Corporate governance Essay

Other studies have attempted to isolate the impact of separate social factors on financial performance. For instance, Derwall, Gunster, Bauer, & Koedjik, K. (2003) have included the innovest eco-efficiency scores of US companies, and have looked at the environmental factor. After controlling the risk and investment style, they concluded that the high-ranked portfolio outperforms the low-ranked portfolio. The results become significant when adjusted for industry effects. Becker & Huselid (1998) have concentrated on the relationship between human resources management and firm performance. An analysis of over 500 multi-industry US companies present that a high performance HRM system has an economically and statistically positive effect on organizational performance. Gompers, Ishi, & Metrick, A. (2003) have emphasized the corporate governance aspect. They have drafted a governance index using 24 governance rules on 1,500 large US firms. An investment strategy that purchased shares of well-governed firms and sold shares in badly-governed firms earned an abnormal return during the 1990s. The research has applied style-adjustments. Bauer, Gunster, & Otten (2003) have analyzed the effect of corporate governance on stock returns and firm value. They have utilized the Deminor Corporate Governance ratings to build a portfolio of organizations with bad corporate governance. They find positive results for style-adjusted returns, with weaker positive results after adjustment for country differences. In summary, majority of the studies have presented an out-performance for SRI portfolios compares with more traditional investment approaches, even if such differences do not always present as statistically significant. When particular dimensions of sustainability are investigated, more significant and positive results are brought forth, suggesting that some facets of corporate social responsibility may also contribute shareholder value. Hypothesis This research will look into the efficiency of the internet, especially the corporate websites in transmitting messages with regard to one’s corporate social responsibility. In the same way, it would determine the role of corporate responsibility in increasing profits and revenues of a certain organization. It would look at how US companies incorporate their corporate social responsibility into their websites and how they link the most present and relevant issues into the general characteristics of the company (corporate profile) and of their products and services. In the same manner, this study aims to look at how these issues have been presented in their websites. Are they using the descriptive or informative approach and are they more commercial in perspective instead of allowing an ethical valuation or an appraisal of the company’s compromises in its production. This would also look into the issue of corporate governance. This research shall be qualitative in nature. According to Fay (1996), qualitative researchers attempt to accurately describe, decode and interpret the precise meanings of a certain phenomenon to a person or group of people. The research will also be based on the interpretative paradigm. According to Saunders et al. (2003) interpretive research is a broader term than qualitative research and it encompasses all other approaches based on participant observation such as ethnographic, qualitative, phenomenological, constructivist, and case studies. Second, interpretive research does not carry with it the false connotation of excluding the use of quantitative measures. The focus lies at the different constructions and meanings people place upon their own experiences and the reasons for those differences. The researcher shall use three tests focused in one group. These shall include surveys, focus group discussions and interviews that are essential in gaining necessary data. The focus group discussion of qualitative analysis was utilized, offering the proponent the opportunity to follow up and clarify certain facets of the research to the researchers and to the peers of the research group. It also permitted the members of the focus group to express his/her feelings, opinions and concerns. Following this, the focus group discussions created were documented and thematically analyzed. In order to effectively evaluate the research hypothesis and meet the objectives of the study, this study will employ two qualitative research methods – the focus group discussion and interview method of research. Qualitative research in itself makes for an in-depth evaluation and analysis of human dynamics and the kind of reasons that motivate such behaviour and the reasons that revolve around such behaviour to spur out in the first place. As compared to quantitative research, the qualitative method of analysis relies on the fundamental reasons behind the reactions of people when external factors are applied to a given situation. Simply put, it investigates the why and how of decision making, relative to what is being identified by the quantitative method of analysis – what, where, and when (Denzin & Lincoln 2000). For this reason, qualitative research only requires a relatively small group as compared to the relatively large yet most of if not all of the time are random samples. Qualitative research also identifies and sorts data into relevant and helpful patterns as the foundation for organization and the basis for reporting the kind of results for data.

Examining Race-Related Aspects of James Cameron’s Avatar

Examining The Race-Related Aspects Of Avatar While evident that many who saw the film Avatar were more than satisfied with it visually, I found it interesting that I heard little about the plot or characters. After all, as a writer, these elements, to me, are what make or break the outcome. After going to see the critically acclaimed film, I was left with a blatant feeling of injustice regarding the film’s race issues. The problem I had with the film is the concept of a white male entering into a world of ethnic people (in this case, aliens), with the sole intent of using them for his own personal gain.Not only has this all too familiar story been used again and again, but also, the outcome is always the same. While I do not believe that the film endorses racism, I do believe that certain racial ideologies play a major role in the film. Whilst some may argue against that point, by simply breaking down the story, it is simple to make the connections. Regardless of if it was int entional or not, there are some obvious racial undertones in Avatar, and they should not be ignored no matter how impressive the graphics are.In the specific clip I have chosen to analyze, Jake, the human who joins the Na’vi to fight against his own kind, has returned to Pandora after being labeled a traitor and losing the trust of the Na’vi. To gain it back, he immediately tames a Toruk, a red dragon who the natives are very fearful of. The dragon had never been tamed by anyone from the Na’vi clan. The ability and heroism just spewing from Jake makes it seem as though he is the only one with the answers that the Na’vi need to save Pandora. The scene transitions to the clan praying to the Hometree, despite their knowledge of the tree having never â€Å"taken sides†.In the midst of all of this, Jake comes flying down on the red dragon, the sun beaming behind him, illuminating his path. Then comes the very demeaning imagery of Jake dismounting the dr agon in front of the Na’vi, while they practically bow to and worship him as if to say, â€Å"You are superior to us, after all! † Jake certainly assumes as much, because he soon starts yelling about how this is â€Å"our† land, and they need to do what he says to save it. While watching the film, I first began drawing a lot of parallels to class discussions of how Columbus and the Spaniards conquered America. In Avatar, human corporation is mining a valuable mineral on Pandora, an Earth-like moon that is inhabited by the Na’vi, an â€Å"alien† race. In the late 1400’s, despite also having discovered an entire race of people, the Spanish found gold in America and began mining.Once it became difficult for them, they enforced slavery upon the natives of the land, and mercilessly killed them upon resistance. In the article Sex And Conquest: Domination And Desire On Ethnosexual Frontiers, Joane Nagel reminds us of the â€Å"relative powerlessne ss of many native women, and reports that sexual exchanges were often coerced, involving rape, forced prostitution, and slavery. In Avatar, the human scientists uncover that underneath Hometree, the Na’vi clan’s dwelling, lies the richest deposits of the mineral that they value, and by the end of the film, are ready to destroy it and its’ inhabitants. This, to me, is an example of racism in how the humans were willing to treat the Na’vi (kill them) in order to acquire more â€Å"gold†. While elements are different, Columbus’ conquest of America strays not so far from the plot that drives Avatar: a â€Å"civilized† race relentlessly compromises what they deem to be an â€Å"uncivilized† race.It can even relate to how American factories are built in foreign countries to avoid specific labor laws. As Americans, how can we justify that the people working in foreign countries assembling our iPhones are equal to us? If so, wouldnâ₠¬â„¢t we demand that they deserve equal pay? The ideology of the self-righteous, superior race and their ultimate disregard for all others is, sadly, an overused theme present in this film and our audiences should be seeing less of it.Despite all â€Å"humans† being expelled from Pandora in the end, a white male, in this case, Jake, Avatar’s protagonist, gets to be the boss in the end. In exchange, he gives up his body, his culture, and every â€Å"human† aspect about him. The one thing he fails to let go of is his superiority. With the film ending like this, and not allowing one of the original Na’vi to ultimately prevail, a subconscious message is being delivered. Just like in Dances With Wolves, a white male goes native and soon ends up as the great leader.In just three months of immersion in their culture, Jake learns enough about the Na'vi (their folkways, their animal-taming skills, and even the secret to their ultimate test of warrior prowess, some thing no other Na'vi has mastered in five generations) to become their leader in their struggle against genocide by his own former allies. Hometree even answers a prayer of Jake’s, and she had never answered prayers of the natives, her own people, even once before then. An interesting contrast is set up to disguise the fact that Jake’s character is representative of racism.On one side, there are the power-hungry, militaristic humans who show no moral restraint against the Na’vi. Their opposition is Jake and the rest of the humans who want peace with the natives. While the first group is presented as obviously racist, most would draw the conclusion that the second group, the protagonists, must not be. While the characters themselves are not racist, the age-old â€Å"white Messiah† fable is. This story has played out in American race politics several times. Progressive, liberal white males were responsible for Indian â€Å"removal† and â€Å"schooli ng† replacing Indian genocide, and segregation replacing slavery.Each time, it seems that supporters of progressive policies just have to say, â€Å"Look, I’m progressive. I’m not like those old-fashioned racists,† and then they simply cannot be deemed as racist. This is the trend in our society that the outcome of Avatar is glorifying. Forms of racial supremacy have been changed over time, but have never been ended altogether. To be fair to the â€Å"humans† of Avatar, the Na'vi and their entire planet ended up regarding the humans as a disease with which there can be no peaceful existence.Their solution is, simply, the expulsion of humanity from the planet, or in Jake's case, culture transfusion. Forced assimilation with the native culture in Avatar is almost too familiar to how their still exists an ideology in America that â€Å"foreign† residents must assimilate to the â€Å"white† culture. Forgotten is that every white citizen of America is descendant of some foreign culture. America should be a melting pot for all cultures, and if James Cameron, the director, producer and writer of Avatar, had truly agreed, perhaps the outcome of the film would be different.So did James Cameron write and direct this because he is a racist white male? No. But does James Cameron even acknowledge that his film carries racist undertones? No. The casting for the film had his seal of approval, so why were actors of color used to portray the Na’vi people? The Na'vi may be tall, blue aliens, but they seem to resemble the noble savages in older Hollywood movies: they're played by actors of color, they live a primitive lifestyle in harmony with nature, they sport tattoos and dreadlocks and exotic jewelry, and they have courage and athleticism but not necessarily rationality or ambition.Most importantly, why does white Australian Sam Worthington star as the cultural infiltrator? Cameron has more than once stated that Avatar is meant to encourage people to respect each other’s cultures and differences, and while that may be the overt meaning, he fails to touch on the issue of racial superiority. Again, Cameron did not sit down and consciously make a decision to write a racist film. However, he did indirectly use the film to express his white liberal understanding of anti-racism. Really, his views are just a kindler, gentler, more patronizing racism.If not, perhaps the Na’vi would have saved Jake instead of being incapable of saving themselves. Avatar doesn’t ask the moral question of â€Å"Should the natives be conquered? † It asks, â€Å"How should the natives be conquered? † Had the film been written and directed by a person of color instead, there may have been an opportunity to avoid this. Columbia College professor Kristin Pichaske’s excerpt, Historical And Political Framework: Race, Colonialism And African Cinema discusses how most filmmakers are Western whi te males who control the portrayal of Africans, or minorities, in cinema.In addition to holding the purse strings, Western interests controlled the production infrastructure. As recently as 1993, Diawara would write that Africa lacks film-processing laboratories, sound-dubbing and synchronizing studios, and editing facilities, a fact which significantly limits an African director’s ability to complete a film on his own terms, in his own country and within a reasonable span of time (1993: vii).While this is not universally true at this point (the facilities he describes now being available in South Africa and also rendered somewhat obsolete by the development of high-definition video), it is certainly true that most of Africa suffers from a dearth of film infrastructure and that this creates yet another form of dependence on the West. Having to rely on the West for the skills that they cannot afford, the absence of African directors involved in the depiction of their culture i s blatantly apparent.Perhaps James Cameron was not the right person to direct Avatar, as he cannot truly understand the racial ideology that his film is perpetuating. However, if an African director were given the opportunity, a white Western moneylender who demands that he cater the story to white audiences will undoubtedly be funding him. Present day racist ideologies are best understood when comparing them to Magic Eye images: bizarre images concealing a seemingly hidden, 3-D picture.While some people see the 3-D image right away, others have to look for a while before they can find it. Some people never do find it. However, once you know that the 3-D image is there, you end up wondering how you didn’t see it in the first place. The racism depicted in this film is a lot like a Magic Eye image. It is a fantasy story about race told from a white man’s perspective, for white people. I believe this to be true after simply looking at the history of Cameron’s films : Titanic, Aliens, and The Terminator all contained predominantly white casts.Had he intended his films to be seen by a racially diverse audience, I’m sure he would have had enough common sense to diversify his cast of characters. Avatar is also at the end of a very long history of similar films. Avatar’s storyline has been compared to that of Dances With Wolves and Pocahontas. In all three films, white male characters realize they are unhappy with the treatment of the â€Å"others,† but go beyond assimilating and skip to leading the people who they so recently oppressed.Since there have been so many films spanning all genres telling the same story, when will the white directors begin to use the issue of race in a different light? African-American scholar Donald Bogle, who literally wrote the book on how black people have been portrayed throughout Hollywood history (Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies ;amp; Bucks: An Interpretive History of Blacks in American Films) says that while not overtly racist, it is â€Å"a movie that hasn't yet freed itself of old Hollywood traditions, old formulas. If I were to have written a film like Avatar, I would have made the Na’vi completely capable of saving themselves by reversing the power roles of Jake with the clan. It would mean straying from an age-old format, but also, challenging the racial insecurities of the white audience that the film was intended for. Would the film be as popular if the natives of Pandora did not possess traditional, savage-like qualities? The juxtaposition of the film Avatar with historical events such as Columbus onquering America, and also, overused tales of the white protagonist bringing a race of â€Å"savages† to victory predates most steps towards civil rights equality. Filmmakers of minority races are far and few between, and are often funded by white Westerners when directing. With every film in Hollywood being produced by the â€Å"white man†, will our society ever see things from the point of view of a minority race? If no, then Hollywood’s inability to realize that the decision to continue producing the same point of view is interfering with our society’s ability to think outside of racial boundaries. | | | | | |

Leadership and Managment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Leadership and Managment - Essay Example ssion of poverty, school failure and social exclusion by enhancing the life chances for children less than four years of age growing up in disadvantaged neighbourhoods† (House of Commons, 2010:15). In order to achieve this, the institution strives to reach out to the most disadvantaged and or vulnerable families and children, engaging parents of these children and general community in the whole process as well as integrating and making services easily accessible to the community. Thus, the centre’s major goal is to put the vulnerable child and family at the heart of the program, providing them with essential day care and early education services necessary for their direct and easy entry into primary school. The non stop focus on the involvement of the parents and the community at large by the institution can be attributed to the roots in early childhood education and day care. Management Structure/Skills Centro Sure Start Children’s Centre operates under what can be described as an autocratic form of leadership where employees are to follow strict procedures, guidelines and policies. This form of leadership can largely be attributed to the government ownership or rather fund that the centre gets. The major issue with this leadership style is that decisions are made from the top with little or no consultation from the bottom of the leadership hierarchy. However, this little or no consultation makes such decision making processes rapid. In addition, it can result in some employees feeling devalued due to their inability to contribute their ideas. However, effective leaders can employ some of this style’s features in a sensible way, for instance in cases where the manager is the most qualified. Perhaps, one can term the leadership style used as heroic where the... This paper approves that leaders at Centro Sure Start Children’s Centre are capable of building relationships with their team members, the community as well as with other agencies playing a role in its activities. In addition, the delegation of duties to junior members of teams is seen as an important tool of empowering the staff and instigating a shared decision making model in the institution. Managers organize, plan, control and co-ordinate while leaders direct, inspire, advocate for and build teamwork, gain acceptance while at the same time setting an example to the junior staff. This essay makes a conclusion that different researches exist regarding educational leadership with almost all putting emphasis or rather focusing on the beliefs, values, skills and knowledge that many view to be the ideal for a good leader or leadership, rather than focus on actual practices of leadership. According to Leithwood, Day, Sammons, Harris and Hopkins, the existing literature spills out less regarding the specific requirements for successful leadership and more about effective practices of leadership. The overlaps between the different leadership forms like collaborative, shared, participative and democratic has resulted in the use of the term distributed leadership to refer to a form of leadership practice in Sure Start Centres that is devolved, dispersed or shared. However, it should be understood that distributed leadership does not mean everyone leads; rather, it means the practice is distributed beyond the manager.

Basic Water Conservation in California and discover a way conserving Essay

Basic Water Conservation in California and discover a way conserving water can save energy - Essay Example Its primary aim is to educate the people about various ways of saving this natural resource; only with little alterations in lifestyle, this goal can easily be achieved. (CALIFORNIA'S WATER: A CRISIS WE CAN'T IGNORE, September 2007) Water supply in California has been severely reduced in recent years thus affecting the common people and business farms in Central, Northern and Southern California. In August 2007, water supplies from two large water delivery systems were cut in order to protect endangered fish species. Delta, the natural estuary, which waters about 2.5 million acres of farmland and 25 million Californians, is experiencing ecological crisis, thereby threatening the environment as well as the people of the state. Already, the growing water uncertainties and reduced water supplies are forcing the farmers to stop cultivation in some prime agricultural lands in the state; in turn, it is affecting the important industries of the state. Moreover, there is a possibility that the aging of Delta levees might also cripple the water deliveries in California for a long period. Rapid growth of California's population is a threat, as there has been no significant improvement in the delivery system as well as th e water storage system of the state. The water reserves of the state are relatively low and might not be able to meet up to the public demand, if there is disruption in the water delivery system of the state. Climatic changes in this zone are also an important factor for the growing concern of water conservation. The state has experienced severe drought conditions over the years and the year 2007 has been a record dry year in some of the regions in California. The changes in the climatic condition are also reducing mountain snow pack, which is an important source of natural water storage. Due to this condition, Californians might experience severe floods and long droughts in future. (CALIFORNIA'S WATER: A CRISIS WE CAN'T IGNORE, September 2007) Water Conservation Techniques (Tommy Foley, n.d.) Irrigated Agriculture of California Owing to the Mediterranean climate and unique geographical features, California has become a productive agricultural region in whole world. Sierra Nevada mountain range situated at the eastern border of California captures and stores the winter rainfall that can be used for irrigation during summer months. This water storage along with Mediterranean climate is favorable for the growth of a large variety of crops. Growing awareness of the environmental requirements of water along with population growth has compelled California agriculture to use water efficiently so that more amount of water is available for environmental and urban uses. Several management strategies and

Comparison of Marketing Strategies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Comparison of Marketing Strategies - Essay Example It is renowned for being the flag carrier air service company of United Kingdom. The company is the biggest airline in the country on the basis of the fleet size, the total number of flights in the international land, the international destinations etc. British Airways is the second largest among all the airline companies on the basis of the total number of travellers carried. British Airways Board was formed in 1971 for controlling two big domestic airline companies, BEA and BOAC and also two small airline companies, Northeast Airlines and Cambrian Airways. On 31st March 1974, all the four companies merged and British Airways was formed. The company started expanding its operations by the acquisition of British Caledonian (in 1987) and Dan Air (in 1992). The company also formed strategic alliance with Cathay Pacific, Qantas, American Airlines and Canadian Airlines. The alliance is counted as the third largest alliance, next to Star Alliance and Sky Team. British Airways is a subsidi ary of International Airlines Group, which has been listed in London Stock Exchange and FTSE 100 Index. The loyalty of the employees as well as the former colleagues along with the collection of beautiful arts has helped British Airways to gain competitive advantage over its competitors. As already mentioned, the company is a merger of the four companies BEA, BOAC, the North East Airlines and Cambrian Airways. The current alliance with the Qantas, Cathay Pacific, American Airlines and Canadian Airlines has made British Airways the third largest alliance. ... BA CityFlyer, a fully owned subsidiary of British Airways provides services to twenty different destinations in Europe. Although the main focus is given on the financial markets by the company, it has recently extended the operations and achieved a remarkable position in the leisure market. There are many other services provided by the company like car rental service, hotel service etc. The excellent services provided by the company in both international as well as domestic land have helped it to achieve a successful position in the market. Service marketing mix for British Airways in UK’s and USA’s perspective 7P’s of marketing gives set of policies related to the product, price, promotion, place, physical evidence, process and people which generally affects the purchasing decision of the customers. These policies are set by the management. The success of a business involves a long process where achieving success depends on the marketing; the success related to marketing depends on the marketing strategies and finally the marketing strategies deal with the elements of 7P’s of marketing. Thus the implementation of appropriate strategies in 7P’s of marketing is very important for the achievement of success by a business enterprise. A service marketing mix is the mix of the marketing plans of the company (Belohlavek, 2008). Product The product or service strategy of a company should be such that it gains the attraction of the customers easily. The product or service strategy should be planned in such a manner that it provides satisfaction to the needs of the customers and have a differential advantage over the product offerings by the competitors (Hobbs, 2011; Masterson & Pickton, 2010). British Airways provides quality services to its

Strategic management financial data Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Strategic management financial data - Essay Example Importantly it has an excellent reputation for its commitment to being an equal opportunities employer and to corporate philanthropy. Whilst it does not have anywhere near McDonald's market share, over the last five years its stock has consistently outperformed McDonald's: Figure 2: Yum v McDonald's 2002-2007 Source: Marketwatch.com According to the CEO, David Novak, Yum! claims an annual return for investors of 24% between 2000-2005. Little wonder he refers to the company as "a demonstrated cash machine with a strong investment grade balance sheet". 2 Revenue Growth Last 5 Years3 I have presented both the raw figures, taken from the 2001-2005 Annual reports respectively and calculated the revenue growth rate using the formula: Growth multiple: (current year/last year) = 1.344599 Growth % rate: Growth multiple - 1 x 100 =Annualised Growth last 5 years To work out the annualised growth rate between 2005 and 2000 I used the following formula: Time = 5 Growth multiple = 1.344599 = 1.061008 Then subtract 1 and multiple by 100 = 6% Operating Expenses as a % Revenue I calculated this figure using the formula: Operating expenses/revenue*100 Gross Profit Margin (GPM) I found this information on the Income statement and used the following calculation: To Calculate Gross Profit Net Sales (NS) minus Cost of Sales =Gross Profit (GP) GPM = GP/NS Market Capitalization I found 2 definitions for capitalization Definition 1 The sum of a corporation's long-term debt, stock and retained earnings. Also called invested capital. Definition 2 The market price of an entire company, calculated by multiplying the number of shares outstanding by the price per share. here also called market cap or market...Importantly it has an excellent reputation for its commitment to being an equal opportunities employer and to corporate philanthropy. According to the CEO, David Novak, Yum! claims an annual return for investors of 24% between 2000-2005. Little wonder he refers to the company as "a demonstrated cash machine with a strong investment grade balance sheet". 2 Figures 5-6: In the last 2 years Yum! has struggled to outperform the market. This is consistent with the difficulty in sustaining a competitive advantage. Markets trend toward competitive convergence as competitors copy operational efficiencies. However since October 2005 (Figure 5) Yum! has easily outperformed the Dow Jones US Restaurant & Bars index. Figure 9 provides the contrast between Yum! and the Dow Jones US Restaurant & Bars index over the last 5 years. With the exception of a 'blip' in 2002-3 when Yum! was no better or worse than the Dow Jones US Restaurant & Bars index, Yum! has outperformed its sector overall in each of the last 5 years.

Music Mid-Term Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Music Mid-Term - Essay Example The concert lasted from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. The live performance included 14 professional musicians of the Denver Brass. The performances include Salsa, Day of the Dead Suite, Tango, and Sense Maya (Valencia, 2012). The performers played different classical songs that included Day of the Dead. Denver Brass constitutes of 14 professional musicians (The Denver brass, 2014). Denver Brass’s universal appeal defines its success and prominence. I enjoyed the magnificent surround sound and the entertaining and relaxing fresh musical styles that added vigor to the classical music live concert. I also enjoyed the fact that a diverse audience attended the concert thus denouncing the misconception that classic music is for elite, racist, and educated audience. Indeed, the live concert made me love attending another classical music live concert in the near future. Notably, the performance of the Drever Bass corresponds to the classical stylistic period learnt in class. The Colorado Fiesta: Dances with Brass depicted a classical musical genre as the band sung various classical songs. The programming of the music sought to share the Colorado history in an entertaining manner. The performance sought to bring a musical excursion from Spain to America. The live concert evoked emotions, images, and ideas. Indeed, the fiery dance, cool music, and sensual Flamenco guitar evoked happy and entertaining feelings. The live concert also evoked passionate and romantic feelings courtesy of the romantic song Day of the Dead. The Colorado Fiesta: Dances with Brass was equally colorful thus evoking a beautiful feeling. Some of the most Memorable features of the live concert included the fiery dance, sensual Flamenco guitar that evoked instrumental effects, and the entertaining dancing styles by Fiesta Colorado and Steve Mullins (Valencia, 2012). Additionally, I cannot forget the harmonious melodies and rhythms of the Drever Bass that motivated the audience to sing along to each song

Understanding Whiteness or white identity Annotated Bibliography

Understanding Whiteness or white identity - Annotated Bibliography Example Banks explains that in order to define whiteness, African Americans were necessary. This is because constructing other racial categories helped as a source of identification for powerful main groups like whites (p.22). In this article, bank has discussed racial theories developed by intellectual leaders and also explains how Franz Boas, Robert E Park and African American scholars and social scientist strived for racial reconstruction. Banks’ article helps student to realize how racial knowledge is constructed and how it is evolved over time. Banks also emphasises the importance of having transformative teaching and learning. Ralph Linton’s article â€Å"The one hundred percent American† humorously describes that most of the things an American use in everyday life are originated from other countries. Linton brilliantly analyses that majority of materials a typical American uses are un-American, and yet they consider themselves as â€Å"one hundred percent American†. Linton has explained almost every routine including activities like waking up, taking shower, having breakfast, going out in rain, catching train and reading paper, and finds out that American uses un-American materials for all these needs. This includes a pyjama he wears which is of East Indian origin or bed he sleeps which is from Persia or Asia Minor (p.1). Linton shows us that most of the American way of doing things exists because of the other countries which invented them. For students, this article is really informative and may help them understand the extent to which American culture is unique. The article â€Å"Do we need a common American identity?† discusses about the complex issues in American identity. The title question is supported by Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr (1992) who asserts that multiculturalism is a threat for basic values of Americans. While Michael Walzer (1990) opposes the title question and suggests that multicultural identity cannot be avoided in America. According to

Tennessee and Progressivism Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Tennessee and Progressivism - Research Paper Example Although the idea received a lot of opposition and led to ridicule of Tennessee women, some of the women including Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Antony persistently fought for the rights of women to vote. They used crusades for women’s rights to advocate for their voting rights. Elizabeth Meriwether and her sister-in-law Lide Meriwether led the suffrage movement in Memphis. Elizabeth published her own journal to promote women rights while Lide led the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) and fought for Women rights for about seventeen years (Kathleen 1984). With a lot of challenges including unpopularity and splitting of the suffrage group, the movement struggled to survive and maintain its ideas of reforms. The fight for women’s right to vote took place throughout the progressive era from late nineteenth century to early twentieth century (Kathleen 1984). The movement bore fruits in 1920 when the Tennessee National Assembly approved the Nineteenth Amendment which allowed millions of women to vote; hence placing the government on the hands of the people – democratizing the American

Cambridge Engineering Selector Essay Example for Free

Cambridge Engineering Selector Essay Apparatus Computer Cambridge Engineering Selector database program Theory The Problem Below is a brief description of the theory regarding this lab: Oars are light, stiff beams. They must also have reasonable fracture toughness (KIC) and acceptable price per unit mass (Cm). The performance index for a light, stiff beam is: M1 = E1/2/? Where E is the Youngs modulus and ? is the density. To select the best materials, perform two selection stages: (i) In stage 1, select materials with M1 7 (GPa) /(Mg/m) (ii) In stage 2, select materials with KIC 1 MPa. m and Cm 100 GBP/kg. CES Selector Materials for Oars: The solution The performance index for a light, stiff beam (M1) is plotted in stage 1. Density is plotted on the x-axis and Youngs Modulus on the y-axis. A selection line of gradient 2, through the point (1.0, 49) is plotted. The constraints on adequate fracture toughness and price are plotted in stage 2. Fracture Toughness is plotted on the x axis and Density on the y axis. A selection box whose upper left corner is at (1.0, 100) is defined. In stage 1, the line representing the performance index is moved up until only a small subset of records remains in the selection. Magnified views of the two selection charts are shown in figures M5.3.1 and M5.3.2 (results intersection and hide failed records on), and the materials passing both stages are shown in figure M5.3.3. Oars for competitive rowing are made from Spruce, or (better) Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP). Low Tech oars have been made for centuries out of bamboo. Boron Carbide might be acceptable, but it would be too brittle, despite its moderate fracture toughness. Selection Stages The selection methodology behind CES Selector is described in section 1 of the online book CES In Depth Background on Selection Systems. The application of this selection methodology to a specific area (e.g. the selection of the optimum material for an engineering component) is dealt with in the section of CES In Depth for the relevant data module. Before any selection can be performed, the user must specify which of the data tables will be the Selection Table (e.g. Materials, Process etc). This is done in the Project Settings dialog box (or on the Welcome screen when CES is first opened). Only one table can be used for selection in a given project. The filter and form for each data table must also be specified. The recommended filter and form combination for each type of selection is listed below. Selecting records with Selector involves performing a series of independent selection stages. On each stage, the user selects a subset of records. Every record in the current filter for the Selection Table is considered during each stage, and the program automatically keeps track of all the results. One way to perform a selection is to use a Selection Chart. The two axes of a selection chart specify record attributes. The user selects the area of the chart that fulfils the selection criteria. One selection chart is used for each selection stage. A second way to perform a selection is to use a Limit stage, in which numerical limits for one or more attributes are entered in a table. Limit stages can be combined with graphical stages (using selection charts). A single functional requirement (e.g. the strength/density ratio of a material) can be represented by one stage in Selector. In many design situations it is necessary to identify records that satisfy several functional requirements simultaneously, for example high strength/density, high stiffness and low cost/kg for a material. In these cases Selector can perform several selection stages and the program will store the results of each stage automatically. The selection stages can be modified at any time if necessary. At the end of the selection (or at any other time), the user can find out which records passed all, or some of the selection stages. It is important to realise that in this strategy, all records contained in the selection table with applicable data entries are considered in every selection stage (and are plotted on the charts). Therefore each stage is independent of the others. This means that records are never discarded from the selection process, even though they may fail a particular selection stage. So it is possible to find out how every entity performed on each of the stages. The ones that pass all stages will probably be the best choices. Selector can also generate plots of user-defined attributes, which are mathematical combinations of the attributes in the database. Examples are the specific strength el / (el is the elastic limit and is the density), and the performance index for a light stiff beam E / (E is the Youngs Modulus). This facility greatly expands the versatility of the selection process and enables two complex performance requirements to be compared on one selection chart. CALCULATION OF THE GRADIENT FOR BOTH GRAPHS The gradient of the lines in both graphs were calculated using the performance index for the bending of rods, the formula used was: E/P = Youngs Modulus / Density In order to get the above equation into the correct term for a gradient or a curve (y=m x + c) both sides of the equation had to be logged: LOG E LOG ? = LOG C Transpose for LOG E LOG E = LOG ? + LOG C The equation for a straight line is y = mx + c From the above it is fair to mention that: Y = LOG E X = LOG ? M = 1 The performance used in this lab was E 1/2 / P = C If you take log on both sides of the equation above: 1/2 LOG E LOG ? = LOG C Transpose for 1/2 LOG E: LOG C + LOG ? = 1/2 LOG E Multiply both sides by 2 to get LOG E LOG E = 2 LOG ? + 2 LOG C From the above it can be assumed that: Y = LOG E M = 2 X = LOG ? C = 2 LOG C M (The gradient) = 2 The gradient in the first graph of Density Vs. Youngs Modulus is 2. If another performance index is used: K IC / p = c The log of both sides of the equation gives: 2/3 LOG K ic = LOG ? + LOG C Multiply both sides 3/2 gives: LOG K ic = 3/2 log ? + 3/2 log c Y = LOG K ic M = 3/2 X = LOG ? C = 3/2 LOG C M = 3/2 = 1.5 The gradient of the line in the second graph of Fracture Toughness Vs. Density is 1.5 Method The Cambridge engineering selector was the program that was used in order to get the desired materials. The main two properties that the chosen material requires are strength and toughness. In order to get the right material two graphs had to be plotted. The first graph was Youngs Modulus vs. Density and the second graph was Fracture toughness vs. Density. The first thing that had to be done was to select the right units, which are SI units. This was done by going onto Tools, selecting options and then the correct units and currency which was GB Pounds. Select New Project from the File menu Choose the New Graphical Stage command from the Project menu. The Graph Stage Wizard will appear, ready to define the x and y axis of your chart. The procedure for selecting attributes for plotting on the selection chart axes is the same for both axes (and whichever selection table). The steps are as follows: The X-Axis page is presented first. To specify a single attribute, click once on the down arrow to display the drop down list box. Select one attribute, Density. (The Advanced function could be used to create a combination of attributes for one axis.) The title can be changed by the user by typing in the Title field if desired. Let the settings for the axis Scale remain as the default, Logarithmic and Autoscale. You can change the scales to linear and back again, by clicking one of the radio buttons marked Logarithmic and Linear. To switch to the Y-Axis page click once on the other tab. Select the attribute Youngs Modulus from the drop down list box and let the scale be Logarithmic and Autoscale. Click once on OK to exit the dialog. The graph will then be created. Follow the same steps to create the other graph except this time, the y-axis is going to be Fracture toughness. Once both graphs are created, the gradient, which was worked out earlier, has to be put in. In the graph showing Youngs Modulus vs. Density the gradient is 2 and for the graph showing Fracture toughness vs. Density it is 1.5. To put in a gradient line, simply click on the icon on the toolbar which has a picture of a gradient on it. Then a box will appear asking you to enter a value for the gradient. Once the value of the gradient is entered, the gradient will appear on the graph. The line can be moved up and down the graph depending on what kinds of materials are needed. In order to narrow down the number of materials to a few, the line has to be moved carefully upwards until only a few materials are shown in the box. This has to be done for both graphs until only 4 or 5 materials appear in the box showing both stages. Results Engineering Materials Lab All Stages Name Identity Epoxy/HS Carbon Fibre, UD Composite, 0à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ Lamina MXP_CFTSEPHCUD001 Low Density Wood (Longitudinal) (0.22-0.45) MNW_L_LD Medium Density Wood (Longitudinal) (0.45-0.85) MNW_L_MD PEEK/IM Carbon Fibre, UD Composite, 0à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ Lamina MXP_CFTPPEICUD001 Conclusion After looking and analysing the results taken from the two graphs, the materials chosen were Epoxy SMC (carbon fibre), low density wood, and medium density wood. ). But in the economical end of manufacturing rowing boat oars, both the wood materials would be selected, as they are reasonably cheap to buy, whereas carbon fibre is more expensive. Costs of materials are not the only concern, as the usage of each material is just as important. Questions could be asked; such as, how often is the boat going to be used? Is it going to be used on a regular basis? All of these questions should be taken into consideration before a decision is made. If an average person who is not a professional rower was going to consume a rowing boat ore, he/she would be better off opting for the one made from low density wood as the wooden ore is a great deal cheaper. On the other hand if the same question was asked to a professional rower, then the rower would pick the ore made of carbon fibre since the price does not come at the top of the list of concern and winning the race is the major objective. Basically, there is a good point and a bad point on each material. This largely depends on the object of buying the ore. If it is to win a race then money is not an option and the consumer would be better off buying the one made from carbon fibre but if the object is to just go rowing for a weekend then the best option would be to go for the oar made from wood simply because there is no likely consistent further use for the ore.

A Clean Well Lighted Place English Literature Essay

A Clean Well Lighted Place English Literature Essay During the 20th century, literature contained many different typed of writing themes. One theme in particular was place. The use of place as a theme was utilized especially well in many of Ernest Hemingways works. Hemingway was one of the greatest American writers and journalists of the 20th century. One of his more famous works is his short story, A Clean, Well-Lighted Place. The title is self-explanatory towards revealing the possibility of place being one of the themes of the short story. Ernest Hemingways A Clean, Well-Lighted Place begins slowly with two people having a conversation but ends up displaying an important theme of place in the clean, well-lighted bar atmosphere that is seen. In many works of literature, a certain place establishes a sense of lifestyle. Place gives reader a sense of automatic comfort and further knowledge of the plot. A huge basis upon what makes place important as a theme in literature is the relationship it has with the characters. When readers are first given the setting and sense of place that the characters are living in, readers can automatically depict whether or not the characters adjust or fit in with the society and environment. Depending upon the characters personality and the personality of the place, tension and apprehension can result from a distortion with each other. However, if a character adjusts with the society in the story, messages can be implicated and readers can associate better with the authors writing style. An example of this can be seen in Annie Proulxs short story, Brokeback Mountain. The two cowboys correlate well with the cold, mountainous work environment that Proulx places them in. These two men use this mountain as a place of leisure that they can enjoy and get away to. The mountain is significant to the theme because of this. Thus, by creating the appropriate settings and places for the events to take place, the tone that authors wants to attain, will be brought out effectively and will therefore demonstrate the connection between the atmosphere and the characters in the story and show in general, how it has exaggerated the characters and their personalities. Hemingway wrote many confusing works of literature that have been thoroughly debated for years. This short story definitely follows the pattern of confusion that Hemingway brought to readers. The story begins with discussion of a drunk, old man that visits this bar and cafà © every night. It appears to be conversation between two waiters, one young and young old, about the drunken mans attempt at suicide a couple nights before. The two waiters argue about closing the bar. The younger waiter is angry and wants to go home, while the older waiter is more patient. Overall, the story is perplexing because it does not seem to have a point, but further examination of the dialogue and setting can divulge a message. In many of Hemingways works readers are forced to use the dialogue of the characters to determine what is actually going on. The difficulty presented by the story derives from the fact that in only a few instances does Hemingway identify the speaker (Gabriel 539). Although Hemingway uses dialogue as a theme, place is most definitely one of the most important premises he implicates into his stories. In A Clean, Well-Lighted Place, Hemingway gives us a cafà © which is clean and well lit, but generally has a lonely vibe. This cafà © represents more than just a place for the old man to get drunk, but a place that he can resolve his loneliness. Hemmingways solemn tale is about defeating the late night loneliness in a bright bar. The drunken man drinking brandy endures it and so does the elder waiter. However, the younger waiter cannot comprehend being alone because he most likely has not been very forlorn in his life. He brings up a couple times during the story that he wished to go home to his wife, yet the old man and old waiter have no wives to go home to like he does. Ernest Hemingway does not feel the need to give much detail on the setting.    The reader knows that it is late and that these men are in a cafà ©. The main character is sitting in the shadow and he is drinking brandy. Hemingway leaves out details from the setting but does make it clear that this cafà © is, like the title suggests, clean and well-lighted. He only states important aspects of the setting demonstrating that details are nothing, or nada. Through his writing Hemingway implies that this old man feels that little details in the world mean nothing. When the older waiter asks the younger waiter why this drunken man had tried to commit suicide a week before, the younger waiter simply answers Nothing. He has plenty of money (Hemingway 17). In the young waiters mind this old man has everything. Obviously, this old man feels that things like money are nothing and thus not worth living over. Ernest Hemingway, through the lack of details, demonstrates that details are nothing a nd therefore not worth inputting, strengthening the nada theme. Each night I am reluctant to close up because there may be some one who needs the cafà © (251). The waiter who speaks these words realizes that his cafà © is more than just a place to eat and drink. The main character of the story is the elderly, deaf drunken man who spends every evening at the cafà © until it closes. Place is used to help the reader understand the old mans loneliness and the comfort he receives from the cafà ©. Hemingway uses direct description, visual and auditory clues, and sense imagery to establish the setting and to develop this understanding. Hemingway uses direct description at the very beginning of the story to establish the setting of the story for the reader. It was late and everyone had left the cafà © except an old man who sat in the shadow the leaves of the tree made against the electric light. In the day time the street was dusty, but at night the dew settled the dust (Hemingway 15). This conveys a sense of solitude and peace which surrounds the o ld man. More importantly, this description gives the reader a feeling for the loneliness which has engulfed the old man. The use of shadows and light, along with solitude, gives the sense of loneliness. The older waiter argues that they should have allowed their customer to stay, that being in the cafà © is not the same as drinking at home. He explains that he is also one of those who likes to stay late at a cafà © . . . . With all those who do not want to go to bed. With all those who need a light for the night (Hemingway 18). He does not want to close, since there may be someone else who needs the cafà ©. When the young waiter says there are bodegas open all night, the other points out that the bright atmosphere of the cafà ©s makes it different. This detail demonstrated by Hemingway truly reflects the importance of the cafà © as a theme and its relevance with the characters. The visual and auditory clues the author uses are necessary in understanding why the old man continues to return to the cafà © each night. Turning off the electric light he continued the conversation with himself. It is the light of course but it is necessary that the place be clean and pleasant. You do not want music. Certainly you do not want music (Hemingway 23). It is essential that the cafà © be well-lighted to offset the old mans dark and lonely life. In addition, music would only be a distraction from his thoughts and a disruption of the solitude which quiet brings. Finally, through Hemingways use of sense imagery, the reader is able to understand why the old man visits the cafà © at night. the old man liked to sit late because he was deaf and now at night it was quiet and he felt the difference (Hemingway 22). Evening brings a sense of serenity to the old man. The day time distractions, even for a deaf man, are replaced by evening solitude. This allows the old man to withdraw and reflect on the loneliness of his life. It is clear that Hemingways use of direct description, visual and auditory clues, and sense imagery to establish setting help the reader to understand the old mans loneliness and the comfort he receives from the cafà ©. The old man is first seen as very lonely and in search of solitude and quiet. The setting, and the use of several literary mechanisms, however, further develop this old man and enable the reader to not only see his loneliness but feel and understand it. After the younger waiter goes home, the older one asks himself why he needs a clean, pleasant, quite, well-lighted place. The answer is that he requires some such impression of order because of a nothing that he knew too well. He begins a mocking prayer: Our nada who art in nada as it is in nada (Hemingway 23). He then finds himself at a bodega which is a poor substitute for a clean, well-lighted cafà ©. These places which bring light to the characters also bring a light out in readers. Hemingway presented a place where not only the old man went to, but also his readers could relate to because of the solemn feelings sometimes felt. He goes home to lie awake until daylight may finally bring him some sleep: After all, he said to himself, it is probably only insomnia. Many must have it (Hemingway 24). Hemingways past may have given him reason to write this story and also reason to use this certain place. He was quite the drinker which gave him firsthand accounts of being in a bar and the atmosphere it provided. He may have used some of his own life experiences to give himself inspiration towards what this deaf, old man might have been feeling. Hemingways complex relationship with women he married four timesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ (Pukas 1). He most likely felt loneliness a lot of his life because of the many relationships he was in and out of. This most likely resulted in his heavy drinking, and the clean, well-lighted bars that he went to would give him comfort. Many writers use different ways of approaching place as a theme. Some writers use the place with the characters personalities, or some use the place as a higher power. In this short story by Hemingway, he uses visual imagery to depict this fresh, bright environment to readers in similar ways that other writers would. Writing visually takes talent and uniqueness, and like any talent there are methods that made Hemingway stand out from the others. Creating a visual image gives the reader that place where they want to go on their minds virtual journey through a short story such as A Clean, Well-Lighted Place. Imagery gives the reader that picture in their minds eye as a reference to place with the written words. ..Everyone had left the cafà © except an old man who sat in the shadow the leaves of the tree made against the electric light (Hemingway 15). In this instance, Hemingway was more visibly descriptive about where the old man was sitting. The shadow indicated that the old man may have sat in the dark for a reason, such as loneliness. An artist, who can write well, weaves those images into the story line, taking the reader on a journey where the imagery leaves you satisfied with the ride when the last page is turned and the gateway or book has been closed. The images stay with you long after. Hemingway is not your typical 20th century writer because he truly had his own style of writing. His works were complicated for some readers but revolved around strong messages. Every person can relate with at least one of his short stories because of his usage of the places that his readers have once been to and experienced themselves. Understanding the importance of place as a theme in literature takes research and exploration of many different writers. Ernest Hemingway uses settings and places on a whole other level by elaborating with visual imagery and toying with readers senses. A Clean, Well-Lighted Place isnt just about the loneliness of an old, deaf man, but also displays characteristics that can be felt by all. Hemingway shows readers that sometimes it takes a clean, well-lighted place to get away from the dark, loneliness we feel when we are down.

Amazement and Wonder in Peter Weir’s Fearless :: Movie Film Essays

Amazement and Wonder in Peter Weir’s Fearless Roger Ebert writes, â€Å"Fearless is like a short story that shines a bright light, briefly, into a corner where you usually do not look. It makes you realize how routine life can become: how it is actually possible to be bored despite the fact that a universe has evolved for eons in order to provide us with the five senses by which we perceive it. If we ever really fully perceived the cosmic situation we are in, we would drop unconscious, I imagine, from shock.† What the filmmaker, Peter Wier, is attempting to make a statement about, is that we (1) cannot live our lives in boredom of life in general and its monotony because there are far to many wonderful things that go unnoticed, and (2) that we also cannot live our lives in fear of dying from flying on a plane or not engaging in a sport due to the risk of injury. Fearless accomplishes this sense of amazement and wonder in several ways, the most prominent of which are the actions of Max Klein. The earliest of examples to that end occurs when Max drives the car to see his friend in the beginning of the film. ON the way he stops out in the middle of nowhere and sits against his car on the side of the road, rubbing dirt between his fingers. This is a demonstration of Max's intrigue with something as ordinary as dirt on the side of the road, a gratitude and appreciation for the basics of what makes up all of life on earth. In addition, Max finds a new love for strawberries, partially newly discovered excitement in simplicity and partially as a test of his state of being. After all, Max is allergic to strawberries prior to the plane crash. He is also absorbed with work and caught up in the monotony of everyday life, until he experiences such a traumatic event. Max is also afraid to fly, and goes on this flight against his so called better judgment. The incident of the crash transforms Max Klein into an individual with a changed view of life. It is a realization that he, or anyone for that matter, may die at any given moment, and this realization also makes him take initiative in doing something which he always meant to do.

America Censored: A Battle of Rights Essays -- Censorship Censoring Me

America Censored: A Battle of Rights Welcome to the United States of America. This is the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. A place where our forefathers once gathered and drew up the foundation for which we live our lives. The Constitution of the United States grants us a certain amount of freedoms for which we cannot be punished for. The first amendment to this constitution of the Constitution allows us the freedom of speech, religion, the right to assemble, and to express ourselves in a way in which we feel fit. Under this amendment, people such as musicians and newsmen and able to write and speak what they feel without being told that it is wrong. They cannot be manipulated to change their thoughts or views on a topic, or can they? Even though the first amendment protects freedom of speech and press people everyday fight not to be censored because they write and speak what they feel. When people are censored for speaking their mind, it shows that the first amendment is nothing more than a falsehood that pr otects some but not all. Letà ­s start this off at the very beginning. What is Censorship? According to The American Heritage College Dictionary to censor is, "To examine in order to suppress or delete anything considered objectionable" (American Heritage College Dictionary 226). So basically it is when a select group of people go through books, movies, and music, and ask that anything that might be seen as offensive to a group of people or anyone in general be removed from the publication. Right away you can see how by doing this a personà ­s first amendment is being violated. If, as Americans, we are granted the freedom of speech and expression then having something you write or say censored directly violates th... ... day they die. Why donà ­t we let them use it and everyone just worry about themselves. If you donà ­t like something then stay away from it. Ità ­s as simple as that. If it wasnà ­t for the first amendment people like Tipper Gore wouldnà ­t even have the freedom to speak her mind of what she was against. I think people need to step back from trying to act as god and control their lives. The freedom of speech and expression is one of the greatest things that we, as a country, have. How many countries out there can you get arrested for speaking out in public on an issue. The first amendment is such a great thing but it needs to hold true for all. If something is censored it is as if the government is playing favorites and if that holds true then we are not a free country at all. For everyone out there who is against censorship I have just one more thing to say to all of you...

Henrik Isbens A Dolls House :: A Dolls House Essays

Main Theme I decided to write about one of the themes of A Doll's House's. I thought the main theme was a classic case of women’s suffrage. How Nora parted from society. Breaking away from the social standards of their time and acting the way they want is showed by several of the characters. No one character demonstrates this better than Nora. The time period in which the play takes place, women were not to be asserting themselves. Women were supposed to support their husbands, take care of their children, and made sure everything was perfect around the house. Work, politics, and decisions were left to the men. Nora's first break from society was when she decided to borrow money to pay for her husbands treatment. By doing this, she not only broke the law but she stepped away from the role women play in her society. She was suppose to be helpless and completely dependent upon Torvald. Nora's second break from society was shown by her decision to leave Torvald and her children. She was suppose to be under her husband. This is shown in the way Torvald spoke down to her. He would say things like, "worries that you couldn't possibly help me with," and, "Nora, Nora, just like a woman." She is almost considered to be property of his. By walking out on her family, she takes a position equal to her husband and brakes the rules of society. Nora also brakes society's expectations of staying in a marriage since divorce was unheard of during that era. Her decision was a separation from all expectations put on a woman and a wife by society. Nora knew the consequences her decisions. They were very deliberate and thought out. She knew what society expected of her and continued to do what she felt is right. I think Ibsen was sympathetic to Nora. Her examples of defying the stereo type of women were used Ibsen to show faults of society. In the first example, Ibsen shows that even though Nora did the right thing, it was deemed wrong and not allowed by society because she was a woman. Ibsen is critical of society's expectations of a marriage. He does this by showing how Nora is forced to be a wife, than be herself and this eventually deteriorates the marriage. Throughout the play Nora is looked down upon and treated as a possession by her husband.

Critically Compare and Contrast Community Psychology and Public Health Approaches to Social Problems

In this essay, I will critically compare and contrast community psychology and public health approaches to social problems. I will do this by comparing strengths and weaknesses of both approaches, as well as similarities between these approaches. To compare these two concepts, one should first have a basic understanding of the origins and historical development of community psychology and public health. According to the American Heritage Medical dictionary (www. ahdictionary. om) Community Psychology is â€Å"the application of psychology to community programs for the prevention of mental health disorders and the promotion of mental health. † Community psychology has its roots in the mental health reform movements in the USA, according to Tutorial letter 102/0/2013for Pyc4811 (2013). The three most important reform movements were the â€Å"moral treatment† (early 1800’s), the â€Å"mental hygiene† (early 1900’s) and â€Å"deinstitutionalisationâ₠¬  (1960’s) (Tutorial letter 102/0/2013for Pyc4811). Each of these movements was intended to view and treat mental illness as a social problem rather than an individual problem. It was also a move towards ‘prevention rather than cure’ concerning mental illness. (Tutorial letter 102/0/2013for Pyc4811) According to Tutorial letter 102/0/2013for Pyc4811 (2013) there are two major models of community psychology: the Mental Health model and the Social action model. The location of mental illness, according to the Mental Health model, is at the method of interaction between individual and environmental factors. The Social Action model places the location of mental illness ‘within oppressive and exploitative social and economic structures’ (Tutorial letter 102/0/2013for Pyc4811, 2013) Public health, like community psychology, focuses on prevention of disease. It is defined as â€Å"the science and practice of protecting and improving the health of a community as by preventative medicine; health education; control of communicable diseases; application of sanitary measures and monitoring of environmental hazards† by the American Heritage Dictionary www. ahdictionary. com) Like community psychology, public health also focuses less on the individual and more on the public and society in general. Public health concerns itself with the prevention of lifestyle diseases, such as heart problems, as well as diseases of which the occurrence can be reduced if the public is educated about it, such as HIV/AIDS and cholera (Tut 102 for PYC4811). Public health, as practised in South Afri ca and most industrialized countries, is based on the biomedical/western model of illness. According to this model, the reason for disease and distress (and, therefore, mental illness) is because of lesions within the body or mind. These lesions are caused by an interaction between a. ) The characteristics of the individual (such as age, educational level, nutritional status, etc), b. ) Disease-causing agents (such as germs, viruses, alcohol, etc) and c. ) External environmental and social issues (such as poverty, war, pollution, etc). (Tutorial letter 102/0/2013for Pyc4811, 2013). According to Marc Zimmerman (http://www. answers. om), there are many similarities between the Community Health and Public Health fields, such as their methods, topics, theories and values. Both fields use methods such as advocacy, community organizing, policy influence, and dissemination (Zimmerman, http://www. answers. com). They also both apply theories and conceptual models, such as empowerment theory, social change theories and ecological theory. Community Psychology concerns itself with cu ltural issues and differences through the application of theory, research and intervention programs. This is similar to Public Health approaches because these programs are designed to match the values, norms, and beliefs of the community or public, whether the focus is on ethnic, behavioural, gender, or cultural differences. Both Community Psychology and Public Health regard social relationships and involve the community. Both also consider the external factors when looking at the individual’s problems, so as not to solely blame the individual for the problem, and will advocate social rather than individual change. (Perkins, 2011) There are, however, key aspects in which the two approaches differ. While Community Psychology concerns itself more with mental health issues and behavioural aspects of health (such as promiscuity, drug use, etc) , Public Health seems to focus more on traditional health issues, such as communicable diseases (like HIV/AIDS, T. B, etc). The two approaches also differ in the sense that Community Psychology focuses on theory and social research, while Public Health has a more practise-orientated approach to social problems. Zimmerman, http://www. answers. com) To conclude, I would not say that these differences are irreconcilable, as the two approaches have more in common than they differ. When dealing with the mental health of the community, I believe that it would be advantageous to apply both Community Psychology AND Public Health approaches. Because both approaches focus on prevention and empowerment, as well as community involvement, they can fulfil each other’s short comings by using the same principles.

Environmental Impact Assessment Of Senedd Building Environmental Sciences Essay

An Earth heat exchange system, consisted by 27 pipes drilled 100m into the land and accompanied by suited pumps, for the circulation of the H2O of steady temperature ( 14oC ) , in order to take advantage of the geothermic energy ( Assembly Wales, 2011 ) . The wood fire boiler, which unlike the belowground heat exchange system is merely used during the warming season, has the advantage of â€Å" being efficaciously carbon impersonal † ( UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs-Defra, 2011 ) , since wood is less fouling after burning than common coal ( Defra UK, 2011 ) , Furthermore, temperature detectors improve the efficiency of these systems, modulating automatically their operation ( Assembly Wales, 2011 ) . It could be considered, that since the wood fire boiler in this instance, is non the sole warming system working – in specific it is auxiliary to the belowground heat exchange system ( News Wales, 2006 ) – and furthermore since it is non necessary to run to the full at an one-year footing -apart from its operation to heat the H2O in the lavatories ( Sustainability at work, 2011 ) , the C footmark of this contraption is merely a per centum of the entire footmark of the edifice. Nevertheless, the ground of implementing such a characteristic is to better the edifice ‘s public presentation, in footings of sustainable design and energy efficiency and therefore, a proper scrutiny and if necessary an optimisation of it, could take to even better consequences.2. Wood Fire Boilers and energy usageThe edifice was designed as an model sustainable application, in an attempt to show good pattern and set up a higher criterion for new buildings ( Defra UK, 2011 ) . Therefore it showcases among other things, the passage in usage from fossil fuels to low C options and the important energy nest eggs ensuing by the operation of a wood fire boiler. Wood is a sustainable fuel that can be easy accessed, collected, or managed and adult sustainably ( Green Systems UK, 2011 ) . In footings of fuel features and C emanations, wood is about a nothing C stuff, since the CO2 that is released after burning, is the same sum as it would hold been released by the terminal of life phase and decomposition of a tree ( Green Systems UK, 2011 ) . Therefore, burning of wood is non harmful to the environment, since it is a process that follows the natural C rhythm of this stuff ( Green Systems UK, 2011 ) . Wood fire boilers can be divided in farther classs depending on the fuel used ( e.g. wood bit boilers, wood pellet boilers, log boilers, etc. ) . However, the one installed in Senedd presents the advantage of utilizing both wood french friess and wood pellets ( Wood Energy Ltd, 2011 ) , maximising this manner the handiness of the fuel to be provided in either instance. Below there are two images, declarative mood of this type of wood fuel. Wood pellets Wood french friess ( Cotton R. , 2010 ) ( Cotton R. , 2010 ) In footings of waste production after the fuel burning ( i.e. residuary ash ) , what is left â€Å" is about pure potassium hydroxide, which is sold to local nurserymans for fertiliser † ( Sustainability at work, 2011 ) , incorporating one more sustainable characteristic this manner ( i.e. reusability ) , which makes it a more efficient alternate than common dodo fuel boilers. Furthermore, wood fire boilers can be the chief beginning of heat for a edifice or they can be used in concurrence with other heating systems, offering the chance to be used partially whenever this is considered necessary ( i.e. to be accompanied by a dorsum up gas boiler or the other manner around ) ( Cotton, R. , 2011 ) . An extra advantage, is the low care characteristics that are implemented in many of this sort of boilers ( and in the 1 installed in Senedd ) , such as automatic heat money changer, tubing cleansing system and automatic de-ashing ( Cotton R. , 2010 ) . Low care characteristics like these, do non merely lend in a lower cost over clip, but they result besides in an easier overall operation. Possible fix actions can be minimized and to boot, more systematic care actions can be besides reduced significantly. Since energy devouring issues, apart from the consequence they have on clime alteration and the environment in general, they can be rather onerous besides, in footings of cost in many ways. Government grants for implementing low C engineerings and other type of actions, such as possible hereafter C revenue enhancements can work as inducement for increasing penchant in such alternate edifice energy systems ( Green Systems UK, 2011 ) . Harmonizing to Cotton, R. , 2010: â€Å" The cardinal difference between biomass and dodo fuel is the design of the wood fuel storage and bringing mechanism † .3. Senedd wood fire boiler specifications.Below there are two images of the Biomass boiler installed in Senedd. ( Cotton R. , Wood Energy Ltd. 2010 ) ( Cotton R. , Wood Energy Ltd. 2010 ) Despite the fact that this boiler is auxiliary to the belowground heat exchange system ( News Wales, 2006 ) , it is capable to match to the full at peak demand, accompanied by a gas back up option of 400kW ( Cotton, R. , 2010 ) . The tabular array below provides some basic information on the wood fire boiler operating in Senedd and it is based on information published online the company commissioned to supply and put in the wood fire boiler.Wood fire Boiler SpecificationsBoiler Type Binder RRK/RRF 400-600 Maximum rated end product 360kW Wood fuel specification Wood bit and pellet Maximal wet content 35 % Maximal atom size G50 Wood fuel storage volume 40 M3 ( Wood Energy Ltd, 2011 ) . Some extra characteristics, harmonizing to the aforementioned beginning, are: â€Å" Underfed fireplace burning system † â€Å" Automatic cleansing of heat money changer tubings † â€Å" Exhaust gas recirculation † â€Å" Gas ignition burner † â€Å" Subterranean fuel shop to let easy tipping of either wood pellets or wood french friess and is fitted with a modular walking floor system to transport the fuel to the boiler system † ( Wood Energy Ltd. , 2011 ) .4. Occupant ‘s positionThe wood fire boiler provides â€Å" hot H2O for hand-washing in the lavatories and for heating convectors † ( Sustainability at work, 2011 ) . As it can be concluded, it is merely in usage during the warming season. Due to the temperature detectors, the boiler operates merely when temperature falls under a specified degree and when there is a demand to supplement the public presentation of the belowground exchange warming system. Furthermore, it is equipped with a 400kW gas standby option, so heat inside the edifice is provided during all times when it is required. A zero user intercession can be considered, due to the automated ignition and capacity control mentioned in the boiler specification above. The Building Energy Management System ( BEMS ) , along with the attach toing sub-meters allow an energy ingestion rating including the wood fire boiler and an overall direction throughout the edifice ‘s life ( Assembly Wales, 2011 ) .5. Alternative energy systemsSing alternate options for a edifice that has been certified as â€Å" first-class † under the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method ( BREEAM ) ( National Assembly for Wales, 2011 ) , is non an easy undertaking. Nevertheless, a treatment and re-examination of current patterns is ever good, since there may be issues of adjustability for future demands originating, particularly for instances of long design life. Following the current tendency in sustainable edifice building ( i.e. C emanations decrease ) , an alternate warming system that could replace a wood fire boiler could be solar thermic energy contraptions, such as evacuated tubings. These tubes nowadays the advantage of roll uping sunshine from a wider angle, and to boot ensue in greater solar additions in winter compared to solar panels ( Sustainable Heating Solutions, 2011 ) . Below there are two images, declarative mood of this type of solar aggregators. ( GreenTerraFirma, 2011 ) ( Sustainable Heating Solutions, 2011 ) The big country of the undulating roof of Senedd, makes the installing of evacuated tubings an suited solution, since solar panels would non be satisfactory as options for this type of roof geometry. Furthermore, since evacuated tubings would non be seeable ( except from above ) , the human position on the edifice would stay unchanged, keeping this manner the initial aesthetics of the edifice. Additionally, since solar thermic contraptions can be auxiliary to bing energy systems in a edifice, they could supply the staying per centum of heat required, when the resistance heat exchange system would non be able to run into peak demand. In footings of C footmark rating, facets such as fuel transit or intervention are non necessary in the instance of solar energy contraptions. The entire C footmark of the evacuated tubings would ensue from the industry procedure and the transit and installing merely, and extra trips for wood fuel proviso could be avoided.

Marine pollution

Introduction of man, directly or indirectly, of substances or energy into the marine environment (including estuaries) resulting in such deleterious effects as harm to living resources, hazard to human health, hindrance to marine activities including fishing, impairment of quality for use of sea-water, and reduction of amenities. Marine pollution occurs when harmful, or potentially harmful, effects result from the entry into the ocean of chemicals, particles, industrial, agricultural and residential waste, noise, or the spread of invasive organisms. Most sources of marine ollution are land based. In the past many substances were recklessly dumped in the ocean and it was assumed that they could be easily absorbed without any damage to the marine environment. Ocean dumping includes such materials as sewage sludge, industrial waste, explosives, and particularly huge quantities of dredge spoils.Marine pollution includes a range of threats including from land-based sources, oil spills, un treated sewage, heavy siltation, eutrophication (nutrient enrichment), Invasive species, persistent organic pollutants (POPS), heavy metals from mine tailings and other sources, cidification, radioactive substances, marine litter, overfishing and destruction of coastal and marine habitats There are three main types of inputs of pollution into the ocean: Direct discharge of waste into the oceans, =>Pollutants enter rivers and the sea directly from urban sewerage and industrial waste discharges, sometimes in the form of hazardous and toxic wastes. ining for copper, gold. etc. , is another source of marine pollution. Most of the pollution is simply soil, which ends up in rivers flowing to the sea. Runoff into the waters due to rain, Surface runoff from farming, as well as urban runoff and runoff from the construction of roads, buildings, ports, channels, and harbours, can carry soil and particles laden with carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and minerals.This nutrient-rich water can cause f leshy algae and phytoplankton to thrive in coastal areas, known as algal blooms, which nave the potential to create hypoxic conditions by using all available oxygen Pollutants that are released from the atmosphere =>Wind blown dust and debris, including plastic bags, are blown seaward from landfills and other areas. >Climate change is raising ocean temperatures and raising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. These rising levels of carbon dioxide are acidifying the oceans.This, in turn, is altering aquatic ecosystems and modifying fish distributions, with impacts on the sustainability of fisheries and the livelihoods of the communities that depend on them Ship's pollution Ships can pollute waterways and oceans in many ways. Oil spills can have devastating effects. While being toxic to marine life, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), the components in crude oil, are very difficult to clean p, and last for years in the sediment and marine environment. Major effect- Impairm ent of marine life.Plankton, esp. neuston at highest risk – exposed to water soluble components leaching from oil. In Mangroves – lenticels clogged with oil oxygen level in sediments drops – death. Discharge of cargo residues from bulk carriers can pollute ports, waterways and oceans. In many instances vessels intentionally discharge illegal wastes despite foreign and domestic regulation prohibiting such actions. It has been estimated that container ships lose over 10,000 containers at sea each year (usually during storms).Ships also create noise pollution that disturbs natural wildlife Ballast water taken up at sea and released in port is a major source of unwanted exotic marine life. The invasive freshwater zebra mussels, native to the Black, Caspian and Azov seas, were probably transported to the Great Lakes via ballast water from a transoceanic vessel Invasive species can take over once occupied areas, facilitate the spread of new diseases, introduce new gen etic material, alter underwater seascapes and Jeopardize the ability of native species to obtain food.

Church Pays Tribute to a Man Whose Home Was Its Steps

A vast majority of people are of the idea that homeless people should struggle to get a job, and that they are homeless because they are lazy. The reality is different from what is commonly thought. No one becomes homeless by choice. There may be a thousand reasons as to why a person is homeless. Instead of criticism, long-term assistance by those who can provide guidance is required. It is a fact that runaway criminals may disguise themselves as homeless, but not all homeless are criminals. Another misconception is that all homeless people are alcoholics or drug abusers.This again is a misunderstanding. The reality is that this can happen to any one of us at any stage in life, as there is no intention or will involved in becoming homeless. At the same time it is a fact that these homeless are in continuous struggle to carry on with their life, facing problems in abundance. A few things should be kept in mind before helping this class of society. Instead of helping them in the form o f money, the society should help them with things they need. Helping a homeless by buying for him his breakfast is better than giving him money to buy that breakfast himself.The reason is that many homeless are involved in unlawful activities or addicted to drugs and if money is given directly, the result is more drug addiction instead of satiety. Shelter is another problem, especially in the winter season. Provision of health services to the homeless is a challenge for the medical community. Those who are addicted to drugs, or are affected by an illness need to be managed properly. Just like the common people, these homeless have needs which in a sense are special to these homeless.It is not only the responsibility of the government to cater for these need, but the society is also under obligation to share this responsibility, for improving the living conditions of the homeless. Question 1: What kind of intervention, if any, would be appropriate here? The self-destructive behavior of Arthur Cafiero was perhaps promoted by his loneliness. A lot of people were around him, but perhaps he never felt close enough to anyone to share what he wanted, or simply to share the problems he was facing.His intentions for suicide were not taken seriously. Who knows why was he willing to commit suicide? Was he affected by a psychiatric disease? Depression? Or was it a feeling of being useless for anyone or doing anything? An attempt to look for the root cause of his problems was the first thing that should have been done. Justifying one’s death by saying that he was willing to die, clearly implies that no one showed interest in knowing the cause of his problems. He was offered shelter, but he refused it.Good counseling by an expert mental health care physician would have shown better results. Refusal can be converted to acceptance by letting a person realize that what is being offered to him, is nothing else but his own need which should be fulfilled under all conditio ns. Question 2: Do you agree with what Mr. Brashear says about Arthur Cafieros choices? Why or why not? Arthur Cafieros appears to be the kind of person who is very much limited to himself. He has a complicated personality.On one hand he dislikes taking favors by refusing to take shelter, but on the other hand he returns the burger saying it has less amount of meat. It appears that Mr. Cafieros is not clear about his preferences. Showing resistance against police officer’s actions may mean he was afraid of their actions or that he had no trust in them. Taking an action that defends one’s right does not make him proud as Mr. Brashear mentioned in his words. It might be his love for justice and an attempt to keep this matter in his control. Reference Newman, A. (2003). `Church Pays Tribute to a Man Whose Home Was Its Steps.` The New York Times.

Business Legal Environmen(230) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Business Legal Environmen(230) - Essay Example As such to the disadvantages will now be discussed. The first of these is with regards to the fact that the sole proprietorship is very unlikely to garner any number of investors. This is due to the fact that investors are ultimately leery of investing in the business venture whose decision-making structure and ownership is all concentric upon single individual. Similarly, a secondary drawback is concentric upon the strength that has already been listed; the fact that all responsibilities and business decisions necessarily fall upon the shoulders of the sole proprietor. As such, sole proprietorship oftentimes places an undue level of stress and anxiety upon a single individual and therefore makes it impossible for him/her to both manage the business and maintain any semblance of a normal life. 2. With regards the advantages of a corporate business entity, the first of these is with regards to the fact that it is much easier for this entity to gather and raise money from investors. Du e to the fact that a pooling of capital and/or property can be rapidly affected within such a means, it is likely that such an entity will be able to garner a relatively higher level of investment as compared to the other entities thus far discussed. Likewise, a secondary advantage of the Corporation is that unlike the sole proprietorship, the individual shareholders are not personally liable for any debts that the corporation might incur during its operation. Conversely, one of the distinct disadvantages of the corporate business entity is with regards the fact that it is liable for a double taxation. The reader can understand this to mean that the profits of the Corporation are taxed as well as the individual shares that the stakeholders earn as a form of dividends/payments/salary. A further disadvantage is with regards to the fact that not all stakeholders will have an equal share with regards to a voice in how appropriation is wrong. As a function of the fact some shareholders w ill have a much stronger voice and level of ownership, their decisions will be taken much more seriously than those with a lower level of ownership or shares. 3. With regards to piercing the corporate veil, this most directly refers to the legal decision and ability to assume that the rights or duties of incorporation are also the rights and duties of its stakeholders. In this way, the reader can understand why a corporation is typically viewed as a separate legal person; completely and entirely responsible for the debts that it incurs as well as the credits that it is owed. Ultimately, the decision to understand the Corporation as a separate person is only pierced when an exceptional situation arises that forces the law to consider the Corporation in a non-personhood manner. More often than not, litigation with regards to piercing the corporate veil is generally concentric upon the level and extent to which wrongful conduct, proximate cause, or unity of interests might have been vi olated within the initial startup or subsequent actions of the Corporation. Similarly, as was briefly discussed above with regards to the disadvantage of entering into a corporate entity, the double taxation standard will be briefly discussed below. Firstly, whereas a sole proprietorship only allows for the individual to be taxed upon their earnings, the Corporation, regardless of its size and the number

Strengths and Shortcomings of REBT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Strengths and Shortcomings of REBT - Essay Example Human beings are dynamic beings and there does not seem to be a simple way they become emotionally disturbed, and there does not seem to be a simple way for them to be helped from feeling defeated (Ellis, n.d). The psychological issues which come up often arise from a client’s misperceptions, including his emotional underreactions or overreactions to unusual events or circumstances; and his dysfunctional patterns of behaviour also lead him towards repeating responses even if he knows he is behaving poorly (Ellis, n.d). The framework or model for the REBT is based on the ABC model where A=the activating event; B=the belief; and C=the consequent emotion which may include anxiety or depression (Philippe, 2010). The process may extend to include letters D and E which refer to disputing of irrational beliefs and effect (Stolear, n.d). REBT is based on the premise that our reactions are based on our unconscious interpretations and philosophies. We feel anxious or sad because we strongly believe that it is terrible for us to fail or be rejected (Ellis, n.d). We also feel hostile or angry towards other people because we believe that people behave unfairly towards us. For therapists in this field of practice, they often use the first few sessions with the client in order to place a finger on the main irrational philosophies which the client passionately adheres to. Afterwards, they attempt to show to the clients how these philosophies lead to emotional problems and inevitably, to clinical symptoms (Ellis, n.d). The goal of the therapist, in this case, is to uproot the client from such set philosophies and to try to replace them with more rational theories and hypotheses about themselves and the world around them; and eventually, to conceptualize how such rational theories can be used to understand the world and to de al with their issues (Ellis, n.d). There

ERIE Assignment Part III Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

ERIE Assignment Part III - Essay Example Currently, a lot of scientists are trying to study the most urgent questions of neurology and neuroscience for being able to elaborate efficacious recommendations and guidance for educational policy. Discoveries made in the research of brain’s activity will manage to widen our abilities and thereby find a totally new and more advanced phase of societal development. Although majority of scientists realize the significance of neuroscience, some of them consider that its role is rather over generalized because those knowledge and findings that we have can not be sufficient for educators. Hence, Bruer (1997) states that lately more and more people become confident in potential of neuroscience to provide better education, but because of such erroneously reassuring notion cognitive psychology is often left behind and underestimated meanwhile only its study is able genuinely to create well-grounded link between education and brain activity. According to the discoveries of neuroscientists, the biggest number of synapses which unite neurons in the brain can be seen in a period of childhood, when elimination of synapses comes after synaptic proliferation. It is considered that in case of high density of synapses, human’s brain is characterized with the highest efficiency in the process of education. In this respect, Begley claims that if parents and educators do not ensure a child with favorable stipulations for learning in a specific age period, some opportunities will be hardly restored in the future (cited in Bruer, 1997). This is why it is extremely urgent to pay sufficient attention to children’s education in the period of early childhood. According to neuroscientific findings, period of high brain activity varies from birth to ten years and taking into account such long and inaccurate age margins, some educational programs, such as

Precedent vs. Contemporaneous Autonomy in Regard to Advance Directives Essay

Precedent vs. Contemporaneous Autonomy in Regard to Advance Directives - Essay Example Ronald Dworkin argues that if we can declare this patient incompetent, he does not have the capacity that autonomy represents. This means that respect should be upheld to the patients’ prior wishes made when competent. This is because a competent person’s decisions are autonomous ones. This view is referred to as the integrity view, which states that the value of autonomy derives from the capacity it protects: the capacity to express one’s own character traits, values, commitments, convictions and critical as well as experiential interest in a life one leads. However, it is arguable that, in most cases the present desires expressed by a patient need to be respected. Dworkin constructs a hypothetical case, where there exists a woman named Margo, who has dementia, but still seems to find pleasure in seemingly meaningless activities, such as reading, eating snacks among others. He even explains that Margo may be one of the happiest people he â€Å"knows.† How ever, years back, Margo had signed an advance directive expressing her desire to be left to die if she were to need life-saving medical treatment once afflicted with dementia. ... Dworkin believes we must respect Margo’s advance directive, as Margo living with dementia is her living against her critical interests that she held while competent. Experiential interests, in my opinion, hold a great deal of value, enough that experiential interests alone make one valuable and thus their life worth continuing. As Dworkin points out, pleasures that experiential interests provide are essential for a good life. A good life has value in it of itself, and while â€Å"genuine meaning and coherence† may enhance this value, no requirement for value to be obtained (Marshall, 123). I deduce that the reason we have critical interests are so we can enhance individual experiential ones. For instance, Dworkin claims establishing close friendships are an example of a critical interest. The reason we wish to establish such relationships is so when â€Å"watching football, or seeing Casablanca for the twelfth time or walking in the woods in October† (Marshall, 5 1) we are that much happier and life is more enjoyable. However, if one performs these experiential interests without having formed close relationships, they do not suddenly lack value; they are just perhaps slightly less enjoyable. However, if one were still to argue on critical interests that hold true value, we can see in many instances where experiential interests remain valuable on their own. The existence of a person who is solely able to attain experiential interests may allow someone else to enhance his or her critical interests. For example, in the case of Margo, there existed a medical student, Firlik, who took a specific interest in her case (Marshall, 144). By being able to visit Margo daily, Firlik was able to answer his questions and