Saturday, December 28, 2019

Personal Statement Bass Co Essay - 1572 Words

You know that time when your parents start making you pay for your own stuff? Well, I have reached that time, and so what do I do? The obvious answer is to get a job. So I walked over to the outlets across from my house, and started asking for job applications. After all the application and interview process, I landed with a job at G.H. Bass Co, a retail store that’s devoted to selling shoes. I become a sale associate, but it wasn’t until after I fully explored and learned about the logos, pathos, and ethos, did I entirely immerse myself into the discourse community. Some may ask why is that important? Or how does this experience contribute to anything? Well, everyone eventually needs to sustain themselves by getting a job, and most job positions also belong to a team, thus it is important to have the skill sets that allow oneself to join a discourse community. This does not only limit to career opportunities, but also include clubs, sports, and other academic discours e communities. During the time I worked at G.H. Bass Co, I was able to learn all the language and skills necessary to be a sales associate. Furthermore, I was able to fully understand the values that all the members shared, thus also mastering the ethos of the community. Lastly, I transitioned from an outsider to an insider when I built up my character and reputation in the job. That’s when I am really considered an expert in my field, and entered the discourse community successfully. Terminologies wereShow MoreRelatedCompare and Contrast Any Two Theories of Leadership Essay1515 Words   |  7 Pagesterms are interchangeable as they both rely on the application of influence to get a workforce to commit to accomplishing a given task. From Adairs statement it could be argued that they are different descriptions of the same thing. Transactional leadership relies on the workers behaviour being influenced by means of reward by the leader. There is co-dependency between the leader and the worker, one has to offer the other something for a desired outcome. A real life example of transactional leadershipRead MoreEssay on Paramore Bio: A Great Band with Musical Talents1090 Words   |  5 PagesJeremy Davis. John Janick, CEO and co-founder of the â€Å"Fueled by Ramen†, a Florida-based recording label with a strong emo-pop and alternative rock acts, was amazed by their sound and decided to go to one of their live performances in Orlando, Florida, to see them playing live. After he saw these young musical talents, John invited them for a smaller private performance where he said he wanted to sign them. To help attract a younger audience, Atlantic decided to co-sign the band with Fueled by RamenRead MoreImplementing Multicultural Education Essay1113 Words   |  5 Pagesunited† (64). Another critic who considers multicultural education as separatist states that â€Å"to dwell on cultural differences is to foster negative stereotypes, and that it is human nature to view those who are different as inferiorâ₠¬  (Edchange). This statement truly enforces the notion that it is better to fear the unknown rather than learning about it and finding a way to accept it. It also can make students believe that having a superiority attitude about learning about other cultures. Glazer arguesRead MoreFunctions Of An Arts Manager2590 Words   |  11 PagesMany management theorists both contemporary and traditional have a diverse understanding of leadership theories, though one leadership theorist Bernard M. Bass transformed many current managers leadership style, in particular arts managers and how they approached leadership in management through Bass’s Transformational leadership theory. The Bass transformational leadership theory assumes that the awareness of task importance and a focus on team or organisations produces motivates individuals to enhanceRead MoreMgt 307 Final Exams1718 Words   |  7 PagesCommon forms of unintentional ethics lapses that individuals should guard against include all of the following EXCEPT: A. favoring others who can benefit someone. B. promoting people who excel in their respective positions. C. claiming too much personal credit for one s performance contributions. D. prejudice that derives from unconscious stereotypes and attitudes. 9) When it comes to ethics and morality, scholar Archie B. Carroll draws a distinction between __________. A. immoral managersRead MoreThe Public Housing Authority Of Singapore1461 Words   |  6 Pagespropose that she be designated the Change Leader in EAPD (Jick Peiperl, p. 434). Tan reflected on the changes she wanted to see implemented within EAPD. A first step was to draft a new mission statement for the department that would be consistent with HDB’s new vision. The new mission statement needed to focus on the department, its core competencies, its human capital, and customer service excellence. Tan’s goal was to â€Å"face head-on the major changes that need to be made at HDB.† Tan focusedRead More Religion and Prayer in Public Schools Essay1469 Words   |  6 Pagesto public schools. The religion clause of the First Amendment is often misinterpreted to mean that absolutely no religious expressions or activities can take pl ace in public schools. Richard W. Riley, U.S. Secretary of Education, published a statement in 1995 detailing the principles of the extent to which religious expression and activity are permitted in public schools. He stated that the First Amendment con tains two equally important obligations of public schoo l officials in their dealingsRead MoreCritique of Transformational Transactional Leadership1806 Words   |  8 Pageshave come up to explain the difference that alienates one from the other, both theories juxtapose one another in such a way that one theory leans towards the other at the end and both leaders want same thing from the employee: optimum performance. Bass et al, 1999 argues that â€Å"to be truly transformational, leadership must be grounded in moral foundations†. Wren et 1998 also believe the â€Å"ethics of transformational leadership rests upon three pillars; the moral character of the leader, the ethicalRead MoreNorth Country3742 Words   |  15 Pagesprior), and didnt care to show them much respect. However, as Aimes found herself the growing target of sexist jokes and abhorrent behavior, she found that many of her female co-workers were reluctant to stand beside her, afraid of losing a good-paying job at a time when they were increasingly hard to find. But as a personal crisis became a public war of words, Aimes became the center of a nationwide controversy when she attempted to file a class action sexual harassment suit against the mine ownersRead MoreEssay on Why People Join Cults1480 Words   |  6 PagesCULTS I. Introduction Thesis: The forces that draw individuals into cults can be explained by psychological doctrine. II. What is a cult A. Brief description B. Types of cults 1. religious 2. psychotherapy or personal growth 3. political 4. popular or faddist III. Popular cult groups A. Peoples Temple B. David Koresh C. Heavens Gate D. The Family IV. Charismatic group A. Brief desciption B. Characterization V. Sigmund Freuds beliefs A. Belonging to a group

Thursday, December 19, 2019

The Effects Of Violent Media On Children And Youth

Essentially since media is more violent than ever, and children and youth are getting more attracted to violent media. Studies on violent media shows a clear evidence that violence on media rises the possibility of aggressive behaviors in both short-term and long-term situations (Rowell Huesmann, Moise, Podolski, Eron, 2003). Most researchers agree that aggressive behaviors are more disposed to the harmful impact of violence on media. The negative effect is much larger for younger children because they are not able to to differentiate the imaginary from reality. In addition, Bushman (1995) argued that only particular type of children and youth were negatively influenced by violent media these are labelled as high aggressive personalities. Aggressive-minded individuals fascinate by aggression more than non- aggressive personalites. Children who heavily exposure to violent media are more likely to act in an aggressive way toward others. Violent media is a risk factor that put childre n and youth in a high risk of developing aggressive behaviors that may last into their adulthood (Rowell Huesmann, Moise, Podolski, Eron, (2003). Therefore, parents have wanted to understand the negative impact of violent media, particularly on children, adolescents, and youth. Thus, this paper underlines some negative effects of violent media on individuals. Literature Review Regarding the harmful influence of violent media on behaviors, researches have shown that individuals whoShow MoreRelatedMedia s Influence On The Youth Of America1454 Words   |  6 PagesMedia in the United States has a prominent role on the youth of America. A majority of children and young adults have access to internet, television, radio, newspapers, and video games practically any time they want. The violence in media, along with the availability of media are increasing, however the most predominant form of media for children is video games. Because of this, many are concerned with the effects on the youth. The violence in video games is a cause for aggressive emotions, thoughtsRead MoreViolent Media And The Aggressive Generation1116 Words   |  5 PagesMatthew Taylor Ms. Cowburn AP Language 12 June 2017 Violent Media and The Aggressive Generation It Has Established The creation of visual and active forms of media has caused debate and discussion over the effects it has on the brain. The effects of media on the brain are of concern regarding children specifically, as their minds are still developing. Questions of the severity and impact have intrigued parents, scientists, and lawmakers. The first committee on this issue, the Surgeon GeneralsRead MoreEssay about Media Violence1541 Words   |  7 Pageshistory. Many researchers believe that the use of violent media, particularly video games, play a huge role in the downward trend of behavior and attitude of youth, and that this behavior continues to spiral out of control. However, other researchers believe that since violence has been occurring since the beginning of time, that adolescence are as capable today of violence, as they were a thousand years ago. Research has been found to link violent maladaptive behavior to the use of video gamesRead MoreThe Effects Of Violent Media On Aggressive Behavior1590 Words   |  7 Pagescorrlation between violent media and aggressive behaviors in individuals. This paper represents an effort to provide a source for individuals who are interested to gain information on the effect of violent media on aggressive behaviors. Most of the peer-reviewed and scholary articles used in this paper provided conclusions that violent media have multiply harmful affects on individuals especially children. Krahà © and Mà ¶ller (2011) discussed the relationship between usage of violent media and aggressiveRead More Children, Media, and Violence Essay1431 Words   |  6 Pagesagainst it, the link between media violence and teen violence is like arguing against gravity, said Jeffrey McIntyre, legislative and federal affairs officer for the American Psychological Association. As children are exposed to acts of violence in the media through television, video games, music, movies, e tc. alarming results are occurring. The main negative effect being an increase in aggression among youth who are regularly exposed to the media and an increase in violent patterns as they mature intoRead MoreThe Effects of Violent Video Games on the Young1575 Words   |  6 Pagesrock and roll music could have on their children. Much like the bad reputation rock and roll music received in the 1950’s, violent video games have been questioned and looked down upon as a newer form of influential media. Violent video games have been blamed for bullying, school shootings, increasing rape, and increasing the amount of women being abused. Despite the popular belief that video games can be very harmful to a child’s mind and cause violent behavior, video games don’t cause as muchRead MoreMedia Violence and Its Effect on Children Essay1112 Words   |  5 Pagespopularity of violent video games and television programs. However, as these violent video games and televis ion shows are creating their own place in our society, the reports of violence among children are escalating. This correlation has been studied extensively in the scientific community in an attempt to discover whether media violence does negatively impact children but there has yet to be a consensus. There is a split between those that believe that children are becoming more violent because theyRead MoreTelevision Is Destroying Todays Youth, but Dont Blame T.V., Blame the Parents.1302 Words   |  6 PagesEver since television was invented, it has become increasingly controversial every year since. So many programs and movies shown on television have become increasingly violent and show sexual innuendos and sexual content. If you were to turn on the six o clock news, you would hear about the murders and the kidnappings and the rapes and all of the horrible things which happen in society, presented in a neutral manner which makes them all seem not quite so bad. Imagine how that l ooks to twelveRead MoreVideo Games And Violent Violence1345 Words   |  6 Pages On television, iPads, cell phones, and even specially made devices for babies and children. Video games are interwoven with our daily lives. For many, it is just an innocent way to relax or enjoy themselves. For others, it has become an addiction in which they cannot escape. Not all video games are violent, but what about those that are? Does society have an obligation to monitor every type of video game children and adults play simply because they believe it may lead to acts of violence? PsychologistsRead MoreEffects Of Media Violence On Society888 Words   |  4 PagesEffects of Media on Society Media violence has numerous negative consequences on youth today to commit criminal acts in the society. Violence in the media will never be stopped as long as the society spends more time on violent movies and video games. Media violence has been tremendously growing and attaining the hazardous extents. Around 60 % of TV shows contain some kind of violence. Most self-involving video games contain some violent matter in it. For example, if you manufacture guns, you do

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Aestheticism and Morality in Oscar Wilde free essay sample

The Conflict Between Aestheticism and Morality in Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray Oscar Wilde prefaces his novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, with a reflection on art, the artist, and the utility of both. After careful scrutiny, he concludes: â€Å"All art is quite useless† (Wilde 4). In this one sentence, Wilde encapsulates the complete principles of the Aesthetic Movement popular in Victorian England. That is to say, real art takes no part in molding the social or moral identities of society, nor should it. Art should be beautiful and pleasure its observer, but to imply further-reaching influence would be a mistake. The explosion of aesthetic philosophy in fin-de-siecle English society, as exemplified by Oscar Wilde, was not confined to merely art, however. Rather, the proponents of this philosophy extended it to life itself. Here, aestheticism advocated whatever behavior was likely to maximize the beauty and happiness in one’s life, in the tradition of hedonism. To the aesthete, the ideal life mimics art; it is beautiful, but quite useless beyond its beauty, concerned only with the individual living it. Influences on others, if existent, are trivial at best. Many have read The Picture of Dorian Gray as a novelized sponsor for just this sort of aesthetic lifestyle. However, this story of the rise and fall of Dorian Gray might instead represent an allegory about morality meant to critique, rather than endorse, the obeying of one’s impulses as thoughtlessly and dutifully as aestheticism dictates. In the novel, Lord Henry Wotton trumpets the aesthetic philosophy with an elegance and bravado that persuade Dorian to trust in the principles he espouses; the reader is often similarly captivated. It would be a mistake, however, to interpret the novel as a patent recommendation of aestheticism. To the aesthete, there is no distinction between moral and immoral acts, only between those that increase or decrease one’s happiness; yet, Dorian Gray refutes this idea, presenting a strong case for the inherent immorality of purely aesthetic lives. Dorian Gray personifies the aesthetic lifestyle in action, pursuing personal gratification with abandon. Yet, while he enjoys these indulgences, his behavior ultimately kills him and others, and he dies unhappier than ever. Rather than an advocate for ure aestheticism, then, Dorian Gray is a cautionary tale in which Wilde illustrates the dangers of the aesthetic philosophy when not practiced with prudence. Aestheticism, argues Wilde, too often aligns itself with immorality, resulting in a precarious philosophy that must be practiced deliberately. Dorian Gray is often read as an explicit proclamation of the worthiness of living life i n accordance with aesthetic values. This is due in part to the flourishing Aesthetic Movement of Victorian England at the time of the novel’s publication, as well as Oscar Wilde’s association with the movement itself (Becker 660). The Aesthetic Movement, which coincided with the Industrial Revolution at the end of the nineteenth century, emphasized the artistic aspect of a man’s work in producing a variety of goods, from furniture to machines to literature (Becker 660). Oscar Wilde, however, proposed that the principles of the Aesthetic Movement extend beyond the production of mere commodities. In Joseph Pearce’s biography, The Unmasking of Oscar Wilde, Pearce recalls Wilde’s own perspective on the popular movement. Speaking of aestheticism, Wilde is quoted: It is indeed to become a part of the people’s life . . . I mean a man who works with his hands; and not with his hands merely, but with his head and his heart. The evil that machinery is doing is not merely in the consequence of its work but in the fact that it makes men themselves machines also. Whereas, we wish them to be artists, that is to say men†. (qtd. in Pearce 144) In his exposition of aestheticism, Wilde applies the philosophy in a more universal sense, stressing the positive influences of aestheticism in one’s life beyond mere craftsmanship. Just as the machines that mass-produce materials with the intervention of human thought are labeled â€Å"evil,† Wilde similarly condemns men who act as metaphorical machines, programmed to behave in accordance with society’s ideas of propriety rather than allowing themselves to act freely and achieve the greatest amount of happiness. Wilde’s eloquent advocacy of an aesthetic lifestyle is paralleled in his depiction of Lord Henry in Dorian Gray. Lord Henry lectured to the impressionable Dorian, â€Å"We are punished for our refusals. Every impulse that we strive to strangle broods in the mind, and poisons us. . . . Resist it, and your soul grows sick with longing for the things it has forbidden itself† (Wilde 9). Wilde, through Lord Henry, laments the stifling nature of his contemporary Victorian society and how the supposed morality it boasts necessitates self-denial and rejection of life’s most beautiful aspects. Lord Henry warns that without an enthusiastic embrace of aestheticism, one will perpetually anguish with the desire of precisely what he must deny himself, all for the sake of propriety. This philosophy espoused by Wilde and Lord Henry often leads, not surprisingly, to the conclusion that Dorian Gray is a declaration of Wilde’s, promoting the adoption of purely aesthetic lives without qualification. This, however, is too shallow of an interpretation. Opponents of a purely aesthetic lifestyle will certainly cite what they consider an inevitability: one’s desires and impulses, though when acted upon result in a more pleasurable life, will at times be undeniably immoral. It is at these times that the virtues of the wholly aesthetic life become questionable. The ruination of Dorian Gray, the embodiment of unbridled aestheticism, illustrates the immorality of such a lifestyle and gravely demonstrates its consequences. Wilde uses Dorian Gray not as an advertisement for aestheticism, but rather, he uses Dorian’s life to warn against aestheticism’s hostility toward morality when uncontrolled. Wilde himself admits, in a letter to the St. James’s Gazette, that Dorian Gray â€Å"is a story with a moral. And the moral is this: All excess, as well as all renunciation, brings its own punishment† (Wilde 248). Aestheticism does well to condemn the renunciation of desires, but it is an excessive obedience to these desires that is subversively dangerous. Therefore, in the practice of Wilde’s aestheticism, forethought and constraint are necessities, yet too often lacking, and without them, one is doomed to suffer the same fate as Dorian Gray. The character of Dorian Gray and the story of his profound degeneration provide a case study examining the viability of purely aesthetic lives. Dorian lives according to what Lord Henry professes without hesitation, and what Lord Henry inspires Dorian, through persuasive rhetoric, is an attitude indifferent to consequence and altogether amoral. As Wilde writes, Dorian’s newfound position is â€Å"never to accept any theory or system that would involve the sacrifice of any mode of passionate experience. Its aim, indeed was to be experience itself, and not the fruits of experience, sweet or bitter as they may be† (Wilde 125). Under Lord Henry’s mentorship, Dorian, once the epitome of wide-eyed youth, behaves with no regard for the ramifications of his actions, diligently pursuing instant gratification without thought of its implications, whether they be â€Å"sweet or bitter. † Dorian’s relationship with the actress Sibyl Vane plainly illustrates this marked change in personality. Dorian pursues Sibyl from first sights, intent on acquiring her before he ever attempts to truly know her. Indeed, Dorian’s love for Sibyl is overtly superficial, as evidenced by Dorian’s own description of his infatuation with Sibyl: â€Å"I loved you because you were marvelous, because you had genius and intellect, because you realized the dreams of great poets and gave shape and substance to the shadows of art† (Wilde 101). Dorian is not attracted to Sibyl’s character of personality, but rather her acting talent and enthralling performances; this is what enchants the aesthetically inclined Dorian. When Sibyl leaves the stage, then, she no longer serves a purpose in Dorian’s aesthetic life, and thus, Dorian abandons her unceremoniously. Dorian does not regret informing Sybil that, â€Å"Without your art, you are nothing† (Wilde 101). The tragedy of Sybil’s later suicide, brought about by utter despair at her desertion, is lost on Dorian, who instead enjoys the dramatic intrigue of the occasion. For Dorian, whose uncontrolled aestheticism rejects the concept of morality, the immorality of his actions goes unrecognized. In fact, Dorian declares excitedly, â€Å"It seems to me to be simply like a wonderful ending to a wonderful play. It has all the terrible beauty of a Greek tragedy, a tragedy in which I took a great part, but by which I have not been wounded† (Wilde 114). Here, the adverse consequences of aestheticism surface in Dorian’s life. In his pursuit of his own pleasures, a distinctly narcissistic attitude emerges, and the incompatibility of morality and unconditional aestheticism becomes all the more apparent. The emergence of narcissism in Dorian and its correlation with his newly adopted aesthetic philosophy is integral to Wilde’s novel as it emphasizes the frequent hostility between aestheticism and morality that Wilde cautions against. Dorian Gray exposes the immorality of self-absorption, as Dorian’s portrait becomes more disfigured with each one of Dorian’s selfish acts. This self-absorption, then, appears to be an inevitable consequence of aestheticism. Only a more deliberate practice of aestheticism may harness this egotism and avoid the immorality Dorian embodies. Interestingly, in his essay â€Å"Come See About Me: Enchantment of the Double in The Picture of Dorian Gray,† Christopher Craft recognizes a mirroring of the Greek myth of Narcissus in the life of Dorian Gray. According to mythology, Narcissus, upon catching a glimpse of his reflection in a pool, becomes so enraptured by it that he stood and admired it endlessly, unmoving for the rest of his life. As Craft notes, this self-absorption â€Å"is a commitment that, like Dorian’s, graduates fully until death† (Craft 113). Narcissus becomes so infatuated with himself that the rest of world effectively ceases to exist or affect him and, as Craft argues, â€Å"it is into precisely this silent delirium that Dorian unwittingly steps† when he allows Lord Henry’s aesthetic philosophy to so dominate him (Craft 113). Dorian enjoys a life of eternal youth, with only his portrait aging in parallel with Dorian’s immorality; so, as Dorian sinks into the depths of narcissism, he maintains his external beauty, and his portrait degenerates instead. Eventually, as in the myth of Narcissus, such egotism has its consequences. When Dorian, disgusted with the decrepit picture of the supposedly â€Å"real† him, destroys it in a fit of anger, Dorian too is destroyed. Wilde writes that after Dorian’s death, â€Å"it was not till they had examined the rings that they recognized who it was† (Wilde 220). In the end, as a testament to the purely aesthetic life, the only legacy Dorian leaves behind—everything that identifies him as who he was—is his superficial jewelry. There is an argument, then, made by Wilde for a new aestheticism, approached with more constraint than Dorian employs. This argument is based not only in the moral obligation of the individual, but with the betterment of all of society in mind. Matthew Arnold, in his essay â€Å"Culture and Anarchy,† provides reasoning against the ethos of Lord Henry’s aestheticism and an unconditional application of it. Arnold focuses on its detrimental effects on society and the possibility for societal improvement when aesthetic tendencies are properly controlled. There appears to be agreement, then, between Wilde and Arnold; Wilde’ novel provides a failed example of the purely aesthetic life, and when scaled to a larger society, a similar result is understandably expected. As Arnold views his contemporary society, it is arranged hierarchically, dividing the aristocrats, the middle-class, and the working-class, all of which, Arnold laments, are inclined to live hedonistically, pursuing pleasure and only what is comfortable and easy. Dorian Gray embodies just his defect in Arnold’s society. Arnold argues, however, that â€Å"there are born a certain number of natures with a curiosity about their best self with a bend for seeing things as they are . . . for simply concerning themselves with reason and the will of God, and doing their best to make these prevail;—for the pursuit, in a word, of perfection† (Arnold 277). Arnold is optimistic that some may pursue beyond the immediately pleasurable and act to perfect themselves both morally and intellectually. This pursuit of perfection, however, is likely an arduous and uncomfortable task, and is therefore incompatible with pure aestheticism. Some concessions must be made for the absolute aesthete, then, for such transcendence occur. Dorian Gray, for much of Wilde’s novel, fails to embody Arnold’s ideal, as in his hedonistic life he is seen â€Å"creeping at dawn out of dreadful houses and slinking in disguise in the foulest dens in London,† despite being once too honorable for such debauchery (Wilde 118). Dorian exemplifies a regression in social intellect from his beginnings rather than the kind of transcendence hoped for by Arnold. Dorian displays no such pursuit of intellectual perfection as he is slowly corrupted and in turn corrupts others, luring them with him into the slums and opium dens of London. Arnold refers to those able to transcend social classes in society as â€Å"aliens,† hinting at their rarity to the point of foreignness and to their almost mythical quality (277). The mere existence of these aliens, however, provides hope that the utter hedonists of society may learn to harness their damaging tendencies, and in doing so, better the intellectual and moral state of humankind. Wilde, too, recognizes this ability to control the hedonistic temptations associated with aestheticism, as demonstrated by the last stages of Dorian’s life. Mitsuharu Matsuoka, in his essay â€Å"Aestheticism and Social Anxiety in The Picture of Dorian Gray,† notes that, as Dorian’s death approaches, â€Å"Dorian ultimately reacts against his lifestyle, choking on his New Hedonism,† at which point â€Å"a great sense of doom hangs over Dorian† (Matsuoka 78). Indeed, Dorian appears to realize the consequences of his unbridled aestheticism; however, he is much too far gone to salvage. Dorian reveals his epiphany to Lord Henry: â€Å"The soul is a terrible reality. It can be bought, and sold, and bartered away. It can be poisoned or made perfect. There is a soul in each one of us. I know it† (Wilde 211). Unfortunately for Dorian, this realization comes too late to save his soul from its degradation, long-nurtured by a purely aesthetic life, and he is destroyed. The realization itself, however, is indicative of Wilde’s argument woven throughout Dorian Gray. Despite Wilde’s publicly advocating the principles of aestheticism, Dorian’s demise illustrates Wilde’s recognition that aestheticism needs to be properly controlled. While the pursuit of beauty and happiness in life is always Wilde’s ideal, he also implies that the consequences of one’s actions must be thought out and the impact of one’s decisions, beyond oneself, must also be carefully considered before acting on any impulse. The Aesthetic Movement in fin-de-siecle England, as interpreted by Oscar Wilde, revolved around the ideal that the utility of one’s actions should be to create the maximal amount of beauty and pleasure in one’s life, and nothing more. Wilde’s Dorian Gray appears, at first glance, to promote this philosophy unequivocally. Indeed, a lifestyle based on this aestheticism is espoused in Wilde’s opening preface as well as throughout Lord Henry’s professorial lectures. Upon closer inspection, however, Wilde’s novel is not as wholly embracing of aestheticism as this implies. Wilde realized and depicted in the life of Dorian Gray, a need for a more controlled and deliberate approach to aestheticism, without which morality will inevitably be elusive. The adoption of unrestrained aestheticism, as exhibited by Dorian, results in a lack of remorse, self-absorption, and intellectual regression.

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

John Steinbeck Development And Portrayal Of His Characters Essays

John Steinbeck: Development and Portrayal of His Characters "And George raised the gun and steadied it, and he brought the muzzle of it close to the back of Lennie's head. The hand shook violently, but his face set and his hand steadied. He pulled the trigger. The crash of the shot rolled up the hills and rolled down again. Lennie jarred, and then settled slowly forward to the sand and he lay without quivering. George shivered and looked at the gun and then he threw it from him, back up on the bank, near the pile of old ashes." This excerpt from and the climax of Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men is one which demonstrates the complexity and power of a moral and social force over an ordinary man. Throughout Steinbeck's novels and stories, he generally portrayed working-class characters who were controlled or manipulated by forces beyond their understanding or control. He isn't saying that an ordinary person does not have a chance but is stating that people or rather the lives of people can be influenced, thereby shaping the outcome ! of their life whether for the better or the worse, by circumstances over which they have limited knowledge or control. For example in Cannery Row an enemy that Steinbeck attacks is a destructive force, one which manipulates people into acting a certain way to attain a sense of security by disregarding feelings for others (French 120). By analyzing Steinbeck's writing style and influences on it, forces and themes present in his writing, and the portrayal of characters in his stories, one can understand how and in what ways John Steinbeck represents his characters as common people who are driven by forces which they cannot comprehend. First, let's look at Steinbeck and any influences on him and his writing style and as a consequence, how they contribute to the concept that his characters are manipulated by pressures which they do not understand or are able to control. Steinbeck was positively fond of people, more than any other writers were and especially fond of men who work for bread in the open air in the fields or mountains (Beach 1). He was interested in people from the beginning, long before he had any theory to account for their ways (Beach 1). With this, Steinbeck chose novel writing as a career, despite his family's insistence for a more prosaic career (Millichap 3153). This traumatic rejection of middle-class values would be an important factor in shaping his fiction (Millichap 3153). He grew up in a frustrated modern America and witnessed the most notable failure of the American dream in the Great Depression (Millichap 3152). During this decadent period, many of Steinbeck's writings of! fered detailed accounts of social problems, particularly the plight of migrant agricultural workers in California's fertile valley (Millichap 3157). From this idea the design for The Grapes of Wrath emerged, which follows one family from Oklahoma and the Dust Bowl to California in search of a better life (Millichap 3158). Of Mice and Men also shows the persistence of the American dream and the tragedy of its failure (Millichap 3156). Several other points which helps elucidate the idea that some omnipotent force has an imperceivable grasp over Steinbeck's characters are the forces and themes found throughout his literature. "Many times to him modern life itself is the enemy in which his characters find themselves lost in a world they never made and want nothing to do with (Folsom 2276). At their best, Steinbeck's stories tell of lives which have turned out far differently from expectations, and the very modesty of these initial expectations allows the author ample scope for discussing that vague malevolence he sees at the heart of life itself (Folsom 2277). The villains which he creates are almost always faceless generalizations which can not be quite understood by his characters (Folsom 2276)." A good example of this can be drawn from The Grapes of Wrath where "the bank" represented an evil which drove the Okies from their farms and had also replaced the "lovable existential mule with the malevole! nt tractor" (Folsom 2276). This system of production and finance involves innumerable instances of cruel hardship and injustice (Beach 5). In addition,

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

spanish Essays - Learning To Read, Language, Lexicography

ELEMENTARY SPANISH CURRICULUM PROJECT Third Grade - Topics (Last Updated: Aug 1, 2010) Names / Greetings / Numbers / Alphabet (4 lessons) Weather / Seasons (4 lessons; 2 extra lessons) Pastimes (4 lessons) Family (2 lessons) Animals (7 lessons) Body and Five Senses (3 lessons) Four Elements (1 lesson) Planets (4 lessons) Calendar: Days / Months / Dates (1 lesson) Extra: 10. House 11. City (includes review of Seasons plus sports terminology) 12. Market 13. Signs / Maps / Directions / Location Author Mrs. E Thompson Topic: Names / Greetings / Numbers / Alphabet (Last Updated: July 18, 2006) Objectives: Note: This topic is repeated from previous grades. More or less time should be spent on each subtopic, depending on background of students, and math calculations can be increased as students master the numbers. Students will be able to understand and use ? Se llama ____? and ?Me llamo___? , "Muy bien, gracias", "Adi?s". (This should be review from earlier years) Students will understand and respond appropriately to: "?C?mo se llama?", "?C?mo te llamas?", "Muchas gracias". Students will be able to greet people with: "Buenos d?as", "?C?mo est?s?" Students will be able to see, hear, and say numbers 0-20. Students will understand "m?s", "menos", "son". Students will understand and respond to: "?Cu?nto cuesta?" Students will carry out math calculations: addition, subtraction, multiplication (if this has been covered in English) Students will be introduced to the alphabet in Spanish Topic: Weather / Seasons (Last Updated: July 18, 2006) Objectives: Students will be introduced to el tiempo. Students will use appropriately: "hace fr?o/calor/buen tiempo/mal tiempo ". Students will use appropriately: hay sol/lluvia/nieve/viento/nubes. Students will use ?Qu? tiempo hace? Students will compare weather in Duluth and different parts of the Spanish-speaking world. Students will understand a story about the weather. Students will learn the four seasons: primavera, verano, oto?o, invierno Students will associate weather with each season Students will learn the differences in connections between timing of seasons in northern and southern hemispheres Topic: Pastimes (Last Updated: June 23, 2006) Objectives: Students will learn about different pastimes that are popular in Spanish-speaking countries (f?tbol & m?sica: tango/flamenco) Students will understand f?tbol vocabulary: f?tbol, pelota, jugador, equipo; aficionado, gol, golero, cancha; mirar, jugar Students will learn active vocabulary: me gusta; S?; No, no Students will respond appropriately to the following expressions: jueguen con la pelota; d?nle con el pie; tiren la pelota; agarren la pelota; ?gol! Students will understand: Eres/Soy aficionado de .... Students will learn about two types of music and dancing that are popular in the Spanish-speaking world: flamenco, tango Students will locate on map where this music is popular Students will understand dance and music vocabulary: m?sica, flamenco, tango, guitarra, viol?n, bandone?n, bailar, escuchar, tocar, cantar Student will understand different pastime activities: leer, correr, nadar, saltar, jugar, mirar televisi?n, cantar, caminar, tocar m?sica Student will be able to say what s/he does: Leo, corro, nado, salto, miro televisi?n, canto, camino, toco m?sica; juego Students will review alphabet through spelling of words Topic: Family (Last Updated: June 23, 2006) Objectives: Students will understand the following terms: la familia, el padre, la madre, el hermano, la hermana, el abuelo, la abuela Students will identify these people in pictures of families: "Es ...." Students will tell people's names: "Se llama...", "Me llamo..." Students will be able to say how many people there are in their family: "Somos + #" Students will plot the number of family members among their classmates Students will describe activities of people: baila, toca m?sica, cocina, come Students will look understand family activities/members in Mexican family Topic: Animals (Last Updated: July 12, 2006) Objectives: Students will understand how animals move (caminan, vuelan, nadan, corren; r?pido, lento) and different places for animals to live (casa, jard?n, granja, mar, bosque tropical, zool?gico) Students will identify where animals live Students will be able to say: "Vive en...", "Come...", "Es grande/peque?o", "Es anfibio/..." Students will identify animals of Spanish-speaking world: loro, quetzal, c?ndor, tuc?n, coqu?, jaguar, toro, llama, urraca Students will identify other animals: gato, caballo, vaca, pato, cerdo/chancho, perro, mariposa, abeja, ara?a, rat?n, conejo, ardilla, serpiente, p?jaro, rana, pez, caballo de mar, gaviota, cangrejo, tortuga, tibur?n, pulpo, cerdo, burro, gallina, pavo, oveja, cocodrilo, elefante, le?n, buho, oso, mono Students will listen to and understand stories about

Sunday, November 24, 2019

How I Brought Historical Legends Into My Modern-Day Novel

How I Brought Historical Legends Into My Modern-Day Novel How Blending the Past and Present Allowed Me to Ask: "What If?" Along with being an author, Finian Black is a doctor who served in the British Army. He lives in Winchester, which is chock-full of medieval reminders of the time and story inspiration. In this article, he talks about how playing with myths and legends - stories steeped in history but often in little solid facts - gave him the freedom to weave elements of the past into his modern-day novel.Every story, whether it's a parent making up a simple tale for a sleepy child or a  sprawling saga, can be boiled down to a simple question:  what if? So, whenever a new idea for a story starts to take shape, the first thing I do is look for the magical question that gets to the heart of it all, and everything flows from there. Speculating on the past allows authors to write about a different version of present-day. Writing allows me to ask, "what if?"I live in the beautiful cathedral city of Winchester near the south coast of England. It's a great place to wander around, and wonder about! The idea for my new historical fiction novel,  The Final Raven, came during a visit to the Great Hall in Winchester, where an ancient round table has hung on the wall for centuries. As I looked upon that table, one question sprang to mind: what if a child discovered they are the last living descendant of King Arthur? Simple as that, I was ready to get started.With the base idea established, I had to think about where the story might go. The "what if?" part is always the easy bit! What follows is countless hours of story mapping, character plotting, running up blind alleys and falling into bottomless pits as the story takes on a life of its own. I asked myself: Would it be set in the present day or recent past? Who is this child? What is their background? Why now, after so long, would it come to light that th ere is a living descendant? And, of course, how much of the existing Arthurian legend would I incorporate? However, being rooted in Arthurian legend, I knew that there were some road signs readers would expect in my novel: Merlin, a sword in a stone, the Lady of the Lake, and Morgan le Fay, to name just a few. But I didn’t want to just re-write what’s already been done so well before, so I purposely toned down the obvious Arthurian elements, bringing them subtly into present-day so as to not distract from the story I wanted to tell. Lastly, I knew I needed a very strong cover that would convey mythical history but also appeal to the YA demographic. The cover designer I hired through Reedsy, Edward Bettison, captured exactly that with the bold typography and visual of the Tower of London raven.Pulling from the PlantagenetsMany of the kings during the Plantagenet period used the myths of Arthur for their own propaganda, and their stories are more incredible than any fiction. Furthermore, the Plantagenet period was hugely important in shaping what modern Britain looks like - w hich made it a great source of inspiration both regarding the historical aspects of my book and my modern-day characters. My historical research about this time period was extensive, delving into the lives of the different kings and what drove them to act the way they did. Two of the books that helped my research immensely were Dan Jones’ The Plantagenets and Desmond Seward’s The Demon’s Brood. Both brought to life the period and its individuals in a way that was invaluable.The Plantagenet period saw great kings like Edward III, but also terrible ones like John - and it is the terrible ones that first come to mind when thinking about this period. The bloodletting, violence, and cruelty were beyond anything we see in Game of Thrones, and those who wanted to challenge the king had to be prepared to act abhorrently. Amongst the pool of eligible individuals, it was often the maddest that took the crown. All of these qualities provided ripe inspiration for my villai n and clarifying his motives: which is to be king, at any means necessary - an ancient grievance of his. He is someone with medieval values in the modern world, and this combination makes him a lot of fun to write. "Turning to the past inspired my modern-day villain with medieval values." Drawing from the legendary Tower of London RavensAs for the novel’s title,  The Final Raven? Well, I’ve been fascinated by these wonderful birds for a long time. They are intelligent, beautiful, and mysterious. From the outset I knew that I wanted to incorporate the famous legend of the Tower of London ravens in my story as I find it to be a very powerful tale. The legend says that if ever the ravens were to leave the Tower, Britain would fall. There are different views on just how old this legend is. It has been said it only goes back as far as World War Two, when Churchill used it as propaganda to build national resolve. Others suggest it is a Victorian story. I like to believe the version that tells of King Arthur slaying a Celtic warrior called Bran at the site of the Tower. In this version, Bran turns into a raven and it is his descendants who still live there today. Magical!This legend offered me another great chance to blend mythical pasts and presents by incor porating modern technology: in my version of the story, the ravens are implanted with microchips so that the villain can track their demise on his tablet - green, to amber, to red! I used the motif of the dying birds as a countdown through the book, culminating in a race to save the last bird†¦ but if you want to know more, you'll have to read the book!It was important to me to go back to the Tower while writing this novel - which was fine by me! I love it there. It’s a thousand years of history brought to life in front of your eyes (much like a well-written novel can be!), and of course, you can meet the ravens. The Ravenmaster is a real person, too - he’s active on Twitter. Check him out. A great way to put a modern twist on historical legends is to incorporate technology. I've written stories since I was very young. Words are magical things - they can amaze, inspire, scare, and excite us. I love books that make me want to read one more page, then another, and another. To be a writer, I passionately believe that you also have to be a reader. Use of language shapes us, teaches us, and helps us find our own voice. I once read that the first million words we write *are* just practice for the proper writing that follows - in other words, keep going. Never lose sight of how to improve, and never worry if a paragraph or page doesn't flow. It might not make the final edit but it all improves our skills as writers.This book is the first in a series of three, and will be continued in The Devil's Blood, due out April 2018.The Final Raven is available in  paperback and on  Amazon Kindle.Interested in learning more about conducting historical research? Sign up for our Reedsy Learning course:  How to Research a Historical Novel or Nonfiction BookPlease shar e your thoughts, experiences, or any questions for Finian Black in the comments below!

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Case 5 Ethics - Working Conditions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Case 5 Ethics - Working Conditions - Essay Example Jameson (2010, February 1) disagreed with this article in â€Å"Fed Up with Fat.† He asserted that fat people should be penalized for not actively addressing health issues, in the same way that smokers are paying more for their insurance because of their bad habit. This paper asks: Should an overweight employee who chooses not to participate in a wellness program be penalized? Using deontology and utilitarianism, it stresses that when a personal problem has widespread negative social consequences, then that person should be penalized for not participating in wellness programs, if healthcare assistance is free and other support systems are present. Deontology focuses on respecting people as ends, not as means to ends, and people have autonomy over their bodies, which society should not violate. Deontological thinking does not support stigmatizing people, especially because of physical differences (Morrison, 2009, p.403). Jameson (2010) talked about weight discrimination, which is immoral, because a person should be hired based on merit and other objective qualifications, not because of their weight. Tsai and Bessesen (2012) pointed out that many normal-weight people are actually unhealthy, such as smokers and those who are fond of eating fried, sweet, and salty foods, and yet are not gaining extra weight. They stressed that other fat people, on the contrary, are eating or living healthy, but they continue to have weight issues. This comparison highlights the injustice of being stigmatized because of being overweight. Furthermore, it is wrong to penalize people just because they are overweight, specifically people who are genetically predisposed to be overweight. Tsai and Bessesen (2012) mentioned that genetic studies prove that obesity has genetic causes, which is why some people get fat easily and have an unusually hard time losing weight. Some of them might even have illnesses that store fats in their bodies. Tsai and Bessesen (2012) stressed that socie ty will only be doing more harm than good, if it penalizes people who hardly have control over genetic predispositions. In addition, fat people are ends in themselves. They have autonomy, and they cannot be forced to apply in wellness programs, if they lack time and resources (Morrison, 2009, p.403). They might also have other issues, such as childcare, whereas if they spend time in these wellness programs, they have no money or no one to take care of their children. If these people are penalized despite these conditions, they are being seen as means to ends. The ends served are those of society, or the â€Å"thin† strata, who do not strive to understand the genetic, economic, and social conditions and limitations of the overweight. Fat people are people-as-ends too, and their autonomy over matters that concern their private bodies must be protected. Deontology further argues that the healthcare sector has a primary duty to do no harm to the obese. Healthcare professionals ha ve a duty to help the obese be aware of their options, in order for them to have a normal weight (Morrison, 2009, p.403). They must discuss prevention, not only cure, and suggest the best treatments and interventions to help the overweight deal with their weight problems (Morrison, 2009, p.403). The principle of beneficence is important. They must do no harm to the obese, and they can attain this if they provide the resources needed to help them (Morrison, 2009,

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Norwegian Cruise Lines Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Norwegian Cruise Lines - Case Study Example In case of NCL, multifactor productivity measure is used. Yes, productivity measurement is extremely essential for NCL in order to judge the efficiency and effectiveness of the renowned brand in the market. Along with this, it also helps to determine the cost effectiveness and return on investment of the organization of a specific financial year that might be used for the planning the level of investments for the next financial year. Other than this, with the help of multifactor productivity measure, we might also judge the requirements of innovative technology and equipments to cope up with the changing trends of the market. By doing so, it might prove effective for NCL to enhance its financial position and brand image in the market among other rivals of the market. In order to make the customers fully satisfied, NCL tries to offer varied types of service packages. It helps in improving the reliability and trust of the customers over the brand resulting in amplification of the entire portfolio and revenue as well. Keeping these dreams in mind, NCL tries to offer fleet-wide services, cabin service, room service, dining service and bar services to its customers. It is done to enhance its image and position within the minds of its customers so that they might return again and again in long run. Other than this, the charge of fleet-wide tipping is very low and affordable for all and so it is highly preferred. Apart from this, varied other services are also offered by NCL like, guest services, hotel services, technical support services along with shopping services for the customers as well. Moreover, extremely beautiful casino services are also offered by NCL to its customers to retain its image within the minds of the customers. Hence, due to the presence of such wonderful service package facilities, NCL is highly preferred by maximum extent of the customers in the entire market. The competitive priority of NCL is to remain reputation

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Global crime's Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Global crime's - Research Paper Example This paper attempts to present a brief overview of cybercrime, beginning with its varying definitions, how it evolved and became dangerous, its types, and past real-world instances. Cybercrime involves criminal acts that are committed using computer networks such as the internet (Bidgoli, 326). These criminal acts include the disruption of other computer systems using viruses and worms, gaining unauthorized access to confidential files, creating and distributing pornographic films based on children, stealing identity, stalking, and a host of other thefts and frauds. There are many ways in which cybercrime can be defined. This is because cybercrime is not a new â€Å"type of conduct† but an extension of criminal behavior that is already existing (Edelbacher, Kratcoski, and Theil 122). Cybercrime could be defined as â€Å"any crime in which a computer is the agent, facilitator, or target of the crime† (Edelbacher, Kratcoski, and Theil). This definition however is not completely representative of cybercrime. A more extensive definition was given by the Council of Europe’s Budapest Convention on Cyber Crime that defined cybercrime as – Offences against the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of computer data and systems, that is, offenses against computer data and systems, including illegal access to a computer system, such as â€Å"hacking† (Article 2), the illegal interception of the transmission of computer data (Article 3), data interference, that is, the damaging, deletion, deterioration, alteration or suppression of computer data (Article 4), system interference, that is, hindering of the functioning of computer systems (Article 5), including denial of service attacks, the misuse of devices (Article 6) – the production, sale, procurement, or otherwise making available of devices of data (e.g., hacking tools) for purposes of committing the above offences

Friday, November 15, 2019

Is accounting profit figure a measure of true profit of an organizations

Is accounting profit figure a measure of true profit of an organizations Accounting rules and regulations are a mish-mash of rather conflicting concepts'(e.g. relevance and neutrality), giving managers discretion in deciding which principle to and not to apply(1). Profit is no simple figure which can be computed easily(2), infact it is a thorough process of naming and counting(3); identifying, calculating and summarizing many references generated. Some of these items donot exist, and hence are brought into existence by identifying and assigning monetary values, some involve quantifying the qualitative, while calculation of others may involve managers choosing between different rules and methodologies(revenue recognisation, inventory, depreciation calculation using different techniques), all of which are accepted, by providing a simple reasoning or justification for the choice. Hence, earning management itself is allowed in the profession giving managers the discretion to twist and turn certain figures to meet their criteria, provided a proper reasoning is given. Prudence-an important rule in history, guiding managers that should a conflict arise, a conservative approach to be adopted, as not to be over-optimistic about performance. But now, it is a mere subset of reliability, replaced by faithful representation by IASB, following FASB(4). Should we now expect more use of creative accounting? Given the current credit crunch is it fair to follow USA? Does this mean that instead of using a careful approach as to which colors to use, managers are free to paint the picture in any way they like? Similar implications apply for the use of fair value accounting (driven by Hicks,1975, income and opportunity cost theory), affecting asset valuation and income recognisation. Also given diverse and conflicting rules, what maybe true for one company or country, maynot be true for another(due to different accounting bodies). Therefore profit is merely creating rather than reflecting reality'(5). Another point to discuss is PAT(positive accounting theory); based on unrealistic assumptions as long as they are a good prediction, and underlying hypothesis are never rejected if proven wrong(6). The diagram below shows that in every step of PAT methodology there is a lot of subjectivity, and half of the time they donot tell what assumptions have been made. PAT is based on Adam Smiths rational economic man stating that all choices are based on self interest and accumulation of private wealth; hence accounting methods will be chosen to mislead and disguise performance'(7). Agency theory (Jensen Meckling, 1976) is closely related to this, displaying conflict of interest amongst shareholders and managers, which justifies why managers may resort to earning management, especially if performance-based salaries are used (management compensation hypothesis, Watt and Zimmerman 1986). Shareholders appoint auditors as a protection of their rights and assurance that managers are managing the company to the best of their ability, to maintain decision making efficiency, but auditors donot have access to all the information, and only base their decisions on the information provided by managers and given accounting regulations, does this information asymmetry means that auditors really provide a fair and truthful analysis of company reporting? Given the limited figures that auditors are given, can they analyze that profitability as shown by the company is actually correct? The answer is NO, and we have many examples such as Enron, Sunbeam, which despite been given unqualified audit reports, failed ultimately. Furthermore, as Watt and Zimmerman argue that PAT only gives a prediction of which method managers might use, but doesnot tell which accounting method should be used, for example a large company is likely to use income reducing methods to avoid political attention (political cost hypothesis), debt hypothesis states that a company which is close to breaking its debt covenants will choose policies to ensure such covenants are not violated(8). Also, it is too simplistic to state that it is the only truth. Infact even if profit figure is aligned with companys actual performance, according to coherence theory it is just a truth'(9), and not the ultimate reality. Although some might claim the contrary, as the media only compares the profit figures and doesnot refer to the variety of accounting policies that can be adopted(10). My argument ends with the viewpoint, that although accounting policies and audit reports are designed to protect stakeholders from false reporting, but due to gaps in rules, managers still maintain the discretion to choose policies, which is exploited to meet their objectives, hence shareholders and auditors should use a pool of resources, such as return on investment(11), key performance indicators, share price and economic profit (bank interest and return on other assets-12) to assess performance. Information is not stable, clear and self-evident(13), it is subject to constant change, and can be generated and interpreted in different ways. Truth is not in the numbers, it is only constructing reality using space, time and value machine'(13), therefore users of accounting information should use their own judgment, knowledge and opinions before reaching any conclusion and not base decisions blindly on profitability alone. NOTES: Rhoda lecture notes: The Growth of regulation: International standards and conceptual frameworks of accounting. My first reflective piece Lecture notes Ann-Christine Frandsen: Where do we find accounting Lecture notes Dr Fiona Anderson Gough: Early standards and normative theory, the influence of past on present Hines 1988 Friedman, The methodology of Positive Economics 1953 Adam Smith, The wealth of nations, 1776 Lecture notes, Rhoda, Positive accounting theory (PAT) Lecture notes, Dr Fiona Anderson Gough, Portraying success Deegan and Unerman, 2006 Lecture notes, Ann Christine Frandsen Ball and Brown, 1968 Frandsen A-C (2009), Information Organisation

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Sammy Makes a Decision in John Updikes A&P :: A&P Essays

Sammy Makes a Decision John Updike's short story "A&P" is about a teenager who has to make a serious decision. The story is set in an A&P supermarket in a town north of Boston, probably about the year 1960. As the plot unfolds, Sammy changes from being a thoughtless and sexist boy to being a young man who can make a decision, even though it might hurt him. Sammy tells us he is nineteen years old. He is a check-out clerk in the local A&P, where the boss, Lengel, is a friend of Sammy's parents. Sammy does not seem to like his job very much. He calls one of his customers a "witch" and says the other customers are "houseslaves" and "sheep." He himself comes from a middle-class family. When they have a party, he says, they serve "lemonade and if it's a real racy affair Schlitz in tall glasses with 'They'll Do It Every Time' cartoons stencilled on" (15). In addition, Sammy is sexist. He gives long, loving descriptions of the girls who cause all the trouble, and he thinks at first that girls may not even have minds, asking, "do you really think it's a mind in there or just a little buzz like a bee in a glass jar?" (13) However, he does change as the plot goes on. The plot of the story deals with three girls who come into the store dressed only in bathing suits. They make their entrance in the very first sentence, and they complicate Sammy's life. At first, Sammy, his older friend Stokesie, and McMahon the butcher all look at the girls lustfully. But of them all, only Sammy enjoys the entertainment the girls bring. The other shoppers crash their carts, look stunned, and are suddenly jarred out of their everyday routine. Sammy, who seems bored with his job, finds the change amusing. He even begins to feel sorry for the girls when everyone else stares at them lustfully. The plot's major conflict occurs late in the story when Lengel, the manager, comes in and scolds the girls. Sammy knows that they are on their way out of the store, but Lengel has to yell at them and make them feel bad.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Do You Like the Ending of the A Question of Dowry or Cat in the Rain

Do you like the ending of the â€Å"a question of dowry† or â€Å"cat in the rain†. Give reasons to support your answer. What do you think will happen to Sivasothie or the American girl. I like the ending of the â€Å"a question of dowry† because Sivasothie shouldn’t marry to such a materialistic man like Thirulchelvam even though she liked him so much. Thirulchelvam only wanted the dowry that had promised by Mr and Mrs Ramachandran which were a piece of land and gold necklace. If Sivasothie married with such man, she was definitely couldn’t own a blissful marriage.Sivasothie might be very sad when she knew that Thirulchelvam don’t want to marry with her. But, she should feel lucky that she could know the true face of Thirulchelvam before they get marry because he would not be the guy who can give a blissful marriage to her. Besides that, Sivasothie should strengthen her self-esteem and not be a subservient woman anymore. She should have the power to choose the guy that she really feels that are suitable for her until the rest of her life and not compliance with her parents’ choice.This is because her parents are too realistic and just care about the status of their future son-in-law. They had ignored the most important part which is the true heart of the man towards their daughter. Therefore, Sivasothie should broaden her circle of life to get know more of friends and increase her self-esteem as well as her communication skills. Indirectly, these might help her to voice out her opinion and not to be a subservient woman anymore. If she can improve herself, sure she will find a better man to marry to. (251 words)

Friday, November 8, 2019

How to Write an Impressive Follow Up Email After Your Interview

How to Write an Impressive Follow Up Email After Your Interview The job hunt has so many parts, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. You need to decide what where you want your career to go, find jobs you might want, create a cover letter and resume, apply, and then hopefully get called in for an interview. Hooray! But then you have to prep for your interview, show up on time, charm the pants off the interviewer†¦ and then head home, collapse in a heap on the couch, and heave a sigh of relief, right? Not quite. Add one step in at the end there- a crucial one that will let future employers know you have the professionalism and class that would make them proud to have you as a member of their team. It goes back to what you learned when you were a toddler, and it’s still important: you have to say thank you!Thanking an interviewee for their time and consideration is polite and considerate, and lets them know you care enough about the job to follow up until the end of the process. Your follow up email or thank you note should be short, di rect, and filled with points here and there that drive home the fact you would be ideal for the job they’re offering.Check out the ideal thank you letter below from Lifehack, marked up to show you exactly why its so good and how it makes a solid final impression.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Marshmallow and Other Common Spelling Traps

Marshmallow and Other Common Spelling Traps Marshmallow and Other Common Spelling Traps Marshmallow and Other Common Spelling Traps By Maeve Maddox This sentence on a grammar site is intended to illustrate the use of the colon: It is time for the babys birthday party: a white cake, strawberry-marshmellow ice cream, and a bottle of champagne saved from another party. (Joan Didion) The use of the colon is fine, but a word is misspelled. I wouldn’t swear that Joan Didion is the one responsible for the misspelling. The error could have occurred during transcription. Nevertheless, a great many people do misspell the word for that puffy white thing: marshmallow. The confection got its name from a plant called a marshmallow. The roastable marshmallow was made originally from the mucilaginous root of the marshmallow plant. Note: I got the word mucilaginous from the OED definition for the plant. Doesn’t sound like something I’d want to eat. Nowadays marshmallows get their puffiness from gelatin. Here are some examples of other tricky words that may trip up otherwise competent spellers: 1. Wheelbarrow Incorrect: I mow the lawn [and] dump the bag in a wheelbarrel to add to the compost. Correct : I mow the lawn [and] dump the bag in a wheelbarrow to add to the compost. One meaning of barrow that has been in the language for a very long time is â€Å"a utensil for carrying a load.† A barrow with a wheel attached is a wheelbarrow. 2. Cemetery Incorrect: This is a beautiful cemetary to take a stroll through on a sunny Savannah day. Correct : This is a beautiful cemetery to take a stroll through on a sunny Savannah day. Incorrect: Ive always found old cemetaries to be a peaceful spot for an afternoon walk. Correct : Ive always found old cemeteries to be a peaceful spot for an afternoon walk. The trick to getting this word right is to remember that all three vowels are represented by the letter e. English cemetery comes via French from a Greek word that meant â€Å"a place to sleep,† like a dormitory. Early Christian writers were the first to make cemetery the usual word for a burial ground. 3. Dalmatian Incorrect: Slick - the two-year-old Dalmation mascot of Charleston Fire Station 10 - is back where he belongs after a six-day disappearance. Correct : Slick - the two-year-old Dalmatian mascot of Charleston Fire Station 10 - is back where he belongs after a six-day disappearance. Historically, Dalmatia was a region in the vicinity of Croatia. The Dalmatian dog traces its roots to that region. To get the spelling right, note the three a’s. 4. German shepherd Incorrect: For sale: pedigree german shephard puppies $500. Correct : For sale: pedigree German shepherd puppies $500. It seems to me that anyone selling puppies for $500 ought to be able to spell the name of the breed correctly. The AP Stylebook rule for capitalizing breed names is to capitalize only the part of the name that derives from a proper noun. One reason people may have trouble with spelling the common noun shepherd is that the word has produced family names with a variety of spellings, such as Shepard,  Sheppard,  Shephard  and  Shepperd. When spelling the name of the breed, the thing to remember is that the word shepherd is a combination of sheep + herd. A shepherd is a sheep herder. Think shep+herd. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Spelling category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Fly, Flew, (has) FlownFlied?Expanded and ExtendedA "Diploma" is not a "Degree"

Sunday, November 3, 2019

People management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

People management - Essay Example This paper aims at identifying the reasons of general employee dissatisfaction reflecting in high turnover rate, poor service, and downfall in profitability, decline in repeat business and other signs of detoriation in sports complex. Methodology The first and foremost task as a line manager of this sports complex is to identify all the problems areas. An analysis of the reasons of these problems will help us in actually finding the solution. This can be done through various methods which include observation, questionnaires to find out what employees dislike about company policies by ensuring anonymity, conducting open meetings, building trust among employees by giving value to their suggestions, conducting exit interview from leaving employees to develop sound understanding of deficiencies in the system and the source of dissatisfaction. Findings All the problems of sports complex were actually deep rooted in employee dissatisfaction. Diminishing profits, declining sales, customer c omplaints, high turnover, decline in repeat business all this were the result of ineffective and inefficient human resource policy and practices. A major restructuring and revitalization of HR policy was required to meet the current challenges. The problems identified were Lack of communication No synergy in team work Highly de motivated employees Authoritative management style No effort regarding building human capital relationship Inflexible policies rather than contingency approach Analysis of the Problem and Recommendations A deep analysis of the situation and the problem revealed certain shortcomings in the HR policies and practices. I will discuss in detail all of them one by one what is lacking and deficient and how it can be improved by strengthening certain practices in sport complex. Effective Communication HRM should realize the importance of communication skills and the development of interpersonal skills between the management and workforce. What we observe here at spor ts complex is a certain lack of communication. A good Hr manager needs to build a rapport with his staff so that they can communicate openly with each other. However a good manager should notice and keep track of all verbal and non verbal communication. According to Albert Mehrabian nonverbal communication is a complex communication phenomena which very subtly convey the feelings such as body language, facial expressions, hand and arm gestures, postures, positions and various arms and feet movement all communicate along with the verbal words. Sometimes there is dichotomy between verbal and nonverbal communication which subtly convey the true feelings of the person. 1(Albert Mehrabian, 2009) A good manager is a reader of all sorts of communication and does not ignore any. A manager should possess good interpersonal skills so that environment is friendly, pleasant and receptive. What I recommend here is effective open communication where both managers and workforce can freely interact with each and can openly discuss whatever problems they are facing, instead of opting out of the job or rude behavior with customers which shows lack of interest on the part of the workforce. Effective communication and conflict management is the first step towards building trust among employees. 2(Michael Fielding, 2006) Successful Team

Friday, November 1, 2019

The main reasons why companies decide to internationalize their Essay

The main reasons why companies decide to internationalize their activities - Essay Example Porter (2011) identifies how paramount the risks are as they are associated with new entrants in a market when entry cost barriers are reduced or even when technological advancements make it easy for new entrants to replicate competitive products and infuse new competitive forces in the market. Growth in the competition after a business’ products are in the maturity stage along the product lifecycle and when markets are becoming saturated with emerging competition, it is no longer sustainable to maintain the presence in the domestic country. Instead of attempting to diversify the business’ product portfolio, which is not always achievable using existing resources and existing knowledge, firms will seek new foreign markets as an opportunity to build revenues and remove competitive risks. In this capacity, they can maintain the same operational costs associated with product manufacture and create a new demand with foreign consumers as a means of sustaining its profit marg in. Furthermore, sourcing and manufacturing are now becoming a more globalised function as industry-wide benchmarks and standards are being established (Cavusgil, Yeniyurt and Townsend 2004). This means that supply chain networks are becoming more homogenous on a global basis which makes it easier for competition in a certain industry to gain the same type of procurement advantages related to cost and distribution. As emerging markets establish the distribution networks and tangible infrastructures necessary to reach foreign markets, competitors are able to benchmark supply strategies and erode any competitive advantages once achieved by another competitor. Further, the ability of competition to achieve replicable value-added activities in procurement drives another competitor to seek new opportunities to regain competitive advantages. Internationalisation, as it is related to procurement strategies, provides new opportunities to innovate new product development.

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Principles of Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Principles of Marketing - Essay Example My learning took place by absolute adherence to the marketing standards and rules which have been mentioned in the course books. I gained much insight from the teachers who were there to make me get acquainted with the norms and routines of marketing, and how these are employed within the practical world (Jobber, 2009). I once resolved a problem by understanding the intricate details related with marketing. I looked up the marketing issue in my course book and consulted with my peers before I decided for my own self the best course of action. I believe this was one of the best solutions that I could have envisaged as it brought about a great deal of hard work and commitment at my end. I reached the conclusion through my marketing insight and the knowledge that I had gained all this while. As far as the mistakes are concerned, I met these as well. However I learned a great deal from these mistakes and built upon my repertoire with hard work and dedication. I did not give up and went t he way which had success written all over it. It helped me ensure that I gained quite a lot within the marketing realms and was able to manifest my truest basis in an easy way.

Monday, October 28, 2019

Embryonic Stem Cell Essay Example for Free

Embryonic Stem Cell Essay The destruction of human embryos is required for obtaining stem cells. Alleviating human suffering costs human life and this gives rise to the ethical issue of taking human life. Some people have opined that destroying human life is immoral and should not be pardoned. Nevertheless, the fact remains that embryonic stem cells provide advanced medical treatment for terminal diseases (Oz). The ethicists propose alternative options such as the use of adult stem cells instead of embryonic stem cells. From this one can conclude that the major cause for debate on the issue of using stem cells derives from divergent opinions on the definition of life and not from a rejection of the principle which claims that the end does not justify the means or lack of faith in the latent possibilities of this technology (Oz). Scientists are trying to develop a system, wherein stem cells can be produced without destroying the embryo and which enables the embryo to develop normally. This method would provide an alternative to using human embryos for making stem cells. However, research projects in this area have been kept in abeyance since August 2001, due to the lack of federal funding by the government of the US. Moreover, the White House has adopted the stance that it requires further information to support such research and President Bush stated that he was desirous of perusing some more reports about such research (Stem-cell breakthrough: much heat, little light). The Catholic Church was vehemently opposed to such research as it stated that none of the embryos used for such research had survived. These church authorities made veiled hints that details about the nature of such research were not being fully divulged. The White House stated categorically that any use of human embryo for research purposes would be viewed seriously (Stem-cell breakthrough: much heat, little light). The most vehement critic of such research was Richard Doerflinger of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, who accused the researchers in this field of committing acts of falsehood, because of the fact that none of the embryos used in the study had survived. In this research a total of sixteen embryos had been used and all of them, without exception, had been destroyed during the course of these experiments. Moreover, he accused the researchers of having utilized a number of cells from each embryo instead of using just a couple of cells for that purpose, because while implanting embryos in genetic diagnosis, one or two stem cells are normally used (Stem-cell breakthrough: much heat, little light). In the United States there are nearly three hundred and sixty fertility clinics, which conduct in vitro fertilization procedures for infertile couples. The clinics extract twenty four ova from each female client. Subsequently, these ova are fertilized with the sperm of male donors’, usually the husband. Afterwards, either two or four embryos, obtained by this fertilization process are selected and implanted in the womb of the female client, with the expectation that at least one of these will develop and survive a pregnancy to term. The remaining embryos are then discarded by some of the clinics. However, some clinics use the excess embryos for imparting medical training. Most of these clinics deep freeze the excess embryos in liquid nitrogen and some clinics use the excess embryos as an alternative if no pregnancy is realized. Such clinics administer a repeated impregnation to woman clients, who failed to become pregnant by previous implantations of embryos. In addition, some couples donate their own embryos to other infertile couples; however, donating embryos is a rare event because clients generally do not prefer to see their child in some other family. Eventually, most of the excess embryos remain as spare, frozen embryos, which are never used. President George W. Bush for the second time refused to accord his consent for a piece of legislation that would permit federally funded research on embryonic stem cells. The proposed legislation would have repealed the present restrictions on research in the field of embryonic stem cells. The advocates of such research made a number of concerted attempts to override the veto of the President but all their efforts were in vain. They were unable to realize the two – thirds votes, which are essential for overriding the presidential veto (Minkel and Stein). The proposed legislation would have permitted research on cells extracted from excessive and unneeded embryos at fertility clinics. In a survey conducted by Science, it was revealed that more than sixty percent of patients who had excess embryos in the fertility clinics had come forward to donate their embryos for research on stem cells and only twenty percent of patients had stated that they would donate their excess embryos to other infertile couples (Minkel and Stein). During the annual conference of the American Academy of Pediatrics, US researchers reported that stem cells taken from amniotic fluid had proved to be extremely effective in repairing defective tracheas of lamb fetuses. In that research study, scientists isolated mesenchymal stem cells in the samples of amniotic fluid taken from pregnant sheep. Subsequently, these cells were grown in a culture and afterwards they were transferred to biodegradable tubes in order to form cartilage. After the transplantation of these tissues into the fetuses of sheep, it was found that the tissue had effectively mended defective tracheas in seven lamb fetuses. Moreover, the new born lambs did not display any respiratory problems (Stem success). Human embryonic stem cells act as master cells that develop any cell in the human body. The pace of the stem cell research was significantly accelerated in the year 1998. Researchers in the University of Wisconsin succeeded in isolating cells from the inner cell clusters of the early human embryo. These early human embryos are termed as blastocysts. These scientists developed the first embryonic stem cell lines (Stalcup). Stem cells represent a major breakthrough in medical therapy because they can be used either in the treatment of terminal diseases or for the purpose of assuaging diseases. Stem cells generate replacement tissues for defective or non functioning cells or organs in the human body. Researchers are extremely sanguine in using this therapy in spinal cord injuries due to accidents, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes (Stalcup). Scientists in this field of research hope to utilize specialized cells to replace defective cells in the brain, spinal cord, pancreas and other vital organs of the body. Stem cells exist in one week old embryos or blastocysts. They are created through the process of in – vitro fertilization or IVF and are present in five to nine week old embryos, embryos created through IVF for research purposes, embryos made through cloning or somatic cell nuclear transfer or SCNT, and the adult tissues available in umbilical cord blood and bone marrow (Stalcup). Widespread criticism has been aimed at the making of stem cells from human embryos and fetuses. Extracting stem cells from the embryo invariably results in the destruction of the embryo. Embryonic stem cells in the earlier stage of development are called totipotent cells. Totipotent cells have the capability to develop into a complete organism and produce an embryo and tissues to support it in the uterus. Subsequently, these stem cells reach the development stage and at this stage they are called pluripotent embryonic stem cells (Stalcup). Pluripotent embryonic stem cells can exist and develop into any type of cell in the body. However, unlike totipotent cells, pluripotent cells cannot produce supporting tissues. Thus the stem cells found in the early stage embryos potentially possess the ability to transform into any type of body cells, whereas adult stem cells do not have such capability (Stalcup). The extant thinking amongst the world wide scientific community is that human embryos are principally human beings. Such thinking has been engendered by the fact that human embryos are biologically human beings; moreover, life begins at fertilization and embryos grow and develop into complete human beings. In the 1970s and 1980s, embryologists termed the human embryo in its first week as a pre embryo. They claimed that this pre embryo was not a human being. They also believed that due to development they gradually gained the status of human beings. However, the scientific community desisted from using the term pre embryo due to the fact that such a description was incorrect. Furthermore, the Human Embryo Research Panel and the National Bioethics Advisory Commission also rejected use of the term and declared that the human embryo from its very inception was a living organism and developing form of human life. According to the 1995 Ramsey Colloquium statement, an embryo is a human being in its developmental stage and it cannot be referred to as any object or animal (Stalcup). The general consensus is that the forced sacrifice of some human beings for the benefit of other human beings is not correct from an ethical point of view. Hence research on human embryonic stem cells that are obtained by destroying human embryos is to be prohibited on grounds of general morality (Stalcup).

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Nike Air Flightposite :: essays research papers

SUMMARY This report recommends that basketball players try the Nike Air Flightposite. These shoes are hyper-thin, with a fully integrated molded foamposite PU upper construction and a full-length, dynamic sleeve. This shoe is built for speed with a zippered dynamic-fit lace cover; the shoeliner is encased with Zoom Air to provide enhanced cushioning and responsiveness during quick moves. All-around players seeking a high traction shoe with a sock like fit. Among other advantages, the Air Flightposite extremely lightweight and has a great forward roll for fastbreaks. Cost is close to $160.00 a pair, but is worth every penny, if you are indeed a serious basketball player. INTRODUCTION This report will present the necessary information to help you pick the right pair of basketball shoes. There are many different combinations of components, which will make a basketball shoe perfect for you. Finding the shoes just right for you is a long and energy-draining process. There are a few questions you must ask yourself when purchasing your basketball shoes. Will the materials and construction of the shoe produce the quality you expect? Will the shoes provide you with comfort? Will the shoes reflect your playing style? Are the shoes constructed in a way that will provide stability, and greatly reduce the risk of pain and injury? And will the style of the shoe reflect your personality and describe your game? The answer to all of these questions is yes, if you are considering the Nike Air Flightposites. BACKGROUND The basic problem of actually purchasing a pair of basketball shoes, is the fact that there are so many brands, choices, styles, and prices. The following are some important characteristics that the Air Flightposite will provide. Quality Quality is a top priority when picking your shoe. Materials and construction are the two factors to quality and the Air Flightposite has just the quality you are looking for. The shoe has a combination of synthetic leather, neoprene dynamic fit sleeve with a high wrapping foamposite construction. The midsole features fully integrated phylon foam, with full length Zoom Air sockliner for enhanced cushioning and responsiveness during quick moves. Comfort Along with quality, comfort is a major factor. Comfort can be obtained by trying on different sizes. These shoes have a basic â€Å"shrink to fit† system. Many shoes may offer an inner bootie system, but none compare to that of the Air Flightposite. The inner bootie system of these shoes is actually secured with the outer shell allowing for no movement, which will keep your feet in place, providing maximum comfort.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Emptiness in Mahayana Buddhism

Buddhism is an orthopraxy where identity comes from implementing â€Å"correct† behavior, rather than orthodoxy where identity is found through â€Å"correct† beliefs. Mahayana Buddhism, termed â€Å"the Great Way† is essentially a vision of what Buddhism is really about. Although the permeation of Mahayana was harmless, the status of the sutras was constantly disputed. From the very onset of Buddhism, the concepts of Self/not-Self and dependent arising were prominent and fundamental. The Not-Self teaching has been considered by Buddhists to be the unique breakthrough of the Buddha, the discovery that solidifies his superiority over other teachers.According to the Buddha, for something to be characterized as â€Å"Self,† it would not lead to suffering, it would have to be permanent, and also it would obey the person of whom it is the Self. If something were to be a Self, it certainly must be controllable and conducive to happiness; or at least not conduciv e to suffering. Furthermore, in contemplating the existence of a Self, he stresses that the five plausible candidates for â€Å"Self† (the five aggregates) in fact cannot be the Self because they do not meet these criteria. These five aggregates (form, sensation, conception, disposition, consciousness) are certainly not permanent.They could be considered analogous to a tornado in that they arise from certain conditions and circumstances and are not extractable from the environment in which they occur. Any part of our psychophysical make-up, anything that can be classified under one of the five groups, cannot fit the description of a Self and therefore they are all not Self. In response to claims of having found an unchanging Self, the Buddha asserts that if there is at all a Self, it is only a result of the coming together of causal conditions (dependent origination). In this case, it could not be permanent, and therefore could not be a Self.Through further analysis and insig ht meditation after the death of the Buddha, the five aggregates were seen to be dissolvable into simpler elements. This sort of investigation came to encompass not only the psychophysical aggregates associated with beings, but everything in the universe as well. These elements (dharmas) are irreducible to any further factors or sources. The Buddhist school of Sarvastivada held a definitive distinction between the way dharmas exist as ‘primary existents’ and the way complex entities (secondary existents) exist essentially as constructions of dharmas.The name Sarvastivada itself means â€Å"the doctrine that all exist,† and this school introduces the notion of the own-existence of the dharma. Regardless if a dharma is past, present, or future, it nevertheless still exists. These dharmas are ultimate truths. Primary existents must be the terminating point of analysis, and must not arise dependently the way people, tables, and chairs do. Thus, secondary existents la ck this inherent existence. The Prajnaparamita is the earliest form of literature known to be specifically Mahayana; paramita meaning perfection and prajna meaning wisdom.In Buddhist terminology, to have prajna is to encompass an understanding that distinguishes how things actually are from how things seem to be. In the abhidharma setting, prajna is used to determine the value of primary existents (dharmas), which are distinguishable from conceptual constructs. Perfection of wisdom (Prajnaparamita) does not imply the wrongness of what had previously been considered to be wisdom, but rather its perfection. The perfection of prajna is the final, proper understanding of the way things truly are.Mahayana philosophers felt the nature of the Abhidharma to be too objective and systematic. Characteristically, these sutras are not methodically philosophical nor do they imply doctrinal adherence. The texts entail clear messages that are illustrated repetitively and can be seen as messages tha t aim to urge or advise those in the non-Mahayana world. As we have seen from pre-Mahayana philosophy, secondary existents are in essence ‘empty’ of primary existence, empty of own-existence. In this sense, all things such as people, sand, grass, the ocean, etc. re empty not only of Self, but also of primary existence. In agreement with these Abhidharma texts, there then must exist things that indeed have primary existence in order to contrast them to secondary existents that are empty of such a quality. However, the Prajnaparamita sutras do not heed this theory. These Mahayana sutras claim that absolutely all things have the same status as people, sand, tables, etc because they are all constructs that cannot be grasped. They claim that everything is empty, and that all things are conceptual constructs lacking own-existence.In the eyes of the Mahayana philosophers, to claim that there is own-existence in a way that emphasizes the how essential the dharmas are in the Abh idharma seems too methodical. It makes the dharmas themselves suitable to become objects of attachment. Instead, the dharmas should be used the way the raft was used in the parable told by the Buddha in the Alagaddupama Sutra. They should be used as tools that are let go of after use; they should not be clung to. Suffering is the result of attachment, so to grasp to the dharmas is to imply suffering.One cannot become attached to these things because to attach is to miss enlightenment. In this way, ceasing attachment involves seeing sources of attachment (people, for instance) as empty. One cannot avoid attachment as long as they see a contrast between primary existents and conceptual existents. In the Heart Sutra, the bodhisattva explains that after engaging in deep meditation on the perfection of wisdom, bodhisattvas fully awaken to a state of complete liberation and perfect enlightenment.The bodhisattva explains to the inquiring Sariputra that the perfection of wisdom involves see ing that the five aggregates are empty, as well as the dharmas that make up these aggregates. Dharmas are not fundamental; they are merely intellectual constructs just as are people and trees. The Sutra illustrates that all beings, things, and ideas, which we experience as â€Å"real†, have no inherent existence and this â€Å"reality† is merely a construction of the mind. Dharmas, too, are empty and do not ossess the specific characteristics that they have previously been associated with. Nothing comes to be as an inherently existing entity, and therefore nothing can cease. Likewise, nothing is complete or incomplete. The bodhisattva specifically states, â€Å"form is emptiness; emptiness is form. Emptiness is not other than form, form is not other than emptiness. † This is logical because if nothing at all inherently exists, things and concepts such as â€Å"form† and â€Å"emptiness† are one and the same. Emptiness itself is empty because it doe s not inherently exist.The bodhisattva also references the 12 stages of dependent origination and the four noble truths in order to solidify that they too lack inherent existence and are empty. Nothing in existence is separate from anything. The Diamond Sutra speaks repetitively about quantity of merit. The idea of repeating four lines of this Sutra is illustrated over and over again, with the message that teaching just four lines to another person would generate an incalculable amount of merit. In relation to this merit, the sutra places a strong emphasis on the idea of giving without becoming attached to any related notion.The only way to achieve limitless merit is to selflessly give in this way. The Buddha tells Subhuti that those on the bodhisattva path should have this thought: â€Å"However many living beings are comprised in the total aggregation of living beings†¦I should bring all of them to the final extinction in the realm of extinction without substrate remaining. † Essentially, the Buddha is stressing the act of enabling all beings to reach Nirvana-without-remainder and, in doing so, surpassing the cycle of continuous death and rebirth.However, for this to be accomplished, one cannot dwell on the notion of having helped all of those beings. The Buddha goes on to say that after he has brought all of them to final extinction, no living being has been brought to extinction. That is because to give like this reveals the emptiness of giving. Since all of these beings are empty of Self, while all of them have been brought to nirvana, at the same time no one has been brought to nirvana. The mind must be free of thoughts of ‘self’ as opposed to ‘others. ’ There should be no identified â€Å"giver† or â€Å"receiver† or â€Å"gift. Such an act would yield the highest merit in giving. The end of the Sutra contains the verse â€Å"an illusion, a drop of dew, a bubble, a dream, a lightning’s flashâ € ¦Ã¢â‚¬  in order to indicate the insubstantiality, or the emptiness, of the world. Like the Heart Sutra, the Diamond Sutra also stresses that everyday reality is like an illusion. Paradoxical phrases similar to â€Å"what is called the highest teaching is not the highest teaching† are used frequently to emphasize that the two ideas are inseparable because they are both empty.The Buddha attempts to help Subhuti â€Å"unlearn† the preconceived notions that he has about reality and perception. The distinction between arhats and bodhisattvas is clear; and Subhuti learns that the bodhisattva’s compassion is not calculable. The Diamond Sutra asserts that there is nothing in the world that is unchanging, nor is there anything that independently exists, therefore everything is empty. A life without attachment means a peaceful life in emptiness. This teaching of emptiness was frightening for some, because it seems very similar to nihilism in the way that it encourag es such deep letting go.Nagarjuna’s explanations of the perfection of wisdom claim that all things seem to be illusions was by showing that all things are without their own-existence. In previous Abhidharma terms, a primary existent is an irreducible into which a secondary existent can be analysed. In a way, to be a primary existent is not necessarily unrelated to causes and conditions, so it does not necessarily have â€Å"own-existence. † Nagarjuna’s view is that the concept of svabhava must boil down from that of â€Å"own existence† to â€Å"inherent existence† that is fully self-contained and is not bestowed upon it from any other sources.Inherent/intrinsic existence means independence from the causal process that characterizes secondary existence. Dharmas are irreducible, but are still the result of causes. Svabhava should be the equivalent of existing on its own, which is independent of the causal process. While he holds that there could sti ll be a distinction between primary and secondary existents, anything that is the result of conditions must be nihsvabhava, empty. Emptiness here is understood to be the middle way between nihilism and eternalism.He says that all things are empty of independent existence because all things arise dependently on conditions that are out of their own power, even primary existents. Nagarjuna declares emptiness whenever anything is found to be the result of causes of any sort. He claims that the alternative to emptiness is inherent existence. Moreover, Nagarjuna asserts that emptiness is also dependent on things. Emptiness is the lack of inherent existence of a table, for example. If there were no table, consequently there could not be an emptiness of the table.In this way, emptiness exists in dependence upon that which is empty. By definition, as originated dependently on something, emptiness itself is accordingly empty as well. Another new concept introduced by Nagarjuna is the doctrine of two truths. This doctrine differentiates between conventional truth and ultimate truth, both of which co-exist. An ultimate truth is something resistant to analysis, such as a primary existent. Conventional truth is how things really or ultimately are, or what is found in analysis when searching for primary existence.Essentially, what is found is the lack of primary existence, emptiness. Once a Mahayana follower understands these truths, he can engage in the world for the benefit of others with complete compassion. Nagarjuna applies analytic investigation to principal Buddhist ideas. The assertions of complete emptiness as presented in the Prajnaparamita sutras as â€Å"like an illusion† are demonstrated through his investigations. Nagarjuna introduces the approach of taking a category that can withstand analysis and analyze it.He says that there cannot be causation, because it cannot be explained between a cause and effect that are the same. Finally, Nagarjuna makes a cl arifying point that the Prajnaparamita sutras fail to address. He says, â€Å"Emptiness is not a way of looking at something. It is the quality of that thing which is its very absence of inherent existence. † This is his way of explaining that emptiness is a way of looking at things, it is an adjective, and it certainly is not nihilism.