How to be an effective manager Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

How to be an effective manager - Research Paper Example Research objective: How to be a manager that leads in business? Introduction Manager as the name implies is the one who manages or directs a company, industry, organization etc. Manager is the person responsible for achieving goals by getting the work done through other people. The task of manager includes planning, directing and monitoring the work done by subordinates and take corrective measures when and where required. The main quality a manager must have to lead in business is the basic knowledge and familiarity of all areas and divisions so that he/she can guide the workers and can check if the work is being done properly or not. Manager apart from performing the discussed roles and responsibilities, need to primarily look after achieving the goals and objectives of the organization while increasing the profits. The role of manager in an organization is to reach and exceed the set expectations while ensuring that every team member achieves respective objectives (Koontz, H. & We ihrich, 2006). Important functions of manager Managers are important for business so that they can coordinate and direct the activities required to achieve its goals and targets. They play a vital role in determining the future of a firm or society at large. Their function is to focus on people and their performance so that desired outcome can be achieved. And to achieve success in their strides Manager needs to design a course of action from the available alternatives and verifying if everything occurs in accordance to the plan adopted in order to make orderly arrangement of individuals and group to secure unity of action. For this Managers at all the levels in an organization perform these functions but the amount of time spend on these activities depends on specific organization. Some of these functions are Planning, Organizing, Staffing, Directing and Controlling (Marquis& Huston, 2008). Planning may be defined as the process of setting goals and strategies to accomplish a goal. It is a systematic step and preparatory activity done by manager which determines the future course of action. Manager while planning forecasts and decides in advance about the action to be pursued in future. In this process relevant facts are collected, analyzed, and action plan is then decided for future. While planning, the manager takes into consideration the available resources of the organization so that optimum utilization can be done. Manager decides the best available alternative and evaluates future contingencies in order to achieve predetermined goals of organization or business. Through planning Manager lays down objectives, policies, procedures, rules, programs, budget and strategies for proper and efficient functioning of business or organization. Planning is thus an intellectual process where in manager chooses the course of action from the available alternatives. It is the most basic but continuous function of manager. After planning is done, manager needs to organi ze the workforce and material as per the plan. Organizing is done in order to get result. Manager must synchronize human, physical and financial resources with skilled and efficient workforce in order to get results. By organizing manager divides the work amongst the employees and coordinate their efforts to achieve goals or objectives of the business (Marquis & Huston, 2008). Once planning and organizing is done, manag

Marketing plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 6

Marketing plan - Essay Example However, at later stages more specialized trainings will be given to employees. For staffing purpose, the job descriptions will be developed and the ads will be given on the website and in the printed media. Proper interviews and tests will be conducted to hire the staff. Vigor will be a created as a partnership among the three partners. The Partnership Agreement will be assigned by the three partners and they will have unlimited liability which means that in the case of the dissolution of the company, the personal assets of the partners can be also claimed by the creditors. No corporate taxes will be imposed and each partner will be liable to pay his personal tax at the rate of tax applicable to him individually. In future, if the company expands and we plan to establish more branches of Spa, then we may plan to convert our legal structure into a limited partnership or corporation. At Vigor, strong contacts will be established with health care providers. In collaboration with the health insurance companies, Vigor will offer insured services to its customers. Most of the people coming to Spas and taking massage therapies are unaware that when a physician prescribes massage therapy then it is usually paid by insurance. If insurance will not cover the expense of clients, the difference will be charged from the client. To handle insurance coverage, management software will be purchased. Vigor will also maintain a list of acceptable insurance companies and their clients will be handled. To ensure quality services, high quality products of good brands will be used. While servicing the customers their needs and wants will be understood. Moreover, a regular customer feedback will be also taken to ensure high service

Positive and Negative Effects of Social Media

Positive and Negative Effects of Social Media Abstract Social networking has changed the way people interact with each other forever. Social networking first existed as an invention created in 1975 known as email, which is still used today (Email). However social networking has advanced in to using a profile to give information about a user and his or her interests, and has integrated the use of email. Now social networking involves sharing stories, photos, and involves the use of apps as well as messaging to communicate with others. This type of social networking did not become popular until the year 2003 when MySpace and Friendster were launched. Shortly after Facebook was launched but was not open to the general public until 2006, which has become the number one social networking site today. These networks have many positive effects such as remaining in contact with friends, meeting new people, providing educational benefits, as well as the convenience of mobilly accessing it. Also there are some negative effects which include identit y theft, cyber bullying, decreased social interaction in real life, and social isolation. Increase in mobile social networking could possible cause future health problems. The first type of social networking created was Email, which was invented in 1975 (Email). Since then social networking has advanced into a profile with numerous features that can be used and has integrated the use of email. Now social networking is changing the way the world interacts with people, and has provided many useful tools for the world to use. Still these social networks are continuing to advance to provide better features for users, and these popular sites will continue to grow in size. Even though social networks can have negative effects such as wasting time, it also affects people positively by allowing people to communicate and remain in contact with friends in a much easier way. In the article Are social networking sites good for our society? (2009) social networking (or social media) is defined as an online community that allow people to develop profiles of their backgrounds and interests, communicate with friends and strangers, and share thoughts, photos, Internet links, music, and more (p.1). Once a social network is joined users are prompted to identify others in the system with which they have a relationship known generally as friends. Social networking sites vary greatly with the features they have to offer, and is what makes each site different from the other. Six Degrees was the first major social network, similar to social networking today, to be launched and was launched in 1997 (Bhutkar, 2009). Social networking as it is today did not become popular until 2003 when Friendster MySpace and LinkedIn were launched. Then in 2004 Facebook was launched but was only open to college students with a valid university email. Facebook remained a college only n etwork for two years before it opened to the general public in 2006. Since then Facebook has become the number one social networking site (Bhutkar, 2009). Positive Effects of Social Media Social networking sites allow people to communicate and remain in contact with friends as well as meet new people. These sites allow people to find others with similar interests that they can create a relationship with and get to know one another. Groups can be joined or formed to meet people with similar interests, and views. Social networking allows for creative expression by using tools such as blogging and messaging to post ideas and stories (Are social networking sites good for our society, 2009). Users also share poems, interest in music, TV shows, hobbies, photos, and many other things (Jasson). Event invitations can be made and sent to friends rather than having to mail invitations and friends can also rsvp for an event on the site. Not only is it used to talk to friends, but it is also used to discuss educational topics. Social networking is said to increase a persons quality of life, and can reduce health risks. Many people report that they have not had any negative experiences with social networking, and schools are starting to look at it as an educational tool (Thelwell, 2006). The use of social networking helps improve technological skills of students, and exposes them to many diverse views about things. It also has helped with communication skills, and allows the learning of cultures from users all over the world. Also students use social networking to discuss homework topics with peers online, and to get help on assignments (Reid, 2009). Sixty percent of students on social networks have said that they talk about education, and 50 percent specifically talk about school work assignments. These students seem to have an extraordinary set of traditional and 21st century skills including communication, creativi ty, collaboration, and leadership skills and technology proficiency. Parents are expecting schools to take advantage of using online social networking to educate children, but to do so in a safe way. Some public schools have created a secure social network for its student to be able to communicate with other students, and to do so in a more safe way (National School Board Association, 2007). Social Networking does not just benefit individuals, but it also benefits businesses as well. These sites allow businesses to advertise and market services to a large audience, and a profile is free to set up (Gillin). Numerous businesses have created profiles that provide detailed information about the business to advertise in a low cost way (Roberts, 2008). Businesses will gain more attention on social networks because the business profile is available to for all users of the social network to see. Also businesses like to use social networks to learn what potential employees are like, and make decisions based on the information provided on the persons profile (Ellison, Steinfield, Lampe, 2007). Social networking has already completely changed the way people interact in the world, but also it is advancing more to make it easier to access. Now social networking is becoming mobile and can be accessed through the use of a cell phone. It is thought to be a great idea and would increase the use of social networking since a lot of people carry cell phones with them at all times. People can use mobile phones to update their status, post comments, upload photos, send messages, and update profile from just about anywhere (Kharif, 2006). This allows people to be able to get things done as well as take some time to log onto social networks. Making social networks accessible through cell phones is also expected to increase the number of users by a significant amount (Gillin). So far mobile social networking is being used more than social networking from pc computers. The top sites that are being visited using mobile phones are Facebook, MySpace, and Bebo. Being able to access social net works from the cell phone unlocks the full potential of social network, and makes it more convenient for people to use. Since it is more convenient to use the number of users has increased and the mobile social networking has increased significantly (Hamblen, 2008). Negative Effects of Social Media Social networking does have negative effects as well, but are nothing compared to the advantages of using it. These sites reduce the amount of face to face socializing and replace it with online interaction which is believed to result in low quality relationships with other people (Mikami, Szwedo, Allen, Evans, Hare, 2010). Teens over share information to the public that can hurt them in the future when trying to get a job, and deleting the information is not good enough. Cyber bullying occurs as well, which is bullying people online in a public way, but occurs at a small percentage. People that frequently use online social networking are also prone to social isolation which can lead to depression and decreased social skills (Mikami, Szwedo, Allen, Evans, Hare, 2010). A false sense of security leaves social networking site users vulnerable to security attacks such as hacking, leaking sensitive information, and sending viruses. Identity theft can occur when a cybercriminal uses the network to gather personal information posted about people (University of the Pacific). It also has been said that social networking sites endanger children by allowing pedophiles to seek out children (Are social networking sites good for our society?). Also since they are becoming mobile it might encourage people to use cell phone to access these sites while driving just like text messaging was a popular thing to do while driving. Social networking becoming mobile use will increase cell phone use and the problem with that is that cell phones have been found to emit electromagnetic radiation that is absorbed by the brain and body. This absorption disrupts the brain sites for memory and learning and can cause confusion and forgetfulness (Thomas, 2004). It is also been reported that cell phones can cause cancer from the electromagnetic exposure to other parts of the body, but little emphasis has been placed on it. The cause of cancer in the brain has been the main health concern with cell phones, which social networking by mobile phone is not exposing the brain to the waves. Also, cell phones give small amounts of radiation off and would require a lot of use and over a long period of time for it to start to cause cancer. Research is needed to provide evidence to determine that actual health risk of cell phones. Social networking has its advantages and its disadvantages like everything else does. The sites are continuously advancing, and changing to fix the negative problems. One example would be accessing social networking sites using cell phones so that people can access the site on the go rather than sit at home on a computer. Most users have stated that they have had only positive experiences with social networking, and very few people experience cyber bullying. There are still problems that need to be fixed, but it seems that the positive effects outweigh the negative effects. Social networking is a very valuable tool that can be used to meet new people, and allow people to remain in contact with friends. Even though it can waste time, social networking positively affects the world by allowing people to communicate, and remain in contact with friends in an easy and convenient way. References Are social networking sites good for our society? (2009). Social Networking ProCon.org. Retrieved April 9, 2010, from http://socialnetworking.procon.org Bhutkar, G. (2009, January 29). Users on Social Networking Sites. Journal of HC Vistas, 5(February 2009). Retrieved from http://www.hceye.org/?UsabilityInsights/p=103 Ellison, N. B., Steinfield, C., Lampe, C. (2007). The benefits of Facebook friends: social capital and college students use of online social network sites. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 12(4). Retrieved from http://jcmc.indiana.edu/?vol12/?issue4/?ellison.html Email: The First -and Largest- Social Network Web Strategy by Jeremiah Owyang | Social Media, Web Marketing. (n.d.). Web Strategy by Jeremiah Owyang: Web Marketing, Social Media. Retrieved April 11, 2010, from http://www.web-strategist.com/blog/2009/07/09/email-the-first-social-network/ Gillin, P. (2008). Business anywhere, anytime. Computerworld Communications Brief, 1-5. Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/?PingElizabeth/?the-promise-of-mobile-unified-communications Hamblen, M. (2008, September 11). Get Ready for mobile social networks. Computerworld. Retrieved from http://www.computerworld.com/?s/?article/?9114487/?Get_ready_for_mobile_social_networks_?taxonomyId=165 Jansson, Y. (n.d.). Online social networking positive aspects. In article dashboard. Retrieved March 29, 2010, from articledashboard database. (477721) Kharif, O. (2006, May 31). Social Networking Goes Mobile. BusinessWeek. Retrieved from http://www.businessweek.com/?technology/?content/?may2006/?tc20060530_170086.htm Mikami, A. Y., Szwedo, D. E., Allen, J. P., Evans, M. A., Hare, A. L. (2010). Adolescent Peer Relationships and Behavior Problems Predict young adults communication on social networking websites. Developmental Psychology, 46(1), 46-56. National School Boards Association. (2007). Creating Connecting: Research and Guidelines on Online Social and educational networking [Data file]. Retrieved from http://socialnetworking.procon.org/?sourcefiles/?CreateandConnect.pdf Reid, K. (2009, November). The rise of social networking sites. Education Journal, 119, 22. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/?login.aspx?direct=truedb=aphAN=47781789loginpage=Login.aspsite=ehost-live Thelwall, M. (2008, January 25). Myspace, Facebook, Bebo: Social Networking Students. ALT Newsletter, January 2008(11). Retrieved from http://newsweaver.co.uk/?alt/?e_article000993849.cfm?x=b11,0,w Thomas, W. (2004). Cell phone health effects: busy signals think twice before you place that call.Alive. Retrieved from http://willthomas.net/ Investigations/Articles/cellphones.htm University of the Pacific Online Social Networking Dangers and Benefits. (n.d.). University of the Pacific Stockton, San Francisco, Sacramento. Retrieved April 11, 2010, from http://web.pacific.edu/x4989.xml?ss=print

Animal Rights and Animal Testing :: Rights Equality Animals Science Essays

Animal Rights and Animal Testing Many humans use animals for testing each year. Animal testing is when the animals are put through something or injected to see how they react to what medical research they have been used for. Animals are used to find cures for diseases or to test drugs that have mild side effects. They are also used to test materials for cosmetic research. Except for severely limited medical research, animal testing should be outlawed. Animal testing endangers the animal’s lives and may cause serious side affect that last the rest of their lives. Others believe that they should not test medicine on humans because humans’ lives are more precious than that of the animals. They believe that since animals have no rights that they should be used for testing. There are three very important reasons why animals should not be used for testing harmful or dangerous materials. One of these is that testing and its use is trivial in the cosmetic industry. The second reason is that animals have rights and animals can feel pleasure and pain just as humans do. The third reason is that testing is cruel and unusual. Another reason is that animal testing and its use is trivial in the cosmetic industry. Testing on animals for the cosmetic industry is not necessary because they have many other ways to find out if it harms the human race. The testing that goes on is harmful to the animals and can cause serious side effects. The cosmetic companies hold down bunnies in vices and spray the cosmetics into their eyes to see if it cause them redness, stinging, or even blindness. They also have baboons strapped down with their heads in vices to do certain tests on them. Animals are also used by pharmaceutical companies to produce drugs and health supplements. They estimate that 17 to 22 million animals are used each year for medical research, and these estimates do not include rats, mice, fish, and farm animals. That means that 90% of all research animals are not included in the statistics. Too many animals are being tested and they do not even need to use the animals for these tests. They can use com puter software materials and get the same results. One more point is that animals do have rights.

Causes Of Stress Essay

Stress is usually caused by too much pressure being put on us by others or in some cases by ourselves and if it’s left unchecked, stress can lead to an inability to function effectively, meaning a person will no longer be able to cope with the pressures placed upon them. The purpose of this essay is to analyze these three main causes of stress. The first major cause of stress is finances. Debts are piling up. Credit Card payments, pending mortgage installments, rising costs of education, mounting expenditure on health concerns. College students stress over paying for an education, older senior citizens find that retirement income can be a major cause of stress. This is pretty significant because financial stress is linked to health problems like depression and sleep problem. The second cause of stress is work. You may be worried about your next promotion. You might be facing the negative or bullying behavior of your boss. You might not be reaching your well-deserved career goals; you might be worried due to office politics. You might be stressed about some major change that is taking place in the organization, or, you might be under stress because of the prospect of losing your job. Students, especially teenagers and college age students, cite school work as a cause of stress. Sometimes, work stress is brought on by others. Sometimes, we bring it on ourselves. The third cause of stress is Health. For some, the stress is linked to obesity, and a desire to lose weight. For others, the stress is a personal bas habit that affects health and must be changed. For example, smoking, abuse of alcohol or other drugs. Illness or injury, whether less or more serious, can be a leading cause of stress for many people. In conclusion, There are many cause of stress in nowadays, and stress have many effect for our health so how to decrease stress? There are many different ways to manage stress. They are Take Care of Yourself, Maintaining The Right Attitude, Creating The Right Atmosphere, Interactive Resources.

Great Expectations and April Raintree Essay

A key theme in Great Expectations and April Raintree is the growth and change of the characters towards their acceptance of social class. This will be proven by Pip not accepting himself in the lower class and April not accepting herself in the native class. Then, there will be proof of how Pip and April attempted to change their social class. Finally the proof of how Pip accepted himself in the social class he was in and how April accepted herself as a Mà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½tis. Pip did not accept himself in the lower class. He wanted to be in the upper class just like Miss Havisham is. Pip was ashamed of his family and its lower class status. How he wasn’t as fortunate as Estella who is a member of the higher class, especially when Estella insulted Pip saying that he is â€Å"common† and how he has â€Å"coarse hands†. He did not have a reason to think about his class status before this, and now that he does, he’s disturbed to think he might be just â€Å"common.† This ensured Pip to not accept himself in the lower class. He didn’t see any good from it. Pip felt he needed to impress Estella. She was the one who changed Pip’s perspective in everything. Before meeting Estella, Pip really looked up to Joe, blacksmith or a gentleman, Joe’s class status makes no difference. It is not until later, when he learns that the world cares about class, that’s when Joe’s status mattered to Pip. After seeing Estella’s house and everything she had, he wanted more to look forward to. Pip did not accept his life in the lower class. April is a young woman who has so many issues with her family and the people in her life. April always hid her feelings of shame from her sister Cheryl. April did not accept herself in the native class. Although she did not look native, she was sometimes ashamed that her sister Cheryl looked more native than she did. â€Å"There were two different groups of children that went to the park. One group was brown-skinned children who looked like Cheryl in most ways. They were dirty-looking and they dressed in real raggedy cloths. I didn’t care to play with them at all. The other group was fair-skinned and I envied them especially the girls with blonde hair and blue eyes. They seemed so clean and fresh. Some of them were freckled but they didn’t seem to mind. To me, I imagined they were very rich and lived in big, beautiful houses. I wondered what their lives were like and I wished we could play with them. But they didn’t care to play with Cheryl and me. They just called us names and bullied us.† (Pg. 6) Since April was young, she always wanted to be with the people who were fair-skinned. She didn’t like seeing her sister being called names especially, when they had to live with the DeRosiers. Half breeds were all that was said in that house. â€Å"I heard you half breeds were dirty but now I can see that it’s true.† (Unknown :() At one point, April hated being Mà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½tis. She felt that being Mà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½tis changed her life because when you think of Mà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½tis, you think of living off the streets and bums on Main Street. She wasn’t any of these and she didn’t want to be labelled as them. She was not happy being the person she knew she was. April did not accept her life in the native class. Pip changed his social class by going off to school to become a gentleman. He was lucky to have a benefactor. â€Å"I’ve put away money, only for you to spend. When I was a hired-out shepherd in a solitary hut, not seeing no faces but faces of sheep till I half-forgot wot men’s and women’s faces wos like, I see yourn. . . . I see you there a many times plain as ever I see you on them misty marshes. ‘Lord strike me dead!’ I says each time-and I goes out in the open air to say it under the open heavens-‘but wot, if I gets liberty and money, I’ll make that boy a gentleman!’ And I done it.† (pg. 340) Magwitch reveals himself as Pip’s secret benefactor and how he got all his wealth. This quote changed Pip’s idealistic view of wealth and social class by forcing him to realize that his own status as a gentleman is owed to the loyalty of a lower-class criminal. Year after year, he moved further away from Joe and his lower class. â€Å"Pip, dear old chap, life is made of ever so many partings welded together, as I may say, and one man’s a blacksmith, and one’s a whitesmith, and one’s a goldsmith, and one’s a coppersmith. Divisions among such must come, and must be met as they come.† (pg. 236) Joe comes with a smart and content attitude toward the changes in Pip’s social class that have driven them apart, and he shows his goodness and loyalty by blaming the division not on Pip but on the unchangeable nature of the human condition. Pip as a gentleman makes a lot of money and as he gets wealthy, he forgets his family and the people that are important to him. In other words, he worries about trying to impress people, rather than being moral. April Raintree changed her identity of a native by marrying a rich white man named Bob Radcliff. She always wanted to be rich and forget about her heritage. She moved away from Winnipeg to Toronto. She tried running away from the life she did not want, to try to live a life she wanted. â€Å"You think I don’t know why you married Bob? It was to get away from me, that’s why. I’ll be you wished you were an only child. I bet you wished I was dead.† (pg. 155) It was almost like she did not want Cheryl in her life at all. â€Å"You never loved that man. You loved his money. You figured you were going to be Miss High Society.† (pg. 158) April did not love Bob Radcliff; she only married him for his money. Pip learns from his mistakes growing up. After realizing what kind of person he has become, and how he has treated his loved ones, he felt he was better off being in the lower class. Pip realized that wealth and class are less important than affection, loyalty, and inner worth. When he is finally able to understand that, besides the esteem in which he holds Estella, someone’s social status is not what so ever connected to that someone’s character. Bentley Drummle is a symbol to this because even though he is a minor character, he gave an important message. Drummle is an upper class member. He gave Pip proof that social class has no connection to attitude, personality or moral worth. Drummle’s negative example helps Pip to see the inner worth of characters such as Magwitch and Joe, and Pip eventually scraped his immature fantasies about wealth and class. Everything changes for Pip after he learns the class status of his benefactor because he realized that Magwitch , a kind-hearted man who was never able to come out of the status into which he was born but in the end he was able to get wealthy. April realized that she wasn’t happy with Bob, so they got a divorce. From that divorce, she received a good amount of money. She immediately went back home to her sister, but things were not good between Cheryl and April. After Cheryl committed suicide, April found her diaries and read them. She finally realized what Cheryl has gone through while April wasn’t in her life and what she thought of everything especially what she thought of April. April accepted being Mà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½tis then and there. Like her sister, she is proud to be Mà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½tis. Since she loved Cheryl, she was glad that a part of Cheryl was alive in her son, Henry Liberty. â€Å"All life dies to give new life.† (pg. 184) It was tragic that it had taken Cheryl’s death to bring April to accept her identity but she would strive for a better tomorrow now. For her sister and her son, her parents and her people. In conclusion, Pip accepted himself in the social class that he used to be in. Even though he remained in the higher class, Pip realized that he still cared for his loved ones in the lower class. For April, she accepted herself in the social class she was born in. Even though Cheryl’s life had to be taken away before April realized how important her heritage was. Pip carried a snobby attitude for a great portion of his life. He treated the people he loved without realization of how he wasn’t respectful towards them. April had tried hiding, she had attempted to be someone she’s not, she had tried being with someone she didn’t love, and she had also undertook to blocking her own sister out of her life. No matter what April did, she couldn’t get away from what she really was inside. She was born Mà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½tis. She just didn’t feel proud of it nor did she want to be Mà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½tis. Pip and April both had issues with the people in their lives and they both found their true identities from being ashamed of their social class to peace with their lives.

Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan

Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan Over the centuries, various would-be conquerors have thrown their armies against the sere mountains and valleys of Afghanistan. In just the past two centuries, great powers have invaded Afghanistan at least four times. It has not turned out well for the invaders. As former US National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski put it, They (the Afghanis) have a curious complex: they dont like foreigners with guns in their country. In 1979, the Soviet Union decided to try its luck in Afghanistan, long a target of Russian foreign policy. Many historians believe that in the end, the Soviet War in Afghanistan was key in destroying one of the Cold War worlds two superpowers. Background to the Invasion On April 27, 1978, Soviet-advised members of the Afghan Army overthrew and executed President Mohammed Daoud Khan. Daoud was a leftist progressive, but not a communist, and he resisted Soviet attempts to direct his foreign policy as interference in Afghanistans affairs. Daoud moved Afghanistan toward the non-allied bloc, which included India, Egypt, and Yugoslavia. Although the Soviets did not order his ouster, they quickly recognized the new communist Peoples Democratic Party government that formed on April 28, 1978. Nur Muhammad Taraki became Chairman of the newly-formed Afghan Revolutionary Council. However, infighting with other communist factions and cycles of purging plagued Tarakis government from the start. In addition, the new communist regime targeted Islamic mullahs and wealthy landowners in the Afghan countryside, alienating all of the traditional local leaders. Soon, anti-government insurgencies broke out across northern and eastern Afghanistan, aided by Pashtun guerrillas from Pakistan. Over the course of 1979, the Soviets watched carefully as their client government in Kabul lost control of more and more of Afghanistan. In March, the Afghan Army battalion in Herat defected to the insurgents, and killed 20 Soviet advisers in the city; there would be four more major military uprisings against the government by the end of the year. By August, the government in Kabul had lost control of 75% of Afghanistan - it held the large cities, more or less, but the insurgents controlled the countryside. Leonid Brezhnev and the Soviet government wanted to protect their puppet in Kabul but hesitated (reasonably enough) to commit ground troops to the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan. The Soviets were concerned about the Islamist insurgents taking power since many of the USSRs Muslim Central Asian republics bordered on Afghanistan. In addition, the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran seemed to shift the balance of power in the region toward Muslim theocracy. As the Afghan governments situation deteriorated, the Soviets sent in military aid - tanks, artillery, small arms, fighter jets, and helicopter gunships - as well as ever-greater numbers of military and civilian advisers. By June of 1979, there were approximately 2,500 Soviet military advisers and 2,000 civilians in Afghanistan, and some of the military advisers actively drove tanks and flew helicopters in raids on the insurgents. Moscow Secretly Sent in Units of the Spetznaz or Special Forces On September 14, 1979, Chairman Taraki invited his chief rival in the Peoples Democratic Party, Minister of National Defense Hafizullah Amin, to a meeting at the presidential palace. It was supposed to be an ambush on Amin, orchestrated by Tarakis Soviet advisers, but the chief of palace guards tipped off Amin as he arrived, so the Defense Minister escaped. Amin returned later that day with an Army contingent and placed Taraki under house arrest, to the dismay of the Soviet leadership. Taraki died within a month, smothered with a pillow on Amins orders. Another major military uprising in October convinced the Soviet leaders that Afghanistan had spun out of their control, politically and militarily. Motorized and airborne infantry divisions numbering 30,000 troops began preparing to deploy from the neighboring Turkestan Military District (now in Turkmenistan) and the Fergana Military District (now in Uzbekistan). Between December 24 and 26, 1979, American observers noted that the Soviets were running hundreds of airlift flights into Kabul, but they were unsure whether it was a major invasion or simply supplies intended to help prop up the tottering Amin regime. Amin was, after all, a member of Afghanistans communist party. All doubt vanished over the next two days, however. On December 27, Soviet Spetznaz troops attacked Amins home and killed him, installing Babrak Kamal as the new puppet-leader of Afghanistan. The following day, the Soviet motorized divisions from Turkestan and the Fergana Valley rolled into Afghanistan, launching the invasion. Early Months of the Soviet Invasion The Islamic insurgents of Afghanistan, called the mujahideen, declared a jihad against the Soviet invaders. Although the Soviets had vastly superior weaponry, the mujahideen knew the rough terrain and were fighting for their homes and their faith. By February of 1980, the Soviets had control of all of the major cities in Afghanistan and were successful in quashing Afghan Army revolts when army units marched out information to fight the Soviet troops. However, mujahideen guerrillas held 80% of the country. Try and Try Again - Soviet Efforts to 1985 In the first five years, the Soviets held the strategic route between Kabul and Termez and patrolled the border with Iran, to prevent Iranian aid from reaching the mujahideen. Mountainous regions of Afghanistan such as Hazarajat and Nuristan, however, were completely free of Soviet influence. The mujahideen also held Herat and Kandahar much of the time. The Soviet Army launched a total of nine offensives against one key, guerrilla-held pass called the Panjshir Valley in the first five years of the war alone. Despite the heavy use of tanks, bombers, and helicopter gunships, they were unable to take the Valley. The mujahideens amazing success in the face of one of the worlds two superpowers attracted support from a number of outside powers seeking either to support Islam or weaken the USSR: Pakistan, the Peoples Republic of China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Iran. Withdrawal From the Quagmire - 1985 to 1989 As the war in Afghanistan dragged on, the Soviets faced a harsh reality. Afghan Army desertions were epidemic, so the Soviets had to do much of the fighting. Many Soviet recruits were Central Asians, some from the same Tajik and Uzbek ethnic groups as many of the mujihadeen, so they often refused to carry out attacks ordered by their Russian commanders. Despite official press censorship, people in the Soviet Union began to hear that the war was not going well and to notice a large number of funerals for Soviet soldiers. Before the end, some media outlets even dared to publish commentary on the Soviets Vietnam War, pushing the boundaries of Mikhail Gorbachevs policy of glasnost or openness. Conditions were terrible for many ordinary Afghans, but they held out against the invaders. By 1989, the mujahideen had organized some 4,000 strike bases across the country, each manned by at least 300 guerrillas. One famous mujahideen commander in the Panjshir Valley, Ahmad Shah Massoud, commanded 10,000 well-trained troops. By 1985, Moscow was actively seeking an exit strategy. They sought to intensify recruitment and training for the Afghan armed forces, in order to transition responsibility to local troops. The ineffectual president, Babrak Karmal, lost Soviet support, and in November of 1986, a new president named Mohammad Najibullah was elected. He proved less than popular with the Afghan people, however, in part because he was the former chief of the widely-feared secret police, the KHAD. From May 15 to August 16, 1988, the Soviets completed phase one of their withdrawal. The retreat was generally peaceful since the Soviets first negotiated cease-fires with mujahideen commanders along the withdrawal routes. Remaining Soviet troops withdrew between November 15, 1988, and February 15, 1989. A total of just over 600,000 Soviets served in the Afghan War, and about 14,500 were killed. Another 54,000 were wounded, and an astonishing 416,000 became ill with typhoid fever, hepatitis, and other serious diseases. An estimated 850,000 to 1.5 million Afghan civilians died in the war, and five to ten million fled the country as refugees. This represented as much as one-third of the countrys 1978 population, severely straining Pakistan and other neighboring countries. 25,000 Afghans died from landmines alone during the war, and millions of mines remained behind after the Soviets withdrew. The Aftermath of the Soviet War in Afghanistan Chaos and civil war ensued when the Soviets left Afghanistan, as rival mujahideen commanders fought to enlarge their spheres of influence. Some mujahideen troops behaved so badly, robbing, raping, and murdering civilians at will, that a group of Pakistani-educated religious students banded together to fight against them in the name of Islam. This new faction called itself the Taliban, meaning the Students. For the Soviets, the repercussions were equally dire. Over the previous decades, the Red Army had always been able to quash any nation or ethnic group that rose in opposition - the Hungarians, the Kazakhs, the Czechs - but now they had lost to the Afghans. Minority peoples in the Baltic and Central Asian republics, in particular, took heart; indeed, the Lithuanian democracy movement openly declared independence from the Soviet Union in March of 1989, less than a month after the withdrawal from Afghanistan finished. Anti-Soviet demonstrations spread to Latvia, Georgia, Estonia, and other republics. The long and costly war left the Soviet economy in shambles. It also fueled the rise of a free press and open dissent among not only ethnic minorities but also from Russians who had lost loved ones in the fighting. Although it was not the only factor, certainly the Soviet War in Afghanistan helped to hasten the end of one of the two superpowers. Just over two and a half years after the withdrawal, on December 26, 1991, the Soviet Union was formally dissolved. Sources MacEachin, Douglas. Predicting the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan: The Intelligence Communitys Record, CIA Center for the Study of Intelligence, Apr. 15, 2007. Prados, John, ed. Volume II: Afghanistan: Lessons from the Last War. Analysis of the Soviet War in Afghanistan, Declassified, The National Security Archive, Oct. 9, 2001. Reuveny, Rafael, and Aseem Prakash. The Afghanistan War and the Breakdown of the Soviet Union, Review of International Studies, (1999), 25, 693-708.

Question Mark Definition and Examples

Question Mark Definition and Examples A  question mark (?)  is a  punctuation symbol placed at the end of a sentence or phrase to indicate a direct question, as in:  She asked, Are you happy to be home?  The question mark is also called an  interrogation point, note of interrogation, or  question point. To understand the question mark and its use, its helpful to know that in grammar, a  question  is a type of  sentence  expressed in a form that requires (or appears to require) an answer. Also known as an  interrogative sentence, a question- which ends with a question mark- is generally distinguished from a sentence that makes a  statement, delivers a  command, or expresses an  exclamation. History The origination of the question mark is shrouded in myth and mystery, says Oxford Living Dictionaries. It may date to the ancient cat-worshiping Egyptians who created the curve of the question mark after observing the shape of an inquisitive cat’s tail. There are other possible origins, says the online dictionary: Another possibility links the question mark with the Latin word  quaestio  (‘question’). Supposedly, in the Middle Ages scholars would write ‘quaestio’ at the end of a sentence to show that it was a question, which in turn was shortened to  qo. Eventually, the  q  was written on top of the  o, before steadily morphing into a recognizably modern question mark. Alternatively, the question mark may have been introduced by Alcuin of York, an English scholar and poet born in 735, who was invited to join the court of Charlemagne in 781, says Oxford. Once there, Alcuin wrote many books- all in Latin- including some works on grammar. For his books, Alcuin created the  punctus interrogativus  or point of interrogation, a symbol resembling a tilde or lightning flash above it, representing the rising tone of voice used when asking a question. In A History of Writing, Steven Roger Fischer says that the question mark first appeared around the eighth or ninth century- possibly beginning with Alcuins works- in Latin manuscripts but did not appear in English until 1587 with the publication of  Sir Philip Sidneys Arcadia. Sidney certainly made full use of the punctuation mark when introducing it to the English language:  According to a version of Arcadia transcribed by Risa Bear  and published by the University of Oregon, the question mark appeared in the work nearly 140 times. Purpose The question mark always indicates a question or doubt, says Merriam-Websters Guide to Punctuation and Style, adding that A question mark ends a direct question. The dictionary gives these examples; What went wrong?When do they arrive? The question mark is the least demanding of punctuation marks, says Rene J. Cappon, author of The Associated Press Guide to Punctuation, adding: All you need to know is what a question is and you punctuate accordingly. Merriam-Webster defines a question as  an interrogative expression, often used to test knowledge, as in: â€Å"Did you go to school today?†Ã‚   The purpose of the question mark would seem simple, then. They are direct questions, invariably followed by the interrogation point, says Cappon. But a closer look shows that this seemingly simple punctuation mark can be tricky to use and easy to misuse. Correct and Incorrect Use There are a number of cases where using the question mark can be tricky for writers: Multiple questions:  Cappon says that you  do  use a question mark, even multiple question marks, when you have multiple questions for which you expect an answer or answers, even with sentence fragments such as: What were her vacation plans? Beach? Tennis? Reading War and Peace? Travel? Note that the quote marks at the end of War and Peace come before the question mark because this punctuation mark is not part of the books title. Omit the Comma and Other Punctuation Marks: Harold Rabinowitz and Suzanne Vogel in The Manual of Scientific Style: A Guide for Authors, Editors, and Researchers, note that a question mark should never be placed  next to a  comma, nor should it be next to a  period  unless it is part of an  abbreviation. Question marks should not generally be doubled for emphasis or paired with  exclamation points. And The Associated Press  Stylebook, 2018 says that a question mark should never supersede a comma, as in: Who is there? she asked. You would  never  pair a comma and a question mark, neither before nor after quotation marks. In this sentence, the question mark also comes before the quote mark because it ends the interrogative sentence. Indirect questions: As a general rule, do not use a question mark at the end of an indirect question, a  declarative sentence  that reports a  question  and ends with a  period  rather than a  question mark. An example of an indirect question would be:  She asked me if I was happy to be home. Cappon says that you don’t use a question mark when no answer is expected and gives these examples of indirect questions:   â€Å"Would you mind closing the window† is framed like a question but probably isn’t. The same applies to, â€Å"Would you please not bang the door when you leave.† Gerald J. Alred, Charles T. Brusaw, and Walter E. Oliu in The Business Writers Companion, agree, further explaining that you omit the question mark when you ask a  rhetorical question, essentially a statement for which you do not expect an answer. If your question is a polite request for which you simply assume youll get a positive response- Can you carry in the groceries, please?- omit the question mark. A Question Within an Indirect Question Using the question mark can become even more difficult, as the Merriam-Webster punctuation guide shows with this example: What was her motive? you may be asking. The sentence itself is an indirect question: The speaker does not expect an answer. But the indirect question contains a question sentence, where the speaker is essentially quoting or announcing the listeners thoughts. Merriam-Webster provides even trickier examples: I naturally wondered, Will it really work?  Thoroughly puzzled, â€Å"Who could have done such a thing?† she wondered. The first sentence is also an indirect question. The speaker (I)  is quoting his own thoughts, which are in the form of a question. But the speaker does not expect an answer, so this is not an interrogative statement. Merriam-Webster also suggests that you reframe the first sentence above as a simple declarative statement, negating the need for a question mark: I naturally wondered whether it would really work. The second sentence is also an indirect question that contains an interrogative statement. Notice that the question mark comes  before  the quote marks because the interrogative statement- Who could have done such a thing?- is a question that requires a question mark. George Bernard Shaw, in Back to Methuselah, gives a classic example of indirect questions that also contain interrogative statements (or questions): You see things; and you say, Why​? But I dream things that never were; and I say, Why not? The speaker is making two statements; he does not expect an answer for either. But, within each statement is a question- Why? and Why not?- both quoting the listener. Conversational Mark The question mark is the most profoundly human form of punctuation, says  Roy Peter Clark, author of The Glamour of Grammar. This punctuation mark envisions  communication  not as assertive but as interactive, even  conversational. A question mark at the end of an interrogative statement implicitly recognizes the other person and seeks her views and input. The question mark is the engine of debates and interrogations, of mysteries, solved and secrets to be revealed, of conversations between student and teacher, of anticipation and explanation, adds Clark. Used correctly, the question mark can help you engage your reader; it can help draw in your  reader as an active partner whose answers you seek and whose opinions matter.

A Study On Television Studies Media Essay

A Study On Television Studies Media Essay Television is that fantastic media phenomenon that provides us with pursuit at the click of the remote after a long day at the office; the cultural artefact that we can all relate to in one way or another. A large majority of us have our ‘favourite’, ‘must-see’ programmes that we religiously tune into; others simply choose to flick through the channels in hope of finding something ‘worthy’ of viewing; while many consciously choose not to watch certain programmes as they dislike them- chances being that their friends and colleagues will be talking about that programme the next day, making it almost impossible to be excluded from the discourses of social ideologies and construction that television presents. Each individual produces diverse reactions to television footage; whilst considering the representation of society through television media and flow, only we can conclude what we make of said footage, providing our own encoding of the text, thus possibly coming to a different supposition than another viewer of the text. Meanings are appropriated to the audience in different ways- meanings which are actively produced by the text- and whether we choose to agree with proposed meanings directly affects our own identities and representations. Firstly I am going to consider how far television is aiming to re-produce human identity and to what extent output creates and reinforces ideologies of UK culture. I will discover how genres of programmes can have a diverse impact on the ways in which we see representation in the UK. Using Baudrillard I will revise how ‘reality’ television can persuade us to conform to a new identity and representation. I will uncover how representations are obtained, and how these might be understood by the audiences. I wish to discover how constructed ideologies have forced us to accept specific cultural norms and values, and how television might reinforce this theory. I will also exa mine how, through the use of language and signs, media representations are understood in UK culture enabling me to gain a broader perspective on how such issues are reflected and how they may influence UK identity today. Using the theories of Hall and Saussure, I will discover how the use of a common understanding of representations enables us to construct identities today. Finally, I will look at how social class and sexuality are portrayed in television; my reason for this is that not are these matters an extremely apparent dynamic within television output, but it will enable me to correspond to Marxist theory, which I believe hold valid views to the links of power, social class and representation, allowing me to summarise how television output reflects representation. . When considering how evocative television is in the representation of the UK, many points have to be measured. Firstly we have to deliberate what the term representation essentially means. Marsen (2006:12) stat es: ‘A representation is a constructed pattern or design that describes or stands for something else†¦A representation could have a likeness with its object or it could be abstract. Language is to a large extent representational because it creates the object that it describes through words.’

Introduction to disseration Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Introduction to disseration - Dissertation Example Based on the Pew Internet Project, the most dominant social network is MySpace and popular among teens; in fact, this site is used by 85% of them since it allows users almost unlimited flexibility in order to create and to customize profile pages (share music, videos,posts, etc.). The next most favorite social networking site is Facebook, which puts a bigger emphasis on people that users have been connected with. Other popular social networking sites include Yahoo, Xanga, and Bebo (Hall, 2007). PEW reports also that around 50% of teenagers also use the sites for the purpose of making new friends, create social plans with friends; and sometimes to flirt. Like most teenagers, other Individual users are known to vary their tendency to adopt and use new technologies like the internet; it is also unclear which personality 2 traits of users are more innovative in information technology than others. This is essential (Nov & Ye, 2008) because personality traits are useful in psychology; in o rder to provide explanation about behaviour and human beliefs. In fact, there have been growing interest on this discipline being very useful as explanatory tool of social users' behavior. On the contrary, there is limited understanding about the interaction between the unique behaviors of the various Internet users, so with the variety of ways that information in the Internet must be presented (Amichai-Hamburger, Kaynar, & Fine, 2005). Studies have shown the connection between the internet users' behaviors on line and individual personality of the user and such connection is highly significant. Moreover, along with the social network's benefits come some risks. Majority of the social networking sites are wide-open to the public, which implies that â€Å"minors† could be exposed to bullying, harassment, or sexual advances. Cyber-bullying, as well as harassment are primarily often perpetrated by other individuals and tend to occur or experience among girls who have a strong se nse of online presence that may take several forms like: publicizing private instant messages, posting threatening messages, text messages or e-mails, spreading rumors, and posting photos that will lead or cause embarrassment. Much of the evident academic research on Facebook has focused towards identity presentation and also on privacy concerns ( Stutzman, 2006; Gross & Acquisti, 2005). Upon observing the amount of information Facebook users provide about themselves, lack of privacy controls by the users, and the relatively open access of information 3 Gross and Acquisti (2005) point out that users may be placing themselves at risk both online (e.g., identify theft) and offline (e.g., stalking). Other current Facebook research reviews student perceptions of instructor temporal patterns of utilization (Golder, Wilkinson, & Huberman, 2007), self-disclosure and presence (Hewitt & Forte, 2006; Mazer, Murphy, & Simonds, 2007), and the relationship between friendship articulation and( pr ofile structure Lampe, Ellison, & Steinfield, 2007). There are also cases (Hall, 2011) that put teens in greater danger such as when this age group become targets of many pedophiles. The anonymity of various social networking sites can make it easier for unscrupulous people to victimize young

The future direction of e-health. What are the strenghts and weakness Research Paper

The future direction of e-health. What are the strenghts and weakness of utilizing the internet to manage and dissminate health information - Research Paper Example As such, allowing patients to self-monitor their health data using the internet has various advantages and disadvantages. This paper will address e-health in relation to these contradicting effects. In addition, the paper will discuss the responsibility of the United States on e-health and medical technology from a Christian point of view. E-health information involves the conversion of medical records to electronic records, online medical information for healthcare providers, online medical information for the public, online evaluation and accreditation of public health care websites, online clinical computing systems, and online privacy issues (Natesan, 2005). Although all patients’ information should enjoy confidentiality, it is quite challenging to maintain the confidentiality of this information when it is accessible online. As such, e-health negates the privacy of any patient. Hackers can even access this information and use it against the patients and their family. Investigators can equally access patients and their family’s information without their authority. This information can work against them in a court of law. Moreover, e-health leads to a more competitive environment, thus reducing profits to health care providers, and this leads to health care inflation and puts the going concern of heal th care organizations at risk (Harrison & Lee, 2006). Nevertheless, e-health has numerous benefits. Actually, it avails relevant information to researchers who subsequently use it to understand and develop new treatments methods. The access to this information improves the quality of healthcare for patients and equally accelerates the process of receiving quality healthcare. In addition, it revolutionizes the delivery of medicine and healthcare to patients. Financially, e-health reduces treatment costs and reduces administrative costs, as everything is computerized. Furthermore, e-health will enhance

International media and telecommunications are not promoting a more Research Paper

International media and telecommunications are not promoting a more peaceful - Research Paper Example The media has different and opposite roles during the war. During a war for instance, the media could choose to concentrate on destroying the war as opposed to exalting the freedom from the tyranny. This discourse delves into analysing the position that International media and telecommunications are not promoting peaceful International relations. The author of the paper posits that the media could design and package the war as an invasion against an attack. Furthermore, telecommunications and media can outline negative against a positive attitude during the conflict. News Media benefits from the development in technology sector. Strategy in the simplest definition entails understanding who the players are in international relations as well as it stands in the society today. The comprehension covers the real position and both external and internal perceptions. The definition also includes having clear understanding of where international relations should get to and means of ensuring it gets to the destination. They constitute specific forms of substance with an intrinsic communicative ability. Among others, they are structures, innovations, reforms, legislation, institutions, investments, and policies in the media sector. They remain suggestive, memorable, remarkable, and newsworthy. The review of evidence applied in search strings to peruse five journal databases. The researcher filtered various papers after identification based on the date of publication starting the last decade of the twentieth century. Identification also considered countries with experiences in conflict and telecommunications and media associated with political occurrences. The analysis yielded twelve papers for review. Experts supplemented the twelve papers. The researcher graded evidence based on a regular pattern, evaluating the degree and quality of empirical

Effects of Managerial Behaviours and Leadership Styles Essay

Effects of Managerial Behaviours and Leadership Styles - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that the evolution of industrialization paved the way for modern management practices and the emphasis shifted from autocratic management to human relations style of management. The human resources, once considered as menial labor earned importance through their inventive and innovative ways. The next phase revolved around establishing efficient processes and systems for gaining an advantage in the market. This practice was followed by the marvels of leadership in the business domain. With time it got apparent that businesses that realized the importance of human resources and their skills grew in size and acquired a competitive advantage in the market. These businesses deliberately designed intrinsic and extrinsic rewards for their employees, in order to keep them motivated and loyal. An inquiry into the research conducted on the subject matter of motivation reveals that employees tend to value intrinsic rewards more while extrinsic ones w ith time became tertiary. Within the scope of intrinsic rewards, the decision-making practices by management and behavior of managers towards employees acquired immense importance. Those managers that can gather their teams under one objective and achieve results were valued, consequently, those who could not motivate their teams became redundant in the modern era. After going through many ups and downs organizations realized that both employee’s motivation and their sustainability depends on the decision making the ability of power players within the company. A manager or leader is entrusted to keep their subordinates motivated and actively working towards achievement of organizational goals. As a driving force within the organization poor leadership or managerial behavior can result in colossal damages. These damages can range from quantitative damages in form of monetary returns and decreased revenues to qualitative damages such as reputation in the market decreased goodwi ll and demotivated employees. Modern firms realized this threat and consequences of bad decision making; hence as a precaution, these organizations invested heavily in leadership development programs. These programs were geared towards identifying and developing incumbents into future leaders. Those who cannot only motivate their teams towards desired organizational objectives but also have the business acumen that can help them in facing future challenges. Additionally, these organizations refined their decision-making approach and practices such as mentoring; counseling and brainstorming were adopted by these organizations, in order to develop effective leaders who can take timely decisions. With the rise of a knowledge economy, visionary leaders became the scarcest commodity in the marketplace. Regardless of the product, size and prevailing market dynamics, it is proven through many case studies that effective leaders can take organizations to greater heights. These leaders have unique characteristics and attributes while their decision-making style suites the appropriate situation. Organizations these days understand that in today’s economically fragile and dynamic marketplace, poor decisions made by individuals or appalling attitude towards employees or customers can devastate an organization.

The Effects of Air Pollution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The Effects of Air Pollution - Essay Example When it comes to air pollution, you can actually find many of the problems affecting the life of a person and other living things. However, all of the problems caused by air pollution create different effects with different severity. But, there is no doubt about the fact that global warming is one of the most important issues associated with air pollution. Global warming is all about the increase in average temperature of earth that ultimately creates an impact on the climate. With a change in earths temperature it is obvious to see some fluctuations in the rainfall patterns and sea levels. When it comes to global warming, the major role is played by humans through the buildup of heat-trapping green house gases. Plus, carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide play their part to aggravate the situation. However, carbon dioxide is the major contributor as according to IPCC, UK emitted 38 billion tonnes carbon dioxide in 2004. Also, 85% of UKs man-made emissions was carbon dioxide in 2007 (UK Emissions of Carbon Dioxide, Methane and Nitrous Oxide by National Communication Source Category) Global warming is one of the pressing issues faced by today's world but this change in climate is not new. If you will delve more into the details pertaining to the start of this particular problem, you will find out that it has been taking place for thousands of years. The difference is that it was happening as a natural cycle in past, which implies that earth experiences an ice age with a temperature increase and decrease, but it is now taking place for different reasons and on much faster pace. With an increase in the carbon dioxide, this problem is getting worse and it is thought that the start of the real problem was during the industrial revolution. But, it is worth mentioning that the topic about the actual start of global warming is frequently debated and different experts have different opinions. According to William Ruddiman, a climate scientist with the University of Virginia, "People may have begun altering the world's climate as early as 8,000 years ago" (Global Warming Started Long Before Industrial Revolution). It is well before the industrial revolution but the fact remains that it has created more problems with industries emitting a large amounts of carbons. Knowing when the entire problem started is not as important as knowing more about its causes and impacts. Actually, the problem exists because of deforestation and industrial revolution. Plus, production of energy is another reason behind the existence of this problem. Large amounts of carbons come from burning fossil oils and the problem is more likely to exist with an increase in population. The impact of global warming is huge. Due to global warming, sea levels are rising, glaciers are melting and with drying of cloud forests wild life is striving for its existence. What it means is that all living things are impacted by the problem. For humans, the impacts of global warming are severe. For instance; With a change in temperature, global ocean level will rise to create problems. It is found that a one meter rise in global ocean level would make Egypt to lose 1% of its land. Climate change will affect crops which can be extremely damaging for people living in South East Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and tropical areas of Latin America. Composition of many ecosystems may

The rise of Christianity was important to the growth of the late Roman Research Paper

The rise of Christianity was important to the growth of the late Roman period. How did the Church help continue civilization after the fall of the Western Empire - Research Paper Example Paul was an apostle who travelled across the Roman Empire in 30 years to preach Christianity to some of the important cities of the empire. Some of the cities such as Philippi, Athens, and Corinth consisted of thousands of desperate and poor people who were thought to be the perfect audience for the message of Christianity that supported eternal life. Paul went to the homes of these people and preached the message of Jesus. However, Jesus only went to the Jews while Paul took his message to the non-Jews as well. Christianity tended to ease the rules and adopted a more relaxed approach towards the ancient laws about circumcision and food. The Jewish traditions were greatly led down due to this but this was the main reason for the widespread of Christianity. As the Christian movement focused on non-Jewish members as well, the rules were changed from the strict ones to the relaxed ones so that Jews could adopt them. However, gradually Christianity had been adopted as a separate and new religion. As Christianity gained importance in Rome, the failings of Emperor Nero were hidden under Christians who were a far easier target. Christians were few in Rome by then even and they were now highly suspicious. Christians had become an easy target and their rituals were mistaken commonly. Nero, in this time, tortured the Roman Christians by throwing them to wild animals, burning them alive, or crucifying them1. However, even after this persecution, the Christian religion prevailed and although it did not repeat in other areas and was brief, it became more organized over the time. By 323 AD, Christianity had become the official religion in the Roman Empire. Ever since then, the Christianity and Catholic Church played a significant role in establishing and forming the Western Society. Throughout the history of the Catholic Church, it has been seen as a source of inspiration of social services such as medical care and schooling,

The Effects of Air Pollution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The Effects of Air Pollution - Essay Example When it comes to air pollution, you can actually find many of the problems affecting the life of a person and other living things. However, all of the problems caused by air pollution create different effects with different severity. But, there is no doubt about the fact that global warming is one of the most important issues associated with air pollution. Global warming is all about the increase in average temperature of earth that ultimately creates an impact on the climate. With a change in earths temperature it is obvious to see some fluctuations in the rainfall patterns and sea levels. When it comes to global warming, the major role is played by humans through the buildup of heat-trapping green house gases. Plus, carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide play their part to aggravate the situation. However, carbon dioxide is the major contributor as according to IPCC, UK emitted 38 billion tonnes carbon dioxide in 2004. Also, 85% of UKs man-made emissions was carbon dioxide in 2007 (UK Emissions of Carbon Dioxide, Methane and Nitrous Oxide by National Communication Source Category) Global warming is one of the pressing issues faced by today's world but this change in climate is not new. If you will delve more into the details pertaining to the start of this particular problem, you will find out that it has been taking place for thousands of years. The difference is that it was happening as a natural cycle in past, which implies that earth experiences an ice age with a temperature increase and decrease, but it is now taking place for different reasons and on much faster pace. With an increase in the carbon dioxide, this problem is getting worse and it is thought that the start of the real problem was during the industrial revolution. But, it is worth mentioning that the topic about the actual start of global warming is frequently debated and different experts have different opinions. According to William Ruddiman, a climate scientist with the University of Virginia, "People may have begun altering the world's climate as early as 8,000 years ago" (Global Warming Started Long Before Industrial Revolution). It is well before the industrial revolution but the fact remains that it has created more problems with industries emitting a large amounts of carbons. Knowing when the entire problem started is not as important as knowing more about its causes and impacts. Actually, the problem exists because of deforestation and industrial revolution. Plus, production of energy is another reason behind the existence of this problem. Large amounts of carbons come from burning fossil oils and the problem is more likely to exist with an increase in population. The impact of global warming is huge. Due to global warming, sea levels are rising, glaciers are melting and with drying of cloud forests wild life is striving for its existence. What it means is that all living things are impacted by the problem. For humans, the impacts of global warming are severe. For instance; With a change in temperature, global ocean level will rise to create problems. It is found that a one meter rise in global ocean level would make Egypt to lose 1% of its land. Climate change will affect crops which can be extremely damaging for people living in South East Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and tropical areas of Latin America. Composition of many ecosystems may

Maximizing Shareholder Wealth Essay Example for Free

Maximizing Shareholder Wealth Essay The goal of a firm and a financial manager should involve maximizing the wealth of a firm’s shareholders through achieving the highest possible value for the firm (Block 13). It is a vital task to oversee properly as a financial manager, and while the manager cannot directly control the firm’s stock price, it can act consistently with the desires of the shareholder. Accounting, financial and other irregularities can erode consumer confidence that says the system will operate in the best interests of shareholders, taxpayers and other constituents (Hintzen 2003). Therefore, ethical practices must be upheld to convey confidence to your clients. Your clients care about two major topics when hiring you: what is their return going to be, and is it going to occur when promised. Current stock prices as well as future expectations of value are controlled by the economic environment, but are difficult to forecast. In addition, expectations of stockholders are constantly varying depending on the economic climate. For instance, during the economic boom of . com businesses, people had high expectations of their money spent because of similar stocks. However, many companies had very high stock prices, with no real earnings yet, which distorted to economic health of some companies (Block 14). As related to business firms, social responsibility concerns such things as protecting the consumer, paying fair wages to employees, maintaining fair hiring practices, supporting education, and becoming actively involved in environmental issues like clean air and water. Many people feel that a firm has no choice but to act in socially responsible ways; they argue that shareholder wealth and, perhaps, the corporations very existence depends upon its being socially responsible. However, the criteria for social responsibility are not clearly defined, making formulation of a consistent objective function difficult (Dent 2005). As Christians, our social responsibility is defined through the Bible, and through it we should have perspective on what is right and wrong. While our job is to make money for our company and client, we must do so according to our beliefs, and what we know in our heart to be right, which God shows us. Philippians 1:9-10 (ESV) says, it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.

Physiology Of Sleep

Physiology Of Sleep Physiology Of Sleep Introduction Sleep is a state of reversible unconsciousness in which the brain is low responsive to external stimuli. We are functionally blind during sleep with no response to visual stimuli and a decreased threshold of response to auditory stimuli. Babies have been exposed to sound of up to 100 dB, which is above the legal limit for ear protection for employees, without waking up. In adults, the action is selective demonstrating continuing cortical function. For example, a sleeping mother is woken by her crying baby but not by other louder noises. Definition of sleep and sleeping Phases with specific EEG patterns and physiological changes. Natural sleep is separated into two distinctive states: non rapid eye movement (N.R.E.M) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. NREM sleep is then further seperated into 4 stages where stage 1 is the lightest and stage 4 the deepest level of sleep. REM sleep is divided into phasic and tonic phases. The two distinctive states follow a regular pattern called a sleep cycle which, in an adult, lasts about 1 and half hours and comprises a period of N.R.E.M sleep followed by REM sleep. The cycles may be separated by a period of wakefulness and are repeated 3–6 times each night and are typically displayed as an hypnogram (Fig. 1). The majority of deep (stage 4) NREM sleep occurs in the first and second cycles. As the night progresses, the proportion of REM sleep in a cycle increases and the NREM element is of lighter stage 2 sleep. Age has a major effect on the duration of sleep and the ratio of NREM/REM sleep. Neonates sleep 16–18 h. It is widely distributed throughout the day with REM sleep accounting for 50% of total sleep time (TST). This may be even greater in premature babies. By the age of 24 months, children should sleep 10 h per day, mainly at night with one or two naps during the daytime and REM sleep has declined to 20–25% of TST. Adults normally sleep 6–8 h per day with 15–20% REM sleep. With increasing age, TST changes little although sleep is more fragmented with more frequent and longer awakenings (decreased sleep efficiency) with less REM sleep and more light NREM sleep. Night-time sleep may be decreased if naps are taken during the day. Functions of sleep The functions of sleep are still poorly understood. However, the observation that sleep (or, at  least, an activity–inactivity cycle) is present in all species and has been preserved throughout evolution and that sleep deprivation leads to a drastic deterioration in cognitive  function and eventually to mental and physical morbidity proves its importance. It has been suggested that sleep might conserve energy by reducing core temperature slightly and lowering metabolic rate by 10% compared with quiet wakefulness. Sleep would prevent perpetual activity as a response to environmental stimuli leading to excessive energy consumption. However, sleep is a state of starvation and there is no evidence that sleep is important for tissue repair. Sleep has been implicated as an important factor in storage of long-term memory. Facts learned during the day are usually better remembered the next morning whereas facts learned shortly before going to sleep are often poorly recalled. Electrophysiological features of sleep The stages of sleep are characterised by typical patterns of electroencephalogram (EEG), electro-myogram (EMG) and electro oculogram (EOG) activity Wakefulness with open eyes is characterised by an EEG with dominant low amplitude, high frequency beta activity of  16–25 Hz. Muscle tone is normally high with high to moderate EMG activity. Stage 1 Sleep is usually initiated by a transition from wakefulness to a state of drowsiness with closed eyes and a shift from EEG beta activity to alpha activity of 8–12 Hz passing to Stage 1  NREM sleep with a mixed frequency EEG-pattern with low amplitude theta waves of 3–7 Hz accompanied by slow rolling eye movements. Involuntary muscle clonus occurs frequently,  resulting in jerky movement of the whole body (hypnic jerks) and EMG activity is moderate-to-low. This stage lasts typically only 5–10 min, during which time minor auditory stimuli will cause arousal. Stage 2 Stage 2 is characterised by short bursts of high frequency activity (12–15 Hz – sleep spindles) and K-complexes (large amplitude biphasic waves). Bodily movements continue and  the EMG activity is low-to-moderate. This stage is generally short (10–20 min) in the first 1–2 cycles but predominates in later cycles. It is the most abundant sleep stage in adults  accounting for up to 50% of TST. Stages 3 and 4 Deep NREM sleep stages 3 and 4, sometimes combined as slow wave sleep (SWS) are characterized by high amplitude low frequency delta waves (> 75 µV and 0.5–2 Hz) with stage  3 having between 20–50% and stage 4 more than 50% delta activity. EMG activity is low and eye movements are rare. Arousal through auditory stimuli from this stage of sleep is  difficult and, if awakened, the individual is often disorientated and slow to react. Return to sleep is easy and short arousals (< 30 sec) are rarely remembered. REM sleep NREM sleep is followed by REM sleep, the proportion increasing with each cycle. REM sleep is characterised by a fast mixed frequency low voltage EEG with saw-tooth waves and  rapid eye movements on the EOG. During the tonic phases of REM sleep, there is marked reduction of muscle tone and EMGactivity in skeletal muscles. The tonic phases of REM sleep are interrupted by short episodes of phasic REM sleep with increased EMG activity and limb twitches. The atonia of REM sleep affects all skeletal muscles, except the diaphragm and the upper airway muscles, and is associated with hyperpolarisation of the ÃŽ ±-motor neurones. The purpose of this may be to prevent the acting out of dreams. About 10% of the population have experienced sleep paralysis (i.e. wakening from sleep and finding that the atonia has  persisted into wakefulness). It can be frightening but is entirely harmless. Natural wakening usually occurs from REM sleep. Subjects woken from REM sleep are much more likely to rec all dream content than those awakened from NREM sleep. NREM dreams are generally vague and formless in contrast to REM dreams. Physiological changes during sleep Respiratory system During NREM sleep, there is a decrease in respiratory drive and a reduction in the muscle tone of the upper airway leading to a 25% decrease in minute volume and alveolar ventilation and a doubling of airway resistance accompanied by a small (0.5 kPa) increase in  PaCO2 and decrease in PaO2. Hypercarbic and hypoxic ventilator drives are reduced compared with wakefulness. The breathing pattern is regular except at the transition from wakefulness into sleep when brief central apnoeas are common. During REM sleep there is a further decrease in hypercarbic and, particularly, hypoxic ventilatory drives. The breathing pattern is irregular especially during phasic REM sleep. The loss of skeletal muscle tone in REM sleep affects the intercostal and other muscles which stabilise the chest wall during inspiration. In infants, this may be seen as paradoxical movement of the rib cage and abdomen. In adults, there may be maldistribution of ventilation and impaired ventilation–perfusion matching with consequent arterial hypoxaemia. In normal subjects, this is unimportant but it may be very important in patients with chronic lung disease or abnormalities of the thoracic (e.g. kyphoscoliosis). The great majority of patients with impaired respiratory function will be at their worst during REM sleep. Cardiovascular system Blood pressure decreases during NREM and tonic REM sleep but may increase above waking values during phasic REM sleep. Cardiac output is generally decreased during all sleep  phases. Systemic vascular resistance (SVR) and the heart rate are both reduced during NREM and tonic REM sleep and increased during phasic REM sleep. Central nervous system Cerebral blood flow (CBF) increases by 50–100% above the level of resting wakefulness during tonic REM sleep and is even greater during phasic REM sleep. Cerebral metabolic rate, oxygen consumption and neuronal discharge rate are reduced during NREM sleep but increased above resting values during REM sleep. The autonomic nervous system shows a general decrease in sympathetic tone and an increase in parasympathetic tone,  except in phasic REM sleep. Renal system The glomerular filtration speed and filtration fraction are reduced and ADH secretion is increased resulting in a less volume concentrated urine. Endocrine system The secretion of several hormones is directly linked to the sleep/wake cycle. Melatonin is released from the pineal gland under the control of the supra-chiasmatic nuclei (SCN) in a 4–5h pulse, usually beginning at the onset of darkness (~9 pm). The pulse is inhibited or delayed by exposure to bright light in the evening. It is best regarded as being permissive of sleep (‘opening the gate to sleep’) rather than as an hypnotic, as it is possible to maintain wakefulness during this period. Growth hormone is mostly secreted during the first episode of SWS, particularly  during puberty. Prolactin concentrations also increase shortly after sleep onset and decrease with wakefulness. Sleep phase delay delays secretion of both of these hormones. The secretion of cortisol decreases with the onset of sleep and reaches a trough in the early hours of the morning and a peak just after waking. Temperature control In contrast to anaesthesia, thermoregulation is maintained during sleep. However, the shivering threshold is decreased and body core temperature decreases by about 0.5 °C in humans and 2 °C  in hibernating mammals. Body temperature is linked to the circadian rhythm and reaches its nadir at about 3 am. Thermoregulation is quite good in human infants compared with  other species. Control of sleep Sleep follows a circadian (~1 day) cycle, the periodicity of which is regulated by an independent genetically determined ‘intrinsic clock’ which is entrained to a 24 h cycle by external cues (Zeitgebers) such as light, darkness, clock time, working patterns and meal times. When a human being is deprived of all external time clues and is exposed to constant levels of illumination (‘free running’), the wake/sleep cycle typically lengthens to about 24.5 h. Subjects who are born blind without any appreciation of light generally free run while those blinded in later lifeor who retain some perception of light remain entrained. All living organisms, including plants and fungi, have been found to have clock genes and to show an inactivity/activity cycle. In mammals, control of the intrinsic clock is located in the SCN on either side of the third ventricle, just above the optical chiasm. In animal experiments, its destruction leads to a change from the normal sleep cycle into several shorter sleep/activity periods during the day. As noted above, melatonin secretion is  prompted by the SCN just before the usual time of sleep onset. A mismatch of this pattern with sleeping time, as occurs in shift workers and after trans-meridian flights, leads to sleep disturbance (‘jet lag’) as the subject is trying to sleep during their circadian day. Light therapy can be helpful in re-setting the circadian clock and the interested reader is referred to the bibliography. The propensity to fall asleep varies throughout the day and depends upon both circadian factors (process C) and time since the last sleep period (process S). The longer the time since the  last sleep period, the greater will be process S. However, its propensity will be modulated by process C. The circadian pressure to sleep is greatest at ~2 am with a secondary peak at ~2 pm. It is least at ~6 am and ~6 pm. If a subject elects to stay awake throughout the night, they will feel most sleepy in the small hours of the morning but will get a ‘second wind’ as morning approaches and the circadian pressure to sleep declines. If wakefulness is maintained, a second period of sleepiness and relative alertness will follow in early afternoon and early evening, respectively. Some of the 8-h sleep debt will be recovered that night but process C will ensure that awakening will occur at or shortly after the normal waking time. Sleep is normally an actively initiated and not a passive process. Unless a subject is sleep deprived, successful initiation of sleep depends both upon the phase of the circadian clock and  external factors (recumbent position, darkness, reducing sensory input). Over the years, considerable effort has been focused on a search for: (i) a ‘sleep centre’, a nucleus or region in the brain where stimulation or ablation would lead to sleep; and (ii) a hormone or transmitter which would reliably induce sleep. Neither have been found because the mechanisms resulting in sleep are complex and diffuse. During wakefulness, the CNS is dominated by activity of the ascending reticular activating system (RAS) in the brain stem. This formation receives sensory input from all peripheral sensors and projects to the thalamus and the cortex. Its main neurotransmitters are acetylcholine, noradrenaline, dopamine and histamine which explains the sedative effect of antagonists to these  substances. A decrease in its activity permits sleep to be initiated by suppressing incoming external stimuli. The induction of SWS is associated with the secretion of ÃŽ ³-aminobutyric acid (GABA) from basal forebrain neurones. Therefore, it is not surprising that benzodiazepines and barbiturates, which act through stimulation of GABA receptors in the CNS, induce sleep or anaesthesia. Cholinergic mechanisms initiate REM sleep through stimulation of pontine neurones in the  lateral portion of the pontine tegmentum and the nucleus reticularis pontis oralis. In animal experiments, injection of carbachol (acetylcholine agonist) induces instantaneous REM sleep. Recently, orexins (hypocretin) have been isolated in the hypothalamus and appear to be important in the control of REM sleep and appetite. CSF concentrations of orexins have been found to be very low in patients with narcolepsy. Influence of surgery and anaesthesia on sleep Anaesthesia and surgery can have a profound effect upon sleep. On the first night after surgery, sleep architecture is severely disrupted with little or no SWS and REM sleep. The  light Stage 2 sleep is fragmented with frequent awakenings. The degree of disruption appears to be related to the severity of the surgical insult. The mechanism is unclear but it is probably due to a combination of the surgical stress and the effects of opioid analgesics. Recovery of lost SWS and REM sleep occurs on postoperative nights 2–5, being later after major surgery. This coincides with the nadir of postoperative pulmonary function and several  studies have demonstrated marked hypoxaemia associated with the rebound of REM sleep. It was a logical step to attribute postoperative myocardial ischaemia, myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism and cerebral disorder (delirium and cognitive impairment) to nocturnal hypoxaemia. However, a number of studies have failed to confirm these presumed associations,  although this does not exclude the possibility that the hypoxaemia may be important in some individuals. Key references Ambrosini MV, Giuditta B. Learning and sleep: the sequential hypothesis. Sleep Med Rev2001;5: 477–90 Dijk DJ, Lockley SW. Functional genomics of sleep and circadian rhythm: integration of human sleep-wake regulation and circadian rhythmicity.J Appl Physiol 2002;92: 852–62 Douglas N.Clinician’s Guide to Sleep Medicine. Edinburgh:Arnold, 2002   Ebrahim IO et al. The hypocretin/orexin system. J R Soc Med 2002;95: 227–30 Kryger MH, Roth T, Dement WC. (eds) Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine, 3rd edn. Philadelphia: 2000. Nicolau MC et al.Why we sleep: the evolutionary pathway to the mammalian sleep pattern.Prog Neurobiol2000;62: 379–406 Saper CB, Chou TC, Scammell TE.The sleep switch: hypothalamic control of sleep and wakefulness.Trends Neurosci2001;24: 726–31 Shneerson JM.Handbook of Sleep Medicine. Oxford: Blackwell, 2000 Williams JM, Hanning CD. Obstructive sleep apnoea,BJA CEPD Rev2003; 3: 75–78

Arrogance in Oedipus and Cocteaus Infernal Machine Essay -- compariso

Arrogance in Oedipus and Cocteau's Infernal Machine   Ã‚  Ã‚   The myth of Oedipus dates back centuries. Overtime a myth changes in many ways as each author or orator presents their own version. The main plot usually remains intact, but authors add their own style to the tragic story. In the case of Sophocles' Oedipus the King and Jean Cocteau's Infernal Machine both authors focus on the arrogant nature of Oedipus. Since this quality ultimately has destructive powers, the relationships Oedipus has with other characters demonstrates this arrogance. Although, the two authors portray Oedipus in different ways to emphasize their different themes both use the relationship between Oedipus and Teiresias to demonstrate Oedipus' arrogant nature. In both plays, this arrogance manifests in Oedipus' rejection of the prophet Teiresias. However, the two playwrights differ greatly in the relationship between these two characters. Cocteau's Oedipus immediately disrespects Teiresias' prophecy. This rejection of the prophecy and warnings of Teiresias emphasizes his theme of malevolent gods. Equivalently, in Sophocles' version of the myth, the denial of Teiresias demonstrates the main theme of the destructive nature of arrogance. Instead of the gods holding him back, Oedipus' own pride does not allow him to believe Teiresias. Oedipus believes that he is above everything and everyone. Just as in Cocteau, he even believes that he can defy the gods and disregard fate. In Sophocles version of the myth, the denial of Teiresias does not occur right instantly. At first, Oedipus regards the prophet Teiresias in the proper, respectful manner. Oedipus greets him by exclaiming, "My lord, in you alone we find a champion, in you alone one that can rescu... ...uture. They provide him with numerous hints regarding the impending doom that hangs in the atmosphere. However, Oedipus' arrogance blinds him to the truth of his situation and leads to his ultimate demise. Works Cited and Consulted Abrams, M. H. A Glossary of Literary Terms, 7th ed. New York: Harcourt Brace College Publishers, 1999. Benardete, Seth. â€Å"Sophocles’ Oedipus Tyrannus.† In Sophocles: A Collection of Critical Essays, edited by Thomas Woodard. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1966. Cocteau, Jean. (1963). The Infernal Machine in The Infernal Machine and other plays. (A. Bermal, Trans.) New York: New Directions Publishing Corporation. Nagle, Brendan D.   The Ancient World: A Cultural and Social History. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1979. Sophocles. (1991). Oedipus the King in Sophocles I. (G. David, Trans.) Chicago:University of Chicago Press.    Arrogance in Oedipus and Cocteau's Infernal Machine Essay -- compariso Arrogance in Oedipus and Cocteau's Infernal Machine   Ã‚  Ã‚   The myth of Oedipus dates back centuries. Overtime a myth changes in many ways as each author or orator presents their own version. The main plot usually remains intact, but authors add their own style to the tragic story. In the case of Sophocles' Oedipus the King and Jean Cocteau's Infernal Machine both authors focus on the arrogant nature of Oedipus. Since this quality ultimately has destructive powers, the relationships Oedipus has with other characters demonstrates this arrogance. Although, the two authors portray Oedipus in different ways to emphasize their different themes both use the relationship between Oedipus and Teiresias to demonstrate Oedipus' arrogant nature. In both plays, this arrogance manifests in Oedipus' rejection of the prophet Teiresias. However, the two playwrights differ greatly in the relationship between these two characters. Cocteau's Oedipus immediately disrespects Teiresias' prophecy. This rejection of the prophecy and warnings of Teiresias emphasizes his theme of malevolent gods. Equivalently, in Sophocles' version of the myth, the denial of Teiresias demonstrates the main theme of the destructive nature of arrogance. Instead of the gods holding him back, Oedipus' own pride does not allow him to believe Teiresias. Oedipus believes that he is above everything and everyone. Just as in Cocteau, he even believes that he can defy the gods and disregard fate. In Sophocles version of the myth, the denial of Teiresias does not occur right instantly. At first, Oedipus regards the prophet Teiresias in the proper, respectful manner. Oedipus greets him by exclaiming, "My lord, in you alone we find a champion, in you alone one that can rescu... ...uture. They provide him with numerous hints regarding the impending doom that hangs in the atmosphere. However, Oedipus' arrogance blinds him to the truth of his situation and leads to his ultimate demise. Works Cited and Consulted Abrams, M. H. A Glossary of Literary Terms, 7th ed. New York: Harcourt Brace College Publishers, 1999. Benardete, Seth. â€Å"Sophocles’ Oedipus Tyrannus.† In Sophocles: A Collection of Critical Essays, edited by Thomas Woodard. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1966. Cocteau, Jean. (1963). The Infernal Machine in The Infernal Machine and other plays. (A. Bermal, Trans.) New York: New Directions Publishing Corporation. Nagle, Brendan D.   The Ancient World: A Cultural and Social History. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1979. Sophocles. (1991). Oedipus the King in Sophocles I. (G. David, Trans.) Chicago:University of Chicago Press.   

The First Monster at Heorot in Beowulf :: Epic of Beowulf Essays

The First Monster at Heorot in Beowulf When Grendel monstrously bursts into Heorot, tears down the heavy door with his beastly hands and instantly devours a Geatish warrior, it immediately tells us that the first climax of the epic Beowulf has arrived. As Beowulf carefully watches Grendel take action, Grendel reaches out to snatch Beowulf as his next meal. Surprised, Grendel becomes extremely frightened to discover that there is another being stronger than himself when Beowulf, using his vice-like grip, pulls Grendel’s arm from his socket. The monster, Grendel, howls with pain and runs out of Heorot leaving his blood-spattered arm still in Beowulf’s hands. An enormous celebration is thrown to record Beowulf’s victory by reciting and singing stories about the past kings. A Danish scop recites the story of Sigemund, a great hero who slays a horrible dragon. The dragon is a keeper of a treasure chest that Sigemund wins by slaying the dragon. The treasure won by Sigemund resembles the gold rewards earned by Beowulf from the ring-giver, King Hrothgar. This Norse myth is obviously recited at Beowulf’s celebration to compare both Sigemund’s and Beowulf's heroic acts. The Danish warriors want to show their appreciation to Beowulf with such mythology: â€Å"This man undertook with his art to recite in turn Beowulf’s exploit, and skillfully to tell an apt tale, to lend words to it† (Tuso 16). What is so remarkable about the epic Beowulf is that the narrator contrasts Beowulf's super-heroic accomplishments with Heremod. Heremod is known as an evil Danish king who turns against his own people. This is clearly a symbol of the reverse of Beowulf’s characteristics. By comparing and contrasting Beowulf to two different kings, the narrator is indicating that Beowulf will be king later in the epic. Yet we readers shouldn’t immediately think that Beowulf will be an evil or a good king. This leaves us to carefully observe more of Beowulf's character throughout Beowulf. During the celebration, King Hrothgar delivers an appreciation and dedication speech to Beowulf and his victory. From Hrothgar’s speech, we understand that he feels himself to be bound in a new relationship with Beowulf by his great service. He states, â€Å"Beowulf, best of men, in my heart I will love you as a son† (Tuso 17). Beowulf readers should start taking careful notice as King Hrothgar gradually becomes a mentor and a father-like figure to Beowulf. To some extent, Hrothgar even gives advice to Beowulf about how to act as an intelligent ruler through his own experience.