Monday, December 30, 2019
The Role of Colors on Maps
Cartographers use color on maps to represent certain features. Color use is always consistent on a single map and often consistent across different types of maps made by different cartographers and publishers. Many colors used on maps have a relationship to an object or feature on the ground. For example, blue is almost always the color chosen for water. Political Maps Political maps, or those that show government boundaries, usually use more map colors than physical maps, which represent the landscape often without regard for human modification, such as country or state borders. Political maps often use four or more colors to represent different countries or internal divisions of countries, such as states or provinces. Blue often represents water and black and/or red is frequently used for cities, roads, and railways. Black also shows boundaries, with differing types of dashes and/or dots used to represent the type of boundary: international, state, county, or other political subdivision. Physical Maps Physical maps use color most dramatically to show changes in elevation. A palette of greens often displays elevations. Dark green usually represents low-lying land, with lighter shades of green used for higher elevations. In the next higher elevations, physical maps often use a palette of light brown to dark brown. Such maps commonly use reds, white, or purples to represent the highest elevations shown on the map. It is important to remember that on maps that use shades of greens, browns, and the like, color does not represent ground cover. For example, showing the Mojave Desert in green due to low elevation doesnt mean that the desert is lush with green crops. Likewise, showing mountain peaks in white does not indicate that the mountains are capped with ice and snow all year long. On physical maps, blues are used for water, with darker blues representing the deepest water. Green-gray, red, blue-gray, or some other color is used for elevations below sea level. General-Interest Maps Road maps and other general-use maps are often a jumble of color, with some of the following schemes: Blue: lakes, rivers, streams, oceans, reservoirs, highways, and local bordersRed: major highways, roads, urban areas, airports, special-interest sites, military sites, place names, buildings, and bordersYellow: built-up or urban areasGreen: parks, golf courses, reservations, forest, orchards, and highwaysBrown: deserts, historical sites, national parks, military reservations or bases, and contour (elevation) linesBlack: roads, railroads, highways, bridges, place names, buildings, and bordersPurple: highways, and on U.S. Geographical Survey topographic maps, features added to the map since the original survey Choropleth Maps Special maps called choropleth maps use color to represent statistical data for a given area. Typically, choropleth maps represent each county, state, or country with a color based on the data for that area. For example, a common choropleth map of the United States shows a state-by-state breakdown of which states voted Republican (red) and Democratic (blue). Choropleth maps can also be used to show population, educational attainment, ethnicity, density, life expectancy, the prevalence of a certain disease, and much more. When mapping certain percentages, cartographers who design choropleth maps often use different shades of the same color, producing a nice visual effect. For example, a map of county-by-county per capita income in a state could use a range of green from light green for the lowest per-capita income to dark green for the highest per-capita income.
Sunday, December 22, 2019
The Gamma Knife Improves Treatment of Brain Disorders...
The Gamma Knife Improves Treatment of Brain Disorders Advanced treatment for brain tumors and brain disorders, the Gamma Knife is a tool being utilized to treat thousands of functional brain disorders every year without the danger involved in invasive procedures. Not many people can say they were up and about the same day after treatment of a brain tumor. This is now possible with the Gamma Knife, a technology utilizing gamma rays to treat brain disorders successfully and with no incision. These requirements are essential when trying to treat the disorders in a sensitive organ as the brain, where millimeters may mean the difference between life or death or brain damage. Developed in 1968 by Swedish neurosurgeon†¦show more content†¦These procedures also require months of rehabilitation after the operation. With the Gamma Knife, all of these problems are greatly reduced. Tumors or blood vessel abnormalities are destroyed with 0.1 mm accuracy. Multiple tumors can be destroyed easily because the entire procedure is only about half an hour long. A person treated in this way can also return to daily activities in just a day or two. The success rate for controlling the tumor growth is 85 to 90 percent. The Gamma Knife technology does not involve a knife at all. It is a 20-ton machine with the active parts being 201 sources of radioactive cobalt-60. These gamma rays from the cobalt-60 sources converge on the targeted tissue and destroy it. The surrounding part of the brain is left unaffected because the individual beams are not strong enough to destroy tissue that is passed through on the way to the target. The combined effect of the 201 beams is strong enough to destroy the abnormality in about 30 minutes though. The gamma rays are directed by sophisticated computer technology, thereby eliminating the sources of error that are encountered during invasive procedure by surgeons operating manually. The Gamma Knife was developed as a tool to improve cranial operations. Private entrepreneurs are already known to have bought some up as forms of income. Mild abnormalities and pains are being treated with the Gamma Knife where its use is not evenShow MoreRelatedObsessive Compulsive Disorder ( Ocd ) Essay986 Words  | 4 Pageswith obsessive-compulsive disorders to seek treatment to help them ease symptoms and become more effective in their daily lives. Treatment for OCD OCD treatment may not always result to cure, however, it can become a big help in decreasing and controlling symptoms so that they will no longer affect our daily lives. Some OCD sufferers may need a lifetime treatment to keep the disorder in control. A person with obsessive-compulsive disorder may choose between two main treatments: medications and psychotherapyRead MoreAnesthesi Surgery And Its Effects On Society1521 Words  | 7 Pagespatient who underwent a mastectomy, without the use of anesthesia: I mounted the bed and a cambric handkerchief was placed upon my face. The bed was then surrounded by 7 men and my nurse. Through the cambric I saw the glitter of the polished steel knife. A silence ensued. †¦ Oh what a horrible suspension! †¦ When the dreadful steel was plunged into the breast, I needed no injunctions not to restrain my cries. I began a scream that lasted unintermittently during the whole time of the incision and I almostRead MoreObsessive Compulsive Disorder ( Ocd )2087 Words  | 9 PagesObsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) was once thought to be extremely rare, but recent epidemiological studies have shown it to be the fourth most common psychiatric disorder (after substance abuse, specific phobias, and major depression). OCD is often a chronic disorder that produces significant morbidity when not properly diagnosed and treated. The mainstay of treatment includes cognitive behavioral therapy and medication management. The use of clomipramine in the 196 0s and then the introductionRead MoreMaagang Pagbubuntis Ng Mga Kabataan9395 Words  | 38 Pages                                                                                          EFFECTS OF TERATOGENS ON A FETUS: 1)      depends on the: a)      strength of the teratogen ï‚ §Ã¯â€š ï‚ Â ex. Radiation – in small amount sun rays it causes no damage, but in large amount like in cancer treatment, serious fetal defects or death can occur. b)     timing of teratogen ï‚ §Ã¯â€š ï‚ before implantation = zygote is aborted or is unaffected ï‚ §Ã¯â€š ï‚ organogenesis – vulnerable to injury ï‚ §Ã¯â€š ï‚ Last trimester – decreased harm (except syphilis and toxoplasmosis theseRead MoreMock Strategic Plan For California Hospital Medical Center Essay3834 Words  | 16 Pagesadvocating for our sisters and brothers who are poor and disenfranchised; and partnering with others in the community to improve the quality of life. Our Vision A vibrant, national health care system known for service, chosen for clinical excellence, standing in partnership with patients, employees and physicians to improve the health of all communities served. Our Values DignityRead MoreAnswer Key Essay33443 Words  | 134 Pagesare several large cisterns in the brain that may be documented with unique names such as magna, cerebromedullary, pontine, superior or ambient. 4. a Rationale: The root operation Excision is assigned rather than Resection because the entire meninges are not removed, only a meningioma. The body part value is 1, cerebral meninges, not 7, cerebral hemisphere is assigned because this is a meningioma, or tumor of the meninges, which is the covering of the brain and not the cerebral hemisphere itself
Saturday, December 14, 2019
Spirit Bound Chapter Seven Free Essays
string(71) " have no strength for whatever you have in mind,†hissed Victor\." â€Å"NOT WITH YOUR TEETH,†I added hastily. â€Å"Throw yourself at me. Swing your shackles. We will write a custom essay sample on Spirit Bound Chapter Seven or any similar topic only for you Order Now Whatever you can do.†Victor Dashkov was not a stupid man. Others might have hesitated or asked more questions. He did not. He might not know exactly what was going on, but he sensed that this was a shot at freedom. Possibly the only one he’d ever get. He was someone who had spent a large part of his life masterminding complicated plots, so he was a pro at slipping right into them. Holding his hands up as much as he could manage, he lunged at me, making a good show of trying to choke me with the chain between his cuffs. As he did, I gave a bloodcurdling shriek. In an instant, the guardians were there to stop this crazy prisoner who was senselessly attacking a poor girl. But as they reached to subdue him, I leapt up and attacked them. Even if they’d expected me to be dangerous–and they hadn’t–I had so much surprise on them that they had no time to react. I almost felt bad at how unfair it was to them. I punched the first hard enough that he lost his grip on Victor and flew backward, hitting the wall near Lissa as she frantically compelled Northwood to stay calm and not call anyone in the midst of this chaos. The other guardian had slightly more time to react, but he was still slow in letting go of Victor and turning on me. I used the opening and got a punch in, forcing the two of us into a grappling match. He was big and formidable, and once he deemed me a threat, he didn’t hold back. A blow to my shoulder sent shooting pain through my arm, and I responded with a swift knee in his stomach. Meanwhile, his counterpart was on his feet heading toward us. I had to end this fast, not only for my own sake but also because they would undoubtedly call for backup if given a moment’s chance. I grabbed the one closest to me and pushed him as hard as I could into a wall–headfirst. He staggered, dazed, and I did it again, just as his partner reached me. That first guardian slumped to the ground, unconscious. I hated doing that, but part of my training had been learning to differentiate between incapacitating and killing. He should only have a headache. I hoped. The other guardian was very much on the offensive, however, and he and I circled each other, getting in some shots and dodging others. â€Å"I can’t knock him out!†I called to Lissa. â€Å"We need him. Compel him.†Her response came through the bond. She could compel two people at the same time, but it took a lot of strength. We weren’t out of this yet, and she couldn’t risk burning herself out so soon. Frustration replaced fear within her. â€Å"Northwood, go to sleep,†she barked. â€Å"Right there. On your desk. You’re exhausted and will sleep for hours.†Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Northwood slump, his head hitting the desk with a thump. Everyone who worked here would have a concussion by the time we were through. I threw myself at the guardian then, using my full weight to get him within Lissa’s line of sight. She pushed her way into our fight. He glanced at her in surprise, and that was all she needed. â€Å"Stop!†He didn’t respond as quickly as Northwood, but he did hesitate. This guy was more resistant. â€Å"Stop fighting!†she repeated more forcefully, intensifying her will. Strong or not, he couldn’t stand against that much spirit. His arms fell to his sides, and he stopped wrestling me. I stepped back to catch my breath, straightening my wig back into place. â€Å"Holding this one’s going to be hard,†Lissa told me. â€Å"Hard as in five minutes or five hours?†â€Å"Somewhere in the middle.†â€Å"Then let’s move. Get Victor’s key from him.†She demanded the guardian give her the key for the shackles. He told us the other guardian had it. Sure enough, I frisked the unconscious body–he was breathing steadily, thank God–and retrieved the key. Now I turned my full attention on Victor. Once the fight had started, he’d stepped out of the way and simply observed quietly while all sorts of new possibilities undoubtedly formed in his twisted mind. I approached and put on my â€Å"scary face†as I held up the key. â€Å"I’m going to unlock your cuffs now,†I told him, in a voice both sweet and menacing. â€Å"You’re going to do exactly what we tell you to do. You’re not going to run, start a fight, or in any way interfere with our plans.†â€Å"Oh? Are you using compulsion nowadays too, Rose?†he asked dryly. â€Å"I don’t need it.†I unlocked the shackles. â€Å"I can render you unconscious as easily as that guy and drag you out. Makes no difference to me.†The heavy cuffs and chains fell to the floor. That sly, smug look stayed on his face, but his hands gently touched each wrist. I noticed then that there were welts and bruises on them. Those shackles weren’t meant for comfort, but I refused to feel sorry for him. He glanced back up at us. â€Å"How charming,†he mused. â€Å"Out of all the people who would attempt to rescue me, I never would have expected you two†¦ and yet, in retrospect, you’re probably the most capable.†â€Å"We don’t need your running commentary, Hannibal,†I snapped. â€Å"And don’t use the word rescue. It makes it sound like you’re some wrongfully imprisoned hero.†He arched an eyebrow, like he believed that might indeed be the case. Instead of disputing me, he nodded toward Bradley, who had actually slept through the fight. In his drugged state, Lissa’s compulsion had been more than enough to knock him out. â€Å"Give him to me,†said Victor. â€Å"What?†I exclaimed. â€Å"We don’t have time for this!†â€Å"And I have no strength for whatever you have in mind,†hissed Victor. You read "Spirit Bound Chapter Seven" in category "Essay examples" That pleasant and all-knowing mask vanished, replaced by one vicious and desperate. â€Å"Imprisonment involves more than bars, Rose. They starve us of food and blood, trying to keep us weak. Walking here is the only exercise I get, and that’s effort enough. Unless you really do plan on dragging me out of here, give me blood!†Lissa interrupted any response I could make. â€Å"Be fast.†I stared at her in astonishment. I’d been about to deny Victor, but through the bond I felt an odd mix of feelings from her. Compassion and†¦ understanding. Oh, she still hated him, absolutely. But she also knew what it was like to live on limited blood. Mercifully, Victor was fast. His mouth was at the human’s neck practically before Lissa finished speaking. Dazed or no, feeling teeth in his neck was enough to wake Bradley up. He woke with a start, his face soon moving into the delight feeders took from vampire endorphins. A short burst of blood was all Victor would need, but when Bradley’s eyes started to go wide in surprise, I realized Victor was taking more than a quick drink. I leapt forward and jerked Victor away from the scattered feeder. â€Å"What the hell are you doing?†I demanded, shaking Victor hard. It was something I’d wanted to do for a long time. â€Å"Did you think you could drain him and become Strigoi right in front of us?†â€Å"Hardly,†said Victor, wincing at the grip I had on him. â€Å"That’s not what he was doing,†said Lissa. â€Å"He just lost control for a second.†His bloodlust satisfied, Victor’s smooth demeanor had returned. â€Å"Ah, Vasilisa. Always so understanding.†â€Å"Don’t make any assumptions,†she growled. I shot glares at both of them. â€Å"We have to go. Now.†I turned to the compelled guardian. â€Å"Take us to the room where they monitor all security footage.†He didn’t respond to me, and with a sigh, I looked expectantly at Lissa. She repeated my question, and he immediately began to leave the room. My adrenaline was running high from the fight, and I was anxious to finish all of this and get us out of here. Through the bond, I sensed her nervousness. She might have defended Victor’s need for blood, but as we walked, she kept as far away from him as possible. The stark realization of who he was and what we were doing was creeping up on her. I wished I could comfort her, but there was no time. We followed the guardian–Lissa asked his name; it was Giovanni–through more halls and security checkpoints. The route he led us on went around the prison’s edge, not through the cells. I held my breath almost the entire time, terrified we’d run into someone. Too many other factors were working against us; we didn’t need that too. Our luck held, though, and we ran into no one–again probably a result of doing this near the end of the night and not passing through a high-security zone. Lissa and Mia had gotten the Court guardian to erase the security footage there too, but I hadn’t witnessed it. Now, when Giovanni led us into the prison’s surveillance room, I couldn’t help a small gasp. Monitors covered the walls, and consoles with complex buttons and switches sat in front of them. Computer-covered desks were everywhere. I felt like this room had the power to blast off into space. Everything in the prison was in view: each cell, several halls, and even the warden’s office, where Eddie sat making small talk with Theo. Two other guardians were in here, and I wondered if they’d seen us in the halls. But no–they were too fixated on something else: a camera that had been turned to face a blank wall. It was the one I’d adjusted in the feeding room. They were leaning toward it, and one of them was saying how they should call someone to check down there. Then they both looked up and noticed us. â€Å"Help her subdue them,†Lissa ordered Giovanni. Again, there was hesitation. We would have been better off with a â€Å"helper†with a weaker will, but Lissa had had no idea when she chose him. Like before, he eventually sprang into action. Also like before, surprise went a long way in subduing these two guardians. I was a stranger–immediately raising their guard–but still appeared as human. Giovanni was their coworker; they didn’t expect an attack from him. That didn’t make them easy to take down, though. Having backup went a long way, and Giovanni was good at his job. We rendered one guardian unconscious pretty quickly, Giovanni using a choke hold to briefly cut off the guy’s air until he collapsed. The other guard kept his distance from us, and I noticed his eyes continually shifting toward one of the walls. It had a fire extinguisher, a light switch, and a round silver button. â€Å"That’s an alarm!†exclaimed Victor, just as the guardian lunged for it. Giovanni and I tackled him at the same time, stopping the guy just before his hand could brush the button and send a legion of guards down on us. A blow to the head knocked this guardian out too. With each person I took out in this prison break, a knot of guilt and nausea twisted tighter and tighter in my stomach. Guardians were the good guys, and I couldn’t help but keep thinking I was fighting on the side of evil. Now that we were left to ourselves, Lissa knew the next step. â€Å"Giovanni, disable all the cameras and erase the last hour’s worth of footage.†There was a greater hesitation on his part this time. Getting him to fight his friends had required a lot of forceful compulsion on her part. She was keeping her control but growing weary, and it was only going to get harder making him obey our commands. â€Å"Do it,†growled Victor, coming to stand beside Lissa. She flinched at his proximity, but as his gaze joined hers, Giovanni complied with the order and began flipping switches on the consoles. Victor couldn’t match Lissa’s power by a long shot, but his small burst of compulsion had strengthened hers. One by one, the monitors went black, and then Giovanni typed in a few commands on the computer that stored digital footage from the cameras. Red error lights were flashing on the consoles, but there was no one here now to fix them. â€Å"Even if he erases it, there are those who might be able to recover it from the hard drive,†noted Victor. â€Å"It’s a chance we’ll have to take,†I said irritably. â€Å"Reprogramming or whatever isn’t really in my skill set.†Victor rolled his eyes. â€Å"Perhaps, but destruction certainly is.†It took me a moment to get what he meant, but then it clicked. With a sigh, I grabbed the fire extinguisher from the wall and beat the computer to a pulp until it was nothing more than a pile of plastic and metal fragments. Lissa winced at each blow and kept glancing at the door. â€Å"I hope that’s soundproof,†she muttered. â€Å"It looks sturdy,†I said confidently. â€Å"And now it’s time to go.†Lissa ordered Giovanni to return us to the warden’s office at the front of the prison. He complied, leading us back through the maze we’d gone through earlier. His codes and security card got us through each checkpoint. â€Å"I don’t suppose you can compel Theo into letting us walk out?†I asked Lissa. Her mouth was set in a grim line. She shook her head. â€Å"I don’t even know how much longer I can hold Giovanni. I’ve never used someone as a puppet before.†â€Å"It’s okay,†I said, trying to reassure both of us. â€Å"We’re almost done with this.†But we were going to have another fight on our hands. After beating up half the Strigoi in Russia, I still felt good about my own strength, but that guilty feeling wouldn’t leave me. And if we ran into a dozen guardians, even my strength wasn’t going to hold. I’d lost my bearings from the blueprint, but it turned out that Giovanni’s route back to the main office was taking us through a block of cells after all. Another sign read overhead WARNING–NOW ENTERING PRISONER AREA (PSYCHIATRIC). â€Å"Psychiatric?†I asked in surprise. â€Å"Of course,†murmured Victor. â€Å"Where else do you think they send prisoners with mental problems?†â€Å"To hospitals,†I responded, holding back a joke about all criminals having mental problems. â€Å"Well, that’s not always–â€Å" â€Å"Stop!†Lissa interrupted him and came to an abrupt halt before the door. The rest of us nearly walked into her. She jerked away, taking several steps back. â€Å"What’s wrong?†I asked. She turned to Giovanni. â€Å"Find another way to the office.†â€Å"This is the fastest way,†he argued. Lissa slowly shook her head. â€Å"I don’t care. Find another, one where we won’t run into others.†He frowned, but her compulsion held. He abruptly turned, and we scurried to keep up. â€Å"What’s wrong?†I repeated. Lissa’s mind was too tangled for me to pull out her reasoning. She grimaced. â€Å"I felt spirit auras behind there.†â€Å"What? How many?†â€Å"At least two. I don’t know if they sensed me or not.†If not for Giovanni’s clip and the urgency pressing on us, I would have come to a stop. â€Å"Spirit users†¦Ã¢â‚¬ Lissa had looked so long and hard for others like her. Who’d have thought we’d find them here? Actually†¦ maybe we should have expected this. We knew spirit users danced with insanity. Why wouldn’t they end up in a place like this? And considering the trouble we’d gone through to learn about the prison, it was no wonder these spirit users had remained hidden. I doubted anyone working here even knew what they were. Lissa and I exchanged brief glances. I knew how badly she wanted to investigate this, but now wasn’t the time. Victor already looked too interested in what we’d said, so Lissa’s next words were in my head: I’m pretty sure any spirit users would see through my charms. We can’t risk our real descriptions being discovered–even if they came from people who are allegedly crazy. I nodded my understanding, pushing aside curiosity and even regret. We’d have to check into this another time–say, like, the next time we decided to break into a maximum-security prison. We finally reached Theo’s office without further incident, though my heart pounded furiously the entire way as my brain kept telling me, Go! Go! Go! Theo and Eddie were chatting Court politics when our group entered. Eddie immediately leapt up and went for Theo, recognizing it was time to go. He had Theo in a choke hold as efficiently as Giovanni had managed earlier, and I was glad someone else was doing this dirty work besides me. Unfortunately, Theo managed a good yelp before passing out and falling to the ground. Immediately, the two guardians who had escorted us in earlier charged the office. Eddie and I jumped into the fray, and Lissa and Victor got Giovanni in on it too. To make things more difficult, just after we subdued one of the guardians, Giovanni broke out of the compulsion and began fighting against us. Worse, he ran to the wall where I discovered–too late–there was another silver alarm button. He slammed his fist against it, and a piercing wail filled the air. â€Å"Shit!†I yelled. Lissa’s skills weren’t in physical fighting, and Victor wasn’t much better. It was all on me and Eddie to finish these last two–and we had to do it fast. The second of the escort guardians went down, and then it was just us and Giovanni. He got a good hit in on me–one that knocked my head against the wall. It wasn’t good enough to make me pass out, but the world spun and black and white spots danced before my eyes. It froze me up for a moment, but then Eddie was on him, and Giovanni was soon no longer a threat. Eddie took my arm to steady me, and then the four of us immediately ran out of the room. I glanced back at the unconscious bodies, again hating myself for it. There was no time for guilt, though. We had to get out. Now. Every guardian in this prison would be here in less than a minute. Our group ran to the front doors, only to discover them locked from the inside. Eddie swore and told us to wait. He ran back to Theo’s office and returned with one of the security cards that Giovanni had often swiped at the doors. Sure enough, this one let us out, and we made a mad dash for the rental car. We piled in, and I was glad Victor kept up with all of us and made none of his annoying comments. Eddie stepped on the gas and headed back toward the way we’d come in. I sat beside him in the front. â€Å"I guarantee the gate guy’s going to know about the alarm,†I warned. Our original hope had been to simply leave and tell him there’d been a paperwork mix-up after all. â€Å"Yup,†Eddie agreed, face hard. Sure enough, the guardian stepped out of his gatehouse, arms waving. â€Å"Is that a gun?†I exclaimed. â€Å"I’m not stopping to find out.†Eddie pushed hard on the gas, and when the guardian realized we were coming through regardless, he jumped out of the way. We crashed through the wooden arm that blocked the road, leaving it a mess of splinters. â€Å"Bud’s gonna keep our deposit,†I said. Behind us, I heard the sounds of gunshots. Eddie swore again, but as we sped away, the shots grew fainter, and soon, we were out of range. He exhaled. â€Å"If those had hit our tires or windows, we’d have had a lot more to worry about than a deposit.†â€Å"They’re going to send people after us,†said Victor from the backseat. Once again, Lissa had moved as far from him as she could. â€Å"Trucks are probably leaving right now.†â€Å"You don’t think we guessed that?†I snapped. I knew he was trying to be helpful, but he was the last person I wanted to hear from at the moment. Even as I spoke, I peered back and saw the dark shapes of two vehicles speeding down the road after us. They were gaining quickly, leaving no question that the SUVs would soon catch up to our little compact car. I looked at our GPS. â€Å"We need to turn soon,†I warned Eddie, not that he needed my advice. We’d mapped out an escape route beforehand, one that took lots and lots of twisty turns on these remote back roads. Fortunately, there were a lot of them. Eddie made a hard left and then almost an immediate right. Still, the pursuing vehicles stayed with us in the rearview mirror. It wasn’t until a few turns later that the road behind us stayed clear. Tense silence filled the car as we waited for the guardians to catch up. They didn’t. We’d made too many confusing turns, but it took nearly ten minutes for me to accept that we might have actually pulled this off. â€Å"I think we lost them,†said Eddie, the wonder in his voice matching my feelings. His face was still lined with worry, his hands gripping the wheel hard. â€Å"We won’t lose them until we clear Fairbanks,†I said. â€Å"I’m sure they’ll search it, and it’s not that big.†â€Å"Where are we going?†asked Victor. â€Å"If I’m allowed to ask.†I squirmed around in my seat so that I could look him in the eye. â€Å"That’s what you’re going to tell us. As hard as it is to believe, we didn’t do all that just because we missed your pleasant company.†â€Å"That is hard to believe.†I narrowed my eyes. â€Å"We want to find your brother. Robert Doru.†I had the satisfaction of momentarily catching Victor off guard. Then his sly look returned. â€Å"Of course. This is a follow-up to Abe Mazur’s request, isn’t it? I should have known he wouldn’t take no for an answer. Of course, I never would have guessed you were in league with him.†Victor apparently didn’t know I was actually in the familial league with Abe, and I wasn’t about to enlighten him. â€Å"Irrelevant,†I said coldly. â€Å"Now, you’re going to take us to Robert. Where is he?†â€Å"You forget, Rose,†mused Victor. â€Å"You aren’t the one with compulsion here.†â€Å"No, but I am the one who can tie you up by the side of the road and make an anonymous call back to the prison with your whereabouts.†â€Å"How do I know you won’t get what you want from me and then turn me back in anyway?†he asked. â€Å"I have no reason to trust you.†â€Å"You’re right. I sure as hell wouldn’t trust me. But if things work out, there’s a chance we might let you go afterward.†No, there really wasn’t. â€Å"Is this something you want to gamble on? You’ll never get another opportunity like this, and you know it.†Victor had no witty quip for that. Score another one for me. â€Å"So,†I continued, â€Å"are you going to take us to him or not?†Thoughts I couldn’t read churned behind his eyes. No doubt he was scheming about how he could work this to his advantage, probably figuring out how to escape us before we even reached Robert. It was what I would have done. â€Å"Las Vegas,†Victor said at last. â€Å"We need to go to Las Vegas.†How to cite Spirit Bound Chapter Seven, Essay examples
Friday, December 6, 2019
Taming Of The Shrew (1094 words) Essay Example For Students
Taming Of The Shrew (1094 words) Essay Taming Of The ShrewIn the beginning of The Taming of the Shrew, some say Shakespeare portraysKatherina as a very shrewish figure. Others may argue that she is not shrewishbut just a very strong willed person. At the end of the play some people say sheis transformed into a very kind and gentle person, while again others will arguethat she is not tamed but just putting on an act to show up heryounger sister Bianca, whom has always been more beautiful and charming. Kate islike a wasp, like a foal, like foal that kicks from his halter; pert, quickand determined, but full of good heart. 1. This statement made by one author,shows clearly that he does not see her as shrew-like, even at the beginning ofthe play. The same author states that at the end of the play she has not reallytransformed, rather she has just fallen in love with Petruchio, in essence sheis free from torment because she is no longer seen as the shrew. In thebeginning of the play Kate is consistently in opposition to everyt hing aroundher2, meanwhile Bianca obeys so gently and with such sweet submission thatit is obvious why she is Baptistas favorite daughter2. In the end of theplay, the roles switch and Katherina is submissive to every word of Petruchioand Bianca resists the commands of her new husband. Kates first reaction toPetruchio, her mad wooer, is self-pity, and even her father feels that histreatment of her would vex a saint. He takes her away from the home she isused to, with servants and maids to wait on her hand and foot, to the country. There she is away from the luxurious town life and is cold, hungry and tired. She somewhat learns to watch her temper and obey Petruchio so that he will feedher so she can survive peacefully rather than miserably. I believe that hismethod of taming her is not cruel yet very effective. He shows her that she canget much farther and live life a lot happier if she is nice and entreatshim rather than fighting him. One author (pattern in carpet) says thatShakespeare sees Katherine and Petruchio as in love at first sight. He says thattheir fights are partly like a game and partly a matter of egoism. He seesKatherine as testing Petruchio making sure he is man enough to putup with the worst of her and prove to be the husband she requires. Petruchioaccepts her challenge with delight (and to get Baptistas money), passes allof her tests with ease and in fact does prove to be a suitable husband. Petruchio starts to tame her from the very first time they meet. He stays calmwhen she yells and does exactly the opposite of what she expects him to do. Hecontinues his taming at the wedding by acting even worse than she does, and in away, he paints a portrait of her for her to see. He believes that if she seesthe way she acts by repeating her actions, that she will want to change, to bemore pleasant. I think she acts the way she does in part because she doesntrealize what she does and to people and doesnt fully know why people call herthe shrew. By repeating how she acts Petruchio not only tames her but he winsher love. Even on their wedding day Kate is still furious and does not want tomarry Petruchio. She begins to declare that she will NOT marry him, but he cutsher off and gives her a kiss. Then he will not even let her stay for her ownwedding dinner. I believe that this is all part of his plan to tame her. In theend of the play, some may say she is tamed, while others will say she has justplainly fallen in love. But any way you chose to look at it, she is definitely achanged person. When the other men call for their wives, they send back a replystating that they are busy and just plain ignore their husbands commands. Onthe other hand, when Petruchio beckons Kate all of the men expect her to yelland scream as she always did. But to their surprise obediently came immediately. .u0a1721b137f5d8b7ef756443e9f7a7d1 , .u0a1721b137f5d8b7ef756443e9f7a7d1 .postImageUrl , .u0a1721b137f5d8b7ef756443e9f7a7d1 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u0a1721b137f5d8b7ef756443e9f7a7d1 , .u0a1721b137f5d8b7ef756443e9f7a7d1:hover , .u0a1721b137f5d8b7ef756443e9f7a7d1:visited , .u0a1721b137f5d8b7ef756443e9f7a7d1:active { border:0!important; } .u0a1721b137f5d8b7ef756443e9f7a7d1 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u0a1721b137f5d8b7ef756443e9f7a7d1 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u0a1721b137f5d8b7ef756443e9f7a7d1:active , .u0a1721b137f5d8b7ef756443e9f7a7d1:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u0a1721b137f5d8b7ef756443e9f7a7d1 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u0a1721b137f5d8b7ef756443e9f7a7d1 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u0a1721b137f5d8b7ef756443e9f7a7d1 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u0a1721b137f5d8b7ef756443e9f7a7d1 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u0a1721b137f5d8b7ef756443e9f7a7d1:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u0a1721b137f5d8b7ef756443e9f7a7d1 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u0a1721b137f5d8b7ef756443e9f7a7d1 .u0a1721b137f5d8b7ef756443e9f7a7d1-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u0a1721b137f5d8b7ef756443e9f7a7d1:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The Danger in Trifles EssayShe even makes a speech to the other girls on how they too should be obedient totheir husbands. Once she is finally tamed, she would do anything to pleasePetruchio. One author states she would call the sun the moon, and address oldVincentio as a young girl3. She is so tamed by this point that she would evenkiss him on a public street at his command. An act like this would have beencompletely unthinkable at the beginning of the play. He even tries to kiss herin the beginning and she refuses so he must lie to Seignior Baptista to convincehim he has done a good job at wooing her. He also says that she has a new-builtvirtue, that not only wins the wa ger but it convinces her father to raise herdowry by twenty thousand crowns. The other view, that she is not really tamedhas its arguments as well. Some people see the end of the play as not a sign ofobedience, but just change. It is thought that she still has control over whatPetruchio does, but in a different, more mind manipulative way. She may besubmissive to him, but at the same time, he is just as submissive to her. Ithink that he didnt only tame her, but she tamed and controls him by craftand not violence. Katherina is not the only one in the play to undergo atransformation. Petruchio, in the beginning went to woo Katherina only formoney. He was offered a dowry by Seignior Baptista to get rid of Kate sohe could wed his younger daughter Bianca to one of her many suitors. By the endof the play, it is made clear that Petruchio too changed and had fallen in lovewith Kate. The relationship that they have at the end of the play is truly love. They both are willing to change to make each other happy and they both try inevery way possible to make peace in their family. The ironic part of the play isthat they both think that they have control over the other one. All in allKatherina undergoes a complete metamorphosis from the beginning of the play tothe end of the play. She starts out a girl, acting like foal trying to kick freefrom her harness and ends up a submissive, sweet, gentle and kind woman, whom iscontrolled yet, controls her husband Petruchio, whom she ends up loving dearly.
Friday, November 29, 2019
Impact of the Product Differentiation on Free Trade
Introduction Free trade is the removal of barriers, tariffs, taxes and quotas and any other restrictions by the government on international trade to easily exchange certain commodities (Narlikar 22). Mostly, free trade is considered as a noble idea by many countries because of the removal of barriers, making exportation easy and less expensive.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Impact of the Product Differentiation on Free Trade specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This makes a country to focus more of its resources efficiently and achieve extra real income. Some countries consider this a threat because of product differentiation; they claim that there are countries with an advantage of high technology, which they use in producing quality and cheap products; therefore, going into free trade with them would mean losing market for their products. This is because they do not understand the benefits of free trade with prod uct differentiation, however, once they realize that much of international trade is based on product differentiation, the countries will have more winners than losers; this is because they would experience the benefits of free trade. Benefits of Free Trade with product differentiation Static Gains Product differentiation increases export opportunities; this is because countries specialize in producing goods that they can produce efficiently. For those goods which cannot produce efficiently, they import them (Narlikar 45). Producing the same goods but of different quality, price and customer preferences does not mean that those with high prices, or low quality will lack market; this is because each of these goods come with other advantages which the others do not have, and this makes the goods equally competitive. Consumer Savings Product differentiation would also be beneficial to consumers, through product differentiation, the consumer has many products to choose from, therefore, h e or she is free of what he or she wants according to the ability to buy. Also, because of competition between products of the same quality in the market, the sellers of these products will opt to sell at lower prices: these would be favorable to consumers allowing them to buy more.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More According to the estimates from members of International Economics, American consumers would save about 1.2% of their country’s GNP; Japanese consumers would save about 5% of their country’s GNP, while the Korean consumers save close to 4% of Korean GNP (Cleaver 78). Product differentiation also increases competition in local markets; this weakens anti-competitive practices that intimidate domestic producers. This shows free trading of goods despite the difference in product quality and preferences benefits the buyer more than if there were no trade a t all between countries. Stable employment and higher wages In the United States, jobs associated with exports have risen four times faster compared to the overall jobs created by the private-industry (Narlikar 66). The American now owes this to exports. According to statistics, production and non-production workers in America’s exporting firms collect an average of 14% higher pay compared to non-exporting firms (Cleaver 79). A company which has no market for its products at home because of its quality preference and price can still get market for the same products abroad. This would reduce wastage and increase employment opportunities. Additionally, these companies will have a high tendency of having a more stable employment trends; this ensures that citizens have not only more stable employment, but also higher paying employment. Increase in Factor of Production Countries which engage in free trade despite their difference in the qualities, prices and preferences of their p roducts have access to new managing and production technologies; the technologies promote higher production at the industry level. In the long-run, countries learn how to manage industries effectively and produce products more cheaply from each other. For instance, American automobile firms learnt from Japan how to make cars more cheaply, and at the moment, Tokyo’s financial institutions are learning how to manage banks as well as pension funds from the United States (Cleaver 109). These are long run gains, which a country in free trade stand to gain. Catch-up Benefits Developing countries have always complained that developed countries want them to remove trade barriers for them to exploit them and cause imbalance in their countries, which is meant to create market for goods from the developed and industrialized countries (Narlikar 107).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Impact of the Product Differentiation on Free Trade specifically for you f or only $16.05 $11/page Learn More These countries complain without thinking of the benefits awaiting them in the future, if they open up to trade with the developed and industrialized countries. These benefits include raising their productivity, quality of goods they produce and income to the levels already attained by developed and industrialized countries (Cleaver 103). These countries would have a chance to imitate their quality ways of production, and improve their innovation skills. Conclusion Some protesters might still believe that international trade favor those with high technology and advantages of producing quality and cheap products; particularly, free trade has serious repercussions on people in import-competing industries. However, countries which have ventured in free trade yarn to join more Free Trade Agreements or institutions from populous, largest, smallest as well as, those whose economy is the weakest. This is because they believe that their futu re is in putting down the barriers to trade and product differentiation will help them increase trade with the other counties. Without product differentiation, there would be no international trade because everyone would be satisfied with what they produce. Works Cited Cleaver, Tony. Understanding the World Economy. London: Routledge, 2007. Print. Narlikar, Amrita. The World Trade Organization – A very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005. Print. 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Monday, November 25, 2019
Essay on Operations and Strategy of Financial InstitutionsEssay Writing Service
Essay on Operations and Strategy of Financial InstitutionsEssay Writing Service Essay on Operations and Strategy of Financial Institutions Essay on Operations and Strategy of Financial InstitutionsToday, the idea of the separation of the retail banking from the investment banking grows more and more popular. However, this idea is inspired not just by the common sense of policy makers but rather by effects of the economic recession in the US, followed by the global financial crisis in 2008. The global financial crisis affected many banks, including Northern Rock, the UK-based retail bank, which operated internationally. The global financial crisis had struck especially those banks, which had either poor or risky assets and which policies were ineffective. Northern Bank turned out to be incapable to cope with the crisis strike and now the bank is run by Virgin Money. The idea of the separation of the retail banking and the investment banking may still affect the profitability and performance of Northern Rock Bank because this decision will affect the financial sector at large. However, the seemingly positive impact of the separation may bring doubtful results since the stability of the banking industry and financial markets depends not only on the separation of retail banks from investment banks but also and mainly from policies conducted by banks, because banks conducting risky operations will face the downturn in their business development regardless of whether they are retail, investment or universal banks.Background of the emergence of the idea of separation of the retail banking from investment bankingThe emergence of the idea of the separation of the retail banking from the investment banking dates back to the economic recession in the US that triggered the global financial crisis of 2008. In the aftermath of the financial crisis, which peaked with the collapse of investment bank Lehman Brothers, there has been a search for ways to increase the stability of the banking system (Gorton, 2012). One of the frequently suggested options is the potential separation of banks into a retail part and an investment banking part, or high-risk part (Haldane, 2009). In such a situation, the idea of the separation of the retail banking from the investment banking was the natural response because this decision was supposed to secure the retail banking and the banking industry at large. The idea of the separation was suggest as the remedy against crises in the banking industry because such separation could allow ‘localising’ the crisis in certain retail banks only or, in the worst case, in the retail banking sector alone, while other banks and the banking industry would maintain the stable performance.Alternatively, experts (Mishkin, 2011) offered other possibilities to manage crises in the banking industry and prevent such problems as occurred in 2008. Other possibilities include a further increase in the buffers to be held by the banks, investment in better risk management, more, and especially more effective, supervision and the removal of incentives in the system that can lead to taking excessive risk (French, et al., 2010).Nevertheless, the separation of the retail banking from the investment banking became the mainstream idea that was supposed to save the banking industry from the possible collapse in the future. In this regard, given the consequences of the collapse of Lehman Brothers for the banking system, the search for measures to reduce the exposure of retail banking to the risks of investment banking is entirely understandable (Hoshi, 2011). As a result, governments of the US, the UK and other countries of the EU have started to consider the possibility of the introduction of the separation of the retail banking from the investment banking.The essence of the separation of the retail banking from the investment bankingTo understand possible effects of the separation on the profitability and performance of the Northern Rock as well as on the banking industry, at large, it is important to understand the essence of this policy. In fact, the â⠂¬Ëœretail banking’ in this context refers to banking that supports the real economy (Hanson, Kashyap, Stein, 2011). An investment bank is a bank engaging in other banking activities, such as proprietary trading (Gorton Metrick, 2011).Under the Volcker Rule applied to the US banking system, a retail bank is restricted with regard to trading for its own account (or ‘proprietary trading’), and may only invest in hedge funds and private equity to a limited extent (Issing, 2009). One serious problem in this approach is how does one distinguish between proprietary trading and market making or operations relating to management of the balance sheet (Issing, 2009)?The Liikanen Committee operating in Europe proposes that banks with more than EUR 100 billion in â€Å"assets for trading activities†or for whom these assets represent at least 15% to 25% of the total assets should be obliged to segregate these trading activities in a separate legal entity (the  "trading bank†) (Hoshi, 2011).Specificities of the separation of the retail banking from the investment banking in the US and the EU are important factors for Northern Rock, as the bank that operates internationally. At this point, the different approach to the separation was determined by the difference of the banking system in the US is very different to that in Europe, where there is more bank intermediation (Mishkin, 2011). On the other hand, researchers (Mishkin, 2011) insist that if banks in the EU are somehow forced to divest their investment banking businesses and incorporate them in separate entities, is that these entities will very likely be too small to be able to continue to exist independently.Risks and possible effects associated with the separation of the retail banking from the investment bankingProponents (Hoshi, 2011) of the separation insist that this policy is essential to secure the banking industry from new crises. However, the major reason for this poli cy in the US and the EU was the excessive risk-taking has been behind the problems (Larosiere, 2012). In other words, the problem was not in retail or investment banks’ specialisation. Instead, the problem was their risky policy. In case of the 2008 global financial crisis, retail banks were particularly vulnerable to the negative economic trend and faced a particularly deep crisis, but the problem was not in their specialisation but in their risky assets and policies.In addition, complex financial products, often poorly designed (such as the subprime-based products that emerged in the United States, but became widespread around the world), and their securitisation and trading triggered the crisis (Larosiere, 2012). Banks could not manage those complex financial products, which they had at hand. As a result, they finally slipped to the downturn in their development and faced a profound crisis.Researchers (Larosiere, 2012) point out that banking â€Å"models†have not b een a decisive factor. In fact, specialised institutions (pure retail banks or pure corporate and investment banks) have been among the worst affected (Larosiere, 2012). For instance, this is the case of Northern Rock, which is focused exclusively on retail and whose dramatic fate is well-known (this bank had to be fully nationalised, with costs covered by British taxpayers) (Larosiere, 2012).Essay on Operations and Strategy of Financial Institutions part 2
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Student development in higher education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words
Student development in higher education - Essay Example Higher education institutions tend to spend more on students particularly with a good educational profile in order to bring them up as potential faculty members or else, knowledgeable scholars to serve the country at various levels. Students are most ambitious about their professional careers while they are in their higher education. Students tend to do study harder in an attempt to be eligible for various scholarships that are offered by the higher education institutions. This comes as a source of inspiration for the relatively careless students, and they tend to realize the importance of working hard. In turn, they also participate in the race of professional development. Ambitious class fellows serve as a source of inspiration for the usually careless students. Higher education institutions particularly encourage the students to work harder by making them aware of their faculty development programs. Nowadays, many higher education institutions including government and private colleges and universities offer faculty development programs in which they bear their teachers’ tuition and accommodation expenses while they go abroad for to foreign reputable universities for further education. The institutions finance their faculty so that they would be equipped with faculty educated in well-ranked universities across the globe. This causes a good impression of the institution on the prospective students and the institutions get more applications from capable students in the country. The current students who have already been made aware of the faculty development programs tend to work harder in order to secure the minimum GPA required to make them eligible for selection as a faculty member in the future. Many higher education institutions are practically linked with industries and are responsible to ensure a constant supply of scholars and educated personnel to take part in the
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Surgery Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words
Surgery - Case Study Example The patient is physically active and does not have any known allergies. Her height and weight on admission were 70 kg and 178 cm high respectively. She currently presented to the emergency department on the 27th April 2009 with a history of sudden, acute right sided abdominal pain which was associated with nausea. The patient was thus admitted with a diagnosis of acute right sided abdominal pain and her code status was full. History of presenting illness: According to the patient she was in her usual state of health until late this morning when she developed sudden right sided abdominal pain. The pain was colicky in nature and was associated with a feeling of nausea. It was localized in the right lower quadrant and there was no radiation. There were no particular aggravating factors. The pain was slightly reduced in supine position. The intensity of the pain increased gradually throughout the day and by the evening it became unbearable. Thus, the patient was rushed to the ER. Menstrual History: The patient reported having regular menstrual cycles of 4/28 days with normal flow. She has no complains of dysmenorrhea or intermenstrual bleeding. Her last menstrual period (LMP) was on the 20th of December 2008 and currently she is 18 weeks pregnant with twins. Sexual History: The patient lives with her steady boyfriend of 10 years. The couple report having regular, unprotected sexual intercourse. The frequency of intercourse is at least twice a week. There are no complains of dysparunea, post coital bleeding or any other problems. Past Obstetric History: The woman has had two previous deliveries, seven years and three years back. Both were normal vaginal deliveries. Both pregnancies followed an uncomplicated course and there were no issues like pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes. Social History: The woman did not have any addictions or allergies. She works as a full time employ in an education center and lives with her two children, a boy and a girl, aged seven years and three years, respectively. The patient is physically active and likes to engage in sports such as netball. Moreover, she also reports going to the gym five days a week. Findings on Examination: On inspection, there were no visible signs of any abnormalities. On palpation, the abdomen was soft, but significant guarding was present. There was localized tenderness in the right lower quadrant. No palpable masses were found. The gut sounds were present. Shifting dullness and fluid thrill were absent. Pain score on arrival: 7 out of 10 Investigations ordered and their results: On arrival in the ward and abdominal ultrasound was ordered to elucidate the cause of the abdominal pain and it revealed a right sided ovarian cyst which was 16 cm in diameter. Nursing Assessment: A young female patient, 18 weeks pregnant with twins, presenting with right sided abdominal pain, tender on palpation, feeling nauseated on arrival and has a pain score 7 out of 10. Nursing Diagnosis: Acute right side abdominal pain Management Plan: On the basis of the ultrasound, it was decided
Monday, November 18, 2019
Levi Strauss Signature Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words
Levi Strauss Signature - Case Study Example Levi’s brand is not as elastic as he put it because it has only been targeting a certain group in the market, for example, it could not design women jeans and younger people. The elasticity is low and this has overstretched the name of the brand with the introduction of the signature line (Levis Strauss & Co, 2011). 4. Develop the â€Å"brand schema†that you think existed for the overall Levis brand before and after the introduction of the Signature line (i.e., an associative network map of links and nodes). What are the marketing implications of the differences? The Levi’s Eco is a new product launched in 2006 and the difference with the rest is that it is made of organic cotton and sells at 30-68 dollars. The six environmental activism segments attracted to this type of jeans would be women in blue collar jobs, young children below 10 years, men aged above 55, I do not think that Levi’s Eco helps the brand with younger customers because young people do not prefer organic cotton clothes. They also feel that they are too warm for their bodies and are for old people. I think that Levi’s Strauss Signature may survive in the market as it is of a lower priced and designed in a way that taps the mass market. The Signature line also has styles for the entire family. The other advantage is selling at mass merchandisers, for example, in Wal-Mart where most people shop, therefore, easier access.Â
Saturday, November 16, 2019
Evaluating The Banality Of Evil Thesis
Evaluating The Banality Of Evil Thesis The word evil exists in many cultures universally around the world. The word evil was previously, on the whole, limited to religious and secular beliefs. However, although the word exists around the world, the meaning of evil is not collective. James Waller (2002:12) argues that part of the reason for this is because the word has been overused. Waller explains that people replace wrong or shocking with the term evil. Waller notes two types of evil: human evil and natural evil. Natural evil occurs due to natural processes of changes and is not due to human involvement. An example is an earthquake resulting in loss of lives. Human evil occurs as a result of conscious intentions and decisions made by humans. Introduction to Arendt and the book The origin of the term the banality of evil is the caption from the American philosopher, Hannah Arendts book published in 1963 called Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil. In 1961, Arendt was present at the Adolf Eichmann trial in Jerusalem whilst working as a reporter for The New Yorker newspaper. She held an interest in the trial as she wished to understand what led an ordinary person to become involved in the mass murder of Jewish citizens during the Holocaust. Arendt examines the actual trial and other issues related to the trial such as; the personality of Eichmann, nature of evil and she also wrote a considerable amount regarding the flaws of the trial. Arendt stated the trial is show trial where the trial was just a formality as Eichmann was already convicted. Arendt mentions throughout the book that Eichmann was not appropriately defended nor was he allowed adequate access to his lawyer. Eichmann was hanged on May 31, 1962 after being found guilty by the I sraeli courts on fifteen counts of crime against the Jewish people and humanity. About BON Evil takes place due to excessive thoughtlessness by those who are not evil as a nature. Eichmann did not possess the ability to think independently therefore he did not question the moral activities of the state (Arendt, 1961). Eichmanns weakness was that he was extremely shallow and therefore he was unable to think from another individuals viewpoint. Due to this, he was unable to understand that by following Nazi orders, he became involved in the bloodbath which ultimately led to his death sentence. Eichmann strived for a work promotion and therefore, Arendt summarised that there were no motives at all. Clarke suggests that Arendt planned to contrast with Kants notion of radical evil and to suggest Eichmanns as a thoughtless individual with no satanic or other shockingly evil aims. Arendts study of the Eichmann trial assured her that Eichmann was ordinary and that his banality was apparent in his thoughtlessness. The phrase the banality of evil is mentioned once in the book and this is during the last chapter of the book. Arendt did not elaborate on what she meant by the phrase but readers can understand what she meant due to hints throughout the book. The banality of evil thesis is the notion that ordinary people commit barbaric acts without realisation of what they are doing. About (thoughtlessness) However, it is clear from Arendts report of Eichmann that he had knowledge, and that he was able to rationalise and showed willpower. Eichmann would face difficulties in common social situations if he did not possess these senses. Due to no known difficulties in using his judgement to will and reason, Eichmann had success in the Third Reich. There is theoretical implication in the claim that Eichmann did not think. This is indeed a fundamental element of her analysis of the threats of modern civilisation. Arendt believed that Eichmann was an extreme illustration of the risks of thoughtlessness. Arendt argued that thoughtlessness was a common feature of this time period and she therefore proposes, that it is important to think what we are doing (Arendt, 1958: 5). Arendt deemed the psychology of thinking, willing and judging as independent components and supports Hume with the view that reasoning alone cannot influence the willing (Arendt, 1978: 70). Arendt commonly treated thought and action as separate components which were a key to understanding her political beliefs. Arendt explained that judging is simply reflecting on thoughts and viewing situations to create judgements but this does not tell you how to act. (Arendt, 1978: 58). According to Arendt, although action is always social and collective, it is the will which is the most unique of all the human capabilities. The will is what presents the foundation for characterisation of the person. This characterisation caused by the will then creates problems for the concept of freedom. According to Arendt, freedom without any barriers is frightening (Arendt, 1978: 195-6). Support for BON Historian Dick de Mildts review supported the banality of evil thesis. De Mildt studied individuals on trial for alleged involvement with the Nazis. He explained that the individuals he studied were not killers by conviction but somewhat killers by circumstances. Eichmann was unable to view the consequences of his decisions. It appeared that he could only understand that he was doing his job. During the trial Eichmann asserted that he simply sat in his office and completed his work, Ich sass am Schreibtisch und machte meine Sachen (Papadatos, 1964: 29). Carnahan and McFarland (2007) note that there is a general understand, that evil only prevails because normal and honest human beings become fiends when they are in egregious situations; particularly, when their judgment is sabotaged by compliance to a more authoritative mass. This view is epitomised in the notion of the banality of evil thesis. Lozowick (2002) notes the banality of evil thesis has become a lasting aspect of understanding in the West, and is therefore a gist of what occurs in the present society. At the same time that Eichmann was appearing in court for his crimes, Stanley Milgram (1963, 1974) was carrying out his studies on obedience. In his study, normal and psychologically stable men participated in a false memory test, as the role of teachers. These men were willing to administer electric jolts of increasing level to another person, who acted as learner, whenever the latter answered incorrectly. Every single participant was ready to deliver powerful tremors of 300 volts. Sixty-five per cent complied with all the experimenters requirements, distributing shocks of the highest voltage at 450 volts. Milgrams conclusion therefore supports Arendts argument that ordinary individuals can be responsible for harmful acts, but also, his reasoning reflected hers too. Milgram explained that when people are faced by authoritative individuals, they surrender responsibility for their actions to those in charge. Critics state that the explanations from Arendt and Milgram are merely coinci dental but further evidence suggests otherwise. Blass (2004) noted that Milgram worked without any influence from previous theories during his 1963 study. Further support comes from the field of psychology in the form of the Stanford Prison Experiment. This experiment was conducted by Philip Zimbardo in 1973. In this study, participants were randomly allocated to the role of a prisoner or a prison guard. The aim was to monitor the group interactions which developed over a two weeks period. The study had many intricate details, but the main point that is of relevance for this essay is that the guards embraced their positions with violence and therefore the study was discontinued after six days. There were increased fears about the safety of the prisoners, who were restricted by the guards to a continuous cycle of mockery, deprivation, and ill-treatment. As with Milgrams work, the influence of Zimbardos ideas has also been strengthened by their correlation with supports from other academic fields. An example is, Brownings (1992) review of the actions of Reserve Police Battalion (RPB) 101 between 1942 and 1943. Members of the RPB would travel around Poland and gather the groups of people targeted by the Final Solution- predominantly Jews. The battalion was responsible for the murder of at least 38,000 Jews (Browning, 1992). Browning emphasises that the members were not extremist nor anti-Semite who were aware that their action was not obligatory. Browning agrees with Milgram that these ordinary mens moral judgement suspended after entering an agentic state. Browning agrees with Zimbardo that this happened without leadership. Browning uses the Stanford Prison Experiment to suggest that the situation in Poland in the 1940s was adequate to turn ordinary people into mass murderers (Browning, 1992: 168). Against BON Psychologists and medical analysts who examined Eichmann had formerly maintained that he was a man obsessed with a dangerous and insatiable urge to kill who had a dangerous and perverted personality (Arendt, 1963: 21) According to Arendt, Eichmann was merely ignorant of his own evilness. He believed he had neither murdered anyone himself, nor had he instructed anyone to be murdered. Arendt also believed that Eichmann seemed alarmingly normal. Ardent explained that Eichmann was not a serial killer whose intentions were evil but that he was determined to stringently follow rules and obey orders. According to the Israeli investigators who interviewed him, Eichmann showed no dislike for the Jewish people. Although he ordered the death of many, Eichmann did not feel emotionally involved in the incident. Arendt (1963) notes that Eichmann killed people instinctively and obediently. Ardent noted the fact that Eichmann had lost his ability to make moral decisions. Due to a passion with perfecting the practical aspects of the holocaust (e.g. organising vehicles to carry the Jews), Eichmann and his colleagues had no understanding that what they were doing was immoral. Michael Selzer (1977) is an American researcher who sent images drawn by Eichmann to six psychologists. Their job was to analyse the images using personality tests, such as the Bender-Gestalt and the House-Person-Tree Tests. The psychologists were made aware of the age, sex and the importance of the person who drew the pictures. The majority of the psychologists concluded that the subject had a violent and a neurotic personality. Once the psychologists were presented with the name of the person who drew the images, Selzer concluded that the psychologists were not surprised to learn that his name was Adolf Eichmann. Thomas Litwack (1977), however, criticised the study as the researchers may have been aware who they were evaluated. Litwack explained that as Michael Selzer, a renowned psychologist was in charge of the tests, the psychologists who were examining the images may have guessed that the subject may be a figure who is well-known. Furthermore, as a psychometric test was require d, the subject may be mentally unstable or may have committed something inhumane. These hints may have led the psychologists to guess that the subject is Adolf Eichmann. Stephen Whitfield (1981) notes that the results would have been more plausible if the psychologists chose Eichmanns drawing from a selection of other subjects, who may also have also committed atrocities or be alleged to be psychologically unstable. Nevertheless the psychological tests did not create a relationship between his destructiveness and the intolerance towards Jewish people, which the prosecutor ascribed to him (Whitfield., 1981). To challenge the notion that Eichmann was not banal, Cesarani (2004) observes that Arendt only attended the first few days of Eichmanns trial in 1963, in which he gave a statement. Cesarani argues that Eichmann used this opportunity to weaken the claims made by the prosecution team that Eichmann was an evil extremist, thus he purposely appeared ordinary and dull. Due to an early departure from the trial, Arendt did not witness the evidence from victims who indicated that Eichmann was anything but a banal member of the government. Vetlesen (2005: 5) claims that by suggesting that Eichmann was thoughtless, Arendt only believed his portrayal of himself in court. A thorough inspection of evidence from the past also approves the negative image of Eichmann. Haslam (2007: 618) points out that Eichmanns views changed after becoming more involved with the Nazi movement. Above all, his views on how to deal with the Jewish people changed from one of leaving the country voluntarily to one of implementing and organising transportation to the death camps. Haslam argues that Eichmann had more involvement in the deaths of many, instead of merely following orders; that is, Eichmann developed new ways to carry out deportations, to such an extent that he was appraised and acknowledged by his superiors. Haslam provides evidence that on an occasion, Eichmann was involved in a conflict with his superior (by the name of Himmler) due to Himmler adopting a more pacific strategy to the one recommended by Eichmann. Haslam concludes that Eichmann was aware of his actions and in court displayed no repentance not remorse as he was not banal. Rees (1997) notes that the orders issue by superiors in the Nazi movement were vague, in terms of what was expected. Therefore, Eichmann had to use his imagination to impress the FÃ ¼hrer. This explanation is supported by Vetlesen (2005) who reviewed evidence showing that Nazi members were consciously aware of what they were doing, believed in the cause and once the orders were followed, celebrations were held. Vetlesen provides an example in Schutzstaffeln (SS) officers ensuring every member was involved in the ethnic-cleansing at least once; therefore administrators working in offices were also involved in the crimes. In this way, previous views of Eichmann, the banality of evil and the holocaust are challenged with evidence suggesting that these incidents are not normal and do not occur due to thoughtlessness. Rather Haslam points out that sheer determination and planning is needed. Further support discrediting the banality of evil is from Lozowick, (2002: 279) who states that, Eichamnn and his fellow bureaucrats worked hard and thought hard, over a lengthy period of time, over how they would carry out their crimes. Goldhagen (1996) questions Brownings (1992) attempts to make the Reserve Police Battalion (RPB) 101 appear banal. Goldhagen (1996: 168) categorises battalion members into three groups: enthusiastic killers, shooters and ghetto clearers and refusers and evaders. Goldhagen notes that the enthusiastic killers were actively looking for ways to receive more involvement in their tasks. Although their acts are not entirely due to the civilisation and group contexts in which they took place, neither Hitlers agents, members of the battalion, Milgrams participants, nor Zimbardos guards became insensitive machines. Therefore, the true shock is not that those involved in the holocaust were unaware of the nature of what they were doing. It is actually that they genuinely believe what they are doing is right. Rees (1977) argues that their actions occurred not due to a mechanical compliance but due to ingenious and fanatical reasons. By arguing that Nazi criminals were not banal, means that there are attempts to disregard Milgrams research on obedience. It is unclear whether the participants in Milgrams obedience and Zimbardos prison study entered in an agentic state due to the presence of an authority. This explanation does not explain why the participants in Milgram study experienced chronic doubts and showed conflicts in their moral judgement as a result of their role as a teacher. Self-categorization theory states that what people learn about particular groups, before deciding to join them, leads them to understand more about themselves. Turner Oakes (1986) use this theory to explain that groups play a role in transforming its members by changing the personality of their members and the way they express particular moods. Therefore when members behave according to group norms, they are less likely to speak out and express their true beliefs. Therefore Eichmann held authoritarian views before being involved with the Nazis but as involvement increased, his views became extreme and to a different depth. However, it is not enough for effective tyrants to be more violent, they need to hold a certain degree of social influence so that individuals holding similar but less radical views do not attempt to interfere or oppose them. As social circumstance change, individuals who were insignificant previously, begin to be seen as symbolising group values. This leads them to take a position where they order other group members on what is right and what (Turner, 1987). From this, they become leaders who achieve the authority to manipulate activities through their control over others (Turner, 2005). Moreover, leaders do not just take advantage of the transformed social context; they actively try to change the social context in order to suit their needs (Reicher et al., 2005). This demonstrates the expansion and the success of the Nazis. Nazi members in the early days made various attempts to weaken the Weimar Republic and to create a civil unrest. Later, they were also able to claim power by providing a solution to a problem created by them. The Nazi regime offered authoritarian solutions promising that such solutions would bring back traditional german values. As Nazism was accepted as the way forward, the political system and the legislative system changed according the Nazism requirements. Ardent initially attempted to explain the banality of evil through the concept of radical evil; this was the highest form of evil. She believed that radical evil was the reason for concentration camps; the victims were treated as valueless not as human beings. Criticism of Zimbardo The key feature from Zimbardos study was that, the acts of aggression by the guards occurred, as a consequence of constantly dressing in the attire of a guard and delivering the authority which is intrinsic to this job. (Haney et al., 1973: 62) note that people do not essentially need the pressure of strong leaders (as Milgram previously stated) in order to stop using their sense of moral judgement and commit atrocities. Alessandra Stanley (2006) agreed with Haney et al. because the participants in the Stanford Prison Experiment were instructed to play the role of a guard not to be abusive. Therefore by being abusive, the participants conformed to their own ideas of how a prison guard should behave and of how to hold authority. Similar criticisms have been made of Zimbardos study. It was found that Zimbardo instructed the guards that the prisoners must sense fear and must be under constant surveillance. By doing so, Zimbardo gave ideas to his guards on how he would like them to torment the prisoners. This does not show Zimbardo as a neutral experimenter (Haslam, 2007: 620). Carnahan and McFarlands (2007) conducted a study to understand which types of people are attracted to tyrannical groups. They studied the Stanford Prison Experiment and noted that those participants who volunteered to participate in this study were not necessarily ordinary individuals. These individuals tended to be aggressive and egotistical by nature, than the individuals who volunteered for controlled and safer experiments. This explanation fits in with Vetlesens (2005) understanding that the individuals who were drawn to the Nazism or similar extremist groups do so as they feel a connection with the groups principles and believe this will give them an identity. Vetlesen also highlights the importance of tactical issues and career enhancement when analysing individuals who were linked with the Nazis. This explains why doctors and engineers were amongst the Nazi members as they believed it gave them unlimited opportunities to follow their aspirations. Hence he argues that for organised evil to work there needs to be a mergence between individual and institutional factors to work towards a similar goal. Radical Evil Arendt argues that radical evil is perpetrated through a three step process. Firstly, all of the individuals legal right are taken away. Concentrations camps fulfilled these criteria as the inmates held there were not recognised as individuals who hold legal rights. The ability to make moral judgements is the second criteria, which is also taken away. As the person lacks a moral self, he is unable to choose good over bad. The final step to the radicalisation process is spontaneity. According to Arendt the concentration camps depicts how human spontaneity can be destabilised by the occurrence of dictatorship. Conclusion: Arendt suggests that evil is not limited to callous individuals. Cesarani (2004) notes that although on one hand there was nothing from Eichmanns life before the Nazi, which could suggest his reasons for committing crimes, but he was nevertheless different. It was his personal background which attracted him to Nazism; the more involved he became, the more callous his actions were. According to Cesarani this meant he had more role in the Nazis than Arendt understands; he was involved on a creative dictatorial level which demands deeper level of thinking. Looking at tyrarny and group dynamics it can be argued that evil can appear banal in these situations. However, the developments of the groups and their motives are a complex process. Therefore, Haslam argues that the normalisation of evil is not banal. The phrase banality of evil is left to interpretation due to a lack of clarity by Arendt. This has rendered the phrase open to interpretation and attacks by critic. This theory has instilled the view that every human is capable of committing evil. This means that those who commit evil acts are not different from normal human beings. From Arendts work, it is possible to understand that ordinary individuals can commit evil acts depending on the correct circumstances. From this insight it is learnt that the ability to commit evil lies in everyone. However, it does not explain how so people commit evil. Browning (1992) thus assumes that as the members of Reserve Police Battalion 101 were capable to commit mass murders; all other men are also capable to do this under the right circumstances. This theory has powerful and convincing support from multiple disciples (eg., Haney et al., 1973; Zimbaro et al., 1973; Milgram, 1963). To understand the Banality of evil thesis, its important to acknowledge that when humans are banal it does not mean that they are simple. As previous examples (e.g. Milgram; Zimbardo) have demonstrated, humans do not act decidedly and mechanically. For those who do act in an evil way, they are consciously aware and are involved in a moral conflict.
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
The Art of Coffee :: essays research papers
The Art of Coffee When I began my job as a Barista at Mainline Coffee I knew next to nothing about this art. I enjoyed hanging out at coffee shops with friends, and appreciated the energy boost drinking a cup could give me; however, the sum of my knowledge appeared to be only that I knew how to brew coffee at home. I didn’t know the differences between espresso and drip brew coffee, or the differences between a cappuccino and a latte. I was ignorant of how much more went into the process of creating good quality coffee. During my first few months there I strove to learn as much about this trade as possible. Similar to any other job that I have worked at, I felt that it was my duty as a paid employee to become as fully qualified for the position as possible. An emphatic enthusiast about coffee, my manager Josh took me under his wing and began to impart his vast sum of knowledge to me. Every day I worked with him he would teach me more and more about roasting techniques, different origins of coff ee and their complex tastes, the best way to foam milk, and the correct names for specialty drinks. He worked on developing my palate for coffee by requiring me to taste each new origin we ordered and then, using coffee vernacular, describing it to the best of my ability. We would also have competitions between ourselves as to who could create the best micro-foam when frothing milk. As my knowledge of this art increased, I was excited by the potential that I was finding in coffee. I was able to experience excellent coffee and espresso, and it opened my eyes up to the fact that there was much more to coffee than the â€Å"traditional†Maxwell House, Folgers, or instant coffee could ever offer. Once roasted, coffee beans begin to oxidize, and they rapidly turn stale and bitter. Packing and refrigeration is able to slow down this process, however, it can never be prevented. Maxwell House, Folgers, and similar brands come already ground, and who knows how long they have been sitting on the shelf in the grocery store. The flavors brought out of these coffees can’t compare to the rich, smooth, and full-bodied flavors of coffee that is recently roasted and ground immediately before brewing. I had discovered something that was good, and I wanted to share my new wealth of information with other coffee drinkers like myself.
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