7 Cases in Which the Name Is Not the Thing

7 Cases in Which the Name Is Not the Thing 7 Cases in Which the Name Is Not the Thing 7 Cases in Which the Name Is Not the Thing By Mark Nichol When referring to an entity anything from an object to an organization writers often confuse the name of the thing for the thing itself. Beware of the following types of composition confusion: 1. â€Å"GRID, an acronym for Generating Renewable Ideas for Development, offers job training for low-income individuals.† The acronym doesn’t offer job training; the organization does, so distinguish between the two, or simply parenthesize the full name by itself: â€Å"GRID (Generating Renewable Ideas for Development) offers job training for low-income individuals.† 2. â€Å"Being an â€Å"environmentalist† conjures images of outdoor concerns like driving a hybrid vehicle, protecting areas of natural beauty, or keeping trash out of landfills.† Being an environmentalist does no such thing; it’s the term itself that inspires the imagery, so make that distinction (and lose the annoying scare quotes): â€Å"The term environmentalist conjures images of outdoor concerns like driving a hybrid vehicle, protecting areas of natural beauty, or keeping trash out of landfills. 3. â€Å"With his talkie debut, as British secret agent Bulldog Drummond (1929), he became the first silent star to become even more popular in sound films than he had been during the silent era.† The sentence refers to the film, not the title character. When discussing the actor, a reference to the character distinct from the title is called for: â€Å"With his talkie debut, as the titular British secret agent in Bulldog Drummond (1929), he became the first silent star to become even more popular in sound films than he had been during the silent era.† 4. â€Å"The pre-emptive offer- a common term in corporate transactions- is hardly new.† The strategy is being equated with the term for it. However, the parenthetical should be worded to demonstrate the difference: â€Å"The pre-emptive offer- that’s a common term in corporate transactions- is hardly new.† 5. â€Å"Give credit to The Grudge remake for inspiring a wave of American versions of Japanese horror films.† Here, the definite article in the movie title is erroneously employed as an article in the framing sentence, but it cannot do double duty. Recast the sentence to include a separate definite article: â€Å"Give credit to the remake of The Grudge for inspiring a wave of American versions of Japanese horror films.† 6. â€Å"Mike is an Eagle Scout, a moniker he wears with pride and satisfaction.† In the initial phrase, â€Å"Eagle Scout† is not a moniker; it’s a type of Boy Scout. The second phrase should be revised to focus on the latter at the expense of the former: â€Å"Mike is an Eagle Scout, and he comports himself as one with pride and satisfaction.† 7. â€Å"Users can choose from any Web site that offers RSS feeds, short for Really Simple Syndication.† â€Å"RSS feeds† is not an abbreviation; the three letters constitute one. Introduce semantic distance between the service and the initialism for it: â€Å"Users can choose from any Web site that offers RSS feeds (RSS is short for Really Simple Syndication).† Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Grammar category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:5 Uses of InfinitivesTry to vs. Try andDrama vs. Melodrama

Famous Women in science;Rosalyn Yalow essays

Famous Women in science;Rosalyn Yalow essays Born on July 19, 1921 in New York City was one of the most important American research scientists of the 20th century. Rosalyn Yalow is an inspiration to many men and women for her commitment to the education of science. Despite many challenged she never gave up and excelled in all that she aspired to be. Rosalyn was a fast learner. She was reading before she was in kindergarten and was dedicated to mathematics since she was in seventh grade. When she was at Walton high school a great chemistry teacher, Mr. Mondzak, interested her more in chemistry. However when she went to Hunter college, her interests changed to physics and later on to nuclear physics. Although her passion was science, her family thought it would be more realistic to be an elementary teacher. But after some encouragement from her physics professors, she decided to stick with physics. In September of 1940, one of Rosalyns professors, Dr Jerrold, got her a part time job as a secretary for Dr Rudolf Schoenheimer, a leading biochemist at Colombia Universitys college of Physicians and Surgeons. In February 1941, she transferred jobs to become a teaching assistant in physics at the University of Illinois. Because Rosalyn grew up at a time when women were assumed to be less intellectually qualified than men and were given little access to scientific training, she was the only women of the 400 members, in fact she was the only women there since 1917. (http://pubs.acs.org) Rosalyn realized that it was unlikely that good graduate schools would admit a woman interested in science, much less a Jewish woman. But on December 7, 1941 the events that happened at Pearl Harbor had a great influence on Women in science. As men were drafted into the military, many universities began accepting women into graduate programs rather than close the schools. (http://pubs.acs.org) As Rosalyn continued research on n ...

The Desirability of Engagement Strategies in the 21st Century Essay

The Desirability of Engagement Strategies in the 21st Century - Essay Example An accurate definition of ‘engagement’ is needed in order to identify its actual importance to organisations and employees (Torrington, Hall, & Taylor, 2008). However, the best definition depends on the specific circumstances and features of the organisation. MacLeod defines engagement as a process of building ‘mutual respect in the workplace’ (MacLeod & Clarke, 2009, p. 6). He believes that engagement is not only beneficial to the organisation or the employees, but to the nation as a whole. MacLeod views employee engagement as an organisational or corporate strategy intended to make sure that the members of the organisation are committed to its objectives and ideals, driven to contribute to the success of the organisation, and are simultaneously capable of improving their self-respect. The 2012 CIPD Report stated that there are two forms of engagement, namely, emotional and transactional. Emotional engagement takes place when individuals genuinely identify with their organisation and job. It occurs when employees are driven by the desire to perform well at work. On the other hand, transactional engagement refers to a two-way relationship. It appears to be about acknowledging the dynamic involvement of all members of a relationship (e.g. employer and employee). Basically, engagement is characterised as a psychological condition that involves an affective and cognitive aspect, or, feeling and thinking, respectively. Basically, work engagement is a constructive affective and cognitive condition that is stimulated and tends to lead to motivated attitude and behaviour at work (Armstrong, 2006). According to Lucas and colleagues (2007), engagement is a... Employee engagement has been correlated in different studies to greater innovation and efficiency, lower turnover and number of absences, higher earnings per share, and so on. For example, the study of Corporate Leadership Council (CLC) reported that organisations with a well engaged workforce progress more rapidly than companies with disengaged employees. Likewise, the study of Towers Watson discovered that companies with high levels of engagement experienced an increase in net profit margin and operating margin. Company studies also emphasise correlations between organisational outcome and engagement. The 2005 ISR research reported that organisations with low engagement levels experienced a decline in operating margin and net profit over a 3-year period. The Hay Group reported that specialised service companies with high levels of employee engagement were significantly more efficient. Stanford University reports that employee engagement leads to substantial organisational advantage s. Gallup studies found out that engaged employees are more likely to remain in the organisation, more efficient, and friendlier to customers.

Marketing Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 35

Marketing - Assignment Example Each marketing manager can use these variables in a distinctive manner as per his desire or market requirement (Kotler, 2003). For example if Pepsi’s marketing mix is considered its product is a drink that is aimed at thirst need of humans, its pricing is quite affordable which varies with variety of SKUs (stock keeping units). Its place strategy is based on the  vast distribution network that is aimed at making Pepsi available in every other store, shop and majority of restaurants. The promotional strategy that Pepsi uses consists of variety of promotional tools such as advertising, public relations, sponsorships, personal selling, and sales promotion. Marketing environment is the environment in which any organization operates. There are variable forces inside and outside the organization that affects an organization’s performance. These factors can either be close to the organization which are referred as micro-environment factors or can be larger societal factors referred as macro-environment factors. Micro-environment includes an organization’s customers, competitors, distributors, suppliers where as the macro-environment factors include political, legal, social, technological forces that affect an organizations external operating environment. BCG matrix tends to categorize different products either in a portfolio or product line in terms of their market share and growth. There are four classifications in BCG matrix namely stars, cash cows, dogs and question marks. Stars are the ones that have high share and high growth such as Android or You Tube. Secondly, Cash cows are the ones that have high share but lo growth such as Google. Thirdly dogs are the ones with low share and low growth such as Orkut or Diet Coke. Lastly, Question marks are those that enjoy high growth but have low share such as Google

The Role of Engineer in Nation Building Essay Example for Free

The Role of Engineer in Nation Building Essay Why should a privileged person help an underprivileged person? As the definition suggests that the privileged person is someone who is having the special rights, advantages or immunities or having the rare opportunity to do something that brings particular pleasure. On the other hand the unprivileged person is someone who is not enjoying the same standard of living or rights as the majority of the people in the society. So in a socio economic point of view the presence of both the class cannot be ignored but with proper ratio. A society can’t only have one of the two to improve or else we can say the wheel of the society can’t be moved freely without the presence of the two but of course there should be a proper balance between these two. The law of the nature says that the stream flows from the top to bottom likewise the privileged person should come and hold the hand of the underprivileged person to move the society in a proper pace. Now it’s the time to think of the human values and morality of a human being if he/she is gifted with some advantages or right then it’s the duty of them to come and help the people who are deprived of. On the other hand the underprivileged person should be thankful and have sense of gratitude for the person whom he/she is grateful in any sense be it money, values or spiritualism. Even Mahatma Gandhi told this in another aspect such as: I want to write many new things but they all must be written on Indian state. I would gladly borrow from the west when I can return the amount with decent interest. So borrowing things from others is not a crime but one should not forget about to return with something greater to the person whom he/she is grateful to. This is a cycle of civilization and one can’t break the chain. The society is mixed with people and cultures, one should be aware of the fact that everybody is equally important and they should help each other to form a warm and healthy atmosphere to live for the next generations to come. Even the Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen in his book The Idea of Justice (2009) explained that ideal democracy demands to take from the rich and use honestly and wisely for the people. Moreover, Sen notes that in famines only a very small proportion of the population is affected—much less than 10%. Political pressure from this group alone would not be enough to force a democratic government to respond. It is the pressure from the non-suffering members of society that makes the difference. But if government officials in democracies don’t care about the starving unless they are threatened with a loss of power, why do members of the population who are not starving care about the starving? It seems that if compassion or solidarity moves non-starving citizens to advocate for famine victims, it would move government officials to respond to the famine. Even Bentham and Mill explained that west democracy instills an idea for the greatest good of the largest number. M.K.Gandhi denies the principle and said that it should be greatest good for all. So on a nutshell we can conclude that for maintaining a true democracy it is the need of an hour to help unprivileged people for the greatest good of the civilization.

Personal Reading Study :: English Literature

Personal Reading Study Personal Reading Study – â€Å"Cry Freedom† by John Briley Q: Choose a novel in which a relationship between two different characters is developed. Show how the developing relationship between Steve Biko and Donald Woods explores the theme of racism and how the novel portrays the effects of racism in South African society. In your answer you must refer closely to the text and to the themes explored, characterisation and Key incidents. â€Å"And towards that day, when the isolation that creates hostility becomes the closeness that permits friendship, let us join in the song of South Africa†¦Ã¢â‚¬  As the above quotation suggests ‘Cry Freedom’ by John Briley, is a fascinating study of the real life relationship between Donald Woods and Steve Biko. The author employs a variety of literary techniques to demonstrate how two very different men with disparate lifestyles become close, and how their relationship develops under complex circumstances. In my essay I will show how the relationship between Steve Biko and Donald Woods develops and I will also explore the portrayal of the theme of racism and the effects it has on the society in which it exists. Briley portrays this through his characterisation, the themes explored and the key incidents throughout the novel. John Briley has successfully engaged my interest in the developing relationship between the two protagonists. Before their first meeting I believe that Donald Woods was not very sure of what he thought of blacks in South Africa and how much freedom they should be allowed to have. It seems to me that Donald Woods, as a white liberal and an editor contradicted himself many times. An example of this is, â€Å"He did not believe blacks should be given the full right to vote.† But a few sentences later there is a quotation saying, â€Å"When he caught the Government violating those basic ethical premises, he struck at them with a pen so sharp and so precise that his paper was quoted from one end of South Africa to the other.† I believe that in these quotations Woods contradicts himself as he believes blacks should not be given the full right to vote yet when he caught the Government violating those ‘basic’ ethical premises he would argue with them. It seems to me that Woods is not too sure what he believes is acceptable for blacks, and how far they should be allowed to go in the justice system. Furthermore, before their first meeting Woods did not approve of Biko’s black consciousness principles. He believed that Biko’s principles were all about black prejudice and that he did not want everything to be fair in South Africa but instead to be the way the

Second Foundation 3. Two Men and a Peasant

Rossem is one of those marginal worlds usually neglected in Galactic history and scarcely ever obtruding itself upon the notice of men of the myriad happier planets. In the latter days of the Galactic Empire, a few political prisoners had inhabited its wastes, while an observatory and a small Naval garrison served to keep it from complete desertion. Later, in the evil days of strife, even before the time of Hari Seldon, the weaker sort of men, tired of the periodic decades of insecurity and danger; weary of sacked planets and a ghostly succession of ephemeral emperors making their way to the Purple for a few wicked, fruitless years – these men fled the populated centers and sought shelter in the barren nooks of the Galaxy. Along the chilly wastes of Rossem, villages huddled. Its sun was a small ruddy niggard that clutched its dribble of heat to itself, while snow beat thinly down for nine months of the year. The tough native grain lay dormant in the soil those snow-filled months, then grew and ripened in almost panic speed, when the sun's reluctant radiation brought the temperature to nearly fifty. Small, goatlike animals cropped the grasslands, kicking the thin snow aside with tiny, tri-hooved feet. The men of Rossem had, thus, their bread and their milk – and when they could spare an animal – even their meat. The darkly ominous forests that gnarled their way over half of the equatorial region of the planet supplied a tough, fine-grained wood for housing. This wood, together with certain furs and minerals, was even worth exporting, and the ships of the Empire came at times and brought in exchange farm machinery, atomic heaters, even televisor sets. The last was not really incongruous, for the long winter imposed a lonely hibernation upon the peasant. Imperial history flowed past the peasants of Rossem. The trading ships might bring news in impatient spurts; occasionally new fugitives would arrive – at one time, a relatively large group arrived in a body and remained – and these usually had news of the Galaxy. It was then that the Rossemites learned of sweeping battles and decimated populations or of tyrannical emperors and rebellious viceroys. And they would sigh and shake their heads, and draw their fur collars closer about their bearded faces as they sat about the village square in the weak sun and philosophized on the evil of men. Then after a while, no trading ships arrived at all, and life grew harder. Supplies of foreign, soft food, of tobacco, of machinery stopped. Vague word from scraps gathered on the televisor brought increasingly disturbing news. And finally it spread that Trantor had been sacked. The great capital world of all the Galaxy, the splendid, storied, unapproachable and incomparable home of the emperors had been despoiled and ruined and brought to utter destruction. It was something inconceivable, and to many of the peasants of Rossem, scratching away at their fields, it might well seem that the end of the Galaxy was at hand. And then one day not unlike other days a ship arrived again. The old men of each village nodded wisely and lifted their old eyelids to whisper that thus it had been in their father's time – but it wasn't, quite. This ship was not an Imperial ship. The glowing Spaceship-and-Sun of the Empire was missing from its prow. It was a stubby affair made of scraps of older ships – and the men within called themselves soldiers of Tazenda. The peasants were confused. They had not heard of Tazenda, but they greeted the soldiers nevertheless in the traditional fashion of hospitality. The newcomers inquired closely as to the nature of the planet, the number of its inhabitants, the number of its cities – a word mistaken by the peasants to mean â€Å"villages† to the confusion of all concerned – its type of economy and so on. Other ships came and proclamations were issued all over the world that Tazenda was now the ruling world, that tax-collecting stations would be established girdling the equator – the inhabited region – that percentages of grain and furs according to certain numerical formulae would be collected annually. The Rossemites had blinked solemnly, uncertain of the word â€Å"taxes.† When collection time came, many had paid, or had stood by in confusion while the uniformed, other-wordlings loaded the harvested corn and the pelts on to the broad ground-cars. Here and there indignant peasants banded together and brought out ancient hunting weapons – but of this nothing ever came. Grumblingly they had disbanded when the men of Tazenda came and with dismay watched their hard struggle for existence become harder. But a new equilibrium was reached. The Tazendian governor lived dourly in the village of Gentri, from which all Rossemites were barred. He and the officials under him were dim otherworld beings that rarely impinged on the Rossemite ken. The tax-farmers, Rossemites in the employ of Tazenda, came periodically, but they were creatures of custom now – and the peasant had learned how to hide his grain and drive his cattle into the forest, and refrain from having his hut appear too ostentatiously prosperous. Then with a dull, uncomprehending expression he would greet all sharp questioning as to his assets by merely pointing at what they could see. Even that grew less, and taxes decreased, almost as If Tazenda wearied of extorting pennies from such a world. Trading sprang up and perhaps Tazenda found that more profitable. The men of Rossem no longer received in exchange the polished creations of the Empire, but even Tazendian machines and Tazendian food was better than the native stuff. And there were clothes for the women of other than gray home-spun, which was a very important thing. So once again, Galactic history glided past peacefully enough, and the peasants scrabbIed life out of the hard soil. Narovi blew into his beard as he stepped out of his cottage. The first snows were sifting across the hard ground and the sky was a dull, overcast pink. He squinted carefully upward and decided that no real storm was in sight. He could travel to Gentri without much trouble and get rid of his surplus grain in return for enough canned foods to last the winter. He roared back through the door, which he opened a crack for the purpose: â€Å"Has the car been fed its fuel, yunker?† A voice shouted from within, and then Narovi's oldest son, his short, red beard not yet completely outgrown its boyish sparseness, joined him. â€Å"The car,† he said, sullenly, â€Å"is fueled and rides well, but for the bad condition of the axles. For that I am of no blame. I have told you it needs expert repairs.† The old man stepped back and surveyed his son through lowering eyebrows, then thrust his hairy chin outward: â€Å"And is the fault mine? Where and in what manner may I achieve expert repairs? Has the harvest then been anything but scanty for five years? Have my herds escaped the pest? Have the pelts climbed of themselves-â€Å" â€Å"Narovi!† The well-known voice from within stopped him in mid-word. He grumbled, â€Å"Well, well – and now your mother must insert herself into the affairs of a father and his son. Bring out the car, and see to it that the storage trailers are securely attached.† He pounded his gloved hands together, and looked upward again. The dimly-ruddy clouds were gathering and the gray sky that showed in the rifts bore no warmth. The sun was hidden. He was at the point of looking away, when his dropping eyes caught and his finger almost automatically rose on high while his mouth fell open in a shout, in complete disregard of the cold air. â€Å"Wife,† he called vigorously, â€Å"Old woman – come here.† An indignant head appeared at a window. The woman's eyes followed his finger, gaped. With a cry, she dashed down the wooden stairs, snatching up an old wrap and a square of linen as she went. She emerged with the linen wrapped insecurely over her head and ears, and the wrap dangling from her shoulders. She snuffled: â€Å"It is a ship from outer space.† And Narovi remarked impatiently: â€Å"And what else could it be? We have visitors, old woman, visitors!† The ship was sinking slowly to a landing on the bare frozen field in the northern portions of Narovi's farm. â€Å"But what shall we do?† gasped the woman. â€Å"Can we offer these people hospitality? Is the dirt floor of our hovel to be theirs and the pickings of last week's hoecake?† â€Å"Shall they then go to our neighbors?† Narovi purpled past the crimson induced by the cold and his arms in their sleek fur covering lunged out and seized the woman's brawny shoulders. â€Å"Wife of my soul,† he purred, â€Å"you will take the two chairs from our room downstairs; you will see that a fat youngling is slaughtered and roasted with tubers; you will bake a fresh hoecake. I go now to greet these men of power from outer space†¦ and†¦ and-† He paused, placed his great cap awry, and scratched hesitantly. â€Å"Yes, I shall bring my jug of brewed grain as well. Hearty drink is pleasant.† The woman's mouth had flapped idly during this speech. Nothing came out. And when that stage passed, it was only a discordant screech that issued. Narovi lifted a finger, â€Å"Old woman, what was it the village Elders said a se'nnight since? Eh? Stir your memory. The Elders went from farm to farm – themselves! Imagine the importance of it! – to ask us that should any ships from outer space land, they were to be informed immediately on the orders of the governor. â€Å"And now shall I not seize the opportunity to win into the good graces of those in power? Regard that ship. Have you ever seen its like? These men from the outer worlds are rich, great. The governor himself sends such urgent messages concerning them that the Elders walk from farm to farm in the cooling weather. Perhaps the message is sent throughout all Rossem that these men are greatly desired by the Lords of Tazenda – and it is on my farm that they are landing.† He fairly hopped for anxiety, â€Å"The proper hospitality now – the mention of my name to the governor – and what may not be ours?† His wife was suddenly aware of the cold biting through her thin house-clothing. She leaped towards the door, shouting over her shoulders, â€Å"Leave then quickly.† But she was speaking to a man who was even then racing towards the segment of the horizon against which the ship sank. *** Neither the cold of the world, nor its bleak, empty spaces worried General Han Pritcher. Nor the poverty of their surroundings, nor the perspiring peasant himself. What did bother him was the question of the wisdom of their tactics? He and Channis were alone here. The ship, left in space, could take care of itself in ordinary circumstances, but still, he felt unsafe. It was Channis, of course, who was responsible for this move. He looked across at the young man and caught him winking cheerfully at the gap in the furred partition, in which a woman's peeping eyes and gaping mouth momentarily appeared. Channis, at least, seemed completely at ease. That fact Pritcher savored with a vinegary satisfaction. His game had not much longer to proceed exactly as he wished it. Yet, meanwhile their wrist ultrawave sender-receivers were their only connection with the ship. And then the peasant host smiled enormously and bobbed his head several times and said in a voice oily with respect, â€Å"Noble Lords, I crave leave to tell you that my eldest son – a good, worthy lad whom my poverty prevents from educating as his wisdom deserves – has informed me that the Elders will arrive soon. I trust your stay here has been as pleasant as my humble means – for I am poverty-stricken, though a hard-working, honest, and humble farmer, as anyone here will tell you – could afford.† â€Å"Elders?† said Channis, lightly. â€Å"The chief men of the region here?† â€Å"So they are, Noble Lords, and honest, worthy men all of them, for our entire village is known throughout Rossem as a just and righteous spot – though living is hard and the returns of the fields and forests meager. Perhaps you will mention to the Elders, Noble Lords, of my respect and honor for travelers and it may happen that they will request a new motor wagon for our household as the old one can scarcely creep and upon the remnant of it depends our livelihood.† He looked humbly eager and Han Pritcher nodded with the properly aloof condescension required of the role of â€Å"Noble, Lords† bestowed upon them. â€Å"A report of your hospitality shall reach the ears of your Elders.† Pritcher seized the next moments of isolation to speak to the apparently half-sleeping Channis. â€Å"I am not particularly fond of this meeting of the Elders,† he said. â€Å"Have you any thoughts on the subject?† Channis seemed surprised. â€Å"No. What worries you?† â€Å"It seems we have better things to do than to become conspicuous here.' Channis spoke hastily, in a low monotoned voice: â€Å"It may be necessary to risk becoming conspicuous in our next moves. We won't find the type of men we want, Pritcher, by simply reaching out a hand into a dark bag and groping. Men who rule by tricks of the mind need not necessarily be men in obvious power. In the first place, the psychologists of the Second Foundation are probably a very small minority of the total population, just as on your own First Foundation, the technicians and scientists formed a minority. The ordinary inhabitants are probably just that – very ordinary. The psychologists may even be well hidden, and the men in the apparently ruling position, may honestly think they are the true masters. Our solution to that problem may be found here on this frozen lump of a planet.† â€Å"I don't follow that at all.† â€Å"Why, see here, it's obvious enough. Tazenda is probably a huge world of millions or hundreds of millions. How could we identify the psychologists among them and be able to report truly to the Mule that we have located the Second Foundation? But here, on this tiny peasant world and subject planet, an the Tazendian rulers, our host informs us, are concentrated in their chief village of Gentri. There may be only a few hundred of them there, Pritcher, and among them must be one or more of the men of the Second Foundation. We will go there eventually, but let us see the Elders first – it's a logical step on the way.† They drew apart easily, as their black-bearded host tumbled into the room again, obviously agitated. â€Å"Noble Lords, the Elders are arriving. I crave leave to beg you once more to mention a word, perhaps, on my behalf-† He almost bent double in a paroxysm of fawning. â€Å"We shall certainly remember you,† said Channis. â€Å"Are these your Elders?† They apparently were. There were three. One approached. He bowed with a dignified respect and said: â€Å"We are honored. Transportation has been provided, Respected sirs, and we hope for the pleasure of your company at our Meeting Hall.† Third Interlude The First Speaker gazed wistfully at the night sky. Wispy clouds scudded across the faint stargleams. Space looked actively hostile. It was cold and awful at best but now it contained that strange creature, the Mule, and the very content seemed to darken and thicken it into ominous threat. The meeting was over. It had not been long. There had been the doubts and questionings inspired by the difficult mathematical problem of dealing with a mental mutant of uncertain makeup. All the extreme permutations had had to be considered. Were they even yet certain? Somewhere in this region of space – within reaching distance as Galactic spaces go – was the Mule. What would he do? It was easy enough to handle his men. They reacted – and were reacting – according to plan. But what of the Mule himself?

Maslow’s Theory of Personality

Maslow’s served as one of the most influential theorists in his field. He proposed a more simple and appealing theory wchich acted against reductionism and instead proposed a more holistic approach for personality research. Maslow’s theory of personality is based on a theory of motivation, characterized by a particular hierarchy of need and an end product of self-actualization which follows after all the needs have been satisfied. The Theory of Motivation, human behavior is influenced by basic needs. These needs are   ordered in a hierarchy which indicates which of these needs is the most urgent and accordingly which has to be satisfied before a higher need can be catered to. These needs are (1) physiological needs; (2) safety needs; (3) belonging needs; (4) esteem needs; and (5) self-actualization. Consequently, self-actualization, being the last of the stages is reached when all needs are fulfilled. However, achievement of this state is not fixed, it is still a process of development which is always continuous. Self-actualization signifies that the individual has reached and fulfilled all of his potentials, talents and competencies (Boeree). In line with this, the subject for this topic would be Oprah Winfrey. Oprah Winfrey came from an extremely poor family, daughter of a housemaid and a soldier. She lived her childhood in extreme poverty and was often teased by other children due to poverty and her racial background. First, her basic physiological needs, were poorly catered to because of extreme poverty. However, her strong will and character enabled her to attain her safety, belonging and esteem needs. And her status right now as one of the most successful women in the world is a manifestation of a successful self-actualization (A Biography). In self-actualizing an individual, there are three character traits that together shall define a new personality type. First, perception and experience is an integral part of molding a person. His eagerness to discover new things and learn new ideas shall contribute largely to the development of his personality and potentials. Another, in self-actualization, an individual must have a spontaneous attitude in expressing their thoughts and ideas. He must be natural and must have an attitude of general acceptance towards other people and to himself. And lastly, to fully attain self-actualization, individuals must have a sense of belongingness towards the whole society. They should be able to become friendly and empathic to other people’s feelings and idea and capable of creating harmonious interpersonal relationship to people outside his intimate friends. Oprah Winfrey, in her own way had undergone her own self-actualizing process. Her life experiences were manifestations of her successful attainment of her potentials and competencies. First, she was always open to changes, new ideas and experiences. Since her childhood, she had welcomed her potentials and worked hard to develop it. Further, she has always been liberal minded and true to her opinions and thoughts. She was one of the strongest individuals who weren’t afraid to voice out their opinion. And lastly, her commitment to the community and her developed empathy towards other people equipped her to become attached to the community. Thus, personality development is a holistic process. It takes into account physical, mental and emotional needs. And it encompasses personal growth, and goes beyond growth that is attributed with an individual’s ability to reach out to the society in general. References Boeree, C. George. Abraham Maslow. Retrieved November 8, 2007 from http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/maslow.html Heylighen, Francis. A Cognitive-Systematic Reconstruction of Maslow’s Theory of Self-Actualization. Retrieved November 8, 2007 A Biography: Oprah Winfrey. Retrieved November 8, 207 from http://oprah.urbanhustler.com/biography/   

Oscar Wildes The Picture of Dorian Gray Essays

Oscar Wildes The Picture of Dorian Gray Essays Oscar Wildes The Picture of Dorian Gray Paper Oscar Wildes The Picture of Dorian Gray Paper Essay Topic: Call of the Wild Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Into the Wild Literature The Picture of Dorian Gray Oscar Wildes The Picture of Dorian Gray tells the story of corruption and how it can easily spread. It focuses strongly on art and decadence and it definitely alludes to degeneration and decay throughout. Characters, especially Dorian Gray, often focus on beauty as the leading quality in the world. He also forms a double life, much like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, in the sense that has a more civilized public life with a malicious, corrupt secret life full of sin. One of the major gothic topics displayed in this text portrays civilizations lapse into corruption and barbarism while seeming still civilized on the surface. The story begins with Basil Hallward, a somewhat successful artist, painting a portrait of Dorian Gray. Basil completely worships the beautiful, pure, young Dorian Gray, and in fact even admits it to his close friend, Lord Henry. Basil paints such a vivid picture of Dorian that he convinces himself that he has put some of his own soul into the piece. This alludes to the somewhat supernatural qualities of the painting. Basil explicitly explains that he doesnt want Henry spoiling Dorian Gray, but nonetheless fails to prevent the two from meeting. Lord Henry immediately starts exerting his infectious influence on Dorian Gray. Dorian is astonished at how beautiful he looks in the portrait, but instantly starts to panic with his newfound Lord Henry outlook: Lord Henry Wotton is perfectly right. Youth is the only thing worth having. When I find that I am growing old, I shall kill myself' (26). After meeting Henry, Dorian sees the portrait as a mockery and immediately wishes for it to age and decay in his stead. This incident marks the beginning of Dorian Grays downward spiral into corruption and malice. Another intriguing detail to note about this quote relates to its foreshadowing content. Dorian mentions killing himself, which he ultimately does at the conclusion of the plot. He attains everlasting youth and beauty and still ends up slaying himself, only to return to a decayed hideous form. Dorian Grays first major act of tyranny pertains to his first love, Sibyl Vane. Sibyl Vane dazzles her audience and captivates Dorian Gray with her marvelously whimsical performances on the stage. Dorian becomes infatuated with her acting as an art, rather than her as an actual person. Sibyl, much like Dorian prior to corruption, is innocent and naive towards real life and real emotions. She lives her life through the stage and feels more alive as her characters than she does in the real world. Dorian, Dorian, she cried, before I knew you, acting was the one reality of my life. It was only in the theatre that I lived. (74). After coming into contact with Dorian, she realizes true love and begins to see her true world on the theatre as nothing more than a farce. Her realization of authentic emotions corrupts her art and she no longer possesses her beautiful eminence. The corrupting taint that eventually encompasses the life of Dorian Gray begins to manifest itself with the ruining of Sibyl Vane. Sibyls inability to continue her marvelous performances on stage infuriates Dorian Gray and he breaks her heart by basically calling her worthless. He leaves the girl with nothing but his harsh words. This devastating incident causes Sibyl Vane to commit suicide, and the first stain of degeneration that should have marked Dorian Gray, shows up on his portrait instead. The Picture of Dorian Gray contains several interesting incidents of foreshadowing. Basil remarks to Lord Henry quite early on in the story that Dorians good looks will most likely cause severe tragedy in the future. Indeed, I should be sorry to look like him. You shrug your shoulders? I am telling you the truth. There is a fatality about all physical and intellectual distinction, the sort of fatality that seems to dog through history the faltering steps of kings (7). Obviously this premonition by Basil comes true as Dorians looks eventually become the sole driving motivation for his vindictive actions, and eventually drive him to self-destruction. The other intriguing note is that Basil claims to have put himself in the portrait of Dorian Gray. Thus one could derive that this indicates a similarity to Dorian and could explain his demise as well. Another part of the novel that seemed so dreadfully obvious that I almost pinpointed its exact occurrence, pertains to Basils untimely murder by Dorian Gray. The story reveals on page one that Basil would most likely be murdered, and since Dorian Gray is the protagonist, I assumed that he would be the executioner. Basil Hallward, whose sudden disappearance some years ago, caused at the time, such public excitement, and gave rise to so many strange conjectures (1). Oscar Wilde would not have put this line into the text if we were meant to presume that Basil would eventually pass away peacefully due to old age. A sudden disappearance in a gothic story typically alludes to a murder or death. As for the actual assassination scene in the novel, Wilde spent time describing the particular night just prior to the incident, as a cold, foggy night and mentions that Dorian tries to avoid interacting with Basil in several ways. This attempt at avoidance already brings about a sense of tension. Once inside the mansion Basil repeatedly irritates Dorian with preaching which helps to increase the anxiety. Basil reveals that he was meant to catch a train to Paris later that night and points out that he has missed it. This provides Dorian Gray with an alibi as well as a period of time before Basils disappearance will be noticed. Dorian becomes increasingly agitated until he eventually sets the series of events into motion with a crazed sensation: A bitter laugh of mockery broke from the lips of the younger man. You shall see it yourself, to-night! he cried, seizing a lamp from the table. Come: it is your handiwork. Why shouldnt you look at it? (129). This quote shows that Dorian blames Basil for the corruption as well as Dorians malicious determination to suddenly show it to him. Dorian had always been dreadfully frightened at the notion of someone seeing the corruption of his dual life, and yet with the increased confrontation almost instantaneously determines to show Basil. Once Basil naively agrees to follow Dorian, I knew that he would soon meet his demise. No living soul has ever seen the corrupted version of Dorians portrait aside from Dorian, and it seemed highly likely that it was going to remain that way. Dorian Gray continually attempts to maintain a civilized front in his public life despite his increasingly tarnished dual life of sin. The magical properties of the portrait allowed his true self to be hidden on the canvas while he paraded around in a beautiful serene guise known to the public. He continually endeavors to maintain his fraudulent civilized appearance by dressing luxuriously as an aristocrat and attending fancy dinner parties with other civilized people. And yet his true contaminated self persistently acted out in barbarous ways. He murders Basil Hawthorne in a barbaric rampage, and then attempts to cover up the entire incident by blackmailing a former colleague, Alan Campbell, whose life has been ruined by Dorians corrupting influence. This wicked deed for self preservation forced upon Alan eventually places so much pressure on Alan that he eventually commits suicide, thus bringing the known Gray murder rate to a total of three. Dorian enjoys the malevolent sensation in private and feels the pleasure of his barbaric double life. Eventually Dorian Gray requires frequent trips to the opium dens of London to erase the barbaric incidents from the mind of his untainted body. Although the corrupted incidents remain as physical memoirs on the portrait that reflects Dorians secret barbaric dual life, the opium attempts to wipe clean the mind of the pure, civilized life represented by the physical body that he shows to the public. When Dorian finally confronts his savage life and attempts to dispose of the portrait by barbaric means, the two lives merge and Dorian ends up killing himself via the same means as he murdered Basil. The civilized life is ended while attempting to end the barbarous life, showing which one truly prevailed.

Free Online Public Schools for Arizona Students, K-12

Free Online Public Schools for Arizona Students, K-12 Arizona offers resident students the opportunity to take online public school courses for free. Below is a list of no-cost online schools currently serving elementary and high school students in Arizona. To qualify for the list, schools must meet the following qualifications: classes must be available completely online, they must offer services to state residents, and they must be funded by the government. Arizona Connections Academy Arizona Connections Academy is a tuition-free online public school that gives students throughout the state the flexibility to learn at home with a curriculum that meets rigorous state education standards. The school says its mission is to help each online student maximize his or her potential and meet the highest performance standards through a uniquely individualized virtual learning program. The schools virtual program includes: A K-12 curriculum developed by leading education expertsInstruction from state-certified teachers experienced in online instructionSupport from trained counselors, principals, and administrative staffFree textbooks, curriculum materials, and computer equipment (including a subsidy for Internet service) needed to participate in a dynamic online learning environment Arizona Virtual Academy Arizona Virtual Academy uses  K12 online curricula  to offer Arizona students individualized learning that features: Experienced, state-certified, highly qualified teachers,  who are available online and by phoneCurriculum that covers both the core subject areas and electivesOnline planning and assessment tools, resources, and hands-on materials  ranging from textbooks to microscopes, rocks, and soil to illustrated classic childrens storiesAccess to career-planning resources and counselors  who help identify student goals and paths for success post-high schoolAn active, supportive school community that organizes monthly gatherings where parents, students, and staff share their successes and helpful hints Hope High School Online Hope High School, a fully accredited online program, is sponsored by the Arizona State Board of Charter Schools for students in grades seven 7 through 12. Hope High School Online is proud of our online high school being ranked (in Arizona) in the top four and top five for student achievement among alternative schools for English Language Arts and Math by AzMERIT, the school notes on its website. Students can log in on their own schedule and complete coursework at their own pace. The school offers two diploma options: a standard diploma for students who plan to attend a community college or trade school and a college prep diploma for students who plan to attend a four-year university. The college prep diploma includes higher-level math during the senior year and two years of foreign language. IQ Academy Arizona The IQ Academy Arizona, a virtual program for sixth-through-12-grade students, allows students to: Set their own scheduleLearn online, wherever they have internet accessTalk to teachers directly whenever they need helpStudy subjects that interest themGo at their own paceA free, school-supplied laptop Additionally, the school offers nearly 90 courses, in such subject areas as foreign language, technology, and psychology as well as advanced placement courses. The program also includes local and national clubs, face-to-face events, and a national IQ community website to help students make friends. Primavera High School Primavera Virtual High School, which serves more than 20,000 students each year, offers an alternative to traditional high school. The school seeks to provide second chances for students to earn their diplomas with a personalized, rigorous education through its online curriculum taught by highly qualified instructors and guidance counselors. We also host  a robust student life at Primavera to create an atmosphere of collaboration and community, the school notes. With activities like student clubs, school dances and monthly events, Primavera students can easily meet their classmates and make friends. Sequoia Choice - Arizona Distance Learning Sequoia Choice – Arizona Distance Learning, founded in 1998, is a tuition-free Arizona public charter school authorized by the Arizona Department of Education to provide distance learning services to Arizona students in grades K-12.   The school focuses on serving four types of students: Working students: A large majority of older students attend Sequoia Choice while working full or part-time. Students are able to access their courses at any time making school possible while working.Home-bound students: Some students have health or physical challenges which can make attending school difficult. Through distance learning, home-bound students are able to receive a quality education that provides the flexibility and availability they need.Year-round students: Traditional schools are available to students for nine months out of the year. Because the school is year-round, students who need the extra time are granted extra time.Credit recovery students: Students sometimes get behind in their required credits for high school graduation. One option in getting caught up is to take an online course for credit recovery. Sequoia Choice offers both semesters of all core subjects at any time during the year.

The energy industry's role in influencing the United States foreign Literature review

The energy industry's role in influencing the United States foreign policy towards the Gulf region - Literature review Example However ,the organization points out that although the government may not eliminate the importation of oil, there are ways in which it can reduce cartel market control and reduce the demand for the product (www.fueleconomy.gov,2010).One of the solutions that the government has sought in reduce this problem is the passing of a legislation that will see the decrease on oil through increasing corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards on new cars. This will see a reduction in the consumption of oil by 25 billion gallons by 2030. The United States oil politics entails the need and importation of crude well plays a centre stage in the politics of the United States (Gendier, 2003). Even though the US only constitutes of 5% of the world population, it global oil consumption ids 25% greater than that of the European Union. To cushion the energy supply from experiencing rude shocks, the US has for along time developed diplomatic ties with its allies in the Middle East precisely Saudi Ara bia and Iraqi. According to Saudi Arabia, has 25 % of the world’s oil reserve and the US imports 13% of its oil imports from the country. Some of the initiatives taken by the US is to ensure that the Saudi Arabia government continues to price its oil in US dollars. The same ties have continued to exist in Iraqi in the context that it is protecting it from its enemies as well as protecting its energy. According to Gendzier (2003), the role of US in facilitating the acquisition of weapons is ignored or justified when it is in terms of Iraq-Iran war. However, there is little to talk about when it comes to the continuation of the US to remain in Iraq even after the war and the broader political agenda that has a hand in paying the US policy in the region. David and Schmitt (2002), indicates that the White House was reported to have â€Å"settled on a war plan for Iraq† this implied that the US had to take 200,000 to 250,00 troops by air ,water and land to the Iraq, the aut hors wonder why such an enormous move was justified. The US administration seldom acknowledge that the presence of its troops in the middle East is to protect the US oil companies and get access to the regions oil reserves (David and Schmitt, 2002). A report presented by the Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS) clearly stated that the US military intervention in the gulf region was to protect its oil supply and protect US interests â€Å"â€Å"the US presence in the Gulf is primarily intended to maintain the flow of oil by preventing a hostile power from establishing hegemony over the region...† (INSS, 2002). The long distance between the US and the Middle East has not stopped it from being felt in almost every corner of the region. According to WGBH, Educational Foundation (2002), all through the 20th century, the US has had a long trail of intervention on diplomatic and war raged overture. Some of the interventions have been triggered by the long standing compet ition between the Soviet Union and The United States of America and the two have used the Middle East as a fighting ground. More so, the American economic interest on the Middle Eastern oil has also played an important role in the American Policy

U.S. Supreme Court decision Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

U.S. Supreme Court decision - Essay Example In April, advocates for parental choice in education scored a major victory in the precedent-setting case before the United States Supreme Court, American Christian School Tuition Organization v. Winn. The court ruled by a narrow 5-4 margin that the Arizona program promoting school choice can continue − dismissing a lawsuit waged by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of taxpayers who disliked the program. The ruling favored arguments made by the Alliance Defense Fund, a conservative legal organization that defended ACSTO over the years. The concurring justices found that taxpayers have no standing to challenge the program because the contributions going toward tax credits are private funds − not government funds (Liptak, 2011). ACSTO, like many other programs in the U.S., gives state residents the ability to receive a tax credit for contributions to private organizations that provide private schools with scholarships. This ruling has wide-ranging effects across the governmental, political, and structural spheres of America.The ACSTO decision will greatly impact the way state governmental entities deal with programs similar to ACSTO across the country. Now that such programs will be recognized as legitimate, due to U.S. Supreme Court precedent, state institutions will no longer be able to easily keep state residents from freely donating their money to organizations that help parents send their children to the private schools of their choice. Also, elected, appointed, and/or career policymakers, such as the U.S. Supreme Court Justices who presided over this case ? as well as lawmakers, senators, governors and mayors ? will be making more and more decisions based on the precedent set in this case regarding the use of private funds donated to generate tax credits. Now, bureaucracies will not be allowed to strike down such contributions within the states that adopt the precedent set in Arizona. On the political level, the ACSTO decision has man y far-reaching ramifications. Political parties, interest groups, and unions that are generally opposed to religious organizations receiving funding in the form of tax credits generated from private contributions will have their hands tied when opposing such programs. Leftist social movements opposed to private schools will now have a more difficult time shutting down programs resembling ACSTO. Also, with the case’s national attention, 2012 presidential election campaigns and voters agreeing with the decision will more likely take a stance on the parental choice issue. With the extensive media coverage, public opinion was likely swayed in one way or the other. Many were likely swayed by the executive director of the special interest group Americans United for the Separation, Rev. Barry Lynn, who said that the court â€Å"has slammed the courthouse door in the face of Americans who don’t want their tax dollars to subsidize religion (Biskupic, 2011). On the other hand, those with conservative ideals were likely influenced by media statements made by Tim Keller, executive director of the Institute of Justice’s Arizona chapter, who saw the victory as rebuffing â€Å"efforts by school choice opponents to use the courts to halt programs that empower families to chose a private school education if that is where their child’s needs will be best served (Biskupic, 2011).† The political climate on education has undergone a shift since the decision. Furthermore, the structural forces that hold our nation together, such as the U.S. Constitution, state constitutions, state laws, our federalist system, and the economy, can all be affected in some way by the ACSTO ruling. To accommodate such program funding, federal and state constitutions can be amended, laws can be changed, and the economy can be reshaped, as tax credits up to $500 for donations to groups funding religious schools redistributes much money (Weiss, 2011). The decision could also spur a demographic shift, as families