Monday, September 30, 2019

History of Tattoos in Australia

A tattoo is the permanent insertion of ink or other pigments below the skin using a sharp instrument, as a form of decorative form of body modification. The word tattoo is derived from the Tahitian term â€Å"tatua,† which means â€Å"to mark. † Since the dawn of time, tattoos have been used for all kinds of purposes. Tattoos have served as symbols of rights, symbols of rank or seniority, symbols of spirituality, devotion, religion, rewards for bravery and security. In ancient times, they were also used as symbols of punishment, slavery and conviction. However, over the past century, tattoos have been most frequently used as body art. The art of tattooing cannot be traced back to a specific time or place. One of the oldest tattoos however, was found to be engraved on the back of a well – preserved natural mummy of a man (now known as â€Å"Otzi the Iceman†) who was buried alive on the slopes of the Alps over 5000 years ago. However, research shows that if the skin rots after death, evidence of a tattoo completely disappears. This means that tattoos may have been around for longer than 5000 years, yet there’s no evidence to prove this. Numerous mummies that were excavated from the pyramids in Egypt have also been found to have tattoos. These tattoos however, were engraved near waists of the women who longed for children and were a symbol of their goddess of fertility. There has been evidence to suggest that in the past tattooing was done for medicinal purposes and that the pigments used in tattoos had some sort of healing effect. For example, societies in the Arctic believe tattoos have powers that can ward off illness or protect people from all types of harm. They believed diseases such as rheumatism were caused by an imbalance in their souls, caused by evil spirits. They thought that these evil spirits entered their bodies through their joints, so they tattooed designs on their joints in an attempt to block them out. Furthermore, ‘protective’ or ‘guardian’ tattoos could be used by these societies to save people from disasters at sea, help them on a journey through the unknown, or even guard against the death of a new born. The art of tattooing was also popular amongst Christian adherents (as many received the tattoo symbolising ‘the Stigmata of the Lord Jesus’) until the church edict forbade them on the pretext of some quotes in the Bible. The Old Testament law commanded the Israelites, â€Å"Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD† (Leviticus 19:28). This command from God is further explained in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 : â€Å"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your body. † Therefore, the number of tattoos amongst Christian adherents significantly decreased. Tattoos have since then persisted in various parts of the world for various reasons and although tattoos have now become acceptable in contemporary societies, ‘tattoos are still condemned in God’s eyes. ’ In the Western world, tattooing has historically served as a brand of criminality or a sign of shame (as seen in â€Å"The Scarlet Letter† of Nathaniel Hawthorne. ) These branding mimicked those of the branding of slaves, the tattooing of prisoners of war in ancient Athens and the marking of the foreheads of French prisoners in the 18th and 19th centuries with letters signifying their punishment. Australia has a rich historical background in which the art of tattooing has a special place. Date back to almost 4,000 years, the Samoan and the Maori tribes displayed a wide range of tattoos on specific parts of their body. In fact, these tribes of Australia represent the major history of tattooing. The Samoan tribes used to cover their lower body completely with all-embracing tattoos, though these tattoos held no specific cultural significance beyond fashion. However, having a tattoo proved a statement that an individual could bear pain and those who didn’t have a tattoo were vulnerable to severe criticism from others as they were seen to be weak cowards. The average Samoan design could take as long as six months to complete. In order to complete the arduous task, a special tattooing shed was specifically built; only to be burned down at the completion of the tattoo. Special combs were utilised by Samoan tattoo artists to apply the designs. The combs would be dipped in ink and then tapped along the skin, so that the pointed teeth of the comb would puncture the surface and insert the ink. This extremely painful procedure posed several hygiene issues and usually led to several health problems, such as infections. While the Samoans covered their lower bodies with tattoos, the Maori of New Zealand covered their faces. This tattooing technique, called â€Å"moko† was unique to the Maori. Each man wore an individualised pattern as the design was based on his own particular facial features. The tattooing artist would study the man’s face and create a design that would accentuate them, in an attempt to make his appearance more dignified and forceful. The pattern would be carved into the skin with a bone chisel and the ink would be placed in the cuts to create the tattoo. The whole process, which took up to weeks to complete one face, was awfully painful and would consequently cause a lot of swelling. Maori women also had their faces tattooed, but it was limited to the lips and chin only. In Australia, the modern art of tattooing began when the European convicts were sent into exile here in the late 1700's, after Captain James Cook brought tattoos back to England as curiosities after encountering Tahitian tattoos when in the South Pacific in the 1760’s. To express diverse human emotions, the prisoners used to make tattoos by etching the black sediments of the oil lamps into their skin, forever recording their hopes, beliefs, loves and disappointments. At this time, tattoos became a way for convicts to make human statements about themselves. The positioning of a tattoo was also particularly significant as the most personal of messages were reserved for parts of the body that were usually covered up. For some convicts, tattoos were purely decorative, while others transcribed the dates of their trials, or dates when their sentences were up. Family trees and slogans and religious symbols were also quite common. The most popular tattoo however, was the anchor, which was a symbol of hope and loyalty, and was often attached to a loved one’s initials. The period between the First and Second World Wars has been dubbed the â€Å"Golden Age of Tattooing† as many servicemen in the army and navy tattooed themselves as acts of patriotism and nationalism. During this period, tattoos served as symbols of group identity, memorial dedications to home, girlfriends, wives, family and the wars themselves. These tattoos were almost exclusively a male practice and connoted a bond between men forged by patriotic and militaristic duty, and by necessary association, masculinity and power. A new form of street or ‘biker’ tattoo began to emerge after the Second World War. Instead of patriotic values, however, this new style of tattooing had embedded in it defiance, â€Å"a challenge to mainstream middle-class values as well as to the traditional form of patriotic and love-inspired working class tattoo† (DeMello 2000:67). This style of tattooing became synonymous with biker and prison convict subcultures, and continues relatively unchanged to this day. Although they began as an exclusive practice amongst males, they are now commonly found on women also. ‘Bikers’ were typically heavily tattooed with entire sleeves, legs, chests or backs covered in ink. Popular imagery included religious icons (Jesus Christ, crucifixes, the Virgin Mary), scales of justice, skulls, dragons, spiders, motorcycles, and biblical quotes. Specific tattoos identified the wearer as a member of a particular social group, gang or ethnicity. Throughout the several phases during the twentieth century, the tattoo industry was primarily underground and was relegated to the lower working classes. In the 1960’s, however, tattoos ‘fragmented’ and were used as important identity symbols for convicts, punks, bikers and many subcultures within society. This fragmentation ultimately lead to the ‘tattoo renaissance’ which lead tattoos to become popular culture icons in the 1980’s and 1990’s. With the â€Å"tattoo renaissance,† tattoos came to be seen as an anthropological, sociological and ethnographic phenomenon which changed society’s views of the human body. Punk tattoos of the 1970’s were part of a lexicon of highly visible signs and symbols of sub cultural identity. Inspired by the punk scene that emerged from the British punk scene in the early 1970’s, the punk subculture in Australia epitomised social marginalisation, hostile rebellion and protest. Punks manipulated their clothes, hairstyles and bodies as a form of self creation. Vividly and implicitly displayed in public, punk tattoos were the seeds of what would become mainstream tattoo practices. Nowadays, tattoos are â€Å"not just for bikers anymore† and are now the domain of the middle-class, educated and professionals. Many musicians, athletes, icons and role models now have tattoos, which has also been a contributing factor to their popularity. But most importantly, women now make up 50% of those who have tattoos, as opposed to the past, when it was rare for women to have a tattoo. Today, tattoos generally tend to avoid the â€Å"negative† imagery associated with many traditional prison, biker or punk styled tattoos. Studies show that tattoos worn by the â€Å"career-oriented† include a wide variety of symbols and styles, from the big and colourful, to the small and monochromatic, from Christian iconography to tribal or indigenous designs. Further research has revealed the most popular tattoo designs to be small crosses, butterflies, flowers, Celtic rings and arm and ankle bracelets These days, tattoos have become a large part of our popular culture. The demand for tattoos has grown rapidly, both amongst the rich and famous and within the general population as a whole. One in every seven adults today sports a tattoo as they have now become major fashion statement throughout society. The tattoo industry is growing tremendously, with an increased demand for tattoos, tattoo parlours, tattoo artists and tattoo supplies due to the recent acceptance of tattoos into mainstream culture.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Lord of the Flies, Alternative Ending Essay

Away watching as Jack and Roger walked into the clearing where he sat, â€Å"Where could he have gone? There is no where to hide? † Roger groaned poking the end of his spear into the ground. Ralph felt a urge to stand up and finally give up, but his father had taught him better, his father was a fighter shouldn’t he be too? He glanced around his shoulder noticing the twins break into the trees behind him. They made eye contact and looked away hurrying off towards Roger and Jack. Ralph sighed crawling deeper into the burned trees, he looked ahead noticing the burned stick and around it the pieces of bone from the broken pig head. He shuttered standing and holding his spear tightly in his hands. Jack looked over noticing the twins walking slowly towards him he stood straighter, â€Å"What? † The twins jumped before pointing to where Ralph had gone, â€Å"He, he went out there. † Jack grinned pushing the twins aside and walking out into the meadow. â€Å"Well, well, well. Lookie what we have here. He pushed his tangled hair behind his shoulder. Ralph sighed, â€Å"Get it over with Jack. † Roger giggled running out into the meadow, before Ralph could react he was surrounded, hunted down like some kind of animal, the kids looked barbaric, they had all gone mad with their war paint and blood covered spears. Ralph held the spear up in defense. The hunters jumped at him tightening their circle poking him with their spears grabbing at his. Ralph yelled poking his spear forwards he felt the tip dig into something, someone yelling. Before he could pull it out, they were on him shoving him to the ground, Ralph dropped his spear trying to fight back, trying to escape the hunters, somehow. Jack laughed stabbing his spear down hitting flesh. Ralph screamed out, begging them to stop. The hunters continued in a clockwise dance, stabbing, poking and kicking. Jack laughed the circle becoming wide once again, Ralph lay in a mess, a puddle of blood appearing around him, he took a shallow breath Jack pushed him with his foot onto his back. Ralph opened his eyes his swollen bloody face making it almost impossible. He looked up into the sky watching as two birds circling above. He smiled closing his eyes his chest rising and falling ever so slowly until finally for what seemed a lifetime it stopped. Jack laughed taking his knife and kneeling down. A few weeks later a large vessel anchored, two rowboats neared the island, coming onto the beach. The navy officers in their blue uniforms looked down at the rotting flesh of the small children some looking as if they had their limbs cut off with a badly sharpened knife. The officers held their guns close walking around the island. They finally made their way towards the meadow stopping in their tracks at the sight of a head planted firmly onto a stick, his fair hair falling over his rotted flesh, some Navy men turned at the sight. A few yards from the head sat a boy his orange hair falling over his eyes in a shaggy mess. The officers walked closer pushing the boy with their guns. He was mumbling to himself, slowly fading away. Around the boy lay masses of bones. He looked up making the officers gasp his dead blue eyes shaking them to the core. He raised his hand showing them the small broken down knife. He chuckled smiling wide showing a mouthful of rotten and fallen out teeth, â€Å"The Lord of the Flies welcomes you. † He laughed; some of the officers turned away, others loading their guns. â€Å"Who? † Their captain asked. â€Å"The Lord of the Flies welcomes you. † he repeated laughing hysterically, â€Å"The Lord of the Flies welcomes you. †

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Birch Paper Company CASE Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Birch Paper Company - Case Study Example Brunner was adamant on that issue and claimed he had invested much in that development. Decentralization of the various units is successful as proven by the increased proceeds from each division. The significant result of the decentralization is the enhancement in the design of the boxes. If the company were still operating under the Birch Company, no manager would have taken the initiative to invest in the development of boxes. Decentralization has undermined the cooperation among the divisions. If the management was centralized, the selling of the supplies to the divisions would have been coordinated. The selling prices for the supplies would have been favorable. Mr. Brunner had invested heavily in the research and development of boxes and expected high returns. Yes, he is not considering the overall profitability of Birch Company and competition from other box producers. The best bid for the best interest of Birch Company is that of Eire Papers. This is because the bid is cheaper than that of Thompson division. The commercial vice-president should intervene on that matter. If he fails, the future of Thompson division will be at stake due to its high prices. He should advice Mr. Brunner to reduce the prices for its

Friday, September 27, 2019

Writing a journal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Writing a journal - Essay Example Taking a nap has also re-charged me. I find that if I precede my study hours with activities that result in high energy for me, I am able to study well later. The distractions for me come mainly from getting off-topic to whatever is being discussed in class. These include mood swings and an inability to concentrate that is resulting in me getting distracted. I procrastinate whenever I have to submit an assignment and this is because of partying and spending time away from my room. I plan to reduce the time that I spend with friends and instead devote this time to studying and preparing for class. The mistake that I did when I prepared my schedule was to lay too much emphasis on self-study in the sense that I allotted too many hours for this. And, when I tried to live with this schedule, I realized that I â€Å"planned to work† but did not â€Å"work to the plan† with the result that during the time I was supposed to work, I was distracted by activities like cleaning my room and taking a nap. In the next draft of my schedule, I plan to ensure that I take more part in group activities that revolve around study and assignments rather than talking gossip. Further, I intend to cut down on the time spent talking to my

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Things we can do from home to prevent global warming Research Paper

Things we can do from home to prevent global warming - Research Paper Example ost of the countries in the world are dependent on fossil fuels, the way we extract and use it is far greater than what the environment could produce and could cope up with. This imbalance is such a serious concern because it could cause a domino effect that does not only directly affect man, but everything in his ecology. I am talking about Global Warming. Global warming is the term used to refer to the rise in the earth’s atmospheric temperature. By nature, the earth is being warmed by the radiation from the sun. The earth’s atmosphere acts as a barrier so that only the right amount of heat passes through for the planet to maintain the right temperature for the survival of man and his ecosystem. The atmosphere constitutes of layers of gasses also known as the greenhouse gasses. Greenhouse gasses on its right amount are the earth’s thermal blanket (Maslin 4). But too much greenhouse gasses will increase the earth’s temperature; if these happen negative repercussions will affect not just the ecosystem but every living organism on earth (Union of Concerned Scientists). The main cause of global warming is carbon dioxide production. Largely of which is attributed to power plant emitting carbon that is a byproduct of burning coal to produce energy; about 95 percent manmade carbon dioxide is from the use of fossil fuel. Compared to burning natural gas, coal emits 80 percent more carbon. Another major source of carbon dioxide emission is burning gasoline from vehicles that attributes to the twenty percent of carbon that goes up in the atmosphere (Low Impact Living; Time for Change). Another major cause of global warming is deforestation. Deforestation is denuding of the Earth’s forest in a massive scale. Twenty five percent of the carbon emission is attributed to deforestation. Since plants uses carbon for photosynthesis to produce oxygen, less fauna would mean more concentration of carbon dioxide in the air. Moreover, the process of deforestation itself

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Legalizing Marijuana Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Legalizing Marijuana - Essay Example Against the national average of 44.5%,British Columbia has a fair share of 52.1% and the lower then average percentage that is reported in the province like Prince Edward Island (36.5%) Through it may sound bizarre to us but the legalization of Marijuana not only help in controlling black marketing and subsequent war and law& Order impasse, it will help the federal government to get a considerable revenue in terms of tax that is to be levied upon. In economic perspective, it gives a good profit and the government should en cash out of that. In his well researched article, Dr Gieringer has cited the price advantages of Marijuana. The facts are amazingly simple. The ounce of fine tea costs $2, the pipe tobacco costs in between $1.25 to 1.5 while the Marijuana costs something in between $5 including labor cost. The same Marijuana, via clandestine drug market, costs any thing in between $150 to $400 per ounce. No wander, this high margin attracts the elements in crime circle, providing the leeway to full fledged gang war. The economic benefits can be pegged up to a staggering $18-19 Billion. Perhaps one of the most exhaustive reports of its kind The Le Deng Commission Report of 1972 has covered the entire gamut of... The facts are amazingly simple. The ounce of fine tea costs $2, the pipe tobacco costs in between $1.25 to 1.5 while the Marijuana costs something in between $5 including labor cost. The same Marijuana, via clandestine drug market, costs any thing in between $150 to $400 per ounce. No wander, this high margin attracts the elements in crime circle, providing the leeway to full fledged gang war. The economic benefits can be pegged up to a staggering $18-19 Billion. 2.The Le Dang Commission Report Perhaps one of the most exhaustive reports of its kind The Le Deng Commission Report of 1972 has covered the entire gamut of the problem. Tabled as "The Report of the Canadian Government Commission of Inquiry into the Non-Medical Use of Drugs, 1972". Le Dang Report still happens to be the frame work of modern Canada Legal system. Retrieved on November,26, 2009, from : http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/Library/studies/ledain/ldctoc.html(3) Le Dang Report still happens to be the frame work of modern Canada Legal system. Exhaustive in nature, the report covers every related aspect which includes-patterns of social history in Canada and USA. The first use (in mid 30) ,World War II scenario where Marijuana effectively penetrates into middle class to University campus till 1971-72. The extensive chemical analysis and side effect analysis of Barbiturates have also taken place in lucid manner. The most significant part is the national and international law. Canadian law acts in tune to the international law - Single Convention of Narcotic Drugs, 1961. The Canadian Narcotic Law complies all specification of these laws and the Canadian laws have also been framed as per the same stringent norms.Through the annals of time, the situation has

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Contract Law Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Contract Law - Case Study Example If Y makes an offer to Z, it is a specific offer and Z is the only person who can accept it. But in many cases, it is immaterial to whom the offer is made. Offers made by advertisement are the commonest form of offers made to the world at large, and can be accepted by anyone by acting on them. 2 For this case, Igor made an offer through advertisement and it was to be accepted by anyone who acted on the advertisement. Jonquil acting on the advertisement accepted the offer through the post in an acceptance letter he wrote on January 29th. The advertisement said that anyone accepting to the offer must reply to the Ritz Hotel in London by February 1st. A contract had already been entered into between Igor and Jonquil immediately a letter of acceptance was posted. It is immaterial that Igor sold the guitar since he had not received any acceptance from Jonquil. The acceptance is considered complete immediately the letter of acceptance is posted, even if it is lost or destroyed in the post so that it never arrived. As long as the offeree can prove that he posted the letter of acceptance, the court will enforce the contract. b) Ali had made a contract between him and Blessing Builders for a fixed price of 5,000 but when the repair of the kitchen was half way finished Ali added them a further 700 since he heard the they were likely to abandon the work since they had under priced the job. It is immaterial for Ali to fail to pay them the extra 700 he had added them just because he lost money on the stock market. The extra 700 he added to encourage them to complete the repair of the kitchen had not been attached to any condition that failure of not making enough money on the stock market, would make him not pay them the extra amount. For this case, Blessing Builders should be paid their promise of an extra 700 since it was not attached to any condition. It is immaterial that he is failing to pay them since he made losses on the stock market. For this case, Blessing Builders may sue Ali for damages. Ali should not withhold the extra 700 he promised to give Blessing Builders upon completion of repairing the kitchen. 4 c) On the case where Neil was advised by his uncle to leave Manchester where he worked as an insurance clerk to undertake a dentist course as he give him monthly allowances, the uncle should be sued for breach of contract. Neil enjoyed a full social life in Manchester as he worked as an insurance clerk. His uncle disrupted his social life by advising him to take a dentist course in London as he promised to give him monthly allowances while studying. For this case, there was an intention to create

Monday, September 23, 2019

MALDI technique & FLOW CYTOMETRY technique Coursework

MALDI technique & FLOW CYTOMETRY technique - Coursework Example (2) ionization of sample components to produce ions, (3) separation of ions by electromagnetic field to their mass-to-charge ratios, (4) detection of ion signals and, (5) processing of the signals into mass spectra. The ionization of the analytes is a crucial step in mass spectrometry. Two methods are used: electron spray ionization and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) (Figure 1). In MALDI, the analyte is mixed with matrix, molecules that have strong absorbance at the laser wavelength, and placed onto a metal plate (Karas, Bachmann, & Hillenkamp, 1985). A laser beam is then introduced which results in a burst of ions. The presence of the matrix refreshes the laser burst, and enhances the isolation of the sample ions. Protein and peptide analyses are the most common applications of MALDI, with the most number of technical developments in the past years (Hillenkamp & Katalinic, 2007). MALDI is the leading application for proteomics profiling and imaging. Other analytes studied are nucleic acids, glycans, lipids, and synthetic polymers. Each of these analytes may have limitations in their analysis due to their structural properties, which can interfere with the ionization efficiency. The spatial distribution of drugs, metabolites, and proteins in intact tissues is also made possible with imaging mass spectrometry (Caldwell & Caprioli, 2005). MALDI-MS is therefore a valuable technique that can address a broad range of applications in the biomedical field. Since MALDI-MS tissue profiling permits the detection of more than a thousand peptides and proteins from many tissue types, it is very useful in detecting disease processes. Tissue profiling and imaging permits the direct acquisition of mass spectra from intact tissues that are either freshly prepared or come from tissue storage banks (Djidja, et al., 2010). Recently, tissue blocks that have been embedded in paraffin were used in protein profiling of several cancers. These studies showed that

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Free trade Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Free trade - Assignment Example The U.S. on the other side has increased the import of agricultural products to Canada and Mexico (Orme, 1996). The economic basis of trade is to exchange goods and services for currency. It will be abuse to common sense to purchase or rather get poor services in the name of saving our local industries from foreign competition yet we get poor services and goods. We would rather go for a specialist. Research shows American did well economically because they allowed free movement of goods across its neighbors. While Europe, because they are protecting themselves from their neighbors did not do quite well. I bought my nephew a play station made from China. China makes good toys for children. America produces good computers. We can, therefore, sell our computers to China as we buy their toys (Orme, 1996). Free trade has allowed Americans to import textiles from Mexico. My dress was made from Mexico. There are very few people wearing clothes made in America. There have been slogans saying that buy America keep your job. However, it is costly to put trade restrictions in order to save the local industries. The taxpayers pay more than those that have free trade. The benefit of buying American goods is that jobs are saved (Orme, 1996). Trade restrictions should only apply in cases where there is a violation of preservation rules. For example, food or agricultural products posing a danger to human life due to use of hazardous chemicals should be restricted. International trade does not stop competition or even cause unemployment (Orme, 1996). International trade enables countries to be able to have a look at different types of goods and compare them to theirs. It will challenge local industries to produce better goods and services in order to maintain their

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Risk management at wellfleet bank Essay Example for Free

Risk management at wellfleet bank Essay This case illustrates risk management in the world of corporate lending which is quite di? erent from the retail, subprime, and mortgage lending at the root of the recent banking turmoil. It is also interesting because Well? eet (actually, Standard Chartered PLC; ticker symbol: STAN) is one of the few banks which successfully weathered the 2007-2009 credit crisis. Chief executive Alastair Dowes has to decide if the risk governance process is adequate to uncover mega-risks in light of the current risk-assessment process and the credit decision regarding a bn loan application. Working for the Chief Credit O? cer (CCO) as a senior loan supervisor, you have been asked to assess and review the risks in the proposal and to make a credit recommendation, i. e. , whether Well? eet should accept the loan application or not. At the same time, you are worried about gray-area risk decisions and, in particular, the fact that risk-adjusted performance measurement can rarely be automated. Risk governance requires executives to strike a balance between risk modeling and qualitative business judgment—a holistic (rather than silo-based) view of risks. You are preparing either an executive memo to the CCO and CEO or a presentation to WellFleet’s credit committee. The following questions are meant to guide your analysis: 1. How much credit risk should banks take? What avenues do they have to manage credit risk ex ante and ex post? 2. Research the history of WellFleet = Standard Chartered. How well has Well? eet performed? Why and how has it avoided major problems in its orporate loan portfolio? Was the bank lucky or smart? 3. Analyze the risk management process at WellFleet Bank. What suggestions might you make to the CEO about improving the process? (a) What are the objectives of loan o? cers and supervisors, respectively? What about the risk management unit? (b) Are the incentives of line and risk management units aligned? Why or why not? (c) How would you organize origination and risk management activities? What risk factors drive the credit exposure to Gatwick? Analyze what a credit bet on Gatwick really amounts to. a) Download stock prices for pure gold-mining companies such as Barrick (ticker: ABX) and Newmont (ticker: NEM) as well as a gold prices and the SP 500. Calculate the instantaneous return Rit = ln PPit . it? 1 (b) Compute the correlation matrix for the 4 variables. How would you interpret the results? (c) Run a CAPM-type regression of the gold-miner’s return Rit on a constant, the SP 500 return Rmt the gold return Gt by OLS, i. e. , estimate the following model: Rit = ? + ? Rmt + ? Gt + ? t How would you interpret the results? What does it tell you about the credit exposure? 2 5. Calculate the Expected Loss, Economic Revenue and Economic Pro? t for both proposals. What would your decision regarding the two credit proposals be? Why? (a) What steps if any could Well? eet take to reduce its credit exposure to Gatwick? (b) What avenues are open to the bank to manage its credit exposure ex ante (before and in the lending process) and ex post (after the loan went onto its books)? 6. Given Well? eet’s new focus on large corporate deals and its need to recruit relationship managers from investment banks, what are the challenges for the risk culture of the organization, and its style of risk management in particular?

Friday, September 20, 2019

The Tokugawa Ancestral Law Of Seclusion History Essay

The Tokugawa Ancestral Law Of Seclusion History Essay There is widespread agreement in traditional western and Japanese historiography of Tokugawa Japan that during the period 1630 to 1853, the Japanese empire was completely isolated from the rest of the world. Discussions have highlighted the various edicts in the 1630s which on the surface were designed with a secluding purpose in mind, yet despite evidence of the limitations in trade and access as well as the expulsion of Catholics, there is irrefutable evidence which would support an alternative viewpoint. Kazui considers that the term sakoku the most popular term to describe Japanese international relations during the Tokugawa period, since Engelbert Kaempfers works were translated, is in fact not of Japanese origin and its literal definition closing the country diverges from the facts.  [1]  The contemporary term used to refer to the policy was kaikin meaning maritime restriction, appears more applicable when considering evidence of continued trade and diplomatic relations in the period. Historians have commonly come to describe the foreign policies and practices of Tokugawa rulers as based on seclusion and the widespread usage of the term Sakoku has arguably led to the misinterpretation and generalisation of Tokugawa foreign relations. The main historical focus has been limited to the role of Christianity demonstrating an intolerance to Western religion and of the port of Nagasaki as the only window to the world during the period, yet Ronald Toby and other recent scholars have examined the issue from a broader perspective including reference to the context of Japans North East Asian relations with China, Korea and Ryukyu and other examples of maintained foreign intercourse in order to give a clear outlook of the characteristics of foreign exchange during the Edo period. Whether or not the Tokugawa Shogunate intended to seclude Japan from the rest of the world is debateable despite the fact that foreign relations were minimised, especially with Europ e. It is also considered that the fear of foreignness was actually concerned more with the West than Japans Asian neighbours. There must be an appreciation of the individual examples of foreign relations as well as the changing nature of Japans socio-cultural character as a whole. While the traditional historians of the period give evidence for the assertion that the ancestral law of seclusion was rigidly observed, there are those who outline evidence refuting the claim that sakoku defined Japans foreign relations. The cultural and socio-political make-up of Japan was defined by a neo-Confucian feudal system ruled by provincial daimyo meaning self-sufficiency and a system of self-contained policy was naturally kept to during the period. Due to the nature of Tokugawa rule, contact with the outside world was seen as unnecessary, therefore foreign relations during the Tokugawa period are traditionally discussed in terms of developments in Japans European policy. This is understandable as there are two main connecting events which are easily identifiable as practical examples of a pattern of seclusion in Tokugawa foreign relations: the expulsion of the Portuguese in 1639 and the eradication of Christianity. The period is considered to be defined by seclusion, yet this may have been due to a combination of fear concerning foreign elements in society and Bakufu concern for Japans traditional culture. The position of Christianity as a religion influenced from the outside world gradually became untena ble as it was seen as a threat to Tokugawa legitimacy. Under the policies of Shogun Hideyoshi, the success European missionaries had enjoyed in Japan from 1600, effectively ended as the dynamics of Japanese politics were altered: through anti-foreign and anti-Christian policies. The seclusion edicts led to Christianity being persecuted and finally crushed an example of the proposed Bakufu reaction against globalisation.  [2]  The further example of the ban on Portuguese entrance into Japan makes it seem as though sakoku was observed at least in terms of securing the regimes own cultural traditions. Yet by barring the Portuguese and the removal of Christian influences shows the Bakufu leaders sought to eliminate only elements of unchecked intercourse such as the fear of foreign imperialism and Catholicism.  [3]  More favourable elements of foreign relations remained as proven through the allowance of the Dutch into limited ports. In this perspective, historians have come t o consider Tokugawa foreign policy as selective rather than a pursuit of total isolation. The discussion of the strictness of sakoku is not a straightforward one, as those historians who agree seclusion was observed differ in their opinions concerning the benefits and merits of the system. Varley argues that from the 1630s, there was an identifiable policy of national seclusion which actually created the conditions for the Great Peace of more than two and a half centuries. Varley proposes the intention of the Bakufu differed from the literal definition of the 19th Century term sakoku; it is conceivable that the law of seclusion was carried out in order to preserve national hegemony, At the time of its inception, the seclusion policy was more intended to establish a new international order in East Asia, with Japan at the centre than to seal the country off permanently from all but minimal ties with the outside world.  [4]  Furthermore, evidence of increased productivity in the 17th Century, as a result of the policy, makes the seclusion laws seem more positive and not for purposes of isolation. Varley notes that different historiographical viewpoints consider the termination of intercourse with Western Europe along with the repressive feudal controls over its people as arbitrary and reactionary and ignore the economic and social benefits to the measures. In this traditional perspective, the seclusion appears to have been simply for isolationist purposes yet the security of the regime was at stake and the Tokugawa rulers arguably needed to impose seclusion due to these threats. By considering that Japan took until the 19th Century to begin western style technological and scientific developments, the assumption that the seclusion policies were observed rigidly is plausible this must be true in some measure yet as Westerners still saw Japan as in the furthest extremity of the World and therefore inaccessible to an extent geographically, the advancements may not have been hampered by the proposed rigid observation of seclusion. Moreover Japan was no t alone in acting as it did, but one of several countries of the Far East that minimised or restricted trade and cultural ties with the Western world in the 17th Century. As analysis has traditionally been focused on the restriction of European relations, Japans diplomatic relations in Asia have largely been ignored, yet it becomes clear that generalisations about Japans foreign relations based on the exclusion of certain people, are inadequate to explain foreign policy with other Asian countries. For instance it is apparent that the Ieyasus edict expelling Catholics from Japan in 1639 cannot be regarded in the same light as other foreign policy. From the 1970s, Japanese and American historians have challenged the traditional view of a unique isolation policy by showing that Bakufu leaders kept Japan engaged with in trade and diplomacy, in order to emphasise the positive aspects of Japanese foreign policy specifically with neighbours in Northeast Asia. Ronald Toby, considers that an examination of Japans non-European relations highlights there was less discontinuity in Japanese relations in 1630s than is traditionally thought.  [5]  Trade and dip lomatic relations in fact continued in Northeast Asia, with Korea, Ryukyu and China all engaged in intercourse with the Tokugawa Empire. In terms of the development of trade specifically, Kazui refers to the request by the Bakufu for the Dutch to supply silk to the Japanese markets soon after the exclusion of the Portuguese. In this respect, there was undoubtedly a selective motivation for the Edict expelling the Portuguese in 1609, yet as the Dutch were given trading rights instead, the practical observation of the seclusion laws are more complicated under the surface as trade prospered through certain ports. Therefore the term kaikin, meaning maritime restriction is more applicable to the historical context. Therefore, in practice, each Edict should be considered in their own merit and not as part of a general theme of intended isolation. The Bakufu knew that new relations were equally as important to its stability as the foreign relations which it terminated,  [6]  and by ma intaining maritime trade relations with certain countries Japan recognized the advantages and disadvantages to the countrys security, as well as its economical and cultural goals. Recent historiography concedes that some aspects of the Tokugawa ancestral law of seclusion may have been observed rigidly yet highlights that these aspects may have been consistent with Japanese economic relations at the time anyway. The attention to Bakufu political actions, both domestic and international, give a more concrete expression to the sense of legitimacy it was trying to foster.  [7]  Toby deduces that Japans foreign policy goals were influenced by consistent legitimising principles and it was these which were observed and not the proposed isolationist seclusion: The Bakufu genuinely wanted to hold on to Japanese culture and perhaps were only minimally isolated but only because of the determination for legitimacy and security. The limit on foreign trade and ports was another practical means of satisfying the governments legitimisation goals and brought economic stability. The various examples of Japans continued trade: especially with its Northeast Asian neighbours a nd the Dutch, albeit from restricted ports, serve to invalidate the traditional view that that the seclusion laws were observed rigidly and were meant to isolate the country from the rest of the world. Granted, there are examples of changes in relations but these were in line with Bakufu goals in order to preserve national hegemony and secure Japans best economical interests. More recent historiography, both American and Japanese, is tremendously useful in examining the observance of the ancestral seclusion laws. It is arguable that a new generation of historians are able to examine Japan without the traditional emphasis on the countrys failings in comparison with the Western development and focus on the Bakufus eagerness to increase certain imports and the selective process of Japans international commercial activity.  [8]  Ronald Toby highlights that the restraint on Japanese people from travelling abroad is also disputed in Japanese revisionist historiography, questioning a chief representation of proposed isolation in the period. A balanced interpretation of this matter would examine the foreign influence especially of the Dutch in the period, to undo the exaggerations, yet it is conceivable that this element of sakoku did exist: the restrictions of movement under the Tokugawa reign were kept to as part of the fear of foreignness and was considere d at the time to be vital to the great peace and unprecedented economic productivity. There is disproportionate historiographical emphasis on the importance of the arrival of the United States in 1853 making the opening of Japan seen more drastic than it actually was. Hellyer notes that Japan was able to be diplomatically and commercially engaged with foreign nations, The Edo-period system of foreign relations allowed Japanese leaders to remain flexible and pursue nuanced approaches to intercourse with the outside world.  [9]  If Japan was open to trade and diplomatic relations then the seclusion laws could not have been observed in terms of the closed definition of sakoku, as conservative historians propose. However, the policies of the 1630s, exterminating Christianity and blocking European access to trade ports suggest a possibility that these differences were due to rigid observance of the seclusion laws. Yet the Tokugawa rulers limited and tightly controlled the access to political, economical, and ideological influences from the outside world, in particular, the West because they were concerned with the long term process of looking after Tokugawa legitimacy and not because they wanted to isolate Japan. It was these concerns which led to selective observance of elements of the seclusion laws as well as constant changes in diplomatic and trade practices. Furthermore, the stark differences between Japanese and Western development in the nineteenth century do add credibility to the more conservative scholars interpretations. Yet, there are examples of other countries such as China which also fell behind in development, due to its global position. With an appreciation of the instances of continued and in some cases increased commercial activity, there is a strong argument that the law of seclusion was not detrimental and neither were its considered isolationist elements observed with any rigidity.

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Comparison of Madness and Sanity in Hamlet and Death of a Salesman Essa

Comparison of Madness and Sanity in Hamlet and Death of a Salesman Could anyone really determine whether or not a person is mad or sane? In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman each of their two main characters, Hamlet and Wily Loman, are put up to this question, but in each situation their so-called madness differs in the cause of them. The ways in which their madness affects their lives is proven by three actions. These actions are neglecting their responsibilities, negatively influencing others, and finally distracting themselves. It is really never determined whether or not Hamlet and Willy are really mad, but there is some good details that reflect it. Both characters were once respectable, yet now they are neglecting responsibilities that they have. Hamlet, we first learn, is an intelligent student. Now by the end of the play he neglects to do what he is supposed to. The first thing he should have done is avenge his father’s death by killing Claudius. He has many chances in which he could, but doesn’t do it. Is he maybe questioning the the validity of the ghost or is his conscious getting to him. Then he starts losing track of what he should do and when he does do things he doesn’t care whether or not it is right. For example, the killing of Polonius. He killed him without a flinch. Finally when he does realize who he killed, he shows no remorse. Shouldn’t he have? He killed his love’s father. Maybe he doesn’t have a conscious or maybe from the trauma of his father’s death he’s not thinking right anymore. Now, Willy Loman in the beginning of Death of a Salesman is shown to be â€Å"not quite there† to the readers. He cannot keep his mind on the present, he ... ...struggle was long and finally tragic. Linda says, "A small man can be just as exhausted as a great man." Miller writes, "...this man is actually a very brave spirit who cannot settle for half but must pursue his dream of himself to the end.† Willy was so absorbed with being number one, so that’s all that mattered. And when he finally realizes that his son loves him and in a way holds him as number one, then he is content and can be at rest. By examining both Hamlet in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Willy Loman in Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, you see that they are not completely mad but maybe disillusioned. There are times when they can be fine and times when the madness overtakes them. So in determining whether or not they are mad would be a difficult task. Although the causes of their madness differs, the end of both are the same.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Macbeth-Tragic Hero :: essays research papers

Macbeth-Tragic Hero   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As I finished reading Macbeth by William Shakespeare I realized the true reason that Macbeth is considered a tragic hero. Like all other tragic hero’s he had many good things going for him in his life before he messes with self- destructing things and threw it all away.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Macbeth had a great marriage, he was Thane of Glamis, the people and the king respected him and he was well liked. He was a generally happy person without much greed or jealousy in his life. This was until evil and the devil overcame him. He started getting greedy and wanted more. Once the thought of being king entered his head and once he shared that with his wife, there was no turning back. He was bound to destruction.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Macbeth was weak because he allowed his wife saying that he was not a true man get to him. He had to prove to his wife that he was a man and his only way of doing that was through murder. Even though he had hesitations and second thoughts about it, he did it out of love for his wife and the possibility of his triumph; he may actually become king. He allowed this to become an obsession and he did end up killing Duncan, his king. This started him down the road of doom. He suddenly had a very evil streak that was never there before and this was revealed more often than ever. He began letting the evil take over and murdering more and more people thinking that he was only saving himself. What he did not realize was that he was only harming himself in the long run. He was driving himself mad and he was no longer himself.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Macbeth was just like other tragic hero’s such as Elvis Presley. Elvis had much going for him and he thought that the drugs and alcohol were helping him deal with his stress and fame but in the long run it killed him.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines

In the beginning of the novel A Lesson Before Dying Jefferson's lawyer in an attempt to defend him calls him a pig. He indicates that Jefferson has no ability to think so he could not have done things with thought. He Is trying to help but had deprived Jefferson of his own self-worth as a man. The idea of what makes a man is central to the idea of the story. As Grant helps to teach and educate Jefferson he helps to establish a bond with the man. As Jefferson has the chance to talk with Grant and learn he becomes more aware that he is a man with ideas and thoughts and not an nimal.Grant helps Jefferson to Identify himself as a man by giving him a voices to be heard. Being a man Is about recognizing that one Is a man first. Grant In many ways had not fully recognized his own manhood. Grant explains to Jefferson that a hero Is above other men because he thinks of others before himself. Although he understands the definition, he does not live it. He wants to live for himself. He starts a bar fght in the Rainbow Room, believing he was doing it in defense of Jefferson. In fact, Grant was only thinking of himself never noticing how he hurt others.Not only id he tear up the bar, Vivian had to leave her Job early to come drag him out. Following Grant's criterion, Rev. Ambrose Is a hero, having put his entire congregation before himself. Jefferson also has the potential to do something for others that they could not do for themselves. He can make Miss Emma happy by eating her gumbo. He can chip away at the myth of white superiority and show everyone – both white and black – that he is a man. † â€Å"At the beginning of the novel, Grant is convinced that any dignity he has comes from his high level of education.This attitude prevents him rom getting through to Jefferson, who is of significantly lower social status than Grant. It also brings him Into conflict with Reverend Ambrose, who believes that dignity can only come from faith in God†at the Christmas pageant, Ambrose even implies that Grant is no better than Jefferson, because neither man has faith. By the end of the novel, both men learn from Jefferson that dignity is intrinsic and comes from loving and being loved, and does not come from external sources like religion or education. † 3. I can see the parallels between Jefferson and Jesus.Both were innocent men who were executed. In chapter 28, Jefferson seems to see that parallel himself when he says to Grant, â€Å"Your cross, Nannans cross, my own cross†¦. You'all axe a lot, Mr. Wiggins†¦ .Who ever card my cross? † It is Grant who has learned a lesson, though: â€Å"My eyes were closed before this moment, Jefferson. My eyes have been closed all my life. Yes, we all need you. Every last one of us. † As for scriptural connotations of the word â€Å"lesson,† all I can think of Is that Jesus was called â€Å"rabbi,† or teacher. HIS method of â€Å"teaching† was to tell stories, or what we might call today â€Å"object lessons. These stories are classified as parables. In a sense, A Lesson Before Dying is itself a parable. Indeed, in one of his parables, Jesus taught â€Å"don't cast your pearls before swine,† which is exactly how Grant felt at the beginning. Why teach someone so ungrateful of his help. He comes to learn, however, that redemption belongs to everyone. could not have done things with thought. He is trying to help but had deprived animal. Grant helps Jefferson to identify himself as a man by giving him a voices to be heard. Being a man is about recognizing that one is a man first. Grant in many ways had not fully recognized his own manhood.Grant explains to Jefferson that a hero is Following Grant's criterion, Rev. Ambrose is a hero, having put his entire congregation Grant. It also brings him into conflict with Reverend Ambrose, who believes that dignity can only come from faith in God–at the Christmas pageant, Ambros e even himself when he says to Grant, â€Å"Your cross, Nannan's cross, my own cross†¦ . You'all axe a lot, Mr. Wiggins†¦ .Who ever car'd my cross? † It is Grant who has learned a connotations of the word â€Å"lesson,† all I can think of is that Jesus was called â€Å"rabbi,† or teacher. His method of â€Å"teaching† was to tell stories, or what we might call today

Monday, September 16, 2019

Financial problem in a country or organization of your choice Essay

Discuss the causes of a financial problem in a country or organization of your choice and suggest some solutions. Specify the problem and the City/Country and relate to a particular study. Zimbabwe is an agricultural based economy previously known as the ‘bread-basket’ of Southern Africa. In the past decade, the country experienced a drastic economic disintegration due to wide range of factors including: unconstitutional land redistribution, health, decline in foreign investment and hyperinflation. The Zimbabwean economy is strongly intertwined with politics; therefore the political instability subsequently offset the economy. In 2000, the government embarked on ‘the land reform programme’ which removed white commercial farmers from arable lands so that it could be redistributed among black farmers. The experienced farmers were replaced by mostly black subsistence ones, with no farming knowledge, equipment and capital and therefore could not produce at a com mercial scale. There was no agricultural export, meaning there was a loss of foreign currency being injected into the economy on a regular basis. This marked the beginning of economic downfall. Richardson (2004:307). The failure of the agricultural sector which is the backbone of the economy led to the economic crisis. This meant that the government could not generate enough revenue to sustain its infrastructures such as the health sector. Health conditions are directly related to the poor economy. Sick workers were not able to work as much or as productively as healthy ones. Labour markets were less efficient and the market was not able to produce as much. Consequently, the economy produced far less per-worker than a similar healthy economy. This was evident in Zimbabwe by the low participation rate that at just over 35 %, as opposed to 51.08 % in the U.S. or 51.97 % in Japan. Richardson (2004:289). Another contributing factor was that foreign investors also fled, due to insecurities and the government policies dictating that 51% ownership of their businesses should be locally owned. Foreign direct investment fell to zero by 2001, and the  World Bank’s risk premium on investment in Zimbabwe shot up from 4 % to 20 % that year as well. Hill (2003: 109). Furthermore, the Zimbabwean economy was brought down by the illegal sanctions (an order that is given to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with it. Merriam-Webster dictionary 2012:198) imposed by the American and European superpowers. This meant that no trade was to be done with Zimbabwe. There was a sudden death of foreign currency and investment influx to the country. The U.S. and Britain have partially withheld financial support for Zimbabwe and there would be no access to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) because they could not pay their debt and the prevailing hyperinflationary conditions. Hill (2003: 102). The causes of Zimbabwe’s financial problem can be mitigated by first achieving a ‘political breakthrough’ that will depoliticize the economy. Then, land should be re-redistributed among experienced commercial farmers and train the less experienced ones to ensure a more sustainable output. There must also be a liberalisation of foreign investment regulations to attract the foreign investors. In conclusion, these suggested solutions will help to rebuild the economy and restore Zimbabwe as the bread basket of Southern Africa. References: Richardson, C,J. 2004. The Collapse of Zimbabwe in the Wake of the 2000–2003 Land Reforms. New York: Edwin Mellen Hill, G. 2003. The Battle for Zimbabwe. Cape Town: Zebra

Sunday, September 15, 2019

A short analysis of “The Bucket Rider” and “A Country Doctor”

The Bucket RiderThis short story, typical of Franz Kafka’s surrealist writing, would bring the reader into some false hopes that the speaker would somehow get through the dilemma or problem he is in, but ends in frustration and despair. Such false hopes that the narrator would somehow get some coal that she/he desperately needs are created by the magical elements in the story. Somehow likened to Aladdin’s flying carpet, the bucket becomes the narrator’s humble vehicle which safely brings her/him to the destination, the coal dealer’s cellar. Nevertheless, unlike Aladdin, the speaker shows extreme dependence on the bucket and what it should contain, i.e., coal. We could likely interpret the bucket and the coal as the narrator’s source of security that ought to be filled up once it goes empty.Probably it could be one’s desire for love or (to be Freudian about it) it could be the libidinal desire for sexual gratification. In one way or another, t he characteristics of the bucket could be likened to human emotions: like emotions the bucket â€Å"flies,† and like emotions, the bucket, likened to a steed, could not resist. There could probably be many other interpretations on what the bucket and the coal may represent (as well as what the coal dealer and his wife, and all the other elements in the short story represent) but one thing clear is the ending: that eventually, coal would run out and when it does at the point when one is without means (but to beg) to get a new supply, then one would have to end in despair, in the regions of the ice mountains. This is the recurrent Kafka theme: that human life is inescapably frustrating and riddled with anxiety, riddles that seem not to have any answers.The Country DoctorThis short story stands out for its repeated use in classes in demonstrating Freudian psychoanalysis. A number of psychology and literature professors fancy using this short story to show how a classic surrealis t literature could be Freudian. True, the elements of this short story could well be translated in Freudian terms but that I shall not pursue in length. It may be enough for the purposes of this short essay to say that the groom, the doctor’s alter ego, could very likely represent his id, the hidden erotic side of his personality, and that being a professional could simply be the sublimation of his sexual desires.Such would bring a whole new paradigm in the short story; nevertheless, I would want to point out, not how the entire short story could very well demonstrate Freud, but the theme of how frustrating human existence could be. The district doctor is ironically portrayed as powerless to attend to his own needs and desires. Torn by the call of duty, he did not have the power to stop the groom from running after Rose when he explicitly said that he does not have the intention of handing the maid to the groom.It should be mentioned that the groom and the horses magically ca me from the doctor’s own pigsty, which made Rose say, â€Å"You never know what you’re going to find in your own house.† Such a frustrating existence could very well be seen in the patient’s house as the doctor once again is caught in the frustrating dilemma of a healthy boy wanting to die, only to be reversed afterwards, i.e., after diagnosing that the boy indeed is sick, this time the boy wants to live. While in the patient’s house, the doctor is constantly troubled by the horses, the parents, the sister, and other human beings like the village elders. Again he proved to be helpless when his upper garments were removed from him.He managed to escape but this time his magical horses would not canter but would rather go slow. The doctor, now in between the patient’s house and his own, gives a cry of despair: â€Å"Never shall I reach home at this rate; my practice is done for.† All of what he has, i.e., his home and his maid as well as his profession are all now gone, all because he made a mistake to respond to a false alarm. These entire surrealist events point to the meaninglessness of it all, the frustrating existence of the country doctor who is incapable of saving his own self.ConclusionThough there are obvious differences as regards the characters, the use of symbols and elements, etcetera, we could say that the two essays are similar in a number of ways: the theme, i.e., inescapability of frustrations and powerlessness in human existence; the use of surrealism and magic; and the possible use of Freudian paradigm to interpret the elements of the stories. All these we have seen in our discussion above.

Saturday, September 14, 2019

The Effect Of Population Growth

Population is the largest increasing factor in our world. This factor is the cause of many events in our world. Poverty hunger and war are just some of the immediate effects of increasing population. Among these extreme causes the less immediate events will be seen with air pollution, land degradation, which is the effect that’ll have the longest term effect on the world. But how can these events are avoided? Is there any hope of stopping this from occurring any further? The largest, most identified reason for pollution could be mans technological advancements.Theses advancements such as those in agriculture, and those for transportation took a huge leap during a period in man called the industrial revolution. This period of time began the infectious state the world is in today. Around the early 18th century man had began the need for more things, which in this time was impossible with current methods of doing things. This began to change with the idea of mass production, this concluded in the establishment of large factories filled with hundreds of workers. These factories held the most advanced technology that increased time of production.Theses factories would produce so much fumes that snow and rain came in black droppings. The water was beyond consumable, this kind of behavior only increased over the next century when several parts of the world began their way into industrialization. But besides the factories them self the new form of work out rural areas out of business causing the need for migration to new urban areas better known as cities. These sites were far from sanitary the streets pilled with garbage which couldn’t be controlled without proper sanitation.The questions on the impact that man has put on the earth are seen every day in various ways some unseen to the naked eye but can be physically recorded. One well known example of the human footprint would be the increasing threat air pollution. The known causes of air pollution woul d the everyday events such as millions of car releasing exhaust fuels into the air. Fumes from car exhaust contain dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, hydrocarbons and particulates. Major causes of air pollution would be from the emissions from industries and manufacturing activities.Waste incinerators, manufacturing industries and power plants emit high levels of carbon monoxide, organic compounds, and chemicals into the air. This happens almost everywhere that people live. Petroleum refineries also release lots of hydrocarbons into the air. The other well-known contributor to air pollution is the burning of fossil fuels, which aside from air pollution is major concern for the amount of possible fossil fuels reaming. Now a not so well known addition to air pollution is the household and agricultural chemicals.Crop dusting, fumigating homes, household cleaning products or painting supplies, over the counter insect/pest killers, fertilizer dust emit harmful c hemicals into the air and cause pollution. In many case, when we use these chemicals at home or offices with no or little ventilation, we may fall ill if we breathe them. Air pollution particles eventually fall back to Earth. Air pollution can directly contaminate the surface of bodies of water and soil. This can kill crops or reduce their yield. It can kill young trees and other plants.Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide particles in the air can create acid rain when they mix with water and oxygen in the atmosphere. These air pollutants come mostly from coal-fired power plants and motor vehicles. When acid rain falls to Earth, it damages plants by changing soil composition; degrades water quality in rivers, lakes and streams; damages crops; and can cause buildings and monuments to decay. The effects of human productivity, not only has an effect on our air but its damages the earth itself and the creature inhabiting it including humans.Short-term effects, which are temporary, include illnesses such as pneumonia or bronchitis. They also include discomfort such as irritation to the nose, throat, eyes, or skin. Air pollution can also cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Long-term effects of air pollution can last for years or for an entire lifetime. They can even lead to a person's death. Long-term health effects from air pollution include heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory diseases such as emphysema. Air pollution can also cause long-term damage to people’s nerves, brain, kidneys, liver, and other organs.Some scientists suspect air pollutants cause birth defects. Nearly 2. 5 million people die worldwide each year from the effects of outdoor or indoor air pollution. People react differently to different types of air pollution. Young children and older adults, whose immune systems tend to be weaker, are often more sensitive to pollution. Conditions such as asthma, heart disease, and lung disease can be made worse by exposure to air pollution. Air pollutants called chlorofluorocarbons (or CFCs) have destroyed parts of the ozone layer.The ozone layer, located in the stratosphere layer of Earth's atmosphere, shields our planet from the Sun's ultraviolet radiation. The areas of thin ozone are called ozone holes. Ultraviolet radiation causes skin cancer and damages plants and wildlife. Ozone molecules wind up near the Earth's surface as a part of air pollution. Ozone molecules near the ground damages lung tissues of animals and prevent plant respiration by blocking the openings in leaves where respiration occurs. Without respiration, a plant is not able to photosynthesize at a high rate and so it will not be able to grow.Apart from the effects living organism face with air pollution the earth is becoming less stable for life, these effects are known as global warming which is destroying the very structure of earth that sustains life. Global warming is an environmental phenomenon caused by natural and anthropogenic air pollution. It refers to rising air and ocean temperatures around the world. This temperature rise is at least partially caused by an increase in the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases trap heat energy in the Earth’s atmosphere.Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that has had the biggest effect on global warming. Other greenhouse gases emitted by natural and artificial sources also include methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases. Methane is a major emission from coal plants and agricultural processes. Nitrous oxide is a common emission from industrial factories, agriculture, and the burning of fossil fuels in cars. Fluorinated gases, such as hydrofluorocarbons, are emitted by industry. Fluorinated gases are often used instead of gases such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). CFCs have been outlawed in many places because they deplete the ozone layer.These continuing air problems are only small compared to problems that can be seen. Water already being a scarce resource in many countries is also affected by the pollution of mankind that has harsh outcomes for people, the environment and its wildlife. We rely on clean water to survive, yet right now we are heading towards a water crisis. Changing climate patterns are threatening lakes and rivers, and key sources that we tap for drinking water are being overdrawn or tainted with pollution. As technology improves, scientists are able to detect more pollutants, and at smaller concentrations, in Earth’s freshwater bodies.Containing traces of pollution ranging from birth control pills, sunscreen to pesticides and petroleum, our planet's lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater chemical mixture. Beyond synthetic pollution, freshwater is also the end point for biological waste, in the form of human sewage, animal excrement, and rainwater runoff flavored by nutrient-rich fertilizers from yards and farms. These nutrients find their way through river systems into seas, sometimes creating coast al ocean zones void of oxygen—and therefore aquatic life—and making the connection between land and sea painfully obvious.There have been countless reports of the effects water pollution has caused. An article published by Dawn Walls-Thumma talk about the water pollution. â€Å"Mississippi River, poisoning the water in the Gulf of Mexico and causing an 8,000-square-mile dead zone — an area roughly the size of New Jersey — in which aquatic life cannot survive. † This is showing the connection between developed countries and developing ones are closely interacted when it comes to environmental health.Drinking water comes from surface water, such as lakes and rivers, and from groundwater Pollution in these sources affects the quality and safety of water available in your home and, if the problem is not detected, it can affect your health. Pollution of drinking water occurs because of contamination by human and animal waste, mining activities, fertiliz er and pesticides from homes and farms, industrial wastes, hazardous wastes generated by dry cleaners and gas stations, landfills and improperly disposed-of household wastes. Pollution with sewage or manure runoff can cause microbial contamination of drinking water.This results in gastrointestinal diseases that can be fatal in high risk individuals. Nitrates — chemicals used in synthetic fertilizers — can leach into groundwater or run off into surface waters. While most individuals suffer no adverse effects from high levels of nitrates, infants cannot convert them into a harmless substance; if they consume nitrates, they can die from blue baby syndrome, a disorder in which the blood cannot properly carry oxygen. Infants, young children, pregnant and nursing women and some elderly individuals are most at risk for nitrate poisoning.Increased demand for agriculture commodities generates incentives to convert forests and grasslands to farm fields and pastures. The transiti on to agriculture from natural vegetation often cannot hold onto the soil and many of these plants, such as coffee, cotton, palm oil, soybean and wheat, can actually increase soil erosion beyond the soil’s ability to maintain it. The effects of soil erosion go beyond the loss of fertile land. It has led to increased pollution and sedimentation in streams and rivers, clogging these waterways and causing declines in fish and other species.And degraded lands are also often less able to hold onto water, which can worsen flooding. Sustainable land use can help to reduce the impacts of agriculture and livestock, preventing soil degradation and erosion and the loss of valuable land to desertification. The conditions of human life causing pollution is putting an ne to the earth’s life, with increasing populations and developing cities the world will not be able to last past the next generation. The only way we can continue to enjoy our earth is by finding and following the sol utions to these environmental problems.Air pollution to combat pollution in the United States, the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1970 gave the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to establish and enforce air pollution standards and to set emission standards for new factories and extremely hazardous industrial pollutants. The states were required to meet â€Å"ambient air quality standards† by regulating the emissions of various pollutants from existing stationary sources, such as power plants and incinerators, in part by the installation of smokestack scrubbers, electrostatic precipitators, and other filters.Auto manufacturers were mandated to install exhaust controls or develop less polluting engines. The Clean Air Act, as amended in 1977, authorized the EPA to impose stricter pollution standards and higher penalties for failure to comply with air quality standards. another well needed policy revision is the Clean up oceangoing vessels. Cruise ships, container ships and tankers emit staggering amounts of smog-forming nitrous oxides, sulfur dioxide, heat-trapping carbon dioxide and particulates, among them black carbon (soot). New evidence shows that pollution from these vessels reaches surprisingly far inland.The U. S. government has requested that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) create an â€Å"emissions-control area† in American waters, including off Alaska and Hawaii. Although the U. S. signed the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, it cannot enforce those requirements until the IMO grants the right to create the control areas along its coastlines. Water pollution solutions are something that everyone can do to help prevent further pollution. Do not keep the tap running when not in use. Also, you can reduce the amount of water you use in washing and bathing.If we all do this, we can significantly prevent water shortages and reduces the amount of dirty water that needs treatment. Do not throw chemicals, oils, paints and medicines down the sink drain, or the toilet. In many cities, your local environment office can help with the disposal of medicines and chemicals. If you use chemicals and pesticides for your gardens and farms, be mindful not to overuse pesticides and fertilizers. This will reduce runoffs of the material into nearby water sources. With soil degradation the best way is to grow leguminous plants.We should use natural manure instead of fertilizers. Legumes are notable in that most of them have symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria in structures called root nodules. The world is a far off better place without the constant rising pollution and all it would take is a decrease in the living standards of people in developed countries. The use of less water and care products that’s add to water pollution driving cars that run on fossil fuels worsening our air quality and the chemical ways of farming in addition to the draining of resources.

Importance of Correlation Analysis in Decision Making

National language. Language plays an important role in the process of fostering unity among the races. Thus, the government has made Malay as the national language of our country. National Language Act 1967 has been allocated the Malay language as the official language. Starting in 1970, the discussion between the leaders has gradually replaced English as the medium of instruction in schools.Governments also undertook a campaign to promote the use of Malay with the launch of â€Å"Gerakan Cintailah Bahasa Kebangsaan†. Unity is an essential element for a country to be more advanced. In order to improve the quality of a country in all aspect, the citizen playing the most important roles. For an example, Malaysia is independent with the unity of people of different races in 1957. This shows that a country will not be established without the true unity among the people.If one country has no unity where people is not trusting one another, the country will fall apart and lead to the the internal strife among the people. An dramatic example is the issue of the races riot happened on May 13,1969 in Malaysia. The internal conflict had caused 2000 people kill. This brings awareness to Malaysian that people without the true unity and the no trustworthy is capable to ruin a country. So we should turn our face to the sun and the shadows fall behind us.In order to avoid infighting among people, the spirit of unity should be planted in our souls. National language is important in every country as it is not only allow communication among the people but also increase the understanding of different ethnics among different races. National language plays an important role in the process of fostering unity among the races. This is because toleration and trustworthy among each other is needed to unite the people through understanding.

Friday, September 13, 2019

Study of The UK Food Manufacturing 2036 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 6000 words

Study of The UK Food Manufacturing 2036 - Essay Example The paper has deployed a number of strategic management techniques to determine market condition, consumer demand and position of the companies thereof. SWOT, PEST and Porter’s five force analyses were considered appropriate. Besides business environment, financial and non-financial performance of each company has been assessed along with their cumulative performance for a period of five years. The paper has elaborately discussed every aspect of business with respect to the subject companies using ratio analysis. The outcomes have also been critically assessed and recommendations have been provided keeping in view the future scope of growth and development for the firms. The food sector in the United Kingdom (UK) can be chiefly segmented in four areas, namely, food manufacturing, food retailing, food wholesaling and non-residential catering. Food is an essential purchase among all others by consumers and growth of food sector is being significantly driven by increasing population. Between 1992 and 2008, the food sector of the UK grew parallel with economic boom and stabilised by 2012. The food manufacturing sector is significantly dominated by different kind of foods that can be conveniently categorised as necessity food and luxury food and be further subdivided into other categories (DEFRA, 2014a; Manley, 2010). The diversified nature of the UK food industry and its contribution in the UK economy makes it an interesting choice of research. The food manufacturing sector is an essential part of the food industry as it acts as a link between agro-food industry of raw material and food retailing and wholesaling. Food manufacturing is also essential for the food industry because it generate employment, provides export opportunities, minimises scope of import and results in great value addition to local produces and local crop producers (ILO, 2014). The research paper

Thursday, September 12, 2019

The Global Social and Enviremental Opportunities and Risks Facing Essay

The Global Social and Enviremental Opportunities and Risks Facing Woolworths - Essay Example On a global front, Woolworths needs to keep identifying risks and prospects that keep emerging as well as those already in existent. A noteworthy characteristic of the retail industry that Woolworths face is the rising intensity of competition and domination by few companies (Seth & Randall 2001). Therefore, accurate evaluation of social and environmental opportunities and risks is very critical to enable the company to adopt apposite strategic measures. Understanding of these opportunities and risks helps in establishment of effective growth policies and expansion plans or in a more threatening environment measures that pre-eminently upholds the current position or if need be, allows pull-out from markets. Understanding of future opportunities and risks also helps toshape how the management base their strategic decisions. This is because they need to balance and in consideration of other factors, they determine a realistic and sustainable direction to the retail business. Opportunit ies and risk analysis enables a retail chain, such as Woolworths, to identify the global markets and areas that are viable to open up new ventures and how exactly to take care of the needs of the clientele (Richardson & Williams 1995). In addition, they determine the allocation of resources.Opportunities and risks can be in any aspect of the company. They can be in skills and abilities of the employees, location and environment of operation, products and branding, financial and informational management. Social Opportunities and Risks One of the most noteworthy social opportunities is the global Woolworths Trust EduPlant programme (Burch & Lawrence, 2007). In collaboration with other organizations and educational institutions in several countries, for instance South Africa the programme sponsors and funds educational institutions in the growing of healthy foods in a sustainable system (Burch & Lawrence 2007, p 24). For over the last ten years, EduPlant programme has supported thousan ds of educational institutions to boost food security in the societies and to improve the nutrition of their students (Burch & Lawrence 2007, p 24). The programme runs annually and begins with an invitation to various stakeholders in the education sector to go for one day all-expense paid permaculture training.Those who are trained on various permaculture techniques become food security campaigners in their societies. They are then sponsored to grow food gardens that produce much-needed food for the schools within the communities. Land portions within the schools are converted into healthy greened environments and the trained educators are empoweredto share their permaculture skills with other members of the community (Burch & Lawrence, 2007). After the learning institutions have grown their gardens, they register them into a national competition. They continue to get support and guidance from trained permaculture specialists who visit the institutions and finally choose 63 finalist s. All selected finalist institutions are awarded with cash rewards and environmental, health and agricultural resources. Further rewards- in both cash and resources are given to the winners of various other categories. This programme is a great opportunity to market and promote Woolworths and make it a great brand name across all generations as well as boost its corporate social responsibility regarding

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

MGM Journal Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

MGM Journal - Personal Statement Example In short, if we were to select two MGM tools as indispensible in the field, what would they be? With the ready help of information about a patient, the work of a physician gets much easier. And it does not only apply to a physician, but also to everyone working in the healthcare field. Access to important health information right on time will improve the efficiency and productivity, cutting down the average cost and nevertheless, make for a healthier world. Personal Health Record (PHR) guide is the just the tool for that purpose. The ultimate aim in medical profession is to achieve highest level of patient’s recovery, well being, and safety. Physician Practice Patient Safety Assessment (PPPSA) aims to increase the awareness and knowledge of the physician about the patient’s safety, thus creating a benchmark output for the physician. Better care and safety, lesser liability and better interaction is focused on to achieve higher level of performance and delivery on the part of the

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

What if Machiavelli and Voltaire met for lunch to discuss war and Essay

What if Machiavelli and Voltaire met for lunch to discuss war and politics - Essay Example Niccolà ² Machiavelli, born 1469 in Florence and died 1527, and Voltaire, real name Francois Marie Arouet, born in Paris in 1694 and died in 1778, would obviously never have met in life, despite the fact that Machiavelli , the statesman as well as political theorist, traveled widely as a representative of his native Florentine state, and Voltaire traveled to various European countries. However it is possible that, though coming from geographically and chronologically separate places, they may have shared some ideas, despite the differences of their backgrounds and the more than 200 years which separate their births. They both for instance had problems with authority. Both outspoken men, this imaginary luncheon might not have gone well unless they could find common ground. It must be asked what language would they speak? Which wines would they prefer? What would the menu be? Both had traveled. Would Italian, French, German or even English food be on the menu? Where would they meet? S witzerland, always neutral, seems the ideal place, in distance, as well as being a place where both had traveled. Presumably one of them could suggest a good place to meet. This essay will consider which ideas were important to these two profound thinkers whose influence has extended beyond their own generation, topics they feel to be so important that they would be discussed when they met, wherever and whenever that might be. ... I t is assumed by biographers3, but not proved, that he, attended the university in Florence. He certainly received a good education somewhere. In 1498 Florence became a republic and Machiavelli became a clerk in the republic’s service, quickly rising through the ranks. He would have been one of several intellectuals who considered historical and political problems in detail . Between 1498 and 1512 Machiavelli was entrusted with several missions on behalf of the Florentine republican state. While in France he was able to observe at first hand how a country was ruled by only one person., something at that time not happening in Florence. The first inklings then of ‘the Prince’ that was to come in 1513. When he returned home he found the republic in great trouble, as Cesare Borgia was attempting top carve out for himself a state he could rule as a prince in the area of Italy lying south of Florence as described by on the web page ‘Machiavelli’s â€Å"Th e Prince† a summary with quotations’ – anonymous and undated. In 1513 things had changed when the powerful Medici family again took charge. Machiavelli was arrested and accused of conspiracy, possibly even tortured. . He was known as an analyzer of political powers, perhaps he analyzed too closely for the comfort of his rulers. Soon pardoned he withdrew himself from the public arena and turned to a literary life, creating plays, comedies and poetry. He is best known for ‘The Prince’ was not published until 1532, well after his death . The main thrust of the work is that in order to maintain his authority any acts of a ruler are justified. He must have ‘virtu’. This is not the same as virtue, i.e. goodness, rightness or morality, but rather can be translated as prowess, skill or

Monday, September 9, 2019

The Online Shopping Environment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The Online Shopping Environment - Essay Example The three elements that have been used to deliver desired consumer experience in online fashion retail include navigability, atmospherics, and interactivity. The interaction of the three elements has shaped the online fashion-shopping environment. Analysing the interaction of three elements is essential because consumers are considering multi-channel retailing in fashion. Online fashion shopping environment offers all the design cues and multi-channels the consumers want. Search classification utilizes Sitemaps, search engines, Search by name, style or look to engage consumers online (Flavian, Gurrea and Orà ºs, 2009). Search classification is used for finding a product in any e-commerce business platform (Kim, Fiore and Lee, 2007). Online fashion environment is utilizing the consumer’s usability of the sites to increase sales. The journey of a consumer begins within they log in the online stores. Searching classification utilizes keywords related to fashion, and image links that can be accessed through top search engines (Childers et al., 2001). For example, ASOS has used the successful product tagging method of search classification to increase consumer usability and help to convert the visitations into successful sales (Jones and Silverstein, 2009). Product information details, zooming option for images, and 2D and 3D product viewing give rise to the ultimate interactive viewing. The online shopping environment in the fashion retail industry is using interactive technologies to create a seamless journey between the stores and consumers (Sullivan and Adcock, 2002). The rise of online and multichannel fashion retailing is focused on offering in-store consumer experience that is in touch with shopping patterns of the consumers. Smartphones, iPads, customized fashion shows and in-built touch screens have been introduced to give the customer a virtual shopping experience before actual purchasing (Tapscott, 2009).

Sunday, September 8, 2019

Lean Learn Outcome Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Lean Learn Outcome - Assignment Example The case reports that the scrape rate for each operation stands at 10%. Hence, this is a crucial source of waste in the case study. Over processing involves the extra operations such as reprocessing or rework on products mainly due to the fact that there are defects. To the case study, this is also a potential source of waste as at any time the effects of defects can be experienced (Palevich, 2012). Transport waste refers to the unnecessary movement of production materials from one place to another. It is an existing source of waste in the case. This is because the employees at the company usually have to transfer raw materials from one point to another in the company (Palevich, 2012). This entails the inactivity periods that a company experiences in a downstream process. It usually occurs because of untimely delivery of output by an upstream activity. As seen in the case study, this is an existing source of waste particularly in delivering goods to customers (Palevich, 2012). This refers to the under utilization of employee capabilities. It also includes delegation of tasks while employees have undergone inadequate training. As indicated in the case study, the annual employee turnover stands at only 25%. Thus, skills is an existing source of waste in the case (Palevich, 2012). b) For one or more of the sources of waste identified in part a) write a one paragraph description of what you would do as Operations Manager to reduce or eliminate this waste. It consequently results into excessive production of products along with excess costs for inventory carrying. As the operations manager, I would apply a well-organized approach towards reduction and elimination of skills as a source of waste. As indicated earlier, waste in skills is experienced due to under utilization of employee capabilities. It is also caused by inadequate training of employees and yet delegating tasks to them. On this regard, I will begin by coming up with a clear outline of the tasks

Saturday, September 7, 2019

Article Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 16

Review - Article Example For instance, a drug called D-KLAKLAK-2, is known for destroying cancer cells. But it is also effective against Gram-negative a bacterium that fights against anti-biotic. Now scientists have devised a way to fuse this drug with naturally occurring toxins called AMPs. These are like the chemical weapons which bacteria themselves have developed overtime. So here comes the art of war; this AMP is combined with D-KLAKLAK and given to the patient. Now bacteria gets ‘confused’ and can’t predict or see a pattern in the drug that is in the body to kill it. It delivers a knockout punch and dies. In my view this is a brilliant scheme. It is wonderful to know that such innovation is possible in medicine. From research, it is proven that bacteria, over time, can develop highly immune system that can resist a drug that it is fighting. The more drug a patient takes, the more resistive bacteria becomes. To resolve this issue, scientists have developed a method to kill the bacteria by ‘distracting’ it. The drug is combined with naturally occurring toxins so the bacteria unable to ‘read’ the moves of the drug and gets effectively knocked out. In my opinion such innovative methods are must in any field. It is very common to observe that when a patient goes to a doctor and complains about some bacterial infection, usually the bacteria gets stronger, as if it has a mind of its own and practices fighting the drug, and gets stronger in the process. One thing that crossed my mind while reading the article was its effectiveness in proven tests and experiments. How successful has it been on humans/animals so far? This is the question I would like to be answered. The article doesn’t mention anything on this issue. Having said that, I still think that this method is very innovative, it seems theoretically sound. If there is a survey in which civilian opinion is required regarding approval or disapproval of this drug, I

Friday, September 6, 2019

Three in American life Essay Example for Free

Three in American life Essay Throughout the time period that we have studied, I believe that there were three events that had the most significant impact on American life. Progressivism was the most important outcome from these years. Another major outcome is the Birth Control Movement. The Freedmans Bureau is the last major result from this time period. Between 1865 and early 1920s, the country changed from a rural nation to an urban one. Progressivism is the reform movement of the 1900s. It dealt with people from the middle class who werent immigrants who wanted to cure social problems. Women got involved in this because it was the only acceptable way for them to influence politics. There were many issues that had to be dealt with. The workplace safety was one of them. Workers worked more than 54 hours per week and the accident rate was very high. The solutions made for there problems changed the way American people worked and how long they had to. Now, there was an 8-hour work day, there was a law for minimum wage, there were safer working conditions, and there was an end to child labor. The Progressives believed that you could use science and technology to solve problems. They also believed that schools were to prepare students to function in society. The Birth Control Movement was another significant change in American life. In 1873, the Comstock Law was passed. This law made it illegal to use the Postal Service system for any article or pamphlet intended for contraceptive information or abortion. Then, in the early 1900s, Margaret Sanger began the Birth Control movement. In 1912, there was a column in the newspaper that was named, What Every Girl Should Know. In 1913, this column was outlawed. Then Sanger was convicted for distributing literature under the Comstock law. Soon, right after World War I, birth control was more widely accepted. This changed the lives of many people, especially people who were married but never planned to have kids. This also got people more aware of STDs and other diseases. The Freedmans Bureau was established in the War Department on March 3, 1865. The Bureau supervised all relief and aid for millions of Southerners left homeless and hungry by the war. It distributed food, clothing, served as an employment agency, set up hospitals and operated schools. It played a major  role in providing education for African Americans. It also helped settle contract disputes between African American laborers and White planters. The time period between 1865 and the early 1920s was very important to Americans. It changed America from a rural to an urban nation. There were three events that had the most impact on American life. They were Progressivism, the Birth Control Movement, and the Freedmens Bureau.

Thursday, September 5, 2019

The Horror of the Salem Witch Trials

The Horror of the Salem Witch Trials Delia Peterson Would you ever die for what you believe? In 1692, many people had no other choice but to do just that. The belief in magic and spells was introduced by Native American and African slaves in New England. Many who practiced this were accused of witchcraft. Salem, Massachusetts was the sight of many witch trials and perhaps the most well-known, but other villages held them too such as Andover, Massachusetts; Fairfield, Connecticut; and other places in New England (Historical Witches, n.p.). Historians have analyzed the accusations and hearings of the Salem Witch Trials, and have since observed possible causes of the hysteria. It all started when Betty Parris, the daughter of Puritan minister, Samuel Parris, and his niece, Abigail Williams, experimented with magic and witchcraft (Salem Witch, n.p.). They began twitching, screaming, and not speaking, so a doctor diagnosed the girls with being under the spell of a witch (Currie, 7-8). Samuel Parris pressured the girls to identify the perpetrator. They named Tituba, their slave, Sarah Good, and Sarah Osborn. The latter two, who were outcasts and did not attend church regularly, declared their innocence, but Good accused Osborn. Tituba originally pleaded innocent, but eventually told the officials of her dealings with the devil (Britannica School Salem witch, n.p.). What followed was a witch hunt, as the girls went on a spree of identifying witches, even pointing the finger at a former minister. Newly identified and confessed witches then turned around and named more witches. By the time the uproar had quieted down, 156 people sat in prison, charged as witches. Then trials were held by a panel of untrained judges, trying people who were forced to defend themselves without lawyers (Salem witch, n.p.). The trials took a year to complete, only stopping when accusations extended to well respected members of the community. The accused were convicted using spectral evidence, which is claims by victims that the defendants Satanic form attacked them. As, each witch testified, the victims seemed to have fits in the crowd, giving the judges enough evidence to believe that person is guilty (Britannica School Salem witch, n.p.). The judges also allowed a touch test, and if the accused persons touch stopped the victims contortions, their demonic presence was confirmed. Other forms of evidence was allowed such as examining people for witch marks and accepting gossip, hearsay, and stories (The Witchcraft, n.p.). If someone confessed (or confessed and named others), they were spared as it was thought they would receive their punishment from God. Those who declared their innocence did not have it so easy, becoming martyrs to their own sense of justice (Britannica School Salem witch, n.p.). It was thought a witch could not recite the Lords Prayer perfectly, yet an ex-minister did so but was still hanged. Using these methods, 19 people were hanged that year. An additional eight people died in prison, and one man was pressed to death by a heavy board. Over 200 townspeople were accused of being witches by the young girls between June and September of 1692. (Currie 37-38). When the accusations extended to his own wife, the governor stopped the trials and established a court that accepted only concrete evidence. There, the rest of the accused were pardoned by the governor (Britannica School Salem witch, n.p.). Historians have turned to many different reasons for so many people to believe the claims of the girls. Many believe that in transitioning from one governor to the next, Salem was in the midst of many social issues. The former governor had done nothing to stop the worsening of the hysteria, and while the new leader tried to step in and conduct fair trials, he unearthed a law causing the death penalty to be inflicted on those practicing witchcraft, a capital punishment. Betty Parriss involvement was attributed to her fear of having disobeyed the laws of her religion as her father was a minister (Salem Witch, n.p.). There is also a theory that ergotism was present in Salem during this time, and is what caused mass hysteria. Ergot grows on cereal grain, and in this case, it would have been rye which the people relied heavily on. It causes a poisoning that is most common in women and children (Ergotism, n.p.). One type of ergotism, or long term ergot poisoning causes hallucinations, delu sions, muscle contractions or convulsions, and shaking, all of which were reported in Salem. All the facts add up, and the weather at that time was warm and damp which is perfect for ergot to thrive (Ergot Theory, n.p.). There are many other theories, but no one knows for sure if any of them are the real cause of the frenzy. The accusations and trials have led to many theories about the possible reasons for the delusions in Salem around 1692. Many people wonder how the judges were able to convict so many without concrete evidence or why the governor did not stop it until it was too late. It has taught us a lot about our countrys history and about the many mistakes we made. Those trials led to the first amendment which is freedom of religion. Nowadays, the government cannot persecute anyone for what religion they practice or for what they believe. We need to respect others and their beliefs even if they are different from us. We know now that we should not be afraid to stand up for what we believe, and not conform to what society tells us because it is not always right. Work Cited Caporael, Linnda R. Ergotism: the Satan loosed in Salem. Science, 1976. science.sciencemag.org. 16 Jan. 2017. Carlson, Marc. Historical Witches and Witchtrials in North America. personal.utulsa.edu. Accessed 5 Jan. 2017. Currie, Stephen. The Salem Witch Trials. San Diego: KidHaven Press, 2002. K, Anna. Ergot Theory Could Clear Accused Witches. The Salem Journal: The Aftermath Witches Remise. 2012. people.ucls.uchicago.edu. Accessed 16 Jan. 2017. Salem Witchcraft Trials 1692. Famous American Trials. law2.umkc.edu. Accessed 16 Jan. 2017. Salem witch trials. Britannica School, Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica, 26 Jan. 2016. school.eb.com. Accessed 15 Jan. 2017. Salem Witch Trials. Research in Context, Gale, 2016. Research in Context, go.galegroup.com. Accessed 4 Nov. 2016.