Reporting Results Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Reporting Results - Essay Example They represent loans received. The security holder is entitled to repayment of principal and receiving of interest payments. Equity securities reflect ownership of interest and trading securities get a fair value report (Finkler, 2010). For the available for sale securities, they are reported at fair value. Their income excludes the unrealized losses and gains. They are reported as separate equity part that has no effect on the year’s net income. On the hand, not-for-profit health care organizations have all debts and equity reported at fair value (Finkler, 2010). A change in the net assets includes losses and gains. These gains and losses are reflected in the unrestricted net assets unless a donor or law prohibits it. An important feature is that all debt securities are depicted at fair value inclusive of those considered held to maturity by the former group. In this category, focus is not on net income; however, importance is vested on the total available resources. This makes the inclusion of gains or losses in the net income to be

Is there racial profiling in nypd stop question and frisk Research Paper

Is there racial profiling in nypd stop question and frisk - Research Paper Example Although these immigrant become a cause of financial prosperity as they bring foreign exchange with them and turn the wheel of economic prosperity by forming revenue for the country. However, there are people who observe every stranger as intruder and suspect them of criminal activity due to their narrow thinking style. Prejudice towards a nation or society is commonly observed; since right after 9/11 incident. International media and the world not only got terrorized by the incident, but started accusing and treating all the people of Muslim community in the same manner. This conveniently spread the prejudiced feelings towards Muslim and now it is felt by all the other people of the world as well. All around the world several innocent Muslims are killed by people who count themselves as civilized and literate nations. On the other hand they subject, innocent immigrant who leave their homelands, only for the sake of education or financial prosperity; as subjects to criminal or terrorist activity. The wind of racial prejudice did not start only after 9/11 but it has a past which date backs 500-1000 years of western prejudice towards non western. Recently NYPD is observing Muslim students of many universities far more closely than ever. They are not only talking to their professors and acquaintance but also following them on trips outside the premises of colleges and universities. An undercover agent was sent on a rafting trip with a group of Muslim students to assess them. Police commissioner Raymond Kelly is facilitating this investigation on Muslim students only on the basis of their religious beliefs and practices. However, there is no such evidence found against these students, to be involved in terrorist activities so far. Several students are in a perplexed state after becoming a surveillance list member. These students felt discomfort and mistrust

Trait Paradigm of Psychology for Intelligence

Trait Paradigm of Psychology for Intelligence Trait Paradigm of Psychology and How It Applies To the Measurement of Intelligence and Personality: An Explanation It has long been observed that individuals differ one from another on many psychological dimensions. This is why Cervone and Lawrence (2007) say that traits, the primary unit of personality description, are relatively enduring ways in which individuals differ. Assessment at the level of traits is variable centered and nomothetic, focusing on differences among individuals, as opposed to the person-centered and idio-graphic approach that focuses on individuals, and that typically characterises assessment at deeper and more abstract levels of personality. An area of intense interest among psychologists is the measurement of individual differences in personality. Lubinski (2004) mentions personality is commonly defined as the constellation of traits, or typical and relatively stable patterns of responding to the environment, which are unique to various individuals. An important focus of educational psychology is the assessment of these traits and other related psychological attributes su ch as interests, preferences, and attitudes (Lubinski, 2004). Personality traits describe individual differences in human beings typical ways of perceiving, thinking, feeling, and behaving that are generally consistent over time and across situations. Three major research areas are central to trait psychology. First, trait psychologists have attempted to identify sets of basic traits that adequately describe between-person variation in human personality. Second, social scientists across disciplines use personality traits to predict behavior and life outcomes. Third, trait psychologists attempt to understand the nature of behavioral consistency and the coherence of the person in relation to situational influences. Cervone and Lawrence (2007) mention that there are two prominent approaches to identifying the basic personality traits and their organizational structure (McCrae and John 1992). The lexical approach emphasizes the evaluation of personality trait adjectives in the natural language lexicon and assumes that those personality descriptors encoded in everyday language reflect important individual differences, particularly if they are found across languages. The questionnaire approach attempts to assess important traits derived from psychologically based and biologically based personality theories. Self- and peerratings on sets of lexically derived or theoretically derived traits have typically been subjected to factor analysis to develop hierarchical organizations of traits reflecting a small number of broad superordinate dimensions overarching a large number of narrow-band traits. At the superordinate level, contemporary trait structural models vary in the number of dimensions necessary to organize lower-order traits, ranging from two to sixteen. Each of these models can be assessed via self- and peer-report using reliable and well-validated questionnaires and rating forms (Cervone and Lawrence, 2007). In the most influential and widely used structural model, thirty traits are hierarchically organized into five broad bipolar dimensions, reflecting a convergence of the Big Five lexical traits and the questionnaire-based five-factor model. The Big Five/FFM dimensions are neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. Adherents of the Big Five/FFM model assert that these dimensions can be found across languages and personality measures, providing a comprehensive and parsimonious account of individual differences in personality (Cervone and Lawrence, 2007). Contemporary research on the heritability of traits has focused on the Big Five/FFM dimensions. Behavioral genetic studies have found substantial heritability ranging from 41 percent to 61 percent for the broad dimensions, with little evidence of shared environmental effects (Cervone and Lawrence, 2007). Heritability of the narrowband traits of the FFM is more modest, ranging from 30 percent to 50 percent. It is widely believed that traits are influenced by multiple genes; molecular genetic studies, however, have not replicated results linking specific genes to personality traits. In addition to the genetic correlates of traits, promising new efforts by neuropsychologists using functional brain imaging and electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings have begun to reveal the neural basis for traits. Trait theory has been applied to industrial/organizational psychology where it has been used to predict employee satisfaction and job performance. Personality traits have also been of interest to forensic psychologists in predicting psychopathic and deviant behavior. Other areas in which traits have been successfully employed include: predicting mate selection as well as marital satisfaction, social psychology, counseling, studies of human development across the lifespan, cross-cultural studies, learning and educational outcomes, and health-related behaviors and outcomes (Cervone and Lawrence, 2007). Individuals differ from one another behaviorally in myriad ways. Differential psychology, the scientific study of these individual differences, provides an organizational structure for this vast array of psychological attributes (Lubinski, 2004). In words of Cervone and Lawrence (2007) by examining broad behavioral patterns and using systematic assessments of relatively stable personal attributes, differential psychology allows longitudinal forecasting of a variety of important life outcomes. Because much of the research in this area focuses particular attention on predicting long-term life outcomes, and because work is such a large and important feature of adult life, the relationships between many commonly investigated individual difference constructs and various aspects of work behavior. For example educational-vocational choice, acquisition of job-related knowledge, job performance, job satisfaction and tenure are well understood. Traditionally, the measurement of individual differences has relied on psychometric scales based on the aggregation of many items. Because any single item on a scale represents only a sliver of information about a personal attribute, aggregation is used to create a composite of several lightly correlated items. This approach distills the communality running through the items and constitutes highly reliable and useful information about the human characteristic under analysis (Gottfredson, 2003). Although individuals are commonly described in the more popular press in terms of types, implying that people are members of distinct categories (e.g., extraverts or introverts), individual difference variables are rarely observed as discrete classes. Rather, the majority of individuals are found near the center of a continuous distribution, with few observations at either extreme. The distributional pattern of most individual difference variables is well represented by the normal (bell-shaped) curve (Cervone and Lawrence, 2007). The major dimensions of individual differences can be classified into three overlapping clusters: cognitive abilities, preferences (interests and values), and personality (Gottfredson, 2003). The predominant scientific conceptualization of cognitive abilities involves a hierarchical organization. Various models of additional specific abilities have been proposed, but the hierarchical nature of human abilities is salient in each (Lubinski, 2000). For example, John Carroll factor analyzed more than 460 data sets collected throughout the 20th century and found a general factor (g) at the apex that explained approximately half of the common variance among a heterogeneous collection of tests, revealing a communality running through many different types of more specialized abilities and the tests designed to measure them. This general intelligence factor exhibits an extensive range of external correlates, implicating it as arguably the most scientifically significant dimension of human psychological diversity uncovered by differential psychology to date. It has repeatedly demonstrated its utility in the prediction of educationally and vocationally relevant outcomes, including the acquisition of job-related knowledge and job performance (Lubinski, 2000). For example, in a meta-analysis of 85 years of research on personnel selection methods, Frank Schmidt and John Hunter reported that g is the best single predictor of performance in job-training programs, exhibiting an average validity coefficient of .56. Schmidt and Hunter further reported that the validity of g in predicting job performance is second only to that of work sample measures. However, because the use of work samples is limited to use with incumbents and is much costlier to implement, g is usually considered more efficient. The predictive validity of g in forecasting job performance varies as a function of job complexity, with stronger relationships among more complex positions. Hunter reports validity coefficients of .58 for professional and managerial positions, .56 for highly technical jobs, .40 for semiskilled labor, and .23 for unskilled labor. For the majority of jobs (62%), those classified as medium-complexity, a validity coefficient of .51 was observed. The general factor of intelligence is supplemented by several more circumscribed, specific abilities that have demonstrated psychological importance. David Lubinski and his colleagues have shown that at least three add incremental validity to the variance-explained by g: verbal, mathematical, and spatial abilities. The importance of specific abilities may be even more apparent at higher levels of functioning (Cervone and Lawrence, 2007). In examinations of numerous job analysis data sets, for example, Linda Gottfredson found that, although the functional duties of jobs were characterized primarily by their cognitive complexity (i.e., demands on general intelligence), jobs requiring above-average intelligence were more dependent on profiles of specific abilities than were those jobs requiring average or below average general intelligence (Lillienfeld, Wood and Garb, 2000). Dpecific abilities are relevant in the prediction of job performance, but they are also important in predicting the educational and vocational niches into which individuals self-select. This self-selection occurs even at extraordinary levels of general intellectual development. In a recent 10-year longitudinal study, for example, Lubinski compared the educational-vocational tracks chosen by three groups of profoundly gifted individuals (top 1 in 10,000 for their age): a high verbal group (individuals with advanced verbal reasoning ability, relative to their mathematical ability), a high math group (individuals with advanced mathematical reasoning ability, relative to their verbal ability), and a high flat profile group (individuals with comparably high verbal and mathematical abilities). Despite having similar levels of general cognitive ability, the three groups diverged in their professional developmental choices (Lillienfeld, Wood and Garb, 2000). High math participants were frequ ently pursuing training in scientific and technological professions, whereas high verbal participants were doing so in the humanities and arts. High flat participants were intermediate. Hollands model of interests organizes six general occupational themes in a hexagon with one theme at each vertex in the hexagon. The themes are ordered according to their pattern of inter-correlations: Adjacent themes in the hexagon are more highly correlated to one another, whereas opposite themes are least correlated. This model is known as the RIASEC model, an acronym for the six themes represented in the hexagon: realistic, investigative, artistic, social, enterprising, and conventional (Cervone and Lawrence, 2007). Individuals with high realistic interests exhibit preferences for working with things and tools; those with high investigative interests enjoy scientific pursuits; high artistic interests reflect desires for aesthetic pursuits and self-expression; social interests involve preferences for contact with people and opportunities to help people; individuals high in enterprising interests enjoy buying, marketing, and selling; and those with conventional interests are comfor table with office practices and well-structured tasks. Individuals relative normative strengths on each of the RIASECs general occupational themes are commonly assessed using the Strong Interest Inventory (Carroll, 1993). Although the generalizability of the RIASEC model has emerged repeatedly in large samples, Dale Prediger has suggested that the model can be reduced to two relatively independent bipolar dimensions: people versus things, and data versus ideas. People versus things may be superimposed on the social and realistic themes, respectively (Carroll, 1993). Running to the first dimension, the second dimension, data versus ideas, locates data between the enterprising and conventional themes and ideas between the artistic and investigative themes. The people versus things dimension represents one of the largest sex differences on a trait uncovered in psychology (a full standard deviation, with women scoring higher on the desire to work with people, and men, with things), revealing important implications for the occupations that men and women choose. Values constitute another category of personal preferences germane to learning and work, which have demonstrated their utility in the prediction of both educational and occupational criteria. Values are validly assessed by the Study of Values, which reports the intra-individual prominence of six personal values: theoretical, economic, political, social, aesthetic, and religious. These dimensions provided an additional 13% of explained variance above the 10% offered by math and verbal abilities in the prediction of undergraduate majors in gifted youth assessed over a 10-year interval; moreover, this finding has recently been generalized to occupational criteria, measured in commensurate terms, over a 20-year interval. However, although preferences do seem to play an important role in predicting occupational group membership and tenure, once individuals self-select into occupational fields, the utility of preferences for predicting job performance in those fields is limited (Carroll, 1 993). Empirical examinations of personality use trait models to understand a persons typical interpersonal style and behavioral characteristics. These models have historically relied on a lexical approach that assumes that important dimensions of human personality are encoded in human language. This method has been fruitful: Lewis Goldberg, among others (Ackerman, 1996), has factor analyzed the lexicons of many languages and found a five-factor model of personality with remarkable similarities across cultures (see also investigations by Robert McCrae and Paul Costa). Although the labels for each of the factors have varied, similar underlying constructs consistently emerge: extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness to experience. Extraversion is characterized by terms such as talkative, sociable, or not reserved; agreeableness by good-natured, cooperative, or not cold; conscientiousness by responsible, thorough, or not disorganized; neuroticism (sometimes referred to as emotional stability, reversed) by anxious, emotional, or not calm; and openness to experience (sometimes referred to as culture or intellect) by imaginative, reflective, or not narrow. The normative standing of individuals on each of the dimensions of the five-factor model of personality is commonly assessed using the NEO Personality Inventory, although an analogous instrument, the IPIP-NEO (IPIP is International Personality Item Pool), is available in the public domain at http:/ / ipip.ori.org/ Collectively (and sometimes individually), these broad dimensions of personality are valid predictors of occupational training and subsequent performance. For example, across multiple occupational categories, conscientiousness alone exhibits validity coefficients in the low .20s for predicting training and job proficiency. This particular combination of personality factors, conscientiousness and emotional stability, is found in tests of integrity commonly used in personnel selection (Spies Plake, 2005). From an individuals perspective, an appreciation of ones cognitive abilities, preferences, and personality provide invaluable insight for directing ones career development in personally rewarding ways. From an organizational perspective, one may use this information—available through measures of individual differences—to estimate the likelihood of desirable work behavior (e.g., citizenship, job performance, satisfaction, and tenure). References Ackerman, P. L., 1996, A Theory Of Adult Intellectual Development: Process, Personality, Interests, And Knowledge. Intelligence vol. 22 pp. 227-257 (1996). Aiken, L. R. (2000), Psychological Testing And Assessment (10th ed.). Boston: Allyn Bacon. Carroll, J. B. (1993), Human Cognitive Abilities: A Survey Of Factor-Analytic Studies. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Cervone, Lawrence A. Pervin, 2007, Personality: Theory and Research, Wiley; 10th edition (February 26, 2007), pp. 45-67. Gottfredson, L. S., 2003, The Challenge And Promise Of Cognitive Career Assessment. Journal of Career Assessment vol. 11 pp. 115-135 (2003). Lubinski, D., 2000, Scientific And Social Significance Of Assessing Individual Differences: â€Å"Sinking Shafts At A Few Critical Points.† Annual Review of Psychology vol. 51 pp. 405-444 (2000). Lubinski, D., 2004, Introduction To The Special Section On Cognitive Abilities: 100 Years After Spearmans (1904) â€Å"‘General intelligence, objectively determined and measured.† Journal of Personality and Social Psychology vol. 86 pp. 96-111 (2004). Lillienfeld, S. O., Wood, J. M. , and Garb, H. N., 2000, The Scientific Status Of Projective Techniques. Psychological Science in the Public Interest vol. 1 (2000). pp. 27-66 Spies, R. A. , ed. , Plake, B. S. (Eds.). (2005), The Sixteenth Mental Measurements Yearbook. Lincoln, NE: Buros Institute of Mental Measurements. Candidate Number 33156762 Rapid (complex) decision making based on facial appearance Making first impressions, evaluating a person from the moment we first see them, happens spontaneously and seemingly without any cognitive effort. We do it naturally when we see and meet new people, in order to have an idea of who they are beforehand instead of unknowingly acting in a way they might find inappropriate. It appears that humans are excellent in judging personality traits and such things as complex social characteristics like dominance, hierarchy, warmth, and especially threat. For instance, think about this example. Youre walking down a dark street, late at night trying to get home, and you see someone coming towards you. As you pass the person, you see a tall and bulky figure wearing a black hood that puts a shadow on a roughed up looking man. Before you can make a conscious thought, your legs have already moved as far away from him as possible, purely out of instinct, even thought a second later you realize its your neighbor and you shakily smile at them and keep walking. The first impression that had subconsciously and immediately formed in the mind had already controlled the bodys reaction to what it perceived to be a threat (a scary looking man). Yet, it also shows how incorrect first impressions can be, and that can have a huge effect on peoples lives. Since its such a big part of everyday life, psychologists have looked deeply into the workings of first impressions. Social perception is the field of study which looks into how we form impressions and make inferences about other people. It is a very complex process, especially forming impressions of objects, animals and most importantly people. We form first impressions of others very quickly and usually based on little information. We give special attention to salient features, focusing first on the face, then physical features while moving on to appearance and clothes. Then the process continues to categorizing the first impression of a person into a member of a group, starting broadly, from age and gender, and narrowing down to explicit features. It is followed by our own previous knowledge that comes into effect of our impression as well as previous behavior that has been gathered about that impression, as then our own needs and goals influence how we perceive others. And that information is needed, as people can be unpredictable. In the past the information was needed in order to distinguish trustworthy people from those who mean us harm, when now its socially needed to interact suitably with people. In order to understand first impressions, the biology behind it must be understood. From an evolutionary point of view, first impressions have adaptive advantages, such as picking the appropriate mate. The first impression we perceive of someone is essential for us to understand how physically attractive, reliable, and strong they are, as we make that decision based on physical appearance rather than the personality of the person, as we would like the offspring to be good looking, healthy, meaning characteristics that are advantageous to the perceivers reproductive needs, and we must act fast before the window of opportunity closes. Also if someone means us harm, or is ill, there is the possibility of us being harmed or falling ill ourselves, again we must act fast to avoid this. Usually the first impressions are most accurate, but there is always human error, as sometimes what we perceive to be trustworthy, isnt. What the evolutionary point of view argues is that its possible that o ur ability to form first impressions isnt due to practice, but instinct. We seem to effortlessly form first impressions and even better with practice and experience. There are reasons to suggest that people may have an adaptive predisposition to form rapid first impressions when meeting someone. When people look at other peoples features its important to act fast, because for an instance, if someone is untrustworthy then they may look like they may harm, cheat or insult us and we should register the fact as quick as possible in order to act appropriately. If not, then the consequences may be being killed, hurt or cheated. Its better to be prepared to fight off harm rather than mull over the intent of the other person. There have been several studies that have looked at trustworthiness and first impression. These are not just the source of benefits, but there are also the sources of threats, for instance when forming the first impression, it must be fast as there is competition, and sometimes the competition could mean us harm. Even good meaning individual s may pose a threat to our health or reproductive fitness. Schiller et al 2009, investigated the brain mechanisms that rise when first impressions are rapidly formed when meeting a stranger (Schiller et al 2009). There were nineteen right-handed participants, who were told that they would see information about different people and were asked to give their impressions of them. In their neuro-imaging analysis, where they examined which regions showed the difference in evaluation effect out of regions that were broadly engaged in the impression-formation task, the only regions showing significantly greater bold responses to evaluation-relevant sentences were the amygdala the PCC and the thalamus. There were no regions showing the opposite effect. The first study suggesting that the amygdala, a part of the brain that research has shown to perform a role in the processing and memory of emotional reactions has an important role in trustworthiness judgments, was conducted by Adolphs, Tranel, Damasio, 1998. They showed that patients with bilateral amygdala damage perceived untrustworthy-looking faces as trustworthy, and couldnt discriminate between trustworthy and untrustworthy faces (Adolphs, Tranel, and Damasio, 1998). Several years later, Engell, Haxby Todorov, 2007, looked into the fact of whether a stranger is trustworthy, as one of the most important decisions in social environments and relations, something we consider when acquainting with new people (Engell, Haxby Todorov, 2007). There is considerable data about the significance of trait impressions from faces, yet there is little research about the neural mechanisms causing these impressions. There were one hundred and twenty-nine undergraduate students participating i n the study, where functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to show that the amygdala is involved in hidden evaluations of trustworthiness of faces, consistent with previous findings. They reported that the amygdala response increased as perceived trustworthiness decreased in a task that did not demand person evaluation. Engell, Haxby Todorov also tested whether the increased amygdala response was due to an individuals own personal perception or to face characteristics that are perceived as untrustworthy throughout individuals. The amygdala response was better predicted by agreed ratings of trustworthiness than by an individuals own judgments. Individual judgments accounted for little outstanding variance in the amygdala after controlling for the shared variance with agreed ratings. The findings of this study suggested that the amygdala categorizes faces automatically according to face characteristics that are seen to show trustworthiness. More recently, Todorov Duchaine, 2008, looked at developmental prosopagnosics who had severe impairments in their memory for faces and perception of facial identity who showed they could make normal trustworthiness judgments of novel faces (Todorov Duchaine, 2008). Their control group consisted of forty-eight undergraduate students, mostly male with the mean age of twenty, which were younger compared to the four developmental prosopagnosics used in the experiment, where they were presented with face sets with the question â€Å"How trustworthy is this person?† and asked to respond on the scale below the photograph. What they found was that there were no significant differences between male and female control participants on both their agreement in the ratings of the faces and their mean trustworthiness judgments. They also tested the four prosopagnosics on three different face sets: set one consisted of faces that contrasted on multiple proportions and which were also used t o demonstrate injuries in trustworthiness judgments of patients with bilateral amygdala damage. The other two sets consisted of normal faces with a direct look, with neutral expression and similar age. Todorov Duchaine found that on all the tests, two of the prosopagnosics made judgments that agreed with the controls judgments while the other two showed weak. The implications of this experiment suggest that there is a correlation that the tests mapped the same underlying judgment irrespective of the specific face stimuli. The normal performance of two of the prosopagnosics suggested that forming person impressions from faces involves mechanisms functionally independent of mechanisms for encoding the identity of faces. A later study by Oosterhof Todorov, 2009, proposed that changes in trustworthiness match to the subtle changes in expressions, which show whether the person displaying the emotion should be avoided or approached (Oosterhof Todorov, 2009). Oosterhof and Todorov used a dynamic paradigm where faces expressed either happiness or anger. There were sixty undergraduate students participating in the experiment, with twenty-one participating in the selection of trustworthy and untrustworthy faces, and thirty-nine participated in the dynamic stimuli study. They manipulated changes in face trustworthiness at the same time as with the change in the face expression, for instance changes from high to low trustworthiness increased the intensity of participants perceived anger but decreased the intensity of participants perceived happiness. What they found was that trustworthy faces who expressed happiness were seen as happier than untrustworthy faces, and untrustworthy faces who expressed anger w ere seen as angrier than trustworthy faces, which makes sense as the more angry and unapproachable someone looks, the more likely we are to avoid them for our own safety as they would look intimidating to us. When we first make an interaction with someone, our facial recognition of them is essential for the social interaction. Its not a conscious thought per se, when the decision of how trustworthy someone is, but it happens, and we decide whether the person weve just met is someone we can relate to, then maybe consider a friend, and later depend on them with everything that we care about. Its not a light matter, our lives are who and what we are, and unfortunately as it is we cannot rely sorely on ourselves, and we need other people, may it be for help, comfort or just a chat. And of course, the people we look for are those who wont turn their backs on us when we need them and will be there to support us. Its a simple survival skill, trust those who wont hurt us and we can live normally. When people are emotionally animated it is much easier to perceive the expressions they convey, particularly threatening and fearful ones very swiftly, which helps us respond to danger quickly. But how fast are first impressions exactly? Several researches have looked into how fast first impressions are made. In 2006, Bar et al looked into the fact that first impressions of peoples personalities are often formed by using the visual appearance of their faces (Bar, Neta, Linz, 2006). They reported four experiments; with the first measuring the speed of how first impressions of intelligence and threatening personality are made. They used sixty adults, mostly women, where the participants in the experiment were shown one face at a time and were asked to rate, on a scale ranging from 1 to 5, the level that they perceived each face to belong first to threatening person, and later followed with an intelligent person at the second part of the experiment. What Bat et al did was present the faces for different time lengths to different groups of participants, the first group was presented the faces for a short time and the other group was presented with faces for a longer time and then the correlation between the judgments of each group was measured, they identified how quickly participants judged a face as having a certain personality. The results demonstrate that consistent first impressions can be formed very quickly, based on whatever information is available within the first 39 ms. First impressions were less consistent under these conditions when the judgments were about intelligence, suggesting that survival-related traits are judged more quickly. The study showed that when faces are particularly emotionally expressive, people can detect these expressions that are being conveyed, such as threatening and fearful expressions, very quickly and mostly subconsciously. While Bar, Neta, Linz, 2006, looked at neutral expressions in their study, Blair, Morris, Frith, Perrett, Dolan, 1999, looked at emotions portrayed by the face. Blair et al, 1999, used functional neuroimaging to test two hypotheses: one, whether the amygdala has a neural response to sad and angry facial expressions and two, whether the orbito-frontal cortex has a specific neural response to angry facial expressions (Blair, Morris, Frith, Perrett, Dolan, 1999). There were thirteen male participants, all with the mean age of 25 who were PET scanned, while performing a sex discrimination task that consisted of grey-scale images of faces that expressed different degrees of sadness and anger. They found that increasing force of sad facial expressions was associated with enhanced activity in the left amygdala and right temporal pole. The results also indicated

Currency hedging Essay -- essays research papers

What is hedging? Hedging is a strategy used to protect risks posed by worldwide currency fluctuations. One hedges the currency risk by contracting to sell foreign currency in the future, at the current exchange rate (Fries). If fund managers think the dollar is going to be stronger when they are ready to change the foreign currency back into American dollars, then they take out a foreign futures contract (a hedge). Thus, they lock in the exchange rate beforehand, so that they will not lose profits gained from holding devalued foreign currency (Hedging, 1999). If the manager guesses correctly, he will boost the fund’s overall return because the profits will be worth even more when they are exchanged into American dollars. The foreign exchange market is one of the most important financial markets. It influences the relative price of goods between countries and can shape trade. It influences the price of imports and can have an effect on a country’s price level (inflation rate). In addition, it influences the international investment and financing decisions. Exchange rates present many risks to a company and a company must be able to hedge itself (Gray, 2003). The price of one currency expressed in terms of another currency is called an exchange rate (Gray, 2003). Foreign investors need to sell in a foreign currency to be competitive. By making the most of the exchange rate risk, it may take away some of the risk of the cross border trade from customers. This in turn may encourage a customer to buy products. Exchange rates are the amount of one country’s currency needed to purchase one unit of another currency (Gray, 2003). Typically, vacationers wanting to exchange money will not be bothered with shifts in the exchange rates. However, for multinational companies, dealing with very large amounts of money in their transactions, the rise or fall of a currency can mean receiving a surplus or a deficit on their balance sheets, which is an example of translation risk. Translation risk is more of an accounting issue, and refers primarily to the impact of exchange rates on earnings and balance sheet items (Hedging, 1999). Another type of exchange risk faced by multinational companies is transaction risk. If a company sells products to an overseas customer, it might be subject to transaction risk. Transaction risk refers to actual conversions of cash flows from one c... ...to the American dollar will affect the total loss or gain on the investment when the money is converted back. This risk usually affects businesses, but it can also affect individual investors who make international investments, also called currency risk (Investorworld). References http://www.investorwords.com/1808/exchange_rate_risk.html retrieved February 27, 2005 Fries, Bill. Thornburg Articles. Currency Hedging retrieved February 24, 2005 from http://www.thornburginvestments.com/research/articles/Currency%20Hedging.asp Gray, Phil and Irwin, Tim. (2003). Allocating Exchange Rate Risk in Private   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Infrastructure Contracts retrieved February 24, 2005 from   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  http://rru.worldbank.org/Discussions/Topics/Topic21.aspx Hedging Currency Risk with Options and Futures retrieved February 25, 2005 from   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  http://www.goldencapital.com/research/reports/hedging.htm Kaepplinger, Peter (1990). The CPA Journal Online Foreign currency hedging transactions under Section 988Temporary regulations   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Retrieved February 24, 2005 from http://www.nysscpa.org/cpajournal/old/08660556.htm

Educating The Girl Child Is The Best Way To Enpower The Nation Essay

It is crystal clear that empowering girl child is the need of hour or present day scenario.Education of girl child has been a high priority with the govt.of India.According to the RIGHT TO EDUCATION act,every child of the age of 6-14 years shall have a right to free and compulsory education in a neighbourhood school till competition of elementary education.For the success of Sarva Shiksha Abhayan or the education for all, the education of a girl child is the must. No doubt,girls deserve a better deal from society as the are getting, at present.It is said by society that girls are no way inferior to boys.But what are they getting from the society? A whole range of discriminatory practices including female foeticide,female infanticide,early marriage and dowry, which have buried the future of girl child.It seems very difficult to empower the girl child.Our society is still suffering many weaknesses.Intend of giving them education,they are being subjected to sufferings under likes of Purdah System.Twelve million girls are born every year but, unfortunately one third them survive.Some are killed in the womb,some at the time of birth,some die due to poor health and some die due to nutritional status.We have to remember this reality that educated girl can shoulder any kind responsibility.See the example ofKalpana Chawala,Kiran Bedi,Sonia Gandhi and so on every one has earned a name in the society.For the success of any person,,,,education plays an important role. Education for the girls is more important as she not only builds the home, but all routine responsibilities are completed by her.Today ‘s girl child will be the mother of tomorrow.In ancient time, girl ‘s education played significant place in the society.Gargi Mitreyi played very encouraging role in spreading the education to a great extent.That is why, empowering the girl child is the best way to empower the nation.

Retail Services Characteristics

In this paper the most common services characteristics, namely perishability, intangibility, inseparability and heterogeneity will be applied to a well – known retail services brand. In this case the focus shall be on how the aforementioned characteristics apply to Starbucks. In order to better understand the problem the history of the company alongside current corporate objectives will be briefly described. In the following paragraphs the notice will be mainly on the retailer’s ability to cope with the theory’s implications. The first Starbucks coffee shop was opened in 1971 in Seattle.The name was inspired by Moby Dick and the logo which has now become somehow of a cult figure is a twin-tailed mermaid. However it wasn’t until 1987 when a major breakthrough came and the brand started to receive a world – wide recognition. In August, Howard Schultz backed with the capital from local investors bought the Starbucks. Since then the company grew in an e xponential manner which resulted in opening more than 16,000 stores in over 55 countries to this day. Similar as the majority of large enterprises Starbucks also incorporates its own business and social objectives.The goal is to project the brand image in a consumer and environmental friendly way. Their mission statement is to inspire and nurture the human spirit through their exceptional service and high quality coffee. In a very holistic approach they are aiming to improve every aspect of the business, from the customers and employees to the suppliers and shareholders. Moving on from this brief description of Starbucks the focus will now shift to the retail services characteristics, more precisely on intangibility and its implications. Experts agree that a service is intangible because the customer cannot sense it (Newman and Cullen, 2002).It is an abstraction which cannot be directly examined before the purchase. In the case of most goods a prospective buyer is able to inspect th e quality of the good by relying on his senses, whereas a pure service has to be purchased and consumed to fully verify its quality. The level of services’ tangibility can be seen from tangible goods, which are included and consumed within the service offer, it can also be extracted from the physical environment which surrounds the service or with the tangible evidence of the service performance (Palmer, 2005).In the case of various food and drink outlets, goods form an important component of a service offer. This also applies to Starbucks and therefore it is possible to place it somewhere in the middle of the tangible to intangible service dominant scale (Shostack, 1977). Starbucks uses scent of fresh coffee to attract customers and make them sense a tangible good which can be purchased at the premises. The physical environment also plays a big part in customer’s perception of service quality.Starbucks acknowledged this and therefore their outlets are usually very wel l furnished with comfortable chairs, Wi-Fi and other features which give a customer a sense of quality and comfort. Tangibility can be further provided with the evidence of service production methods. This is certainly the case in Starbucks where you can see the whole process of making a cup of coffee. A lack of physical evidences of services quality can increase the level of uncertainty that a customer faces when choosing between competing services.However, Starbucks developed a strong brand associated with quality of services provided and the company values therefore creating a positive image in consumers’ perception. From describing how intangibility applies to Starbucks we shall now turn the attention to another service characteristic, namely heterogeneity. Services heterogeneity means that the quality of services depends on who provides them as well as when, where and how they are provided. Products can be standardized and basically the same for every customer.However, s ervices on the other hand can be delivered in different ways, regarding on customer’s personal requirements. The service must normally be produced in the presence of the customer without the possibility of intervening quality control. Specific problems can occur where staff is involved in providing services on a one-to-one basis. In these cases no easy method of monitoring or control is possible. There are two particular aspects of heterogeneity which are relevant to the services. The first one is the extent to which production standards vary from a norm, both in terms of outcomes and of production processes.The second one is the extent to which a service can deliberately be varied to meet the specific needs of particular customers (Palmer, 2005). In order to tackle the aforementioned aspects of heterogeneity and also to satisfy customer needs retailers usually standardize the service as much as possible without noticeably affecting the perceived customer value. Many service organizations have reduced variability by adopting equipment-based production methods or by offering already prepared menus or meals. However Starbucks took a slightly different approach here then some fast-food outlets.They are offering more than 87,000 different drink combinations. With that in mind they cannot simply standardize the whole process of coffee making. Customers want to see consistency and quality in their stores so for that purpose they offer their front-line staff a basic training and they are also using some motivation tools to enhance staff performance. So for instance they refer to their employees as partners and their pay package is called â€Å"Your special blend†. The heterogeneity of service output can sometimes pose problems for brand-building in services compared to tangible goods.However Starbucks cope with these problems quite well through their excellent staff to management relation which results, again in a strong brand personality. From heteroge neity we shall now shift our attention to another characteristic, which is perishability. Perishability applies to services because unlike goods services cannot be stored for later use. So for an example a factory which produces cars and is unable to sell all its output in the current period can carry forward stocks to sell in a subsequent period.The only significant costs are storage and financing or the possibility of loss through obsolescence. However on the contrary, a producer of a service which is unable to sell all of its output produced in the current period gets no chance to carry it forward for sale in a subsequent period. A great example of perishability is an airline company. For instance if the plane departs at twelve o’clock and the airline company didn’t sell all the available seats, then it is impossible to sell the rest since the plane is already in the air. Another problem which defines perishability is the demand pattern through time.Demand fluctuate s because of many reasons however most common reasons for inconsistency of demand occur during the day, week and season. A typical example of seasonal fluctuation of demand is tourism. During the summer the demand for holidays is often off-peak and hotels by the sea are required to bring in extra work-force. On the other hand the demand in winter is significantly lower and some hotels are therefore unused. Inability to store services and short-term supply inelasticity are leading causes for perishability of services.As mentioned before problems occur when demand pattern is irregular. It can also happen where there is requirement for â€Å"just-in-time† production of service or if demand is not managed effectively (Palmer, 2005). Services providers are trying to even the demand with the use of pricing and promotion or with locating places where demand is more or less even during the day, such as it is in city centres or busy airports. Problems with storing the services have no w also been reduced with recent advancement of technology (Newman and Cullen, 2002).For instance Starbucks uses RFID technology to track perishable food delivered to its cafes thus ensuring freshness of products. Starbucks is usually located there where demand is relatively constant, such as shopping centres and airports and they are also using a lot of promotions ensuring a steady demand through the day. Even their menu is adapted to different seasons of the year. It does not consist only of hot drinks but they also offer other trendy beverages such as smoothies and a variety of bottled drinks which are suitable for hot summer days.Now we shall take a look at the last of four services characteristics. Inseparability of services should be the main topic through the following paragraphs. Inseparability means that the service is produced and consumed at the same time. Both, buyer and seller must be present for the exchange to occur (Newman and Cullen, 2002). The service provider is at the same time also a marketer and promotes both the service and the company. Interaction is of extreme importance in services and therefore the key to success is competent personnel.Inseparability of services leads to customers being co-producers and often being co-consumers of the service with other consumers. They are also usually required to travel to the service provider. This results in management to attempt to separate production and consumption. They are also trying to manage the consumer to producer interaction and improve the service delivery system. Starbucks is a typical example of services inseparability. They are offering a wide range of beverages and customers can choose their own mix.That means that customers are contributing in the production process of a cup of coffee. As mentioned before Starbucks normally furnish their stores in a very comfortable way which means that a lot of customers are consuming the product there, which results in being a co-consumer. Starbu cks stores are often located in city centres and this means that customers have to travel there to receive the service. Maybe in the future Starbuck will offer delivering their products to customers home, but this could possibly take away the charm of visiting a Starbucks coffee shop.However, they are already improving their service system with the opening of drive thru stores. In conclusion it is possible to say that all four services characteristics can be applied to Starbucks. However, some are more visible than others. Starbucks developed an extremely strong brand image and a loyal global population of consumers. This has established them as one of the biggest brands in the world. Through excellent quality of their products, care for the environment and bringing back the sense of community they have already become a household name.They are coping very well with all the services characteristic implications and are always striving for perfection. They are a prime example of the so called â€Å"cultural capitalism† and are setting an example for many companies. References: Adrian Palmer, 2005. Principles of services marketing, 4th edition. Berkshire: McGraw-Hill Education Andrew J Newman and Peter Cullen, 2002. Retailing: environment & operations. London: Cengage Learning Starbucks, 2011. Our heritage [online] Available at: http://www. starbucks. com/about-us/our-heritage [Accessed 16 April 2012 ]. RSA animate, 2010.Slavoj Zizek, First as tragedy, then as farce Available at: http://www. youtube. com/watch? v=hpAMbpQ8J7g [Accessed 16 April 2012 ]. Starbucks, 2011. Our mission statement [online] Available at: http://www. starbucks. com/about-us/company-information/mission-statement [Accessed 16 April 2012 ]. Des Monk, Daniella Ryding, (2007),†Service quality and training: a pilot study†, British Food Journal, Vol. 109 Iss: 8 pp. 627-636 G. Lynn Shostack, 1977. Breaking Free from Product Marketing, Journal of Marketing, [online] Available at: < http://www. jstor. org/discover/10. 307/1250637? uid=24747&uid=3738032&uid=2134&uid=373370127&uid=2&uid=70&uid=3&uid=373370117&uid=24745&uid=5910784&uid=67&uid=62&uid=60&sid=47698847505567 > [Accessed 16 April 2012 ]. Lena Goldkuhl, Maria Styven, (2007),†Sensing the scent of service success†, European Journal of Marketing, Vol. 41 Iss: 11 pp. 1297-1305 Marketingmagazine. co. uk, 2011. Starbucks to open 200 drive-thru stores [online] Available at: [Accessed 17 April 2012 ].Pedro M. Reyes, Patrick Jaska, (2007),†Is RFID right for your organization or application? â€Å", Management Research News, Vol. 30 Iss: 8 pp. 570-580 Starbucks, 2011. Store design [online] Available at: [Accessed 17 April 2012 ]. Starbucks, 2011. Working at Starbucks [online] Available at: [Accessed 17 April 2012 ]. Superbrands. co. uk, 2012. Starbucks [pdf] Available at: [Accessed 17 April 2012 ].

Graduate School Essay

Graduate School Essay Graduate School Essay I am rendering my applicationfor a graduate program in your institution seeking for an opportunity to study in your graduate school in the department of Athletic Administration. This is my major in the degree programs across the university. I have been seeking for this opportunity to many institutions and found it exceptionally advisable to trust your graduate course in prospering and advancing my career in this field. I want to study Athletic Administration because I have a prospect that it will be of value in diversifying my experience as an athletic administrator and advance my knowledge in other fields that have been working on including coaching in basketball, outdoor tracking and as field coach in several sports in my career. This will have an input in generating confidence within me on handling respective tasks assigned under athletic administration and carrying out duties effectively with the expertise exercised from the graduate course practical lessons. I believe in the provision and maintenance of non-negotiable high standards and quality service in all fields with athletic administration not an exemption, which is why I feel I need more knowledge in this field by pursuing a degree from the institution. My end goal is to be an expert in this field, increase my productivity, and output in the athletic profession. I hold some experience in athletic administration as an Athletic Director at the Girls and Boys Club with expertise in administration. I also happen to hold surmountable experience as a basketball coach in a boys high school with expertise in advanced coaching. My greatest experiences extend as an Outdoor Track and Field coach in high school. Added to this experience is the 30 years in the teaching profession dealing, guiding and interacting with students of both sexes. During this period of my work at the Boys Girls Clubs in high schools, I had the best opportunity of observing and working with the existing athletic administration systems used currently but my zeal is to learn more and become an expert in the same field. I also happened to be in touch with other professionals in the same with diverse knowledge and expertise that they shared and it gives me a bigger challenge to advance my knowledge by exploring more and taking a degree course in athletic administration. Once I obtain the degree in athletic administration from the university, I will be well equipped to explore other fields and expertise areas in athletics including baseball, that I am a fun and indoor games including tennis and badminton. It will also be a high time that I venture into professional coaching with a greater expertise in athletics. This will be of value because I will practice athletic administration as a career and pursue a job in the same field to earn a living in such a diversified field of expertise. The athletic degree will give me a strong foundation and add to my analytical skills since the athletic profession involves many and long-term application required for the advancement of the profession. I have a belief that athletic administration is a remarkable blend of experience that can give me a chance of creativity and innovation and a chance to come up with an original point of view. I will also develop diversity in this field with an experience offered in your institution. My most valuable accomplishment has been the success of athletics performances in schools and for professionals where working with the participants will be of exceptional value in reaching my goals as an athletic administrator. I would be a pleasure to get started and complete the course in due time.

A biography on Albert Einstein

A biography on Albert Einstein Of all the scientists to emerge from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries there is onewhose name is known by almost all living people. While most of these do not understandthis man's work, everyone knows that its impact on the world of science is astonishing. Yes,many have heard of Albert Einstein's General Theory of relativity, but few know about theintriguing life that led this scientist to discover what some have called, 'The greatest singleachievement of human thought.'Einstein was born in Ulm, Germany on March 14, 1874. Before his first birthday, his familyhad moved to Munich where young Albert's father, Hermann Einstein, and uncle set up asmall electro-chemical business. He was fortunate to have an excellent family with which heheld a strong relationship. Albert's mother, Pauline Einstein, had an intense passion formusic and literature, and it was she that first introduced her son to the violin in which hefound much joy and relaxation.English: Albert Einstein Franà §ais : po rtrait d'Al...Also, he was very close with his younger sister, Maja, andthey could often be found in the lakes that were scattered about the countryside nearMunich.As a child, Einstein's sense of curiosity had already begun to stir. A favorite toy of his washis father's compass, and he often marvelled at his uncle's explanations of algebra. Althoughyoung Albert was intrigued by certain mysteries of science, he was considered a slowlearner. His failure to become fluent in German until the age of nine even led some teachersto believe he was disabled.Einstein's post-basic education began at the Luitpold Gymnasium when he was ten. It washere that he first encountered the German spirit through the school's strict disciplinarypolicy. His disapproval of this method of teaching led to his reputation as a rebel.

Strolling Down the [AV]

Strolling Down the [AV] Strolling Down the [AV] Strolling Down the [AV] By Maeve Maddox Just when I thought I’d developed a thicker skin regarding linguistic innovation! I was listening to classical music on my local NPR station the other morning when the DJ launched into some public service announcements. The first time she said [av] for avenue I wasn’t sure I’d heard correctly, but then she mentioned another address that included the word avenue. Again she said [av]. And then, leaving no doubt whatever, she pronounced a third address as Central [av]. Say it isn’t so! I need the help of you readers on this one. Googling won’t help me figure out if this is a trend or merely a local aberration. Please let me know if you have heard anyone pronounce the abbreviated form of Avenue as anything other than [ÄÆ'vÉ™-nÃ… «] or [ÄÆ'vÉ™-nyÃ… «] For the record, avenue, abbreviated Ave. or Av., came into the language as a military term meaning â€Å"a way of approach.† Now it refers to a wide street lined with trees or, in some cases, a street having a planted median. In British usage an avenue is the roadway leading from the gate to the front of a country house, like the lovely tree-shaded approach to Manderly in the movie Rebecca. I suppose I shouldn’t be too astonished. The word versus, abbreviated vs. or v. is now universally pronounced [vee]. 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 Spelling category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Writing a Reference Letter (With Examples)Empathy "With" or Empathy "For"?150 Foreign Expressions to Inspire You

Trace the Roots of Conflict in Iraq Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Trace the Roots of Conflict in Iraq - Essay Example The detail of the statement is illustrated in the later part of the paper with adequate supporting evidences. Introduction to International relationships: Rules and regulations play an in evident role in the development of a society. A productive output of a society witnesses successful adheres of rules and regulations. Thus, the system provides the base of an efficient society complementing productivity in a peaceful environment by following legislations commercially and individually. The development of society is closely interlinked with the development of business of an economy. The interrelation between the two in a microenvironment (Social, economical, political, technological) is that of a stake holder. Business is the keystone that supplements the development of a society and spares funds for necessary resources to permit the development and welfare of society. Hitherto, control of power through legislation enhances the capacity of conjunctional development for uniform advance ment. The point of view is attempted to be illustrated with the help of diagram illustrated below; Two way shared understanding of Legislation The reputation, innovation, competiveness and growth of society and business are interdependent upon corporative adherence to legislation by the two. Imbalance of each unit can cast massive negative impact on maturity of microenvironment. The contemporary era is a period of rapid international growth supporting the features of globalization resulting in constant evolution of traditional concepts. Journalist Thomas L. Friedman, in The Lexus and the Olive Tree defines â€Å"globalization’ as (FRIEDMAN, Thomas L., 2000): †¦the inexorable integration of markets, nation-states and technologies to a degree never witnessed before—in a way that is enabling individuals, corporations and nation-states to reach around the world farther, faster, deeper and cheaper than ever before, and in a way that is enabling the world to reach into individuals, corporations, and nation-states farther, faster, deeper, and cheaper than ever before. The origin of the study of International relations aroused from the effects of the globalization such as pluralism and regional integration. Pluralism is the political philosophy which acknowledges diversity and supports methodological metropolitans. A society can be regarded as pluralistic on the basis of the fact multicultural aspect of the country because of the residents of different tastes, values and beliefs. (HUI, John, 2011). The thought behind the formulation of the study of International Relations was to determine social constructivism based on human awareness rather than materialism. (JACKSON, Robert H., S?rensen, Georg, 2007). Hitherto, the theories of International Relations can be categorized into Realism, Idealism and Constructivism. The idea that resolves the scope of the three fields is the projection of the ground concept of power and its execution in the social wor ld. Realism; The school of scholars that support realism theory previews International relations as anarchical, which studies and propose model for distribution of power among states. (GRIFFITHS, Martin, 1999) Idealism: The theory of idealism emphasizes on law and a law regulatory body that advocates the interdependency of the entities of common interest and values and derives focus on common interests. Constructivism: This theory states that every country have its dissimilar state based on political culture, policies and history.

Joseph Plumb Martin Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Joseph Plumb Martin - Essay Example Wit and humor are great assets for a writer. Martin describes about the confusing situations that prevailed in the uncertain battlegrounds. Without able officers to guide, issue orders to the soldiers as to the course of action to be followed everything was in a state of mess in the war-fronts. The soldiers were ill-equipped, untrained and faced life-and death situations often. Most of them were inexperienced and did not possess the skills and intricacies of attacking and defending in warfronts. Martin’s grouse that the authorities did not care for the ordinary soldier is genuine. They defended the people and the cause, and once the war was over they were finding it difficult to defend their poor pensions. This observation of Martin is bone chilling: â€Å"If I chance to die in a civilized country, none will deny me that. A dead body never begs a grave; thanks for that.† (p.179, 180). Martin and fellow-soldiers fought wars with utter dedication in sub-human conditions. Their patriotism was matchless. Martin felt genuine anguish the way the soldiers were treated by the authorities, once the job was done. His language is not that of a bitter critic. His simple words pierce the conscience of a discernable reader, like a sharp dagger. Revolutionary speeches were delivered by the big leaders, theoreticians on the subject of racism, and other think-tanks from the ivory towers. But the real difficulties of the war was borne by the ordinary soldiers, and the goal of freedom for the Nation was accomplished by them fighting from the deadly trenches, with genuine apprehensions about their survival to see the sun rise for another day.

Broken window concept and it connection to social disorder, as Essay

Broken window concept and it connection to social disorder, as described by George L. Kelling - Essay Example This situation results in social withdrawal or flight from the area, thus reducing the power of informal social control, which increases crime. Signs of this conduct are unrepaired broken windows and graffiti, teen age drunks and young bands. Kelling underlines that securing and propping up informal control mechanisms, through the aggressive policing of disorder and incivilities, constitutes the central means of reversing the spirals of neighborhood breakdown and misbehavior. Society, from this viewpoint, behave to counter the degeneration associated with crime, on the presupposition that it is an inherent capacity of communities to improve their resources of social control. Through informal community controls, it is anticipated that the primary of the normative consensus of the society will be asserted. These ideas connect with, and reflect the influence of, broken windows thesis (kelling 1995). According to this, societies and citizens are seen as occupying an essential role in hal ting moral decline, the regeneration of neighborhood life, and the prevention of crime, by exerting their moral authority. Societies and individual citizens are identified as a powerful site of social order and control. â€Å"For many people, thanks in part to how it has been presented by many police leaders, community policing is viewed as â€Å"soft† policing comparable to community relations or, worse yet, social work† (Kelling 1999). Community in this sense is defined negatively, through reference to others. Community members recognize themselves as a collective, as us in contradistinction to them. Consequently, insiders only exist because there are outsiders and so community may be based less on what people share in common than upon their difference in relation to others. Community, thus understood, is more than geographic location, it exists where members of a social group feel bound together by shared values or traditions

Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 12

Case Study Example In addition, the company has taken an initiative that basically involves construction of schools and hospitals in the areas where victims of the fire inhabit. This approach can be regarded as corporate social responsibility; it is an imperative approach that has been employed by many major companies overtime and has been associated with various benefits i.e. improving company-clientele relationship et cetera. Taking an analysis of the actions that were taken by the government, it is apparent that they were basically geared towards promoting healthy and safe modes of production in the garment industry. The approach taken by the government that basically involved gradual implementation of safety rules is appropriate. This is due to the fact that the process of implementing rules is usually performed on a gradual basis, as institutions require substantial amount of time to adapt to new rules. However, the major mistake that was made by the government arises from the fact that, the rules should have been formulated and implemented before beginning production processes in the garment

Illustrate and Explain using visuals on tabacco advertising between Essay

Illustrate and Explain using visuals on tabacco advertising between the 1945-1990 period to tell the difference on the advertising strategies between a male and a female - Essay Example Thus, cigarette manufacturing companies have to always maintain the cutting edge of their marketing operations to stay ahead in competition. Therefore, over the years, cigarette advertisements have evolved dramatically to encompass a wide range of experimentation of different strategies including cultural references, gender differentiation and celebrity endorsement. This 1949 ad of â€Å"Embassy,† manufactured by P Lorillard Company, employs the strategy of portraying a well groomed, white collared male for promoting their product (Tobacco Advertising Themes: For Your Health: To Your Heart’s Content 1, 2013). This version of the ad of â€Å"Embassy† portrays a classy-looking woman, which appears to be the iconic image women have aspired to become during that time (Tobacco Advertising Themes: For Your Health: To Your Heart’s Content 2, 2013). The male ad, released immediately after WW-II, manifests the aspirations of the male gender during that era. The most parts of the Western world have remained in the reconstruction phase in the aftermath of the devastating war, when jobs were in plenty. However, generally, people wanted to settle in white collar jobs and lead a comfortable life. The ad, thus, attempts to attract the consumer by projecting an image that the sophisticated, well-groomed males prefer, Embassy, which stands as a symbol of the â€Å"desirable male figure† of the 1940s. The male model, however, connotes to a macho image that borders on roughness which can be construed as a trait attributable to the perception of manliness in the post war era. On the other hand, the female ad, also released in the years immediately following the war, reflects the aspirations of the female gender during that time. The image of the woman in the ad perfectly translates to aspiration of the females living in the post war period, where they aspire for a better outlook and comfortable life. The

Development proposal for UK Fashion footwear retailer Essay

Development proposal for UK Fashion footwear retailer - Essay Example The essay "Development proposal for UK Fashion footwear retailer" talks about UK Fashion footwear retailer and analyzes Light Feet Ltd. Key Note (2012, p. 1) points out that the UK footwear market demonstrated an increase in expenditure by consumers on foot wear by 18% in 2008. This expenditure is related to the fact that substitute retail shops have led to competitive pricing for footwear and a resultant motivation of consumers to make more purchases. Light Feet Ltd requires to be aware of the competitive business environment within the UK footwear market so that managerial decisions on strategy and competitive advantage would be focused at overcoming the threat that substitute retail shops for footwear would pose on the company. In accordance to Business Wire (2012, p. 5), the switching costs of consumers within the UK footwear market are relatively low. This means that consumers would easily change the retailers from whom they buy footwear to substitute dealers without incurring s ignificant costs. In this regard, the company’s pricing policy must ensure that competitive prices are provided to the consumers so that the inclination of the buyers for substitute retailers for footwear can be overcome or reduced. It is therefore the performance of the company in pricing and tradeoffs with its advantages over the substitute retailers that competitiveness within the UK footwear market can be achieved. The UK footwear industry is highly competitive as illustrated by the values of imports. that various retailers have achieved from different global markets as presented on the figure below. Supplier Power Porter (2008, p. 82) demonstrates that the competitiveness of a company within a market is determined by the ability of a company to apply strategic business approaches which are aimed at taking advantage of the supplier power. In this regard, Light Feet Ltd must perform a market research and analysis in order to determine the power that the manufacturers of fo otwear within the UK have on the retailer who deal in these products. This will allow the company to make right choices and informed decisions on its relationship with the manufacturers of the footwear brands that it sells within this market. Through effective relationship with the suppliers or manufactures of footwear, the company will be able to win the confidentiality of the suppliers and as a result ensure a constant supply of footwear. This is an important consideration because it determines the ability of the company to meet the demand in the markets. Moreover, constant supply will allow Light Feet Ltd to meet the needs of its loyal and new customers for variety of footwear products. In the supply of footwear within the UK market various outlets have demonstrated competitive advantage as illustrated on the table below.    1995 2000 2005 2008 Shoe Shops 45 37 33 30 Sports and Outdoor shops 14 19 17 15 Clothing Stores 12 11 14 17 Grocery Superstores 5 7 8 7 Mail order/online 1 0 9 10 11 Other Retailers†  14 17 18 20 Total 100 100 100 100 Mintel Oxygen Reports (2012, p. 1) reveal that the footwear market in the UK is complex

Illustrate and Explain using visuals on tabacco advertising between Essay

Illustrate and Explain using visuals on tabacco advertising between the 1945-1990 period to tell the difference on the advertising strategies between a male and a female - Essay Example Thus, cigarette manufacturing companies have to always maintain the cutting edge of their marketing operations to stay ahead in competition. Therefore, over the years, cigarette advertisements have evolved dramatically to encompass a wide range of experimentation of different strategies including cultural references, gender differentiation and celebrity endorsement. This 1949 ad of â€Å"Embassy,† manufactured by P Lorillard Company, employs the strategy of portraying a well groomed, white collared male for promoting their product (Tobacco Advertising Themes: For Your Health: To Your Heart’s Content 1, 2013). This version of the ad of â€Å"Embassy† portrays a classy-looking woman, which appears to be the iconic image women have aspired to become during that time (Tobacco Advertising Themes: For Your Health: To Your Heart’s Content 2, 2013). The male ad, released immediately after WW-II, manifests the aspirations of the male gender during that era. The most parts of the Western world have remained in the reconstruction phase in the aftermath of the devastating war, when jobs were in plenty. However, generally, people wanted to settle in white collar jobs and lead a comfortable life. The ad, thus, attempts to attract the consumer by projecting an image that the sophisticated, well-groomed males prefer, Embassy, which stands as a symbol of the â€Å"desirable male figure† of the 1940s. The male model, however, connotes to a macho image that borders on roughness which can be construed as a trait attributable to the perception of manliness in the post war era. On the other hand, the female ad, also released in the years immediately following the war, reflects the aspirations of the female gender during that time. The image of the woman in the ad perfectly translates to aspiration of the females living in the post war period, where they aspire for a better outlook and comfortable life. The

300 - a Gender Analysis Essay Example for Free

300 a Gender Analysis Essay Gender The film industry has created the conventional gender roles of society into their movies; A majority of films have supported some of the male and female stereotypes. In the history of the film industry, the role of men is primarilythat of the stereotypical working class man or hero, while the roles of women are primarily portrayed as being somewhat inferior to men. In the 1930s through the 1970s, men held the leading roles in films while women played smaller roles. Men were typically employed, successful gentlemen, while the woman’s only job was a housewife. The film industry was mostly dominated by men. In terms of jobs, women were given mostly family roles and rarely were shown outside of their homes, while men had successful careers and did many activities outside of home. â€Å"Women were shown doing housework and men were the beneficiaries of their work† (â€Å"Women’s roles in the film industry† Women in film). As women were given a more active role in society, the gender roles in movies changed. However, many types of gender stereotypes in films still exist. Action genre movies in particular account for many of the gender stereotypes in the film industry today. Men are typically portrayed to be the hero, while women are often portrayed as sexual objects. In the movie 300, the Spartan men served and protected the city of Sparta, while the Spartan women did domestic chores and bred more warriors. Because this movie was set back in 480 BC society portrayed men to be superior to women. Some of the main characters in 300 are prime examples for the different gender roles. King Leonidas is the proud, triumphant King of Sparta. In the film, the character Leonidas possesed as a couple different male stereotypes. King Leonidas is portrayed as the hero throughout the different action sequences. Throughout the movie Leonidas takes charge of his troops and leads them into battle. Leonidas is hero not only because he is the King of Sparta, but also because he is the commander of the troops. Before King Leonidas leaves for battle with his three-hundred Spartans, he confronts his wife and refrains from saying â€Å"My queen, my life, my love,† because he, like all other Spartans, is not soft and does not want to show emotion to his queen (Zack Snyder. 00). The narrator speaks of how Spartan men are raised like brutes and are â€Å"hard warriors† (Zack Snyder. 300). This particular phrase is important to the story because it reflects the gender role of men during that time period. King Leonidas can also be classified as the family man stereotype. Throughout the film he trains his young son for battle. He plays the role of protector not only for his individual family, but also for Spart a. In the movie 300, King Leonidas represents many male stereotypes. In contrast, the character Queen Gorgo stands for many female stereotypes in the movie. The queen portrays the domestic female stereotype. In the film Queen Gorgo cares for her young son and stays at home while her husband, King Leonidas, is fighting for their country. Like many of the women in the film, Queen Gorgo performs many domestic tasks such as retrieving food and water for her family, as well as looking after her child. Queen Gorgo is also a sex object. She is easily seduced by her King. She bribesone of the councilmen with sex. At times in the film the Queen, among many other women, wear little clothing. The 300 Spartans also wear little clothing in the film. Due to the lack of clothing, the Spartans show their ripped and brute physique to reinforce the male stereotype of being brawny and strong. Lastly, the queen represents the female stereotype of beauty. The queen is an attractive woman with a small frame, much like how the media portrays what a woman should look like. Her attractive looks and sexual qualities are a large part of Queen Gorgo’s character. Queen Gorgo represents an abundance of the female stereotypes in society. The captain of the Spartan troops also shows male stereotypes. The captain is a close ally of King Leonidas. Throughout the film, the captain portrays the male stereotype of being a family man. The captain’s son, Astinos, is barely old enough to be in battle with the Persians. The captain is skeptical of allowing his son to enter battle, but decides to encourage him to serve their country. Throughout the different battles with the Persians, the captain protects his son from harm. When Astinos is killed by Persians, the captain goes on an extremely violent tirade and kills every Persian in sight due to his overpowering vengeance. After the death of his son, the captain proclaims to the king that his heart is filled with hate, and King Leonidas replies â€Å"Good. † King Leonidas feels that it is necessary for a soldier to feel hatred toward his enemies. This particular scene portrays another male characteristic of not showing emotion towards a certain subject. The captain is another character that shows the male stereotype present in this film. Although many of the characters in the movie portray the prevalent male and female stereotypes in society, there are a few characters that stray away from these social formalities. Councilman Theron is an example of one of the characters that does not abide to the brute and warrior stereotypes in the film 300. Theron is no older than the Spartan men who fight for their city, but he lacks the physical strength that the Spartan warriors possess. Because Theron is not a typical man in Sparta, he wears a gown that is similar to the gowns worn by Spartan women. Along with Councilman Theron, there are other men that are on the council of Sparta. These men are far less in physical size than the Spartan warrior and are given duties that are similar to women. The men in the council are unique to the majority of men in Sparta that serve their city. Since the men wear â€Å"woman-like† clothing, it labels women’s apparel to be very revealing. These men reinforce some of the women stereotypes prevalent in the film. There are also some specific scenes in the movie that break some of the male and female stereotypes. Directly after Astinos is killed in battle, the Captain begins to break down and cry. The captain immediately showed his emotion for the loss of his son. This scene in the movie shows how even the most masculine man has to show some emotion at some point in time. In the end of the battle against the Persians, after King Leonidas has been shot by many arrows, he stands up and shouts, â€Å"My queen, my life, my love† (Zack Snyder. 300). This phrase is contradictory to the general actions of Spartans, and men in general, because it shows emotion. Both of these sequences in the film show how every man must show emotion, regardless of who they are. 300 demonstrated the many male and female stereotypes in society. Although most of the men were relatively similar, there were a few men in Sparta who went against the normal gender role. Like many other action movies, 300 showed various roles that supported some of the gender roles in the film industry. The main characters primarily demonstrated the conventional gender roles, but they also expressed some contradictory qualities. The film industry provides arious different types of gender roles through movies. advertising. Home | Saint Marys College, Notre Dame, IN. 20 Apr. 2009 ;lt; http://www. diigo. com/05lfx Women in Film. Yahoo! GeoCities: Get a free web site with easy-to-use site building tools. 20 Apr. 2009 ;lt; http://www. diigo. com/05lfw 300 Movie Spartans. Mens Movie Guide. 20 Apr. 2009 ;lt; http://www. diigo. com/05lfv 300 (Widescreen Single Disc Edition). Dir. Zack S nyder. Perf. Gerard Butler, Lena Headey. DVD. Warner Bros. Pictures Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures International, 2006.

How Henry David Thoreaus Influence Is Evident Today Philosophy Essay

How Henry David Thoreaus Influence Is Evident Today Philosophy Essay Henry David Thoreau preached the prospects of being non-violent and described the effects wars have had on humans as a whole. To give some background information, David Thoreau was born on 1817 in Concord, Massachusetts. When he was around the age of sixteen, he enrolled himself in Harvards Latin, Greek, grammar composition, and philosophy classes. While at college he soon became engrossed in Ralph Waldo Emersons famous writings. Unknown to him, Ralph Waldo Emerson would become a leading example in his decision making and overall, his friend. Henry David Thoreau graduated in 1837 and became a school teacher. During the year 1841 he had the pleasure of living with Ralph Waldo Emerson. While with him he grew in knowledge and thus set off on his own voyage. He soon moved to Walden Ponds where he lived for about two years. During a trip into town he was thrown into jail for refusing to pay a poll tax, which went to help war efforts against Mexico. While imprisoned and unbeknownst to him he would be writing one of the most famous and historic essays of that time entitled, Civil Disobedience. A broad margin of leisure is as beautiful in a mans life as in a book. Haste makes waste, no less in life than in housekeeping. Keep the time, observe the hours of the universe, not of the cars. (All quotes are from http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/h/henry_david_thoreau.html#ixzz1KT5xN8ne) A truly good book teaches me better than to read it. I must soon lay it down, and commence living on its hint. What I began by reading, I must finish by acting. As for doing good; that is one of the professions which is full. Moreover I have tried it fairly and, strange as it may seem, am satisfied that it does not agree with my constitution. Books are the carriers of civilization. Without books, history is silent, literature dumb, science crippled, thought and speculation at a standstill. I think that there is nothing, not even crime, more opposed to poetry, to philosophy, ay, to life itself than this incessant business. Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life youve imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler. How did Henry David Thoreau view non-violent resistance? He felt that all of humanity had a right to decide whether to fight or not. He viewed this as much more than actions but as a state of mind. Just not taking part in war wasnt enough. You had to truly understand the principles. He along with Ralph Waldo Emerson thought that each person was entitled to his own opinion and decision making. That government is best which governs least. That quotation was taken from his famous essay entitled Civil Disobedience. Henry David Thoreau wasnt against the government, but just a few laws and mandates. Henry David Thoreau thought that even though America, as a whole was gaining prosperity, it was also losing integrity. As time progressed he witnessed America losing its values and foundation, which had made it such a noble nation. Another thing he noticed about the Government was that they did not keep the country free. They proclaimed many times about America being the land of the free, but h e viewed that as a false statement. Henry David Thoreau was anti-statism. That government is best which governs least; and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically. Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe,-That government is best which governs not at all; and when men and women are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which they will have. He felt strongly about his beliefs and as a result he didnt want to take part in wars. Since he was a scholar and was very knowledgeable, surely he had read about the effects of past wars. He knew that wars only brought about pain, suffering, and more turmoil. Ending One war would bring about 10 fold he stated. You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment. Disobedience is the true foundation of liberty. The obedient must be slaves. All endeavor calls for the ability to tramp the last mile, shape the last plan, endure the last hours to il. The fight to the finish spirit is the one characteristic we must possess if we are to face the future as finishers. How did Henry David Thoreau practice non-violent resistance? Henry David Thoreau didnt take part in the governments wars. He simply refused no matter the consequences. His example should be commended because he stood by his beliefs no matter what. As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives. From this quote we can see that he didnt give up. He also made it clear what he believed not only in his essays but also to government officials. Every man casts a shadow; not his body only, but his imperfectly mingled spirit. This is his grief. Let him turn which way he will, it falls opposite to the sun; short at noon, long at eve. Did you never see it? I am sorry to think that you do not get a mans most effective criticism until you provoke him. Severe truth is expre ssed with some bitterness. Henry David Thoreau did not live in a big city. He knew that only trouble could come from being a non-violent resister. So too make his life easier he never got married and he lived in the woods. I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. If a man walks in the woods for love of them half of each day, he is in danger of being regarded as a loafer. But if he spends his days as a speculator, shearing off those woods and making the earth bald before her time, he is deemed an industrious and enterprising citizen. I have never found a companion that was so companionable as solitude. We are for the most part more lonely when we go abroad among men than when we stay in our chambers. A man thinking or working is always alone, let him be where he will. What Individuals did Henry David Thoreau influence? Unfortunately Henry David Thoreau died of tuberculosis May 6, 1862, at the age of 44. After his death the world changed drastically. As he passed away a new light shined over America. President Abraham Lincoln freed all slaves in the United States. This would lead to a momentous future for African Americans. One in particular was Dr. Martin Luther King. He was an important figure in African American Literature and in history in general. Like Henry David Thoreau he believed you could conquer the evil with the good. Dr. Martin Luther King was not anti-government. All he fought for was true freedom and equality. He felt that black werent being treated fairly. He knew what America motto was, The Land of The Free, and thats what he wanted. He wanted that prospect not only for himself but also for the other millions of other African American in the United States. About half way across the world another individual took a stand for non viol ent resistance. His name was Mohandas Gandhi. During the time he lived in, he too was surrounded by war. The British had taken control of Gandhis nation and their people were prepared to take it back. Gandhi preached about not taking up arms and told his fellow countrymen what war would do to the country and to future generations. Some listened, but many opposed his teachings because they thought of him as not being loyal to the government and to the main religion in India, Hinduism. Loyalty was very during that time because the nation needed to join together in order to become free from the British. It is better to have your head in the clouds, and know where you are than to breathe the clearer atmosphere below them, and think that you are in paradise. Make the most of your regrets; never smother your sorrow, but tend and cherish it till it comes to have a separate and integral interest. To regret deeply is to live afresh. Live the life youve dreamed. Justice is sweet and musical; but injustice is harsh and discordant. It is what a man thinks of himself that really determines his fate. It is the greatest of all advantages to enjoy no advantage at all. Both of these two individuals had an important impact on history, not only in the United States But all over the world. Since Dr. Martin Luther King fought so hard for the rights and freedom of African Americans, everyone today has the privilege of living their dreams and not being held back. We have a prime example of one individual who wasnt held back by anything, and that is President Barack Obama. Many years ago Dr. Martin Luther King spoke about such freedom and how we needed a change, and now we have it. Thanks to him our possibilities in the world are limitless. The Second Individual Henry David Thoreau influenced was Gandhi. We benefit from his actions to day because a lot of our leaders in the world, base their decisions on his way of thinking Being peaceable was truly the right way to take and a lot of our political leaders are that way. What was Henry David Thoreaus Message? Basically Thoreau wanted, not only for himself but for everyone, the prospects of free will. He felt that the government was abusing their right to rule. He also believed that people should decide for themselves whether or not to take another humans life and participate in war efforts. Thoreau wasnt all talk. He too was persecuted for his actions. There is no value in life except what you choose to place upon it and no happiness in any place except what you bring to it yourself. Truth is always in harmony with herself, and is not concerned chiefly to reveal the justice that may consist with wrong-doing. We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aid, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn. Why should we be in such desperate haste to succeed, and in such desperate enterprises? If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Henry David Thoreau is impacting humans today because he used a logical method of reasoning. The information he wrote in his essay are just as important and beneficial today as it was 100s of years ago. The things he wrote down can help us all to on becoming a better nation and better people. Next we will consider an excerpt from his essay entitled Civil Disobedience. Government is at best but an expedient; but most governments are usually, and all governments are sometimes, inexpedient. The objections which have been brought against a standing army, and they are many and weighty, and deserve to prevail, may also at last be brought against a standing government. The standing army is only an arm of the standing government. The government itself, which is only the mode which the people have chosen to execute their will, is equally liable to be abused and perverted before the people can act through it. Witness the present Mexican war, the work of comparatively a few individuals using the standing government as theIt does not keep the country free. It does not settle the West. It does not educate. The character inherent in the American people has done all that has been accomplished; and it would have done somewhat more, if the government had not sometimes got in its way. If tool; for in the outset, the people would not have consented to this measure. After all, the practical reason why, when the power is once in the hands of the people, a majority are permitted, and for a long period continue, to rule is not because they are most likely to be in the right, nor because this seems fairest to the minority, but because they are physically the strongest. But a government in which the majority rules in all cases cannot be based on justice, even as far as men understand it. Can there not be a government in which the majorities do not virtually decide right and wrong, but conscience?in which majorities decide only those questions to which the rule of expediency is applicable? Must the citizen ever for a moment, or in the least degree, resign his conscience to the legislator? Why has every man a conscience then? I think that we should be men first, and subjects afterward. It is not desirable to cultivate a respect for the law, so much as for the right. The only obligation which I have a right to assume is to do at any time what I think right. It is truly enough said that a corporation has no conscience; but a corporation on conscientious men is a corporation with a conscience. He who gives himself entirely to his fellow men appears to them useless and selfish; but he who gives himself partially to them in pronounced a benefactor and philanthropist. How does it become a man to behave toward the American government today? I answer, that he cannot without disgrace be associated with it. I cannot for an instant recognize that political organization as my government which is the slaves government also. I have contemplated the imprisonment of the offender, rather than the seizure of his goodstho ugh both will serve the same purposebecause they who assert the purest right, and consequently are most dangerous to a corrupt State, commonly have not spent much time in accumulating property. To such the State renders comparatively small service, and a slight tax is wont to appear exorbitant, particularly if they are obliged to earn it by special labor with their hands. If there were one who lived wholly without the use of money, the State itself would hesitate to demand it of him. But the rich mannot to make any invidious comparisonis always sold to the institution which makes him rich. Absolutely speaking, the more money, the less virtue; for money comes between a man and his objects, and obtains them for him; it was certainly no great virtue to obtain it. (http://www.transcendentalists.com/civil_disobedience.htm) In conclusion, how can we use his message in our daily lives? Henry David Thoreau would have wanted the Untied States to be a place where people held the power, or in other words the majority rules. It may seem like that today but, if there was a draft, any and everyone the government wanted to fight, would have to fight. We could stand firm against opposition and keep Thoreaus words at the forefront of our minds. We could stop paying our taxes, just like he did but that would lead to calamity on down the road. His being neural in politics and wars could prove to be beneficial in the future, because staying out of wars could save our lives despite some government persecution. So behave that the odor of your actions may enhance the general sweetness of the atmosphere, that when we behold or scent a flower, we may not be reminded how inconsistent your deeds are with it; for all odor is but one form of advertisement of a moral quality, and if fair actions had not been performed, the lil y would not smell sweet. The foul slime stands for the sloth and vice of man, the decay of humanity; the fragrant flower that springs from it, for the purity and courage which are immortal. Only nature has a right to grieve perpetually, for she only is innocent. Soon the ice will melt, and the blackbirds sing along the river which he frequented, as pleasantly as ever. The same everlasting serenity will appear in this face of God, and we will not be sorrowful, if he is not. Our moments of inspiration are not lost though we have no particular poem to show for them; for those experiences have left an indelible impression, and we are ever and anon reminded of them. Politics is the gizzard of society, full of grit and gravel, and the two political parties are its opposite halves sometimes split into quarters which grind on each other. Not only individuals but states have thus a confirmed dyspepsia. Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! I say, let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb-nail. The youth gets together his materials to build a bridge to the moon, or, perchance, a palace or temple on the earth, and, at length, the middle-aged man concludes to build a woodshed with them. To read well, that is, to read true books in a true spirit, is a noble exercise, and one that will task the reader more than any other exercise which the customs of the day esteem. It requires a training such as the athletes underwent, the steady intention almost of the whole life to this object. Work Cited Page http://www.thoreau-online.org/henry-david-thoreau-biography.htm http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/h/henry_david_thoreau.html#ixzz1KT5xN8ne http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/house-passes-the-13th-amendment http://www.transcendentalists.com/civil_disobedience.htm