Analysis of “the Use of Force” by William Carlos Williams

Justin Thomas Mrs. J Clark English 1 honors 2nd block 10 April 2013 Analysis of â€Å"The Use of Force† by William Carlos Williams In the book there is a doctor who wants to do well for others. He understands what the family is going through because in the story it says, â€Å"But I’ve seen two children lying dead the week of diphtheria because of neglect, I was not about to let that happen so it was diagnosed now or never. † There is also a girl who is sick. She has a sore throat and she won’t talk or open her mouth to anyone.The girl is very stubborn but she is terrified of the doctor as it says, â€Å"don’t call me a nice man. I’m here to look at her throat on the chance that she might have diphtheria and possibly die of it, but that’s nothing, she terrified of me. † Another character would be the father. He acts as if any father should only wanting the best for his daughter in the passage, â€Å"she’s had a fever for a few days and we don’t know where it comes from. † The mother is very frantic in this situation when she says, â€Å"If you don’t do what the doctor says you will have to go to the hospital. The conflict in the story is that this girl has been sick for a few days. Her parents call in a doctor to their house to check her out. You can tell in the story what atmosphere when the father says,† my wife has given her the things you know they do but don’t do no good. † You can tell that this is taken place in an either uneducated place or where that lingo is part of the culture. The girl in the story is so frightened and struck with fear that the excessive use of force just escalates the situation more.The doctor only wants to help the little girl. He clearly states that by saying,† But I’ve seen two children lying dead the week of diphtheria because of neglect, I was not about to let that happen so it was diagnosed now or never. † The girl is just scared to death by all of the commotion and sure that is why she is so resentful to comply. The mother and father both have the same intentions for their daughter but I believe that the mother is more sympathetic and the father just wants to get things over with.The methods of persuasion and how they got the girl to comply are simply trying to coax with words but unfortunately led to physical aggression. In the story the mom gently says, â€Å"come on, please do what his tells you, he won’t hurt you. † Then later on into the story it leads to the father having to hold down the daughter while the doctor tried to pry open the girls mouth a spoon. The conflict that soon arises out of story is the daughter is that she is unwilling to comply with the doctor.She won’t open her mouth for anything and no matter the coaxing the doctor or her parents and she just won’t listen. Eventually it leads to the girl getting hurt in the story it says,â₠¬  the child’s mouth was already was already bleeding. Her tongue was cut and she was screaming hysterically. † In the end the doctor had to overpower the child and pry her mouth open with a metal spoon. It was rough but it might have been rough but it saved the girls life.

Blood Doping: Is it Rational and Ethical? Essay

You’re in the big race and your rival who you’ve been neck and neck with all year long somehow beats you by way more than usual. You ran one of the best races of your life and he somehow beat you and you don’t know how. Winning that race would have gotten a lot of opportunities from big colleges and instead of looking at you they’re looking instead, at your rival. How would you feel if you later learned the reason he was able to beat you was only because he started blood doping? Now imagine this happening at the professional level every day. Blood doping is unethical, unfair, unsafe, and needs to be regulated and removed completely from professional sports and recreational use. â€Å"Blood doping† is comparable to the administration of anabolic steroids and other drugs with the hope of improving athletic performance. Anabolic steroids have been considered unethical and have been banned from use in sports and blood doping, as it should, is banned as well. The athletes are placing themselves at risk for serious complications without medical benefit. Surely there is the idea that they will do anything to win, but is it worth it? Kathleen Sharp, in her article â€Å"A Drug to Quicken the Blood,† shares the negatives to EPO explaining, â€Å"Too many red blood cells can turn your blood to sludge and make the heart work overtime. The drug raised the risks of strokes, blood clots, and heart attacks. Even worse was that EPO could potentially multiply cancer cells† (Sharp). Look more:  satiric essays EPO has so many health risks and these athletes just ignore them because their goals are more focused on winning rather than their long-term health. There are many other athletes out there, who haven’t admitted to it, but are taking EPO without the public’s knowledge and some of the reason might be that they are taking it just to keep up with others. Imagine this scenario: One athlete starts doping and starts excelling above others, then other athletes will need to dope as well to keep pace with him. The fact that there can only be one winner means a lot of these athletes are doping and are not winning anything, which results in risking and damaging their health without having anything to show for it. Besides the health problems that EPO risks, users are making a conscious decision to use an illegal substance to attempt to benefit their performance and gain an edge on the competition. Much like steroids as mentioned before, EPO is not allowed to be used in sports. Using an illegal substance to try to gain an edge over the competition is unethical no matter what position you take on blood doping. If blood doping was allowed in sports, then the discussion would be different, but since it is not, using it is considered cheating which is unethical behavior and is not acceptable in competition of any kind. There’s a code of ethics that athletes are supposed to follow. They sign contracts and get paid millions of dollars to perform in their respective sport and it’s assumed they got to where they are because of their own talents, hard work, and without the aid of illegal performance enhancing drugs. I think it’s fair to make a general assumption that we expect professionals who are supposed to be the best at what they do to be able to do what they do without cheating. One article from â€Å"Men’s Fitness† shows a study done by Dutch researchers that looks at how much affect blood doping really has on â€Å"elite athletes.† Shawn Radcliffe, the author of â€Å"Study: EPO Blood Doping Useless for Elite Athletes,† explains how the study and found that, in spite of popular belief, there’s little evidence to show EPO can improve performance in cyclists, who are considered to be elite athletes. He describes how â€Å"elite athletes† already have such maximal oxygen uptake, that EPO will have little change in the transportation of oxygen and therefore have little effect on performance. So it’s very possible that Lance Armstrong may have lost his career and titles for nothing if he already had the highest VO2max, or maximal oxygen intake, levels he could which means EPO would have been doing nothing for him. If he and other cyclists raced without the use of EPO, it would make the sport fairer, and there would be no question of his integrity and no doubt in everyone’s minds that he is the greatest cyclist in the world. But since we know he used EPO, he lost everything and it all could have been avoided if the drug wasn’t used in the first place. Even if it was, there should have been tests done to prevent those who were blood doping from being able to race. My solution to the problem of blood doping is to have professional doctors hired by the sports federation (not the individual teams’ doctor) go to each team and test each athlete individually for steroid and EPO use. Especially for major events that are world renowned and watched like the Olympics, World Cup, Tour de France, and the Super bowl, all athletes in these events should be blood tested for steroids and EPO use. There should be no excuse not to since these athletes have a responsibility to be honest and clean for the better of the sport and to be fair to all athletes out there, especially to those who don’t use drugs. Make athletes afraid to dope and hopefully the fad will be eradicated soon enough. If sports can ban, test for, and regulate steroid use then I believe they should reasonably and feasibly be able to test athletes for EPO use as well. Now going back to that big race, but this time without any blood doping involved; you run the best race of your life and beat that rival you’ve been neck and neck with all year long. All those big colleges you’ve been looking at are now scouting you and all the opportunities are opening up. With all things fair, it’s those who train harder and better that deserve to win, not those who cheat and use performance enhancing drugs to do it. That’s why blood doping needs to be regulated and removed completely from professional sports and recreational use.

Article of Capital Budgeting Survey Essay

This research is motivated by two major factors: (1) the  over twenty year hiatus since the last thorough review ofthe capital budgeting survey literature, and (2) past appeals to the finance academic community by researchers to explore  neglected areas ofthe capital budgeting process. In response, and using a four-stage capital budgeting process as a guide, the authors review the capital budgeting survey literature  from 1984 through 2008 and find that some ofthe neglected  areas have infact been directly addressed. Unfortunately, the most prevalent focus of capital budgeting surveys continues  to be that ofthe selection stage. As a result, many areas ofthe capital budgeting process still remain relatively unexplored, providing numerous survey research opportunities. This research effort is motivated by two tnajor factors: 1)  the twenty year hiatus since the last thorough review of the capital budgeting survey literature, and 2) past observations and appeals made to the finance academic community by  fellow researchers to explore neglected areas of the capital budgeting process through more focused and directed survey  research. Richard M. Burns is a Professor of Finance at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL Joe Walker is an Associate Professor of Finance at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL. The authors wish to thank the Editor and the anonymous referee for their many helpful comments and suggestions. 78 The first factor stands on its own as justification for an update of the capital budgeting survey literature. The last comprehensive reviews were made by researchers Scott and Petty (1984) and Mukherjee (1987) over twenty years ago. Regarding the second factor, almost three decades ago, Kim (1979) noted that too much emphasis was being placed on methods of ranking and selecting capital budgeting proposals. Scott and Petty (1984) also noted the â€Å"†¦ disproportionate (unjustified) amount of time [spent] on a particular stage (financial analysis and project selection) †¦Ã¢â‚¬  Further, Gordon and Pinches (1984) generalized this complaint by arguing that â€Å"†¦the capital budgeting process must be viewed in its entirety.† Mukherjee (1987) agreed that â€Å"†¦ further survey efforts need to be devoted to understanding the entire process.† To address these two factors, the authors have provided a current review of the capital budgeting survey studies over the past twenty-four years. The results are reported in a four-stage capital budgeting framework that allows a more detailed and clear assessment of the appeals by past researchers. As a result, fertile areas for future applied research in the area of capital budgeting survey work are more easily identified and summarized. The organization of this paper is as follows. In Section I a four-stage capital budgeting process will be identified and used throughout the balance ofthe paper. It provides a useful framework to evaluate in more detail the most prominent capital budgeting survey literature reviews of the past, to highlight neglected areas of capital budgeting research, and to organize past appeals for future research in this area. In Section II this four-stage process will also be used to describe the procedures used in performing the capital budgeting 79 BURNS & WALKER – CAPITAL BUDGETING SURVEYS: THE FUTURE IS NOW survey literature update over the 1984-2008 period. Section  III will continue to use this framework to present the detailed findings while Section IV will provide an overall summary.  Finally, Section V will present conclusions, comments, and  insights for future survey research. I. Past Reviews and Appeals appears on an executive’s desk and all that is needed is for the manager to choose the project(s) with the highest expected payoff. However, as most managers quickly learn, this is not the case. Further, once projects are chosen, the evaluation  of an individual project’s subsequent performance  is usually either ignored or often inappropriately  handled.  Our contention is that the capitalbudgeting process must be viewed in its entirety,  and the informational needs to support effective  decisions must be built  into the firm’s decision  comprehensive reviews  support system. In the corporate finance  capital budgeting survey  literature  the  capital  The last budgeting process has been  were made by researchers Scott  described in terms of four The two most significant stages: 1) identification, attempts to assess the and Petty (1984) and Mukherjee 2) development,  3)  balance of research among  (1987) over twenty years ago.  selection, and 4) control.’  these four stages were those  The identification stage  of Scott and Petty (1984)  comprises the overall process of project idea generation and Mukherjee (1987), both of which occurred well over including sources and submission procedures and the twenty years ago.^ Scott and Petty provided a synthesis of earlier surveys of  incentives/reward system, if any. The development stage involves the initial screening process relying primarily large American firms and organized their analysis based on a upon cash flow estimation and early screening criteria. The three stage classification: 1) project definition and cash flow selection stage includes the detailed project analysis that estimation 2) financial analysis and project selection, and results in acceptance or rejection of the project for funding. 3) project implementation and review. Citing Gitman and Finally, the control stage involves the evaluation of project Forrester (1977), they noted that: †¦ project definition and cash flow estimation is performance for both control purposes and continuous considered the â€Å"most difficult† aspect ofthe capital improvement for future decisions. All four stages have budgeting process. The financial analysis and common areas of interest including personnel, procedures, project selection stage, which receives the most and methods involved, along with the rationale for each. attention in the literature, is considered the least All four stages are critical to the overall process, but difBcult ofthe three stages †¦Ã‚  the selection stage is arguably the most involved since it includes the choices of analytical methods/techniques used, Also covering surveys of large American corporations, how the cost of capital is determined, how adjustments for Mukherjee (1987) agreed that there had been too much projects risks are assessed and reflected, and how, if relevant, survey focus on the selection stage and not enough on the capital rationing affects project choice. The selection stage other stages as well as the overall capital budgeting process. has also been the most investigated by survey researchers, Paraphrasing that paper’s recommendations, it called for particularly in the area of selection techniques, resulting in more research into specific questions relevant for each stage. a relative neglect ofthe other stages. This in turn has led to For example, in stage 1, future surveyors were urged to appeals to future researchers to consider the other stages in investigate the reward systems, procedural aspects, and the their survey research efforts. As Gordon and Pinches (1984) organizational structure ofthe firm. In stage 2, more research note: was suggested on the topics of divisional vs. corporate Most of the literature on the subject of capital biases, strategic considerations, cash flow estimation budgeting has emphasized the selection phase, details, data details, cannibalization, risk, and inflation. giving little coverage to the other phases. Instead, Even within the more widely-studied Stage 3, neglected it is usually assumed that a set of well-defined capital investment opportunities, with all of the informational needs clearly specified, suddenly ^ o t e that these two reviews are only three years apart based on publication ‘See Gordon and Pinches (1984) and Mukherjee (1987). Scott and Petty (1984) use a similar 3-stage process. It is interesting to note, however, that an even earlier survey by Gitman and Forrester (1977) had used a 4-stage analysis. date, and that the latter does not cite the former, likely due to publication lags. As noted in the procedures section, this paper uses the Mukherjee format. Furthermore, the title of this paper derives from Mukherjee’s title. 80 areas were identified such as the rationale for the various methods used, how firms compute their cost of capital, the low rate of risk recognition, the associated low rates of risk adjustment and assessment sophistication, capital rationing (and the low usage of linear programming), and the details of authorization levels. Finally, with regard to Stage 4, more research was encouraged into the details of performance evaluation, how the company follows up on such evaluation, the details of expenditure control procedures, and the reward system for performance.’ How well these appeals have been answered with subsequent survey research is the primary focus of this paper. In the next section the authors describe the procedures employed to assess the effectiveness of these appeals made over twenty years ago. II. Procedures Consistent with the reviews by Scott and Petty (1984) and Mukherjee (1987), the following criteria were used to choose capital budgeting survey articles for inclusion in this review: the surveys had to involve large US firms, they had to be broad-based (not focused on one particular industry), and they had to be published in mainline academic journals post-1984. Using these criteria resulted in the selection of the nineteen capital budgeting surveys included in Figure 1.† The Figure provides, in chronological order, the survey year (which in all cases differs from the publication year), authors, research method, usable responses and the audience surveyed. Each of these 19 survey articles was then thoroughly examined in an effort to identify the stages and areas within each stage that the survey covered. The results of this process are reported in Figure 2 and consistent with Mukherjee’s (1987) chronological ordering in a tabular form indicating areas of investigation within the four stages ofthe ‘These more specific questions are largely paraphrased from Mukherjee (1987) and are not fully exhaustive. The interested reader is, of course, encouraged to read this very thorough article in its entirety. †¢Ã¢â‚¬ ¢The initial search using Proquest (ABI Inform) specifying â€Å"capital budgeting surveys† in scholarly journals after January 1, 1984, yielded over two hundred results. However, the great majority were published in the non-mainline journals, including many strictly practitioner (trade journal) outlets and /or were focused on a particular country or industry and thus eliminated by the screening criteria. To insure against missing articles due to any limitations ofthe ABl database, the authors checked the references ofthe surviving articles, and in addition, conducted a manual search ofthe most cited finance journals tables of contents and the reference sections of the various survey articles found. JOURNAL OF APPLIED FINANCE – ISSUES 1 & 2, 2009 capital budgeting process.’ It should be noted that the Figures herein were slightly altered from Mukherjee’s original format to better focus on selected issues that were identified specifically as areas of neglect. For example, the category of â€Å"techniques† was divided into â€Å"techniques used† and â€Å"reasons for techniques used†. Similarly, the risk category was divided into â€Å"risk recognition†, â€Å"risk assessment†, and â€Å"risk adjustment†. III. Findings by Stage A quick perusal of Figure 2 reveals an obvious concentration of â€Å"checks† in Stage 3 (selection) similar to the previous findings of Mukherjee. Although a careful look at some of the stage categories individually indicates that several neglected areas have been researched over the period, there is still an obvious and relative lack of research into Stages 1, 2, and 4. To further assess the effectiveness ofthe research appeals, the analysis and reported results in this section will be ordered by the four stages.   Summary comments are provided only  on those surveys which provide a significant contribution to a previously neglected area of capital budgeting survey research. As a result, the findings of Bierman ( 1993), Gilbert and Reichert (1995), Payne, Heath, and Gale (1999), and Ryan and Ryan (2002) are not summarized. A. Stage 1 : Identification Suggested areas of study within this stage include how project proposals are initiated, whether the proposal process is on-going or on an â€Å"only-when-needed† basis, at what level projects are generated, whether there is a formal process for submitting ideas, how that process works when present, and if there is an incentive system for rewarding good ideas.* Unfortunately, there has never been an in-depth survey focused on this stage, leaving no question that it remains strongly neglected. The only contribution of a minor nature to this topic is the incidental finding by Stanley and Block (1984). They found that in over 80% of the responding firms that capital budgeting proposals originated bottom up ‘In the 1987 article, note that on Figure 4, the stages are described somewhat differently from the discussion in the paper itself Specifically, in the body of the paper, the four stages are: (1) identification, (2) development, (3) selection, and (4) the post-audit. But in the table, the 4 stages are idea generation, proposal development, selection of projects, and control or performance evaluation. ‘As in footnote 3, the following suggested areas of study for all four stages are largely paraphrased from Mukherjee (1987).. 81 BURNS & WALKER – CAPITAL BUDGETING SURVEYS: THE FUTURE IS NOW Figure 1. Surveys of Capital Budgeting of Large US Firms Surveyed Year(s) Survey Author(s) Method Number of Usable Responses 1982 Stanley & Block (1984) questionnaire 121 1986 Pruitt & Gitman (1987) questionnaire 121 1986 Pohlman, Santiago, & Markel(1988) questionnaire 232 1988 Gordon & Myers (1991) 1988 1992 1990 1991 1992 Myers, Gordon, & Hamer(1991) Bierman (1993) Porterba & Summers (1995) Gilbert & Reichert (1995) Trahan & Gitman (1995) Sample CFO’s of Fortune 1000 multinationals VP Finance or Treasurer of largest industrials in Fortune 500 CFO’s of Fortune 500 questionnaire 282 questionnaire 282 questionnaire 74 Executives and capital budgeting directors of large US industrials except utilities and transportation Large public firms from FASB Data Bank 100 largest of Fortune 500 questionnaire 160-228 CEO’s of Fortune 1000 questionnaire 151 Fortune Magazine Directory CFO’s questionnaire 84 CFO’s of Fortune 500 + Forbes 200 Managers of foreign manufacturing subsidiaries of US industrials 1992 Shao & Shao (1996) questionnaire 188 1992 Burns & Walker (1997) questionnaire 180 Fortune 500 7,27,10 7 best-sellling texts, 27 prestigious CFO’s, 10 leading financial advisors 1996-97 Bruneretal(1998) telephone survey 1992-93 Mukherjee & Hingorani(1999) questionnaire 102 Fortune 500 CFO’s 1994 Payne, Heath, & Gale (1999) questionnaire 155 USA and Canadian based companies from S&P Compustat database questionnaire 111 CFO’s from Fortune 1000 questionnaire 392 CFO’s from FEI corporations interviews 39 executives of large companies questionnaire 205 CFO’s of Fortune 1000 questionnaire 40 top-ranking officers of Fortune 1000 1997 1999 1999 1999 2005 Gitman & Vandenberg (2000) Graham & Harvey (2001) Triantis & Borison (2001) Ryan & Ryan (2002) Block (2007) z †¢^ II O) (2002) ueAy â€Å"? uBAy o (0 O) †¢a (0 a> i2 i2 o u. a> †¢o (0 (O O) I O) †¢o 3 OQ a re U 3 D) < ‘O6B!)UB9 ‘UBLU|L|Od S (8861.) |S>tJeiM (Z86l.)ueaJi!O’SH!n.id (W6l)>|00ia’8’^8|UBis |L Idea Generation |A. Source of Origination |B. Reasons for Idea Origination |C. Process of Origination & Submission |D. Time Pattern of Origination 1II. ProposalDevelopment |A. Level at Which screening Takes Place |B. Screening Process  ¡C. Cashflow Estimates (and forecasting) |D. Responsibility for Budget Preparation (personnel) |lll. Selection of Projects |A. Classification of Projects for Economic Analysis B. Personnel (Department) Responsible for Analysis C1. Listing Techniques Used |C2. Reasons for Techniques Used Dl. Risk recognition D2. Risk assessment D3. Risk adjustment El. Capital Rationing: How Extensive? E2. Capital Rationing Rationale E3. Capital Rationing Methods Used F. Cost of Capital G. Project Approval |IV. Control (or Perfonnance Evaluation) A. Extent of Use of Post Audit B. Personnel Involved/Procedure C. Performance Measurement D. Use of Evaluation (Punishment/Reward/Etc.) 1* Surveys in this exhibit appear in chronological order of their publication. 82 JOURNAL OF APPLIED FINANCE – ISSUES 1 & 2, 2009 o o o o CM o ( ¿ooz) >iooia 6jaquapueA ‘S UBLUIJO (0002) (6660 9|B0 ‘S ‘MIB9H ‘auÄBd (666 O !UBJo6u!H ‘S aa[jaLj>|ni^ -?†¢ -y -7-?†¢ -y (1.002) uosuog pue suueui -?†¢ ~y (1.002)’^SWBH S lUBMBJO ~7-?†¢ -?†¢ -?†¢ -?†¢ -y -?†¢ (866l.)|Bà ­a.iaunjg -?†¢ CO t ^ -y ( ¿66l)J8>lieM’8SUjng (966l†¢)oeL^S’8OB^s -y (9661.) uBUjJio ‘S UBUBJi -y (S66l.)weM0!ay’s;jaqi!9 -y (9661-) sjauiujns ‘s eqjapod -?†¢ -y m ( £661.) ueuuaig -y -y â€Å"5 ‘a. n O (1-661-) jaoiBH ‘S ‘uopjoo ‘sjaA|/| ~y -y ~y -y (1.661.) sjaÄ|/l’8uopjoo -y ~y -y -y -?†¢ -?†¢ -y ~y -y -y to -y 00

What should the UK Government do to make our transport systems work Essay

What should the UK Government do to make our transport systems work better - Essay Example Road congestion has now become a trend in the society and even for individuals in particular. As we have observed, traffic is very rampant especially during the so-called â€Å"rush hours† wherein people are in the speed for work or school. So, as the inconvenience of road congestion grows, cities world wide are struggling to deal the problem of increasing mobile population (Edwards & Smith, 2008, p1). Not being notice by many, that this simple phenomenon on transport problems can produce other problems in the society, or at least point, it contributes to it. We shall see in the study made by Edwards and Smith, the domino effect of the growing mobile population to other predicted problems and even to unforeseen predicaments. Thus, we can see this scenario in a dynamic complexity manner wherein it is still rational to say (though hardly be seen with just a simple glance), that these effects are a by-product of such occurrence (growing mobile population) and that they are simult aneously linked to one another. Problems in the society today like oil price hikes, global warming and economic recessions are mentioned to be the result of a mounting transport population. In their paper entitled â€Å"Transport Problems Facing by Large Cities†, it depicts relevant factors which cause transportation problems. The researchers focus their study mainly on four large world cities, particularly London, Tokyo, Paris and New York. As a result of the study made, the researchers conclude several factors that affect the transportation and traffic flows as well as the other flaws linked to it. These would include: large population; high car dependency; and ageing transport infrastructure. We can also see in their study the connection of transport predicament as an inevitable result of other world issues that we are facing at present. Simple questions like â€Å"how does a large population affects the expansion of new transportation business?† to a more complex q uestion like â€Å"how can a high mobile dependency scenario can lead to economic recessions?† will be discussed and shown in the later part. What the government can do and must do is to make our transportation system better is to create and enact a law or a policy that will efficiently and effectively solve the issue. Though there are already existing policies with regards to this problem, it is still lacking because it does not yet solve the identified predicament. Moreover, the aspect that we will be focusing will be the factors indicated by Edwards and Smith in their study to come up with a strategic policy to answer the problems on transportation in UK as well as its under-effects. There are already proposals to this matter that this paper will be dealing into to have a competitive policy that will somehow ensure a better transport system. But first we must have to look at the factors which contribute more to transportation problem to have a greater knowledge on which to concentrate more our policy to avoid misusage of effort as well as money and to achieve our desired result in a more effective manner. The diagram in the next page will show relevant connections on the factors mentioned by Edwards and Smith regarding transportation problems and there effects on other problems. MONOPOLY IN TRANSPOTATION BUSINESS LARGE POPULATION EXPANSION OF TRANS. BUSINESS LOW BUSINESS COMPETTIVENESS HIGHER RATE OF TRANSPORTATION DEMAND HIGH MOBILE ROAD DEPENDENCY CONGESTION ECONOMIC RECESSION OIL SCARCITY IN WORLD MARKET HIGH CO2 EMISSION/ AIR POLLUTION OIL PRICE HIKE DECLINE IN PRODUCTION GLOBAL WARMING INFLATIONS LOWER CONSUMPTION The Domino Effect As we can see in the diagram, the primary contributor in the interlinked world problems would be the factor of high mobile dependency. If we notice, there is a cause and effect relations between transportation problems to other economic, societal and environmental predicaments that will

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English composition - Essay Example For instance, one may say, â€Å"It is my joy to serve you because I love you†. This would mean, it is one’s pleasure to serve a person he loves, that there would be no complaints or difficulties in doing the job. joy is a feeling that lifts the heart of a person so that whatever hardships may come, they would seem nothing compared to the pleasure one finds in accomplishing a task. It almost makes someone strong in everything he does because the feeling that it brings seem to lift the burdens up and makes things light and easy. Joy may also be expressed in merriments like festivities where giving is a distinguished feature, with the abundance of food, drinks and stories that make the attendees enjoy the time and event. Probably, one who is truly joyful could be such light hearted as to be so generous not only in material things but also in being kind to irritating people, loving one’s enemies and being at peace with them. It may be observed that a joyful person seems to have a magnetic force within him that attracts people to join his company and enjoy the time spent with him without a dull moment. This could be due to the influence one could bring to other people when he has joy in his heart. As they say, a smile could be epidemic, so joy could be more infectious. Joy could also be a person or thing which is a source of happiness and satisfaction. For example, a beloved child could be a parent’s joy. Whatever achievements the child may have would bring a sense of pride however, for a child who is said to be a source of joy, achievements would just be bonuses for them and not the source of joy itself. A well loved child, no matter what becomes of him, if he is considered a joy, would still be loved and well accepted without achievements. Although it is every parent’s desire for their children to become achievers, if one is considered a parent’s joy, achievements are not the basis of being proud and happy about them

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Managing Performance - Essay Example Likewise, the organization will be active, physically, statistically, economically etc due to the organized activity of the workers and the departments. Like brain in the human body, the leader of the organization in the form CEO (Chief Executive Officer), MD (Managing Director), Chairman, manager, supervisors etc will put his/her brain and manage the various human filled departments. So, organized human activity is planned and controlled flow of human energy. So, if organized or planned activity is carried out with precision, the organization will be a success. But, precision in organizing or planning cannot be done without the initiatives of the workers and departments and also without a knowledgeable, capable and powerful initiator. Like the five different fingers in one’s hand, each human is different from one another having different characters, attitudes, education, background etc, etc†¦And the unison of these different humans under a single organization to reach a target is, and will always be a difficult proposition. As these different humans could only create a different working culture, the success rate will be minimal. If a common working culture, if correctly said, the perfect, feasible and winnable working culture is ‘operationalised’, through out the organization, the organization will be a success story. The script for the success story could only be scripted by an effective leader or manager. With this optimum working culture the performance of the management can be increased manifold. So, this paper will critically explore the difficulties in efforts to manage employee performance and how the organization and its leader or manager can try different methods to get optimum performance. While trying these different methods or approaches, the organization would face potential problems, but if the methods are carried out perfectly it

Australopithecines Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Australopithecines - Essay Example Many changes in the physical environment contributed to the evolution of these early humans. Australopithecines comprise a genus of primitive hominids that resided in Eastern Africa about 4.2 million years ago. Many scientists think that some of the australopithecine species are direct ancestors to humans. Others believe that the Australopithecines represent a branch of hominids from which humans evolved, but are not directly related to humans. There several established taxonomic methods for classifying the australopithecines, but the four most frequently acknowledged species are Australopithecus afarensis, Australopithecus africanus, Australopithecus robustus, and Australopithecus boisei (Chardin). The species can be differentiated, because A. robustus and A. boisei have bigger bones and are more "robust" than A. afarensis and A.africanus (O'Neill). Most species of the Australopithecus were not any more adept at using tools than modern primates. But, Australopithecus garhi seems to have been the most sophisticated, because its remnants have been discovered near tools and slaughtered animal carcasses, which suggests the advent of a highly antediluvian tool conception. This caused many scientists to infer that A. garhi must be the predecessor of the Homo genus, even though recent deductions held that A. garhi was merely competition to the ancestral Homo species. The brains of most Australopithecus species were barely 35% the size of the modern human brain (Foley). Most species of Australopithecus were small and gracile in nature, often standing no more than 1.2 meters in height (Wikipedia). Fossil records seem to indicate that Australopithecus is the ancestor of a specific classification of hominids, known as Paranthropus, but are not direct ancestors of the genus Homo, which encompasses modern humans. Both the Paranthropus and Homo genera have proven to be more progressed in behavior and customs than the Australopithecus, which were hardly more than bipedal chimps. It is still widely accepted that only the descedants of Homo would go on to generate language and learn how to use fire. Though opinions certainly vary in regards to whether the species aethiopicus, boisei and robustus should be placed within the genus Australopithecus, the scientific community currently places them in the genus differ as to whether the species aethiopicus, boisei and robustus should be included within the genus Paranthropus. Paranthropus is thought to have originated from the Australopithecus lineage. Until recently, many scientists classified all Australopithecus species within a single genus. Paranthropus, because it was larger and more robust, was physically different from Australopithecus, and its superior anatomy implied that its behaviors might have been very different from that of its ancestor. The more diminutive and gracile forms such as Australopithecus africanus and Australopithecus afarensis are commonly assumed to be the closest relatives to humans. But, some studies have shown that Australopithecus africanus had a body shape more similar to that of the modern apes than t o the members of the genus Homo. Still, the gracile australopithecines are considered to be the earliest known true hominids, because australopithecines and humans are biologically similar enough to be classified in the family Hominidae (Nickels). Australopithecines

Media Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 2

Media - Essay Example To emphasize this theme of darkness from the beginning, Conrad’s narration took place in the Thames tidal estuary. Marlow recounted that London in ancient times was itself a dark place from the point of view of the Romans. This theme of darkness lurking beneath the surface would appear often as Conrad described the character of Kurtz and through his narrator with his passing sense of understanding with the Africans. In a paragraph, for instance, Marlow said: I tried to break the spell [Marlow says] – the heavy, mute spell of the wilderness – that seemed to draw him to its pitiless breast by the awakening of forgotten and brutal instincts, by the memory of gratified and monstrous passions. This alone I was convinced, had driven him out of the edge of the forest, to the bush, toward the gleam of fires, the throb of drums, the drone of weird incantations†¦ He had kicked himself loose of the earth†¦ His soul was mad. (p. 183) The darkness theme can also be found in other themes in the novella such as the naivetà © of Europeans regarding the various forms of darkness in Congo, the European colonialists’ abuse and exploitation of the Africans and the human nature’s tendency of duplicity. The Heart of Darkness has at least 10 film or television adaptations after its publication.. A problem in regard to adapting this work of fiction is how to translate the first person narrative first, in the radio adaption; and, second, in film adaptations later on. Marguerite Rippy cited the approach of substituting the eye of the camera for â€Å"I† of Conrad’s narrator. (p. 30) Here, the camera would become Marlow, whose voice would be heard offscreen. This has been implemented in Orson Welles’ adaptation of the novella. He successfully adapted the material in 1938 and that he was eager to reproduce the material on film. Film adaptations of the Heart of Darkness have focused on different interpretations. For example,

Target Express Expanding Strategy to Urban Markets, Customers Term Paper

Target Express Expanding Strategy to Urban Markets, Customers - Term Paper Example 10). Superior guest service is achieved through the combination of a variety of resources such as the use of guest call buttons, mobile apps-Target app and Cartwheel, strategic placement of items on shelves, increased speed at checkout. The involvement of almost all of the firm’s resources in improving guest service makes it difficult for the competitors to imitate because they may not have the exact similar resources as those available to Target Express. About the Target corporate culture, team members are used as the resources to achieve success. The corporate culture is different and distinct from any other companies. Since the corporate culture involves the employees of Target and their dedication specifically, it becomes very difficult for competitors to imitate the same (Goldberg et al. 41). Further, the corporate culture involves a bundle of resources which creates uniqueness and as such rendering it unsubstitutable. â€Å"The System† on the other hand is composed of a variety of resources such as enormous databases used to store the client’s needs and several computers. The bundles of resources employed by The System and the linkages between them are rare. The System is inimitable due to the vast amount of programming involved, the bundles of resources that are linked together, path dependence and the causal ambiguity created in The System (Goldberg et al. 41). In light of Target Express’s desire of expansion into the urban markets, it is necessary that core competencies are either improved or acquired/exploited where previously non-existent. Two of the core competencies that require improvement/acquisition are discussed as follows: There are plans to provide store employees with iPod Touches, which will help employees to keep track of inventory and thus enhance service delivery to the guests. The customers may also use the touches to

Engage in personal development in health Essay Example for Free

Engage in personal development in health Essay Identify Sources of Support for planning and reviewing own development. I personally write a diary of my setting so I can reflect on this and also ask my Teacher if I am progressing or if there are areas I could improve on. Line manager they help me by answering any concerns I have about work.Observations college assessor comes in to watch you do your job and then talks to you about any concerns they have seen they will advise and support you with your performance and development. Colleagues you can talk to other LSA’s and TA’s about your work to get guidance on things, and also observe or shadow them to help you see how some things are done improving your development.Meetings we have staff and key stage meetings where progress is discussed and you get to know about any new plans and any changes that are going on. Training to be able to learn the things that you are struggling with by going on various courses to improve your development.Mentors someone who is assigned to you to be able to answer your questions about the job and put you on the right path. Self-assessment reflecting on your work helps you to plan different ways of doing things and helps you see your progression.Class teacher you can go to them with any concerns about your work and progress and they will regularly feedback to you on your progress and development.Yearly appraisal this is a meeting to discuss your development progress where you can ask questions and review the things in your job description to make sure you are meeting them. Staff notice board sometimes courses or training sessions are advertised here.

Impacts of Public Art on Society

Impacts of Public Art on Society Introduction Art is wholly subjective. Ten people may have ten different interpretations of one single work of art. On the most basic of levels they could love it, hate it or be indifferent to it. On a more informed level they may read different information from it, and ask different questions as to its artistic value. Human behaviour, by the literal meaning of it, is equally as subjective. Each individual has human traits that are based on personal experience. However, group dynamics can be quantified objectively using controlled research methods. For this essay I shall examine how art is used to encourage certain changes in human behaviour, both mentally and physically. This dissertation aims to understand how art affects the behaviour of an individual and the associated effects of the environment on the development of character of an individual as a person. Taking into consideration that art and human behaviour are subjective I intend to research, review, analyse and interpret how organisations have utilised one for the outcome of the other. I shall look at how public buildings, whose main purpose and function are not to display art, have embraced shapes and colours in order to guide the emotional and physical state of its patrons. During the analysis I shall be examining the different theories of experts in this argument. I will be considering the artistic viewpoint and the scientific approach as well as a cultural and philosophical perspective. In my conclusion I hope to have ascertained enough information from my research to confidently state my opinions on how art, in the simplistic terms of shape and colour, has been used to project a subliminal, psychological impact on the people that come into contact with it. Objective The main question I am asking in this essay is whether artistic forms, be it painting, sculpture, shape or colour, has an impact on people and their behaviour in an environment that is not necessarily expected to display art. This question will enable me to research the impact of public art in buildings such as hospitals, schools, libraries and other public locations where steps have been taken to introduce art outside the confines of a museum or gallery. Therefore the objective of this dissertation would be to create an environment that would be beneficial to pupils, patients, clients and even the entire community. Literature Review The connotations of colour and human behaviour, specifically mood, have been understood and utilised for millennia. During the Vedic Age in India (1500BC – 600BC) there was a conceptual belief that colour could represent different emotions, one such concept proposes that: there are three interwoven mental states which are; energy, inertia and clarity and that we all fluctuate between degrees of these states. These three qualities are given colours Energy is symbolised by red, inertia by black or dark blue and clarity is light and colourless. (McDonagh 2003: 170). Considering that this is not a new subject there is a wide selection of literature available on this particular subject. I am attempting to focus my essay on the four most relevant subjects that encompass the whole of my research: Connotation of Colour throughout history; Psychology and Physiology of Human Behaviour (in controlled environments); Public Art in alternative locations (not museums or galleries); and Philosophy of Pragmatism in Art. My literature review will be made up from a combination of books, journals, research studies and interviews. Due to the overlapping nature of this essay I shall be focusing on a wide aspect of subject matter including art history, architecture, philosophy, psychology and sociology. I have accumulated around fifty sources for this essay and have systematically narrowed them down to include only the information that is relevant to my purposes. Having read through the information I have discovered that what started as a simple question has unearthed a number of different theories and interpretations; including opinions that were contrary to my original beliefs; thu s forcing me to truly take on an objective view of my work. Using critical analysis of the literature I intend to produce a well argued, objective essay that shall help me answer my original question. During my research into the above subjects I found a number of published authors, sociologist, psychologists and artists who are experts in their particular field. It was both assuring and eye-opening to read and interpret their views and as such I believe they shaped my approach to writing this essay. I found some more important to my research than others, and these included the following: Malcolm Miles writing about public art in cities in his book ‘Art, Space and the City: Public Art and Urban Futures’; Alexander Schauss’ study on the affect of colour in a controlled; Carolyn Bloomer writing about the interpretation of colour in her book ‘Principles of Visual Perception’; psychologist Tony Cassidy and his research into colour tests in his book ‘Environmental Psychology: Behaviour and Experience in Context’; pragmatist John Dewey and his early twentieth century theories on the conception of art as a means of improving life; and author C hristopher Day in his work on how colours can improve daily living in his book ‘Environment and Children: Passive Lessons from the Everyday Environment’. Methodology The methodology I am using in this essay will predominantly be data-analysis from previously researched case studies, journals and published works. I shall, however, use data-gathering in my essay wherever possible; be it from interviews with art curators, members of the public or my own observation. I have chosen to analyse previous work and research on my subject matters due to the wealth of information available. Where I believe that vital information or data is missing I have decided to collate it myself. I believe this will allow my essay to objectively interpret cited work but also to include subjective and personal opinions on a range of subjects. After all, art and human nature are subjective topics. A questionnaire that aims to investigate what works and what does not work and whether art serves a specific purpose will be given to participants. Within the time constraints to complete this dissertation, a questionnaire is useful for this kind of investigation as it can reach more people. Observation is considered too time-consuming, taking too long to be meaningful. Other factors that need to be taken into consideration include obtaining/seeking permission/consent from the head teachers of the schools or directors of the hospitals to carry out the investigation. A letter to the school or hospital to obtain their approval and consent for the investigation will be written, in addition to a letter to the parents of the pupils who are under the age of 16 for their consent and approval for their son/daughter to take part in the investigation. Human Research Ethics (Ethical issues) Due to the nature of this essay I shall be examining, amongst other findings, how human behaviour can change in relation to the environment that they are in. Because this deals with the mental and physical state of an individual I understand that I am in a position of trust, and as such any data will be gathered in strict confidence. However, because a large percentage of my findings are from data that has already been gathered I do not find myself in a position where my research ethics are questioned. I understand that if I was to delve further into the research on human behaviour patterns I would need to pay close attention to confidentiality and care towards any participants in my research; especially if I was to recreate the ‘Baker-Miller Pink’ test, in which individuals who have just been arrested are place in a pink holding cell and their mental and physical state is measured. It would also be of utmost importance to deal with any participants in prison or mental h ealth facilities with integrity and diplomacy. Analysis and Interpretation – Connotations of Colour In the search for an ideal environment that would benefit people who come into contact with it I believe that the first place to look is in the past, and understand how history has harnessed colour as a means of expressing emotion. The idea of colour may seem like a simple concept but, depending on your particular viewpoint, it can prove to mean many different things. In the world of physics colour is determined by the wavelength of light; to a physiologist and psychologist colour is perceived by neural responses in the eye and brain; to the sociologist it is linked with our own culture and to the artist it is an expressive creation. The basic premise of colour, that is, the colour that we can make ourselves, is that it is made up of three primary colours; red, blue and yellow: Primary colours are ones that cannot be made by mixing other colours. (Morris 2006: 56). When the primary colours are mixed they create the secondary colours: The secondary colours are orange, green and violet . They are produced by mixing two primary colours. (Morris 2006: 56). Finally there are the tertiary colours; these are created by mixing any primary colour with its adjacent secondary colour produces a tertiary colour (Morris 2006: 56) and include combination colours such as orange-yellow and blue-green. The full spectrum of colour is possible by mixing colours in relation to the desired outcome, like adding ingredients to a recipe. The origins of humans recreating colour can be traced back to primitive cave paintings, examples in Europe date back 32,000 years. Although primitive by today’s standards, these depictions of wild animals by the hunter-gatherers were exquisitely painted on the rock surface using red and yellow ochre, hematite, manganese oxide and charcoal. Even though the use of reds and yellows was mainly due to the materials available to them, the colourful imagery could be described as abstract insomuch that the actual animals were not as vividly coloured as t he artwork portrayed. Interestingly the two colours used are primary colours. As mentioned previously the ancient Indian cultures believed that different colours signified separate mental states. The Egyptians also used colours to connote different meaning in that they â€Å"originated the idea of red fiends or red devils, the origin of the Christian image of a red Satan. In later dynasties, words with evil connotations were written in papyri in red ink. (Eiseman 2000: 35). Red is a colour that is perhaps the most powerful hue and its meaning around the world has always symbolised energy and life; the word ‘red’ in many different languages is derived from the word for ‘blood’. However, different cultures interpret colours in different ways; like the Egyptians before them, the Japanese saw red as the colour of demons and devils, yet in the Middle East that imagery was not apparent: During the early Kamakura period, about AD 1200, Japanese artist Jigoku Soshi painted his ‘Hell Scroll’ with frightening red demons chasing to rmented victims; while to Persians and Turks, as reflected in their magnificent carpets, red symbolizes happiness and joy. (Eiseman 2000: 32). In the West our cultural understanding of semiotics has conditioned us to add extra information to data that we can see. In the UK red is seen as the colour of danger; a red light means stop, a red traffic sign is a warning. Because red is such a vibrant colour, and the fact that is the first primary colour of the spectrum of light, it holds an unrivalled importance in the way it used in the natural and man-made world: Reds are generally regarded as stimulating and exciting. (Miller 1997: 104). In terms of human physiological reaction to the colour red, it is thought to speed up heart and respiration rates and to raise blood pressure, and [is] associated with strength, passion, and the colour of blood and fire. (Bloomer 1976: 120). Red has always been seen as the colour of power and energy; this has been demonstrated in the socio-political ar ena by the Communist movement; so much so that during the McCarthy Communist witch-hunts in 1950s American, the phrase ‘Better Dead than Red’ was echoed around the country. The phrase is a strong indicator of how powerful the word ‘red’ truly was. Only three letters long, it embodied all that was ‘un-American’ in the world, promoting fear and a Cold War that lasted over forty years, yet when include with two other colours it symbolized undying patriotism: ‘red, white and blue’. Looking at another primary colour, blue, it is interesting to see how different cultures perceive this particular colour to that of red. In the modern West the most simple, almost child-like reading of the two colours is ‘hot’ and ‘cold’. However, throughout history the reproduction of the colour blue has meant more than just a signifier for cold water. In ancient Egypt the colour was used to connote loyalty and virtue: these identifications with the hue go as far back as 1340BC to the Egyptian civilization and the reign of King Tut. (Bleicher 2004: 37). However, whereas the Egyptians considered blue to be a symbol of truth, the Cherokee tribes and the Japanese see it differently: to the Cherokee, blue is a symbol of defeat. In Japanese theatre, blue is the colour for villains. (Hullfish Fowler 2003: 28). In Western culture the colour blue was not widely used until the Church began to paint religious figures, notably the clothing of Virgin Mary, with a pigm ent extracted from a blue gem stone, lapis lazuli. This religious link led the colour to symbolise â€Å"piety, truth and goodness† (Bleicher 2004: 37). Today blues are considered: â€Å"calming, restful, serene, cool, comfortable, sober, and contemplative. (Miller 1997: 104) and are thought to reduce blood pressure, pulse, and respiration rates. (Bloomer 1976: 120). Navy blue, a dark blue, is still used in the clothing of the business world to promote a feeling of truth and honesty. Blue is perceived as being a neutral colour in so much that it is the colour of the sea and, unlike land, is not owned by tyrannical, or democratic, rule. It also symbolises a form of depression, as in ‘feeling blue’ and can connote coldness, or even something that is beyond the boundaries of acceptable behaviour, that is, blue language or blue movie. The final primary colour, yellow, has always held an integral part of any man-made creation. It is the colour of the sun; the shining star that gives energy to the planet. The ancient civilizations used the yellow as a symbol of their beliefs and religion: As a colour sacred to the Chinese and important to the Egyptians and Greeks, yellow gradually became a symbol of power. (Walker 2002: 24) In many indigenous tribes the colour yellow bore the deepest religious meaning, in south America the Aztecs believed yellow was the colour of life and food and the Mayans celebrated the colour as one that had the power to bring daily life: â€Å"The Mayas of Yucatan assigned it to the dawn and the east. (Brinton 2004: 237). However, the fact that yellow was so important to the ancient civilizations was detrimental to the beliefs of the early Christians, and yellow began to become associated with negativity: Yellow has been associated with deceit, cowardice, and jealousy† (Walker 2002: 24). In certain parts of Africa yellow is associated with love â€Å"because its the colour of honey. (Kaldera Schwartzstein 2002: 21). Gold is a softer shade of yellow and therefore seems to shed any of its negative images, but perhaps this is because the connotations are so intrinsically linked with wealth. Today yellow is considered sunny, cheerful, and high spirited, the happiest of all colours. (Miller 1997: 105) and it is also seen as being an expansive colour, one which appears to spread out as well as to advance† (Swirnoff 1988: 38). Throughout history yellow will always be seen as a bright, force-giving colour. This is perhaps due to the very child-like imagery of the sun; give almost any child a yellow crayon and ask them to draw the sky and in the corner of the picture appears a bright yellow orb with rays of sunshine emitting from it. The negative connotations seem to be rooted in cultural and religious differences, even racism. Chinese and Japanese people were often referred to as ‘yellow’ by an ignorant West. This was fundamentally based on the complexion of the skin; however, early Chinese rulers were called yellow emperors due to the power imagery of the colour, and the importance of the Yellow River. Obviously the primary colours are not the only colours that civilization has encapsulated in culture, religion or art; the secondary and tertiary colours are just as important. Unfortunately I do not have the space to describe every single colour but feel that some important ones need to be mentioned. Green is a very popular word in that its connotation seems to be of more value than its denotation. Like ‘red’ was in the 1950s, the word ‘green’ means far more than a colour. Green is an ecological, economical and political word that covers anything from Amazonian rainforests, nuclear power stations, recycling and political parties. In wooded and forested areas of the planet green is the background colour, in cityscapes green is what the majority of people miss; ‘the grass is always greener’ is a Western saying that strikes home in this situation, as in things are always better on the other side of the fence, country or world. If looking at a glob e of the planet the two main colours are blue (water) and green (land). Green can be considered neutral, but at the same time it means jealousy; a human trait that has shaped our political world for millennia. This duality allows green to be both warm and cool; it contains both the calming presence of blueness and the energy of yellowness. (Miller 1997: 104). Green can be the bridge between the natural and man-made world: Low saturation greens can serve as a transition between architecture and nature. (Kaufman Dahl 1992: 130). The combination of red and blue creates purple, a hue that can evoke delicacy and richness or appear unsettling and degenerate.† (Miller 1997: 105). Purple is a very regal colour and is often worn by royalty and world leaders during ceremonies; the leading figures in the Roman senate would proudly display purple within the design of their togas. Purple is cold colour and can connote physical harm such as a bruise or visible veins. Yet the pretentiousness of the colour is by far its strongest meaning and is considered dignified, exclusive, but lonely, mournful, or pompous. (Mahnke Mahnke 1993: 13). Orange is the mix of red and yellow, the two energetic primary colours. From a geological perspective this is the combination of lava and the sun. Historically orange has always had connotations of heat, energy and intensity; mainly rooted from its representation of the flames from a fire, and the warming embers of man-made safety. Perhaps it is this safety that affords the colour to be neither good nor bad: Orange has always suffered something of an identity crisis. It has spent its history playing second fiddle to red, and occasionally to gold. (Varley 1980: 194). It is hard to think of an example where orange is used as imagery: It has virtually no negative associations, neither emotionally or culturally†¦ and its emphatically positive meanings are few. (Varley 1980: 194). Even though technically black and white are not colours, but the result of an object reflecting or absorbing light wavelengths, they form an important role in the world around us. Things are labelled in the most simplistic terms of being either black or white; it is a situation where there can be no middle ground, it is right or wrong, yes or no. Cultural and political education enables us to know that this is very rarely the case, and using a similar analogy: there is no black and white, only different shades of grey. What black tends to imply is nothingness, a void. In contrast white is pure, enlightenment and goodness. In terms of race using black as a prefix seemed to connote the opposite, making the word derogatory; black magic, black arts and black mark. The connotations of colour are complex and centred on diverse cultural meanings from different civilizations around the world. The meaning of a word can change over the course of history. The language surrounding colour is so advanced that even on the most basic of levels one person could identify a certain shade of colour positively, yet another could read it negatively. With this in mind I can move on to how art and colour is used to study the complexities of human behaviour. Psychology and Physiology of Human Behaviour (in controlled environments) The next logical step in my search for the most beneficial environment is to use the above information on colour and relate it to scientific study, predominantly in the areas of psychology and physiology. The simplest and most common definition of psychology is that it is the scientific study of behaviour, in other words psychology is â€Å"the science that makes use of behavioural and other evidence to understand the internal processes leading people and members of other species to behave in the ways that they do. (Eysenck 2000: 3). Physiology and in particular human physiology: â€Å"studies the functions and activities of living human bodies and their components (Torshin 2007: 11). In this essay I shall use physiology to study human responses such as heart rate, blood pressure and the effects of tension. As mentioned at the beginning of this essay most of my data has been gathered from previous studies. I intend to investigate how mood and emotion can be measured, and ultimately influenced. Mood states were not always welcomed by the scientific community; the behavioural and cognitive paradigms so prevalent in the 1960s and 1970s often tended to devalue the significance of moods. Frequently, mood and effect went without mention in prominent analyses of behaviour (Zajonc 1980). However, this devaluation has changed in recent times and most behavioural analyses today include significant affective components (Tomkins 1981). Mood is clearly a bio-psychological process that involves the whole individual. In other words, mood would not occur without biochemical, psycho physiological and cognitive components, as well as subjective reactions: â€Å"Implicit assumption that mood is nothing more than a response caused by cognitive, physiological and biochemical events. Thus, subjective feelings are regarded as the last process.† (Thayer 1989: 5). It is my opinion that subjective feelin gs interact together to affect the mood of the individual. Mood is related to emotion, but when the term ‘mood’ is used, it usually implies a longer course of time, which is probably the central distinction between the two. In 1965 the Nowlis Mood Adjective Check List (MACL), a statistical method to define and analyse mood, was introduced that consisted of 33 adjectives selected from a large pool of emotion and mood terms. The subjects are asked to check each item that applies to their mood state of the day (Frijda 1986: 181). I have prepared and sent out questionnaires to subjects that ask them to disclose if they believe they have an emotional response from specific colours. It is the psychological and physiological response to colours that I believe is most beneficial to my research. In 1978 Professor Alexander Schauss of the American Institute for Biosocial Research in Tacoma, Washington set up a scientific experiment to study the effects that colour had on human behaviour. Working from initial ideas he had read in published work by Swiss psychiatrist Max Luscher, Schauss found that concentrating on a certain shade of pink (originally labelled P-618) after physical exercise lowered his heart rate, pulse and respiration as compared to other colours (Schauss 1981: 1). With the assistance of the United States Naval Correctional Centre in Seattle, Schauss was able to begin his study. Schauss renamed the colour to ‘Baker-Miller pink’ in dedication to the two officers at the centre, Commander Miller and CWO Baker. The walls and ceiling of one of the admission cells was painted in Baker-Miller pink (figure 1), while the remaining cells were left untouched. Newly confined prisoners were systematically admitted to the cell and observed for fifteen minutes du ring which no incidents of erratic behaviour were recorded (Eiseman 2000: 40). This research continued for 156 consecutive days, beginning on 1 March 1979. The results during this period were reported to the United States Navy’s Bureau of Naval Personnel, Law Enforcement and Corrections Division, Washington, D.C., stating: Since initiation of this procedure on March 1, 1979, there have been no incidents of erratic or hostile behavior daring the initial phase of confinement. (Schauss 1981: 1). The data from this study showed that after only a period of fifteen minutes exposed to the Baker-Miller pink, detainees were not demonstrating any violent or aggressive behaviour. This calming effect could actually continue for up to thirty minutes after the subject had been removed from the cell. So successful was Schauss’ experiment that he took it to a county sheriff’s office in California where he noted that its effectiveness was increased within a smaller space; the sm aller the cell the less chance of violent behaviour. (Schauss 1981: 1). The Baker-Miller pink has been used widely in detention facilities: â€Å"The use of this colour in juvenile correctional centres, psychiatric hospitals and its testing under laboratory conditions with students confirms its effect in suppressing violent and aggressive behaviour. (Cassidy 1997: 84) In 1988 an experiment was set up to determine the effects of colour in the office workplace in relation to the mood of its workers. Professors Nancy Kwallek, Carol Lewis and A.S. Robbins of the University of Texas assessed the effects of a red, green and white office environment on worker production and mood. It was predicted that those who worked in the red office would find it a more tense environment and would make more errors.† (Miller 1997: 104). It was also expected that the subjects working in the green office would perform better than those in the red office. The white office was included as a comparison as it is the most common colour for an office working environment. The white office was expected to provide results that were better than red, but worse than green. In actuality the results told a different story. The workers in the red office actually made fewer errors than those in the white or green offices, even though they found the colour â€Å"distracting. (Mill er 1997: 104). The research team found that subjects working in the white office made more errors than those working in the red or the green office. On a personal level the subjects stated their preference to working in the white environment, considering it a â€Å"more appropriate colour for an office than either red or green.† (Miller 1997: 104). However, in response to this test, Ainsworth, Simpson and Cassell in their study, Effects of Three Colours in an Office Interior on Mood and Performance in 1993 found no effect of colour on performance or emotion. (Cassidy 1997: 85). Their hypothesis led them to believe that the warm colour, red, would induce high arousal and activity, whereas blue will induce feelings of low arousal. However, their results did not support their hypothesis. They concluded that the reason for error was in their methods, not in their actual hypothesis. If the data gathering was flawed then we must omit their findings and focus on the original test. T he red office environment produced the least amount of mistakes, whereas the white office was the preferred colour of the subjects. What these two studies show is the importance of colour and how human behaviour reacts to it. The science behind this is complex and an understanding of how a human ‘sees’ colour is vital. Colour exists everywhere there is light. Sir Isaac Newton, analysing the rays of the sun, detected that all the different colours, except extreme purple are contained in light. The brain responds to it instinctively and unconsciously. As Schauss demonstrated, the colours within our immediate environment affect our mood and ultimately our behaviour. This behaviour is individually subjective but reactions to colour combinations can be predicted with startling accuracy: â€Å"Science has always recognised the link between colour combinations and mood or behaviour. (Conway 2004: 76). The exact science of how we see colour is due to how the various wavelengths of light strike our eyes in different ways, affecting our senses: â€Å"Within the eye, the retina converts these waves into elect rical impulses, allowing the brain to decode this visual information. This information is passed to the hypothalamus, the part of the brain governing our endocrine system producing hormones, and hormones affect our mood. (Conway 2004: 76). In other words the eye must operate with light for the brain to interpret colour: Everything we see is coloured. Nothing visible is free of colour. This has profound consequences, for colour affects the autonomic nervous system, muscle tension, cortical activity, enzymatic and hormonal secretions. (Day 2007: 115). With this in mind it is important to quantify how different colours affect our behaviour, both mentally and physically. Our cultural and historical upbringing will play a part in how we react to certain colour schemes. In simplistic terms it could be argued that warm colours such as reds, oranges and yellows will incite an active response, exciting the subject; whereas cooler colours such as blues and greens will calm and quieten them. In fact it has been argued that the power of colour placement is a science and should not be left to the uneducated: So powerfully do they influence mood, and such potential do their relationships have for harmony or discord, spirit-uplifting beauty or teeth-gritting ugliness, that colours are too important just to leave to fashion or dramatic whim. (Day 2007: 116). But how does colour affect human behaviour? In the Schauss experiment one colour managed to pacify, it even lowered pulse and heart rates of its subjects. This goes one step further than th e subject merely relating to the notion of seeing a soft colour. One theory is that we do not only ‘see’ with our eyes, but we indirectly see with the glands that produce hormones in our brains; the pineal gland, a gland that produces melatonin, a hormone that may weakly modulate wake and sleep patterns: Although a person may not be able to differentiate colour, transmitters in the eyes pick up information from visible radiant energy sources and transmit that energy to the hypothalamus, and the pineal and pituitary glands. So it may be possible to see with your glands. (Eiseman 2000: 40). This theory is one that Schauss promotes in his Baker-Miller study: â€Å"One possibility includes the existence of a hormone (e.g. thyrotropin-releasing hormones, TRH, thyroliberin) acting as a neurotransmitter to the hypo-thalamus or pineal gland. This could in turn effect other cells in the adrenal medulla, supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus, the hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal system, and the turberoinfundibular cells of the hypothalamus.† (Schauss 1981: 1). What these theories allow is the possibility that in a controlled environment, clever use of colour can and will affect the psychological and physiological behaviour of targeted subjects, albeit in a basic premise of colour application. Moods are influential, but they not always control behaviour, the tenden

My First Time Home :: essays research papers

Shining brightly, in the darkness below the clouds, the lights of tall buildings rose up to meet us. As the plane turned toward Logan airport my anticipation grew; I became anxious, squirming in my seat. The giant Citgo sign, the Prudential, Copley Plaza, Long wharf, and Fenway Park were lit up, and my mind was filled with nostalgic memories that made the descent longer. Bump, thump, bump, thump went my heart as we lowered to the ground. I felt butterflies rise up in my stomach fluttering about like a small circus. My face grew red as my smile grew wider. The excitement grew; I was unable to speak. My body started shaking, if anyone touched me, I would have exploded. Beep, beep went the seat belt sign, and I launching from my chair, annoying all of the more patient passengers around me, yanked the overhead compartment door. Click, it was open, grabbing my backpack, I dashed up the ramp into the terminal. My first victory: I was the first off the plane. Running down the hallway bump, bump, bump, bump, my heartbeat quickened with the pace of my footsteps. The smell of Starbucks cappuccino filled the air, cell phones of all colors in hand, beep, beep, beep went the pagers, my boyfriend's face was warm and bright, my smile grew inches upon seeing him. I ran to his arms, outstretched. As he put squeezed me, my fantasy, my imagination, became reality; I was home for the weekend. He opened the car door, stepping in, I grabbed the cell phone, and I was off. Quickly dialing, beep, bop, beep, boop, every number I had ever known, "Hi is Kat home? Will you tell her Melissa called? Yeah, I'm home for the weekend! School's fine! Bye." Hitting the "clear" button with my left hand, my right hand began reaching and pushing the familiar, preset buttons, on the car radio; fourteen wonderful stations, all playing various types of rock'n'roll, alternative, and popular music, I knew I was in a metropolitan area, for the only cou ntry music stations were at the far end of the dial. We pulled onto "Salem Street", the sign had not changed, green with white lettering, with rust stains on the upper corners. At night the breeze cools over my back and I relish the salt air from the North Shore. Walking up to the doorway I saw the familiar lights, the kitchen was bright, blue everywhere, the countertops filled with leftovers from dinner that evening.

education :: essays research papers

children were expected to attend schools where the King James Bible was read, where Protestant hymns were being sung, where prayers were being recited, but most importantly where textbooks and the entire slant of the teaching was very much anti Irish and very much anti Catholic.† â€Å"Many schools required that students recite passages from the Bible, or the Lord’s Prayer. Christian holidays were celebrated, even in cities like New York, where large numbers of students were Jewish (91-92). Even though the parents of the Jewish children did not except the religious teaching and celebrating of holidays such as Christmas they wanted their children to get the best possible academic education. The parents did not want their kids to work in a factory when they become older, which was expected for the Jewish children to work when they grow up, with this being said riots occurred in a time frame of 5 to 7 days, windows of the schools were broken, cars destroyed, and policemen were stoned. These riots came about due to Jewish children not learning about academics, but instead they learned how to sew and shop. According to â€Å"New York Time Upfront, March 5, 2001, stated, â€Å"In the 1870’s some said too much education would hurt a women’s health. FEMALES KEEP OUT. That message might have been posted at colleges in this country’s earliest years, had it not bee thought too obvious to need saying. A woman’s place was in the home, and higher education—like the vote—was the province of the male. In the 19th century, however, colleges for women began to be established, and other new colleges opened their doors to both sexes. The change sparked an earnest public debate. One question in dispute—in an era when housework itself was brutal toil: How much study could female bodies bear without damage? (v133i13 pg24). That was an example of how it uses to be, here is an example of the changes that has been implemented. Back in those days the women had their husband to support them. Today, I am a single black educated professional woman. I worked and went to school full-time and raised two kids. It is true that this is hard for woman, but with no support of a man in the house gives a woman the strength to manage the life of a man to support the family. I knew that if I did not finish my education, I could not earn a deceed salary to support my children.

The Dangerous Combination of the Media and the Weight-Loss Industry Es

The Dangerous Combination of the Media and the Weight-Loss Industry    Abstract: Excessive use of diet pills by American women stems from the idea that thinness is ideal. This ideal is unlikely to change in the near future, so the use of diet pills and other unhealthy fat diets is likely to increase. If women remain unaware of the health risks associated with the use and abuse of these unregulated drugs, rates of illness and even death are also likely to increase. In 1997, the use of diet pills directly caused seventeen deaths (Cohen). Medical professionals speculate that many other deaths are indirectly related to weight-loss drugs. FDA regulation of 'natural' substances such as ephedrine and caffeine would alleviate widespread use of diet pills. Without such regulation, advertisement of these drugs will continue to entice young women to unintentionally abuse their bodies and risk their health. Depictions of women in the media have expressed thinness as perfect for the past few decades, and the thin ideal is becoming more extreme. The 'waif model' is common in magazines, on television, and on the runway. Although these individuals are considered underweight by medical evaluation, their appearance has become desired by the average American woman. Oddly, even as Americans have aspired to weigh less, our average weight has increased by more than ten percent since the early 1970s (Berg 29). This weight gain probably results from the high fat content in popular, condensed foods. This inadvertent weight gain, coupled with increasing desire for thinness, has created an enormous market for 'fad diets.' One variety of these diets is the use of diet pills. Despite the dangers of weight-loss drugs, they were used by an approximate... ...s associated with the use and abuse of these unregulated drugs, rates of illness and even death are also likely to increase. In 1997, the use of diet pills directly caused seventeen deaths (Cohen). Medical professionals speculate that many other deaths are indirectly related to weight-loss drugs. FDA regulation of 'natural' substances such as ephedrine and caffeine would alleviate widespread use of diet pills. Without such regulation, advertisement of these drugs will continue to entice young women to unintentionally abuse their bodies and risk their health. Works Cited Berg, Frances M. Health Risks of Weight Loss. Hettinger, ND: Healthy Weight Journal, 1995. Cohen, Elizabeth. "FDA Wants Warning Labels for Some Herbal Supplements." CNN 3 June 1997. CNN Interactive. Online. Internet. 11 Oct. 2001. "Ephedra." TNP. Online. Internet. 17 Oct. 2001.

Evangelism and my Christian walk Essay

Evangelism is a passion of mine and this semester has helped me to develop more as a person and strengthen my passion for evangelism. Usually when you hear the word Evangelism most of the time, you will start to fear because of rejection. During my Christian walk, sometimes I have experienced the fear of rejection as it relates to Evangelism. However, this semester has taught me not to fear.† Evangelism is standing up for your faith even if everyone else remains seated 1(Earley and Wheeler p.32)†. This semester I have learned and developed new perceptions and challenges about evangelism, which has challenged my way of thinking. At first glance, when you hear or see the word evangelism you immediately think about sharing the gospel and that is true. That is only one part of Evangelism because listening is very important as well. This has caused me to think differently about Evangelism because now I understand how important it is to listen to people while witnessing. Evangelism can be challenging but the way I look at it now is that I have a part in fulfilling the great commission at all cost. Evangelism is about relationship building that involves changing a person ability to trust and receive the gospel. This course has reminded me that Evangelism does not come without great sacrifice. It requires you putting forth effort and work to share gospel with someone that does not believe. Anytime you deal with people and sharing the gospel you have to be patient. It has challenged me to become an effective witness for Christ because as I grow spiritually it is a reflection of Christ. This semester has reminded me that there has to be a balance between the incarnational and information Apologetics. Many people say that Christians are hypocrites because their lifestyle does not line up with what they are professing. My lifestyle should reflect what I am professing in my Christian walk. The scripture tells us in James 1:23-24 and it says: 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 2Therefore, many times people will not pick up a bible and read it but they will look at my lifestyle of a Christian. As you go through a course like this, it will cause you to look within to see if you are doing your part to help further the Kingdom of God. This semester has challenged me in so many ways to seek God more than ever and pay closer attention to the needs of others. God has called each one of us to spread the gospel whether it is in the workplace, community or other countries. Sometimes we forget the importance of evangelism and just leave it to the Pastor or other ministers. However, as part of the body of Christ, I have to be willing to hold myself accountable and be willing to meet the needs of others. Learning to love people where they are is very important and this course has showed me that I have to go where the needs are. Evangelism is investing your time to minister to others and there is a great reward seeing someone gives their life to Jesus. At times, I have taken the need to listen to others for granted but listening is important to the lost. â€Å"Never underestimate the role of listening in building an evangelistic relationship,†3 (Earley and Wheeler, p. 123).The scripture teaches us in James 1:19: Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. 4Through this course, I have found that barriers can hinder you from being effective in servant evangelism. As it relates to my Christian walk, I have found that I have to confront those barriers that hinder me in my serving. Sometimes we can think we are super Christians and do not have any problems or need help. Nevertheless, it is a good idea to be transparent to those that do not believe and let them know you can relate to them and love them where they are. This semester has been  a revelation for me in my spiritual walk and building relationships with others. I have taken what I have learned in this class to bless others and encourage them that they can make it because God loves them. During the times of witnessing and servant hood, I have found so, many people that just want someone to listen and love them. My perception of people has changed because now I feel that I am more compassionate now, sensitive to the needs of others, humble, loving, and willing to be servant. My Vision for Evangelism My vision for evangelism is denying self to serve and be reflection of Jesus as I minister and love others. I would like those attributes to be a part of my daily life and walk in the fruit of the Spirit so, that other people will feel the love of God. I have gained so much knowledge from this course that I can take what I have learned and apply it in my own life to become a better person and to help others. In my Christian walk, my vision is to look for ways to be a blessing to others and to make an impact in my family and community. Also, ministering the word of faith thereby, changing mindsets and lives. Therefore, to help equip the believer so that it will cause them to live according to the word of God. However, there are a few changes I feel that I need to make in my life to be more effective as a witness for Christ. Some of the changes include reading the word of God more, seeking God’s way, being obedient, and trusting God. I can make an impact in my family by living the word of God before them and loving people where they are. Sometimes reaching your family can be hard but I believe that if I will be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and trust God, I can make a difference in their life. Evangelism is a way of life for me and it is priceless. I count it an honor to take part in what God is doing in some else life because at some point I was where they were. I remember that someone took time out to witness to me and let me know that there is hope in Jesus. Therefore, I am thankful to God for allowing me another opportunity to change and get on the right course. Role as a servant Servant hood is about demonstrating the character and qualities of God. Taking on the heart of servant requires unselfishness, not looking for promotion or pay, honors God, and reflects Jesus. My role as a servant  requires humilty, sacrifice and it breathes the very heart of God. We can consider the humblest servant of all; Jesus despised, mocked, and rejected. Serving can be hard but it means I am putting God’s plans and purpose above my own. Being a servant can affect my ministry in so, many ways by having these characteristics making myself available to God to serve, do what is needed, even when it is inconvenient, see interruptions as an opportunity to practice serving others, pay close attention to the needs of others, and no task is beneath me. The scripture says in Matthew 23:11-12, 11 but he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.12 and whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.5My attitude as a servan t will determine how I see things and the effectiveness of my servant hood. You should be able to identify a servant with Jesus because of the lifestyle he or she lives. Another important Characteristic of a servant is that I need to be open and teachable and sharing the gospel with joy. â€Å"True ministry to others, ministry that was modeled by Jesus Christ, requires you to minister as a servant†6 (Leach and Wheeler, p.5) A servant must have a willingness and desire to serve so, do not miss an opportunity to serve and provide some immediate relief for someone else. Many hurting people need what God has placed inside of you so you can be a blessing to others. Vision for future ministry God has placed some abilities in me that I can contribute to ministry, community and the marketplace. My future vision is to teach and empower believers in the state, surrounding areas and the nation in making disciples for Christ. I must lead by example in order to make disciples and it should be the responsibility of everyone to make disciples. I envision more unity in the body of Christ so; we can make an impact as we allow the Holy Spirit to change people’s heart and mind. The Scripture teaches us to tell others about Jesus Christ. In addition, while sharing the gospel is wonderful, it is simply not enough. We should continue to encourage and invest in new believers because many do not know where to begin to seek God. Evangelism will always be a part of my ministry and should be for other ministries as well. The way I look at evangelism is that if we stop evangelizing then the church stops growing both spiritually and naturally. God has commanded each of us to be a witness for him and we should not hesitate at this opportunity  to do his will. Some of my plans for evangelism include going out in the community and building relationships with people and lead them to Jesus. I would like to start a small group that will meet on a regular basis and have a nice fellowship but encourage each other. Sharing the gospel requires us loving as Christ has commanded us to do. I believe I have to stay focus on what God has given me to do. Most people are busy but not effective due to a lack of focus. Therefore, I cannot let someone else negative opinions of me become my reality. That is very important in evangelism because you may not always be received everyone all the time but I must stay focused. In the book Family to Family, it put emphasis on the family and individuals developing their relationship with Christ through some basic principles such as; spending time alone with God, prayer life, studying the word of God, accountability, and discipleship (Pipes and Lee, p.13)7 In conclusion, evangelism is a joyful experience, telling the good news; meeting people and helping them exchange their religion for a relationship with Jesus. It is my desire to spread the gospel with a passion to reach the lost with confidence and love. I believe as I continue to follow Jesus and be humble I can make a lasting impression on someone. I truly, have been blessed by taking this class and interacting with my classmates. Bibliography Earley, Dave, and David Wheeler. Evagelism IS†¦How to Share Jesus with Passion and Confidence. Nashville, Tennessee: B&H Academic Publishing Group, 2010. Fay, William, and Linda Evans Shepherd. Share Jesus Without Fear. Nashville, Tennessee: B&H PublishingGroup, 1984. KJV Holy Biblbe. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 1987. Leach, Richard, and David A. Wheeler. Minister To Others. Nashville, Tennessee: LifeWay Press, 2009. McRaney Jr., Will. The Art of Personal Evangelism Sharing Jesus In A Chaging Culture. Nashville, Tennessee: B&H Publishing Group, 2003. Pipes, Jerry Dr., and Victor Lee. Family to Family Leaving A Lasting Legacy. Lawrenceville,Georgia: Jerry Pipes Productions, 1999.

Budget Deficit Essay

Complete all questions listed below. Clearly label your answers 1. What impact would a change that shifts an economy’s production possibilities curve outward have on the long run aggregate supply curve? It will cause it to shift right. How have improvements in computer technology affected production possibilities and the long run aggregate supply curve? They have cut the cost of doing business and expanded our production capacity. These types of improvements enhance productivity and shift the LRAS and SRAS curves to the right. 2. Construct the AD, SRAS, and LRAS curves for an economy experiencing: (a) full employment, (b) an economic boom, and (c) a recession. (Graphs can be hand drawn or done by computer; label all curves and axes clearly.) 3. What is a budget deficit? A situation in which total government spending exceeds total government revenue during a specific time period, usually one year. How are budget deficits financed? Selling of bonds, borrowing from abroad, raising taxes, and selling of assets. Why do Keynesians believe that budget deficits will increase aggregate demand? Because they believe that both fiscal and monetary policies affect aggregate demand. 4. When output and employment slowed in early 2008, the Bush Administration and the Democratic Congress passed a legislation sending households a check for $600 for each adult (and $300 per child). These checks were financed by borrowing. Would a Keynesian favor this action? Yes, because Keynesian are in favor of government influence on the economy.

Desperate Housewives and Its Portrayal

My interviewee, Karen, grew up in the Philippines and has recently just migrated to the United States. She is a 24-year old ESL teacher who admits to pondering over the meaning of life yearly when her birthday is nearing. She was then enthusiastic to sit down with me to answer my questions about the meaning of life. For Karen, life does have an ultimate purpose or significance. She cites as proof of this belief the fact that bookstores and libraries currently carry a lot of books that help people find the meaning to their lives. â€Å"There has got to be a purpose to our lives. Will authors of self-help and ‘find a purpose in life' books be raking in a lot of money if people do not think that their life amounts to something? And that's another thing, actually. People are always in search for a purpose in their lives. This clamor for life to actually mean something is, I think, the ultimate proof that people come packaged with significance in life,† Karen says Being Catholic, Karen admits to always thinking that her life is meant to have purpose. She explains, â€Å"I have always attended Catholic schools where â€Å"religion†, specifically Catholic faith, is a constant in our list of subjects. Since pre-school days, my teachers would always emphasize the fact that I am meant to serve God. They always tell me, my classmates, that we should live our lives according to God’s will.† Asked what God’s will is, she answers, â€Å"Exactly what it is, my teachers haven’t actually defined. They did tell me, though, that I need to always be good. I need to be kind to my fellow men. That everything I do should be in accordance to God’s law, which is of course comprised of what the Bible says, what the commandment says, etc. Basically, life’s purpose is to be good and do good so that I will be welcomed in heaven. And in way, I still believe that is the purpose in life. I cannot accept that I’ve been put here on Earth for nothing. Something better must be waiting for me at the end of the line.† Karen confesses that even though she’s been reared in the Catholic upbringing, there was a time when she felt like serving God was not really her purpose in life. She says that although she believed in the existence of a higher being, she defied the fact that all the laws and commandments she’s been following are all dictated by human beings like her. â€Å"Who can say that what the Catholic Church outlined is really the ultimate truth? And that what they’re teaching is not made to serve their own purpose? And that what they want is also what God wants? I got to think this way when I started taking Philosophy classes in the University. My teachers imparted in me the habit of not taking everything in stride, of questioning everything that is being handed out to me. I also had a class, advertising I think, where the teacher had a great influence on me. He taught us about self-actualization. He always insisted on us trying to make something for ourselves just because we want to be something and not because somebody told us to do. That was the point when I got to question what the Church told me: that everything I do is for His glory,† she quips. But a few years after her University life, Karen admits that she started to soul-search and she realized that ever since she put God out of her life, her life started to feel meaningless. She explains, â€Å"There was this hollow part of me that neither friends nor a high-paying and glamorous job just cannot fulfill. I started to have this feeling that everything I’m doing is for no special reason. When I started to pray and go to Church again, I suddenly felt whole. That’s when I realized what was missing.† Karen’s opinion regarding the meaning of life was highly-influenced by her faith. Though she came to a point when she asked about the things she has always believed in, she still made a turnaround and accepted what her faith has outlined for her.