Teen Pregnancy And Teenage Pregnancy - 1560 Words

n the mainstream news, young mothers have received surplus attention due to the large scale viewers of MTV’s shows Teen Mom and 16 and Pregnant. Fox News, leaning far right on the political spectrum commented about the extensive publizity. When the stars from these reality shows made front page on US Weekly and People’s magazine Fox News posted an article in response,â€Å" Tabloids Glamorizing Teen Pregnancy By Putting Teen Moms on Covers.† Young teens who became pregnant and now a part of mainstream culture sex is the highlighted deviance described in this article. Fox News argues that we shouldn’t praise these girls for their actions because, they are irresponsible parents that were just looking for a way to make quick money. That, this†¦show more content†¦It takes two people to make a child.When commenting on teen pregnancy how society reacts would suggest quite differently. â€Å" The media here is being extremely irresponsible by glamori zing teen pregnancy. We can look forward to a reality show in about 18 years based on these children growing up fatherless, as the cause of mommy’s fame.† These statement puts the accountability onto the mother for the children being fatherless and profiting off of it, rather than acknowledging that it is the father’s responsibility to be present in his children’s lives. Take for example, the ridicule that women of all ages face when they choose adoption. We as a society are amazed that a mother could even fathom to not want her child yet, it is quite the opposite with fathers. While a mother who adopts is disgusting, a father who leaves their children is often blamed on the mother or, not even a topic to begin with. The irony of the approval of men who engage in frequent sexual activities, as well as being socially permitted and even endorsed to not take accountability for their actions is unfathomable. There are thousands of excuses for men’s abs tinence in children’s lives such as , â€Å" guys take more time to grow up,† to â€Å" guys just aren’t wired to be parents like women are.† Whereas, with these teen mothers who have taken up the responsibility to be mature enough to provide for their children are under constant scrutiny. Yet, the behavior and

The Legend Of Founding Of The Kingdom Of Asterialune

Prologue This is a tale from a distant past. The legend of founding of the Kingdom of Asterialune. Asterialune is where you will find desire and hatred, divided into seven territories. Where you are standing on the shore of they’re unique ocean, the waters stretches far as you can see, to the horizon. It changes color with the light and the color of the sky, from green to blue to gray. And then, in twilight, you cannot tell the ocean from the sky. Ripples and waves unceasingly flow toward you, eventually break into foam, creep up to your feet and slide back. The ocean makes a sound like water surging and retreating. There is a scent of the salt water in the air, a smell like no other. This is where mermaids, aquatic animals, water†¦show more content†¦The mountains at a distance and rising hills before us. Those are the fairies, elves, dwarves, little people and other earthy mythological creatures. The two unlike territories the heaven and the underworld. In the heaven, all tranquil dissimilar animals together, beautiful pale skin with feathery pure wings roaming around the thick covering the bare sky with it s wings like it s never been wings, but a conquering soul travelling across the blue sky. Then, the underworld, full of thick vapors consuming your sight and prickly thorns on the dark path. Lastly, a land where humans like us live. Farming, sewing, writing, painting, selling goods and little kids cycling or running through the streets. All of these territories united all together, no matter what. Until chaos strikes like a meteor and all the union was burned into ashes. Long ago, the queen of the celestial gave birth to fraternal twins. Two of them have symbolic birthmarks. Symbolizing the day and the night. The first-born was a girl with a quarter silver sand color hair that glistens like the moon and dark purple eyes like the shade of the night sky. Her blue birthmark was on her right shoulder, a crescent of a moon. The other girl has her hair the shades of the sunlight and eyes like a pink tourmaline gem. The yellow birthmark was on her left shoulder, a crescent of a sun. They’re most of their personalities were different and are like their symbols. Their

Adoption journal Essay Example For Students

Adoption journal Essay In 1991 a study was conducted using 916 respondents to find attitudes towards transracial adoption. . 71% of those surveyed believed that race should not be a factor in who should be allowed to adopt a child. However, those respondents in a highest age category, such as 64 or older, were 63% less likely to approve of transracial adoption, compared to the younger age category. African-American women were 84% less likely than African-American men to approve of transracial adoption. Caucasian men were 72% less likely to approve. The importance and practice to considering transracial adoptions, and having transracial populations is discussed. Areas of consideration areas follows: Background, History and Controversy, Previous Studies of Attitudes towards transracial adoption, Purpose and Rationale, Methods, Procedures, Results, Bivariate Anaylsis (a study using charts and tables), Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis (all categories are considered which may also include two or more group s), Discussion (the results of the studies), and the outcome of all the areas of consideration. Adopting children of another race raises many questions because of the background of the child. Adopting a child of another race is of special interest, and should be carefully considered. Many questions regarding the background of minority children need to be answered before following through with an interracial adoption. For instance, Should minority-group children be adopted by parents of another race? Can the parents provide the racial and ethnic identity that children need to cope with racism? Are cultural experiences and racial identity important to the well being of a child? Are these children better off than they would be if left to live in the foster-care or institutional system? Does placing the child with the same race discriminate against the child? Will these children experience any long term disadvantages if adopted outside their race. As the study shows, many questions should be answered before considering a transracial adoption. In 1972 the National Association of the Black Social Workers opposed adoptions of another race. This issue expanded efforts among adoption practitioners and policymakers to bring about more same-race adoptions. Then, in the 1980s, efforts increased by transracial adoption advocates to remove race and ethnicity as considerations. Results of experiential studies have varied and are often surrounded by limitations. Previous studies show that people in the United States are divided evenly between those who approve of transracial adoptions and those who do not. These findings have been consistent in samples using people that were racially mixed. The studies also show that different Countries have mixed results when the studies are done. Mexican-American respondents with higher incomes were more likely to anticipate identity conflicts when adopting children from another race. Age had a significant influence in Canada especially in older than 65 years of age. This age group was more likely to strongly disagree with transracial adoption than younger persons in Canada. In another study (country not given), sex, age, education, income, and occupation were not an issue. Results of this study from 916 respondents provide a practical view of the attitudes towards transracial adoption. There are several assumptions that exist in this area and more studies need to be done with different age groups and from different countries as well. These public studies are especially important since the development of public policies towards transracial adoption tends to be influenced by public opinion. Bibliography:

Marketing assingment free essay sample

INTRODUCTION Coffeeville is a cafeteria establish in 2009, 1 July. It runs on 3126 Collin street Melbourne. This report is about reviewing the actual or possible implementation strategies and tactics for Coffeeville’s marketing plan. Coffeeville is a cafeteria establish in 2009, 1 July. It runs on 3126 Collin street Melbourne. This business is under the partnership of Emma and Rufus Belcastran. Currently, the business run one cafe and has approximately 250-350 customers a day. It has been leasing its premise currently, but future lease will be leased or purchased to support Coffeeville strategic direction. This report is about reviewing the actual or possible implementation strategies and tactics for Coffeeville’s marketing plan. MISSION STATEMENT Coffeeville provides a unique and compelling cafe experience for the discriminating and socially aware Melbourne coffee drinkers. Coffeeville provides high quality, fair trade coffee and superior hot and cold gourmet food and beverages. Moreover, they support high consistent level of experts and knowledge, fast and friendly services. We will write a custom essay sample on Marketing assingment or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page QUALITATIVE RESEARCH These days Coffee industry is in very hard nut competition, as the metropolitan covered by cafe’s in its every corner and their qualitative benefits over others are underestimated. As MacDonald’s McCafe and BP Wild Bean Cafe on Clarendon street Melbourne were in cut throat competition. Moreover, McCafe had developed its strong backbone due to flourishing MacDonald’s, which in return had swayed ample of customers. At the same time Wild Beam cafe had attracted its fuel customers. McCafe is been famous for its Arabic Rainforest beans, creamy coffee taste at lower price and fast service. At the same time it provide alternative to people to put these McCafe coffees in meal with the main breakfast/lunch menu or with with McCafe products. While Wild Bean Cafe only serves baked pies and muffins meals with coffee. In regards to sales McCafe had more sales in comparison to Wild Bean Cafe. McCafe promotes and provide more opportunities for customer to choose. McCafe newly launched Turkish bread has a big hand in enhancing its performance, moreover there 7’s flavoured macron’s had left no doubt to beat this cut throat competition with Wild Bean Cafe.

How to Make the Best-Grilled Cheese Sandwich Essays - World Cuisine

James Dennie Assignment #1 Prof. Holly Davatz ENGWR 51 29, September 2015 How to Make the Best-Grilled Cheese Sandwich. In order to make the Best Grilled Cheese sandwich there are steps you need to take to do so. First, you need sharp cheddar cheese, white bread, and real butter not margarine because it stays in the pan longer so you do not burn it. It is like making a regular grilled cheese sandwich except you are adding little more cheese this time; it involves more cheese than usual. You can use white or wheat I would recommend using white cause it tastes better. Second you need to butter one side of the bread make sure you cover all corners of the bread. Make sure you have a very good non-stick frying pan. Use low to medium heat for best results, sear one side of bread for about a minute and a half before adding the cheese. Third put the butter side of the bread down onto the pan, then put a 1/3 cup of cheese on the inside of the bread then put the other buttered bread on then, flip and sear the other side until both sides are medium brown. Last, but not least take another 1/3 cup of cheese on the outside, flip it, and hold your spatula down so the cheese does not stick to the pan and repeat the process on the other side. The result is you have cheese melted on the inside and you have browned cheese on both outsides. When you are done and you think it looks good you now have the cheesiest grilled cheese you have ever had and then you can show other people how to do the same.

Education Week 8 #11 Example

Education Week 8 #11 Example Education Week 8 #11 – Essay Example Heavy Spending Towards Education Presently, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) allots $69.9 billion in discretionary appropriations. Its elementary and secondary programs cater to about 14,000 school districts and 56 million students every year. Assistance, such as grant, loan, and part-time work, is also given to over 15 million college students. President Obama has created the â€Å"Race to the Top Program† which aims to reform public schools. This has helped in improving standards for teaching and learning. (U.S. Department of Education, 2011) In February 2011, budget in education made way for new investments on â€Å"early learning, reform and innovation, teachers and leaders, and college completion.† (U.S. Department of Education, 2011) ED had to cut budget on certain education programs in order to invest in the aforementioned areas. This was a part of the proposed 2012 education budget. To make the program sustainable, the Obama administration suggested saving costs by removing subsidies to graduate students with loans as well as the giving out of two Pell grants within the same year to students. The Administration also eliminated 13 programs and reduced $265 million in career and technical education. Education Secretary Arne Duncan believed in the importance of career education, though the need for program strengthening and reformation should be given more priority over expansion. (U.S. Department of Education, 2011) Let us not fail to acknowledge the efforts made by the Administration to continuously improve the education system. The Administration should, however, ensure that every penny of the education budget is efficiently spent, and that policies and programs are strictly monitored. References:U.S. Department of Education. (2011, February 14). Retrieved February 2, 2012, from www.ed.gov: ed.gov/news/press-releases/education-budget-makes-tough-choices-allow-new-investments-early-learning-reformU.S. Department of Education. (2011, February 14). Retrieved February 2, 2012, from www.ed.gov: http://www2.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/budget12/summary/edlite-section1.html

Descartes Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Descartes - Term Paper Example Essentially, the mind/body problem centers on trying to determine what constitutes 'real' experience. It is clear that the mind can fool the body into thinking it is experiencing something. Examples of this are found in the experiences of people with lost limbs or psychosomatic illness. However, the body can also fool the mind into experiencing something, such as in the case of false scents, misperceptions or vertigo. It is necessary to investigate the theories of Descartes any time one is researching dualism because it was Descartes who first suggested the body and mind could be divided and he who began to define the proper realms of the mind as compared to that of the body. The more these ideas are researched, though, the more they seem to fall apart. Dualism is the result of an attempt by Descartes to bring the discipline of mathematics with its basis on ‘real’ factual knowledge together with the more intangible concepts of thought. His attempt is characterized by a c ategorical rejection of anything that could not be externally proven. This method is now referred to as hyperbolic doubt. Regarding this method, Burnham and Fieser say â€Å"he refused to accept the authority of previous philosophers – but he also refused to accept the obviousness of his own senses. ... en applied to the school of philosophic thought because the formalist paradigm of the Socratic-Platonics denied any possibility of empirical knowledge. â€Å"On this view, sensory experience can inform us only about appearances, about how things seem. Authentic knowledge (episteme), however, must be of reality. The idea of empirical knowledge, that is, experiential knowledge, is thus intrinsically incoherent. The provenance of knowledge proper, that is, knowledge of the eternal and independent Forms, is reason alone. With regard to the world available to us through the senses, the world of appearances, we can aspire only to opinion (doxa)† (Rosenberg). According to the formalist paradigm, then, there is no means by which a mortal human being can access the epistemic knowledge Descartes sought simply because we do not have the appropriate capabilities required to understand what it is we are seeing/experiencing at this level. To accomplish the type of evidence he required, Desc artes applied four basic rules of logic to his process of discovery to use as guides and method. The first rule applied was that he could only accept truths that were 'clearly and distinctly' known to be true. The second rule employed was to reduce problems down to their most common elements. This enabled the philosopher to tackle them each as micro problems which could then contribute to solving the macro. The third rule was to proceed in logical order from the easiest solution to the most difficult so as to reduce the weight of issues being considered. The fourth and final rule was to take a broad view of each individual micro-problem in order to be sure nothing has been missed at the macro level. As Brians comments, â€Å"He calls into question everything that he thinks he has learned through his

Markting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Markting - Essay Example The organization operates with over 250 companies which are operating around the world. Johnson and Johnson has its headquarters in New Jersey and New Brunswick and has around 114,000 people as its employees according to the December 31, 2010 estimates (Datamonitor, 2012). The major three segments of the company constitute of consumer, medical devices and diagnostics, and the pharmaceuticals. The consumer segment of the J&J develops, produces and promotes a variety of oral care, skin care, wound care, baby care, and products for women’s health care. There are over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceutical products and the nutritional products offered by the company too. The major brands manufactured by the company include Band-Aid (adhesive bandages); Aveeno (skin care products); Clean & Clear (skin care products for teens); Carefree (panty liners); Motrin IB (ibuprofen products); Johnsons baby and adult lines of products; RoC (skin care products); Neutrogena (skin and hair care products); Stayfree (sanitary protection products); Listerine and Reach (oral care products); Tylenol (acetaminophen products)Zyrtec (allergy products); Pepcid AC (acid controller); Dabao (moisturizers); and Splenda (sweetener). The products of the company are supplied and sold to the wholesalers and the retail chain outlets which are independently functioning all across the globe. Johnson and Johnson aim to keep its pricing on parity with its competitors in the industry. It aims to undertake a penetration pricing strategy for its products and strives to enter new markets to market its new products. However for some established products like baby care products, the company has established the premium pricing strategy. The major competitors of the company lie in the pharmaceutical and drug industry. They include Pfizer Inc., GlaxoSmithKline plc, and others operating in the

Business Economics Essay Example for Free

Business Economics Essay Cindy wants to invest in a new business that involves the installation of solar panels. In order to make an informed decision on this business venture, she will need to review potential profit/loss in the solar panel industry by considering future prospects for this type of business. Cindy also needs to decide whether she will invest her own funds or borrow the money to start the business. The imminent growth of the solar photovoltaic (PV) industry is almost certain. When observing the rising costs of coal and natural gas prices, the decrease of PV system costs, and the government support of solar technology, the PV market looks to have a significant increase in volume over the next few years. According to SolarBuzz, a website dedicated to Solar Power and Energy, The solar PV industry has reached a critical tipping point, with end-market demand hitting record levels almost every quarter. This growth is being driven by leading module suppliers and project developers that returned to profitability during 2013, and which have now established highly-effective global sales and marketing networks.† (NPD Group, Inc., 2013) The article also states that â€Å"demand in Q1’14 will also achieve record-breaking status, as the strongest first-quarter ever seen by the PV industry.† (NPD Group, Inc., 2013) The cost of production for solar panels has decreased significantly. â€Å"The average cost for tier 1 solar photovoltaic manufacturers is expected to fall 6% during 2014, continuing the downward trend set in place since 2008, bringing the overall cost to a record low of $0.20 per watt, according to the latest research from NPD. (NPD Group, Inc., 2013) Further consumer incentives include lower utility bills, increased tax credits and higher resale values. â€Å"Homes with solar-power system using photovoltaic (PV) panels sell for an average of $24,705 more than homes without PV systems, research finds.† (Tanaka, 2014) The government supports the concept of solar power and aims to make it a major energy source. â€Å"Solar power as cheap as coal†¦ that is the holy grail of the solar power industry† (R. Glenn Hubbard, 2012) Government support includes generous subsidies to the consumer and producers of the PV industry. â€Å"Government agencies, utilities and others offer a variety of tax credits, rebates and other incentives to support energy efficiency, encourage the use of renewable energy sources, and support efforts to conserve energy and lessen pollution.† (Energy, 2014) I see four main factors influencing the price elasticity of demand: †¢Availability of close substitutes. Are there many available close substitutes for solar panels? The demand will tend to be elastic if Cindy and her customer can switch among the various types of PV’s for the same desired feature. †¢Are PV’s a necessity or a luxury? Currently, PV’s would be considered an elastic form of energy because there are other forms of electricity (coal/power plants). We once considered personal computers a luxury and they are now a necessity. Perhaps PV’s will be viewed the same way in the future. †¢How much of my income will PV’s consume? A large portion of consumer’s income equals elasticity. What portion of income can your client devote to the cost of solar panels? If it is a large share (elastic), what tradeoffs will client need to consider to make it a worthwhile purchase? †¢What is the time horizon when making decisions on PV’s? PV systems have productive life cycles of 30-50 years. (Brownson, 2014) A longer time horizon is said to be elastic. Recommendations Upon review of various criteria such as elasticity of demand, cost of production, etc, I would encourage Cindy to pursue this business venture. This sector is set to grow exponentially in the future. The fall in solar PV prices as well as other incentives will cause higher demand for  installation. This will benefit Cindy’s new business venture by bringing more installation business and lower input costs. This can be seen in the demand supply figure: It also makes good economic sense for Cindy to borrow money for her solar panel business venture as the government provides various subsidies to businesses involved in clean energy. â€Å"In total, the federal energy tax subsidies will cost more than $16 billion in 2013, up from only $5 billion in 2005.† (Bastach, 2013) Cindy can benefit from a piece of the clean energy subsidy pie. Bibliography Bastach, M. (2013, March 13). Most energy tax subsidies go toward green energy, energy efficiency. Retrieved from The Daily Caller: http://dailycaller.com/2013/03/14/cbo-most-energy-tax-subsidies-go-toward-green-energy-energy-efficiency/ Brownson, J. (2014, May 25). Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering. Retrieved from Penn State University: https://www.e-education.psu.edu/eme810/node/593 Energy, U. D. (2014, may 25). Tax Credits, Rebates, and Savings. Retrieved from Energy.gov: http://energy.gov/savings NPD Group, Inc. (2013, December). Solarbuzz. Retrieved from Solarbuzz: http://www.solarbuzz.com/news/recent-findings/strong-growth-forecast-solar-pv-industry-2014-demand-reaching-49-gw R. Glenn Hubbard, A. P. (2012). Economics. VitalSouce bookshelf version. Tanaka, S. (2014, May 22). Payback Time for Solar-Power Energy Systems. Retrieved from The Wall Street Journal: http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304198504579571960667560156?mg=reno64-wsjurl=http%3A%2F%2Fo nline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702304198504579571960667560156.html

Sources of Finance for Business: Pros and Cons

Sources of Finance for Business: Pros and Cons Sources of Finance Finance is essential for a business’s, development and expansion. Finance is the core factor for most businesses and therefore it is crucial for businesses tomanage and maintain their financial resources better. Finance is available to a business from avariety of sources both internal and external. It is also crucial for businesses to choose the most appropriate source of finance for its several needs as different sources have its own benefits and costs. Sources of finance can be classified based on a number of factors and the can be classified as Internal and External, Short-term and Long-term. Identify the sources of finance available to a business Working capital   owners finding that are invested into business from the beginning to finance  operation. Liability will be created in shape of capital. Advantages Since it is an internal source offinance there are no costs involved and no repayment is needed. Disadvantages Opportunity costs are involved. Is not suitable forlong term investments. Working capital cannot raise large amounts of funds. Total risk is undertaken by the company. Using working capital as a source offinance will affect the current ratio of the business. Bank Overdraft   occurs when money is withdrawn from the bank account and the available  balance goes below zero. There are different bank charges which are  depending on the agreement. Advantages This is a good way to cover the period between money going out of and coming into a business. If used in the short-term it is usually cheaper than a bank loan. Disadvantages Interest is repayable on the amount overdrawn Can be expensive if used over a longer period of time. Mortgage this is a loan secured on property repaid in instalments over a long time around  25 years. The business will own the property once the final payment has been  made. This is a long-term source of finance. Advantages Business has the use of the property. Payments are spread over a period of time which is good for budgeting. Once all repayments are made the business will own the asset. Disadvantages This is an expensive method compared to buying with cash. If business does not keep up with repayments the property could be repossessed. Bank loan   This is a fixed amount for a fixed short time with fixed repayment. The interest  on this loan can be expensive. Advantages Set repayments are spread over a period of time which is good for budgeting. Disadvantages Can be expensive due to interest payments. Bank may require security on the loan. Hire purchase occurs when buyer is paying for things or items in fixed instalments while  using the item. Advantages Businesses can have the use of up to date equipment immediately Payments are spread over a period of time which is good for budgeting Once all repayments are made the business will own the asset. Disadvantages This is an expensive method compared to buying with cash. Trade Credit it is a system that allows buying something now and paying letter. For many  business trade credit it is essential for business to growth. Advantages Business can sell the goods first and pay for them later Good for cash flow No interest charged if money is paid within agreed time. Disadvantages Discount given for cash payment would be lost Businesses need to carefully manage their cash flow to ensure they will have money available when the debt is due to be paid. Government Grants – this organisations offer grants to businesses, both established and  new and normally there are some conditions apply. Advantages Don’t have to be repaid. Disadvantages Certain conditions may apply Not all businesses may be eligible for a grant. Factoring   is a financial transaction that occurs whereby a business sells its accounts  receivable to a third part at a discount. Advantages A large proportion of money isreceived within a short time-frame. The sales ledger of the business can be outsourced to the factor. The money collections from debtors are undertaken by the factoring company. Helps a business tohave a smooth cash flow operation. Non-recourse factoring protects the client company from bad debts. Disadvantages The business has to pay interests and fees for the factor for its services. The cost will be areduction on the company’s profit margin. Analyse the costs of different sources of finance Working capital Tangible cost: They do not have any costs as it owner money that will be invested to start a business. Opportunity costs: Could have borrowed extra if the working capital is not enough from relatives, friend. Tax effects: This can be repay when the profit will rise. Bank Overdraft Tangible cost: Interest is a little higher than forbank loans and interest is calculated on a daily basis. This is short term and quick source of finance which is not pay on time extra and large interest charges will apply. Opportunity costs: Could have borrowed from relatives or friend to avoid extra charges or to feel into debts. Tax effects: It can be deducted when the business is increasing asset. Mortgage Tangible cost: Interest rates apply as agreed in monthly instalments over a long time usually for 25 years. Opportunity costs: Could have borrowed from family to avoid the interest fees. Tax effects: The property will be possessed by the organisation if monthly payments are not meet. Bank loan Tangible cost: Interest to be paid on the sum borrowed at agreed rate. Interest is usually fixed forshort term loans, and long-term loans usually have a variable rate of interest. Interest rates are lower than for bank overdrafts. Opportunity costs: Could have borrowed cheaply from relatives or friends. Tax effects: Interest is tax deductible from profit before we arrive at profit figure for tax purpose. Hire purchase Tangible cost: The business ends up paying more than the original value of the asset for its purchase and the interest has been paid in equal instalments. Opportunity costs: Tax effects: Interest charges can be offset against profits for taxation. Trade Credit Tangible cost: If paid on time there is no financial cost involved, however if not paid on time the interest will apply automatically. Opportunity costs: Working capital and friends. Tax effects: own possession of goods can be removed by the debt organisation or sale or rent to cover the interest cost. Government Grants Tangible cost: Government grants are free and have nofinancial costs. Opportunity costs: Could have borrowed from relatives or friend as there are no legal agreements involved. Tax effects: No financial costs are involved. Factoring Tangible cost: The business must pay interests and fees for the factor for its services the interest is calculated on a dailybasis, credit management and administrative fee are also chargedand ranges. Opportunity costs: Working Capital will be a better alternative or relatives and friends. Tax effects: The business must pay interests and fees for the factor for its services and the cost will be areduction on the company’s profit margin. Evaluate appropriate sources of finance for a business project There are several sources of finance available to a business on the market. Finances are needed for many and different purposes need sources offinance which are most suitable. When choosing a most appropriate source of finance some conditions have to be considered. The conditions that need tobe considered when choosing an appropriate source of finance are: The amount of money needed The urgency of funds The cost of source of finance The risk involved The duration of finance The gearing ratio of thebusiness The control of the business Project Hair and Beauty Business Project â€Å"Inspiration† aims are to be the first beauty salon in the local area which will deliver unique and quality service by offering high standard beauty products which will quickly gain market share. â€Å"Inspiration† will provide customers with a relaxing and comforting atmosphere which will help them to enjoy the service provided to gained high reputation. Building   Mortgage long term which will be payable for 25 years. Personnel Bank Loan short time with fixed repayment 3-5 years. Furniture and stationary etc. Working Capital owners finding that are invested into business. Brochures   Overdraft short-term it is usually cheaper than a bank loan. Advertisement   Bank Loan Set repayments, spread over a period of time, interest high. Others   Relatives or friends. These loans will be paid from the cash flow from the business and will be collateralized by the assets of the company on short-term or long-term agreements with the lenders.

Archetypes and Their Influence on the Personality Essay

Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961) was born on July 26, in the small village of Kesswil on Lake Constance. He was named after his grandfather, a professor of medicine at the University of Basel. He was the oldest child and only surviving son of a Swiss Reform pastor. Carl attended the University of Basel and decided to go into the field of psychiatry after reading a book that caught his interest. Jung became an assistant at the Burgholzli Mental hospital, a famous medical hospital in Zurich. He studied under, and was influenced by Eugen Bleuler, a famous psychiatrist who defined schizophrenia. Jung was also influenced by Freud, with whom he later became good friends. Their relationship ended when Jung wrote a book called â€Å"Symbols of Transformation. † Jung disagreed with Freud’s fundamental idea that a symbol is a disguised representation of a repressed wish (Heaney, 1994). After splitting up with Freud, Jung had a 2 year period of non-productivity, but then he came out with his â€Å"Psychological Types,† a famous work. He went on several trips to learn about primitive societies and archetypes. His explorations included trips to Africa, New Mexico to study Pueblo Indians, and to India and Ceylon to study eastern philosophy. He studied religious and occult beliefs like I Ching, a Chinese method of fortune telling. Alchemy became one of his interests during his journeys. His book, â€Å"Psychology and Alchemy,† published in 1944, is among his most important writings. In this study, he told about the human mind. One of his methods was word association. This is when a person is given a series of words and asked to respond to them. Abnormal response or hesitation can mean that the person has a complex about that word. His basic belief was in complex or analytical psychology. The goal is psychosynthesis, or the unification and differentiation of the psyche (mind). He believed that the mind started out as a whole and should stay that way. That answered structural, dynamic, developmental questions. Jung is best known for his theory of â€Å"The three levels of the mind† (Aurelio, 1995). Discussion The three levels of the mind theory includes the ego (conscious), personal unconscious, and collective unconscious. The conscious level serves four functions. It is the part of the personality that carries out normal daily activities: thinking, feeling, sensing, and intuiting. The personal unconscious contains an individual’s memories, and the collective unconscious is an inaccessible layer that contains universal experiences. Usually, one of the two classes usually dominates, and rarely does one see an individual with perfectly balanced classes of behavior (Nehr, 1996). Jung said that an ego is a filter from the senses to the conscious mind. All ego rejections go to the personal unconscious. The ego is highly selective. Every day we are subjected to a vast number of experiences, most of which do not become conscious because the ego eliminates them before they reach consciousness. â€Å"The personal unconscious acts like a filing cabinet for those ego rejections† (Jurkevich, 1991,p. 58). Clusters of related thoughts in the personal subconscious form complexes. Complexes are really suppressed feelings. Complexes are often highly visible to people, but unfelt by the individual who has the complex. Complexes can be revealed by word association, which will cause hang-ups if a certain word is mentioned. A strong or total complex will dominate the life of a person, and a weak or partial complex will drive a person in a direction of it, but not too strongly. A complex, as Jung discovered, need not be a hindrance to a person’s adjustment. â€Å"They can be and often are sources of inspiration and drive that are essential for outstanding achievement† (Aurelio, 1995, p. 351). â€Å"The collective unconscious is hereditary. It sets up the pattern of one’s psyche†(Kremer, 1990, p. 2). An inherited collection of primordial images are stored here. They are universal inclinations that all people have in common somewhere by means of heredity. The four important archetypes that play very significant roles in everyone’s personality are Persona, Anima(us), Shadow, and the Self. Persona is derived from the Latin word meaning â€Å"mask†. In Jungian psychology, the persona archetype serves a similar purpose; it enables one to portray a character that is not necessarily his or her own. The persona is the mask or facade one exhibits publicly, with the intention of presenting a favorable impression so that society will accept him (Nehr, 1996). Anima and Animus is what Jung referred to as the â€Å"inward face† of the psyche. The â€Å"inward face† he called the anima in males and the animus in females. The anima archetype is the female side of the masculine psyche; the animus archetype is the masculine side of the female psyche. Man has developed his anima archetype by continuous exposure to women over many generations, and woman has developed her animus archetype by her exposure to men (Heaney, 1994). According to Mannis (1997), the â€Å"Shadow† is what Jung referred to as â€Å"the negative side of the personality, the unpleasant qualities we like to hide†. When one is not conscious of their â€Å"shadow†, they give it more power. â€Å"Usually, the qualities we dislike the most in others, are the unknown qualities in our shadow† (Kremer, 1999, p. 4). â€Å"The self represents all archetypes working together† (Heaney, 1994, p. 29). Jung used the words extraversion and introversion to show how one’s personality is. Those who lean towards extraversion are usually socially accepted. They are outgoing and very sociable. Those who lean towards introversion tend to keep to themselves and are not very sociable. One’s psyche works together three ways. One structure may compensate for the weakness of another structure (Jurkevich, 1991). One component may oppose another component, and two or more structures may unite to form a synthesis. Compensation may be illustrated by the contrasting attitudes of extraversion and introversion. If extraversion is the dominant or superior attitude of the conscious ego, then the unconscious will compensate by developing the repressed attitude of introversion. Compensation also occurs between function. A person thinking or feeling in his conscious mind will be an intuitive, sensation type unconsciously. This balance is healthy and it prevents our psyches from becoming neurotically unbalanced. Opposition exists everywhere in the personality: between the persona and the shadow, between the persona and the anima, and between the shadow and the anima. The contest between the rational and irrational forces of the psyche never ceases. One’s integrity of â€Å"self† can actually determine whether or not this opposition will cause a shattering of a personality (Heaney, 1994). I decided to do my research on Carl Jung because he is not discussed much in the textbook. I find his theory of conscious and unconscious very interesting. I believe the thoughts of persona and ego without a doubt. When one’s ego is shot down, a person can tend to develop a complex about it. I also agree that people tend to have a different persona based on where they are at and how they are expected to act around certain people. References Aurelio, Jeanne M. (1995). Using Jungian archetypes to explore deeper levels of organizationalculture. Journal of Management Inquiry, 4, 347-369. Heaney, Liam F. (1994). Freud, Jung and Joyce: Conscious connections. Contemporary Review,265, 28-32. Jurkevich, Gayana. (1991). Unamuno’s intrahistoria and Jung’s collective unconscious: parallels,convergences, and common. Comparative Literature, 43, 43-60. Kremer, Jurgen W. (1999). Facing the collective shadow. Revision, 22, 2-5. Mannis, Robert F. (1997). Jung and his shadow. Utne Reader, 84, 91-94. Neher, Andrew. (1996). Jung’s theory of archetypes: a critiques. Journal of HumanisticPsychology, 36, 61-92.

Guyana Defence Force in National Development

THE GUYANA DEFENCE FORCE IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: CIVILIAN-MILITARY RELATIONS – SOME PERSPECTIVES The case for the Guyana Defence Force to be involved in national development is enshrine in the birth of the Force and it is articulated as the third part of the Force’s tripartite role: 1. â€Å"Defend the  territorial integrity  of Guyana. 2. Assist the civil power in the maintenance of law and order when required to do so. 3. Contribute to the economic development of Guyana. †[1] The question then has to be, how will the Force be most effective in fulfilling this role. This essay contends that good civil-military relations with government and non-government organisations are critical to the successful fulfilment of this role. To demonstrate the relationship between successful national development activities and good civil-military relations, I will examine areas of development the Force can be most effective and show that the level of effectiveness will be driven by the quality civil-military relations in the said area. What then are the areas of development that the Guyana Defence Force can be most effective? The following areas of development were selected because the military role and level of success is easily measureable: 1. Engineering – infrastructural work; road construction, housing projects for low income earners, etc. 2. Health services – medical outreaches; military doctors, dentists providing service in hinterland areas, etc. 3. Education – military personnel both soldiers and civilians are employed as teachers in hinterland areas where there are limited schools, etc. 4. Economic – military personnel being employed on economic projects; such as the establishment of micro-industries, for example, farming. . Administrative – Officers are seconded to administrative positions in government agencies and even the other Services of the Joint Services. 6. Aviation – Augmenting the transportation of people and goods to the hinterland regions. Throughout most of its history the Force has been involved in national development by way of executing engineering projects particularly in the areas of hinterland roads and bridges construction. Also, the construction of low cost housing and airstrip rehabilitation are other areas where the Force participated in engineering works. This commitment to national development by way of executing engineering projects was highlighted in â€Å"Guyana’s Draft Second Development Plan, 1972-1976 which assigned specific responsibilities, to the Engineer Corps, for the construction of hinterland roads and bridges, the upgrading of airstrips and projects such as the rehabilitation of the hydro-electric power station at Tumatumari†[2] The success of the Force involvement in these ventures is commendable, however, the Force was unable to remain committed to such ventures as a single source agency as time progress. This was due to lack of resources; both human and mainly material. Therefore, one can argue that a civil-military relation framework by way of partnership with a government or non-government would have enhanced the Force’s longevity in its commitment to such ventures. This was not lost to the Force administration and is exemplified in the Force’s most recent commitment to engineering projects as detailed in the Stabroek News. â€Å"Five ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) received keys to new homes at Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo last week as part of a an ongoing partnership between Habitat for Humanity Guyana; the Ministry of Housing and the army to assist ranks with affordable housing. [3] Noteworthy is the commitment of government or non-government organisations to have such partnerships with the Force in this sector, as detailed in the same article, â€Å"Chairman of the Management Board at Habit for Humanity, Alex Graham remarked that the GDF has the capacity to play an integral role in various aspects of the housing response while pointing out that the army can also help in the building of homes for persons outside the GDF family. †[4] This demonstrates that there is clear recognition by non-government agencies that good civil-military relations are beneficial to both parties. Further the Force will not be required to singlehandedly seek out and forge these partnership. The Force has a rich history of providing medical services to rural and hinterland villages as part of its medical outreaches. The Force has been impressive in its support to national development in this sector by providing free medical and dental care to thousands of Guyanese. This is not surprising since common to most underdeveloped countries is the lack of capacity to provide quality medical services as you move away from the cities and main towns. This is the case in Guyana and its exasperated by our demographics, terrain in hinterland areas and the lack of adequate transportation facilities to hinterland and rural areas. The support by the Force in this sector has continued throughout its existence and remains source of kudos as highlighted in the following excerpt from Stabroek News. â€Å"Close to 200 Upper Berbice River residents benefited from dental and general medical care when a team from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Medical Corps hosted an outreach exercise there recently. According to the army, residents said they were grateful for the exercise and expressed the desire for a doctor to visit at least once per year. †[5] The quality and level of success gained in this sector can be improved with better civil-military relations with government and non-government organisation. Similar sentiments in regards to the value of these relations were expressed by the Chief of Staff in his 2011 Command Directive. â€Å"In 2011, I plan to establish statecraft partnerships with the Ministries of Education and Health. †[6] The use of military personnel to augment the efforts of the Ministry of Education to provide education at any level and in any area of the country has not been a feature of the Force for any substantive period. Notwithstanding this, one can argue that the efforts by the Force to educate its ranks directly impacts on national development. Since when members of the Force return to civilian life their level of technical and vocational education will have a direct impact on how they are integrated to the countries labour force. Therefore the Force commitment to educating its ranks underscores its efforts to national development in this sector. However, the efforts of the Force to educate its ranks have had its own challenges. The main challenge was the ability of the Force to establish a system that linked educational development with the evolution of soldier’s careers. â€Å"As part of their promotion standards, soldiers are required to attain specified levels of academic education but these standards had to be waived since no formal means existed for upgrading soldiers’ education. † [7] The importance of good civil-military relations to enhance the Force performance in this sector has been underscored by the recent efforts by the Force in launching of its Academic Education Programme. 8] This coupled with the Career Development Plan[9] and the advent of â€Å"promotion examinations for promotion up to the rank of major†[10], underscores a recognition by the Force that civilian input and to an extent civilian oversight is critical to success in this sector. Also, the aforementioned planned stat ecraft partnership with the Ministry of Education and the fact that Force Education Department is staffed primarily by civilian teachers, establishes the importance of good civil-military relation for the strengthening of the Force’s capacity in this sector. The Force direct involvement in economic activity in support of national development is demonstrated with its involvement in agriculture. The Force Agriculture Corps has the mandate to produce mainly poultry, pork and eggs to augment the Force’s ration requirements. Throughout its history from since the establishment of Agriculture Corps the Force had measured success in this sector. This success is termed measured since in Guyana’s Draft Second Development Plan, 1972-1976, the Force â€Å"was tasked with the development of farms at Onverwagt in Berbice, Butenabu in Mahaicony, Vergenoegen in the Essequibo, and at Garden of Eden in Dememerara. [11] However, presently the Force only has one farm at Garden of Eden in Dememerara. Hence, after existing in excess of three decades the Force Agriculture Corps has not achieved the capacity to provide the Force with its ration requirements of meat, eggs and vegetables. The lack of fulfilment of its potential in this sector can b e attributed to the lack resources; both human and material. The Force performance in this sector can improve via partnerships with government and non-government organisations. The establishment of such civil-military relations will impact positively on the Force performance in this sector. To this end the Force continues to pursue such partnership as demonstrated with the Force involvement in â€Å"the national pig-breeding programme, a joint effort between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Guyana Defence Force†[12]. The Force at various period of its existence seconded mainly officers and in a few cases other ranks to government and non-government organisation. Officers were primarily seconded to administrative positions in government agencies and even the other Services of the Joint Services. This practice helped in National Development by making managerial and administrative skills readily available to beneficiary government agency. The Force involvement in this sector illustrates the value of good civil-military relations both to the Force and the Nation. This is underscore by the fact that military officers have attained high ranking appointments, namely permanent secretary and currently Accountant General at the Ministry of Finance. The Force since its early days of existence played a pivotal in aviation in Guyana. The Force helped in the pioneering efforts in aviation in Guyana. Aviation is arguably the first area where the value of good civil-military relations and the capacity of the Force to positively impact on National Development were demonstrated. [13] However, as the civilian capacity developed in this sector the Force was seen has having a negative impact in the commercial viability of this sector. I am of the view that the deterioration of civil-military relations in this sector helped in fostering this perception of the Force. There remain numerous areas in this sector where the Force, the private sector, and government and non-government organisations can benefit from good relations. No one entity can satisfy the commercial, security and safety requirements for aviation support in Guyana. The wide expanse of hinterland settlements, the limited aircraft and technically trained personnel suggests that there is room for all stake holders to make a positive impact in this sector. The Guyana Defence Force recognises and accepts it has a role to play in National Development. This is exemplified in the many initiatives and projects the Force has been involved throughout its existence primarily in Engineering, Health Services, Education, Economic, Administrative and Aviation Sectors. The question of how the Force will be most effective in fulfilling its role of contributing to National Development has been answered. The Force must embrace partnership with government and non-government agencies in those sectors where we are poised to make an impact on National Development. This pursuit and ultimate realisation of good civil-military relations will enhance the Force capacity to contribute to national development activities. REFERENCES Best G. A. R. (2010) Career Development Plan Guyana Defence Force. Guyana Defence Force Best G. A. R (2011) Chief of Staff Command Directive. Guyana Defence Force Granger D. A. (1975) The new road. Guyana Defence Force. Granger D. A. (2005) A brief history of the Guyana Defence Force. Free Press. Huntington, S. (1957). The soldier and the state: theory and practice of civil-military relations. Cambridge, Belknap Press of Harvard University Press. Johnson, J. (1981). The role of the military in underdeveloped countries. New Jersey, Princeton University. Greenwood Press Reprint . Lehmann, D. (1979). Democracy and development in Latin America: Economics, politics and religion in the post-war period. Temple University Press. Smith, K. A. and Welch, E. C. (1974). Military role and rule. Massachusetts, Duxbury Press,. Tachau, F. (1974). The developing nations (What paths to modernization? ). New York, Dodd, Mead and Co. Thompson W. S. (1983). The third world: Premises of U. S policy. San Francisco: JOS Press. ———————– [1] Granger D. A The New Road A Short History of The Guyana Defence Force – 1966 -1976, 1975 pg 47. [2] Granger D. A A Brief History of the Guyana Defence Force, 2005 pg75. [3] Stabroek News Sunday, June 15, 2008. 4] Stabroek News Sunday, June 15, 2008. [5] Stabroek News Tuesday, August 17, 2010. [6] Best G. A. R Chief of Staff Command Directive 2011, pg 22. [7] [8] Stabroek News Saturday, April 10, 2010. [9] Best G. A. R Career Development Plan Guyana Defence Force, 2010 pg17. [10] Best G. A. R Chief of Staff Command Directive 2011, pg 39. [11] Granger D. A A Brief History of the Guyana Defence Force, 200 5 pg74. [12] http://www. gina. gov. gy/archive/daily/b080407. html 2011-10-30. [13] See Granger D. A A Brief History of the Guyana Defence Force, 2005 pg75.

Embryo stem cell research essays

Embryo stem cell research essays In America today, scientific research and technology are advancing everyday. Scientists themselves have to read daily to learn the new discoveries that have been revealed across the country. These new advances might just be the missing link that is needed to find the cure for a major disease. One extremely important area of study today, for medical researchers across the globe, is a treatment for different types of cancer and heart disease. To most researchers, what appears to be the most effective way, is through embryo stem cells. Many states across America, such as New York, Maryland, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Washington and Massachusetts, support the idea of embryonic stem cell research in hopes of advancing our current treatments of diseases. The number of support groups have also increased and contributed by donating mass amounts of money to different research labs. Universities and biotechnology companies have also stuck their feet in and become involved. Random citizens have donated millions of dollars for stem cell research centers to be built. With all the support for embryonic stem cell research, it would be difficult to keep it from advancing. However, a more powerful voice, that of President Bush, will not allow the research to continue. Bush sees it immoral for human embryos to be killed for the use of their cells. On a positive note, Bush did specify that the research could carry on with the cells that have already been pulled from the embryos. Federal money could still be used to finance the research on the already extracted cells. However, there would not be any new embryos killed. One of the main arguments from those who object embryo stem cell research, is that there is no proof that any new discoveries will even come of this. Some researchers honestly agree that if anything were to be discovered, it would not be soon, if at all. Others speak rather opposite. "This resea ...

Homeland Security Example

Homeland Security Example Homeland Security – Coursework Example Home Land Security Terrorism in America Terrorism is a security issue both in America and across the globe. The most devastating terror attack is the 9/11 2001 in Washington D.C. and New York City that claimed the lives of about 2,996 people and left over 6,000 others injured (Plumer, 2013). Unfortunately, the terrorists are either domestic of foreign. Since the 9/11 attack, America established a threat-based strategy to defend the nation (Shapiro, n.d.). The homeland security was intensified, and resources increased counter the work of terrorists. There have been numerous attempted attacks on Americans though most of them were unsuccessful either due to luck, effort of the intelligence, good policing and involvement of law abiding citizens (Start, 2013). In most of the attempted attacks either bomb fail to detonate or attackers are arrested and charged with attempted murder while others fail through the intervention of the security personnel. The recent case of a successful attack a t Boston marathon occurred in April 2013 where two explosives detonated finishing line of the Marathon frustrated the effort of the military (Start, (2013). There was the person connected to the Boston Marathon attack.Recommendation American government should change the foreign policy and focus the effort of the military on homeland security. Instead of spending huge national resources to fight overseas terrorists in countries such as Afghanistan and Iraq the government should focus on securing the American borders and eradicating domestic terrorists in collaboration with the citizens (Weisman, 2012).Reason American foreign policies create enmity with foreign countries thus resulting to increase in enemies both domestically and internationally. If all military effort and resources are focused on protecting domestic terrorists, it will be realistic for the government to counter terrorism in a less hostile environment. References Plumer B. (2013). Nine facts about terrorism in the Uni ted States since 9/11. Retrieved October 15th 2014 from Start, (2013). Bombings at the 2013 Boston Marathon. The National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Response to Terrorism. Retrieved October 15th 2014 from Shapiro, J. (n.d.). Managing Homeland Security: Develop a Threat Based Strategy. Retrieved October 15th 2014 from Weisman, A. (2012). The World without U.S. Ebury Publishing.

HRM Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

HRM - Essay Example Strategy and HR In the case of introducing UniCall, Unibank was headed towards the right direction strategically. New entrants under established brands with innovative service are already in the market bringing with them the convenience of banking. If Unibank will not introduce Unicall, it will eventually fade into obsolescence that will undermine the bank’s existence. In short, Unicall was a business imperative to keep the business relevant in the market. What the HR was lacking is preparation for change or Change Management when it restructured itself in introducing Unicall. Change management Change is inevitable especially in a business setting. Factors like the external and internal environment precipitates the need for change and the organization has to respond to remain viable and competitive as a business entity. According to Murthy in his book Change Management, change is â€Å"to make or become different, give or begin to have a different form, dissatisfaction with o ld and belief in the new† (2007: 7). There are two factors that bring about change, the external and internal environment. ... But implementing and managing change is not easy. In the case of Unicall just like in any other oganisation, people who are accustomed to their old ways are often hesitant to change. In fact, the biggest obstacle is change is often the internal factor that comprises 81 % of the time compared to the external factors that is only 19% of the time (Murthy, 2007: 19). The labour union and employees may have resented the closing of many small local branches but the biggest impact of this change was in the performance of Unicall employees which was beset by many problems due to the new work arrangement that the spin off has brought. Such, people are a major focus in implementing change management which Unibank should have prepared before fully introducing Unicall. People are the major focus of organizational change because â€Å"it is the people who will ultimately cause the change to be a success or a failure. The implications of change on individuals are important without which we can ne ver really hope to manage large scale change effectively† (Murthy, 2007: 23). Resourcing (HR planning; recruitment; selection and flexibility) Unibank did the right thing in HR planning when it attempted to redeploy existing employees when possible, but also needed to recruit new staff to work in the national call centre. It was also mindful of the relatively high unemployment rates in the West Midlands that UniBank decided to locate UniCall just outside Birmingham. Unibank was conscious enough to realize that employees will be dislocated with the closure of many small local branches that it attempted to redeploy them to avoid economic dislocation among its

Does modernization theory adequately explain the levels of Assignment

Does modernization theory adequately explain the levels of socioeconomic growth in the developing world Support your answer with appropriate examples - Assignment Example tion theory thus takes into consideration the internal dynamics with a focus on cultural and social structures as well as adaptation of new and appropriate technology. This can be seen in the development of nations like china. Socio-economic growth on the other hand is the process of economic prosperity and social development in a society. It is a process that is elite-directed and concentrates power to produce growth trajectory in households’ living standards and culture. It is therefore measured by the indicators which include GDP, literacy, employment levels and life expectancy among others. Socio-economic growth can be impacted by changes that include: laws, ecological changes, new technology as well as changes that affect the physical environment (Baumgartner, Burns, & DeVille, 2014). Understanding these two terminologies, the essay thus holds the view that modernization theory adequately explains the levels of socioeconomic growth in the developing world. This essay will give an explanation as to why the above statement is correct supporting them with examples. It is correct to state that modernization theory adequately explains the levels of socioeconomic growth in the developing world. Let us decipher this, modernization theory focuses on internal factors within a country to be responsible for underdevelopment. These internal factors may include: literacy, the attitude of the populace, communication, infrastructure, agrarian structure, laws, among others. In this essay the listed internal factors will therefore be discussed one by one to understand their implication on socio-economic development of a country. In so doing, each of the factors will be evaluated in terms of their impact on the countries physical environment, ecological changes, technology and laws and subsequently their implication on a country’s GDP, literacy, employment levels and life expectancy among others. Modernization theory takes into consideration the internal dynamics with

International Business Environment & Trade Essay

International Business Environment & Trade - Essay Example The remedies are not determined easily as they may be complicated when the contracting parties originate from countries that have different legal systems. The codes of law from different countries contain legal principles which are upheld and enforced by courts. Legal frameworks exist from scratch borrowed from civil law system and may incorporate the common law principles. This paper attempts to explain the complexity that is involved in harmonizing the international trade through international transaction for the sale of goods. The international transaction for the sale of goods to harmonize the laws on international sales. This serves as a code for the common law and incorporates the principles outlined in common law, civil and socialist laws. This strikes a compromise between the principles from various legal systems but criticisms have been leveled against it. However, there has been a shortcoming which must be applauded as worthwhile attempt towards harmonizing in place of diversity that otherwise would prevail. The CISG provides common rules that govern the international sales. This does not apply to all transactions involving sale of goods. CISG only governs formation of sale contracts and outlines the rights and duties of both buyer and seller. This has altered the established law o sales. Nevertheless, this does not allow for terms of usage and validity of the contract. The scope of CISG application is contained in articles 4 and 5. Similar to other conventions that aim at harmonizing certain secti ons of the law, CISG has not been able to provide a comprehensive code regarding the regulation of the matters falling within certain spheres of application. Some matters have been termed as controversial due to the difference between national laws making it hard to harmonize various approaches (Burnett, 2004). In its move to ensure maximum support, drafters decided to neglect some issues outside the scope by CISG and opted for a highly acceptable

Enlightenment Period and the Scientific Revolution Essay Example for Free

Enlightenment Period and the Scientific Revolution Essay The relationship between the development of the Enlightenment Period and the Scientific Revolution was that the Scientific Revolution was an aspect of the Enlightenment on a whole. The Scientific Revolution helped in the process of the Enlightenment by bringing new advances in areas such as Nicolas Copernicus and his new theory that would soon discarded the old geocentric theory that placed the Earth at the center of the solar system and replaced it with a heliocentric theory in which the Earth was simply one of a number of planets orbiting the sun. Another great advancement during the Scientific Revolution was in the field of astronomy. Johannes Kepler proved the orbits of the planets were elliptical, but was unable to come up with an effective model of the solar system. That was left to Galileo, who in 1630 published his Dialogue on the Two Chief Systems of the World, in which he supported the Copernican, or heliocentric theory of the universe, and denounced the Aristotelian system, which maintained the geocentric theory. Galileo supported his claims with elaborate evidence derived from the study of physics. Also the achievements made in mathematics and physics were revolutionary. In the form of the development of algebra, trigonometry, the advance of geometry and the linkage of form and motion with quantifiable numeric values undertaken by Rene Descartes. Armed with these tools, the science of physics began to advance rapidly. The primary concepts changing social mores marked the beginning of the Enlightenment, as individualism, which stressed the importance of the individual and his rights as a citizen. Relativism, which was the concept that different ideas, cultures, beliefs, and value systems had equal merit. And rationalism, which was the conviction that using the power of reason, humans could arrive at truth and make progress toward improving human life. These views gained widespread adherence in the wake of the Scientific Revolution, the Age of Exploration, the weakening of traditional religion, and the decline of monarchical rule. All of these trends served to prepare Europe for the Enlightenment period. One key achievement during the Scientific Revolution was John Lockes writings of the (Second Treatise on Civil Government) Lockes writing argued that a government run by the people was the beast system for us to live by. Lockes writings remain as fresh and popular today as when he wrote them in 1688. Another key achievement during the Scientific Revolution was Sir Isaac Newtons theories on astronomy that went a step further and formulated an  accurate comprehensive model of the workings of the universe based on the law of universal gravitation. Newton explained his theories in the 1687 revolutionary work called simply the Principia. This work also went along way toward developing calculus. The difference in the perspective of Catholics and Protestants during the Enlightenment was very little. Both cults felt that any idea or ideals that might elevate man to a level of self realization or thinking that might deviate from that of the church views was both dangerous and unholy. In response to this, the church ordered genocide and mass torture upon those who it deemed outside of gods word. Do you think that there are similar cultural or religious barriers against scientific discovery today? All I can say is this. Despite scientific and physical truths of dinosaurs and the Ice Age, masses of people refuse to believe that the earth in older than a few thousand years But then, they also worship blindly to a silent god. Works cited. (1) Western Humanities Vol. II fifth edition (2) (The Panorama of the Renaissance) Edited by: Margaret Aston, Abradale Press (3) Various internet research sites.

Comparison of the Vietnam War and Trojan War :: compare contrast

The Vietnam War and the Trojan War were two separate tragedies that took place in very different time periods yet. They have many things in common such as their senselessness, the brutality shown, and the way the soldiers were treated when they returned to their homeland. In this paper we will touch on those three topics explaining the petty causes of the war and how cruelly the opposing potencies attacked the enemy. Also, we will discover the great similarity in how the soldiers were treated upon returning from the war and how the war affected their lives. Most historians view the nature of the Vietnam War as rooted in the history of the French colonies in Vietnam and the growing ethnic, political, and economical division between Catholic and Buddhist Vietnamese. (Brigham, Robert, Hoffman, Kenneth) At the end of World War II, Japanese forces in Indochina turned over power to Vietnamese Nationalists. Japan had created an independent Vietnamese government. Japan allowed this government to be displaced by the Viet Minh under Ho Chi Minh. (The History Place, Beginner’s Guide) The next month, a British force landed in southern Vietnam and occupied Indochina. (The History Place) The French eventually gained back some control over parts of Vietnam. In early 1946, the French began a series of dual negotiations with the Chinese and Viet Minh over the future of Vietnam. After failed negotiations with the French over the future of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh and his Viet Minh retreated into remote parts of the countryside to fight a small-scale insurgency against the French. (The History Place, Beginner’s Guide) Though the U.S had no direct role in the return of the French to Indochina, Washington’s desire for a more uniform European economy and European cooperation on a variety of other things required French cooperation. Because successive French governments threatened to become more uncooperative in Europe if the United States refused to accede to their demands overseas, Washington committed itself to a policy of supporting the French in Indochina. (The History Place, Wikipedia) In this way we can see that the United State’s involvement in the Vietnam War was manipulated and â€Å"arranged† by the French who needed help and knew that the United States would have no choice but to accede to their proposal. The Trojan War was also manipulated although not in the same way. Eris or Strife, the goddess of discord, after not being invited to a wedding party for the gods devised a plan to spoil the wedding.

Learning environment Essay

â€Å"The environment we are in affects our moods, the ability to form relationships and the effectiveness in work or play, even our health. † (Bullard, 2006). In effectively educating children an educator must build a foundation that has a stimulating environment which includes the inside and outside areas, classroom design and decor size. The outdoor learning area must be one that is organised in a way that promotes exploration and investigation of the elements of nature which includes planting trees and flowers, as well as nature stations where children can observe the different insects. On the other hand is the classroom design which also endorses discovery along with cooperation among peers. The centres should be spacious that enables free movement where group gathering can take place, as well as the different materials and manipulative that are easily accessible to children in the different learning areas in facilitating their knowledge. But however not only that, but as well as decor size which pertains to using child size toys, tools and furniture in the classroom that eliminates children from asking for assistance from adults, as well as allowing them to feel empowered by not requesting of their help. In providing a stimulating environment like the one that was now described would allow children to actively participate in their learning. This is so because the surroundings therefore cater for â€Å"appropriate ways in developing the vital skills, the knowledge and a positive attitude to learning in the individual needs of each child. It is based on â€Å"guiding children to observe, question, discuss, listen, manipulate, feel, investigate and develop the ability to think creatively and independently. This is defined as Active Learning. In discussing the importance of the active learning environment above which includes the inside and outside areas, classroom design as well as decor size that promotes active learning, this paper would now focus on one such area that is assessed in the internal environment, meaning a learning centre that needs to be enhanced, as well as strategies used for improvement to reflect my curriculum goals. Description of the Learning Centre that needs to be Improved While children were in the indoor setting of the classroom I took time to sit and observe what exactly was happening at each of the different centres. While monitoring I noticed that most of them were at the diverse learning areas excluding the language centre which had only about two (2) children who took a short amount of time interacting within that area. The other centres were very attraction as they had many tangible objects that children can interact with, whereas the other had old objects that were very unattractive and discoloured. Most of the materials were posters that were stuck to the wall which were there for a very long time, in turn making it appear distasteful and unappealing. In the language centre it therefore created a barrier that enabled children to further promote their language development as there were an insufficient amount of materials that catered for it. In addition, that learning centre did not cater for the children as it did not promote active learning, because as stated earlier when a centre has materials and manipulatives that are easily accessible to children it therefore facilitates their learning as it guides them to observe, engage and grasp different concepts in a simpler way. But however, there were no materials that held the attention of the children that they can become involved with; hence it developed a barricade for the active learning process to take place. When comparing the centres I have found that this is a situation that needs to be put back into working order immediately, because â€Å"language is an important skill that allows a person to communicate. † (Brannagan, 2010). It is a significant skill that is crucial in a child’s life as they use it to adequately exchange information with others in a meaningful way, as well as understanding the uses of reading and writing and becoming successful early readers and writers as it determines a successful future for them. In contrast, if this particular skill has a delay it can create complications in communication with others. This therefore can build frustration within the child since it may lead to miscommunication about what he/she is trying to convey. This is why it is important for me as an educator to address this matter quickly, so in turn children can have the opportunity to interact within that said learning centre and not only in the others, as they would gain better knowledge by coming into contact with materials and experiences that are provided for  them by adults, hence making it easier to make sense of the world around them, as well as influencing their rate of growth. This process is referred to as The Constructivist Theory in which the philosopher Jean Piaget believed that children’s learning is an active process where there is interaction between the person and the environment. This improvement of the Language Centre would be effective as it will continually provide active learning within all the centres in the classroom without the segregation of one. My Curriculum Goals within the Language Centre As stated by the National Early Childhood Care and Education Curriculum Guide in the strand Effective Communication â€Å"language and literacy play a critical role in the development of children’s thinking, learning and communication. To develop into successful, contributing adults, children must learn to be effective communicators and masters of their official language. † (Ministry of Education , 2005) With this being said my curriculum goals within the Language Centre are taken from the National Early Childhood Care and Education Curriculum Guide. The goals are as follows: ? A growing awareness that speaking is an effective way to communicate thoughts, ideas and views. ?A growing awareness that print (common signs and symbols) conveys meaning. ?An increasing understanding of some symbols, language patterns, letter sound relationships to predict, confirm or make meanings from using their hundred languages, which includes multimodal texts. ?Develop ways to experiment with conventional letters, word signs and symbols to convey meaning. ?Understanding of the relationship between letters and sounds. Develop ways to explore how symbols and written and visual texts are used to communicate meaning. ?The ability to derive and convey the meaning of common signs and symbols (exit signs, area labels etc. ) in the various environments (school, home, community. ) ? A love for listening to and retelling familiar stories, as well as a desire to â€Å"read† on their own. Learn new vocabulary and extend language to communicate and negotiate ideas and plan for activities. Strategies used for Improvement in the Language Centre Letters are all around us! Therefore using environmental prints stuck to the wall in the language centre such as signs, labels and logos can be of great assistance in accomplishing some of my stated goals in developing children’s reading skills. This was stated by Colorin Colorado as an influential method in making the connection between letters and first efforts to read. It discusses how adults can make these techniques interesting to a child’s learning in talking about letters, words and print. The article suggest that in taking advantage of cereal boxes, as they are colourful to facilitate learning in which they can request for the child to find the first letter of his/her name on the box which assist in letter recognition as well as when going on a car trip. This results in children making the explicit link between letters and sounds. Another strategy the article further suggests that can be utilized, is about the use of technology in taking digital pictures of signs such as â€Å"exit† or â€Å"do not enter† to create a book for children to promote his/her reading skills. Environmental print provides lots of opportunities for kids to interact with letters, sounds, and words. † After reading â€Å"Colorin Colorado† 2010 it is concluded that not only can you facilitate children’s learning in the classroom but using the environment prints that surround us everyday can be of grand assistance. As stated by the U. S Department of Education 2011, Phonological Awareness and Training assist in the development of preschool language and literacy. The article defines Phonological Awareness as the ability to detect or manipulate the sounds in words independent of meaning whereas phonological awareness training is the means of involving various training activities that focus on teaching children to identify, detect, delete, segment, or blend segments of spoken words (i. e. , words, syllables, etc. ). In the language centre I can provide picture cards along with letter cards as well so that children can make the distinction between sounds and their letters as they are able to match the letter sound card to their pictures. Other materials may include ABC books, magnetic letters, alphabet blocks and puzzles as well as alphabet charts. It has a positive effect because it’s easier in learning alphabet letters as well as the letter sound knowledge that enables them to add letters together to form words and in turn add words together to form sentences; in addition it also provides the knowledge of print awareness and early reading abilities; Incorporating Interactive and Dialog Reading declared by the U. S Department of Education 2011 refers to the adult reading stories to the children. When teachers repeat the reading’s of favourite books it enables children to become familiarized with the books that will allow for independent reading as well as utilizing different techniques to engage children in the text, while dialog reading is the term used when the adult and child switches roles where the child now becomes the storyteller and the teacher the listener and assistance of the child. Dunst, Simkus and Hamby 2012 says â€Å"Engaging young children in retelling stories read to them by parents or teachers is a strategy that is often used to promote story-related comprehension and expressive vocabulary. This article similar to the one mentioned above suggest that in reading and repeating stories to the child or a small group of children and therefore engaging them to retell the story in their own words results in the expansion of ideas and their imagination. This becomes effective because Interactive and Dialog Reading assist in oral language and vocabulary development as the teacher may ask open ended questions in engaging the child in verbal elaborations which allow the child to gain knowledge about the meaning of spoken and written words and the development of comprehension skills which caters for early literacy and language development. To further endorse these skills in the language centre that is significant in improving and supporting literacy development the materials that would be provided are lots of good child friendly books that are attractive and prints that deals with class activities e. g. helper charts, toy shelf labels, as well as charts that display good habits etc. Apart from all those strategies mentioned above this one takes a different course. This article written by Howard Phillips Parette talks about the acquistion of Phonological Awareness and Alphabetic Principles through the use of Microsoft PowerPoint. It declares that through Microsoft PowerPoint it can facilitate a child’s phonological awareness because teachers can modify such features such as colour, pictures, sounds, animation, slide design and slide transition. This promotes the acquisition of reading skills and fluency. Whereas, alphabetic principles also known as phonemic orthography which refers to relationships between letters and their associated sounds help young children develop letter-sound correspondence. Using the techniques through technology enables the promotion of comprehension skills, the understanding of the concepts about print as well as the facilitation of vocabulary development. This article is critical as it shows how to assist children in identifying letters and sounds through the use of technology. In being educated about how to incorporate technology in teaching children the acquisition of these skills, I would therefore try my utmost best in providing a computer in the language centre that would be most available to the children, as well as undertaking that strategy of how to teach the children phonological awareness and alphabetical principles on that such computer. How does the Active Language Centre Created reflect my Curriculum Goals? When assessing the language centre before I did my creation it was evident that there were no signs of my curriculum goals, mainly because of the lack of attention I gave to that particular centre and the insufficient amount of materials that were provided to the children in classroom. But however, now when comparing the centre from how it was before to this very moment, I can observe that my curriculum goals are off course reflecting. The reason for this is because it is more attractive in the eyes of the future members of society, as well as the materials that are presented to them mirrors my goals. The materials that were mentioned and described earlier above and that would be offered to them facilitates the particular skills that would be met in the declared goals and that are of great importance to the children, as well as the teacher learning strategies that were undertaken in further endorsing and accomplishing them. Limitations and Innovations In implementing the strategies that were discussed earlier, there was off course one (1) obstacle that was preventing me from accomplishing my entire task. But luckily, there were more innovations than limitations presented. They are as follows:- Innovations – all this were possible with the help and the support of the parents ? I was able to provide lots of books in the language corner that were incredibly attractive to the children. ?The magnetic letters, some puzzles along with many beautiful charts. ?Labels ?Alphabet blocks Picture cards ?Letter sound cards ?Environmental Print e. g. (signs, logos etc. ) ?Together with the children we were able to create the book that includes the different environmental signs. Limitations ?The strategy that was very different from the others which was the incorporation of the computer into the classroom was unable to accomplish due to the expense that it would have implanted. It was hard to achieve, but however after sometime we would be able to achieve it to facilitate the children’s learning. Conclusion In discussing the strategies above that I have undertaken in enhancing the Language Centre in my classroom in reflecting my goals, it has enabled me to realize how unique this learning area is to the children in the environment and to there future. When adults create rich language and literacy environments with the appropriate materials, manipulatives and teacher learning strategies to further endorse the important skills, it boosts the child’s vocabulary along with the use of language, which in turn increases their likelihood of future success.

Fluke, or, I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings Chapter 27~28

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN The Found World The whale ship opened its mouth, and Nate and the crew spilled out onto the shore like sentient drool, which was some coincidence, since that's exactly what lay beneath the hard shell of the landing. They were met by a group of whaley boys, one of whom handed Nate a pair of Nikes, then went off to trade clicks and squeals and greeting rubs with the returning crew. It was so bright after nearly ten days in the whale ship that Nate couldn't immediately tell what was happening. The rest of the human crew were wearing sunglasses as they sat down on the ground to put on their shoes, only a few feet from the ship's mouth. From the rigid feel of the ground, Nate thought they might be on a dock of some kind, but then Cal Burdick took off his own sunglasses and handed them to Nate. â€Å"Go ahead. I've been looking at all of this for a lot of years, but I think you'll find it interesting.† With the dark glasses, Nate was able to see. His eyes were fine, but his mind was having a hard time processing what they were telling him. It was as light as daylight (on an overcast day, at least), but they were not outdoors. They were inside a grotto so immense that Nate could not even make out the edges of it. A dozen stadiums could have fit inside the space and still left room for a state fair, a casino, and the Vatican if you snipped off a basilica or two. The entire ceiling was a source of light, cold light, it appeared – some sections yellow, some blue – great blotches of light in irregular shapes, as if Jackson Pollock had painted a solar storm across the ceiling. Half of the grotto was water, flat and reflective as a mirror, the smoothness broken by small whaley boys porpoising here and there in groups of five and six, their blowholes sending up synchronized blasts of steam every few yards. Whaley kids, he thought. Fifty or so whale ships of different spec ies pulled up to the shore, their crews coming and going. Huge segmented pipes that looked like giant earthworms were attached to each of the ships, one on each side of the head, and ran off to connections on shore. The ground – the ground was red, and as hard as linoleum, polished, yet not quite shiny. It ran out for hundreds of yards, perhaps over a mile, and appeared to continue halfway up the walls of the immense grotto. Nate could see openings in the walls, oval passages or doorways or tunnels or something. From the size of the people and whaley boys passing in and out, he could tell that some of the openings were perhaps thirty feet around, while others seemed only the size of normal doors. There were windows next to some of the smaller ones – or what he guessed were windows – their shapes all curves and slopes. There wasn't a right angle in the grotto. Hundreds of people moved about amid as many whaley boys, maintaining the ships, moving supplies an d equipment on what seemed very normal hand trucks and carts. â€Å"Where in the hell are we?† Nate said, nearly wrenching his neck trying to look at all of it at once. â€Å"I mean, what in the hell is this?† â€Å"Pretty amazing,† Cal said. â€Å"I like to watch people when they see Gooville for the first time.† Nate ran his hand over the ground, or floor, or whatever this surface was they were sitting on. â€Å"What is this stuff?† It appeared smooth, but it had texture, pores, a hidden roughness, like stoneware or – â€Å"It's living carapace. Like a lobster shell. This whole place is living, Nate. Everything – the ceiling, the floor, the walls, the passageway in from the sea, our homes – it's all one huge organism. We call it the Goo.† â€Å"The Goo. Then this is Gooville?† â€Å"Yes,† Cal said, with a big smile that revealed perfect teeth. â€Å"And that would make you?† â€Å"That's right. The Goos. There's a wonderful Seussian logic to it, don't you think?† â€Å"I can't think, Cal. You know how all your life you hear people talk about things that are mind-boggling? It's just a meaningless clich – a hyperbole – like saying that you're wasted or that something is bloodcurdling?† â€Å"Yep.† â€Å"Well, I'm boggled. I'm totally boggled.† â€Å"You thought the ships were impressive, huh?† â€Å"Yeah, but this? One living organism shaped itself into this complex†¦ what? System? I'm boggled.† â€Å"Imagine how the bacteria who live in your intestinal tract feel about you.† â€Å"Well, right now I think they're pissed off at me.† A group of whaley boys was gathering about ten yards away from them, pointing at Nate and snickering. â€Å"They're coming down to check out the newcomer. Don't be surprised if you get rubbed up against in the streets. They're just saying hi.† â€Å"Streets?† â€Å"We call them streets. They're sort of streets.† Now, out of the dim yellow light of the whale ships, Nate realized that there was a wide variety in the whaley boys' coloring. Some were actually mottled blue, like the skin of a blue whale, while others were black like a pilot whale, or light gray like a minke whale. Some even had the black-on-white coloring of killers and Pacific white-sided dolphins, while a few here and there were stark white like a beluga. The body shapes of all were very similar, differing only in size, with the killer whaley boys, who were taller by a foot and heavier by perhaps a hundred pounds, having jaws twice the width of the others'. He also noticed in the brighter light that he was the only human who had a tan. The people, even Cal and the crew, looked healthy; it just appeared that none of them had ever seen the sun. Like the British. Nuà ±ez came over and helped Cal, and then Nate, to his feet. â€Å"How're the shoes?† she asked Nate. â€Å"They're strange after not wearing any for so long.† â€Å"You'll be wobbly for a few hours, too. You'll feel the motion when you stand still for a day or so. No different from having been at sea in normal ship. I'll take you to your new quarters, show you around a little, get you settled in. The Colonel will probably send for you before too long. People will help you out, humans and whaley boys. They'll all know you're new.† â€Å"How many, Cielle?† â€Å"Humans? Almost five thousand live here. Whaley boys, maybe half that many.† â€Å"Where is here? Where are we?† â€Å"I told him about Gooville,† said Cal. Nuà ±ez looked up at Nate and then pulled her sunglasses down on her nose so he could see her eyes. â€Å"Don't freak out on me, huh?† Nate shook his head. What did she think, that whatever she was going to tell him was going to be weirder, grander, or scarier than what he'd seen already? â€Å"The roof above this ceiling – which is thick rock, although we're not exactly sure how thick – anyway, it's around six hundred feet below the surface of the Pacific Ocean. We're about two hundred miles off the coast of Chile, under the continental shelf. In fact, we came in through a cliff in the continental rise, a cliff face. â€Å"We're six hundred feet underwater right now. The pressure?† â€Å"We came in through a very long tunnel, a series of pressure locks that pass the ships along until we're at surface pressure. I would have shown you as we came through, but I didn't want to wake you.† â€Å"Yeah, thanks for that.† â€Å"Let's get you to your new house. We've got a long walk ahead of us.† She headed away from the water, motioning for him to follow. Nate nearly stumbled trying to look back at the whale ships lining the harbor. Tim caught him by the arm. â€Å"It's a lot to take in. People really have freaked out. You just have to accept that the Goo won't let anything bad happen to you. The rest is simply a series of surprises. Like life.† Nate looked into the younger man's dark eyes to see if there was any irony showing there, but he was as open and sincere as a bowl of milk. â€Å"The Goo will take care of me?† â€Å"That's right,† said Tim, helping him along toward the grotto wall, toward the actual village of Gooville, with its organically shaped doorways and windows, its knobs and nodules, its lobster-shell pathways, its whaley-boy pods working together or playing in the water, where was housed an entire village of what Nate assumed were all happy human wackjobs. After two days of looking for meaning in hash marks on waveforms and ones and ohs on legal pads that were hastily typed into the machine, Kona found a surfer/hacker on the North Shore named Lolo who agreed to write it all into a Linux routine in exchange for Kona's old long board and a half ounce of the dankest nugs[1]. â€Å"Won't he just take cash?† asked Clay. â€Å"He's an artist,† explained Kona. â€Å"Everyone has cash.† â€Å"I don't know what I'm going to put that under for the accountant.† â€Å"Nugs, dank?† Clay looked forlornly at the legal-pad pages piling up on the desk next to where Margaret Painborne was typing. He handed a roll of bills over to Kona. â€Å"Go. Buy nugs. Bring him back. Bring back my change.† â€Å"I'm throwing in my board for the cause,† said Kona. â€Å"I could use some time in the mystic myself.† â€Å"Do you want me to tell Auntie Clair that you tried to extort me?† Clay had taken to using Clair as a sort of sword of Damocles/assistant principal/evil dominatrix threat over Kona, and it seemed to work swimmingly. â€Å"Must blaze, brah. Cool runnings.† Suddenly something sparked in Clay's head, a dj vu trigger snapping electric with connections. â€Å"Wait, Kona.† The surfer paused in the doorway, turned. â€Å"The first day you came here, the day that Nate sent you to the lab to get the film – did you actually do it?† Kona shook his head, â€Å"Nah, boss, the Snowy Biscuit see me going. She say keep the money and she go to the lab. When I come back with my ganja, she give me the pictures to give to Nate.† â€Å"I was sort of afraid of that,† Clay said. â€Å"Go, blaze, be gone. Get what we need.† So three days later they all stood watching as Lolo hit the return key and the subsonic waveform from a blue-whale call began scrolling across the bottom of the screen, while above it letters were transcribed from the data. Lolo was a year older than Kona, a Japanese-American burned nut brown by the sun with ducky-yellow minidreads and a tapestry of Maori tattoos across his back and shoulders. Lolo spun in the chair to face them. â€Å"I mixed down a fifty-minute trance track with sixty percussion loops that was way harder than this.† Lolo's prior forays into sound processing had been as a computer DJ at a dance club in Honolulu. â€Å"It's not saying anything,† said Libby Quinn. â€Å"It's just random, Clay.† â€Å"Well, that's the way it's gone so far, right?† â€Å"But there's been nothing since that first day.† â€Å"We knew that might happen, that there couldn't be messages on all of them. We just have to find the right ones.† Libby's eyes were pleading. â€Å"Clay, it's a short season. We have to get out in the field. Now that you have this program, you don't need the manpower. Margaret and I will bring back more tapes – we have them coming in from people we trust – but we can't afford to blow off the season.† â€Å"And we need to go public with the torpedo range,† Margaret added, less sympathetic than Libby had been. Clay nodded and looked at his bare feet against the hardwood floor. He took a deep breath, and when he looked up, he smiled. â€Å"You're right. But don't just blow a whistle and hope someone will notice. Cliff Hyland told me that the diving data was the only thing they were worried about. You're going to need proof that humpbacks dive close to the bottom of the channel, or the navy will claim that you're just being whale buggers and there's no danger to the animals. Even with the range.† â€Å"You're okay if we go public, then?† asked Libby. â€Å"People are going to know about the torpedo range soon enough. I don't think that's dangerous for you. Just don't say anything about the rest of this, okay?† The two women looked at each other, then nodded. â€Å"We have to go,† Libby said. â€Å"We'll call you, Clay. We're not running out on you.† â€Å"I know,† Clay said. After they left, Clay turned to the two surfers. Thirty years working with the best scientists and divers in the world, and this was what it came down to: two stoner kids. â€Å"If you guys need to go do things, I understand.† â€Å"Outta here,† said Lolo, on his feet and bounding toward the door. Clay looked at the screen where Lolo had been sitting. Scrolling across it: WILL ARRIVE GV APPRX 1300 MONDAY__HAVE__SIZE 11 SNEAKERS WAITING FOR QUINN__END MSS__AAAA__BAXYXABUDAB. â€Å"Get him back,† Clay said to Kona. â€Å"We need to know which tape this was.† â€Å"Libby gave them all to him.† â€Å"I know that. I need to know where she got it. Where and when it was recorded. Call Libby's cell phone. See if you can get hold of her.† Clay was trying to make the screen print before the message scrolled away. â€Å"How the hell does this thing work?† â€Å"How you know I'm not leaving?† â€Å"You woke up this morning, Kona. Did you have a reason to get out of bed other than waves or pot?† â€Å"Yah, mon, need to find Nate.† â€Å"How'd that feel?† â€Å"I'm calling Libby, boss.† â€Å"Loyalty is important, son. I'll go catch Lolo. Confirm which tape it was.† â€Å"Shut up, boss. I'm trying to dial.† Behind them the cryptic message scrolled out of the printer. CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT Single-Celled Animal Stockholm syndrome or not, Nate was starting to get tired of the whole hippie-commune, everything-is-wonderful-and-the-Goo-will-provide attitude. Nuà ±ez had come by for three days running to take him out on the town, and every person he met was just a little too damn satisfied with the whole idea that they were living inside a giant organism six hundred feet under the ocean. Like this was a normal thing. Like he just wasn't getting with the program because he continued to ask questions. At least the whaley boys would blow wet raspberries at him and snicker as he walked by. At least they had some sense of the absurdity of all this, despite the fact that they shouldn't even have existed in the first place, which did seem to be a large point of denial on their part. They'd installed him in what he guessed was a premier apartment, or what you'd call an apartment, on the second floor, looking out over the grotto. The windows were oval, and the glass in them, although perfectly clear, was flexible. It was like looking out on the world through a condom, and that was just the beginning of the things that creeped him out about this place. He had a kitchen sink, a bathroom sink, and a shower – all of which had big honking sphincters in the bottom of them – and the seal on the door around his refrigerator, if that's what you called it, appeared to be made out of slugs, or at least something that left an iridescent slime on you if you brushed up against it. There was also a toothed garbage disposal in the kitchen, which he wouldn't even go near. The worst of it was that the apartment didn't make any attempt to conceal that it was alive. His first day there, when the human crew from the whale ship had come by for a drink – a ho usewarming – there had been a scaly knob on the wall by the front door that when pushed would cause the door to open. After the crew left and Nate returned from his shower, the doorknob had healed over. There was a scar there in the shell, but that was all. Nate was locked in. There was a tom-tom thrumming of stones hitting his front picture window. Nate went to the window, looked out on the vast grotto and harbor, then down on the source of his torment. A pod of whaley-boy kids was winging stones at his window. Thump, thump-a, thump. The stones bounced off, leaving no mark. When Nate appeared at the window, the thumping became more furious, as the whaley kids picked up the pace and aimed right at him, as if a well-placed shot might drop him in a dunking tank. â€Å"There's a reason cetaceans don't have hands in the real world!† Nate screamed at them. â€Å"You are that reason! You little freaks!† Thump, thump-a, thump, thump, clack. Occasionally a missed throw hit the shell-like frame of the window, sounding like a marble hitting tile. I sound like Old Man Spangler yelling at my brother and me for raiding his apple trees, Nate thought. When did I turn into that guy? I don't want to be that guy. There was a soft knock on the shell of his front door. As he turned, the door flipped open like shutters, two pieces of shell retracting on muscles hidden in the wall. Nate felt like a surprised box turtle. Cielle Nuà ±ez stood in the doorway with canvas shopping bags folded under her arm. She was a pleasant woman, attractive, competent, and non-threatening; Nate was sure that's why she'd been chosen to be his guide. â€Å"You ready to do some shopping, Nate? I called to tell you I was coming, but you didn't answer.† The apartment had a speaking apparatus, a sort of ornate tube thing that whistled and buzzed green metallic beetle wings when there was a call. Nate was afraid of it. â€Å"Cielle, can we drop any pretense that we are just buddies out for the day? You lock me in here when you leave.† â€Å"For your own safety.† â€Å"Somehow that always seems to be the argument the jailer uses.† â€Å"You want to go get some food and clothes or not?† Nate shrugged and followed her out the door. They walked along the perimeter of the grotto, which seemed a cross between an old English village and an Art Nouveau hobbit housing project: irregularly shaped doors and windows looking into shops that displayed baked goods and other prepared foods. Evidently the Goo wasn't big on having fire around for home cooking. All the cooked foods were prepared somewhere else in the complex. There was a warming cabinet in Nate's apartment that looked like a breadbox made out of a giant armadillo shell. It worked great. You rolled the top open, put the food in, then promptly lost your appetite. â€Å"Let's get you something to wear today,† Cielle said. â€Å"Those khakis are on loan. Only the whale-ship crews are supposed to wear them.† As they walked, a half dozen whaley kids followed them, chirping and giggling all the way. â€Å"So I'd get in trouble if I started kicking whaley kids down the street?† â€Å"Of course,† Cielle laughed. â€Å"We have laws here, just like anywhere else.† â€Å"Evidently not ones that forbid kidnapping and unjustified imprisonment.† Nuà ±ez stopped and grabbed his arm. â€Å"Look, what are you complaining about? This is a good place to be. You're not being mistreated. Everyone's been kind to you. What's the problem?† â€Å"What's the problem? The problem is that all you people were yanked out of your lives, taken away from your families and friends, taken from everything that you knew, and you all act like it doesn't bother you in the least. Well, it bothers me, Cielle. It fucking bothers me a lot. And I don't understand this whole colony, or city, or whatever this thing is. How does it even exist without anyone knowing about it? In all these years, why has no one gotten out and spoiled the secret of this place?† â€Å"I told you, we were all going to drown –  » â€Å"Bullshit. I don't buy that for a second. That gratitude toward your rescuer only lasts for a short while. I've seen it. It doesn't take over your life. Everyone I've met is blissed out. You people worship the Goo, don't you?† â€Å"Nate, you don't want to be locked in, you won't be locked in. You can have the run of Gooville – go anywhere you want. There's hundreds of miles of passages. Some of them even I haven't seen. Go. Leave the grotto and go down any one of those passages. But you know what? You'll be back looking for your apartment tonight. You are not a prisoner, you're just living in a different place and a different way.† â€Å"You didn't answer my question.† â€Å"The Goo is the source, Nate. You'll see. The Colonel – ; â€Å"Fuck the Colonel. The Colonel is a fucking myth.† â€Å"Should we get some coffee? You seem grumpy.† â€Å"Damn it, Cielle, my caffeine headache is not relevant.† Actually it was, sort of. He hadn't had any coffee today. â€Å"Besides, how do I know it's coffee we're drinking? It's probably some mutant sea otter/coffee bean hybrid beverage.† â€Å"Is that what you want?† â€Å"No, that's not what I want. What I want is a doorknob. And not an organic nodule thing – I want a dead doorknob. One that always has been dead, too. Not something that you used to be friends with.† Cielle Nuà ±ez had backed away from him several feet, and the whaley kids who'd been following them had quieted down and gone into a defensive pod formation, the big kids on the outside. People who were out walking, and who normally made a point of nodding and smiling as they passed, took a wide detour around Nate. There was an inordinate amount of whistling among the milling whaley boys. â€Å"That going to do it for you?† Nu;ez asked. â€Å"A doorknob. I get you a doorknob, you're a happy man?† Why should he be embarrassed? Because he'd scared the kids? Because he'd made his captors uncomfortable? Nevertheless, he was embarrassed. â€Å"I could use some earplugs, too, if you have them. For sleeping.† For ten hours out of twenty-four, the grotto went dark. Cielle explained that this was for the comfort of the humans, to help them keep some semblance of their normal circadian rhythms. People needed day and night – without the change many people couldn't sleep. The problem was, the whaley boys didn't sleep. They rested, but they didn't sleep. So when the grotto went dark, they went on about their business. In the dark, however, they were all constantly emitting sonar clicks. At night the grotto sounded like it was being marched upon by an army of tap dancers. Consequently, so did Nate's apartment. Nu;ez nodded. â€Å"We can probably do that. You want to go get a steaming hot cup of sea otter now?† â€Å"What?† â€Å"I'm just kidding. Lighten up, Nate.† â€Å"I want to go home.† He'd said it before he even realized it. â€Å"That's not going to happen. But I'll send word. I think it's time you met with the Colonel.† They spent the day going to shops. Nate found some cotton slacks that fitted him, some socks and underwear, and a pile of T-shirts from one tiny shop. There was no currency exchanged. Nuà ±ez would just nod to the shopkeeper, and Nate would take what he needed. There was little variety in any of the shops, and most of what they carried was goods from the real world: clothes, fabric, books, razor blades, shoes, and small electronics. But a few shops carried items that appeared to have been grown or made right there in Gooville: toothbrushes, soaps, lotions. All the packaging seemed to come out of the seventeenth century – the shopkeepers wrapped parcels in a ubiquitous oilcloth that Nate thought smelled vaguely of seaweed and indeed had the same olive color as giant kelp. Patrons brought their own jars to carry oils, pickles, and other soft goods. Nate had seen everything from a modern mayonnaise jar to hand-thrown crockery that had to have been made a hundred years ago. â€Å"How long, Cielle?† he asked as he watched a shopkeeper count sugared dates into a hand-blown glass jar and seal it with wax. â€Å"How long have people been down here?† She followed his gaze to the jar. â€Å"We get a lot of the surface goods from shipwrecks, so don't be impressed if you see antiques; the sea is a good preserver. We may have salvaged it only a week ago. A friend of mine keeps potatoes in a Grecian wine amphora that's two thousand years old.† â€Å"Yeah, and I'm using the Holy Grail to catch my spare change. How long?† â€Å"You are so hostile today. I don't know how long, Nate. A long time.† He had dozens, hundreds more questions, like where the hell did they get potatoes when they didn't have sunlight to grow anything? They weren't bringing potatoes up from a shipwreck. But Cielle was letting him get only so far before claiming ignorance. They had lunch at a four-stool lunch counter where the proprietor was a striking Irishwoman with stunning green eyes and a massive spill of red hair and who, like everyone, it seemed, knew Cielle and knew who Nate was. â€Å"Got you a Walkman then, Dr. Quinn? Whaley boys will drive you to drink with that sonar at night.† â€Å"We're going to get him some earplugs today, Brennan,† Cielle said. â€Å"Music, that's the way to wash the whaley-boy whistles,† the woman said. Then she was off to her kitchen. The walls of the cafe were decorated with a collection of antique beer trays, glued in place, as Nate had learned, with an adhesive that was similar to what barnacles secreted to fasten themselves to ships. Nailing things up was frowned upon, as the walls would bleed for a while if injured. Nate took a bite of his sandwich, meatballs and mozzarella on good crusty French bread. â€Å"How?† he asked Cielle, blowing crumbs on the counter. â€Å"How does any of this stuff get made if there's no flame?† Cielle shrugged. â€Å"No idea. A bakery, I'd guess. They make all the prepared food outside the grotto. I've never been there.† â€Å"You don't know how? How can that be?† Cielle Nuà ±ez put down her own sandwich and leaned on one elbow, smiling at Nate. She had remarkably kind eyes, and Nate had to remind himself that she had been ordered to be his friend. Interesting, he thought, that they'd choose a woman. Was she bait? â€Å"You ever read A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, Nate?† â€Å"Of course, everybody does.† â€Å"And that guy goes back to Camelot from the late nineteenth century and dazzles everyone with his scientific knowledge, mainly because he can make gunpowder, right?† â€Å"Yes, so?† â€Å"You're a scientist, so you might do better than most, but take your average citizen, a guy who works at a discount store, say. Drop him in the twelfth century, you know what he'll achieve?† â€Å"Make your point?† â€Å"Death by bacterial infection, more than likely. And the last words on his lips will probably be, ‘There's such a thing as an antibiotic, really. My point is, I don't know how this stuff is made because I haven't needed to know. Nobody knows how to make the things they use. I suppose I could find out and get back to you, but I promise you I'm not holding out on you just to be mysterious. We do a lot of salvage on the whale ships, and we have a trade network into the real world that gets us a lot of our goods. When a freighter leaves pallets of goods for the people on remote islands in the Pacific, all they know is that they've been paid and they've delivered to shore. They don't stay to see who takes the goods away. The old-timers say that it used to be that the Goo provided everything. Nothing came in from the outside that wasn't on their backs when they got here.† Nate took a bite of his sandwich and nodded as if considering what she'd just said. Since he'd arrived in Gooville, he had spent every waking moment thinking about two things: one, how this whole place could possibly function; and two, how to get out of it. The Goo had to get energy from somewhere. The energy to light the huge grotto alone would require tens of millions of calories. If it got energy from outside, maybe you could use that same pathway to get out. â€Å"So do you guys feed it? The Goo?† â€Å"No.† â€Å"Well, then-â€Å" â€Å"Don't know, Nate. I just don't know. How does dry-cleaning work?† â€Å"Well, I assume that they use solvents, that, uh – Look, biologists don't have a lot of stuff that needs to be dry-cleaned. I'm sure it's not that complicated a process.† â€Å"Yeah, well, right back at you on all of your questions about the Goo.† Cielle stood and gathered up her parcels. â€Å"Let's go, Nate. I'm taking you back to your apartment. Then I'm going right to the whaley-boy den and find out if they can get the Colonel to see you. Today.† Nate still had a couple bites of his sandwich left. â€Å"Hey, I've still got a couple of bites of my sandwich left,† he said. â€Å"Really? Well, did you ask yourself where in Gooville we got meatballs? What sort of meat might be in them?† Nate dropped his sandwich. â€Å"Bit of the whining wussy boy, aren't we?† said Brennan as she came out of the kitchen to take away their plates. Nate was reading a cheesy lawyer novel that he'd found in the small library in his apartment when the whaley boys came for him. There were three of them, two large males with killer-whale coloring and a smaller female blue. Only when the blue squeaked â€Å"Hi Nate† in a mashed-elf voice did he recognize it as Emily 7. â€Å"Wow, hi, Emily. Is just Emily okay, or should I always say the Seven?† Nate always felt awkward with someone afterward, even if there wasn't anything for the ward to be after. She crossed her arms over her chest and bugged out her left eye at him. â€Å"Okay,† Nate said, moving on, â€Å"I guess we'll be going, then. Did you see my new doorknob? Brand-new. Stainless steel. I realize it doesn't go with everything else, but, you know, it feels a little like freedom.† Right, Nate. It's a doorknob, he thought. They led him around the perimeter of the grotto, beyond the village, and into one of the huge passageways that led away from the grotto. They walked for half an hour, tracing a labyrinth of passageways that got narrower and narrower the farther off they went, the bright red lobster-shell surface fading into something that looked like mother-of-pearl the deeper in they went. It glowed faintly, just enough so they could see where they were going. Finally the passageway started to broaden again and open into a large room that looked like some sort of oval amphitheater, all of it pearlescent and providing its own light. Benches lined the walls around the room, all in view of a wide ramp that led to a round portal the size of a garage door, closed now with an iris of black shell. â€Å"Ooooh, the great and powerful Oz will see you now,† Nate said. The whaley boys, who normally found practically anything funny, just looked away. One of the black-and-whites started whistling a soft tune from his blowhole. â€Å"In the Hall of the Mountain King† or a Streisand tune – something creepy, Nate thought. Emily 7 backhanded the whistler in the chest, and he stopped abruptly. Then she put her hand on Nate's shoulder and gestured for him to go up the steps to the round portal. â€Å"Okay, I guess this is it.† Nate started backing up the ramp as the whaley boys started backing away from him. â€Å"You guys better not leave me, because I'll never find my way back.† Emily 7 grinned, that lovely hack-a-salmon-in-half smile of hers, and waved him on. â€Å"Thanks, Em. You look good, you know. Did I mention? Shiny.† He hoped shiny was good. The iris opened behind him, and the whaley boys fell to their knees and touched their lower jaws to the floor. Nate turned to see that the pearlescent ramp led into a vibrant red chamber that was pulsing with light and glistening with moisture as the walls appeared to breathe. Now, this looked like a living thing – the inside of a living thing. Really much more what he'd expected to see when the whale had eaten him. He made his way forward. A few steps in, the ramp melded into the reddish flesh, which Nate could now see was shot through with blood vessels and what might be nerves. He couldn't get the size of the space he was in. It just seemed to expand to receive him and contract behind him, as if a bubble were moving along with him inside it. When the iris disappeared into the pink Goo, Nate felt a wave of panic go through him. He took a deep breath – damp, fecund air – and strangely enough he remembered what Poynter and Poe had told him back on the humpb ack ship: It's easier if you just accept that you're already dead. He took another deep breath and ventured forward a few more feet, then stopped. â€Å"I feel like a friggin' sperm in here!† he yelled. What the hell, he was dead anyway. â€Å"I'm supposed to have a meeting with the Colonel.† On cue, the Goo began to open in front of him, like the view of a flower opening from the inside. A brighter light illuminated the newly opened chamber, now just large enough to house Nate, another person, and about ten feet of conversational distance. Reclining in a great pink mass of goo, dressed in tropical safari wear and a San Francisco Giants baseball hat, was the Colonel. â€Å"Nathan Quinn, good to see you. It's been a long time,† he said.