Friday, December 27, 2019

Teaching English As A Language - 959 Words

Theories abound reporting the most effective method of teaching English as a language, and the two methods that people tend to subscribe to are 1) primarily focus on the technical side of the language or 2) primarily focus on the content. Stephen Krashen believed that â€Å"subconscious acquisition† of a language â€Å"is separate from conscious learning and is superior in the long run,† as H. Douglas Brown paraphrases in Principles of Language Learning and Teaching (289). As one of his hypotheses of language acquisition, he insisted that immersion into the language is the best way to acquire a language and that focusing on the linguistic side of the language does not contribute to acquisition. Krashen also insists that language acquisition is based on comprehensible input and that production of the language is not necessary to acquisition; however, Merrill Swain theorized that comprehensible output is more important to language acquisition, as it requires learners to t ry various methods of communication, â€Å"[pushing] them ahead in their development† (Lightbown and Spada 115).Swain and Krashen’s theories intersect in the fact that both theories do not necessarily require corrective feedback, but that is the extent of the similarity. Swain’s theory of comprehensible output supports the idea of content-based instruction in that a CBI classroom requires learners to produce language that has meaning. Moreover, as Ausubel theorized, information (e.g. language) is best retained â€Å"meaningfulShow MoreRelatedTeaching English As A Language Essay1258 Words   |  6 PagesINTRODUCTION â€Å"English seems to have joined this list of basic skills. Quite simply, its function and place in the curriculum is no longer that of ‘foreign language’ and this is bringing about profound changes in who is learning English, their motives for learning it and their needs as learners.† (Graddol, D, page 72) If a command of English is almost normal, the value of speaking traditional languages is increasing in particular for native speakers of English. The slogan â€Å"English is not enough†Read MoreQuestions On Teaching English Language968 Words   |  4 Pages 19 Quizzes as non-native speaker of English. Actually, I haven’t felt so happy about my English skill (Ok, my weakness is more when speaking but is not usually when writing). I did not have to afford difficulties when responding to the quizzes. The strong bases I learnt, as a ELL and a MODL teacher provided well results and the Folse chapter, give me the opportunity to go further in terms of different kinds of ELL issues. In the lottery of languages, The Spanish was given during my growth inRead MoreAdvantages Of English Language Teaching1593 Words   |  7 PagesINTRODUCTION In India, parents choose English as the medium of instruction for their children because English is the language of computers, language of business, language of science and technology and the list is endless. By grasping the mind-set of the parents and societal needs, the schools in India try to be monolingual by aspiring to fulfil the wish and objective of the parents. But the Indian societies are multilingual and hence the children who hail from diverse background fail to adapt toRead MoreTeaching English As A Foreign Language1389 Words   |  6 PagesMy major- â€Å"Teaching English as a foreign language† has always been of paramount importance for me. Although I have been practicing English for ten years, I need to be in a real English-speaking world. This would account for my success as an English teacher. Since I have specific plans to implement during the academic year, I would like to explain them in detail. Firstly, I intend to broaden my horizons. In addition, my main aim is to conduct several researches in the most important features of theRead MoreThe Teaching Of English As A Foreign Language Essay1326 Words   |  6 Pagesworld as the whole, as a result, English has become the primary global lingua franca (Darasawang, Reinders, Waters, 2015, p. 2) †. The teaching of English as a foreign language (TEFL) in Thailand has initially started from the mid-19th century and it still plays the predominant role in Thai education nowadays. The national English curriculum made a major paradigm shift in mandating English as a compulsory subject in schools and universities. The English teaching method was influenced by westernRead MoreTeaching The English Language Learners990 Words   |  4 Pagesbeen teaching for fourteen years, I still have problems with teaching the English Language learners (ELLs) in my class. I realize that English language learners have a difficult time with school because some of them haven’t mastered the language and culture. However, I know as an educator that it is important that I meet all students’ needs and standards for my district. The course readings and discussions have provided an abundance of strategies to help me meet the needs of English language learnersRead MoreThe Teaching English Language Skills1650 Words   |  7 PagesOnce there was a time in teaching English, when teachers had mainly followed the traditional approach of teaching in various universities, where the learner used to be dependent only on the lecture delivered by the teacher. The learners were not exposed sufficient practice on their own and the interaction among the learners in the classroom was almost absent. That time the main focus was on grammatical rules, memorization of vocabulary, translation of texts and doing writing exercises. Classes wereRead MoreTeaching English As A Second Language1422 Words   |  6 Pagesin the classroom, teachers employ a variety of teaching methodologies across all learning areas. Choosing an a ppropriate teaching methodology will make the process of teaching English as a second language easier and more rewarding for the teachers and students, and increase the likelihood of success. In this research, I will analyses a video clip of an ESL/EFL teacher and class in action for reflection on and evaluating the mythology to promote language learning. The video clip chosen for analysisRead MoreEnglish Language Teaching Methods3829 Words   |  16 PagesIntroduction According to Definitions.net, teaching method is defined as the principles and methods of instruction. Whereas, according to Claudine Kirsch in her book ‘Teaching Foreign Languages in the Primary School’, language teaching method is a comprehensive approach that helps teachers to decide what language skill(s) to develop, what activities and resources to choose and how to plan for progression. However, teaching method often confused with teaching approach. According to DifferencebetweenRead MoreTeaching English As An International Language754 Words   |  4 PagesThe rapid spread of English has inspired many scholars to look into the probability of shifting from traditional ENL (English as a native language) pedagogy in ELT to EIL (English as an International Language (Jenkins 2009; Kirkpatrik 2007; Sharifian, 2009, Matsuda 2012, McKay, 2012). Taken together, the goal of teaching English today from an EIL perspective is to prepare the learners to use English to become p art of the globalized world, which is linguistically and culturally various, and thus both

Thursday, December 19, 2019

The Logistics Of The Organization Apple Inc - 2207 Words

1.0 INTRODUCTION Logistics can be defined as that significant element of the supply chain routine that is involved in planning, controlling and further implementing the flow of goods and storage services, and other necessary activities from the point of inception to the point of final delivery for providing the customers’ maximum satisfaction. For the success of any organization, proper logistics management is a must. In this essay, we analyze the logistics channel of the organization Apple Inc, the interfaces between logistics and the core functional areas, its current order cycle, and its inventory management position including ways to improve the present logistics cycle for the betterment of the organization. Apple Inc. is a multinational technology giant with its headquarters in California, United States of America. Its line of business includes designing, developing and selling computer software, consumer electronic items, personal computers and online services. The name Apple is synonym ous with innovation and has been a trendsetter in the field of technology development since its inception in the year 1977 by founders Steve Jobs, Ronald Wayne and Steve Wozniak. It is the second largest player in the world’s information technology market, coming after Samsung Electronics, in terms of revenue; the third largest in terms of mobile manufacturing and the largest in terms of total assets own. With a staggering workforce of over 72000 employees and over 400 retail outletsShow MoreRelatedThe Value Chain Analysis : Apple Inc.1398 Words   |  6 Pagescompany and competitors, reducing the cost and ensuring considerate profits. To maintain a dominant status, a lot of companies do keep their selves awake by making exact analyses. Apple Inc. also utilizes the advantages. It is not only an electronically manufactured company but also a technologically innovated company. Apple Inc. is a global designer, manufacturer and marketer of mobile communication and media devices, personal computers, and portable digital music players. The company also sells a varietyRead MoreApple s Unique Strategy Towards Sustainable Development1041 Words   |  5 Pages4.0 Recommended Short Term Strategies In its long term goals, Apple looks towards attaining the leading position in the market as the most trusted brand by consumers. It looks towards not just profit maximization for its stakeholders but equally ensure that customer satisfaction is at the zenith with new product innovation and applying product differentiation strategy to ensure long term sustainable development of its business. The long term strategies have been further designed to ensure thatRead MoreCase Study : Apple Inc.1446 Words   |  6 PagesSummary Apple Inc. was built up on 1st April 1976 around then the organization was known as Apple PC, Inc. Apple almost has 35,000 representatives overall and its business recording about US$42.90 billion by 26th September 2009. It arrived in a magazine named Fortune that Apple had been most refreshing organization in the United States in 2008 and worldwide in 2009. Apple fundamentally offers tablets, iPods, and mobiles and so forth here we are set to focus on their portable PCs. Apple has variousRead MoreTotal Quality Management Apple1526 Words   |  7 Pagesapproach of Apple Inc. | | Submitted by: GLEEZLE ASHLEY A. BELARDOStudent no.: 10 -11077Submitted to: Professor MedinaDate: December 14, 2012 | | TABLE OF CONTENTSINTRODUCTION†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦3BODY/ RESEARCH†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...6REFERENCES†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...10 | | INTRODUCTION Apple Inc. Is an American multinational electronics and software company established by Steven Jobs and Stephen Wozniak on April 1, 1976, in Cupertino, California. Apple Inc. Has becomeRead MoreCase Study : Sub Competitive Strategy Essay1147 Words   |  5 Pagesnot do. The fundamental ideas discussed in the video have been effectively applied by Apple making the world’s leader in technology and modernization. Apple’s business strategy visibly defines the market in which it contends. Apple targets only the technology savvy and high revenue sector of the market (Apple Inc., 2016). They offer very pioneering, feature rich products which are valued at the higher end. Apple has undoubtedly defined its do’s and don’ts. The company does not manufacture mid-rangeRead MorePorters Five Forces On Apple Inc.1499 Words   |  6 Pagesthe strategy of Apple Inc. within the Information Technology industry (Porter, 2002). In order to emphasize the position of Apple Inc., within the IT industry, Porter’s Five Forces affect the organization through the five distinct channels: supplier; customer; substitute product or services, peers within the industry, and new entrants (ValueWalk Staff, 2012). The table below summarizes Porterâ₠¬â„¢s Five Forces on Apple Inc. Table 1: Summarized analysis of Porter’s Five Forces on Apple. Source: ValueWalkRead MoreBenefits Of Sustaining A Competitive Advantage For Apple Inc.1297 Words   |  6 Pagescompetitive advantage cannot be acquired through operational effectiveness alone; an organization will have to become different from everyone else by performing different activities that will be hard to duplicate from the competition (Dess, et al., 2005). Sustaining a competitive advantage became hard for Apple Inc. as noticed in the Harvard Business School Premier Case. Therefore, this paper is an analysis of Apple, Inc. based on a 7-year old case written by David Yoffie and Michael Slind publishedRead MoreHow Mobile Phones Help Business1434 Words   |  6 Pagesdescribes a simpler, sequential set of links (Harland et al., 2001). All organizations have or can purchase the components to build a supply chain network, it is the collection of physical locations, transportation vehicles and supporting systems through which the products and services your firm markets are managed and ultimately delivered. As an example the apple phones production line is situated in china but simply you can buy apple products all over the world. Physical locations included in a SupplyRead MoreDetails of Outsourcing Decisions774 Words   |  3 Pagesand the type of company providing the outsourcing service. Different companies or organization uses outsourcing by transferring portions of work to outside suppliers rather than completing it internally to reduce cost. Outsourcing is very effective if used properly and gives a company short term or long-term effect. Outsourcing is currently relatively popular with both profit-seeking and not-for-profit organizations. Outsourcing can depend on many factors. Today, some of the world’s largest companiesRead MoreResource Management At Apple Inc.1146 Words   |  5 PagesResource Management Resource management is another interesting and important topic in the business of various organizations engaged in the manufacturing and sale of goods and service. Several organizations in the technology industry have managed to make investments in this industry, and thus it is important to monitor the use of various resources to avoid wastage. Resource management is currently considered as a strategy that is focused on reducing the cost of production and thus reducing the cost

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Business Brief for Health Insurance- myassignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about theBusiness Brief for Health Insurance. Answer: Health Care The healthcare is known to provide services to the individuals of the community who suffer from preventive, curative or rehabilitative diseases. As compared to other countries of the globe, the United States has the achievement of having the biggest healthcare industry with an annual spending of $3 trillion. It is expected that by 2018, the industry would be about 18% f the GDP of the country (Stoakes, 2015). While economic progress leads to improvement of the healthcare industry, economic turndown leads to a reduction of services and downsizing in budgets. As a result of destabilisation of the nursing labour market, there are shortages beyond the recessionary time frame. Health insurance is a part of the healthcare industry where the countrys economy makes a mark. Increased unemployment leads to reduced health coverage for individuals. The performance of the country in 2016 was not up to the mark, characterised by rolling off of drug patents and drop in revenues and earnings. The decline in the sector was 7.1% (Ameritrade, 2017). 2017 promises to be better than the previous year as the economic planning is solid. For example, the 61 shares in the category of Standard Poor's 500 healthcare industries have increased by 8.9% in 2017 (Shell, 2017). In addition, there is an increased demand for advanced healthcare services, due to increase in ageing population and strong employment. The improvement is also due to improvement in the P/E ratio at 43.71 this year (Financial Times, 2017). Researchers expect that the recent growth in the healthcare sector would continue in the next year. The rationale can be attributed to enhanced demand for services, ageing population and increasing prevalence of medical conditions such as obesity (Ameritrade, 2017). Employment creation and strong financial conditions would change dividend payments, mergers, and acquisitions. Nevertheless, fluctuations might be possible due to various factors. Paraphrased Summary The United States of America is prominent on the global scale for having the biggest healthcare industry. The countrys industry treats people with diverse forms of medical complications such as preventive and curative diseases. The annual spending is $3 trillion and 18% of the GDP of the country would come from this industry in 2018 (Stoakes, 2015). There is a direct positive relationship between economic progress and improvement if this industry, while economic downturn reduces the services. Sever shortage of nursing staff beyond the recessionary period is a result of destabilisation of the same. Health insurance is dependent on the countrys economy, and thus employment deters health coverage of many individuals (Ameritrade, 2017). The year 2016 saw a very poor performance of the health sector of the country when compared to the last few years. The pharmaceutical companies struggled to combat revenue and earning decrease due to increased scrutiny of drug prices. The present year has robust balance sheets and better cost structures that would promote the economic scenario. An example is the increase of 61 shares in the category of Standard Poor's 500 healthcare industries by 8.95 in the present year (Shell, 2017). It is to be mentioned in here that the demand for healthcare services is increasing with each passing day. This is a result fo the improvement in the P/E ratio, standing at 43.71 in the present year (Financial Times, 2017). The growth experienced recently would drag till the next year. The reasons for this assumption include demand for services, the high prevalence of obesity and ageing population. Employement would also amplify services such as the dividend payments. Drug pricing and affordable care alteration would lead to changes in stocks (Ameritrade, 2017).

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

South China Sea Dispute Essays - Foreign Relations,

South China Sea Dispute The Asian Conflict Without Resolution Celeste Jerez World Geography Prof. Adolfo Gonzales UAM College Abstract Many Asian countries have a territorial conflict over the South China Sea. In this paper, it will be stated which countries are among the ones with the conflict, why the conflict started and why after many years it hasn't ended. Territorial conflicts cannot be isolated only in geographical reasons, so also some cultural and historical aspects are considered to conduct the research. Also, the economic effects are taking into consideration because the most populated free trade zone in the world is in the same region as where the conflict is taking place. Keywords: Globalization, Free Trade, Asia, History, Geography. The Dispute To understand a geographical dispute, a cultural approach must be considered. Asian cultural practices are very conservative. Specially in China, people appre ciate the blessing of inherited land, and are very grateful to their ancestors. In China ancestor worship is a very common practice of Taoism, is based on the belief that previous generations of family continue to exist, and that these spirits can influence on the fortune of the living. (Nations Online) From this we can understand why China is so fed up with using the land they believe they have inherited. Geographically there are a lot of islands to the south of China, the number is difficult to calculate and only a few are inhabitable. These islands called the Spratly Islands were originally used just as a fishing territory, but later big reserves of oil and natural gas were found. The governments of the surrounding areas were quickly to act, and began claiming the territory as their own. The South China Sea dispute is a conflict in which 6 Asian countrie s are fighting for this territory . The countries that are currently on the conflict are China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei and Vietnam. The main reason behind the conflict is the claim of the territory and the establishment of an Exclusive Economic Zone , with the purpose of establishing boundaries in international waters . The conflict is mainly between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN . The claims by the disputing sides involved in the South China Sea dispute are based on historical facts of when the islands were discovered and the modern United Nations Convention of the Laws of the Sea or UNCLOS. All the countries are using both the UNCLOS and historical events to claim the terri tory before the United Nations. (BBC) China's claims are based mainly on hist orical evidence. According to the Chinese. Spratley and Paracel islands were discovered by them. Th e document that states the claim is calculated to be 1700 years old. But modern history has deprived the Chinese from all historical claims. China blames the conflict between superpowers and imperialism for the loss of the occupation of the islands, saying that events such as the cold war avert international conflicts from being resolved and add tension to the differences that Asian countries have. Vietnam has a similar situation to China, having habituated the land for many generations, the only proof they have of ever owning it is the continuous control and inheritance through many generations. Vietnam stablish a sovereignty with China over the dispute during its war with France and the United States, but in the early 70s relations deteriorated leading to the conflict. Malaysia's claims on the southern Spratley islands are merely geographically territorials, stating that the islands belong to their continental shelf. Philippines also states that the land is inside their contin ental shelf, but tries to base its argument on history as well, but in contrasts with China's and Vietnam's historical facts, the Philippines' claims are relatively modern. Indonesia also states that some islands are in their continental shelf. Brunei has claimed that according to the UNCLOS some islands belong to them, but has not officially presented any case nor evidence of why. (CFR) One important event in the timeline of the conflict was when China proposed the Set Aside Dispute and Cooperative Exploration Act, proposed by Li Peng, then Prime Minister of China in the 1990. The proposal did not sympathize with

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Reign of Terror Essays

Reign of Terror Essays Reign of Terror Essay Reign of Terror Essay The Reign of Terror: Was It Justified? The Reign of Terror started in 1789 and was a time when supporters of the French Revolution ran wild and started killing non-supporters or counterrevolutionaries. The French held a ceremony if you will, in Paris for the execution of King Louis XVI on January 21, 1793. This was because Louis was having financial, and harvest issues. In June of 1789 King Louis called the Estates Meeting to discuss taxes and money problems. Then some men disliked what Louis was talking about so they stormed out and filed into a tennis court, and vowed not to leave until they created a new onstitution. On August 26 The Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen was signed and put into action. Not everyone was in favor of this new constitution though. Neighboring countries and the catholic church disliked it because they feared a spread of a revolution and they lost power/property. To deal with their opposition of the Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen they wanted to become more radical. They were led by chief-prosecutor Robespierre, who found King Louis XVI guilty of crimes against state/treason, and was executed (Doc A), therefore connecting all of hese events. Although it helped the government by getting rid of Louis WI, The Reign of Terror was unjustified because it took away freedom of speech, religion, and killed thousands of people. The Reign of Terror completely took away your freedom of speech if you werent for Robespierre and the French Revolution. When Robespierre took over and created the Committee of Public Safety, he laid down the law, and hard. Robespierre and the National Convention created watch committees in every neighborhood to expel any foreigners suspected of counterrevolutionary activities (Doc E). The whole purpose of this was to protect the public safety when really even if they were counterrevolutionaries they probably wouldnt speak out because they would get their head chopped off anyway. So if you were suspected, whether you were guilty or innocent, your head was violently chopped off in the town square. All of this happened because people opposed the new French Constitution and they wanted to be more radical. Since King Louis XVI and his wife Queen Marie Antoinette had their heads chopped off, there wasnt anybody to rule the country of France anyway (Doc F). The National Convention was so strict they killed 35,000 to 40,000 people (Doc E). These were people who spoke out or suspected of not being for the revolution. This was a completely different view than the French Constitution. The French Constitution wasnt radical in anyway and believed in natural right and law. During the Reign of Terror in 1793 a revolutionary campaign was set to launch against the Catholic Church. Sunday Worship, Christmas, and Easter were abolished (Doc C). They sent government officials in Auxerre, France to the Catholic church and take things away from it (Doc C). During this when the government officials took it out on a cart they ottered tor passers-by to spit on it. In this time peri od the ruler Robespierre was a pro-atheist. He enforced this the same way he did with anything else; with an iron fist and strict consequences if you didnt oblige. This contradicts the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen and especially John Locke an English philosopher who believed in natural law and the right to defend life, health, and liberty. Locke believed in religious tolerance and Robespierre believes in being an atheist and if you didnt follow him, you dont deserve to live. This right that Robespierre took away struck the loudest uproar of anything else by far. People in the Vend? ©e region revolted against a military called lev? ©e en masse that sought to abolish Christianity in France (Doc C). An estimated 80,000 to 500,000 French people died on both sides (Doc C). Robespierre was responsible for all of these deaths by taking away the right of religion which is the right that most people demand and cant live without. The radical views of Robespierre cost thousands of peoples lives. He ordered the death of 45,000 to 50,000 throughout all of the Reign of Terror. Nothing compared to the lev? ©e en masse deaths by people Just fghting for their right to worship God. In October 1793, Revolutionaries decided to reenact an example of counterrevolutionaries in Lyons. One day, revolutionaries destroyed 1600 homes and chopped off 12 heads Just in 5 minutes. Robespierre is sending his revolutionary followers basically Just to torture people and take away their rights. The people the revolutionaries were members of the aristocracy, priests, farmers, and townspeople especially. He killed them because he thought they werent in support of the French Revolution, they didnt support him, or they supported the Catholic Church. By August of 1793, people were fed up of Robespierre and his radical ways so they started revolting against him. 3,000 national guardsman were sent to establish order and peace in Niort, France (Doc D). Even this wasnt enough as a government official had to ask the National Convention for more troops and assistance in calming down the fired up counterrevolutionaries (Doc D). Finally in July of 1794 the French counterrevolutionaries got what they had wanted for over a year; Robespierre is xecuted, his policies are demolished, and the Reign of Terror ends (Doc A). Although it helped the government by getting rid of Louis WI, The Reign of Terror was unjustified because it took away freedom of speech, religion, and killed thousands of people. The Reign of Terror completely took away your freedom of speech if you werent for Robespierre and the French Revolution. If you spoke out as a counterrevolutionary or were merely suspected, well you no longer had a head. During the time under Robespierre the revolutionaries set out to launch an attack against the Catholic Church. They demolished Sunday Worship, Christmas, and Easter. If you supported Christianity you were guillotined. Government official came into churches and took their things and allowed people passing by to spit on them. Also the radical views of Robespierre took away many peoples lives. Innocent people, and people Just fghting for their natural rights such as religion, and liberty. He was responsible for at least 100,000 deaths whether they were directly or indirectly. The Reign of Terror isnt Justified in any way when it causes many people to revolt and get killed for fighting for natural rights.

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Starship Troopers - a fascist book and an anti-fascist movie essays

Starship Troopers - a fascist book and an anti-fascist movie essays Robert A. Heinlein's 1955 novelStarship Troopers? and its message could be described as fascist, provocative, irresponsible and unpalatable. Paul Verhoeven's 1997 film Starship Troopers can, however, lay claim to being the ideological polar opposite of the novel. Verhoeven achieves this anti-fascist message within a fascist framework mainly through the usually subtle use of symbolism and satire Heinlein's 22nd century earth is at war with an arachnid "bug" race from another galaxy. "They are tough and we are tough and only one of us will win and the other gets wiped out," explains our hero Johnny Rico of the rugged Mobil Infantry, illuminating well the state of mind of the war between Japan and the United States during World War II, as well as the barely restrained ferocity of the Cold War afterwards. Rico's old high school teacher Rasczak plays the stand-in for Heinlein's philosophy of animproved? future society which emerges after following the "decadence and collapse of the democracies of the 20th century" after which the surviving veterans take over. Heinlein pays unconvincing lip service to the idea of a free society where civic service is voluntary and civil liberties are respected, but the soul of his argument lies in the military and the service of the State. The formation of young men and women does not take place primarily in schools, families, churches, sporting teams, universities, or human affection. In Heinlein's idealised future, this takes place in boot camp, reminiscent of totalitarian regimes such as Nazi Germany and Maoist China. Fully half the novel takes place during Rico's basic training into the Mobil Infantry where he and his fellow recruits are humiliated, broken-down, and re-made into selfless members of an elite military unit. Potential soldiers learn that life is about duty, serving the collective, sacrifice, and punishment; perhaps echoing his own days as a midshipman at the U.S Naval Academy and ...

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Problems at Perrie Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Problems at Perrie - Research Paper Example Indeed the company has witnessed an economic downturn with the dwindling of the sales and resuscitation from this economic downturn requires the company to respond to the imminent business disruptions by promptly responding to change. The need of the hour is a viable change management that calls for an apt handling of the shifting consumer preferences, influx of enhanced competition and economic downturn in a way that steers the organization from the immediate state to a desired future situation. No wonder the employees are evincing some typical reactions to change. First and foremost the employees are interpreting change in correlation to the direct impact it will have on their earnings and job security. Besides, a call for change by the management is making employees angry and quiet resistant to change. The employees being comfortable with the hitherto business practices are certainly panicked by the emergent business scenarios. The reactions being evinced by the employees are cert ainly normal, but if not managed in a deft way may inhibit and curtail any viable attempts to change, thereby translating into a drastic impact on the organizational sustainability and its capacity to change in the light of the incumbent circumstances. One essential element of this resistance to change is that the employees are misinterpreting the change initiatives taken by the management in the light of their own fears and apprehensions. Besides, the employees are also fearful of the uncertainty inherent in the current organizational situation. They believe that any change initiative may directly impact their job security and hence are getting increasingly unionized. Employees also have a low trust regarding the Perrier’s capacity to change and the organization’s ability to usher in new initiatives. To manage change, the management needs to accept the fact that its personnel have got increasingly unionized to resist change. To effectively manage this change, the mana gement first and foremost needs to address the human side of the situation. The employees and the CGT being the key stakeholders in any change management initiative, the management should take the employees into confidence and must explain to them the immediate business scenario, its implications and how it intends to manage the consequent change. Besides, the change initiatives should be ushered in at the top level and the organizational leadership should get proactive about change. This will motivate the lower rung employees to embrace change initiatives. Third and the most important thing is that the management should be willing to involve every layer within the organization in the change process. No doubt, change has emerged to be unsettling for all the employees at Perrier and hence they naturally expect and look to the organizational leadership for direction and guidance. The resistance to change at Perrier is essentially a human problem and hence needs to be dealt with in a v ery sensitive and deft manner. So far the top management at Perrier has only zeroed in on the resistance to change in terms of the lower wrung employees, without delving on its own role in causing the resistance to change. However, the top management also need to delve on the point that the resistance to change may be ensuing from the top rungs, thereby gradually percolating to the lower levels. So it is the pivotal need of the hour that the top management

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

GDP Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

GDP - Essay Example As the discussion highlights  demographic studies have also shown that quality of life is judged more accurately by average life expectancy, ratio of hospitals to population, ratio of doctors available per patient, age distribution, income distribution, average household and gender ratios. These factors play an important role in any economy because earning money is not the only objective, the money earned should be translated into something which really has meaning and/or which could bring happiness to individuals for instance if the money earned could not be translated into good medical health care services then it is of no use to the individual, money earned should have the potential to be translated into goods and services of the highest quality.  According to the report findings  GDP is a widely used tool when assessing the economic health of any country because it is a true representation of the country when it comes to economic activity that is being carried out and how w ell the economy is doing but it is not a true representation of the welfare of the general masses or level of satisfaction that the entire population has, this is so because human nature needs have to be satisfied through goods and services and not through earning money only.  Human needs can only be met in a satisfactory way if the quality of the goods and services provided is extremely high, in third world countries such as India and Pakistan, the problem is that people do have the money but the quality of life is very low due to problems that the economy is facing.

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Has the development of Human Resource Management practices replaced the need for trade unions Essay Example for Free

Has the development of Human Resource Management practices replaced the need for trade unions Essay According to Phelan (2007, pp. 45-47), trade unions were the most powerful organizations after the industrial revolution. During the 19th and 20th century, management was largely mechanistic and the position of workers was not felt unless the force of the numbers was employed. As a result, the membership to the trade unions increased steadily to 1979 after which a sharp decline is evident. During the 20th century, Donna, Stephen and Roderick (2007, p. 832) report that over one third of all employees belonged to trade unions by 1979 before declining sharply o 13. % by year 2000. In their view, Gurpreet (2007, p. 85) and Hearnshaw (2007, p. 76) argue that the trade unions decline is an indication of the critical period that change must be embraced to create greater value of the production systems. According to Tove, Hammer and Bayazit (2009, pp. 405-406), the unions lacked the needed sensitivity to their members and held their views towards salaries and job security only. Under this model, unions failed to recognize the fact that if employees were guaranteed what the unions provided, they would lack their value. From their view point, Coca-Stefaniak, Hallsworth and Bainbridge (2005, pp. 361-363) argue that trade unions’ mandates lacked clear definition and therefore kept overlapping between political delineations to employees protection. Consequently, many leaders used them to settle political scores and stepping stones to power. Indeed, Marlow (2006, p. 54) points an accusing finger to this vagueness in executing their mandates that employees sought to distance themselves. A major question that arises at this point is what is indeed the future of the unions? Though many analysts appear to avoid answering the question directly, Pencavel (2003, p. 21) and Blanden and Machin (2003, pp. 121-122) suggest that the unions will indeed not fully die, but resilience of their roles will be evident when major problems occur. Comparison of human resources managements and trade unions Comparison of trade human resources and trade unions brings out the picture of two negating forces but geared towards achieving the same objectives. To begin with, trade unions were run politically and therefore involved a very wide spectrum of employees they dealt with. As a result, Gill (2009, pp. 41-42) explains it was very hard to address the demands of the different members with ease. On the other hand, human resources management is a discipline defined by clear cut professional outline that have key objectives. Redman and Wilkinson (2009, p. 121) explain that apart from this clear objectivity, human resources managers have a narrower spectrum, for instance, one company or institution, which makes it easier to address concerns of their subjects. The approach and consideration of trade unions as Marchington and Wilkinson (2005, p. 114) pointed out in their study, was based on a competitive model that was viewed as a major achievement for specific leaders. As a result, other options were locked out; a consideration that created controversy with economists and political elites. Marchington and Wilkinson (2005, p. 117) further point out that human resources managers consider conflicts to be critical aspects that must be addressed carefully in defining a better relationship and ultimately greater productivity. Though Jose and Fernando (2002, pp. 181-182), use of the term ‘militant’ when referring to trade unions has received sharp criticism, it is perhaps the correct term. Trade unions main method of addressing conflicts was use of strikes and demonstrations. As a result, they resulted to great losses to particular institutions, companies and even nations. Human resources managers however, balance between critical human qualifications, existing infrastructure and overall returns as dictated by the demand and supply of resulting products. Gill (2009, pp. 41-42) therefore concurs with Marlow (2006, p. 78) that everybody has his own niche and stands a better chance of advancing with ease. Modern roles of human resources a) Staffing and selection The roles of human resources have over the years changed with the rising demand to view employees as a responsive system as opposed to a rigid consideration Farber and Western (2002, pp. 398-399) explains that this role therefore creates a harmonic platform that proactively addresses key problems that necessitated the need for trade unions. Staffing and selection is done on the basis of merits; a consideration that give employees great security both locally and internationally. By conducting effective selection, the employees do not feel threatened, but are given a chance to improve on their skills which the organization they work for strongly struggles to retain while others remain opportunistic to outsource (Blanden and Machin, 2003, pp. 126-127). Unions are therefore rendered less essential as job security is indeed very high and payments highly sustainable. ) Rewarding compensation and motivation management To concur with Gill (2009, p. 90) conclusion, poor rewarding systems formed the basis of unions in the mid-twentieth century. At this time most production were privately owned, but most importantly, they lacked effective competition to trigger better compensation and motivation of their workers. Human resources managements’ greatest roles are indeed to assess performance, initiate the needed improvement ef forts and most importantly reward the best performers. In his theory of human needs, Robert Maslow argued that when employees are guaranteed the needed capacity for progression towards self actualization, other systems are easily foregone (Gill, 2009, p. 48). Unlike the trade unions that provided only raising the salaries, human resources create a roadmap for sustainability; a factor that Brewster (2004, p. 371) indicate directly disrupts their consideration for unionization. c) Employee’s development and modelling When refereeing to the current replacement of trade unions roles with human resources management, one cannot fail to focus on the modelling and development roles. Though trade unions train their members on different aspects of their relationship with their seniors and the employers, greater credit as Jose and Fernando (2002, p. 189), suggests, is given to human resources managements. As indicated earlier, trade unions lack the necessary specificity on their members who are highly diverse. Due to their smaller nature of operation, human resources have proved to be more effective in that employees are continuously modelled with close supervision with an aim of improving their place in an organization. Jose and Fernando (2002, pp. 188-190) add that modelling sets a clear role model and a definite roadmap to follow in addressing their concerns and issues. d) Negotiating and change management Unlike during the period of the trade unions, negotiations have taken a central position for all the employees. Brewster (2004, p. 368) explains that human resources management eliminates key bureaucracies and therefore brings the employees closer to the top leadership. Furthermore, human resources management facilitates teamwork to encourage involvement of all the workers in negotiating their views in an organization. To infer greater need for negotiations, Coca-Stefaniak et al (2005, pp. 366-367) argue that internal and external change agents often propose changes towards improving the welfare of the employees and ultimate productivity of the company. As a result, the need for trade unions to create either a rise in payments or even improved working conditions does not arise. Counterarguments In his view, Phelan (2007, pp. 4-75) suggests that trade unions roles will remain critical despite the current decline. He further points out that though many workers have shifted from the trade unions; their need will always be rekindled during the periods of major crisis. During the 2007-2008 financial crises, many workers turned to trade unions for protection of their jobs. Pencavel (2003, p. 25) cites the political interference in reducing the relevance o f the unions. As a result, strength of trade unions will always recur when new political elites with favouring views rise to power. However, the two counterarguments fail to acknowledge the great advancements in technology that facilitate easier detection of workplace problems, faster communication and precise assessment that assists in making the correct decisions to avoid major issues (Hearnshaw, 2007, p. 69). Conclusion and recommendations From the above discussion, this paper supports the thesis statement, ‘the critical roles played by human resources managements that greatly satisfies the customers, improves their earnings, secures their employment, and maintains the correct organization cultures have increasingly replaced the need for trade unions. Trade unions came out as strong movements that were very vibrant during the 20th century when clear professionalism lacked in running businesses and organizations. Human resources management came in with great specialization that is highly proactive and employees driven; a consideration that surpassed the major roles of the unions. However, counterarguments presented in the discussion are true and their roles will often recur during periods of major crisis in organizations.

Friday, November 15, 2019

growaw Growth of Edna Pontellier in Kate Chopins The Awakening :: Chopin Awakening Essays

The Growth of Edna in The Awakening In Kate Chopin's novel The Awakening, Edna Pontellier is forced to strive to fit in with everyone and everything around her. Born and raised in Kentucky, Edna is used to the Southern society, but when she marries Leonce Pontellier, a Catholic and a Creole, and moves to Louisiana with him, her surroundings change a great deal. This makes her feel extremely uncomfortable and confused; she feels as though she has lost her identity along with a great deal of her happiness. In order to regain this identity and to try to find out who she truly is, Edna tries her hardest to conform to the Creole society. Though Edna tries extremely hard to accept this Creole society as her own and to become part of it in order to claim her identity, she fails to find both her true happiness and her identity, which, in turn, causes her to commit suicide. A great deal of Edna's unhappiness is due to the fact that her husband is very firm with her, he treats her with a great deal of "authority and coercion," as is requested by Edna's father, and he strongly believes that she should conform to the Creole society. In accordance with society, Leonce believes that Edna should be the stereotypical housewife who does everything she possibly can for her husband and her children. However, when Edna does something that contradicts this well-established Creole social code, Leonce reveals his disappointment. For example, when Edna is sunbathing at the beach on Grand Isle, her husband approaches her and says, " 'What folly! to bathe at such an hour in such heat! You are burnt beyond recognition.' " Kate Chopin adds that Mr. Pontellier looks at his wife "as one looks at a valuable piece of property which has suffered some damage." Over time, the negative attitude that Leonce has toward Edna causes her to look for security, happiness, and love in ot her people and places. It is then that she meets, and eventually falls in love with, Robert Lebrun. Throughout the novel, Edna encounters many "awakenings" of her own. One very significant awakening occurs when she recognizes her unrequited love for Robert Lebrun. Edna realizes that Leonce no longer matters to her and that she would be much happier if she were with Robert. Thus, Robert becomes the one person and the virtually unattainable goal Edna lives for; consequently, when he finally leaves her, she is devastated.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Project management extract Essay

The study on the production of chalk out of sea shells was designed to producequality dustless and long lasting chalk to compare with the standard existingcommercialized chalks if there are any, which was sold in the market. The chalk out of sea shells is for local or non-local used for schools or any educational aspects or even athome which can be formed into different sizes and colors according to your will. We, theresearchers, used the sea shells to recycle and transformed it into a useful product thatwill be used in our developing community. The production of this artifact that has been created by us strictly followed the procedures. First, collect sea shells from the sea shore. Then, boil it until it opens and being crushed into powder and becomes ready to be processed and made to differentfigures. Thus, the production of the product was accomplished and tested on its qualityand strength.Data on the successful product were tested and was finished accurately. Resultsshowed that the said finished product, made from sea shells, is comparable in terms of appearance and quality. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Having a successful investigatory project is really a great pleasure to us. It helpsus improving a certain project and identifying new discoveries from raw materials whichcan be seen abundantly in our surroundings.So, we, the researchers would like to thank to the following persons who help usmake this project successful. First, to our Almighty God who gave us the wisdom thatlead us to come up on this great idea and for the guidance that made our project fruitful.Mrs. Irmina Calibo who helped us in the formulation of the study, and lastly, our parentswho continuously support us in our financial needs in doing our project

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Jenny Saville and Lucien Freud

Jenny Saville and Lucien Freud share the same subject matter i. e. the human form however both have very different approaches to recording their observations and ideas and it’s an approach that I’ve become accustomed to because I like it as it allows absolute freedom in artistic expression. Saville produces large-scale pieces of work and uses impasto in a similar way to Freud however notably less thick and blockier. She chooses to work in such a way as she wanted ‘people to know what it is they're looking at. But at the same time, the closer they get to the painting; it's like going back into childhood. And it's like an abstract piece†¦ it becomes the landscape of the brush marks rather than just sort of an intellectual landscape’ this way of working is prominent in the painting ‘Rosetta 2’. The formidable scales of the paintings are awe-inspiring and really capture the eyes of the viewer. Using oils, she makes highly pigmented work, employing a gorgeous palette that conveys the effect of creamy, liquid skin poured directly onto the canvas. The brushwork is very dynamic and aesthetically pleasing; the skin has a rich look to it. The subdued colour range of blues, greys and muted pink create a bleaker natural form. The best of Jenny Savilles work in my opinion would be her series of photographs with Glen Luchford the fashion photographer. Produced in 1995, the collaboration produces some exciting and bizarrely beautiful work. Commenting on the work and her intentions she says ‘the boundary of our bodies, which we presume is so fixed and can only exist in that certain area, can be extended so far. This movement, malleability of flesh, I started to think about that quite a lot’. ‘Closed Contact no. 4, fig (vi)’ Photographed from an elevated angle through a glass plate, shows Saville contorting her body whilst pressed up against Plexiglas. The piece definitely is appropriate to her intentions as she manages to distort her body enough so that we have no clear visual point of reference; there are no â€Å"boundaries†. I appreciate this image because she has abstracted herself and pushed her body to extremes also its very different from her paintings there are no definitive lines instead folds of flesh frame the image that is what I like most. One aspect that differentiates both artists’ similar styles is Savilles expression of anger; her work from the turn of the millennium onwards explores more violent themes and showcases brilliant reds and blues slashing through her figures. Her work is overtly violent were Freuds is more muted. Evidence of her violent expression is in the painting Witness fig (vii), it is a very bleak portrayal of the human form that commands a reaction. I like the harsh and unforgiving light created by the varying toes of purple and red. Freud said, â€Å"The longer you look at an object, the more abstract it becomes, and, ironically, the more real. † This principle is prominent throughout his work and his 1985 self-portrait best embodies his saying. In the portrait the face appears distorted, yet the intensity of what the artist is trying to convey remains in every thick stroke and restores the reality of it. His work is unquestionably more abstract as he plays with the true tone of the subject and the strokes appear wilder, blockier but ultimately freer. There is a level of realism achieved in this piece that surpasses his earlier work. The self- portrait captures a powerful aura one that can only be achieved through careful observation and not working from photographs and fretting over accuracy. I like how the segments of slightly different colours come to form an exciting image. A piece of work I really like of Freuds is his portrait of the queen some hated it for its brutal depiction of Queen Elizabeth II but I like it for the level of emotion he manages to capture in this one painting. For me what makes the portrait is the inner struggle to supress a smile. For the Queen to have her portrait forever show the containment of personal laughter is an historic way for her to mark the new millennium. I like it also because it shows his integrity as an artist, he favours no one and he painted the ageing Queen as ruthlessly as he had painted his ageing self. Freud’s application remains very thick like in most of his work, which I like as it adds age and wisdom to the face. Freud’s best-known work ‘Benefits Supervisor Sleeping’ it is a piece which truly fascinates. When compared to photographs of what the model looks like in reality we can see he’s obviously played with it. He did so â€Å"since the painting is going to be there on its own, it is of no interest whether it is an accurate copy of the model† he ages the model and somehow made her more obese and splotchy. Both Freud and Saville fail to omit bruises and calluses and visible veins, they don’t idealise the body but show it for what it is complete with overtly sexual overtones I’ve chosen to look at the work of Freud and Saville because I enjoy their work as well as I like the way in which they use paint. They look at the human form objectively, removing the humanity. This is an approach to painting and drawing from life that I’d like to develop in my own work.

Friday, November 8, 2019

Marriage and Madness Professor Ramos Blog

Marriage and Madness The Yellow Wallpaper Marriage is often presented, to girls at an impressionable young age, as finding a prince charming and living happily ever after. Settling down and having a family may not be as splendid as some women fantasize. Marriages can be toxic and oppressive environments. This is true now as it was for women in the late 1800s.   In â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper,† by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, the protagonist is dealing with postpartum depression, but her oppressive environment prevents her from recuperating. Women with mental illness often suffer in oppressive households. â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† tells the story of a young woman suffering from a mental illness. The narrator first mentions her illness when she reflects, â€Å"I’m sure I never used to be sensitive, I think it is due to this nervous condition† (Gilman 487). She has no control of her emotions most likely due to her anxiety. Her illness is also troubling to as she laments, â€Å"[her] nervous are dreadfully depressing† (487). Her troubles stem from her separation of her child and her treatment which limits her physically and mentally. She mentions, â€Å"Such a dear baby! And yet I cannot be with him, it makes me so nervous† (488). It can be alluded that she suffers from postpartum depression and is not being adequately treated. As she is forced to remain isolated indoors, she becomes obsessed with the wallpaper in the nursery. The wallpaper as she describes began to, â€Å"look to [her] as if it knew what a vicious influence† (488). The wallpaper affects her, and her imagination runs wild as she sees a woman imprisoned within the yellow wallpaper. protagonist reaches her breaking point when she realizes that she is the woman trapped in the depths of the wallpaper. She describes how she pulled off most of the wallpaper by morning to free the young woman within the wallpaper (495). Unfortunately for the protagonist, having children left her in a state of depression and made her begin to resent her husband. The protagonist of â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† entered a marriage and treatment became an oppressive environment. Her husband became her oppressor, as tried to suppress her thoughts, and imagination. The narrator reveals that â€Å"perhaps that [he] is the one reason [she] does not get well faster† (486). She is coming to the realization that her husband is not helping her get better. When she discloses her discontentment with the yellow wallpaper, he lets her know, â€Å"[there is] nothing worse for a nervous patient than to give way to their fancies† (488). He invalidates her opinions and suppresses her feelings. Gilman reveals the protagonist’s husband, â€Å"hates to have her write a word† (487). He stifles her from her expressing her thoughts orally as well as her thoughts that are written. She does not have a choice but to obey, because during this period women were not allowed to express their opinions in their marriages. Men held all the power and they determined whether or the role their wives played in their household. The protagonist’s husband threatens that if she does not get better, he would be send her to the physician Weir Mitchell who is much worse of a physician (488). Her husband can conclude that she is mentally unfit and send her away without her consent. He has already taken her away from her actual home in the hopes that she will get better. Gilman reveals the protagonist has been separated from her child, when she confesses, â€Å"there’s one comfort- the baby is well and happy and does not have to occupy this nursery with the horrid wallpaper† (489). The narrator is suffering from postpartum depression and she cannot recover from it, because her husband’s way of dealing with her illness it to avoid it altogether. Marriage is most often presented to women as a goal and they are expected to have a family to be happy. Unfortunately for the protagonist, having children left her in a state of depression and made her begin to resent her husband. Marriage for the Gilman’s protagonist did not end happily ever after. In the 19th century, women with mental illnesses suffered in their oppressive environments. The fate of a women depended on her husband, because historically Victorian Women were â€Å"increasingly ill-prepared for the trials of childbirth and childbearing† (Smith 658). Women would often bare children without contemplating the risks and suffered the consequences. As shown in â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† women would suffer from postpartum depression and it would be dismissed as hysterics. Throughout history, hysteria has been seen as characteristically female† (Smith 653). While at this time science and medicine were advancing, the treatment women were receiving did not help them, and it often made their symptoms worsen. Women diagnosed with a mental illness were prescribed a rest-cure in which, â€Å"the patient was not permitted to leave bed or even move within without the doctor’s approval†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Sigurà °ardà ³ttir 3). This confinement was not a reasonable treatment, and this cruel punishment was not uncommon in this century. Doctors â€Å"attempted to reinforce childlike dependency in women, defined women as inherently weak, and discouraged excessive mental or physical exertion† (Morantz). Men as well, would punish women for not being a dutiful wife in their eyes. Just like in Gilman’s story often â€Å"rest-cure could be used to discipline women whose illness became a means of avoiding household duties† (Sigurà °ardà ³ttir 4). Men believed women would fake their illnesses rather than believe they were suffering from depression, or anxiety. Unfortunately, women who had mental illnesses suffered greater than they should have. Gender roles play a part in oppressive environments. Men were often seen as the superior sex especially in the late 1800s. Men held power and authority over their wives. That left many women helpless to the wills of their husbands. Though those power dynamics have shift, gender roles are still present and leave women in helpless situations. While mental illness is still a taboo subject for some, more women are being informed about the possible side effects and outcomes of childbirth. Most women cannot be put away anymore because their husbands wish it. â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† is a cautionary tale of how gender roles can lead to harmful relationships. Gilman, Charlotte Perkins. â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper.† The Norton Anthology of American Literature, edited by Nina Baym and Robert S. Levine, 8th ed., vol. 2, W.W. Norton Company, 2013, pp. 485-497. Morantz, Regina Markell, and Sue Zschoche. Professionalism, feminism, and gender roles: a comparative study of nineteenth-century medical therapeutics. The Journal of American History 67.3 (1980): 568-588. Sigurà °ardà ³ttir, Elà ­sabet Rakel. Women and Madness in the 19th Century. The effects of oppression on womens mental health. Diss. 2013. Smith-Rosenburg, Carroll. â€Å"The Hysterical Woman: Sex Roles and Role Conflict in 19th Century America.† Social Research, vol. 39, no. 4, 1972, pp. 652–678. JSTOR, JSTOR, jstor.org/stable/40970115.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

5 Ways to Shake It Up Without Changing Careers

5 Ways to Shake It Up Without Changing Careers Feeling stifled? Desperate for a major change? Want to chase your dream to another continent, or to another career altogether? Feel any or all of those desires, but realize with a pang that you simply can’t just up and totally change your career? There are still ways you can get back in a groove and get excited about your job again without throwing the baby out with the bathwater.Try these five strategies first before decided on changing careers.1.  Start from withinIf things are really stale, you always have two options that aren’t the nuclear one. First, you can change your role within your own industry. Or, you can keep your job but change to another field. Try switching from corporate law to entertainment law. Or from serving and bartending to managing. Or from at-home nursing to ER nursing. These feel like big changes, but they don’t involve scrapping your entire career!2. Try your hand at consultingThis word covers quite a bit of ground. The nutshell of t his strategy is to figure out what you know because of your career so far and figure out who needs that knowledge and skill. Could you teach? Develop textbooks or manuals or training guides? Recruit? This keeps you squarely in your wheelhouse, where you’ve been successful, but doesn’t require you to learn a whole new set of skills.3.  Think about how your role could changeThere’s always the option of sticking with your current company, but changing jobs within it. Have a think about your colleagues- is there anything they do that you think would be more fulfilling to you? Ask questions. Chat with your boss about shifting your responsibilities and taking on new challenges. Figure out what you need to brush up on and prove- if only to yourself- that you can learn new things.4. Find joy in extracurricularsSo maybe you can’t change even your job in a significant way, for whatever reason. You can still do more, and different, things! Try volunteering, or tak e a guest bartending gig, or start a blog, or join forces with friends or colleagues to work for a foundation. Doing a bit of good in the world, or a bit of freelance work, can give you the breath of fresh air you need to put your work in better perspective.5. Keep honoring that little voiceMaybe you’ll follow these strategies and still can’t deny that overwhelming desire to chuck it all and do something totally different with your life. If that voice just won’t go away, no matter what else you do or how you tweak the margins, that might be the sign you need. Check in with yourself from time to time and see how you feel. You’ll know when it’s time to light the match.Five Easier Alternatives to Totally Changing Careers

Sunday, November 3, 2019

STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT - Essay Example Through these, the company has remained in position to control their finances, their demand, supply rotating around labor supply, the raw materials supply and even the supply to the market has remained controlled hence influencing the business and the company’s growth. The company dominates a value chain that with its Chandlerian model in industrial administration aspects. An integrated company has a high level of vertical integrity applicable in defining their brand to the market. The sector matrix through the dynamics held internally has grown to have a positive impact to the general performance of the organization. Their targets of mass markets and standardized products dominant in quality make them a company to reckon with in the automotive industry. Through these, the demand for the company’s products and their supply remains on a positive scale weighing well for the owners of the company. The positive results it boosts of result from these making it a good example for the case on sector matrix. A bad example on the sector matrix is that of the Lehman Brothers. A company that was closed down due to the poor management of their supply and demand factors. The failure of the company was leveled on the financial crisis that the world faced during the great depressions and financial turmoil experienced in 2008. The poor preparation effects and the failure to detect and proactively plan from down times also mark the company’s failure. The demand factor was handled well by the company. The challenges met that drew the company down included the supply effects. The failure to control and sustain the demand and the pressure exerted on the financial position of the company and the supply chain changes made the company close down. Aspects of sector matrix aim at controlling factors of demand and supply. The demand for the services that the company offered was high though at

Friday, November 1, 2019

Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 12

Assignment - Essay Example Indians appreciate punctuality but most of them are not very strict about time. Office hours are from 10am-5pm. Tie and suit for men is preferred whereas more casual wears are acceptable in the fields of IT. Shalwar suit or long skirts or pants for women are considered agreeable. Politics, cricket, economic reforms and movies are the welcoming topics for conversation. Topics such as Religion, Political ties with Pakistan and economic disparity within India should be avoided. The Power distribution ranking of India is 77 compared to the world average 55. This indicates that the lower class citizens are satisfied with the unequal distribution of wealth. It is a male dominated society and the country is more prone to unexpected situations. The United States of America is an individualistic society with a greater will to work and be competitive. It is the strongest economy of the world and has an extremely high GDP of 20%. The U.S. economy also maintains a very high level of output per capita. It is also the largest trading nation in the world with major trades from Canada, China and Mexico. Power distance is of 40. People in the United States usually work a lot in the industrial and services sector. Not much importance is given to traditional jobs like agriculture or forestry. Americans work on the principle that by working hard one can become more financially strong. The work culture is employee centric. There are many laws governing the rights of employees. Work hours are from 9am-5pm. Many employees work overtime. While setting up appointments, time is considered to be of great value and Punctuality is given due importance. Dressing is usually casual. Generally English is spoken. Topics such as religion or racism should be avoided. Whereas, Sports, travel, food and music are the welcoming topics. China has the second largest economy in the world after the United States. It has a very high growth rate and is the largest exporter of goods,

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Evaluation Methods Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Evaluation Methods - Essay Example 1). Scientific Experimental Model The scientific experimental model is the most commonly used; it is normally applied in the field of social sciences. The main aim of the scientific experimental model is to assess the accuracy and objectivity of information generated. In addition, the strategy also involves assessing the impartiality and the validity of information. Evaluation in this model takes the form of experimental and non-experimental designs (Research Methods, 2012, para. 6). Management Oriented System Models The most widely used method in respect of the management oriented system models in the management of businesses and organizations includes Critical Path Method (CPM) and Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT). In addition, other method of management oriented system model that has been introduced by evaluators includes the UTOS. This acronym stands for Units, Treatment, Observation and Settings. Another model in this category is CIPP (context, input, process and p roduct). The main aim of management oriented systems models is to emphasize the suitability of an object within the framework of organizational activities. CIPP looks at the context in which the object operates, whether the environment is suitable or not, and the nature of effort required in using the object. An object is evaluated as being inefficient if the amount of input or resources put in place in operating is more and costly. Further, the process taken by the object to produce the goods or services must involve the least effort necessary as well as time. In the end, the product is evaluated on its usefulness to the society in general (Research Methods, 2012, para. 7). The main difference between the scientific experimental models and the management oriented models is in the discipline in which they are applied. Scientific experimental models are used in social sciences as well as in physical sciences to determine the accuracy of a given theory or scientific process as formula ted by scientists or theoreticians. The management oriented models are used by the managers in different organizations to assess the suitability of an object within the framework of organizational activities. However, these two strategies of evaluation can be used interchangeably (Research Methods, 2012, para. 8). Qualitative Models Qualitative models majorly dwell on the need for observations. They also involve the need to ensure that a given object retains its qualities for a longer period of time. The assessment is mainly centered on the subjective interpretation of an individual to the suitability and validity of a given object. Quality is the main measure while undertaking the evaluation process. Evaluators normally ensure that a given object conforms to the standards of operation without causing any dangers to the individuals concerned with its usage. Assessing the quality of the product is very important in knowing the strengths and weaknesses of a given product or service (R esearch Methods, 2012, para. 9). Participant Oriented Models Participant oriented models mainly concentrate on the participants. Participants include the clients and users of a given object. The evaluators seek to establish the effectiveness of a given product or service through the participants. The information concerning

Monday, October 28, 2019

Effect of Ph on Green Pea Germination Essay Example for Free

Effect of Ph on Green Pea Germination Essay Effect of pH on Green Pea Germination Objective: To determine how pH affects the germination of green peas and to examine the degree of germination within each pH level. We will do this by using various buffer solutions (along with distilled water) to grow green peas. Hypothesis: We expected that the group of peas that encountered a pH of 7 to have the most and highest degree of germination. Materials: tap water buffer solutions pH 3,5, 7, 1 distilled water 50 greens peas trays paper towels beakers Procedure: Wrap 25 peas (25 peas = 1 group) in paper towels. Place each group in 2. Pour 10 mL of tap water and 30 mL of distilled water or buffer solution onto each group of peas 3. 4. Add tap water accordingly to keep peas moist After one week, add another 20mL of distilled water or buffer solution onto each group of peas. 5. Observe amount of germination and degree of germination (length of the shoots) PH3 PH5 Distilled Water PH7 PH9 PHII Number Germinated 17 24 Number not Germinated Number of peas with shoots that were at least 1 inch long 14

Saturday, October 26, 2019

The Study of Literature Essay -- English Literature Essays

The Study of Literature I finally understand the study of literature. As an English major, a reader/ writer/ poet who has spent a great deal of time reading the works of others and writing about them, I am reminded of something I have heard my father, a teacher, say repeatedly about the modern American attitude toward education. "Nobody learns just to learn," he observes sadly, pointing out the way in which students often view particularly higher education as some kind of training ground for a career. I know exactly what he means. Every time someone asks me what I plan to do with a degree in English, I am reminded of the inquisitive student who interrupts a classroom lecture to ask in earnest "Is this going to be on the test?" or the equally deplorable "Do we have to know this?" The clear message in these questions is that nobody wants to waste their precious time learning something that won't immediately benefit them in some way. The majority of students insist on expediency and efficiency in educatio n. Our goal oriented society has resulted in a student that retains necessary information in short term memory long enough to regurgitate onto an exam, pass the course, grab a degree, get a job, make money, prosper. Next. Occasionally, however, there comes the English major the enigmatic, bookworm type, who puzzles his classmates by carrying fiction while they tote science, mathematics, and Business. They examine this strange creature, fascinated by one who displays such a blatant disregard for wealth and success. They poke this animal, wondering why he would live this way, and what possible good can come from poetry. And once in a while, the prodding and gawking gets to him. The English major is forced to ... ...ve to know this?† my answer is a resounding â€Å"yes.† â€Å"Will this be on the test?† Daily. The test is daring to live in a world where sometimes it seems that all is lost. Love, friendship, sadness, grief, even contentment are better understood in the context of a heartfelt poem or story. Thoreau's Walden romanticized my isolation; however, it may have been Updike's Rabbit or Edith Wharton's sad portrayal of cold in Ethan Frome that brought me to that state. Poetry and literature are so passionate as to inspire the reader in spite of himself. I can no more control the effects they may have on me, than I can the way in which I react. They are practical guidelines, manuals of living. They can hurt or heal, create or destroy. When one has a better understanding, though, the experience is wonderfully enlightening. And I need to know. I use them everyday.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Learning Team Reflection Essay

With the advancement of technology and the rise in Internet usage amongst individual companies, businesses, and organizations, they are faced with new challenges in protecting their brand, trademark, and image from competitors (Clark, 2007). This has caused many businesses to take action in the protection of intellection property rights or IPR. For the week three assignment, the members of team A choose to discuss the case in which Premier Technologies wins intellectual property lawsuit. This paper would highlight details of the case. Doug Sayer, the owner of Premier Technologies, claimed that two of his former employees stole private information for trade secret infringement and future sabotage. The former men were members of top management at Premier Technologies. Orr and Schutte, the two men, downloaded the organizations insider information to external hard drivers, and shortly after that, left the organization to work for the competitor. According to Legal information Institute, â€Å"Trade Secret is defined as the information, including a formula, pattern, compilation, program, device, method, technique, or process that derives independent economic value or potential, from not being generally known to or readily ascertainable through appropriate means by other persons who might obtain economic value from its disclosure or use.† The issue is that Orr and Schutte had an intentional plan to use the operations of Premier Technologies against them to make the organization fall into the red and sale for a price less than what the business is worth. In Bannock County, Idaho’s Sixth Judicial District in December 2011 ruled in favor of Premier Technologies in the lawsuit Premier Technologies v. Chadd Orr, Jeff Schutte and Petersen, Inc. Doug Sayer, also Premier Technology’s president and chief operating officer, argued that Chadd Orr and Jeff Schutte was conspiring with Peterson. This made Orr and Schutte breach their fiduciary duties that they owed to Premier Technology while they were high level managers at Premier Technologies. The jury unanimously voted in favor of Premier Technologies and agreed that both Orr and Schutte violated the Idaho Trade Secret Act, and that they both had a fiduciary relationship with  Premier. The jury also ruled in favor of Premier, implicating Petersen Inc. had, in fact, conspired with Orr and Schutte in breaching of their fiduciary responsibility to Premier Technologies. The ruling awarded a little over two million dollars to Premier Technologies. A $905,250 judgment was set agains t Schutte, while a $603,500 judgment against Orr was set for breaching their fiduciary duties. Punitive damages were awarded as such $172,000 against Schutte and $120,000 against Orr. The analysis of the case appears to be quite simple in nature. The court’s decision ultimately stems from Orr and Schutte’s fiduciary responsibilities that they owed to Premier during their employment with the company. The copy of protected data was not in itself the infraction, but when that information was subsequently provided to a direct competitor, an illegal activity had taken place and the two men were liable for their actions. The state laws of Idaho clearly protected Premier, and any business entity, from this form of intellectual property theft. It also awards that company money to satisfy the damages that were caused by these actions, and because of the intentional nature of the act, punitive damages were made possible as well. As there are often no formal means to protect the trade secrets that a company might have in their processes, litigation is sometimes the best option and, in this case, it certainly provided Premier with the chance to recoup their losses. As a future employee hiring procedure, it might be pertinent for Sayer to include an employee clause that gives up their right to work for a direct competitor in the future, as some highly competitive organizations do (Idaho State Journal). Through many trials and errors, laws have come to pass to protect each business from employees who wish to harm them. Orr and Schutte not only jeopardized Premier Technology’s operation, but they also jeopardized their integrity. Once they decided to work with a competitor, they stole valuable information from the Plaintiff in order to make the business fail. Their actions turned into a lawsuit that determined they breached their contract with Premier Technologies. Due to this infringement, both parties and competitor were liable for all damages incurred to Premier Technologies. For Premier Technologies to prevent this from happening again, they should  determine if a clause is needed to prevent employees from working with the competitor. Reference Clark, D. (2007). EBusiness and Intellectual Property. IBB Solicitors. Retrieved from http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/downloads/brochures/2010-05-27-15-05-41-ebusiness_and_intellectual_property.pdf Legal Information Institute, August 2010, Trade Secret. Cornell University law school.http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/trade_secret

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Bewitched Analysis

Evaluating Sitcoms – Bewitched Bewitched is a situation comedy, produced in the year 1964 and set in America. The main characters include Samantha and Darrin Stephens. The program Bewitched conveys the premise to not make assumptions about someone instantly – because there may be more to a person then what meets the eye. The pilot of Bewitched begins with the orientation, establishing the status of the newly wed couple. Darrin is portrayed as the breadwinner of the family, and Samantha is presented as the perfect wife, which fulfils all of the criteria of a typical suburban housewife.The complication is then introduced when Samantha reveals she’s a witch. The complication is followed by a series of events, which begin with an invitation to Shelia’s -Darrin’s ex-fiance- house. At arrival they are both greeted with a warm welcome, but soon things begin to get messy. Shelia starts to belittle Samantha’s appearance, making her uncomfortable and a nnoyed; but to make matters worse Shelia begins to flirt with Darrin whilst occasionally glancing over at Samantha, in order to her to make her feel insignificant and envious.Samantha comes into conflict with herself in whether or not to use magic, but she decides using magic is the only way to go –even after promising Darrin no more witch craft – Samantha uses her magic in order to teach Shelia a well learnt lesson, to keep her hands of her man. The complication is soon resolved with Darrin and Samantha returning home to discuss her behaviour and the use of magic. Darrin becomes upset with Samantha for breaking her promise, but as any wife would do, Samantha almost instantly apologises and tells Darrin she won’t use magic again.The coda is illustrated in the end of the episode, despite Darrin’s request Samantha finishes by saying, â€Å"Maybe I can tamper off,† hence staying true to herself and not letting anyone change who she is. There are aspec ts of this storyline, which are plausible where the audience sees the common character/figure of the seductive ex-fiance/girlfriend. The credibility is generated with the behaviour of Samantha and Shelia.In Shelia wanting to make Samantha jealous and herself the centre of attention the plot is made credible, but the audience is then drawn to feel that the plot is more relatable and convincing with Samantha’s response to the situation, feeling annoyed, envious and angry. The relationship between Darrin and Samantha portrayed in the episode is clearly strong and affectionate. The Bewitched pilot reveals numerous characteristics of both Darrin and Samantha. Darrin is seen as the stereotypical husband, with his strong and demanding personality, which demonstrates that he obtains the authority between the two.However the audience becomes aware of the love and affection Darrin has for his new wife, Samantha. Samantha is also portrayed as a stereotypical housewife, who follows her h usband’s expectations of a Good wife, by cooking, keeping the household clean and being Normal. Bewitched reflects the values of the time, including some now-dated ideas about men and women's roles in society. The main characters, Darrin and Samantha are featured as binary opposite characters in the sense that Samantha is not you would call normal, being a witch.However Darrin is just an ordinary typical man, who happened to fall in love with a not so normal woman. Wanting to use a bit of magic once in awhile and hoping for a one-day normal family, are expectation Darrin and Samantha both have for their relationship, which of course are completely different and contradicting. A situation comedy wouldn’t be one without any humour. Humour is an important component of a sitcom and like expected Bewitched definitely has humour.In this episode there are numerous techniques used to generate a humorous response. This is evident in the use of irony when only minutes before She lia had been commenting on Samantha’s appearance, focusing mainly on her â€Å"Hard-to-manage hair† and haughtily referring back to herself as having â€Å"Not a hair out of place† but ironically Shelia’s wig is ripped off and flies into the strong -magic made- winds, to reveal her very impressive hair, the use of the irony in this scene conveys a very humorous response from the audience.Furthermore the use of the visual scenes with Samantha using magic, creates a sense of humour as the audience witness strange happenings as do the characters, but the audience knows the cause of these strange happenings -magic- whereas the characters in the program seem not to. Hence the audience responds to the confused and perplexed state of the other characters with humour. Thus, the pilot uses numerous techniques in order to receive an entertained and humorous response from the audience.Bewitched is a fantastic example of a situation comedy as it obtains and fulfils a ll of a sit-com’s characteristics and criteria, having an orientation, complication, resolution, coda and most importantly family and humour. Bewitched evidently represents concepts referring to family and family relationships, through the status of the couple where the male figure, Darrin is seen to obtain the authority and the female, Samantha to simply be the perfect housewife.Family relationships are represented through affection, kindliness and compassion. The program exhibits ideas about family values, where without these values there would be no family; a family without forgiveness, honesty, generosity, curiosity, communication and respect isn’t a family at all. Thus the family representation in Bewitched obtains all of these values in order to create the perfect household and television sit-com.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Free Essays on Little Secretaries

Look at our life today; look how it has changed. Just one hundred years ago we could see O’Henry’s little secretaries typing for ten hours a day. Weak and deprived of rights, they could be easily dismissed, experience sexual harassment or encounter health problems. They had nobody to be protected by, nobody to turn to. Dark rooms, bad air, and sitting for whole day. It was cruel, but innocent world. Hours, after work, spent in front of windows of an underwear store, cheap food and little dark rooms with gas lighting in the evenings. When she stepped outside her office, she forgot where she worked, she stayed alone with herself, she was on her own planet, she was in her own world. Today we can see the same girl in front of the same underwear store with a mobile phone in her hand giving orders to bank or suppliers. Life has changed. Rhythm has changed. Conditions have changed. For good or bad? Our little hero can’t be dismissed anymore, just because boss’s wife doesn’t like her. She can’t be forced to make things she doesn’t want to do. There are days when she works for 16 hours, twice more than she should, but she is paid for these hours. Her office is cozy, bright, and comfortable. She can be promoted. She can be sent to learn. She is protected and independent. But no matter where she goes with her mobile phone on her - it’s on. Always. We find ourselves today, at the beginning of the Twenty-first century, in bright well air-conditioned offices, protected by contracts in our pockets and by armies of different employees associations. We have become more productive with the help of personal computers, electronic mail, scanners, facsimile machines, and voice message systems. Our mobile phone can take us out of bed to solve urgent problems. â€Å"Super† clients can keep us at work on the birthday of our little daughter. Where is our privacy? Where is our real life? â€Å"Buying† rules have changed and so have â€Å"sellingï ¿ ½... Free Essays on Little Secretaries Free Essays on Little Secretaries Look at our life today; look how it has changed. Just one hundred years ago we could see O’Henry’s little secretaries typing for ten hours a day. Weak and deprived of rights, they could be easily dismissed, experience sexual harassment or encounter health problems. They had nobody to be protected by, nobody to turn to. Dark rooms, bad air, and sitting for whole day. It was cruel, but innocent world. Hours, after work, spent in front of windows of an underwear store, cheap food and little dark rooms with gas lighting in the evenings. When she stepped outside her office, she forgot where she worked, she stayed alone with herself, she was on her own planet, she was in her own world. Today we can see the same girl in front of the same underwear store with a mobile phone in her hand giving orders to bank or suppliers. Life has changed. Rhythm has changed. Conditions have changed. For good or bad? Our little hero can’t be dismissed anymore, just because boss’s wife doesn’t like her. She can’t be forced to make things she doesn’t want to do. There are days when she works for 16 hours, twice more than she should, but she is paid for these hours. Her office is cozy, bright, and comfortable. She can be promoted. She can be sent to learn. She is protected and independent. But no matter where she goes with her mobile phone on her - it’s on. Always. We find ourselves today, at the beginning of the Twenty-first century, in bright well air-conditioned offices, protected by contracts in our pockets and by armies of different employees associations. We have become more productive with the help of personal computers, electronic mail, scanners, facsimile machines, and voice message systems. Our mobile phone can take us out of bed to solve urgent problems. â€Å"Super† clients can keep us at work on the birthday of our little daughter. Where is our privacy? Where is our real life? â€Å"Buying† rules have changed and so have â€Å"sellingï ¿ ½...

Monday, October 21, 2019

The Work and the Sadness - Freewrite Store

The Work and the Sadness - Freewrite Store This is a guest post by  Lancelot Schaubert. Schaubert is the author of the forthcoming novelFaceless, and lives in Brooklyn with his wife and attack spaniel.The City of Joplin, Missouri commissioned him to write and direct a photonovel that fictionalized and enchanted the history of their town. He has sold articles to Writer's Digest (one forthcoming and one in the 2016 Poet's Market), the World Series Edition of Poker Pro, McSweeney's, Bernie Sanders' campaign site, and others. His fiction or poetry has appeared or is forthcoming in The Misty Review, Carnival, Encounter (who has purchased a dozen or more) and many others. He loves soup. Send him soup. You can learn more about him athttp://lanceschaubert.org/ orlet him directly send you his best work. ________________________________ Do you believe in writer's block? I don't. But perhaps not for the reason you think. The fantasy writer Patrick Rothfuss has said ten thousand times that plumbers don't get plumbers block. I like that, especially since my plumber was also my sensei for shoto jitsu the man was brilliant at both and invested time heavily in both, both black belt of the year and your local handy man. Ed Daniels. Ed Daniels never got â€Å"blocked.† Rothfuss elaborated on this during one of his Worldbuilders Twitch streams last fall. He believes what some people attribute to writer's block is clinical depression. You could say further that plumbers don’t get plumbers block unless, as a human, they’re clinically depressed. Let’s break that down. Writer's block, in my estimation, comes down to one of two things: laziness or depression. We'll talk about depression first. Rothfuss was right to bring up the number of writers who have committed suicide, passively or actively, in history. A deep sadness runs parallel to the writing gene because we spend so much time in our headspace. Some believe that depression is an evolutionary trait that helps us reevaluate our situation: we go into a quiet place to reassess, to come to a better understanding of our current predicament, and then move forward stronger and more agile. The monks? They might have called it silence and solitude the prayerful posture of one who uses meditation to remain present in â€Å"this, my Father's world.† Wherever you sit on that spectrum, you can't deny that spending so much time imagining other worlds can leave you drained of your happy-happy joy-joy juices. And you get stuck. You're stuck not because you're a writer. You're stuck because you're a human. My buddy T. A. Giltner who teaches religion at St. Louis University says to all of his freshman on the first day of class, â€Å"Raise your hand if you want to be a good doctor. A good lawyer. A good scientist.† They raise their hands. â€Å"Keep your hands up if you think this class is pointless as a means to that end.† They lower their hands. â€Å"This class is not about religion. It's about becoming a decent human being. You want to be doctors and lawyers and scientists but you don't want to be good human beings? Good luck with that.† The phrase â€Å"good doctor† has the assumption of a â€Å"good human† built in. Writers too. Without a healthy, patient, joyful, kind humanity there ain't a one of us who's going to become a good writer. Let alone a great one. And that includes this awful disease that hit even me as a high school student and sometimes hits me even now: depression. To tackle this form of writer's block, you must do what all humans do. You must become whole by seeking help. I have a counselor who has helped me dig my way out of the hellhole that was my 2015 and my writing has improved. But again, that’s not specific to writers. As for laziness, I'm convinced that those who minimize their own depression by glorifying it with labels like â€Å"writer's block† make it easier for sluggards to scoot along. I know, I was one. I was a lazy teenager who had little reason to be lazy, considering the poverty of some of my early years. For one reason or another, perhaps because they follow the exact opposite trajectory of those professional football careers that blossom early and fade as fast, the careers of writers take a long time to marinate, cure, and hibernate. Coupled with wealth and privilege whether you're a trust fund kid or simply whiter than your neighbor writers have invented the most absurd methods of procrastination on the market all the way down to writing about not writing about not writing on social media. And then they hijack this term that has been used to minimize the clinical depression found in the pros or the greats and they say, â€Å"I have writers block.† Are you depressed? If that's the case, seek help and support, but it has nothing to do with being a writer.   If you're not depressed, then you're lazy. I am convinced that most writers need spend their time learning how to write at first. I'm convinced most writers must begin by learning how to work their asses off to survive and then thrive. That probably means some low-wage job or finding a way of generating passive income yourself rather than inheriting it or shoving it off to some future generation through debt. It might mean finding simple joy in trimming the verge or taking out the trash. If this is you, you don't have writer's block, sorry. You have an aversion to hard work. And only through learning how to work, how to enjoy your work, how to thrive even in an environment that's cursed and stacked against you, will you be able to write well. Stephen King has a high output precisely because he worked his ass off in a laundromat, as a teacher, and as a chimney sweep and then applied those skills to writing. Once you’ve learned to work, then apply that work to your study and practice. Then you read the "On Writings" and the "Elements of Style" of the world. Then you literally re-write your drafts over from scratch. Then you tap into the thing you've always wanted to do and bring it to bear upon the Earth. But let's not call it block anymore. If you're depressed, seek help. And if you're lazy, shut up and get to work. I should mention that I wrote the first draft of this on a Freewrite I'm testing it today because I've followed this team from the day they started taking contributions. I've been known to jack out of the matrix more than my peers and head to upstate New York or to Northwest Arkansas to duck into some hobbit hole and type away on my Smith Corona or scribble on whatever scraps I find. Perhaps the Freewrite will help me with that.   But the typing itself? Hell it took thirty minutes hunched over this metal coffee table in the lobby of their offices here in the Flatiron district. My back hurts, I have a headache, and I'll have to revise this before they post it. And yet somehow it wasn’t as bad this time around because for once I wasn’t focused on the machine, the sound, the internet, or the reloading of paper and ribbon. Me and the words, baby, me and the words. Was it worth it? The sky was grey when I began, but the sun's reflecting off of the windows of this high rise next door. And I've taken pleasure in my work. I am not worried about future awards. I have no delusions of grandeur in this moment. In my mind right now, there hides no phantom of any high school sweetheart or bully or hardass teacher I must now impress. There is only the work and the pleasure I take in it.   Lancelot took pleasure not in winning tournaments. Not in the wreath or the prize. It was the virtue he sought, virtue as an end in itself. He took pleasure in drawing back the bow and shooting the arrow, in dehorsing other knights, and in running the gauntlet faster and with fewer bruises than the time before. The discipline itself brings the joy.