Pushing The Herd Off The Cliff Edge - 1755 Words

Introduction The idea of institutional herding has a striking implication for security price volatility. Estimations from the essay ‘Sending the Herd Off the Cliff Edge’suggests that the predominance of herding behavior may explain why the financial system in 1990s had been in crisis for 40 out of the 120 months or 33% of the time (Persaud, 2000). These concerns, along with the increasing stock market ownership of institution investor in comparison to individual investors, is often used as a basis for advocating for an increase in monitoring institutional trading in equity markets in hopes that it that would lead to a reduction in the dominance of institutional investors in the financial market. However such claims are not fully supported by empirical research in the literature. Two schools of thoughts emerge the first being that herding enhances pricing efficiency, and second ascertains that herding initiates short-term trend reversals. The emergence of two seemingly polar opposite beliefs is not as a result of lack of scholarly competence but rather due to the nature of complexity within the subject leading to conflicts in assumptions and methodology. Conflicts in assumptions and methodology often arise due to rational definitional irregularities on institutional herding. An example of such a definitional irregularity occurs when as Avery defined herd behavior asâ€Å"a trade by an informed agent which follows the trend in past trades even though that trend is counter to hisShow MoreRelatedCultural Clash Between Indian And English1447 Words   |  6 Pages they acquired new information about the world they inhabited. A few people — sailors, merchants, and aristocrats — took the risks of exploring beyond the limits of the world known to Europeans. Those risks could be deadly, but sometimes they paid off in new information, new opportunities, and eventually the discovery of a world entirely new to Eur opeans (Roark, The American Promise, page 26).† The new opportunities they were looking for was to practice their own religion, freedom, better pay,Read MoreAn Introduction to Intercultural Communication29172 Words   |  117 Pagessomeone elses shoes you come to see or appreciate their point of view. 3. Involve Involving others in your world and involving yourself in others empowers and educates. Dont build walls between people but learn from one another. 4. Avoid Herd Mentality Herd mentality refers to a closed and one dimensional approach. Such a way of thinking curbs creativity, innovation and advancement as people are restricted in how to think, approach and engage with people or challenges. Cultural competency canRead MoreInvestment and Economic Moats46074 Words   |  185 Pageswhich companies will beat earnings estimates each quarter, but you’ll face quite a lot of competition. You can buy strong stocks with bullish chart patterns or superfast growth, but you’ll run the risk that no buyers will emerge to take the shares off your hands at a higher price. You can buy dirt-cheap stocks with little regard for the quality of the underlying business, but you’ll have to balance the outsize returns in the stocks that bounce back with the losses in those that fade from existenceRead MoreIgbo Dictionary129408 Words   |  518 Pagesthe ship in which he was travelling with his wife was torpedoed off the coast of Ireland and the Archdeacon lost his life, and the MSS., together with his baggage, disappeared. Towards the end of August a fisherman found the box containing the MSS on the shore near Towyn, Wales, where it had been washed up. He found a letter inside with an address, to which he sent the MSS, and in this way they came into the hands of Mrs Dennis. The edge of the paper had been worn by the action of the water, but mostRead MoreMarketing Management130471 Words   |  522 Pagesconsumerism is on the high and the importance of marketing is known to people. An interaction between business and industry in a global perspective has become imperative because of the need to upgrade regional technologies and maintain the competitive edge in the international markets. Today s consumer is more demanding than ye ster-years . He is not content with the second best in technology and is reluctant to pay for a product or a service just because it comes from a particular region or a countryRead MoreLogical Reasoning189930 Words   |  760 Pagesdoesnt overstate his conclusion. He is careful to follow the principle: Dont draw a conclusion until youve gotten enough evidence; he doesn’t rush to judgment. Jones obeys another principle of logical reasoning: Stick to the subject. White goes off on a tangent, talking about alcoholism and whether Mayfield looked the judge and DA in the eye. The comment about the clerk being white is also irrelevant, and probably racist. On the other hand, all of Joness remarks are relevant. There is much

Cells Study Guide Biology Free Essays

Soon of existing cells. Janet Plow demonstrated that the cell membrane is a physical structure, not an interface between two liquids. Lynn Amaryllis proposed the idea that certain organelles were once free living themselves. We will write a custom essay sample on Cells Study Guide Biology or any similar topic only for you Order Now Cell Theory: All living things are composed of cells. Cells are the basic units of structure and function in living things. New cells are produced from existing cells. 2 Types of Cells: Eukaryote are cells that contain nuclei. They contain a nucleus in which their genetic material is separated from the rest of the cell. Prokaryote are cells that do not contain nuclei. They have genetic material the at is not contained in a nucleus. Section: An organelle is a specialized structure that performs important cellular function eons within an eukaryotic cell. A plant cell has a cell wall and a cell membrane while a animal cell has just a c ell membrane. Organelles: Nucleus: Contains nearly all the cell’s DNA with it the coded instructions for making proteins other important molecules. (Both) Ribosome: small particles of RNA proteins found throughout the cytoplasm m. Proteins are assembled on ribosome. Both) Endoplasmic Reticulum: internal membrane system, the site where lipid come moments of the cell membrane are assembled, along with proteins and other materials that are e exported from the cell. (Both) Googol apparatus modifies, sorts and packages proteins other materials from the ERE for storage in the cell or secretion outside the cell. (Both) Lissome: small organelles filled with enzymes. Breaks down lipids, carboy drapes proteins into small molecules that can be used by the rest of the cell. Also involved in b reeking down organelles that have outlived their usefulness. A) Vacuoles: sickle structures that store materials such as water, salts, proteins and carbohydrates. (P) Mitochondria: organelles that convert the chemical energy stored in food into compounds that are more convenient for the cell to use. Enclosed by two membranes (outer and inner) (Both) Chloroplasts: organelles that capture the energy from sunlight and convert it I onto chemical energy in a process called photosynthesis. (Plant) Cytoplasm: portion of the cell outside the nucleus. (Both) Cytokines: network of protein filaments that helps the cell to maintain its shape. The cytokines is also involved in movement. The two principal protein filament s that make up the cytokines are nonconformists and microbes. (Both) Centurion: One out of two tiny structures located in the cytoplasm of animal CE ASS near the nuclear envelope. (A) Cell Membrane: Regulates what enters leaves the cell also provides proto action support. (Both) Cell Wall: provides support and protection for the cell. (P) Both chloroplasts and mitochondria are surrounded by two membranes. The y both contain their own genetic info in the form of small DNA molecules. How to cite Cells Study Guide Biology, Papers

Role of Organizational Cultures Performance Value for Employ

Question: What Could Employees Behavior in ORG Cultures Performance ? Answer: Introduction Organizational cultures are accepted norms, shared values and signs that an organization has and employees behave according to them. Culture makes employees to behave in a similar manner that differentiate them from employees of another organization. Organizational culture forms a framework to dictate what is to be done and how it will be done. Culture of an organization develops with time. A culture of an organization can be described as the personality of the organization. Culture defines interactions and loyalty in the organization. Organization culture is influenced by owners, environment of operation, leadership style and the background of employees. Nowadays, organizational cultures are used to increase productivity of employees. Culture is used to shape perception, motivate, enhance attitudes and encourage learning in the organizations. A good culture leads to exceptional employees performance (Ahmad, 2012). It is the role of the management to create and sustain organizational culture that is in line corporate mission and vision. The management outline practices create symbols and endorse rituals that create organizational shared stories and assumptions becoming the organizations culture. Culture enables the organization to be stable, resolve differences, handle risks and together overcome barriers. The following report will analyze recent research on culture and it role to organizational performance using three journals. The journals will be analyzed simultaneously to understand the differences and similarities in; theoretical perspective, definitions, methodologies of research, results and interpretation of the study of culture and organization performance. The report will also outline application of the study in my place of work. Discussion The journals used in this discussion are; (1) The impact of organizational culture on organizational performance by Nikpour (2017), (2) The impact of organizational culture on management practices and by Ahmad (2012) and (3) The influence of organizational citizenship behavior to organizational performance by Mohanty and Rath (2012). These articles have research that has been conducted to study culture in the organization and it influence on performance. The following the comparison of the three articles; Similarities of the Articles Definitions: Mohanty and Rath (2012) defines organizational culture has a framework of shared attributes that an organization poses and determine organizational success. They added that organizational culture can either be strong or weak or can be used as a tool to give an organization a competitive advantage. In addition, Mohanty and Rath added that organizational culture dictates employees citizenship behavior and this determine the long term effectiveness in the organization performance. Ahmad (2012) defines organizational culture as a contextual factor in the organization of management practices that creates shared value, mission, involvement and adaptability for the business performance. Ahmad emphasis culture as part of management practices that is fundamental to organizing and leading in an organization by instituting jointly related mode of conduct. Nikpour (2017) defines organizational culture has shared principles, beliefs, values by members in an organization. He states th at organizational culture is as a result of; shared history, technology, mission and management style and country of origin. These factors create shared mental assumptions that give members of a particular organization to interpret and react in a certain way. From these definitions, it clear that there is similarity in implying that culture has to be a shared behavior in and organization. Methods: The three journal article uses the same data collection method. They use questionnaires to collect primary data from organizations. The questionnaires were designed to collect behavioral traits practiced in the organization and the response/ action that members take (Mohanty and Rath, 2012). The articles selected a sample size that they have used to carry out an organizational culture survey. Both research focused on cultural traits in the organizational and their impact to organizational performance in terms of effectiveness and efficiency. Results: Nikpour (2017) found that organizational culture was correlated to organizational performance. He found that a positive organizational culture contributed to increased performance in an organization. Organizational culture was found to be having an impact on employees commitment to the organizational mission, involvement and strategies. Mohanty and Rath (2012) found that there is a correlated between the organizational culture and organizational citizenship. The result also showed that there is a correlation between the organization commitment and organizational performance. Ahmad (2012) found that there was a positive correlation between organizational culture and the management practices in an organization. He also found that there was correlation between the organizational cultural traits and organizational strategies, missions and objectives as implemented by the management. From the results of the three articles, it shows that there is a correlation between organizational culture, organizational citizenship and management practices and organizational performance. Interpretation: Ahmad (2012) interpreted his results of the research that all variables of organizational cultural traits have to be positive for organizational performance. He stated that management practices were complimentary to organizational culture. He concluded that the human resource management practices have impact on the organizational culture and therefore having effects on the organizational performance. Nikpour (2017) interpreted him finding that a relationship do exist between organizational culture, employee commitment and organizational performance. The results were interpreted that organizational culture has positive effect to employee willingness to organizational commitment. Organizational commitment leads to effectiveness and efficient that leads to increased employee performance in the organization. Nikpour (2017) concluded that employees commitment to organizational performance can be changed by designing or redesigning the organizational culture. Mohanty and Ra th (2012) interpreted their results that organizational culture inculcated organizational citizenship. Organizational culture impacted on employees citizenship behavior in the organization. They concluded that organizational culture is nurtured and should be based in the citizenship behaviors to enable commitment to the organizational performance. They viewed organizational culture to having a possibility to be strengthened and this can lead to improved organizational citizenship behaviors in the organization (Nikpour, 2017). Therefore, organizational culture shape organization citizenship behavior that increase commitment to organizational goals and objectives. From the result interpretation of the three journal articles, it similar that organizational culture was found and interpreted as a sharper of employees commitment, involvement, consistency and values of conduct in the organization. It also similar that organizational culture shapes behavioral traits in the organization that impact on the organizational performance. Differences of the articles Definitions: Mohanty and Rath (2012) emphasized that organization culture as a framework that forms basis for improving organizational effectiveness. The definition focuses on how organization culture shape organizational citizenship behaviors that leads to commitment to organizational performance. This is different to Nikplour (2017) who defined culture has the collection of shared beliefs, values and principles to employees who share organizational history, strategies , management style and country culture. Nikpour (2017) specified that organizational culture was shared assumptions that shaped interpretation and actions in the organization. On the other side, Ahmad (2012) definition was differentiated by the contextual factor that he attributed to organizational culture. He outlined that organizational culture has to be shared assumptions by both management and employees in the workplace. He recognizes organizational culture as shapeable and designable tool for sustained tool of in stituting change. Methods: Mohanty and Rath (2012) carried out a qualitative research to collect and analyze employee perceptions in the workplace. The research used a three varied scale of rating on the organizational culture and behavior on yes, no and cannot answer. The research was designed to collect employees perceptions on the study of organizational culture and organizational citizenship to organizational effectiveness. The research used a sample size of 344 employees from three different organizations operating in different Industries. Mohanty and Rath (2012) research used measure of central tendency and inter-correlations of the variables to analyze the data collected. Nikpour (2017) research was a descriptive research. The research used a sample size of 190 persons who were selected using Cochrans formula. The questionnaires used in the research were based on Likert Scale. The scale ranged from 1 to 5. Nikpour (2017) used SPSS and AMOS software to analyze the data collected. Ahmad (2012) st udy was an explanatory research design. The research used 60 em0ployees using random sampling technique. The Likert Scale was used to measure data collected by questionnaires. Data was analyzed by use of Pearson correlation that showed degree of linearity of the variables. One-Way ANOVA was also used to determine significance of relationships of the variables. Theoretical perspectives: Ahmad (2012) hypothesized that organizational culture plays a significant positive relationship with practices of performance management. He also hypothesized that organizational traits of involvements, adaptability lead to positive significant influence on practices of performance management. Nikpour (2017) hypothesized that organizational cultures do have an effect on organizational performance. Secondly, he hypothesized that organizational culture impacts organizational commitment to the employee. Lastly, he hypothesized that organizational members commitment has impact on the performance of the organization. Mohanty and Rath (2012) hypothesized that there is positive relationship between organizational citizenship behavioral traits and organizational culture. They also hypothesized that organizational cultural factors have positive influence organizational citizenship behavior for the performance of tan organization. Reconciliation of the Articles The journal articles have based their studies on different settings. The workplaces used have different requirement and code of conduct. It shows that the organizational culture is attributed to performance and organizations success. The data used for the study based on individual perceptions and therefore the research results are based on perceptions of the employees in the workplace. Though the journals have used different research designs, methodologies and theoretical perceptive, it clear that organizational culture has an impact to performance and plays a center role in the human resource management. Integration of the Articles From the articles studies; organizational culture has an impact to organizational citizenship. Organization culture is shaped or designed to enhance positive organizational citizenship behavior traits in the organization. Organizational citizenship increase employees commitments in the organization by enabling them to be involved, consistent and dedicated to their job. Performance management practices have an impact to the organizational culture by creating objectives, instituting missions and dictating code of conduct. Therefore, organizational culture is an important aspect in an organization for positive significant performance and business success. Application of the Articles The journal synthesis has exposed me in different perspectives of organizational culture. I will apply the knowledge gained in supervising employees in a workplace. I will use performance management practices to create and shape an organizational culture that will increase employees commitment, involvement, consistency and adaptability in order to increase organizational performance. I will also promote organizational citizenship behaviors to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency in the organization. Conclusion From the analysis of three journals about organizational culture and it impact, it can be concluded that culture is at the centre of employees behavior in an organization. Culture can be changed or designed to align with the organizations mission and objectives. Organizational culture also enables managers to increase effectiveness in the organization. Therefore organizational culture has positive significant impact on organizational performance and it the role of the management to shape the culture. References Ahmad, M. (2012). Impact of Organizational Culture on Performance Management Practices. Business Intelligence Journal January Impact Of Organizational Culture, 2012 Vol.5 No.1. Mohanty, J. And Rath, B. (2012). Influence Of Organizational Culture On Organizational Citizenship Behavior: A Three-Sector Study. Global Journal of Business Research, Volume 6, P.Number 1. Nikpour, A. (2017). The impact of organizational culture on organizational performance: The mediating role of employees organizational commitment. International Journal of Organizational Leadership, 6(2017), pp.65-72.

Schizophrenia Essays (1525 words) - Psychiatric Diagnosis

Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is a mental illness, characterized by a range of symptoms. Most common symptoms include delusions and hallucinations. Additional symptoms of schizophrenia found in humans include: bizarre behavior, loss of contact with reality, disorganized thinking and speaking, decreased emotional expressiveness, social withdrawal and memory loss. When a person smiles at another person, the usual response is to smile back. When a schizophrenic person sees one`s smile, he/she wonders, Why are they laughing at me? Schizophrenics think that everyone is against them, causing everything to be rarely funny. Unlike other mental illnesses, schizophrenia has a fading effect on the person`s life. They soon lose the ability to distinguish the difference between real and unreal experiences, also called delusions. Lori recalling how she killed her dog, beating it to death, is an example of delusion. It actually happened in her head, and only in her head. The illness takes over and shuts them down until they cannot operate, causing a both a high number of suicides and attempted suicides. People with schizophrenia usually exhibit short attention spans and abstract thinking. Also, they are more likely to abuse and/or become dependent on drugs and alcohol. To describe the suffers of schizophrenia, common terms like mad and insane are used by the outside world Erikson formulated many different, but sequential stages in human development. The first is the trust versus mistrust stage. This occurs in the first year of child`s life, with the infant gaining a sense of trust. Responsive and sensitive caregivers meet their basic needs. Lori was treated well by her parents as an infant. She also developed within the following stages successfully. Stage two is autonomy versus shame & doubt, which occurs in the second year of infancy. Infants start to find that they can complete small without the caregiver`s assistance. This stage takes place during early childhood between the ages of three and five. Infants are likely to gain a sense of shame and doubt, resulting from encounters with the social world and new responsibilities. Stage four, is the industry versus inferiority. Children go through this stage between the ages of six years old until reaching puberty. The child is enthusiastic during this time, and focuses their energy towards learning, but problems can happen. Some children can feel incompetent and non-productive. Lori developed through this stage successfully by participating in activities and even being the class clown. Stage five is called identity versus identity confusion. Starting at adolescence (ages 10 to 20), everyone is faced with finding the true self and direction for the future. This is where Lori begins to feel different. Lori began to hear voices and felt different from other people. She kept it hidden for a long time. She went to college and tried to push aside the voices in her head. This brings us to the sixth stage, intimacy versus isolation, occurring in early adulthood. We are faced with intimate relationships with others. Loris voices affected her ability during this stage of her life. She often dated, but had to stop because of her schizophrenic outbreaks. Driving Lori to attempt suicide, and driving her roommate to fear Lori. Loris problems began to snowball. The seventh and is generatively versus stagnation, occurring between the ages of 40 and 50, the average age when raising children. This final stage is where we find Lori in today. 3. Doctors used a number of different treatments in an attempt to treat Lori. The doctors used medication, shock therapy treatment, cold-wet-packing, and the quiet room to try to help Lori and her illness. Medication was used both in the beginning and end of her treatment. The drugs used, are called anti-psychotic drugs, and they include: haloperidol, risperidone, olanzapine, and thioridazine. Anti-psychotic drugs are used to control the hallucinations and delusions. Loris doctors believed drugs were the right choice, but her mom did not agree with it, because of the side affects that the drugs have. When Lori went to the hospital, she received drugs and spent her time walking around in a daze. Specific effects include: dry mouth, blurred vision, dizziness and drowsiness. ECT (Electro Convulsive Therapy) can often relieve severe depression in people who fail to respond to antidepressant medication and psychotherapy. A low-voltage electric current is passed through the brain for one or two second to produce a controlled seizure. Six to ten ECT treatments are given to patients over several weeks. ECT remains controversial because it can cause disorientation and memory loss. Nevertheless, research has found it highly effective in alleviating ever depression. Lori did not like the shock treatment because

Thesis

Thesis: School uniforms should be required in public schools because their use would lead to higher education, less violence, and lower cost to parents. School uniforms in public schools are becoming increasingly popular across the nation. The public school system would benefit greatly if this policy were to be adopted. Opposition is always a factor when trying to make changes. Taking all things into consideration, the positive effects would be far greater than the negative effects. School uniforms should be required in public schools because their use would lead to higher education, less violence, and lower cost to parents. By requiring school uniforms in public schools, education will be improved. A dress code will enforce discipline toward learning. Uniforms improve a persons outlook toward success. Students generally act the way they are dressed. With fewer distractions, students see the school as a workplace for teaching and learning. Students also have less stress in their lives because they are not in a fashion competition. Dress codes also lead to a change in grades. Mainly this happens because the students attendance comes up. There is also a change in grades because it is easier to focus when everyone looks alike. Another reason school uniforms should be required in public schools is that it causes less violence. There will be less peer pressure toward competition to distract the students from their studies. Everyone will be equal if the uniforms were to be required. The weapons factor will be cut down drastically by mandatory uniforms. The reason for this violence decrease is that weapons will be harder to conceal. If the weapons are harder to conceal, there will be less attempts to hide the weapons and fewer will be brought to our school or school functions. This brings about a change for the better, because it reduces social classes. Cost is another reason that school uniforms sho ...

Built of separate "episodes"

Built of separate episodes Essay Eric confesses that he had got the girl pregnant and further more that he had stolen money from his fathers firm to give to her. However, after learning about his mothers recent involvement with the girl he quickly blames her for the death of Eva Smith and her unborn child. The family are completely shocked and ashamed of themselves. Finally, the Inspector makes a speech about social responsibilities, as if directly answering to Mr. Birlings speech earlier in the evening. He then leaves. Gradually, Mr. Birling realises that the man could not have been a real police inspector. They also realise that they may have not all been talking about the same girl or in fact, whether any girl had actually committed suicide. This is confirmed by a telephone to the infirmary. The family feel relieved to hear this although Sheila and Eric seem to have been influenced strongly by the evening. The others restore confidence in themselves and their actions. At this point the telephone rings and reports that a young woman had just died in the infirmary and an inspector is on his way to make inquiries regarding her death. In this play Priestley uses dramatic techniques and creates a cliff-hanger. This is done by each act ending leaving the audience to wonder what will happen next. For example the first act leaves the audience curious as to how Gerald was involved with daisy Renton. The second act leaves the audience to realise Erics involvement with Eva Smith and wonder what will happen between the end of Geralds affair with the girl and Mrs. Birlings meeting with her. The third and concluding act still leaves the audience to wonder what will happen next. The telephone call at the end reopened the question of the Inspectors identity. It also leaves the audience wondering whether it will be the same inspector who comes to question them and how events will progress this time around. The plot allows the action to flow smoothly and continually creating a sense of time and place. This is so all through the three acts where the next act would start at the same point at which the previous act had finished. The play is built of separate episodes where each character takes the lead role. Also, all actions and speeches represented something or were done for a reason. Even the entering and leaving of each character allowed new aspects of the plot to be introduced or developed. For example, Geralds decision to go for a walk allows him to alter the course of events after the inspectors departure. Also, Erics absence allows his involvement with daisy Renton and his drinking problem to be explored in a way that would not be possible by his presence. The Inspectors selective use of the diary and photograph allows the audience to know Eva Smiths order of events in the two years. Each part fits together like a jigsaw puzzle allowing the audience to understand Eva smiths feelings and helps the audience to predict what will happen in the third act.

Outline an activity that will promote creative engagement using Essay

Outline an activity that will promote creative engagement using electronic educational games.You can choose an electronic game f - Essay Example Education has developed over the years into a highly intricate developmental activity for humans in all civilized locations of the world. Set patterns of curricula and defined standards have to be met in order to qualify for the desired and specific professional goals. Modern education involves the usage of electronic media which can be either in the form of informative multimedia presentations or interactive activities using a computer interface. The following paragraphs illustrate an educational activity planned for 12 year old children. By the age of 12 years most children have acquired basic language and mathematical skills and are well aware of themselves and the surroundings they live in. However, the real world is quite different from the narrow confines of a classroom or home and there is a need to increase the awareness of children about other places of economic importance to humans, like factories, farms, markets and industries. Students in cities usually are isolated from such places and rarely visit them until advanced age. They can however, now be given a virtual experience of any environment using interactive electronic media like computers and interactive games. Instead of going to an actual place, children can now visit virtual farms, factories, etc. on a personal computer through role playing games which are available freely on the internet. Some examples are HP (Hewlett Packard games) which come bundled with their PCs (personal computers) or other online interactive game sites like Shidonni, Runescape and Roblox (Respective websites) Activity The purpose of this activity will be to familiarize children with farm life through a role playing game, ‘Farmscapes’, available for trial download from the Hewlett Packard (HP) website (HP website). Children will be assisted by the teacher to sign up for role playing games’ available at the HP website which offers free (trial) as well as paid games for online subscribers (HP website). Co branded as Wild Tangent games, these are thoroughly well designed, interactive and attractive games for children (Wildtangent website). To play the game, a person has to register with a valid email and the teacher can assist the students in doing so. As the students’ may not be aware with the intricacies of downloading and installation of the game, the teacher will download, install and assist the child to initiate the game on a desktop PC. For this particular activity, the children will be asked to choose the game ‘Farmscapes’ and familiarize themselves with various farming operations. The main character of this game is ‘Joe’ who owns a ranch. Children will assist Joe in various farm activities like sowing, fertilizing, growing, harvesting the crops and selling them to reap profits for the rancher. They will learn how to run a dairy, a chicken farm, a beehive, etc., and indulge in interactive activities on the computer screen akin to actual farm operations. The children will learn to cope with natural disasters and farm operations necessary for running a profitable agricultural business. There are hidden treasures and mysteries which attract the children to the game and sustain their attention. Children can spend the allotted time on the game and leave the rest for the next day, on which they can resume activities on their farm. This takes away the strain on children from having to complete an activity in a single instance. Ability to resume on the next day provides adequate rest to the

SPECIAL EDUCATION AND RELATED SERVICES OF SPECIAL EDUCATION Research Paper

SPECIAL EDUCATION AND RELATED SERVICES OF SPECIAL EDUCATION - Research Paper Example It is at this point that special education, or special needs education sets in. To this end, special education refers to the learning programs, institutions, or systems that are specifically designed to cater for students with special needs (Morellion 2007, p. 87). These educations systems have to be structured in a manner that ensures all the inadequacies of the students with special needs are met in a way that tries to keep them at par with the regular students. As such there are certain assigned effective models for providing these secondary special education services. An effective model for secondary special education services has to factor in quite a number of aspects to ensure that the students can get the best from it. For a start, it has to understand that the students are specialized in such a manner that they need special attention to be able to learn as effectively as the rest. Moreover, the specialized approach needs to be unique to each and every student with a special need. This is due to the fact that special needs students vary in terms of specific needs and individualistic traits. These include the strengths and weaknesses of each student, their processing and cognitive abilities as well as the specific form of disability that they may be possessing (Lian and Kim 2002, p. 131). In this line, a mental disability has to be treated differently from a physical deficiency. Similarly, the same type of disability has to be treated differently across different age brackets. Consequently, a model that identifies the specialty in special needs education is expected to be more effective than that which generalizes and does not give any unique attention to individualistic traits. One of the most effective models for providing secondary special education is the collaborative model for secondary special education services. Through this model, both a regular teacher and a special education teacher work collaboratively to provide

Qantas Airlines Essay Example for Free

Qantas Airlines Essay Introduction Qantas Airlines, initially known as Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited (QANTAS), was founded by two former war pilots, Wilmot Hudson Fysh and Paul McGinness, in 1920 at Queensland, Australia. Qantas is the flag carrier airline for Australia and it is the second oldest airlines in the world. Qantas Airlines headquarters is located in Mascot, Sydney, New South Wales with its major hub at Sydney Airport. The airline began with joy flights in 1920 and by 1922, they carried 871 passengers and logged 54,000 km without severe damage. It also began its airmail service between Charleville and Cloncurry which was their first ever to be scheduled in 1922. In 1935, Qantas operated its first international flight which was a regular four-day trip from Brisbane to Singapore. It has now become Australia’s largest domestic and international airlines with much development. Qantas started advertising via television. It was a television campaign which started in 1967 through a few decades with it targeting American citizens. The ad was a huge success as it was named as one of the greatest commercial of all times. The airlines also promoted its brand by sponsoring a handful of sports team. Qantas is the principal contributor of the â€Å"Qantas Wallabies†, Australia’s national Union Rugby team and the Formula One Australian Grand Prix. It also sponsors the Australian’s national association football team, Socceroos and recently made a deal with Cricket Australia to be the main backer of the Australian national cricket team. Qantas had become so significant that the government bought over it back in 1947 which is a year after the Australian Airlines was formed. Unfortunately, Australian Airlines had a major issue which led to Qantas b eing sold. Qantas was then privatised and since then it has continued to mature despite fighting financial crisis and global turndown for aviation. To regain profit, Qantas have produce subsidiaries such as Jetstar Airways which is Qantas’ low-cost carrier. CEO Alan Joyce was pleased to announce Qantas’ best profit ($250 mil.) since the global financial crisis in 2011, even though the airlines and the aviation suffered from some challenges. Despite everything, it is undeniable that Qantas is regarded as the worlds leading long distance airline and one of the strongest brands in Australia.

Reading Comic Books Essay -- Literary Analysis, Maus, Holocaust

When students learn how to read in elementary school, teachers would teach students how to read comic books and as students we see that the comics would give the animals multiple human traits. Many comic books substitute animals and give them human-like characteristics, such as the ability to talk and walk upright. However, the debate rages on as to what type of animal makes a good character and what type of animal makes a bad character. Comic writers would often use different types of animals that are naturally seen in the real world and they would determine what type of role they would have in the comic book. Also the cartoonist would determine who should prevail, who should not, and their emotions towards one another. In the book called Maus by Art Spiegelman, it tells the story about a mouse named Valdek Spiegelman, who is a Holocaust survivor, and his son Artie. Artie writes a book on his father and the terrifying experience he dealt with when surviving the Holocaust. The book uses animals instead of human characters. The book has three main types of animals that each symbolizes the different cultures during the Holocaust. The Jews are symbolized as mice, the Nazi Germans as cats, and the Poles as pigs. The reason why Spiegelman uses animals instead of humans is because he wants to give the reader a better understanding of what type of animal symbolizes the different types of social classes that are being address. The power hungry Nazis are symbolized as cats because of a cat’s constant starvation and tend to be stronger compared to mice and pigs. The Jews are symbolized as mice to show how weak they were and how they were treated during World War II. Spiegelman puts a focus on the mice and the struggle that Vladek went thr... ...he way Ripley talks about comics and animals is how humans have similar traits as animals and act like animals. The traits that come out in some humans are the â€Å"Biology in one personality, the geography location of where one lives, and the facts about one person and how they express it?† This would explain one interpretation of having animals in comics and explains how humans tend to act more like animals. Many different comics have animals in the short stories and interpret the animals in many different ways. Some comics illustrate animals more as simple creatures that are shy and away from humans. Other comics write about animals and how they are treated more like humans with horrible characteristics. It is important to have an understanding of the animal and how it interacts in nature to be able to compare it to a human in a short story comic.

Samsung Electronics Case

he Samsung Electronics Company has become the largest conglomerate in South Korea over the past decade. Net sales of the Samsung Group totaled $135 billion in 2004 and has 337 overseas operations in 58 countries. Electronic, finance, and trade and services are the three core sectors within the Samsung Group. Semiconductor products are classified into two different categories of chips, which are memory and logic. The net value of Samsung experienced rapid growth from 2000 to 2004, growing from $ 5. 5 billion to $12. 6 billion.We will use Porter’s five forces to analyze the industry structure and performance which will help gauge Samsung’s growth against its competitors. Entry into the semiconductor industry can be very costly and difficult because of high barriers to entry. These barriers include, economies of scale, high entry costs, and the difficulty in obtaining industry knowledge. In addition, firms like Samsung have established a strong reputation for quality and r eliable products which serve as powerful barriers to new firms hoping to enter the industry.The decreased chance of new entrants indicates a less competitive and more profitable industry. There are many buyers within the semiconductor industry, each controlling a relatively small share of the market. Samsung has a huge range of products they produce and can afford to do so at a low cost. Since the buyers control the industry and what is produced they have a significant amount of bargaining power. Furthermore, even though the amount of producers in the industry is fairly low, they offer many of the same products forcing them to compete on price.Samsung has a little above medium bargaining power with its suppliers. The semiconductor industry faces powerful suppliers but because defective memory is difficult and costly to identify, and could potentially destroy the entire value of Samsung’s product, it is very important for Samsung to establish a strong relationship with its sup pliers. In doing so,   Samsung usually pays a 1% price premium to its suppliers to ensure quality giving suppliers increased profit and more bargaining power in the industry.However, Samsung consumes a large volume of sales for its suppliers and can still earn a 5% discount because of this large volume and this discount can offset that 1% price premium. In conclusion, Samsung has a little above medium bargaining power over its supplier. Substitutes in the conductor industry are high for three reasons. First, products in the semiconductor industry are highly standardized. Secondly, other major companies in this industry have the ability to produce a large volume of similar products at average costs.Thirdly, there is the threat of new companies from China. However, these companies from China lack the technology to make high quality and low cost products. Therefore, at this point, Samsung does not need to worry about substitutes from Chinese firms. The semiconductor industry experien ces fierce rivalry between the firms. Similar to substitutes, there are six main rivals within the industry. Also, even though the Chinese companies are young/inexperienced, they are becoming a potential rival.No company has the absolute leading market share or absolute technology to break other major companies within the industry. Even though Chinese companies are inexperienced, these companies are having little or no trouble raising money from local government and they are willing to sacrifice profit in order to fight for market share. Over time, Samsung has established a strong competitive position relative to other firms in the semiconductor industry. Samsung’s emphasis on fast and efficient work has let them complete projects faster than other firms, giving them a competitive edge.An example of this occurred in the mid 1980’s when Samsung was able to complete their first large manufacturing facility, a task that was predicted to take 18 months, in just 6 months by working around the clock. Samsung also has a strength in their location, with Samsung’s main R&D facility and all its fab lines located at a single site they are able to save an estimated 12% on fab construction costs. This advantage of location also allows their engineers to work closely together to quickly solve design and process engineering problems together, furthering their speed and efficiency advantage over their competitors.Samsung has also done a great job of identifying and seizing opportunities before their competitors, and taking risks that other firms may be unwilling to take. An example of this occurred in 1992 when Samsung decided to invest $1 Billion in increasing the size of the wafers used to cut the DRM chips to eight inches. This investment paid off and gave Samsung a distinct cost advantage that allowed them to gain the number one market share in the DRAM industry for 13 years. Samsung also identified and seized he opportunity to gain high profits throu gh product differentiation by customizing and catering to niche markets, offering over 1,200 different variations of DRAM products. In order to understand the internal Environment of the company. VRIO framework will be used to analyse the internal environment and   to help further understand the strategic position in the industry. Relatively low power of suppliers and large production factories allow Samsung to keep their cost low. Their low cost of production will enable them to enter into a price war with any company threatening to enter the market.They have the ability to lower their price to the point where it will become too costly for any other company to enter the market will deter additional entrants. Their low cost production ability also allows them to increase revenues and reinvest more money back into R&D. Additionally, having all of their engineers on site allowed for quicker design times and cut 12% of construction fabrication costs. However, rarity is not really an issue within the industry. There are multiple companies all with similar technology.Once Samsung can keep the low cost production system and reinvest to their R&D, they could achieve sustainable comp etitive advantage in the industry. Most customers are willing to pay a higher value for their products because they perceive Samsung to have better performance and superior design, quality, and service. The brand loyalty, brand reputation and quality(reliable product) are costly for the competitors to acquire or develop. The competitors also face a cost disadvantage in cost structures since Samsung has an outstanding low cost production system.Moreover, Samsung’s major competitors do not have the cutting edge technology to quickly overpass the quality of Samsung’s product. It would be difficult and costly for their competitors to imitate their technology. Samsung does a fairly good job exploiting their capabilities because of them building brand loyalty and a high quality product. With all of those advantages it becomes difficult for their competitors to capture Samsung’s market share. Finally, Samsung invested heavily in its employees more than any other competitor allowing them to focus on innovation and productivity (Include HR policies).Answer to question 1. Samsung employees a hybrid model of business level strategy which consists of cost leadership advantage and product differentiation. Samsung’s operating cost is $8. 90 per unit and it is well below the industry average $10. 3975 per unit. As of year 2003, samsung offers over 1200 different products. With a proper marketing strategy, Samsung built a high reputation and good brand image for its products allowing them to charge a premium price on most of its products. Answer to Question 2: Samsung has implemented their business strategy very well.They were able to become not only the industry cost leader but obtain a large degree of product differentiation. Above, we conducted a VR IO analysis of Samsung and identified their competitive advantages. However, the advantages are only temporary because they are not rare and any company can imitate them by spending a large amount of capital. Until this point though, all of the competitive advantages that Samsung has created have created positive economic profit. These profits can be realized in the large growth in the company from 2000 to 2004.Recommendations: Our recommendations are that Samsung continue to use their additional revenue from their low cost of production and higher margin to invest in R&D. This will ensure that Samsung has the best product on the market and continue to lower their production costs. By doing this, they will continue to make it costlier for new firms to enter the market. Investing into R&D is extremely costly/ high risk and could lead to failure if Samsung begins investing in the wrong type of products. However, if done properly, this investment can cement Samsung as the market leader and ensure high profitability for the future.

Understanding Marketing Objectives Questions

Marketing objectives must be based around the corporate objectives. 3. In Chapter 1 the concept of SMART objectives was introduced. Give six examples of SMART marketing objectives. (6 marks) Increase market share by 10% within 2 years Achieve sales revenue of E 10 million within 2 years. Introduce 5 new products by 2016. Increase consumer awareness of the business by in 2016. Improve overall added value on product X by E per unit this year. Increase repeat sales to 60% within 3 years. 4. What problem might arise if a firm's marketing department ignored its corporate objectives? (4 marks)A problem that may arise if a firms marketing department ignored its corporate objectives is that a lack of coordination within the business is likely. This is because the marketing department's targets may not be clear to the other departments and when they are achieved, they may serve no use to the rest of the business as they will not correspond to the corporate objectives. 5. Analyses two reasons why a printing company would set marketing objectives. (6 marks) Two reasons why a printing company would set marketing objectives is because it allows the printing company to measure their success.This can be done by comparing their targeted figure to their actual figure. Also, a printing company would set marketing objectives to motivate employees of the marketing department. These employees can then be rewarded for their ability to achieve their targets by financial or non-financial rewards. 6. Identify and explain three internal factors that might influence a fashion retailers marketing objectives. An internal factor that might influence fashion retailers marketing objectives could be the corporate objectives. This is because the marketing objectives would aim to help achieve the corporate objectives.Due to this, the corporate objectives will influence on the targets that the marketing department can make. For example, if the corporate objectives were to raise the quality of the ir product, then the marketing department could not have the objective of lowering costs as tit would be inconsistent with the corporate objectives. Another internal factor that might influence a fashion retailers marketing objectives could be the staff available. This is because the marketing objectives will not be able to be met unless the staffs have the capability to achieve them.For example, if the marketing objectives were to improve their products quality, the staff available may not have the necessary training or skills In order to actually achieve this objective. Finally, the last internal factor that might influence a fashion retailer's marketing objectives could be the departments finances. This is because the marketing department will be limited to the objectives that they can make based on whether they can actually afford to achieve their objective. If they do not have the necessary finances to achieve their objective then the objective was not SMART as it wasn't realis tic. . Identify and explain three external factors that might influence a fashion retailer's marketing objectives. An external factor that might influence a fashion retailer's marketing objectives might be the needs or wants Of the consumers. This is because, especially with fashion, the wants of the consumer are always changing. Therefore, the department must always be dynamic with their decisions to make sure that they meet these needs and wants of the consumers. When setting objectives, the marketing department must also be dynamic with their sections.This is because when consumer wants change, the marketing objectives will be influenced. For example, if the wants of the consumer change to lower quality and lower priced clothing, then if the marketing department had the objective of raising quality, then they would have a reduction in demand as the demand is moving elsewhere in an always changing market. Another external factor that might influence a fashion retailers marketing o bjectives could be changes in the economy. This is because the economy will decide on how much money people have to spend.If people have less to Penn then the customer numbers for a fashion retailer would fall because expensive fashion is not necessarily a need. Finally, the last External factor that might influence a fashion retailer's marketing objectives could be the actions of competitors. This is because their actions will have an impact on a company's sales and customers. As fashion is a very competitive market, the actions of more competitors are likely to have a larger impact on sales and customers. [f the fashion retailer's objectives are based around these, they can be heavily influenced by competition.

Studio 54,the Legendary Club essays

Studio 54,the Legendary Club essays Studio 54, one of the most well known clubs, opened its doors to the public on April 26, 1977. Its enormous size and glamour attracted thousands of people, and just being able to get in meant you were very fashionable. A variety of people entered the club and had the opportunity to listen and dance to the greatest beats of the time. The club was originally an old theatre, and many people had been interested in turning the old theatre into a nightclub. However, it wasnt until Steve Rubbel and Ian Schager signed the lease for the building that something really happened. Both Steve and Ian had been working in the night club business so prior experience was a main factor in the success of the club. One of the reasons why studio 54 stood out, was because of its size and decoration. To begin with, it measured 100 meters long by 80 meters wide. Since it was an old theatre, the balcony and the stage was left on purpose to give a theatrical feel. In the balcony there were sitting areas with tables where guests overlooked the huge parquet floor. An enormous strobe light decorated the club and brightly lit columns came down from the ceiling. Around the dance floor there was a diamond shaped bar with mirrors everywhere. In the basement of the club, VIPs had the opportunity to feel distinguished in a room where only a privileged few could enter and have fun among the elite and fashionable people of the time. Undoubtedly Studio 54 was a spectacular club both in appearance and style. For the premier night of Studio 54 the owners hired a party promoter to invite the right people. Five thousand invitations where given out. Workers were working around the clock to prepare the last details for the grand opening. The club opened its doors half an hour late and in a few hours time it was full. It was chaos inside and outside the club to a point where eve ...

Teaching Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Teaching Plan - Essay Example On the other hand, bacterial infection is indicated by a purulent discharge (Gigliotti 354). Allergic conjunctivitis in late childhood and adolescence is considered a symptom of eczema, asthma or rhinitis. Treatment of conjunctivitis starts with identification of the root cause of the infection to ensure that effective medication is administered. In addition , treatment of infants depends on the time the child develops the infection. For instance, if the infection develops within the first 24 hours it is considered to have been caused by chemical reaction with the drugs that were used (Gigliotti 356). Teaching goal The long term goal is to develop awareness among parents to be bale to identify the symptoms early enough and seek medical attention to prevent the negative effects of conjunctivitis. The goal will be achieved by: Seeking medical attention To relieve symptoms and ensure treatment of the infection Ensure that the infant is not at risk of more serious infections Preventing s pread of the disease to other people Preventing the complications associated with conjunctivitis Home remedies Compress the eyelids with cool or warm water for 15 minutes Maintain body hygiene through washing hands and avoiding the sharing face cloths and towels Pharmacological interventions Ensure that drugs are administered effectively depending on the age of the child Advise the parents not to use steroid eye drops because they may cause permanent damage of the infant Bacterial conjunctivitis is treated through topical antibiotic ointment Viral conjunctivitis symptoms can be relieved through saline washes Allergic irritating symptoms can be relieved through saline washes and cool compresses If the symptoms are persistent and severe, oral antihistamines can be administered to the infant Population demography A study to compare the prevalence of conjunctivitis between Asian and White patients was carried out from pediatric records from a health center in the city of Bradford. The p atients chosen for the study had symptoms of chronic conjunctivitis to eliminate the possibility of inclusion of patients suffering from allergic irritations. The study considered medical records of 43 patients, 11 Whites and 24 Asians under the age of four years. The study indicated that conjunctivitis affected 59 of every 100, 000 Asians and 12 of every 100,000 Whites. Although the prevalence in sex in both groups was small, male children were two times more likely to be infected. Two Asian children lost their sight upon developing chronic conjunctivitis. According to Spraul and Lang (23), conjunctivitis is more prevalent in the Asian population as compared to the Whites probably because of environmental and genetic factors. The blindness threat indicates that Asians are more likely to require steroid topical treatment as compared to their white counterparts. Primary care setting Anticipated client outcomes 1. Parents should seek advice on the condition upon noticing conjunctiviti s symptoms on their infants 2. Upon the diagnosis, parents should be aware of the period of treatment and expected changes in the course of treatment 3. Caregivers should adhere to physician's advice on dosage and frequency to ensure medication effectiveness 4. Caregivers should maintain hygiene to avoid contamination of medication tubes and bottles 5. There should be no sharing of eye ointments and medications 6. Measures should be put

Deviance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Deviance - Essay Example The acquired historical sources were applied for life course perspective which has been a very valuable asset in modern criminology. It helps to find out whether the offenders have suffered from stigma / criminal label through an examination of four demographic events a) relocation b) matrimony c) career growth and d) death. Yes label had its own repercussions in changing the course of life of a criminal dramatically. â€Å"Deviance Is Not A Quality Of The Act The Person Commits But Rather A Consequence Of The Application By Others Of Rules And Sanctions To An Offender† (Becker, 1963: 9). Introduction It is matter of fact that the offenders upon release from the incarceration found limited opportunities for them to grab lucrative jobs. The available data does not disclose how offenders experienced their life in prisons and how other peoples around them viewed it. There is every reason to believe that the laws have chosen its own path which of course was not similar to that pat h of non criminals. Whatever study conducted so far, indicates the difficult lives of the criminals in and out side the prison. The most difficult phase in their life is the indifferent attitude of the society1. We cite here case example of law breaker Jonas Petter Wedin, who was born and brought up in a farmer’s home. His father was died of a natural death leaving behind a widow and five children with no source of income to live on. His mother and five brothers and sisters made to live on the goodwill of others. That compelled him to join the criminals to earn livelihood for him and for other family members. Discussion Deviance In sociological term, deviance is the behaviour of the offender against the acceptable norms of a society. Hence, it is the area of sociologists, psychologists and criminologists to study and find out the causes of abnormal behaviour of the offenders against the society’s norms and why they insist to follow their own rules and regulations2. Vio lation of Social Norms In fact norms, rules, regulations and expectations are the guiding principals to live in a society peacefully. Deviations of mentioned norms reflect the failure of an offender to comply with the set standards of life. They do not believe in â€Å"live and let live others†. However, social norms vary from culture to culture (e.g. in USA, one has to see eye to eye while having a word with each other whereas in Asia averting eyes is a symbol of politeness and respect. However, direct eye contact in Asia during conversation is considered rude), location to location and country to country e.g., a deviant act if committed in one culture, location or country may not necessarily be considered as abnormal attitude in other culture, location and the country3. Reactive construction We observed in day to day life that specific condition compels minority of a society to keep them aloof. We all agree on this point that killing of a human being neither permissible nor appreciable in any society, unless it specifically permitted by the government in time of war or in self defence4. Component of Social Deviant Behaviour Review of the deviant behaviour indicates three broad social segments i.e. structural, symbolic and conflict. Structural functionalism Individuals may commit crimes on account

Designating English as the official language of the United States Research Paper

Designating English as the official language of the United States - Research Paper Example More than with the English people, the English language has come to be regarded as synonymous with the American people. There is, in fact, some truth to this. Given how well-regarded the American people are for their general fluency in the English language, it is not altogether surprising that some have begun to consider it as being the USA’s national language. In fact, Feder (2007) has noted how at least 28 American states have come to consider the English language as their official language, while a survey by the US Census Bureau (2007) shows how over 225.5 million American citizens actually regard it as their only language. Another, earlier report from this same source (2000) pegged this number as 231.7 million. Specifically, 86% had been shown to claim the English language as their mother tongue, while 96% attested that they spoke English very well. The remaining 14% whose first language is not the English language serve as proof that while American English is the predomin ant language in the United States, it is far from being the only spoken language there. At the same time, though, the overwhelming majority of fluent English speakers residing in America all but dictated that that particular language would be considered the de facto national language of the United States of America. ... Thanks in part to British trade and colonization, the English language spread not only to America, but also to other parts of the world. The huge British population at the time also helped; by 1921, the then-British Empire was slated to have at least 470 million people – easily a quarter of the entire global population. Since then, both variants of the English language have diverged, evolving and developing on their own. Today, American and British English are said to differ on points including, but not limited to, spelling, grammar, punctuation and expressions. Crystal (1997) has noted that over 66% of all English speakers living worldwide reside in the United States. This being the case, it should no longer be surprising that, as mentioned above, the American variant of the English language has come to be considered as the USA’s de facto national language. That is, while the federal government itself has not issued any directives as to the USA’s national langua ge, 28 out of all 50 states have already adopted American English as their respective official languages. American English is known for possessing greater homogeneity than the variant spoken in England (Lass, 1990), and is mostly rhotic in nature. Certain letters are pronounced and enunciated differently between the two languages, and there are even sounds that are exclusive to one of them. All in all, certain words have begun to be spoken and pronounced differently depending on whether American English or the Queen’s English is being used. Spelling has also been known to deviate between the two variants. Among the most triumphant examples of these are certain words which may or may not be spelled certain letters such as mold/mould, honor/honour, realize/realise, and others. Additionally,

How Can Americans Manage Obesity Throughout the United States Essay

How Can Americans Manage Obesity Throughout the United States - Essay Example As researchers gain knowledge more of about the health hazards of obesity, the increase in the incidence of obesity in children, and in grown up people as well, is progressively becoming more a foremost concern to a society at large and thus a societal health dilemma requiring nationwide attention. Over the previous decades, the pervasiveness of overweight children has enlarged remarkably in the United States, making it more probable that children and adolescents nowadays will be more vulnerable to various serious, fatal diseases and illnesses prematurely in life, including diabetes. The increase in obese children arrives at a time when present-day conveniences and establishment such as fast food, video game and most importantly the Internet, have contributed dramatically to inactive lifestyles, a pattern that is becoming progressively pervasive among today’s children and adolescents (Caprio, 2006). Approximations of the population of overweight and obese children and youths in the United States differ. Figures from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reveal that â€Å"13 per cent of children and 14 per cent of adolescents are affected by obesity—triple the adolescent rate since 1980† (Holloway, 2005, 118). An article of the American Family Ph ysician released in 1999 approximates that the population fall roughly between 25 per cent and 30 per cent of young children and teenagers. The boost spreads across ethnic and social groups (ibid, 118). Dr. Shiriki Kumanyika, a childhood obesity specialist, and others are attempting to pinpoint the cause for the steep increase in overweight children. â€Å"We’re trying to figure out how much of the problem is food intake and how much is the result of little to no physical activity (Koplan, 2005, 58),† says Dr. Kumanyika. â€Å"The social trends affecting children are definitely in favor of overeating. The impact of eating portions that are

Categorical imperative described by Immanuel Kant

Categorical imperative described by Immanuel Kant The Categorical Imperative which was initially described by Immanuel Kant is the theory that a person is to act only on the maxim through which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law (ONeill, 1993, p.177). He believed that individuals are able to behave in a moral way due to their ability to think rationally and freely when making choices. He felt that a persons moral duties are categorical imperatives, in that our morals tell us how we ought to act. He stressed that these moral duties command us to take certain actions thus giving us the word imperative (Smith, 2010). Kant also felt that these moral responsibilities are relevant to individuals because of their rationality and because individuals have the ability to make their own decisions apart from others influence. The role of his categorical imperative within Kants ethics will be discussed in this essay as well as the limitations to his theory, leading to the conclusion that the categorical imperati ve may be a guiding ideal, but cannot be universally and fairly applied in the real world. Kants ethics seem grounded in the basis of the idea that we each have rights to freedom, autonomy and democracy. Because these rights are ours, we therefore have the ability to make free, rational and moral choice. We can determine our duty through our ability to reason. Kant contends that the categorical imperative begins with the premise that human beings have a free will and that ability to reason (ONeill, 1993, p.175). Kants explanations make sense because he argued that in order to act morally, it was necessary for one to first be free to have the choice of being moral or immoral (Smith, 2010). He also felt that as rational beings, individuals are compelled through their rationality to follow norms and requirements in society, thus our reasoned morality follows a set of internal laws which will then govern our actions. In Kants view, morality is characterized by the ability to universalize (ONeill, 1993, p.177). If a choice or action cannot be universalized across all agents, then it is irrational, unreasonable and therefore immoral. These choices or decisions can be called maxims, so a universalizable maxim is a moral maxim (ONeill, 1993, p.177). In contrast, subjective maxims are those which are not binding or applicable to all people and which cannot guide the actions of the moral, rational individual. So with the cornerstones of rationality and universalizability at the base of Kants categorical imperative, we add his views on duty and good will. To Kant, morality is based on the intent not on the action or outcomes of those actions. Acting with good will is acting with duty to others, through of course the reasoned conclusion that this duty is moral. According to Kant, this was the foundation of overall good. He highlighted the fact that â€Å"one cannot use action to judge whether a being was good or bad because sometimes some good actions may be an avenue for committing evil acts† (Smith, 2010). For example, to donate your money or possessions to others could be considered a good or worthy deed. However, if that donation is actually done to gain a heightened profile in the community or to hide resources from the government, then this will undermine the seemingly good act. Whether or not the action is good comes down to the intent of the individual, not the outcome. The connection can therefore be made that Kant characterized inherent good as good will, meaning that if one has pure intentions at the commencement of a n activity, then no matter the result of that activity, the individual would be considered to be good and duteous, as they have removed â€Å"empirical ego† from the decision (Schroeder, 2005, p.19). The categorical imperative therefore gives us the ability to decide if an action is a moral or immoral one, in that it tells us to make our decisions not on our desires or expected outcomes, which would be hypothetical, but by making a decision which is the right, moral or categorical imperative (Smith, 2010). This is not a simple answer, as the categorical imperative is a way of leading us to decision making which is considered and which demands we assess our motivations for those decisions. To apply Kants categorical imperative in a practical way, he offers four formulations to aid in its understanding. The first is the formula of universal law which states â€Å"act only in accordance with that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it become a universal law† (Kant, 1998, p.31). As stated earlier in this essay, this formulation relates to the universability principle. The second is the formula of the law of nature and asks us to â€Å"act as if the maxim of your action were to become through your will a universal law of nature† (Kant, 1998, p.31). This formulation relates to the parallels between the laws of nature and moral law. The third formulation of his imperative is of humanity and asks that you â€Å"act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of another, always at the same time as an end and never simply as a means† (Kant, 1998, p.37). This describes his respect for others and our n eed in moral action to act well towards others in a universal manner. His fourth and final formulation for the categorical imperative is that of autonomy. It states that our actions are to be guided by â€Å"the idea of the will of every rational being as a will giving universal law† (Kant, 1998, p. 39). This principle of autonomy includes the concept of free and rational choice, as well as the capacity to compare and evaluate differing options. Unless directed by good will, autonomy is an ideal which will not be achieved in Kants theory. There are limitations to the belief that moral requirements must be categorical. Kants own writing on the issue of lying shows a much debated weakness to his theory. In refuting a French philosopher who maintained that truth was only a duty if it did not injure others, Kant stressed that truth was a duty in and of itself. However great the disadvantage to self or others, Kant believed that the categorical imperative demanded truth in all human action that it in fact was a sacred decree of reason (Kant, 1994, p.281). The consequences of an action held little interest for Kant, as it was in the morality of the decision or action that he held forth. Yet the implications of such a rigid and insensitive view of the actuality of human existence make Kants theory of categorical imperative unrealistic (ONeill, 1993, p.182). When a person obeys the categorical imperative, they are working within an ideal which presents them with the choice to make independent, ethical decisions (Katchy, 2007). One can only have this choice if the idea of freedom of thought and action accompanies a lack of fear of â€Å"authoritarian repercussion for not conforming to the will of another† (Katchy, 2007). Kant believed that forefront on the minds and consciousness of people, should be their own self-interest, and that republics should be established, where law would be adopted by the citizenry over violence. This would support his belief that due to the categorical imperative to act morally, these republics would lead to the possibility of peaceful existence (Schroeder, 2005, p.20). Whilst it may seem logical to some that all individuals are rational and level-headed because we as Kants individuals have the capability to use such rational and level-headed ideas to guide our actions, the truth is that reality has lit tle bearing on Kants ideals (Katchy, 2007). Kant presented sound theory which not only is used today by many, but was far-reaching for a theorist of the 1900s. His theories would by many be termed as simple common sense in todays world and the categorical imperative offers clear counsel for those who wish to place an underpinning theory to their day-to-day decision making. With an â€Å"absolute and detailed necessity of making sure that a person exercises their own will and does not conform to the ways of others† (Katchy, 2007), Kantian morality has an attitude that can be found in modern times. Individuals are able to rely upon logic to guide their actions in a rational way, but rationality is not due to logical behaviour. Kants theory is relatively simplistic, be your own person, act morally and do not simply act as others tell you to, but with your own thought and evaluation (Katchy, 2007). It is also quite clear in confirming the distinction between understanding the duty towards self and our responsibilities towar ds others. As a utilitarian however, the categorical imperative is not a sustainable view. As utilitarians, we must take into account the consequences of our actions and decisions and the impact of these actions or decisions on others. Kants murderer at the door is a prime example of how the outcome of lying is so much better than of telling the truth the correct response was to lie. But as an ideal to aspire to, the theory of the categorical imperative is a powerful one (Katchy, 2007) which transcends time or geography, upon which one can establish their own moral foundation in a world which can be confusing and contradictory.

Murder Mysteries. :: English Literature

Murder Mysteries. Murder mysteries have a motive to start off the investigation. They also always have detectives, murder, an alibi, victims, weapons, evidence, a twist in the tale, and suspense. Sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. The location and the setting are some of main factors for murder mysteries. If a murder mystery doesn't contain any of these, it cannot be defined as a murder mystery. You could say that these are the backbone to this genre of story. Roald Dahl wrote Lamb to the Slaughter. It was first published in 1954. Lamb to the Slaughter is written in the speech of the time the story was published. In Lamb to the Slaughter the use of present day, modern language automatically gives the impression that it is written in this time of the century. Roald Dahl is more famous for writing children's stories. In his adult stories he always writes about ordinary people who get involved in difficult situations. Lamb to the Slaughter is more prominent as an adult's story. This story is a murder mystery and is one of the two short stories that I am going to investigate. The other short story, which I will be investigating, is The Speckled Band. The Speckled Band was written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and was first published in 1892. The Speckled Band is also written in the speech of the late 19th century. The language of that time seemed to be much more formal, accurate English and much less colloquial language was used. Using a language like this gives the book the atmosphere of that time. It is one of the books from the Sherlock Holmes series. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle established a tradition of detective fiction and modern detective fiction tries to continue this tradition. Sherlock Holmes is one of the most famous and popular detectives in the world. Holmes was similar to a super hero in that time. When Sir Arthur Conan Doyle cancelled the publication of Sherlock Holmes the public was devastated to read about the death of the detective. Men in London wore black armbands as a mark of respect. It got so bad that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle even received death threats so he had to bring him back. Sherlock Holmes was re-born. This just shows how popular, realistic and believable Sherlock Holmes stories really are. The reason Sherlock Holmes stories were so much in demand is because of their enchanting and realistic characteristics and settings. The stories are very descriptive and it gives you a clear picture of what is happening in them and the settings create an entrancing and mysterious atmosphere. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle uses a formula in his

Reaction Paper to Healing the Wounds of Sexual Addiction Essay

Abstract Dr. Laaser (2004) provides a detailed look into sexual addiction from a Christian viewpoint in Healing Wounds of Sexual Addiction. The focus of this assignment will be to gain knowledge of what sexual addiction is, how family dynamics are affected, treatment of sexual addiction, and lastly addressing sexual addiction in the church. Exploring the different areas of how sexual addiction and how it can affect the life of the addicted individual will be assessed. Sexual addiction is a sin that Dr. Laaser (2004) discusses in his work. Healing Wounds of Sexual Addiction examines the many areas of the addicted person’s life that can be affected but it also provides hope and encouragement. Experts speculate that up to 10 percent of the total Christian population in the United States is sexually addicted (Laaser, 2004). There are so many individuals that are struggling with a sexual addiction and are too ashamed to seek help thus leaving a great number of unreported cases. Several reasons may apply to the sexually addicted person for not seeking help; Laaser (2004) discusses some of those reasons as being shame, guilt, fear of losing a job and their family. Dr. Laaser’s work is clearly articulated and provides great information on healing sexual addiction and the road to recovery. It is through his work that a Christian worldview is established towards the healing process. Synopsis Dr. Laaser’s understanding of sexual addiction is described as sinful behavior that the addict has no control over. The sexual behaviors that become addictive are sinful (Laaser, 2004). Sexual addictions can take many forms which include cybersex, pornography, and fantasies. Dr. Laaser explains that these addictions if left unmanaged can also lead to destruction (p.24). Sexual addiction is classified as a disease and like all  diseases must be treated properly. Both sexual addiction and disease have observable symptoms and a natural progression that, if left untreated, get worse and eventually lead to death (Laaser, 2004). From a biblical standpoint Dr. Laaser makes a clear correlation between sexual addiction as a disease and a sin. Sexual addiction is also seen as a moral sin (Laaser, 2004). Moral sexual sin describes how the addict does not view their behaviors as wrong because they are only having sex with their spouse. However, they have detached from the spiritual and emotional aspect of their relationship. The addict uses sex as a way to escape reality. Dr. Laaser mentions that, â€Å"the question is whether or not sex is an expression of intimacy or an escape from it† (p. 26). There are similar views that I share with Dr. Laaser in regards to sexual addiction. I absolutely agree that sexual addiction is a disease that can be deadly to the addict. As mentioned earlier, diseases that are left untreated can lead to death. The diseased mind of the sexual addict may lead to high risk behaviors as well. My personal understanding of sexual addiction is in line with Dr. Laaser’s in viewing the addiction as a sexual sin for it is. Family Dynamics Dr. Laaser takes a deep look into how family dynamics can contribute the behavior of the sexual addict by explaining four categories of family dynamics; boundaries, rules, roles, and addictions. Addicts that grow up in families in which unhealthy dynamics are present are more apt to believe that their negative behaviors are justified. Dr. Laaser describes in his work how boundaries are broken in families that sexual abuse exists. Boundaries define the ways a person’s invisible space can and can’t be crossed (Laaser, 2004). When these boundaries are broken, it can leave the child feeling confused. The confusion comes into play when a loved one inappropriately touches them or engages in sexual acts. Dr. Laaser mentions that there are different types of boundaries such as loose and rigid. Loose boundaries are when something happens in the family that should not such as fondling, touching inappropriately, and sexual contact. Rigid boundaries are stricter, loving and caring interactions do not take place. Underline issues pertaining to family dynamics can deeply impact the life of the individual that suffers from sexual addictions. Those issues carry into adulthood and can impact the relationships that the addict has. It becomes difficult for the addict to recover when underline issues are not addressed. The cycle will continue if not addressed and the addict may do what was done to them, to their children or others. It is important for sex addicts to recognize that their sexual activity is an attempt to medicate old wounds and to find love (Laaser, 2004). Examining my own family dynamics I recognize that in our household we did not talk about sex, it was almost taboo. My mother was strict and therefore was somewhat rigid in raising me. I was taught very early in age to never let any one touch my private parts and that included other family members. If those boundaries were violated I was to tell my mother or grandmother immediately and not be afraid to tell them. When the time came to discuss the birds and the bees, I almost felt embarrassed because I did not want to have that conversation with my mother. My personal values that were taught to me by mother and grandmother shaped my beliefs about sex. I believe that it may be some challenges in treating an individual with a sexual addiction because I would have to be careful not to be judgmental. Treatment of Sexual Addiction The treatment of sexual addiction is a long one that can take a lifetime. The process of healing from sexual addiction includes answering important questions, creating accountability, and understanding how people change (Laaser, 2004). Dr. Laaser mentions that before treatment with new people he asks three spiritual questions: 1. Do you want to get well? 2. What are you thirst for? 3. Are you willing to die to yourself? (p. 122). Dr. Laaser’s approach to treatment provides a spiritual standpoint that makes the sexual addict dig deeper into themselves and explore their relationship with God. The ten steps of accountability allow an individual to look at the rebuilding process in their road to recovery. One of the biggest challenges that the sex addict will face is changing their behaviors. The healing journey is a process of changing old addictive and destructive behaviors into new and healthy ones (Laaser, 2004). The Sexual Addiction Screening Test and Sexual Addiction Inventory is the most used screening test for sexual addiction as noted by Dr. Laaser. It is important that an effective treatment plan includes five components which are; stopping sexual behaviors, stopping rituals, stopping fantasy, healing despair, and healing shame (Laaser, 2004). Dr. Laaser also recommends that the individual experiencing a sexual addiction work through healing abuse in six stages; 1. Understand the abuse and accept that it has happened. 2. Accept the abuse and express anger. 3. Go through the process of grieving. 4. Confront the abuser. 5. Learn to forgive. 6. Find meaning in the pain. (p.161). At this point in my career, I am continuing to learn about different disorders and what counseling approaches work. I feel that in order for me to effectively counsel an individual with a sexual addiction, I will need to continue to learn and become competent in the area of sexual addiction. It is with my belief that with the appropriate coursework and trainings, I will be able to counsel those that suffer from sexual addiction. As I continue through my graduate program it is imperative that competence is attained because I would not want to cause more hurt to the client. Dr. Laaser’s work has provided a clear cut understanding of what it takes to work with individuals with sexual addictions from a Christian perspective. Sexual Addiction and the Church A Leadership Journal survey revealed that 23 percent of 300 pastors had done something sexually inappropriate with someone other than their spouse (Laaser, 2004). It is becoming more prevalent to hear about sexual misconduct in the church. This misconduct has made people skeptical about the leaders of the church in whom they are suppose to trust. Dr. Laaser outlines characteristics of the sexually addicted pastor or priest in his work. Dr. Laaser’s recommendations regarding addressing sexual addiction in the church, not only looks at healing the pastor or priest but also the congregation and victims. I agree with Dr. Laaser in addressing sexual addiction in the church. His  approaches look at the church as a whole and how everyone in the church as affected. Indeed the pastor or priest that has inflicted sexual abuse onto their members must get the needed help and take accountability for their actions; however, it is also important that those that have been abused be treated and has the opportunity to process what has happened. With instances of sexual indiscretions becoming more frequent, it is imperative that parishioners feel that they have a safe place to worship and a leader that they can confide in and trust. Conclusion Healing from sexual addiction takes time and is a process. The road to recovery is long and ongoing in the sexual addict’s life. The person living with the addiction has to come to a point in which they want to change. Shame and guilt can hinder the sex addict from seeking help. It is important that the individual living with a sexual disorder feel supported and not judged. Dr. Laaser’s work illustrates how there is hope and that through Gods love and forgiveness recovery is possible. Sexual addiction affects not only the addict but their loved ones also. As Dr. Laaser stated, â€Å"ultimately, if all things are possible with God, we can accept that there are sex addicts who may be cured† (p. 223). Reference Laaser, M.R. (2004). Healing the wounds of sexual addiction. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Pub. House.

Storm Born Chapter Six

I turned the light back on. â€Å"Hey, Volusian, how's it going?† He stepped forward, blinking with annoyance at the light, just as I'd known he would. He was shorter than me, very solid and humanoid in shape, which indicated a fair amount of power. He had smooth, almost shiny black skin and those narrow red eyes that always unnerved me a little. His ears had a slight point to them. â€Å"I am the same as always, mistress.† â€Å"You know, you never ask how I am. That hurts.† He answered my lazy smile with a long-suffering scowl. â€Å"That is because you are also always the same. You smell of life and blood and sex. And violets. You are a painful reminder of all the things I once was and all the things I will never be again.† He paused thoughtfully. â€Å"Actually, the scent of sex is stronger than usual. My mistress has been†¦busy.† â€Å"Did you just make a joke?† I said this partially to deflect the sex issue but also to keep teasing him. Volusian was about as damned as a soul could be. I didn't know what he'd done when alive, but it had been evil enough that someone had cursed him from ever entering the world of the dead. His soul would never find any peace. So he had haunted my world and the Otherworld until I'd discovered him tormenting a suburban family. He was so powerful, as was his curse, that I had not been strong enough to destroy him and send him on. The best I could have done was cast him to the Otherworld, but I had no guarantees he wouldn't return. So I'd done the next best thing I could: I'd enslaved him. He was bound to me until I released him or lost control. This way, I dictated his actions. I usually kept him in the Otherworld until I needed him. Teasing him was a way to project confidence in my control, like I wasn't worried at all. I couldn't show any weakness with him. He had made it perfectly clear a number of times that he would kill me horrifically if he ever broke free. He didn't respond to my last comment. He simply stared. He was only obligated to answer direct questions. â€Å"I need some advice.† â€Å"I do as my mistress commands.† There was an implied until I can choke the breath from her body at the end of that seemingly subservient statement. â€Å"I'm going to be crossing over into the Otherworld soon. Physically.† That almost surprised him. Almost. â€Å"My mistress is foolish.† â€Å"Thanks. I have to find a human girl that some horny gentry abducted.† He reconsidered. â€Å"My mistress is brave and foolish.† â€Å"She was taken by a guy named Aeson. Do you know him?† â€Å"He is king of the Alder Land. Powerful. Very powerful.† â€Å"Stronger than me?† Volusian stayed silent, thinking. â€Å"Your powers do not diminish in the Otherworld, as some humans' do. Even so, he will still be at his full strength. It would be a close battle. Were you to fight him in this world, there would be no contest. He would be weaker by far.† â€Å"I don't think I can manage that. What about you guys? I'm going to bring you along. Will it help?† â€Å"I feared my mistress would say that. Yes, of course it will help. You know my binds force me to protect you, no matter how much angst it causes me.† â€Å"Aw, don't sound so glum. Think of it as job security.† â€Å"Make no mistake, mistress. I may protect you now, but as soon as I have the chance, I will rip the flesh from your body and tear your bones apart. I will ensure you suffer so gravely that you will beg me for death. Yet, even then, your soul will not find relief. I will torture it for all eternity.† He spoke in a flat tone, not as a threat, but simply as a statement of fact. Honestly, after my week of propositions, statements about my impending death were kind of a refreshing return to normality. â€Å"Looking forward to it, Volusian.† I yawned and sat on the bed. â€Å"Anything else constructive you've got to offer? In rescuing the girl, I mean.† â€Å"I suspect my mistress is too†¦set in her ways for my advice, but you could solicit help.† â€Å"Solicit it from whom? I don't have anyone else to go to.† â€Å"Not in this world you don't.† It took me a moment to get what he was saying. â€Å"No. No way. I'm not going to some gentry or spirit for help. Not like they'd give it anyway.† â€Å"I would not be so certain of that, mistress.† Gentry were petty and dishonest. They had no regard for anyone but themselves. No way would I appeal to one. No way would I trust one. Volusian watched me. When he saw I would not respond, he said: â€Å"It is as I thought. My mistress will not hear anything she doesn't want to. She is too stubborn.† â€Å"No, I'm not. I'm always open to things.† â€Å"As you say, mistress.† The look on his face somehow managed to be angelic and scream you fucking hypocrite all at the same time. â€Å"All right,† I said impatiently, â€Å"let's hear it.† â€Å"There is another king, Dorian, who rules the Oak Land. He and Aeson hate each other – in a polite-faced, political manner, of course.† â€Å"No surprise there. I'm surprised they aren't all turning on each other. That doesn't mean he'd help me.† â€Å"I believe Dorian would be very happy to see someone come and kill off Aeson. Especially if he did not have to actually do it himself. He might offer a great deal of assistance to see you do it.† â€Å"‘Might' being the operative word. So you're suggesting I just show up at his door and ask for help?† Volusian inclined his head in the affirmative. â€Å"Have I ever killed or cast out any of his people?† â€Å"Likely.† â€Å"Then I think it's ‘likely' he'd kill me the moment I set foot on his land. I can't imagine any gentry's keen on letting their biggest assassin in the door.† I wasn't touting ego in that statement. Much like Volusian's death threats, I simply stated a fact. I knew my own worth and reputation as far as the Otherworld was concerned. I mean, it wasn't like I was reaching genocide levels or anything; I just had more notches on my belt than most. â€Å"Dorian has†¦an odd sense of humor. It might amuse him to welcome an enemy like you. He would enjoy the sensation it would cause among others.† â€Å"So he uses me for entertainment and then kills me.† I couldn't believe Volusian was even suggesting a plan like this. He hated me, but he also knew me. If he hadn't had such a stick up his ass, I would have sworn he was messing with me. Yet, his bindings forced him to sincerely give the best of his counsel if I asked it. â€Å"If he gives you his word of hospitality, he is honor-bound to keep you safe.† â€Å"Since when do gentry keep their word? Or have honor?† Volusian regarded me carefully. â€Å"May I speak bluntly, mistress?† â€Å"As opposed to usual?† â€Å"Your hatred of the gentry blinds you to their true nature. You are also blind to the only thing that might let you escape this mad scheme alive – not that I would mind if you were torn to bloody shreds by Aeson's people. But whatever else you believe, one of the gentry will stake his life on his word. They keep their oaths better than humans.† I honestly didn't believe that. No matter how much I might need help with this, it wasn't worth it. I would not make a deal with the devil. â€Å"No. I won't do it.† Volusian gave a small shrug. â€Å"As my mistress wishes. It makes no difference if you speed your own death. I cannot die, after all.† I stared at him in exasperation. He stared back. Shaking my head, I stood up for another summoning. â€Å"Okay, if that's all, I'm gonna call the rest of the gang.† He hesitated. â€Å"May I†¦ask my mistress a question first?† I turned in surprise. Volusian was the epitome of don't-speak-until-spoken-to. He only answered what was asked of him. He did not seek out other information. This was new. Wow. What a week of earth-shattering events. â€Å"Sure, go ahead.† â€Å"You do not trust me.† â€Å"That's not a question, but no, I don't.† â€Å"Yet†¦you came to me for advice first. Before you spoke to the others. Why?† It was a good question. I was about to summon two other minions. I didn't trust them either, but they had more reason to show loyalty than Volusian. They did not describe my graphic death on a regular basis. â€Å"Because no matter what else you may be, you're smarter than they are.† I could have elaborated on that, but I didn't. That was really all there was to it. He thought about this for a long time. â€Å"My mistress is less foolish than she normally appears.† I think it was the closest he could come to thanking me for a compliment – or giving one. I took out the wand and summoned my other two spirits. I didn't bother with candles or darkness because these ones were easier to call – especially since I was technically only â€Å"requesting† one to come, not ordering him. The coldness and pressure came again, and then two other forms appeared. Volusian stepped back, arms crossed, not looking impressed. The two newcomers glanced around, taking note that I had gathered all of them. The three of them never interacted much in my viewing, but I always wondered if maybe they hung out for coffee or something in the Otherworld and made fun of me. Kind of like how people make fun of their boss after work during happy hour. Still affecting unconcerned, lazy control, I unwrapped a Milky Way and sat back on my bed again. Leaning against the wall, I surveyed my team. Nandi was less powerful than Volusian, so she had a less substantial form in this world. She appeared as a translucent, opalescent figure that seemed vaguely female in shape. Centuries ago, she had been a Zulu woman accused of witchcraft by her people. They had killed her and, like Volusian, cursed her from finding rest. Unlike Volusian's, I could break this curse and send her on to the land of death. I had encountered her haunting this world, more frightening than harmful, and bound her in service to me in exchange for eventual peace. I had demanded three years of loyalty, one of which she had fulfilled. When the other two were up, I would let her pass on. Whereas Volusian always seemed sullen and sarcastic, Nandi was always sad. She was the poster child for a lost soul. A real downer. Finn, however, was a different story. Of the three, only he looked happy to be here. He too was not powerful enough to have a solid form. He translated to this plane as small and glittering, barely there, much like how humans perceived Disney-type pixies. I had no claims on Finn. He had started hanging around because he found me entertaining. So he popped up from time to time, followed me, and would generally come when called. I had the power to force his service, but – even as much as I disliked all things from the Otherworld – I was hard-pressed to do so without provocation. I didn't entirely trust anyone who offered help so freely, but he had never given me reason to doubt him either. Indeed, he'd always been very helpful. I had no idea what his story was, if he too was a cursed spirit. I'd never pressed for the details. His shining body settled upon my dresser. â€Å"Hey, Odile, what's new? Why do you smell like sex? Did you get some? Why are we all here?† Too much exposure to my world and television had given him a better grasp of our slang than the others. I ignored the questions. â€Å"Hey, Finn, hey, Nandi.† The female spirit merely nodded in acknowledgment of the greeting. â€Å"So,† I said in my best boardroom voice, â€Å"I'm sure you're all wondering why I called you here today.† None of them found that funny, so I just kept going. â€Å"Well, brace yourselves: I'm going to be paying you guys a visit. In the flesh. The real deal.† Nandi showed no reaction whatsoever. Finn leapt up in excitement. â€Å"Really? Truly? When? Now?† Nice to know someone appreciated me. I debriefed them, telling them the story. Volusian leaned against my wall, letting his body language convey to me what an utter waste of his time it was to have to hear this all again. Finn's enthusiasm diminished a little. â€Å"Oh. Well. That's ballsy but also kind of†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Foolish,† said Nandi in her typically gloomy monotone. â€Å"It will end in despair. Dark, bitter despair. You will die, and I will never know peace. My suffering will be without end.† â€Å"Never thought I'd hear you two agree with Volusian.† Finn shrugged. â€Å"It is a good cause, honest. But you can't really just walk into Aeson's castle and take the girl. Not that I'm saying you aren't tough enough or anything. You'll just need a plan. A really good one. Yeah. What's your plan?† â€Å"Um, well†¦to walk into his castle and take the girl.† Volusian sighed loudly. It was hard to tell with those red slits, but I think he rolled his eyes. I shot him an angry glance. â€Å"Hey, it's a hell of a lot better than your plan. Would you like to share it with the rest of the class?† He did. When he finished, Finn said, â€Å"Now, that's a good plan.† I threw my hands up. â€Å"No, it's not. It's a horrible plan. I'm not asking one of the gentry for help.† â€Å"King Dorian might help you,† offered Nandi, â€Å"although his help would most likely only offer a brief flaring of hope, which would then make our ultimate defeat that much more tragic.† â€Å"Stop with the maudlin crap, Nandi.† I wished they made ghost Prozac. â€Å"Anyway, it's a moot point. We're taking on Aeson directly. End of discussion.† I gave them the time and location of our meeting spot, binding them to silence about the plan. I had to take it on faith that Finn wouldn't let the cat out of the bag, but once he'd reconciled himself to my possible demise, he seemed pretty stoked about the whole idea. â€Å"I have one more question for all of you before I release you. In the last week, three denizens from the Otherworld knew my name. What's going on? How many of them know who I am?† None of the spirits answered right away. Finally, in a voice that sounded like he couldn't believe I was asking, Finn said, â€Å"Why, everyone. Well, almost everyone. Everyone that counts. It's all they've been talking about for the last couple of weeks. Odile Dark Swan is Eugenie Markham. Eugenie is Odile.† I stared. â€Å"Everyone's been talking about this?† The three spirits nodded. â€Å"And none of you – none of you! – thought this was worth bringing to my attention?† More silence. Finally Nandi, compelled to answer any direct question, merely said, â€Å"You did not ask, mistress.† â€Å"Yes,† agreed Volusian dryly. â€Å"Had you summoned us and asked, ‘Is my name known in the Otherworld?' then we would have readily answered.† â€Å"Smartass.† â€Å"Thank you, mistress.† â€Å"It wasn't a compliment.† I ran a hand through my hair. â€Å"How did this happen?† â€Å"Maybe someone guessed,† said Finn. Volusian cut him a glance. â€Å"Do not be an even bigger fool than you already are.† The dark spirit turned back to me. â€Å"Not all creatures come to this world to fight you. Some may have spied. For someone quiet, discovering your identity would not have been so difficult.† â€Å"What are they saying, then? Are they all going to try to kill me?† â€Å"Some are,† said Finn. â€Å"But most of them are weak. You could probably take them in a fight.† â€Å"Unfortunately,† added Volusian. Great. This was not good news. Some part of me had been hoping only a few knew, but now it seemed my identity was the gossip du jour in the Otherworld. I wondered if it would be worthwhile to find a local witch and set wards around my house. I could also keep the spirits on permanent guard duty, but I didn't really know if my patience was up for large doses of their idiosyncrasies. â€Å"All right, then. Get out of here. Come back at the time we set up. Oh, and if any of you hear anything that might be useful about Aeson and the girl, come tell me. Do not wait until I explicitly ask you.† Those last words were a growl. Finn vanished instantly, but Nandi and Volusian watched me expectantly. I sighed. â€Å"By flesh and spirit, I release you from service until next I call. Depart to the next world in peace and do not return until my summons.† The spirits faded into nothing, and I was left alone.