Principles of Effective Writing F.L. Lucas on Style

A number of students and business professionals alike struggle with the concept of how to write effectively. Expressing oneself through the written word can, indeed, be a challenge. In fact, after 40 years as a professor of English at Cambridge University, Frank Laurence Lucas concluded that teaching people how to write  well  is impossible. To write really well is a gift inborn; those who have it teach themselves, he said, though also added, one can sometimes teach them to write rather  better   instead. In his 1955 book, Style, Lucas attempted to do just that and shorten that painful process of learning how to write better. Joseph Epstein wrote in The New Criterion that F.L. Lucas wrote the best book  on  prose  composition  for the not-so-simple reason that, in the modern era, he was the smartest, most cultivated man to turn his energies to the task. The following 10 principles of writing better were laid out in this same book.   Brevity, Clarity, and Communication Lucas posits that it is rude to waste the readers time, therefore brevity must always come before clarity. To be concise with ones words, especially in writing, should be taken as a virtue. Inversely, it is also rude to give readers needless trouble, therefore clarity  should be considered next. In order to achieve this, Lucas claims one must allow his or her writing to serve the people rather than impress them, taking trouble with word choice and audiences understanding in order to more succinctly express oneself. In terms of the social purpose of language, Lucas claims  communication  is at the center of the writers pursuit in any composition — to inform, misinform or otherwise influence our peers through our use of language, style, and usage. For Lucas, communication is more difficult than we may think. We are all serving life sentences of solitary confinement within our bodies; like prisoners, we have, as it were, to tap in an awkward code to our fellow men in their neighboring cells. He further claims a degradation of the written word in modern times, likening the tendency to replace communication with private maundering to oneself  to drugging an audience with laced tobacco. Emphasis, Honesty, Passion, and Control Just as the art of war largely consists of deploying the strongest forces at the most important points, so the art of writing depends largely on putting the strongest words in the most important places, making style  and  word order  paramount to emphasizing the written word effective. For us, the most emphatic place in a clause or sentence is the end. This is the climax; and, during the momentary pause that follows, that last word continues, as it were, to reverberate in the reader’s mind. Mastering this art allows the writer to structure a flow to the conversation of writing, to move the reader with ease.   To further garner their trust and make for better writing overall Lucas claims honesty is key. As the police put it, anything you say may be used as evidence against you. If handwriting reveals character, writing reveals it still more. In this, you cannot fool all your judges all the time. Therefore Lucas posits that Most style is not honest enough. A writer may take to long words, as young men to beards — to impress. But long words, like long beards, are often the badge of charlatans. Conversely, a writer may only write about the obscure, cultivating the strange to seem profound, but as he puts it even carefully muddied puddles are soon fathomed. Eccentricity then does not dictate originality, rather an original idea and person can no more help being so that they can help breathing. Theres no need, as the saying goes, for them to dye their hair green.   From this honesty, passion, and control thereof must be applied to achieve the perfect balance of decent writing. One of the eternal  paradoxes of both life and literature — that without passion little gets done; yet, without control of that passion, its effects are largely ill or null. Similarly in writing, one must abstain from unbridled rants (keeping it concise) of things that fascinate you and instead control and channel that passion into succinct, honest prose.   Reading, Revision and the Nuances of Writing As many other great creative writing teachers will tell you, the truly best way to become a better writer is by  reading good books, as one learns to talk by hearing good talkers. If you find yourself fascinated by a type of writing and aspire to imitate that style, do just that. By practicing in the style of your favorite authors, your own personal voice adheres closer to that style you want to achieve, often creating a hybrid between your unique style and that which you imitate. These nuances in writing become especially important for the writer as he approaches the end of the writing process: revision. It helps to remember that the sophisticated do not necessarily express them better than the simple, nor can the opposite always be said to be true — essentially a balance of sophistication and simplicity makes for dynamic work. Further, apart from a few simple principles, the sound and  rhythm  of English prose seem to matters where both writers and readers should trust not so much to rules as to their ears.   With these nuanced principles in mind, the writer should then consider revising any work completed (because a work is never truly completed the first time around).  Revision is like every authors fairy godmother — granting the ability of the writer to go back and gussy up sloppy, unclear prose, to control some of the passion spilling onto the page and to eliminate superfluous words meant only to impress. Lucas concluded his discussion of style by quoting the 18th-century Dutch writer Madame de Charrià ¨re: Have ideas that are clear, and expressions that are simple. Neglecting that bit of advice, Lucas said, is responsible for more than half the bad writing in the world.

The Things Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe - 1451 Words

Packed with patriarchal superiority, Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart focuses on protagonist Okonkwo and his desire to live his life as a strong, masculine figure with a title worth showing off. This Nigerian novel provides an inside view of the oppression women faced in nineteenth century Igbo culture and the lengths to which men were willing to go to avoid appearing feminine. Criticizing Achebe’s novel through a feminist lens makes abundantly clear the unbalanced relationship between the sexes in the western African nation. Things Fall Apart showcases the accepted cultural norm of viewing women as inferior in society by judging feminine qualities to be of less worth than masculine qualities, treating women as property to be done with as the males see fit, and forcing women to live in fear of being heavily abused if they do not follow the commands of their husbands. Igbo culture traditionally saw women as being weaker and less capable of many tasks than men, as is highlighted in both Things Fall Apart and an essay analyzing the issues of gender politics in Achebe’s novel by Harvard University Professor of African and African American Studies and of Comparative Literature Biodun Jeyifo. In his essay Okonkwo and His Mother: Things Fall Apart and Issues of Gender in the Constitution of African Postcolonial Discourse Jeyifo addresses the idea that: Okonkwo s representation of ‘femaleness’ as weakness and irresoluteness seems to have validation in the system of division ofShow MoreRelatedThings Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe1415 Words   |  6 Pagesbook Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe does just that. This book should be taught in schools because it shows the values and traditions of Achebe’s Igbo culture, persistently teaches life lessons throughout the book, and shows the darker reality of European colonialism in Africa. Chinua Achebe is known as one of the most influential and famous authors to ever write. Chinua Achebe originates from an Igbo background and he expresses that through his writings very well including Things Fall ApartRead MoreThings Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe1324 Words   |  6 Pages Chinua Achebe chose to write his novels in English to reveal a deep response of his people to colonisation and to make that response understood to people all over the world. Things Fall Apart was written in English to teach people worldwide of the struggles he faced and the people of Nigeria faced growing up. Many authors and critics have written about Achebe’s ‘Things fall apart’ adding their valued opinion on what he was trying to say and his decision to write in English. In the followingRead MoreThings Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe Essay1203 Words   |  5 Pages who took their land for monetary gain. This was a dark period of time for Africans that live there. The U.S. Civil War and The Great Depression both can be related, in this instance, to how down their people were because of what happened. Chinua Achebe said it best, â€Å"I would be quite satisfied if my novels...did no more than teach my readers of their past...was not a long night of savagery from which the first European acting on God’s behalf delivered them†(qtd. in â€Å"Morning Yet† 45). In theRead MoreThings Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe1452 Words   |  6 Pagesassume control over the Roman Empire. However, imperialism in Africa remained a recorded element from 1750 to 1945. This paper visits how control and changes were influences over the Africans during this time period as seen through Chinua Achebe’s novel Things Fall Apart. (UKEssays, 2015) Europe was experiencing a few financial and political changes that forced the major European forces to investigate abroad regions to add to their resources during the seventeenth century. In order for the EuropeanRead MoreThings Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe2361 Words   |  10 PagesThings Fall Apart Book Critique Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe is a historical fiction novel describing the life of Okonkwo in a Nigerian village succumbing to European ways, in order to portray Achebe’s view on imperialism. It was chosen for us to read by our teacher because it describes imperialism and its effects in an Ibo village of Nigeria. It also shows the treatment of natives by the Europeans and how the natives reacted. Things Fall Apart is useful to our course of studies because itRead MoreThings Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe1265 Words   |  6 PagesThings Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe is markedly relevant to our current course of studies in World History, as it tells a story based on European Imperialism in Africa. Coming off the heels of our Imperialism unit, this post-colonial novel provides very helpful context on different civilizations’ perspectives throughout the Age of Imperialism; aside from analyzing death tolls, descriptions of conflicts, and names of countries, it was previousl y hard to envision what life was actually like during thatRead MoreThings Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe 735 Words   |  3 PagesThings fall apart. Achebe. Ernest Gaines once said, â€Å"I write to try to find out who I am. One of my main themes is manliness. I think Im trying to figure out what manliness really is.† Indeed, every society or culture has its own understanding of an ideal man. Even though these characteristics are different in various parts of the world, the significance of masculinity can never be overestimated. â€Å"Things Fall Apart† by Chinua Achebe is considered as one of the best examples of a riseRead MoreThings Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe692 Words   |  3 Pagesthe way to go. Through commercial trading Islam spread into Igboland, and this led to more Igbo people leaving the Igbo way of life for another, whether it be Islam or Christianity which divide the country in two. In the novel Things Fall Apart written by Chinua Achebe British colonialism and the migration of Muslims to Nigeria led to the change in the faith, social and economic changes in the Igbo society. Traditional Igbo faith believes that there is only one creator or god known as ChinekeRead MoreThings Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe897 Words   |  4 PagesIn the novel, â€Å"Things Fall Apart† by Chinua Achebe the Igbo tradition revolves around structured gender role. Everything essential of Igbo life is based on their gender, which throughout the novel it shows the role of women and the position they hold, from their role in the family household, also planting women crops, to bearing children. Although the women were claimed to be weaker and seemed to be treated as objects, in the Igbo culture the women still provided qualities that make them worthyRead MoreThings Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe Essay1851 Words   |  8 Pageschoice and styles are critical not only to the reader’s understanding of the text but to his appreciation as well. How language is effectively manipulated in their writings enhances the reader’s valuing of the works. The selected novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe is a representation of Igbo culture and their language. It explores the life of an Igbo tribe at the time of when colonization hit Africa. It could be considered as a post-colonial text, as the protagonist of the story and the other

Analyze strategy of Starbucks Samples †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Analyze strategy of Starbucks. Answer: Introduction This paper discusses the strategy of Starbucks Inc and analyzes how these strategies are modeled to help the company achieve its goals and objectives. The paper analyzes the growth strategy of Starbucks, its marketing and communication strategy as well as market segmentation. An analysis of the financial performance of the company is also done in this paper. Starbucks` strategy Starbucks strategy is anchored around future growth by growing the number of stores across various geographical regions. Starbucks is concentrating on increasing he number of stores especially in Asia Pacific and middle East. The strategy of the company also involves elevating the coffee experience of customers and hence improving customer satisfaction. Driving at home coffee and share occasion strategy will help to diversify and increase the brands product portfolio and hence fueling growth. How is competing for Starbucks Competition for Starbucks is stiff but the company has a strong brand that helps it to be competitive and it has helped the company to maintain its market leadership position(McGee, 89). Some of the main competitors for Starbucks include Dunkin` Donuts and McDonald`s. Competition from substitute drinks such as Soda is also high. Where is competing Competition for Starbucks is widely spread in all regions that the company operates. Competition is very intense in Europe and US. The company differentiates products depending on the market and the type and level of competition. Types of competitive advantage experienced by Starbucks There are two types of competitive advantage; Cost competitive advantage involves a company competing in the market by minimizing cost and hence offering goods and services at lower prices compared to their of the competitor. Differentiation strategy involves a company exploiting its ability to differentiate products and services and hence help the company become more competitive than other players in the industry (Jeyarathmm, 134). The cost may remain high but products offered are unique and hence customers will be attracted to the company. Market segmentation Starbucks segments its market based on a variety of factors. These aspects include; Geographic market segmentation- Starbucks divides its market depending on the geographic location of outlets. This is done according to the continent in which the company is operating. Demographic segmentation- Demographic factors such as gender and age are used by Starbucks when developing products e.g there are special products made for kids. Market positioning Starbucks has positioned itself as the premium and classic coffee outlet globally that focuses on optimizing consumer experiencing and satisfying the needs and desires of customers. Starbucks puts a lot of emphasize on customer experience and this has been instrumental to the company maintaining its strong brand and market position (Strategic Marketing Management,9-76). Vertical scope Starbucks is not vertically integrated. The company specializes in coffee retail through its various outlets in different locations. Starbucks does not engage in coffee production but it monitors the quality of coffee beans which are processed to become the coffee that it offers customers (Hitt, 17-56). Geographical scope Starbucks operates globally. It opens stores in all continents globally depending on market analysis and the forecast demand in a particular market. Starbucks strategy is to reach as many potential customers globally as possible and hence help it meet the goal of serving the world Starbucks coffee (Petit,47 ). Product scope Starbucks has a wide products portfolio. Starbucks main product is coffee and tea but both products are highly differentiated to cater for the tastes and preferences of different customers. There are more than 30 blends of coffee and a single-origin premium coffee (David and David 405-417) . Ready to drink beverages are also a popular product of Starbucks. The other products offered by Starbucks include; Handcrafted beverages, merchandise and fresh food. Performance of Starbucks for the year 2016 For the financial year ended October 2016 Starbucks recorded an operating income of $4.2billion. This is an increase of 16% from the previous years operating income. The growth in income of the company can be attributed to the expansion of the company by opening more stores globally. The sales in Americas also increased by 11% and growth in the Chinese market were very encouraging. The global sales for the year 2016 increased by 4%. The revenue for Starbucks in the year 2016 was recorded at 21.32 billion US dollars. Starbucks stocks have not been performing well recently with the stock price having decreased by 13% in August 2016. Sales growth computation for Starbucks Sales for the year 2015 were $19.2 billion. The sales grew in the following year to $21.32 billion. The following is a computation of the sales growth for the year 2016: Increase in sales= 21.32-19.2=2.12 billion Us dollars Percentage increase in Sales= (2.12/19.2)100=0.11=11% Starbucks sales growth is 11%. Return on Equity Return on equity is the amount of net income that has returned to the business calculated as a percentage of shareholder equity. This ratio is used to measure the profitability of a company by revealing the amount generated from the investments by the shareholders. It is calculated as follows: ROE=Net Income/Shareholders Equity= Net income=$2,757,400 Shareholder=$5,890,700 ROE=2,757,400/5,890,700=0.47 ROE=47% Operating margins The operating profit margin for Starbucks for the 2016 financial year is 18.47%. It is calculated by finding the operating income and dividing it by the revenue of the company. The operating income for Starbucks during this period was $4.17.The revenue for the same period id 21.31B OM=4.17/213.1=0.1847 =18.47 % Long term debt equity ratio This ratio is calculated by dividing the long term debt of the company with the equity of the company. This ratio is used to measure the long term solvency of the company and identify the balance between borrowed capital and owners equity. Long term debt=$3,202,200 Total equity=5,890,700 Debt/Equity ratio=3,202,200/5,890,700=0.5436 =54.4% Analysis of performance based on the calculations The performance of Starbucks can be analyzed from the ratios calculated using the information available concerning the company. Starbucks recorded a sales growth of 11% (Wilson, 109). This means that the company is headed in the right direction and the increase in sales especially in the Americas and China. The growth in sales is a positive for the company and it means that the strategies of the company are working. The return on Equity for Starbucks stands at 47%. This means that for every $1 of stakeholders investment, an investor gets $0.47. This return on equity is good for the investors of the company. A positive return on equity means that the company is able to generate enough profits to recoup good earnings on the investments. The operating margins for the company are also positive and it indicates good performance of the company. The debt/equity ratio of Starbucks is above 50%. This means that the company is operating using more debts than owners equity. Since the debts of the company are more than half of the capital of the business and therefore the management should focus on reducing the debt of the company since it reduces the solvency of the company. This is weakness since the cost of financing the debt may be high and become counterproductive. The arguments on the performance of Starbucks are based on information obtained from the balance sheet of the company. The income statement of the company is also in providing information that is used to access the performance of the company (Cravens and Piercy, 122). Annual audited financial statements are available on the companies` websites. Conclusion The paper analyzes the strategies that Starbucks uses to become competitive and to grow and expand in the market. The growth and expansion strategy of Starbucks is to open more outlets in different regions globally. The company is currently focusing on the China market and the Asia Pacific. Starbucks mainly segments its market geographically and demographically. Starbucks has positioned itself as a premium coffee outlet globally that offers consumers unique customer experience. References Cravens, David W, and Nigel F Piercy. Strategic Marketing. New York: McGraw-Hill/Irvin, 2013. Print. David, Meredith E., and Fred R. David. "Are Key Marketing Topics Adequately Covered In Strategic Management?."Journal of Strategic Marketing 25.5-6 (2016): 405-417. Web. Hitt, M.A. "Relevance Of Strategic Management Theory And Research For Supply Chain Management."Strategic Direction 27.7 (2011): n. pag. Web. McGee, John. Strategic Management. Chichester: Wiley, 2014. Print. Petit, Y. "Advancing Project And Portfolio Management Research: Applying Strategic Management Theories."Strategic Direction 28.9 (2012): n. pag. Web. Strategic Marketing Management. [Place of publication not identified]: Willford Pr, 2016. Print. Wilson, Richard. Strategic Marketing Management. [S.L.]: Routledge, 2017. Print.

Introduction to European Culture free essay sample

This family sees its financial difficulties deteriorating during the years. Between bankruptcy and redundancy, John Joyce obliges his family to move about fifteen times in a few years: with the father’s actions they have lost so many degrees in the social scale and continued to decrease. It is on this bottom of social decline that is made Joyce’s education. In 1888, James’ father sends him to the Jesuit middle school of Clongowes Wood and Joyce soon excels at religious education, English composition, mathematics, in the running and cricket. From this moment, and in spite of the big interest that he shows to the religion, the anticlerical jokes of his father bring him to ask themselves questions, which he brings back to us in Dedalus, on the order and the justice that embody his Jesuit teachers. The end of year 1891 is marked by new financial difficulties for John Joyce, which entails the retreat of James de Clongowes Wood. After two years, studying alone, James enters because of a favour the middle school Belvedere of Dublin, where he obtains remarkable results. At the same time, the double break with his family and with the religious education is going to become clearer and develop the young Joyce in the direction of a bigger and bigger responsibility in front of the transgression that announces as inevitable. When he was fourteen, at the same time as an unformulated questioning of its religious faith, he asserts its faith in the art. James is engaged in numerous readings and not only texts’ classic, which are so many discoveries in charge of teachings: Erckmann-Chatrian, Thomas Hardy, Meredith and especially Ibsen. During his sixteen, while he is going to enter University College of Dublin, the break with the Catholicism is consumed inside, otherwise publicly. Joyce penetrates into the literary world on the occasion of the reading, in 1900, in front of the Company of literature and history, an entitled essay the Drama and the life. Afterward, this essay can look as a manifesto; it contains a presentation of intention and method. It separates peremptorily the drama, with its intrigues pretexts to talk, that it is Greek or Shakespearean, from the literature as practice sending back to the unchanging frames of the human nature, but taking support on an individual experience which commits the real-life experience and the language of the writer. At the university, he confirms his opening on Europe, in particular towards Italy, the language of which he masters now. He reads and studies in depth Dante, D’Annunzio, Giordano Bruno, but also Thomas Mann, Tolstoi, Dostoievski, Flaubert, Nietzsche: all the authors we can read in this period. In 1902, he obtains his diploma of Bachelor of Arts; Dublin is then an intellectual center, and the literary life is there very active, maintained by W. B. Yeats, G. Moore, J. Synge, Standish O Grady, George Russell and lady Gregory. To make sure that every situation will allow him to express itself freely, Joyce decides to begin studies of medicine. Repeaters post would be necessary for him to meet the spending of these new studies. He takes pretext of a refusal of his application to proclaim that we join forces against him to silence him and, in 1902, he chooses to study in Paris. This shy exile is only a try before the total intellectual and spiritual exile that takes away him definitively from Ireland and from his aborigines (except for some rare visits, the last one in 1912). When he returns in Ireland in 1903, it’s for his mother’s death. Joyce knows then in Dublin an unstitched enough existence, which reminds his father and he begins drinking. He takes singing lessons; he borrows some money systematically to all his friends and falls out with a large number of them for diverse causes. He meets Nora Barnacle, beautiful young woman, simple and lively, who breaks her solitude; it’s with her that he decides to leave Ireland who rejects him. He has already begun to write Stephen the hero (first version of Dedalus) and publishes several novels of People of Dublin. By leaving for Zurich, James takes Ireland in his flesh and in his spirit to recreate it within a world that is going to replace the earth that it avoids. The reader who opens any of his works is confronted with an itch of bibliographic notations sending back as well to the private life of the author that in the public life of Ireland, even universe. They are not there as such, but mixed inextricably with the substance of a world of replacement: the literary object. Of Zurich, James and Nora quickly pass in Trieste. There, always put into debt, they lead a picaresque existence. It’s in opposition with the realistic illusion of XIXth century denounced by Paul Valery, against the current of the naturalistic literary production, that Joyce publishes his first papers. In all the novel of People of Dublin, life of the author child and the dublinoise life under all its aspects compose paintings where the human relationship assert themselves on a sinister mode. His chaotic and unstable life defines Joyces technical innovations in the art of the novel. It includes an extensive use of interior monologue; he used a complex network of symbolic parallels drawn from the mythology, history, and literature, and created a unique language of invented words, puns, and allusions. In a railway station in Holland, en route home to Trieste after his final trip to his homeland, Joyce writes, in 1912, this cutting satire in the voices of the Dublin publisher George Roberts and the printer, John Falconer. The publication history of Dubliners was a series of broken promises and confusion. John Falconer did print 1,000 copies of Dubliners in the summer of 1910, a year after the signed contract with Maunsel, but they were not bound or released. Two years later, after negotiations between Richards and Joyce became irretrievably bitter and public, they were destroyed. According to Joyce the 1,000 copies were burned (hence Gas from a Burner) though Richards averred that they were merely cut up and pulped. Joyce rescued one copy of his early masterpiece from destruction and never returned to Ireland. Joyces anger overcame his financial worries and he self-published this broadside in Trieste and sent copies to his brother Charles in Dublin for free distribution to his friends (and enemies) there. II. The work itself By leaning on the theoretical critical data of Aristote and Saint Thomas of Aquin, and basing his reflection on the relationship of the writer in his object, Joyce establishes a distinction between the diverse literary genres. In the lyric kind, the author and her double (his literary image) are in immediate relation; in the epic kind, the author presents his double by means of a mediation; in the dramatic kind, the double of the author appears in immediate relation with the others. It is remarkable that this progress finds itself in Joyces successive productions. The shout becomes a cadence in Chamber music, and People of Dublin is the articulation of a consciousness before any emotional. Dedalus emerges from the lyric mode of Stephen the hero. The passage of the staff in the epic takes place with Ulysses, where the emotional center of gravity is equidistant between the very artist and others. Gas from burner follows the same model as people of Dublin. The character of personal experience is marked by the use of the first person, means that selects and already organizes the elements that form Joyces realism . This pamphlet reports an initiation into the city of Dublin, during which he dashes a quest, meets the disappointment. His fascination for the words as a train is straightaway said to us. The words are not idle; they are capable of  «Ã‚  witchcraft  Ã‚ ». III. Influence of the work James Joyce had augured that his enigmatic texts would feed centuries during interpretations and experts quarrels IV. Critical review In 1915, the war forces him and his family to a new exile after eleven years spent in Trieste. Zurich, harbor for expatriates, welcomes them after a commitment of neutrality was taken with the Austrian authorities. With Ulysses’ housing start, it is the beginning of the big period of Joyces production. Chamber music was already published, People of Dublin is ended, and Stephen the hero took the definitive shape of Dedalus. According to his own expression, Joyce is above the fray. At the end of the war, Joyce’s family goes back to Trieste before joining Paris in 1920, where Joyce confronts himself at the entire Europe and America literary persons: Proust, Larbaud, Wyndham Lewis, Sherwood Anderson, Hemingway, Pound and Eliot, but none of these writers seems to influence his project. In 1922, Ulysses is published. The fame of his author is produced as well as his detractors and his adulators; comments and contradictory interpretations also contribute to it. So as it’s seen Valery Larbaud assimilating Joyce to Rabelais, while making of Ulysses a human comedy . However, this fame exceeds hardly the circle of initiated, even if it is vast. If Ulysses causes the admiration of Eliot and Hemingway, for Virginia Woolf it is the work of a boor, and Gertrude Stein sees only an intervention in his own experiences of writing there. Paul Claudel, Andre Gide and George Moore line up among his enemies. However, Joyce shook the literary consciousness of moment. But Joyce has already begun to collect the materials of Finnegans Wake, and enthusiastically, while being amazed at the finds himself, that he is going to go  «Ã‚  at the end of English  Ã‚ »   Ã‚  Ã‚  The life continues, often printed by melancholy, shared between the difficulties of publication, the worldly successes without big reality, the mental instability of his daughter Lucia, its worsening eyesight more and more, the drink, but also one obstinate labour that must result in a world history. Finnegans Wake is ended in 1939. The literary critics are taken by surprise: probably a big book , the most colossal hoax since the Ossian de Macpherson . The Second World War bursts, and, not without any trouble, the Joyce family joins Zurich, where James Joyce dies on January 13th, 1941 following the operation of a drilled duodenal ulcer.

7 Strategies for Getting a Raise

7 Strategies for Getting a Raise No one ever wrote a song about performance review time, calling it the â€Å"most wonderful tiiiiime of the year.† Nobody loves it, except maybe the most devoted members of Human Resources. It’s extra work for you, your boss, and your company. However, it’s worth it- it not only lets you know how you’re doing, but it also might net you a bonus or raise. The time to start thinking about that raise is not 10 minutes before your self-evaluation is due. Planning ahead can bring great rewards.1. Set goals  early. REALLY early.If possible, you can even set these goals  before you have the job. If you spend a lot of time discussing the skill-building and growth you expect to see in your first year in the job, it helps your new employer set a baseline for your performance. Of course, realism is the key here. If you say you’re going to increase revenue by X% and you don’t meet that, you’ve just set yourself up for failure. Instead, set your self up for success†¦ and future profit.2. Know your goalposts throughout the year.If your boss expects you’ll hit certain milestones or complete particular projects, take extra care with those- they’ll be the concrete proof of your raise-worthy year. Make sure you keep a paper trail for big projects to help remind you later what you accomplished. If you get glowing reviews from a colleague or a client, save them! You can casually bust those out during a year-end discussion, and use them to how just how valuable you are to the team. If you’re collecting data and keeping track of things all year, you won’t have to make a rushed pitch at the end of the year and risk forgetting accomplishments or projects that would make an excellent case for a raise.3. Don’t limit yourself to just your responsibilities  If your company has committees, join one. If there are employee social events, volunteer to help set up or clean up. If you see a way to provi de excellent service, but it would be a minor inconvenience to you, try to do it anyway. Things like these show that you’re willing to get your hands dirty in support of the company. You’re a team player who does what needs to be done, and doesn’t just wait around to be told what to do. If you want to look valuable, be valuable. You’d be surprised at how â€Å"small† things add up by the end of the year.4. Don’t lie or bluff about your accomplishments.Your boss will know if you are over-inflating numbers or making it look like you have a skill you don’t quite have. Be positive about your accomplishments and your skills, and talk them up as much as possible- just don’t feel the need to embellish. You don’t want anyone to question your integrity.5. Treat your review like a re-interview.Instead of letting your boss (or whoever is reviewing you) run through a monologue of your year while you sit quietly and sign the forms at the end, try to make sure it’s a dialogue. If she mentions a particular project, make sure the background and context are clear and that the takeaway- your success- is clear.6.  Turn your mistakes into accomplishments.If you didn’t have a perfect year (and who does?) it doesn’t mean you’ll be disqualified from a raise or that you don’t deserve one. Again, this is a chance to play up your strengths. If something didn’t go well and it comes up in your review, make sure you put some spin on it. Talk about what you learned from the process and how you’ve grown/what you’ve done to fix the issue after the fact.7. Don’t plead poverty.A discussion about a raise is a discussion about your work performance. That’s it. You may very well need the money, but your employer is not obligated to give raises out of pity or because you’re a nice person. Make sure the focus stays on the reasons Professional You deserves mor e compensation. Once you make it personal, you also give more leverage to your employer. If they know you really, really need more money for Fluffington McWhiskers’ plastic surgery, they can try to lowball you because they know you’ll take less than you might be able to negotiate for yourself as part of a neutral, job-data-only presentation.If you start preparing well before you’re scheduled to meet for a review- or if you’ve picked a time during the rest of the year to make your case for a raise- you’re in a great position. If you’ve built a careful and clear case about why you deserve more, you have also created some built-in confidence. All you need to do is cross the finish line, hopefully a little richer than you were before.

Complete List Colleges With No Application Fee(Updated)

Complete List Colleges With No Application Fee(Updated) SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Trying to save money on college applications? Good news! There are actually quite a few colleges that allow you to apply for free. In this article, I'll provide some general information about application fees along with a comprehensive list of all the schools that offer free applications. Application Fees at a Glance Most colleges charge application fees in the $40-50 range, but they can sometimes be as high as $90 (looking at you, Stanford).Many top schools charge application fees of $75 or more. To put this in context, suppose you are applying to five different schools. If three have $50 application fees and two have $75 application fees, you'll be spending $300 on applications alone. Then there's the matter of sending your test scores. Sending SAT scores to five schools at $.25 per report will cost you another $56.25, so you're spending over $350 just to send in all the required materials.That’s not small change for most people, so application fees are something you might take into account in your college search process. Fortunately, many schools, even ones that have very high application fees, offer waivers to students with financial need.In order to be eligible for a fee waiver, you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria: You were provided with a fee waiver to take the SAT or ACT You are enrolled in a Free or Reduced Price Lunch Program Your family income falls within the Income Eligibility Guidelines set by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service You’re enrolled in a federal, state or local program that aids students from low-income families Your family receives public assistance You live in federally subsidized housing or a foster home You can request a fee waiver form here.Once you fill out the form, your guidance counselor has to sign it, and then you should mail it to the admissions office of the college you have selected. Alternatively, if you want to avoid paying hundreds of dollars in application fees or going through the process of obtaining a fee waiver, you should consider applying to some of the schools with free applications that are listed in this article. Making Smart Choices With Application Fees If your dream school has a $50 application fee and you’re considering not applying because of the cost, you need to consider the costs versus the long term benefits. Compared to the total cost of attending college, that fee is a drop in the bucket. Over the course of four years, if you plan on attenting a private college, you'll end up paying close to $200,000 on average in total cost. Even for public schools the price tag will be close to $100,000. The fee is a very small part of the overall expenses that come along with attending college. Don’t sacrifice the opportunity to attend a school that’s a perfect fit for you because of an application fee. You'llmost likely end up regretting your decision later. Similarly, you should try not to choose schools that don't fit what you're looking for just because they have lower application fees.If you check out some of the no fee schools that I’ve listed and find that you really like them, then it’s a win-win, but don’t let it influence you too much if there are other fee-charging schools that you think you will really love! Want to build the best possible college application? We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League. We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools. Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in. Colleges That Don’t Require Application Fees (By State) Note that some schools require a fee for paper applications, which I've indicated in the list. If you submit your materials online the fee will be waived. Alabama Huntingdon College Miles College Spring Hill College Alaska Alaska Pacific University Arizona Williams Baptist College Arkansas Arkansas Tech University Henderson State University Hendrix College University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff California Brandman University California College San Diego Deep Springs College Dominican University of California Holy Names University($20 fee for paper application) La Sierra University Menlo College Northwest College Notre Dame de Namur University Pacific Union College University of the Pacific Thomas Aquinas College Colorado Colorado Mountain College Johnson Wales University - Denver Regis University US Air Force Academy Connecticut US Coast Guard Academy University of Hartford($35 fee for paper application) Mitchell College($30 fee for paper application) University of Saint Joseph($30 fee for paper application) Delaware Wesley College Florida Ave Maria University Florida Gateway College Florida Institute of Technology Indian River State College Johnson Wales University - North MiamiPolk State College Saint Leo University Santa Fe College State College of Florida - Manatee-Sarasota Georgia Agnes Scott College Bainbridge College Berry College Oglethorpe University Piedmont College Savannah State University Wesleyan College($30 fee for paper application) Idaho College of Southern Idaho($10 fee for paper application) College of Idaho Illinois Augustana College Aurora University Bradley University Elmhurst College Eureka College Greenville College Illinois College Illinois Institute of Technology Illinois Wesleyan University Lake Forest College Loyola University Chicago McKendree University Millikin University Monmouth College Rockford University Saint Augustine College University of St. Francis Indiana Anderson University Ancilla College Butler University Calumet College of St. Joseph DePauw University Earlham College Franklin College Grace College($30 fee for paper application) Hanover College Holy Cross College Indiana Wesleyan University Manchester University($25 fee for paper application) Purdue University-North Central Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology St. Joseph’s College St. Mary's College Trine University University of Evansville University of Indianapolis Valparaiso University Iowa Buena Vista University Central College Coe College Cornell College($30 fee for paper application) Drake University Graceland University Grand View University Grinnell College Iowa Wesleyan College Loras College Luther College Morningside College Mount Mercy University Northwestern College Simpson College St. Ambrose University Upper Iowa University Wartburg College Kansas Baker University Barclay College Bethany College MidAmerica Nazarene University Sterling College Kentucky Alice Lloyd College Asbury University Berea College Centre College Lindsey Wilson College University of Pikeville Thomas More College Transylvania University Louisiana Centenary College Loyola University New Orleans Tulane University Maine Colby College St. Joseph's College Unity College Maryland Capitol Technology University($25 fee for paper application) Hood College St. John's College Stevenson University($40 fee for paper application) US Naval Academy Washington Adventist University Want to build the best possible college application? We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League. We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools. Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in. Massachusetts Bay Path College Becker College Eastern Nazarene College Emmanuel College($60 fee for paper application) Fisher College($50 fee for paper application) Hampshire College Lasell College($40 fee for paper application) Lesley University MCPHS University Merrimack College Mount Holyoke College($60 fee for paper application) Mount Ida College Newbury College Nichols College Simmons College Smith College Springfield College Wellesley College Wheelock College Michigan Adrian College Albion College Alma College Aquinas College Calvin College College for Creative Studies($10 fee to upload portfolio samples for application) Concordia University University of Detroit Mercy Ferris State University Finlandia University Hillsdale College($30 fee for paper application) Kalamazoo College Kettering University Madonna University Michigan Technological University Northwood University Oakland University Olivet College Siena Heights University Wayne State University Minnesota Augsburg College Bethany Lutheran College Bethel University Carleton College College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University Concordia College Gustavus Adolphus College Hamline University Metropolitan State University Saint John’s University Saint Mary's University of Minnesota St. Catherine University St. Olaf College College of St. Scholastica University of St. Thomas Mississippi Alcorn State University Jackson State University Millsaps College Mississippi University for Women Mississippi Valley State University Rust College($10 fee for paper application) Missouri Avila University College of the Ozarks Culver-Stockton College Drury University Fontbonne University Maryville University of St. Louis Northwest Missouri State University Ranken Technical College Rockhurst University Saint Louis University Stephens College Truman State University Westminster College William Jewell College William Woods University Montana Carroll College($35 fee for paper application) University of Great Falls Salish Kootenai College Nebraska Chadron State College Concordia University-Nebraska Creighton University Doane College-Crete Hastings College Midland University Nebraska Wesleyan University Peru State College Union College Wayne State College Nevada Sierra Nevada College New Hampshire Colby-Sawyer College($40 fee for paper applications) Granite State College New England College New Jersey College of Saint Elizabeth Georgian Court University Saint Peter’s University New Mexico Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus Navajo Technical University Northern New Mexico College St. John's College New York Canisius College Cazenovia College Clarkson University($50 fee for paper applications) D'Youville College Daemen College($25 for paper applications) Davis College Hartwick College Hilbert College Hobart William Smith Colleges Keuka College Le Moyne College($35 fee for paper applications) Medaille College College of Mount Saint Vincent Mount Saint Mary College Nazareth College Niagara University Roberts Wesleyan College Sage College of Albany St. Bonaventure University St. John's University College of New Rochelle College of St. Rose Touro College Union College US Merchant Marine Academy US Military Academy (West Point) North Carolina Barton College Belmont Abbey College Catawba College Guilford College Johnson Wales University - Charlotte University of Mount Olive Queens University of Charlotte Salem College Warren Wilson College North Dakota University of Jamestown Ohio Ashland University Baldwin Wallace University Chatfield College($10 fee for paper application) College of Wooster University of Dayton Defiance College($25 fee for paper application) Denison University($40 fee for paper application) University of Findlay Franciscan University of Steubenville Franklin University Hiram College John Carroll University Kenyon College Lake Erie College($30 fee for paper application) University of Mount Union Notre Dame College Oberlin College Ohio Northern University Ohio Wesleyan University Shawnee State University University of Rio Grande Ursuline College Wilmington College Wittenberg University Xavier University Oklahoma Oklahoma Baptist University Oklahoma Wesleyan University Oregon Concordia University of Portland Eastern Oregon University Lewis Clark College Linfield College-McMinnville Campus Northwest Christian University Reed College Pennsylvania Albright College Allegheny College Arcadia University($30 fee for paper application) Bryn Mawr College($50 fee for paper application) Carlow University Cedar Crest College($35 fee for paper application) Central Pennsylvania College Chatham University Delaware Valley College Elizabethtown College($30 fee for paper application) Gannon University($25 for paper application) Gwynedd-Mercy University($25 for paper application) Immaculata University Juniata College King's College La Roche College La Salle University Lebanon Valley College Lincoln University of Pennsylvania Lycoming College Marywood University($35 fee for paper application) Mercyhurst University Moravian College Neumann University($35 fee for paper application) Point Park University Robert Morris University Rosemont College Saint Francis University University of Scranton University of the Sciences($45 fee for paper application) Susquehanna University Ursinus College Washington Jefferson College($25 fee for paper application) Westminster College Wilson College Rhode Island Johnson Wales University - Providence South Carolina Allen University Coker College Columbia College Columbia International University Converse College Erskine College Limestone College Presbyterian College South Dakota Augustana College University of Sioux Falls($25 fee for paper application) Tennessee Christian Brothers University Freed-Hardeman University Lane College Martin Methodist College Maryville College Rhodes College Sewanee: The University of the South Tusculum College Texas Austin College Baylor University Houston Baptist University Howard Payne University LeTourneau University Saint Edward’s University Southwestern Adventist University Southwestern University St. Mary's University University of St. Thomas University of Houston-Victoria University of Texas-El Paso University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley University of Texas of the Permian Basin Texas Wesleyan University Trinity University($50 fee for paper application) Utah Stevens-Henager College - Murray Vermont Champlain College Green Mountain College($30 fee for paper application) Virginia Averett University Bridgewater College Christendom College($25 fee for paper application) Emory Henry College Hampden-Sydney College($30 fee for paper application) Hollins University Liberty University Lynchburg College($30 fee for paper application) Randolph-Macon College($30 fee for paper application) Randolph College Roanoke College Sweet Briar College Washington Cornish College of the Arts Olympic College Pacific Lutheran University Saint Martin’s University Whitworth University West Virginia Alderson Broaddus University Bethany College Bluefield State College Concord University Davis Elkins College West Liberty University West Virginia University at Parkersburg West Virginia Wesleyan College Wheeling Jesuit University Wisconsin Alverno College Beloit College Cardinal Stritch University Carroll University Lakeland College Marquette University Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design Milwaukee School of Engineering Mount Mary University Northland College St. Norbert College Wisconsin Lutheran College What's Next? The Common Application makes it easy to apply to a bunch of different schools through a single online platform. Find out which colleges use it. Are you worried about standardized tests and their role in your college application? Read this article to find out when these tests might not matter for you.Also take a look at this list of colleges that don't require SAT scores. Everyone knows about the really selective colleges, but what are some colleges that are actually easy to get into? Find out here. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

The affect of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act on Housing and Urban Development Essay

The affect of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act on Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Audits - Essay Example It also called for public company accounting reform and investor protection act 2002. When the accounting scandals of reputed companies are made public, the companies stand to lose the trust of the people. A quasi public agency named as public company accounting oversight board (PCAOB) was established to prevent companies from getting into fraudulent activities. It also helped to conduct proper investigations in this regard. According to this act the public companies must disclose their internal account practices to make public their effectiveness. The independence of the auditor is to be maintained and any listed public company should have an independent audit committee to look over the relations between the auditor and the company. This enabled smoother interactions between the auditors and the companies. As more number of people are involved in the auditing process, any serious disagreement stood the chance of becoming public. The loans taken by directors and executive officers are restricted to prevent the public money from being misused. Previously they used to take money in form of unsecured loans. Public money was at stake as if any loss was reported, recovery of these loans would be difficult. Misuse of public money by the directors could be checked in this way. The reporting of insider trading was made compulsory to protect the interests of share holders. Insider trading was reduced to a large extent by imposing fines along with a sentence of imprisonment for executives who involve in that practice. Along with protecting the investments, provisions were also made to protect the employee's interests. These enabled employees and whistle blowers to file complaints regarding the harassment and dismissals in order to get quicker responses. The auditor's attestation was made mandatory and this made companies to be more responsible and accountable in their account practices and disclosures. The auditor, who attests, will be made responsible for any fraudulent disclosures in the statements, even at future. This makes the financial disclosures accountable. The most important and critical section in the law which makes the disclosure of financial statements responsible is section 404. This section compels the management to establish internal controls in order to make them selves accountable for the details revealed in the financial statements. The companies have to certify that the internal controls were efficient and trouble free. Sarbanes-Oxley Acts relationship and affect on Not-for-profit entities: The provision of restriction of loans to the directors of non profit organisation

Why the federal government should continue to fund NASA Essay

Why the federal government should continue to fund NASA - Essay Example The NASA is a scheme that encourages the growth of technology hence enhancing the creation of employment. Besides, NASA purchases heavy machinery from American and foreign manufacturers. Moreover, NASA motivates innovation in the economy (Haerens, 2012). Apart from the creation of employment, NASA prompts the growth of the private sector. After working with the technologies and materials invented by the association, many companies are registering success. For instance, the Tempur-Pedic mattresses obtained their production idea from the experiments of NASA scientists who were trying to create comfortable seats for the pilots. The company is currently a success in the private industry. Despite the arguments that the economy is under strain, such programs as NASA are advances that make the lives of human beings comfortable. With the assistance of NASA, many manmade satellites exist around the earth. The devices that many people use today, like the GPS systems, satellite televisions, cell phones, weather satellites, all require the man made satellites in order to perform (Showstack, 2015). These satellites require continuous servicing and upgrades, as more advanced systems come up to cope with the increased demand for technology in the current economic and social world. Consequently, reduced expenditure will hurt the efforts of this association in creating advanced systems, and hinder the tapping of important professionals in space science. As indirect as the contribution of NASA may seem, it also provides defense for the whole planet from threats that are extraterrestrial in natures. Such threats as asteroids can be devastating to human life, as previous scientists claim it destroyed dinosaurs leading to their extinction millions of years ago (Dance, 2012). Similar experiences have been in several parts of the world including in Siberia, where the asteroid demolished an entire city. Nevertheless, the detection satellites

Ukraines Transition from Socialism to Capitalism Essay

Ukraines Transition from Socialism to Capitalism - Essay Example Following the revolt, the rulers of Ukraine turned to Russia for protection and hence laid down the path towards Russian imperialism. This colonialism made a new distinction among the workforce in Ukraine. A large-scale labor migration from Russia occurred which acquired high skill and better pay job opportunities while the domestic workers suffered from a low wage and bad working conditions. The protests against such unjust and exploitative attitude lead to the upheaval of the 1917-1920 and 1942-1947 revolution. The struggle weakened because of the withdrawal of the Bolshevik members of Ukraine. In October 1917, the revolutions of Russia and Ukraine fused but the leaders in the parliament, Rada, who were against the notion of a Russian workers’ republic, decelerated the progress towards a Ukrainian socialist uprising. The Rada had diverged so much from the objectives of the Ukrainian mass that during its disposition in 1918 (by the Red Army) it had already lost its ground of support. In this so-called defense of sovereignty, the incident that took place was that these Rada leaders gave Ukraine away to German, Austrian, and Polish occupations. The year 1920 saw another upsurge to dispose of Russian colonialism by the Ukrainian Communist protesters. However, with the strengthening of the powers of Stalin and Russia, the dynamics of centralism shattered the rest of the hopes of national equality. In the 1930’s, a mixture of rapid industrialization and enforced collectivization sowed the seeds of a mass aggression. Millions of people died in the false famine of 1932-33 and a considerable number were deported to Siberia. Those who thought to venerate, analyze, or dissent these tragic incidents were either imprisoned or tortured.

Ethical Egoism And Psychological Egoism

Ethical Egoism And Psychological Egoism In Platos Republic and in Rachels Egoism and Moral Skepticism, both authors address two important facets of human morality: epistemologically objective. Ethical egoism is a normative claim, which states that moral beings ought to do what is in their best interests. Psychological egoism, on the other hand, is a descriptive claim that all moral beings can only act in their own self-interests, even when appearing to act in the interests of others. The difference between both claims lies in the fact that one is a normative claim and the other is a descriptive claim. A normative claim involves judging what people should do and creates a moral standard. A descriptive claim then, essentially describes the actions of moral beings and creates a moral standard based off their behavior. Due to the relatedness of both claims, I must first clearly distinguish the key features of each argument. In Glaucons Challenge Plato creates a long dialogue between Socrates and Platos brother, Glaucon. In his dialogue, Glaucon supports the view that people only act justly because they will believe it will help them attain beneficial ends for themselves and argues that human beings are not ethical egoists but rather psychological egoists. In Rachels essay, he attempts to distinguish between what psychological and moral egoism are and how inevitably neither are justified. Therefore, by drawing on the arguments from Glaucon and the claims discussed by Rachels, I will disprove the claim of ethical egoism and prove that human beings can, in fact, act solely for their own self-interest. First, I will begin by examining Glaucons Challenge on ethical and psychological egoism. In Platos Republic, Socrates raises the issue of whether goodness and virtue are truly worthwhile for the individual. In Gyges Ring, Socrates presents a story where a man named Glaucon discovers a ring, which makes him invisible. In it, he poses the question of whether we would act justly, despite the fact that we could get away with immoral conduct. In essence, he asks whether we should live a life of virtue. Next he asks us to imagine if two such rings existed, where a virtuous man and rogue each received one of the rings. Glaucon claims that the rogue would naturally use the ring for his own personal pleasure with no moral constraints. As for the moral man, Glaucon suggests that he will act no better than the rogue. He defends this position by claiming that no one has enough will to resist the temptation to do things for their own self-interest. In this argument Glaucon asks why there is any r eason for a moral person to act any differently from an immoral person. While his argument appears sound, critics argue that some acts appear to be unselfish in nature. As well, critics arguing for ethical egoism also state that we must desire things other than my own self-interests in order to get self-interests. Therefore, if we derive self-interest from playing soccer, unless we desired, for our own sake, to play soccer, we would not derive some self-interest from playing. However, if our self-interests consist simply in the satisfaction of self-regarding our interests, then human beings are still regarded as psychological egoists. Psychological egoists such as Glaucon claim their points using two arguments. The first being simply that the life of an unjust person is much better than the life of a just person. The second argument being that for psychological egoism, selfless actions always create self-satisfaction in the moral agent and this produces a pleasant state of conscious ness. Therefore, the action performed by the moral agent is really done to create an enjoyable state of consciousness rather than to aid the interests of others. Using such arguments, Glaucon is able to rule out situations such as altruistic behavior or motivation by thoughts of duty alone as proves for ethical egoism. Second, I will examine Rachels essay on ethical and psychological egoism. In his first argument Rachel suggests selfless actions are really just done voluntarily and that the agent is really just doing what they wanted to do. An example used by Rachel would be if Mr. Smith stayed behind to help a friend rather than go on vacation. While this may appear altruistic, what is really happening is that Mr. Smith wanted to stay behind to help his friend more than he wanted to go on vacation. In this way, his action is no longer selfless but rather selfish since he was only doing what he wanted to do. By examining Mr. Smiths decision from a different view, it is clear that what appears to a voluntary act of kindness is really just an act out of self-interest. His second argument for psychological egoism is that unselfish actions always produce a sense of self-satisfaction for the moral agent. Therefore, any selfless action by the moral agent is only unselfish at a sort of superficial level. Rachel uses a story where Lincoln once expressed this debate in describing the position between ethical and psychological egoism. In this story, Lincoln and a fellow passenger are discussing how all men are prompted by selfishness in doing any good. As they pass over a bridge in their carriage, both hear a sow yelling for help as her pigs are about to drown. Lincoln then gets out of his carriage and saves the pigs, then returns to his carriage. His companion remarks 1Abe, where do selfishness come in on this little episode? Lincoln then replies, Why bless your soul, that was the very essence of selfishness. I should have no peace of mind all day had I gone and left them. Lincoln uses the incident with the suffering sow in order to show that his altruistic act was done out of his belief in psychological rather than ethical egoism. Had he not helped the sow, he would have had no peace of mind all day while riding with his companion. Instead, he selfishly saves the pigs in order to hel p himself. Rachel attempts to refute this claim by stating that it is the object of any action rather than the personal desire that will determine whether an action is unselfish or not. Ethical egoists, on the other hand, argue that even though altruism is possible to act on, there is no reason why anyone should act selflessly. Rachels is able to refute this by arguing that no reasons are required in performing actions that help others. However, since all human beings innately do not care about the effects of their actions on others, this arguments premise is incorrect. Therefore, it is clear that the view of ethical egoism as a moral standard of what people ought to do is clearly incorrect since no matter what situation is produced, the moral agent will always act in their self-interest and that any positive outcomes on others is just a positive consequence. Thus, no matter what situations are presented to argue that moral beings ought to do what is in their best interests, it has been shown that all moral beings can only act in their own self-interests, even when appearing to act in the interests of others. In conclusion, after examining Glaucons Challenge from Platos Republic and Rachels essay on ethical egoism, it is clear that Glaucon was correct in stating that there is no reason for man to be moral. 1 Gendler, T., Siegel, S., Cahn, S. M. (2008). Egoism and Moral Skepticism. The Elements of Philosophy: Readings from Past and Present (p. 235). Oxford : Oxford University Press.

control in brave new world :: essays research papers

Control in Brave New World   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In his novel Brave New World, Aldous Huxley illustrates ways in which government and advanced science control society. Through actual visualization of this Utopian society, the reader is able to see how this state affects Huxley’s characters. Throughout the book, the author deals with many different aspects of control. Whether it is of his subjects’ feelings and emotions or of the society’s restraint of population growth, Huxley depicts government’s and science’s role in the brave new world of tomorrow.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One aspect of control that is touched upon from the beginning of the novel until the end is the control of the population birth and growth. As a way to maintain the society’s motto of â€Å"Community, Identity and Stability,† the number of inhabitants is managed through the artificiality of the brave new world’s use of technology. In the first chapter of the novel, the reader is introduced to the process of creating humans in this Utopia. The advancement of science made it possible for the building of an artificial arrangement with the reproductive glands and equipment needed for fertilizing and hatching the resulting eggs. The fact that machines do what is done by human reproductive systems shows how science has dominated over man in this world.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The actual process of creating humans is made possible through the use of a single ovary which makes thousands of identical people. Since these people are similar in appearance, thought and relations, they are able to live in perfect harmony with each other. Huxley uses Lenina and Fanny, two of his female characters who are distant relatives from the same ovary, as people who get along well and are on the same page on issues concerning Utopian lifestyles. This is how the government of Utopia, made up of only ten controllers, is able to maintain stability among its people. Since stability is part of the brave new world’s motto, it is a crucial deal for the government to uphold.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Something else that is controlled by government and science is any thing to do with marriage, romance and pregnancy. It is a rule by the government for everyone to freely have sex with anybody at anytime they want. It is against the rules of the Utopia to date anyone regularly. Government forbids anyone to go towards thoughts of monogamy and romance because they require too much time and bring no stability to life.

Fall in Elderly

1 The Role of Tai Chi Exercise in Promoting Health Benefits for Older Persons Fuzhong Li, Ph. D. , Oregon Research Institute Tai Chi, or Taijiquan to be exact, originated in China about 300 hundreds years ago (China Sports, 1980) and began as a form of martial arts like boxing. It has continued to evolve from being originally used as a combative and self-defense form to a health-enhancing exercise, practiced by individuals of all ages to maintain health and prevent disease. As an alternative exercise, Tai Chi has drawn increasing research interest, with accumulating evidence showing the therapeutic value of Tai Chi to overall health and well-being. The goal of this paper is to summarize current research findings with a particular focus on geriatric populations, discuss findings with respect to their practical implications, and highlight future research directions. Overview of Research Findings A number of excellent review articles exist showing evidence that Tai Chi generates various health benefits for individuals of varying age groups and patient populations (Fasko & Grueninger, 2001; Lan, Lai, & Chen, 2002; Li, Hong, & Chan, 2001; Verhagen, Immink, va der Meulen et al. , 2004; Wang, Collet, & Lau, 2004; Wayne, Krebs, Wolf, et al. , 2004; Wu, 2002). Without overdue redundancy, the following provides a summary review of research studies that involve randomized controlled trials (RCTs) although results from non-RCTs are reported in the absence of RCTs. With aging processes, declines in physical and mental status in older adults often result in balance control impairments, functional limitations in locomotor activities, disability in particular activities, and decreased quality of life. Therefore, this review also focuses on health outcomes that have been shown to be clinically most relevant to this population. These include balance and falls, musculoskeletal conditions, sleep quality, cardiovascular and respiratory function, and psychosocial wellbeing. Balance Control, Falls, and Fear of Falling Falls are significant public health problem among older adults (Murphy, 2000; Stevens, 2005), making it a major threat to the independence and quality of life of older adults, as well as imposing significant burden to individuals, society, and national health systems (National Action Plan, 2005). As a stand-alone exercise intervention, Tai Chi has been shown to reduce the risk for falls. Wolf and his colleagues (1996) conducted the very first randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacy of two methods of exercise on falls. Community living healthy adults were randomized to one of three groups: Tai Chi training; computerized balance training; and an attention control. Results of this 15-week trial showed that Tai Chi participants experienced significant reductions (by about 47%) in falls compared to the exercise control participants. In a follow-up 48-week RCT, Wolf et al (2003) evaluated Tai Chi with older adults who were less robust (that is, transitioning to frailty). No significant between-experimental group reductions in falls were observed. However, by analyzing fall data from month four through month twelve, the study showed a significantly reduced risk of falls in the Tai chi group compared with the exercise control group. In an independent study, Li et al. (2005) confirmed the general findings of those reported by Wolf and his colleagues. These researchers reported that, at the end of a 6-month Tai Chi intervention, significantly fewer falls (38 versus 73), lower proportions of fallers (28% versus 46%), and injurious falls (7% versus 18%) were observed in the Tai Chi condition, compared to a low-impact stretching control condition. Overall, the risk of multiple falls in the Tai Chi group was 55% lower than that of the stretching controls. In addition, compared to stretching control participants, Tai Chi participants showed significant improvements in measures of functional balance, physical performance, and reduced fear of falling. Of equal importance, intervention gains in these measures were maintained at a 6-month postintervention follow-up in the Tai Chi group (Li et al. 2004). Musculoskeletal Conditions Evidence to date indicates that Tai Chi training preserves or even increases lower-extremity muscle strength. Wolfson et al. (1996) showed that 6 months of Tai Chi training (following their primary interventions) did not improve lower-extremity muscle strength, compared to an exercise control group. However, their data did indicate that Tai Chi training preserved lowerextremity strength gains developed by the intervention. In a 20-week pilot study, Christou et al. 2003) showed that, compared to those in the control condition, Tai Chi participants significantly improved knee extensor strength and force control among older adults. Tai Chi also appears to be safe and beneficial for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. In a randomized trial among older women with osteoarthritis, Song et al (2003) showed a 12-week Tai Chi program resulted in significant improvements in pain and stiffness in joint s, balance, and abdominal strength, and fewer reported perceived difficulties in physical functioning, compared to those of control subjects. Another randomized trial, Hartman et al (2000) showed that a 12week program significantly improved osteoarthritis symptoms such as fatigue, arthritis selfefficacy, feelings of tension, and satisfaction with general health status. More recent evidence points to the potential of Tai Chi as a weight-bearing exercise for retarding bone loss in older women. In a 12-month randomized trial, Chan et al (2004) tested the hypothesis that Tai Chi may retard bone loss in early postmenopausal women. At the end of the trial, bone mineral density (BMD) measurements revealed a general bone loss in both Tai Chi and control subjects at all measured skeletal sites, but with a slower rate in the Tai Chi group. Although the BMD findings were equivocal, the findings lend some support for the potential of Tai Chi to retard bone loss. Cardiovascular and Respiratory Function Although numerous studies have evaluated the effects of Tai Chi on cardiovascular and respiratory function, no RCTs have been reported that involve older adults. A number of Taiwanbased observational studies have shown improvements in cardiorespiratory function resulting from Tai Chi. For example, among long-term older adults practicing Tai Chi, significantly better cardiorespiratory function has been reported (Lai, Lan, Wong, & Teng, 1995; Lan, Lai, Chen, & Wong, 1998), and improvements were also observed among coronary artery bypass surgery patients deemed to be at low risk during their participation in a Tai Chi exercise program (Lan, Chen, Lai, & Wong, 1999). Hypertension Tai Chi is a low-impact activity with self-paced and fluid movements, making it appropriate as a means to reduce blood pressure in people with hypertension. Two intervention trials compared the effects of Tai Chi and aerobic exercise on blood pressure – a surrogate for hypertension. An earlier study by Channer et al (1996) showed that over 11 sessions of exercise, both Tai Chi and aerobic exercise were associated with reductions in systolic blood pressure; Tai Chi was also associated with reductions in diastolic blood pressure in a sample of patients recovering from acute myocardial infraction. In a different study by Young et al. (1999), physically inactive older women with systolic blood pressure 130-159 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure > 95 mmHg were randomized to a 12-week moderate-intensity aerobic exercise program or a Tai Chi program of light activity. At the end of the intervention, the Tai Chi group decreased 7. 0 mmHg of systolic and 2. 4 mmHg of diastolic blood pressure. No significant differences were observed between the two exercise activities. The authored concluded that programs of moderate intensity aerobic exercise and light exercise may have similar effects on blood pressure in previously sedentary older individuals. Quality of Sleep Self-reported sleep complaints are common among older adults (Neubauer, 1999) and it is estimated that up to 50% of elderly persons complain about their sleep (Alessi, 2000). Li et al. (2003) conducted a six-month intervention trial to examine the impact of a simpler Tai Chi program on improving quality of sleep and reducing daytime sleepiness among older adults reporting moderate sleep complaints. Participants were randomly assigned to a Tai Chi group or an exercise control group. At the end of the study, Tai Chi participants reported significant improvements in several sleep-quality related measures in comparison to the control participants; with reduced sleep latency (by about 18 minutes per night) and daytime sleepiness, and improved sleep duration (by about 48 minutes per night). The study provided preliminary evidence linking the benefits of Tai Chi exercise to improved quality of sleep and reduced daytime sleepiness in older adults. Psychosocial Wellbeing and Confidence Li and his colleagues (2001a,b,c,d, 2002a, 2002b) provided a series of reports examining the extent to which Tai Chi enhanced older adults’ multidimensional psychological well-being and health-related quality of life indicators. In a 6-month randomized controlled trial, healthy older adults were randomly assigned to either a control condition or Tai Chi. Results indicated that Tai Chi participants reported higher levels of health perceptions, life satisfaction, positive affect, and well-being, and lower levels of depression, negative affect, and psychological distress (Li et al. 2001a). Participants also showed higher levels of both domain-specific physical self-esteem (Li et al. , 2002b) and exercise self-efficacy relevant to movement confidence (Li et al. , 2001c). Change in the level of movement self-efficacy was found to be significantly related to change in physical functioning (Li et al. , 2001b). Similar profiles have been reported by other researchers (Kutner, Barnhart, Wolf, McNeely, & Xu 1997) in that Tai Chi practice resulted in improved well-being, increased alertness, relaxation, better mental outlook, achievement, and greater confidence. Practical Implications The previous summary and review makes it clear that Tai Chi provides multiple health and therapeutic benefits for older adults. Thus, some discussion of practical implications appears to be in order. Fall Prevention Falls can result in devastating consequences for older adults. Accumulating evidence to date suggest that Tai Chi may be an effective means of improving deficits in balance and functional limitations, and therefore, may serve as a therapeutic exercise for balance and strength, and consequently, reduce the risk of falling and the rate of falls in older adults. Tai Chi may also be considered as an exercise modality that generates confidence building to counteract fear of falling, a common psychological symptom of falls among community adults. However, Tai Chi does not provide a quick fix for the fall problem. Most research in this area has focused on short-term results. Findings from current RCTs show that, however, a minimum of three months training is required before clinically meaningful reductions in risks of falling can be achieved, suggesting the need for long-term, sustained, and frequent practice, perhaps on a day-to-day basis, to obtain the full benefit. Tai Chi as an Alternative, Therapeutic Exercise Tai Chi has been recommended for treating many chronic conditions. For example, as a lowimpact, low-intensity alternative exercise therapy, Tai Chi has also been proposed as a potential option for the management of osteoarthritis (Lumsden, Baccala & Aartire, 1998). As a fall prevention activity, Tai Chi has emerged as an appropriate stand-alone balance training program for older adults to improve balance and prevent falls (JAGS, 2001). But even though Tai Chi appears to have numerous benefits to participants, it is still too early for physicians to begin prescribing Tai Chi as a remedy for chronic health problems because many of the studies have design limitations (Wang et al. , 2004), making it difficult to generalize results to broader patient populations. In this regard, patients with chronic health problems need to take precautions before beginning a Tai Chi program, because for some people Tai Chi could worsen medical conditions or problems/ symptoms. In some cases, appropriate odifications may be needed to better accommodate patients’ special needs or physical limitations. Program Costs, Logistics, and Protocols One of the most desirable aspects of Tai Chi is its absence of a need for high technology in promoting health. Tai Chi is easily distinguished from highly technical computerized balance training protocols, and may be just as successful in achieving fall reduction or balance improvement objectiv es; certainly, Tai Chi is more practical. Tai Chi is a low-cost exercise regimen because special equipment or facilities are not needed (Lan et al. 2002; Li et al. , 2003). Li et al (2001b) reported that, in a 6-month RCT, the total direct cost was approximately $9000 (an average of $3. 50 per person per session). Others (Wilson & Datta, 2001) have reported that a twice weekly Tai Chi program was cost-saving whether direct benefits alone (hip fracture costs averted) or direct plus indirect benefits were considered, with a total net cost savings of $1274. 43 per person per year. When considering direct cots only, the net cost savings were $8. 04 per participant per year. Lower costs ensure that more community-dwelling older adults have 5 sufficient access to programs, and abundant opportunities to participate, which is likely to have profound public health implications. While costs of learning Tai Chi are potentially low, one should not underestimate the fact that Tai Chi is a complex system of movements that, when performed, requires body awareness, motor coordination, and agility; features that could make Tai Chi less immediately deliverable to community adults (Li et al. 2003). Therefore, even though the benefits of regular Tai Chi exercise are quite clear, the challenge of maximizing the opportunity for older persons remains because certain movements may be beyond the capabilities of some elderly individuals or others with disabilities. Thus, there is a need to modify existing Tai Chi protocols to develop forms that are simple, easy to perform, and enjoyable (Chen, 2002; Li et al. , 2003; Wolf et al. , 1997), and that do not require years of sust ained practice to master. Tai Chi Styles There are several styles of Tai Chi, some of which are historic/traditional and some of which are of more recent origin. The earliest known form can be traced to the Chen style and evolved and progressed into multiple styles or schools. Currently, there are five main schools of Tai Chi (People’s Sports, 1996), each named after the style’s founding family: (a) Chen, (b) Yang, (c) Sun, (d) Wu (Jian Qian), and (e) Wu (He Qin). Each style has a characteristic protocol that differs from other styles in the postures or forms included, the order in which they appear, the pace at which movements are executed, and the level of difficulty. For example, one significant difference between Chen and Yang styles is that Yang style movements are relaxed and evenly paced. By comparison, the Chen style is characterized by alternating slow movements with quick and vigorous movements, including restrained and controlled actions/motions, reflecting its martial origin. Yang Style Tai Chi, which evolved from the Chen school, is probably the most popular Tai Chi style being practiced today (e. g. , Swaim, 1999; Yu & Johnson, 1999). Yang style movements are performed in a relaxed and flowing manner, with the trunk erect as the axis of all movements, making it immediately suitable for elderly, frail, or disabled populations. To date, the Yang style, with its variations, has been used as an therapeutic exercise modality in most medical and behavioral research. Although there are multiple versions of the Yang style (both short and long, covering 24-, 48-, 88-, and 108-Forms) (China National Sports Commission, 1983), the 24-Form, based on the most popular sequences of the Yang Chengfu school (China Sports, 1980; People Sports, 1996), is the most readily adaptable to the lifestyles and living situations of older adult populations. It is also the most accommodating, requiring minimal demands of personal strength, speed, endurance, flexibility, and motor skills for participation. Is Tai Chi Ready for Dissemination? In a 2001 joint communique on the prevention of falls among the elderly, the American Geriatrics Society, the British Geriatrics Society, and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons suggested that Tai Chi â€Å"†¦is a promising type of exercise, although it requires further evaluation before it can be recommended as the preferred balance training† (JAGS, 2001). Since the publication of this joint communique, one large successful RCTs has been published (Li et al. , 2005) providing supporting evidence documented by Wolf et al. ’s earlier work (1996). As a result of these studies, we should be asking questions about how we can most effectively translate and disseminate the Tai Chi program. With this accumulated evidence, the time is near 6 for Tai Chi to be recommended as a preferred exercise for balance training and be routinely prescribed for older patients at risk for falling following appropriate screening. Future Research Directions Despite the increasing interest in studying the effectiveness of Tai Chi training and the resulting evidence of health benefits, there remain areas that require further research. We highlight a few of these. A Need to Understand the Mechanisms of the Benefits Shown Although findings from Tai Chi intervention studies are important from a public health perspective, they provide little information relative to the underlying mechanisms that may produce such effects. In this regard, little attention has been given considering intervention/treatment mediators or moderators that help identify causal pathways between treatment and outcome, and possible mechanisms through which a treatment might achieve its effects. For example, although Tai Chi has repeatedly been shown to improve balance, possible mechanisms by which Tai Chi improves this outcome, and prevent subsequent falls, remains to be determined. Future studies should target specifically older adults with balance impairments, and consider integrated laboratory and/or clinical measures that may help identify specific mechanisms whereby Tai Chi can remedy balance disorders. A Need to Better Understand Effects to Patients with Chronic Conditions A review by Wang et al. (2004) concluded that there is insufficient information to recommend Tai Chi to patients with chronic conditions. For example, the impact of Tai Chi on several important geriatric syndromes such as frailty, dementia, and sarcopenia are worthy of study or further research. Large clinical trials, involving populations with specific medical conditions are needed before health professionals can recommend Tai Chi exercise as an alternative to the more conventional exercise forms that have been shown to produce health benefits. The potential application of Tai Chi to important geriatric issues yet to be studied include: obesity, osteoporosis, diabetes, neurological disorders (e. g. , Parkinson’s disease; peripheral neuropathy). A Need to Study Long-Term Effects Tai Chi intervention studies are typically conducted with a short-duration (e. g. , 3 months, 6 months). Long-term effects of Tai Chi training (e. g. , 12 months up to 2 or 3 years) are largely undetermined. Therefore, questions such as how long the established effects on clinical endpoints will sustain over a longer period of time remains to be determined. Certain outcomes may take a longer time to show an effect. Reductions in falls are a good example. Other outcomes such as BMD, may require up to one year to demonstrate clinically meaningful change because Tai Chi is a low-impact activity. Also, research from the general exercise literature indicates that people who participate in an exercise program often fall back into their older inactive lifestyle after a program ends (van der Bij, Laurant, & Wensing, 2002). Although anecdotal evidence suggest that participants remained active upon program termination (Li et al. , 2001b; Wolf et al. , 1996), critical issues such as getting people to initiate and maintain the Tai Chi activity over a long-term need to be addressed. A Need to Evaluate Programs That Can Be Disseminated in Broader Community Settings Ultimately, for the results of the research-based evidence to have greater public health impact they must be diffused and made accessible to the community. However, it remains unclear whether the general community can readily implement or adopt these Tai Chi training protocols despite evidence of their tested efficacy. To date, there is no widespread, nationally available Tai Chi-based falls prevention program that is based on the effectiveness of scientifically controlled studies. In this regard, program evaluation research is needed to translate effective interventions into a program that is implementable in community settings. The Oregon Research Institute is currently conducting a project to move effective interventions into community practice. The project has identified randomized controlled studies of scientifically-based effective Tai Chi fall interventions and focuses on issues related to â€Å"reach† (i. e. , proportion of older adults who are willing to participate in a given Tai Chi program initiative), â€Å"uptake† (adoption; i. e. , the proportion of settings and service agencies who are willing to initiate a program), and â€Å"implementation† (i. e. the intervention agents' fidelity to the various elements of a Tai Chi training protocol, including consistency of delivery as intended and the time and cost of the intervention). The intended results of this translation and dissemination project will provide an effective, evidence-based falls prevention package that can be implemented in community settings to improve functional ability and reduce fall prevalence among communit y-dwelling older adults. Summary The extant research evidence provides strong support for what was originally considered â€Å"anecdotal evidence† about the health benefits of Tai Chi for older adults. Overall, Tai Chi has been shown to have physiologic and psychosocial benefits and appears to be safe and effective in promoting balance control and muscular strength, and cardiovascular fitness for older adults. More research is needed, with rigorous scientific methodologies, to fully understand the mechanisms whereby Tai Chi produces these health benefits. From a public health perspective, immediate efforts are needed to translate programs that can be disseminated in local settings that target community healthy older adults. Fuzhong Li, Ph. D. , is a Senior Research Scientist at the Oregon Research Institute, Eugene, OR. References Alessi, C. A. (2000). Sleep disorders. In Beers MH, Berkow R, eds. The Merck Manual of Geriatrics. 3rd edition. NJ: Merck & Co, 459-463. 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