Changing Times Contrasting young People Today to Young People Fifty Years Ago

Civilizations across the world have continued to evolve in a way that reflects their daily experiences with the needs and requirements of modern living. Worldviews, attitudes, perceptions and value systems have been greatly influenced by the occurrences of the modern world, not mentioning the fact that competition for the ever dwindling resources have continued to increase with the times. Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Changing Times: Contrasting young People Today to Young People Fifty Years Ago specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This is not to say that the population of the 20th century resided in a world that was free from such vagrancies. To the contrary, each period in time has presented its own benefits and challenges, but available evidence confirms that the benefits keeps constricting while the challenges expand as one progresses forward (Pascoe 227). It is the purpose of this paper to contrast the young people today to young people fifty years ago. Technological advancements have influenced the lifestyles of the modern youth in ways that cannot be wished away. The young people today are able to communicate with their friends and acquaintances in a click of the mouse or using other technological devices such as mobile phones. The world has become increasingly globalized, with the youth turning into technology as a medium for meeting and interacting with new friends (Richman 183). For example, internet social networking sites such as Facebook and Tweeter have become the communication medium of choice for the youth. Some fifty years ago, such communication mediums could only be fanaticized in the subconscious, and the young people largely depended on physical face-to-face communication to create and maintain their friendship networks. It should be remembered that the young people today, unlike their counterparts fifty years ago, are becoming increasingly disoriented by such modern me thods of communication. The warmth that was witnessed in social networks some fifty years ago is no more as the youth engage in online dating with strangers who live halfway across the world. Crime and degradation of moral values have been heightened by modern methods of communication, not mentioning the fact that these methods are unable to fulfill the emotional needs of the modern youth in ways that face-to-face communication did some fifty years ago (Richman 183). Consequently, it is safe to presume that the youth of today suffer more emotional breakdowns than their counterparts who lived fifty years ago. This is not to say that the methods do not have their own advantages. To the contrary, the young people today are able to share ideas and problems with a lot of people using the internet protocols. They are also able to communicate much faster than young people fifty years ago.Advertising Looking for essay on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first p aper with 15% OFF Learn More Moving on, it is evidently clear that young people today are faced with new and more intricate challenges than young people fifty years ago. Employment opportunities are at their lowest, and new diseases such as HIV/AIDS and obesity are threatening to wipe out whole populations of the youth in some societies. Social vices such as crime and drug abuse have more than doubled, incapacitating the modern youth in ways that have greatly impacted their lives (Pascoe 228). Although it can be counter argued that these experiences also inflicted the young people fifty years ago, the magnitude in which they are happening today is utterly devastating to say the least. What’s more, these variables tend to put the young people of modern times into a spiraling vicious cycle, where they continue to further their agenda in crime due to the ever increasing frustrations and lack of opportunities for personal growth. Fifty years ago, a proper education mea nt a good life for the young people in career advancement and personal growth. The same cannot be guaranteed today. The young people fifty years ago were affected by historical influences that modern-day young people could only dream of. For instance, slavery and subjugation of the black community by the mainstream white community was prevalent in the decades of the 1950s and 1960s. The racism and colonization influenced the worldviews of the young people in major ways. History teaches us that it was the young people in the likes of Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, among others, who came up with the civil rights movement and other organizations that were meant to raise the consciousness of the blacks especially in America. This is not to say that young people from mainstream white society did not have their own problems; rather, this example is used to show that the young people fifty years ago had a fighting spirit that is totally lacking in young people today (Pascoe 229). This ag ain does not imply that young people today are unable or unwilling to stand up and fight for their rights. To the contrary, they are ready, but the political and historical experiences of young people fifty years ago put them in the world scene in ways that has not been experienced in modern times. Lastly, it can be argued that the overall way of life of young people today is different in major ways to that of young people fifty years ago (Pascoe 226). For instance, young people today are largely viewed as lacking in deeply entrenched philosophies that were so much dominant in young people fifty years ago. Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Changing Times: Contrasting young People Today to Young People Fifty Years Ago specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Today, young people appear to be in a sudden rush to achieve everything at the same time. This can be attributed to the shaky and sometimes uncertain living condition s, not mentioning the fact that the cost of living in modern times is almost unbearable. Fifty years ago, the young people seemed to enjoy life that looked ordered in major facets, including sexual division of labor. This cannot be said of the young people in modern times. Works Cited Pascoe, C.J. What if a Guy Hit on You? Intersections of Gender, Sexuality, and age in the Field with Adolescents. In: A. Best (Eds) Representing Youth: Methodological Issues in Critical Youth Studies. New York, NY: NYU Press Richman, A. The Outsider Lurking on Line: Adults Researching Youth Cyber cultures. In: A. Best (Eds) Representing Youth: Methodological Issues in Critical Youth Studies. New York, NY: NYU Press This essay on Changing Times: Contrasting young People Today to Young People Fifty Years Ago was written and submitted by user Juan Howell to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Olive Growing in Morocco essays

Olive Growing in Morocco essays Morocco is currently the world's sixth olive oil producer, with 550,000 hectares planted to olive trees, Moroccan agriculture minister Habib El Malki said (Morocco, Agriculture 1999). From these trees, Morocco produced 480,000 tons of olives, making the country the second largest exporter of olives. The minister also said that more oil-producing fruits would be planted in an additional 500,000 hectares in the next decade to increase their current production, which was only a third of the Morocco's potential, he added (Morocco, Agriculture). When this happens, the country could turn out more than 80,000 tons or a 78% increase (Karam 2003), given abundant rain currently present. Morocco used to be one of the largest olives groves in the Mediterranean Basin until massive deforestation and drought brought production levels down in the last decades. (An official was quoted as saying that Morocco's annual oil needs were estimated at 350,000 tons (Karam), for which olive oil had to be imported but the country's exports of plain olives would go up. At present, he said, that Morocco exports 65,000 tons of tinned olives each year. Olive oil is currently in demand in European households and the government of Morocco would like to take the opportunity to fill part of that demand by launching a program to plant 25,000 olive trees yearly (Karam). But, at present, only 40% of the program goal - or 48,000 tons - has been achieved, and that was why the Moroccan government urged professionals to improve the quality of 80% of this yearly production level (Morocco, Agriculture). The ministry of agriculture would provide annual subsidy of between 3,500 to 5,000 dh, equivalent to between $357 and $510. Edible oil productivity remained low and not more than .05 metric tons in non- irrigated areas a...

HOW DO THE MEXICAN DRUG CARTELS WORK TO REDUCE COMPETITION AND Essay

HOW DO THE MEXICAN DRUG CARTELS WORK TO REDUCE COMPETITION AND INCREASE PROFITS - Essay Example a very function of the fact that this particular practice is illegal and almost every single nation around the globe, the profit margins for such behavior are extraordinarily high. Due to the fact that individuals are attracted to this particular line of work based upon the extraordinarily high income they can earn with relatively little effort, there is a continual allure that drug trafficking, smuggling, production, and distribution has for individuals that might not otherwise consider integrating with the traditional economy. Needless to say, in order for drug distribution, transportation, or production to be particularly effective, it must necessarily have a certain level of organization. In much the same way that individual businesses within the traditional economy grow and expand to encompass operational goals and responsibilities that comprised many different individuals, drug cartels have grown as a function of controlling drug trafficking and production as well as smothering potential competition. Whereas the individual might be able to make a relatively small amount of money based upon drug trafficking and production, the protection, level of legitimacy, power, and reach that a cartel as allows this particular process to be engaged in a much more efficient manner. As such, the following discussion will provide a detailed observation with regards to the economics of cartel behavior. Subsequently, it is the hope of this particular author that such a unit of analysis will be beneficial in attempting to relate the dynamics of how this subsector of the economy works; as well as providing an insightful understanding of how economic principles that define the remainder of the economic sphere remain applicable and worthy of consideration – even within the black market. When one considers the illicit drugs industry, they invariably consider the most commonly referred to forms of drug trafficking; marijuana and cocaine. Although it is true that marijuana

How globalization implicate the international business Essay

How globalization implicate the international business - Essay Example In the context of this paper, the definition of globalization that would be more relevant is the following: globalization is ‘a cluster of technological, economic and political processes that reduce the barriers to economic exchange across borders’ (Drezner 2008, p.10). A key sector of international business that has been affected by globalization is marketing. In fact, in regard to marketing globalization has a particular characteristic: it focuses on ‘the creation of marketing strategies as though the entire world were a single entity’ (Pride and Ferrell 2004, p.135). A company that highly reflects the promotion of globalized marketing is Nike: the specific company promotes its products worldwide by employing the same marketing strategies (Pride and Ferrell 2004). For Nike, the use of such marketing strategy is feasible, and effective, since the firm has a strong brand name internationally; in such business culture, the above marketing approach can significantly contribute in the further increase of the firm’s popularity, as a global brand (Pride and Ferrell 2004). The case of Nike implies that globalization in marketing could benefits business performance, but under certain terms, as explained above. In practice, globalization has been found to result both to benefits and disadvantages for international businesses. An important benefit of these businesses, as resulted from globalization, is the ‘creation of global markets’ (Debrah and Smith 2003, p.8). In these markets, international businesses are able to secure the high quality of their products but at lower prices, as compared to the markets in the pre-globalization period (Debrah and Smith 2003). The limitation of business costs, a benefit usually achieved by establishing business units in developing countries, is an important benefit for international businesses but also a drawback for employees: in firms operating globally the rights of employees are often disregarded and wages can be

The Human Heart in Conflict With Itself Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Human Heart in Conflict With Itself - Essay Example The goals of literature, therefore, are to encourage the human race to recognize these conflicts of the human heart and to encourage human beings to endure hardships and prevail in moments of conflict and uncertainty. Faulkner concludes his speech by asserting that, "the poet's voice need not merely be the record of man, it can be one of the props, the pillars to help him endure and prevail" (Nobel Prize Speech, np.). This essay will examine two pieces of literature against the backdrop of Faulkner's standard for good and meaningful writing. The first is Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad and the second is The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka. In Lord Jim we become witnesses to the deeply profound struggles of a young British seaman named Jim. He is hired as a lowly ship's mate aboard a ship crowded with pilgrims. In the beginning, Jim is idealistic about his role on the ship. "He saw himself saving people from sinking ships, cutting away masts in a hurricane, swimming through a surf with a line; or as a lonely castaway, barefooted and half naked, walking on uncovered reefs in search of shellfish to stave of starvation" (pg. 47). The universal themes mentioned by Faulkner are present. Jim idealizes himself sacrificing, defeating fear, and prevailing in difficult circumstances. Significantly, when disaster does strike, Jim does not perform as he had imagined. Jim's ship is verJim's ship is very soon after these musings caught in a terrible storm. It is his moment of truth. He has imagined his bravery and self-sacrifice in such a situation. The reader, however, is witness to no bravery. Jim succumbs to his fear of the storm and abandons the ship. He saves himself and leaves his fellow shipmates, the pilgrims, and the ship to face the wrath of the storm. Jim is subsequently put on trial for his dereliction of duty. He is stripped of his nautical certificate and left feeling ashamed and worthless. His initial image of himself as a brave seaman has been proven false. He is now a coward and deemed unfit for duty on the sea. This is a classic example of the struggle of the heart to which Faulkner alludes. Marlowe, the narrator of Lord Jim, observes at the trial that the court "wanted facts. Facts! They demanded facts from him, as if facts could explain anything!" (pg. 63). Facts, in short, are unable to explain such a profound personal conflict. Jim experienced fear, the threat of death, and he reacted to preserve his own life. The scene on the ship was chaotic. Nonetheless, Jim is now treated as a dishonorable man. He is shamed for fleeing from danger. What Conrad teaches us is that the universal themes addressed by Faulkner are extraordinarily powerful and dominant. We cannot idealize away the power of fear. We cannot romanticize away the pains and costs associated with sacrifice. Jim learns this first-hand. He isn't a bad person, though he is judged so by his peers, but a character whom struggles with a deeply confusing conflict and chooses to preserve himself. Jim could have done otherwise, but his failings teach us how difficult it truly is to be brave. The Metamorphosis: Gregor Samsa's Uneasy Dreams We witness Gregor Samsa's struggles in a strange way. His struggle is presented both comically and tragically. Gregor is a normal human being. He goes to sleep one evening and as he "awakes one morning from a troubled dream, he found himself changed in his bed

Thalassemia Effects on Pregnancy

Thalassemia Effects on Pregnancy Thalassemia is the most common hereditary disease in Iran and more than 2 million carriers of the thalassemia mutant gene are living in this country. Material methods: In this retrospective, case-control study, all pregnancies occurred between 2006 and 2008 were included. Patients were divided in two groups regarding the presence of ÃŽÂ ²-thalassemia. Patients in case and control groups were matched according to maternal age, gestational age and number of previous pregnancies. Cesarean delivery, hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes mellitus, premature rupture of membranes and preterm labor were recorded in each group and were compared using the à Ã¢â‚¬ ¡2 or Fisher exact tests. Results: Overall 510 ÃŽÂ ²-thalassemia subjects and 512 healthy controls were studied. cases with ÃŽÂ ²-thalassemia had significantly higher prevalence of oligohydramnios (P Conclusion: ÃŽÂ ²-thalassemia does not influence the pregnancy outcome in the negative way significantly. Keywords: Minor ÃŽÂ ²-thalassemia, Pregnancy outcome, Gestational diabetes mellitus Oligohydramnios Introduction The prevalence and severity of the thalassemia syndromes are population dependent.(1) Thalassemia minor results in a variable degree of the disease but, depending on the rate of ÃŽÂ ²-chain production, usually presents as asymptomatic anemia of mild degree(2) ÃŽÂ ²-thalassemia is the most common hereditary disease in Iran and more than 2 million carriers of the ÃŽÂ ²-thalassemia mutant gene are living in this country. About 110 mutant genes have been recognized all over the world of which 21 have been identified in the Iranian population. The mutant genes and their frequencies vary greatly in different parts of Iran Prevalence of ÃŽÂ ² thalassemia minor among Iranian is about 7%. (3) ÃŽÂ ²-thalassemia minor represents the heterozygous state. In general, a heterozygote for thalassemia is diagnosed owing to the patient presenting with a mild anemia (hemoglobin A level 1 or 2 g below normal range), low mean cell volume, low mean corpuscular hemoglobin, elevated hemoglobin A2, and normal or elevated hemoglobin F. During pregnancy, women with thalassemia minor will often show more significant anemia, which is often most prominent during the latter half of the second trimester and early third(4,5,6,7). Thalassemia syndromes constitute a group of inherited hemoglobinopathies that require close maternal and fetal surveillance during pregnancy, including appropriate consultation with maternal fetal medicine and hematology specialists. Even for the women who are asymptomatic before pregnancy the added stresses of pregnancy on the hematopoietic system can cause deterioration of maternal status. Health care providers must appreciate that the more severe the thalassemia syndrome the more significant the consequences for both woman and fetus.(4) The impaired globin synthesis impairs oxygen transport and delivery to tissues, placental bed, and fetus because of limited hemoglobin-oxygen binding. Furthermore, in more severe disease states, the accumulation of iron stores in vital maternal organ systems can lead to chronic organ dysfunction, such as cardiomyopathy and diabetes. These women must be monitored closely for worsening anemia and the development of pregnancy-associated complications (8). Because of high prevalence of ÃŽÂ ²-thalassemia in Iran and its possible effects on pregnancy outcome and limited study about this problem. we performed this retrospective case-control study to investigate pregnancy outcome of patients with minor ÃŽÂ ²-thalassemia referring to Hafez Hospital of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences between 2006 and 2009. These results can alert health care providers to take more care about ÃŽÂ ² thalassemia and pregnancy. Methods and material: This study was a case-control one which included all the pregnancies (7290) referring to Hafez Hospital of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences between 2006 and 2008. The patients were divided into two groups regarding the presence of ÃŽÂ ²-thalassemia. Patients in case and control groups were matched according to maternal age, gestational age and number of previous pregnancies. The study was approved by Shiraz University of Medical Sciences ethical committee and all the patients gave their written consents. The data was collected by a means of a questionnaire. Overall 510 ÃŽÂ ²-thalassemia subjects and 512 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Only women with singleton pregnancy were included. Patient with recurrent abortions (2 or more consecutive pregnancies resulting in spontaneous abortion), history of neural tube defect in previous pregnancies, history of infertility, history of any medical problem, undelivered in this center or mean follow-up visits less than thr ee times were excluded. Follow-up intervals in case and control groups were similar. Gestational age was calculated from the first day of last menstrual period or according to the sonography which was performed in the first months of pregnancy. Anemia was determined on the basis of hemoglobin less than 10 mg/dl. Anemia evaluation was performed in all the cases. Complete blood count (CBC), Iron studies (iron, total iron binding capacity) were performed for excluding iron deficiency anemia and the anemia of chronic disorders. Thalassemia was diagnosed according to CBC and standard hemoglobin electrophoresis criteria in the first trimester: an elevation of Hb A2 (equal or more than 3.5%) demonstrated by electrophoresis and column chromatography confirms the diagnosis of ÃŽÂ ²-thalassemia trait. Blood transfusions were given only when hemoglobin (Hb) dropped significantly (less than 7mg/dl)either due to pregnancy or any other causes. Hemoglobin increased at least to 10 mg/dl with transfusion.(According ACOG criteria(9) Folate supplement in each group (case control) w as given 1mg orally daily. In the study period each patient was evaluated for maternal age, parity, gestational age, maternal anemia during pregnancy (hemoglobin less than 10 g/dL) and birth weight. Poor pregnancy outcomes or complications included hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes mellitus, premature rupture of membranes (rupture of membrane under 37 weeks gestational age ) and preterm labor.(labor pain under 37 weaks of gestational age) Hydramnios (amniotic fluid index more than 24 cm), oligohydramnios (amniotic fluid index 5 cm or less) and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) (when intrauterine growth under 10% by serial sonography especially in third trimester of pregnancy)were also evaluated using sonography in the third trimester. Labor and perinatal outcome included placental abruption, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, cesarean delivery, Apgar score at 1 and 5 minutes less than 7, perinatal mortality, postpartum hemorrhage, and maternal packed-cell transfusions, neonatal ICU admission. Statistical analysis was performed with the SPSS package. Statistical significance was calculated by using the à Ã¢â‚¬ ¡2 or Fisher exact test. A multivariate logistic regression model, with backward elimination, was constructed to find independent risk factors associated with maternal ÃŽÂ ²-thalassemia minor. Odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed. A value of P less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results We recorded 510 alive-births and 7 (1.4 %) stillbirths in case and 512 alive births and 5 (1%) stillbirths in control group. The Hb A2 level in our cases usually was approximately 4-6%. Baseline characteristics of subjects in two study groups are shown in Table 1. There was no statistically significant difference between these groups regarding these baseline characteristics. There was no significant difference between these groups regarding pregnancy hypertension and gestational DM (Table 2). Polyhydramnios (AFI>24cm) was observed in 1.4% of cases and 1.9% of control group while oligohydramnios was observed in 10.8% of case and 5.4% of control group (P=0.001, Table 2). Regarding the perinatal complications, 3.1% of case group and 1.5% of control group developed IUGR (P=0.073). Cesarean delivery was significantly more common in case group than control group (38.3% vs 26.5%; P=0.001, Table 3). There was no significant difference between two groups regarding the Apgar score in 1st (P = 0.65) and 5th minute (P = 0.25), ICU admissions (P = 0.17) and placental abruption (P = 0.42). Using a multiple logistic regression model of risk factors for minor ÃŽÂ ²-thalassemia, oligohydramnios, placental abruption and meconium-stained amniotic fluid were significantly associated with cesarean delivery (Table 4). Conclusion Thalassemia syndrome is very common in Iranian population. This case-control study was performed on patients with minor ÃŽÂ ²-thalassemia to determine the maternal and fetal outcomes and describe most risk factors associated with ÃŽÂ ²-thalassemia minor during pregnancy. This study consisting 517 minor ÃŽÂ ²-thalassemia subjects is one of the biggest studies of its kind in Iran. Perinatal mortality (P=0.38) and Apgar score at 1min (P=0.65) and 5 min (P=0.25) after delivery were similar in patients with and without minor ÃŽÂ ²-thalassemia minor. This is consistent with previous studies (9-13). Thalassemia has been associated with an increased incidence of obstetrical complications (14). Adverse pregnancies outcomes detected in these case series, especially low birth weight (Wt Chronic maternal anemia during gestation might lead to fetal hypoxia, predisposing the fetus to IUGR (1,14). Thus, it was suggested that hemoglobin concentration should be maintained above 10 g/dL during these pregnancies (15). No significant association was found between hemoglobin levels and IUGR among thalassemic women in Eyal Sheiner and colleagues study and suggested that a different mechanism is responsible for IUGR in thalassemia minor patients (16). At least one study showed acute splenic infarct in ÃŽÂ ² thalassemia minor .(18).this mechanism may cause placental infarction but this theory needs further study to be approve. In another study all adhesion molecules and CRP (C-reactive protein) increased in patients with thalassemia intermediate (19) .so this molecules and inflammation may cause placental insufficiency in ÃŽÂ ² thalassemia minor but more study is neede Sheiner and associates (2004) reported that oligohydramnios were increased twofold in 261 affected women. In our study oligohydramnios was found in 10.8% of case and 5.4% of control group (P We found no statistically significant difference in the pregnancy outcome, preterm delivery, birth weight, growth restriction, pregnancy induced hypertension and gestational diabetes between thalassemic and non thalassemic patients. All studies investigating pregnancy outcome of patients with ÃŽÂ ²-thalassemia found higher rates of cesarean delivery (11,14,15,17). Likewise, in our study we found significantly higher rates of cesarean delivery. By using a multiple logistic regression model of risk factors for minor thalassemia, the following conditions were significantly associated with cesarean delivery: oligohydramnios, abruption and meconium-stained amniotic fluid. However, IUGR was not statistically independent risk factor for cesarean delivery, unlike previous study that cesarean birth due to fetal distress related to fetal growth restriction (13). In conclusion, Hemoglobinopathies can be associated with a variety of effects on the mother, fetus or newborn. The effects range from absence of clinical disease to severe morbidity and death. Through the obstetrician-gynecologists high index of suspicion based on clinical history and a close working relationship with a consultant hematologist, pregnancy outcome in patients with these disorders can be improved. Since most hemoglobinopathies are inherited as autosomal recessive conditions, screening, counseling, and prenatal diagnosis are important components of prenatal care for these women. Thalassemia syndrome, including minor ÃŽÂ ²-thalassemia during pregnancy can present unique management challenges and requires close maternal and fetal surveillance. The course of pregnancy of patients with ÃŽÂ ²-thalassemia minor, including perinatal outcomes, is favorable. In spite of an attempt to keep hemoglobin levels above 7.0  g/dl, the incidence of fetal growth restriction and preterm birth has been relatively high, though maternal complications are rather not different from general. Care for such pregnancies should be multidisciplinary, incorporating a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, a genetic counselor, and a hematologist. However, since fetal growth restriction complicates more pregnancies with thalassemia syndrome, the need for close antenatal follow-up and frequent sonograp hic assessment of fetal growth can be overemphasized. Further prospective studies among high-risk populations for ÃŽÂ ²-thalassemia with larger sampling should investigate the efficacy of such surveillance programs. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends screening for ÃŽÂ ²-thalassemia in couples of Mediterranean ancestry. We might miss some pregnant ladies with minor thalassemia and normal hemoglobin who were included in control group.

Medea and Lysistrata Essay -- World Literature Gender Inequalities Ess

Medea and Lysistrata Medea and Lysistrata are two Greek literatures that depict the power which women are driven to achieve in an aim to defy gender inequality. In The Medea, Medea is battling against her husband Jason whom she hates. On the other hand, in Aristophanes' Lysistrata, the protagonist Lysistrata plotted to convince and organize the female gender to protest against the stubbornness of men. In terms of defining the purpose of these two literatures, it is apparent that Euripedes and Aristophanes created characters that demonstrate resistance against the domination of men in the society. Despite the contrast in the characters of Euripedes' Medea and Aristophanes' Lysistrata, the two playwrights depicted how gender inequality can start a fire. As with Medea and Jason, the battle between the two lead to former's madness, leading to the death of the enemies she considered, and, unfortunately, leading as well to the death of her own children. Medea felt betrayed and left behind by her husband Jason, as well as continuously aggravated by Creon despite the fact that i...

Too Big To Fail – Andrew Sorkin, Book Review

Too Big to Fail is the book that has most clear explanation event by event about the biggest financial crisis since the Great Depression. Even though Too Big to Fail is Andrew Sorkin’s first book, he made it possible to most of readers understand what really happened in 2008 with the failure of Lehman Brothers and the resulting misfortunes. Coming out in less than a year after the disaster, the book covered the whole catastrophic event, thanks to the meticulous research and countless interviews (made by the author) with those involved in the hassle. The title of this book basically covers what is spoken throughout the course of the story; companies that believed to be Too Big to Fail. Sorkin starts writing about the months after the sale of Bearn Stearns that was a global investment bank and securities trading and brokerage sold in 2008 to JP Morgan Chase at the low price of 2$ per share then introducing us to the collapse of the Lehman Brothers and finally leading us to the bailout or how the government officially call it; TARP or Troubled Asset Relief Program, a program that was announced on 9-19-08 by Secy Paulson that basically consisted in a series of grants and outright purchases of illiquid assets that would extricate the problem areas weighing down the economy. In addition, money funds were to be guaranteed. The details that make the history so interesting are the detailed information provided by the book of the behavior, personality and way to make decisions of the main characters. Sorkin focus seems to be almost exclusively on the human failings and human suffering on Wall Street that the fall of Lehman Brothers caused. In the story there are no specific villains but plenty of arrogant, blind and irresponsible decisions taken by some. However there are some people such as Henry Paulson, Timothy Geitner and Ben Bernake that may be considered heroes for their wise way to make decisions on pressure moments. The book would be a handy guide to people who want a clear and concise picture of the series of decisions that led Lehman Brothers directly go to bankrupt and of course the resulting chaos that this situation meant to Wall Street and the rest of the world. The book pleased me personally because it was very realistic in all it was the attitude of each character on the problem itself. I liked how in some cases it became reflected how the main U. S. business leaders were unable to conceal their greed when it came defending their interests.

Are You Free or Enslaved Maybe Its All in Your Head.

Are You Free or Enslaved Maybe Its All in Your Head. Freedom vs. Bondage It’s Passover and the theme of freedom is on my mind. This holiday celebrates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery and their successful crossing of the Red Sea- a story we are commanded to tell every year at this season. Why is this tale so important that the Bible commands we retell it again and again? While there are many answers to this question, the one that struck me most this year was that we have choices every day between freedom and bondage. Passover is our opportunity to look at our lives and see where we are stuck, in a rut, giving up, or otherwise enslaved, both in our circumstances and in our own minds. Once we identify these â€Å"narrow places,† (the word for Egypt, Mitzrayim, means â€Å"narrow places†), we can do something about them. A Unique Seder Experience My family’s Passover seder was itself an expression of freedom. Some context: Passover is a food-focused holiday. In the order of the service, there are multiple instructions to eat certain foods at certain times; and the conclusion of the first part of the service is a big meal. A BIG meal. It’s like Thanksgiving in the extent to which people indulge themselves on food. The seder also includes four cups of wine (though in my family it was grape juice all the way). Since my nephew Daniel has Crohn’s Disease and is currently ingesting nothing but Pediasure peptide drinks, my brother-in-law Michael created- drumroll please- a food-free seder. This feat, you can imagine, required a huge amount of creativity. Michael designed a board game, complete with a deck of cards that held debate questions and other contests to see who could answer a â€Å"Passover Pursuit† question first. He dressed up as Moses, which was way out of the box for him. And he led an evening of learning, singing and debate. Even without a meal, we managed to spend three hours on our seder talking, laughing, and debating. Breaking Out of the Box One of the debate questions that came up in the Passover Pursuit card deck was what freedom means in the modern age. I was pitted against 16-year-old Daniel for the battle. He pulled out a djembe (an African drum) and made up a rap song. I don’t remember his words; what struck me was his approach to the debate. In my world, debate means talking and arguing. Daniel broke out of that cage with his drumming and rapping. Inspired, I countered with an interpretive dance of freedom vs. bondage. I stood for a few seconds with my arms crossed, strait-jacket-like over my chest, head down. Then I took a step to the side and danced my heart out. I did this about three times. Then I talked about how two people, or even the same person, can be in the same circumstances and choose to feel free or imprisoned. Enslaved by Circumstances? I’ll admit I got some help from a video by Chabad.org that I had watched in preparation for Passover, where a person in a picture was labeled â€Å"Free† and then the same person in the same picture was labeled â€Å"Burdened.† Other identical pictures were labeled â€Å"Liberated† and â€Å"Enslaved,† and â€Å"Pain† and â€Å"Pleasure.† As humans, I argued, we can have illnesses and consider them burdens or find our own liberation within them. We can work a job and feel trapped by it or find our liberation in it. We can win the lottery and gain joy or misery. I won the debate. Part of it was that I made a good argument. But more than that, I think the group was impressed that I didn’t let myself fall into a typical debate mindset and took the risk of dancing my argument. An Octopus’s Story: Existential Anxiety vs. Existential Guilt Perhaps this is a coincidence, but just last week an octopus named Inky escaped from a national aquarium in New Zealand, squeezing through a 50-meter drainpipe into the sea. What might be more remarkable, given that octopuses are famous escape artists, is that Inky’s tankmate, Blotchy, did not budge. Was Blotchy content to remain in captivity? Was he unaware of his free will and the freedom available just down the drainpipe? Had he given up on the chance of an unfettered life? Of course the answers to these questions are more for us to ponder for ourselves. When we are feeling shackled, do we choose to take extreme action, like Inky, or to submit to our lot? Fundamentally, we have a choice between existential anxiety and existential guilt. Taking action, especially action that scares us because it is so unfamiliar and takes us into unknown, potentially risky territory, produces existential anxiety. We rarely regret making a conscious, risky choice regardless of the outcome. In contrast, existential guilt arises when we take the safe path. Submitting to our existential guilt produces existential regret: â€Å"a profound desire to go back and change a past experience in which one has failed to choose consciously or has made a choice that did not follow one’s beliefs, values, or growth needs.† That’s the kind of choice Blotchy made. It’s not the kind of choice I like to make. The Choice is Yours We human beings have clear freedom of choice in every moment, at least over our own mindset about our circumstances. In the end, the ability to think what we think and believe what we believe is the ultimate freedom. The choices we make to break out of the box and into unchartered territory are the ones that move us forward, out of our personal narrow places, and toward a life unbound.

Word Choice Disinterested vs. Uninterested

Word Choice Disinterested vs. Uninterested Word Choice: Disinterested vs. Uninterested Here at Proofed, we see plenty of linguistic mix-ups. However, few cause more confusion than â€Å"disinterested† and â€Å"uninterested.† It’s easy to understand why these words sometimes baffle even native English speakers, as they’re alike in many ways. Both are adjectives related to attention, for example, and the prefixes â€Å"dis-† and â€Å"un-† are sometimes used interchangeably. But â€Å"disinterested† and â€Å"uninterested† have importantly distinct meanings, so it’s vital to use them correctly in academic writing. Disinterested (Objective) The word â€Å"disinterested† implies freedom from bias and self-interest. When we want to take a neutral or objective attitude towards something, we would adopt a â€Å"disinterested approach†: Although he cared about the environment, as a scientist, James knew he had to address climate change disinterestedly. Uninterested (Bored) The word â€Å"uninterested,† by comparison, means â€Å"indifferent† or â€Å"bored.† Thus, if we simply have no concern for something, we are â€Å"uninterested†: Although Jane was a environmentalist, she was uninterested in the science behind climate change. The Prefixes: Dis- and Un- One way to remember the difference between these terms is to consider what the prefix at the beginning of each word means. The prefix â€Å"dis-† implies separation (e.g., disconnected, disjointed). So being â€Å"disinterested† is an attempt to look past your own interests: a deliberate attempt to adopt a neutral attitude. The prefix â€Å"un-† in this case implies a negation (e.g., unhappy, unknown). As such, being â€Å"uninterested† is the opposite of being interested: i.e., a lack of interest rather than a deliberate attempt to approach something without bias. Disinterested or Uninterested? As you can see, there’s a huge difference between the meanings of â€Å"disinterested† and â€Å"uninterested.† To make sure you use these terms correctly, remember the following: Disinterested = Neutral or unbiased Uninterested = Indifferent or bored If you can remember this, you should avoid errors in your writing. But since it’s easy to overlook these things, it never hurts to have a professional check your work. Try sending a 500-word sample to be proofread for free.

Buddhism in Tang Dynasty Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Buddhism in Tang Dynasty - Term Paper Example Buddhism appealed to all classes of the Chinese nation. This includes both the nation’s peasantry, as well as the aristocrats. This is primarily because Buddhism offered hope for salvation, which the people of China required, but was not offered by the previous religious settings under Taoism and Confucianism (Orzech, p. 219). This paper will examine the effects of Buddhism on Tang Dynasty’s political standing, describing reasons why emperor Taizong favored Buddhism to Confucian religion. Buddhism has had major impacts on the Asian continent, with Japan and China being the most affected cultures by the religion. The effects of Buddhism are apparent in different areas of different cultures and countries, which entail political, social, as well as cultural influences. The Tang Dynasty of China is perhaps the most interesting history phase of China’s history. The Tang Dynasty, which was under the leadership of the Tang Dynasty, was founded in 618 and culminated in 9 07. The Tang Dynasty was quite flourishing with regard to power and wealth and became the most powerful country in the entire world. During the Tang Dynasty, the region achieved significant might with regard to the economy, culture, military and politics levels. Buddhism had substantial effects on China’s, especially the Tang Dynasty (Mikael, p. 36). However, it is paramount to note that Buddhism’s incorporation into the Chinese society took a relatively long time owing to the people’s difficulty to translate Buddhist text into the Chinese language. This paper will answer the question of how Buddhism was able to stabilize imperial power in political ways during the life of Tang Dynasty. It is undisputed that Buddhism had a huge impact in developing the social, economic, cultural and political environments of China’s Tang Dynasty. During the Tang Dynasty, Buddhism brought about major changes in the Chinese political front, especially with regard to stabili zing imperial power of the political aspects of the nation. During the rule of the Tang Dynasty, Buddhist clergy gained massive favor in the royal court of the ruling elite. They even played a role in the control of bureaucratic power. The aristocrats of the Tang Dynasty were charmed by Buddhism doctrines. This is because the model character exemplified by Buddhist doctrines appealed to the political class of the Tang Dynasty, pushing them to adopt the characteristics of the so called model character as defined by Buddhist beliefs. The Buddhist doctrines appealed to the aristocrats of the Tang Dynasty because unlike the Taoist sage, Buddhism allowed for wealth acquisition by the ruling class. An example of such doctrine includes Buddhist beliefs that while a leader should be self disciplined, respectable and critical in his thinking, the leader should not limit his acquisition of wealth or enjoyment of luxuries. This means that Buddhism presented a new model for world-bound life for the aristocrats. However, this gave leeway for aristocrats to acquire massive amounts of wealth, sometimes at the expense of the populace, which remained poor for the most part. The government of Emperor Taizong preferred Buddhism to Confucian because the latter did not approve some of the actions of the aristocrats. For instance, Confucian disallowed the acquisition of luxurious property as it termed it as improper use of power,

Country's economy Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Country's economy - Case Study Example The Figure below shows the economic growth in eight major countries from 1870 to 1996. In 1870, Australia was the richest economy whereas Japan was the poorest economy of the sixteen major economies of that time. In the same year, Australia’s real GDP per capita was almost five times that of Japan. Over the following 126 years, Australia’s economy grew by 1.3% which allowed real GDP per capita to increase by 5 times. However, during the same time, Japan’s economy grew by 2.7% which allowed its real GDP per capita to advance by 28 times. Likewise, Figure 11 also shows the progress made by United States from 1870 to 1996. The long-run rate of economic growth of the American economy was 1.7% which allowed it to raise its living standards by 8 times in 126 years. Therefore, the long-run rate of economic growth is an important measure of the nation’s wealth. (Bernanke, 2003) Figure 1: Economic Growth in Eight Major Countries The output of the economy depends up on the quality and quantity of labor and capital and on their productivity. If the inputs are constant, there is no economic growth in the country. Therefore, one of the inputs has to change along with the productivity for a healthier growth rate. The relationship between inputs and outputs of the economy are reflected in the following equation; which also shows the important factors that affect the long-run rate of economic growth. (Bernanke, 2003) Y= AF (K, N) Where: Y = Output of the economy A = Productivity N = Labor K = Capital Requirements Labor Labor refers to the working force of the nation-be it skilled, semi skilled or unskilled. Labor is one of the most important inputs into the economy. A skilled, educated labor force makes a strong contribution to the other factors of the economy. Along with them, the economy also requires semi-skilled and unskilled labor. However, the most important thing is their constant supply to the market. Similarly, the skills acquire must match the demand of the economy. (Bernanke, 2003) Technological Progress Technological progress refers to the ability of the nation to adapt to update infrastructure and equipments. No country can expect to progress without the necessary infrastructure for specific technology. In our globalized world, the economy needs to incorporate up-to-date technology replacing the obsolete machines to match the increasing demands. The smooth flow with the technological progress allows making the necessary progress. (Bernanke, 2003) Investment Investment refers to the capital requirements of the growing economy. The country needs consistent investment to make remarkable progress and achieve long-run rate of economic growth. Therefore, the nation needs to establish an environment that allows the continuous flow of foreign direct investment into the country and a credit history that allows it to raise the debt when needed. However, there needs to be sustainable amount of debt so that it does not hamper the growth in the long run. (Bernanke, 2003) Productivity It is another important factor for consistent long-run growth rate. This component refers to increase in the efficiency and effectiveness of the same labor and capital inputs. Therefore, if the productivity of the nation increases keeping the labor and capital same, the economy will growth by a certain factor. (Bernanke, 2003) Answer 2 Gross Domestic Output (GDP) is defined as market value of all the goods and services produced by a particular nation within the domestic boundaries. (Amadea, 2011) There are four components of the GDP as shown in the following equation: Y = C + I + G + X Where Y = Total output C = Personal consumption expenditures I = Investment G = Government spending X =