Sunday, January 19, 2020

7s McKinsey model Essay

Strategy is a plan developed by a firm to achieve sustained competitive advantage and successfully compete in the market. What does a well-aligned strategy mean in 7s McKinsey model? In general, a sound strategy is the one that’s clearly articulated, is long-term, helps to achieve competitive advantage and is reinforced by strong vision, mission and values. But it’s hard to tell if such strategy is well-aligned with other elements when analyzed alone. See more: Is the Importance of being earnest a satirical play essay So the key in 7s model is not to look at your company to find the great strategy, structure, systems and etc. but to look if its aligned with other elements. For example, short-term strategy is usually a poor choice for a company but if its aligned with other 6 elements, then it may provide strong results. Structure represents the way business divisions and units are organized and includes the information of who is accountable to whom. In other words, structure is the organizational chart of the firm. It is also one of the most visible and easy to change elements of the framework. Systems are the processes and procedures of the company, which reveal business’ daily activities and how decisions are made. Systems are the area of the firm that determines how business is done and it should be the main focus for managers during organizational change. Skills are the abilities that firm’s employees perform very well. They also include capabilities and competences. During organ izational change, the question often arises of what skills the company will really need to reinforce its new strategy or new structure. Staff element is concerned with what type and how many employees an organization will need and how they will be recruited, trained, motivated and rewarded. Style represents the way the company is managed by top-level managers, how they interact, what actions do they take and their symbolic value. In other words, it is the management style of company’s leaders. Shared Values are at the core of McKinsey 7s model. They are the norms and standards that guide employee behavior and company actions and thus, are the foundation of every organization.

Saturday, January 11, 2020

Cuba’s Environmental Problems

When socialism was introduced to Cuba, the idea was that it would be more eco-friendly than capitalism. Instead, the Revolution to quickly controlled two major factors that eventually led to environmental problems in developing countries: population growth and poverty. Contributing to the issue of poverty in Cuba are the financial, economic and commercial blockades imposed by the United States. In order to preserve the environment in Cuba and combat these issues, serious action was necessary. The amount of environmental damage falls into two categories: a) small-scale environmental destruction committed by individuals through illegal hunting, deforestation, dumping of waste into aquatic ecosystems, etc. ; or b) large-scale environmental destruction resulting from major projects and industries approved by governmental agencies and owned by international companies, like hotel chains and mining companies after the Special Period, and agriculture before the Special Period†. [1] The opportunity for Cuba to protect its environment came after the fall of the Soviet Union and the strengthening of the US blockade in 1990. This period, referred to as the Special Period (1990-2000), witnessed a decrease in many environmentally damaging activities both by choice and by necessity, but also resulted in many decisions to resuscitate the Cuban economy. After the Earth Summit in 1992, following Fidel Castro’s speech regarding the condition of the environment on a global scale, Cuba designed and implemented a variety of programs, administrative structures, and public awareness activities to promote sound environmental management and sustainable development. What is most important is the damage that ahs already been done and the efforts to reverse these conditions. Currently, there are many efforts to bring the Cuban environment to a sustainable level. When the former socialist countries of Eastern Europe ended trade and financial relationships with Cuba, the island was forced to make severe adjustments. The emergency measures implemented by the Cuban government aimed at preventing the total economic collapse of the regime, have been referred to by the leadership as the â€Å"special period in peacetime. † This Special Period brought about â€Å"the creation of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (CITMA) in 1994 [which] provided an important impetus for environmental policy and management on a national scale. †[2] In 1995 the National Environmental Strategy (EAN) was designed, but was not approved by the government until 1997. Since then the EAN â€Å"is the guiding document of Cuban environmental policy, establishing the principles upon which the national environmental efforts are based. †[3] The strategy identifies the main environmental issues in Cuba and proposes ideas and various methods to prevent, solve or minimize these problems. The strategy goals are to improve environmental protection and the use of natural resources in an attempt to meet sustainable social and economic development objectives. Evaluations of Cuba's environmental record in comparison with Eastern European records shows â€Å"that environmental deterioration in Cuba over more than three decades of socialist rule responded to specific conditions not usually found in developing countries†¦ but were present in the former Soviet Union and the former Eastern European socialist countries. [4] As a result of this, Kirwin Shaffer states that: Consequently, central planning ignored local environmental concerns. Also, the absence of private ownership and the lack of citizen input in decision making meant that all decisions affecting the local level were made with regard to how they fit with the overall national plan. Results and impacts at the local level were secondary. Which leads to these conclusions: Cuban agricultural and industrial development following the Soviet models have had similar consequences for water, soil and air pollution as found in Europe. 5] The current Cuban stance that attempts to blame the USSR for these effects in Cuba benefits Cuba’s political system because it takes the blame away from the state, but it is not served by the historical record. The glorified â€Å"greening† of Cuba during the 1990s has beneficial impacts over the short term, but, according to Diaz-Briquets and Perez-Lopez, economic costs and turns toward a development model based on tourism may soon erode those short-term gains. Cuba's pollution and contamination problems are widespread, and not completely the result of Soviet-style development projects. Yet, there is no doubt that many of the current environmental problems in Cuba result mainly from sovietization of the Cuban economy. Soil erosion and soil degradation are the main problems in agriculture. These problems started primarily due to the intensification of mechanized agriculture and the use of petrochemical herbicides and pesticides. [6] Agriculture is just one of the many environmental issues the island faces. In terms of the land, â€Å"the harm caused by permanent crops to these lands is primarily due to a lack of crop rotation causing soil depletion, poor agro-technical management and insufficient fertility measures. †[7] In 1970 La zafra de los diez millones, took place, in which the Cuban government attempted to break all historic sugar production records by producing a ten million ton sugar harvest. [8] The government fell short of their goal by two tons, but by this point the damage was already done. Because crops take so much nutrients from the land, farmers alternate crops each year to allow the land to recover. During la zafra de los diez millones crops were not alternated which took a heavy toll on the land. In Cuba, poorly designed and implemented agricultural development policies have been a major contributor to the degradation of the country’s soils: Soil degradation continued apace with the agricultural practices that came to prevail in Cuba during the first half of the twentieth century as more and more virgin islands were brought under sugarcane and livestock production. There is mounting evidence that the pace of soil deterioration intensified during the second half of the century, principally because of the widespread adoption of modern agricultural practices, particularly from the 1960s to the late 1980s. As in the Soviet Union and other socialist economies, the collectivization of the rural sector was regarded as necessary for achieving the goals of a centrally planned command economy. Collectivization would make possible economies of scale and bring the advantages of mechanization and modern scientific agriculture. 9] After the collectivization of land agrarian reforms were implemented to return the land to the state and to its’ citizens. But this shift in land ownership could have major environmental implications, especially after the fall of the Soviet Union. After the Soviets left Cuba, Cuban farming suffered a shortage of imported agricultural goods; leaving Cuban farmers to use traditional farming practices and some more modern techniques (such as rip irrigation) that are more environmentally friendly: The post-Soviet agricultural model is less dependent on imported agricultural practices that had been abandoned for their alleged backwardness: the large-scale use of beasts of burden, increased reliance on organic fertilizers and biological pest controls, the abandonment of marginal soils that had been brought under cultivation and made productive only by the intensive use of agricultural inputs, and a shift of urban labor to the countryside. [10] According to Diaz-Briquets and Perez-Lopez, more important than this change in agricultural practices, is that transferring the control of lands to farmers who are closely tied it, â€Å"and whose economic well-being will depend on the stewardship of the natural resource base, there is the expectation that the trend of soil deterioration†¦. may at least be slowed down†¦. [but] it is too early tell how successful the new agricultural policies will be. †[11] At this point, many of Cuba’s natural resources are in danger of extinction. Because Cuba has exported sugarcane as its main commodity, sugarcane has replaced natural flora and fauna. There was a time before 1959 when over 30 different kinds of bananas grew on the island, but most of the banana trees have been replaced by sugarcane. Cuba’s crops and animals have been affected by pests and diseases introduced from abroad; coastal pollution and excessive hunting also present severe threats to wildlife populations. [12] Water aquifers have been contaminated by pollutants (and saltwater on the coasts) and their levels are declining due to nearly unrestricted use. Similarly, waterflows reaching the coasts are also highly contaminated, which constantly hurts coral reefs and breeding grounds. Dam and reservoir construction has hurt coastal lagoons and mangroves: Cuba’s fresh water system (rivers/lakes/aquifers) has very serious problems. Under Castro’s policy of voluntad hidraulica, which called for not a single drop of fresh water to â€Å"be lost† to the ocean, the government has built over 1,000 large and small dams throughout the entire island, covering 1. 4% of Cuba’s territory. Although the benefits to Cuban agriculture are clear in terms of increased irrigated land (close to 1 million hectares), the ecological effect has been quite negative in terms of lowering the water’s oxygen level and increasing salinity. Dams have also blocked the dispersal of sediment and fresh water runoff over mangrove areas, contributing to a 30% average reduction of mangrove coverage and biodiversity loss[13] In fact, â€Å"the bays of Cuba are some of the most polluted in the world. Industrial, agricultural and human discharges into the sea, as well as deforestation for strip mining, have contributed to the pollution. [14] Water diversion to reservoirs is linked to the â€Å"virtual destruction of the oyster bed and major decline in the fish catch in the Casilda coastal region of southern Santa Clara Province. †[15] These factors, along with the excessive use of aquifer waters and wells used for sugar and citrus irrigation are contributing to the salinization of the water in Cuba. â€Å"Extensive water logging of coastal aquifers has lead to salinization and soil erosion. It has been estimated in 1991 that 600,000 ha have light to modest salinization levels, while the remainder show high levels of salinization. [16] The main source of water pollution lies in the industrial facilities, warehouses, and workshops and service entities located around the bay. Fifty-three industrial facilities are located in the immediate proximity of the bay, and another 84 industries produce waste that indirectly discharges into the bay through tributary streams. [17] These industrial areas include the port and the nickel industries that add to the contamination of the water supply. The port activity itself is also one of the major sources of contamination for the bay. It is estimated that the ships served in the port generate 150,000 tons of refuse per year. 18] Deforestation is also a factor contributing to the poor state of Cuba’s environment. Forests have not suffered nearly as much as the land, with conservation efforts bringing Cuba's forests back to their 1945 levels, but conservation of forests has not meant saving all woodlands. One of the main problems environmentalists have with deforestation in Cuba is the fact that many of the available estimates regarding how much of the original forest cover remained before the revolution are based on rough figures made by observers with no credible statistical information. According to Eudel Eduardo Cepero: The irrational use of forests has become common practice under the Castro regime. As no current data are available on the actual total area of cover forest, the value of Cuba’s forest resources is unknown. Most of the remaining natural forests are in poor condition from being overexploited. An average of 200 forest fires occur each year, affecting some 5,000 hectares of forest. Reforestation has been precarious, due to poor quality seeds, a low survival rate of plantings, and a narrow range of forest species utilized. 19] The National Environmental Strategy offers statistics to support Cepero’s claims by offering statistical information, but not listing sources to verify its facts; it also states that the forests in Cuba have grown over the last few years, but that there is still much work to be done with regards to improving the forest cover in Cuba: Although the forest cover has increased constantly in the recent years – in th e last 43 years increasing to a total coverage of 2, 696, 587. 9 hectares, bringing us to a forested index of 24. 54% in 2005 – after-effects still persist from years of irrational exploitation of Cuban forests which practically eradicated our most valuable woodland resources†¦. Problems persist with the quality of most native forests as a consequence of prior mismanagement and exploitation – particularly in the most important watersheds. Problems also exist in the nation’s seedbed sources, which do not meet productivity or quality expectations. In addition, a lack of updated forest management plans, insufficient silviculture of forested areas, and insufficiencies and deficiencies in management plans continue to present challenges[20] The EAN suggests that more work be done to investigate invasive plant species that re threatening the native plants. It says that the survival rate of tree plantations and the success rate of trees growing to full maturity have improved over the last few years, but that the numbers are still substantially low when compared to the anticipated numbers. Also, the range of forest species used in â€Å"forestry activities† has been inadequate. Also suffering from the effects of sovietization and the special period is the biological diversity of the island. â€Å"A substantial, unquantified loss of biodiversity exists, due, among other reasons, to improper management of certain ecosystems, the application of intensive farming, the marketing of endangered species, as well as conditions making it easy for important genetic resources to leave the countryâ€Å". 21] Coral reefs, mangroves, the original forest (which used to cover most of the island) and rainforests are ecosystems that are suffering in Cuba. According to the EAN, the leading causes of this loss of biodiversity are: [1] Changes, fragmentation, or destruction of habitat/ecosystems/landscapes due primarily to changes in land use and inadequate practices employed in fishing, harvest, and agricultural soil preparation, among others. Overexploitation of resources, for example fishing and forestry resources. [3] Degradation and contamination of soils, water, and the atmosphere. 4] Introduction of exotic invasive species that displace or affect the functioning of ecosystems and native species. [5]Insufficient regulatory and control mechanisms to prevent and punish illegal activities, including unlawful hunting and fishing, trade in threatened species and other natural resources. [6]Climate change and the resulting intensification of dry periods, the incidence of torrential rains, temperature increase, sea level rise, in addition to the intensity and frequency of extreme natural disasters such as hurricanes. [7] Forest fires. [22] The EAN lists the goals it wishes to achieve and the necessary steps that should be taken in order to achieve these goals. Among these goals are increasing the amount of forest coverage to 26. 7% of national territory; have one million hectares of forest maintained by the National System of Criterion and Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management; complete National Forestry Planning in 2007; reduce amount of lands affected by forest fires; 69% of forest cover used as a buffer to protect coastal areas, soils, water and conservation forests; management program for invasive plant species. 23] Before the Special Period much of the air pollution in Cuba was the result of its’ dependence on Soviet and Eastern European vehicles and factories that were contaminating the air: Urban pollution, could be partly traced to Cuba’s extreme reliance on inefficient and highly contaminating Soviet and Eastern European-built vehicles and factories. In the agricultural sector, a practice that resulted in much environmental damage was the promotion of Sovietstyle, large-scale state farm production model based on widespread mechanization, heavy chemical inputs (e. . , fertilizers and herbicides), and extensive irrigation[24] Air pollution in Cuba has increased significantly in the years since the Soviets left the island. â€Å" The absence of mitigation measures for emissions, inadequate control measures on the levels of noise generated by different activities, scarce information about the harmful effects on health and social behavior, the poor technical state of transport, and a lack of standards for emissions are also present. [25] There are few environmental reports available to the public that are based on analytical information that is collected systematically in the field and processed in laboratories. Cuban scientists state that: The two main sources of sulfuric gases within the city limits are the old thermal power plants of Tallapiedra in the Old Havana neighborhood and the Antonio Maceo plant in Regla, across the Bay of Havana. In both of these neighborhoods they recorded the highest level of environmental pollution, measuring up to 7. milligrams of sulfides per square decimeter per day at the Tallapiedra Power Plant†¦. Three secondary sources in the metallurgic, chemical and construction ind ustries were also associated with air pollution, all of them located in the environs of Havana Bay. [26] The Ministry of Public Health, better endowed for this purpose than other branches of government, has produced or published few precise documents dealing with health conditions and environmental degradation. Sulfur oxides, undesirable residues of combustion that are produced mostly in power plants when sulfur-rich fuels are burned, create respiratory problems and cause acid rain. Cuba replaced part of the vanished Soviet fuel imports of the late 1980s with domestic crude containing roughly six percent sulfur. It is used mostly in power plants and to run cement factories. [27] Diaz-Briquets and Perez-Lopez point out that the means of transportation in Cuba are getting old and, due to poor maintenance and inadequate resources to obtain parts, they are polluting and becoming harmful to the environment. Their conclusion is that â€Å"As long as the economic crisis continues, Cuba will not be able to modernize its fleet of cars, trucks, and buses (other than for those few vehicles serving the tourist industry)†. [28] If the Cuban government would allow media to spread environmental education to the citizens of Cuba and to the rest of the world, not only would it help efforts within Cuba to protect and improve the environment but it would also help efforts to improve the environment on a global level. The strategy points out that Article 27 of the Constitution of the Republic says: The state protects the nation’s environment and natural resources and recognizes their close relationship with sustainable economic and social development to make human life more rational and to ensure the survival, well being and security of present and future generations. It is the responsibility of proper governmental agencies to apply this policy. It is the duty of the citizens to contribute to the protection of the water, atmosphere, and the conservation of soil, wild flora and fauna and all the rich potential of nature. [29] Since Cuba has declared a national sovereignty over its natural resources and is actively working to restore and protect them, the state must also exercise rights over the country’s environment and resources. Similarly, Cuba must develop a national tendency towards â€Å"integrated natural resource management, commercial environmental management, and urban environmental management as fundamental traits of Cuban environmental management. †[30] The current embargo the United States has placed on Cuba keeps the island from growing economically. Which means that , since the economy is not changing or being stimulated, the people of Cuba are suffering. Meaning, because man poor, urban people cannot afford daily necessities, they resort to alternate ways to get everyday goods; even if it means depleting the natural resources. With the current government in Cuba and the restrictions caused by the embargo, it is hard to think that the Cuban environment will improve much in the next decade or two; but the National Environmental Strategy offers hope to the idea that Cuba’s environment will improve. The â€Å"National Environment Strategy 2007-2010† is dedicated to improving the environmental conditions of Cuba and finding a way to meet sustainable social and economic development goals. The eradication of extreme poverty is an achievement rooted in the very foundations of the revolutionary process. Achieving this is essential to the pursuit of environmental sustainability, first and foremost because extreme poverty cannot coexist with a healthy environment. The solution to this challenge is one of the principal achievements that Cuba can effectively show to the world. 31] The future of environmental reforms in Cuba will be influenced by a variety of cultural, economic, social, and political factors. Ultimate success or failure, however, will likely depend more on thorough laws, money, human capital, public involvement in environmental decision making, use of incentive-based tools, and international support. Strong environmental laws are a necessary foundation for sustaina ble development, but success will only occur with the continuing political will to implement and enforce them.

Thursday, January 2, 2020

How to Make Font Size Bigger or Smaller on Your Screen

When you encounter a screen with a font thats too small, you can easily adjust it with a few keyboard shortcuts, your browser, or settings within your computer. The steps you take vary depending on what kind of computer you are using, a Mac or PC. Both types of computers allow you to quickly change font size, but the keys you need to hit are different. Keyboard Shortcut for Zoom If youre using a PC, hold down the Ctrl key while also tapping the or - key. Youll find the Ctrl (which means control) key on the lower left-hand part of the keyboard to zoom in and out. The   and - keys are located near the top right-hand corner of the keyboard. These actions trigger a zoom function, that lets you enlarge the screen youre viewing (the sign) or zoom out using the - key. On a Mac, the function is similar, except youll use the Command key with the or - keys. The Command key usually says Command on it and displays a symbol such as âÅ'Ëœ. Youll find it toward the bottom  left corner  of the keyboard. The and - keys are near the top right-hand corner of the keyboard, similar to the configuration for the PC. The zoom functions work across a variety of platforms, including browsers and various software such as Microsoft Word and Adobe Creative Suite products. Windows Change Font Size Buttons You can also change the font size on your computer by using software commands. To change the font on your desktop or folders in Windows 10, Windows Central  describes the process: Right-click on your  desktop and select Display settings.Use the slider to change the size of the text. If you want to temporarily enlarge a portion of the screen, use the built-in magnifier, notes Windows Central. You can  quickly  open it by using the keyboard shortcut  Windows key and the plus sign ()  to zoom in and minus sign (-) to zoom out. Use  Windows key and Esc  to exit the magnifier. Mac Font Size Changes In order to increase the font size on your Mac, you can lower your  computers resolution, change the size of the desktop icons, and increase the size of a sidebar size. From the main Apple menu, select System Preferences.Choose the Displays Menu.Choose the scaled button in the Resolution area.In the next window, select a lower resolution size. You can also change the font size for desktop icons by right-clicking on your desktop and choosing Show View Options. In the window that pops up, youll see options for icon size, grid spacing, text size, and label position. Use these controls to alter your screen view until it meets your needs. Browser Font Adjustment You can also adjust the font size in your browser: Firefox: Select tools - options - content - font, and color. Here, you can change the default font size for the browser. Note that some websites have their font size set and the browser can’t always change it.Safari: From the Safari menu, choose Preferences. Under the advanced tab look for the accessibility section and click the button for Never use font sizes smaller than and choose the font size that best meets your needs.Internet Explorer: Select menu - view - text size. Or, depending on the version, there may be a slider in the bottom right corner you can move to increase the page size, much like zoom.Google Chrome: From the Chrome menu, choose Preferences. This will open a settings window. Scroll down to the Appearance section, find the font size drop-down menu and choose your font size, which ranges from very small to very large. Source Guim, Mark. How to make text, apps, and other items bigger in Windows 10. Windows Central, August 18, 2015.

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Essay about Ishmael - 1588 Words

Ishmael Daniel Quinn’s Ishmael is the story of one man’s quest for knowledge and his desire to â€Å"save the world†. Answering a simple ad in the paper of a teacher looking for students (p4), the narrator is sent on an incredible philosophical journey. The teacher our narrator expects is not that which he finds, however, as our titular character Ishmael, so aptly named by Walter Sokolow (p18) as he sensed the gorilla’s almost divine presence, is that teacher. This teaching is made possible by Ishmael’s miraculous telepathic way of communication (p21). Ishmael’s name, originally Goliath due his size and presumed demeanor (p14), I find incredibly fitting as he, like Abraham’s eldest son, appears to be sent from the heavens though in this†¦show more content†¦The Leavers do not exempt themselves from the laws of competition while the Takers do. The Takers, in exempting themselves from these laws, exterminate and remove all f orms of competition in their way. In a lesson where the narrator role-plays as a Taker trying to convince Ishmael, a Leaver, to live his life-style (p222) he comes upon the conclusion that being human is living on your own terms rather than the gods’ and this is what separates us from the animals (p225). It is Mother Culture who teaches this since the day we’re born (p37), that we should live on our own terms rather than the gods’ and that we know good and evil and evil is living by chance. Thus, Takers are on a quest to find the one right way to do things and hence all our laws and such contrivances come into being. Controlling the world and the universe is the primary goal of the Takers so they no longer have to live in any sort of fear and as such they are a culture of the new whereas the Leavers are a culture of tradition (p205). Quinn relates â€Å"culture† to a mother because of its nurturing qualities and â€Å"among Leaver peoples, Mother Cu lture explains and preserves a life-style that is healthy and self-sustaining. Among Taker peoples she explains and preserves a life-style that has proven to be unhealthy and self-destructive† (p148). That explanation is what sets the two groups inShow MoreRelatedIshmael a Novel by Daniel Quinn 1173 Words   |  5 PagesIn his novel Ishmael, Daniel Quinn discusses the destruction and salvation of the world. By way of a newspaper ad, an unnamed narrator meets a telepathic gorilla, named Ishmael, who had put up the ad to find a pupil with a desire to save the world. Spurred by his benefactor’s obsession with Nazi Germany, Ishmael imparts on the narrator what he knows best: captivity (Quinn 24). Ishmael claims humans of what are considered civilized cultures are captives of a story that in turn keeps the world captiveRead MoreDaniel Quinns Ishmael1012 Words   |  5 PagesIn his novel Ishmael, Daniel Quinn discusses the destruction and salvation of the world. By wa y of a newspaper ad, an unnamed narrator meets a telepathic gorilla, named Ishmael, who had put up the ad to find a pupil with a desire to save the world. Spurred by his benefactor’s obsession with Nazi Germany, Ishmael imparts on the narrator what he knows best: captivity (Quinn 24). Ishmael claims humans of what are considered civilized cultures are captives of a story that keeps the world captive.Read MoreAnalysis Of The Story Of Ishmael And The Story Of Esau 1583 Words   |  7 Pagesstory of Ishmael and the story of Esau, readers could easily find some similarities. Both stories delineates the process of the disfranchisement of the elder sons’ firstborn right, the expulsion of certain characters, and the instruction of God. Those similarities make people to wonder that whether the two stories are just the same kind of story written to teach the believer the same lesson. This essay is divided into three parts and aimed to prove that the disfranchisement stories of Ishmael and EsauRead MoreAnalysis of the Novel Ishmael by Daniel Quinn Essay954 Words   |  4 PagesIshmael begins when the nameless narrator finds a newspaper ad that reads: Teacher seeks pupil. Must have an earnest desire to save the world. Apply in person (4). At first, he is angry, as it reminds him of the counterculture movement of the 1960s, which he participated in only to discover that there was no easy way to save the world. Nonetheless, he responds to the ad, and finds that the teacher is a gorilla. Behind the gorilla is a sign that reads With man gone, will there be hope for gorillaRead More Daniel Quinn’s Ishmael - Paradigms of Yesterday Essay1083 Words   |  5 PagesIshmael:  Ã‚   Paradigms of Yesterday  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Come with me if you want to live, was all that Arnold Schwarzenegger said in his movie Terminator 2: Judgement Day, and after reading Daniel Quinns masterpiece Ishmael, one might well receive the impression Quinn echoes such sentiments. Few books have as much relevancy in this technological, ever-changing world as Ishmael. In the beginning, according to Ishmael, God created Man to live peacefully on Earth, sustained by the fruitful bountiesRead MoreThe By Daniel Quinn s Ishmael, And Plato s Allegory Of The Cave1520 Words   |  7 Pagesthoroughly by many people. Captivity is the main concept touched in Daniel Quinn’s novel, Ishmael, and Plato’s Allegory of the Cave. Plato makes the compelling argument that people are captives of the world of ignorance. Ishmael complements Plato’s allegory by agreeing that there are two groups of people, that it would be difficult to distinguish the truth, and that people are being deceived. Plato and Ishmael were both able to indicate that there are two groups of people. In his allegory, PlatoRead MoreA Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah544 Words   |  2 Pageshome to their families everyday. Ishmael Beah understood what it was like to have hope in terrible situations. When Ishmael wrote his book â€Å"A Long Way Gone† he was able to show how he had hope when he lost his family, when he went to New York and when he tragically lost hope when he was in the war. Ishmael went through losing not only his siblings, but also his parents. At the very beginning of the book Mattru Jong was attacked by the rebels separating Ishmael from his parents. â€Å"We must go backRead MoreA Long Way Gone By Ishmael Beah1777 Words   |  8 Pages In the memoir A Long Way Gone, author Ishmael Beah describes his survival journey as a lost child in his country, because of the civil war in Sierra Leone, then becoming a child soldier facing war daily, afterward the process that Beah went through during rehabilitation and finally in fear escaping the civil war. Ishmael Beah emotional journey has three stages of development in which Beah utilized music. In the first stage, Beah uses music as a survival mechanism to keep sane and safe. In the secondRead MoreLiterary Techniques Used in the Memoir of Ishmael Beah, A Long Way Gone, Memoirs of a Boy Soldier1050 Words   |  5 PagesIn the memoir of Ishmael Beah, A Long Way Gone, Memoirs of a Boy Soldier, Beah states t hat his life’s journey has been a huge obstacle, but has learned to overcome that struggle by venting while the two contradictory sides continue their battling. Beah accomplishes his goal of explaining to the reader his point of view through the use of rhetorical questions, scenic narration, and parallelism. Ishmael Beah’s apparent purpose is to share personal accounts of his life with his fellow country men, inRead MoreIshmael, By Ishmael And The Narrator1601 Words   |  7 PagesIshmael is an interesting story that begins when the narrator sees an ad for a teacher. Not only is the ad for a teacher, but one that only seeks students whom have a desire to save the world. When he does finally respond to the ad and meets the teacher in person, he realizes his teacher is in fact a gorilla. Communicating telepathically with the gorilla, the narrator hears of Ishmael and his past of captivity. After hearing the impressing story of Ishmael, the narrator accepts him as a teac her returning

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Fire, Furor and Internal War Essay - 1193 Words

Psappo’s poetry was the model from which ancient cultures defined love. Her views on love have influenced many works of literature, including The Aeneid of Virgil. Love is an uncontrollable force that strikes an individual from the outside and can occur suddenly as well as unexpectedly. Love is often depicted as a positive emotion that causes people to feel blissful, but this can easily turn into furor; furor is the aspect of love associated with violence and insanity. Dido’s love for Aeneas exemplifies the internal turmoil that afflicts individuals when they are deprived of the love that they crave so ardently. Virgil accomplishes this through the incorporation of the symbol of fire and through the platonic metaphor of the war between†¦show more content†¦Dido is so enthralled by Aeneas that she will love him at the expense of her reputation. This text clearly demonstrates this when it says, â€Å"Hope burned away her doubt, destroyed her shame.† (page 81, line 75). At this point in the text Dido makes the decision to shift the relationship she has with Aeneas from hostess to lover. In the beginning of book IV, fire symbolizes the exceptionally influential power of love over Dido, in enticing her to break her promise and pursuing a relationship with Aeneas. Dido’s relationship with Aeneas causes her to experience a series of internal struggles. Virgil uses platonic philosophy in order to illustrate the negative affects that love can have on a person. At first, Dido is so jovial about being in love that the only thing she can focus on is Aeneas; this causes the citizens of Carthage to feel like their queen is shirking her responsibilities by indulging in love. This does not seem to phase Dido until Aeneas tell her that he must leave Carthage in order to fulfill his destiny of founding a city for his people. The text verifies this when Dido says, â€Å"Do you flee me? By tears, by your right hand- this sorry self is left wit h nothing else-†¦ because of you the tribes of Libya, all the nomad princes hate me, even my own Tyrians are hostile; and for you my honor is gone and that good nameShow MoreRelatedCauses And Effects Of The Tiananmen Square Protests2352 Words   |  10 Pagestechnology, and a resulting smaller and closer global community of people will bring about gradual change . A study of the history of modern (20th and 21st century) China can, for all practical purposes, begin with the Civil War or â€Å"Revolution† that took place after World War 2 between the Nationalist forces (led by Chaing Kai Shek) and Communist forces (led by Mao Tse Tung and others), which resulted in the creation of the Peoples Republic of China, controlled by the Chinese Communist Party underRead MoreWater as a Source of Future Conflict in Sa26984 Words   |  108 Pages CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION Fierce competition for fresh water may well become a source of conflict and wars in the future. - Kofi Annan, former U.N. Secretary-General in 2001 Background of the Study 1. Water is directly related with the survival of human kind and it is crucial unlike other resources, because it does not have choices and alternatives. As a consequence of global warming and pollution, importance of water has increased much. Some 2 billion people† already lack water supplies.Read MoreEssay on Silent Spring - Rachel Carson30092 Words   |  121 Pagesinsect). The primary inspiration for the book was a friend of Carsons who was concerned about dying birds in her hometown where the authorities had sprayed DDT to control mosquitoes. At about the same time, a disastrous pesticide campaign against the fire ant of the Southeast was receiving national attention. Formerly a science writer for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Carson already had some acquaintance with research on pesticides, and she was ready to speak out. Originally planned asRead MoreEthical and Social Issues in Information Systems20165 Words   |  81 Pagesinformation and they provide useful services for insurance companies, banks, employers, and federal, state, and local government agencies. For example, the Internal Revenue Service and departments of Homeland Security, Justice, and State paid data brokers $30 million in 2005 for data used in law enforcement and counterterrorism. The Internal Revenue Service signed a five-year $200 milllion deal to access ChoicePoint’s databases to locate assets of delinquent taxpayers. After the September 11, 2001Read MoreHuman Resources Management150900 Words   |  604 Pageshow work is divided into jobs should become the vehicles for the organization to drive toward its strategic plans and goals. A complete understanding of strategic sources of competitive advantages for human resources must include analyses of the internal strengths and weaknesses of the human resources in an organization. Those in HR management must be the ones working with operating executives and managers to revise the organization and its compon ents. Ulrich likens this need to that of being anRead MoreMarketing Mistakes and Successes175322 Words   |  702 Pagesinsights, we can also learn from successes and find nuggets by comparing the unsuccessful with the successful. With the addition of Google and Starbucks, we have moved Entrepreneurial Adventures up to the front of the book. We have continued Marketing Wars, which many of you recommended, and reinstated Comebacks of firms iii iv †¢ Preface rising from adversity. I have also brought back Ethical Mistakes, because I believe that organizations more than ever need to be responsive to society’s best

Monday, December 9, 2019

Dyslexia Essay Example For Students

Dyslexia Essay DyslexiaDYSLEXIAGeneral informationImagine if my report was written like this: Dyslexia is wehn yuor midn gets wodrs mixde pu. If you were dyslexic, thats how you might read my report. The word dyslexia is derived from the Greek dys (meaning poor or inadequate) and lexis (word or language). Dyslexia is a learning disability characterized by problems in expressive or receptive, oral or written language. It is characterized by extreme difficulty learning and remembering letters, written or spoken words, and individual letter sounds. Extremely poor spelling and illegible handwriting are common symptoms. Problems may emerge in reading, spelling, writing, speaking, or listening. Dyslexia is not a disease, therefore it doesnt have a cure. Dyslexia describes a different kind of mind, often gifted and productive, that learns differently. During my extensive research of this topic, I have become very interested and sympathetic for people who have it. Dyslexia is not the result of low intelligence. The problem is not behavioral, psychological, motivational, or social. It is not a problem of vision; people with dyslexia do not see backward. Dyslexia results from the differences in the structure and function of the brain. People with dyslexia are unique; each having individual strengths and weaknesses. Many dyslexics are creative and have unusual talent in areas such as art, athletics, architecture, graphics, electronics, mechanics, drama, music, or engineering. Dyslexics often show special talent in areas that require visual, spatial, and motor skills. Their problems in language processing distinguish them as a group. This means that the dyslexic has problems translating language to thought (as listening or reading) or thought to language (as in writing or speaking). Dyslexics sometimes reverse letters and words (b for d, saw for was). In speech, some dyslexics reverse meanings (hot for cold, front seat for back seat) or word sounds (merove for remove). Here is a test to see if you have any signs of dyslexia. Few dyslexics show all the signs of the disorder. Here are some of the most common signs:* Lack of awareness of sounds in words, sound order, rhymes, or sequence syllables* Difficulty decoding words single word identification* Difficulty encoding words spelling* Poor sequencing of numbers, of letters in words, when read or written,e.g.; b-d; sing sign; left felt; soiled solid; 12-21* Problems with reading comprehension* Difficulty expressing thought in written form * Delayed spoken language * Imprecise or incomplete interpretation of language that is heard * Difficulty in expressing thoughts orally * Confusion about directions in space or time (right and left, up and down,early and late, yesterday and tomorrow, months and days) * Confusion about right or left handedness * Similar problems among relatives * Difficulty in mathematics often related to sequencing of steps or directionality or the language of mathematicsWho ha s dyslexia?The National Institute of Health estimates that approximately 15% of the U.S. population is affected by learning disabilities. Of the students with learning disabilities who receive special education services, 80-85% have their basic deficits in language and reading. Every year, 120,000 additional students are found to have learning disabilities, a diagnosis now shared by 2.4 million U.S. school children. Many children are never properly diagnosed or treated, or fall through the cracks because they are not deemed eligible for services. Dyslexia occurs among all groups, regardless of age, race, or income. Well-known dyslexics who learned to cope include Nelson Rockefeller, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, and Winston Churchill, . At Harvard, dyslexics are allowed to take their examinations on a typewriter, which for some reason significantly helps their scores. Recently, national attention was drawn to Ennis Cosby (son of Bill Cosby), who was also dyslexic. His father ( Bill Cosby) remembers watching in frustration as his son studied and studied but got nowhere with his grades. Ennis managed to enter Morehouse College in Atlanta, but he continued to struggle with his schoolwork. His mother Camille told Jet Magazine in 1992, We didnt know that Ennis was dyslexic until he went to college. However, Ennis enrolled in a short program that quickly prepared him to deal with his dyslexia and to fully master reading. Soon after he made the deans list. He then headed for graduate school in New York City to become a teacher of children with learning disabilities. Ennis was also a good singer and actor and shortly before he was killed, he promised a photo shoot with Fila. .u6801600680cf77ce77eee2036face034 , .u6801600680cf77ce77eee2036face034 .postImageUrl , .u6801600680cf77ce77eee2036face034 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u6801600680cf77ce77eee2036face034 , .u6801600680cf77ce77eee2036face034:hover , .u6801600680cf77ce77eee2036face034:visited , .u6801600680cf77ce77eee2036face034:active { border:0!important; } .u6801600680cf77ce77eee2036face034 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u6801600680cf77ce77eee2036face034 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u6801600680cf77ce77eee2036face034:active , .u6801600680cf77ce77eee2036face034:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u6801600680cf77ce77eee2036face034 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u6801600680cf77ce77eee2036face034 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u6801600680cf77ce77eee2036face034 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u6801600680cf77ce77eee2036face034 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u6801600680cf77ce77eee2036face034:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u6801600680cf77ce77eee2036face034 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u6801600680cf77ce77eee2036face034 .u6801600680cf77ce77eee2036face034-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u6801600680cf77ce77eee2036face034:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Ww1 From Begining To The Us Enters EssayMany successful people are dyslexic and many dyslexic people are successful. Recent research has established that dyslexia can run in families. A parent, brother, sister, aunt, or grandparent may have had similar learning difficulties. One consistent fact is that 80% of dyslexics are male. Scientists believe the answer to this mystery can be found in the chromosomes. They believe, however, it is possible that dyslexia is caused by a defect on Chromosome 15. What can be done?There are several ways to discover and successfully cope with a learning disability such as dyslexia. One method is to have the dyslexic person take a visual examination by a behavioral optometrist. Here is how one person learned to cope with dyslexia: A man that was examined had problems in eye tracking. He couldnt follow a line across a page smoothly, and his eyes were operating independently. Extensive vision therapy was begun. He came to the offices two and three times a week. No special reading training was suggested. Within a year he was reading at three or more years above his class level. His grades jumped from low scores to the top of the class. He was pleased with himself academically, and no longer found it necessary to walk out of class when he was agitated in other words, he didnt get that upset anymore. Dyslexia is easier to prevent than to cure. Individuals with dyslexia need special programs to learn to read, write, and spell. Traditional educational programs are not always effective. Individuals with dyslexia require a structured language program. Dyslexia does not usually go away of its own accord, and it can follow otherwise a bright individual. Societies can provide referrals for testers, tutors, and schools specializing in dyslexia, as well as information on new technologies, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (I.D.E.A.) legislation, Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations for college students and adults, and medical research updates. They encourage early intervention, including a multisensory, structured, sequential approach to language acquisition for individuals with dyslexia. They offer professionals and educators information on multisensory structured language approaches to teaching individuals with dyslexia

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Led Zeppelin Essays (1030 words) - Backing Vocalists, Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin The band Led Zeppelin is one of the greatest hard rock groups of all time. The band also has one of the best success stories in the history hard rock music. Led Zeppelins success in hard rock was achieved in the seventies and they even had a few hits in the late sixties. The musicians in Led Zeppelin are Jimmy Page: born on April 9, 1944, Robert Plant, born on August 24, 1948, John Paul Jones, born on January 3, 1946, and John Bonham born on May 31, 1948. Jimmy Page shredded the guitar, Robert Plant was the vocalist, John Paul Jones kept the beat on bass guitar and keyboard, and John Bonham pounded away on the drums. All of the band members were in it from the beginning, and it stayed that way until the end. Their first album was produced in thirty hours and the record completed their opening deal with the Yardbirds. They toured Scandinavia for some time to complete their touring obligations with the Yardbirds. When Led Zeppelin first arrived in the United States they supported Vanilla Fudge. The band stared playing in small venues and clubs until their popularity in American would take off. After the band started receiving more recognition from their fans they got their first chance to tour as a headliners. Led Zeppelin played their fifth tour by March of 1970. Led Zeppelin released their first record with Atlantic Records in 1969. In no time the record had risen to number eight on the billboard top twenty. The album stayed in the top twenty for six weeks after it hit the charts. When the bands second album, Led Zeppelin II, was released, it was praised by Atlantic Records' as the fastest selling record in history. Led Zeppelin II sold upwards of 100,000 copies a week. In 1975 when "Physical Graffiti" was released the album was selling 500 copies an hour breaking there own previously held record. All of the band albums have gone platinum. Led Zeppelin was the first group to heavily tour the United States and the band occasionally toured the rest of the world. This happened because the band did not have the same following in Britain as previous rock bands. Their success was due to their genius manager Peter Grant. Peter kept the group moving all the time and in hand the peoples interest in the band never faded. Peter realized that if he could have Led Zeppelin tour every other year they would stay in demand, and this way the population would not grow board with the band as quickly. Peter tried his notion while the group worked on their first movie. This movie was, simply, the group playing their music, and was titled; "The Song remains playing." A representative from their record company called and told Page that the sales of the bands new album "Houses of the Holy" were spectacular. The record company told Page that Led Zeppelin, was the biggest selling group in the world. On top of that they were making more money than any other band the time. After Page and Plant heard this they had a moment of triumph. They were living their dream, and nothing could or would stop them know. Around this time of popularity the band was featured in the L.A. Times. They were creating music for the teenage group and they were being perceived as role models. In the summer of 1975, Led Zeppelin was the most popular band in the world. They were packing football stadiums across the United States. Abroad the bands talent was also starting to be recognized, and they held sold out shows all across Europe. They filled Earl's Court, which held 20,000 people a show, for a five-day stay in London England. It was an awesome show that had a dazzling lights, dry ice, smoke, and even lasers. The concerts focused on Jimmy Page and Robert Plant because they were the main attraction of the group. When performing on stage they complimented each other even though they had different styles of music: Plant a golden-ringleted Adonis marvelously parodying the sexual superstar while singing in a voice of limitless power. (www.wysiwyg://14/http://www.redrival.com/getled/history.html.) Page was a dark, fragile guitarist of immense versatility and command clothed in black velvet and rippling dragons. (www.http://www.led-zeppelin.com/news.html) The last led Zeppelin albums released while the band was still making music together were "The Presence"(1976) and the "In Though the Out Door"(1979). John Bonham was found dead at the home of Jimmy Page on the 25 of September