Monday, September 30, 2019

Mythology and literature Essay

The definition of mythology is deprived from the word ‘myth’. The word itself comes from the Greek word ‘mythos’, which means fable, legend or sagas. The word â€Å"myth† is a story that seeks to rationalize the universe and the world around us, passed down orally from generation to generation explaining religious origin, natural phenomena or supernatural event. Mythology is a collection of myths that concerns with cosmogony and cosmology, shared by a particular society at some particular time in human history. Literature is a body of written works of language, period or culture. Literature can be divided into fiction (e.g. fairty tale, gothic, saga etc) and non-fiction (e.g. essays, journal, science fiction etc). There are many distinctive natures of mythology and they seek to describe what a particular person or society believe during that period of time. Myths serves as an charter for their institutions, customs and beliefs. The typical mythology is the explanation of the universe and its ethology. Normally, the setting is set in a previous proto-world (simliar to the current world but also different) and they often revolve around non-human or â€Å"extroadinary† people such as god, goddess, supernatural beings (e.g. zeus, adam and eve, prometheus etc). These story explains why things are and how they became to be. It ‘rationalised’ our way of thinking, reconcile us to reality and establishes our pattern of life. Apart from the explanation of the creation of the universe, mythologies seek to explain everyday natural phenomena. Certain myths explains way the sun exist and why there is night and day. Some explains the existance of seasons: Spring,Winter,Summer and Autumn while others shows of mother nature providing us with food and shelter. These myth suggest a way of understanding nature and organizing thoughts. For example, structualism recognizes different contrasting aspect (light and dark, good/evil) as centres to myths which charters for social order or value within a society (functionalism). Myth have been created by human beings for many reasons over thousands of years. They are an intellectual product of humanity and a rich resource for the ideas and belief of past generations. Their extroadinary and unbelievable aspect combined with the constant thought that there might be something ‘out their’ is what keeps mythology functioning and is what keeps literature moving. There are also many differences between literature and mythology. For instance, they were used for different purposes and existed in different times. Myth several purposes, including to socially/politically control society (e.g. to spread a myth about something to control people, to scare people when facts were not available). Literature on the other hand, is more about persuading and informing people. There are also other benefits to mythology that cannot be achieved in literature, such as there is no boundary to the world, there is no such thing as ‘false’ and there is low risk of anyone challenging your theory. The sets of beliefs also differ and the way they view the world differs. For example, literature’s audience are educated modern people while mythology’s one is from the old generation where there was not much information about the world and how it works. This would mean that the two different texts have different intended audience which would inev itably show why they differ so much. Both are products of humans but during different time frame. The arrival of the modern era would inevitably mean the death of mythology. The transformation from one to another was the belief that myth was useless, false and outmoded and that it did not ‘work’. Science (regarded as a ‘fictional literature’) was the objective explanation of how the world around us work while the subjective myth was about faith and believing something ‘unfounded’. Scientific rational thought was based on empricial knowledge, a priori (not falsifiable) and our way of thinking is based on facts. Myth is ultimately a different knowledge, an ideology, a set of ‘belief’. Systems of myths have provided a cosmological and historical framework for societies that have lacked the more sophisticated knowledge provided by modern science. Myth is related to science, however it only provide basis for a theory, not knowledge. For example the myth of how the origin was created would have lacked modern day rational scientific belief because they would prefer a more ‘true’, superior and more authority theory, which is the big bang theory. Our modern rational paradigm thought is based on observation. Scientific rational thinking is based on logic to solve or explain how the world works and as it becomes a part of our everyday thinking, mythology will be inevitable cast aside. Carl Jung invented modern scientific theory and for him, the world of dream, and myth represented the most fascinating and promising road to deeper understanding. The significance of literature in mythology as said ‘We need the stories of myth to make sense of the confusion of our society and our own psyches. Myth voices the truths of our unconscious selves, and the gods, goddesses, and heroes of myth embody aspects of creativity, cleverness, grief, joy, aggression, and ecstasy. Carl Jung believes that even the most sophisticated and important literature requires some mythological aspect. (E.g. the Lord of the Ring depends on mythical characteristic to drives the ideas; horror movies have a ‘message’ and some urban myth taps into child’s fear of a ‘bogyman under the bed’) Northrop Frye criticises literature and states the importance of cultural myth underlying literature (E.g. Sea, land and sky, control, creation, decay, regeneration, our ‘fear’). Mythology evokes our sub-conscious mind (e.g. dream) which is employed by reference to mythology in literature. Frye states that mythology provided themes for some of the world’s greatest drama, and similar themes can be traced back to the Renaissance literature, through to Shakespeare (E.g. Hamlet, Midsummer Nights Dream) and finally to modern poetry and thus mythology plays a significance role with literature. One could even say that literature is based on mythology. Karen Armstrong book â€Å"A Short History of Myth† is about how literature and mythology were shaped by the problems of the society people lived in. Armstrong states that the existence of Mythology from an early period: ‘Human beings fall easily into despair, and from the very beginning we invented stories that enabled us to place our lives in a larger setting, that revealed an underlying pattern, and gave us a sense that, against all the depressing and chaotic evidence to the contrary, life had meaning and value.’ With the coming of the ‘great revolutions in human experience’ science was used to explain ‘facts’ as opposed the theory of myth, which became ‘useless, false and outmoded.’ Literature, which could explain things that was never thought possible, was regarded as the next ‘step’ from mythology (from an uneducated society to a civilized society). The relationship between literature and mythology is one of similarities as well as differences. They are both important creation by human beings and will continue to play an important role in the intellectual world. Literature will always include some aspect of myth which will continue to shape our modern world like it did in the past.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Gsh sushi hasn’t died

That's a good Joke to tell everyone go get me yester fluffs kudzu,s. Ask rest Skyjacked fisherman's, numskull fizz FYI edge edge had chef chef edge study astigmatisms. Strange. Haverford TU. Fondue bed wrong waywardness. Rush cute. Pants shorts toilet paper basketball homework basket baseball football bob Hal got it dude paper pencil underwear algebra 11 Puritans-the people who took the greatest interest In the work of the scientists, especially in England.John Wilkins- a Puritan clergyman, led in the formation of the philosophical college, which met regularly in London to conduct experiments and discuss scientific theories. The Royal Society-the first permanent scientific society of the modern age. The French Academy of science was founded in Paris in 1666. It was supported largely by Hugeness. Blaine Pascal-a brilliant French mathematician and philosopher. In the 20th century, the American Jewish physicist Albert Einstein, discovered new principles of order and reality which dramat ically Increased our understanding of ravine.Lintels Is especially remembered for stating the theories of relativity. Circulation of the blood in the human body. Harvey's work was crucial to the advance of medical science; for, as the Bible proclaimed more than 2000 years before Christ, the life of the flesh is in the blood. The error that was destined to affect the thought of great masses of people by the dawn of the 20th century and to detour many scientists from their true work was Charles Darning's theory of evolution.Without ability in mathematics, Darwin lacked the chief tool of the great scientists. Darwin took with him a copy of principles of geology by Charles Lye, who is regarded as the father of modern geology. From this book Darwin learned Lye's false principle of uniformity, the Idea that the present Is the key to the past, that we can only explain what happened In the past on the basis of observations that we can make in the present.The great founders of modern science believe just the opposite: that the past-God's account of the creation-is the key to the present. In 1859, Charles Darwin published his book The Origin of Species, n which he rejected the biblical record of creation and propose that â€Å"probably all the organic being which has ever lived on the Earth have descended from some one primordial form, into which life was first breathed. Everyone go get me yester fluffs kudzu.Ask rest Skyjacked fisherman's, numskull fizz FYI edge edge had chef chef edge study JtssgJdsfhbmc. Strange. Haverford TU. Fondue bed wrong waywardness. Rush cute. Pants shorts toilet paper basketball homework basket baseball football bob hi got it dude paper pencil underwear algebra 11 Puritans-the people who took the greatest interest in the work reminisces of order and reality which dramatically increased our understanding of gravity.Einstein is especially remembered for stating the theories of relativity. Andrea Vesuvius-the father of anatomy. In 1616, William Harvey described the circulation of the blood in the human body. Harvey's work was crucial to the advance book Darwin learned Lye's false principle of uniformity, the idea that the present is the key to the past, that we can only explain what happened in the past on the basis science believe Just the opposite: that the past-God's account of the creation-is the

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Advertising and Imagery: Big Mac Attack! Essay

The health dangers represented by excessive consumption of fast food such as that marketed by McDonald’s, though gaining increased recognition today, remain largely unknown or unacknowledged by a great many sectors of the American pubic. This is the premise which motivated the image pictured in Adbusters and subjected to discussion here. Entitled â€Å"Big Mac Attack,† the advertisement parody featured here uses dark humor rather than dry statistical information in order to drive home the point to fast food lovers and the general public that fast food leads to high cholesterol, high blood pressure and heart disease. The ad’s subject is a surgery room, which does not in any direct way seem to address the images associated with fast food. With an EKG monitor occupying the left hand foreground, the right-bound background shows a doctor and an assistant poring over an unseen heart patient. From the perspective of the viewer, the patient’s feet are visible, poking morbidly from the blanket covering the otherwise obscured body. The sharp right angle of the EKG monitor cuts in diagonally from off-screen, with the whole of the machine not totally visible. The bottom horizontal line forming the right angle serves to underline the lone print featured on the screen. The phrase ‘Big Mac Attack! ’ is featured here, as though a part of the EKG display. On the lower register of the vertical line in the right angle, a perpindicular line indicates the front edge of the thin bed frame. With almost perfect symmetry, the patient’s visible feet are angled outward and centered in this portion of the image. The two surgeons flanking him complete this symmetrical impression. Other shapes maintain the rigid consistency of the image, such as the chart dangling from the bed and the operating lamp hanging just above the patient. The lone point of distinction from this rigid angular orientation is in the distinguishing statement of value. This is the image of the so-called â€Å"Golden Arches,† which have been superimposed into the heart monitor read-out shown on the EGK machine. Here, the familiarity of the McDonald’s logo serves against the company’s image-management. Without depicting any of the themes such as fun, family and deliciousness that help it to sell its brand name, the ad invokes McDonald’s by using its household logo. This is sufficient to help clarify the purpose of the set of displayed images. Additionally, the farcical tone of the work becomes more apparent here. The faded and morose quality of the imagery here is interrupted only by the swooping image and its attendant colors. Indeed, the chromatic contrast here intended also plays a significant part in devising the impression to be drawn from the work. Specifically, the bleak blue, white and gray which haze over the patient and his physicians, sharply supplemented by the midnight blue and black hues of the EKG monitor, drive home a sense of impending doom. In the midst of this, the red and yellow elements of the ‘Golden Arches’ allow this part of the image to draw the focus of attention. This underscores the value of the work, which is driven by both its criticism of the product in question and its exploitation of the success which McDonald’s has enjoyed as a tremendously marketed brand icon. The composition is thusly conveyed, presenting the rather explicit statement that fast food can be deadly. Moreover, we are lead by the medium and approach to suggest that the authors of the ad parody also believe that McDonald’s advertising supremacy has been a direct contributing factor to the public health hazard represented by the public. This is, if nothing else, a small attempt recontextualize the brand image to meet public health rather than retail aims.

Friday, September 27, 2019

Training and Coaching Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Training and Coaching - Essay Example In addition, employees also clarify the organizational attitude, beliefs or behavior. Through a series of repetitive practice employees improve their output by adopting the skills learnt and also improve these skills.Coaching forms part of the training development that occurs when a coach supports a learner to achieve a professional or personal goal. In most cases, coaching is a confidential learning process designed to improve the learners’ performance, output, or personal growth. Unlike normal employee training, coaching is more effective since the coach is able to evaluate an individual’s progress. In this regard, the coach not only identifies the learner’s strengths and weaknesses, but he also provides a forum for feedback, by clarifying areas where the learner performs well and areas in which the learner must improve on.  In several instances, coaching results to the learners’ personal change in that a learner acquires clear understanding on the imp ortance of positive output towards the achievement of organizational goals. Coaching facilitates development of skills and performance aimed at specified tasks and overall job responsibility. Coaching also advocates for professional and personal development aimed at future responsibilities and professional roles.Identification of training and coaching needsIn an organization, training is often essential when employees are not meeting the organization’s standard or failing to meet the expected performance level. The difference between actual.

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Business ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Business ethics - Essay Example The management of human resources begins at recruitment and with that there are two strong ethical concerns for all companies. These are the dual issues of following anti-discrimination practices and equal opportunity guidelines (Lockwood, 2005). Simply put, all candidates must be viewed and hired based on their strengths and weaknesses as applicants without giving any biases to their race, gender, age, or physical abilities except in certain situations where such requirements may be an intrinsic part of the job (Alleyne, 2005). As discussed by Clarke (2005), a lot remains to be done in this particular field. Given that the nature of the job in an office setting may include guidelines for inclusion and accessibility may also be a mandatory requirement, there are very few exceptions to the ethical guidelines that can be taken by a company. Without exception, the person making the hiring decision for the company should follow ethical principles and it should be assumed by him/her that the law applies in the fullest sense during the recruitment process. Even before a person is hired, there are ethical requirements which must be observed in the selection and interview process including the idea of confidentiality as well as protecting the privacy of all candidates (Welch, 2005). While applying for the job, candidates may give out information such as email addresses that are considered to be private information in ethical terms and that must be kept secure by the company. After the recruitment has been completed, there are explicit contracts of employment that have to be ethically created and administered by HR professionals as a matter of following the laws of the land. However, there may also be implicit contracts which Emott (2006) suggests are the unspoken understandings between the organization and the workers as they relate to both the expectations of the workers and the obligations of the

Business Operations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Business Operations - Essay Example The essay "Business Operations" talks about the businesses operations in general by the example of Brazelia Med Spa company. The paper also analyzes what skills the effective manager should possess. Brazelia Med Spa is a B2C (Business to Customer) business with products and services ranging from medical, Intravenous nutrition, medical aesthetic, massage therapy, weight management, aesthetic, body care, chronic pain sports injury, and labs. There are also a number of procedures conducted in this institution such as intravenous nutrition therapy, Botox/Dysport and dermal fillers, weight management, and hormone replacement therapy. There are other Spas in Florida that compete with Brazelia in offering these services. Brazelia is a for-profit institution that has been open to the public since the year 2007 and hence has a strong customer base. This institution's mission is "to bring family's health to an optimal and harmonious balance". During my internship, I worked at the reception, insurance department, and financial department. My roles and responsibilities included organizing patients' applications alphabetically, filling out patients' information such as name, cell number, date of birth, and email address in a sheet, and putting all the important patients' details in the system. It was also my duty to ensure that all patients' confirmed their appointments. And it is worth noting that managers face many challenges blending knowledge, skills, ambitions, and expertise of a diverse group of employees.

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Social class and inequality within the education system in the UK Essay

Social class and inequality within the education system in the UK - Essay Example In this case study I will be looking at social class and whether social class faces inequality within the English education system. I will be looking at the education system in the United Kingdom and I will be discussing the differences between middle class and working class in education. The reason for this case study is to discuss the education system in the UK in order to find evidence on how social class faces inequality and I will be doing this by using different theoretical approaches and sociological ways to discuss the relationships. There is a social class gap in the UK for educational achievement. In the UK students attainment is based on parents qualifications, income and occupation (Francis and Perry, 2010) In the UK the working class are eligible for free school meals, free school meals helps us to identify the students class and free school meal students come from a socio-economic background (Perry and Francis et al, 2010). I will be discussing the exam results of both the working and middle class. Children’s social class has a major impact on their performance and their results. The working class tend to not achieve in comparison to the middle class, the education system is biased and is produced to meet the needs of the middle class students and not the working class students (Bryant, n.d.). Children’s class has a major impact on their performance. In addition there is a gap between the middle and the working class and this could be seen through their GSCE results (Shepherd, 2010). According to Shepherd, Sedghi and Evans (2012) statistics show that there is around 27.4% attainment gap between students that are eligible for free school meals and students achieving A*-C in English and Mathematics GCSE. There... According to the paper the critical theory depicts how people within the society receive different treatment. In respect to the present study, the middle class has power, control and fits well in the society. In contrary, the working class are found to suffer from frustration, rejection, isolation and are powerless. These challenges have further implication within the education sector as depicted by affordability of quality education. The middle class has the capacity of enrolling their children in academies that are known to offer quality education as opposed to working class who cannot afford to enrol their children in academies (Muller, Ringer and Simon, 2003). This brings out a gap in social class as evidenced by lack of affordability of quality education by working class as opposed to their wealthy middle class who controls the society and has the resources to afford quality education for their children. The report gives all answers to the questions which are connected with the Education in United Kingdom. Ideally, in the light of modern world, people continue to be segregated in terms of social groups which are facilitated by differences in cultural and economic capabilities. As noted from the present study, those people who are economically advantages exert power within the society. This fact is well supported by social cultural theories such as Critical theory still pushes the UK government to level education for both poor and rich, it is apparent that the middle class who has sufficient resources continues to get quality education relative to the working class. This nature is attributable to the UK form of economy which is more inclined to capitalism. It can therefore deliberate that the UK education system is modelled to be exclusive where the richer ones can afford quality education as opposed to the less rich.

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Role of marketing in a consumer society Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 1

Role of marketing in a consumer society - Essay Example The growth of Starbucks is also based on their sound management as well as effective operations (Reference for Business 2011). Starbucks developed a strategy to open only company?owned stores and avoid franchising. This strategy facilitates the company to keep full control of its excellent products and services. Starbucks strived to control more of its supply chain with the purpose of maintaining high quality of coffee high with consistent levels by working with growers and upholding the standard of coffee. These two strategies facilitate Starbucks to distribute the first part of its value proposition as well as quality (Marangos n.d.). In this paper, the role of marketing in consumer society will be described properly with reference to Starbucks. The company developed various strategies and marketing techniques while operating in consumer market. Various strategies were adopted to satisfy customers with delicious coffee drink. The company operates in broad marketing environment, whi ch has been explained by taking into consideration various factors related to the environmental issues. The theory of consumer society had also been discussed by analyzing the satisfaction level of consumers. 2.0 Marketing Techniques and Strategies From the case study it has been observed that Starbucks has developed expansion and growth strategies in order to make expansion of their brand or products. The marketing strategy of Starbucks is totally unique and different from others. They have adopted the strategy based on various factors such as expansion of business in favorable areas with suitable demographic profile in order to support and render service to them. This strategy was developed based on the growing reputation of Starbucks brand (CalaRos Bay 2004). Various small business firms at the outset face the issue of expansion or growth of their business. Thus, based on these two concepts, expansion as well as growth strategies have been adopted. Business expansion is a stage o f a life of the company in consumer society and business growth is the increase in financial fortunes for employees along with owners. Expansion strategy is developed with a view to validate the initial business start up idea of entrepreneur and the subsequent efforts of fulfilling the vision into success. Growth strategy means that the variety of changes will take place in the company’s business market. Growth causes challenge in managerial legal and financial aspects. This strategy will enable to raise the market share of company and large number of competitors in the market (Reference for Business 2011). The rapid store expansion strategy of Starbucks is domestic store expansion along with international store expansion. The other strategies are employee training in addition to recognition, where recruitment, hiring and training methods for baristas and store managers are included. They also provide screening, training programs and awards for partners. The other strategies are real estate group, store development group and retail operation group, planning as well as construction. For providing facilities to consumers as well as employees, several strategies are developed such as a broad range of store formats, a â€Å"stores of the future† project team, high traffic and high visibility of the location of

Monday, September 23, 2019

Edward Tufte Graphics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Edward Tufte Graphics - Essay Example In addition he insists that an excellent graphic should be one that is multivariate. Eventually, he insists that an excellent graphic should speak nothing but the truth (Tufte’s principles 2009). Hence, any good graphic should exhibit these. In relation to principles of graphical integrity, Tufte insists that it has to be detailed and clear. He advises that the graphic has to be thoroughly labeled and should be able to show data variation. He adds that the graphic should not quote any data out of the context. Furthermore, the principle warns of exceeding the dimensions of data depicted by the graphic (Darzynkiewicz, Robinson & Roederer 2009, p. 45). Hence, graphic integrity is a very useful tool graphic representation. Concerning the principles of data graphics, Tufte insists that any graphic information should above all things show the data. He insists that the data-ink ratio should be maximized in the graphic (Darzynkiewicz, Robinson & Roederer 2009, p. 45). Data-ink ratio i s simply the core of a graphic that cannot be erased. It could also imply data ink divided by the total ink that was used to print the graphic. It is basically the arrangement of non-redundant ink in relation to variation in the presented numbers (Darzynkiewicz, Robinson & Roederer 2009, p. 45). ... Tufte insisted that people should forgo chartjunk, including the grid, the duck and moire vibration (Liere, Adriaansen & Elena 2009, p. 6). For any good graphic, details of no importance should not be included. Tufte also came up with the principle of erasing and data-ink maximization so as to be applied in some graphical designs (Liere, Adriaansen & Elena 2009, p. 6). He insisted that if these principles were applied on the scatter plot and the box plot among others, new designs would be created. He insisted that for the scatter plot, one could edit the frame lines in order to display the minimum, maximum, median and the two quartiles for both variables (Liere, Adriaansen & Elena 2009, p. 6). In relation to the principle of multi-functioning graphical elements, Tufte insists that any graphical element is one that carries data information plus performs design functions left to non data ink. In following this principle, one is able to display several pieces of data at the same time in one graphic (Mizuno & Sheldon 2012). The principle basically mobilizes every graphical element sometimes several times in order to depict or show data. The graphical element that plots or locates or plots data is referred to as the data measure (Mizuno & Sheldon 2012). One can build data measures from data though it will increase the dimensionality of the graphic plus the quantitative details. He adds that varying shades of grey depict varying quantities in a better way than color, since they possess a natural visual hierarchy. In addition, graphical information can be organized for different aspects of data at different visual angles. Also, Tufte insists that for the

Sunday, September 22, 2019

The Effect of Poor Lightning Condition on Spelling Performance in 3rd Year Psychology Students Essay Example for Free

The Effect of Poor Lightning Condition on Spelling Performance in 3rd Year Psychology Students Essay The study was conducted to assess the disruption of cognitive performance such as spelling proficiency in a classroom with poor lighting condition. The participants were 31 students, who participated for course credit. It was hypothesized that participants undergoing the spelling test with poor lighting would report low results. The result of the mean is 4. 87 while the standard deviation resulted to 1. 91. We conclude that the results indicated that cognitive process such as vocabulary usage is greatly affected by poor lighting condition and is an affective instrument for determining how the subjects will respond to the given situation. The Effect of Poor Lightning Condition on Spelling Performance In 3rd year Psychology Students Vision is the ability of the brain and eye to detect electromagnetic waves within the visible range of light that makes them interpret this image as sight. Humans are a diurnal species (active in daytime) usually exposed to light while engaged in cognitive tasks. Light not only guides performance on these tasks through vision but also exerts non-visual effects that are mediated (Vandewalle, Maquet Dijk, 2009). People also can easily determine which changes in darkness and lightness are due to the physical properties f objects and the changes in illumination (Goldstein, 2008). The same research conducted by Vandewalle et al. (2009) also demonstrated that recent advancement studies ion vision which demonstrates that the wavelength, duration and intensity of light exposure adjust brain responses to (non-visual) cognitive tasks and adapts to different conditions. A similar study entitled â€Å"daylighting impacts on human performance in school† was conducted by Heschong, Wright Okura (2002) which aims to demonstrate a clear relationship between the presence of daylight and human performance. In humans, light enhances both alertness and performance during nighttime and daytime and influences regional brain function (Vandewalle Balteau, 2006). The results of these researches suggest that the adjustment of cognitive process and performance can vary to those people who are experiencing it with different and changing lighting condition as to support the claims of Makihara, Takizawa, Shirai Shimada (2007). Much of the studies conducted came with the conclusion that the more there is light, cognitive performance is absolute. In contrast, Landsberger (1955) found out in a study conducted by Hawthorne works that the workers’ productivity seemed to improve when changes were made and slumped when the study was concluded. Landsberger (1955) suggested that the productivity gain was due to the motivational effect of the interest being shown in them. However, it does not permit conclusions to be drawn about whether the lighting condition caused reductions in performance or was just a consequence of motivational effect in them (Simonson Brozek, 1948). In terms of effectiveness of lighting condition in increasing or reducing the performance of the subjects, the low lighting in the workplace may suggest that some of the subjects were just motivated in improving their performance to compete or may have been another case of demoralization. These drawn conclusions may suggest that this study is not that highly validated, thus, making it not that reliable also. The present study was an attempt to assess the disruption of cognitive performance, such as spelling proficiency in a classroom setting with no lighting. And the relationship of lighting and visual performance (Rea, 1992). Based on past experimental research on light as a modulator of cognitive brain function by Vandewalle et al. (2009) and related research on the effects of light exposure to brain responses (H. M. Parsons, 1974), it was expected that participants will end up with low scores in the spelling test due to low level of lighting. Method Participants Participants were 15 male and 16 female undergraduate students who attended San Beda College in Manila. The examiner used total enumeration in determining the participants. Total enumeration is selecting all members of the population without randomization. Apparatus The setting of the experiment was in classroom. It is of average size and the lighting is good. The room is also well ventilated. Then the participants were being ready for a spelling quiz. Instrument Participants were instructed to spell out the words given by the test instructor. The highest possible score on the test was 10. Design This experiment was a one-shot case design that is a type of pre-experimental design where a single group of test units is exposed to an experimental treatment and a single measurement is taken afterwards (Babylon, 2009) wherein the participants spelled in poor lighting and then the results was taken afterwards. Procedure The experimenter told the participants to prepare a paper for a spelling test. Then they proceeded with the experiment which is to spell words with the lights turned off. After the spelling quiz was done, the experimenter then opened the lights and then the results of the tests were checked. Results  The effect of poor lighting condition on spelling performance was assessed by finding the mean and standard deviation of the statistical data. The mean resulted to 4. 87 while having a standard deviation of 1. 91. Discussion The result of this study demonstrated that lighting condition greatly affects the cognitive performance of the students. As expected, majority of the participants garnered low scores during the unlighted spelling tests. Past research suggests that lighting conditions affects cognitive processes that tend to focus on how people would respond to that kind of situation (Vandewalle Balteau, 2006). The results of the present study support it because it demonstrates the validation of the past research and thus making it also reliable. In contrast to the study conducted by Landsberger (1955), which implies that the performance varies to the individual regardless of lighting condition, the results of the present study refute this idea. The results basically tell us that having the spelling test on unlighted condition will cause a poor cognitive performance. Although the hypothesis in this study was supported, the study has a limitation. No controls were taken to ensure that lighting condition experiment could occur into two experimental conditions. It is only a one-shot case study making it less dependable in stating whether a change in the outcome or dependent variable has taken place. In conclusion, the findings of this study are consistent with the claim of researchers such as (Vandewalle, Maquet Dijk, 2009) that light not only guides performance on these tasks through vision but also exerts non-visual effects that affects the human cognition. Light really enhances both alertness and performance during nighttime and daytime as the claims of the study of Heschong et al. (2002) states that daylighting impacts human performance in school. Lighting condition plays a large role in cognition not just only by giving us vision or sight as to go on with perception but also the scientific discovery that light exposure dynamically enhances brain responses.

Saturday, September 21, 2019

The Built Environment And Tourism

The Built Environment And Tourism Tourism has been one of the economic success stories of the last 40 years. It has grown into a major component of the world economy and one of the most highly developed and dynamic industries with an important contribution to incomes and employment. Tourism has been rapidly growing sector and a wide-sweeping socioeconomic phenomenon with broad economic, social, cultural and environmental consequences. It is likely that tourism will continue to dominate the international scene for many years to come. (Sharma, 2011) The environment is perhaps one of the most significant contributors to the popularity and attractiveness of a destination. Sceneries, pleasant climates and unique landscape features have an imperative influence in tourism development and the spatial distribution of tourist movements. Apart from environment, the other important tourist puller is culture in all its diversity across continents. Cultural tourism has long existed, but recent demographic, social, and cultural changes in the main source countries have led to an increasing number of new niche markets in destination countries, including culture-oriented holidays. However, like other forms of development, tourism has also contributed to its share of problems, such as social interruption, loss of cultural heritage, economic dependence and environmental degradation. (UNEP, WTO, 2005). Learning about the brunt of tourism has led many tourists to seek more conscientious holidays. These incorporate various forms of sustainable tourism such as: nature-based tourism, ecotourism and cultural tourism. The major problems arise because the environment (at least in the short term) is a zero priced public good and as with any zero-priced good, is subject to excess demand and over-utilization. This over-utilization of the natural resources and exploitation of cultural heritage especially during the peak periods of tourist activity as well as often ill planned tourism development, have provided a number of examples where tourism is in conflict with the environment (Coccossis, Parpairis, 1995). Not only that, as a result of environmental consciousness, a grea t number of alternative forms of tourism been developed in the last decade. Sustainable Tourism promotes limited-scale, low-impact, community-based activities. It may be defined as tourism that gives stress to the contact and understanding between the hosts and the tourist, as well as the surroundings (Smith Eadington, 1992) or as tourism consistent with the natural, social and community values and that allows a constructive relationship among locals and tourists. (Wearing Neil, 1999). Sustainable environment requires sustainable design. Architecture and design can preserve the memorable and old monuments while it can also create new and attractive qualities in which people can use and enjoy. Architecture has the talent of defining spaces and therefore has a powerful influence on the human behaviour and understanding and this is exactly what is always taken into account in sustainability, maximizing economic benefit and preserving the ecosystem. But what should be the approach to this design to achieve all goals of sustainable tourism or rather what are the tools and principles of architecture that need to be adopted to embrace sustainable tourism need to be developed. Thus the question to be answered is: What should be the architectural approach for sustainable tourism? Defining Sustainable Tourism Sustainable tourism is often considered to be a special kind of tourism that appeals to a particular market niche that is sensitive to environmental and social impacts. This is a narrow view as sustainable tourism is much more than a discreet or special form of tourism. The term sustainable tourism refers to a primary objective to make all tourism more sustainable. It is a continual process of improvement, one which applies equally to tourism in cities, resorts, rural and coastal areas, hills and protected areas. It should be thought of as a division of tourism, not a type of tourism. Sustainable tourism is based on the three pillars of sustainability (economic, social and environmental) and is simply defined by the World Tourism Organization as: Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social, and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities. (WTO, 2005), Sustainability is a process and not an end state. The built environment and Tourism Tourism has an adverse effect on built environment. It could be on architectural faà §ade, change of landuse, overburdening of infrastructure etc. Large scale construction of tourist facilities and other infrastructure tends to change the land use of an area and also disturb the natural ecological harmony of a destination. Also tourism brings changes to the vernacular technology and sometimes the traditional constructions simply vanish giving way to modern construction which is most of the time not following and principles of sustainability. Instead they create harm to the destination, eventually losing the character, being environmentally disturbing and not suited to the needs apart from commercial aspect. Some of the other impacts of tourism on built environment and architecture of a place are: over-intensive urbanization, illegal constructions, pollution, negative aesthetic changes, degradation of quality etc. Need Identification Tourism now accounts for 10% of the worlds economic activity but at the same time it has major impacts on the natural and built environments and as well as on well being and cultures of host population. Ecological, social and economic sustainability are intertwined. Tourism and architecture may be connected to the benefit of the two and ultimately to the benefit of the people. There has been only a very little research on the role of architecture and the approach that should be followed when targeting sustainable tourism. Since building activities like construction of hotels, guest houses, tourist centres, commercial centers etc dominate the development of tourism at any place, there is a need to develop an approach and policy on architectural developments as part of sustainable tourism. This problem is of fundamental importance as it has led to the absence of an adequate theoretical foundation for understanding the dynamics of alternative tourism and the social activities it involves and responding to it accordingly. Sustainable design and planning do not jeopardize the economical benefits that a healthy tourism industry can bring; on the contrary, they can enhance local peculiarities and make use of traditional knowledge and expertise. Where sustainable methods and materials are employed, buildings can be both ecologically and economically profitable, thanks to their lower construction and life cycle costs. This dissertation will be a small effort in the same direction. Scope Sustainability does not require a diminished quality of life, but it does require a change in mindset and values toward a less consumptive lifestyle. These changes must embrace overall interdependence, ecological stewardship, social responsibility and economic feasibility. Various government bodies, international organizations and conventions have stated the importance of tourism and its sustainability. Many countries as well wish to or have already initiated the pursuit to policies of sustainable tourism. In fact one of the most important issues in sustainable development of tourism resources is the consideration and expansion of design and construction standards in order to reach an optimum use of energy, water and land resources. The scope of the study will be to understand sustainable tourism and its forms keeping in mind the delicate destinations specially, be it in terms of their ecosystem, cultural heritage or economic stability and state principles that should govern the architectural design and planning of the tourism infrastructure keeping in mind sustainability as defined above. To lay down the architectural ethics in planning and designing of tourist needs like hotels, guest houses , activity centres etc suitable to the ecosystem ,society and economy. The study will concentrate on the fragile destinations since there is more need there but the applications will be in general universal. The scope of research is in guidelines published by international bodies keeping in mind Indian destinations. Limitations The case studies where sustainable tourism developments have been implemented will not be accessible physically and the research will have to depend on secondary sources of data. The primary case study will be covering a destination which is fragile ecologically, culturally and economically. It might not be possible to make multiple visits and at the same time while doing the survey the lack of academic knowledge regarding the subject amongst hosts could lead it directionless. None of the tourist destinations in India has adopted sustainable tourism as a whole. Few resorts, localities etc have adopted sustainability within them. Sustainable tourism is a relatively new term; the research on it will be limited to data over the past 3o years only. Since the scope has to be limited the research will concentrate particularly on role of architecture in sustainable tourism and not other means of achieving it. When formulating the survey questionnaire, the lack of knowledge about sustainable tourism might lead to indirect framing of questions. Also people will have to be relied upon for being honest which might not be the case for all. 1.7 References and Bibliography References Khaksar,A., Tahmouri,A., Hoseinrazavi,S., 2001, The Reciprocal Effects Of Architecture And Tourism: The Sustainability Approach, Allameh Tabatabai University, Tehran, Iran Sharma,K., 2011, Sustainable Tourism Development Through Sustainable Architecture: A Projected Case Study of Coxs Bazaar, Bangladesh. Masters thesis, University of Huddersfield UNEP and WTO, 2005, Making Tourism More sustainable: A guide for policy makers

Friday, September 20, 2019

Organization Development

Organization Development Executive Summary Organizational development process is considered to be an integral part of an organization, its strategic formulation and managing day-to-day activities. Considering these aspects, the purpose of this work and the attempt made inthat regard is to define the component of organizational development, its integration and tocreateand examine organizational development (OD) concepts and its application is real organization based in UAE. For that reason, a need arise to identify an organization is also a necessity. Hence, it should be clarified that the organizational selected for the purpose of this work is Abu Dhabi National Oil Corporation (ADNOC). Thus, the overall objective of this report is to investigate and trace the many problems,dilemmas and measurement facing an organization, and how manager cope with the difficulties or organizational development processes and its undertaking. It would also help to add herein that the structure of this report is divided into three parts, namely part 1, part 2, and part 3 that cover the situation, the organizational development process and finally our analysis, the subject matter conclusion and its recommendation. Introduction Organization development is considered an integral part of the organization day to day process. OD in the backdrop of its concept is to improve organizations and its effectiveness. OD and its course for that matter is a long-term process, which when undertaken at the strategic or day to day basis helps organization to address many compiling issues. OD is both an intrinsic and extrinsic segmentation that helps organization cope with internal and external change more organically. Subject Matter Issue and its Consideration It is natural only that issue cannot be sided apart from any factor of organizational development discussion and its discourse, where question and counter question arise as follows:- How organizational development (OD) within an organization is organized? What defines Human Resource Information System (HRIS) within the concepts of OD? Does the role of organizational development consultant is a necessity? How can HRM and their role play in enhancing organizational process and it undertaking? What are OD role in the area of management practices and operations? It is clarified that the overall objective of this work is to define these components in part and full thereof, which is as follows. PART 1: ADNOC Assessment and Overview of Organization History of ADNOC ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Corporation) is based in Abu Dhabi, UAE. It is one of the leading oil manufacturers today. The company was established in 1971. (ADNOC, About ADNOC ) ADNOC Purpose ADNOC business purpose is to explore gas and oil reserves and producing it. The purpose of the company also defines the production and exploration of oil reserves in order to meet the global demand. (ADNOC, About ADNOC ) Mission The mission of the company is to create a value chain through its products and services and also to play an integral part in the UAE economy, by contributing to the growth of the UAE economy as well as playing a centrifugal role in the social, economic and education sector and its development. (ADNOC) Key Figure in the Organization Key figure in the organization is the chairman of the supreme petroleum council (SPC). The chairmanship post is held by H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan. He is also the current president of the UAE and its Trucial states. Above all, being the ruler of Abu Dhabi, H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan also helps in the formulation of the company policy, and overseeing the operational polices of the company international operations. (ADNOC, About ADNOC ) External conditions in which ADNOC operates International business defines ADNOC. Hence, international business environment and its influence are major aspects of ADNOC. The company also uses high drilling methods and advanced machinery and technology. Above all, the company operates its international business concurrently with 15 of its affiliate companies for streamlined operational process, which add to the significance of the company in the international business environment. (ADNOC, About ADNOC ) PART 2: The Process of Organizational Development (OD) The Feature of Organization Development (OD) OD is the assessment of the major element that defines an organization, namely its people, its culture, its system, its strategic management and most importantly its management styles. Besides, the skills of individual and the role technology plays also form the object of organization development and its discussion. (McGladrey, 2006 , p. 3) Definition of Organization Development (OD) OD is understood to be both a professional field of social action and an era of scientific enquiry. It covers a broad arena of organizational processes. In real term of its meaning and definition, â€Å"OD is a planned process of change in an organization culture through the utilization of behavioral science technology, research and theory† (Thomas G. Cummings, 2008 , p. 2) assert Warner Burke. Wendell France defines â€Å"organization development as long range efforts to improve an organization problem-solving capability and its ability to cope with changes in its external environment with the help of external and internal behavioral scientist consultant or agent of change as they are sometime called. (Thomas G. Cummings, 2008 , p. 2) The Functional aspect of Organization Development Organizational development as can be understood is the process that take place within an organization as a means to increase organization effectiveness and facilitating personal and organizational change through the use of intervention driven by social and behavioral science knowledge. (Anderson, 2009 , p. 3) HRIS (Human Resource Information System) in context of Organization Development Organization development and its meaning is the major element of HR strategic planning process in an organization. (McGladrey, 2006 , p. 3) For that matter, new age management practices of organization development in context of HRM also reflect the new forms of practices such as HRIS (human Resource Information System) making its way within the organization. HRIS add value to the organization development process. There is no doubt in that regard. As a matter of fact, â€Å"smooth flow and availability of authentic information related to human resource facilitates rational decisions.† (Kandula, 2006 , p. 70) This is true, considering that information are a vital part of an organization and also help in the basis of decision making, that also based on rationality of it. Hence, HRIS plays a significant part of organization development process. The Role of OD Consultant: HRM Consulting Professional role are a welcoming sight in any organization. The same case also can be looked in respect of HR professional who acts as consultant to organization. On the other hand, OD role can also apply to internal consultants and professionals, or external consultant, where their role is build on the basis of change factor that need to be implemented n a smooth and functional way. (Thomas G. Cummings, 2008 , p. 66) It is being said that if HR professional play a consultative role within an organization, chances are that the value of their professional practices would devote much time working on behalf of the organization to address the issue at hand and to uncover any likely issues. (William M. Kahnweiler, 2005 , p. 45) Hence, it is very likely that the role of HR consultant do add value to organization one or the other way and most organization also prefer it that way in adding value to organization development course. Above all, service deliveries are that core of HR professional role. The evolving nature of HR role also can be looked in respect of the technical specialist role that they play in the organizational process, either when it comes to administration or tracking and interpreting regulatory changes in ensuring that organization remain in compliance. Strategically speaking, HR also play a significant part in getting the right people and right talent so that organization dont miss on anything, when it comes to change strategy, employee retirement plans, and any other administrative functional aspects. (Marc Effron, 2003 , p. 275) OD Role and its Management Aspects Organization development role as we have maintained is critical to the growth of the organization. As a matter of fact, it is held that top management involvement is an important condition for success of OD. The need for OD in an organization also arise for many reason, namely major changes in the external environment or technologies, or factor like a merger may make an organization existing structure or management practices and culture. (Cartwright, 2005 , p. 290) Hence, a planned intervention of the change factor is a necessity at all level of OD course and its process formulation. OD and its process intervention As we have mentioned above, the intervention of OD is critical to the growth of an organization. Intervention can be in the forms of the following. Human Intervention Structural Intervention Organizational Cultural Intervention Strategic Planning Intervention Justification: ADNOC Features of Organization Development (OD) From the above theoretical assimilation, we learn that ADNOC as an organization have grown many folds from what it was during the times of its establishment. Today ADNOC claims a place in the top ten global oil manufacturers and exporter. We figure out that almost all forms of OD and its simulation as discussed above find a place of consideration and in activities practice in ADNOC. There is no denying this fact. When taking a tour of the company website there is reason to belief that what defines ADNOC in context of OD is very much in real practical term. For example, ADNOC efforts in the exploration and mining and producing oil and gas are huge and tremendous. The company produce more than 2.7 billion barrel per day, (ADNOC, About ADNOC ) this is something that defines how the object of such a production level is achieved. If the case would not have been with effective OD, such a possibility would have been a far cry. Yet the company thorough its strategic planning intervention in the OD have enabled itself and raised the bar as a competitor in the world 500 fortune company. There are many other aspects of OD and its subsystems such as HRM and its course also that shapes the foundation of the company and its growth today. For examples, it is being observed that ADNOC take a systematic approach to its HRM. The factor of it can be justified in context of ADNOC training and development course. ADNOC have maintained that fostering continuous growth and development of its employee accumulate the object of the company CSR. ADNOC in the realms of HRM have been effective to integrate changes as and when the time demands, given its active training and development course. Training and development in ADNOC is to recognize the rich talent base in the company and its HRM foundation at the core of it. As a manufacturing company, ADNOC dependant on human capital is huge. Without human intervention, the very essence of its operational objective and goals seems to be a far car. And the company understands these elements, which is why training and development course is to enhance the value of its human capital, where the flow of information and all aspects of development course related to HRM or the introduction of HRIS for streamlined HR management aspects does not miss the sight of policy maker in ADNOC. (ADNOC, Training Development ) Moreover, CSR approach in ADNOC also is very much in line of OD. Being a global oil manufacturer, ADNOC understand the value attached to the business environmental factor and its compliance. Its groups of companies or to say affiliate also follows a detailed business operation which is direct in line with the socio-political and cross-cultural business practices. Speaking of strategy, these feature also very much finds a place of consideration in ADNOC. The company as we learn is committed to its business principle, that is to say, creating value chain through the introduction of technology human knowledge as well as taking appropriate environmental policy for sustainable development of the company the strategic level. Thus, what we can reason is that OD in ADNOC defines the long range efforts to improve an organization problem-solving capability and its ability to cope with changes in its external environment with the help of external and internal agent of change in all factor of OD and its undertaking in the company. PART 3: The Outcome and its Analysis From the above discussion and its analysis, we understand that OD is very critical to the smooth functioning of an organization. There is also every reason to believe that OD and its process formulation helps organization to cope with the demand of the business environment. As a matter of fact, effective OD and its process integration is critical and a vital tool that most managers undertakes, be it policy formulation, decision making or integration technology in the realms of an organization business process. Apart from that, OD and its methodology thus should be taken with due care and attention to details. Moreover, organization also requires the best available resource apart from machinery and other technical tools. Human capital thus is a vital and centrifugal objective to be considered. After all, human capital for that matter is considered to be the backbone of the organization. In the knowledge economy their value have further evolved and enhanced. Hence, to ring in the benefits of a subsystem in HRM such as HRIS can be vital to the management aspects of human capital and also in increasing the worth of the organization in the competitive market place. OD as we can reason herein and every aspects of its conditioning define the face of an organization, within the internal and external factor and its influence. The contribution of OD considering all the vital parts and parcel for an organization is huge. The same case also can be observed in ADNOC and the OD concept at play. ADNOC for that matter have been at the forefront of ongoing change; internally and externally and coping with the challenges of the business environment with ease, which brings us to the point in speculating that ADNOC and the concept of OD at play is very much present in the organization management, strategic HRM, operational management and its course is achieved concurrently and organically. Thus, what we can add is that the contribution of OD to the overall organization and its effective shows in the way of ADNOC and how the company handles its operation and all aspects of business operation and strategy with ease and confidence. Conclusion Organizational process is complex when we viewed objectively. In the current state of affairs ADNOC faces many challenges. Change as we view in context of ADNOC has been an ongoing undertaking, both at the management level, corporate level and policy level. We feel that ADNOC current short-term and long-term problem can be speculated to be the HRM features of the organization, sustainable and environmental measures and its outlining as well as business environment and its challenges. Recommendation Following is the recommendation: It is recommended that ADNOC CSR approach should be more detailed and practical, considering the principle preached by the company and its brand image. Secondly, ADNOC intervention in context of HRIS, structural intervention, organizational cultural intervention and strategic planning intervention should be in line with the current needs and demands of the environment in which ADNOC is located. That is to say, strategically attention to OD and its intervention should be more objective to address almost all features of the OD concepts in real practical terms. Third factor is that leadership also should find a place of active intervention, so that the so called future leader can be nourished within the company. Action plan in the organization should also be more detailed, and the role of HR professional and OD consultants also should be considered on an ongoing basis and nurturing change through comparative management practices is also not a bad idea at all, since that way the international business of ADNOC can be enhanced further. It is also further commented that the role of OD in the process of the organization operation and day to day management is dynamic and complex, considering that every organization is a social system, and there is no absolute or best way to bring about a change automatically. And the methodologies that are employed will work differently at different times. What matters is the involvement of the top management in the organization to rope in change factor in the best possible way for an effective solution. Above all, strategically speaking the strategy of OD is to intervene in the ongoing activities of an organization. (Cartwright, 2005 , p. 290 ) Intervention plan in ADNOC We recommend that intervention plan or its design should form a combination of these four features mentioned below for effective and efficiency of OD and its process undertaking in ADNOC. 1. Human intervention: Organization achieves the OD goals through human resource management functions, namely recruitment, selection, compensation and performance management, integration and placement process. A combination of these human factor helps achieve the OD goals and its objective. (Durai, 2010 , p. 264) Hence the same design also can be integrated in ADNOC. 2. Structural Intervention: Structural design changes concerned the organization division of labor and its specialization. Intervention aimed at structural design include moving from traditional practices into a more integrative and flexible forms, which helps OD process to address and meet the process of the organization, be it for customer centric or network based structure. (Thomas G. Cummings, 2008 , pp. 158-59) Hence, such feature and its combination are also highly recommended for ADNOC. 3. Organizational Cultural intervention: Intervention design in any forms seeks to understand situational contingencies such as individual differences within the organization members and management of change process. Organizational cultural intervention is a necessity because an organization is made up of individual and group members. (Thomas G. Cummings, 2008 , p. 162) Hence, cultural bonding should be at the heart of any OD at ADNOC, where the cultural dimension is redefined for effective organization activities and day-to-day management. 4. Strategic planning Intervention: Strategic OD or its intervention defines the objective and scope of strategic management process. Hence, for any matter in that regard, ADNOC also can reap the benefit of it simply by upgrading the active intervention of strategic planning, be it at the policy level and its formulation, defining future goals and roadmap, identifying the operational objectives, and the orientation of a business goals and it alignment into one solid foundation. Standardization of its activities, process and overall management aspects also should find its course. Strategic planning intervention is all about long-term goals and its objective. The best way an organization rope in the strategic planning process assist organization to cope with various factor of change and to be competitive in the business environment.

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Effects Of Anobolic Steroids Essay -- essays research papers

The Effects of Anabolic Steroids You’ve all seen them, the enormously large muscle-heads at the gym, the participates of the World’s Strongest Man Competition, the amazing offensive tackles, and the lightning fast runners. They were all unnaturally strong, and looked like gods. You tend to obsess over how beautiful their bodies are, how strong they are, or how fast they can run. All you can think about is reaching that level of athletic excellence, and nothing will hold you back. At times like these some people tend to take the quick fit to get closer to their idols, in the form of steroids. But what individuals tend not see is the horrible side effects that accompany the use of these anabolic steroids. These powerful drugs have both positive and negative results from their use. Along with increased strength and size, users of steroids suffer from a wide range of sicknesses such as cancer, shrinkage of testicles, bad acne, hair loss, damage organs, intense mood swings, and impotence.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Anabolic steroids are a group of muscle building chemicals, which are synthetic versions of the male hormone, testosterone. Developed in the 1930’s, they were prescribed to aid in muscle tissue repair by those who had undergone surgery or had degenerative diseases. Now the patients do not only use them but also athletes. Starting in the 1940’s steroids were introduced into sports. Steroids were one of the main reasons that Russia’s 1952 Olympic weightlifting team came out with pile of medals. With these results other nations thought their competitors should have the same advantage, and the use of steroids spread like wildfire.(NIDA pg 2) But now steroids are illegal to use if not prescribed by a physician, and have been banned by nearly all-athletic organizations, both professional and amateur.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Just how popular is the use of steroids? Well, one survey states that the prevalence of self-reporting anabolic steroids use in adolescents ranges from 5%-11% of males and 2.5% in females.(AAP pg 2) So, the even at a young age kids decide to use steroids to their advantage. At this age they do not take time to look at the adverse effects of steroid but only the perks. Most individuals consume steroids in two ways. People either administer them orally or by intramuscular injection. Once taken there are a series of events that ... ... as â€Å"roid rage†. This constitutes a more aggressively natured person, who is more subject to mood swings. A typically calm, intelligent person could be transformed into a crazed senseless being. The slightest upsetting factor could set them off. These mood swings and shifts tend to be temporary and cease after discontinued use of the drugs, but some of the other effects are lasting, and can be extremely devastating. Less harmful, but important as well is the fact that steroids are banned by nearly every athletic organization, and if it is determined that an athlete used steroids, all medals, trophies, prized and glory can be stripped away. Athletes who train with the use of steroids are taking a huge gamble. Although steroids can have amazing results, and seem to be the greatest thing on earth, they also hold a cornucopia of terrible things in store for the person who uses them irresponsibly. They must evaluate for themselves if the potential physical prowess that the y could attain through the use of steroids is worth the possibility of the devastating side effects. They must also keep in mind the consequences that they could encounter if they do use steroids, with are an illegal

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Charles Dickens A Tale of Two Cities :: GCSE English Literature Coursework

In the 16th century Charles Dickens wrote the unforgettable novel A Tale of Two Cities. In it he created two of the most remarkable fictional characters of all time. One is the bloodthirsty Madame Defarge, and the other is the selfless Sydney Carton. Madame Defarge is a peasant who seeks revenge on all aristocrats who cross her path. In contrast, Sydney Carton is a man who is willing to do anything for the love of his life. While the actions of these two characters clearly delineate their differences, the underlying forces that drive each character are quite similar. From Madame Defarge’s actions, it is clear that she is the evil antagonist in the novel. Even in the manner that she is physically described, she is presented as â€Å"dark† and therefore she is seen as evil. She is as evil as she is because when she was younger the D’Evremonde brothers killed her whole family. Now the purpose of her life is to procure revenge on the D’Evremonde family and every other aristocrat. Even when told by her beloved husband she has gone to far, she does not stop. Instead her repartee to him was, â€Å"Tell the wind and fire where to stop; not me†. In it she evidently expresses how she will never forget what was done to her family and how the D’Evermondes are deserving of what they will receive. The actions she performs in her daily life demonstrate her evilness. In the novel it seems as though she is the â€Å"bad guy† who is starting up all the trouble. It is her need for revenge, in the book, that starts th e revolution. While Dickens presents Sydney Carton as a worthless drunk, in contrast to Madame Defarge, he is the Christ-like noble figure of the novel. He appears to the readers of A Tale of Two Cities as a worthless drunk and a man who has not acquired any high social position in his life. Also, it seems as though his life has resulted to nothing. At one point he says, â€Å"I care for no man on earth, and no man on earth cares for me†, but that changes when he meets Lucie Manette. He develops an undying juvenile-like love for her. Sydney is willing to do anything for her and tells her so in a beautiful speech he made to her. In it he states, â€Å"Think now and then that there is a man who would give up his life, to keep a life you love beside you†.