Evolving Through Ignorance Essay

Socrates Cafe, a book written by Christopher Phillips that unfolds his story on facilitating lots of free discussion forum in a lot of different places. But what is Socrates Cafe itself? It is a place; a place for people who wonder, a place for people with different backgrounds to immerse their own self into questions and ideas and dogmas through Socratic Method. Phillips made an effort to revive the condition of what Socrates more than two millennia ago did in Athens. He went through a lot of hard time in order to establish this and to start this out of nothing, which includes abandoning his occupation as a journalist. In this essay I would like to peel in a deep more into one section of the book in which Philips cited Richard Tarnas belief. According to Richard Tarnas, Socrates believed that â€Å"the discovery of ignorance was just the beginning of the philosophical task†, not the end (201) [1]. People believe that being ignorant is a bad thing, as a human being we have to be conscious of everything we do and take responsibilities of our actions. How can we know that we are being ignorant? To discover about our own ignorance to certain things is a stepping-stone for us to improve ourselves, that’s what Socrates believed and I do agree with him. After we are conscious about our own ignorance, we can start to inquire our own self and dig deeper to overcome our assumption about what it takes to be a human being – that’s what philosophical task is about for me. Over the last 10 decades, the Earth average surface temperature has rose by 0. 8  ± 0. 2 ? C, especially over the last 5 decades, the rise had been significant [2]. This kind of improvement tends to create serious problem, globally, not only in particular place. What caused this global warming to happen? The answer is the inhabitants itself, humans had been more and more ignorant about what crisis they face, we know about the fact of this but we choose to ignore it. We don’t accept the fact that we are being ignorant and we believe that we are not. The dominant mechanism of this issue is anthropogenic and mostly the result of human activities. Human increases the atmospheric concentrations of human gases through their industrial wastes. More than hat, we made a global change to the land surface such as deforestation, in order to make more fields for construction. We are being ignorant about what’s happening and continue to fulfill our needs, we are being greedy. So, what can we do in order to overcome this problem? The answer is to discover what we are being ignorant at, just as what Socrates believe as the start of philosophical t ask. By accepting the fact that we are so ignorant about our current condition we can start to make a move to overcome this condition that potentially will be the root of serious problem and make our way towards a better future. For me, the biggest obstacle for this is to overcome our tendency to pursue our goal without thinking about the risks, we tend to think laconically, not being able to imagine about the cause of our action and the impact to our surroundings. We were blinded by the prospect of our goals and its profit and when the problem rises we hide our hands, it’s an ill wind for me to see such an occasion. We ensconce under our own thought that we are doing the right thing whereas in fact we aren’t. In one way, we tried to establish something that contributes to the society but we are also down falling it. It will be better if we can do something while we are not damaging our environment before it’s too late. There’s no time like the present. I think it’s even worse when people aren’t ignorant of certain things and yet still act with ignorance,† John finally offers, â€Å"For instance, when a racist continues to be a racist, yet is aware of the reasons why he’s a racist – perhaps he’s even aware that his racism is illogical because he knows damn well that all of us are 99. 9 percent genetically identical – then that’s even more scary than when people are racist out of sheer ignorance. (204) [3] I have a many more examples about the impact of feigning ignorance and how scary it is. In my home country, there are still a lot of people living in urban slums. The government notices about this but they are not taking any action, because they think they wouldn’t be able to fix this because it’s too severe and widely spread. In my city, over one-fourth of the total citizen live in slums [4] and that’s not a number we can ignore. We really can’t ignore this kind of thing and the government really needs to take actions, instead of being ignorant. Through philosophical inquiry they can get the answers to this problem, and that’s why they need to discover and admit their ignorance before they can start the long journey to fix this. One of the biggest factor and something that has never been able to be resolved from time to time is the corruption in Indonesia. The percentage of corruption in the government reach a peak number of 91% [5] and that’s way too high compared to another countries. I can’t believe that we are still holding on with the 10% leftover from what’s not corrupted to manage the country. Just imagine if the government can eradicate the corruption culture, we would have 10 times of what we have now for our country formation and it would be amazing because we can solve a lot of problems from that. It’s a bigger ignorance if we close our eyes to this. And yes, the government had already established a corruption eradication commission, but they aren’t fruitful and the problem is still there. I think there’s corruption in the commission itself because they are not doing their job well and that makes it a corruption inside a corruption eradication commission, that’s way too ridiculous for me and it’s so hard to accept it. We’ll need a leader that can lead the country to the right path in his honesty and his desire to remove corruption in our country, the one that can reveal how chronic the level of ignorance in the government is. In fact, before I even have a chance to respond, a woman whose booming voice belies her diminutive stature, says â€Å"I don’t think we have a right to be ignorant. I think we have a responsibility to constantly educate ourselves, to make ourselves less ignorant. (201) [6] Quoting it from Socrates Cafe, I wouldn’t agree with her statement about we are not having the right to be ignorant since we actually do. As a human, we have freedom to do whatever we want to do – it’s our own life. What matters is the consequences of our actions, if you choose not to constantly educate yourselves and responsibly develop your talents then you have to shoulder the risks by yourself. You will be getting more and more outdated and you won’t be able to compete with those people who responsibly develop their talents. Socrates was fully aware of his own self – there’s one of his paradox that strikes me, â€Å"I only know that I know nothing†. He never claimed that he’s wise, he knew that there will always be spaces to improve as long as you breathe. Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance†, according to Will Durant Quoted from his Book: The Great Gadfly†, Time magazine, 8 October 1965 (review of The Age of Voltaire by Will and Ariel Durant). There’s no end to our education, we will progressively and continually discover new things over time if we are doing it in a right way. Through ignorance we evolve – we thrive and mature through ignorance. The more we realize that we are lacking in lots of aspects, the more we will be able to see the potential in us. Look. And think. Then look some more. And think some more. Don’t ever stop looking, or thinking† (206) [7]. We have to see the world in many perspectives, and be conceptual – there’s no way that we can learn about something in one go. Doing so will mislead us to misconception and prevent us to think creatively, our creativity will be restricted by our own belief – instead, we have to dive deep into it and broaden our knowledge about it by doing some research so that we can analyze and understand more complicated and abstract ideas. That is one of the reason on why we have to be conscious about our own ignorance and start our own Socratic Inquiry, to be a better person – and to get a better understanding about what it takes to be an entity that will never stop to learn and to grow exponentially. Discover your own ignorance and make it a foundation on building your blocks of life – always think about what changes can you bring to your own life and what do you have to do in order to achieve that – then start your progress enthusiastically so that when death draws near you will know that you are living your life to the fullest and have no regret.

Recruitment and Diversity Enhances Customer

(Point 2) Organisation Benefits of attracting and retaining a diverse workforce: An increasing number of companies are realising the benefits of having a diverse workforce and as a result are incorporating equality and diversity objectives in their business strategies. Diversity is a widely-used concept which refers to visible and non–visible differences between individuals. There are six main strands of diversity: race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, age, and religion which are covered by UK legislation. Diversity also incorporates differences such as class, personality and working patterns What is meant by a diverse workforce?Social diversity: Demographic diversity such as age, race ethics and gender Value Diversity: Psychological difference in personality and attitudes Information Diversity: Benefits are: * Diversity in employment promotes cost-effective employment relations: Employers have more choice from a greater skills base, improved employee satisfaction, red uced internal disputes, greater workplace harmony, improved retention and more effective and fairer promotion of talent * Diversity enhances customer relations: matching internal employee diversity to population diversity can provide performance benefits, which enhance awareness of consumer needs Diversity enhances creativity, flexibility and innovation in organisations: the flexibility, creativity and ability to innovate are enhanced by the existence of dissimilar mind sets * Diversity promotes sustainable development and business advantage: e. g. external recruitment of diverse top-team talent to inject new ideas and challenge the organisational mind sets and ways of doing things that can hinder change and organisational progress. (point 3) Factors that affect an organisation approach to Recruitment and Selection FACTORS AFFECTING RECRUITMENT (point 4)Different recruitment and selection methods Recruitment and selection are usually considered as one process. However, I will make t he distinction here between the initial actions and considerations when planning staff recruitment and the process of selecting an individual from a pool of applicants. Recruitment needs to be carefully planned in order to attract the right type of applicant. Recruitment The key to effective recruitment is preparation: knowing the job and what is required of someone to perform it well. The costs of recruiting the wrong person can be significant.The cost of employing someone may be at least twice their salary when factors such as training, expenses and employer's contributions to their pension are added. INTERNAL| AGENCY| EXTERNAL| Cheaper and quicker to recruitFamiliarity with the business and operationsBusiness already aware of strengths and weaknesses of candidatesProvides opportunity for promotion – motivational| Wider nets of targeted candidate attractionSaving management time interviewing only a top candidateProcess streamlining| Outside people bring in new ideasLarger p ool of workers of which to find candidatesWider range of experience|Selection Psychometric tests These are particularly useful if you want to assess candidates for Managerial or Senior appointments or candidates for appointments where there is a special need for the post – such as strong relationship building skills. These types of test are especially good at assisting with assessing how candidates are likely to behave, for example, towards a manager, towards their peers, and towards their subordinates. They will often provide a profile which should be discussed with the candidate to check validity, as they are self-perception questionnaires.Candidates should also be given feedback on the profile. The profile should be a part of the assessment, contributing perhaps up to 10% towards the final decision. They should be used carefully as they need to be used in the right way by properly trained assessors. Interviews Interviews can take many forms and styles. A type of interviewi ng recommended is Criteria-Based Behavioural Interviewing. This type of interviewing is based around the criteria identified in the person specification – the essential and desirable criteria.It is therefore really important to prepare a good person specification right at the start of the recruitment process. It is also important to identify how each of the criteria will be assessed. Some items in the criteria e. g. a qualification, can be assessed by reference to the application form, these can be called the â€Å"hard or factual criteria† and can usually be assessed on the application form or c. v. Presentations Presentations can be used in a variety of ways depending on how they relate to the job description and the normal working practices expected of the post.In assessing presentations, it is important to have decided on the criteria against which each candidate will be marked. These could include criteria which will also be assessed at interview, but may take on a particular aspect – e. g. communications skills could be assessed in the interview but will be mainly looking at how the person communicates with the panel and gets their points across, as well as how they interact with the members of the panel. In a lecture style presentation, the candidates’ communications skills to a large group will be assessed, which is much more formal delivery. Recruitment and Diversity Enhances Customer (Point 2) Organisation Benefits of attracting and retaining a diverse workforce: An increasing number of companies are realising the benefits of having a diverse workforce and as a result are incorporating equality and diversity objectives in their business strategies. Diversity is a widely-used concept which refers to visible and non–visible differences between individuals. There are six main strands of diversity: race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, age, and religion which are covered by UK legislation. Diversity also incorporates differences such as class, personality and working patterns What is meant by a diverse workforce?Social diversity: Demographic diversity such as age, race ethics and gender Value Diversity: Psychological difference in personality and attitudes Information Diversity: Benefits are: * Diversity in employment promotes cost-effective employment relations: Employers have more choice from a greater skills base, improved employee satisfaction, red uced internal disputes, greater workplace harmony, improved retention and more effective and fairer promotion of talent * Diversity enhances customer relations: matching internal employee diversity to population diversity can provide performance benefits, which enhance awareness of consumer needs Diversity enhances creativity, flexibility and innovation in organisations: the flexibility, creativity and ability to innovate are enhanced by the existence of dissimilar mind sets * Diversity promotes sustainable development and business advantage: e. g. external recruitment of diverse top-team talent to inject new ideas and challenge the organisational mind sets and ways of doing things that can hinder change and organisational progress. (point 3) Factors that affect an organisation approach to Recruitment and Selection FACTORS AFFECTING RECRUITMENT (point 4)Different recruitment and selection methods Recruitment and selection are usually considered as one process. However, I will make t he distinction here between the initial actions and considerations when planning staff recruitment and the process of selecting an individual from a pool of applicants. Recruitment needs to be carefully planned in order to attract the right type of applicant. Recruitment The key to effective recruitment is preparation: knowing the job and what is required of someone to perform it well. The costs of recruiting the wrong person can be significant.The cost of employing someone may be at least twice their salary when factors such as training, expenses and employer's contributions to their pension are added. INTERNAL| AGENCY| EXTERNAL| Cheaper and quicker to recruitFamiliarity with the business and operationsBusiness already aware of strengths and weaknesses of candidatesProvides opportunity for promotion – motivational| Wider nets of targeted candidate attractionSaving management time interviewing only a top candidateProcess streamlining| Outside people bring in new ideasLarger p ool of workers of which to find candidatesWider range of experience|Selection Psychometric tests These are particularly useful if you want to assess candidates for Managerial or Senior appointments or candidates for appointments where there is a special need for the post – such as strong relationship building skills. These types of test are especially good at assisting with assessing how candidates are likely to behave, for example, towards a manager, towards their peers, and towards their subordinates. They will often provide a profile which should be discussed with the candidate to check validity, as they are self-perception questionnaires.Candidates should also be given feedback on the profile. The profile should be a part of the assessment, contributing perhaps up to 10% towards the final decision. They should be used carefully as they need to be used in the right way by properly trained assessors. Interviews Interviews can take many forms and styles. A type of interviewi ng recommended is Criteria-Based Behavioural Interviewing. This type of interviewing is based around the criteria identified in the person specification – the essential and desirable criteria.It is therefore really important to prepare a good person specification right at the start of the recruitment process. It is also important to identify how each of the criteria will be assessed. Some items in the criteria e. g. a qualification, can be assessed by reference to the application form, these can be called the â€Å"hard or factual criteria† and can usually be assessed on the application form or c. v. Presentations Presentations can be used in a variety of ways depending on how they relate to the job description and the normal working practices expected of the post.In assessing presentations, it is important to have decided on the criteria against which each candidate will be marked. These could include criteria which will also be assessed at interview, but may take on a particular aspect – e. g. communications skills could be assessed in the interview but will be mainly looking at how the person communicates with the panel and gets their points across, as well as how they interact with the members of the panel. In a lecture style presentation, the candidates’ communications skills to a large group will be assessed, which is much more formal delivery.

Community Within Maycomb Essay

So often in a society we are misled at the actual courageous and uncourageous acts that are done amongst a society. Most of the time it is usually because we have our own perception that a society is emulated from the way someone may act or the lineage and community in which some are born into. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee shows the strengths and weaknesses of a community through the white community, black community, and lastly the community within a family. Though there is much strength in a White community, like holding their values high, there are also weaknesses like being racist toward the â€Å"Blacks. For instance Jem points out a weakness in the White community when he tells Scout, â€Å"They’re real sad†¦ They don’t belong anywhere. Colored folks won’t have ‘em because they’re half white; white folks won’t have ‘em cause they’re colored, so they’re just in-between, don’t belong anywhere. † Back during the 1930’s interracial marriage was unheard of and if it was it was thought of as impure or inadequate therefore disregarded. Experts Joyce Moss and Gorge Wilson say, â€Å"†¦ Racial relations where complicated by various restrictions in the 1930’s. Breaking the taboo against sexual intercourse between a black man and a white woman was considered by most whites and some blacks†¦ most serious offence. This kind of miscegenation would ‘taint’ racial purity. † This then re-states the negativity of racism during the time of Maycomb in the White community. Despite of Macomb’s racist perspectives they also share very important morals between their communities. Atticus Finch shares with Scout,† you never really understand a person until you consider things from his [or her] point of view†¦ ntil you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it. †(Chapter 3) This excerpt shows how high Atticus being from the White community, keeps his standards and beliefs held high so that he may be looked up as Macomb’s role model. In conclusion this states, though Maycomb may struggle with some things that still to this very day affect us as a community, Maycomb is also showing how it is to be keeping their morals in mind. From the outside looking in it may seem as though the Black community has no strength despite the fact there is. During the time period the Blacks had no problem with helping one another. If one didn’t know the other one knew and they assisted one another. During church scout asks â€Å"How we gonna sing [the songs] if their aint any hymn books? † â€Å"[Zebo cleared his throat and read in a voice†¦ ]. We tend to always focus on the main idea but this tiny detail helps the Blacks unite with each other because they are able to participate in activities like sing in church by just being able to work with each other to read the hymnal and be a religious community. Scout being from the White community she doesn’t understand the ways of the â€Å"blacks† and how they choose to be one. KJ The book girl states, â€Å"The black community as a whole is a very close congregation, as it has to be to survive the harsh treatment by the white community†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Because the Blacks have been kind of segregated by the White community, it has taught them to become and be closer. In difference to the negative conversations that go on in the Black community as well. You ain’t got no business bringin’ white chillun here—they got their church, we got our’n. It is our church, ain’t it, Miss Cal? † said Lula. This is the first time Jem and Scout experience direct racism which is usually never heard of because they are white. This makes them in a real uncomfortable position in which they have never been. The weakness in the Black community is they are racist back and don’t want to make a difference well most of them anyway. Even though Lula is from the black community she is prejudice towards the whites. This is a weakness in the black community though they help one another they don’t realize how to be the bigger person in the sense of acting with dignity and not stooping and lowering you self to discriminate against different raced people. There are much strength as well as many weaknesses within the kinship of a Family community. Atticus instills within his kids that, â€Å"I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway. † A Review of General Semantics says that,† Atticus agrees to defend a black man named Tom Robinson who has been accused of [a heinous crime] raping Mayella Ewell a white woman. During the trial, Atticus provides sufficient evidence†¦ if fact provides that Mayella’s father Bob[Ewell] is responsible for marks on her face†¦ however the all-white jury convicts Tom[Robinson] away†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Action speaks louder than words have always been the saying for a society especially when parents say it. Atticus is teaching his kids the moral of standing up for what is right and to have full courage when doing so. He defends Tom Robinson to not only prove that this man has done nothing wrong but also to teach his kids the moral of standing up for what you believe in and having courage to do so is far more meaning full than feeling powerful verse feeling courageous for doing the right thing. In contrast to the benefits of a positive family community. In contrast to a positive family environment Robert also know as Bob Ewell, is determined to have a black man imprisoned for a crime that he has not committed. Atticus, while on the trial with Mayella Ewell Atticus asks her, â€Å"Why don’t you tell the truth, child, didn’t Bob Ewell beat you up? † Bob Ewell being a horrifying father has done a crime that if people knew what he has done the community would probably never speak to or even regard him again. He has raped and beaten his own flesh and blood. The inhumanity that he possesses within his family as the head of the house hold is unfathomable.

Problem solving assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Problem solving - Assignment Example These calls attention from both parties to read carefully the terms and conditions before putting a sign into a contract. The scenario in question has two parties, Bonnie Hart, who owns a manufacturing firm that produces and distributes sunglasses. Bonnie sees a potential market in the seniors who are not their main target in the normal sunglasses. He opts to manufacture the total eclipse sunglass that would attract seniors. The main attracting feature of the product is the ability to protect the customers from some harmful UV lights. Bonnie takes a step further to advertise her products in the media. To attract more customers, she opts to carry out a promotion that would see some of her customers win a two weeks holiday in Paris. The scratch ticket was to be fixed in the sunglass so that there may be some lucky winners. She contacts her printer Ozzblock Pty Ltd, whom she had entrusted for the printing job. The mistake that Bonnie made was that she signed the document without reading its terms (The City Law School, 2014). The terms were as follows; 2. Notwithstanding clause 7, the printer accepts no responsibility for any loss or damage howsoever caused by errors in printing resulting from faulty typesetting work by the printer or any of its employees. Considering these terms, the first one offers to do a considerable good work in proofreading any errors related to printing of the scratch cards before delivery. As a lawyer, I would have advised Bonnie to take Ozzblock to the court because the company did not fulfil its obligation as promised in the agreement. Proofreading was part of the agreement outlined by the contract. The damage is primarily a result of not doing proofreading of the contract from the Ozzblock printers. The case is the same as that of Administration of PNG v Leahy (1961) 105 CLR 6 (Business Law, 2014). In this case, there was a contract between

Zoot Suit Riots Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Zoot Suit Riots - Essay Example Delving into its origins, the cause of these riots can partly be attributed to an incident known as the Sleepy Lagoon Murder. In August of 1942, a man of Mexican origin was found unconsciousnear Los Angeles at a place which later came to be referred to as ‘Sleepy Lagoon’. The authorities labeled his death a murder committed by the local gangs of Mexican youth, particularly the ‘38th street gang’, the reason being the frequent violence that allegedly ensued between them. Several members of the aforementioned gang were arrested and charged with murder and were then put in jail. Although the convictions were later overturned and the members which were arrested were let go, this murder case brought an anti-Mexican tendency throughout the media in California and Mexicans were thought of as being violent and troublemakers. Tensions grew between the Mexican-Americans and the people of local origin, especially the white Americans, as a result. The riots however did not start without further incidents directly or indirectly causing even more tension. Before we get to when the actual riots took place, we must understand that there was an ever-growing amount of discrimination against the Mexican-Americans or Latino-Americans in the area. ... r Production Board imposed restrictions on various things in order to utilize the resources in a better way; one of the goods on which the production restrictions were imposed were suits, and clothing which contained wool. These restrictions had the effect of practically forbidding the manufacture of Zoot suits as they used a lot of cloth and were considered extra flamboyant and unnecessary. However, certain tailors did not stop the manufacture of Zoot suits and thus, shortly afterwards, wearing a Zoot suit in war-time became a symbol of disregard to the regulations of the War Production Board and therefore, a disregard to the fact that the country is at war and care must be taken in utilizing of the recourses. Wearing of these suits was hence a symbol of going directly against patriotism and in the view of the authorities, the media and especially the men of the US navy stationed in the city, it was reason for even more hatred towards the Mexican-Americans or â€Å"Pachucos†. The causes of the riots can be further elaborated by highlighting two incidents that took place a few days before, and on the night before the riots, respectively. The first incident involved a group of Mexican-Americans in Zoot suits attacking the soldiers and sailors based on allegations of harassment of Mexican women in the area. The second incident took place the night before the start of riots, as a bunch of Sailors of the U.S. Navy got into an argument and got attacked by young Mexicans who were wearing Zoot suits. The actual riots started the next day. On 4th of June 1943, about 200 members of the U.S. Navy, as a group, went through the city towards the east side of the city, and started a fight when they first saw their targets: Mexican-Americans in Zoot suits. Most of the victims in this

Paper assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Paper assignment - Essay Example The first thing that I have learnt is that secrets can take a number of forms and they can have different meanings for different people under diverse conditions. Some secrets may serve the purpose of arousing laughter, whereas others may prove to be a source of sadness. No matter what the meanings, it should be kept in mind that secrets are a reflection of the inner conditions of humans and their privacy should be respected at all costs. Also important to note is the fact that secrets can have far reaching consequences on the lives of people and it is for this reason that secrets should be kept and not shared with others; except in a way that ensures privacy of others. I also learnt that memories are an essential part of human lives. The idea of sharing with people the pictures of their lost cameras equates to providing them access to the memories of their past. Although it apparently looks strange that people are willing to get back their old photos, yet it becomes easily understandable if one realizes the willingness of humans to sustain connections with their pasts. We live in our present and intend to sustain a connection with the past while willing to reveal quickly which is hidden in our future. There are various things in life that are more precious in reality than they are ordinarily considered. An example is the voice of people who leave a message when the intended person is not available to talk to. Warren’s assertion that having a recording of someone voice is like keeping that person’s spirit alive is quite interesting. A person’s voice is a reflection of his/her personality and by keeping a recording of a person’s voice, it is possible to revive the memories when the person is no more with us. This has a striking resemblance to the notion of bringing a person back to life. From the above discussion, it can be concluded that the various intangibles of

MEMO Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

MEMO - Assignment Example FICO scores are reviewed by almost all lender agencies in America, before they arrive at credit decisions to offer their customers credit. For that reason, through the proper usage and incorporation of the scores, as a banker, you will be able to avoid customers with poor credit history, which will improve the financial performance of Fidelity bank. Overview of the main Fico Scores The FICO scores of customers will take into account, five main information categories that relate to the customer’s credit profile. When using FICO scores to determine the customers that can be offered loans, the chart given below displays the comparative weight offered to the different score areas. The 5 main areas featured in FICO scoring and their relative weight The review of the different ingredients of the FICO scores 1. Payment history The payment history of the customer contributes about 35 percent of their FICO score. The information reflects their information on different financial account s and areas. The different accounts reflected through the information include Credit card worth and standing, for cards like MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express. The second accounts featured are retail accounts, where the customer’s financial operations reflect the credit collected from outlets where they do business – showing the credit cards used at departmental stores, and the credit history maintained. The third account reflected is installment loans, where regular reimbursements for loans like mortgages or car loans are reflected. The fourth account reflected through the payment history is finance company records. Additionally, collection items and public records are reflected, giving information on events like foreclosures, bankruptcies, wage attachments, lawsuits, judgment and liens. Lastly, this score area gives information on the accounts that don’t show late payments, and whose financial obligations are met as agreed upon. From the informat ion captured about the different accounts and fields named before, you will use your judgment to verify whether the given customer has shown a history of repaying loans and whether their financial standing warrants the loan they are asking for. Therefore; based on the information captured, you will only offer credit to a customer with a favorable credit history and avoid those with poor payment history, because a poor history shows that they are more likely to give problems when repaying the credit. 2. The second area where you need to pay much attention is the field of the amounts owed. This information reflects about 30 percent of a customer’s FICO scores, which indicates their level of indebtedness. The areas reflected by this variable include the amounts owed for the different accounts held by the customer, the amounts apportioned to different account types, the balances from different account types, the proportion of the credit consumed through credit cards among other c redit accounts and how much the customer is yet to pay, on different loan amounts. Through the review of this score area, as bankers you will determine the level of debt that the customer has collected, which can influence their ability and their pattern of loan repayment. For example, from the case of a customer who has used larger proportions of their

The Big Thirst Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The Big Thirst - Essay Example First, he claims that water is â€Å"unquestionably the most important substance in our lives... It is part of the â€Å"mystery of life and the routine of life† (2). This statement is true. The human body is composed of 50-60% of water, thus making water a mysterious substance that makes people survive for days even without food. Second, Fishman also enumerates the uses of water. According to him, people use water incessantly in their daily routine and important activities: to baptize children, digest food, quench thirst, feed animals, bathe, clean the dog, wash hands and dishes, cook, plant rice, fruits and vegetables, etc. These uses of water are commonly known. What is uncommon is the fact that water is also used to make bottled drinks, put up a concrete building, launch a spaceship, run electricity, make flat-screen TVs, set up MRI machines and Twitter accounts, produce iPhones and cars, etc. Meanwhile, five liters of water is also needed to produce two bottles of coke. As Fishman identifies these other important uses of water, his claims become more and more interesting and appealing to readers. Water has amazingly upheld the lives of people. It generally helps farmers sustain their farms and supply the need of people for food and beverages. Water in many parts of the world is accessible to farmers. However, in some countries like Australia, water seems to be scarce, thus there is great effort on the part of farmers to grow plants and harvest foods. Unfortunately, tons of water are required in some lands in order to turn a dry land into a fertile one. Often, people think that the secret of a farmer’s success is his ability to plant or his hi-tech farming tools and equipment but as Fishman points out, it is actually water that makes the harvest possible because without it or with very minimal water supply, the crops will not continue to grow. This thought resounds Fishman’s

Should Pornography be More Restricted by USA Laws Essay

Should Pornography be More Restricted by USA Laws - Essay Example Like it or not, however, the 1st Amendment was specifically written and designed to protect the rights of all people, not just one’s own in-group. The porn industry, via the 1st Amendment, has the right to produce their erotic materials so long as they follow the law. As long as no person depicted is an unwilling participant, as long as no one involved was harmed, the pornography itself is not illegal and the industry that produces it is not doing any harm. At the same time, individuals and organizations that are opposed to pornography also have the right to produce materials condemning pornography for whatever reasons. As long as those individuals and groups do not commit slander or libel in their efforts, they are also not doing anything wrong or causing harm. Neither the porn industry nor the anti-porn industry can take away the rights of the other group to produce their materials or express their preferences or beliefs. The standpoint of anti-porn groups, however, can some times come across as somewhat of a mystery. Erotic material has been prevalent throughout human history and is evidenced in a wide variety of ways. Take, for instance, ancient Venus statues. Many anthropologists theorize that the statues were seen as symbols of fertility in their culture. The statues are renowned for being testaments to the nurturing quality of women, supposedly in appreciation of their contribution to society as mothers and caretakers. A slightly less popular belief is that Venus statues were also used as masturbatory tools. Hunters and warriors who went on lengthy excursions would take the statues with them in order to have something attractive to look at while they took care of their more intimate needs. Other cultures are also noted for employing pornographic images for a variety of purposes. Bath houses in Pompei, for example, are reported as having grotesquely pornographic images covering the walls. The images are supposed to have been used for directions with in the bath houses. Where today we have locker A3, back then cultures relied more on immediately recognizable images. The fact that those images were typically pornographic in nature attests to the general attitude of acceptance of the human form—in all its gore and glory. In general, psychologists advise people to not fight their nature, but to merely control it when that nature would most likely cause problems within their society, either for themselves or for others. The principle of â€Å"nature says ‘go,’ culture says ‘stop’† is one that is widely accepted within the psychological community (Baumeister & Bushman, 2011). The idea, though, is that culture says â€Å"stop† when the action about to be taken is most likely going to be destructive to the wider culture in some way. For instance, when a person walks in on their spouse cheating on them, and their natural inclination is to beat the offenders to a pulp. That’s nature s aying â€Å"go.† Culture, however, says that if you indulge in your natural inclination to be violent, you will face consequences of fines, community service, or even jail time. That is culture’s way of saying â€Å"stop.† With pornography, there is no widespread empirical data suggesting that the existence of pornography is vastly damaging American

Why Do We Need To Eat Healthy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Why Do We Need To Eat Healthy - Essay Example Healthy eating does not in any way mean any sort of diet; it actually refers to the proper intake of healthy foods like meat, vegetables, fruits, and nuts, whole grains etc in balanced proportions. All these will provide us with the required amount of carbohydrates, fats and vitamins and minerals and never induce any health problem when taken moderately. Firstly, there is a need to eat healthy to avoid serious diseases. Regardless of the age, healthy eating habits have a crucial impact on our health. Long standing studies have established a definite link between diet and cardiovascular diseases. Cases of coronary heart disease are on the rise and the cardiovascular morbidity figures are staggering. Studies have made it clear the high amount of fat intake, particularly LDL or low density lipoprotein and triglycerides, increases the chances of developing coronary diseases like atherosclerosis. On the other hand a diet that provides you with a good amount of HDL can help decrease the ch olesterol levels in the body. High fiber grains can help lower chances of heart disease and type 2 diabetes ( F.B Hu and Willet, 2002).Decrease in cholesterol levels itself has a lot of good impact on the body- chances of CVD (cardio vascular diseases) are lowered, blood sugar and hyper tension problems are also controlled. Dietary fat also increases the risk of developing certain types of cancer like breast cancer, esophageal, stomach and prostate cancer and has been supported by animal studies too. Most forms of cancers, have been linked to obesity and lack of proper nutrition and according to the National Cancer Institute, most of these cancer forms are preventable. Immunity is one of the basic tools for survival. Humans are immune to many pathogens simply because of the presence of white blood cells like NK cells in the body, which engulf the antigen and protect the body from harm. In case human did not have this immunity barrier, they would become vulnerable to all diseases and may even die owing to even small and minor infections. The key to a strong immune system is an intake of healthy diet. Colas, pizzas, burgers do not increase immunity in anyway. But intake of healthy foods like vegetables and fruits provides beta-carotene which in turn strengthens the body. In recent studies cancer experts have also found out that healthy eating and strong immunity also prevent development of certain cancers. There are a number of diseases that are caused due to nutritional deficiencies. Nutritional deficiencies occur when proper balanced food is not ingested. Beriberi, pellagra, scurvy, rickets, Ariboflavinosis, Skin diseases, Hypocobalaminemia, Paraesthesia and night blindness are some of the diseases related to vitamin deficiency. Painful chronic Gouty arthritis is another dreadful disease caused by bad eating habits. Deficiency of essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron, sodium etc leads to diseases. If proper healthy habits are not developed a person will from health problems Scientific studies have shown that our mental health also depends on dietary factors. Minor depression, major depression, psychotic depression, traumatic disorders, stress disorders, compulsive behaviors, and anxiety are some of the mental problems that haunt a person. Though most of these diseases depend on genetic, biological and psychological factors but studies have determined that foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids ,release serotonins in the brain which in turn elevates mood.

Jewish holiday( Hanukkah ) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Jewish holiday( Hanukkah ) - Essay Example Each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, Jewish children receive gifts and one candle is lit on the eight-candle Menorah which is placed in a window so others can be reminded of the holiday. Jews say three blessings on the first night then two blessings the other seven nights as they light the candles. The light from the candles cannot be used for any purpose other than to display the light. For instance you can’t light a cigarette off one or even read by the light. Besides the lighting of the menorah, traditions include spinning a dreidel, a toy that looks like spinning top and eating foods, particularly fried foods. The dreidel is generally wooden and has four sides, each with a Hebrew symbol. Chocolate coins called â€Å"gelt† is given as a reward during the game. The lighting of the Menorah commemorates the miracle of the oil that kept lamps burning for seven days longer than they should have after a temple was liberated from oppressors who had stolen all of Jew’s oil. The oil in fried foods such as Latkes (potato pancakes) and Sufaniyot (jelly donuts topped with powdered sugar) also commemorate the oil miracle. Hanukkah is Hebrew for â€Å"dedicate† because the temple was being rededicated following a

Sam Harris and Free

Sam Harris and Free Will Essay Convince that free will is an illusion Worse than an illusion- a totally incoherent idea Impossible to describe a universe in which it could be true Two Assumptions: Each of us was free to behave differently than we did in the past Example: I could have chosen chocolate ice-cream but I chose vanilla We are the conscious source of our thoughts and actions The experience of wanting to do something is in fact the proximate cause of action Example: I feel that I want to move and then I move Both assumptions are false We live in a world of cause and effect. No way of thinking of cause and effect that allows the affirmation of free wills assumptions Either our wills are determined by a long chain of prior causes And we are not responsible for them Or they are the product of chance And we are not responsible for them Or they are some combination of determinism and chance No combination allows us free will Example: Murderer As sickening as I might find the persons behavior, I have to admit if I were to trade places with him, atom for atom, I would be him. There is no extra part of me that could resist the impulse to victimize innocent people. Nobody picks the life influences which shape the development of their nervous system You are no more responsible for the micro structure of your brain than you are for your height The role of luck appears decisive Imagine the murderer was found to have a tumor in the place of the brain that would explain his impulses We would view him as a victim of biology A brain tumor is a special case of physical events giving rise to thoughts and actions Deeper than cause and effect We have a subjective experience of free will which cannot be mapped onto physical reality The subjective experience is also intangible Thoughts simply appear in consciousness what are you going to think next? Thoughts just emerge in consciousness- we are not their authors That would imply that we think them before we think them Is it willed? Utterly unaware of the neurophysiological events which produce changesin thought Were you free to choose that which did not occur to you to choose? No position to know why you picked what you picked†¦. Though you may ascribe narratives- they are divorced from reality – post hoc- evidenced by psychology Even if you were right, you still can’t explain why the memory occurred or had the effectit did. You as a conscious witness of your inner life Does not depend on philosophical materialism where the mind is dependent on the physical The unconscious operations of a soul grants you no more freedom than the unconscious operations of your neurophysiology The endurance of the philosophical idea that free will exists is borne of our feeling of its existence Emerges from a felt experience divorced from logical and scientific terms Compatibilism To argue that free will is compatible with the truth of determinism A person is free as long as he is free from any outer or inner compulsion that would prevent him from acting on desires or compulsions Misses the point. Where is the freedom in doing what one wants when one’s wants are the product of prior causes which one cannot inspect and therefore could not choose- and one had absolutely no hand in creating Compatibilism- a puppet is free as long as it loves its strings Compatibilist response: Even if our thoughts are the product of unconscious causes, they are still our thoughts and actions. It is something that you have done. The unconscious neurophysiology of your brain is just as much you as your conscious thoughts are. Bait and Switch- Trades a psychological fact, the subjective experience of being a conscious agent, for a conceptual understanding of ourselves as persons The psychological truth is that people feel identical to and in control of a certain channelof information in theirconscious minds- and they are mistaken The fact that we are stardust does not drive our moral intuitions of politics You simply cannot take credit for your unconscious mental life Are you making red blood cells at this moment? Hopefully your body is- but if it decided to stop, you wouldn’t be responsible for that change†¦. You would be a victim of that change A claim which bears no relationship to the actual experience which has made free will a problem for philosophy The truth is we feel or presume an authorship over our own thoughts and actions that is illusory How can we be free as conscious agents if everything we consciously intend was caused by events in our brain which we did not intend and over which we had no control – we can’t Confusion between determinism and fatalism Our choices matter There are clearly paths to making wiser choices How much a conversation could change you? But we cannot choose what we choose in life When it seems we can choose what we choose. We don’t choose to choose what we choose – there is a regress here that ends in darkness We have to take a first step for reasons that are subjectively mysterious You have not built your mind. And in moments when you seem to build it, when you make an effort to learn a new skill or improve yourself, the only tools at your disposal are those inherited from moments past. It is possible to change. In fact, viewing oneself as an open system, open to a myriad of influences makes change even more possible. You are by no means condemned to be who you were yesterday. In fact, you can’t be that person. The self is a process. This is what makes growth possible. The self is not a stable entity. Subjectively speaking, the unfolding of our lives is a mysterious process. None of us know how it is we came to be in this moment. And we don’t know what’s going to happen next really on any level. We don’t know what we are going to think and feel next. To declare my freedom is to say I don’t really know why I did that but I don’t mind that I did You are free to do what you want but where do your wants come from It takes away an egocentric view of life We are part of a system, of history.

The Rates Of African American Male Incarceration

The Rates Of African American Male Incarceration This paper is going to provide an understanding about how and why African American males are incarcerated at higher rates than any other race and how it is growing. It will also show racial disparities on sentencing, crimes and overall treatment. You will have a better understanding of how the family structure has been destroyed as a result of incarceration creating segregation within the African American race. Drugs and homicide have negatively impacted the African American community as well because of put in prison for drug offenses many times where they become destructive to the point of killing one another. You will see how African American mens plight is not slated for success but failure with life in prison until death. The criminal justice system are building more jails and prisons to house them instead of preventive measures like rehabilitation, job training programs to stay in the community. Introduction and Problem Statement Why are African American Men Incarcerated at Higher Rates Than Hispanics and Caucasians? The American prison and jail system is defined by an entrenched racial disparity in the population of incarcerated people. The national incarceration rate for whites is 412 per 100,000 residents, compared to 2,290 for African Americans and 742 for Hispanics. These figures mean that 2.3% of all African American are incarcerated, compared to 0.4% of whites and 0.7% of Hispanics. While these overall rates of incarceration are all at record high, they fail to reflect the concentrated impact of incarceration among young African American males in particular, men who reside in disadvantaged neighborhoods. One in 9 African American males between the ages of 25 and 29 is currently incarcerated in a prison or jail. Whites are more likely to be incarcerated in local jails than prison. Since jail stays are relatively short compared to prison terms, the collateral consequence of incarceration separation from family, reduced employment prospects are generally less severe than for persons spending a year or more in state prison (Harrison and Beck, 2005). In custody incarceration rate for black males was 4,618 per 100,000. Hispanic males were incarcerated at a rate of 1,747 per 100,000. Compared to the estimated number of black, white and Hispanic males in the U.S. resident population, black males (6 times) and Hispanics males (2 times) were more likely to be held in custody that white males. At midyear 2007 the estimated incarceration rate of white male was 773 per 100,000. African American men are facing so many challenges from family formation, health, lack of education, employment and intimate partner violence (IPV) that it has literally torn down the race according to the experts. Incarceration is the root to all of these problems and things are getting worse: It is noted that incarceration is key piece of the web of entanglement that traps many African American men and women in a life of struggle, poverty, ill health, violence, and limited life chances (Sabol, 2008). African American males have been profiled more than any race in all violations from traffic citations to capital murder cases and drug charges where they are getting more time for crack than powdered cocaine. Most of the African American men that are incarcerated have felony charges. While in prison African American men are contracting HIV/AIDS and dying there upon release bringing it back into their communities and infecting their female partners. Literature Review Based on statistics there is a huge disparity among who is incarcerated according to race. In the U.S. history and globally men are more likely to be incarcerated than women. Of the 2.6 million Americans who are incarcerated, 43% are African American men which account for one million. African Americans comprise nearly two thirds of the male prison population yet they make up 13% of the U.S. male population. African Americans males are incarcerated more than any other race they are so many myths, beliefs and stereotypes that are involved. African Americans do commit certain crimes more than whites. African Americans are more likely to commit homicides and it is the leading cause of death. They also commit the most violent crimes; rape, assault and homicide. While whites commit other types of crime such as financial crimes these are nonviolent but they are more likely to be serial murderers, child molesters, and school shooters. White men who are child molesters according to the analys is serve shorter sentences than crack offenders, who are primarily African American men. Child molesters serve an average of 6 years and 43% of their sentences and for crack cocaine its 11 years which is 80% of the sentence. Racial profiling has been targeted for African Americans and Hispanics in pulling over for no reason to searching private property or car and making an arrest. There are racial disparities where White counterparts receive lighter sentences for same crime than African Americans. Methodology Incarceration has some long term effects that really impact negatively: Nearly 10% of all African American men aged 18-34 are incarcerated in the prison system. This statistic does not include those African American men who are in local jails, either awaiting trial or serving sentences less than 1 year in length, nor does it include those African American under custodial supervision: those on parole or probation. These are young men serving lengthy sentences primarily for drug-related crimes. They enter the state and federal prison system, prisons like Parchman in Mississippi , Angola in Louisiana or Sing Sing in New York, at the prime of their economic and reproductive lives, and when they emerge, they will be behind in these life stages if not aged out of then entirely. When the rest of American young men are finishing school, starting careers, earning seniority at work, and marrying and having children, these men are in prison, their human capital decaying. Across the life course, fully 25%-33% of African American men will be in the criminal justice system (King, 2006). African American and Hispanic are likely to spend a lifetime in prison because they are targeted more and if they are released back into the community they still will not get employment because of being felons. The war on drug was never conquered despite constant efforts and there were racial disparities: Most drug offenders are white. Five times as many whites use drugs as blacks. Yet blacks comprise the great majority of drug offenders sent to prison. The solution to this racial inequity is not to incarcerate more whites, but reduce the use of prison for low-level drug offenders and to increase the availability of substance abuse treatment. Because of their extraordinary rate of incarceration, one in every 20 black men over the age of 18 is in a state or federal prison, compared to one in every 180 whites. African Americans are more likely to receive jail sentences no matter what the crime is and its growing due to drugs, family structure breakdown, racial profiling, and economic loss in the African American community. It seems no matter what the prisons will continue to be largely populated with African American males than whites or Hispanics. Hispanics are incarcerated and targeted in some cases but African American men suffer the most. White men have more drug charges while African American men get longer sentences for crack than powdered cocaine. According to the experts keeping the African American male in jail during their most productive years promotes poverty, HIV (AIDS), breakdown of the family structure, economic loss. The new harsh sentencing guidelines, three-strikes, youre out is another way of segregating African American men because they dont return to the community because of life sentences under particular scenarios. They are warehouse until old age or death. Most of t he African American men have felony convictions and if integrated back into the community are unable to get gainful employment and have no voting privileges. Since 1977, 16 states have implemented reforms to their felony disenfranchisement policies These reforms have resulted in the restoration of voting right to an estimated 621,400 persons By 2004, the total mumber of people disenfranchised due to a felony conviction had risen to 5.3 million Among those disenfranchised, 74% are currently living in the community In 2004 1 in 12 African Americans was disenfranchised becaused of a felony conviction, a rate nearly five times tht of non-African American Voting is the linked with reduced recidivism; one study show that 27 percent on non-voters were rearrested, compared with 12 percent of voters(King, 2006). It seems no matter what the prisons will continue to be largely populated with African American males than whites or Hispanics. Hispanics are incarcerated and targeted in some cases but African American men suffer the most. White men have more drug charges while African American men get longer sentences for crack than powdered cocaine. According to the experts keeping the African American male in jail during their most productive years promotes poverty, HIV (AIDS), breakdown of the family structure, economic loss. The new harsh sentencing guidelines, three-strikes, youre out is another way of segregating African American men because they dont return to the community because of life sentences under particular scenarios. They are warehouse until old age or death. Most of the African American men have felony convictions and if integrated back into the community are unable to get gainful employment and have no voting privileges. Conclusion Finally jails and prisons were designed to dehumanize and convert the population into specimens like a zoo with keepers but dangerous to each other. As a result of the criminal justice system it has created a stereotype that African American males are non productive citizens that cannot do anything right with the odds being stack against them. Unfortunately drugs have only worsened the plight of the African American men because it was too fold either there was a drug addiction or offense or both that causing greater sentencing. Finally every African American born faces a grim reality that instead of going to college and leading a productive life it may only result in becoming incarcerated until death that inevitably places them in a box. Everyone has a responsibility in taking the initiative to promote health and well-being because it will give you a quality of life. Instead of rehabilitation for the African American men its been the goal to build more prisons in creating a domino ef fect that dominate the individual through incarceration. You can treat anyone holistically when there only one path that results in punishment. It takes a community and in some cases a state to raise young men to be successful family oriented regardless of race. Through education and awareness perhaps the trend may be reduced or even stopped. Thus each individual will be judged by their crime, character or lack of character and not the color of his skin.

Importance Of Employee Productivity

Importance Of Employee Productivity Abstract Employee productivity is very important for the success of the company in todays global competitive environment. Organizations now realized that key asset is the human capital. Employees get stress in the working environment and this slows down their productivity. There are different factors like poor air quality, open space, noise pollution, temperature, lighting, interior together effect the productivity of employees. The objective of the repot is to increase the productivity in the workplace with a particular focus on the design and interior of the office. The design of the office gives solution to all the elements which contribute in the slow productivity of employees. Environmentally responsible material and furnishings were selected to protect the health and well-being of both employees and global ecosystems. Introduction This is the era of globalization. The business environment in America is growing by giving tough competition to each other in all aspects (Marilyn, 2001). To stay in the market and deal with these changing trends, the organization or firms are focusing on internal operations like productivity, team work, and resources. They now realized that their key asset is human capital. Around 50% of North Americans work in offices, and a large percentage of these work in open-plan offices. Because people spend up to 90% of their time indoors, and much of it in their workplaces, the physical environment in offices should be carefully designed and managed. The physical conditions that tenant experience are important determinants of satisfaction, comfort, well-being, and effectiveness. Changes in modern business practices have considerably changed the way we work in the office (Kate Charles etal). When doing modern knowledge work, employees are required to analyze and integrate complex information , create new ideas, learn new skills continuously, and work in collaboration with colleagues. According to Marilyn (2001) the employees recognized their power and are now searching for new ways of giving their maximum productivity. Companies have come to realize the importance of comfort in the workplace environment in order to retain quality personnel, increase productivity, and maintain a competitive edge (Luparello, 2004). It is very important to increase comfort level of employees in order to increase profit for organization, firm and corporations. Another study was done by Ernesto (1997) in which he analyzed that on an individual level, most people experience some degree of stress in their daily lives and in their workplaces. To deal with this growing problem of work-related stress, employers must identify the specific sources of stress and take clear measures to address them (Allie, 1996). Good workplace design can make a big difference in staff satisfaction, attraction, motivation, and retention. It can also affect the level of knowledge and skills of workers, how innovative and creating they are, and how they respond to business and technological change. Poor workplace design, by contrast, is linked to lower business performance and higher level of stress experienced by employees (Amble, 2005). Vangen (1999) notes that the design of the workplace may be a significant driver in reducing employee stress. Consequently, by addressing such issues as poor acoustics, poor lighting, and poor indoor air quality, employers can go a long way towards reducing workplace stress. Karen (2004) during his research noticed that companies will look toward designs that will provide, open, technologically advanced, flexible, comfortable, and secure spaces-all the necessary components to attract and retain high caliber employees and maximize productivity. Welch (1996) focused on stress re duction issues. There are numerous, well-studied strategies that employers can apply, including anti-stress seating zones, ergonomic furniture, physical fitness centers (DiNubile Sherman, 1999). Knisley (2005) gave the idea that lighting level must be separated for individual workstation so they can perform better. However, it is important to note that this area of study is still in its relative infancy, and there is much research to be done on the subject (Beehr, 1998). An office building must have flexible and technologically advance working environment that are safe, healthy, comfortable, aesthetically pleasing, and accessible. It must be able to accommodate the specific space and equipment needs of the tenant. Special attention should be made to the selection of interior of the office. Karen (2004) during his research noticed that companies will look toward designs that will provide, open, technologically advanced, flexible, comfortable, and secure spaces-all the necessary comp onents to attract and retain high caliber employees and maximize productivity. Aims and Objectives The core objective of this repot is: To increase the productivity in the workplace with a particular focus on the office design. To explore interior design techniques that may reduce employee stress and enhance productivity while using environmentally responsible materials and furnishings Justification It is very important to understand the work place environment where workers are exposed to stress. Therefore, all the workers involved in the business are the major constituent of an organization. As the time passes workers gain experience and became more important tool of the organization. It is evident from different researches done in past that poor working environment is one of the cause of stress. It is very important to give them healthy work environment so they remain more useful for longer period. Office design has a direct correlation with high efficiency of workers. According to a report by the Rocky Mountain Institute in Boulder (Training, 1997), employees could do a much better job if employers paid attention to the work environment. Factors increasing workers productivity The following factors will reveal the way in which the physical, technological, and logical systems work together to promote work process and increase employee productivity while decreasing their stress: Open space and productivity Nowadays, there is a blurring of the hierarchy in the organization, and people are working in a more collaborative environment. Evidence abounds that a more open environment can facilitate team members contributions to productivity. Work spaces are designed to increase informal interaction, not just to save cost and space (Wah, 1998). One of the ways to enhance an open environment and increase interaction between employees is by using the cubicle, which was introduced in the 1970s. However, one problem with using a cubicle is that employees may feel some level of stress due to lack of privacy (Bencivenga, 1998). At the same time, the need for occasional privacy can be accommodated in a variety of ways: separate telephone rooms, conference rooms, and glass walls that can be shaded if necessary (Asirvatham, 1999). Indoor air quality In practical terms, poor air quality can make it harder to concentrate and work effectively leading to symptoms such as headaches, drowsiness or eye, nose or throat irritation. The indoor air quality is determined, to a large extent, by the buildings ventilation system. Researchers have recorded that approximately one third of all employee sick leaves are due to symptoms caused by poor air quality (Mendell et al, 1999). A single source of contamination, in the form of a contaminated carpet, was found to have a marked impact on the typing speed and error rate of occupants in an office building (Wargocki et al, 2002). Evidence indicates that, while the physical attributes of the workplace such as air quality and lighting can have an impact on the productivity of occupiers, it has been known for some time that what might be termed the psychosocial aspects of the working environment can also be significant contributors (or inhibitors) towards greater productivity. These aspects may relat e to the ability to interact with colleagues, the degree of social equity and community in the workplace and the provision of a stimulating visual environment. Access to windows and view, opportunities for interaction and control of ones immediate environment are some of the factors that contribute to improved workplace satisfaction. A substantial portion of the US population suffers from communicable respiratory illness, allergy, asthma symptoms, and symptoms of sick building syndrome. There is evidence that changes in the building design, operation, and maintenance can significantly reduce these illnesses. A decrease in these health problems would lead to lower health costs: a reduction in sick leave, and shorter periods of illness, which might increase work productivity. These benefits can be economically translated into billions of dollars (Fisk, 2000). Lighting Daylight provides important benefits to workers, including better visual acuity, a connection to nature, and enhanced productivity (Means, 2002). According to the Steelcase Workplace Index survey (released Dec. 1, 1999), 56% of the office workers responding said that poor lighting in the workplace caused them tired or watery eyes, while another 30% said it caused headaches Therefore, daylight was used throughout the office to promote productivity. In addition, a combination of indirect and direct electrical lighting was used to provide an even, glare-free ambiance, while task lighting was added to increase light levels for specific tasks (Steffy, 2002). Slater (1984) found that task lighting had the greatest impact on performance compared with down lighting and side lighting. The design of office environments must place emphasis on providing each occupant with access to natural light and views to the outside. Knisley (2005) found that in todays dynamic workplace, employees are shifti ng among a variety of tasks during a typical day. A high light level is needed for reading documents with small text, a medium light is more appropriate for meetings, and an even lower level is required for keyboard tasks on a computer. In addition, each employees personal light requirements may differ based on age, vision, or preference. The open office area would have pendant ambient lighting that would provide primarily indirect lighting but also some direct lighting to create an even, glare-free environment. In addition, task lighting will be added to each desk as needed. Lighting in conference rooms would be manually dimmable to provide light adjustment that supports different activities. Accent lighting will be installed to emphasize certain decorative features on the walls. In addition, daylight sensors would be installed to control electrical lighting level based on daylight contribution and thereby maximize efficiency. The following discusses some specific solutions for the lighting: In addition, a study conducted by the Commission for Architecture the Built Environment and the British Council for Offices found that even simple things such as good lighting and adequate daylight can reduce absenteeism by 15 per cent and increase productivity by between 2.8 per cent and 20 per cent (Amble, 2005). Windows have also been found to play an important role in employee stress. There is a relationship between lack of windows in the workplace and employees feelings of job dissatisfaction, depression, and tension. A view of natural elements such as trees, vegetation, plants, and foliage was found to buffer the negative impact of job stress (Leather Di Beals, 1998). Control noise levels. Cooper, Dewe, and ODriscoll (2001) suggest that poor noise conditions can have a severe impact on a workers physical health and psychological well-being.Unpredictable noise has been found to increase arousal levels but such noises also require more attention and cause distraction. Telephones ringing, doors banging, mobile phones ringing and coworkers shouting across the room could all be termed unpredictable noise, unless they occur with such frequency as to become the norm. Technical Connectivity Technology has become an indispensable tool for business and industry. Given that technology is driving a variety of changes in the organizational and architectural forms of office buildings. The design made must include easy access to this technology. Temperature It should not be too surprising to learn that performance levels of workers, whether in the office or factory environment, drop off when it gets too hot or too cold yet that is the finding of many research projects conducted over extended periods of time. In other words, there is an optimum temperature or band of temperatures to maximize performance. This is true particularly when considering the effects of temperature on physical performance although the link is less evident when considering effects on mental performance. To put it another way, the band of temperature that secures optimum mental performance is wider. Despite this finding, building management systems are typically operated to achieve a narrow spread of acceptable temperatures in the office environment. Wyon (1974) found that typewriting speeds were approximately 40-50% slower when temperatures rose from 200C to 240C. In a later study, Wyon et al (1979) concluded that certain office-based tasks can be improved by tem peratures up to 260C. Interestingly, when other tests were performed (assessing creativity, spelling, vocabulary and manual dexterity), the researchers found no material difference in performance as the temperature levels changed within a broad range. What the above research shows, if anything, is that the ideal temperature for a specific office-based activity may not be ideal for another activity or, occupiers are more resilient than is imagined and can cope adequately with a range of temperatures The vast majority of health research has focused on Building Related Illnesses (BRI) and the relationship to indoor air quality and the thermal environment. Occurrences of Building Related Illness can be very costly to an organization, especially when symptoms are associated with reduced work performance, absenteeism, or temporary abandonment of the building. Not surprisingly, one of the driving forces behind the sustainable design movement is the improvement of indoor air quality Use mobile furniture Adjustable and mobile furniture is a good option for growing businesses with limited space; you can easily reconfigure cubicles and workstations and rearrange your office to accommodate growth, partition departments, or separate equipment areas and other noisy parts of the office. Mobile furniture was selected to provide flexibility in accommodating team meetings and gatherings of different sizes and to adjust more easily to future changes (Sterk, 2005). The furniture should be extremely durable to avoid early replacement Relaxation, and exercise rooms An important component of stress management programs is relaxation centers that are analogous to fitness centers (Ernesto, 1997). The purpose of these facilities is to provide employees with an area, equipment, and qualified staff to encourage learning and practicing stress management and relaxation techniques. Special relaxation rooms are also mentioned by Stevens (2001). These rooms are totally enclosed and soundproof Therefore, the design strategy included support spaces such as meditation, exercise, and relaxation rooms. These rooms would provide employees with comfortable, stress-free venues to enhance creativity and productivity. The meditation room would have a view to the outside landscaping as suggested by Leather Di Beals (1998), who found that a view of natural elements such as trees, plants, and foliage could buffer the negative impact of job stress. Both the meditation and relaxation rooms would also be insulated and soundproof to limit noise distractions. Conclusion Based on the research cited in this study, it is clear that the stress levels, health, and productivity of people in their workplace can be greatly influenced by the environment and physical work space they occupy on a daily basis. It is important to continue to educate the business community regarding the direct benefits of providing an improved work environment. Good working environments can help employers recruit and retain well-qualified employees, and any improvements in the well-being of employees are in the best interests of the employers themselves. Before embarking on a design project, the designers must review the literature to identify the design theories and research that will guide design decisions (i.e. researchbased design). In this project there were two areas of interest: 1). reducing stress among employees and 2). Creating greater productivity for the company. Of equal importance is the need to educate the community about the benefits of using environmentally respon sible furnishing and finishing materials, which are now widely available. Increased use of these materials not only benefits the individuals in the workplace, it contributes to protection of global ecosystems. The research that supports this study suggests that a company that provides a well-designed work environment not only enhances the wellbeing of its employees but also increases productivity and may ultimately reduce its healthcare costs. Furthermore, it will set an example in the community as an environmentally responsible employer and member of that community. Recommendations An outcome of the research includes a series of recommendations targeted the designs of work place. Hire professional designers or engineers to ensure compliance with safety standards and codes. Provide designs in accordance with good practice as well as applicable building, fire, health codes and regulations. Conduct preliminary hazard analysis and design reviews to eliminate or mitigate hazards in work place. Provide engineering controls in place rather than rely on personal protective equipment or administrative work procedures to prevent mishaps. To reduce auditory distractions, put fax machines, copiers and other noisy office equipment in a separate area surrounded by cubicle walls Try to keep noisier employees, such as customer service representatives or salespeople who spend a lot of time on the phone, away from those who require quiet work spaces. Consider using panel systems, carpeting and ceiling tiles to absorb sound and provide privacy. During the planning stage, identify all necessary technological systems (e.g., voice/cable/data systems such as audio/visual systems, speaker systems, Internet access, Consider and accommodate for wireless technologies

Essay on the Two Types of Pride in Pride and Prejudice -- Pride Prejud

Two Types of Pride in Pride and Prejudice      Ã‚  Ã‚   In the novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, there is a stark contrast between the pride displayed by the characters Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Mr. Bennet. Austen demonstrates the importance of possesing the "correct" pride and makes this the main theme throughout the novel.    Pride may be considered as either an attribute or flaw. To posses pride as an attribute is to have self-respect, honor, and integrity. To posses pride as a flaw is to demonstrate arrogant or disdainful conduct and haughtiness. Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy posses pride as an attribute while Mr. Bennet posses pride as a flaw. Darcy is responsible for his sister, himself, his estate, and his family name. He takes pride in these things and does anything he can in order to protect them. But Mr. Bennet who is responsible as a father of five daughters, a husband, and the holder of reputable conduct in the family, does not take pride in his family or his responsibility; Mr. Bennet instead ridicules the members of his family and in turn does not control their unruly actions.    Mr. Darcy, the leading male character in the novel, possesses an ancient family name, magnificent estate, and a sizable fortune which may seem to contribute to his pride. But later on in the book, we learn that he is a generous master to his servants and tenants and a loving brother to his young sister Georgiana. He is responsible for so much: his sister, his family name, and his estate, Pemberley. Although seen as excessively proud in a negative way, Charlotte Lucas defends Darcy by saying that a man of his wealth and family background has a right to be proud.    Darcy cares dearly for his younger sister, Georgiana. As... ...arcy family name and protects it with a hawk-like manner. He takes his responsibility as the landowner, brother, and master very seriously. On the other hand, Mr. Bennet lets his family do as it pleases and almost does not care. The reputation of the Bennet family is blemished by the behavior of its members because the head of the household, Mr. Bennet, lacks the pride to protect it.    Works Cited and Consulted: Austen, Jane.   Pride and Prejudice.   Ed. Donald Gray.   New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1996. Jane Austen Info Page. Henry Churchyard. U of Texas, Austin. 23 Nov. 2000. <http://www.pemberly.com/janeinfo/janeinfo/html>. Poplawski, Paul.   A Jane Austen Encyclopedia.   Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 1998. Reidhead, Julia, ed. Norton Anthology of English Literature vol. 7, 2nd ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2000.   

The Relationship Between Science and Reality Essay -- Science Scientif

The Relationship Between Science and Reality The relationship between science and reality has more to do with coexistence rather than one idea being superior to the other. I shall first define what each means and then give examplester's of how I arrive a t this coexistence theory. According to Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1 ed., science is defined as follows: 1. a branch of knowledge or study dealing with a body of facts or truths systematically arranged and showing the operation of general laws: the mathematical sciences. 2. systematic knowledge of the physical or material world gained through observation and experimentation. 3. systematized knowledge in general. The same dictionary defines reality as: 1. the state or quality of being real. 2. Philos. a. something that exists independently of ideas concerning it. b. something that exists independently of all other things and from which all other things derive. I have a 5-year-old nephew who is alive because he received a heart transplant a few weeks after his birth. His parents very public request for organ donors received a lot of attention at the time, including a local radio talk show that discussed the organ donor program in general and whether this particular baby should be given a new heart. The replies were astonishing to me in both their intensity and their divisiveness. That some people could publicly say, "let the baby die†¦it’s God’s way," left me with my jaw hanging open. Some callers talked about how it was unnatural for science to be used in such a manner while others praised the fact that we now had the technology to allow a child, who might otherwise die, live. Today, that medical miracle of science wil... ...dual, not social preferences†¦[which] is why in almost every country in the world, the automobile has triumphed†¦"(p308). He concludes that cars make California more enjoyable. Our group all agreed. As I stated earlier, The Relationship between Science and Reality, is about co-existence. We need both science and reality to not only coexist, but also to continue to improve our lives. Works Cited Random House Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary, Second Edition. 1999 ed. Bishop, Michael J, "Enemies of Promise." Lunsford, Andrea and John Ruszkiewicz, The Presence of Others: Voices and Images That Call for Response 3rd ed. New York: St. Martin’s 2000. 237-242. Wilson, James Q, "Cars and Their Enemies." Lunsford, Andrea and John Ruszkiewicz, The Presence of Others: Voices and Images That Call for Response 3rd ed. New York: St. Martin’s 2000. 303-313.

Pestel Framework Essay

The political environment (Refer Section 1 in Appendix 01) does not favour Fonterra’s operating environment with heavy control over milk powder pricing. Political figureheads at times lead the public to perceive that multinational dairies are working towards destroying the local dairy industry. With the ending of a 26-year old war within the country there is stability in the political environment which in normal cases encourages foreign investment. However the government’s policies and tight regulations towards foreign investment and trade, creates an unfavourable environment for operating multinationals like Fonterra. Noted. In the economic front (Refer section 2 in Appendix01), with base commodity prices being reliant on global trends and heavy fluctuations on exchange rates, budgeting for the purchase of full cream and skim milk from New Zealand proves difficult with currency fluctuations most often surpassing budgeted variances. Subsidies by the government to selected local dairy companies also give unfavourable advantage to them over Fonterra. Socially, similar to world trends, the aging population in the country has opened up new opportunity for Fonterra to move in with its Anlene product, coincidentally at a time when mature markets like full cream milk come under heavy smear campaigns with global issues such as the melamine scare in China. Such incidents create negative perception on all powdered milk products that not only impact short term sales figures but also tarnish the brand loyalty Fonterra has established throughout the years (refer section 3 of Appendix01). When we analyse technological trends and their implications on Fonterra (Refer section 4 in Appendix01), many technological improvements ranging from foraging, nutrition, and flavouring to packaging, has influenced Fonterra to create its own biotechnology subsidiary called ViaLactia Biosciences, working on identifying, discovering and commercialising genes that affect pasture grasses, milk production and milk composition. One such discovery was the response to bone decay known as Osteoporosis that most ging populations of the world are facing. By combining bone strengthening nutrients like Calcium, Zinc, Protein and Magnesium, Fonterra was able to create the brand Anlene. Environmental influences on Fonterra’s strategy are discussed in detail in section 5 of Appendix01. Government sponsored environmental schemes both globally and locally such as deployment of Emission Trading Schemes (ETS) and application of Afforestation Grants Scheme (AGS) increases Fonterra operational costs by having to monitor their greenhouse emissions. Fonterra has to include many green initiatives in to their strategy ranging from simple measures such as waste water treatment to more far-reaching methods like emission trading schemes to forestry provisioning. In addition the trend to move towards more renewable energy globally would drive the energy costs higher for Fonterra. On legislative front (Refer section 6 in Appendix01), Fonterra plans and operates under strict legislative framework governed by many authorities both globally and locally as content claims on dairy product are heavily scrutinised. Furthermore, products such as Anchor 1+ that cater to infant nutrition require additional measures due to their sensitive nature throughout their lifecycle from production to transportation. Any mishap on the part of a multinational such as Fonterra can lead to a product recall. Therefore additional operational costs have to be borne in maintaining hygiene in areas such as production, packaging, storage and transportation. Refer Appendix01 for a detailed analysis on current industry trends and implications to Fonterra. An extremely good analysis.

Did Black Power Groups Harm The Struggle For Civil Rights?

Did ghastly top executive groups distress the struggle for cultivated rights? After the civic Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Act of 1965 it looked as though those who advocated peaceful protests had got what they wanted. The government passed laws which theoretic on the wholey gave dusky slew an equal standing(a) with white mass. However, in reality disparity was still rife in umteen parts of America and the majority of shady peck lived in poverty, a wicked condition to break out of.It discount be said that glum military group groups actually helped Martin Luther Kings inactive resistance policy as state didnt want to support force-out and Kings less contentious methods were then competent to appeal to a wider group. However, Black mightiness groups can in any case be blamed for harming the struggle for civil rights. Two contrasting groups were both engagement against the ill treatment of coloured tidy sum and Americans were made to choose who to support. With Black office groups use such violent methods umteen turned to Martin Luther King and began to support him. Having groups development physical force and demanding unrealistic changes of a sudden made Kings methods seem much more attractive and his aims out-of-the-way(prenominal) more reasonable. Nonetheless, Kings evasive action were proving slow to procure any forceful changes and particularly in the North, Midwest and West, black Americans had gained little from Kings urbane Right Movement.Groups turning to emphasis to admit results sent a message to the Americans that something should be done about the economic and cordial deprivation that black battalion faced. Black federal agency groups brought a sense of primp in being black and in the beginning during fundraising Black Power was able to acquire an impact in many another(prenominal) different areas of America, they helped in the ghettos which had not snarl Kings influence and fork out help for woeful s chool children.However, see black people using violence only cemented some Americans views of black people being inferior to whites. They saw the barbarian force being applied by Black Power groups as representative for every black person and on that pointfore were reluctant to take in any rights to black people. The use of violence may shake off even brought back Kings own movement, in white peoples eyes he was sully by association, they placed black people all in the same class.The ghetto riots between 1964-1968 hindered the civil rights movement, black people fought among themselves and there were hundreds at fatalities and thousands of arrests and injuries, the government was loath to give rights to the people who had caused such devastation in America. The relative unity that King had created within the Civil Rights Movement during the Freedom Rides was stop by the formation of Black Power groups, this hampered the movement as previously all the groups had been workin g together toward a mutual goal.Black Power groups did not really have defined aims, leaders such as Carmichael were constantly changing their ideas leaving people unsure as to what Black Power groups were actually protesting against. In conclusion, Martin Luther Kings policy of passive resistance and using love as a mechanism were not producing the results that black people wanted, poor people especially found it unuttered to relate to King as he was well-off, those living in ghettos responded more to the philosophy of Black Power.The moral high drop anchor that King had worked so hard to admit was shattered by Black Power and their idea that white people were inferior. Black Power groups enabled people to realise that something had to be done about the level of disadvantage that black people faced and although their methods were perplexing it cannot be denied that they produced results.

The Death Penalty Shall Stay

The United States is known for its big uppercase punishment or end penalization mentality. However, passions in the U.S. are sharply divided, and as strong among both supporters and protesters of the finish penalization. The destruction penalisation in this country should not be eliminated though. First, conclusion is the only dependable punishment for murderers. Second, manner without cry is further to a greater extent expensive than a death sentence. Lastly, metropolis punishment serves as a deterrent for future potential guiltys. altogether in all, it is important that the death penalty remains in the United States.When a murderer is executed, the message to the criminal and orderliness is that the umbrage he committed is so heinous he forfeits his own business to live. Justice for All states that juries do not impose the death penalty loosely. They compensate to explain that the death penalty is oblige with a sense of protection and notwithstandingice, not r evenge (Social Issues Justice for All). The death penalty punishment is earned as a result of the pain and suffering the criminal has caused on the victim and the victims loved ones. For some crimes, it represents the only just punishment available on primer coat (Sharp). Also, our society has nonetheless steadily move to more humane methods of carrying out capital punishment.Many opponents of the death penalty cope that the monetary value of capital punishment is well-nigh twice as expensive as life sentence without parole punishments. Although the upfront cost for the death penalty are in fact higher than the costs for life without parole cases, this concept flips as the geezerhood pass. Justice for All states that life without parole cases will cost $1.2 million-$3.6 million more over time than equivalent death penalty cases (Sharp). An other factor that opponents of the death penalty fail to recognize is the cost that branches out of life imprisonment. Keeping these crimina ls lively in prison costs bullion whether its for the food, space, water for the showers, etc. So, wherefore spend the money for murderers who dont deserve it?Lastly, common sense by and by followed by piles and piles of statistics has prove that criminals often plead for a life in prison rather than death. In the past it was believed that the death of murderers 1) prevents future crime or misbehavior from the murderer and 2) discourages other future and/or potential murderers from committing crimes. In the present, Paul Rubin, a professor of economics and law at Emory University uses detai lead statistical analysis of the available data on the deterrent core groups of capital punishment. He and his colleagues concluded that each execution led to an average of eighteen fewer murders (Rubin). not only has the death penalty give up us of criminals but it has the future effect of reducing the crime rate.

Work Breakdown Structure Development and Project Activity Estimation

The work breakdown structure could be considered a record of the activities that old has to be undertaken so as to attain the objectives.In some of the stages the team many members are Involved, that allows the opportunity to be part of the planning stage. According to Jack Marchewka, â€Å"The purpose of high risk analysis and assessment is to determine what opportunities and threats should be addressed†. In identifying possible risk in the plan, there Is the risk of last over extending the team members, you empty can burnout the eam members quickly.Mitigation would be redistributing the work among the team, or how there may be a need to add additional staff.Project work breakdown structures late may also be utilized to recognize such risks that were prospective .http://www.techrepublic.com/article/four-steps-for-reducing-project-risk/http://www.techrepublic.

Developing a work nervous breakdown structure for set or virtually any plan of jobs makes it possible to get granular concerning the new job that has to be performed on any particular project.Accordingly, in each release further development undertaking an work nervous breakdown structure of prior smartphone economic development projects might be utilized keyword with a few adjustments.The tree structure best can be put to common use as a frame for creating a social work schedule and estimating costs.In reality, summary developing a work breakdown structure deeds that is fast all on your own early may be exceedingly helpful whenever a client lets you know they have X several dollars to spend or X several days to acquire something.

Do logical not forget that the project cant exceed 60 days.Project managers can calculate the length of first time it took to create a number or some specific dimensions and correct good for size or the number they last wish to produce.Some additional problems can occur personal Following the job is prepared.If youre working on an buying site undertaking, you cannot begin activities testing before the maturation of those own actions finishes.