A critical analysis of Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury Essay

Ray Bradbury’s novel, Fahrenheit 451, published in 1953, depicts a grim and also quite feasible prediction of a futuristic world. In Bradbury’s technology-obsessed society, a clear view of the horrific effects that a fixation for mindlessness would have on a civilization shows through his writing. Being carefree is encouraged while people who think â€Å"outside the box† are swiftly and effectively removed. The technology Bradbury’s society is designed to keep the people uninformed, which the vast majority of are happily and voluntarily in their ignorant state. There are many details in this novel that suggest that the future of a society obsessed with advanced technology is not only bleak but also dangerous. Bradbury’s use of certain machines shows the emphasis his society has on thoughtlessness. For example, a commonly referenced appliance is the parlor wall. The parlor walls keep people thoughtless by blasting noise and colors at its audience, which is evident in the passage: â€Å"A great thunderstorm of sound gushed from the walls. Music bombarded him at such an immense volume that his bones were almost shaken from their tendons; he felt his jaw vibrate, his eyes wobble in his head. He was a victim of concussion†(45). The speed of which the shows hit their viewers is so intense that one cannot think or grasp on to any sort of thought. Another key example of technology promoting a thoughtless society is the earpieces. Earpieces are small enough to place inside your ear, where, when in place, broadcast the noise from the parlor walls. Mildred, throughout the entire novel, wears her earpieces, â€Å"She had both ears plugged with electronic bees that were humming the hour away†(18). The technology in school also illustrates how thinking for oneself and being an individual is considered both appalling and strange. Clarisse describes her school’s schedule, ‘†An hour of TV class, and hour of basketball or baseball or running, another hour of transcription history or painting pictures, and more sports, but do you know that we never ask questions, or at least most don’t; they just run the answers at you, bing, bing, bing, and us sitting there for four more hours of film teacher†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ(29). After analyzing the evidence presented, it is clear that the society in Fahrenheit 451 does not value thoughtful consideration and does not have to  worry about being inconvenienced by such concerns with the use of their advanced technology. Read Also:  Critical Review Essay Topic Examples Numerous examples of technology also suggest the threatening aspect of a society based upon advancements. The Mechanical Hound, for instance, directly shows the potential for danger. This contraption’s main purpose is essentially that of a killing machine; if someone is a menace to society, it is only a matter of time before they are exterminated. The Mechanical Hound is introduced in the novel by Montag, â€Å"It was like a great bee come home from some field where the honey is full of poison wildness, of insanity and nightmare, its body crammed with that overrich nectar, and now it was sleeping the evil out of itself†(24). Montag’s description of the Hound introduces his concept to the readers that although a robot is not human and, therefore, cannot be evil; there is still an ominous characteristic looming about the Hound. However, Bradbury’s society is also a great danger to itself. An example of this would be people driving in their jet cars. Members of this society do not understand the meaning of caution, which clearly shines through when they get behind the wheel, â€Å"The beetle was rearing. The beetle raised its speed. The beetle was whining. The beetle was in high thunder. The beetle came skimming. The beetle came in a single whistling trajectory, fired from an invisible rifle. It was up to 120 mph. It was up to 130 at least†(127). The use of this machine shows that society is more concerned with speed and pleasure seeking than the well-being of others, which is an exceptionally dangerous priority to have. The frightening side of technology is apparent, also, when the advanced bombs of this world are mentioned. The setting of Bradbury’s novel is at a time of war; bombs are dropped onto the society that once was home to Montag, â€Å"Perhaps the bombs were there, and the jets, ten miles, five miles, one mile up, for the merest instance, like a grain thrown over the heavens by a great sowing hand, and the bombs drifting with dreadful swiftness, yet sudden slowness, down upon the morning city they had left behind†(158). Undoubtedly, these bombs are a sinister and dangerous progression for technology. Bradbury’s society has many reasons to feel threatened by the advancements of its world. However, feeling threatened is impossible for a society that is founded on the principals of apathy. The people are carefree, which is encouraged by the government. How can a society with no worries rise up and rebel? The government obviously has the advantage of manipulation, which is carried out by their technology. Clarisse has an appropriate way of describing the bleakness of a society that doesn’t care, ‘†I sometimes think drivers don’t know what grass is, or flowers, because they never see them slowly,† she said. â€Å"If you showed a driver a green blur, Oh yes! He’d say, that’s grass! A pink blur! That’s a rose garden!†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ(9). The uneasiness Clarisse feels for the way people behave in her time depicts how people do not take the time to enjoy the smaller parts of life because nobody in this society cares. Another machine that proves the threat of a technology-obsessed society is the need for the stomach pump. Brad bury mentions early on in the novel that people often overdose on sleeping pills, not purposefully, but because they pay so little attention to the amount of pills ingested, overdosing is extremely commonplace. Mildred, at one point, swallows too many pills, Montag describes the machine used to pump her stomach, â€Å"They had two machines, really. One of them slid down your stomach like a black cobra down an echoing well looking for all the old water and the old time gathered there†(14). The need for a piece of technology like the stomach pump in this novel, only further supports the evidence of technology showing the threatening effects of a carefree society. Another advancement designed to accommodate the need to have no worries all the time would be the incinerator Beatty speaks about to Montag, ‘†Funerals are unhappy and pagan? Eliminate them, too. Five minutes after a person is dead he’s on his way to the Big Flue, the Incinerators serviced by helicopters all over the country. Ten minutes after death a man’s a speck of dust†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ(60). Beatty confirms the severity of the level of apathy in the fact that his society is so concerned about being unconcerned that technology must do all of the dirty work. A society, which has all the technology to take care of such inconveniences, would and, by using Bradbury’s novel for verification, does make a society carefree, which has been proven time and time again to be an incredibly threatening outcome. Several fine points of the novel portray Bradbury’s implication that a  society founded on the need for advanced technology is doomed to lead a bleak and dangerous existence. Examples of technology promoting a brainless society are abundant throughout the entire book. Even more technology illustrates the hazards and harmful aspects of these technological advancements. When both the developed machines that encourage thoughtlessness along with the destructive technology of the future are considered, one can plainly see that the worst advancements of all of those of which show the grim and threatening effects of a carefree society. Possibly the most uncanny feature of reading Bradbury’s novel is the fact that, realistically, our society has been working up to a technology-obsessed way of life for quite some time, and our impending future could very well be a mirrored image of Fahrenheit 451. Works Cited Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451. New York: Ballantine, 1991.

British Imperialism Essay

Analyze the ways in which British imperial policies between 1763 and 1776 intensified colonials’ resistance to British rule and their commitment to republican values. Colonial exploration in the mid to late 1700s led to stressful times for some countries. Great Britain was one of them. Their American colonies caused them much grief as they tried to take over their society. The British imperial policies towards its colonies made resistance higher to British rule and their commitment to republican values. The British imperial polices were too strict and caused difficulties within American colonies. The British caused more than enough problems with their colonies to start a controversy. They used mercantilism to try and take permanent control over the colonies. The colonies were to only buy from the British and sell to the British. They also wanted to regulate their imports and exports perfectly so they would import less than exporting to make them look like a high economically successful country. Which they were, but they fixed it to make them look like the superpower of Europe. Another idea they imposed onto the Americans was the dreaded Stamp Act. The colonies didn’t take the act well. They were forced to use stamps on every piece of paper they would use. They also had to buy these stamps from the British only. The taxes were steep and on unnecessary items to the knowledge of the colonies. The colonials knew that these acts were unfair and cruel. They didn’t know how to handle it at the time. Another act that was out of line was the Townshend tea tax. The coloni es became addicted to tea due to the caffeine. It was highly valuable to them. The British then put a lump sum tax on the tea that was being imported to the Americas. The colonies didn’t understand why the British needed so much money. The British then went over the line with the Boston Port Act. This act basically took away all of the colonials’ rights. The colonists called the act, the Intolerable Act, because the British went too far. To top off the colonial anger, the British enforced a new act called the Quartering Act. The act stated that any colonial was to take in British soldiers into their house, feed them and give them quartering. However, the  colonies then began to retaliate against the British. The colonies knew the British had gone too far. The first act they took was known as the Boston Tea Party. On December 16, 1773, Bostonians dressed up as Indians and boarded docked ships, smashed up 342 cases of tea and dumped it all into the Atlantic Ocean. The British then put the Intolerable Act on the colonists. That only gave them another reason to fight back. The unity of the colonists finally formed after the Intolerable Act. Flags were flew half-mast throughout all the colonies and food was sent to Boston all the way from South Carolina. The colonies then formed the Continental Congress, uniting all but Georgia participating. Fifty-five delegates were represented in the meeting to talk about what they had to do. The First Continental Congress met for seven weeks where they produced the Declaration of Rights. Parliament rejected all petitions made by the Congress. The British didn’t want this to go on any longer. They sent troops into Lexington and Concord where the ter rorized the American defense, which was weak and unorganized. The British started a war. The people that were back in Great Britain were rooting for the Americans to gain independence so maybe the British would then realize what they were doing to their own country. The British ruined their colonies and themselves also. The colonies finally were able to break the seal to the road to independence. They knew that the British weren’t running their country very well. They wanted change and unheard of things to happen. The events that happened during the imperial policies of the British turned into a revolution, where the Americans eventually gained their freedom. The British were finally defeated for the first time. If the British never were so harsh to the colonies, the colonies wouldn’t ever have a reason to be resistant to British rule and there would be no independence. Colonialism was a stressful time indeed, but a huge mark on history.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Essay

Procedure Until recently it was not uncommon for patients admitted to an acute care facility to have an indwelling catheter anchored for unnecessary reasons. Patients that came in thru the emergency department typically were sent to the units with unnecessary indwelling catheters in place and it was not unusual for a surgery patient to have an indwelling catheter anchored before or during a procedure. Once a patient was admitted and was transported to the units nursing would also anchor indwelling catheters for multiple unnecessary reasons. These Catheters could be anchored for many unnecessary days and in some cases until discharge. In 2008 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) initiated a policy change to no longer reimburse hospitals for additional cost that were incurred due to catheter associated urinary tract infections or in another term CAUT’Is (Palmer, 2013). The CMS recognized that CAUTI’s are the most common type of hospital acquired infection. The CMS also determined that when evidence based practices are initiated and followed they can be highly preventable, leading to a change in practice. Current Practice Up until 2012 there were no policies pertaining to the anchoring or removal of indwelling catheters in the facility I work for. Nursing would complete their assessment of the patients and per their discretion they would determine if an indwelling catheter by their standards is appropriate. An indwelling catheter could be deemed appropriate according to nursing for multiple reasons including; urinary incontinence, retention, convenience, pressure ulcers, strict output recordings and in some cases per patient request. The nurse was required to obtain an order from the physician in order to anchor a catheter and most cases the physician would comply. After the nurse anchored a catheter it would most likely stay anchored until discharge or until and order was given by the physician to discontinue it.  These procedures lead to the unnecessary length of times catheters were kept in place and the need for change. Rational and Explanation Even though in 2008 Medicare and Medicaid changed their reimbursement policies it wasn’t unit 2012 when the Joint Commission added guidelines for the prevention of CAUTI’s and the facility I work for initiated change. Prior to the Joint Commission’s new guidelines management relied on nursing to make the proper decisions for their patients and supported nursing when they deemed it necessary to anchor a catheter. In 2012 when the guidelines were initiated management chose to follow them when evidence based research supported CAUTI’s were preventable when the appropriate protocols were followed. Hospital management initiated evidence based practices that were supported by CMS and the Joint Commission that would assist nursing on when anchoring a catheter was necessary. The team responsible for these changes included the clinical manager in charge of all medical surgical units, each medical surgical unit manager where these changes were to take place and the medical surgical educator. This team reviewed evidence based research and practices on how to improve CAUTI’s and thru this research came up with a plan to implement nurse driven protocols that would be beneficial to our facility. These protocols instructed nursing, thru protocols on the patient’s EMR to guide nursing when anchoring a catheter would be appropriated and it also gave nursing the ability to remove a catheter when it was deemed unnecessary. After the protocols were initiated management began to notice a decrease in the use of catheters and a decrease in CAUTI’s resulting in cost effectiveness and higher patient satisfaction scores for the hospital. References Bernard, Michael S, Hunter, Kathleen F, Moore, Katherine N. (2012). A Review of Strategies to Decrease the Duration of Indwelling Urethral Catheters and Potentially Reduce the Incidence of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections. Urologic Nursing, 32 (1): 29-37. Carter, Nina M, Reitmeier, Laura, Goodloe, Lauren R. (2014). An Evidence-Based Approach To the Prevention of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection. Urologic Nursing, 34 (5): 238-45. Hooton, T., Bradley, S., Cardenas, D., Colgan, R., Geerlings, S., Rice, J., Nicolle, L. (2010). Diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of catheter-associated urinary track infection in adults: 2009 international clinical practice guidelinges from the infectious diseases society of America. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 50(March): 625-663. Knoll, Bettina M.; Wright, Deborah; Ellingson, LeAnn; Kraemer, Linda; Patire, Ronald; Kuskowski, Michael A.; Johnson, James R. (2011). Reduction of Inappropriate Urinary Catheter Use at a Veterans Affairs Hospital Through a Multifaceted Quality Improvement Project. Clinical Infectious Diseases. Vol. 52 Issue 11, 1283-1290. DOI: 10.1093/cid/cir188. Mori, C. (2014). A-Voiding Catastrophe: Implementing a Nurse-Driven Protocol. MedSurg Nursing. 23 (1), 15-28. Clinical Implications An implemented change that would reduce the rates of CAUTI’s in acute health care facilities would be evidence based nurse lead protocols. The protocols would not only benefit the hospitals but they would also contribute to patient satisfaction scores. Approximately 80% of all nosocomial infections are contributed to CAUTI’s and are the most common form of nosocomial infections (Knoll, 2011). Some of the symptoms that contribute to the patients discomfort include hematuria, flank pain, fever and in some cases altered mental status. After a patient develops a CAUTI the patient receives the recommended treatment of antibiotic therapy. Antibiotic therapy could last up to 7 days which could result in an increase of stay (Hooton et al., 2010). Evidence supports that when nurse led or informatics led interventions are implemented CAUTI’s were decreased (Bernard, 2012). The interventions that assist in the prevention of  CAUTI’s are protocol bundles that include insertion policies, removal policies, maintenance policies and competency training (Carter, 2014). If the proper prevention measures are implemented patient satisfaction scores would improve, infection rates would improve leading to a decrease infection rate and shortening patient’s length of stay. Recommended Changes If the prevention protocols that are listed above were implemented changes would occur that would lead to multiple benefits for both the acute care facilities and the patients. Extended hospital days due to CAUTI’s has added to approximately 90,000 days per year and due to Medicaid and Medicare no longer paying the associated cost for CAUTI’s the hospitals out of pocket expenses are estimated at approximately 424 million dollars per year (Mori, 2014). The changes that are discussed and supported in this research paper would have a positive impact on decreasing this data. If the protocols are implemented not only would they benefit the patient’s but they would also benefit the hospitals. Patients would have a decrease risk in acquiring nosocomial infections and hospitals would have the opportunity to use the millions they are losing to benefit the patients. The hospitals could apply the money they are losing for research and/or other areas to improve overall satis faction, increasing hospital census. Stakeholders The stakeholders in implementing this change at the facility I work for would be the unit managers and the nurse educators in the units where these changes would take place. For the unit managers the increased costs that are acquired due to CAUTI’s would have a direct impact on them along with the patient’s overall satisfaction scores. The evidence based research that would be implemented would be presented to the unit managers and the nurse educators. The unit mangers would be the ones to determine if and when the new protocols would take effect. The nurse educators would be the ones educating staff on the new protocols and would be a vital part of evaluating the protocols along with suggesting and implementing changes if necessary. Change would happen in stages with the first stage being the unfreezing stage. This stage occurs when stakeholders receive the information on a change along with supporting evidence to why the change would be beneficial. The second step would be the moving stage. This is the stage when goals  and dates are set to when the change is to take place. The refreezing stage is the last stage. The refreezing stage is when the change is implemented and becomes hospital protocol. The end stage is when the nursing staff would need the most support until the change becomes the hospitals new standard (Cherry & Jacob, 2010). The steps listed will assist getting everyone on board with the change and complying with it. Barriers Anytime when new protocols or procedures are implemented barriers may occur. Not everyone is open to change and many may have a hard time adjusting. Many nurses have been following the same policies and procedures for many years and may be noncompliant due to habit. Another barrier may be the patients, â€Å"frequent fliers† or patients that frequent the hospital regularly have become accustomed to old protocols and may not be receptive to change. The frequent fliers are used to coming in and requesting catheters so they don’t have to get up to the bathroom or if they have incontinency issues. Management and the educators will have to work diligently with nursing to initiate change and nursing may have a difficult time adjusting to the change along with educating patients and enforcing the protocols. Strategies Strategies to overcome the barriers of change would include using Lewin’s Change Theory. This theory suggests that change should be initiated slowly and making the necessary changes with only the staff that would be involved (Cherry & Jacob, 2010). Management and the nursing educator should provide staff with the evidence based research as to why the change is being made so nursing can understand why the change is necessary. By following these strategies nursing may be more compliant with the change and can be better advocates for the patients. Application of Findings CDC guidelines recommend catheters to be inserted for necessary reasons which include urinary retention, strict intake and output, certain surgical procedures, healing for pressure ulcers in incontinent patients and in palliative care patients (Gray, 2010). As research has provided indwelling catheters should be placed only when deemed necessary and removed when they are unnecessary. The facility I work for along with quality control  and the nursing educator put together CAUTI prevention strategies using evidence based research practices. Protocols were initiated in the patient’s electronic medical record (EMR) that would assist nursing in making the right decision whether to cath or not and when it would be appropriate to remove an indwelling catheter. The charge nurses monitor the number of catheters each unit has and researches if they are deemed appropriate to keep anchored. All of these measures have decreased the occurrences of CAUTI’s in the facility I work for. Continued monitoring by quality control is still needed to insure assessments are completed properly and to monitor if the measure the protocols are working. References Bernard, Michael S, Hunter, Kathleen F, Moore, Katherine N. (2012). A Review of Strategies to Decrease the Duration of Indwelling Urethral Catheters and Potentially Reduce the Incidence of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections. Urologic Nursing, 32 (1): 29-37. Carter, Nina M, Reitmeier, Laura, Goodloe, Lauren R. (2014). An Evidence-Based Approach To the Prevention of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection. Urologic Nursing, 34 (5): 238-45. Cherry, B., & Jacob, S. (2010). Contemporary Nursing: Issues, Trends, and Management. (5th ed.) St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier. Gray, M. (2010). Reducing catheter associated urinary tract infection in the critical care unit. AACN Advanced Critical Care, 20(3), 247-257. Hooton, T., Bradley, S., Cardenas, D., Colgan, R., Geerlings, S., Rice, J., Nicolle, L. (2010). Diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of catheter-associated urinary track infection in adults: 2009 international clinical practice guidelinges from the infectious diseases society of America. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 50(March): 625-663. Knoll, Bettina M.; Wright, Deborah; Ellingson, LeAnn; Kraemer, Linda; Patire, Ronald; Kuskowski, Michael A.; Johnson, James R. (2011). Reduction of Inappropriate Urinary Catheter Use at a Veterans Affairs Hospital Through a Multifaceted Quality Improvement Project. Clinical Infectious Diseases. Vol. 52 Issue 11, 1283-1290. DOI: 10.1093/cid/cir188. Mori, C. (2014). A-Voiding Catastrophe: Implementing a Nurse-Driven Protocol. MedSurg Nursing. 23 (1), 15-28.

How not to talk to your kids Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

How not to talk to your kids - Essay Example The findings revealed that children who were praised according to effort exemplified improved performance; while those praised according to intelligence stagnated. The rationale for the outcome was explained by Dweck, to wit: â€Å"Emphasizing effort gives a child a variable that they can control,† she explains. â€Å"They come to see themselves as in control of their success. Emphasizing natural intelligence takes it out of the child’s control, and it provides no good recipe for responding to a failure† (Bronson 2). One is therefore significantly impressed and intrigued by the contention of Dweck and one’s diverse reactions ranged from disbelief, amazement, and finally, succumbed to agree. There were various supporting ideas that were validated through considerable research to establish credibility to the arguments that were presented in the article. One particular point that was deemed to be of considerable importance was the rationale for the outcome: by praising children based on effort, they could always exert more to achieve more. On the contrary, by praising children based on intelligence, children would be typecast into that perception and based future decisions to conform to this so that risk taking is avoided. For example, one’s personal experience was observing my nephews who showed considerable laziness in studying their lessons. When their parents showered them with praises such as: â€Å"Hey guys, you are such smart kids like you Dad. Go on and study so that you will keep up your good grades.† My nephews would reply: â€Å"We do not need to study, Mom. We already know our lessons.† And therefore, the outcome of not studying was likewise not appropriately addressed, whether they got good grades, average, or low grades. Unlike what was emphasized by Bronson in the article that cited in one of th e experiments conducted at Life Sciences where students were â€Å"predominantly minority and low achieving† (Bronson 2), the study conducted by

Japans High Speed Growth Model and Extent Vietnam Followed the Model Essay

Japans High Speed Growth Model and Extent Vietnam Followed the Model - Essay Example To understand the high-speed growth, of Japan, which took place after the war was over, we should first understand its development and history of Japan during 18th and 19th century. During this time Japan relied on agricultural technology which it developed. the then government of the Meiji took some modernized measures which propelled the economy of Japan later in the 19th and early part of 20th century and by the year 1945 Japan was considered one of the most powerful nations both economically and militarily, and this led to the basic foundation structure of the post-war high speed growth. Comparing Japan and Vietnam would not be a correct approach but we can say that Japan‘s high speed growth model has effected the economic situation of the Vietnam in a major way. Both following the assumptions of Solow Model and both overturning their economies after their economies was shattered by wars only confirms the fact that Vietnam has learnt some important methods and steps to improve their economic situation from the high speed growth model. The whole issue is bolstered by the fact that if we look at the present situation Vietnam grew at a rate of 7.5 percent per year from the period of 1995-2004 and this is recorded as faster growth next only to the Asian superpower china. This was the time of crisis in that region with Soviet Union collapse but Vietnam only improved further with its foreign investment equal to 8 per cent of its GDP which is higher than china. All this suggests only one aspect that the revolution of renovating economy which it was inspired from the h igh speed growth model of Japan has only improved the situation of Vietnam and its economic structure.

What did Gorbachev mean by the new political thinking in foreign Essay

What did Gorbachev mean by the new political thinking in foreign policy Was it compatible with Marxism-Leninism - Essay Example The new political thinking initiated by the Gorbachev regime in the former Soviet Union brought in tremendous changes in the foreign policy of the country. Perestroika was considered as the opening of the Russia to world and in turn the world to the Russia. Gorbachev’s new foreign policy was characterised by the ‘free will’ to put an end to arms race, which was materialised as the freezing of nuclear tests in august 1985, the general disarmament plan in January 1986, agreement on the elimination of medium range nuclear missiles in 1987, large scale military cuts and pulling out from Afghanistan in 1989. However, Gorbachev miserably failed not only in democratising the regime but also in preserving it. The compatibility of Gorbachev’s policies with Marxism could only be determined with relations to what we consider as the central tenets of Marxism. Still, along the Gramscian lines, it is possible to argue that the Soviet Russia undergone a phase of passive r evolutions under the (non)leadership of Gorbachev. From a Marxist perspective, the Soviet Foreign policy had de-ideologised by the 1960s itself. The Gorbachevian reforms at the realm of foreign policy tried to get the foreign policy out of the irrational fears of cold war era. Gorbachevian Reforms and the New Political Thinking Many people think that the structural reforms undertook by Gorbachev was a response to the growing economic crisis Soviet Union faced in the 1980s. However, such a viewpoint does not consider the fact that many countries that are substantially poorer than Soviet Union have not undergone any systemic changes. Certainly, Gorbachev tried to modernise the economy and introduced new management techniques which are capitalistic in essence to unfetter production. However, perestroika needs to be understood as more about political reforms than economic reforms. Ironically, Gorbachevian reforms have many similarities with the austerity programmes usually adopted in ca pitalist countries. Gorbachev’s new political thinking was basically defined in terms of the need for an integrated world wherein both the Soviet Union and the West must try for the de-militarisation of the planet. Tsygankov argues that â€Å"by aiming for the West’s support and recognition, it inserted itself into the arena of the Western modernity of nation-states, making it increasingly difficult to discourage the Soviet ethnic republics from embarking on nationalist projects† (2006, p. 47). Here, the point is that the ideals of new political thinking such as world integration, enhanced cooperation with the West, greater autonomy for the ethnic nationalities were not compatible with the reality of an aggressively imperialist-capitalist West, especially under conservatives such as Regan and Thatcher. Remarkably, Gorbachev as a Soviet leader â€Å"found his main base of support not in the party, military, or industry, but in the liberal intelligentsia† ( English, 2000, p.195). As an ambitious leader, Gorbachev actively sought Russia’s broad shift towards the West in general and the Europe in particular. The goal of perestroika was â€Å"to modify the relations of production and prevent social upheaval† but it ended up in â€Å"opening the door to the influence of capitalism, fragmenting the heterogeneous Soviet elite, and enabled an opposition linked to global neoliberalism to emerge which utilised the nascent Russian state as a mechanism for advancing systemic transformation† (Simon, 2010, p. 431). In brief, Gorbachev’s so-called reform policies necessarily ended up in the consolidation of the Russian ruling elites and the transfer of state powers to itself. Importantly, Gorbachev did not have a concrete policy of either economic regeneration or political transformation. Kenez is of the view that â€Å"Gorbachev believed in the possibility of reforming communism in

Business Research Paper about Currency Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Business about Currency - Research Paper Example (See Table I – 2010 U.S. Unemployment Rate below) Because of the debt of Greece, investors were reluctant whether or not a solution will be developed to solve Greece’s debts (CNN Money a). Due to the distress in euro zone, the real value of USD increased against major currencies like Euro. This explains the weakening of Euro against USD between March 22 and March 23, 2010. The uncertainty in the U.S. healthcare bill caused the decline in the USD against Euro exchange rate starting March 24, 2010 (Twin). The real value of USD fell against Euro by 0.5% to US$1.3479. This was due to the strengthening of the Euro when the European Union leaders announced their decision to financially aid the debt of Greece during the summit in Brussels (Pepitone). The emergency bailout plan which aims to rescue to economic condition of Greece regain the confidence of investors with Euro. Between April 5 to April 8, USD weakened against the Euro. This is probably due to the fact that the U.S. job market worsened as compared to the previous weeks or previous months (Trading Economics). Other than the increased in the U.S. unemployment rate, the U.S. light crude oil for the period of May delivery increased by $1.75 per barrel. Because of the high cost of crude oil per barrel (US$86.62), a lot of investors became less confident with regards to how trading will go over the next few days or next few months (Twin, CNN News). Although there was a slight change in the cost of May delivery of crude oil last Thursday (April 8), decrease in the market price of imported crude oil per barrel remains high (US$85.39) (Twin, CNN Money). Stocks also fell when big companies like General Motors announced its huge loss in the market. These factors together with the strengthening of Greece and other Euro members made the value of USD against Euro fell back on April 8. Aside from what is going on in the U.S. economy, the success of the European and Asian markets made the currency of USD

Children's Health Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Children's Health - Essay Example Feeg (2006) indicates that many nurses who look after children work in children's hospitals that are normally comparative with underserved and over-represented poor patients for their general health care and are mainly reliant on Medicaid steadiness to receive care. Children’s barriers to health care Some children might face obstacles to health care due to their race or ethnicity. Disaggregating insurance coverage patterns within families by ethnicity and race discloses significant disparities that are veiled in the statistics for the entire population of the United States. For instance, there was close to a ten-percentage point decrease in complete coverage for Hispanic two-parent families who had access to work-based insurance (Vistnes & Schone, 2008). There is segregation for insurance coverage in terms of abuse perpetrated to the child. Regardless of the substantial service requirements of abandoned and maltreated children, the history of abandonment, physical abuse, and n eglect is not linked with any insurance line over time (Perrin & Homer, 2007). This implies that for those parents who cannot afford payment for their children in such conditions, their children are barred from receiving treatment. Residential isolation shapes health effects of children through various pathways.

Aristotle Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Aristotle - Essay Example Aristotle argues that genuine understanding of a thing requires a grasp of why that thing is necessarily as it is. Such understanding is best facilitated by or represented in a demonstrative argument. We must proceed deductively from premises more absolutely intelligible than the conclusion to the conclusion by way of a causally explanatory middle term. The premises of demonstrations are themselves indemonstrable and serve as starting points or first principles (archai) within the given domain of inquiry. According to Aristotle, we arrive at these principles by direct derivation from experience, by what is sometimes called "intuitive induction" (epagoge), the results of which are grasped by a special intellectual capacity, nous. Let us follow Aristotle and say that every dialectical argument is either a syllogism or an epagoge (Topics I 12). By 'a dialectical argument' let us mean, as Aristotle does, any argument put forward in conversation, proceeding on premisses admitted by the other party, and not requiring any special knowledge. It follows that every Socratic elenchus is a dialectical argument.

Greenville Jenkins Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Greenville Jenkins - Essay Example In the Marshalls case, Grenville Jenkins is discriminated against as the member of the Sustainability team because he ought to rectify where he sees excessive spending by the company officials. This is supposed to help in the cost cutting measures of the company. Instead of listening and acting to his claims, the top management ignores him which makes him feel discriminated against. The board of the directors dismisses his allegations instead of seeing into his case by finding relevant measures to counter what he says. Jenkins is frustrated because the law on discrimination of employees does not apply in this case. If were operational, someone could have listened to his allegations and at least put some efforts in rectifying the excesses in the company. As a sustainability member in the company, Jenkins has the right authority to comment about such cases as those of extravagance (EEOC 2009, 1). Maureen Gibson Maureen Gibson, who is the sales representative, is acting against the conf ines of the company regulations. She has turned the working place to a Christian conversion center and does not heed to the instruction. She wears a crucifix on the uniform which against the rules of the company. Even if the law of discrimination suggests that no employ need to be discriminated against her beliefs, Maureen is abusing the opportunity she has been given to the company. When she is warned not t use the company as a preaching ground, she threatens to take legal action, which is an, overreaction. She is supposed to be answerable because of breaking the policies set to enhance equality in the company because she is a distraction to the employees in the company by preaching to them at the wrong place and time (EEOC 2009, 1). The company policy that denies wearing of jewelry on the uniform will counter the case she wants to file for the company. She is defiant and misuses the freedom in the company. She has been performing non business activities in the company premise by m aking the employees uncomfortable. This is against the rules of the company which she chose not to respect. When Maureen is approached by the line manager, she says that she is being denied her rights but, in actual sense she is working out her rights in the wrong place. She is supposed to hearken unto the rules stipulated by the company before taking a step to sue the company. No one is against her work but, the line manager is against her evangelism which affects the comfort of the other workers. The law should also be used to address the case in which the line manager was told about the Maureen’s behavior but ignored. The law should be used to sensitize the company managers and board of directors about the consequence of discrimination (EEOC 2009, 1). Gary Gary who is the primary career of his disabled son needs to be allowed to have flexible working arrangement because he needs to attend to his son needs. Denying Gary that opportunity is as well as discriminating against physical disability. This should be termed as open discrimination be cause the company is in a position to organize a flexible arrangement for Gary to be of use to his disabled son. The company representatives are answerable to the law on discrimination in the company where there is a need to respond to the requests of the company. The company top management who are in the jurisdiction of planning favorable moments for Gary to work

Malaysian Economy Essay Example for Free

Malaysian Economy Essay The Malaysian economy is expected to strengthen further and projected to grow at a faster rate of 4.5% to 5.5% in 2013 supported by improving exports and strong domestic demand. In the Economic Report 2012/2013 released by the Ministry of Finance (MoF) last Friday, it said the assumption was based on the global growth that will pick up especially during the second-half of 2013 (2H13). It said that it was also premised upon the expectation of an improvement in the resolution of a debt crisis in the euro-area and stronger growth in the economies of Malaysia’s major trading partners. The Economic Report 2012/2013 was released in conjunction with the national Budget 2013 that was presented by the prime minister last Friday. It said that given that the domestic economy is expected to strengthen further in 2013; inflation is estimated to increase moderately mitigated by further capacity expansion in the economy. On the supply side, growth in 2013 is expected to be broad-based supported by expansion in all sectors of the economy. Of significance, the external trade-related industries are envisaged to benefit from stronger global growth, particularly during the 2H13. It said that the services and manufacturing sectors are expected to contribute 4.2 percentage points to the gross domestic product growth. MoF said that the prospects in the services sector are expected to remain upbeat in 2013, with the accelerated implementation with major initiatives under the National Key Result Areas and continued investment in the seven services subsectors under the National Key Economic Areas. It said that these initiatives are expected to drive the wholesale and retail trade, finance and insurance, and communication subsectors, which are expected to grow 6.8%, 5.2% and 8.2% (2012 :5.7%; 4.2%; 9.3%) respectively. On the value-added of the manufacturing sector, MoF said that it is expected to grow 4.9%, (2012 :4.2%) with export oriented industries expected to  benefit from the higher growth of global trade, while domestic oriented industries expand in line with better consumer sentiment and business confidence. MoF said that the electrical and electronic (EE) subsector is expected to grow further, driven by higher demand for electronic equipment and parts as well as semiconductors in line with recovery in advanced economies. On the agricultural sector, MoF said that it is expected to grow 2.4% (2012:0.6%) following the recovery in the output of plantation commodities. MoF said that the production of crude palm oil is envisaged to rebound 2.5% to 18.9 million tonnes (2012: -2.5%; 18.4 million tonnes) on account of expanded matured areas to 4.44 million hectares (2012: 4.38 million hectares). On the mining sector, the report said that it is expected to expand 2.7% (2012: 1.5%) on account of higher production of crude oil and natural gas. â€Å"Production of crude oil is projected to increase 3.6% to 600,000 barrels per day (bpd) (2012: 1.6%; 579,000 bpd) due to higher regional demand,† said MoF. It added that several new oil fields are expected to start production in 2013, contributing to higher production of crude oil. On the construction sector, MoF said that it is envisaged to expand strongly at 11.2% (2012: 15.5%) with all the subsectors registering steady growth. On the domestic demand, MoF said that it is expected to grow at 5.6% (2012: 9.4%) and will remain the main driver of growth in 2013 underpinned by strong private sector expenditure. The report added that private consumption is projected to expand 5.7% (2012: 7%) on account of higher disposable income arising from better employment outlook, firm commodity prices and the wealth effect from the stable performance on the stock market following strong domestic economic activities. On private investment, Malaysia is expected to post a strong growth of 13.3% in 2013 (2012: 11.7%) attributed to the ongoing implementation of the Economic Transformation Programme projects. MoF said that public investment will continue to support growth and is expected to expand 4.2% in 2013 (2012: 15.9%) driven by higher capital outlays by the non-financial public enterprises (NFPE’s) and development expenditure by the federal government. It said that capital of the NFPEs will focus on the upstream oil and gas, transport, communication and utility industries. It added that in line with the expansion in domestic economic activities, national income in current prices is expected to increase 7.8% in 2013. The report also said that gross national savings is expected to expand strongly by 11.1%, with the private sector accounting 72.3% of total savings. On the balance of payments, MoF said that it is projected to remain favourable with current account continuing to record a higher surplus of RM71.9 billion or 7.3% of the gross national income. It said that the surplus in the goods account is projected to expand RM126.5 billion. â€Å"In 2013, exports are estimated to grow 3.9% (2012: 2.4%) supported by higher commodity exports and improving global EE demand. The MoF said that inline with increased domestic activity as as to meet increased inputs for the manufacturing sector, imports are projected to grow at a faster rate of 5.2% (2012: 6.5%). On the services account, the report said that it is expected to improve with a lower deficit of RM8.2 billion driven by large surplus in the travel account, following expectations higher tourist arrivals. MoF said that other components in the services account are expected to remain a deficit.

Study question the Victorians poetry & prose Essay Example for Free

Study question the Victorians poetry prose Essay 1. What is the function of poetry for Mill? Of poets? What differences do you see between his ideal of poetry and the Romantic ideal? The function of poetry, according to Mill, is to act upon the emotions. It differs from prose or science in a sense that while these address beliefs, poetry is to feelings; that while the other two works by â€Å"convincing or persuading†, poetry works by â€Å"moving† emotions; and while the other two presents a â€Å"proposition to the understanding†, poetry â€Å"offers interesting objects of contemplation to the sensibilities. † Poetry should â€Å"paint the human soul truly. † There is not much difference in Mills function of poetry to Romantic ideals in the sense that both appeal to the emotion of the readers. 2. In the passage from his Autobiography, what does Mill become depressed/love his faith? What â€Å"saves† him? What is Mill’s critique of Utilitarian philosophy? Although Mill is a famous exponent of Utilitarianism, he has some objections or criticisms about it. His father was also an exponent of Utilitarianism and here lies his delemma. He took the oppurtunity to publish his criticisms, alongside with his defense, when an earlier work by Professor Sedgwick was published that assaulted utilitarian ethics, and which had given his father and other utilitarians much indignation. 3. What choice is the Lady of Shalott making when she leaves her tower? The Lady of Shalott decides to leave her isolation when she decided to leave her tower. All her life she lived in isolation, that although reapers hears her song, none had seen her and she couldnt look down fro her tower because of the curse if she did so. One time she exclaimed: â€Å"I am half-sick of the shadows. † Even though she resists looking down from her tower, she finally did when she heard Sir Lancelot sing and the curse is starting to manifest on her. Perhaps, at least at the time of death the Lady of Shalott does not wish to be alone but wish herself to be known to others, that she left the tower, labeled the boat she found â€Å"The Lady of Shalott,† and died crossing the river going to Camelot. 4. Is Ulysses’ decision to leave his home again (a) heroic or (b) escapist? Defend your answer. Ulysses decision to leave his home again is an escape to the life in his kingdom. There is nothing heroic in his new conquest, other than to â€Å"seek a newer world† or to â€Å"touch the Happy Isles. † In the beginning of the poem, Ulysses already suggest that there is little point in staying home and states that he â€Å"cannot rest from travel. † He believes that going back to sea again would yeild â€Å"some work of noble note† suggesting that travelling the seas offers a much simpler and fruitful life than staying home. 5. Explain how the setting and circumstances affect our reading of â€Å"My Last Duchess†? Is the narrator reliable? How do we know? The setting and circumstances in My Last Duchess leads the readers to speculate on the mysteries that encompasses the poem, speculatively from actual historical events. The tilte itself reveals that the speaker in the poem is a Duke whose last wife had died. The mention of â€Å"nine-hundred-years-old name† suggest that the Duke came from a long line of prominent and powerful family, and through the speaker we know that he is presenting to his audience his art collections suggesting that he is a lover of the arts. There is little error from the information if we take the popular belief that the speaker was Duke Alfonso II, who lived in the 16th century, to be true. Alfonso II came from the house of Este, whose earliest known member lived in the 10th century, which makes his name â€Å"six-hundred-years-old† at the time the duke lived, in contrast with the â€Å"nine-hundred-years-old name. † 6. According to Arnold what is the value of education in the humanities as opposed to just being educated in science or â€Å"practical† issues? Just being educated in science or practical issues, according to Arnold, has put the world in a state where nothing is certain. It has brought the â€Å"Sea of Faith† in melancholy as scince has challenged the precepts of religion. He hopes that with the confusion brought about by science, education in the humanities would cure the world of its lack of faith. Education in the humanities would, at least, keep the world its moral standards. 7. What does Arnold’s poem, â€Å"Dover Beach† suggest as an antidote to the loss of faith? Do you think the poem ends pessimistically or optimistically? In Dover Beach, Arnold suggest that faithfulness in love is the antidote to the loss of faith. His appeal: â€Å"Ah, love let us be true† suggests that his only hope on this uncertain world rests on the faithfulness of his love interest, probably his wife, to him. The poem still ends pessimistically since Arnold emphasizes on the confusion the world is currently at the time the poem was written.

Traffic Congestion In Toronto Tourism Essay

Traffic Congestion In Toronto Tourism Essay Transportation is crucial in any town or city. Toronto is no exception. In the past several years, population growth rate has been high. Transportation systems therefore need to be upgraded to accommodate this demand. Toronto has over the years been known to have two seasons which include winter and construction seasons. The construction period implies the time when there are many constructions while the winter period is a time when traffic congestion reduces drastically. This refers to the traffic congestion menace in Toronto. Construction related delays have been common in Toronto due to politicization. Municipal infrastructure needs to be maintained in Toronto and other cities in Canada. Toronto replenishes its roads twice before reconstruction after every 60 years. This makes most roads deplorable amidst heavy demand by commuters (Chowdhury, 2005). This high demand together with temporary capacity reductions emerges from road crashes and commuter work zones. This paper tries to a ddress the traffic snarl up in Toronto with a view of finding a solution to this menace. Problem Statement Traffic related problems account for loss of seven to ten hours weekly for Torontians. These problems include traffic congestion and bad conditions of roads. . Traffic congestions in Toronto roads normally occur during the day and delays more passengers and goods than it delays used to be. It is reported that the average delay per peak traveler has moved from 15 hours in 1982 to 45 hours in 2002 each year (Buzzelli, 2001). Apparently, the figure has tripled within 20 years. It equates to the number of hours spent in working for the whole year. Traffic congestion is a paralyzing incident for the city and which gets worse day by day. Torontonians spend approximately seven to ten hours a week in traffic due to traffic related problems (Sewell, 2009). Examples of these problems range from traffic congestion to bad road conditions. For some, seven to ten hours may be seen as an honor- a short time menace. To others, this is a soul-sucking grind. Traffic congestions in Toronto roads normally occur during the day and delays more passengers and goods than it delays used to be. It is reported that the average delay per peak traveler has moved from 15 hours in 1982 to 45 hours in 2002 each year (Buzzelli, 2001). Apparently, the figure has tripled within 20 years. It equates to the number of hours spent in working for the whole year. Traffic congestion is a paralyzing incident for the city and which gets worse day by day. The traffic menace in the Toronto is rather a complex affair. Bicycles, cars, taxies, delivery trucks, buses, and pedestrians compete in using the same road at the same time. Standing traffic causes an increase in air and noise pollution. Bicycle lanes are placed in unfit locations that do not connect to other routes. This wastes money and space. The lanes are also unsafe to use.  The change in traffic routes and failure to enforce rules for parking and stopping of vehicles are major causes of traffic congestion too. The removal of parking lanes has also caused an overall drop in revenue from business (Vigar, 2002).   High Economic costs of Toronto are attributed to traffic congestions. The hours lost by employees in traffic jams or waiting for arrival of delivery buses are raising eye brows. During these congestions, there is increased use of fuel. This loss can be approximated as $2.0 billion annually (Statistics Canada Paragraph 16). On average a typical commuter currently spends more than 79 minutes currently getting to and from their workplaces as compared to 68 hours in 1990s. Additionally, health effects related to congestion are on the increase. Research has revealed that each year, there are approximately 440 premature deaths and around 1,700 other victims hospitalized in Toronto. These problems related to congestion are broad, big and complex and require great solutions to be eliminated permanently. Reasons for Traffic Congestion in Toronto Sharing of the road by motor cycles, bicycles, and all kinds of vehicles is a common characteristic in Toronto. Lanes for bicycles are placed on sidewalks and major thoroughfares. This makes pedestrians have difficulties in walking since bicycles occupy the sidewalks causing congestion. This also causes a reduction in parking and stopping spaces for cars in the city. Additionally, traffic and parking laws are not evenly enforced. The laws are effected on some vehicles but not on all road users this is a contributing factor to congestion, increased insurance costs and frayed tempers. Health problems and money wasted for gas and insurance are on the rise because of rise in traffic congestion (Mehr, 2005). During the construction period, traffic congestion is always on the rise. Main roads are blocked which causes traffic jams on the remaining roads. These delays are terrible. Moreover, politicians have turned the afflictions of pedestrians into prominent issues that contribute to the unending construction related delays. City mayors have been blamed of bureaucratic incompetence by politicians. This incompetence is said to have brought endless construction related work. The complexities occasioned by the aforementioned only hurts commuters.sub contractors involved during construction have failed to be coordinated which leads to delays too (White, 2009). Commuters have a high demand in road usage. This high demand together with momentary capacity reduction is as a result of road crashes and commuter work zones. These aforementioned causes a high cost of travelling and makes it more frustrating for commuters. The road government organ, federal highway administration (FHWA) with a jurisdiction of administering construction has mentioned congestion as an issue demanding a high priority. Environmental stewardship also known as the agencys vital few are other key priority areas (Vigar, 2002). Feasible Solutions to Traffic Congestion in Toronto This public menace has a potential for improvement. The use of new construction technologies should see Toronto construct its roads quicker or ensure construction does not affect the movement of traffic. For example, lateral drilling machines which eliminate the need for contractors opening up the pavement could be employed. Deployment and development of technologies in the 21st century is also important. These technologies are known as intelligent transportation systems (ITS).this technology could be used to develop the agencys capability to manage transportation systems. On the other hand commercial carriers and travelers will have ability to make informed choices about when and how to travel. Road works done on parallel arteries should also be avoided. The kind of advanced planning should be standard practice for Toronto. There should be coordination in road construction that should not restrict roadways during rush hour (Green, 2001). Traffic congestion should not be taken as a normal state of affairs. Efforts taken into consideration traditionally should be reinforced in addition to focus of FHWA on development and promotion of transportation systems and overall management and operations. Good management and operations should not do away with the need to construct new roads and to add transit capacity appropriately. The management should make most out of existing infrastructure. Retaining an existing vehicle by owners during peak operating condition is better than buying a new one in the operational strategies could be cheaper in implementation than road construction projects. This could help in reduction of traffic congestions and causing a stretch in infrastructure performance (Fisher 1996). Maintenance of municipal infrastructure in Toronto is an issue of great importance. There should be no less than 14 utilities including gas, hydro, phone and cable. These utilities should be used to replace aging equipment in Toronto streets. Despite all this, citizens of Toronto expect more and more from this city since its their right having paid heavy taxes. These disruptions have been there but they are becoming peoples centre of thought (Chowdhury, 2005). There is need to maintain municipal infrastructure in Toronto and this remains a fact not just in Toronto but other Canadian cities as well. There should be no fewer than 14 utilities, which should include gas, phone, hydro and cable. All these utilities should be tearing up Torontos streets to replace other aging equipment. Despite all these, people expect more and more from the city since it is their right after having paid the required taxes to the government. These disruptions have been there but they are becoming the peoples centre of thought (Mehr, 2005). Taking the construction activities for 24hrs is another approach worth exploring. For example the reconstruction of the Gardiner in the 1990s.the metro council back then opted to pay the contractor a premium to ensure that he works 24hrs so that the construction would take a shorter time. Toronto city should aim at constructing ring roads and by-passes. Though these are not common in Toronto city and country side, this can increase the number of roads to cater for the increasing number of vehicles in the roads. Additionally, more super highways should be constructed in addition to the existing ones. This will ensure that they utilize more space upwards and this will enable motor cycles, bikes and cars use specific highways (Green, 2001). Cars on the city centre should be banned; this should be done on busy days. A fee should be introduced for cars that enter the central business district. This will ensure that only public transport enter the city centre to ease the congestion. Private car owner who drive to work will park their cars at designated areas outside the city centre. They then board public transport to the city centre (Fisher, 1996). Creation of multi storey car parks is also important. Highways in city centers will have car parks alongside main roads. Additionally, entrance roads should be wider than countryside roads. By doing this it will create room for car parks. Rules and regulations should also be put in place to ensure that different vehicles are supposed to be parked (Chowdhury, 2005). Synchronization of traffic signals is also important. These signals should be used by all road users including pedestrians. All those breaking the rules by not observing these lights should face certain penalties. Licensing of cyclists should be done by payment of a certain fee. They should also e designated bicycle lanes on the roads where they could cycle. Roads in Toronto are often utilized for rallies marathons and protests. These functions cause congestion and closing of roads which is of no necessity. These functions could utilize the sidewalks or other areas be sought for the same. Exhaust fumes emitted from vehicles during congestion causes air pollution. Car hooting on the other hand causes noise pollution. Hence, keeping traffic in motion at all times is of essence to reduce environmental pollution and save resources. In addition the government should establish policies that are channeled towards reduction of congestion on our roads. Enforcement of these laws should be stri ct with penalties for the breakers of the law (Fisher, 1996). Conclusion Traffic congestion in Toronto is a time bomb waiting to explode. This situation has been occasioned as a result of poor enforcement of transport laws. Politicking also is a major contributing factor to this menace causing delay in construction works. Roads in Toronto are dilapidated too since the city resurfaces its roads after every 60years.the use of Toronto roads for other functions such as rallies which necessitate their closure at those times. Even though this problem seems difficult to solve there is room for improvement. Various solutions could go a long way in trying to solve this menace. New construction technologies need to be explored which will quicken the construction process. Creation of multi storey car parks is also should be considered. This will ensure that car parks are constructed along main roads. A fee should be introduced for drivers who enter the city centre. Commuters should be willing to use public transport to the city centre. Construction of bicycle lanes could help reduce congestion too. Although public transport is the solution to this menace, congestion can further be reduced by use of other means of transport. With the population estimated to increase by nearly 2.6 million, it is apparent that this problem will still persist since more than a million lore cars will be added to the roads. Therefore the commuter time is expected to stretch and the economic cost of congestion doubling. Further the death toll is expected to rise due to traffic causes alongside increase in emissions. In addition the government should enact policies and enforce efficiently. The only way to prevent the city of Toronto from coming to a standstill is to force people out of their cars by pricing them off.

Responses to the Challenge of Amoralism Essay -- Philosophy Philosophi

Responses to the Challenge of Amoralism ABSTRACT: To the question "Why should I be moral?" there is a simple answer (SA) that some philosophers find tempting. There is also a response, common enough to be dubbed the standard response (SR), to the simple answer. In what follows, I show that the SA and SR are unsatisfactory; they share a serious defect. To the question, "Why should I be moral?" there is a simple answer (SA) that some philosophers find tempting. There is also a response, common enough to be dubbed the standard response (SR), to the simple answer. In what follows I show that SA and SR are unsatisfactory; they share a serious defect. I will interpret "Why should I be moral?" to mean "Why should I habitually perform the outward deeds prescribed by morality? Why, when I’m tempted to cheat or steal, ignore the sufferings of others, or renege on my commitments, should I do what morality calls for, and hence refrain from cheating and stealing, relieve the sufferings of others, and honor my commitments? Why should I go in for such things when so many other lifestyles are possible — for instance, that of a Gauguin or of a master criminal?" Perhaps the question has other meanings, but this is a natural one, and one to which SA and SR are meant to apply. Interpreting the question this way removes some unclarity from the phrase "be moral." But it removes no ambiguities that might stem from the word "should." SA and SR purport to do this. SA, briefly put, is this: "Why should I be moral?" is either a request for a moral reason to be moral or a request for another type of reason (or perhaps a motive) to be moral. In the first case it is absurd; in the second it is unreasonable or in some other way illegitimate.... ...t then, a page later, assumes without argument that altruistic considerations provide everyone with prima facie reasons to act. Understandably, he then treats "Why should I be moral?" as something more complicated than a request for a reason. The trouble is that Sterba’s "altruistic reasons" are among the things Foot calls moral considerations. Thus, he has not engaged Foot’s argument; he has made exactly the assumption her argument challenges. (9) A similar objection has been used against Foot. See Robert L. Holmes, "Is Morality a System of Hypothetical Imperatives?" Analysis 34 (1973): 96–100. Foot’s reply to it, which differs from mine, is in "‘Is Morality a System of Hypothetical Imperatives?’ A Reply to Mr. Holmes," Analysis 35 (1974): 53–56. (10) I discuss these and related distinctions in "Motivation and Practical Reasons," Erkenntnis 47 (1997): 105–27. Responses to the Challenge of Amoralism Essay -- Philosophy Philosophi Responses to the Challenge of Amoralism ABSTRACT: To the question "Why should I be moral?" there is a simple answer (SA) that some philosophers find tempting. There is also a response, common enough to be dubbed the standard response (SR), to the simple answer. In what follows, I show that the SA and SR are unsatisfactory; they share a serious defect. To the question, "Why should I be moral?" there is a simple answer (SA) that some philosophers find tempting. There is also a response, common enough to be dubbed the standard response (SR), to the simple answer. In what follows I show that SA and SR are unsatisfactory; they share a serious defect. I will interpret "Why should I be moral?" to mean "Why should I habitually perform the outward deeds prescribed by morality? Why, when I’m tempted to cheat or steal, ignore the sufferings of others, or renege on my commitments, should I do what morality calls for, and hence refrain from cheating and stealing, relieve the sufferings of others, and honor my commitments? Why should I go in for such things when so many other lifestyles are possible — for instance, that of a Gauguin or of a master criminal?" Perhaps the question has other meanings, but this is a natural one, and one to which SA and SR are meant to apply. Interpreting the question this way removes some unclarity from the phrase "be moral." But it removes no ambiguities that might stem from the word "should." SA and SR purport to do this. SA, briefly put, is this: "Why should I be moral?" is either a request for a moral reason to be moral or a request for another type of reason (or perhaps a motive) to be moral. In the first case it is absurd; in the second it is unreasonable or in some other way illegitimate.... ...t then, a page later, assumes without argument that altruistic considerations provide everyone with prima facie reasons to act. Understandably, he then treats "Why should I be moral?" as something more complicated than a request for a reason. The trouble is that Sterba’s "altruistic reasons" are among the things Foot calls moral considerations. Thus, he has not engaged Foot’s argument; he has made exactly the assumption her argument challenges. (9) A similar objection has been used against Foot. See Robert L. Holmes, "Is Morality a System of Hypothetical Imperatives?" Analysis 34 (1973): 96–100. Foot’s reply to it, which differs from mine, is in "‘Is Morality a System of Hypothetical Imperatives?’ A Reply to Mr. Holmes," Analysis 35 (1974): 53–56. (10) I discuss these and related distinctions in "Motivation and Practical Reasons," Erkenntnis 47 (1997): 105–27.

Neolithic Pottery :: essays research papers

Neolithic is of or relating to the cultural periods of the Stone Age beginning around 10,000 B.C. in the Middle East and later elsewhere, characterized by the development of agriculture and the making of polished stone artifacts. The Neolithic Period is also called the New Stone Age. Many water pots and ceramic figures were found in the ruins of Neolithic society plots of earth. People of Neolithic times made many artifacts that were symbolic of their ways of life and culture such as water pots, fish, hunting and medical objects. Out of the artifacts found from the Neolithic period, the fish is symbolic to me because of the times spent with my father during fishing trips.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Neolithic Period extended from 10,000 B.C. to 3,000 B.C. It is also called the New Stone Age, and many new Advances and changes took place in this time. Unlike the nomadic life of the Old Stone Age, the New Stone Age was the dawning of settled life. People lived more towards lakes and river instead of caves and tree trunks. The change in environment led to the change of jobs, society, and culture. Neolithic everyday objects reveal that fishing and hunting were the main occupations of the people. Neolithic art is represented by a large number of objects found in isolated areas in Eastern Europe, Siberia and Central Asia. Neolithic people decorated clay water vessels in a wide variety of ways that were very large and colorful. They also created bone, horn and wooden figurines of people and animals. The Earliest Neolithic pottery found in Siberia and Central Asia is similar to pottery found in northern Britain, suggesting that early Neolithic colonist may have co me to Ireland from northern Britain. The pottery bowls were made by winding coils of clay in a circle to form the sides of the bowl, smoothing them, and finally firing them on an open fire. After the making of these vessels were mastered, pottery was decorated with dots or lines in the surface of the clay.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Neolithic people lived near rivers and lakes. The artifacts and life in the water became and important part of their lives by supporting them with food, cleansing and ceremonial artifacts such as fish and shells. Fishing was an important job, and way of life because the abundance of fish fed entire villages. The fish were appreciated so much to the Neolithic people that they began making clay fish, as a symbol for their way of life.

al capone , a true american hero :: essays research papers

Al Capone was one of the greatest American gangsters in history. â€Å"Even though he was unbelievable smart, he dropped out of school, he dropped out of school at age 14 in the 6 Th. grade. (Kobler, John. Capone: The Life and World of Al Capone.) He got involved with crime at a very early age, and he never failed to stir up trouble. Between working 3 jobs and being in a gang, Capon had much worse problems to deal with. Problems like shelter when nighttime came. He later graduated to the notorious Five Points Gang in Manhattan where he ended up working at the â€Å"Yale’s Brooklyn Dive’, with another gangster named Frankie Yale. (Schoenberg, Robert J. Mr. Capone: The Real-and Complete). He also worked at the Harvard Inn as a bartender and bouncer. It was there he received his nickname â€Å"Scare Face† His infamous facial scars were received when he got into a brawl with a patron's brother. Cappone ended up meeting his future wife and mother to his child in 19 18. He Mary â€Å"Mae† Coughlin at a dance on December 4, 1918. Then (Alsop, Kenneth. The Bootleggers). Cappone’s and Mae got married that year and his first son was born. One thing about Cappone was that no matter the crime he always had an alibi. Cappone also had his own famous killing style. This involved his men renting an apartment across the street from the home of the victim and shooting im when he came out. Cappone’s first arrest was a disorderly conduct charge while he was working for Yale. He murdered a lot of men in NYC because of gangster etiquette â€Å"no one ever saw a thing†. Cappone's combination of physical strength and intelligence encouraged his protege. (Nash, J. Blood Letter and Bad Men). Soon Cappone was helping another gangster who went my Torio; He helped mange his bootlegging business. Cappone’s most notorious killing was the St. Valentines Massacre (Bowettiger, John. Lake Jingle: Chicago on the Spot) On February 4th 1929 four of Cappone’s men entered a garage at 2122 North Clark Street. Because two of Cappone’s men were dressed like policemen the victims put their hands up, dropped their weapons and were immediately shot. Cappone’s men fired over 150 shots into those men. Cappone eventually got nailed for not paying his taxes and the judge that heard his case sent him to prison. al capone , a true american hero :: essays research papers Al Capone was one of the greatest American gangsters in history. â€Å"Even though he was unbelievable smart, he dropped out of school, he dropped out of school at age 14 in the 6 Th. grade. (Kobler, John. Capone: The Life and World of Al Capone.) He got involved with crime at a very early age, and he never failed to stir up trouble. Between working 3 jobs and being in a gang, Capon had much worse problems to deal with. Problems like shelter when nighttime came. He later graduated to the notorious Five Points Gang in Manhattan where he ended up working at the â€Å"Yale’s Brooklyn Dive’, with another gangster named Frankie Yale. (Schoenberg, Robert J. Mr. Capone: The Real-and Complete). He also worked at the Harvard Inn as a bartender and bouncer. It was there he received his nickname â€Å"Scare Face† His infamous facial scars were received when he got into a brawl with a patron's brother. Cappone ended up meeting his future wife and mother to his child in 19 18. He Mary â€Å"Mae† Coughlin at a dance on December 4, 1918. Then (Alsop, Kenneth. The Bootleggers). Cappone’s and Mae got married that year and his first son was born. One thing about Cappone was that no matter the crime he always had an alibi. Cappone also had his own famous killing style. This involved his men renting an apartment across the street from the home of the victim and shooting im when he came out. Cappone’s first arrest was a disorderly conduct charge while he was working for Yale. He murdered a lot of men in NYC because of gangster etiquette â€Å"no one ever saw a thing†. Cappone's combination of physical strength and intelligence encouraged his protege. (Nash, J. Blood Letter and Bad Men). Soon Cappone was helping another gangster who went my Torio; He helped mange his bootlegging business. Cappone’s most notorious killing was the St. Valentines Massacre (Bowettiger, John. Lake Jingle: Chicago on the Spot) On February 4th 1929 four of Cappone’s men entered a garage at 2122 North Clark Street. Because two of Cappone’s men were dressed like policemen the victims put their hands up, dropped their weapons and were immediately shot. Cappone’s men fired over 150 shots into those men. Cappone eventually got nailed for not paying his taxes and the judge that heard his case sent him to prison.

Geomatics : Levelling

Topic 2: Levelling Aims -Heights, datums and bench marks -Levelling equipment -Field procedure for levelling -Calculating reduced levels -Sources of error in levelling -Other levelling methods Levelling – how heights are defined Engineering surveying involves the measurement of three quantities; heights, angles and distances. Levelling it the process of measuring heights. It is possible when levelling to measure heights with an accuracy of millimetres Heights can also be measured using total stations, handheld lasers and GPS devices.However, levelling offers an inexpensive, simple and accurate method for measuring heights, and it is widely used in construction sites. Any method of measuring the heights of points above or below the ground using an agreed datum. These datum's or reference points are present in all construction sites and has an arbitrary height assigned to the point. Most construction sites will have several of these benchmarks, and if they have heights based on an arbitrary datum, they are known as Temporary Bench Marks. Heights Heights are defined using horizontal and vertical lines.The figure below shows a plumbbob suspended at point P, the direction of gravity along the plumb-line defines the vertical at point P. A horizontal or level line is any line at right angles to this For site work, any horizontal line can be chosen as a datum for heights and for levelling. The height of a point is measured along the vertical above or below the chosen datum. The height of a point relative to a datum is known as its reduced level (RL). On most construction sites there is a permanent datum. The horizontal line or surface passing through this, with its height, becomes the levelling datum.The height of the datum can be arbitrary, a value often used for this is 100. 000m. This is chosen to avoid any negative heights occurring. Any reference point on site which has had a height assigned to it is known as a bench mark. For most surveys and construction work, several bench marks would normally be established by levelling from the datum. If heights are based on an arbitrary datum these are known as Temporary Bench Marks or TBMs. Curved Surfaces Level (or horizontal) lines are always at right angles to the direction of gravity. The direction of gravity is generally towards the centre of the earth.Over large areas, as the Earth is curved, level surfaces will also be curved. For these, a height difference is measured along a vertical between two curved level surfaces. When surveying over a large area, a curved level surface of zero height has to be defined. This has been established by the Ordnance Survey, this is called the Ordnance Datum (OD). This corresponds to the average sea level measured Poolbeg or Malin Head. Heights based on these are know as OD heights. The levelling staff Levelling involves measuring vertical distances with reference to a horizontal plane or surface.To do this, a levelling staff is needed to measure vertica l distances and an instrument known as a level is required to define the horizontal plane. Many types of staff are used with varying lengths and different markings. The E-type face is commonly used in the UK and Ireland. This can be read directly to 0. 01m and by estimation to the nearest mm. The staff must be held vertically – a circular bubble is sometimes fitted to help this. Automatic Level 1. Focusing screw 2. Eyepiece 3. Foot screw 6. Tangent screw 7. Circular bubble Automatic Level 4. Horizontal circle 5. Base plate 8. Collimator (sight) 9. Object lensThe main features of the telescope 1. Object lens 2. Focusing screw 3. Focusing lens 4. Diaphragm 5. Eyepiece The object lens, focusing lens, diaphragm and eye piece are all mounted on an optical axis called the line of collimation or the line of sight. This is an imaginary line which joins the optical centre of the object lens to the centre of the cross hairs. When looking through the eye piece of the surveying telescope , a set of lines called the cross hairs can be seen. These are used for taking measurements from the staff. These cross hairs are etched on a small sheet of glass known as the diaphragm.To make the telescope work, the image of the staff is brought to a focus in the plane of the diaphragm using the focusing screw. The eyepiece is rotated so that the cross hairs are in focus and its focal point is also in the plane of the diaphragm. When looking into the telescope an observer will now see a magnified image of the levelling staff focused against the cross hairs. Parallax Parallax occurs when the focusing screw and the eyepiece is done incorrectly. This condition can be detected by moving the eye to different parts of the eyepiece when reading the staff. If different readings are obtained then parallax is present.To remove parallax, hold a sheet of paper in front of the object and adjust the eyepiece so that the cross hairs are in focus. Then remove the sheet of paper and bring the staf f into focus using the focusing screw. Once again check for parallax by moving your eye around the eyepiece. If parallax is still occurring repeat the adjustment procedure. The compensator In an automatic level, the compensator is mounted on the telescope next to the eyepiece. It will only work when the instrument has been levelled to within about 15’ of the vertical using the foot screws and circular bubble.The function of the compensator is to ensure that the line of sight viewed through the telescope is horizontal even if the telescope is tilted Tilting levels Tilting levels use a spirit level instead of a compensator to establish a horizontal line of sight. When the bubble is centred the sprit level will be horizontal. When the bubble is off centre the axis will be tilted. By attaching a sprit level to the telescope such that its axis is parallel to the line of sight a horizontal line can be set. This is done by using a tilting screw, when this is rotated the telescope is tilted a small amount in the vertical plane.The tilting screw is adjusted until the bubble is centred. Digital levels Digital levels are similar in appearance to automatic levels, a horizontal line is established by a compensator and this is done by centralising a circular bubble with the foot screws. The main difference between this and other levels is that the staff readings are taken and recorded automatically. When levelling, a special bar-coded staff is sighted, and there is no need to sight this staff as the level will do this automatically and display the measurement. It can also display the horizontal distance to the staff.The advantages of digital levels are that observations are taken without the need to read a staff or record anything by hand. Introducing this automation removes two of the most common errors when levelling, reading the staff incorrectly and writing down the wrong value in the field book. The on-board computer also calculates the heights required so that the possibility of making a mistake is removed. This makes the digital level much faster to use. Laser levels Laser levels contain a rotating laser which defines a visible horizontal plane from which distance to the ground can be made and then the height can be determined.Using a level The following steps are taken when using a level to measure heights 1. Set up the tripod 2. Ensure the top is level 3. Push legs firmly into the ground 4. Attach level 5. Use foot screws to centralise the circular bubble 6. Test to see if the compensator is working 7. Remove parallax Once the level is set up its important that the line of sight is horizontal. When the foot screws have been used to centralise the circular bubble, it is assumed that the compensator has set the line of sight to be horizontal.However, most levels are not in perfect adjustment and when levelled their line of sight is never exactly horizontal. If the line of sight is not horizontal when the instrument has been levelled, the level has a collimation error. As most levels will have some level of collimation error, a method is required to check if the error is within acceptable limits. This is known as a two-peg test. This needs to be conducted when using a new or different level for the first time and at regular intervals thereafter. Two peg test Stage 1 On fairly level ground, two points A and B are marked a distance of Lm apart.In soft ground, two pegs are used, on hard surfaces nails or paint may be used. The level is set up midway between the points at C and carefully levelled. A levelling staff is placed at A and B and staff readings S1 (at B) and S2 (at A) are taken. The two readings are: S1 = (S1‘ + x) and S2 = (S2‘ + x) S1‘ and S2‘ are the staff readings that would have been obtained if the line of collimation was horizontal, x is the error in each reading due to the collimation error, the effect of which is to tilt the line of sight by angle ?.Since AC = CB, the error x i n the readings S1 and S2 will be the same. The difference between readings S1 and S2 gives: S1 – S2 = (S1‘ + x) – (S2‘ + x) = S1‘ – S2‘ This gives the true difference in height between A and B. This demonstrates that if a collimation error is present in a level, the effect of this cancels out when height differences are computed provided readings are taken over equal sighting distances. Stage 2 The level is then moved so that it is L/10m from point B at D and readings S3 and S4 are taken.The difference between readings S3 and S4 gives the apparent difference in height between A and B. If the level is in perfect adjustment then: S1 – S2 = S3 – S4 However this is not always the case and that an error term (e) needs to be estimates e = (S1 – S2) – (S3 – S4) per Lm If the results of these tests show that the collimation error is less than 1mm per 20m (or some specified value). If the collimation error is gre ater than this specified value then the level has to be adjusted. This is normally done by the manufacturer or a trained technician.Example Readings obtained from a two peg test carried out on an automatic level with a staff placed on two pegs A and B 50m apart are: Staff reading at A = 1. 283m Staff reading at B = 0. 860m With the level position 5m from peg B (L/10): Staff reading at A = 1. 612m Staff reading at B =1. 219m Calculate the collimation error of the level per 50m of sighting distance Solution S1= 0. 860M S2 = 1. 283M S3 = 1. 219M S4 = 1. 612M e = (0. 860 – 1. 283) – (1. 219 – 1. 612) per 50M = (-0. 423 – (-0. 393)) = -0. 030M per 50M Exam Question 2007 (5 marks)

Symbols and Motifs in King Lear

The issue of blindness is associated most obviously with Gloucester, who is blinded in the course of the play. It is peculiarly right for Gloucester’s eyes to be the organs through which he is tortured.  Ã‚   Gloucester thought he saw the truth about his sons, but was in fact blind.   With his eyes put out he does indeed see the truth. â€Å"Gloucester before he lost his eyes was spiritually blind, and could not tell the difference between a good son and a bad† (Muir, lx). It is this physical suffering that brings out the long debilitated moral stamina that has underlain his sympathy. Losing his eyes enables him to reach heroic and tragic proportions. He surely has the right to say, â€Å"All dark and comfortless† (III, vii, 84).   There is no irritating shadow of egotism on his accounts of his predicament. And when he learns that Edmund has betrayed him, his response is astonishing and wonderful: â€Å"O my follies!   Then Edgar was abused. / Kind gods, forgive me that and prosper him (III, vii, 90-1).   He knows that his injury to Edgar can never be forgiven:You cannot see your way.I have no way, and therefore want no eyes;I stumbled when I saw†¦.(IV, i, 17-19).Gloucester’s blindness is also a reflection of the unreformed Lear’s arrogant folly, and his inability to tell a good daughter from a bad, until he has been through his own ordeal.The StormIn III, i, the Gentleman gives us an account of Lear’s behaviour which shows him as, in a way, indulging in a sort of theatrical display, enjoying the spectacle of himself suffering in the storm.   The storm seems to appeal to Lear as a sort of melodramatic setting for a display of what is at this point his martyr-like self-pity. â€Å"tears his white hair†¦/ Strives in his little world of man to out-storm / The to-and-fro-conflicting wind and rain† (III, i, 6-10).   But Lear has not yet reached the truth about himself.   This is important be cause it is tempting to see the storm as a symbolic event, and Lear as man in the abstract contending with the forces of evil.   Shakespeare makes us stand back from Lear still, and not identify with him. The real meaning of the storm lies in the thought that it was inhumanly cruel of the daughters to shut him out on such a night.Certainly Kent’s description of the peculiar severity of the storm prompts one to see it as more than just a physical event. He has never in his life seen â€Å"such sheets of fire, such bursts of horrid thunder† (III, ii, 46) etc., and the implication is that the storm has more than natural causes.   This leads Lear to his reflection on the power of the storm to purge evil and crime:   Ã¢â‚¬Å"Let the Great Gods, / That keep this dreadful pudder o’er our heads, / Find out their enemies now†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (IV, ii, 49-51). His growing madness takes the form an obsessive interpretation of all ills in terms of his own personal sufferin gs.   Shakespeare makes sure we see the point: â€Å"this tempest in my mind / Doth from my senses take all feeling else / Save what beats there† (III, iv, 12-14).It is the internal tempest that matters in the drama, and the way it brings Lear to some sort of wisdom. The wildness of the elements leads him to a great advance when he sees Edgar as elemental man. Here real truth starts to appear to him: â€Å"Is man no more than this?†¦ unaccommodated man is no more but such a poor, bare, forked animal as thou art† (III, iv, 105-111).  Ã‚   He sees, for the first time, beyond the surface of things, and understands the folly of snobbery and blind selfishness in human life. His own trappings of pomp are vain, he sees himself as deluded, and Edgar as the truth.MadnessLear’s collapse into madness is his way to transformation.   One of his mad notions is to imagine the mock trial of the sisters.   The symbolic force of this is evident:(To Edgar)   Thou, r obed man of justice, take thy place.(To the Fool)   And thou, his yoke fellow of equity,Bench by his side.   (To Kent)   You are o’th’commission;Sit you too. (III, vi, 37-40).Here is a Christian inversion of the social order; a mad beggar, a fool, and an exiled man are set up over the mighty to sit in judgement on them.   It is a mad fancy of Lear’s, but it has a deep significance in the criticism of false sophistication that the play poses.   An unjust society has helped Lear to be an egotist and to do evil, as Kent said in the first scene.   Now Lear is learning and regrets his own â€Å"sophistication† in the face of Edgar, â€Å"the thing itself†.   What he is learning is the need for humility, and respect for others, and the importance of setting one’s eyes on the real truths of human existence if one is to live decently and with meaning. The knowledge Lear gains is percolated through his madness.But Gloucester does not go mad.   He endures everything.   As he learns from Edgar’s lesson on the â€Å"cliff†, it is not man’s right to choose his end. The point of that strange scene seems to be summarised at the end by Gloucester’s description of their relative fates:The King is mad: how stiff is my vile senseThat I stand up, and have ingenious feelingOf my huge sorrows!   Better I were distract:So should my thoughts be sever’d from my griefs,And woes by wrong imaginations loseThe knowledge of themselves. (IV, vi, 28106)  Ã¢â‚¬Å"I suggest that through him we grasp the central thread, which has to do with love and suffering and sticking it out to the end†¦ Lear is spared the worst. Gloucester gets it† (Mason, 1970, p.200).In Lear’s crazed mind all authority is in the hands of those who are unworthy.   It is only their established power, their rank and ceremonial clothes that distinguish the judges from the accused.   Morality is cynically ig nored.   Only selfishness rules.   â€Å"Let copulation thrive† – and the world in Lear’s distorted mind looks very like that presupposed by Edmund’s view of nature, a sort of jungle of self-interest, power and lust.BetrayalWhen Cordelia refuses to do what her foolish father wants in the first scene she invokes the idea of the bond. â€Å"I love your majesty / According to my bond† (I, i, 92-3) And by â€Å"bond† she means something quite different from the â€Å"bondage† that he interprets it as.   The question of the bonds of human relationships is central to the play; why human beings fail in their bonds, as the daughters do with Lear, and Edmund does with his father is the horrific mystery that Shakespeare cannot solve.   Cordelia goes on to spell out, in an embarrassed way – she had always thought it was obvious – what she means by â€Å"bond†.It is the natural range of duties and affection that exist between children and parents.   Kent too speaks of another bond, the sacred responsibilities of service. â€Å"Royal Lear, / Whom I have ever honour’d   as my King, / Lov’d as my father, as my master follow’d†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (I, i, 139-141).   It is the betrayal of these bonds that causes such chaos in the moral world of King Lear, of which Jan Kott says â€Å"There is neither Christian heaven, nor the heaven predicted by humanists.   King Lear makes a tragic mockery of all eschatologies† (Kott, 1967, p.116).Edmund’s speech in I, ii is plain because his thought is plain.   There is no hesitation in him because there are no doubts, and no traces of decent feeling in him at all.   He is utterly conscienceless.   Nothing in him works to check the urge of ruthlessness. His closeness to the sisters is clear.   His â€Å"Nature†, it is pretty obvious, is a different concept from that assumed in Cordelia’s definition of the n atural â€Å"bonds† of feeling and duty which underlie decent society.   It is, for him, nature as expressed in the law of the jungle – naked self-interest and the pursuit of power.   He is appalling in his plainness.   The sisters are equally ready to betray normal ties. It is astonishing to hear Regan’s total failure to respond to Lear’s appeals for sympathy.   After all, however absurd his selfishness, he is her father.   But she responds, as does Goneril, like a machine, with an icy formality of tone which is the voice of cold reason.O, Sir! you are old,Nature in you stands on the very vergeOf her confine: you should be rul’d and ledBy some discretion that discerns your stateBetter then you yourself. (II, iv, 147-151).We might be tempted to agree with Bradley that â€Å"in that dark cold world some fateful malignant influence is abroad, turning the hearts of the fathers against their children and of the children against their fathers † (Bradley, 214). But the bonds are not always betrayed. A notable incident   in III, vii, the scene in which Gloucester is blinded, is the intervention of the servant. He acts purely on a humane instinct of decency, knowing in his soul that such conduct as Cornwall’s is not tolerable in a human world. He invokes the sacred bond of service, just as Kent did to Lear :â€Å"Hold your hand, my lord! /   I have served you ever since I was a child; / But better service have I never done you /   Than now to bid you hold† (III, vii, 71-4). The point here – the infinitely blessed and optimistic point – is that this man is not a hero, but simply a decent human being.   But he is ready to die in defense of a tolerable worldWorks CitedBradley, A.C.   Shakespearean Tragedy.   London: Macmillan, Second edition, 1905.Kott, Jan, Shakespeare Our Contemporary, translated by Boleslaw Taborski, London, Methuen, 2nd edition 1967.Mason, H.A., Shakespeareâ₠¬â„¢s Tragedies of Love, London, Chatto and Windus, 1970.Shakespeare, W.   The Arden Shakespeare: King Lear. Ed. Kenneth Muir. London: Methuen, 1980.

The Driverless Car Revolution

A) Some of the world’s cleverest scientists and engineers are pioneering a new generation of driverless cars that will change our lives as much as the internet has already done. B) The idea of self-driving vehicles will sound like science-fiction to many, but the prototypes already work, using 360-degree sensors, lasers, learning algorithms and GPS to navigate streets in an astonishingly precise fashion. They are likely to go mainstream in 15 to 20 years’ time and are a genuinely exciting, game-changing breakthrough that refute the myth that our economy has ceased to spawn major technological innovations. Google’s vehicles have already driven more than 400,000 miles without an accident and are beginning to be legalised in US states.C) The technology could trigger a burst of economic growth, transform transport around the world, free vast amounts of time, increase productivity, make us a lot wealthier and unleash drastic, unpredictable economic and cultural change s. By allowing people to relax or work as they commute, they will deal a devastating blow to public transport in all but the densest, most congested areas.D) The biggest US think-tanks, universities, forecasters and corporations are busily trying to work out how, not if, the world will change as a result of driverless cars, and who the winners and losers will be.E) Driverless cars will have huge advantages. Commuting will become useful, productive time, saving many people two or more hours a day that are currently wasted. The number of accidents will fall by at least 90pc, scientists believe, preventing thousands of deaths, by controlling distances between vehicles, braking automatically and eliminating human errors and reckless driving. The superior safety of driverless cars means that it ought to be possible to reduce their weight, cutting back on fuel consumption, and to redesign car shapes, making them more like living rooms. Even car sickness could be reduced, with smoother dri ving.F) The dynamics of commuting will change as it will no longer be necessary to  find a parking space on arrival: the driverless car could either park itself at some distance from the workplace or even return home, before picking up the passenger in the evening. Fewer people may want to own cars, with rental becoming more attractive. This could allow residential parking areas to be put to other uses.G) The look and feel of roads and towns will drastically change. It will be possible to cram in far more cars into existing roads, driving at much faster speeds. Simulations of intelligently controlled intersections from the University of Texas suggest that they perform 200 to 300 times better than current traffic signals. Self-driving vehicles will have the ability to â€Å"platoon†, acting almost like train carriages on motorways, increasing lane capacity by up to 500pc, according to research from the US Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.H) Far more people w ill travel at night, sleeping at the same time, especially for longer trips such as holidays, reducing the demand for train and short-haul plane journeys. Driverless cars will once again boost the value of suburbs and country living, and their house prices: far more people will be willing to commute much longer distances to work or school. This will encourage cities to become even more sprawling, putting massive  pressure on existing planning rules. The premium on living centrally will be reduced, albeit not eliminated because of congestion, which means there will still be a need for some urban rail services.I) The transition process will inevitably be painful. Like all technological shifts, self-driving vehicles will threaten some existing jobs, including that of many professional drivers, though consumers will have more money to spend on other things, creating employment in those areas.Which paragraphs contain the following information? 1. It is predicted that many lives will be saved. 2. Prototypes have already been tested successfully. 3. Motorways will be used more efficiently. 4. The impact on transport by rail and plane. 5. Drawbacks for certain professions.