Bewitched Discussion

One of the strongest and perhaps oldest emotions of mankind is fear, and the most intriguing fear is the fear of the unknown. The idea of fear inspires classic and contemporary writers to explore the things that cannot be seen or fully comprehended by human understanding, from the element of fear of the unknown to the exploration of something metaphysical that motivates detachment from life. One of the common themes in relation to fear that is explored in â€Å"Bewitched† is the subject of supernatural.Classified under the supernatural genre, the Bewitched story by Ueda Akinari can be compared to the story of the â€Å"Beauty or the Beast† in contemporary literature where animals are used symbolically to imply something significant about the literature. However, the woman who turned out to be a snake in â€Å"Bewitched† is deeper and harder to explain than the man who became a beast in â€Å"Beauty and the Beast. † This is because the stories of the Japane se writer Akinari were made during 18th century where religion was highly discussed and debated.Human awareness regarding religion or divinity was very limited. In fact, the author’s religious conviction and orientation about paganism is reflected in his works. In a way, the story of â€Å"bewitched† is also like the story of the falling angel â€Å"Lucifer. † Bewitched is aesthetically unique and creative because Akinari initially and creatively delved into how to twist something wonderful into something unappealing yet stimulating.However, aside from this, there are presently limited stories that are similar to Akinari’s Bewitched story. Even in the early 20th century in the West, contemporary literature explored the topic of politics and societal concerns as a means of social movement for public awakening. Most of the contemporary literary pieces nowadays under the horror genre do not touch on the topic of supernatural kind; rather, most of them deal w ith the horrifying side of human nature.

Document Analysis of John Brown’s Address to the Virginia Court Essay

The address given by John Brown to the Virginia court was his final words before execution on charges of treason. The charges were given because of a raid that he directed with the intent to take federal weapons which is an act of treason. On October 16th-18th, 1859, the radical abolitionist John Brown led a group of white and black men, including two of his sons, on Harpers Ferry, Virginia. Brown’s goal was to seize the federal arsenal, arm the local slaves, and fight a way into the North as described in this primary source in court. This raid was not surprising because of his abolitionist background and insanity as described by the Robert E. Lee who led the Union Army that suppressed the revolt. The group held up in a fire department and was attacked by Lee’s soldiers. The failed attempt resulted in Brown’s capture, trial, and execution on December 2nd. This episode of slave resistance was the last major rebellion contributing to the secession of the South and, eventually, the Civil War. Purpose: John Brown had a a few purpose for delivering this address. Obviously, it was given in response to charges accumulated from the raid, and the address also makes several points explaining his defense. Brown stated that he did not intend to fire a single gun but wanted simply to take slaves from plantations and lead them to northern states or Canada. Brown also stated that he did not induce the others involved in the raid to join him which lessened his crime in his mind. To the charges he addressed, â€Å"I never did intend murder, or treason, or the destruction of property, or to excite or incite slaves to rebellion, or to make insurrection. Though he denied the charges, one can infer that Brown really did want a slave uprising to occur in the South due to his strong abolitionist morals and beliefs. If the raid were to be successful, Brown would not stop with those slaves, but rather continue his forced manumission of the South. Brown’s impression of the trial was one of satisfaction, but he argued that â€Å"it is unjust that I should suffer such a penalty [of death]. † He made this argument because his intent was not to start this uprising but, instead, to be an act of defiance that he knew would indirectly cause a mass insurrection in the South. Value: John Brown’s address is not a historical landmark and was a less significant historical document that had minimal aftermath; however, it provides a specific example of responses in court giving insight into how acts of slave resistance are dealt with legally. Brown gives this document a unique texture because of his eloquence in court compared with his savagery in the raid. Overall, he is given the status of a martyr with his words: â€Å"I submit [to death]: so let it be done! † Brown reveals a very different side of his personality in which he is a dignified martyr. He predicts that slavery will never end peacefully in the country whose â€Å"rights are disregarded by wicked, cruel, and unjust enactments†. Historians can use this document today to show people strong in their beliefs who act upon them, and although some failed in their efforts, their cause was strengthened. Limitations: The address made by John Brown contains several limitations that affect its credit as a historical source. A significant limiting factor is that there is only one opinion to explain the raid. Brown had a biased opinion mainly because of his childhood having been greatly influenced with abolitionist morals and beliefs. One would think that Brown’s address would be biased in spite of his numerous accusations, but he speaks as if he had nothing to lose. The aiding and abetting criminals in the raid would not have delivered a speech as dignified and passionate as Brown’s but would obviously be similar in their renditions of the event. To fully understand Brown’s raid, historians would need to consult Robert E. Lee’s notes. After viewing both sides of the story, a historian can either choose a side or make an inference that incorporates both.

Migration and Folk Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Migration and Folk Culture - Essay Example An environmental push factor that constitutes a reason to migrate for me would be the creation of a dump site in or around my location of residence. Dump sites are highly toxic and I would have to relocate to an environment that meets my preferences. Contrary to migration push factors are pull factors (Rubenstein 297). Economically, a better job or pay would constitute a significant reason for me to migrate. A social factor in the same regard would be cultural diversity. I would like to move in a culturally rich place where every single culture is appreciated regardless of its origin. An environmental factor in the same line would be a chance to live in a place that highly seeks to address global warming and climate change in general. That is, a place that would go beyond all odds to make a difference in addressing climate changes. A personal habit that I follow that does not necessarily constitute a popular culture is dressing in the view that I dress like an American. Dressing is not necessarily a custom or culture, but it has encompassed my personal habits in more or less the two aspects. The origin of this habit is America. A custom that I follow is associating the old people with wisdom. Old people may not necessarily be wise, although I have become accustomed to that. Various communities in the world can be associated with this custom although it is not popularly practiced. I also follow the culture of rushing against time. Time is a valuable resource especially in the Western countries, a scenario that does not bypass my attention and practice. Europe and America can be regarded as the origin of this rushing and time keeping

Privatization of Prison Systems in the United States Assignment

Privatization of Prison Systems in the United States - Assignment Example career-orientated and not so likely to create large staff turnovers, thus causing added expenditures in training new personnel to take the empty positions. Working through the state system provides correction workers with better benefits and there is less turnover of the staff. A) Corrections officers receive a fairly stringent education process in how to conduct their jobs when engaging with the prison population (Dempsey & Forst 2013). The emphasis is now more on keeping staff in place and encouraging open lines of communication, mentoring with senior partners, encouraging professional pride and development, and also providing efficient compensation in salaries and benefits (Peak 2012). In alignment with the state employees, who observe the state guidelines in handling inmates through their daily processes, rehabilitative services, which are provided to inmates as part of their incarceration, also have state guidelines to be observed (Culp 2012). Therefore, the state-administrated facility will operate strictly on the state’s guidelines in handling prisoners and also making sure the public is protected as well, while in the process of engaging in rehabilitative services (Allen & Sawhney 2009; Peak 2012). Accordingly, state standards must be met, particularly where the well-being of the prisoner is concerned, B) The second argument in favor of keeping the corrections system under public administration is the financial aspect in regards to building and running correction facilities. It has been shown in research (Culp 2010) that even while private-sector facilities, run by companies who tout the money-saving advantages of using private sector facilities, often will begin costing more as the years go by, and eventually costing just as much as state run facilities, but... This paper reviews the aspect of whether it is better to move the Federal prison system into the private sector, or maintain them as federally run. There are pros and cons to both systems, but the most glaring issue is whether private sector companies which run prisons, will actually stay in business, or disappear overnight because of insolvency or by being bought out by another larger company.At present, there is an oligarchy of four to five companies who run the nation’s prison systems nationwide. This does not leave much room for a smaller actor to get into the business, particularly as expenditures are usually the same for both public and private sector facilities, as based on federal standards in service provisions. In the review of whether prison systems should move to privatization or not, the final outcome is that there needs to be a secure system in place, particularly where financial accountability is concerned. There must also be government oversight and audits to m ake sure the billing system is also accurate and that charges for non-existing products and personnel do not occur, as has been seen in some previous cases.If it is a question of whether more institutions might be built to house the offenders, then going to the private sector may be the best way to go. However, it is hardly likely that costs to the prison systems will actually be reduced accordingly, especially when only four to five private companies exist to accomplish these goals.

What is cost Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

What is cost - Assignment Example A person that decides to use his time studying for college has the opportunity cost of the money he could make working in the private industry. At a minimum college students have the opportunity cost of the federal minimum salary of $7.25 an hour. Economics can be divided into two time phases which are the long run and the short run. In the short run the quantity of at least one input in fixed and the quantities of the other inputs is varied, but in contrast in the long run the quantities of all inputs are varied (Moffatt, 2010). Two inputs that are usually fixed in the short run are land and capital. The law of diminishing returns takes effects in the short run (Tutor2u, 2010). The production of firms changes in levels of output during the long run. When a person goes to a car dealership having knowledge of economics can help the buyer negotiate a better deal. The car sales business operates in cycle. We are currently in November which implies that the dealership has to get rid of its entire 2010 inventory to make room for the 2011 models. I can argue to the car salesman this point in order to ask for a price reduction. Another argument that I can use in order to obtain a price reduction is to talk about the state of the economy. Due to the fact that unemployment is current close to 10% there are not that many people buying new cars. I deserve a price discount since your company cannot afford to lose my business. A third way to negotiate a better deal is by showing the auto dealership your credit score. I could argue that a person with an excellent credit score deserves a price discount. There are many types of costs that are relevant for a firm. One of the largest expenses accounts in the corporate world is the payroll account. The salaries of employees are a major source of the cost structure of a company. Another cost driver in corporation is the cost of materials. In the retail industry cost of

My first Accident Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

My first Accident - Essay Example While reaching for the cell phone, I noticed that the car had lost its direction. I tried to maneuver the car by changing the direction to avoid landing into the trench. In the frenzy I accelerated the car instead of stopping it. Due to the momentum and added acceleration the vehicle soared approximately 30 feet and hit the Coca-cola signboard. It stopped 3 inches short of touching the utility lines. It was a moment when my life flashed in front of my eyes. My mind was unable to take what had just happened. Everything was hazy and blurred. The car was damaged beyond control and airbags saved any injury to me. To my relief no person was victimized in the accident. Help poured from everywhere. I called up the emergency number 911 and my Mom. The only one thing she cared was my safety and life. Her reaction calmed me especially when I knew that the car was beyond repair. The police took control of the site immediately. The paramedics rushed me to the hospital for a CAT scan as I had bumped my head. The cost of repairs exceeded 75% of the vehicle’s value, due to which it was declared as a total loss as per Alabama state law. Insurance agent declared the car as a total loss too. I learnt a valuable lesson from the incident. My parents had always warned me against the usage of cell phone while driving. The only thought that crossed my mind, was to thank Lord, for keeping me alive. I also learnt the value of love my parents showered on me. I had come so close in throwing my life away. The argument which compares usage of cell phone in the car to eating, smoking, drinking, changing the CD, adjusting temperature doesn’t justify. All are dangerous. Having a cell phone in the car may add to the sense of security for the driver and can get help faster in case of emergency. However the facility has led to more and more fatal accidents due to its inappropriate

Capital Planning Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Capital Planning - Research Paper Example That is why it is also known as "economic rate of return (ERR)". When multiple projects are presented to the organization, the project that gives the highest internal rate of return will be selected for investment. It is important to know about the net present value of the project because then the investor can decide whether it is worth investing in a project or not. When multiple projects are presented to the organization, all available future streams of returns, until its full useful life, will be converted to its present value and the project that gives highest net present value will be the most lucrative of the projects that are available for investment. Thus, net present value (NPV) is an appraisal technique to arrive at the conclusion to invest in a most lucrative project, from a financial perspective. Leasing is a novel way of financing machinery, equipment, computer or any other asset without paying the full amount upfront. The lessor (financer) and the lessee (receiver of the asset) are the two parties involved in any leasing agreement in which the lessee needs to pay agreed lease charges, monthly or yearly, for the use of the asset. The advantage is that the person need not worry about arranging funds to buy the asset. It is better to lease an asset in which obsolescence rate is quite high. When one is interested in using the asset rather than owning it, it is better to lease the asset (Murray, 2012). d) Comparing outright payment versus present value of all leasing rates to be paid over its useful life. If the present value of the leasing cost is not substantially higher than outright purchase (around 20%), I would go for leasing the

Internet Technology, Marketing and Security Essay

Internet Technology, Marketing and Security - Essay Example oducts, one such company is the Sony Corporations whose official playstation website recently underwent a major security breach affecting around 70 million subscribers worldwide. The website is well equipped with all the information of the products and the game contents. It consists of information about all the playstations launched so far and also the new game developments going on. The popularity of playstations worldwide is well highlighted on the website and the information clearly justifies why it is so popular around the world. The website clearly mentions the company’s contact address for correspondence which is quite appreciable as the customer’s come to know how genuine the information on the website will be by knowing the company’s profile. The customization of products on the website is also remarkable, including the latest launched products, upcoming games, most popular choices and also competitions inviting hard core gamers. The customer’s information required to join the PS network is basically the e-mail id for subscription of newsletters, new launches, Gaming updates etc, and other basic information about the customer. The marketing strategy of a company determines the hold of its product in the market over the competitors. Though Sony has a established market for its products, its strategies keep it alive and grab the edge over the competitors. Analysing the position of competitors is the foremost strategy for effective marketing of company’s product. The customer’s response and needs are relatively studied to set up the marketing strategies. The company ensures optimum quality levels to satisfy customers to gain their loyalty in the market. Proper and planned strategies ensure better sales and less difficulty in facing competition. The next strategy that almost all companies seek is knowing their customers better. Launching products according to people and places also ensures better sales and profit and less troubles in creating a

Money or Happiness Essay Example for Free

Money or Happiness Essay The general belief is that the rich tend to pamper their children by buying them all sorts of â€Å"toys†, while the poorer children do not do this because they cannot afford to. It is usually presented in stories- especially in movies that rich children are bad while those from poorer families struggle all their lives. Consequently it may be believed that children from rich families are happier than those from poorer ones. This may be the case in some instances, but is definitely not always true. Children can be happy whether they are from rich or poor families. We hear of cases where poor families make all sorts of sacrifices so that their children – or one of them – can have a certain comfort. Fathers are known to work at extra jobs so that their children can have expensive toys for Christmas or for their birthdays. On the other hand, the children of the rich are not always given everything they want. Rich fathers are known to make their children work for a living and earn their pocket money. Other fathers have refused to give their children expensive toys so that they will learn the value of hard work. Hence it is not the riches of the parents that can make the children happy but what the parents do to the child. Happiness can never be equated with having money or having rich parents for that matter. It is possible that poor parents have a close relationship with their child. In this way the child has something far better; it has love. Having enough love, the child will be happy – at least much happier than if it did not receive love. On the other hand it is possible that the child of rich parents have everything she wants but does not get the love and concern that she needs. The parents of rich children are sometimes too busy spending their money and earning more. Often we hear stories of â€Å"poor little rich children†. Though many of the stories we hear are fiction, some of them are real indeed. Sometimes the parents of rich children believe that their child will be happy if he is provided with everything he needs. They try to substitute money for love and care. In such instances, the rich child can be very happy indeed. In addition, children brought up in this way tend to be very poor in relationships. They do not know how to value things like friendships. Such a child is poor indeed, in spite of being financially rich. Using money and surrounding himself with all sorts of toys the child is apt to grow up with the wrong sense of what is true happiness. Then one day when he realizes that money does not always buy happiness, he will not know which way to turn. Hence children from rich families may not always be happier than those from poorer families. In fact both are capable of being happy, with or without money.

Williams and Utilitarianism Essay Example for Free

Williams and Utilitarianism Essay In his critique of Utilitarianism, Williams finds fault in the Utilitarian commitment to maximum utility in that it undermines the integrity of moral agents and denies people the projects and relationships they inherently value. Famously known as his â€Å"Integrity Objection†, this proposition is immediately very enticing in that it appeals to the idea of the invaluable and imperative nature of benevolence and compassion, versus the cold, impartial hand of Utilitarianism. That is not to say, however, that Utilitarians have been dealt a hefty criticism from which they have no defense. While Williams may be correct in claiming that abandoning commitments or devaluing personal relationships may be counterintuitive, a Utilitarian could argue that his construction of â€Å"integrity† is equally counterintuitive in that it would require one to override their intrinsic pursuit of self- preservation. Additionally, if we were to presuppose Williams’ correctness, a Utilitarian could argue that the only plausible implementation of such a theory would mean valuing these emotional engagements above one’s own agency, a scenario even more demanding and sacrificial of one’s identity than the Utilitarian proposal. Williams directs this objection specifically toward Act-Utilitarianism, a branch of Utilitarian thought that deems the morally correct action as the one that produces the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people. He claims that such a theory is incompatible with the aspect of human happiness that is found in the commitment to personal projects and relationships: â€Å"Utilitarianism would do well then to acknowledge the evident fact that among the things that make people happy is not only making other people happy, but being taken up or involved in any of a vast range of projects. †1 While Utilitarians actually need lower order projects comprised of relationships and commitments in order to validate their higher order projects, the lower order projects will always serve the concerns of the first order. In turn, Williams asserts that such a compromise of emotional engagements for maximum utility usurps one’s sense of self, consequently marring the distinction between one’s commitment and one’s identity: â€Å"( ) that criterion would eliminate any desire at all which was not blankly and in the most straightforward sense egoistic. Thus we should be reduced to frankly egoistic first-order projects, and- for all essential purposes- the one second-order utilitarian project of maximally satisfying first-order projects. †2Abandoning certain commitments for the sake of another project can be acceptable, but when forced to relinquish those which a person deeply values, Williams argues they are robbed of â€Å"a sense of one’s moral identity† or what he describes as one’s integrity. Williams offers us two scenarios to further exemplify his theory: â€Å"Jim†, who is told by the edicts of utilitarianism to murder one innocent Amazon Indian in order to prevent twenty more being murdered, and â€Å"George†, a chemist who is (also by the parameters of Utilitarianism) forced to take a job creating weapons of mass destruction, since the balance-sheet of utilities shows that if George refuses, a far younger, more zealous chemist will carry the project along even further and more efficiently than George. While these scenarios may seem like far-fetched constructions meant to reveal Utilitarianism pursuing the wrong choice, Williams conversely (perhaps begrudgingly) admits that these would be the â€Å"right† choices for the given circumstances. The true problem, he argues, is 1? CITATION? 112? 2? CITATION? 113? ? that the emphasis should not simply be on the â€Å"rightness† of the action but the considerations involved in reaching that conclusion. This is a feature of Utilitarianism Williams claims â€Å"cuts out a consideration which for some others makes a difference to what they feel about such cases†. 3 He continues to explain that excluding such considerations denies our sense of personal accountability for our own actions and in turn â€Å"makes integrity as a value more or less intelligible†. 4 In sum, if we were to reduce William’s entire integrity objection to its most salient points, they would be the following: the emotional commitments that are incompatible with the parameters of Act- Utilitarianism are not only impossible to abandon entirely but are an integral facet of human happiness, therefore creating a dilemma for the Utilitarian in that they must allow for it. The potential defense of a Utilitarian to Williams’ objection begins with the examination of his construction of integrity, which he seems to define as one’s â€Å"sense of self†. Looking simply at this definition alone, it could be said that subjectivity suggested with this variety of integrity incorrectly presupposes that a person’s sense of their identity is always correct. Utilitarianism could make a claim for the value in assessing reality with the sort of impartiality that Williams’ rejects, seeing as if one is not being appraised objectively, their sense of self is entirely contingent on their own conception. More importantly, and the crux of the Utilitarian defense, is that while Williams’ is correct in his claim that abandoning these emotional entanglements is counterintuitive, maintaining such commitments are at odds with the human desire for self-preservation, a 3? CITATION? p99? 4? CITATION? p99? ? conflict that Utilitarianism not only recognizes but Williams does not offer any viable solution for. Based on his examples and criticisms of Utilitarianism, it could be inferred that Williams assumes that we have a moral obligation to help others in a time of crisis, that one has an inherent responsibility to compassion and benevolence. This is clearly in conflict with the Utilitarian theory that one’s responsibility is to maximum utility, so even if the Utilitarian were to concede to Williams objection, it would be implausible to imagine a scenario in which the two could be regarded as being of equal value. In turn, the only option available to maintaining this ethos of selflessness would be to regard it as superior to maximum utility. This, a Utilitarian could argue, could prove to be extremely problematic. Firstly, it is extremely unrealistic to assume that people have the capacity to function entirely out of selflessness. Even though benevolence and emotional attachment can provide a certain level of happiness and fulfillment to a person, the expectation to unilaterally value the welfare of others over our own is not only implausible but ultimately self-defeating. Abandoning or betraying commitments in order to further advance a larger more important agenda certainly isn’t an idea particular to Utilitarianism. A quick browse of a history textbook would support that, by and large, humans are inherently self-serving and while one may commit to an act, cause or person, it does not necessarily mean that they themselves aren’t using such relationships for their own agency. Utilitarianism may require that a person abandon a particular commitment for the sake of the greater good, but it can certainly be said that in the absence of utilitarianism, the commitment could be abandoned anyway, except in this case it would be for a self-serving purpose. A Utilitarian could potentially argue that their moral theory simply recognizes and curbs the inwardly focused desires of mankind and attempts to redirect such motivation toward the greater good. One could argue that Williams’ is somewhat disillusioned with mankind as he makes sweeping idealizations of the human psyche. Williams’ examples of â€Å"Jim† and â€Å"George† seem to both be contingent on the idea that what makes said examples disconcerting is premise that both men would be acting against their conscience, in turn making the assumption that all people have consciences that should be considered. Secondly, if one could clear the hurdle of the first argument, the actual implementation of such a theory is extremely difficult. Williams argues that Utilitarianism is far too demanding to be plausible but in fact, trading this impartiality for benevolence proves to be far more exhausting. Considering the world’s current state of affairs, there are always people in dire need of help, so one calls into question exactly what parameters would be set in place in order to orchestrate such a society. What would be the stipulations of a worthy recipient of another’s benevolence? If Williams was simply talking about people’s obligation to those close to them, valuing those relationships above maximum utility creates a bias that is even more incompatible with benevolence than Utilitarianism, which at least works in the interest of the entire population. A Utilitarian could also argue that it simply because they are outweighed by maximum utility does not mean that substantial relationships are not valued in Utilitarianism. While they are indeed lower order projects, a Utilitarian could make an argument that it is through maintaining such relationships that the value of one’s own welfare is realized and are only outweighed by serious interests of first order projects. The analyses above reflect the same conclusion. Williams’ objection brings to light shortcomings in Utilitarianism that are easily felt by those uncomfortable with the impartial and seemingly unfeeling Utilitarian mentality. However, the arguments put forth by Williams regarding the counterintuitive and overly demanding nature of impartiality neglect the similarly inherent and insatiable desire for self-preservation.

Saving Birds From Extinction Environmental Sciences Essay

Saving Birds From Extinction Environmental Sciences Essay Now although the number and variety of birds that migrate has decreased over the last two decades, several foreign species continue to visit National Zoological Park during winters. Previously, almost 5,000 migratory birds spread across more than 10 species used to fly down to the Delhi Zoological Park. But now this number has fallen to an alarming 500-odd birds belonging to hardly five-six species. According to the Zoos curator several true migratory birds like Siberian crane, Brahminy duck, Mallard, Red-Crested Pochard and White Stork have not visited the Delhi zoo over the last few years. This decline is due to a number of reasons including atmospheric pollution, hunting by humans, lack of food, global warming etc. Local migratory birds also turn up at the Delhi Zoo, and this place becomes a treat to watch for bird lovers. October end and November are the months when the birds start arriving, and more birds are estimated to come by January and February. STATE WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE CHANGING STATE OF BIRDS: Since the year 1500, we have lost over 150 bird species an extinction rate far higher than the natural background. Today, one in eight bird species is threatened with global extinction, with 189 species Critically Endangered, and Red List assessments show that things are getting worse. Particularly alarming are sharp declines in many formerly common and widespread species. This is a signal of wider environmental problems, and of the erosion of biodiversity as a whole. Why birds are declining:irds are declining: Humans are responsible for the threats to birds. Expanding and intensifying agriculture and forestry destroy and degrade habitats. Inadequately managed fisheries, ever-spreading infrastructure, invasive alien species, pollution and overexploitation all pose serious problems. Climate change, with impacts already visible, may be the most serious threat of all. These threats have deeper causes, rooted in our failure to accord wild nature its true value. Sound environment: Over the past few decades, the worlds governments have endorsed many international agreements relevant to the conservation of biodiversity, demonstrating their willingness to cooperate in tackling important environmental issues. The challenge now is to harness this commitment and ensure that concrete actions are taken where they are most needed. In several countries, the engagement of civil society and indigenous peoples organisations has resulted in impressive progress. There are signs of increasing action in the private sector, too. Agriculture and forestry are the key drivers of habitat destruction of birds: In Africa, habitat clearance for agriculture and logging threatens 50% and 23% of Important Birds Areas (IBAs) respectively. In Europe, agricultural expansion and intensification are among the most serious threats affecting IBAs. Proportion of IBAs impacted by different classes of threats in Africa and Europe Analysis of data held in BirdLifes World Bird Database (2004) In Africa, habitat clearance for agriculture threatens over 50% of Important Bird Areas (IBAs), with degradation owing to shifting agriculture an additional pressure (Fishpool and Evans 2001). In Europe too, agricultural expansion and intensification are among the most serious threats affecting IBAs, with a high impact at 35% (Heath and Evans 2000). In Africa, selective logging or tree-cutting affects 23% of IBAs, with degradation owing to firewood collection (including charcoal production) and forest grazing being additional, often related pressures (these threats are of less importance in Europe where little old-growth forest remains). In Africa, ongoing or planned infrastructure development (including dam and road building) is a further key cause of habitat destruction, with 21% of IBAs affected. In Europe this is also a major factor affecting IBAs, with a high impact at 37% . The Effects of Oil on Wildlife: We have all seen pictures and videos of wildlife covered in black, sticky oil after an oil spill.   These pictures are usually of oiled birds.   Many people are not aware that it is not just birds that get oiled during a spill.   Other marine life such as marine mammals can also suffer from the effects of an oil spill.   Even small spills can severely affect marine wildlife. Not all oils are the same.   There are many different types of oil and this means that each oil spill is different depending on the type of oil spilt.   Each oil spill will have a different impact on wildlife and the surrounding environment depending on: the type of oil spilled, the location of the spill, the species of wildlife in the area, the timing of breeding cycles and seasonal migrations, and even the weather at sea during the oil spill. Oil affects wildlife by coating their bodies with a thick layer.   Many oils also become stickier over time (this is called weathering) and so adheres to wildlife even more.   Since most oil floats o nthe surface of the water it can effect many marine animals and sea birds.   Unfortunately, birds and marine mammals will not necessarily avoid an oil spill.   Some marine mammals, such as seals and dolphins, have been seen swimming and feeding in or near an oil spill.   Some fish are attracted to oil because it looks like floating food.   This endangers sea birds, which are attracted to schools of fish and may dive through oil slicks to get to the fish. Oil that sticks to fur or feathers, usually crude and bunker fuels, can cause many problems.   Some of these problems are: hypothermia in birds by reducing or destroying the insulation and waterproofing properties of their feathers; hypothermia in fur seal pups by reducing or destroying the insulation of their woolly fur (called lanugo).   Adult fur seals have blubber and would not suffer from hypothermia if oiled.   Dolphins and whales do not have fur, so oil will not easily stick to them; birds become easy prey, as their feathers being matted by oil make them less able to fly away; marine mammals such as fur seals become easy prey if oil sticks their flippers to their bodies, making it hard for them to escape predators; birds sink or drown because oiled feathers weigh more and their sticky feathers cannot trap enough air between them to keep them buoyant; fur seal pups drown if oil sticks their flippers to their bodiesk birds lose body weight as their metabolism tries to combat low body temperature; marine mammals lose body weight when they can not feed due to contamination of their environment by oil; birds become dehydrated and can starve as they give up or reduce drinking, diving and swimming to look for food; inflammation or infection in dugongs and difficulty eating due to oil sticking to the sensory hairs around their mouths; disguise of scent that seal pups and mothers rely on to identify each other, leading to rejection, abandonment and starvation of seal pups; and damage to the insides of animals and birds bodies, for example by causing ulcers or bleeding in their stomachs if they ingest the oil by accident. Oil does not have to be sticky to endanger wildlife.   Both sticky oils such as crude oil and bunker fuels, and non-sticky oils such as refined petroleum products can affect different wildlife.   Oils such as refined petroleum products do not last as long in the marine environment as crude or bunker fuel.   They are not likely to stick to a bird or animal, but they are much more poisonous than crude oil or bunker fuel.   While some of the following effects on sea birds, marine mammals and turtles can be caused by crude oil or bunker fuel, they are more commonly caused by refined oil products. Oil in the environment or oil that is ingested can cause: poisoning of wildlife higher up the food chain if they eat large amounts of other organisms that have taken oil into their tissues; interference with breeding by making the animal too ill to breed, interfering with breeding behaviour such as a bird sitting on their eggs, or by reducing the number of eggs a bird will lay; damage to the airways and lungs of marine mammals and turtles, congestion, pneumonia, emphysema and even death by breathing in droplets of oil, or oil fumes or gas; damage to a marine mammals or turtles eyes, which can cause ulcers, conjunctivitis and blindness, making it difficult for them to find food, and sometimes causing starvation; irritation or ulceration of skin, mouth or nasal cavities; damage to and suppression of a marine mammals immune system, sometimes causing secondary bacterial or fungal infections; damage to red blood cells; organ damage and failure such as a bird or marine mammals liver; damage to a birds adrenal tissue which interferes with a birds ability to maintain blood pressure, and concentration of fluid in its body; decrease in the thickness of egg shells; stress; damage to fish eggs, larvae and young fish; contamination of beaches where turtles breed causing contamination of eggs, adult turtles or newly hatched turtles; damage to estuaries, coral reefs, seagrass and mangrove habitats which are the breeding areas of many fish and crustaceans, interfering with their breeding; tainting of fish, crustaceans, molluscs and algae; interference with a baleen whales feeding system by tar-like oil, as this type of whale feeds by skimming the surface and filtering out the water; and poisoning of young through the mother, as a dolphin calf can absorb oil through its mothers milk.    Animals covered in oil at the beginning of a spill may be affected differently from animals encountering the oil later.   For example, early on, the oil maybe more poisonous, so the wildlife affected early will take in more of the poison.   The weather conditions can reduce or increase the potential for oil to cause damage to the environment and wildlife.   For example, warm seas and high winds will encourage lighter oils to form gases, and will reduce the amount of oil that stays in the water to affect marine life. The impact of an oil spill on wildlife is also affected by where spilled oil reaches.   For example, fur seal pups are affected more than adults by oil spills because pups swim in tidal pools and along rocky coasts, whereas the adults swim in open water where it is less likely for oil to linger.   Dugongs als feed on seagrass along the coast and therefore be more affected by oil spills. Different resources will be needed to combat an oil spill, depending on the number and type of wildlife that is affected.   Climate Change Linked To Migratory Bird Decrease: Biologists believe that climate change is affecting living things worldwide, and the latest evidence suggests that warmer winters may mean fewer migratory birds. New research shows that as winter temperatures have risen in central Europe, the number of migratory birds has dropped. Ultimately, this may also decrease the number of migratory bird species there. We predict that with increasing winter temperaturesthe number of long-distance migratory bird species should decline, say Nicole Lemoine and Katrin Boehning-Gaese of Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany, in the April issue of Conservation Biology. The Earths surface temperature has increased by about a degree F since 1860, and is expected to increase by as much as 10 degrees F more over the next century. Already, climate change is affecting plants and animals in many parts of the world: for instance, plants in Europe have a longer growing season, a North American marmot has a shorter hibernation period, and some migratory birds in Europe are starting to breed earlier. Climate change could also affect the abundance and diversity of birds. The idea is that warmer winters could increase the survival of birds that live in an area year-round, which could give migratory birds more competition for resources such as food and nest sites when they return to breed in the spring and that in turn could decrease the total number of migratory birds as well as the number of species. To see if climate change affects the abundance and diversity of migratory birds, Lemoine and Boehning-Gaese analyzed existing bird census and climate data for the Lake Constance region of central Europe, which includes parts of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The researchers determined the number of land bird species and the abundance of each species during two recent census periods (1980-81 and 1990-92). The researchers considered 300 species of land birds and divided them into three categories: residents, short-distance migrants (those that migrate an average of roughly 600 to 1,200 miles) and long-distance migrants (those that migrate more than 2,200 miles). There were 122, 80 and 108 species in each category, respectively. While climate change did not affect resident or short-distance migratory birds, Lemoine and Boehning-Gaese found that it did affect the long-distance migrants. Between the two census periods, winters got warmer and the abundance of long-distant migrants decreased. Specifically, the average temperature of the coldest month increased more than four degrees F, and the abundance of long-distance migratory birds decreased by a fifth. Ultimately, warmer winters will probably also decrease the number of long-distance migratory bird species in Central Europe, say the researchers. In addition, the birds migratory behavior will probably evolve. The migratory behavior of bird populations can change in only a few generations, and several populations of wrens, skylarks and other short-distance migrants have stopped migrating in the last 20 years. Migrating Birds Cant Control Themselves: During the spring and fall migratory seasons, sparrows become significantly less capable of resisting temptation. Researchers writing in the open access journal  BMC Neuroscience  investigated impulse control and sleep in white-crowned sparrows during migratory and non-migratory seasons. During migratory periods, the birds slept very little and became more impulsive, but sleep loss itself was not entirely to blame for their impulsivity. University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers studied the effects of migratory status and sleep deprivation on the ability of a group of sparrows to master the urge to peck at a food-giving button. According to study director Ruth Benca, In the wild, despite marked reductions in apparent opportunity to sleep, birds continue to successfully engage in prolonged flight, complex navigation and predator evasion during migration. In the laboratory, weve previously found that birds in the migratory state can learn to peck at a switch for food as well as birds during non-migratory periods. In contrast, in this study we demonstrate that, relative to birds in the non-migratory state, they struggle to learn when not to peck. This apparent hyperactivity during the migratory period may be linked to the fact that the migrating birds sleep periods become divorced from the light/dark cycle they follow during the non-migratory seasons of Summer and Winter; separate experiments showed that sleep deprivation alone does not cause this loss of control. Short sleep duration in the summer is also not associated with increased impulsivity. According to Benca, It is conceivable that the temporal fragmentation of migratory sleep plays a role in the migration-specific loss of behavioral inhibition. Whether the inability to inhibit pecking is related to a general failure of inhibition, a distorted sense of time, inattention to salient cues, or some other underlying mechanism is not entirely clear. How to Prevent Illness in  Birds: Reducing the Risk of Illness in Pet  Birds While it can be difficult to think about, the reality of bird ownership is that there are many things that can adversely affect a birds health in our homes, in the air, and even within the safety of your birds own cage. Reducing the risk of illness as much as possible is a necessity for the majority of bird owners, and can be done by working to eliminate the major risk factors in your birds environment. Pay close attention to the information below to help your bird ward off some of the most common illnesses that affect birds in captivity. As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Practice good hygiene. Practicing good  hygiene  around your bird can go a long way toward preventing the onset of illness in your pet. In addition to washing your hands both before and after you handle your feathered friend, you should also take time to make sure that your birds toys, dishes, and other cage accessories are cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis. Practice good cage-cleaning techniques by changing the liner at least once a day, and doing a deep, thorough scrubbing weekly. Taking these sorts of steps will help reduce the your birds risk of being exposed to viruses and bacteria that may find their ways into your pets living space. Solution: In BriefHuman history has followed a pattern-which began in Africa but is now global in scope-of exploiting nature and depleting resources. As we have expanded our influence over the world, we have also extinguished species and populations at an alarming rate. Despite attempts to reduce biodiversity loss, the trend is likely to continue: nearly 20% of all humans-more than a billion-now live within biodiversity hotspots, and their growth rate is faster than the population at large. This article presents nine steps to reduce biodiversity loss, with a goal of categorizing human-caused extinctions as wrongs, such as the slave trade and child labor, that are unacceptable to society. These steps include developing a system of parks that highlight the planets biological legacy, much as historical landmarks celebrate human history. Legal prohibitions that are fairly and capably enforced will also be essential in protecting rare and declining species. Biodiversity endowments-from national gov ernments, nongovernmental organizations, and private enterprises-can help support parks and native species in perpetuity. Like a good sports team, conservationists need to defend extant wilderness areas, but they also need to play offense by restoring ecosystems, reclaiming keystone and umbrella species, and making human landscapes more hospitable to biodiversity. In the long run, the most effective forms of conservation will be those that engage local stakeholders; the cultivation of sustainable ecosystems and their services must be promoted along with conservation of endangered species and populations. The emerging field of ecological economics can unite these goals by revealing the connections between human well-being and conservation. Key Concepts Extinction is likely to be one of our longest-lasting legacies. To address this crisis, we will need landscape-level management of wilderness and human-impacted areas, community involvement, legislation, economic incentives, bioliteracy, unified conservation science, and attention to the prime drivers of extinction: growth of the human population and its aggregate consumption. The new field of ecological economics, which synthesizes human activities and natural processes, can quantify the costs and benefits of biodiversity protection. We need a social transformation, through education and ecological literacy, to make human-caused extinction a thing of the past, like the slave trade, apartheid, and the Iron Curtain. In 2008, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in the UK announced a final call to find the slender-billed curlew, a one-time resident of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, last seen in 1999. Meanwhile, scientists in Australia pronounced the white lemuroid possum extinct; a native of mountain forests in Queensland, the possum was the first mammalian extinction blamed exclusively on global warming.. Two critically endangered frog species were declared extinct, despite their protection by a Costa Rican national park. More than 140 species of mammals, 24 birds, 6 reptiles, and 5 amphibians deteriorated in conservation status, moving from lower to higher risk categories of concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the global authority on the conservation status of the worlds animals and plants.1  Only 37 mammals improved during this period, along with two birds and one amphibian. Unfortunately, the year 2008 was not exceptional in these respects. The biodiversity crisis is by now as well known as it is tragic. The species extinction rate is of great concern. At least 76 mammal species are known to have gone extinct since 1500, with several others on the verge.2  The baiji, a freshwater dolphin of the Yangtze, will almost certainly join the list soon. The Scimitar-horned oryx and Pere Davids deer now probably exist only in captivity. Marine mammals are in severe danger, especially in northern oceans. Things are even worse for other, less celebrated, taxa. More than 70% of North Americas freshwater mussel species are on the edge of extinction.3  Since the Polynesians first arrived on Hawaii 1,600 years ago, more than 70% of the islands native birds have disappeared.4  Since 1850, the extinction rate for the worlds birds has been about 100 times higher than the background rate in the fossil record. More than 10% of all bird species remain threatened. Seabi rds have been in special jeopardy-rats took out many island colonies, and about 130 of the 450 remaining species are threatened with extinction-but forest birds arent faring much better. If deforestation continues at the present pace, so many birds may disappear that their extinction rate will increase by more than an order of magnitude by the end of the century.5 The problem is much bigger than species loss. The diversity of life spans many levels, from strands of DNA within an individual to entire ecosystems comprising billions of organisms and thousands of species. Extinction occurs adaptation by adaptation, population by population, habitat by habitat. The disappearance of a population is often a prelude to species extinction,6  but species can lose their ecological relevance long before they go extinct, as their numbers dwindle and they no longer remain key players in the system. Many extant species are now absent from more than half of their historic ranges. As organisms disappear, we lose our natural capital-the ecological goods and services that enrich and sustain our lives. That deforestation and overgrazing can lead to erosion and desertification is as obvious as the Sahel, but other connections-such as the rise of malaria and hemorrhagic fevers in disturbed lands-are becoming more apparent as our ecological footprints and understa nding of diseases expand. There is a growing recognition that our natural heritage is at risk, irreplaceable, and central to our well-being. There are potential remedies for these problems, but they will take effort and determination. The financial crisis made front-page news every day in early 2009. The global extinction crisis barely was mentioned. Yet economic recessions are a blip in history, whereas the effects of runaway extinction will linger for millions of years. Paleontologists have identified long lags in the evolution of new organisms following major extinction events, largely because diversity begets diversity. Extinction chips away at the genetic and ecological engines of speciation. With fewer genetic lineages, there is a reduction in the raw material of evolution: variation in DNA. A reduction in ecosystems and unique niches means fewer opportunities for new organisms to evolve. The drop in the number of species, genera, and families on the planet is likely to be a long-lasting legacy of human activities. We will be poorer without a rich store of biodiversity-in spirit, in health, and even in our pocketboo ks. Here are nine tactics that could help moderate human-caused extinctions. Most of these suggestions have been made before, repeatedly, but they warrant our continued and ever-more-urgent attention. Landscape 1. Biodiversity Parks Many countries have national parks that feature special landscapes and geological formations: the volcanic caldera of Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Mount Kilimanjaro. In addition to these traditional and essential parks, there is a need to protect a carefully designed network of reserves on each continent and in every ocean. This global series, or archipelago, of biological refuges-biodiversity parks-will preserve key features of the Earths biological legacy inherited from the evolutionary past into the future. Such parks, in effect, would celebrate and honor the evolutionary heritage reflected in biological diversity, just as traditional national parks and monuments preserve special geological features or honor important historical events in human affairs. Rather than merely constructing museums that memorialize biocide, biodiversity parks would offer explicit protection for endangered species and evolutionarily distinctive ecosystems. The task is not as insurmountable as it might appear. By preserving and endowing just 25 biodiversity hotspots (less than two percent of the earths land area) we could help protect 44% of vascular plant species and 35% of all species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians for $500 million a year7-less than 0.1% of the funds allocated to the United States Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) to bail out incompetent financial institutions. One difficulty with many current park systems is that reserves often tend to be on residual lands that are not very valuable for resource extraction or human subsistence. A study of new reserves in Australia showed that they were typically gazetted on steep and infertile public lands, areas least in need of protection.8  Without proper planning, ad hoc reserves can be ineffective, often occupying less productive land, making the goal of protecting biodiversity more expensive and less likely to succeed. Well-placed networks of sanctuaries, designed with an awareness of ongoing climate disruption and the unique biotic facets of the sites, can help shepherd many species through the extinction crisis. In discussing parks, we often think of landscapes, but the biodiversity crisis affects aquatic systems as well. Protection of the oceans requires safeguards against overfishing and networks of marine reserves that include rich nearshore habitats (such as coral reefs and upwellings) as well as deep-sea vents and abyssal plains. As on land, these protected areas should range from strict nature reserves where fishing and extraction are forbidden to seascapes that are managed for their cultural and ecological value. Areas that are open to exploitation should be managed sustainably to meet the long-term resource needs of local communities, while providing natural services such as recreational opportunities and water purification.9 2. Ecologically Reclaimed and Restored Habitats Humans need to play conservation offense as well as defense. Beyond the immediate concern with the loss of a particular population, species, or ecosystem, a focus on long-term recovery and biological revival is also essential. Scientific research can inform the restoration of local habitats and help renaturalize entire ecosystems by uniting scattered fragments. In Costa Rica, scientists, businesspeople, politicians, and the local community helped regenerate 700 square kilometers of a tropical forest system-an area assaulted by ranching, hunting, logging, and fires for almost 400 years. They purchased large tracts of land, stopped the farming and fires, and let nature take back its original terrain.10  Restoration relying on successional recovery is not always so predictable, however. The reintroduction of fire to sand barren prairies that had been overgrown with willow was not enough to restore the prairie. The woody vegetation was resistant to the fire regime.11  For that reason, restoration ecologists are often needed to ensure the recovery of degraded lands.12  Thousands of species have been eradicated or imperiled by the construction of ill-conceived dams throughout the world. It is too late for the many freshwater mussels and fish that have gone extinct, but for others the damage still can be reversed. The removal of the Edwards Dam from the Kennebec River in Maine restored large numbers of eels, sturgeon, and striped bass to upstream habitats, where they had been absent for more than 150 years. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service funds competitive grants for private stewardship of lands, with an emphasis on endangered species habitat. Dozens of federal grants support restoration projects such as prairie streams for the Topeka shiner in Iowa, aquatic systems for Arctic grayling in Montana, grasslands for a threatened milk-vetch and other plant species in Oregon, and habitat for sage grouse in Colorado.13 The reintroduction of individual species can play an important role in rewilding parks and their surrounding ecosystems. Large animals are especially prone to extinction, yet they are often key to ecological dynamics. The return of a megafaunal species to its historic range can yield many benefits: undo a population extinction, make habitats more interesting and exciting for locals and visitors, and restore ecological interactions (often with positive system-wide consequences). There have been several successful examples of repatriation, though far from enough. Bald eagles now nest in every state in the continental U.S., and populations have increased by more than an order of magnitude since their lows in the 1960s. Przewalskis wild horse has been reclassified from Extinct in the Wild to Critically Endangered, with more than 300 free-ranging individuals now roaming Mongolia. After several decades of absence from the park, gray wolves released by the Yellowstone Wolf Recovery Team in 1995 produced some surprising changes: survivorship of pronghorn fawns increased fourfold, as coyote densities declined where wolves were present;14  streamside vegetation returned as elk browsing declined; and tourists flocked to the region, spawning a new type of ecotourism-wolf watching-now a $35 million a year industry.15 Some have argued that one way to restore ecological interactions that were lost with the extinction of the Pleistocene megafauna would be to introduce analogs, or modern counterparts, from elsewhere. For example, bringing Asian elephants to North America might provide seed dispersers for certain plants that co-evolved with mastodons.16  There is no scientific or ethical consensus about the wisdom of such expensive and transformative action. Yet the possibility that genetic engineers might one day be able to bring extinct megafauna such woolly mammoths to life from frozen ancient DNA17  should prompt us to consider whether, if such efforts are successful, mammoths are something worth restoring to landscapes that have not seen them in 11,000 years. Community 3. The Fabric of Local Communities As scholars, biologists mostly observe. They build models, experiment, and-on good days-make new empirical or conceptual connections: the effects of pesticides on egg development, the role of disease in amphibian declines, or the effects of biodiversity on ecosystem function. Such studies take place on the modest spatial scale of a Petri dish, a common garden, or perhaps a local landscape, and at the modest temporal scale of a few years. To ameliorate the extinction crisis, though, science must move beyond such focused analyses-i

The Amazing Life of F. Scott Fitzgerald :: essays research papers fc

F. Scott Fitzgerald lived an amazing life throughout time, overcoming obstacles in his path and persevering through trials and tribulations. As a man who has gone through over four decades of experiencing an overwhelming amount of accomplishments, as well as hardships, F. Scott Fitzgerald is therefore acknowledged as a â€Å"True Man†. In fact, his struggles through childhood, his transition to adulthood and his unstable literary career acknowledges him as a â€Å"Real Man† who is more like a hero.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  To begin with, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s childhood was a common one, like other children who grew up during the late nineteenth century. His origin played a key role in how he came to live his life according to the â€Å"American Dream†. Of the Irish ethnicity, F. Scott Fitzgerald was born September 24, 1896 in St. Paul, Minnesota. His family life was one to be considered average for the late 1800s. His mother, Mary Mc Quilla, and father, Edward Fitzgerald were middle class Americans who worked hard to maintain a stable family. Mary Mc Quillan, was the daughter of an Irish immigrant who became wealthy as a wholesale grocer in St. Paul. Both were Catholics. Edward Fitzgerald failed as a manufacturer of wicker furniture in St. Paul, and he became a salesman for Procter & Gamble in upstate New York. After he was dismissed in 1908, when his son was twelve, the family returned to St. Paul and lived comfortably on Mary Fitzgerald’s inheritance. Both wer e of the Catholic decent. F. Scott Fitzgerald, named after his distant cousin, Francis Scott Key, the composer of the Star Spangled Banner, was the only child born to his fortunate parents. Due to several issues, his family moved regularly.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Also, F. Scott Fitzgerald transition to adulthood came about with a dramatic twist as he experienced ups and downs as any normal being would. Starting as a young lad and entering the field of becoming a â€Å"man†, Francis began to start a new life. He entered Princeton University in 1913 but allowed other prerogatives to take over his priorities. For example, Fitzgerald neglected his studies for his literary apprenticeship. He wrote the scripts and lyrics for the Princeton Triangle Club musicals and was a contributor to the Princeton Tiger humor magazine and the Nassau Literary Magazine. His college friends included Edmund Wilson and John Peale Bishop. On academic probation and unlikely to graduate, Fitzgerald joined the army in 1917 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the infantry.

charant Character Changes in Sophocles Antigone :: Antigone essays

Character Changes in Antigone In Sophocles' Greek tragedy, Antigone, two characters undergo character changes. During the play the audience sees these two characters' attitudes change from close-minded to open-minded. It is their close-minded, stubborn attitudes, which lead to their decline in the play, and ultimately to a series of deaths. In the beginning Antigone is a close minded character who later becomes open minded. After the death of her brothers, Eteocles and Polyneices, Creon becomes the ruler of Thebes. He decides that Eteocles will receive a funeral with military honors because he fought for his country. However, Polyneices, who broke his exile to " spill the blood of his father and sell his own people into slavery", will have no burial. Antigone disagrees with Creon's unjust actions and says, " Creon is not strong enough to stand in my way." She vows to bury her brother so that his soul may gain the peace of the underworld. Antigone is torn between the law placed against burying her brother and her own thoughts of doing what she feels should be done for her family. Her intent is simply to give her brother, Polyneices, a proper burial so that she will follow "the laws of the gods." Antigone knows that she is in danger of being killed for her actions and she says, "I say that this crime is holy: I shall lie down with him in death, and I shall be as dear to him as he to me." Her own laws, or morals, drive her to break Creon's law placed against Polyneices burial. Even after she realizes that she will have to bury Polyneices without the help of her sister, Ismene, she says: Go away, Ismene: I shall be hating you soon, and the dead will too, For your words are hateful. Leave me my foolish plan: I am not afraid of the danger; if it means death, It will not be the worst of deaths-death without honor. Here Ismene is trying to reason with Antigone by saying that she cannot disobey the law because of the consequences. Antigone is close-minded when she immediately tells her to go away an d refuses to listen to her. Later in the play, Antigone is sorrowful for her actions and the consequences yet she is not regretful for her crime. She says her crime is just, yet she does regret being forced to commit it.

The Astronomer’s

Mrs.. Ames. He rarely speaks or even listens to her. He is totally unconcerned with everything that goes on in his home, and leaves all the work for her to do. Belle uses comparisons between a plumber and Katherine husband-?Mr.. Ames' silence, the plumber's interaction with her, and her response to the plumber-?to show the loneliness of the wife throughout the story. Belle shows Katherine loneliness early on in the story. The lines, â€Å"Her eyes were gray, for the light had been extinguished in them† (Belle Para. ) shows he reader an image of the wife, and the effect the loneliness has had on her. Her husband spends a lot of time awake at night, and sleep during the day. That leaves little time to spend with his wife. Mrs.. Ames and her husband's interactions become few and far between until they become nonexistent. Having little to no interaction with her husband has left her feeling unloved. But one day, a plumber comes to her house to fix the drain. The plumber notices ho w beautiful she is, and how she is starving for attention and care. â€Å"The plumber himself looked up and saw Mrs..Ames with her voice hushed, speaking to him. She was a youngish woman, but she had forgotten. † The plumber takes advantage of the astronomer and begins to flirt with Mrs.. Ames. The plumber begins to speak to her in a way that Mr.. Ames has never spoken to her before. This was speech that touched her flesh and bone and made her wonder. When her husband spoke of height, having no sense of it, she could not picture it nor hear. Depth or magic passed her by unless a name were given. But madness in a daily shape, as elbow stopped, she saw clearly and well.She sat down on the grasses, bewildered that it should be a man who had spoken to her so. (Belle Para. 36) This section shows Mrs.. Ames' amazement at the manner at which the plumber is talking to her. She is not used to being spoken to in such a kind and relatable way. It is clear that Mrs.. Ames is lonely and i s looking for companionship that her husband has not given her. The last lines in † The Astronomer's Wife† give the reader an image of Mrs.. Ames walking into the drain with the plumber. â€Å"ooh,' said the astronomer's wife in wonder as she stepped into the heart of the earth.She took his arm, knowing that what he said was true. † (Belle Para 50) The Plumber reached out to her when she felt unwanted by her husband. This image can be taken as her taking one step away from her husband and going with the plumber. The plumber is a breakthrough to Mrs.. Ames as she realizes her worth as a woman due to the attention the plumber gives her. It is obvious that there is going to be an affair between the plumber and Mrs.. Ames, which is wrong and will subsequently lead to the collapse of her current marriage. Throughout this story, the readers can see that Mrs..Ames is dissatisfied with her husband and life. Mrs.. Ames interactions with the plumber show how lonely she is b ecause her husband's silence. The cause of the problem is the bad relationship that has been between the two for a long time, primarily caused by Mr.. Ames distantness. The lack of communication between her and Mr.. Ames causes her to look elsewhere for the affection she wants. Without these comparisons between the plumber and the astronomer and their interaction with Katherine, ‘The Astronomer's wife† would lose its theme of love or lack thereof.

The Importance Of Reputation English Literature Essay

Repute is really of import when one needs to cognize whom to swear and what judgements can be made about a ground. The repute of three characters in the drama Othello by Shakespeare dramas of import function in finding the eventual consequences of the drama. The terminal consequences of the drama would hold been different if Iago had non been known as a honorable individual or Othello non being a baronial military adult male and besides if Cassio ‘s repute had non been tarnished. Iago himself states that, â€Å" repute is an idle and most false infliction, frequently got without virtue and lost without meriting † ( Havoc, par.7 ) . Reputation would convey approximately good judgement, both in the determinations made and those others makes about a given character. A hero is person who confronts issues beyond the societal regulations, who in their physical journey brushs cardinal conditions of life and understands The ‘Epic of Gilgamesh ‘ screens every facet of great heroic literature, that is antic geographicss and alien characters ; boring pursuits and difficult journeys ; winning conflicts with monsters, supernatural existences and natural forces. Literatures have been used throughout history of civilisation to show a assortment of cultural issues. The episode of â€Å" Mesopotamian Noah, † as is apparent with, the character Utnapishtim, who was advised to construct a great boat and make full it with animate beings and his household to get away implosion therapy, has been related to scriptural ‘Noah ‘ and therefore the ‘Epic of Gilgamesh ‘ has received scriptural critics ( eNotes.com, par.1 ) . The societal construction and values of society can be seen throughout the actions of Gilgamesh and his people. This heroic brings forth the perceptual experience of the ancient Sumerian and Babylonian civilizations. Gilgamesh is shown to be fighting against the Gods, natural forces and his ain mortality and this reflects his one ‘s attempts to happen remainder in society and existence.Importance of ReputeGilgamesh was a strong powerful leader who was more of God and stronger than any other male monarch alive. He treated his topics harshly and unkindly. This made people to inquire the God of Uruk to make an opposing swayer who has equal strengths to Gilgamesh so that they might even be left to rest in peace. Enkidu was so created and he had frightening characteristics that destroyed his repute and he was referred to as ‘wild adult male ‘ , this made Gilgamesh to chasten him and even put off his matrimony with the goddess of love. Gilgamesh was concerned about his repute after contending with Enkidu, they became friends and travel together for battles, he aimed at set uping ageless repute stating he wants to â€Å" go forth behind a name that endures † ( pg.71 ) . Gilgamesh would acquire ready for the journey by offering sacrices to Shamash so that he may acquire loyal friends, obtain arms and he besides sought intercession from her female parent who had so adopted Enkidu. In the heroic poem of Gilgamesh, the Gods possessed great powers that showed societal values that were adored in the society. Gilgamesh was characterized by military nature and strong societal standing for the people he represented and these revealed qualities of a good warrior that is valued within society. In the beginning of the narrative, Gilgamesh was a bad male monarch, but subsequently he became determined, sing his internal feelings and questioned his ageless mortality. It was the power of Gods in the society, but non the population, that redirected his actions so that he may non harm the people. Gilgamesh being a brave warrior, his people had assurance in him and they would contend dauntlessly and would emerged masters with everyone they fight with. They fought with a mighty animal Humbaba and defeated him ; this shows that even such a mighty enemy was still no lucifer for Gilgamesh ‘s extreme accomplishment. It is said that, â€Å" Gilgamesh ‘s folk is unconquerable, and aroused by little abuses † , ( par. 2 ) . In this respect Gilgamesh ‘s virtuousnesss as a amazing leader is revealed. He proved his accomplishment of a warrior and leading ability beyond imaginativeness when he rws the boat across the sea faster than a boat adult male. For one to be a good leader, one has to turn out their powerfulness and ability to support their people ever. Gilgamesh revealed this throughout the full heroic poem. His intelligence is shown when he sought advise and reding from his female parent â€Å" who is wise AND worries non † ( Tramp, par4 ) . His repute as a leader who sought no celebrity but fought for whole his land is a true feature of a altruistic leader. Reputation plays an of import function in the drama Othello that was written by Shakespeare. It is apparent that Iago would n't hold been able to make what he did without such a good repute of honestness. In fact Othello praises him and because of Iago ‘s repute Othello takes cautiousness when he is speaking. In the drama Iago deceives Othello and all people through his repute. In the other manus, Othello engages his repute in every scene of the drama, besides the varying of Cassio ‘s repute plays an of import function in the drama. Othello revealed no nonsensical military general characters that finally lead to decease of Desdemona. When he heard from Iago that Cassio and Desdemona were rip offing on him, he became highly disquieted and dying that he could n't believe clearly and wanted to kill her. He said that â€Å" I will chop her into musss! Cheat on me? † ( 123 helpme.com, par.3 ) . Othello could n't believe that Desdemona could lead on him and cheated on hi m. Because of his repute, he was unable to throw words on her in that state of affairs. He kept choler in his bosom since he knew that his repute is traveling to be tarnished when it comes out that his married woman was unfaithful to him. Reputation meant a batch to him and this is shown when he said that â€Å" for nothing I did in hatred, but all in award † ( 123helpe.com, par3 ) . His repute was his hoarded wealth in relation to his place as a general and regard that he had from ranked below and above him. At the terminal of the drama Othello died while seeking to maintain his repute. In the drama, lago ‘s repute is exact antonym of his true nature. His repute was being an honest adult male. He made all people to believe that he was honest as it is written of him as â€Å" O, that ‘s an honest fellowaˆÂ ¦ , you advice me wellaˆÂ ¦ goodnight honest lago † ( 123helpme.com, par.2 ) . This made Othello to declare his trueness and friendly relationship to him. He would wholly do everybody to strongly believe that he had really good personal qualities and honest individual. Therefore, he frequently uses these qualities to derive favours stating that Satans would demo good characters foremost before their inner characters are revealed. Through all these, Lago was able to lead on Othello and made him believe that Desdemona was truly unfaithful to him. Desdemona ‘s inexperienced person and pure repute is destroyed by Iago when he had Othello to get down doubting her. His repute protected him from being confronted by Othello throughout the scene. No 1 could doubt Iago, even if it of all time came out that he was puting up to destruct Othello, Desmona and Cassino. He ever controlled Othello ‘s head utilizing his repute to carry through whatever he intends to make. Because of his honest repute, he was able to damage Cassio ‘s repute and eventual decease of Desdemona and Othello. Throughout the scene, Cassio changes his repute frequently and these took a major portion in the drama. He is shown as an honest, loyal and merely soldier but his repute comes to a arrest when he gets drunk. Cassio depended on repute in order to carry through his missions, but when he was lowered from his place, his behaviour changed and he was afraid of Othello. He said that â€Å" I have lost the immortal portion of myself, and what remains is beastly † ( 123helpme.com, par.4 ) . His repute was spoiled after being demoted and Othello was non impressed and could non keep him as a friend any longer. Because of his inebriation, Iago was able to convert Othello that he had personal businesss with Desdemona and were rip offing on him. Othello told Casino that â€Å" I will do thee an illustration † , ( 123helpme.com, par.4 ) and these openly revealed to him that he no longer earns trust from Othello, his friend. As he tried to decide his differences with Othello, Iogo woul d come in and disrupts everything. Iago made spoiled repute of Cassio has his stepping rock in carry throughing all his programs. Oedipus being the chief character is said to hold met a tragic destiny Oedipus is portrayed as a roseola, unreasonable and overly confident male monarch, who is ever seeking to maintain up with his ineluctable destiny. In the beginning of the drama he is described as a great male monarch and a swayer of the people of Thebes. When the people of Thebes came to him with a job, he would work out it being a determined male monarch. When the metropolis went through jobs he was eager to work out it in order to derive repute and go a hero, he ever looked for such chances. The people appreciated his illustriousness as a male monarch and would ever turn to him to happen a solution to their jobs. Oedipus from the beginning is considered as a great famous person and a national leader of a province during the clip of crisis. Thebes was attacked by pestilences and they believed it was a manifestation of the fatal forces of the existence they lived. Because of his wisdom in covering with adventures ome things, people loved, acknowledged and respected him. They told him that â€Å" we judge you as the first of work forces in what happens in this life and in our interactions with the Gods † ( Johnston, par. 20 ) . He was a individual who had self confidence and assurance and ready to confront any crisis taking it has his ain alone challenge. He solved the conundrum of the sphinx, he revealed his intelligence. His ruin is as a consequence of incidents beyond his control, and is instead the consequence of destiny.Answers to Shakespeare ‘s OthelloOthello begins to doubt Desdemona when she asked Cassio to remain and see the manner she would near Othello, but he went off being ashamed of what he did the old twenty-four hours. Iago who was with Othello said, â€Å" Hour angle! I like non that! † and this made Othello have second ideas about rejecting Cassio and because of his reputes he could n't be leery about his married woman and her friend Cassio. Iago builds m ore uncertainties when he tells him that the two had been entirely together earlier. When Desdemona leaves with Emilia, Iago preceded converting Othello of her infidelity. Iago makes Othello to develop jealousness and is non a covetous adult male by nature. Iago continued to convert Othello that his married woman had deceived her male parent in get marrieding the Moor. Emilia collaborated with Iago, in roll uping the hankie that was dropped by Desdemona when she was with Othello but they came converting Othello that she was utilizing it to pass over Cassio ‘s face funguss. When Othello asked him to bring forth more grounds, he said that he overheard Cassio adverting Desdemona ‘s name in a dream and with this he could n't bring forth any grounds. Othello lost his sense of humanity as he insulted Desdemona and issued barbarian menaces to Cassio. At these scenes it was the lowest point of Othello and on the other manus, it was highest point to Iago who seemed secure in his complete victory.Difference between Othello Play and the MovieThe drama is an reading of the film in many ways. It uses the text to develop the narrative and modernizes characters to appeal to the audience. The audience sees Odin as a hoops participant and non a warrior as portrayed in the film. Racial perceptual experience is brought up in a drama as there is how barbar ian people are in Africa when Othello describes Africans as being â€Å" man-eaters that eats each other † . The subject of green-eyed monster, racial prejudice and craftiness is revealed in both the drama and film. In the drama, Rodrigo ‘s character is overdramatic, simple minded and dearly loves Desdemona. Though Rodrigo ‘s fondness seemed adolescent and included green-eyed monster, the film can non convey it out. The pick of puting differs in the drama and the film. In the film the pick of puting in respect to clip and geographic location is of a modern epoch school and environing environment portraying modern clip. This scene showed the political relations involved in high school hoops drama. The relationship of adult females ‘s characters is similar, but the difference comes in the clip and scene. The film uses the difference in the drama to stress its originality.DecisionRepute is of import in our society today has it helps everyone in doing judgements about others. The hero is more is more likely to be person who confronts destiny in a really personal mode and whose reaction to that brush serves to light for us our ain peculiar status. Gilgamesh was a strong and weather therefore being qualified as an ideal warrior. He possessed many epic qualities as powerful, unprompted, sexually aggressive, desiring to suppress the wilderness and protect his people. Othello ‘s repute played a large function in the result of the drama and in portion caused Desdemona ‘s decease and his ain. Cassio was a loyal individual to be a friend and he ever followed orders he was given. Oedipus took every challenge with himself and he had a powerful sense of excellence and ego worth. Since he had a high respect for himself, after salvaging the metropolis when many others could non, people came to him because of his qualities.

Rudolf diesel

Rudolf Diesel was born on March 18, 1858 in Paris France the second of three children of Elise and Theodor diesel. Diesel spent is early childhood in France but because of the Franco-Prussian war in 1870 his family was forced to leave and moved to London. At 12 years old his parents sent him to live with his aunt and uncle because they wanted him to attend royal country trade school where his uncle was a math teacher and to become fluent in German. At age 14 he wrote a letter to his parents saying how he wanted to be an engineer after finishing his education at top f his class, and then he enrolled at the new industrial school of Augsburg.Two years later he received a merit scholarship to attend the Royal Bavarian Polytechnic of Munich which he accepted instead of listening to his parents and starting work. Diesel could not graduate in July 1879 because he fell ill to typhoid (a bacterial disease resulting from ingestion of food or water exposed to feces). While he was waiting to tak e his exam he got engineering experience at sluzer bros machine works. After graduating in 1880 diesel went to work for his college professor Carl Von Linde o develop a refrigeration and ice factory, and became the director of the plant one year later.In 1890 he moved to Berlin where he started working toward better fuel economy for steam engines, he tried using ammonia vapor to gain his desired fuel economy but the engine blew up during testing. Later he tried to increase fuel economy by using the Carnot cycle which led him to his own theory of compression ignition engines, in these engines the fuel was not put into the cylinder until the end of the compression stroke and the fuel was ignited by the high temperatures from ompression.He obtained multiple patents for his design in the United States and Europe. After boarding a boat in 1913 to attend a meeting he was missing when the boat docked. A couple days later they found his body in the ocean but let the body back to sea after g etting his id card and other things he was carrying. I think he was murdered because Hubert akroyd Stuart had put out a patent a couple years before diesel for a compression ignition engine but was told that diesels was slightly different so it was 0k. This is a clear motive for revenge!!

O Father, Where Art Thou Essay

The article, â€Å"O Father, Where Art Thou? † which was written by Joshua Alston and published in Newsweek last May, basically explained that the notion that most black fathers are irresponsible parents is not entirely true. According to the author, while statistics show that there is an alarming rate of black children living in homes without a father—50 percent, it doesn’t necessarily mean that all black fathers are the same. In fact, Alston wrote that there are a number of black fathers who are responsible parents and who have been supportive and caring for their children even in the most unstable and volatile situations. This, according to the author, is greatly illustrated in Tal-Nehsi Coates’ memoir, â€Å"A Beautiful Struggle,† in which he depicted how his black father, Paul, was a source of stability in security in a community where violence is rampant. Moreover, Alston claimed that the image of black fathers were significantly tainted by songs and shows such as â€Å"Papa Was A Rolling Stone† and â€Å"The Maury Show,† which both portrayed, in a way, that black men are bad fathers and, as a result, gave rise to the negative views towards them. On the other hand, the problem with most black fathers, according to the author, is that they think they equate being a successful parent to making a lot of money or being a breadwinner. Therefore, if black fathers aren’t able to substantially provide for their families, they opt to leave home instead of having their pride hurt. Based on the article, this is what people like Coates are trying to change. According to him, black fathers shouldn’t be made to feel like failures just because they aren’t living to the role of breadwinner. Coates also claimed that being a father also entails love, leadership, and teaching his children values and lessons in life. In his memoir, Coates wrote that he was raised well by his father, which also enabled him to develop his critical thinking. In short, according to the author, in order to reduce the number of black fathers who are absent in their homes, people should view them in a different light and look at the other aspects of their lives instead of just focusing on their inability to provide for their families.

A Brief Biography of Ted Bundy

In the 1970s, terrorist incidents shocked the United States. More and more girls students suddenly disappeared. While searching for a serial killer, the agent does not seem to be able to find a link to those who carry out all these terrible acts. The similarity of the victims shows that some people are wisely supporting these events. But when he got caught, the United States learned that not all serial killers fit a particular image. Ted Bundy, which is said to be very smart and interesting by many people, spreads his fears throughout America by targeting and killing young women; his future behavior Ted Bundy's biography Ted Bundy is one of the worst continuous killers ever. His antisocial personality and spiritual illness made him feel scared all over the country. After all, Ted left a series of bloody killings including the deaths of 36 young women and crossed the four states. The biggest problem in the hearts of many people is that if people like Bondi are very smart, very clever and praised, he will do such a thing. - Terrorist attacks shocked the United States in the 1970s. More and more girls students suddenly disappeared. While searching for a serial killer, the agent does not seem to be able to find a link to those who carry out all these terrible acts. The similarity of the victims shows that some people are wisely supporting these events. But when he was caught, the United States learned that not all serial killers are consistent with a particular image. Through the history of Tide Bondi, criminal investigators encountered various forms of serial killers. One of the many famous serial killers of the 20th century was Theodore Robert Bundy (Ted Bundy). Ted Bundy is responsible for killing more than Chi Omega. When people think about continuous killers they imagine people who are dirty, crazy, personal and outstanding from others. In the case of Ted, this is not the case. Ted Bondi is a very intelligent person who attended college. Ted Bundy 2 Ted Bundy: Personality comparison between Rollo May and Albert Bandura's theory The purpose of this case study is to test the personality of Ted Bundy, one of the most notorious serial killers of modern history. It is said that Ted Bundy insulted and tortured and killed at least 50 women. The possibilities are higher, but real numbers will never be known. Because Ted Bondi refused to keep the real number of his victims and inform the authorities about the exact things.

Becoming an effective global leader Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Becoming an effective global leader - Essay Example sts of the available literature on how to become an effective global leader in the midst of a dynamic-changing environment in the business realm, other relevant corporate organizations and generally in the global economy. In the global economy, changes are taking place. For every firm to be able to take control of this dynamic change there is a need to employ relevant strategic move. Porter considers the opportunity to implement competitive strategies in order to obtain competitive advantage in the midst of a changing industry driven by tough competition (Porter, 1980; Porter, 2008). For this reason, we have seen Apple Incorporated became a dynamic global leader in its industry because of its ability to produce highly differentiated product offerings. The firm tries to establish the idea that when it comes to the production of advanced communication technology, people and their prospective target customers could rely much on their quality provided product offerings that are already out in the market. Regarding this, Apple has become well-known market leader in its industry. However, this did not come to the firm in the course of just a midnight span of time. In fact, if one has to consider critically what Apple has particularly implemented prior to becoming a global market leader in its industry for innovation and highly differentiated product offerings, there is a great opportunity to consider the relevant involvement of leadership and management. Let us then discuss the relevant difference associated with leadership and management. From the given illustration using the firm Apple, the ultimate reason why it leads in its industry today is due to its ability to manage with change. In fact, leadership could be all about the ability of an organization, firm or individual to manage with change (Mercer and Wyman, 2007; Nahavandi, 2011; Davies, 2005; Kotter, 1990). In today’s highly competitive world, where there is a great implication for great global changes in

Organizational structure and design Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Organizational structure and design - Essay Example Organizational structure refers to the division of labor and the methods of coordination, communication, work flow, and power-sharing that exist in an organization. It is the formal arrangement of jobs within an organization. An organizational structure reflects the organization's culture and power relationships. Organizational design is the process of creating and modifying organizational structures. Organizational structures are frequently used as tools for change. Structures establish new communication patterns and align employee behavior with the corporate vision. The two fundamental processes or ingredients in organizational structure:Coordination: When groups divide work among themselves, it is required to co-ordinate their efforts towards the same objectives. Coordination is achieved through various mechanisms like informal communication, formal hierarchy and standardization.Span of control refers to the number of employees who can be effectively and efficiently managed by a s upervisor. The span of control has an inverse relationship to the number of layers of hierarchy. The presence of informal communication and standardization can widen the span of control by reducing the need for direct supervision. A wider span of control is ideal when employees perform similar tasks or when the work teams are self-directed and possess specialized knowledge. It helps in reducing overhead costs and puts the top management in direct contact with the needs of the customers. Larger organizations that depend on hierarchy for coordination develop taller structures. 2) CentralizationCentralization is the concentration of decision-making activities around a particular location, generally the top management. In a small organization, the founder takes most of the decisions himself but as the organization grows, organizations tend to become decentralized and decision-making authority is spread throughout the organization. 3) Formalization Formalization is the degree to which jobs within an organization are standardized and the extent to which employee behaviour is guided by rules and procedures. A low degree of formalization means that there are fewer restrictions on how employees do their work. Formalization exists in old companies and large organizations, and is encouraged by external influences like government safety regulations and strict accounting practices. Formalization increases efficiency but may reduce organizational flexibility in case of a non-routine situation which requires customized action. Mechanistic and organic structures McDonald's has a mechanistic structure, which means that it has a rigid and tightly controlled structure, and is characterized by a narrow span of control and high degree of formalization and centralization, and hence all tasks are well defined and can only be altered with the permission of the top management. A company with an organic structure is highly flexible and adaptive, which is characterized by a wide span of control, decentralized decision making, little formalization and an open communication network. An organic organization has a fluid team-based structure, in which the tasks vary according to the needs of the situation. Thus, a mechanist structure is only suitable in stable environments with routine tasks. 4) Departmentalization Departmentalization, also called the organizational chart, specifies how employees and their activities are grouped together. Hence, it is the process of grouping activities into departments. Division of labour creates specialists who need coordination. This coordination is facilitated by departmentalization. There are five types of departmentalizati

Global economy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 1

Global economy - Essay Example Nevertheless, the end of 2010 was marked with the U.S.’s decision to throw additional money into the domestic economy, to encourage economic growth and slow down the economic downturn. Controversial and radical, the decision to apply to quantitative easing became one of the most actively discussed issues in economics. That quantitative easing has far-reaching implications for the domestic and global economy cannot be denied, but its role in the development and expansion of the positive economic growth is yet to be defined. At the end of 2010, the Central Bank of America announced its decision to pump up additional $600bn into the domestic economy (Elliott & Inman 2010). The decision to use quantitative easing mechanisms was justified by the failure of the American federal authorities and the Fed to accelerate economic growth, encourage lending, and reduce unemployment (Elliott & Inman 2010). It should be noted, that the past recession became the worst economic downturn in Amer ica and the rest of the world since the Great Depression (Elliott & Inman 2010). As a result, traditional instruments of economic recovery failed to improve the situation. Quantitative decision for the U.S. was similar to the instrument of last resort, when there is nothing else the Fed can do to alleviate the burden of economic problems within the country. As part of its strategy, the Fed would purchase long-term Treasury bills every month, until the middle of the year, totaling to $75bn (Elliott & Inman 2010). The United States claims that quantitative easing is simply inevitable, when the state wants to preserve â€Å"ultra-low† interest rates for an extended period, thus keeping the amount of the borrowing costs unchanged for at least two years (Elliott & Inman 2010). The principal intentions of quantitative easing are but positive. The reality, however, is not as bright as economic theory tries to create it. Even if quantitative easing has a potential to support relative stability in the U.S., it may have damaging and even fracturing effects on the global economy. It should be noted, that economic theory treats quantitative easing as â€Å"the central bank’s asset purchases that are designed to inject money directly into the economy to raise asset prices, boost spending and so keep inflation on track to meet the 2% target† (Ganley 2010). The most probable sources of additional assets for the Central Bank include â€Å"insurance companies, banks and non-financial institutions, pension funds and firms† (Ganley 2010). Such injections directly into the economy are justified by the rapid contractions in the amount of spending that follow global financial crises (Ganley 2010). More often than not, quantitative easing is used to stop price deflation and encourage real output (Ganley 2010). The history of quantitative easing dates back to the beginning of the 1990s, when Japan found itself in the midst of a deep economic and financial crisis (Kurihara 2006). â€Å"The development and implementation of the zero interest policy had to encourage economic recovery but did not produce any real effect on the economic development in the country† (Kurihara 2006). Quantitative easing was introduced to initiate long-term economic growth in Japan. Unfortunately, and after so many years of economic recovery and growth in Japan, whether quantitative easi