The Microsoft as a Service Provider Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 3

The Microsoft as a Service Provider - Essay Example In this case, the nine states are responsible for regulating the operations of Microsoft, the reason why they have instituted a legal case against Microsoft for trying to undermine Linux, a scenario seen as likely to scuttle competition in the industry which is detrimental to economic growth. This also has negative effects with regards to promotion of competition in the industry. b) Basically, an ethical consideration specifically refers to something that is generally accepted as morally, socially and even economically good for various stakeholders that is the general population as a whole which is affected by the operations of a particular organization. In this regard, we would be looking at how the operations say of another company can impact on the welfare of different stakeholders who are either directly or indirectly involved in its operations. In the given case study, it can be clearly seen that the nine U.S. states are up in arms with the software giant, Microsoft as they have a court case against it for allegedly trying to undermine an open source operating system rival Linux. In the ongoing antitrust court case, the nine states are advocating tougher action against Microsoft which is seen as having violated its ethical code of conduct for trying to work underground in a bid to stifle the operating system developed by another different, rival software company. Ethically, there should be no company that should violate the operations of other different organizations. Therefore, by trying to stifle Linux, Microsoft would not be acting in a professional and ethical manner as expected by different stakeholders as this would discourage competition within the industry. This is clearly shown in the case where the nine states argue that the judge should take as evidence the memo by the executive of Microsoft.

Is Emotional Cheating As Serious?

Is Emotional Cheating As Serious? Cheating in marriages and relationships has been very rampant especially in the contemporary society. Many people have lost their marriage partners due to cheating either emotionally or sexually. People are usually less committed and satisfied in relationships when they get a feeling that their partners are cheating on them. Cheating or deceiving on ones partner is usually driven by less commitment in one relationship whereby some people may cheat as an attempt to get out of a relationship (Gunderson and Ferrari 2008 2). In most romantic relationships the most common type of cheating is the sexual cheating where someone practices sexual behavior outside a committed relationship. The other type of cheating that is highly practised in todays relationships is the emotional cheating where someone shows stronger emotional bonds with someone else outside a committed relationship. Over the recent past there has been heated debate on the impacts caused by either of the infidelity in relationships. Many people have diverse opinions on which of the two is more serious and more disastrous to a relationship. However there has been general consensus that both are capable of breaking relationships and that the seriousness of either of them will vary from one individual to the other (Gunderson and Ferrari 2008 3) Emotional cheating is betrayal of ones partner although its rarely seems like it since it does not involve a real affair like intimacy and sex. This type of cheating does not necessarily create unwanted pregnancies, break vows or infect diseases (Pawlik-Kienlen 2007). Emotional cheating is known as the type of cheating that cannot be easily detected since it has less rigid boundaries. According to Pawlik-Kienlen (2007), its much easier to tell when your partner is cheating sexually but its difficult to precisely tell the extent your emotional attachment with your partner or with any other person. Emotional affairs may encompass movie dates, innocent dinners and even short picnics which the involved individuals take as normal activities in life. The distinguishing feature of an emotional friendship from other normal friendships is the sharing of problems, intimate secrets and triumphs that may not be shared with any other person even their spouses. Long conversations over the phone are also main characteristics of these friendships. According to experts on these studies the main characteristic of an emotional affair is that mostly the involved individuals are absolutely unaware of their behaviour and that they rarely see themselves as being unfaithful (Jet 2004 15). The fact that these people may not practice sexual affairs makes them to perceive their relationships as normal friendship that should not hurt anyone although in actual sense its hurts sometimes even more than the physical or sexual cheating. Emotional cheating becomes more dangerous and hurting to a woman when she discovers that her partner has someone else whose personality he prefers than hers. This then brings her a feeling that she is no longer interesting to her partner and that she cannot satisfy his emotional needs. Some people argue that emotional cheating has more adverse impacts on relationships since emotional affairs simply mean that these people are not just after physical satisfaction (sex) but they actually love the other person which makes their relationship long term. According to (Pawlik-Kienlen 2007), this cheating takes away more from a marriage relationship because one takes to another person feelings that should be preserved for his or her spouse (Pawlik-Kienlen). Emotional affairs are also more difficult to end because of the feelings involved and can easily break marriages when one is caught between serious choices to make. Emotional cheating is found to stick around and mostly results to future p roblems. On the other hand problems from physical cheating can be easily resolved and forgotten since sometimes they occur mindlessly like when someone goes out and gets drunk. In such cases its easily understood that there are no emotional feelings and that there is no existing relationship between the two. Emotional cheating also encompasses Internet cheating which has taken its place in family conflicts and relationships breakage in the contemporary society (Parker and Wampler 2003 415). People are finding themselves logging more times into the internets to talk to specific people. This type of communication advancing and that men are feeling more pleasure and relieve when talking to these online partners than they do when talking to their spouses. This type of cheating illustrates a pure emotional cheating. In internet cheating the individuals involved may not have seen each other and therefore can not be influenced by the thought of sexual satisfaction. This is viewed as a classic sign of investing ones emotions in other people in stead of concentrating them to your spouse. Emotional cheating is found to more betraying to women than it is to men. According to Morrison 2009 2), when women are looking for marriage partners, they concentrate more on the emotional and intellectual qualities of a man as well as his ability to be a good father and provide for the family. On the other hand men focus more on the physical qualities of a woman in order to ensure that she is capable of producing offspring and satisfy his sexual desires. This implies that since women invest more on the emotional aspects of the relationship, emotional cheating is generally much hard for her to handle and therefore she may feel more betrayed. Physical and sexual cheating Sexual cheating is mostly regarded as the physical sexual intercourse with another person who is not your partner in marriage or in a relationship. It occurs when a partner who is in love with his or her spouse, gives in to his or her sexual desire with another person. According to Grello, Welsh and Harper (2006), this type of infidelity is usually driven by opportunity or situational circumstances, use of alcohol or other drugs and risk- taking behavior (Grello, Welsh and Harper 256). For partners in deep love, such cheating which is mostly unintended, brings so much guilt and regrets in them. This cheating may sometimes be as a result of hostile actions, immaturity or sexual addiction. Sexual cheating mostly does not involve emotion feelings between the partners as in emotional cheating. This type of cheating may not be so detrimental to women like the emotional cheating but its also very destructive to relationships. An activity would be regarded as sexual affair not according to the presence of physical contact but because of other aspects as well. Strip shows, telephone sex and viewing stripers or pornography are all actions done out of sexual fantasies. According to Allen Johnson (2006), people who watch pornography or attend strip clubs are usually engaging in sexual acts and thus if they are involved in relationships they are actually cheating (Allen Johnson 154). In sexual or physical cheating, when a man or a woman does sex outside the marriage, their partners starts doubting their bed skills and what their partners could be missing in them (Gunderson and Ferrari 2008 4).. The cheated partner may feel that he or she is not satisfying his or her partners sexual desires. This then makes them to be very conscious about their performance in bed which in turn makes them loose more their desire of having sex with their partners hence making the problem even worse. A partner cheats, the other partner refuses to have sex with the cheating partner making the cheating partner to cheat even more. Sexual cheating therefore causes a destructive circle which can completely ruin a marriage. However sexual cheating has different impacts to men from what it has to women. Since men concentrate more on the physical qualities of a woman physical cheating is therefore more hurting to them (Gunderson and Ferrari 2008 3). As the providers in the house men want to be given the maximum respect and attention that they deserve and that physical cheating is viewed as lack of respect and attention for them. Men view sexually cheating women as betrayers who are even a threat to their security. On the other hand men view themselves as naturally potentially polygamous and capable of dividing their emotions and attention to more than one woman. This belief therefore makes men to put more seriousness on the sexual or physical cheating than the emotional cheating. In this perspective, women in cultures where polygamous marriage is upheld will regard emotional cheating as more serious than sexual cheating. On the other hand this sexual cheating mostly involves sexual intercourse which can sometimes result to unwanted pregnancies, breakage of vows or may cause infection of some deadly sexually transmitted disease like HIV/AIDS (Buss and Shackelford 1997). This therefore makes this cheating more serious than the emotional cheating in cases where a spouse becomes pregnant or impregnates someone outside the marriage or when they contract serious infections like HIV/AIDS. Such cases are more serious and difficult to resolve hence they mostly end in marriage breakages. In case of such occurrences this cheating therefore can result to guilt and depression which may end up to mental disorders. For many individuals emotional affairs is a great source of comfort and relief in times of relationship problems and misunderstandings (Gunderson and Ferrari 2008 1). However these affairs encompass some share of intimate emotions between individuals and when these emotions are invested regularly on someone outside the marriage the marriage relationship is usually compromised. Emotional relationship starts as normal relationship and then deepens through regular contact numerous mail messages and discussions. With time there develops excitement and ease in hearing from the other person. Emotional cheating is known to involve a lot of talking though it may occasionally lead to sex which then makes it like sexual cheating. However although the sex between these people may be passionate, their relationship is primarily driven by the feeling of emotional safety and companionship. The danger of emotional infidelity become worse when the door of emotional intimacy is opened and deepens the bond making the person in the emotional affair to start comparing between his or her spouse and the partner in the emotional affair (Parker and Wampler 2003 416). Sometimes one may argue that its easier to talk to his or her partner in emotional affair than it is to talk to his or her spouse. Other times your spouse may not seem to be listening and understanding to you like the other partner. Other times one may feel safe and comfortable when in the company of their partner in emotional affair than they do when in the company of their spouses. However its clear from our discussion that emotional cheating may result to physical cheating. Similarly the effect of either of the cheating may vary from one person to the other and therefore their seriousness is subjective. Conclusion Cheating in relationships is usually carried out in many different ways. The most common is the sexual cheating whereby research has shown most men usually have no emotional feelings for the woman and that they only show interest in the woman so as to get their sexual satisfaction and excitement. The other type of cheating is emotional cheating. Here men usually find themselves emotionally connected with other women besides their wives or girl friends and sex is not usually given the first priority. A man finds himself enjoying the company of this other woman more than he does for his own wife and they prefer spending their spare time with them (Morrison 2009 1). According to a recent study conducted on emotional and physical cheating, 75% of women admitted that emotional cheating is more hurting than sexual cheating (Morrison 2009 1). On the other hand most of the interviewed women also admitted that its difficult to separate the two types of cheating since both would influence their feelings for their partners. Which way looks at it any type of cheating, whether emotional or physical ends up in ruining a relationship (Morrison 2009 1). Normally when one partner cheats on the other in a relationship, trust between them is lost and chances of regaining this trust is usually very minimal. Everyone who is in a relationship or has been in a relationship does not need to be lectured on what cheating either physical or emotional can do. Experts say that one cannot be emotionally involved outside marriage and still expect things to function normally in his relationship at home. Whether the relationship does involve intimacy and sex or not it can be destructive to marriage relationships. According to Jet 2009 7 out of 10 emotional affairs result to physical or sexual affairs at the long run (Jet 7). This therefore implies that both emotional and physical cheating are interconnected and that its difficult to prefer one over the other. Sharing thoughts, problems and feelings as it happens in emotional intimacy is just like making love to one anothers mind before actually making love to their body. In other words verbal intimacy is just one step away from physical or sexual intimacy. Annotated bibliography Gunderson, Patrick and Ferrari, Joseph. R. Forgiveness of sexual cheating in romantic relationships: effects of discovery method, Frequency of Offence, and presence of Apology North American journal of Psychology, 2008, vol. 10 pp. 1-14 This article talks about the seriousness of emotional and physical sex as compared between male and female college students. The article gives discussions as got from interviews with college students about the infidelities and their ease of being forgiven. This article has helped in finding out that sexual cheating is more hurting or more serious to men as compared to emotional cheating. In the article we also find that its easier for women to forgive sexual infidelity than it is for men. Here some reasons of cheating like poor commitment in relationships are also revealed. Grello, Catherine. M, Welsh, Deborah. P and Harper, Melinda. S. No strings Attached: the nature of casual sex in college students: The journal sex research vol. 43 no.3 August 2006 p.255-267 This article talks about circumstances linked to physical cheating among peers. It also informs on the dangers of both types of cheating. By the help of this article in the journal of sex research, the research finds that immaturity, use of drugs and risky behaviours are some of the causes of infidelity especially among college students. In the article the consequences of after sex are also discussed. Pawlik-Kienlen, Laurie. What is Emotional Cheating? Jun 21, 2007 (http://psychology.suite101.com/article.cfm/emotional_cheating) This website describes what is emotional and physical cheating and how they start. In this page the characteristics of emotional cheating are discussed. From this article the research finds out the dangers of emotional infidelity and how they can cause long term problems in marriages. The site helps to disclose why women are more affected by emotional cheating than men. Morrison, Julia Emotional Or Sexual Cheating: Which Is Worse? Womens Sexuality Correspondent every other Tuesday (http://www.askmen.com/dating/vanessa_100/122_love_secrets.html) This website article compares the seriousness of emotional and sexual cheating and how they can easily break marriages. In this article the examples of emotional cheating are discussed. The mens emotional involvement in sexual infidelity is also discussed in this page. From this website the research finds that emotional cheating cannot be easily identified and that it can be long term due to the emotional connection. The article also helps the research to conclude that both emotional and physical cheating can ruin relationships and that the seriousness of either will vary from on person to the other. Jet magazine Vol. 105, No. 2124 May 2004 Johnson Publishing Company 64 pages (http://books.google.co.ke/books?id=Dr4DAAAAMBAJpg=PA15dq=Is+emotional+cheating+as+serious+as+physical+and+sexual+cheating%3Fsource=gbs_toc_rcad=1#v=onepageq=f=false) This magazine evaluates the ideas of different people on emotional cheating. Ignorance of people in emotional relationships is also discussed. From this magazine the research reveals that people in emotional cheating view themselves and doing no mistake since they dont venture into sexual affairs Parker, Trent. S and Wampler, Karen S How Bad Is It? Perceptions of the Relationship: journal of Contemporary Family Therapy, New Jersey: Springer Volume 25, Number 4 / December, 2003 Pages 415-429 This journal discus the various types of cheating. The article talks of internet cheating which an example of emotional cheating. From the article its found that internet cheating can also ruin marriages. The article helps the research in unveiling that watching stripers and pornographic material is just like engaging into sexual affairs outside marriage and that those engaged in such activities are actually cheating. Buss, David M Shackelford, Todd K Susceptibility to Infidelity in the First Year of Marriage Journal of Research in Personality Volume 31, Issue 2, June 1997, Pages 193-221 Academic Press. This article talks about the consequences of cheating and how they affect families. The book gives results of a study carried out among 107 married couples on the possible signs of cheating among their spouses. From the article the research finds the dangers of sexual cheating like contracting of serious diseases like HIV/AIDS which could make relationships problems more difficult to solve. Allen, Johnson. S Physical abusers and sexual offenders: forensic and clinical strategies CRC Press. 2006. This book evaluates the emotional, physical and sexual cheating are their various forms. The book helps the research to conclude that all types of cheating are detrimental to relationships. From the book we are able to argue that emotional sex is interconnected with the physical sex and that its difficult to prefer one over the other.

biblical themes in shakespeares the tempest Essay -- essays research p

Biblical Themes in Shakespeare’s The Tempest   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Shakespeare is one of the most prolific and admired writers who ever lived. He certainly knew his craft and was familiar with all of the literature available at the time. One of the greatest books ever written was of course the bible. Written over the course of more than a thousand years it is a miracle in itself that the book exists. Shakespeare knew his bible, and his work often incorporated and examined biblical themes. Shakespeare’s last completed work was The Tempest, and it is as complex and deeply moving as any of his works. Readers of the play respond on a much deeper level than the literal. In and of itself it is actually a very simple tale, it is the characters who are representative of so many differing and stimulating aspects of the human condition that make the work so evocative and interesting.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Prospero is the picture of a man in two different aspects. On one hand, he is made in the image of God and given dominion and control over the world created in The Tempest. On the other hand he represents a fallen man who is in exile from his home. Both of these types can be found in the book of Genesis. God himself is in control of his world, and able to manipulate the world in order to stand back and see how the players will react. God and Prospero are both willing to accomplish their goals through imperfect means. When Jacob steals Esau’s inheritance right, the younger son triumphs over the older son by dishonest means. In the end it accomplishes God’s goal, so it is allowed to happen. Just as Joseph’s mistreatment by his brothers and his imprisonment because of Potiphar’s wife cause him great anguish, but move him closer to accomplishing God’s plan. Prospero is a scholar who has spent years in his books perfecting his magical powers. Clearly the last twelve years has been spent developing the power to both punish and forgive his enemies. Prospero controls even the inner workings of Caliban’s body. He is able to punish Caliban physically with his power, in order to completely control him and accomplish his means. Prospers also completely controls Ariel.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  According to Steven Marx, both the Bible and the Tempest share the form of creation myth. Marx suggests that Genesis’s God and The Tempest’s Prospero share the roles... ...parallel and reflective storylines. Shakespeare had to have been among the most voracious and intelligent readers ever to have opened a book. Aspects of many of the most scholarly works available in his day can be found in his works. Throughout my research for this paper, several sources mentioned a series of pamphlets concerning the survival of some mariners in the Bermuda Islands after a tempest in 1609. Until then the Bermudas were popularly thought to be inhabited by demons and fairies. Many believe that the idea of survival on a lush, remote and magical island first influenced his conception of The Tempest. That storm certainly turned into a blessing for all of us who so greatly enjoy and appreciate Shakespeare’s works. 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Marx, Steven. Shakespeare and the Bible. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Feuer, Lois. â€Å"Happy Families: Repentance and Restoration in â€Å"The Tempest† and the Joseph Narrative.† Philological Quarterly 76 (1997): 3-6.00 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Feuer, Lois. â€Å"Happy Families: Repentance and Restoration in â€Å"The Tempest† and the Joseph Narrative.† Philological Quarterly 76 (1997): 22-26.

Concept, nature and limitation of financial accounting Essay

Accounting is the process of recording, classifying, summarizing, analyzing and interpreting the financial transactions of the business for the benefit of management and those parties who are interested in business such as shareholders, creditors, bankers, customers, employees and government. Thus, it is concerned with financial reporting and decision making aspects of the business. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Committee on Terminology proposed in 1941 that accounting may be defined as, â€Å"The art of recording, classifying and summarizing in a significant manner and in terms of money, transactions and events which are, in part at least, of a financial character and interpreting the results thereof†. FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING: The term ‘Accounting’ unless otherwise specifically stated always refers to ‘Financial Accounting’. Financial Accounting is commonly carries on in the general offices of a business. It is concerned with revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities of a business house. Financial Accounting has two-fold objective, viz, To ascertain the profitability of the business, and to know the financial position of the concern. NATURE AND SCOPE OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING: Financial accounting is a useful tool to management and to external users such as shareholders, potential owners, creditors, customers, employees and government. It provides information regarding the results of its operations and the financial status of the business. The following are the functional areas of financial accounting:- Dealing with financial transactions: Accounting as a process deals only with those transactions which are measurable interms of money. Anything which cannot be expressed in monetary terms does notform part of financial accounting however significant it is. Recording of information: Accounting is an art of recording financial transactions of a business concern. Thereis a limitation for human memory. It is not possible to remember all transactions ofthe business. Therefore, the information is recorded in a set of books called Journaland other subsidiary books and it is useful for management in its decision making  process. Classification of Data: The recorded data is arranged in a manner so as to group the transactions of similar nature at one place so that full information of these items may be collected under different heads. This is done in the book called ‘Ledger’. For example, we may have accounts called ‘Salaries’, ‘Rent’, ‘Interest’, Advertisement’, etc. To verify the arithmetical accuracy of such accounts, trial balance is prepared. Making Summaries: The classified information of the trial balance is used to prepare profit and loss account and balance sheet in a manner useful to the users of accounting information. The final accounts are prepared to find out operational efficiency and financial strength of the business. Analyzing: It is the process of establishing the relationship between the items of the profit andloss account and the balance sheet. The purpose is to identify the financial strength and weakness of the business. It also provides a basis for interpretation. Interpreting the financial information: It is concerned with explaining the meaning and significance of the relationshipestablished by the analysis. It should be useful to the users, so as to enable them totake correct decisions. Communicating the results: The profitability and financial position of the business as interpreted above arecommunicated to the interested parties at regular intervals so as to assist them tomake their own conclusions. LIMITATIONS OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING: Financial accounting is concerned with the preparation of final accounts. The business has become so complex that mere final accounts are not sufficient in meeting financial needs. Financial accounting is like a post-mortem report. At the most it can reveal what has happened so far, but it cannot exercise any control over the past happenings. The limitations of financial accounting are as follows: 1. It records only quantitative information. 2. It records only the historical cost. The impact of future uncertainties has no place in financial accounting. 3. It does not take into account price level changes. 4. It provides information about the whole concern. Product-wise, process-wise, department-wise or information of any other line of activity cannot be obtained separately from the financial accounting. 5. Cost figures are not known in advance. Therefore, it is not possible to fix the price in  advance. It does not provide information to increase or reduce the selling price. 6. As there is no technique for comparing the actual performance with that of the budgeted targets, it is not possible to evaluate performance of the business. 7. It does not tell about the optimum or otherwise of the quantum of profit made and does not provide the ways and means to increase the profits. 8. In case of loss, whether loss can be reduced or converted into profit by means of cost control and cost reduction? Financial accounting does not answer this question. 9. It does not reveal which departments are performing well? Which ones are incurring losses and how much is the loss in each case? 10. It does not provide the cost of products manufactured 11. There is no means provided by financial accounting to reduce the wastage. 12. Can the expenses be reduced which results in the reduction of product cost and if so, to what extent and how? No answer to these questions. 13. It is not helpful to the management in taking strategic decisions like replacement of assets, introduction of new products, discontinuation of an existing line, expansion of capacity, etc. 14. It provides ample scope for manipulation like overvaluation or undervaluation. This possibility of manipulation reduces the reliability. 15. It is technical in nature. A person not conversant with accounting has little utility of the financial accounts.

Is space exploration worth the cost?

Editor’s Note: On January 11, the New York Times blog â€Å"Freakonomics† published a lengthy post titled â€Å"Is Space Exploration Worth the Cost? A Freakonomics Quorum†. The post featured comments provided by a number of people, including David Livingston, in response to the question. The part attributed to Dr. Livingston was just a highly-edited version of what he originally submitted to the Times. What follows is the full article that Dr. Livingston submitted on December 31 in response to their invitation to answer the question, â€Å"Is manned space exploration worth the cost?Why or why not? † As the host of a nearly seven-year-old radio talk show, The Space Show, designed and devoted to furthering space development and manned space exploration, I hear this question often. It is challenging to answer because I find often that I am left wanting for a better response, even from some of the guests and listeners to The Space Show. In general, I do think that collectively we, in the space community, do a lousy job of letting people across America know why manned space exploration is important and worth the cost.I would like to see NASA and those members of Congress most supportive of the manned space program convincingly let the public know that the value is there, where the value comes from, and why it is there. But then, I have a long wish list for what I would like to see our government do, say, and explain regarding this and other issues. In my opinion, the manned space exploration program is absolutely worth the cost. But first, consider the following because understanding the following points is crucial to understanding what manned space exploration affords us in so many areas:1. The money spent on manned space exploration is spent right here on Earth and most of it is spent in the US. We do not yet have a Bank of the Milky Way, the First International Bank of Mars, or a Lunar Mutual Savings and Loan. The money that is spent g oes to manufacturing, research and development, salaries, benefits, insurance companies, doctors, teachers, scientists, students, blue- and white-collar workers, and corporations and businesses both large and small. The money disperses throughout the economy in the same ay as money spent on medical research, building houses, or any other activity we engage in with government or even private spending. |In general, I do think that collectively we, in the space | |community, do a lousy job of letting people across America know| |why manned space exploration is important and worth the cost. | 2. Whenever we look at government spending (or any spending for that matter), it is important that we understand what is being purchased and whether there is a value for that investment.We should also ask if the value benefits a narrow group of people or a special interest, or does it have the potential to benefit large groups, even humanity. Clearly, several types of public expenditures can be con sidered investments and they can benefit large groups of people and humanity. So I also look for qualitative factors, such as the ability to inspire others to do hard work, to go the next step, to push the envelope for the next level of advancements for all our benefit.I also look to see if the public expenditure can change lives for the better and, if so, over what period of time. There are several types of public expenditures that can do some of this, but manned space exploration is able to do it all. 3. The space age is 50 years old if we calculate using the launch of Sputnik as the beginning point. Manned flight began with Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin on April 12, 1961, thus manned spaceflight is almost 47 years old.A good portion of our space technology, development, and know-how was developed here on Earth when the two space powers of the time, the USSR and the US, were making treaties to work together in space, prohibit weapons in space, to rescue each other’s astrona uts/cosmonauts if necessary, and to treat celestial bodies in a way that prevented territorial ownership while allowing room for resource development for all mankind. Mankind worked together to prevent conflict in space and these efforts now have a proven and unparallel track record.Today, we have an International Space Station (ISS) with multiple countries working together for its completion, support, science, and management. The ISS Station Agreement is a model agreement that works and the two former Cold War enemies are working together to be the best we humans can be. This has always been the case with manned space exploration, as well as with all of space exploration. Did we have competition? Yes. Do we have conflict and tension? No . No other discipline, activity, venture, or multinational effort has a track record equal to manned space development.While there may be challenges ahead for our space behavior, so far we are doing fine in space, certainly much better with each oth er than we are doing back here on Earth. This is all fine, but how does this translate to manned space exploration being worth the cost to millions of taxpayers when there are other competing and important priorities for a finite amount of taxpayer money? Of course, we say that the entire NASA budget is less than 1% of the entire US budget, but I have found that saying that does not resonate with most people.Still, according to the GPO budget information, the US 2007 budget was about $2. 784 trillion and NASA got a little more than $16 billion. This means all of NASA’s spending is marginally more than half of 1% of the total US budget. In contrast, social programs receive about 98 times the amount of money spent on NASA. Another way of looking at this would be to understand that a 1% reduction in government social expenditures could just about double the NASA budget for any given year. When I started this piece, I said I hear this question a lot.So a few years ago, I decided to see what really happened to a public dollar spent on a good space program in comparison to spending that dollar on an entitlement program as well as a revenue-generating infrastructure program. I used the school breakfast program for the entitlement program. I chose Hoover Dam for the revenue generating infrastructure program. The space program I chose was the manned program to the Moon consisting of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs. Let me briefly summarize what I discovered.All of these programs or other similar programs, if properly managed, can produce benefits in excess to the original invested dollar. There is no guarantee that a program will be properly managed and this includes a space program. Properly managed implies many things, but I don’t think space is any more or less likely to be well managed than anything else the government does. Not all of our space programs made the short list, as I looked at several public space programs for this study before d eciding that our Moon program was the best. A mismanaged space program wastes money, talent, and time just like other programs the government does. I decided to see what really happened to a public dollar spent | |on a good space program in comparison to spending that dollar | |on an entitlement program as well as a revenue-generating | |infrastructure program. | What happened to the dollar invested in each of the respective programs? The school breakfast program was successful, increasing the number of kids getting breakfast. However, when funding for this program or this type of program stops, as soon as the last of the funds goes through the pipeline, the program is over. It has no life past government funding.There was no residual benefit lasting years after the demise of the program. I was unable to find an inspirational or motivational quality for the program leading to downstream business, economics, science, or other advancement and development. One could make the case that kids who benefited from the program went on through school to accomplish great things and I don’t doubt that. I simply could not document it in my research. Hoover Dam was very interesting. This project paid off its bond cost early, was a major contributor to our winning World War 2, and has been a huge economic factor for development in the western part of the country.It’s a major wealth builder for the United States. However, Hoover Dam requires overhead and maintenance investment on a continual basis. It needs repairs, updates, modernization, security, and it employs a labor force. Were we to stop investing in Hoover Dam, over time it would lose its effectiveness and cease to be the value to our nation that it is at this time and has been during its history. Its value to us depends on our willingness to maintain, protect, and update it as necessary.Hoover Dam and Lake Mead have given birth to thousands of private businesses, economic growth for the region, and much more. However, as with the entitlement program above, I could not find an inspirational or motivational aspect to Hoover Dam. I’ve not heard anyone say they wanted to be an engineer because of Hoover Dam. I’m sure this factor exists to one degree or another, but I could not document it either. What I discovered about our manned lunar program was different. When I did this study, it was 34 years after the last dime had been spent on Apollo, the last of the manned Moon programs.Thirty-four years later, when I would ask guests on The Space Show, students, and people I met who were involved in science, engineering, and space-related fields and businesses about what inspired or motivated them to start a space business or pursue their education, over 80% said they were inspired and motivated because of our having gone to the Moon. Businesses were started and are now meeting payrolls, paying taxes, and sustaining economic growth because the founder was inspired by the early d ays of the manned space program, often decades after the program ended!This type of inspiration and motivation seems unique to the manned space program and of late, to some of our robotic space missions. Interestingly, I found the same to be true when I asked the same question to Space Show guests from outside the United States. Thirty-four years after all funding had stopped for the Apollo program, investment and wealth building, both for our nation and others, was still going on as a result of our manned space exploration years earlier. This was a standout feature when comparing manned space exploration to other two types of government spending.As for the return we received on the dollars spent going to the Moon, the results are often controversial and inflated depending on the source. Some specific narrow segments such as medical and other technical fields have returns several hundred times the dollars invested. In fact, one bit of research I found said that the Office of Managem ent and Budget (OMB) had to refute some of very high returns because at the time they could not do the computer work to determine an effective multiplier with so many variables leading to such high outcomes.Overall, the return was probably more modest, perhaps four to seven dollars returned to the taxpayers for each dollar invested. This return outperformed the other investments as well, though in many ways my project was like trying to compare apples and oranges. However, I can accurately report that manned space exploration has the potential to return to the taxpayer many times the dollars initially spent on the program. Since we spend this money right here, employing our own people to do cutting-edge as well as traditional workforce projects, our people and our nation benefits from the manned space program.This means we build wealth for our nation and our people. Equally important, we inspire millions of school children to do the hard schoolwork in math, business, science, engine ering, and finance so they can work in space and related scientific and technical fields. This is important to us all as these disciplines are needed to lead us to new and better ways of living right here on Earth, now and in our future. Finally, we must not forget the spinoff technologies from our entire space program, but especially from manned exploration, and the fact that the manned space rogram continues to generate wealth and investment long after the program has ceased and its federal funding has been terminated. |It’s not just about what we learn out there in space, or about | |ourselves, or how to be a better steward of precious Earth. | |It’s about how we live here on Earth together and what type of | |future we want for ourselves and children. | We have our work cut out for us as we move forward in this new century. We don’t seem to get along well with each other here on Earth, but we do quite well in space.Space is our model for all nations. Notice how many more nations are talking about and wanting to get into the manned space act. India, Russia, China, Japan, and the European Space Agency, for starters, all want a manned mission to the Moon and it won’t stop there. These countries and agencies know that manned space exploration builds wealth for their nation, solves problems and enhances life for their people right here on Earth, and shows us the way for how we can all live together in peace.Manned space exploration is absolutely worth the investment. It’s not just about what we learn out there in space, or about ourselves, or how to be a better steward of precious Earth. It’s about how we live here on Earth together and what type of future we want for ourselves and children. Manned space exploration is the path to how we build a better life for ourselves here on Earth, and how we can give hope and provide inspiration for our youngsters to grow up, do the schoolwork, and accept the challenges that await them to make our world even better.Whatever we spend on manned space exploration is a bargain and our investment will be returned to us many times over, both quantitatively and qualitatively. From my perspective, we are getting this value at a bargain, as if we were all going to the dollar store for an end of the year sale. [pic] Dr. David Livingston ([email  protected] com) is host and founder of The Space Show, the only radio talk show dedicated to expanding space commerce, understanding the importance of becoming a spacefaring culture, and how best to achieve that status.The Space Show’s interviews with national and international space business, development, and science leaders are streamed online and podcasted. All programs are available for free download through The Space Show website. Dr. Livingston holds a Masters and Doctorate in Business Administration and has nearly 40 years of experience managing and starting various types of businesses. David is also a business, financial, and marketing consultant and holds a position as an adjunct professor in the Space Studies Department at the University of North Dakota.

Free Essays on Gays’, Lesbians’, and Bisexuals’ Roles of “Otherness” in Dominant Culture

Gays’, Lesbians’, and Bisexuals’ Roles of â€Å"Otherness† in Dominant Culture Despite no visible differences such as those of ethnicity and race, homosexuals and bisexuals are still commonly defined as â€Å"other† in our society. Based soley on their sexual orientation, gays, lesbians, and bisexuals are continually targetted by intolerance, ignorance, and segregation because of their role as an â€Å"other† in the dominant culture. This â€Å"otherness† is a departure in characteristics and behavior from the range expressed as the local, safe norm. It causes intense concern and an attempt at comprehension. From this, the mind either quickly moves to apprehension, misunderstanding, and fear, or to repulsion and hatred. Although the dominant group’s mindset still exists today, the situation is gradually improving through pro-gay legislation and continually more liberal views pertaining to sexuality. A bisexual friend of mine gave me her opinion when she heard the topic of my â€Å"otherness† paper. â€Å"I don’t feel my ‘otherness’ on a daily basis because of the ease of ‘passing’ in a heterosexual world. Actually, my sexual preference is never an issue until someone makes an ignorant remark or assumption about it,† she told me. The way gays, lesbians, and bisexuals view themselves as a group contradicts the mainstream opinion of the dominant culture. Their sexuality is normal and natural to them, and poses no issue until someone reminds them of their â€Å"otherness†. Many people in the dominant culture emphasize that being gay is a choice. Sexual orientation, whether it be heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual does not appear to be something that one chooses. Recent studies suggest that sexual orientation has a genetic or biological component, and is probably determined before or shortly after birth. Like heterosexual s, gays and lesbians discover their sexuality as a process of maturing; they are not recr... Free Essays on Gays’, Lesbians’, and Bisexuals’ Roles of â€Å"Otherness† in Dominant Culture Free Essays on Gays’, Lesbians’, and Bisexuals’ Roles of â€Å"Otherness† in Dominant Culture Gays’, Lesbians’, and Bisexuals’ Roles of â€Å"Otherness† in Dominant Culture Despite no visible differences such as those of ethnicity and race, homosexuals and bisexuals are still commonly defined as â€Å"other† in our society. Based soley on their sexual orientation, gays, lesbians, and bisexuals are continually targetted by intolerance, ignorance, and segregation because of their role as an â€Å"other† in the dominant culture. This â€Å"otherness† is a departure in characteristics and behavior from the range expressed as the local, safe norm. It causes intense concern and an attempt at comprehension. From this, the mind either quickly moves to apprehension, misunderstanding, and fear, or to repulsion and hatred. Although the dominant group’s mindset still exists today, the situation is gradually improving through pro-gay legislation and continually more liberal views pertaining to sexuality. A bisexual friend of mine gave me her opinion when she heard the topic of my â€Å"otherness† paper. â€Å"I don’t feel my ‘otherness’ on a daily basis because of the ease of ‘passing’ in a heterosexual world. Actually, my sexual preference is never an issue until someone makes an ignorant remark or assumption about it,† she told me. The way gays, lesbians, and bisexuals view themselves as a group contradicts the mainstream opinion of the dominant culture. Their sexuality is normal and natural to them, and poses no issue until someone reminds them of their â€Å"otherness†. Many people in the dominant culture emphasize that being gay is a choice. Sexual orientation, whether it be heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual does not appear to be something that one chooses. Recent studies suggest that sexual orientation has a genetic or biological component, and is probably determined before or shortly after birth. Like heterosexual s, gays and lesbians discover their sexuality as a process of maturing; they are not recr...

Galeries of Paris essays

Galeries of Paris essays At the start or the academic year I attended a study trip to Paris where we visited some of the famous galleries and sights of the capital. As a part of our contextual studies we asked to produce a essay on a exhibition or a gallery of witch seen during the study trip. I have decided to look at two of the famous galleries of the capital witch are the Pompidou and the Muse d'Orsay. I am intending to look at the differences between the buildings and the work that is displayed within. I intend to do this because I find the differences interesting. I am looking at the comparison between the both buildings at two different levels at the simplest level I find it very interesting the way that the both galleries are similar in the way that hold pieces of art but they are both very different in the way that they have been built and designed. The Muse d'Orsay was originally a railway station and then got converted in to a art gallery. Therefore the building is very old and traditional and fits in next to the many other old and famous buildings in Paris, of witch the main feature is the tower clock witch is still there today. Whilst on the other hand the Pompidou is a new and modern building that includes many shapes and colours in the design of the building. This building is not very traditional and in my opinion dose not fit in against many of the old and traditional buildings in the capital. The Pompidou has sparked many debates about its daring and strange architecture. The comparison of the two buildings interests me because eve n though the Pompidou was accepted only slowly and with great difficulty into the rhythm of daily life in the area. But now, the metal and glass parallelepiped air ducts with stairwells stuck onto the outside has a unique central role in the capital. The number of people who visit the building daily is astounding, and for many years it was the most visited museum in Paris. The other level that I am looking at t ...

T4A(P) Tax Slip for Canadian Income Taxes

T4A(P) Tax Slip for Canadian Income Taxes A Canadian T4A(P) tax slip, or Statement of Canada Pension Plan Benefits, is issued by Service Canada to tell you and the Canada Revenue Agency how much you received in Canada Pension Plan  benefits during a tax year and the amount of income tax that was deducted. Canada Pension Plan benefits include retirement, survivor, child, and death benefits. Read on to learn important information about T4A(P) tax slips, including the deadline for submitting them, how to file these forms and what to do if your  T4A(P) is missing. Deadline and Filing the T4A(P) T4A(P) tax slips must be issued by the last day of February the year after the calendar year to which the T4A(P) tax slips apply.  When you file a paper income tax return, include copies of the T4A(P) tax slip you received. You can also file your income tax return using: NETFILE, an electronic tax-filing service that allows you to send your individual income tax and benefit return directly to the CRA​EFILE, where you  prepare your own income tax return then take it to a service provider to file it electronically for a fee In either case,  keep copies of your T4A(P) tax slips with your records for six years in case the CRA asks to see them. Missing Tax Slips If you do not receive your T4A(P) tax slip, contact Service Canada at  1-800-277-9914  during regular business hours. You will be asked for your Social Insurance Number. Even if you havent received your T4A(P) tax slip, file your income tax return by the deadline anyway to avoid penalties for filing your income taxes late. Calculate your Canada Pension Plan benefits as well as deductions and credits you can claim using any information you have. Include a note saying what you have done to get a copy of the missing tax slip. Include copies of any statements and information you used in calculating the benefits income and deductions for the missing tax slip. Tax Slip Information You can see what a  T4A(P) tax slip  looks like via the CRA website. You will also find more information about what is included in each box on the T4A(P) and how to deal with it when filing your income tax return through the site. Access more information on what is listed on specific boxes of the T4A(P), including: Taxable CPP benefitsIncome tax deductedYour retirement benefitSurvivor benefit The web page also provides information on the child, death, post-retirement benefits, and more. Other T4 Tax Slips Other T4 tax information slips include: T4:  Statement of remuneration paidT4A: Statement of pension, retirement, annuity, and other incomeT4A(OAS):  Statement of old age securityT4E: statement of Employment Insurance and other benefits Familiarize yourself with these tax slips to ensure that you file your taxes correctly but also receive all of the benefits you are owed.

The Betrayal in Hamlet Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

The Betrayal in Hamlet - Essay Example Hamlet's insanity is philosophical, the result of brooding upon his father's death and learning the truth about it. Ophelia's insanity is often portrayed as the result of being a woman, a person for whom emotion trumps reason, who cannot be held accountable for her actions as a result of her gender. Although this is true as Showalter explains it, modern readers can still create a new picture of Ophelia, as an intelligent woman who defies society's expectations by thinking for herself, even as others manipulate her for their own gain. Ophelia's first appearance in the play is at her brother Laertes's side; the time and place of her life requires that, if Ophelia is to be a good girl, she will always be governed by trusted men. Her brother engages in the family pastime of giving unwanted advice in long, lofty monologues. He says straight off, "For Hamlet and the trifling of his favor, Hold it a fashion and a toy in bloodnot permanent, sweet, not lasting" (I. iii. 5-8). Laertes anticipates Hamlet's betrayal of his sister, and Ophelia seems to understand what he is saying. But we can assign a degree of independence to Ophelia in his conversation; she accepts his warning lightly and then turns it around, suggesting that Laertes is giving good advice, which he himself needs to follow. When her father, Polonius, quizzes her on the same subject, she is slightly more forthcoming, but she also argues in Hamlet's favor, calling his wooing of her "honorable" (I. iii. 110) and "holy" (I. iii. 114). At the end of the scene, P olonius tells her to avoid Hamlet, and she promises to do so. Modern readers are left to wonder the men's motivations. Do they care for Ophelia, or is she a commodity whose worth could be compromised They do not trust her to make the right decision on her own, but force her into dangerous situations for their own reasons. When next we see Ophelia, she is reporting to her father on Hamlet's frightening behavior. Although she has tried to avoid him, he bursts in on her private quarters and acts crazy, grabbing her arm staring at her in a scary way. Ophelia is still behaving essentially according to expectation, coming to her father for help. She tells him she has acted "as you did command" (II. i. 108), and even Polonius believes it may be his advice that has provokes such a response. Not long after that, everyone starts to worry about Hamlet's bizarre behavior. The king, with Polonius, decides to set up a situation in which the two men can observe the young people together and determine whether Ophelia is the reason for Hamlet's madness, and in this scene, Shakespeare plants the beginnings of Ophelia's madness in Hamlet's lies and contradictions. Here her mind turns to melancholy. She sees herself "of all ladies most deject and wretched" (III. i. 158), but not before she laments the poison that infect s Hamlet. Meanwhile, her father and the king disagree on the effect of their pawn sacrifice, not considering the extent to which they have really sacrificed her. Without this external manipulation, Ophelia might have been safer. Again, in Ophelia's next scene, she is forced to contend with Hamlet's changing madness, as he flirts outrageously with her in front of both of their families and actually

Problem set22 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Problem set22 - Assignment Example Based on the presented data regarding the phonology of Ojibwa native language, the morphemes meaning â€Å"I† and "you" take the forms of Verbs animate intransitive (vai) as they are primarily used to refer to animate subjects rather than objects. In this regard, when using the morphemes meaning â€Å"I† and â€Å"you† the verb conjugates or changes their forms depending on the number and person. However, personal affixes are used in conjugation as opposed to personal pronouns. b. Yes, the allomorphs for I† are in a complementary distribution while the allomorphs for â€Å"you† .This is particularly because the allomorphs for I† only appears before the voiceless [-voice] consonants while the allomorphs for â€Å"you† comes before voiced [+voice] consonants and in open syllables. a. What happens to the final consonants of in each of the two children’s language is that the first child (Child1) omits the voice stops and devoice [z] while child 2(the second child) seems to be devoicing the final consonants. However, not all the consonants behave the same way. I would argue that although the statement â€Å"I won’t get nothin’ seems illogical because it involves two negatives, it makes sense in that it has been used in an informal way as seen in the use of the word nothin to mean â€Å"nothing’ I observed a female and a male talking in a popular TV program. Differences between male and female have existed and in different dimensions (Holtgraves, 2013). It has been said that the use of words would tell more about a person’s social inclination and feeling. When it comes to gender differentiation based on the use of language, many differences can be identified. A lot of research has been carried out to identify the linguistic differences between the two genders (Charness & Gneezy, 2012). The common question has been to which extent does each gender use words showing differences from each other? Do differences in language use exist in the current world? If so how

Exploring The Paranormal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Exploring The Paranormal - Essay Example Such occurrences have long been an aspect of academic discourse. Milbourne, a scholarly author, notes that in the early 20th century a scientific experiment was established with three psychic mediums and a price of $2,500 if they could prove the existence of such powers (Brown 67). The study revealed that none of the participants were able to prove, under scientific circumstances, existence of paranormal spirits.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Another frequent area of exploration for Ghost Adventures is the proof of ghosts through discovery of ‘evidence’. For example, in one episode they claim to locate hard evidence of a ghost through infrared capture. They indicate that the heat on display is clear evidence of a ghost. Scientific research, however, has indicated that, â€Å"Once again there is no scientific evidence to suggest that ghosts will emit or interfere with electromagnetic fields† â€Å"Paranormal Investigation in New Zealand†. This evidence is in direct contrast to claims made in the television program that the images they have located on their device truly indicated that paranormal activity is occurring. Another prominent occurrence in the television program is the implementation of traces on an electromagnetic spectrum. In the television program they utilize this to indicate that a ghost truly exists. However, researchers have noted that, â€Å"A range of sources would need to be eliminated before you could then conclude that there was a field from an unknown origin – but then it would just be that – a field of an unknown origin. You could not then conclude it was a ghost† (Radin 67). The director of the movie speculated that there might have been a ghost in the areas they were checking therefore, they had no evidence to prove this. This is evidenced by the dark settings in the movie. The general cinematography of the Ghosts Adventures is breathtaking. The dark and dull background brings the black scary color that is usually

Deviance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Deviance - Essay Example The acquired historical sources were applied for life course perspective which has been a very valuable asset in modern criminology. It helps to find out whether the offenders have suffered from stigma / criminal label through an examination of four demographic events a) relocation b) matrimony c) career growth and d) death. Yes label had its own repercussions in changing the course of life of a criminal dramatically. â€Å"Deviance Is Not A Quality Of The Act The Person Commits But Rather A Consequence Of The Application By Others Of Rules And Sanctions To An Offender† (Becker, 1963: 9). Introduction It is matter of fact that the offenders upon release from the incarceration found limited opportunities for them to grab lucrative jobs. The available data does not disclose how offenders experienced their life in prisons and how other peoples around them viewed it. There is every reason to believe that the laws have chosen its own path which of course was not similar to that pat h of non criminals. Whatever study conducted so far, indicates the difficult lives of the criminals in and out side the prison. The most difficult phase in their life is the indifferent attitude of the society1. We cite here case example of law breaker Jonas Petter Wedin, who was born and brought up in a farmer’s home. His father was died of a natural death leaving behind a widow and five children with no source of income to live on. His mother and five brothers and sisters made to live on the goodwill of others. That compelled him to join the criminals to earn livelihood for him and for other family members. Discussion Deviance In sociological term, deviance is the behaviour of the offender against the acceptable norms of a society. Hence, it is the area of sociologists, psychologists and criminologists to study and find out the causes of abnormal behaviour of the offenders against the society’s norms and why they insist to follow their own rules and regulations2. Vio lation of Social Norms In fact norms, rules, regulations and expectations are the guiding principals to live in a society peacefully. Deviations of mentioned norms reflect the failure of an offender to comply with the set standards of life. They do not believe in â€Å"live and let live others†. However, social norms vary from culture to culture (e.g. in USA, one has to see eye to eye while having a word with each other whereas in Asia averting eyes is a symbol of politeness and respect. However, direct eye contact in Asia during conversation is considered rude), location to location and country to country e.g., a deviant act if committed in one culture, location or country may not necessarily be considered as abnormal attitude in other culture, location and the country3. Reactive construction We observed in day to day life that specific condition compels minority of a society to keep them aloof. We all agree on this point that killing of a human being neither permissible nor appreciable in any society, unless it specifically permitted by the government in time of war or in self defence4. Component of Social Deviant Behaviour Review of the deviant behaviour indicates three broad social segments i.e. structural, symbolic and conflict. Structural functionalism Individuals may commit crimes on account

Leadership Characteristics Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Leadership Characteristics - Research Paper Example â€Å"Student leaders who possess high self concept often strive for self-development† (Ahmad, Ghazali, and Hassan, 2011, p. 24). Trustworthiness of a leader plays an integral role in his/her success in the contemporary age of competition (Caldwell, Hayes, and Long, 2010, p. 497). Hence, both self-confidence and trustworthiness of an individual are equally important in making him/her effective as a leader. A leader has several motives. Drive means a leader’s motivation to achieve the goal. Tenacity means the leader’s strength or cohesiveness with the followers. Resilience means the power of a leader to take pressure and yet deliver the work. I believe that there are both positive and negative motives for leadership. â€Å"[Positive Leadership] motives that have received most attention are those of power, affiliation and achievement† (Marti, Gil, and Barrasa, 2009, p. 268). The negative motives for leadership include aggression, and authoritarian style. For example, tenacity helps a leader overcome obstacles. â€Å"[A]long with basic leadership essentials such as honesty and integrity, tenaciously seeking the truth is one of the most important characteristics a leader can have† (Harms, 2006, p. 49). Likewise, resilience helps a leader make informed decisions in the times of extreme pressure. Once, I was made the leader of a project in school. I had four members in my group excluding me. We had to make a group presentation. As the leader, factors that were within my control were roles of individual group members that I could assign as per my wish, the schedule for making the presentation, and the professional standards to be followed in the presentation. Factors that were beyond my control in that group project included occasional dissatisfaction of the group members with their roles, grudges between the group members leading them to interpersonal conflicts, and limitation of the resources for the project since we had to complete it within

Teachers Collaborating to Help Students with Epilepsy Research Paper

Teachers Collaborating to Help Students with Epilepsy - Research Paper Example While this collaboration holds weight on all instances, its significance increases substantially in instances of extreme difficulty, such as presence of illnesses in students. Epilepsy: Epilepsy is a brain disorder characterized by repeated seizures over time. Seizures are sporadic episodes of perturbing brain activity that causes changes in attention and behavior. Defining Seizures: Seizures are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The symptoms and affects of the seizure will depend on the area of the brain affected. The organ which is affected depends upon what part of the brain is affected. Seizures are classified into two types: Focal seizures and generalized seizures. Focal seizures start in any one area of the brain and may or may not spread across other areas of the body. Generalized seizures result from abnormal neuronal activities on both parts of the brain. Simple Focal seizures are guilty of causing unusual sensations, movements and feelings; however, they are not the cause of loss of consciousness. Complex focal seizures can be the cause of loss of consciousness and can produce dreamlike experiences or repetitive behavior. The area at which these focal seizures begin is what defines these seizures. E.g. Epilepsy of the temporal lobe originates on the temporal lobes of the brain (National Institute of Health, 2007). Generalized seizures are known to cause massive muscle spasms, loss of consciousness and falls. Generalized seizures have several subtypes. Some of the key types of generalized seizures are: Absence Seizures: Absence Seizures are characterized by symptoms that cause victims to stare into space or jerking and twitching of muscles. They are known to start during childhood or adolescence. Tonic Seizures: They cause stiffening of muscles. Clonic Seizures: This form of generalized seizures causes repeated jerking of movement on both sides of the body. Myoclonic Seizures: Myoclonic seizures cause twitches, jerks, and sporadic mu scle movements in the upper body, arms and legs. Atonic seizures: Loss of normal muscle tone which can lead to sudden drops of the head is caused by atonic seizures. Epilepsy, which is characterized by Seizures, is also divided into different types. Several syndromes of epilepsy are identified by researches; while some of them are recognized as hereditary, the causes of other syndromes are not known (Wyllie, 2007). Epileptic syndrome classification uses the terms symptomatic, idiopathic and cryptogenic. Seizures that have a known underlying cause are characterized as symptomatic. Idiopathic seizures are seizures which do not have a known cause. Cryptogenic seizures are seizures which have a suspected cause but the cause is not known for certainty (National Institute of Health, 2007). Location Related Epilepsy: This form of epilepsy consists of focal seizures. This form of epilepsy constitutes an EEG pattern, characteristic of focal electrical abnormality. The prognosis of location r elated epilepsy is very difficult and depends upon location of the brain abnormality (Engel, Pedley, & Aicardi, 2008). West’s Syndrome/ Infantile Spasms Infantile spasms fall under the symptomatic generalized epilepsy. They are found mostly in children of the age from 3 months to 3 years, associated with sudden epileptic flexor spasms and extreme risk for cognitive impairment. During the episode, the affected child may suddenly flex his limbs, flex forward at the trunk and cry. This episode is transient,

Leadership Characteristics Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Leadership Characteristics - Research Paper Example â€Å"Student leaders who possess high self concept often strive for self-development† (Ahmad, Ghazali, and Hassan, 2011, p. 24). Trustworthiness of a leader plays an integral role in his/her success in the contemporary age of competition (Caldwell, Hayes, and Long, 2010, p. 497). Hence, both self-confidence and trustworthiness of an individual are equally important in making him/her effective as a leader. A leader has several motives. Drive means a leader’s motivation to achieve the goal. Tenacity means the leader’s strength or cohesiveness with the followers. Resilience means the power of a leader to take pressure and yet deliver the work. I believe that there are both positive and negative motives for leadership. â€Å"[Positive Leadership] motives that have received most attention are those of power, affiliation and achievement† (Marti, Gil, and Barrasa, 2009, p. 268). The negative motives for leadership include aggression, and authoritarian style. For example, tenacity helps a leader overcome obstacles. â€Å"[A]long with basic leadership essentials such as honesty and integrity, tenaciously seeking the truth is one of the most important characteristics a leader can have† (Harms, 2006, p. 49). Likewise, resilience helps a leader make informed decisions in the times of extreme pressure. Once, I was made the leader of a project in school. I had four members in my group excluding me. We had to make a group presentation. As the leader, factors that were within my control were roles of individual group members that I could assign as per my wish, the schedule for making the presentation, and the professional standards to be followed in the presentation. Factors that were beyond my control in that group project included occasional dissatisfaction of the group members with their roles, grudges between the group members leading them to interpersonal conflicts, and limitation of the resources for the project since we had to complete it within

Over the next several decades multinationals from emerging economies Essay

Over the next several decades multinationals from emerging economies are likely to become a key force in the shaping of the glob - Essay Example However, over a certain period of time, the emergence of a significant number of rising markets as well as ostensible deterioration in developed markets have been observed. Nowadays, a huge exodus of MNCs from developed economies to emerging economies has been observed. A majority of MNCs have found favourable working conditions and are establishing themselves in the developing economies. In this effect, MNCs from developing economies are bound to become a major force in determining the international competitive landscape (Roach, 2007). Considering this aspect, the discussion is based on evaluating the validity of the statement that in next several decades, MNCs from emerging economies are likely to become a key force for shaping the global competitive landscape. ... MNCs from emerging economies usually obtain leverage from inexpensive labour, favourable trade principles and overall inducements to expand the business itself. Apparently, not just the MNCs are impacted by international expansion, the host nation’s economic environment and organisational experience are also impacted by MNCs. A proliferation of MNCs from emerging economies can lead to increased competition, augmented innovation in markets, better rearrangement of resources and increased job opportunities (Ernst & Young Global Limited, n.d.). MNCs of Emerging Economies as Key Force in Shaping Global Competitive Landscape In present days, emerging markets serve as an inducer of economic growth for entire world. The emerging economies have stronger potentiality of growth in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at Purchasing Power Parity (PPP). According to the estimation of World Bank, the market size of E7 economies will become 64% larger in comparison to present G7 (Pricewater houseCoopers LLP, 2011). A significant convergence has been observed between E7 and G7 in recent times, which was accelerated by international economic recession of 2007. In 2007, the total GDP at PPP of G7 nations was almost 60% bigger than E7 nations. In 2010, it has been observed that the gap between GDP at PPP had shrivelled by 35%. The major drivers for growth of E7 nations are China and India (PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 2011). The following table shows the GDP at PPP in 2009 and estimation at 2050: Rank in 2009 Country GDP at PPP in US$ billion Rank in 2050 Country GDP at PPP in US$ billion 1 US 14256 1 China 59475 2 China 8888 2 India 43180 3 Japan 4138 3 US 37876 4 India 3752 4

Key To Success For Implementation Of IMC

Key To Success For Implementation Of IMC The emergence of integrated marketing communications (IMC) has developed into one of the most significant example of growth and expansion in the marketing discipline (Kitchen, 2003). It has influenced acting and thinking among companies but also state owned companies, authorities and political parties, all facing the realities of rivalry in an open economy (Smith, 1996). Today, integrated communications has developed into an expansive discipline that links marketing to a number of other grounds, including corporate culture, corporate design, corporate communication and public relations (Christensen et al., 2008). IMC has received significant interest in both the practitioner and academic communities, since the beginning. The interest played to IMC is largely a purpose of its strong appeal which makes good sense. Its been more than a decade since the concept was first introduced but however most major businesses have yet to fully apply the ideas contained in the IMC. In fact Schultz, et. al. (1992) state that recognition of IMC has not been as rapid as they thought. The benefits of IMC that Smith et al. (1999) identified are the following: All of the market communications are controlled and managed by the IMC. IMC ensures that brand positioning, personality and messages are conveyed to each part of communication which are delivered from a single reliable strategy. It is said that Relationship Marketing strengthens a bond of devotion with consumers which can also protect them from the competition. It is a great advantage to keep a consumer for life. IMC can increase the sales by extending messages across numerous communication tools to generate more ways for consumers to be aware of the product and to make a purchase. IMC reduces duplication in photography and graphics as they can be shared in advertising and exhibitions. A single agency is used for all communications so the agency fee is reduced or even if many agencies are used, time is as meetings get all the agencies together for strategic planning or briefings. Thus, it decreases workload and stress levels. Successful IMC campaign needs to find the firm a correct mixture of promotional techniques and tools that define their tasks and the level to which they should be used, and manage their use appropriately. IMC helps in making the communications effective and efficient amongst companies through various concepts such as customer focus, customer empowerment, brand resonance, immersive marketing and emotional bonding. If correctly implemented, the IMC plan could collect data and implement response based on the previously gathered data. Marketing communications derived from the consumer need is able to build value into the service or product and divide it from the competition in the customers minds. BARRIERS TO IMC IMPLEMENTATION Marketers appear to be tired when it comes to modifying the change and investment in their approach to marketing communications. The discussion concerning what marketing communications can be predictable to accomplish has been going on for very long ( Ambler, 2000). In the middle of the rising identification that advertising; mostly in the grown markets mainly carries out a reminder purpose focused largely on protecting the existing market-share. Both the agencies and clients have challenges in generating and implementing the efficient communications agenda. All areas of the diverse marketing communication business carry on to face instability among the media, declining audience and the internet (Douglas, 2003). All this are making the companies reconsider the blend of marketing communication tools with consequences for the usual mass media which may not be capable to gather the wants of the 21st century customers and find their market shares wear down despite of the synergies occurr ing from tactical associations in the media business (Davis and Craft, 2000). Another concern is regarding the advertising practitioners where an occurrence of inside-out idea and practice overcomes (Kitchen and de Pelsmacker, 2004). There are various tactical subjects of concern in the broader discussion concerning the development of IMC along with the long term involvement to marketing practice and theory (Gould, 2000). Duncan (2005) advocated the tactical forecasting and examining of brand relationships is who as well said that priority ought to be given to their most important consumers. But, so far, there is very little proof of purchaser value being resolute by any segment of IMC (Garber and Dotson, 2002). In spite of huge investments, the relationship amongst the multiplicity of IMC and customers is not well understood. Though, observed evidence of the effects of mixtures of media, like print advertising and television (Jin, 2004) is rising. According to the consumer driven strategy, IMC is the main organization of all the brand contact points. Different levels exist, where such integration takes place. The different levels would be the following. Level 1 Tactical co-ordination Level 2 Redefining the scope of marketing communication Level 3 Application of IT Level 4 Strategic and Financial Integration Key to success for implementation of IMC IMC is a theory that must be implemented logically and simultaneously at all levels and functions of a corporation. Marketing functions and Public relations are not the only programs that are integrated which makes the company an example of IMC (Low, 2000). The key tip is to be careful of companies with strong marketing cultures, because topics like corporate reputation will take a back seat to the provincialism of brand management (Pettegrew, 2000). Functional and Structural issues must become a critical part of any effective IMC series. Of particular importance is beginning with a communication czar who will become the principles and evangelist of the IMC implementation attempt (Reid, 2005). Any IMC program must be personalized to the unique character of a particular organizational culture. For an IMC program to work successfully, it must reflect the distinctive culture in which it must function well. EXAMPLES: In spite of the demand, the IMC premise fails to take into account the way most companies are structured and functioned. Many corporations that are believed to be examples of IMC; fail to maintain the IMC principles on a company basis. The examples of Nike and Proctor Gamble will disclose that neither of these companies are functionally or structurally integrated public relations and employee communications with their marketing roles. NIKE Nike- the athletic footwear and attire manufacturer, has been cited as an example of IMC excellence and marketing. In a cover story from Fortune, (Hamel, 1997) states: Ask Nike- CEO Phil Knight what he likes to do best, and he does not falter a beat, he likes to break things. then in the 1980s, he turned his booming athletic shoe corporation into a marketing machine, saturating the airwaves with drastic commercials that highlighted emotion rather than the product. Schultz, et. al. (1992) publicized Nikes success in their IMC book: The thinking behind IMC is that every statement logo, price, promotion, label, distribution should be created to help convince the intention of the competitive advantage. Duncan and Caywood (1996) also include Nike among several companies that have been tremendously successful and based on observation, they are doing brilliant jobs of integrating their communication labors. Nikes breaking the marketing rules of the athletic footwear business which has come at a cost paid by its worldwide company reputation. Given these setbacks, one could argue that Phil Knights tactical wisdom for Nike is more alike to original advertising and horizontal integration than true IMC. There is a little proof that Nikes victory was achieved by the tactical management of all messages and media used by an organization to jointly influence its perceived brand value (Keegan, Moriarty Duncan, 1992). There are missteps that suggest Nikes marketing communications which may not be so ideal. For example, in 1997, Nike followed its patently bold and brash in your face marketing formula in an attempt to gain market share in an international soccer (Thurow, 1997). In Spain, an overwhelmingly Catholic nation, Nike introduced a commercial of Satan and his demons playing against a team of Nike endorsers. Spain refused to allow the commercial to air during primetime. Nike also placed an advertisement in Soccer American magazine saying: Europe, Asia and Latin America: Barricade your stadiums. Hide your trophies. Invest in some deodorant, as Asia and Latin America have been crushed. So will Europe. The world has been warned (Thurow, 1997). And finally, Nike ran an ad on British TV featuring a controversial French soccer player who detailed how spitting at a fan and insulting his coach had won him a Nike contract. Far from having an insight into the soccer market from the customers point of v iew and gaining ground against rival Adidas, Nike garnered a scathing editorial in the International Federation of Football Associations newsletter. Another recent evidence that says Nike is hardly the quintessential IMC company. Nike groped and allowed accusations of child-labor sweatshops in Asia that subcontract the manufacturing of Nike shoes to fester. In 1999, a team of journalists went to document the conditions for themselves, but Nike shut the factories. Prior to this series of incidents, widely published news stories detailed incidents in which poor children in the inner-city were robbing, stealing and seriously injuring peers to obtain expensive Nike shoes such as Air Jordans. Publicly Nike ignored these charges for years. Considering these two incidents, there was a genuine public relation crisis where any company engaged in lawful IMC could have anticipated before it became a crisis. Instead, Nike just kept on marketing until crisis overwhelmed it. Nikes power as an IMC example is, at best overstated. Harris (1998) argues: That master marketer of our times, Phil Knight, likes to point out that while an ad page in Sports Illustrated costs $150,000, no amount of money can buy the front cover where swoosh-bearing athletes appear with great frequency. The omnipresent swoosh has a 90 percent-plus awareness among consumers, enabling it to stand alone. Many seasoned public relations professionals are quick to admit that companies that live by extraordinary market exposure can also die by the same token. In a recent effort to distance itself from its public relations problems, Nike first tried to eliminate its swoosh from its marketing campaigns and replace it with a kinder-friendlier marketing approach that emphasizes fair labor practices, the global community and environment. PROCTER GAMBLE Procter Gamble (PG) is considered by academic scholars to be a world-class marketing company and is said to stand 6th in Fortunes Most Admired Companies 2010 list (Wikipedia). Similar to the Nike brand, PG possesses some of the most particular brands in the world like Tide detergent, Duncan Hines cake mix, Jiff peanut butter, Crest toothpaste and Cover Girl cosmetics. It also has dominant market share with many of its leading brands. Even though, PGs marketing command has a record of external internal communication mistakes suggestive of Nike. PG openly misused both the Rely Tampon crisis and allegations that their packaging sign recognized the companys satanic links. It was said that PG lost face openly and separated employees when it was exposed that the company had phone-tapped a few staffs they had assumed of revealing business information. This was followed by a job of dealing with some of the physiological effects of its new replacement, Olestra. Without bearing in mind the public comeback, they allowed their scientists to name the release of Olestra, anal leakage (Henkoff, 1996), raising an additional sign of public controversy. Recently, PG shot itself in the business reputational base again. The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) declared to the media that PG anticipated to meet its earnings forecast for the end of the quarter. Few weeks later, new CEO, Durk Jager was forced to declare to the same media that they had incorrectly over-estimated their periodical income and that the business would fall very short of its periodical earnings forecast. Over the following week, the companys stock fell sharply as financial markets and shareholders lost faith in the respected company. The Board of Directors of PG then fired Mr. Jager. New CEO, A.G. Lafley must now try to recover the market share and end the defections of many of the companys finest and brightest to the hi-tech industry. Regardless of Harris (1998) categorization to the opposite, these exemplars explain just how far away PG has been working from the essential IMC state of speaking to all stakeholders with a single voice (Schultz, et. Al., 1992). THE PROBLEM WITH IMPLEMENTING AT THE HIGHER LEVEL OF MANAGEMENT Nike and PG do a wonderful job with the marketing side of IMC without incorporating their employee and public relation functions, their company reputations have suffered. IMC theory has given a short shrift to the organizational barriers that often avoid companies from implementing IMC effectively. BARRIERS BETWEEN THE COMPANIES [NIKE AND PG] I have argued that two companies Nike and Procter Gamble, fall far short of the IMC model. Neither company has effectively integrated its many communication functions seamlessly. Both companies are very strong in terms of marketing, but they remain weak in employee communications, public relations or both. The question is, how do companies like these miss the IMC mark? The answer would be to a great level in their organizational structures. Both- Nike and PG are marketing organizations, organized around product marketing. PG demonstrates a brand management association where both staff and line functions are positioned within a companys various brands or products. While, PGs organizational structure has developed over the years, staff communication functions such as public relations and employee communications are organized around and directly support each brand or group of brands. Brands get the most resources and use huge internal influence. Beginning in June 1999, PG undertook a new organizational proposal that created a unit called Global Business Services providing a centralized staff support service across all of its Global Business Units (GBUs). Prior to this idea, each brand unit had its own communication staff functions with little company-wide centralization and control. While Nike uses another form of organization, its purpose and structure still highlight marketing its products and services. CEO- Phillip Knight is Nikes marketing chief and until its recent reputational woes, exemplified its bold approach to the market (Thurow, 1997). Most of the marketing decisions are made by the heads of these business units without the kind of teamwork and central planning required by IMC. Staff communication functions like investor relations, public affairs and human resources have traditionally played support roles. CONCLUSION The concept of IMC is a good one but it only exists at lower level management and not the higher level management and reasons for it are very clearly stated in the passage above.

Free My Antonia Essays: The Growth of Jim Burden :: My Antonia Essays

The Growth of Jim Burden in My Antonia "The movement from possession to loss, from union to separation, is the deep and central pattern of Jim Burden's experience in My Antonia." (Fisher-Wirth) I believe that this quote given by the critic Fisher-Wirth somewhat explains the life of Jim Burden and that although he went through both gains and losses throughout his life; he learned the meaning and purpose of his life with Antonia. In the beginning of the novel, Jim had a family but was soon abandoned by them do to both of their deaths. He was then on his way to his grandparents house in Nebraska to begin a new and different life. At this point, he began a union with both his grandparents as well as Antonia. Antonia and Jim became very close friends and went through many childhood experiences together. Their friendship was soon torn apart when Ambrosch and Jake engaged in a quarrel which separated the two families for quite some time. But once again, the families resolve their differences and become close again. (Chapter 1) When Chapter 2 begins, Jim and his family are separated from Antonia's because of their new move to town. After this separation, Jim and Antonia were brought together again when Antonia came to work in town. This pattern repeats once again as the result of Jim going off to college. He loses touch with Antonia but then, through Lena, becomes connected to Antonia again. As a result of this, Jim goes back home to visit for a short time and then leaves for New York. Finally, twenty years later, Jim travels back to see Antonia and her new, "enlarged" family. He was glad to see that Antonia was finally happy again and enjoyed meeting all her children as well as her husband. With Jim's trip back to Black Hawk, he was able to tie his whole life together. After leaving Antonia's home, Jim felt that his life had made a circle. He realized that through all his gains and losses, the past that he shared with Antonia was so precious. Free My Antonia Essays: The Growth of Jim Burden :: My Antonia Essays The Growth of Jim Burden in My Antonia "The movement from possession to loss, from union to separation, is the deep and central pattern of Jim Burden's experience in My Antonia." (Fisher-Wirth) I believe that this quote given by the critic Fisher-Wirth somewhat explains the life of Jim Burden and that although he went through both gains and losses throughout his life; he learned the meaning and purpose of his life with Antonia. In the beginning of the novel, Jim had a family but was soon abandoned by them do to both of their deaths. He was then on his way to his grandparents house in Nebraska to begin a new and different life. At this point, he began a union with both his grandparents as well as Antonia. Antonia and Jim became very close friends and went through many childhood experiences together. Their friendship was soon torn apart when Ambrosch and Jake engaged in a quarrel which separated the two families for quite some time. But once again, the families resolve their differences and become close again. (Chapter 1) When Chapter 2 begins, Jim and his family are separated from Antonia's because of their new move to town. After this separation, Jim and Antonia were brought together again when Antonia came to work in town. This pattern repeats once again as the result of Jim going off to college. He loses touch with Antonia but then, through Lena, becomes connected to Antonia again. As a result of this, Jim goes back home to visit for a short time and then leaves for New York. Finally, twenty years later, Jim travels back to see Antonia and her new, "enlarged" family. He was glad to see that Antonia was finally happy again and enjoyed meeting all her children as well as her husband. With Jim's trip back to Black Hawk, he was able to tie his whole life together. After leaving Antonia's home, Jim felt that his life had made a circle. He realized that through all his gains and losses, the past that he shared with Antonia was so precious.

Uses of Archetype, Foreshadow, and Symbolism in One Hundred Years of So

Uses of Archetype, Foreshadow, and Symbolism in One Hundred Years of Solitude Throughout all works of world literature, certain passages will have special significance to the plot progression of that novel. This key passage must provide insight upon the overall theme of that work through characterization, symbolism, and imagery. In Gabriel García Márquez's novel One Hundred Years of Solitude, the passage selected for commentary uses the literary techniques of archetype, foreshadow, and symbolism to inform characterization. The concept of consanguineous love affairs is also reinforced in this passage along with the idea of the necessity of outside influence on a family. These concepts inform the characterization of all of the characters presented and provides insight on the cyclic nature of the Buendía family history. From the beginning of the passage, García Márquez demonstrates that outside influences are beginning to impact the Buendía family lineage. The newborn son of Aureliano Segundo by Fernanda del Carpio, José Arcadio, is described as having "no mark of a Buendía." This shows the family's shift from repeated love affairs involving family members, such as that of the first José Arcadio and Rebeca. Also, the newborn's lack of a mark eludes to Fernanda's gaining power within the family; no mark of the traditional Buendía, Úrsula, is to be found. This idea is further suggested when Fernanda does not hesitate in naming him José Arcadio, despite Úrsula's doubts. This shows Úrsula's ability, having been the supreme matron of the Buendía family over... ...ir respective names and dressed them in different colored clothing marked with each one's initials, but when they began to go to school they decided to exchange clothing and bracelets and call each other by opposite names. The teacher, Melchor Escalona, used to knowing José Arcadio Segundo by his green shirt, went out of his mind when he discovered the latter was wearing Aureliano Segundo's bracelet and that the other one said, nevertheless, that his name was Aureliano Segundo in spite of the fact that he was wearing the white shirt and the bracelet with José Arcadio Segundo's name. From then on he was never sure who was who. Even when they grew up and life made them different, Úrsula still wondered if they themselves might not have made a mistake in some moment of their intricate game of confusion and had become changed forever.

A Game of Thrones Chapter Ten

Jon Jon climbed the steps slowly, trying not to think that this might be the last time ever. Ghost padded silently beside him. Outside, snow swirled through the castle gates, and the yard was all noise and chaos, but inside the thick stone walls it was still warm and quiet. Too quiet for Jon's liking. He reached the landing and stood for a long moment, afraid. Ghost nuzzled at his hand. He took courage from that. He straightened, and entered the room. Lady Stark was there beside his bed. She had been there, day and night, for close on a fortnight. Not for a moment had she left Bran's side. She had her meals brought to her there, and chamber pots as well, and a small hard bed to sleep on, though it was said she had scarcely slept at all. She fed him herself, the honey and water and herb mixture that sustained life. Not once did she leave the room. So Jon had stayed away. But now there was no more time. He stood in the door for a moment, afraid to speak, afraid to come closer. The window was open. Below, a wolf howled. Ghost heard and lifted his head. Lady Stark looked over. For a moment she did not seem to recognize him. Finally she blinked. â€Å"What are you doing here?† she asked in a voice strangely flat and emotionless. â€Å"I came to see Bran,† Jon said. â€Å"To say good-bye.† Her face did not change. Her long auburn hair was dull and tangled. She looked as though she had aged twenty years. â€Å"You've said it. Now go away.† Part of him wanted only to flee, but he knew that if he did he might never see Bran again. He took a nervous step into the room. â€Å"Please,† he said. Something cold moved in her eyes. â€Å"I told you to leave,† she said. â€Å"We don't want you here.† Once that would have sent him running. Once that might even have made him cry. Now it only made him angry. He would be a Sworn Brother of the Night's Watch soon, and face worse dangers than Catelyn Tully Stark. â€Å"He's my brother,† he said. â€Å"Shall I call the guards?† â€Å"Call them,† Jon said, defiant. â€Å"You can't stop me from seeing him.† He crossed the room, keeping the bed between them, and looked down on Bran where he lay. She was holding one of his hands. It looked like a claw. This was not the Bran he remembered. The flesh had all gone from him. His skin stretched tight over bones like sticks. Under the blanket, his legs bent in ways that made Jon sick. His eyes were sunken deep into black pits; open, but they saw nothing. The fall had shrunken him somehow. He looked half a leaf, as if the first strong wind would carry him off to his grave. Yet under the frail cage of those shattered ribs, his chest rose and fell with each shallow breath. â€Å"Bran,† he said, â€Å"I'm sorry I didn't come before. I was afraid.† He could feel the tears rolling down his cheeks. Jon no longer cared. â€Å"Don't die, Bran. Please. We're all waiting for you to wake up. Me and Robb and the girls, everyone . . . â€Å" Lady Stark was watching. She had not raised a cry. Jon took that for acceptance. Outside the window, the direwolf howled again. The wolf that Bran had not had time to name. â€Å"I have to go now,† Jon said. â€Å"Uncle Benjen is waiting. I'm to go north to the Wall. We have to leave today, before the snows come.† He remembered how excited Bran had been at the prospect of the journey. It was more than he could bear, the thought of leaving him behind like this. Jon brushed away his tears, leaned over, and kissed his brother lightly on the lips. â€Å"I wanted him to stay here with me,† Lady Stark said softly. Jon watched her, wary. She was not even looking at him. She was talking to him, but for a part of her, it was as though he were not even in the room. â€Å"I prayed for it,† she said dully. â€Å"He was my special boy. I went to the sept and prayed seven times to the seven faces of god that Ned would change his mind and leave him here with me. Sometimes prayers are answered.† Jon did not know what to say. â€Å"It wasn't your fault,† he managed after an awkward silence. Her eyes found him. They were full of poison. â€Å"I need none of your absolution, bastard.† Jon lowered his eyes. She was cradling one of Bran's hands. He took the other, squeezed it. Fingers like the bones of birds. â€Å"Good-bye,† he said. He was at the door when she called out to him. â€Å"Jon,† she said. He should have kept going, but she had never called him by his name before. He turned to find her looking at his face, as if she were seeing it for the first time. â€Å"Yes?† he said. â€Å"It should have been you,† she told him. Then she turned back to Bran and began to weep, her whole body shaking with the sobs. Jon had never seen her cry before. It was a long walk down to the yard. Outside, everything was noise and confusion. Wagons were being loaded, men were shouting, horses were being harnessed and saddled and led from the stables. A light snow had begun to fall, and everyone was in an uproar to be off. Robb was in the middle of it, shouting commands with the best of them. He seemed to have grown of late, as if Bran's fall and his mother's collapse had somehow made him stronger. Grey Wind was at his side. â€Å"Uncle Benjen is looking for you,† he told Jon. â€Å"He wanted to be gone an hour ago.† â€Å"I know,† Jon said. â€Å"Soon.† He looked around at all the noise and confusion. â€Å"Leaving is harder than I thought.† â€Å"For me too,† Robb said. He had snow in his hair, melting from the heat of his body. â€Å"Did you see him?† Jon nodded, not trusting himself to speak. â€Å"He's not going to die,† Robb said. â€Å"I know it.† â€Å"You Starks are hard to kill,† Jon agreed. His voice was flat and tired. The visit had taken all the strength from him. Robb knew something was wrong. â€Å"My mother . . . â€Å" â€Å"She was . . . very kind,† Jon told him. Robb looked relieved. â€Å"Good.† He smiled. â€Å"The next time I see you, you'll be all in black.† Jon forced himself to smile back. â€Å"It was always my color. How long do you think it will be?† â€Å"Soon enough,† Robb promised. He pulled Jon to him and embraced him fiercely. â€Å"Farewell, Snow.† Jon hugged him back. â€Å"And you, Stark. Take care of Bran.† â€Å"I will.† They broke apart and looked at each other awkwardly. â€Å"Uncle Benjen said to send you to the stables if I saw you,† Robb finally said. â€Å"I have one more farewell to make,† Jon told him. â€Å"Then I haven't seen you,† Robb replied. Jon left him standing there in the snow, surrounded by wagons and wolves and horses. It was a short walk to the armory. He picked up his package and took the covered bridge across to the Keep. Arya was in her room, packing a polished ironwood chest that was bigger than she was. Nymeria was helping. Arya would only have to point, and the wolf would bound across the room, snatch up some wisp of silk in her jaws, and fetch it back. But when she smelled Ghost, she sat down on her haunches and yelped at them. Arya glanced behind her, saw Jon, and jumped to her feet. She threw her skinny arms tight around his neck. â€Å"I was afraid you were gone,† she said, her breath catching in her throat. â€Å"They wouldn't let me out to say good-bye.† â€Å"What did you do now?† Jon was amused. Arya disentangled herself from him and made a face. â€Å"Nothing. I was all packed and everything.† She gestured at the huge chest, no more than a third full, and at the clothes that were scattered all over the room. â€Å"Septa Mordane says I have to do it all over. My things weren't properly folded, she says. A proper southron lady doesn't just throw her clothes inside her chest like old rags, she says.† â€Å"Is that what you did, little sister?† â€Å"Well, they're going to get all messed up anyway,† she said. â€Å"Who cares how they're folded?† â€Å"Septa Mordane,† Jon told her. â€Å"I don't think she'd like Nymeria helping, either.† The she-wolf regarded him silently with her dark golden eyes. â€Å"It's just as well. I have something for you to take with you, and it has to be packed very carefully.† Her face lit up. â€Å"A present?† â€Å"You could call it that. Close the door.† Wary but excited, Arya checked the hall. â€Å"Nymeria, here. Guard.† She left the wolf out there to warn of intruders and closed the door. By then Jon had pulled off the rags he'd wrapped it in. He held it out to her. Arya's eyes went wide. Dark eyes, like his. â€Å"A sword,† she said in a small, hushed breath. The scabbard was soft grey leather, supple as sin. Jon drew out the blade slowly, so she could see the deep blue sheen of the steel. â€Å"This is no toy,† he told her. â€Å"Be careful you don't cut yourself. The edges are sharp enough to shave with.† â€Å"Girls don't shave,† Arya said. â€Å"Maybe they should. Have you ever seen the septa's legs?† She giggled at him. â€Å"It's so skinny.† â€Å"So are you,† Jon told her. â€Å"I had Mikken make this special. The bravos use swords like this in Pentos and Myr and the other Free Cities. It won't hack a man's head off, but it can poke him full of holes if you're fast enough.† â€Å"I can be fast,† Arya said. â€Å"You'll have to work at it every day.† He put the sword in her hands, showed her how to hold it, and stepped back. â€Å"How does it feel? Do you like the balance?† â€Å"I think so,† Arya said. â€Å"First lesson,† Jon said. â€Å"Stick them with the pointy end.† Arya gave him a whap on the arm with the flat of her blade. The blow stung, but Jon found himself grinning like an idiot. â€Å"I know which end to use,† Arya said. A doubtful look crossed her face. â€Å"Septa Mordane will take it away from me.† â€Å"Not if she doesn't know you have it,† Jon said. â€Å"Who will I practice with?† â€Å"You'll find someone,† Jon promised her. â€Å"King's Landing is a true city, a thousand times the size of Winterfell. Until you find a partner, watch how they fight in the yard. Run, and ride, make yourself strong. And whatever you do . . . â€Å" Arya knew what was coming next. They said it together. † . . . don't . . . tell . . . Sansa!† Jon messed up her hair. â€Å"I will miss you, little sister.† Suddenly she looked like she was going to cry. â€Å"I wish you were coming with us.† â€Å"Different roads sometimes lead to the same castle. Who knows?† He was feeling better now. He was not going to let himself be sad. â€Å"I better go. I'll spend my first year on the Wall emptying chamber pots if I keep Uncle Ben waiting any longer.† Arya ran to him for a last hug. â€Å"Put down the sword first,† Jon warned her, laughing. She set it aside almost shyly and showered him with kisses. When he turned back at the door, she was holding it again, trying it for balance. â€Å"I almost forgot,† he told her. â€Å"All the best swords have names.† â€Å"Like Ice,† she said. She looked at the blade in her hand. â€Å"Does this have a name? Oh, tell me.† â€Å"Can't you guess?† Jon teased. â€Å"Your very favorite thing.† Arya seemed puzzled at first. Then it came to her. She was that quick. They said it together: â€Å"Needle!† The memory of her laughter warmed him on the long ride north.