Human Cognition And Its Effects On The Environment

An attention blink is a situation in which visual stimuli are presented in quick succession with very little time interval between the successive stimuli such that you do not perceive the second stimuli. In the environment we live in, there are thousands or millions of stimuli. Human cognition system also has a number of highly sensitive perception mechanisms that identify and characterize stimuli from its environment. However, humans use the concept of concentration and attention to perceive only significant stimuli from their environment. In this context, it is of great importance to define attention. Attention refers to the process of focusing or concentrating one or more human perception or cognitive systems on a specific stimuli (Livesey, Harris, Harris, 2009). Attention can be made on a stimulus or the effect of the stimulus on the individual as quantified or characterized by the cognitive element. The Online Cognition Lab evaluates the potential of human cognitive systems by exposing them to a succession of letters. Given the speed of succession, it is most likely that people do not get to see the second letter presented. This is primarily a factor of variation in time. The probability of getting to see or perceive the second letter depends on the time we take to become attentive enough to see the second letter. Human cognition systems have a threshold time with which they take to pay attention to a particular stimuli. Take for example the human eye. After seeingShow MoreRelatedThe Wild Child, By Dr. Gene Itard1599 Words   |  7 Pagesemotional development, how would a person whose environment is devoid of any human social stimuli act, speak or behave? A 1970 French film, The Wild Child, delves into this extremity and depicts a savage boy’s trials and tribulations of becoming a cognitively functioning social being through the patient efforts of a physician, named Dr. Gene Itard. 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Use Of Alfuzosin And Trial Health And Social Care Essay Free Essays

Patients and Methods: A sum of 63 patients showing with a first episode of self-generated AUR related to BPH underwent exigency catheterisation and were so indiscriminately and blindly assigned to have 10 milligrams alfuzosin one time day-to-day or placebo at a ratio of 2:1 for 3 yearss. The efficaciousness standard of this survey was the rate of successful TWOC within 24 hours after catheter remotion. The influence of factors such as age, urine keeping volume, fluid ingestion, irregularity and urinary piece of land infection ( UTI ) on TWOC result was besides assessed. We will write a custom essay sample on Use Of Alfuzosin And Trial Health And Social Care Essay or any similar topic only for you Order Now Acute urinary keeping ( AUR ) represents one of most important and painful events in the natural history of benign prostate hyperplasia ( BPH ) . Up to a 3rd of patients undergoing surgical intervention for BPH present with acute urinary keeping ( AUR ) . [ 1 ] Acute urinary keeping is associated with important anxiousness, uncomfortableness and patient incommodiousness. The impact on patients ‘ health-related quality of life is comparable to an onslaught of nephritic gripes. [ 2 ] The most common cause of urinary keeping is benign prostate hyperplasia. [ 3 ] Acute urinary keeping was one time considered an absolute indicant for prostatectomy but the patients ‘ desire to avoid surgery and development of successful medical direction has led to a more conservative attack normally being adopted. The attack and direction of AUR has undergone a profound alteration over the last decennary. We herein discourse the hazard factors and recent tendencies in the direction of AUR seco ndary to BPH. Between Jan. 2010 and October 2010, 63 patients with a minimal age of 51 old ages with a first episode of self-generated AUR related to BPH and a urine keeping volume of between 500 and 1,500 milliliter at catheterisation were enrolled in a randomised prospective placebo controlled survey done at Medical metropolis, Baghdad. All causes of precipitated AUR were considered as exclusion standards except irregularity and a high fluid consumption to find the specific influence of these two parametric quantities. Work force included in this survey were those older than 50 old ages presented with AUR and have residuary piss greater than 500 milliliters. Patients were excluded when they have neurogenic vesica disfunction, ague or chronic prostatitis, history of prostate and urethral surgery, known vesica rocks, urethral stenosis, coagulum keeping secondary to haematurias of any cause, residuary volume inferior to 500 milliliter or superior to 1,500ml, AUR non related to BPH, and those with o ther diseases including Parkinson ‘s disease, insulin dependant diabetes, multiple induration, stroke or myocardial infarction within the old 6 months, hepatic abnormalcies, neutropenia, nephritic inadequacy, unstable or terrible bosom failure, postural hypotension or faint, known hypersensitivity to ?-blockers, and suspected or diagnosed evolutive neoplastic disease. Patients having sympathomimetics, 5?-reductase inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, anticholinergics, or first coevals antihistamines were besides excluded. At admittance and after the diagnosing of AUR associated with BPH was established, urethral vesica catheterisation was performed. Patients were randomized to have 10 milligrams alfuzosin one time day-to-day or placebo with a ratio of 2 on alfuzosin to 1 on placebo harmonizing to a centrally established randomisation list. The catheter was removed after a lower limit of 2 doses of study drug and each patient received 1 extra tablet the twenty-four hours afte r catheter remotion. Catheterization clip and drained volume at catheterisation every bit good as patient demographic informations, BPH history, and general medical and surgical history were recorded. Clinical scrutiny and standard research lab trials were performed. TWOC was considered successful if the patient returned to satisfactory elimination within the first 24 hours following remotion of the urethral catheter without re-catheterization. No value of post-void residuary piss was specified. Sixty three patients enduring from first episode of AUR due to BPH were prospectively randomized into 2 groups of 42 for alfuzosin and 21 for placebo.The terminal point of the survey was the per centum of successful TWOCs. The influence on TWOC success rate by age, drained volume at catheterisation, active UTI at registration, irregularity before AUR, and unstable consumption within 24 hours before AUR was tested utilizing logistic arrested development method. The per centums of successful T WOC were compared between the groups utilizing chi -square trials. The per centum of patients who experienced at least 1 inauspicious event was lower in the alfuzosin group ( 3 of 40 or 8.4 % ) than in the placebo group ( 3 of 20 or 13.1 % ) . The most often reported event potentially related to ?-blockade in the alfuzosin group was orthostatic hypotension ( 1 of 40 patients or 2.5 % ) . Discussion Pressing prostate surgery performed for AUR consequences in greater morbidity and mortality than the same surgery performed on an elected footing. Surgical intercession in the presence of a urinary catheter can besides take to an increased hazard of sepsis. [ 4-6 ] , potentially lending to the ascertained addition in operative morbidity in this aged group. [ 7,8 ] For illustration, in the survey of Pickard et al 1,242 work forces who presented in AUR and underwent prostatectomy were at increased hazard for perioperative complications and at extra hazard for decease compared to work forces who underwent elected prostatectomy for symptoms entirely. Thus, intervention steps that can avoid pressing surgery or let surgical intercession on an elected footing without the presence of a urinary catheter can be considered of import in the direction of AUR. This survey demonstrates that 10 milligrams alfuzosin one time day-to-day facilitates the return to normal elimination in patients undergoi ng TWOC for a first episode of self-generated AUR and it is good tolerated. It besides confirms that patient age 65 old ages or older and drained volume 1,000 milliliter or greater are risk factors for TWOC failure. Nevertheless, after leting for these 2 factors alfuzosin improved the successful TWOC. Some methodological facets of the survey may foremost be considered. The Study was designed to reflect existent life criterion medical attention in footings of the intervention of work forces in AUR. Thus, the context of the survey was peculiarly hard because it involved patients seen for exigency attention, whereas most clinical surveies in the BPH field are done in the more controlled scene of an outpatient clinic. The usage of a suprapubic catheter for AUR alleviation was considered but the overpowering bulk of published articles on AUR refer chiefly to a urethral catheter for initial direction, reflecting the common usage of this device in clinical pattern. [ 9 ] Therefore, a trans urethral catheter was chosen. While a suprapubic catheter confers advantages in long-run usage, the demand for increased experience, clip and disbursal for this process are non offset by such advantages in the short Term [ 10 ] Catheterization continuance may besides be discussed. In the survey the catheter was removed after 2 doses of study drug that is after 2 or 3 yearss of catheterisation. Sing the high response rate observed in the placebo group ( 35 % ) and the fact that the success rate of TWOC clearly increases with continuance of catheterisation. [ 11 ] it is possible that shorter catheterisation or even in and out catheterisation would hold been an appropriate option. However, there is presently no consensus on this point.The consequences of the current survey are consistent with those antecedently reported with other ?1-blockers [ 12-15 ] and with 5mg alfuzosin twice daily [ 16 ] in little groups of patients in AUR. In the latter double-blind, randomized survey invalidati ng after catheter remotion was successful in 22 of 40 patients ( 55 % ) having alfuzosin vs 12 of 41 ( 29 % ) receiving placebo. This lower placebo response ( 29 % ) may be explained by the shorter continuance of catheterisation ( less than 2 yearss ) , as discussed. Age has been shown to be an of import factor that significantly influences TWOC result. In the old survey done with 5 milligrams alfuzosin twice daily the average age of patients with successful TWOC regardless of intervention was a average 4.5 old ages younger than that in those who failed to invalidate ( p 0.015 ) . [ 16 ] In the current survey, in which no upper age bound was set in the inclusion standards, enabling aged work forces to be included and reflecting the prevalence of AUR, the inauspicious influence of age on TWOC result was once more clearly demonstrated. However, even in aged patients ( age 65 old ages or older ) at high hazard for TWOC failure alfuzosin increased the opportunities of successful elimina tion compared with placebo. The current survey besides confirmed the reported inauspicious influence of big drained volume on TWOC result. [ 17 ] Nevertheless, in patients with a drained volume of 1,000 milliliter or greater who were, therefore, more likely to hold impaired detrusor map a higher per centum of successful TWOCs was observed in the alfuzosin group compared with the placebo group. Other factors normally associated with AUR, viz. irregularity, acute urinary infection and/or high fluid intake were found to hold no important influence on TWOC result. [ 18,9,10 ] The consequences of the current survey are consistent with those reported by Madhu et Al. [ 19 ] Alfuzosin was good tolerated in this population of aged and frail patients with a average age of 69 old ages who were treated in an exigency state of affairs, including 32 % and 15 % with a history of high blood pressure and ischaemic bosom disease, severally. The incidence of inauspicious events or serious inauspicious events was comparable to that of placebo. It must be recognized that, sing the earnestness of the possible mortality/morbidity associated with exigency surgery for AUR and morbidity related to long-run catheterisation, the somewhat higher incidence of postural hypotension ( 2.5 % ) reported with alfuzosin in this acute state of affairs compared with placebo is to be considered negligible. Decision This survey clearly demonstrates that 10 milligrams alfuzosin one time day-to-day is effectual for bettering the opportunity of successful TWOC after a first episode of self-generated BPH related AUR even in aged patients and in patients with a big drained volume who are at increased hazard for TWOC failure. There is no increased hazard of an inauspicious event. The obvious benefit is that work forces can hold the catheter removed quickly and return place without the uncomfortableness and possible morbidity associated with an in situ catheter. Furthermore, in patients necessitating BPH surgery this should lend to diminish the morbidity and mortality normally associated with an acute process. How to cite Use Of Alfuzosin And Trial Health And Social Care Essay, Essay examples

How to Live a Healthy Lifestyle free essay sample

How to live a healthy lifestyle A healthy life will make us feel better and simply live longer , because our body is a complex set of systems that strive for balance . When our body is in balance we feel good and healthy . Therefore , one of the biggest benefits of a healthy life is maintaining this balance and following good habits . What is a healthy life ? A healthy life is all about balance . Eating the right foods , getting plenty of exercise and having a positive attitude are the cornerstones of a healthy life . Include plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits , low fat protein sources , and whole wheat bread and pasta , and drink at least 8 glasses of water to have a healthy diet . Next , we should also get 30 minutes of exercise at least three times a week . Of course we should not smoke , take illegal drugs or abuse alcohol . Find enjoyable hobbies and try to look on positive side of life . We will write a custom essay sample on How to Live a Healthy Lifestyle or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page All of these things will add up to a healthy life and you will reap the benefits . Our personality and mind play an important part of our overall health . We can get this from meditation . Meditation helps us to find our center and quiet our mind . A positive attitude is also very beneficial to our health . It can boost our immune system and protect us from catching every bug that comes along . Healthy food is essential . So , what is healthy food ? Healthy food is food that has low fat content . Unless that fat is poly-unsaturated , mono-unsaturated , or omega 3 . These are some of the good fats . Some of the bad fats are trans and saturated fats . These fats raise your LDL cholesterol , which is the bad cholesterol . Besides that , low sugar content is another plus . Sucrose is the bad kind of sugar . Glucose is the good kind of sugar . Both are sugar , so both are classified as sugar , on the label . For example , raisins that don’t have sugar added still have a lot of sugar , because it’s the good sugar , glucose . Exercise is key for a healthy life as well . One of the biggest problems in Malaysia today is lack of activity . We know it’s good fir us but we avoid it because we’re used to being sedentary . So , we should go to gym every once in a while . Or take a run around our neighborhood . Even taking our dog for a walk is good . Frequent and routine exercise everyday helps boost our immune system and helps prevent the disease of affluence such as heart disease , cardio vascular disease , diabetes and obesity . It also improves mental health and prevent depression . On the other hand , don’t abuse your body . Don’t work out too much because it can cause our body to not function properly when we work out . It is best to leave a day or two off to get back our energy . We should also learn to enjoy ourselves . Don’t stress ourselves over anything . Stress can tense our muscles , which will make us feel unhappy and unwell . If we worry too much about our health , we’ll be making it worse , so just relax once in a while . In conclusion , it’s never too late to start a healthy life . It is not hard to develop healthy habits . It just takes commitment and education . Research our options to start living a healthy life and develop a plan to get our body in it’s peak condition . We will feel better , look better and have better quality of life .

Term free essay sample

ANS:T A contribution of property to a partnership followed by a distribution soon thereafter may be recharacterized as a disguised sale of the property by the partner to the partnership. A disguised sale does not receive tax-deferred treatment under  § 721. PTS:1REF:p. 21-10 3. Jim and Nancy formed an equal partnership on June 1 of the current year. Jim contributed $10,000 cash and land with a basis of $8,000 and a fair market value of $6,000. Nancy contributed equipment with a basis of $14,000 and a value of $16,000. Nancy’s tax basis in her interest is $14,000; Jim’s tax basis is $18,000. ANS:T Jim’s basis includes the $8,000 substituted basis for the contributed land plus $10,000 cash, for a total of $18,000. Nancy’s basis is $14,000, a substituted basis from the contributed equipment. PTS:1REF:Example 7 | Example 14 4. Rachel and Barry formed the equal RB Partnership during the current year, with Rachel contributing $100,000 in cash and Barry contributing land (basis of $60,000, fair market value of $80,000) and equipment (basis of $0, fair market value of ,000). We will write a custom essay sample on Term or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Barry recognizes a $40,000 gain on the contribution and his basis in his partnership interest is $100,000. ANS:F Under  § 721, neither the partnership nor a partner will generally recognize gain or loss on contribution of property to a partnership. Barry’s substituted basis in his partnership interest is his $60,000 basis in the assets contributed ($60,000 basis in land plus $0 basis in equipment). PTS:1REF: Example 8 | Example 9 5. John and Ken formed the equal JK Partnership during the current year, with John contributing $50,000 in cash and Ken contributing land (basis of $30,000, fair market value of $20,000) and equipment (basis of $0, fair market value of $30,000). Ken recognizes no gain or loss on the contribution and his basis in his partnership interest is $30,000. ANS:T Under  § 721, neither the partnership nor a partner will generally recognize gain or loss on contribution of property to a partnership. Ken’s basis in his partnership interest is the $30,000 basis in the assets contributed ($30,000 basis in land plus $0 basis in equipment). PTS:1REF: Example 8 | Example 9 6. Julie is a real estate developer and owns property that is treated as inventory (not a capital asset) in her business. She contributed a parcel of this land (basis $60,000; fair market value $58,000) to a partnership, which ill also hold it as inventory. After three years, the partnership sells the land for $56,000. The partnership will recognize a $4,000 ordinary loss on sale of the property. ANS:T Since the property was not a capital asset in Julie’s hands, the partnership is not subject to the requirement that precontribution losses (realized and recog nized by the partnership within five years of contribution) be treated as capital losses. Example 16 7. The XYZ Partnership, a calendar year taxpayer, was formed on April 1 of the current year. It incurred $23,000 of legal fees on formation. XYZ may deduct $5,000 and amortize the remaining $18,000 over 180 months, for $900 in the current year. ANS:T All organization costs incurred by the end of the first taxable year of the partnership may be expensed (up to $5,000) and the balance amortized over 180 months commencing with the month the taxpayer begins business. PTS:1REF:Example 18 8. PaulCo, DavidCo, and Ralph form a partnership with cash contributions of $80,000, $50,000 and $30,000, respectively, and agree to share profits and losses in the ratio of their original cash contributions. PaulCo uses a January 31 fiscal year-end, while DavidCo and Ralph use a November 30 and December 31 fiscal year-end, respectively. Since PaulCo is a majority partner, this partnership will use a January 31 year-end. ANS:F The partnership has no majority partners, since PaulCo does not own more than 50%. Also, the three principal partners do not have the same year-end. Therefore, the least aggregate deferral method must be used to determine the partnership’s year-end. PTS:1REF:Figure 21-2 9. Meagan purchased her partnership interest from Lisa on the first day of the current year for $30,000 cash.

Free Essays on Sex Tourism, How To Reduce It

REDUCING SEX TOURISM IN SOUTHEAST ASIA:A DISCUSSION OF POSSIBILITIES In the last few decades, sex tourism, particularly within Southeast Asia, has rocketed into a major industry for that region and become a magnet for men all around the world.   Millions of male visitors (both domestic and international) come to this region annually (Ackmar, 1997).   This profusion has led to an outcry from the global community, particularly feminist organizations who believe that prostitution is a crime committed against the bodies of women, and it only further asserts male domination. This paper seeks to explore under what circumstances one could expect to see a significant decline in sex tourism.   It posits that a major lifeline of this trade is linked to the severe economic catastrophe within this region, where it is common for families to send their daughters to the urban centers where they work and send home money. Similarly, it is such a strong source of revenue that many young men have undergone drastic sex change operations, often getting breasts impl ants and make-shift vaginas- hence the term Bangkok chickboy. This paper argues that three major changes would need to take place for a significant reduction in sex tourism to come to pass.   The first, as argued by Leheny (qtd. In Wyllie, 2000) deals with a change in the tourist/guest populations: such as, new desires created by shifts in Southeast Asia’s promotional strategies. Secondly, a change in the labor opportunities faced by the young sex workers may slow the industry due to a lack of supply, and a decreased level of social acceptance.   Thirdly, if the government was strengthened and political stability was maintained, Ahkmar (1997) argues that private sector investment could be put into rural development. A new focus on sustainable, poverty-reducing development could drastically influence sex tourism in Southeast Asia. A change in the methods used to attract tourists and hen... Free Essays on Sex Tourism, How To Reduce It Free Essays on Sex Tourism, How To Reduce It REDUCING SEX TOURISM IN SOUTHEAST ASIA:A DISCUSSION OF POSSIBILITIES In the last few decades, sex tourism, particularly within Southeast Asia, has rocketed into a major industry for that region and become a magnet for men all around the world.   Millions of male visitors (both domestic and international) come to this region annually (Ackmar, 1997).   This profusion has led to an outcry from the global community, particularly feminist organizations who believe that prostitution is a crime committed against the bodies of women, and it only further asserts male domination. This paper seeks to explore under what circumstances one could expect to see a significant decline in sex tourism.   It posits that a major lifeline of this trade is linked to the severe economic catastrophe within this region, where it is common for families to send their daughters to the urban centers where they work and send home money. Similarly, it is such a strong source of revenue that many young men have undergone drastic sex change operations, often getting breasts impl ants and make-shift vaginas- hence the term Bangkok chickboy. This paper argues that three major changes would need to take place for a significant reduction in sex tourism to come to pass.   The first, as argued by Leheny (qtd. In Wyllie, 2000) deals with a change in the tourist/guest populations: such as, new desires created by shifts in Southeast Asia’s promotional strategies. Secondly, a change in the labor opportunities faced by the young sex workers may slow the industry due to a lack of supply, and a decreased level of social acceptance.   Thirdly, if the government was strengthened and political stability was maintained, Ahkmar (1997) argues that private sector investment could be put into rural development. A new focus on sustainable, poverty-reducing development could drastically influence sex tourism in Southeast Asia. A change in the methods used to attract tourists and hen...

Explore Earning an Ed.D Degree

Explore Earning an Ed.D Degree If youre looking into graduate school programs, you are probably inundated with seeing a ton of acronyms. In the educational field, you may have seen the Ed.D. degree referenced. What is an Ed.D. degree? How is it different or is it at all from that of earning a Ph.D. in education? Is one degree better than the other? How can you tell which graduate degree to pursue? The Ed.D. is a doctoral degree in education. Similar to the Ph.D., doctor of philosophy that is awarded in all disciplines, the Ed.D. entails several years of study and the completion of doctoral (and sometimes masters) comprehensive exams as well as a dissertation. Although students of education may seek either the Ph.D. or Ed.D., the Ed.D. is thought to be a  specialized degree in education, entailing applied and professional training comparable to that of the Juris Doctor, or J.D. degree, which is for the legal field. How To Use an Ed.D. Degree Students who choose to pursue an Ed.D. degree can do so for careers in counseling, curriculum development, teaching, school administration, education policy, technology, higher education, or human resources leadership. Upon earning this degree, a person could be a professor or lecturer at a university. Graduates can also pursue work as a school principal or superintendent. Ed.D. vs. Ph.D.: Which One is Better? There has been some debate regarding which degree is better. The Ph.D. is more theoretical and research-based, so it prepares people for careers in the academic arena. The Ed.D., on the other hand, prepares students for careers that solve educational problems. Differences between the two are actually quite minimal. One assessment found that  Ph.D. dissertations contained more multivariate statistics, had wider generalizability and were more prevalent in certain areas of concentration, while Ed.D. dissertations contained more survey research and were most prevalent in educational administration research.   A New Ed.D. On the Way? The degree itself is still at the center of many controversies.   Some people in America say that the programs need to be reformed. They have suggested creating a new doctorate degree for practicing education for people who wish to become  for principals, superintendents, policy coordinators, curriculum specialists, teacher educators, program evaluators, and the like. Then the Ph.D. would be more focused on academia, research, and theory in general. Some experts and scholars say that the difference between the Ed.D. and Ph.D. would then be similar to the difference between having a Ph.D. in biomedicine and becoming a practicing doctor or M.D. One suggestion for the new name of the reformed  degree could be known as the Professional Practice Doctorate (P.P.D.), or it might retain the old name of Ed.D. but be more focused on this distinction.

Article response paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Article response paper - Essay Example They created their president whom they could dictate who got rebelled, and they invaded. To counter resistance you need a few natives on your side. Even if it means buying them you have to do it. Americans collaborated with a native constabulary to try and restore the law and order that was lacking. The responsibility was given to the gendarmerie d’Haiti Resistance should be expected anywhere where individuals feel infiltrated like the case of Haiti where the resurgence of cacoism was witnessed (Plummer 245). In my view methods used by the American military should not be employed when solving a crisis. Shooting at protesters and anybody deemed a rebel is not a diplomatic solution to the crisis. The Americans continued their occupation in Haiti and they even paid spies for information. They continued their dominance by establishing absolute military control over the Haitians. People were oppressed, and only the good could be in the news riots and protests and killings all could be blacked out. Is it not the system in the modern world nowadays where there is censoring of information to the world? The aspect seems to have evolved a long way. To help Haiti develop they build infrastructure and open up the state to investments foreign investors flocked in after all this was an opportunity the Americans had seen. They choose to commercialize agriculture. Plantation farms emerged that wanted to exploit the cheap labor of Haitians. Gayle explains the aggressive nature of the Americans in the process of occupying Haiti. It is evident from the way they could suppress strikes and protests using force, exploitation of cheap labor of Haitians and racial discrimination. As much as the occupation was not accepted well I can say there was economic development in Haiti that was not there before. It may have served the interest of the Americans but at the end of the day it’s happened in Haiti. Conception of a revolutionary idea is not easy to contain. The Haitians

Katy Texas ,Phenommenological features Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Katy Texas ,Phenommenological features - Essay Example In terms of economy, Katy community is surrounded by the headquartered offices known us Igloo Corporation, Academy Sports Outdoors, as well as BP America (Adams, 2012). Katy group has different parks and diversion focus. The sorts of social associations of Katy Community include the Harris County focus, Katy tigers, and the yearly Katy rice Harvest celebration portrays it. Katy group embodies incorporates the City of Katy additionally the huge segments of unincorporated Harris, Fort Bend, and Waller districts and characterized by the limits of the 181 sq mi (470 km2) Katy Independent School District. Most occupants of the zone have a Katy postal location creating some disarray. The Katy open workmanship extend on the region Economic Development Councils "Vitality Grows Here" marking activity are extensive scale ventures that have been propelled to help advertise, recognize and unite the Katy

The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language Essay Example for Free

The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language Essay When you say that something is impasse, it means that something that is being negotiated cannot be resolved or the two contending parties have reached a deadlock. It is a French word that could also mean or pertain to a situation that cannot progress at all due to misunderstanding between the parties concerned. One example of this situation would be the discourse between the employer and the employees regarding their Collective Bargaining Agreement. Labor history could prove that several negotiations of this kind has encountered several deadlocks hence, has become an impasse. It is basically due to the fact that at some points, the two parties concerned are not willing to sacrifice or give in to the conditions of the other. This scenario is very dangerous for it may result to boycott, demonstrations or protests as far as the employees are concerned. And on the other hand, it may result to retrenchment, as far as the employer is concerned. For there are two opposing interests, there would also be equal reactions to the issue concerned. As for me, if I would be the one to resolve this issue, I would find common grounds between the employees and the employer where each of them would benefit with the resolution of their problem. It may be in the form of an increase in the wages for this has been the long concern of workers around the world, and I believe is more just for both of the parties concerned. Through this, I believe this impasse would be resolved. REFERENCE Impasse. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language,: Fourth Edition. 2000: Houghton Mifflin Company: USA.

Women in The Duchess of Malfi and The Changeling Essay -- John Webster

The Duchess in John Webster’s tragic play, The Duchess of Malfi, and Beatrice Joanna in Thomas Middleton and William Rowley’s The Changeling, are both strong women living in a male-dominated society. The two women attempt to free themselves from this subordination by choosing to love that they desire. Both pay with their lives for this chance at freedom, but differ in their moral decisions about how they attempt it. Beatrice Joanna’s plan involves murder, whereas the widowed Duchess merely lives the life she chooses, then plots to leave Malfi. Both women are forced into their actions, but, whereas Beatrice Joanna is Machiavellian in her actions, the Duchess is morally superior. Webster based his play on a real-life 16th Century scandal where a widowed Duchess remarried for love and did so beneath her class. The widowed Duchess had certain advantages and freedoms that the younger and unmarried Beatrice in The Changeling did not. The Duchess had significant wealth and independence, and she need not answer to a father or a husband. She no longer had the burden of protecting her virginity and the stigma attached if it was lost. Beatrice, on the other hand, had little sexual freedom, and she had to answer to her father and to the man to whom she was engaged. However a the Duchess, and Beatrice were doomed to subject to a patriarchal and male-dominated society. Upon her capture the Duchess declares: â€Å"I am Duchess of Malfi still† (4.2.141). She is a duchess only in name. In the end in both tragedies, it is the men –fathers, brothers, suitors, and the Church—who rule by physical force and by law. Moreover, both women are driven by their passions and further choose to defy society by attempting to love who... ...d such harm and destruction. In the end it is Beatrice herself who says it was love that forced her to kill. She ultimately made that moral decision. She confessed to Alsemero at the play’s conclusion, To your bed scandal, I stand up innocent, Which even the guilt of one black other deed Will stand for proof of: your love has made me A cruel murd’ress (5.3.63). Therefore, our sympathies lie with the Duchess, who only desired to live the life she chose. She does her best to protect those she loves, hiding Antonio and caring for the safety of her children to the very end. She murders no one, and before her death forgives all. She is a most noble duchess and a true heroine.

Hinduism: Monotheistic or Polytheistic

Is Hinduism monotheistic, or polytheistic? Polytheism is the belief in, and worship of more than one god. In monotheism, there is belief in and worship of only one god that is a separate entity. I have come to the conclusion that Hinduism is neither, but monistic. On a lower level of truth, there are many different gods and goddesses that are distinct in Hinduism. However, on a higher level of truth, Hindu’s believe â€Å"you and I and God [are] all one-and-the-same in the end† (Course Reader, p. 17). Therefore, in the highest level of truth, Hinduism is monistic—believing that All is One. Over time, Hinduism has evolved from a polytheistic religion to one that is widely monistic. Jews and Muslims would surely say that Hinduism is polytheistic—for them, worship of anything that is not the Supreme Being is a sin. They believe that God cannot manifest into physical form, and certainly cannot be personified. For a Christian, Jesus and the Holy Spirit is not a form or force of God, but is God. Hindus, they argue, commenced to personify the various forces of nature (e. g. , the stars, moon, sun, water, fire, etc. ) and worship them. In the Bible, Paul says â€Å"They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator† (New International Version, Gen. 3. 15), clearly condemning the worship of his creation. It may appear that Hindus worship many separate gods and entities, but it is more complicated than this. They believe that All is One, and therefore worship of anything is ultimately worship of God. In the Rig Veda, every force of nature was personified and worshipped as separate entities—clearly indicative of polytheism (Course Reader 1, p. 25). There is no concept of a Supreme Being, only separate Gods that have separate roles. There is no god that is greater than another. In the Rig Veda, it states that â€Å"Not one of you, gods, is small, not one a little child; all of you are truly great. Therefore you are worthy of praise and sacrifice† (Course Reader 1, p. 26). This demonstrates that the devas are separate and equal entities. The warrior god Indra is eventually elevated to King of the Gods in the Vedic tradition. He is not identified as the Supreme Being however—he still requires sacrifice, and is therefore not omnipotent. Later in the Rig Veda, questions arise concerning creation and death. There are no definitive answers supplied, and no one god is credited with creation (Course Reader 1, p. 33). During this time, Hinduism was unapologetically polytheistic. With the revelation of the Upanishads, Hinduism began to evolve into a monistic tradition. It was revealed that there is one force in the universe, called Brahman, and that our Atman (spiritual self) is a part of this force (Course Reader 1, p. 52). We are not separate from Brahman; our Atman is Brahman. It is revealed that all things come from The One Source, known as Brahman. The One Source becomes an infinite number of things taking on numerous forms, but ultimately there is and always shall be only One (Course Reader 1, p. 59). There is no difference between the contents of the Universe, and the cause of the Universe. Recognition of Brahman is so important that it is the only way to escape samsara, and become spiritually liberated. Acquiring the sacred knowledge of Brahman is the way to salvation (Course Reader 1, p. 60). If we perceive the countless Hindu gods as separate and independent, we are not enlightened. In the early Upanishads, Brahman is neuter. It is the totality of everything, and is completely abstract and without qualities (Course Reader 1, p. 64). This soon changes, with the introduction of Vishnu and Shiva. Vishnu and Shiva eventually become the most prominent gods in the Hindu tradition. They are both widely recognized as the Supreme Beings, but there are disagreements as to which is the most supreme (Course Reader 1, p. 3). The Vedic gods are still worshipped, but are nowhere near as powerful. It is now obvious to me that Hinduism will never me a monotheistic religion, there is far too much variation between its followers, and too many gods that are worshipped. Brahman is still the ultimate force of the universe, and Vishnu is a manifestation of Brahman, as are all of the gods. Brahman is the force that permeates all creation, including our Atman. Therefore, we are Brahman and the gods are Brahman. In this sense we are not separate from the gods, but the same. According to Hinduism, Brahman is the eternal and unchanging force that transcends time and space. The nature of Brahman is described as non-dual and both personal and impersonal. In the Puranas, this force is personified as the Creator God Brahma—while Vishnu and Shiva are being called Brahman simultaneously (Course Reader 1, p. 111). Since the force Brahman is considered to be anyone, whether it be Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma or even Jesus, Hinduism is monistic.

Knowledge Acquisition

Knowledge is obtained through different sources. Personal experiences, tradition, authority and intuition are factors in helping one acquire knowledge. In the human services discipline, these areas are essential in learning how knowledge is attained. Carper’s (1978) four types of knowledge best explain how personal experiences, tradition, authority and intuitions are essential in knowledge acquisition. First and foremost, ethical knowledge pertains to moral issues and one’s judgment based on professional principles and values. Intuition usually tells an individual when an action or event is deemed acceptable by society or not. In the field of human services, it is important to know what is morally good and bad and this can be considered as the strength of ethical knowledge. It helps a human services practitioner determine the action that would result to the improvement of the person’s well-being. However, this is contrary to the characteristics of science which entitles one to be objective wherein biases or value judgments are removed from the scientific process. Human services is a science wherein knowledge is obtained through systematic observations (Monette, Sullivan & De Jong in Hutchison, 2003). Second, aesthetic knowledge is concerned with the art of the disciplines. These arts may be in the form of a systematic process that a practitioner follows in her field (Carper in Walsh and Wigens, 2003). In this case, it can be perceived that the discipline of human services is rigid and static. On the contrary, as a science, it is an open-ended practice wherein discoveries and ideas continue to occur over time. Tradition best exemplifies this case wherein negates the idea that remains the same over time rather, it is dynamic. Third, personal knowledge is obtained from one’s experiences and interactions with his environment (Carper in Walsh and Wigens, 2003).   Personal experiences help one acquire values and biases that he applies to his daily life. It can be argued that personal knowledge cannot be a basis for knowledge because it is not systematic and not based on empirical findings. However, in the discipline of human services, this type of knowledge is essential in understanding behavior and actions of individuals. Lastly, empirical knowledge is based on observations and experimentations. In other words, it is founded on hard data and it is considered a fact. It is acknowledge that the field of human services is a science that strongly relies on empirical data. Since it is such, it is also a transformative process or a never-ending cycle that is constantly tested and questioned (Monette, Sullivan & De Jong in Hutchison, 2003). Facts and information are constantly updated in order to make them more accurate and correct. This is needed in the field of human services because human behavior actions and their meanings are not static. Overall, the four types of knowledge that is applied in the discipline of human services complements and is further reinforced by the characteristics of science. Its being a science does not contradict knowledge acquisition, rather, it strengthens the field in terms of dynamicity, accurateness and precision in gathering information and data. References Hutchison, Elizabeth. (2003). Dimensions of Human Behaviour: Person and Environment. UK: Sage Publications. Walsh, Mark and Lynne Wigens. (2003). Introduction to Research. UK: Nelson Thornes.

We all got issues Professor Ramos Blog

We all got issues Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com Daniel (Danny) Bejarano was diagnosed with depression,bipolar disorders and at the young age of 14 he had started hearing disembodied voices. Later having issues at home he was kicked out and lived on the streets for a year during his high-school years,feeling desperate Danny started getting into trouble like stealing cars so he could have a roof over his head at night.Very quickly Danny knew that his mental health was too much to handle on his own but did not know who he could seek help from. Feeling alone and lost at 22 now shutting himself out of his friends lives and isolating himself do his friends would not see how much pain he was in danny was finding it hard to   even maintain friends because of how problematic his mental illnesses were becoming. Remaining silent about his pain and problems Danny attempted suicide then shortly after he turned to crime and went to prison for years. There he finally felt that he could express his mental health concerns without feeling judged, his friends that made did not push shame him for having these disorders but were thankful that he was still alive. Creating a very strong support group relating to other prisoners about feeling alone and scared when you feel that youre helpless when trying to help yourself, this was a very big step in Danny accepting himself and wanting to get more help for his illness â€Å" I would talk to them about what happened to me and how I suffered†¦ it seemed that they understood more, they knew how I felt†. After getting out of prison Danny met a friend that related to him more than his friends he made while being locked up, Dannys new friend gave him contact information for his psychiatrist. Just after three months from receiving help and guidance from his psychiatrist Danny began to see and feel a change â€Å" he told me that there are ways to change. You can goto any heights you want if you work at it. I still suffer from depression, but now my actions are different. I n o longer want to hurt myself or others.†   Danny along with continuing with his therapist and in his take keeping on his medication he has new purpose and a new outlook on life â€Å" Its possible. Your life can change, simple, just by talking with someone†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Danny wants people go know that they are worth it and never look at it any differently.   According to the American foundation for suicide prevention (AFSP) in this country alone suicide is the 10th leading cause of death, nearly 44,965 Americans die each year to suicide and for every suicide there 25 attempts. A case study was done by   in 2002 right after the tragic terrorist attack on the World trade center. There were over 2,180 participants in that lived in New York for this study,to understand the difference if any on mental health between races. They found that minorities did not have a greater chance of having a mental illnesses such as PTSD but did contract more severe symptoms than the whites. However also finding that other illnesses like panic attacks are twice as likely to be had by Puerto Ricans and African Americans, they explained this to be due to the fact that these races face more decriminalization. Finding that minorities such as Hispanics and Pacific islanders are more likely to report their negative life experiences but receive lower levels of soci al support than whites. There is very little to no support showing that one specific race or ethnicity suffers worse from mental health issues than the other, if we all suffer from mental health why is it still such a taboo for most cultures? Taking into consideration the Hispanic culture, mental illnesses is usually seen as something thats not even real or at least not a big deal. In an article by the Cleveland Clinic discussing how to overcome this taboo of mental health in the Latino community psychiatrists Diana Lorenzo MD says â€Å"Mental health issues have a stigmaMany Latinos would prefer to ignore these conditions over talking about them openly.† I do agree that it does have a stigma, but stating that Latinos prefer to ignore problems rather than discussing them does not seem accurate. In a article written by each mind matters a website providing awareness and information on mental health topics they present a Surgeon General report showing that 20% of Latinos showing psychological distress goto a physician while 10% goto a actual mental health specialist and when they received support about their mental health they utilize services more than non- Latinos. Its not that the Latino community does not want to help one another with these challenges being mental illness, it could very possibly be they just dont know how to or feel the shame for wanting to get information to get help on these issues. This may be a language barrier or the negative connotations it has, even when Latinos speak out help many of them do not receive care or treatments needed.   Mental health America reports that 17.8% of the U.S population are estimated to be Hispanic or Latino and of those over 15% had a diagnosable mental illness in the past year. Suicide rates for middle aged white men is more common than other genders and races but now at 15.1% of suicide attempts by teenage Latinas the numbers are growing fast,only 9.8% of their white peers, both female and male attempt taking their own life as teenagers. It is reported by salud america that this is higher than non-stop Hispanic white females and Hispanic males. Being that more than 1 out of 4 Latina high-schoolers report that they have thought about committing suicide. Awareness for mental health should start in the home, in the form of conversations and services, 8% of Latinos say their children have some for of access to mental health services opposed to 14% of white peers. How can we help people that feel they cant speak out with the problems they have especially regarding mental health? Understanding that we all battle with some form of mental health illness would be a good start, praising one another for reaching out to get help instead of shaming. If you take anything away from this let it be this mental health help and awareness takes many forms, talking to close friends and family, a therapist or psychiatrist even some schools have mental health services or any outreach programs online. Mental health does not look the same for everyone not does getting help for it. Work cited â€Å"Latino/Hispanic Communities and Mental Health.†Ã‚  Mental Health America, 9 July 2018, mentalhealthamerica.net/issues/latinohispanic-communities-and-mental-health#Source 1. â€Å"NAMI.†Ã‚  NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness, nami.org/Find-Support/Diverse-Communities/Latino-Mental-Health. â€Å"Overcoming Mental Health Stigma in the Latino Community.†Ã‚  Google Search, Google, google.com/amp/s/consultqd.clevelandclinic.org/overcoming-mental-health-stigma-in-the-latino-community/amp/. Ramirez, Amelie. â€Å"Mental Health Latino Kids: A Research Review.†Ã‚  Salud America, 9 Oct. 2018, salud-america.org/healthy-minds-research. â€Å"Stories.†Ã‚  Each Mind Matters, eachmindmatters.org/stories/?story_category=latino-storiesstory_tag=suicide-attemptsstory_type=. â€Å"Suicide Statistics.†Ã‚  AFSP, afsp.org/about-suicide/suicide-statistics/. â€Å"Suicide Statistics.†Ã‚  AFSP, afsp.org/about-suicide/suicide-statistics/. â€Å"Understanding the Rise in Suicide Attempts in Latina Teens.†Ã‚  The Role of High School Teachers in Preventing Suicide (SPRC Customized Information Page) | Suicide Prevention Resource Center, 1 Jan. 1970, sprc.org/resources-programs/understanding-rise-suicide-attempts-latina-teens.

Quand on Parle du Loup French Proverb Meaning

Quand on Parle du Loup French Proverb Meaning Expression: Quand on parle du loup (on en voit la queue) Pronunciation: [ka(n) to(n) parl du loo] Meaning: Speak of the devil (and he appears) Literal translation: When you talk about the wolf (you see its tail) Register: normal Notes The French proverb quand on parle du loup is used just like the English speak of the devil, when you are talking about someone who arrives right then or shortly after. Its interesting that in both expressions, the talked-about person is referred to as mean or evil- the devil is worse than a wolf, of course, but the latter is still considered a savage animal. Its also intriguing that in English, the devil appears completely, so to speak, while in French you only see the loups tail. Somehow the latter seems more ominous as if its sneaking up on you. Example Je pense que Benoà ®t est un vrai... tiens, Benoà ®t  ! Quand on parle du loup  ! I think Benoà ®t is a real... hey, Benoà ®t! Speak of the devil!

The Rainmaker Film Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Rainmaker Film - Movie Review Example Nevertheless, The Rainmaker did relatively well and its actors got good reviews. Its director, Francis Ford Coppola, who also did the screenplay, got positive comments as well. According to Roger Ebert, "I have enjoyed several of the movies based on Grisham novels ... but I've usually seen the storyteller's craft rather than the novelist's art being reflected. ... By keeping all of the little people in focus, Coppola shows the variety of a young lawyer's life, where every client is necessary and most of them need a lot more than a lawyer." (Ebert) The plot of the movie revolves much around Rudy Baylor, a young lawyer who would have wanted to make it big in very first case that he handles. Being the central figure, the main conflict of the film dwells on his first legal challenge, a case regarding a family's struggle to make an insurance company pay for the surgical operation of a son afflicted with leukemia. While doing so, Baylor also has to deal with the conflict between making money a priority as a lawyer and standing up for the 'small people' against a huge unscrupulous insurance firm, Great Benefit, and its host predatory lawyers led by Leo Drummond. The conflict between making his profession as a milking cow and dignifying it by accommodating a worthy cause of the less-privileged is even made more intense as Baylor is partnered by a six-time bar flunker, Deck Schifflet. Schifflet tries to convince him to do everything, including illegal methods, just to win the case and bag a huge sum of attorney's fees from the defenda nt insurance company. Acknowledging Schifflet's rich experience and his grave lack of it, Baylor later agrees to the suggestions especially when he developed a passion in fighting for the oppressed claimants. At one point the conflict between self-interest and the interests of his lowly clients peaked seemingly when has to take measures in helping the woman he loved, Kelly Riker, from a violently abusive husband. All these conflicts, of course, are resolved at the end of the movie. Baylor and his clients, the Blacks, won the case against Drummond and Great Benefit. This has been done partly because of the Baylor's litigation skills and Schifflet's off-hand tactics. However, an Afro-American judge with a good background in civil rights also contributed much to the victory. Drummond and Great Benefit, in a desperate but wicked move to save the insurance firm's profits filed for bankruptcy and got it. The Blacks never won the amount of money they want to claim. Baylor and Schifflet never got the millions of attorney's fees they worked hard for. Nevertheless, the movie ends with a lesson that a truly worthy cause cannot be bought by any amount of money. Baylor did not get the huge amount he and Schifflet dreamed for but wins friends, respect and a good promising future in the legal profession. As icing on the cake, he also wins Kelly. Matt Damon plays the role of Rudy Baylor. While some roles are tailor-made for an actor, Damon's case in The Rainmaker is different. He just naturally fits the role. He has no physical features that may grant him the usual star qualities according to the standards of Hollywood. His acting is not really as convincing as most other stars. However, in this particular film, Damon's acting fits the role perfectly. Baylor's character is that of freshman lawyer who is lacking in confidence while beset with

Home Care Of Our Elderly Citizens Research Proposal

Home Care Of Our Elderly Citizens - Research Proposal Example This umbrella group acts as advocate and activist against the growing weight of political change and governance for our future elder care. Therefore, I have decided to focus this study on the work of UKHCC, to explore three specific areas that are consistently in the media and of concern to both the recipients of care and the deliverer of care services in the UK. My reason for considering this specific area of concern is that we are working in a demographic time bomb of care; as our elderly population grows, and our current elders continue to live beyond higher age trends; we are seeing a growing need to re-address, re-appraise and debate the future of care for ourselves and our elderly. At this stage it is important to discuss the work of UKHCC, to offer understanding to the wider concerns that will be explored by the research being proposed. Its own website describes its focus, which appropriately give reference to its remit: "United Kingdom Home Care Association Ltd (UKHCA) is the professional association of home care providers from the independent, voluntary, not-for-profit and statutory sectors. UKHCA helps organisations that provide social care, which may include nursing services, to people in their own homes, promoting high standards of care and providing representation with national and regional policy-makers and regulators. The Association represents over 1,500 members across the United Kingdom, in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland". www.ukhcc.org.uk (2006) Having now introduced the nature of the potential enquiry we can now move to briefly consider the current debate in literature that has informed the initial interest in this project subject and hypothesis proposed. Literature Review The culture of care has in recent years been debated and discussed within academic circles to the point where this debate now firmly focused on developing a wider theoretical understanding of this concept within the context of delivery. We shall consider briefly the three objectives within the context of current literature and academic debate. This will allow for an informed and guided focus for the potential research study that is being planned. Therefore to offer justice to the wealth of literature we would use the terms "care and home care" to be the context of our ensuring discussion that will offer a key conceptual analysis of the UKHCC, that will be the subjects of this, proposed study. This will afford firstly, an overview of: the legislation that informs delivery of home care provision in the SME's UKHCC represents; Secondly, the training

Features of contract law Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Features of contract law - Coursework Example An invitation to treat is an expression of willingness to enter into negotiations that may in future materialize in a contract. Therefore, an invitation to treat is the preliminary step that precedes a contract, and that may or may not turn into a contract. The case of Gibson v Manchester City Council (1979) is illustrative in this regard. As the distinction have now become clear between an offer and invitation to treat – the question whether the advertisement in the newspaper placed by Ahmed amounts to an offer or an invitation to treat. According to the rule contained in Pattridge v Crittenden (1968) an advertisement does not amount to an offer, instead it is an invitation to treat. However, an exception to this rule is contained in Carlill v Carbolic Smokeball that advertisements could, in certain situation, turn into an offer themselves and would just beckon an expression of acceptance to seal the contract. Ahmed’s advertisement in this situation amounts to a unilat eral offer – an offer that only requires acceptance. Evidence of this found in the words ‘acceptance to be confirmed by 22nd July’. ... A conclusion can be drawn from this case that postal rule, an antiquated rule indeed, is only applicable to non-instantaneous forms of communication. Therefore, by analogy it could be held that postal rule will not apply to emails, which is virtually instantaneous will not governed by this rule. Lord Denning further held in this case that acceptance by telex machine took place where it was received, rather than where it was sent. This approach has been confirmed by the House of Lords in The Brimmes (1975) and Brinkibon Ltd v Stahag Stahl (1983). However, these two cases particularly deal with the issue of time of acceptance. In The Brimnes (1975) the issue was whether a withdrawal of the contract was effective when it was received or when it was actually read. Megaw LJ unequivocally held that acceptance is effective and valid when it is expected to be read not when it is actually read. Which in turn means that acceptance would be valid when it is received not when the recipient, thro ugh some fault of his own, failed to read it on time when it was expected to read. Megaw LJ put the judgment in the following words:   Ã¢â‚¬Å"if a notice arrives at the address of the person be notified, at such a time and by such a means of communication that it would in the normal course of business come to the attention of that person on its arrival, that person cannot rely on some failure of himself or his servants to act in a normal businesslike manner in respect of taking cognisance of the communication†. However, in the present situation the acceptance by email has been received at Ahmed’s PC at 5:39pm and that is beyond office hours. It cannot be expected to have been read by Ahmed beyond office hours, but it could be argued that the

Negotiation styles

Negotiation styles Summary: First of all we will know what was the meaning of Negotiation Styles. The negotiation styles are nothing but the way of culture,behavior,skills of th people of different organizations. The negotiation styles are different for different people in different regions the negotiation styles of the people vary from one region to another region. In a international business organization If we go to another country and if we make decisions on our own we may able to give a bad decision in that country because the decision taken by our own was not more reliable than the decision of the people of that country hence the negotiation styles plays a key role in making in a better decision in international business organization. For example let us compare the negotiation styles of two countries in a international business organization. An England clothes manufacturer Peter England has found by researching that the the manufacturing of formals would save them up to 80 % on their cost of production of the same items produced in India.The company decided to send the England negotiators to india to make an agreement to make a best deal with Indians The planning and production manager hired me to give a advice to give a advice to his team to make a best deal with the Indians. I made a PEST and SWOT analysis of Indias macro and micro environments. This analysis shows me that Indian culture has unequal distribution of wealth and power. A personal relationship with Indians would help the team to run negotiation process easily and profitably. 1.1 Clients Description: My client of peter England is a clothes manufacturer who was one of the famous manufacturer in manufacturing the formal clothes. 1.2 Clients Description of Problem: The client has has arised a problem for me tthat â€Å"Our planning and production department had a research and found that if Peter England outsources the production of formal clothes in India to a third partywe can save upto 80% of the current costs of production of the this items. These savings include with the human resources cost and equipment maintenance, insurance of plant production and material, employees, transport etc. A negotiators team to be sent to India to make a discussion and negotiate on the cost of production of formal wears. It was necessary for the team of negotiators to fully understand the Indian culture. since the production margin of peter England in manufacturing the formal wear was been saved. The margin of the production of the product depends on the negotiators and the skills bring up by them. 1.3 What the Client requires of Me: The manager of the planning and production , Mc Farland approached me and asked me to give a suggestion to the team of negotiators to increase the margin of production of the product making a deal with the negotiators of India.The client also asked me to give a detailed information about the cultural differences between the England and India.He also asked me about the detailed description of the negotiation styles in India and how it is carried on the culture of India.So that it would help the team of negotiators in achieving their targets. 1.0 Overview of the situation The client had made a research and had had decided that he had a potential to save up to 80 % in manufacturing the formal clothes of his company Peter England. However the potential of savings in manufacturing the product depends on the team of negotiators who are being sent ot India. It is very important that they understand the Indian culture and market to get the best possible results.They should understand the values, interests, goals, ethical principles and assumptions of the Indian culture.Hence the success of the project depends up on the team of negotiators who must understand the ethics,culture of the Indians an their ability to compete with them for the best. The team of negotiators should have a SWOT analysis to understand the depth. I is also essential for the team to to have a PEST analysis in terms of its political, economic, social and technological issues and conditions in the Indian environment. 2.0 Analysis of the situation According to Moran and Stripp (1991), negotiation takes place when two or more parties have both common and conflicting interests and interact with one another for the purpose of reaching a mutually beneficial agreement. 3.1 PEST analysis: PEST is the acronyms for Political, Economic, Social and Technological. This analytical tool is used by companies to analyse the overall environment or the macro environment of a country and industry before entering into business with them. 1. Political The political environment of India is quite safe. It is the policy of Indian government to facilitate western companies to invest and outsource their operation to India. The negotiators must have an in depth knowledge of Indian laws and regulation regarding foreign investors. 2. Economic Indias economic condition is also good. It is rapidly becoming the hub for investment from western world in south Asia. Indian Rupee has gained strength in the recent times which shows that the market is growing and gaining strength. Also the difference between the US dollar and Indian rupee will enable the client to pay handsomely to the manufacturers in India and yet keep their costs low because 1 US dollar is worth 50 Indian Rupees (approximately). This would help in getting the loyalty of India manufacturers. 3. Social The Indians are highly inspired and influenced by the Americans. The Indian society is quite acceptable of western cultures. There is also a tendency of psychological inferiority on part of the Indians as the Indian sub continent has been ruled by the westerners (British) for a hundred years. The negotiators might like to take advantage of these facts and talk the Indian team into their required results. However, they need to remember that in order to make best use of their visit, the team must get in friendly terms with the Indians. This can only be achieved through socialising outside office hours. These social events might include going to restaurants, bars, clubs etc together. Also, the negotiators should be able to see beyond the role of Indian negotiators and should be able to find out the hidden interests and priorities of their counterparts. 4. Technology Indian is on its way to becoming the main technology hub of the east. High quality and latest technology of all sorts is available in India. Any machinery required for the production plant can be obtained from India or otherwise can be imported from China at low cost. 3.2 SWOT analysis SWOT is an acronym for strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats. Here, SWOT analysis is used to analyse the micro environment in India. 1. Strengths The Indian society is open and friendly towards the westerners. The government has made laws to support foreign investors The negotiators being westerners will have a psychological edge over their Indian counterparts. Beauty Expressed Inc. will be able to pay attractive amounts to the Indian manufacturers and yet keep their cost low due to the difference in the two currencies. Also India is famous for its high quality fabric and low cost productions. 2. Weakness The Indian culture is very different from the US culture and therefore their negotiating styles and ways are much different from each other and work on entirely different variables from each other. For example, in the Indian culture, it is more important to secure a good relationship with the other partyeven if you have to losesomething. Whereas, in the US culture, getting the most out of the deal is more important than keeping the other party happy. 3. Opportunities The client would be able to save huge amounts due to the availability of low cost labour in India. 4. Threats There can be potential delivery issues as deadlines are considered flexible in the Indian culture where as they are considered absolute in the US culture. In addition to this, the US negotiators might not be able to achieve their targets if they fail to understand the variables working behind the attitudes of Indian negotiators. 3.3 Overall Analysis: In order to understand the Indian culture so that the appropriate negotiation style and technique can be adopted, we would use Hofstedes Five Cultural Dimensions. Hofstede calculated the cultural dimensions of many countries which can be accessed on his website in the form of graphs. We will use these to analyse the Indian culture. 1. Power Distance Index Hofstedes Power distance Index measures the extent to which the less powerful members of organizations and institutions accept and expect that power is distributed unequally.(www.clearlycultural.com) As the figure 1 shows that PDI for India is 77 against a world average of 56.5 (Fig 2) and that of US which is only 40. This indicates a high level of discrimination in Indian society with regard to power and wealth. 2. Individualism Individualism means the degree to which individuals are integrated into groups. (www.clearlycultural.com). Figure 1 one shows that the IDV for India is at 55 against that of US at 91 and a world average at 50. This shows that the Indian culture is inclined more towards collectivism rather than individualism. 3. Masculinity Masculinityrefers to the distribution of roles between the genders in a culture. (www.clearlycultural.com)India has Masculinity as the third highest ranking Hofstede Dimension at 56, with the world average just slightly lower at 51(Fig 2) 4. Uncertainty Avoidance Index Uncertainty avoidance deals with a societys tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity. (www.clearlycultural.com) UAI for India is 40(Fig 1) as compared to a world average of 65 (Fig 2). This shows that the Indian culture is open to new and unknown vistas. (Greet Hofstede Cultural dimensions, 2009) 5. Long-term Orientation Long-term Orientation deals with Virtue regardless of Truth. Values associated with Long Term Orientation are thrift and perseverance. Indias Long Term Orientation (LTO) Dimension ranks 61 against that of USA at 29 (Fig 1) in the graph, while the worlds average is at 48(Fig 2). This huge difference must be note as it shows how differently the two cultures operate. The Indians would concentrate more on building a long term relationship while doing business with another party whereas, the Americans would focus just on getting the job at hand done. The LTO score indicates that the culture is perseverant and parsimonious. ( http://www.geert-hofstede.com/) 4.0 Solutions and Recommendations A thorough analysis of the Indian culture, its comparison with the American culture and its SWOT and PEST analyses reveal that the Indian market is very suitable for outsourcing the manufacturing of T-shirts and trousers. In order to achieve their target, the team of negotiators must keep in mind the following. Choose the appropriate strategy by developing a personal relationship with their Indian counterparts. As we have seen that the Indians are more prone to concentrate on building a long term relationship, the negotiators should try to cash this attribute and ask for their required targets. Project the correct personal and organisational images. Study and understand the basic cultural differences and intelligently use this information. Ask the most relevant questions. These might be outside the business area but will help in making the process of negotiation smooth. Offer and request the appropriate types of concessions at the right time. Here the tendency of the Indian culture to develop long term relations again plays a vital role. Indian manufacturers can be very loyal and giving if they are promised a long term partnership ie, the negotiators should capitalise on the long term orientation of the Indian culture. Remain focused on their targets but show flexibility in order to achieve them. This would ensure a smooth and fruitful negotiation. The team should try to impress and keep in hand the leader of the Indian negotiation team. This means that they should capitalise on the tendency of the Indian culture to respect and accept difference in power. Beauty Expressed Inc.s team should focus on a people oriented negotiation rather than a task oriented discussion. They should give more importance to the team lead of the Indian team. The negotiators should not adopt a sequential style of negotiation in fact they should adopt the holistic style of negotiation and deal with the problem as a whole. This implies that they should not try splitting the problem into parts. The negotiators should try to use a collaborative style and create a win-win situation. This would not only help them achieve their goals but would also help them create a long term relation with their Indian counterparts. 5.0 Forecasts and Outcomes The project of outsourcing manufacturing of T-shirts and trousers to an Indian company is feasible. However, the positive outcome of this project depends entirely on the success of negotiation between the team from Beauty Expressed Inc. and their Indian counterparts. This is possible if the team follows the above mentioned recommendations and be sensitive to Indian culture, its demands, dimensions and variables upon which it works.

NHS Balanced scorecard Essay -- British Health Care, Politics

This part of the assignment will discuss balanced scorecard that has been implemented by UK National Health Service (NHS), how it has influenced and impacted upon the performance measures of this organisation. ‘Since its launch in 1948, the NHS has grown to become the world’s largest publicly funded health service. NHS employs more than 1.7m people and deals on average with 1m patients every 36 hours. It is also one of the most efficient, most egalitarian and most comprehensive. Even though NHS services in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are managed separately and each might have some system differences, they remain similar in most respects and belong to a single, unified system. The NHS core principle is that good healthcare should be available to all, regardless of wealth.’ (NHS, 2010) Success of NHS depends on how well the organisation balance quality and customer (patient) satisfaction with adequate financing and long-range goals. Health care organisations such as NHS must deal with government oversight, managed care, new technologies, and increasing pharmaceutical prices. The NHS has adopted a performance measurement system that is based on the concept of balanced scorecard in order to obtain a broader view of performance within the organisation (Department of Health, 2001). Although, measuring performance evaluation of health care system could be difficult, it can on the other hand serve several purposes and can help facilitate change and improvements in the effectiveness and quality of health care. It seems peculiar to focus on performance measures in organisation such as NHS, but even NHS is facing increasing competitive pressures when considering ageing populations increasing demand, improved treatment... ...t in public/patient accountability, service efficiency and staff involvement to a highly prominent level. Government has developed ‘Star Ratings’ system which monitors improvements in accountability measures. The experience of the ‘Star Ratings’ system in respect of service efficiency indicates that it is prudent to act pro-actively rather than re-actively. It is vital to consider that the Government is expecting demonstrable improvements in health services rather than rhetoric alone (Radnor and Lovell, 2003). ‘Though it is intricate to demonstrably prove in quantitative terms that the balanced scorecard can deliver efficiency improvements at the start of its implementation, it can be shown in quantitative terms that a well designed fully cascaded balanced scorecard system should address the needs of a health care system. ’ (Radnor and Lovell, 2003, p. 105)

Discuss the Role of Malaysian Aob

Discuss the role of Malaysian AOB (Audit Oversight Board) When was the AOB set up? The Audit Oversight Board (â€Å"AOB†) is established under Part IIIA of the Securities Commission Act 1993 (â€Å"SCA†) which came into force on 1 April 2010 to promote and develop an effective audit oversight framework and to promote confidence in the quality and reliability of audited financial statements in Malaysia. The chronology of events of establishing AOB in Malaysia is as follow: September to October 2007: Budget 2008 Announcement by YAB PM – â€Å"Government will establish a Public Companies Accounting Oversight Board under the auspices of the SC†.Consultations held with industry groups and regulators. January to April 2008: Appropriate audit oversight framework for Malaysia Securities Commission (Amendment) Bill 2009 which contains the establishment and functions of the AOB passed in both Houses of Parliament. December 2009 Securities Commission (Amendment) Bill 2009 which contains the establishment and functions of the AOB passed in both Houses of Parliament. 1 April 2010 Part IIIA Securities Commission (Amendment) Act 2010 came into force. (Establish of Audit Oversight Board) What is it supposed AOB to do?Under Part IIIA of the SCA 1993, AOB is responsible to 5 major functions in order to assist the Security Committee (SC), which listed as below: (i)Standard setting AOB has the power to direct the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) to establish, adopt, amend, modify, alter or by any combined ways, the auditing and ethical standards to be applied by registered auditors. It is also responsible to implement policies and programmes in ensuring an effective audit oversight system in Malaysia. (ii)Registration Auditors of public interest entities (PIEs) must register and recognized by AOB to ensure the auditing process is fit and proper.It is an offence for non-registration. (iii)Sanctions AOB has the power to impose appropriate sanction s against registered auditors who fail to comply with auditing and ethical standards. (iv)Inspection In accordance with Section 31V(1) of Part IIIA of the SCA, the registered audit firm and auditor will be subject to inspections by the AOB to assess the degree of compliance withthe auditing and ethical standards by the auditor and the quality of the audit reports prepared by the auditor relating to the audited financial statements of the PIEs. v)Inquiry Section 31W of the SCA on the other hand empowers AOB to conduct an inquiry if there is a reason to believe that any auditor has contravened any provisions of Part IIIA of the SCA, any condition imposed under section 31O(4) of the SCA or any written notice or guidelines issued by the SC. Why do we need an AOB? The need of audit oversight board (AOB) is to make sure all audit procedure is follow probably by the auditor. By doing this it is means that AOB is the one who check the work of audit.In other way it as act audit oversight fra mework in Malaysia. It is important to have AOB is because by doing so, audit work are more reliable. Besides that, AOB needed to promote confidence in the quality and reliability of audited financial statements in Malaysia. There are many cases which involve the quality of audited reported such as Enron, Parmalat, World Com, Transmile and etc. By having a more independent party the AOB, which promote more confidence and reliable report. Thus create interest for investor to invest in Malaysia market.What is the AOB achieved so far? Based on the news of AOB on ‘The Edge’ magazine on 4 October 2012. AOB has formed an official collaboration in audit oversight with the Japan Financial Services Authority and the Certified Public Accountants Audit Oversight Board (CPAAOB). â€Å"This collaboration would facilitate audit regulators to oversee cross border audits towards enhancing the soundness of the securities markets and investor protection in the respective countries,† said by chairman Nik Mohd Hasyudeen YusoffThe SC said the collaboration was the AOB’s first arrangement with other regulators outside the Asean region. The official cooperation will allow the audit regulators to share information upon request, with respect to foreign audit firms that fall within the respective regulatory jurisdiction. This will, eventually, promote the confidence of overseas users in using the audited reports in Malaysia. What are the findings and consequences of AOB so far? After the establishment of AOB, there are a certain major change in the audit field.All audit firm are require to register their company with AOB in Malaysia. The register of audit firm is need for AOB to continue measuring the audit work of the firm. Based on AOB, every company partner will be measure their work every few year. Audit partner licenses will also be forfeit if found their work are not in tit he correct procedure. This action, have cause many auditor to do more work or mo re working paper. By doing so, much cost will be incurred to the audited firm.The reason auditor doing so is to search for more audit evidence and also to avoid being sack as an auditor. On 16 July 2012, there are partner being penalized by AOB after few year of establishment of AOB. The senior partner of a mid-tier accounting firm is the first auditor to be penalized for breaching a condition imposed when he registered with the board. Last Thursday, Alvin Tee Guan Pian of UHY Malaysia was reprimanded for â€Å"failure to comply with the relevant requirements of the recognized auditing standards in Malaysia i. . the International Standards on Auditing†. ( Enrol Oh, Starbiz, 2012) Audit oversight board is also given the power to penalized a auditor if found misstatement in audit report. By doing so, the auditor report are more reliable to external user due to there is another independent body which is the AOB involve in the Malaysia audit field. In a whole, the establish of AO B had promote more advantage to the audit firm compare to disadvantage. It is similar to what other countries have experienced?Malaysia are not the first country which establish AOB, but Malaysia are the 2nd country in ASEAN country and top 10th is Asian country which establish AOB. This has show that Malaysia auditing practices are following the improvement of international standard. Besides that, also show Malaysia is concern about the change in accounting standard to other country. AOB in other countries which have already establish are similarly same in their function of standard setting, registration, sanctions, inspection and inquiry.

Heroes and Villains in Postmodernism Essay

Postmodernism is a creative movement that is said to have originated in the 1950s. As the name suggests, it is the successor of modernism, and the development of postmodernism is visible in not only literature, but also other creative disciplines such as architecture, music, fashion, film and painting. Postmodernism was created as a reaction to its predecessor, and its â€Å"rational, scientific, and historical aspects†. This results in postmodernism being self-conscious, ironic, and experimental, concerned with the instability and unreliability of language, and with epistemology, the study of what knowledge is. In saying this, the purpose of postmodernism is not to shock the bourgeoisie world, as the avant-garde movement arguably does, but to challenge it- both by reducing it to its natural state, and by seeing how far it can be stretched beyond its existing ideas. Postmodernism does this by introducing deconstruction and disintegration to question our ideas of certainty, identity and the truth; and by the use of hyperreality, pastiche, bricolage, recurring characters, irony, authorial intrusions, non-linear narrative and self-reflexivity to bring more attention to the world outside of the text as a part of the world inside it. There is a true breakdown of what we know to be true, what we expect, and what we are able to believe, and this is certainly reflected in the depictions of heroes and villains within postmodernist texts. This investigation looks into the role of heroic and villainous characters in postmodernist texts, the aspects of the postmodern world that is portrayed by these characters and how they developed, in relation to the societal and political changes that were gasoline to the flames of postmodernism. The characters that will be used to  investigate this are the superhero Batman, and one of his arch-nemeses The Joker, using the films Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, both directed by Christopher Nolan, and the graphic novels Joker written by Brian Azzarello, and The Killing Joke, written by Alan Moore; Shrek from the film Shrek, directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson; Billy Pilgrim from the novel Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut; and Patrick Bateman from the novel American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis. These texts represent the wide-ranging reaches of postmodernism, including both what people may class as â€Å"literature† and â€Å"mass culture† as distinctive examples of postmodernism. However, in studying these texts, it is clear to see the disordered nature of postmodernism by the creation of the antihero- a protagonist who lacks the traditional heroic qualities, who is flawed, who the audience is ultimately able to recognise themselves in. How do the texts themselves reflect postmodernism? The literary label of â€Å"postmodernism† can be applied liberally, and encompasses a large number of texts, with differing postmodern qualities found in each one. However, over the range of texts that is being investigated in this report, there are some aspects that stand out more clearly than others. As this report focuses on heroes and villains within the texts, we will firstly look at the texts that were used to analyse the characters of Batman and the Joker. The texts used to study the Batman include The Dark Knight, Batman Begins, Joker, and The Killing Joke. All of these texts are set in the fictional city of Gotham, New York, which is a postmodern setting that makes us aware of facing widespread social meltdown in which it is becoming increasingly more difficult to make a separation between law and anarchy, heroism and terrorism, and sanity and madness. This shifting, sliding, disintegrating world is clearly portrayed in all of Nolan’s, Moore’s and Azzarello’s work. This postmodern setting, an arguably dystopian Gotham, is infested with crime and corruption, and fear and mistrust is abound- the people of the city cannot trust the authorities, nor can they trust any of the social or political institutions that they were brought up to believe in. This reflects the postmodern idea of disintegration- the dissolving of social norms and institutions on which many people based their lives, the removal of the â€Å"absolute†. The issues  that the citizens of Gotham face are not merely about right and wrong, or good and evil, they are vicious moral dilemmas presented by psychopathic and unpredictable villains. Also, the hyperrealistic nature of the violence that is depicted in both the films and the graphic novels is also a postmodern aspect of these texts. For example, in the graphic novel, Joker, when a mob boss who went against the Joker was flayed alive and paraded on to a strip club stage; or when Harvey Dent’s hired detective/thug is shot in the head and hung upside down from a tree on the grounds of Dent’s mansion and Dent finds him in the morning, dripping brain matter over his newspaper. Hyperreality is a deliberate blurring of the boundaries between fantasy and reality, and the portrayal of hyperreal violence in postmodern texts is common, as they distort reality through a trivialization of violence and the effects it has upon human beings. Hyperreal violence is also found in the novel American Psycho, in which Patrick Bateman, a yuppie Wall Street banker by day, and psychotic murderer by night, commits gruesome murders and sexual acts constantly throughout the novel, which are described with chillingly accurate detail. By the end of the novel, the reader is numbed to the graphic descriptions of violence and gore, accepting them as part of his everyday life, just as normal as him going to work and engaging in mindless conversation with his colleagues. However, in American Psycho, the most obvious, and most often seen, characteristic of postmodernism is its constant references to brand names, pop culture and the corporate world that Bateman is a part of. As the novel is written in a stream-of-consciousness style from Bateman’s point of view, the reader sees his thoughts as he passes shallow, superficial judgment on virtually everyone he sees. Bateman’s thoughts as he and his girlfriend Evelyn attend a party are a good indication of the tone of the novel: â€Å"Evelyn and I are by far the best-dressed couple. I’m wearing a lamb’s wool topcoat, a wool jacket with wool flannel trousers, a cotton shirt, a cashmere V-neck sweater and a silk tie, all from Armani. Evelyn’s wearing a cotton blouse by Dolce do Gabbana, suede shoes by Yves Saint Laurent, a stenciled calf skirt by Adrienne Landau with a suede belt by Jill Stuart, Calvin Klein tights, Venetian-glass earrings by Frances Patiky Stein, and  clasped in her hand is a single white rose that I bought at a Korean deli before Carruthers’ limousine picked me up. Carruthers is wearing a lamb’s wool sport coat, a cashmere/vicuà ±a cardigan sweater, cavalry twill trousers, a cotton shirt and a silk tie, all from Hermà ¨s. (â€Å"How tacky,† Evelyn whispered to me; I silently agreed.) Courtney is wearing a triple-layered silk organdy top and a long velvet skirt with a fishtail hem, velvet-ribbon and enamel earrings by Josà © and Maria Barrera, gloves by Portolano and shoes from Gucci.† The constant allusions to brand names, fashion trends and collections, make the novel a part of, and a product of, the world outside of the text, the consumerist society we have today. Unlike the fictional, dystopian city that Batman and the Joker live in, Bateman lives in a world that we are easily able to relate to- our world. We, as the reader, have our attention called to the fact that the world the characters in the novel are experiencing is the same world that we live and take part in. This is unlike most modernist novels, in which the story and its characters are confined to the world created in the novel, and the reader is only able to experience them through the windows of the novel. References to pop culture feature prominently across postmodernist texts, as seen clearly in the film Shrek. Although intended as a children’s film, the films are a perfect example of a postmodern fairytale. The films themselves are extremely intertextual, creating a story with many, many fairytale characters woven into the one story, such as the Wolf from Little Red Riding Hood, the Three Little Pigs, the Fairy Godmother and the Gingerbread Man, among many others. This intertextuality in itself is a reference to popular culture, citing multiple fairytales, stories, and nursery rhymes for many of the main characters. Other references to the world outside of the text include Robin Hood and his Merry Men dancing to Riverdance; Princess Fiona slowing down in time like Neo in film The Matrix while she is fighting; references to the film The Princess Bride; and mimicking the style of game shows and dating shows, for example when the Mirror on the Wall introduces Princess Fiona in a bachelorette-dating style. The directors also use irony at the start of the film Shrek, as the beginning scene of the film has a narrator telling the story seriously as a fairytale, when Shrek interrupts this and mocks the author when he says, â€Å"Yeah right.† and tears the page out of the book. Not only does the use of irony and humour in this scene make the audience aware  that the ogre we are introduced to is not a stereotypical one, we also see an interaction between the author and character, a barrier which is broken in postmodern texts to highlight that the text is a work of fiction. The audience is also made aware of this as Shrek acknowledges the camera or audience when he turns to the camera and blocks it before kissing Fiona. This shows that the film is self-reflexive, the characters of the film are aware of film-making and its tools. The use of such postmodern techniques embeds the story of Shrek in a world that the audience is aware of, and while it may not fully be the reality we live in, it is one that we have grown up with and are comfortable with. Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five uses similar techniques to assert its postmodernism. It references popular culture, mentioning Christmas carols, novels (a character refers to the novel â€Å"The Brothers Karamazov†, by Fyodor Dostoevsky, as â€Å"everything there was to know about life†) and history books about one of the main events of the novel, the fire-bombing of Dresden. However, despite these links to the outside world, the reader gets constant reminders of the fact that this book is fictional. The author, Vonnegut is present as a character in the book, as a soldier, a POW taken to Dresden along with Billy, making occasional comments, and then informing the reader that â€Å"That was I. That was me. That was the author of this book.† The intrusion of the author into the narrative is also shown through the recurring phrase â€Å"So it goes†, which follows each mention of death: â€Å"The plane crashed on top of Sugarbush Mountain, in Vermont. Everyone was killed but Billy. So it goes. While Billy was recuperating in a hospital in Vermont, his wife died accidentally of carbon-monoxide poisoning. So it goes.† The use of the non-linear narrative structure is also a postmodern aspect of the text- the main protagonist travels randomly through time, experiencing the events in non-chronological order. For example, his death is merely four sentences in the middle of the novel, described as merely being â€Å"violet light and a hum.† Similar to American Psycho, the usual significance of death is not present in the novel. However, while in American Psycho the reader was slowly desensitized towards death, in Slaughterhouse-Five, death  simply does not matter, which challenges all the readers’ preconceived notions about death, and the sanctity of it. The temporal structure of the novel reflects what the alien Tralfamadorians teach Billy of their beliefs about time, that it is an â€Å"assemblage† of moments rather than a linear progression. This means that they are able to accept death as a perpetually occurring event, hence their use of the phrase â€Å"So it goes†. Another postmodern technique is the use of recurring characters: the character of Kilgore Trout, a science fiction writer, appears in Vonnegut’s other novels; Eliot Rosewater appears in God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater; Howard W. Campbell, the American-turned-Nazi, in Mother Night; and Bertram Copeland Rumfoord is a relative of Winston Niles Rumfoord, who appears in The Sirens of Titan. These characters that appear over a number of books connects the discrete novels as being part of a greater whole; as being part of a world outside its pages. Vonnegut also blurs the lines of genre in the novel in order to deconstruct the idea of a â€Å"war novel†. The novel swings between the genres of science fiction and a biography, and Vonnegut mixes the fantasy of aliens and the planet Tralfamadore with the reality of war, and the author’s presence and experiences of it. The term â€Å"postmodernism† sweeps many different, and seemingly unrelated, texts under its wide reaches, but most such texts use similar postmodern techniques to achieve the ultimate effect- of making the reader aware of the text as a work of fiction, and as an entity that exists as a part of a greater whole, rather than an object existing in a world defined by itself. In what ways are the heroes or villains of these texts postmodern? With the ideological, cultural, and social upheaval that was present during the time of the birth of postmodernism, a new protagonist was born, which redefined our existing notions and stereotypes about the nature of these protagonists- the antihero. Defined as being the main character of a text, who does not possess the qualities of a traditional â€Å"hero†, the character appears in postmodern texts regularly. With the movement of heroes away from the expected â€Å"good†, we are also able to see changes in the villains of texts, and these revolutionary changes in the idea of heroes and villains,  which comes down to the primal, instinctive battle between good and evil, can be seen through postmodern texts. The character of Batman is an incredibly complex one, having heroic qualities yet not conforming to the stereotype of â€Å"superheroes†, the strong, powerful men or women with a heart of gold, using their powers for the good of mankind. Batman is postmodern in that he breaks the mold for a traditional â€Å"superhero†, and rejects the story arc for one. His whole journey started not from a need of his to create good, but a twisted sense of revenge for his parents’ death, and in order to become develop his fighting skills. After his parents’ murderer is killed, Bruce Wayne leaves Gotham and disappears for 7 years, â€Å"exploring the criminal fraternity†, and training with the League of Shadows. He obviously has a different set of morals than what is expected, when asked by Henri Ducard whether he pitied the criminals while he lived with them, he says, â€Å"The first time I stole so I wouldn’t starve, yes, I lost many assumptions about the simple nature of right and wrong.† The recurring idea throughout the texts containing Batman is that he is not a hero, but he is â€Å"whatever Gotham needs him to be†, he is a symbol for good, a symbol for the hope of a new, functional Gotham. â€Å"As a man, I’m flesh and blood, I can be ignored, I can be destroyed, but as a symbol†¦ But as a symbol I can be incorruptible, I can be everlasting†¦Ã¢â‚¬  In this way, he is astoundingly similar to Patrick Bateman. Patrick Bateman exists not as a person, but as a reflection of the society that he is a part of. He is an image created to fit the standards and ideologies of the society he lives in. â€Å"†¦there is an idea of a Patrick Bateman, some kind of abstraction, but there is no real me, only an entity, something illusory, and though I can hide my cold gaze and you can shake my hand and feel flesh gripping yours and maybe you can even sense our lifestyles are probably comparable: I simply am not there.† Through the texts, we also see that the Joker is very similar to Batman, and this is what makes their relationship so psychologically complex. They are, in a way, similar to the two sides of a coin. As the Joker says to Batman, â€Å"I complete you.† The relationship between the hero and the villain is subverted and made incredibly ambiguous. Just as the Joker is a villain who does not observe even the basic rules of criminality by which society might identify and punish him, Batman is a hero who does not observe even the  basic rules of heroism so that society might recognise and glorify him. The Killing Joke ends with Batman capturing the Joker, but deciding not to kill him, and offering to help rehabilitate him, because he â€Å"needn’t be out there on the edge anymore. You needn’t be alone†¦ Maybe I’ve been there too. Maybe I can help.† And they laugh together at a joke that the Joker tells him, which only reinforces their similarities, and the fact that they can both understand each other. The Joker, at one point in the Dark Knight, also says to Batman that they are both â€Å"freaks†. And they are, both characters being outcasts of society. But while the Joker is there willingly because of his own calculating inhumanity, Batman is the scapegoat, the reluctant outcast who takes upon himself the violence of society and its corrupted institutions, in order that its illusions of law and order might be preserved, because he rationalizes that he is â€Å"whatever Gotham needs me to be†¦ Because that’s what needs to happen. Because sometimes, truth isn’t good enough, sometimes people deserve more; sometimes people deserve to have their faith rewarded.† The story of Batman and the Joker is postmodern in that it subverts most of the expected story arcs of both superheroes, and supervillains. It shows that these two need each other to be effective. The Joker we see simultaneously seduces and repels, fascinates and horrifies, and he provides the inescapable force which Batman’s own persona is dependent upon. The character of the Joker is also very similar to Patrick Bateman, both displaying hyperreal violence in their villainy, and being incredibly unreliable narrators. In the Killing Joke, The Joker says, â€Å"†Something like that happened to me, you know. I†¦ I’m not exactly sure what it was. Sometimes I remember it one way, sometimes another†¦ If I’m going to have a past, I prefer it to be multiple choice! Ha ha ha!† Similarly, in American Psycho, we are unable to trust the memories of a psychopath, shown by his blank â€Å"But I don’t remember†¦Ã¢â‚¬  statements when recounting his murders and sexual exploits. Also, when we find that one of Bateman’s victims, a colleague of his named Paul Owen, is actually alive at the end of the book, we find ourselves being sure of the entire story- his character, the plot and definitely his grisly tales of murder and torture. Bateman and the Joker are both psychopaths- and in some ways, they are both forces of anarchy in  their societies, the Joker being an elemental force unconstrained by any glimmer of humanity, fear or vulnerability. As he claims in the Dark Knight, â€Å"The only sensible way to live in this world is without rules.† Meanwhile, Bateman has no regard for people as everything in his world is purely material- he does not care when he kills, as all he feels he is killing is an â€Å"Armani pantsuit†. Neither of these characters have an object nor a goal towards which they work, as Alfred, Bruce Wayne’s butler says, â€Å"Some men aren’t looking for anything logical, like money. They can’t be bought or bullied, reasoned or negotiated with. Some men want to watch the world burn.† However, while the Joker is invincible due to his absolute freedom from pain and any other human attachment, Bateman is confined to the expectations of his status and social culture. Bateman heavily refers to popular culture throughout Psycho, keeping up a steady stream of superficial commentary on all aspects of his life. In this way, the character of Shrek is similar to Bateman, as he also lives in a world where advertising, brand names, and social standing play a major part in one’s life. However, looking at the characters, they are clear opposites- while Bateman has embraced the shallow culture of his time, and practices it dutifully, the society of Shrek’s time has turned him into a hardened cynic, one who would rolls his eyes whenever his companions would make a frivolous comment. This is related to the fact that Shrek is an ogre, and the film subverts the stereotype of the ogre as a villain, by molding him as the hero, and the actual Prince Charming as the whiny, cowardly villain of the film. This challenges conventional thinking, since we, the audience, have been conditioned to think of ogres as â€Å"evil† creatures who eat people and have no mercy. Through this film, we see that this is actually not the case; traditional villains can also become valiant heroes, given the right setting and sidekick. Billy Pilgrim, a cowardly, weak, time-travelling optometrist who is the protagonist of the novel Slaughterhouse-Five, is an unlikely war hero. He is weak, unpopular and pathetic to the audience, and becomes a laughable soldier. Even as a time traveler, he is described as a â€Å"spastic in time†. He is postmodern in the development of his character as an â€Å"anti-hero†, an  ordinary, if slightly on the pathetic side of ordinary, man. The story is driven the other the events more than the protagonist, since he is unable to be determined and strong-minded enough to change the world, or even his social world, neither positively nor negatively. He is another unreliable narrator, when he tells the world of his tales about the Tralfamadorians, he is taken to be insane, and not believed. Because he is such a weak character, he does not contradict the fact, but neither does he support it, and so the reader is still unsure at the end of the novel whether his tales of Tralfamadore were true, or whether they were merely an elaborate coping mechanism to help deal with the terrible experiences he suffered during the war. Billy Pilgrim is the ultimate postmodern hero- he is an ordinary person, who is thrust into a difficult situation, and similar to large majority of humanity, does nothing heroic or commendable. Through this, we also come to the realization that for every lauded, decorated war hero, there were hundreds of other â€Å"average† ones, and Billy Pilgrim is a perfect example of one. Through the analysis of these heroes and villains, we are able to see that postmodernism does indeed challenge the traditional notion of a clear cut hero and villain. Just as postmodernism blurs the lines of reality in texts, it also blurs the lines in our mind separating the good and the bad. Postmodernism depicts a much more realistic hero, an increasingly more human one, who makes mistakes, is determined by what society makes it, and sometimes, does nothing heroic at all. He or she is present in postmodern texts generally not to inspire, like a classic hero, but to make the audience realize a truth about their lives, their societies, and the world around them. Villainy is depicted as a result of something, rather than a character trait. Postmodernism claims that villains are created by the expectations of society, and are therefore, an essential part of the heroes they work against. How did the external world influence the rise of postmodernism? The birth of postmodernism has been linked back to the political atmosphere of the time, in the atrocities of Stalinism. This, along with the horrors of  Nazism, and the Holocaust, completely undermined the modernist narrative of progress, and the ability of language to describe such an incomprehensible atrocity. Thus, postmodernism was born, an era which looked not to change the world, but to redefine it, to make people look at truths differently. Postmodernist authors reveal many of the concerns of the world today, by both realistically and symbolically representing our world, our societies, through their texts and characters, and making commentary on them. For example, Vonnegut wrote Slaughterhouse Five as a response to war- â€Å"It is so short and jumbled and jangled, because there is nothing intelligent to say about as massacre.† The story is very jumbled, written satirically based on Vonnegut’s own experiences in WWII and being a witness to the firebombing of Dresden, which killed 130,000 people. The use of a pathetic protagonist indicates his anti-war stance- the novel was published in 1969, when USA was in the midst of the Vietnam War. During this time, Vonnegut was an outspoken pacifist, and critic of the war. Just like Vonnegut’s novel is social commentary of the issue of his time, Bret Easton Ellis uses American Psycho to explore newer, more disturbing trends in Western culture. He looks at the desensitization of our culture to violence, the increasingly gory films, novels and graphic novels we are exposed to, and how this tendency of the media can find its way back to people who are easily influenced by it, such as Bateman. He also criticizes our obsession with popular culture, image and brand names, by portraying his protagonist, a man with the perfect face, the perfect clothes, and the perfect image, as a psychopath, a man who kills for the fun of it at night. The popular-culture-mania of our time is also explored in Shrek, as it is a children’s movie, and even children when they watch it, recognize the references to other fairytales and brand names. This reflects how we are conditioned to believe and understand popular culture from a very young age. The story of Batman and the Joker, on the other hand, delves a little deeper into the issues of our society. They uncover the crisis of values in which America, and most of the western world, finds itself at the beginning of the 21st century. Cultural theorists portrayed the late 20th century in terms of  Ã¢â‚¬Å"the postmodern condition†: an era in which traditional values, identities and social institutions were disintegrating and being replaced by twisted narratives, conflicting truth claims and multiple identities. Gotham City reflects what our society may be looking forward to, with the increasing fragmentation of our world into splintered groups and subgroups. Where does that leave us? The era of postmodernism is one that is difficult to define, but it still heralded as a time of immense cultural change, which redefined the way people look at the world today. This can be especially seen in its portrayal of heroes and villains. Gone are the days macho superheroes, instead we have flawed, sometimes even pathetic protagonists, the â€Å"anti-hero† which is increasingly similar to the ordinary person. The villains, on the other hand, are unreliable, and cannot always be expected to do the â€Å"evil† thing, they too are human; they too have backstory which elicits sympathy from the audience. By subverting the traditional stereotypes about the world today postmodern authors and directors warn us of the dangers of human nature and culture, and the bleak future we may be looking forward to, if we let the dangerous behaviour of our culture continue. Bibliography Adamson, Andrew and Jenson, Vicky. (2001) Shrek, Dreamworks Pictures Accessed 11/07/12 Adamson, Glen, et al. (2011) Postmodernism: Style and Subversion, 1970-1990. London: V&A Publishing. Accessed on 26/07/12 Azzarello, Brian (writer), Bermejo, Lee (artist), Gray, Mick (illustrator).] (2008) Joker. DC Comics Accessed on 26/07/12 Ellis, Bret Easton. (1991) American Psycho. New York: Vintage Books. Accessed 31/08/12 Moore, Alan (writer), Bolland, Brian (artist). (1988) The Killing Joke, DC Comics. Nolan, Christopher. (2005) Batman Begins, Warner Bros. Pictures Accessed 14/07/12 Nolan, Christopher. (2008) The Dark Knight, Warner Bros. Pictures Accessed 14/07/12 Vonnegut, Kurt. (2003) Slaughterhouse Five. New York: Harper Collins. Accessed 26/7/12 Wilcox, Leonard. Programme Coordinator of American Studies at University of Canterbury, interview on 12/09/12.