CC controls HR response. These results are consistent with in Iwamoto (1987) who found NMB to reduce BP response but which had little effect on HR response to voluntary contraction. Both studies show that cardiovascular response must be due to a combination of CC and chemoreflex. Gandevia and Hobbs (1990) showed that during anaesthesia HR was controlled by CC as muscle afferent would have been blocked, as BP did not increase with anaesthesia it could be concluded that muscle afferents control the modulation of BP. Conclusions can be drawn from all the relevant literature that CC and muscle afferent feedback have overlapping tendencies and that the different aspects of the cardiovascular response, though controlled via both mechanisms, lean towards one aspect more than the other. Therefore HR could be controlled to a greater extent by CC (Gandevia and Hobbs, 1990; Iwamoto et al, 1987 and Bull et al, 1989) whereas muscle afferent feedback could control BP response (Alam and Smirk, 1937 and Coote et al, 1971).

The Origin of Judgment :: Judgment Edmund Husserl Essays

The Origin of Judgment Introduction The guiding thesis of Experience and Judgment is that logic demands a foundational theory of experience, which at the lowest level is described as prepredicative or prelinguistic.1 Edmund Husserl pursues within that text a phenomenological elucidation of the origin of judgment in order that he might clarify the essence of the predicative judgment. He does so in the belief that an investigation into the form of prepredicative experience will show it to be the ground of the structure of predicative thought, and thus the origin of general, conceptual thought. From the beginning, Husserl takes the problematic of logic as being two-fold: on the one hand there is the question of the constitution of forms of judgment and their laws; and on the other, that of the subjective conditions of the attainment of self-evidence.2 He gives his investigation into this problematic in Experience and Judgment a tripartite structure, with each part corresponding to a different level of experience. This paper will loosely mirror Husserl’s own division, beginning with an articulation of what Husserl means by the prepredicative domain of experience. This will be followed by an examination of the origins of judgment in the prepredicative realm. Finally it will address simple predicative judgment and give a cursory treatment of the manner in which Husserl sees such judgment as progressing toward knowledge and universal judgment. All of this will be preceded, however, by a brief introduction to the arguments of Experience and Judgment. In Part I of Experience and Judgment, Husserl proceeds with an analysis of the â€Å"passive† data of experience. It is here that Husserl hopes to exhibit what he refers to as the â€Å"prepredicative† conditions of predication as such. These prepredicative conditions underlie every act of objective experience, such that these structures ultimately found the distinct forms of judgment that one would encounter on the level of formal logic. Part II concerns the structure of predicative thought as such; that is, it is concerned with the origin of predicative forms of judgment in prepredicative experience. Husserl argues that on the level of predicative thought, "objectivities of understanding† are realized in acts of categorical judgment, which form the logical structures necessary to the founding of a formal logic. The origin of general, conceptual thought is treated in Part III. The process of isolating the forms of judgment from the data of pregiven subjective exp erience, begun in Part II, is here continued.

Misrepresentation of african american women Essay

African American women have historically been viewed as hyper-sexual creatures, due to unique anatomical features not often seen in other races. This hyper-sexualized view of Black women dates back as early as the days of slavery when European imperialists traveled to Africa and were excessively intrigued by (and abashedly attracted to) the women in the tribes. Europeans were in awe of the physique of African women, comparable to none, as well as their dancing and traditional garments. Europeans unfamiliarity with a body type that is not unusual amongst African women resulted in a projection of hyper-sexuality onto Black women that did not truly exist and has been hard for Black women around the world to rid themselves of. Saartjie [Sara] Baartman, also known as the â€Å"Hottentot Venus,† became the blueprint for degrading and humiliating the Black woman on a worldwide level. Saartjie Baartman was a South African born woman who was enslaved by a Dutch farmer near the city of Cape Town. Her master was approached by traveling Europeans to travel to Europe to have her body examined and put on display. In 1810, Saartjie’s master informed her that she would be free and assume fortune and fame in order to persuade her to leave his plantation for the sideshow act she would unknowingly become in. It was this promise that led to Saartjie’s willingness to travel to Europe. Saartjie traveled to England and upon her arrival, she was placed on public display, often times in a cage, so her large buttocks and breast could be observed by hundreds of curious Englishman. These invasive spectators were recorded as laughing at her, calling her names, and throwing items at her. Saartjie’s body was so spectacular and strange to Europeans that medical students were able to use her for scientific research. She was again sold from England to a French circus to dance in the nude as entertainment and was one the main attractions. Saartjie never enjoyed the freedom she was promised and turned to alcohol to cope with her humiliation and entered prostitution to support her when she was no longer necessary as a side show attraction. She died in 1815, only five years after her arrival to Europe. Saartjie’s humiliation did not end with her death. She died of unidentified disease in France and her body was turned over to a museum. Her brain, vagina, and her skeleton were removed from her body, preserved and put on display. Her frameless body was then preserved in such a way that she stood erect as well. Her body was eventually buried in France but the parts removed from her body remained on display in a French museum until 1974. The displays were removed that year and replaced with casts of Saartjie’s confiscated body parts. Saartjie Baartman’s humiliating enslavement marks the beginning of the Black woman’s degradation. She could be considered the first â€Å"video-vixen model. † However, culture has changed such that women willingly dance erotically while scantily clad or totally nude, whereas Saartjie was forced. This willingness has transformed the way the Black woman is viewed and the way the Black woman views herself. The manner in which Saartjie Baartman was treated is indicative of European attitudes about Black women and African standards of beauty. Saartjie was renowned for her physique, which Europeans responded to Saartjie as an object with disgust, intrigue, sexual attraction, and condescension. The removal of her organs indicates a perverse obsession with the body of the African woman. This attitude about the Black woman’s body has persisted, taking on new faces as culture changes and pop culture emerged. Media images of Black women have long been degrading, unflattering, and/or extreme. Black women have specific functional roles in the media: typically and most often as Jezebel, Mammie, and the welfare mom. The Jezebel stereotype of the hyper-sexual, manipulative Black woman is more prevalent and more widely seen in the media from television, movies, magazines, and music videos. It is the Jezebel who is the African American woman who is not ashamed to take off her clothes in exchange for things she may need. The music industry especially popularizes strippers and video models as an acceptable and desirable occupation for a Black woman. Not only do majority of hip-hop lyrics degrade women to the lowest level that a woman can be degraded, but the music videos take special care to degrade the black woman even more. Rap music videos depict a false image of what a real woman looks like in reality: â€Å"music videos have gotten so raunchy they might as well be pornography, presenting a hyper-sexual depiction of women that distorts and demeans the image of black women in particular. Even in the tamer videos, women might as well be prostitutes. They are objects, part of the bling-bling, like the platinum chains and diamonds sported by rappers† (Daily Review 7/4/04). It is just in this way that Saartjie Baartman was displayed and responded to and it is in the way Black women have been consistently considered: as objects of sexual exploitation. Hip hop music has become explosively popular in the US and much of the rest of the world in the last twenty years. Hip hop music influences larger society in powerful ways and has become a subculture that has transcended race, socioeconomics, and gender. Its popularity and ability to transcend across many social lines that are usually impenetrable is the biggest threat to the perception of Black women by others and by themselves. When leaders like President Barack Obama and other prominent politicians reference lines from popular rap songs, they are often received with admiration and excitement by the media and larger public. Such a response from a pop culture reference reveals hip hop music’s ability to influence culture on a magnanimous level. Hip hop music is an industry run by men, with overwhelmingly male artists who provide entertainment for other men. In this understanding of the industry, the images of women presented through this massively popular music are exclusively chosen by men. Additionally, hip hop music tends to sell a lifestyle and not just a song or beats. As was previously discussed in the quote from Daily Review, expensive material things and several beautiful and naked women are things to achieve and obtain. An object is for use of some kind and the hip hop music industry has single handedly crystallized the developing notion that women in general are objects for sexual pleasure exclusively. This idea is particularly harmful for Black women and girls in the face of a media that has very few other images of Black women. White women are of course objectified and hyper-sexualized in the same manner, but the damage of such objectification is buffered by other images of a range of professional White women, heroines in film and television, prominent White actresses, politicians, businesswomen, journalists, etc â€Å"Historically, white women, as a category, were portrayed as models of self-respect, self-control, and modesty – even sexual purity, but black women were often portrayed as innately promiscuous, even predatory. This depiction of black women is signified by the name Jezebel† (Pilgram, 2002). Black women and girls have very few other images to measure themselves against or look to for motivation or encouragement. These pervasive images of the Black woman as a promiscuous and manipulative Jezebel juxtaposed with the lack of other, more positive images, is extremely damaging to the Black woman’s self-esteem. These images also inform others of how to perceive and ultimately treat Black women, which is further corrosive to the Black woman’s self-esteem. As if the power that images tend to have on the human psyche were not enough, hip hop music also incorporates lyrics that correspond to the tone of disrespect for Black women. Negative epithets that refer to a woman’s sexual and social behavior like â€Å"ho† and â€Å"bitch† are common, frequent, and acceptable in hip hop lyrics and serve to further denigrate Black women. Often, rappers and fans alike make excuses for the disturbing images and lyrics featured in songs and videos, expressing that the women featured in the videos are working of their own volition and are not being objectified. While the women of these videos are participating of their own volition, the degrading lyrics and the degrading images are not negated just because the women are choosing to participate. The message being sent is still clear and ubiquitous: Black women are objects of sexual gratification that do not have to be spoken to or spoken of as human beings. Viewers are influenced by these images and lyrics and are encouraged to develop erroneous ideas about and monolithic perception of Black women. Additionally, because other, more positive images of Black women are missing in the media, viewers are left with little real information about the Black woman’s experience, life, and character. Hip hop music has also set the standard of presentation for female rappers as well. Female rappers who have debuted in the last 20 years invoke the power the same sexual images and presentations as the male rappers do. More recent female rap artists like Nikki Minaj have amplified the hyper-sexual stereotype about Black women with her sexually charged lyrics, provocative style of dress, and various implants to enlarge her breasts and buttocks, looking not unlike Saartjie Baartman and the many beautiful women of Africa. Artists who pre-date Nikki Minaj, like Lil’ Kim and Foxy Brown, debuted in a similar fashion, using their sexuality through lyrics and risque media poses in which they were almost always scantily clad, to propel their careers. These female rappers only serve to further push the music industry’s agenda to denigrate women, Black women in particular, by buying into and proudly displaying the very stereotypical behaviors that function to keep hyper-sexualized images of Black women in the minds of viewers. Female rappers serve the same purpose as those women dancing in hip hop videos: to push the sexual agenda of a sexist music industry. However, the message delivered through female rappers is pronounced solely due to the fact that the artist is a female who is promoting a hegemonic patriarchal message. The sexual nature of hip hop in general is made more acceptable if the objects of sexual exploitation, women, also become hip hop stars. Lastly, the current female hip hop stars are adopting images of beauty from childhood icons such as Barbie, as is the case with Nikki Minaj. The adaptation of Barbie for the purpose of hip hop is a clear indication that there is an agenda to capture all viewers’ minds to believe the images they are presented with about Black women. The most effectual approach to challenging the erroneous and negative images of Black women in the media is for those who are aware and knowledgeable to expose the falsehoods of the pervasive stereotypes and ideas about Black women. Bibliography Frith, Susan. â€Å"Searching for Sara Baartman. † Johns Hopkins Magazine, June 2009. http://www. jhu. edu/jhumag/0609web/sara. html (accessed April 20, 2013). â€Å"The Hottentot Venus. † Accessed April 22, 2013. http://whgbetc. com/mind/hottentot_venus_emory. html. Payton, Brenda. â€Å"Sorority Sisters Combat Explotiative Rap Images. † Daily Review (Hayward, CA). 4 July 2004. Pilgrim , David. â€Å"Jezebel. † Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia. . http://www. ferris. edu/jimcrow/jezebel. htm (accessed April 23, 2013). Clemlyn-Ann , Pollydore, and Jennifer A. Richeson. â€Å"Affective Reactions of African-American Students to Stereotypical and Counterstereotypical Images of Blacks in the Media.. † Journal of Black Psychology. no. 3 (2002): 261-275. Simmonds, Felly Nkweto. â€Å"’She’s Gotta Have It’: The Representation of Black Female Sexuality on Film. † Feminist Review. (1988): 10-22. http://www. jstor. org/discover/10. 2307/1395143? uid=3739936&uid=2129&uid=2&uid=70&uid=4&uid=3739256&sid=21102132644181 (accessed April 22, 2013).

Socialism and Communism after Marx

Socialism and Communism after Marx Introduction The following essay examines the Socialism and Communism after Marx. Socialism and Communism are two main approaches of the political theory. Karl Marx is among the modern political thinkers whose concepts have continued to have a special meaning as far as political theory is concerned. It is important to first consider the life and works of Marx before examining the socialism and communism after him.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Socialism and Communism after Marx specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Karl Max was one of the most renown scholar and theorist who lived between 1818 and 1883.The work of Karl Marx played an important role of changing the manner in which individuals operates. Marx theoretical works was based on social sciences, history, economics and philosophy. For a couple of years, the political and economic theories by Karl Marx were linked with several key political movements arou nd the world. For instance, the theory of Marxism was the official theory that guided Germany before the First World War.Also; Marxim theory was the official theory that guided Soviet Union and other nations in Eastern Europe for 72 years. Karl Marx in his theory enabled the majority poor people to triumph over the upper class.However; Karl Marx failed in his Marxism theory as a result of the establishment of the middle class. Even though he failed, Karl Marx was a respected philosopher as he was the man behind communism in many countries of the world such as Russia. His life and works played an important role of changing the way individual’s reason in the modern world. As a result of his works, people became approachable and also quick-thinkers as far as creating thoughts on politics are concerned. Karl Marx spent a large proportion of his life criticizing capitalism system. He participated in radical activities and wrote trenchant critiques that showed capitalism as a means of exploiting human beings. He therefore emphasized on socialism and communism. Karl Marx worked hand in hand with Friedrich Engels and the two men maintained a long lasting collaboration until the time when Marx died in 1844 (Rockmore 55). Socialism and Communism after Marx Following Karl Marx’s demise in 1844, Friedrich Engels who was became the narrator of the Marxism theory that was developed by Karl Marx. Engels approached an easy literary style and also had a tendency of offering simple answers with regards to complex philosophical issues. For instance,Engels answered the philosophical question of the relationship between thought and being in a very simple way which has been discussed for many years.Advertising Looking for research paper on political sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Engels played an important role of setting the tone for the future political Marxists i.e. he enabled the future Marxists to decide philosophical questions in an easy manner. Engels also reinterpreted the Marxism theory by simplifying it in that where Karl Marx had given emphasis on preference and alternatives,Engels emphasized on needs and requirements. Where Karl Marx had emphasized on the importance of studying social process regarding extraction and production, Engels on the other hand emphasized on materialism as the guiding principle (Carver 37). Friedrich Engels died on 1895 and a different analysis of the Marxian theory took shape. The interpretation of the Marxism theory after Engels was later done by Eduard Bernstein in Germany who held the view that the theory required to be modified as it was old fashioned. Bernstein argued that nonviolent political as well as economic development of capitalism system to socialism system was the most ideal way of dealing with unnecessary revolutionary struggles. As Bernstein interpretation of Marxism theory among Germans’ socialists, another diverse variant was taking shape in Russia. During this period, Russia was a medium sized economy and the Marxism theory was not much popular. Agriculture was the main economic activity and the farmers were mainly small-scale farmers. Karl Marx had commented about the condition of rural life in his theory whereby he held the view that the communities who practice agriculture have much lower prospects for progressing as compared to the urban communities.However, some Russians criticized these remarks and in turn believed that Russia was capable of changing. Among the Russian revolutionalists who believed in change was George Plekhanov who in turn influenced an adolescent male by the name Lenin (Ball and Farr 57). Lenin on his part agreed that Russia was not yet ready for the revolutions due to various reasons such as the fact that Russian workforce was largely composed of agricultural laborers instead of industrial laborers. Lenin thus held the view that there was need to educate th e laborers so that they can fit into their respective class. Lenin during his life emphasized on communism and he criticized imperialism for he believed that it was the main reason behind the outbreak of the First World War. Lenin howenr died inn 1924 and afterwards another revolutionalists by the name Joseph Stalin emerged .Joseph Stalin emphasized on the law of the dialect i.e. the revolution from old into new society. Stalin also went further to argue that this law was ideal in case of a society that is divided into several hostile classes. Stalin also held the view that socialism requires to be practiced in Soviet Union prior to being practiced in any nation around the world.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Socialism and Communism after Marx specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Stalin passed away in 1953 and fifty years from then, Soviet Union does not exist.However, some countries including Russia still ex ercises his views. On the other hand, communism is still being practiced in China. The main theorist behind communism in China was Mao Zedong. Mao just like his predecessor i.e. Engels, Lenin, Beinstein and Stalin made various amendments with regards to the Marxian theory. Mao brought about several ideologies among them proposing that the city will guide the village. He also warned that city life is dangerous since it could hinder the revolutionary efforts by the communist and also cause ideological decay amongst the party carders. There were scholars who criticized socialism and communism by Karl Marx.The critics held the view that the government should not exist and that it should be brought to an end as it is a means of oppressing the citizens. These critics argued that vesting power in only a few communists is a means of promoting corruption. Among the scholars whom criticized socialism and communism by Karl Marx were Kropotkin and Bakunin (Rejai 78). Conclusion Following the de ath of Karl Marx, there have been many socialists and communists who have altered the original Marxism theory. Among the socialists and communists after Karl Marx includes Engels, Lenin, Bernstein, Stalin and Mao Zedong .There has also been scholars who have criticized the philosophical work of Karl Marx among them Kropotkin and Bakunin. Karl Marx’s theoretical work has been changed and misinterpreted since his death by his predecessors. Ball,Terence and Farr, James. After Marx. California: CUP Archive, 1984. Carver, Terrell. Engels after Marx. Manchester: Manchester University Press ND, 1999. Rejai, Mostafa. Political ideologies: a comparative approach. London: M.E. Sharpe, 1995.Advertising Looking for research paper on political sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Rockmore, Tom. Marx after Marxism: the philosophy of Karl Marx. Hoboken: John Wiley and Sons, 2002.

Gradualism vs. Punctuated Equilibrium

Gradualism vs. Punctuated Equilibrium Evolution takes a very long time to become visible. Generation after generation can come and go before any changes in a species are observed. There is some debate in the scientific community as to how quickly evolution occurs. The two generally accepted ideas for rates of evolution are called gradualism and punctuated equilibrium. Gradualism Based on geology and the findings of James Hutton and Charles Lyell, gradualism states that large changes are actually the culmination very small changes that build up over time. Scientists have found evidence of gradualism in  geologic processes, which the  Prince Edward Island Department of education  describes as the ...processes at work in the earths landforms and surfaces. The mechanisms involved, weathering, erosion, and plate tectonics, combine processes that are in some respects destructive and in others constructive. Geologic processes are long, slow changes that occur over thousands or even millions of years. When Charles Darwin first began formulating his theory of evolution, he adopted this idea. The fossil record is evidence that supports this view. There are many transitional fossils that show structural adaptations of species as they transform into new species. Proponents of gradualism say that the geologic time scale helps show how species have changed over the different eras since life began on Earth. Punctuated Equilibrium Punctuated equilibrium, by contrast, is based on the idea that since you cannot see changes in a species, there must be very long periods when no changes occur. Punctuated equilibrium asserts that evolution occurs in short bursts followed long periods of equilibrium.  Put another way, long periods of equilibrium (no change) are punctuated by short periods of rapid change. Proponents of punctuated equilibrium included such scientists as  William Bateson, a strong opponent of Darwins views,  who argued that species do not evolve gradually. This camp of scientists believes that change happens very rapidly with long periods of stability and no change in between. Usually, the driving force of evolution is some sort of change in the environment that necessitates a need for quick change, they argue. Fossils Key to Both Views Strangely enough, scientists in both camps cite the fossil record as evidence to support their views. Proponents of punctuated equilibrium point out that there are many  missing links  in the fossil record. If gradualism is the correct model for the rate of evolution, they argue, there should be fossil records that show evidence of slow, gradual change. Those links never really existed, to begin with, say the proponents of punctuated equilibrium, so that removes the issue of missing links in evolution. Darwin also pointed to fossil evidence that showed slight changes in the body structure of the species over time, often leading to  vestigial structures. Of course, the fossil record is incomplete, leading to the problem of the missing links. Currently, neither hypothesis is considered more accurate. More evidence will be needed before gradualism or punctuated equilibrium is declared the actual mechanism for the rate of evolution.

Employment-At-Will Doctrine Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Employment-At-Will Doctrine - Essay Example For instance, under the doctrine the employer can terminate additional work benefits, reduce employee’s vocational time or even, revise the salary agreements (National Conference of State Legislatures, 2013). Scenario 1: John’s actions damage the company’s image and thus, they are not admissible to ignorance. John did not consider the effects of his actions and thus, it is legally right for the company fire him. According to the employment-at-will doctrine, the employer can just fire the employee without notice and thus, firing John without notifying him will not bring any legal liability on the company. The ethical theory that best supports my decision is consequentialism. Scenario 2: In this scenario, I would not fire Jim. This is because; the employment-at-will doctrine has an exception referred to as retaliation, which states that if employees engage in activities such as claiming minimum wage or overtime compensation, then the doctrine shall not hold (Nation al Conference of State Legislatures, 2013).Therefore, to limit the liability in this case, I would listen to the claims of the salespersons and changing the commission consider changing the schedules. Scenario 3: Ellen should be fired. This will not impose any legal liability on the company since; she cannot claim the retaliation exception (National Conference of State Legislatures, 2013). The company could even decide to sue her based on libel and slander. However, to reduce the costs incurred, I would just fire her. My decision in this case is supported by the virtue ethics (Graham, 2004). Ellen has no virtues if she can act so maliciously to get her things done. Scenario 4: I would not fire Bill since there are no legal grounds to fire him. This is because; he has not committed any conflict of interest by using the phone. As long as using the phone in his business does not jeopardize its use in the company, and then the company cannot terminate his employment. Scenario 5: Install ing key logger software in the company computers is a way of protecting the company’s business and it is beneficial to both the employees and the company. Therefore, protesting such an important issue would only imply that the secretaries have hidden motives, which would be jeopardized by the installed software. I would fire these secretaries since; considering their protest would put company’s data at risk. In addition, the secretaries are not following ethics of principle, which states that principles are just a matter of reasoning and logic. To reduce the liability suffered in this case, I would ensure that I employ other secretaries with immediate effect. Scenario 6: I would fire Joe since it is legally permissible to do so. The employee has committed acts that harm the company’s operations. The company has the right to sue him without notifying him since; it has legal reasons and thus, no liability would arise from dismissal of the employer. In addition, Jo e has no grounds to sue the company since; although his privacy was invaded, it was concerning the company. My decision in this case is supported by ethics of cognitive moral development, which assert that as an individual grows he or she should be able to use critical thinking tactics to solve problems (Graham, 2004). Critically in this case, Joe definitely would not have used a company’

U.S. and Texas government Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

U.S. and Texas government - Essay Example Similarly, the humanitarian agencies have also a problem of supplying them with their basic needs. The government uses the borrowing internally and externally as a strategy to meet the free-rider problem whereas the humanitarian agencies depend on donations from well wishers (Project Vote Smart, 2015). a) Private goods and public goods. Private goods can be described as goods that the citizens of a country can benefit from their consumption. In order for a customer to consume the good, they have to pay the owner of the goods through an agreement of sale. Besides, the supply of private goods is usually limited. In order to derive the demand curve for the entire market, all the curves of every customer have to be added. b) On the other hand, public goods can be defined as products that are offered to the citizens of the country by their government free of charge. Usually, no competition exists given that the government acts as a monopoly. Examples may include voting, provision of relief foods, responding to national emergencies among other services and products provided by a government of its agencies. The free rider problem arises as a result of oversubscription of customers seeking services and products that are offered by the government freely. An example of a free rider problem includes free medical services that are offered by public hospitals. When the government offers the services freely, many people will prefer to seek treatment from public hospitals so that they can reduce their medical expenses.