Gender And The Fear Of Crime. Through Articles Published

Gender and the fear of crime Through articles published it is noted that young males are more likely to be victims of crime, it is women who are more likely to report fear of crime. While the articles used in this research agree that women are more fearful of crime than men, men may have several reasons why they are reluctant to seem to be fearful of crime. (Sutton, 2004). For example, the reluctance to report could be the fear of further victimisation from authorities (police), by going over the series of events, (Kidd and Chayet, 1984) or for some men the thought of losing their masculinity as they say, ‘boys don’t cry’ (Goodey, 1997) As (Newburn, 2013) distinguished, fear of crime is fundamental, but often deceptive concept to the†¦show more content†¦It was discussed in The Guardian in 2016 â€Å"many people feel safe after dark; fear stops some from venturing out† (Duncan, P and Fishwick, C, 2016) this could be a fact especially with women as it was discussed that some women â€Å"do not feel as strong†, so therefore unable to defend themselves like a man would (Duncan, P and Fishwick, C, 2016). However, whilst asking people if they feel fear whilst walking alone at night it should be noted that some individuals rarely walk alone after dark because of personal preference, so therefore does not give a true reflection of fear of crime or actual crime. (Roberts,B, 2014). Furthermore, women who do venture out at night may make sure they are accompanied. (Walklate, 2003). The crime survey from April 2015 to March 2016 with 8,385 participants showed that only 8% felt very unsafe of walking home alone after dark, but this does not define, what is after dark? (time). After dark also varies with seasons of the year which has not been defined in the survey. This research did not identify gender difference for feeling very unsafe of walking home alone after dark. (Ons.gov.uk, 2017) Crime Survey Crime is measured through statistics in England and Wales through the crime survey (CSEW)and police recorded crime data. (Ons.gov.uk, 2017) The crime survey is conducted on victims ofShow MoreRelatedStrangers: Identity Theft and Identity Fraud 1604 Words   |  6 PagesWhat is Identity Theft and Identity Fraud? 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National Commission on Industrial Relations Free Essays

string(146) " and should also cover those in the administrative, managerial and other categories which have been excluded from the purview of the term worker\." INDUSTRIAL RELATION LABOUR LAWS Assignment Topic National commission on Industrial Relation Recommendation Submitted by J. Mary Smile MBA-Final Year NATIONAL COMMISSION ON INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS The first National   Labour Commission 1929, had promised lot in the direction of social security, social welfare, wages, social insurance, industrial relations, industrial adjudication, collective bargaining etc,. In sequel to the recommendations made in the report of the first national commission on labour series of labour enactments were passed. We will write a custom essay sample on National Commission on Industrial Relations or any similar topic only for you Order Now After the gap of almost 72 years the Second National Labour Commission has been   constituted and submitted its report in the year 2002 to the Government of India. At the outset the terms of reference to the commission are as under: 1. To suggest rationalization of existing laws relating to labour in the organised sector, 2. To suggest an umbrella legislation for ensuring a minimum level of protection to the workers in the unorganized sector. Methodology: Before penning down the report, the Commission followed the following methodology: * arranged consultation / conferences in the major cities of India to get the opinion of the Industry, public, educationalists   and so on institutions’; * circulated a questionnaire across the industry and the society in terms of the reference * surveys conducted both in organised and unorganised sector General Recommendations: 1. We recommend that the Central Government and the State Government should have a uniform policy on holidays, only 3 national holidays be gazetted – namely Independence Day, Republic Day and Gandhi Jayanti Day, two more days may be added to be determined by each State according to its own tradition and apart from these each person must be allowed to avail of 10 restricted holidays in the year, Government holidays should be delinked from holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act. (5. 29) 2. Flexibility in the hours of work per week and compensation for overtime. 5. 32) 3. Attempt to change the basis of tenure in all jobs (permanent as well as non-permanent) to contractual and for stipulated periods, involves a basic change in attitude and notion. If transforming the basis of all   employment is a social necessity because it has become economic necessity for industrial and commercial enterprises, then, it is equally necessary to create social acceptability for the change and the social institutions that can take care of the consequences. (5. 34 ; 35). The fundamental change of this type has to be preceded by : i)    evolution of socially accepted consensus on the new perceptional jobs ii)   the evolution of a system of constant up-gradation of employability through training in a wide spectrum of multiple skills iii) the setting up of a system of social security that includes unemployment insurance and provisions for medical facilities; and iv) the institution of a mandatory system of two contracts – one, an individual contract and two, a collective contract with workers union. . The commission recommends that government may laid down list of highly paid jobs who are presently deemed as workman category as being outside the purview of the laws relating to workman and included in the proposed law for protection of non-workmen. Another alternative is that the Govt. fix a cut off limit of remuneration which is substantially high enough, in the present context such as Rs. 25,000/- p. m. beyond which employee will not be trea ted as ordinary   â€Å"workman†. 6. 19) wage ceiling of Rs. 25000/- 5. Further the Commission recommended that it would be logically to keep all the supervisory personnel, irrespective of their wages / salary, outside the rank of worker and keep them out of the purview of labour law meant for workers. All such supervisory category of employees should be clubbed along with the category of persons who discharge managerial and administrative functions. The Commission would also recommend that such a modified definition of worker could be adopted in all the labour laws. We expect management to take care of the interest of supervisory staff as they will now be part of managerial fraternity. (6. 20)   Modified definition of worker 6. Existing set of labour laws should be broadly grouped into   four or five groups of laws pertaining to: * Industrial relations * Wages * Social security * Safety * Welfare and working conditions and so on 7. The Commission is of the view that the coverage as well as the definition of the term ‘worker’ should be the same in all Group of laws subject to the stipulation that social security benefits must be available to all employees including administrative, managerial, supervisory and other excluded from the category of workmen and others not treated as workmen or excluded from the category of workmen I. APPROACHES IN DRAFTING THE LAW ON LABOUR MANAGEMENT RELATIONS Firstly, the Commission would prefer the gender neutral expression ‘worker’ instead of the currently used word ‘workman’. Secondly, the law will apply uniformly to all such establishments. Thirdly, we recognize that today the extent of unionization is low and even this low level is being eroded, and that it is time that the stand was reversed and collective negotiations encouraged. Where agreements and understanding between two parties is not possible, there, recourse to the assistance of a third party should as far as possible be through arbitration or where adjudication is the preferred mode, through Labour Courts and Labour Relations Commissions of the type be proposed later in this regard and not governmental   intervention. A settlement entered into with recognised negotiating agent must be binding on all workers. Fourthly, we consider that provisions must be made in the law for determining negotiating agents, particularly on behalf of workers. Fifthly, the law must provide for authorities to identify the negotiating agent, to adjudicate disputes and so on, and these must be provided in the shape of labour courts and labour relations Commissions at the State, Central and National levels. Sixthly, The Commission is of the view that changes in labour laws be accompanied by a well defined social secuirty package that will benefit all workers, be   they in ‘organised’ or ‘unorganised’ sector and should also cover those in the administrative, managerial and other categories which have been excluded from the purview of the term worker. You read "National Commission on Industrial Relations" in category "Papers" II. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND TRADE UNIONS 1. It is necessary to provide minimum level of protection to managerial and other (excluded) employees too against unfair dismissal or removal. This has to be through adjudication by Labour court or Labour Relations Commission or arbitration. (6. 22) 2. Central laws relating to the subject of labour relations are currently the ID Act, 1947, The TU Act, 1926, Industrial Employment (SO) Act, 1946, Sales Promotion Employees (Conditions of Service) Act, 1976. There are State level legislation too on the subject. We recommend that the provisions of all these laws be judiciously consolidated into a single law called † The Labour Management Relations Law† or â€Å"Law on Labour Management Relations†. (6. 26) 3. Recommend the enactment of special law for small scale units. We have come to the conclusion that the reasonable threshold limit will be 19 workers. Any establishment with workers above that number cannot be regarded as â€Å"small. (6. 28) 4. The commission has avoided the term ‘Industry’   with a view that the persons engaged in domestic service are better covered under the proposed type of umbrella legislation, particularly in regard to wages, hours of work, working conditions, safety and social security. (6. 40) 5. Modification in the terms like ‘strikes’, ‘work stoppage’ etc. nd the terms go slow and work to rule must be regarded as misconduct under Standing Orders and Provisions relating to unfair labour practice. (6. 41) 6. Commission has recommended to the withdrawal of Essential Services Maintenance Act (6. 49). 7. The Commission has suggested to identify a bargaining agent on the basis of check-off system, with 66% entitling the Uni on to be accepted as a single negotating agent and if no union has 66% support, then Unions that have the support of more than 25% should be given proportionate representation on the college. (6. 6) 8. Check-off system in an establishment employing 300 or more workers must be made compulsory for members of all registered trade unions. (6. 73) 9. Commission also recommended that recognition once granted, should be valid for a period of 4 years to be co-terminus with the period of settlement. No claim by any other Trade Union / Federation / Center for recognition should be entertain till at least 4 years have elapsed from the date of earlier recognition. (6. 76) 10. Establishment employing 20 or more workers should have Standing Order or Regulations. There is no need to delimit the issues on which Standing Orders can or need be framed. As long as two parties agree all manner of things including multi-skilling, production, job enrichment, productivity and so on can also be added. The appropriate Government may prescribe a separate Model Standing Orders for units employing less than 50 workers. The Commission has drafted a draft Model Standing Orders in this regard. (6. 77). 11. Every establishment shall establish a grievance redressal committee consisting of equal number of workers and employers representatives. The said committee be the body to which all grievance of a worker in respect of his employment will be referred for decision within a given time frame (6. 80). 12. Commission’s view on Chapter V B (Special Provisions relating to Lay-off, Retrenchment Closure in the Establishments employing not less than 100 workmen) of the ID Act :   The Commission has felt that, in the new circumstances of global competition, it may not be possible for some enterprises to continue and meet the economic consequences of competition. In such cases, one cannot compel non-viable undertakings to continue to bear the financial burden that has to be borne to keep the concern going. They should, therefore, have the option to close down. In these circumstances, the commission came to the conclusion the best and more honest equitable course will be to allow closure, provide for adequate compensation to workers and in the event of an appeal, leave it to the Labour Relations Commission to find ways of redressal – through arbitration or adjudication. 6. 87). 13. The commission has recommended for maintenance of panel of arbitrators by the LRC concern, to settle the disputes. (6. 93). 14. The matters pertaining to individual workers, be it termination of employment or transfer or any other matter be determined by recourse to the Grievence Redressal Committee, conciliation and arbitration / adjudication by the Labour Court. Accordingly, Sec. 2 a of the ID Act may be amended. 6. 96) 15. The system of legal aid to worker s and trade unions from Public Fund be worked out to ensure that workers and their organisations   are not unduly handicapped as a result of their inability to hire legal counsel. (6. 98) 16. Strike should be called only by the recognised negotiating agent and that too only after it had conducted a strike ballot among all the workers, of whom at least 51% of support the strike. (6. 101). 7 Workers participation in management – the legislative teeth should be provided. (6. 102). 18. The provisions in respect of small establishments can be in the form of a separate law name Small Enterprises (Employment Relations Act) or be included in the general law as a separate chapter to ensure that the interest of the workers are fully protected, even while lessening burden on the management and providing them with vigilance in exercising managerial functions. 6. 106) III. CONTRACT LABOUR/CASUAL TEMPORARY WORKERS The Commission has recommended that contract labour shall not be engaged f or core production /   service activities. However, for sporadic seasonal demand, the employer may engage temporary labour for core production / service activity. As mentioned by the commission that off-loading perennial non-core services like canteen, watch and ward, cleaning, etc. o other employing agencies has to take care of three aspects – (1) there have to be provisions that ensure that ensure that perennial core services are not transferred to other agencies or establishments; (2) where such services are being performed by employees on the payrolls of the enterprises, no transfer to other agencies should be done without consulting, bargaining (negotiating) agents; and (3) where the transfer of such services do not involve any employee who is currently in service of the enterprise, the management will be free to entrust the service to outside agencies. The contract labour will, however, be remunerated at the rate of a regular worker engaged in the same organisation doing work of a comparable nature or if such workers does not exist in the organisation, at the lowest salary of a worker in a comparable grade, i. e. unskilled, semi-skilled or skilled. (6. 109). The Commission would recommend that no worker should be kept continuously as a Casual or temporary worker against a permanent job for more than 2 years. (6. 110) IV. WAGES i) The Commission recommends that every employer must pay each worker his one-month’s wage, as bonus before an appropriate festival, be it Diwali or Onam or Puja or Ramzan or Christmas. Any demand for bonus in excess of this upto a maximum of 20% of the wages will be subject to negotiation. The Commission also recommend that the present system of two wage ceilings for reckoning entitlement and for calculation of bonus should be suitably enhanced to Rs. 7500/- and Rs. 3500/- for entitlement and calculat ion respectively. (6. 113). ii) There should be a national minimum wage that the Central Government may notify. This minimum must be revised from time to time. It should, in addition, have a component of dearness allowance to be declared six monthly linked to the consumer price index and the minimum wage may be revised once in five years. The Commission also recommends the abolition of the present system of notifying scheduled employments and of fixing/revising the minimum rates of wages periodically for each scheduled employment, since it feels that all workers in all employments should have the benefit of a minimum wage. 6. 114) (iii) There is no need for any wage board, statutory or otherwise, for fixing wage rates for workers in any industry. (6. 118). V. WORKING CONDITIONS, SERVICE CONDITIONS ETC The Commission recommended enactment of a general law relating to hours of work, leave and working conditions, at the work place. For ensuring safety at the work place and in different activities, one omnibus law may be enacted, providing for different rules and regulations on safety applicable to different activities. The Commission have appended a draft indicative law on hours of work and other working conditions after this chapter, and an omnibus draft indicative law on safety in the chapter on Labour Administration). Such general law on working conditions etc OTHER  RECOMMENDATIONS * Recommendations on women child labour * Recommendations on skill development * Labour Administration * Workers participation in management * Employment scenario in the country * Review of wages and wage policy How to cite National Commission on Industrial Relations, Papers

Critical Essay On A Room With A View Example For Students

Critical Essay On A Room With A View The actions of people speak for their character. Some approach life through the senses and some approach it through spirit. Others adhere to convention and some do not. Yet, any way one approaches life, every action one makes indicates defining characteristics about who the person is as an individual. In A Room With A View Mr. Eager and Mr. Emerson are quite opposite in the way they approach situations. Therefore, they demonstrate their character by the things they do and the words they say throughout the novel. When Mr. Eager attempts to separate the brother and sister on the carriage, Mr. Emerson says the following:Leave them alone, Mr. Emerson begged the chaplain, of whom he stood in no awe. Do we find happiness so often that we should turn it off the box when it happens to sit there? To be driven by loversA king might envy us, and if we part them its more like sacrilege than anything I know. (Chapter 6)He does not want love to be interrupted under any circumstances. Mr. Emerson does not understand why anyone would want to take away happiness, when there is so little to go around. He even uses the term sacrilege because Mr. Eager is a priest and maybe that would be easier for him to understand. Mr. Emersons view of life is: he sees things as being about happiness and love. According to the standards of his time, he is flying in the face of convention. When the two lovers are separated Mr. Eager proclaims, Victory at last! But Mr. Emerson quickly retorts, It is not victory. It is defeat. You have parted two people who were happy.(Chapter 6) According to the way that Mr. Eager views life, two lovers hugging, touching and kissing is vulgar. But, Mr. Emerson thinks that it is wonderful and that there should be more loving in life. Nevertheless, Mr. Eager thinks that it is not proper conduct because he is a priest and in his world, it is not appropriate to show affection in public. Conversely, Mr. Emerson regards the behavior in the carriage as a beautiful and natural part of life. In general, Mr. Eager looks down on mankind. He thinks that on the average, man is ignorant and unconscious. If you will not think me rude, we residents sometimes pity you poor tourists not a littleliving herded together in pensions or hotels, quite unconscious of anything that is outside Baedeker, their one anxiety to get done or through and go on somewhere else.(Chapter 6)This is a very negative stereotype of tourists. He thinks that all tourists are uninformed and preoccupied. Mr. Eagers view is very odd because he is a priest and he is supposed to embrace all of mankind. Italy is a large country and it contains many historic sites. Tourists will often be fascinated and move quickly in order to see the entire country: another example of how oblivious Mr. Eagers view of life is. Mr. Emerson is sleeping through all of Mr. Eagers ramblings and generalizations. He does not even dignify him with an argument on the matter because Mr. Emerson knows that all people, including tourists, do not fit Mr. Eagers description. He knows that people, by nature, are curious and can be energetic, which, according to Mr. Emerson, is a natural facet of human life. He believes that people should have a passion for life. Even though the times have changed, there are still distinct differences between liberals and conservatives. No matter what people say about how times have changed, there are still opposing forces. The world contains many different cultures and religions, each with different views of acceptable behavior. Today, it would be rare that someone would stop a carriage because two people where embracing in the front. This is because todays society has changed so much. But, one can understand both where Mr. Eager and Mr. Emerson are coming from. As the world becomes smaller, educated societies are becoming more tolerant of opposing ideas and beliefs.

Microsoft Vega Project Essay Example

Microsoft Vega Project Essay How does Microsoft conduct strategic planning and what role human resource management plays in that process? It is apparent that people are Microsofts greatest asset. Linking production areas and using an atmosphere that caters to the 30 year old average employee age, has made the company a fantastic place of employment. Human Resources is responsible for identifying, hiring, and retaining their gifted talent. Microsoft has also boasted as very generous compensation and benefits program that has created a quality employee experience. Microsofts work environment, is a catalyst for great achievements. With a strategic human resource plan, Microsoft ensures that a diverse range of candidates are considered for opportunities as well as retaining them in a very competitive market. Their results are shown through enhanced product development and employee performance. The HR department is great at spotting talent and potential and aim to hire people who are smart, work hard, and get the right things done. HR staffing seeks to hire talented people who are passionate about their work. This passion translates directly into products and services that enable Microsoft customers to do their very best. Its an important mission — bringing the right people in and taking good care of them. It plays a critical role in helping Microsoft generate technology that positively affects the lives of millions of people around the world (Microsoft. com 2008). The case study on the Vega Project shows that HR department as well as company directors are using the plan to promote, educate, and empower individuals. As this case shows, it does not always work out to be a successful match. However, according to Microsoft’s home page, I believe their HR approach is a great example of how to recruit, retain, and promote motivated employees. We will write a custom essay sample on Microsoft Vega Project specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Microsoft Vega Project specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Microsoft Vega Project specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Where along the transactional-commitment continuum does Microsoft choose to be located ? Transactional leaders use strategy, structure and culture to strengthen their organization. This type of leadership can be displayed through a system of contingent-reward exchanges as well as active management. This style of leadership can be characterized through a process of goal-setting, setting expectations, and defining how followers will be rewarded (Gerhardt 2004). By achieving specific goals for both leaders and their followers, transactional leadership seeks to maintain stability rather than promoting change within an organization. This leadership style is closley related to the style used by Jim Kaplan in 1998. By recruiting MacLellan, he set goals, explained the rewards associated for meeting those goals, and maintain as close relationship with his new recruit. MacLellan was very excieted about his new Vega project and felt empowered to complete the project on time and meet the specified goals. He had a great commitment to the project, his team, and used many resources to ensure that it was a success. In my opinion I feel that due to the nature of Microsoft’s business, the company is high on the transactional-commitment continuum. This type of leadership is shown through the offer to MacLellan from Kaplan. Delivering the Vega project would mean a 14,000 dollar bonus, an allocation of 2,800 stock options, and promoted to a level 33 program manager, which carried a salary range of 85,000 to 110,000 dollars (Bassert page ? ). Microsoft Home Page http://members. microsoft. com/careers/careerpath/humanresource/default. mspx 2008 http://www. paulgerhardt. com/homework/TranformationalTransactonalLeadershipInRetail. pdf Paul Gerhardt-Transformational and Transactional Leadership in Retail (2004)

Working Place Monitoring Essays

Working Place Monitoring Essays Working Place Monitoring Essay Working Place Monitoring Essay Humans are naturally egocentric.   We tend to always look out for the welfare of our personal interests.   We tend to judge what is ethically right based on what is beneficial to us. To us, we are always the good guys and those who oppose us are the villains. We see our own actions to always be the right thing to do. However, this egocentric mindset is what blinds us from making truly ethical reasoning and judgments. Introspection is a necessary ability for being ethically reasonable. Aside from seeing only what is beneficial to us, we need to learn to see things from the perspective of the other. We need be able to reflect on our own actions and see how this will affect the other person, as well as everything and everyone else involved. We should also learn to consider what would be beneficial for them, and if that thing is unacceptable for you personally, then learn to make compromises so that your decision would be something that will benefit you both. â€Å"We can learn to respect the rights of others and not simply focus on fulfilling our desires. The main problem is not so much distinguishing between helping and harming, but our natural propensity to be focused almost exclusively on ourselves and those closely connected with us.† (Paul and Elder 3) As for the case of workplace monitoring, we cannot avoid companies from making such policies. This is their way of looking out for the best of their interests. For the employees, getting offended by such company policies is their way of looking out for their own. Now to harbor good ethics in the workplace, both parties should learn to be sensitive to the needs and personal restrictions of each other. The employee should understand that a company has a basis for adapting such policies; that maybe it is their way of maintaining the smooth flow of their system. However, the company should also understand that their employees also have certain personal restrictions and needs that should be respected. Workplace searches, urine tests, etc, are necessary for the company to know their employees and to ensure that their employees are of the character that they expect them to be. If the employees have no skeletons to hide in their closets, they should not have problems with these policies at a ll. But the company should know their restrictions and not get offensively close to the personal lives of their employees such as when monitoring phone calls. Just learn to respect the needs of both parties, true ethical judgment can arise from that. Bayer, Richard C. Ethical Reasoning in Business. Action Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty. 24 April 2008. acton.org/publications/randl/rl_article_409.php Paul, Richard, and Linda Elder. The Miniature Guide to Understanding the Foundations of Ethical Reasoning. 3rd Edition. Foundation for Critical Thinking. 2005 Victor, Bart, and John B. Cullen. The Organizational Bases of Ethical Work Climates. Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell University, 1988

Aliasing a Method in Ruby Takes Simple Programming

Aliasing a Method in Ruby Takes Simple Programming To alias a method or variable name in Ruby is to create a second name for the method or variable. Aliasing can be used either to provide more expressive options to the programmer using the class or to help override methods and change the behavior of the class or object. Ruby provides this functionality with the alias and alias_method keywords. Create a Second Name The alias keyword takes two arguments: the old method name and the new method name. The method names should be passed as labels, as opposed to strings. Labels are used to refer to methods and variables without directly referencing them. If youre a new Ruby programmer, the concept of labels may seem odd, but whenever you see a label like :methodname, just read it as the thing called methodname. The following example declares a new class and creates an alias for the on method called start. #!/usr/bin/env rubyclass Microwavedef onputs The microwave is onendalias :start :onendm Microwave.newm.start # same as m.on Change the Behavior of a Class There may be times when you want to change the behavior of a class after its been declared. You can alias and add new methods to an existing class by creating second class declaration that has the same name as the existing class declaration. You can also add aliases and methods to individual objects using a syntax similar to the inherited class syntax. The behavior of any class can be changed by creating an alias for any method and then creating a new method (with the original method name) that calls the method with the alias. In the following example, a microwave class is declared and an instance is created. The second class declaration uses the alias method to change the behavior of the on method in order to add a warning message. The third class declaration is used to change the behavior of the specific microwave instance to add an even more stern warning. When aliasing a method multiple times, be sure to use different method names to store the old method. #!/usr/bin/env rubyclass Microwavedef on  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  puts Microwave is on  Ã‚  end endm Microwave.newm.onclass Microwave  Ã‚  alias :old_on1 :ondef on  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  puts Warning: Do not insert metal objects!  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  old_on1  Ã‚  end endm.on# Message for this specific microwaveclass   Ã‚  def onputs This microwave is weak, add extra timeold_on2endendm.on # Displays extra messagem2 Microwave.newm2.on # Does not display extra message

Analysis and Arguement on Britney Spears Facebook Page Research Paper

Analysis and Arguement on Britney Spears Facebook Page - Research Paper Example Within this context, Britney Spears’ image as a globally marketed cultural icon and her facebook page represent the same thing, a carefully crafted product. To be specific, Britney Spears’ facebook page does not surpass her image as a popular culture icon. Instead, her facebook page is carefully crafted to communicate with her fans/audience. Thesis statement: The analysis and argument on the statement(s) made by Britney Spears about herself to her audience and her carefully constructed facebook page proves that both the statement(s) and facebook page reinforces her public image as a popular culture icon. Most of the public figures who communicate with the audience make use of the theory put forth by Aristotle in his work ‘On Rhetoric’. To be specific, the theory of rhetoric consists of the essential qualities that a public figure should have to gain social acceptance. For instance, ethos consists of the trustworthiness of an individual (say, the speaker), p athos consists of the ability of and individual to create emotional attachment with the listeners and logos consists of the ability of the speaker (say, logical arguments) to communicate with listeners. Within this context, Britney Spears’ statements about herself to the audience is interconnected with logos, she is ready to lose her individuality to satisfy her fans. To be specific, Britney Spears’ status as a cultural icon hinders her from behaving like a mature person because she needs to present herself as a myth. So, one can see that Britney Spears’ statements on trustworthiness or loyalty towards oneself is interconnected with ethos. Besides, Britney Spears’ statements and opinions on other female singers (Madonna and Janet Jackson) prove that she is able to create her own space within the context of popular music. Britney’s commitment to music, especially singing and stage presence helped her to create emotional attachment with her audience. This emotional attachment is an important element of rhetoric, i.e., pathos. One can easily identify that Britney Spears’ emotional attachment with her audience is one of the factors behind her success as a popular culture icon. From a different angle of view, Britney Spears’ public identity as a celebrity does not hinder her personal life. Christopher R. Smit stated that â€Å"In late 2001 Britney’s image/marketing changed bearing in mind that much of her audience had grown up in the meantime† (5). To be specific, her ability to communicate (say, with logical arguments) with the public helps her to divide her public and personal domains into two distinct areas. For instance, Britney Spears is an ordinary individual in her private life. Within this context, her logical arguments/opinions on defining herself, childhood dream to become a singer, harsh media reviews, sexuality, physical limitations, inspiration etc prove that the same is interconnected with logos. B. Argument: How does the construction of her page reveal the statements? Britney Spears’ facebook page reveals her statements because she made use of unique techniques to communicate with the subscribers. For instance, Britney Spears’ facebook page layout is simple and attractive to the subscribers. Within this context, family photos, especially with her family members and friends are important. Besides, her facebook page helps the subscribers to know more about her as an individual, not as a myth. One can see that Br

Arnold Lazarus Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Arnold Lazarus - Essay Example Central to his work has been the phrase that started this report "Think Well-Act Well-Feel Well-Be-Well". This is his model and it is prominently displayed on his website. His contributions to the field have moved counselors into a better understanding of the "best practices" for certain disorders. Not only has he been a pioneer in the field but he has received hundreds of honors and opportunities in the past and in the world today. Lazarus was born in 1932 in Johannesburg South Africa. Not much is known about his life in South Africa but it is known that his early education started at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. While he was there he studied psychology and earn a B.A. degree. His interests lay in psychology and behavior. In 1956 he published his first paper in psychotherapy as his [perhaps] his Masters thesis entitled, "Behavior Therapy (Novel Guide, 2009). Lazarus came to America in 1963 to become a "visiting assistant professor" in psychology at Stanford University for one year. After that he went back to Witwatersrand University to lecture at their medical school for psychiatry. In 1966 he moved to America again to become the director of the Behavior Therapy Institute in Sausalito, California. He continued writing and in that year he published, Behavior Therapy Techniques with his colleague Joseph Wolpe (Novel Guide). By 1970, Lazarus became a visiting professor at Temple University Medical School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as a behavioral science professor. In each situation he continued to focus on human behavior and psychology. Lazarus is credited with being a pioneer in the field of psychotherapy. Prior to his work most psychotherapists used a "token economy" or other behavior technique that often took a lot of time and energy for the client to find relief. Lazarus saw that behavior therapy alone was not effective in treating some

Using an Experimental Technique Essay Example for Free

Using an Experimental Technique Essay Another chemical commonly used is ethanol in the aseptic technique and this too was varied in the amount of time the seeds were soaked before being placed in varying times and concentrations of the sodium hypochlorite. Ultimately, in order to use the barley seeds we need have a sterilization technique that can eliminate majority of fungal contamination while not harming the germination of the chosen seeds. I propose an experimental idea to eliminate fungal contamination from barley seed germination. Materials and Methods Aseptic Technique The working area was sprayed down completely with 95% Ethanol before the seeds were used. The forceps used to transfer the seeds from liquid to media were sterilized using the ethanol. Seed Sterilization Procedure Using aseptic techniques 20 barley seeds obtained from the paper bag kept in the fridge were transferred into sterile distilled water and let to sit in a drawer for 20 hours overnight before being transferred to 100% bleach with a drop of dish liquid (Inatomi and Slaughter, 1971). The seeds were soaked in the bleach for a total of 2 hours before being dipped in sterile distilled water and placed on Petri dishes with minimal media and placed in a growth chamber. The germination of the seeds was monitored for 7 days for any fungal contamination. Results After 3 days the seeds were germinating (13 out of 20) and there was no visible evidence of fungal growth. 5 Days: there were no contaminants. 7 Days: no contaminants. || 3 Days seed growth. No contaminants. |3 Days seed growth. No contaminants. | || 5 Days seed growth. No contaminants. |5 Days seed growth. No contaminants. | Discussion Fungal contaminations can be a problem when trying to germinate seeds and a successful experiment is needed to sterilize the barley seeds for further experimentation. I proposed a sterilization experiment for barley seeds and had success with 65% germination and 0% fungal growth. This sterilization technique could provide a good beginning point to begin other experimentation on germination success of barley seeds, without the hassle of fungal contamination to destroy possible results. The overnight soak in the water forced the fungal spores to begin germinating and thereby making it possible for the 2 hour bleach soak to become more effective in eliminating the fungus and other contaminants from the seed coat. The few seeds which did not germinate could have had too much bleach penetration and therefore killed these seeds, however the success was more beneficial than the failure, and so this novel sterilization technique was effective in its elimination of fungal contaminations while providing a good germination rate of the barley seeds. Literature Cited K. Inatomi and J. C. Slaughter. 1971. The Role of Glutamate Decarboxylase and Aminobutyric Acid in Germinating Barley. J. Exp. Bot. 22:561-571.

Love in A Midsummer Nights Dream Essay -- Midsummer Nights Dream

The Power of Love in A Midsummer Night's Dream Is love controlled by human beings who love one another or is love controlled by a higher power? There are many people who believe that a higher power has control over love. An example of a higher power would be a cupid, a flying angel-type creature who is supposed to shoot arrows at people to make them fall in love. There are other people who reject the idea that a higher power controls love and that the people who experience love can control it. In the novel, "A Midsummer Night's Dream", by William Shakespeare, several examples of love's association with a higher power are presented. With the use of examples from the above novel, this essay will discuss the evidence that love is associated with a higher power. Examples like: Thesius arranging a marriage between himself and Hippolyta, Egeus choosing who Hermia should marry and the fairies who have the ability to control love in the Enchanted Forest. In the story, the supreme ruler of Athens, Thesius ends up marrying Hippolyta, the Queen of the Jungle. However, during the whole story, Hippolyta never throughly discusses her feelings and ideas about the marriage. She acts as if she has no choice but to marry Thesius. This can be proven by examining Hippolyta's position in the relationship between herself and Thesius. Hippolyta was captured by Thesius during battle and Thesius intimidates Hippolyta into marrying him since he is a supreme ruler and she was defeated by him. Thesius reveals that he capture Hippolyta in battle in the following quote, "I wood thee by my sword/ And won thy love doing thee injuries" (Act I, Pg 7). The above quote and the fact that Hippolyta never discusses her feelings about the wedding leads the re... ...elings of love in people. This proves that a higher power can control the feelings of love in people. In conclusion, all of the above paragraphs dealt with examples proving that love can be associated to a higher power. A higher power in definition is any being or group of beings that have direct control over the actions of another being. Two of the examples showed how a higher power can control love and one of the examples showed how love can defy a higher power and prevail. In any case, it has been proven that a higher power does exist when dealing with love. Many people have wondered what love really is and how love develops between people. Even if love isn't associated with a higher power in life, it is a strange phenomenon and so far the association of love with a higher powers is a valid suggestion as it was proven in the story, "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

Reviving and Regulating Religion in China Essay

In line with Mao Zedong’s Great Cultural Revolution, religion was banned and atheism was declared to be the official religion of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The socialist transformation of China required the elimination of the so-called Four Olds – Old Habits, Old Ideas, Old Culture, and Old Customs (Overmyer, 2000). At the height of this campaign, religious activities were banned and structures of worship such as churches, mosques, temples, and monasteries were destroyed and looted. After Mao’s death in 1976, China revised its position on religion in consonance with the â€Å"Reform and Opening† policy implemented by Deng Xiaoping in 1978, which led toward a period of vitality and cultural openness. The official position of the Chinese nation was embodied in Document 19, a directive which led to the reestablishment of religions and religious affairs in China. While Document 19 guaranteed freedom of religion as means of uniting its people, it still empowered the state to control and regulate worship to ensure its stability and survival. Renewed definition of religion Document 19 critically analyzed the impact of its restrictive religious policy and recognized that religion was a crucial historical phenomenon in â€Å"the development of human society† (MacInnis, 1989, p. 10). The directive produced a comprehensive analysis of the role of religion in China, outlining the errors of the CCP in dealing with the religious question, most notably the â€Å"leftist† excesses during the Great Cultural Revolution which made China subject to severe international criticism. China’s religious policy after liberation â€Å"forcibly forbade normal religious activities by the mass of religious believers,† â€Å"misinterpreted the customs of religions,† and â€Å"used violent measures against religions forcing religious movements underground† (MacInnis, 1989, p. 13). Eventually, according to the directive, the coercive policy toward the religious question went contrary to Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought and ended with the destruction not only places of worship but historical sites such as Daoist and Buddhist temples. Document 19 also aimed to rectify the theoretical errors that came with the previous religious policy. It concluded that eliminating freedom of worship violated one of the Party’s principle tasks: uniting the people. According to the directive, there were around 59,000 â€Å"religious professionals† in China; 27,000 Buddhist monks and nuns; 2,600 Daoist priests and nuns; 20,000 Muslim imams; 3,400 were Catholic priests; and 5,900 were from Protestant clergy† (MacInnis, 1989, p. 15). The Document stressed that the previous view of estranging believers was unrealistic because considering that the lives of the Chinese people after liberation and during the Socialist reconstruction only improved gradually, it was a mistake to fast-track the Cultural Revolution. Moreover, considering that class struggle still exists in China despite liberation, â€Å"the long-term influence of religion among a part of the people in a Socialist society cannot be avoided† (MacInnis, 1989, p. 15). Instead of forcing the people to abandon their religious beliefs, the State must recognize that religions, like the state, will wither away once the objective requirements for a Socialist and Communist state will have been met. Because the previous policy divided believers and non-believers, it also denied equality of basic political and economic rights of the masses, hence, forgetting â€Å"that the Party’s basic task is to unite all the people†¦ in order that all may strive to construct a modern, powerful Socialist state† (MacInnis, 1989, p. 12). It predicted that the more estranged the Party becomes from the mass of believers, the more this will incite hatred and fanaticism that will possibly crush the Socialist goals of the Chinese revolution. Moreover, Document 19 clarified the revised perspective of the State on freedom of religion by saying that religion should not be considered an obstruction to the Socialist enterprise. Instead, guaranteeing freedom of religion to citizens â€Å"is a means of strengthening the Party’s efforts to disseminate scientific education as well as to strengthen its propaganda against superstition† (MacInnis, 1989, p. 16). The Document recognized that Socialism’s goal of replacing ignorance and subjectivity with scientific thinking would be carried out if its citizens could be given the freedom of worship. By granting religious freedom, Document 19 stressed that the new religious policy of post-Maoist China was that religion was now â€Å"a private matter, one of individual free choice for citizens† (MacInnis, 1989, p. 16). Normalization of religious practice Document 19 recommended that leaders of â€Å"patriotic religious organizations† be reinstated, their seized property returned, and religious structures and establishments be reopened. Despite emphasizing the concepts of religion being a private right, Document 19 also stressed the need for regulation and normalization of religious practice to ensure the stability of the nation and the preservation of the gains of the revolution against religious specialists in direct collusion from imperialistic aggressors. With Lenin as its guide, Document 19 stressed the caution that must be attached when planning to open religious practice in China, â€Å"Be especially alert,† â€Å"Be very strict,† â€Å"Think things through thoroughly† (MacInnis, 1989, p. 12). Document 19 expressed its support for religions that are considered â€Å"patriotic and law-abiding† and demands the suppression of minority religions that are in direct contact with foreign imperialist counter-revolutionaries. Worship in official religious establishments such as temples and churches are preferred over worship taking place in residences. Although the latter was permitted, Document 19 says it was worrisome: â€Å"As for Protestants gathering in homes for worship services [sic], in principle this should not be allowed, yet this prohibition should not be too rigidly enforced† (MacInnis, 1989, p. 18). Document 19 also established a strategy that aims to promote religion that is patriotic and loyal to the cause of the Chinese nation. It identified the eight â€Å"patriotic religious organizations tasked with implementing the new religious policies of the CCP as: â€Å"Chinese Buddhist Association, Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, Chinese Daoist Association, Chinese Islamic Association, Chinese Protestant Three-Self Patriotic Movement, Chinese Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Chinese Catholic Religious Affairs Committee, China Christian Council, The Chinese Buddhist and the Daoist Associations† (MacInnis, 1989, p. 18). The Document recognized that if Socialism must coexist with religion, there is a need to reorient religion so that it is compatible with the goals of the Socialist enterprise. The group of eight religious organizations were tasked establish seminaries that will provide training to create a â€Å"new generation of clergy,† a generation who will politically, â€Å"fervently love their homeland and support the Party’s leadership and the Socialist system and who possessed sufficient religious knowledge† (MacInnis, 1989, p. 20). Document 19 granted freedom of worship to citizens but excluded Party members from the practice of religion. Because Communism was considered incompatible of theism, Party members who chose to exercise their freedom of worship would be banned from the Party. The directive also marked out religious practices that were considered illegal such as witchcraft, wizardry, secret societies, magicians, fortune-tellers, and membership in any of these organizations is punishable by law (MacInnis, 1989). Conclusion Document 19 provided for a new atmosphere in China by introducing reformist policies that initiated a revival, albeit regulated, of religious practice. Temples and churches were returned as well as imprisoned religious leaders were released. Freedom of worship became a private right but under normalization guidelines from the State. Religious organizations considered counter-revolutionary were still banned in order to secure the stability of the nation and its Socialist enterprise. Reference MacInnis, D. E. (1989). Religion in China Today. New York: Orbis Books. Overmyer, D. L. (2003). Religion in China today. Cambridge, MA: Cambridge Univ Press.

Key Success Factors in Online Ventures

The chaotic development of the Internet has left many attempts to route commerce through it stranded. Icons of the brick-and mortar age have often been the most hapless victims, floundering in vain attempts to attract the attention of browsers, and to deliver value. This makes the eminent online success of Office Depot especially worthy of study.The business-to-business model has been especially difficult for middle-aged industrial and corporate buyers to comprehend. Those who have never learnt to write in code feel threatened by the very mention of a web site, and take refuge in the exaggerated risks of buying online (Tillinghast, 2002). The first key success factor of Office Depot lies in the simplicity of design of its web site, requiring no familiarity with computers or programming to place orders, pay for them, and to receive supplies.Office Depot, by virtue of the variety of products and services on offer, tempts customers to become frequent web site visitors (Office Depot, 200 6). Office supplies for coffee are positioned in the upper left quadrant where it is likely to catch first attention. The lay out is inviting, and is bound to generate curiosity and interest even in the minds of skeptical browsers. Overall, Office Depot scores through a web site, which is akin to the shop windows of the most popular retail outlet in the physical world.A third success factor is that Office Depot makes it easy to return goods purchased on incorrect impulses, even arranging to pick them up at the door (Johnson, not dated). This must alleviate natural fears about making buying decisions without seeing and feeling products, and meets most objections of electronic commerce head-on.Office Depot respects customer choice, emphasizing the availability of trusted brands (Office Depot, 2006). Generic products, new brands, and the most established ones such as Hewlett-Packard are offered with even prominence. This is in contrast to the online business forays of some others, whic h are blatant efforts to promote particular brands at the cost of customer degrees of freedom.Broadly, Office Depot has succeeded in online business, because it has put customer needs ahead of technological innovation in electronic communication, ensuring that the Internet serves business needs rather than dictate terms to it.Lessons from the Office Depot Online SuccessConventional marketing promoted the targeting of relatively narrow segments. This made sense as long as a business offered its products and services within the confines of a segregated area. An over-riding feature of the Internet is that the whole world becomes a single market place. Conventional marketing which is highly focused on a spatially limited segment pays the costs of existence on the World Wide Web, but without the attendant market potential and size benefits. We can learn from the success of Office Depot that online marketing has to address clusters (Payne, 2002) rather than narrow segments. Office Depot d efines its customers as enterprises of all sizes, from the small to large corporations, and has combined its Internet foray with international operations. It is therefore able to use the full power of the medium.The Internet makes the Process element of the Marketing Mix (Payne, 2002) a key determinant of success. Office Depot has a prominent promise on the web site of deliveries, without extra charge, within one business day. The enormous planning and investment efforts made to make this promise come true over incredibly large numbers of transactions everyday, has to be appreciated if anyone wishes to repeat the Office Depot success story. Perhaps the facility of the medium makes other enterprises offer commitments which they are not geared to meet, leaving customers disillusioned. There is a large and complex operation of logistics behind the Office Depot success, to keep adequate inventories of such a large number of items within a day’s reach of all customers.The sophisti cation of online business tempts many enterprises to segregate Internet operations from conventional business. A lesson from Office Depot is that the medium should be integrated in to the mainstream in manners which lend synergy (Johnson, not dated). Office Depot treats customers on its web site just as it would if some one walked in to one of their conventional stores.Finally, Office Depot enhances its physical and generic products with useful services (Johnson, not dated). The articles and discussions on small business and commercial resources must be particularly valuable for customers.Competitive Advantage in MarketspaceScale matters in marketspace (Johnson, not dated). Office Depot is successful because of the breadth of its product and service offers, because of the vast territory it serves, and the sheer weight of over a billion dollars of revenue, which is growing rapidly as well. These dimensions act as barriers to new entrants, and strengthen the company’s competiti ve strength from day to day.Marketspace is first about customer needs, and not about the elegance and creativity of software engineers. Other enterprises have web sites with flash, multi-media, and other features which delight programmers, but which take time to load, and can even scare away customers. Web sites should have clear objectives (Tillinghast, 2002), and serve the business, rather than drive it. It is important for enterprises to avoid being overwhelmed by the aura of the Internet, and to keep it tightly within the reins of customer needs.Limits to Online Business Success and the Office Deport ExperienceThere are 5 important limitations to online business in general, and to the foregoing account of the success of Office Depot in this regard: firstly, credit card and related payment frauds plague most electronic commerce ventures. The case does not mention the actual experience of Office Depot in this regard, and even if the company has not suffered any significant losses in this regard, it remains vulnerable for the future.Secondly, products such as copiers and facsimile machines may require considerable product demonstration and after-sales-service, which the online business model is not geared to provide. The decision-making for pins and staples is certainly not the same as for equipment such as filing cabinets: Office Depot runs the risk of building revenues faster in low value-addition lines, as opposed to modern office products of the future.Thirdly, Office Depot has tasted success during the halcyon years of a global economic boom. The serious fixed cost growth which it has encountered in terms of warehousing and logistics could become a serious drag on profitability during a future economic downturn.Fourthly, the practice of offering products in kiosks which are not available or offered online, may rebound on the company. Customers may move away from the company’s web site once they realize that more choice is available in real stores. Finally, the Office Depot experience lacks universal relevance. Many competitors, and companies in other lines of business may realize better returns from conventional business channels, and failures if they copy the high fixed cost and infrastructure-intensive online business model of Office Depot.ReferencesJohnson, W. C. (not dated) Case 13: Office Depot Goes Online-E-Service Quality, publication details not availablePayne, A. (2002) Services Marketing, Prentice-HallTillinghast, T. (2002) Tactical Guide to Internet Marketing, Xlibris CorporationOffice Depot, (2006) Company website, retrieved January 16th 2007 from: http://www.officedepot.com/

Cinderellas Male Gaze Essays

Cinderellas Male Gaze Essays Cinderellas Male Gaze Paper Cinderellas Male Gaze Paper Almost everyone in the world grows up reading, listening to, or watching fairy tales as a child. These fairy tales started out as entertaining stories, but as they were handed down from one generation to the next, they slowly became more than that. They have grown to be of great importance because they teach children how to act and present oneself in the world. One such fairy tale is Cinderella. On the surface, it seems to be a simple story about a young woman whose wishes come true. However, the story lso reflects the cultural expectations of womens behaviors and goals. Fairy tales are full of negative stereotypes of girls. It is common in fairy tales that the men are strong, smart, and in power. Women are portrayed as pretty, passive, and powerless. The women depend solely on a man to save them. After Cinderellas father passes away, she is stuck living with her evil stepmother and stepsisters. Cinderella suffers from all kinds of abuse from them without ever making a complaint. She is forced to slave away from sun-up to sun-down. All of her nice clothes are taken away from her and all she is given to wear are plain dresses and plain shoes. Along with this, Cinderellas stepsisters make fun of her and call her names. She is too weak to stand up for herself and say no, and her family knows this. They are not poor, by any means. They have enough money to hire someone to do all the chores, but they make Cinderella do the work for their own pure enjoyment because they all know she will.

Story vs. Plot Definitive Differences Between Them - Freewrite Store

Story vs. Plot Definitive Differences Between Them - Freewrite Store Today’s guest post is by Jackie Dever, associate editor at  Aionios Books, a small traditional-model publisher based in Southern California.    One afternoon a few years back, as I was rowing merrily down my stream of consciousness, a big ol’ rock appeared through the mist, rearing up so fast there wasn’t time to navigate around. My paper boat crashed and crumpled, leaving the SS Plotin a disintegrating, broken mess on the Great Story River. In this personal test of story vs plot, the latter came out a wreck. Even as the events leading to the story’s conclusion continued to flow past that damned rock, my unstable craft just couldn’t get around the monolith. Reckoning with the nature of imagination can be intimidating. But half the battle is understanding the elements. Aren’t story and plot synonymous, though? Can’t we count on those items for automatic symbiosis, happily married in a thrilling rush of prose? Well†¦nope. What’s the Difference Between Story and Plot? A story is the requisite timeline of events present in any narrative. No story? No novel. Because any novel, however abstract must report events of some kind. A plot expresses rationale and informs the reader why a specific list of events belongs together, what the timeline is ultimately meant to communicate. The classic example by E. M. Forster in his collected lectures, Aspects of the Novel, still says it best: â€Å"‘The king died and then the queen died’ is a story. ‘The king died, and then the queen died of grief’ is a plot.† When reading a story, Forster explains, we wonder â€Å"and then?† When evaluating a plot, we ask â€Å"why?† (PaweÅ‚ Furman) These questions sometimes fire up in the same breath, so understanding their separate sources is tricky. But as naturally as the components may appear to support each other, it’s really an author’s skill that makes them seem that way. Which means that whenever I or you or Stephen King sit down to write, we’ve got to manage both. We’ve got to keep readers engrossed in a pattern of wonderful wondering about what next? and why? for as long as we want their attention. How Plot Supports Story Nobody wants to keep asking infinitely â€Å"and then? And then? Annnnd thennn?† We’re nosy creatures; we need to know why. Unfortunately, when plot is missing from or accidentally discordant to story, the real question on a reader’s mind is â€Å"huh?† Plot delivers the nifty tricks that reassure us there’s a point to storytelling. Plot sets up the cause and effect that gives readers a sense of rightness in the story’s conclusion. The same story can be plotted in multiple ways: The king died, and then the queen died avenging him in battle. The king died, and then the queen died from the communicable disease he had spread to her when he spoke his final words close to her face. The king died, and then the queen, eager to free the lover whom the king had jealously locked in the dungeon, slipped on an icy cobblestone and died.    How Where You Begin Helps Determine Where You’ll End Up On each new fiction project, I draw broad inspiration from either a story-focused or a plot-focused angle. Both starting points have their benefits and their challenges. Starting with Story When a story inspires me, I formulate a series of events that leads to a fixed conclusion. I may not know precisely my characters’ motivations or the logic in their decisions, but I can envision the stops they’ll make along their trip. In other words, I’ll know that the queen’s death follows the king’s. The relationship between the events? To be determined. It can be a big relief to sort story out first. When I have the comfort of parameters, I can train myself to a tangible goal. And I enjoy the intellectual exercise of connecting events in a believable sequence. Still, there’s always a catch.   Even with an endpoint clear to me, I need strong supporting evidence (i.e., an effective plot) to justify my events. A few years ago, I decided to write a story about a man who sells a cottage on the beach for the sum of one penny. I savored each of the scenes I created, but in the end, I had only a weakly conceived fairy tale. The imaginative verve delighted me, but no matter how I maneuvered, I was unable to match the plot to the currents of the story. Wipeout. Starting with Plot When a plot stirs my creative juices, I know characters’ feelings and intentions. I take on my writing like a righteous but undirected college kid- searching, motivated, assured of core values and reasons, but clueless as to where the hell I’m going to end up. I’m less concerned, in fact, with where I end up than with why I end up there, so the itinerary is subject to change. Not all who wander are lost. I enjoy making narrative progress along such an organic route. Plotting my way into a story lets me be guided by emotional responses, not by a sightseer’s list of stops. I careen over waterfalls on the strength of my anger, hilarity, or wild joy. And when that passionate feeling is synchronized with the story, I praise my muses and trust the currents. But when I let emotional connections alone be my guide, I begin to wish I’d made some reservations or at least studied the map before heading out. It always sounds noble to speed off for adventure, rely on instincts to take me where I need to be. The reality hits only once I’m shivering in the rain and have no idea where I can pull ashore for the evening. Although too much predictability is stifling, it’s frustrating to lose my mental compass entirely. There’s No Wrong Way to Start It’s hard to classify any real-life creative burst quite as strictly as I’ve done above. Flashes of  both elements are usually blended in that aha! moment. But understanding the elements of each- and how they affect the writing process- is always what prepares me for the excursion ahead. Will I need to focus extensively on my characters’ whys and wherefores to guide my plot? Or will I do better to ensure that their motivations can be satisfied by the events I allow them to experience? We all write differently. As we commit to our writing practice, patterns emerge in our process and style. I happen to be a story-focused writer. Moving the plot from one moment to the next, validating my story with a logical core, is my primary struggle. (Toa Heftiba) Whatever our personal tendencies, though, recognizing  the connected-yet-distinctive elements reminds us all that we can, if necessary, experiment. You may attempt to match several stories with an intriguing plot before everything falls in place. Or you may decide to remain patient with a great story whose plot lacks the sturdiness to carry you through, search the banks of the river for a new entry point, a more fitting course. It’s okay to take apart and rearrange, to radically transplant ideas. That constant reconfiguration is the source of diverse and sparkling literature, even as the same themes repeat themselves through the ages. The love and the death, the surprise, the resignation, the magic. None of these will ever grow trite when there’s such a big world to experience and so many ways to communicate the timeless ideas. I’ll approach the many crisscrossed rivers of my fiction from a thousand angles, strapping on mechanical wings for an aerial perspective or poking down a parallel back road in a coughing Model T. Wherever (and however) we roam, may we all learn to appreciate the view.    We'd love to hear your  thoughts of the differences in the comments!      Jackie Dever is an editor and writer in Southern California. She has edited blogs, corporate materials, academic texts, novels, and biographies. She is an associate editor at  Aionios Books, a small traditional-model publisher based in Southern California. She recently finished proofreading the 2017 San Diego Book Award–winning memoir  A Few Minor Adjustments  (September 2017) by Cherie Kephart. She blogs about writing and publishing, millennial lifestyle trends, and outdoor sports.

The Rise of the Papacy Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Rise of the Papacy - Research Paper Example Conquerors took over Roman Empire territories, which weakened the stronghold of Julius Caesar and Augustus for example, Odoacer took over Italy, German invaders ruled western provinces. Roman Empire fell after splitting into two parts; Western and Eastern empires ruled by separate Emperors1. This gave room for moral decadence, financial troubles, corruption, and weakening of military power. These factors provided a loop way for barbaric hordes to attack and seize the empire. Papacy power rose after the fall of Roman Empire led by the Bishop of Rome. Uprising of church supremacy was started way back in 6th century; Bishops of Rome were among the most acknowledged and idolized popes of the world. Catholic Church created their own institutions of power known as Papacy, which administered that citizens are being given their due rights by the government. Christendom provided a tranquil environment for Papacy to manifest over a long period of time. Roman Catholic Church is strongly identif ied with St. Paul and Peter who were disciples and messengers of God. This pressurized Roman emperor Constantine to legalize Christianity as the national religion. Popes were at first regarded as advisors in matters pertaining to the empire, later on, Bishops gained superiority and became judges on Ecclesiastical disputes within the empire which prompted its attainment of new powers. Creation of churches across the Empire was done by Western missionaries who led to the spread of communion churches throughout the Empire. During Diocletian’s reign, Christianity was not allowed to be practiced in Roman Empire and they were being persecuted .This practice continued for decades until Emperor Constantine tolerated Christianity and gave them freedom of operation in the country.1 Pope accessed large area to establish his rule.Conversely,the church spread out to non-western Empire individuals who got a direct channel to oversee the operations of the Emperor. Furthermore, Pope was best owed the universal powers over the church and no one had a right to limit him from exercising these powers. Apart from caring for souls, Bishops were involved in decision making, advice, and policy analysis within the empire. Papacy supremacy dates back to the holy bible where God gave Peter blessings to rule the earth. During the first three centuries of the reign of Christianity, church was involved in series of activities for instance; they acted as rulers within the Christendom, and resolved conflicts. Powers of Bishops increased to extent they ran the church parallel to the political systems. They could make their own policies and constitution without help from the politicians .Christians in the whole world complained about the powers and privileges Popes in Rome were commanding in the offices. This papal rule was not attained with ease; it was through numerous struggles between the holy and The Empire At Large. Every pope who was appointed must tussle to ensure that their posi tion in the Empire was never tainted by the political leaders for example, Saint Gelasius I who headed the church from 492 until 496 struggled with Anastasius emperor to liberate the church from oppression. To maintain its supremacy, Papacy extended its rule to the West in 6th to 8th Century in order to escape

Teacher Evaluation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Teacher Evaluation - Essay Example There are teachers who don't teach very well according to my evaluation but still students are able to score high grades in their courses. Hence the greatest challenge while teaching is to measure the effectiveness of a teacher. The evaluation process used is quite simple. The process includes the evaluation of the average grade report of the class the teacher is teaching. There is a separate teacher's evaluation form that is filled by each and every student, without their names. I regularly inspect classes and the way teachers are teaching. All these methods combine to give us a clear picture of how the teacher is teaching and help us to evaluate his or her performance. From my point of view a regular visit of 5 to 10 minutes in a class by a principle is good enough to inspect a teacher but then the principle has to make sure the visit is unannounced, which will give the principle a clear view of what is happening (Danielson & McGreal, 2000). Long observing hours distract the students and teachers both hence short and regular observing periods are most suitable. Well there are a number of settings, for example a teacher assigns some work to the students and then we observe how is he or she helping the students in completing their work, it shouldn't be overdone like the teacher shouldn't help the student too much or too less. There should be a balance. Then a teacher is observed while giving a lecture to check on the methods that are being used, we prefer interactive lectures that keep the students interest, boring and less interactive sessions are of no help to the teacher and the students both. These settings are important as being a teacher is not that difficult but handling situations and maintaining the interest of the class in a lecture are two difficult things that a good teacher must learn. We can learn how well the teacher is at maintaining healthy relationships plus a good teacher will always have a scheduled life. An effective teacher would always be motivating people around as that's how he treats the students in his or her class. A teacher should be polite and should listen to each and everyone. We don't often use conferencing techniques while evaluating a teacher but in some cases where problems are being faced by the students and no possible solution is being derived and the root cause is not being caught, we prefer conferencing. The teacher goes through a brief meeting with the principle and other higher staff members like the vice principle and the coordinator. The primary concern for holding a teacher incompatible to teach in any class is the fact that the students do not understand the core concepts of the course and the overall grades are lower than expected. After the initial assessment of the teacher we predict an average grade of the class keeping in mind the ability of the students and the past trends. If the grades are higher or lower than expected we conduct an evaluation of the reasons for that and then accordingly change our evaluations about the teacher. If the teacher is performing at a higher level than expected we do promote the teacher in terms of the class and rewards are also given, in case a teacher does not want renewal of contract than a meeting is held where the vice principal the coordinator and the principle talk to the teacher for the reasons of this demand and try to make every possible

Once you have read the chapter or assignment, you have to decide how Essay - 1

Once you have read the chapter or assignment, you have to decide how to write about it - Essay Example ives a view regularly ignored, mostly by policy advocates.   Just like any other public policy, the detail is in implementation, and implementation more often seems harder and complex than foreseen by those in favor.   If the likely problems are not foreseen and addressed the will be a mountainous problems in the process of implementation that may derail everything else.   Despite incrementalist theory favoring getting some policy adopted on the assumption that correction will come with time, early failure can impedes legitimacy and work towards blocking future initiatives (Jacobs 2002).   At the same time, measuring the success of any policy against the idealistic and inflated claims of its advocates provides the skeptic a decided and deceptive advantage (Jacobs 2002). My critique is that there are better ways of overcoming the legal and practical problems of enforcement and implementation than those presented by Jacobs. Jacobs looks into the extent of firearm ownership and the deeply rooted position of guns in American culture.   He however incorrectly makes the case that any regulatory control must contend with both the huge existing population of firearms and the entrenched political and social support for individual gun ownership. This is not true because to bring everyone into board is not such an easier thing achieved, you cannot satisfy everyone. Moreover, Jacobs highlighted on both the Second Amendment and federalism as barrier to new regulation.   This chapter presents brought forth a well thought analysis of implementation barriers specific to guns and common to general regulatory policy.   His critique of regulatory implementation concisely notes, â€Å"If a regulatory scheme is not enforced, it loses credibility.†Ã‚   This is something that all implementation advocates should take into their minds. Even though Jacobs did an exemplary job to looking onto implementation challenges he fails to detail the devising solutions.   In the chapter skepticism is

Method of Doubt by Descartes

Method of Doubt by Descartes Renà © Descartes, the father of modern philosophy, adopted the method of doubt to reach the truth. Descartes philosophical attitude started in his youth when he realized that he had been accepting many false opinions for true. He wanted to get rid of all the opinions that he had accumulated over the years. Descartes wanted to build a foundation on which all further intellectual enquiries could be built. He felt reason should follow and arrive at certain philosophical truths. There should be no further doubts left after this, which meant that the foundation had to be sound. This approach was known as the Method of Doubt but his rationale and approach has been a subject of controversy for years. He believed never to accept anything as the truth, which he could not accept as obviously true. Everything should be so clearly presented to the mind that there are no doubts left at all. Anything that can be doubted has to be rejected. Reasons to believe something should be ample. The second step is to divide the subject into as many divisions as possible or whatever would help him to understand it better. The third step involved directing his thoughts, taking one step at a time, to reach the underlying complex knowledge. At the end of this, his reviews were so comprehensive, his enumerations so complete, that nothing was left to doubt. The three steps adopted by Descartes is what is adopted in mathematics. He wanted to use this method to reach the truth in philosophy. S V Keeling argues that his method as above rests on three mental operations intuition, deduction, and enumeration (cited by Burnham, 2006). These operations are based on human reason, on the ability to disseminate information, analyze, and review. Since it is based on the capability of human mind, there is a risk of error due to faulty memory. In the Meditations on First Philosophy Descartes proves the existence of God and the immortality of the soul. He also brings out the real distinction between the mind and the body. He starts this by asserting the need â€Å"to demolish everything completely and start again right from the foundations† (AT 7:17). Although the first step was termed as skeptical his skepticism was not for the sake of doubting. He wanted to arrive at the truth through systematic analysis and discarding the untruth. Descartes defines knowledge in terms of doubt: I distinguish the two as follows: there is conviction when there remains some reason, which might lead us to doubt, but knowledge is conviction based on a reason so strong that it can never be shaken by any stronger reason (cited by Norman, 2005). Descartes skeptical approach is based on the principle that there is a distinction between belief and truth (Bellotti, n.d.). It was this conviction that gave rise to the Method of Doubt. After making a cup of tea one may leave it to brew on the kitchen table under the belief that it is ready to be poured and consumed. The truth may be different from the belief, in the sense, someone could have poured the tea and taken it in the meantime. The pot may be empty by this time. The Method of Doubt removes all uncertain beliefs and only beliefs that are true beliefs remain. Descartes applied this theory to a group of beliefs so that beliefs need not be dealt individually. A common characteristic could be determined but this concept again leads one to believe that doubts would be on the entire group or class of beliefs. Here Descartes uses the malicious demon thought experiment. Gassendi criticized this theory saying that Descartes could just have regarded the previous knowledge as uncertain (cited by Norman) instead of demolishing everything. It is not necessary to consider everything as false. He felt that such an approach convinces the human mind that there is a devil who tricks us. It is simpler to admit the weakness of human nature. Gassendi pointed out the universal and hyperbolic nature of the Method of Doubt. Descartes argues that it is not possible to free ourselves of all the errors that the human mind has been soaked in. He firmly believes that universal and hyperbolic nature is necessary for the Method of Doubt to succeed. Descartes in his argument to demolish everything and start afresh applies the universal character and gives the analogy of a basket full of apples. To select and retain the good ones and discard the bad ones, it is wiser to empty the basket, then select the good ones and keep them in the basket. He feels this is a better and simpler way than picking out the rotten ones from the basket full of apples. He believes in first rejecting all beliefs as if they were false and then after careful analysis, adopt only the ones, which are true. One bad apple can rot the whole basket so if we were to pick out the bad ones, there is every possibility of overlooking one bad apple. On the other hand, if the whole basket is first emptied and then the good ones placed back, we can be sure of only adopting the truth. Descartes method of doubt, as foundation of knowledge does seem more effective than what has been suggested by Gassendi. When the basket is totally empty, it can be cleaned and then fresh, good apples picked and placed in the basket. It is a much faster process than negating the bad. Secondly, when the basket is empty, the stains left behind by the rotten apples can be seen and cleaned, which is not possible when the bad apples are picked out from the lot. His argument to discard everything as false relies on his argument that the mind believes on whatever it perceives through the physical eye. He did not believe that anything should be left to imagination. This has a sound basis, as the mind cannot imagine what it has not seen. In order to support that all prior beliefs are wrong, he discussed three stages the sense, dreams and the evil demon hypothesis. Descartes asserts that these do not have the power to falsify what we ‘seem to perceive. What we see through the sense mislead us. We cannot begin with doubt. Descartes even goes to the extent of affirming that even the external world that we perceive is an illusion, a dream and hence false. The enquiry has to start after eliminating all such perceptions. The next argument that arises is whether the escape from hyperbolic provides a satisfactory foundation for knowledge? This can be explained by an analogy of a building, which requires the use of a bulldozer to demolish it. A light bulldozer would make the ground appear immovable. Hence, a bigger bulldozer is more effective, which means the more hyperbolic the doubt, the better it is. According to Descartes, the Evil Genius Doubt is the most powerful doubt. This evil genius makes us believe the false as true. For instance, the transparent truths like 2+3=5 or that a square has only four sides, are knowable. For people to know, understand, and accept these truths, they have to be firmly grounded in the face of the most powerful doubts. The evil genius tries to shake even such hyperbolic doubts. People also firmly deny the existence of God. Descartes believes that the Evil Genius Doubt is just one of the factors that can motivate the hyperbolic doubt. The basic doubt is that the human m ind is flawed, and the mind is aware that it has been distorted despite God having given a nature to turn to him. The human mind keeps remembering all the past incidents and visions, and gives them the right to occupy the mind. It is not easy to accept that the world we see everyday is an illusion. It is only through deep introspection and a strong will that a person can accept the truth that God exists and all else is false. He has to be fixed in this belief and arrive at the knowledge of truth. He has to arouse himself from the deep slumber of falsehood. The more hyperbolic the doubt, the mind is activated better. Hence, the best approach is to discard everything as false and start afresh. Descartes philosophical approach through the Method of Doubt is a sound method. It is in fact the best approach to investigation. It is an investigation of the self by the self to reach the self or the truth. To reach the truth, through the Method of Doubt, an individual has to negate the external world around him. If he feels this world to be true or feels a part of this illusionary world, he can understand or realize the existence of God. The program of demolition is not only hyperbolic but also universal in nature. To face the Evil Genius there has to be an equally powerful doubt. Escape from hyperbolic cannot provide a satisfactory foundation for knowledge. References: Bellotti T (n.d.), Descartes Mehod of Doubt, 01 April 2006 Burnham D (2006), The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 01 April 2006 Newman, Lex, Descartes Epistemology, The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Summer 2005 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), URL 01 April 2006

Franny And Zooey And The Razor :: essays research papers

Franny And Zooey & The Razor’s Edge   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many novels use religion as the central object of their plot. Franny and Zooey, by J.D Salinger and The Razor’s Edge, by W. Somerset Maugham both display religion as having they key role in their novels. Religion is the main guide in Franny and Zooey and The Razor’s Edge for the search of meaning. During the search for meaning the two main characters Franny Glass and Larry Darrel, use religion as an escape from everyday life and from bad memories. Secondly, these two characters put important factors of their lives on hold, which leads their loved ones to disagree with their search for meaning. Nevertheless, both characters benefit from their religious experiences.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Both Franny Glass of Franny and Zooey and Larry Darrel of The Razor’s Edge turn to religion as an escape rout from their everyday lives and disturbing memories. They have become annoyed and dissatisfied with their ordinary lives and the individual values and goals in their everyday lives. While Franny was dining with her boyfriend, Lane, she describes the atmosphere around her and how she feels about the theatre department and how sick she is of everyone close to her. “I’m not afraid to compete. It’s just the opposite. Don’t you see that? I’m afraid I will – compete – that’s what scares me. That’s why I quit the theatre department. Just because I’m so horribly conditioned and people to rave about me, doesn’t make it right. I’m ashamed of it. I’m sick of not having the courage to be an absolute nobody. I’m sick of myself and everybody else that wants to make some kind of splash.';1 This also occurs in The Razor’s Edge. After Elliot Templeton’s death, Larry describes how worthless Elliot’s life really was. “An old, kind friend. It made me sad to think how silly, useless, and trivial his life had been. It mattered very little now that he had gone to so many parties and has hobnobbed with all those princes, dukes, and counts. They had forgotten him already.';2 Both of theses examples show how, Franny and Larry do not want to be a part of the stylized like of their societies. Franny was part of a large family in which each sibling was an actor or actress at one point in their lives. Franny was expected to lead a very prestigious life. Attending university in honors program, and becoming a wonderful actress.

Birch Paper Company Case Solution Essay

Birch Paper Company is a medium sized, partly-integrated paper company. It produces white and craft papers and paperboard. It has four producing divisions and a timberland division – The Thompson division converts the paperboard output into corrugated box and prints and colors the outside surface of the box. The Northern division produces the paper box, while the Southern division supplies the corrugating medium and inner and outer liners. Timberland division supplies part of the company’s pulp requirement. It has been the company policy of decentralization to allow the divisions to act independently in all the affairs of their divisions except for the broader company policy, each division is judged on the basis of its profit generation and return on investment figures. Each division is free to buy from any supplier he wished, and even for dealings within the company, divisions were expected to match the market price if they wanted the business. This policy according to the company’s top management has worked well and delivered the desired results. The Northern division had designed a special box in collaboration with the Southern division with Thompson’s staff perfecting the design and production methods over several months, the Thompson division was reimbursed for its effort according to the agreement between the two divisions. The Northern division has asked for bids for the development of the boxes from the Thompson and two outside companies, Thompson quoted a price of $480 a thousand, West Paper Company a price of $430 a thousand and Eire Papers Inc a price of $432 a thousand. If Thompson gets the order, it would buy linerboard and corrugating medium from the Southern division. If Eire Papers win the bid, they have agreed to buy outside liner from the Southern division and print their boxes from the Thompson division. The manager of the Thompson division is adamant on its bidding price, it includes the full 20 percent overhead and profit charge and its manager feel that his division is entitled to the profit having done the development work on the box and having received no profit. The commercial Vice President of the Birch is discussing the bidding details with the manager of the Northern division, accepting Thompson’s bid will raise the cost of the Northern division that is competing in a very competitive market. In absence of any order from the top management, the  Northern division will accept the lowest bid of $430 from West Paper Company. The Thompson and Southern divisions are not operating at their full capacity, their under utilization is of concern to the Vice President. This transaction, although less than the 5 percent of the volume of any of the divisions involved, might affect the future transactions of the divisions. Situation Analysis In Birch Paper Company, each division is judged by the profit it generates and the return on investment to the capital invested in. This model has delivered results in line with the expectations from the top management. Except for the overall company policy each division is authorized to take all the decisions independently including the purchase and sales within the company divisions. In absence of any directive from the top management, the Northern division will accept the lowest bid of $430 from the West Paper Company for it will be the lowest and will be in the best interests of the Northern division, but not necessarily of the Birch company as a whole unit. Accepting this bid will mean no business for the Thompson and Southern divisions at all, which already are not in a good financial state. Calculation of cost with the Northern division and Company perspective  $480 bid from Thompson division is the highest and will increase the cost price of the Northern division drastically. It is competing in a highly competing market and buying at this price will mean compromising heavily on its profits. But this deal will be a boost to the fortunes of the sick Thompson division, it will make some profit and will add some positive to its balance sheet. Also it will give business to the Southern division. The  overall cost to the company will be lowest in this deal, $288. Deal will be in benefits of the Birch company but that will come at a cost paid by the Northern division. Also this might create problems in the future, divisions might be tempted to go for higher bids when bidding for the internal divisions order. $432 bid from the Eire Paper s is also the along the same line as that of the West Papers, it is competitive and matches the going market price. The deal will bring some business to both the Thompson and Southern divisions of the Birch company. But here also the cost to the company, $391, will be much higher from that of Thompson’s bid. There is one major issue concerned with the operations of the Thompson division, whether it is operating efficiently. The other bids from the external competitors are as per the market price, Thompson’s bid of $480 is too high as per the market standards, it is $50 higher than the lowest bid, also the manager of the Thompson division is adamant on not lowering the bid price, this raises the question whether the division is operating efficiently, this is just one deal, how it will compete in the open market space with the other competitors. The Vice President finds it odd that the manager of the Thompson division has added the full overhead cost and the profit margins to the bid price, which could have been more competitive. Also, the Southern division is operating at the market price although it is also facing the similar problem of under utilization of its full capacity. He has to take into account concerns of the company and also at the same time ensure that the divisions’ performance is not negatively affected by his decision. If he orders the acceptance of the Thompson’s bid, it would be unfair to the interests of the Northern division and also set the wrong precedents for the future actions of the divisions, although the deal volume is less on a relative scale, but its implications will affect the operations of the divisions, divisions will be tempted to bid higher than the market price when dealing with the internal divisions and this will be determinant to the overall interest to the company. He has also to see that the deal is fair to the other divisions as well, the Thompson and Southern divisions are in dire need of the business and it is in the interests of the company that they keep running profitably. The total cost to the company should be low. The commercial vice president is facing this unusual situation, where he has to decide whether to intervene into, and if yes what should he do and how? Objective The Vice President has to ensure that the company’s interests are secured and the overall operations of the divisions are not negatively affected, his action is fair to all the divisions and the divisions remain competitively placed in the market. Summing them, the objective statement can be defined as, â€Å"To optimize the divisions profitability that is fair to the interests of all the divisions ensuring that the action is in the best interests of the company.† Decision Problem He has a lot of options with him as to what to do, and to decide which is the best option is the problem faced by the Vice President. It has been the company’s policy of decentralization as to not intervene in the daily affairs of the divisions. But at the same time the Thompson division is struggling to make profits, acceptance of the Thompson bid will make the Northern division lose out to the competitors. To decide as to what action to take keeping in mind the best interests of the divisions and the company is the decision problem faced by the Vice President of the Birch Paper Company. Decision criteria Below mentioned points should serve as the criteria to the decision to be made by the Vice President. 1.Divisions remain competitive in the market.   It is the most important criteria, one division cannot be made profitable at the cost of the other, other divisions have to improve their efficiency as per the market standards, the decentralized model has worked well and delivered the results, and all the firms should operate as per the market standards. Efficiency and competitive spirit of the divisions should not be compromised with. 2.Ailing divisions are being taken care of. It is in the interests of the company that all the divisions remain healthy, they are given enough boost to remain competitive in the market. For this it is imperative that they are getting business. 3.Long term interests of the company are not compromised. Any action that the Vice President takes is bound to have some short term and long term implications, it should be ensured that the decision ensures that in the long term the company and the divisions are to gain from it. The action should not encourage the divisions to continue with their inefficient practices, instead it should encourage them in the long run to generate profits on their own without expecting any special favors from other divisions. Alternatives 1.Order Northern division to accept Thompson’s division bid of $480. The Vice President orders the Northern division to accept the highest bid of $480 from the Thompson division, the manager of the Northern division will have to accept the order, it will bring business to the Thompson and the Southern divisions. 2.Don’t intervene. This action will result in the Northern division accepting the lowest bid of $430 from the West Paper Company, it will mean no business for the Thompson and the Southern divisions, but will be in the best interests of the Northern division. 3.Ask Northern division to consider bid of Eire Papers of $432. $432 is not very high as compared to $430, the Vice President can ask the manager of the Northern division to consider the bid of Eire Papers, as it will not hurt the interest of the Northern division and also will give some business to the Thompson and Southern divisions. Evaluation of Alternatives Alternative 1: This decision will give a boost to the operations of the Thompson and Southern division. They were in dire need of the business, also the cost to the company will be lowest in this case. This will satisfy criteria no 2. But this action will be against the interests of the Northern division, it’s cost price will increase thus leading to fall in profits, it will not remain competitive in the market. This will not satisfy Criteria no 1. This deal is  bound to have some long term implications, in the future operations the divisions will be tempted to raise their bids when bidding for the other divisions order in hope of being selected over the competitors, this will promote inefficiency culture in the divisions and the competitive spirit of the division will be negatively affected by this decision, it will not satisfy the criteria no 3. Alternative 2: No intervention on part of the Vice President will prompt the manager of the Northern division to accept the lowest bid of the West Papers, this will ensure that the Northern division remains competitive in the market, and also the other Thompson division will be forced to align its price to that of the market, to improve its efficiency and compete in the market on equal lines. This will satisfy criteria no 1. This bid will mean no business for the Thompson and Southern divisions, their condition will only get worse with it, their fixed costs will remain fixed and it will also hurt the interests of the company as a whole. This will not satisfy criteria no 2. The deal long term implications will not have any adverse effect on the operations of the divisions, the divisions will be expected to match the market price and it will promote the competitive spirit among the divisions. This will satisfy criteria no 3. Alternative 3: The Vice President can ask the manager of the Northern division to consider the bid of the Eire Papers of $432, as it is as per the market standards and there is not any substantial difference with the lowest bid of $430. The Northern division will remain competitive in the market and also the other divisions will match up to the market standards. This will satisfy criteria no 1. Also, this decision will bring some business to the ailing Thompson and Southern divisions. They will generate some profit for them, this will certainly give some boost to their operations, although the quantum will be much lesser than it had been when the Thompson bid was accepted. But, nevertheless this will satisfy criteria no 2. This decision will positively encourage other divisions to keep the interests of the other divisions in mind when the cost of implicating it are not high, it will ensure competitive nature of the divisions, in the long run all the divisions and the company is bound to gain by this division. Best Alternative Criteria 1Criteria 2Criteria 3 Alternative 1 Alternative 2 Alternative 3 As we can see from the above table, Alternative 1 fulfills only one criteria, whereas Alternative 2 two criteria, Alternative 3 fulfills all the three criteria, this is the best option that the Vice President should go with. Implementation Plan The Vice President should communicate his desire that the bid of Eire Papers is selected, he should not enforce his decision on the manager of the Northern division for it will be an action of interference in the daily affairs of the divisions, instead he should modify the company policy which directs the divisions to take into account the interests of the other divisions and that of the company as a whole if it doesn’t significantly affect the operations of the concerned division, also he should have recognize such actions by the divisions by some rewards or special mentions of the divisions. He should communicate this policy to all the divisions. Contingency Plan In case the manager of the Northern division decides not to accept the bid of the Eire Papers and instead goes for the West Paper bid, the Vice President should order the manager to accept the bid of the Eire Papers. And if even after the Eire papers deal, the profitability of the Thompson division doesn’t show any significant improvement, it remains to operate inefficiently he should sack manager of the Thompson division on account of inefficient production and consistent show of poor performance.