Small Business Strategy And Offer A Model Approach

Abstract One of the most critical activities for a business is to gain and sustain a competitive advantage. This activity can be difficult and time-consuming, especially for a small business where there are many businesses already established in the same industry. Unfortunately, some new business owners do not understand how to gain a competitive advantage or they fail to recognize how important doing this can be for the success of their company. Some new ventures do not secure a market position where there is a reasonable chance of success. Other ventures will struggle to compete with larger competitors, focusing on price. And still other new businesses believe that just by opening their doors, consumers will hurry to buy their†¦show more content†¦The first stage in which a new or small business should develop an effective competitive advantage is the market entry stage, although it is important to continue to develop and â€Å"tweak† this strategy all throughout the business life cycle. To successfully enter a market, it is imperative that entrepreneurs develop a sound competitive advantage strategy that will allow them to gain a significant market share to guarantee that the business will succeed. Simply putting an open sign in front of your doors and allowing the public to enter does not ensure a successful venture. It is difficult and rare for a small business to effectively compete with larger businesses and corporations in price, so entrepreneurs should contemplate other competitive approaches to gaining market share. Developing competitive advantage has three key core components (Winer, 2004). According to Winer (2004), the first component is that â€Å"competitive advantage must be able to produce customer value, which is defined by the consumer as lower prices, convenience, or quick delivery time†. The second core component is the enhanced value of the product or service provided as perceived by a consumer. Whether or not your product is superior, it must be seen as such by the consumer. Finally, the third component to competitive advantage requires that the business approach an entrepreneur uses should be difficult for competitors to duplicate. An

Henrik Ibsen a Dolls House - 859 Words

In the play A Doll House, by Henrik Ibsen, the convention of marriage is examined and questioned for its lack of honesty. The play is set in the late 1800s, which provides the backdrop for the debate about roles of people in society. Ibsen uses the minor character, Dr. Rank, to help develop the theme of conflicts within society. This, in turn, creates connections with the plot. Dr. Rank s function in the play is to foreshadow, symbolize, and reflect upon the truth of life and society and to break down the barrier between appearance and reality. One function of Dr. Rank in the play is to foreshadow events to come. Upon Rank s introduction in Act I, the reader is immediately given insight into the conflict Nora will face with Krogstad.†¦show more content†¦This can clearly be seen in what happens after the statement Nora makes about receiving Rank s calling cards telling of his coming death, That when those cards came, he d be taking his leave of us. He ll shut himself in now and die (1604). It is with this extremely symbolic statement that the reader can see the connections between Rank, the death of a society which does not allow honesty in marriage, and the end of pretending by Nora. Almost immediately after Nora makes the statement about Dr. Rank, she decides to perform a final examination of her life and lets the letter from Krogstad be revealed. It is through the symbolism of Rank that the reader sees the deterioration of society as it was known by the main characters. Another function that Dr. Rank serves is that of reflecting upon the true personalities of Nora and Torvald. Rank s friendship with Nora and Torvald is thought to be the same, yet they are independently different. Nora is able to talk more seriously with Rank then she is with Torvald. This aspect of Rank s friendship with Nora becomes evident in her statement: You see, Torvald loves me beyond words, and, as he puts it, he d like to keep me all to himself. For a long time he d almost be jealous if I even mentioned any of my old friends back home. So of course I dropped that. But with Dr. Rank I talk a lot about such things, because he likes hearing about them. (1585) From this statement the reader is able to understandShow MoreRelatedDoll’s House by Henrik Ibsen1126 Words   |  4 PagesHenrik Ibsen wrote the book, Doll’s House, in the late 1870s about the life of the common woman in Norway during the 1870s. The book gave society an inside of look of the life women in general. Woman during this time were oppressed and men were contemptuous towards women. Women that opposed their husband were considered mentally insane and sent to a mental institution. The book is about a domesticated woman named Nora. Nora lives in a house with her husband and their three kids. Nora main job toRead MoreA Dolls House by Henrik Ibsen1725 Words   |  7 Pagessuffrage, took place from 1848-1920. In the drama A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen, readers are presented with what seems to be the perfect little American dream home. Anti-feminist values are presented immediately in the first scenes of the play and carry out until the end. The play was w ritten in 1879, a time when the feminist movement was just starting to take shape and become well known. The drama A Doll’s House has feminist themes that indicate Henrik Ibsen to be a supporter of the feminist movement throughRead MoreA Dolls House by Henrik Ibsen1492 Words   |  6 PagesA Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen was written in 1879 during the Victorian Era. The story is written as a play to be performed on stage. The two main characters Nora and Torvald Helmer are upper middle class husband and wife, but it boils down to social expectations. Conflicts arise when women are under their husbands rule for everything and society pressure to keep up appearances. Torvald Helmer is the antagonist to Nora, his wife, because he is mostly concerned about his reputation, he is the supremeRead MoreA Dolls House, by Henrik Ibsen1539 Words   |  7 PagesThe themes of â€Å"objecthood† and â€Å"feminine liberation† in Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s Hou se as conveyed through the characterization of Torvald and Nora, diction, stage directions and structure in two integral scenes. Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House conveys the story of a wife’s struggle to break away from the social norms of late nineteenth century middle class Europe. Throughout the play, Ibsen focuses on Nora’s characterization and experiences and thus this leads the reader to perceive her as the protagonistRead MoreA Dolls House by Henrik Ibsen1556 Words   |  7 Pagesprevalent in a variety of literary selections. This paper will focus on animal imagery in Henrik Ibsens A Dolls House by using the reader response strategy. In the play A Dolls House by Henrik Ibsen, animal imagery is used in the development of the main character Nora. It is also later found that the animal imagery is a critical part in understanding who Nora is and how other characters perceive her. Ibsen uses creative animal imagery to develop Noras character throughout the play. The animalRead MoreA Dolls House by Henrik Ibsen1829 Words   |  7 Pages Henrik Ibsen, writer of his most famed play A Doll’s House. Ibsen emphasizes on small-town life in this play. A Doll’s House takes place in the 1880s in Europe/Norway and based on a married couple, Torvald Nora, who are considered to be middle class. The main character Nora in Ibsen’s play, A Doll’s House, seems to give this false installment of her identity. She is both unpredictable and childlike. The entire first and second act she spends giving this hidden subtext that she is unreliableRead MoreA Dolls House by Henrik Ibsen868 Words   |  3 Pagesmoney is considered to hold the most power. In the case of the household, the person who holds the most power is the person who handles the money, and in our man-centric world, it is usually the man who holds both money and power. In Henrik Ibsens play A Doll’s House, the theme of money is used to establish power roles between the characters of the play, and how the theme contributes to typical gender roles in the 19th century. A womans duty in the 19th century was to exhibit â€Å"piety, purity, submissivenessRead MoreA Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen Essay961 Words   |  4 PagesIn Henrik Ibsen’s play A Doll’s House, pointedly captures the reality of the Victorian Era within the play. Nora Helmer, the protagonist of the story, represents the typical women in society during that era. The audience’s first impression of Nora is a money obsessed, childish, obedient house wife to her husband, Torvald Helmer. However, as the play progresses one can see that Nora is far from being that typical ideal trophy wife, she is an impulsive liar who goes against society’s norm to be whomRead More A Dolls House by Henrik Ibsen Essay842 Words   |  4 PagesA Dolls House by Henrik Ibsen â€Å"A dolls house† was written by Henrik Ibsen and produced by famous actors during the time of the 1800’s; in fact it was the year of 1879 to be precise. It was around this time that many different Social, cultural and historical moments were changing through time, leaving the end result to change not only one country but had an effect on most of the world. For this section of the work I will be carefully discussing with you the issues of; * Social events Read More A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen Essay1111 Words   |  5 PagesA Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen The play â€Å"A Doll’s House† by Henrik Ibsen is about a wife that is hiding a big secret from her overprotective husband. The play takes place on Christmas Eve till the day after Christmas. Nora Helmer and Torvald Helmer have been married for 8 years, yet Nora is hiding something from Torvald that she thinks would ruin everything if he found out. It opens up with Nora coming home and decorating the house for Christmas and making preparations. They have 3 children:

Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill

Question: Discuss about the Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill. Answer: Introduction In this article a complete adamantine study has been prepared over the deep water horizon oil spill and how BP along with government agencies prepared plans for eliminating the bad impact of deep water horizon oil spill. BP being a British petroleum unit and third largest energy company in world has been providing oil and gas services. It is evaluated and analyzed all the financial statement of BP that all the assistance and cost incurred by the BP for providing assistance to the injured people and their family are charged that tax deductible amount. This process has resulted into high amount of tax saving throughout the time for BP organization. Other factors such as evaluation of key issues of deep water horizon oil spill and associate factors that has resulted into legitimate claims of injured persons other assistance provide by BP along with other agencies. Apart from that in order to curb the loss aroused form the exposure BP has opened up an escrow account accompanied with more than US $ 20 billion amount. But it is stated that short amount is not sufficient enough to recap all liabilities arisen from the explosion (Kolian,et., al., . 2015). BPs responses deep water horizon oil spill This oil spill has been caused by massive spill on the horizon oil platform about 50 miles southwest of the Mississippi river delta. However, this explosion has helped BP to develop various safeguard against uncertain liabilities. Throughout the time it is identified that BP has history of misconduct stated with the facts (health and safety violation resulted into explosion in Texas and got 30 people killed in same incident and then this deep water horizon oil spill incident). this article has shown various strategies and tactical plans which are set up to establish effective ecosystem services around the Gulf of Mexico to curb the negative impact of BP oil business function. However, it is also observed that US government has observed that BP was the main company for this incident and should be accountable for all cleanup costs resulting from the oil spill. BP has made vigorous efforts and invested $ 360 million fund in its research and development department to identity the impact of Gulf Maxico oil spill and its related responses on marine and shoreline ecosystem. This ecosystem has been incorporated or established by government so that possible efforts could be made to reduce the major incident rate e.g. massive explosion on the Deep-water horizon offshore oil spill and drilling explosion. However, there were various eco- system cost amount between $ 12 to 47 $ billion per years which was engaged for providing eco- system services in Mississippi river delta. Courts and other department are considering and evaluating loss of Deep-water horizon offshore oil to determine the penalties that could be imposed against BP (Lazarus, 2016). BP limited disclosure BP has reflected all the possible impact of Deep-water horizon offshore oil spill on its financial performance and charged all the losses from its taxable income. But it has been used by the BP to charge this losses amount form its profit in order to save tax in determined approach. However, this limited amount of disclosure by BP does not reflect the true picture of financial, environmental and social implication of Deep-water horizon offshore oil spill. In practical, governments and other department are also facing big problem in rigorously measure lost eco system resulted from the massive explosion. There are various imperative data shown in analysis of replacement cost profit before interest and tax sheet which reflects that BP in its second quarter is having $ 17150 million loss which is arose mainly due to replacement cost and payment of tax on the same. This has resulted into very bad impact on the business functioning of BP and no availability of return to its stock holders. In addition, negative amount of outcome reduce the value of money they have invested in BP. Yet company has not shown in amount of charges and penalties in its balance sheet expect from those which are strict in nature. Therefore, it could be reflected by grasping an eye on the balance sheet that company has not prepared any provision and other balances for covering its contingent liabilities. However, BP has argued on this point on the basis that penalties and other charges could not be quantified and there is no time limit within which it will be imposed. Assessing damage of Deep-water horizon offshore oil spill BP and other government authorities have failed to identify the complete loss of massive destruction of this Deep-water horizon offshore oil spill. But it is considered notably that BP had agreed to provide fund up to $ 500 million for a 10 years research program for evaluating the influence of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill and its associated responses on the marine and shoreline ecosystem. In addition, government has also been preparing various process systems to quantify the losses of Deep-water horizon offshore oil spill so that it could impose penalties and fines on BP. It is the fact that replacement cost associated with implementing new plants and machinery could not be same as benefits. BP and Transocean Ltd are implementing plans and procedure to establish new plans and machinery but the cost associated with it can be less or more from the expected benefit of the same (Sammarco., et., al., 2013). Opening of escrow account Penalties and other fines are uncertain amount which will be charged against BP and Transocean Ltd. Therefore BP has opened up an escrow account for arranging resources to pay off its future uncertain liabilities. Presently BP has maintained USD 20 billion escrow account by sale of US assets. This escrow account will be accountated to satisfy legitimate claims enalties imposed on BP. However, BP has been using money help in escrow account in development functions of ecosystem related with Gulf Cost claims facility(GCCF). Results of destruction or massive Deep-water horizon offshore oil spill The explosion of Deep-water horizon offshore oil spill has resulted into loss of several people lives. The risk of uncertain incident and environmental exposure relating to possible future oil spill rendered more strengthen oil and gas activities in US. This explosion has resulted into negative impact on cash flow statement, comparative position , shareholder returns and implementation of strategic agenda. However, BP and Transocean have indulged in developing various research and development department for curbing such incidents. It is also required to avoid overexploitation and extremities issues The ultimate result of destruction of this Deep-water horizon offshore oil spill is that all the companies including BP and Transocean Ltd are making efforts in establishment of proper safeguard to avoid social wealth loss. There is various developed supported ecosystem which is used to clean up beaches in Louisiana and other countries (Kolian, et., al., 2015). Theories After analyzing the article it is observed that BP should indulge in following these theories for its business functioning. This theory is an economic theory which is followed to interlink the wealth of stakeholders with the development of business. BP has used this interest theory and developed various ecosystem in Gulf Maxico to increase the sustainability of its business functioning and increase the social welfare. In addition, various regulators and government has motivated companies to implement eco system to reduce the bad loss to society. This theory states for the greatest good for the greatest number of people. BP has suffered various losses and damage in its brand image due to the massive destruction of Deep-water horizon offshore oil spill. There are following stakeholders who have been affected by the value chain activities of BP (Mori, 2015). BP results into harm of stakeholders through physical contact, respiration and absorption due to oil and other by products coming out of refinery system. Apart from the massive destruction of oil spill, dilution of oil in water by marine, animals has shown organ damage, ulceration, lowered immune system, skin irritation and change in their behavior (Kiruri, et., al., 2013). BP and other companies who are engaged in same field have their own right to earn profit and to do business legally. However, as per the Kants theory affected people have right to live in a clean environment and curb such companies to emit less by products in social environment. BP has followed Kants theory approach to certain extent and indulges in investment for development of effective ecosystem to reduce the bad impact of oil spill. Discussion In this article it is observed that BP cannot identify certain amount of penalties and fines imposed by government. BP could easily present its case before the judiciary system and pay all its possible liabilities to win the trust of general public with a view to avoid this uncertainty. BP should also increase the security system and indulge in improving new ecosystem. However, quantify the amount of this losses might be very hard task but BP could ask government to determine the full and final amount of penalty so that it could start its new business with fresh image (Sammarco., et., al., 2013). Recommendation The BP should react immediately by developing a mechanism to seek effective methods to collect spilled oil and reduce the bad impact of oil in column of water (BOND, 2013). BP should improve the image of company by developing effective eco system plant under its corporate social responsibilities. Other plans and recommendation could be described as below Ensure that BP and top management take responsibilities of consequences Accept the inception form the government to determine the total losses. Take Experts advice in legal compliance and avoiding penalties in oil spilled case. Disclose all the material information about the spill to its stakeholders and start to create its new image. State in its notes on account and management representation letter that company would recover from this disaster soon. Pay full fines and penalty amount for reducing the uncertain factors to win the trust of general public. Conclusion In this report the ecological and economic impacts of deep water horizon oil spill has been discussed to quantify its positive and negative outcomes. It is identified by reviewing article that BP has been suffering with damage in its brand image due to Deep-water horizon offshore oil spill. However, company should pay off estimated amount of penalties and fines in order to recreate its brand image. It is also observed that BP and other entities in similar filed have invested in development of eco system for the betterment and sustainability of society. Now in the end it would be said that BP should make efforts to reduce the bad impact of its oil spills and create compensation mechanisms for solving grievances of injured people. References Bodkin, C.D., Amato, L.H. Amato, C.H. 2015, "The influence of green advertising during a corporate disaster",Corporate Communications: An International Journal,vol. 20, no. 3, pp. 256-275. BOND, D. 2013, "GOVERNING DISASTER: The Political Life of the Environment during the BP Oil Spill",Cultural Anthropology,vol. 28, no. 4, pp. 694-715. Fernndez Ros, L. Buela Casal, G. 2009, "Standards for the preparation and writing of Psychology review articles",International journal of clinical and health psychology,vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 329-344. Kiruri, L.W., Dellinger, B. Lomnicki, S. 2013, "Tar balls from Deep Water Horizon oil spill: environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFR) formation during crude weathering",Environmental science technology,vol. 47, no. 9, pp. 4220. Kolian, S.R., Porter, S.A., Sammarco, P.W., Birkholz, D., Cake Jr, E.W. Subra, W.A. 2015, "Oil in the Gulf of Mexico after the capping of the BP/Deepwater Horizon Mississippi Canyon (MC-252) well",Environmental Science and Pollution Research,vol. 22, no. 16, pp. 12073-12082. Lazarus, N.W. 2016, "A COUNTY-LEVEL RISK ASSESSMENT OF THE DEEP WATER HORIZON OIL SPILL IN THE GULF OF MEXICO",Geographical Review,vol. 106, no. 3, pp. 360-380. Mori, O. 2015, "Axiomatic theories of utilitarianism and weak utilitarianism",Economics Letters,vol. 137, pp. 59-61. Sammarco, P.W., Kolian, S.R., Warby, R.A.F., Bouldin, J.L., Subra, W.A. Porter, S.A. 2013, "Distribution and concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons associated with the BP/Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, Gulf of Mexico",Marine pollution bulletin,vol. 73, no. 1, pp. 129-143.

Thoreaus Art of Living In Thoreaus Walden Essay Example For Students

Thoreaus Art of Living In Thoreaus Walden Essay Thoreaus Art of Living In Thoreaus Walden, he explores the art of living by presenting a dichotomy of sojourning in nature. The life of participating with nature considers living simply and wisely while cooperating with both its lowest and highest elements. Thoreau calls for a change in life by changing the conventional ideas of standard societal views and its participation with the torpor of the material mass. Throughout Walden, Thoreau delves into his surroundings, the very specifics of nature while trying to live the ideal life. Perhaps the main theme and overbearing concept that Thoreau wishes to convey to the reader both in the conclusion and throughout Walden, is that we must recognize the great power and potential for new discovery and enjoyment in our minds. Thus, Thoreau calls for an ideological revolution to simplification in our lives and conveys a paradoxical view that the highest point of living is the leading of a simple life of a balance between change and solitude. This life is the art of activity within the art of structural living- a non-instrumental way of enhancing ones life through spiritual development and the cultivation of the mind and body. We will write a custom essay on Thoreaus Art of Living In Thoreaus Walden specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now The purpose for this enhancement is fostering the spirit in its progress and not marred by material products or social structures. The spirit involves activity with nature and must not be hindered by material necessities Kim 2 demanded by society. Such progress is change within oneself, within ones mind and soul and ultimately achieved through self-recognition. It is the recognizing of the self that leads to individualized experiences. This art requires pure devotion of the individual and the divorce from the boundaries of business and time. In doing so, the individual experiences a transcended self, a elevated piety and perennial youth 211. Thoreau compares the art of and active life to one of unending youthfulness. He pervades the importance of the youth as innocent and pure. Such life must not be tainted by obscurities and the mundane routine of the city life but rather emerged, submerged in the purest form of existence-nature. Thoreau equates the outdoors natural stimuli with innocence when he states that every child begins the world again, to some extent, and loves to stay outdoors 17. Thoreau mirrors youthfulness to nature in order to convey a need of constant rebirth into purity and innocence that leads to a love of the earth. Thoreau provides an example of a life embracing youthfulness and the active search for change and perfectio n. The story of the man from Kouroo is a compelling anecdote for how humans can transcend time and reduce it to the simple illusion that it is. This passage and the story of the man as a whole can be taken as a metaphor that Thoreau is showing us, one which we can apply to our own lives. The art does notcompromise with time or with others opinions 211. The artist of Kouroo continuously searches for the perfect stick to make a staff  until he finds that stick. He ignores even his friends dissuasions and desertions and perseveres his pursuit to Kim 3 obtain that which will bring purity. Thoreau states, Let us settle ourselves and work and wedge our feet downward through the mud and slush of opinion, and prejudice, and tradition, and delusion, and appearance 63. The metaphor that Thoreau gives of the swamp with the hard bottom serves to show how people can drown and sink in the bog of society. However, to settle is to unsettle oneself from the conventions and ground feet downward in order to transcend. Although he searches for a simple element à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" a stick- the process, the art of living is continual, complex and endearing. .u07ca0794e64356ed7e56ca9c870fdd9a , .u07ca0794e64356ed7e56ca9c870fdd9a .postImageUrl , .u07ca0794e64356ed7e56ca9c870fdd9a .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u07ca0794e64356ed7e56ca9c870fdd9a , .u07ca0794e64356ed7e56ca9c870fdd9a:hover , .u07ca0794e64356ed7e56ca9c870fdd9a:visited , .u07ca0794e64356ed7e56ca9c870fdd9a:active { border:0!important; } .u07ca0794e64356ed7e56ca9c870fdd9a .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u07ca0794e64356ed7e56ca9c870fdd9a { 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; } .u07ca0794e64356ed7e56ca9c870fdd9a:active , .u07ca0794e64356ed7e56ca9c870fdd9a:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u07ca0794e64356ed7e56ca9c870fdd9a .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u07ca0794e64356ed7e56ca9c870fdd9a .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u07ca0794e64356ed7e56ca9c870fdd9a .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u07ca0794e64356ed7e56ca9c870fdd9a .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; } .u07ca0794e64356ed7e56ca9c870fdd9a:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u07ca0794e64356ed7e56ca9c870fdd9a .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u07ca0794e64356ed7e56ca9c870fdd9a .u07ca0794e64356ed7e56ca9c870fdd9a-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u07ca0794e64356ed7e56ca9c870fdd9a:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Great Expectations By Charles Dickens Essay ThesisIt is his singleness of purpose and love for the activity that brings him a pure art and youthfulness. The active life Associated with the art of living reveals living ones life engaging and searching nature without worrying of limitations. The search of perfection results in a perfect art so unimpeded by external events. The artist uses pure materials of nature that are not tainted by the materialistic focus of the world. By employing these pure elements, the true artist of life brings a new system to take the place of old aged societies and brings forth a world with full and fair proportions 211. This new world constructe d by innocence and purified nature does not age or dies but rather transcends beyond the torpor and mundane life. Thoreau continues to argue that living requires loving and meeting life. He calls the reader to change and cultivate ones life by turning the old, as one would do with soil. The constant turning brings forth change of ones life and mind towards activity. Thoreau rejects mechanical aids that cloud the consciousness and blinds one of achieving the purified art of living. He attacks the external stimuli such as drugs Kim 4 and habits as well as the gross necessaries of life that only temporarily satisfies the body and impurifies rather than purifies 7. Even in ones poverty, Thoreau suggests that you are but confined to the most significant and vital experience à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" a life compelled to deal with nature and its elements. It is the love to weigh, to settle, to gravitate 211 life that produces a life not the search for luxury which enervates and destroys nations 9. Thoreau prefers a simplistic life resembling poverty and detachment from the dependency of luxury and the massive aspirations for particular things. The severance from worldly commodities will bring forth alife of simplicity, independence, magnanimity, and trust 9. The simple and wise life that Thoreau calls upon is complex yet he is convinced by faith and experience that to maintain ones self on this earth is not hardship but a pastime 46. The simple and wise life requires one to be alert, awake, and to be reawakened and continuously awake 59. This reveals Thoreaus love of American visionary moral aesthetics and the encouraging  fact of the need for man to elevate h8is life by a conscious endeavor 59. It is the independent fervor and active participation of ones soul to affect the quality of the day which results in the highest of the arts59. The pursuit for intensity within simplistic ways of life apart from material stimulants brings forth a natural elevation through a conscious rational effort. The self is the natural medium requiring the meticulous efforts to increase and transcend ones spirit to a pure art form similar to nature. Kim 5 Thoreau also argues the possibilities of such a life by which we can engage andmorally we can do 59. Thoreau adheres to the tradition of a thrift way of life according to the Puritan work ethic. He embraces certain elements of the religiosity in doing- the fervency of participating in ones task. Thoreau participates in the day and of the days natural repetitiveness, different from the mundane life. It is by our own spirits that we are deified when we become purified and wedded to the day. Thoreau compares himself to the day when he states that morning is when I am awake and there is a dawn in me 58. By describing the nature around him, Thoreau grips the life by living the deliberate and fronting only the essential facts 59. Such facts arise from nature and living is the experience one has while dealing with the earth and the atmosphere. The facts are natural truths waiting to be practiced and searched for. Thus each man is given a task to experience the quality rather than quantity of the day. Every man is tasked to make his life, even in its details, worthy of the contemplation of his most elevated and critical hour59. Thoreau conveys living as a simple task, although the process and experience of living is undermined. To live is to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life which is hardly a simple task 59. The essential elements embedded in life need to be searched and sucked out. Thoreau calls for living deep, and taking all that life has to bring even sucking all the marrow of life that brings youthfulness. .uda00dff86b7eb7032b0238bd71dc19f0 , .uda00dff86b7eb7032b0238bd71dc19f0 .postImageUrl , .uda00dff86b7eb7032b0238bd71dc19f0 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uda00dff86b7eb7032b0238bd71dc19f0 , .uda00dff86b7eb7032b0238bd71dc19f0:hover , .uda00dff86b7eb7032b0238bd71dc19f0:visited , .uda00dff86b7eb7032b0238bd71dc19f0:active { border:0!important; } .uda00dff86b7eb7032b0238bd71dc19f0 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uda00dff86b7eb7032b0238bd71dc19f0 { 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; } .uda00dff86b7eb7032b0238bd71dc19f0:active , .uda00dff86b7eb7032b0238bd71dc19f0:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uda00dff86b7eb7032b0238bd71dc19f0 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uda00dff86b7eb7032b0238bd71dc19f0 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uda00dff86b7eb7032b0238bd71dc19f0 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uda00dff86b7eb7032b0238bd71dc19f0 .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; } .uda00dff86b7eb7032b0238bd71dc19f0:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uda00dff86b7eb7032b0238bd71dc19f0 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uda00dff86b7eb7032b0238bd71dc19f0 .uda00dff86b7eb7032b0238bd71dc19f0-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uda00dff86b7eb7032b0238bd71dc19f0:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Blithe Spirit By Noel Coward EssayKim 6 This action must be done individually and by ones own efforts and exertions in order to experience the art of living. Thoreaus emphasis on solitude and independence conveys the notion that one should become detached from the worldly unfruitful life for one to become lost to oneself in order to find his soul. The importance placed on the individuals act of living reveals the dependency that one has to nature. Thoreau suggests a life matching and synergetic with nature while learning to absolve and bless oneself with nature. By losing oneself to nature and shedding detail, ones lenses of perception of life becomes purified and faced with truth. He also hints at an issue much deeper than just whether what one says is true or not. Thoreau deals with not only  truth or falsity, but with the dichotomy between real value and superficial pedantry. The art of living is working the land with ones hands, to labor enough to subdue and cultivate a few cubic feet of flesh 2. The imagery of land is paralleled to flesh, thus producing an image of harmony and a natural state. Thoreau mirrors the natural human to nature herself. By aligning oneself to nature, one can elevate his soul by coming face to face with fact 64 and overcoming the end to a mortal career with evident truth. When Thoreau states that the surface of the earth is soft and impressible by the feet of men; and so with the paths which the mind travels, he reveals a simile between the soft and impressible surface of the earth and the same ability which the mind has to be soft and receptacle to any new idea. Any new information that it learns is perfect. Although Thoreau does not directly describe the surface of the earth being Kim 7 in any particular woods, in the line after the semicolon he refers to thepaths which the mind travels. He refers this statement to the brain and in the larger sense the soul with the earlier image of the soft and impressible surface. Likewise, in order for one to practice the art of living one must have dreams and ultimate goals that are high and lofty as he endeavors to such great heights. Thoreau continues to bombard the reader with an onslaught of statements that encourage us to continue our study of the self as if every day is new day. The art of living comes only to those who are alive and cognizant enough to receive what change, purity and truth nature offers. The truth stands prevalent and shining as it purges ones soul to become pure and cleansed like nature. Thus Thoreau seduces the reader into the possibility of change within oneself and a catharsis from ones dependency on the unnecessary aspects of life and the limits. The art of living involves living an active, simple and natural truth, with nature, while absorbing the pragmatic elements of vital pureness by continuously adhering to ones simple, wise, and invigorating rituals of transcendence.

Organism essays

Organism essays Every organism at one time or another has to learn to adapt to a new environment. This is why evolution of organism is needed in order to survive changes to its environment, such as the case of the flightless birds. For one reason or another over a period of 100,000 years the need for wings was unnecessary to their survival. There could be many reasons why the birds evolved to be more adaptable to their environment. A small population of birds would have to replenish and start a new population. In all populations there are great reproductive potential to replace numbers and expand the number of population. After their population grew there would be a leveling off of the population once it reached a stable size. The birds' population would become stable due a lack of food to support every bird in the population, along with predators helped to contribute to keeping the population stable. After being on the island a while the birds' population would start showing a variation in differen t traits. Such things as color, wing size and overall size may vary, due to predators and the terrain of the environment. Eventually the birds evolved to the point where the use of their wings was no longer needed, as a necessity to survive. The adaptation could have been because flying itself took to much energy, so to conserve food they didn't fly too much. The bird's food also could have been close to the ground and there was no need to really fly. Another thing could have been that it was hard for predators to catch the birds if they stayed in think under brush or traveled along the ground. For whatever reason the birds didn't need their wings this trait was passed of from generation to generation. The reason this trait was passed on was because it helped the survival of these individual birds. They were able to reproduce and pass these traits through heredity. ...

10 Quotes for Unique and Beautiful Wedding Vows

10 Quotes for Unique and Beautiful Wedding Vows A wedding may only be a ceremony, if you look at it from a logical standpoint. However, a  marriage vow is a pledge- a verbal promise- to uphold all that is considered sacrosanct in a marital relationship. The exchange of vows, though just a collection of words, has a greater significance when the bride and the groom say the words with full intent and in good faith. Traditional vs. Personal Vows Traditional vows are all-encompassing. Traditional vows, as per Catholic marriage customs, involve a pledge to take ones partner, for my lawful wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part. While it is unlikely that these traditional vows will go out of use, there is an increasing trend among people who prefer to make their own vows. When you write your own vows, you have the creative liberty to include some of your personal details, a dash of humor, a touching anecdote, or a special promise that makes you own the vows. Writing your own vow is no cakewalk- many brides and grooms find it difficult to pen a few lines that would bind them for eternity. Tips for Writing Vows If you are writing your own vows, here are a few things to keep in mind to make your marriage vows beautiful: Keep it Simple: Flowery words will have no meaning if you dont mean what you say. When you keep it simple, you allow your partner to assimilate the depth of your words.Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say:  It goes without saying that your marriage vows are a declaration of your love and commitment. If you are honest and sincere in your vows, you will find your married life easy to deal with.Include Details: Make sure to include specific details that make it unique to your marriage. While it is not a good idea to make a long verbose speech (remember, it is not an award acceptance ceremony), let your marriage vows reflect your personal beliefs, your dreams, and those of your spouse.Include Humor, Avoid Comedy: Humor should just be a mild seasoning to pepper your vow. Let it not override the intensity or seriousness of your solemn vow. The focus of your vow should be your love and your sincere commitment.Avoid a Public Spectacle: Though you will be saying your vows in the presence of your near and dear ones, you dont have to write your vows to please the audience. It is your marriage, and only you should decide what goes into your vows. Dont attempt to make it entertaining or interesting for your audience. They are simply here to witness and bless your marriage. Keep your vows genuine, straightforward, and personal.  Ã‚   Meaningful Quotes If you find yourself struggling for the right words, you can use some of these quotes to help you create a great wedding vow. These quotes will add a touch of color  to your vows. I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams. –  William Butler Yeats,  He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven Grow old with me! The best is yet to be.   –  Robert Browning I love you, not for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you.  Ã¢â‚¬â€œÃ‚  Roy Croft I am like a falling star who has finally found her place next to another in a lovely constellation, where we will sparkle in the heavens forever.  Ã¢â‚¬â€œÃ‚  Amy Tan I love thee, I love but theeWith a love that shall not dieTill the sun grows coldAnd the stars grow old...–  Bayard Taylor You call it madness, but I call it love.  Ã¢â‚¬â€œÃ‚  Don Byas If I know what love is, it is because of you.  Ã¢â‚¬â€œÃ‚  Herman Hesse We are the leaves of one branch, the drops of one sea, the flowers of one garden. –  Jean Baptiste Henry Lacordaire This is my beloved and this is my friend.  Ã¢â‚¬â€œÃ‚  Song of Solomon Youre nothing short of my everything.  Ã¢â‚¬â€œÃ‚  Ralph Block

Air Pollution in Houston Tx Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Air Pollution in Houston Tx - Research Paper Example This city has sustained the standings as the highest single measurement of ozone pollution in US, typically exceeding the 1-hr ozone standard most of the days. In the same year, a study by a professor at Texas A & M revealed that the concentration of Houston’s Ozone in the summer usually rose two or three times above the government acceptable standards. The American Lung association added its voice on this issue by claiming that city’s pollution is at its peak such that running in such a place equals smoking a pack of cigarettes in one day. Having said the above lets now take a look at the various sources of air pollution in Houston city. At this point it is important to mention that about half of the area deemed as major sources of pollution in the entire Houston region are located on the eastern side of the Harris County. Close to twenty or more major industrial sources are found in east Houston. These chemical industrial facilities include the two largest oil refiner ies in the country. The whole region play host to over 400 industrial facilities that release toxic pollutant into the air. As mention earlier the major contributor to Houston pollution is the ship channel. Here, the ship channel that feeds the port, together with the port itself produces a wide range of pollutants that add up to those generated by nearby industrial sources. Another source of air pollution is the emissions from automotives like buses, trucks, and cars. Another source of air pollution is the emissions from automotives like buses, trucks, and cars.

Financial Security in a Persons Retirement Term Paper

Financial Security in a Persons Retirement - Term Paper Example In order to have financial security in our retirement, we need to start saving, keep saving and also stick to our goals. We need to make saving for the retirement a priority. In order to stay focused, we need to know our retirement needs and save towards it. A good starting point is finding out our retirement benefits. Investing for retirement is vital in ensuring safe and enjoyable retirement. Due to uncertainty, the true quality of a person’s retirement actually depends on their planning and planning must begin somewhere (Berk & DeMarzo, 2014). To have a secure retirement one must understand all the necessary factors that are crucial in the realization of the set goal. In saving for retirement individuals must understand the time value of money concept because it influences any financial decision to be made. They need to start saving early enough to increase the worth of the money in the future. It is the idea that money available today is worth more than the same amount in future because of its potential earning capacity (Taillard, 2013). Because money earns interest, any amount of money is often worth more the sooner it is invested. The paper entails computation of the amount to be invested annually to earn $1,000,000 in 30 years and the amount earned at retirement. In addition, it discusses values such as time and the interest rate that can be changed to lower annual deposits while increasing benefits. Besides, it discusses asset allocation among three asset classes, stocks, bonds, and cash. It concludes by looking at the investment objective which in this case is capital appreciation. Further, it discusses investment constraints that affect my asset allocation. In solving the problem, I will use the money purchase method which takes into account annual deposits and actuarial factor that is based on annuity period (time horizon or age) (Berk & DeMarzo, 2014). This method takes into account the time value of money by using present value or ordinary annuityÃ'Ž

Line Between Tough Love and Child Abuse Essay Example for Free

Line Between Tough Love and Child Abuse Essay Poets and authors have tried to define love for centuries, whereas scientists have only recently started. Many of us know intuitively that love is a major purpose for living; (Blueprint, 2013) that connection is inherent in all that we do, and without love, we cannot survive as a species. But what is love, and how do we know when were in it? First , lets start off with what love isnt. If someone asks you to do or say something that isnt in your nature, that isnt true love. Smith, 2002) Although love does involve compromises between partners, someone who is in love with you will never ask you to change who you are in order to be loved. True Love is caring. The ancient Greeks had many different names for different forms of love: passion, virtuous, affection for the family, desire, and general affection. But no matter how love is defined, they all hold a common trait: caring. (Blueprint, 2013) True Love is attractive. Attraction and chemistry form the bond that allows people to mate. Without this romantic desire for another individual, a relationship is nothing more than lust or infatuation. True Love is attached. Like the mother-child bond, attachment comes after the initial attraction. Attachment is the long term love that appears anywhere from one to three years into a romantic relationship (sometimes sooner and very rarely after), and youll know youve found it when you can honestly say, (Smith, 2002) Ive seen the worst and the best you have to offer, and I still love you, while your partner feels the same way. True Love is committed. When it comes to true love, commitment is more than just monogamy. It’s the knowledge that your partner cares for you and has your back, no matter what the circumstances. People who are strongly committed to one another will, when faced with seemingly negative information about their partner, see only the positive. For example, a friend comments that your partner doesnt say a lot. Ah yes, hes the strong, silent type, you reply. People with less commitment to their partner would instead say something like, Yeah, I can never have conversation with him. It’s annoying. True Love is Intimate. Intimacy is a crucial component of all relationships, regardless of their nature. In order to know another, you need to share parts of yourself. This self-revealing behavior, when reciprocated, (Teicher, 2000) forms an emotional bond. Over time this bond strengthens and even evolves, so that two people merge closer and closer together. Intimacy by itself if is a great friendship, but compiled with the other things in this list, it forms an equation for true love. Within the minimum standards set by CAPTA, each State is responsible for providing its own definitions of child abuse and neglect. Most States recognize four major types of maltreatment: physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse. Although any of the forms of child maltreatment may be found separately, (Blueprint, 2013) they often occur in combination. In many States, abandonment and parental substance abuse are also defined as forms of child abuse or neglect. The examples provided below are for general informational purposes only. Not all States definitions will include all of the examples listed below, and individual States definitions may cover additional situations not mentioned here. Physical abuse is no accidental physical injury (ranging from minor bruises to severe fractures or death) as a result of punching, beating, kicking, biting, shaking, throwing, stabbing, choking, hitting (with a hand, stick, strap, or other object), burning, or otherwise harming a child, that is inflicted by a parent, caregiver, or other person who has responsibility for the child. Perry, 2002) Such injury is considered abuse regardless of whether the caregiver intended to hurt the child. Physical discipline, such as spanking or paddling, is not considered abuse as long as it is reasonable and causes no bodily injury to the child. Neglect is the failure of a parent, guardian, or other caregiver to provide for a childs basic needs. (Perry, 2002) Neglect may be physical (failure to provide necessary food or shelter, or lack of appropriate supervision), medical (e. g. failure to provide necessary medical or mental health treatment), educational (e. g. , failure to educate a child or attend to special education needs), or emotional (e. g. , inattention to a childs emotional needs, failure to provide psychological care, or permitting the child to use alcohol or other drugs). These situations do not always mean a child is neglected. Sometimes cultural values, the standards of care in the community, and poverty may be contributing factors, indicating the family is in need of information or assistance. Teicher, 2000) When a family fails to use information and resources, and the childs health or safety is at risk, then child welfare intervention may be required. In addition, many States provide an exception to the defi nition of neglect for parents who choose not to seek medical care for their children due to religious beliefs that may prohibit medical intervention. Sexual abuse includes activities by a parent or caregiver such as fondling a childs genitals, penetration, incest, rape, sodomy, indecent exposure, and exploitation through prostitution or the production of pornographic materials. Sexual abuse is defined by CAPTA as the employment, use, persuasion, inducement, enticement, or coercion of any child to engage in, or assist any other person to engage in, any sexually explicit conduct or simulation of such conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct; or the rape, and in cases of caretaker or inter-familial relationships, statutory rape, molestation, prostitution, or other form of sexual exploitation of children, or incest with children. Emotional abuse (or psychological abuse) is a pattern of behavior that impairs a childs emotional development or sense of self-worth. This may include constant criticism, threats, or rejection, as well as withholding love, support, or guidance. Emotional abuse is often difficult to prove and, therefore, (Teicher, 2000) child protective services may not be able to intervene without evidence of harm or mental injury to the child. Emotional abuse is almost always present when other forms are identified. Abandonment is now defined in many States as a form of neglect. (Perry, 2002) In general, a child is considered to be abandoned when the parents identity or whereabouts are unknown, the child has been left alone in circumstances where the child suffers serious harm, or the parent has failed to maintain contact with the child or provide reasonable support for a specified period of time. Tough love simply means that if your child decides to do anything that can harm him/her or others that you have to love your child enough to take a stand against that behavior. If this means that you have to report your child to the authorities, whether the law or teachers, then you need to do it. It also means that if you find that you need help with your child for whatever reason that you should ask for it. There is nothing shameful about having a child who is out of control. It happens to the best of parents. What would be shameful is not to do anything. The fastest and best way to implement tough love techniques with your child is to simply start making them fully responsible for their own actions. (Blueprint, 2013) Don’t pay or legal representation, don’t bail them out with teachers, and don’t interfere in the natural consequences that may happen. Sometimes, you may even need to go further in the case of a child putting others in danger via drinking or drugging and driving. Take the car, take the money, take the phone, remove all privileges, and if that doesn’t work, you may have to call the police on your child who is pract icing illegal behaviors. Don’t give multiple warnings and threats. (Teicher, 2000) Teenagers just stop believing you, if you don’t back up your words with actions. Giving natural consequences a push in the right direction can go far in helping your child, while you’re still there for emotional support as long as they’re doing the right thing, can help a child straighten their life out before they are on their own. Child abuse is more than bruises and broken bones. While physical abuse might be the most visible, other types of abuse, such as emotional abuse and neglect, also leave deep, lasting scars. The earlier abused children get help, the greater chance they have to heal and break the cycle—rather than perpetuate it. By learning about common signs of abuse and what you can do to intervene, you can make a huge difference in a child’s life. While physical abuse is shocking due to the scars it leaves, not all child abuse is as obvious. Ignoring children’s needs, putting them in unsupervised, dangerous situations, or making a child feel worthless or stupid are also child abuse. Regardless of the type of child abuse, the result is serious emotional harm. An estimated 905,000 children were victims of child abuse or neglect in 2006 (U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2008). While physical injuries may or may not be immediately visible, abuse and neglect can have consequences for children, families, and society that last lifetimes, if not generations. The impact of child abuse and neglect is often discussed in terms of physical, psychological, behavioral, and societal consequences. In reality, however, it is impossible to separate them completely. Physical consequences, such as damage to a childs growing brain, can have psychological implications such as cognitive delays or emotional difficulties. Psychological problems often manifest as high-risk behaviors. Depression and anxiety, for example, may make a person more likely to smoke, abuse alcohol or illicit drugs, or overeat. High-risk behaviors, in turn, can lead to long-term physical health problems such as sexually transmitted diseases, cancer, and obesity. This factsheet provides an overview of some of the most common physical, psychological, behavioral, and societal consequences of child abuse and neglect, while acknowledging that much crossover among categories exists. The immediate emotional effects of abuse and neglect—isolation, fear, and an inability to trust—can translate into lifelong consequences including low self-esteem, depression, and relationship difficulties. (Teicher, 2000) Researchers have identified links between child abuse and neglect and the following: In one long-term study, as many as 80 percent of young adults who had been abused met the diagnostic criteria for at least one psychiatric disorder at age 21. These young adults exhibited many problems, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and suicide attempts (Silverman, Reinherz, amp; Giaconia, 1996). Other psychological and emotional conditions associated with abuse and neglect include panic disorder, dissociative disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and reactive attachment disorder (Teicher, 2000). The National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being recently found children placed in out-of-home care due to abuse or neglect tended to score lower than the general population on measures of cognitive capacity, language development, and academic achievement (2003). Children who are abused and neglected by caretakers often do not form secure attachments to them. These early attachment difficulties can lead to later difficulties in relationships with other adults as well as with peers (Morrison, Frank, Holland, amp; Kates, 1999). Not all victims of child abuse and neglect will experience behavioral consequences; however, child abuse and neglect appear to make the following more likely: Studies have found abused and neglected children to be at least 25 percent more likely to experience problems such as delinquency, teen pregnancy, low academic achievement, drug use, and mental health problems (Kelley et al. , 1997). A National Institute of Justice study indicated being abused or neglected as a child increased the likelihood of arrest as a juvenile by 59 percent. Abuse and neglect increased the likelihood of adult criminal behavior by 28 percent and violent crime by 30 percent (Widom amp; Maxfield, 2001). Research consistently reflects an increased likelihood that abused and neglected children will smoke cigarettes, abuse alcohol, or take illicit drugs. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, as many as two-thirds of people in drug treatment programs reported being abused as children (2000).

Mikhail Bulgakov’s novel The Master and Margarita Essay -- Literary A

The vast interpretations and multiple meanings that lie within Mikhail Bulgakov’s novel The Master and Margarita cannot be limited or reduced to just a singular point or explanation. It would be ludicrous for one to simply classify Bulgakov’s work as just a religious, ethical, social or political tract because the enforcement of only one of these points of view would hinder the reader’s insight into the depth of the entire novel. However, it is possible to be able to grasp the many themes and meanings of The Master and Margarita by the examination of one of the novel’s central characters, this character is found in both narratives of the novel and his name is Woland or, as he is also known, the devil. Woland is the most important character in the novel because he entices the people of Moscow, whether they want to or not and whether they are conscious of it or not, to rebel against the order of which they are accustomed too and to gain a new found sense of liberation. Colin Wright, in his work Mikhail Bulgakov: Life and Interpretations, writes, â€Å"And here we find the key to the whole book for, as we have seen, it is the individual non-conformists who are Bulgakov’s heroes, those who rebel – whether against God or man† (270). It is understandable that Bulgakov, having written this work in an oppressive surrounding that limited what he could and could not write, creates a hero who is in fact a rebel and other characters that are rebellious against those who stifle artistic freedom. In Vladimir Tumanov’s essay, Diabolus ex Machina: Bulgakov’s Modernist Devil, the author writes, â€Å"In this respect the modernist qualities of Bulgakov’s novel acquire a new dimension because Master i Margarita becomes a kind of artistic devil, fulfilli... ...ivision of humanity into good and evil is no longer useful and the transcendence of the need for retribution is the goal† (362). With Woland, Bulgakov sends the message that humanity falls into a grey area and that one needs to show compassion to their fellow human beings instead of always seeking vengeance. Works Cited Bulgakov, Mikhail. The Master and Margarita. London: Picador, 1997. Franklin, Simon. Introduction. The Master and Margarita. By Mikhail Bulgakov. 1992. Great Britain: Everyman’s Library, 1992. Proffer, Ellendea. Bulgakov the Magician. Afterward. The Master and Margarita. By Mikhail Bulgakov. 1995. London: Picador, 1997. Tumanov, Vladimir. Diabolus ex Machina: Bulgakov’s Modernist Devil. Vol. 35. Scando- Slavica, 1989. Wright, Colin. Mikhail Bulgakov: Life and Interpretations. Canada: University of Toronto Press, 1978.

An Imperialistic Love Triangle in “The Quiet American”

The Orient is traditionally viewed as separate, backward, erotic, exotic, and passive. It mirrors a past of unscrupulous tyrannical power involving carnal pleasures and deviating from the restrictive morals of the â€Å"occidental. † The Orient displays feminine vulnerability with its progress and value judged as inferior to the West. Graham Greene’s The Quiet American presents the treatment of Phuong as a metaphor for how foreign occupying forces treat her native country of Vietnam, and her depiction as having no control in matters of her love life is a motif of the Orient being a feminized other.Hegemonic masculinity is a sociological term referring to the socialization of men producing normative perceptions of masculinity to be correlated in being unemotional and dominating others, especially women. Hegemonic masculinity brings an interesting pairing to the ideals of post-colonial imperialism in Vietnam. The French, British, and American all have aimed to elevate the people out of ignorance and savagery, and lead them to a more sophisticated social and political livelihood. They engaged in a gendered polarity with themselves and the effeminate other, Vietnam.Love PoemIn The Quiet American, the French, British and Americans viewed Vietnam as a feminized entity. It is non-threatening and an outlet for the carnal pleasures and delights of all things exotic: women, opium and trade. As such with the context of this paper, Pyle and Fowler's battle over Phuong is a clash of male dominance. Phuong is the most interesting character in Greene’s novel. She is depicted as a voiceless beauty without any power or opinions of her own. As her sister Hei affirms in Chapter 3 of part 1, â€Å"[s]he is the most beautiful girl in Saigon. [†¦] She is delicate, [†¦] She needs care. She deserves care.She is very, very loyal† (Greene, 46). At this part of the novel, Hei meets Pyle and instantly wants to set her sister up in a marriage with him. Hei sees him as a better match than Fowler because he is younger, single and wants children. The underlining stereotype that is reinforced through the Phuong character is a feminine and weak Oriental awaiting the dominance of the West. She is a defenseless woman that exists for, and in terms of, her Caucasian male lovers. Her role in the love triangle is reminiscent of her homeland’s colonial restraints. She is only presented in terms of what the two men want from her.Pyle wants her to become a typical American housewife with children. Fowler wants her to remain just as she is: his servant and lover. This love triangle and the emotions that the male characters feel towards Phuong correlate to deep personal sentiments of the way they feel about the country of Vietnam itself. Vietnam becomes feminized, taboo, and sexualized just as Phuong does in Pyle and Fowler's eyes. The novel’s rendering of the central plot involving Fowler and Pyle struggle over Phuong represents t he approach that Britain and America engaged in their fight to â€Å"save† Vietnam from communism.Pyle's' intentions toward Phuong, although similar in some cases to Fowler's, harbors fundamental differences. Both men view Phuong as a sort of object that needs to be saved or require some sort of assistance in order to endure life. When Pyle falls in love with Phuong upon their first encounter, he decides that he must do whatever he can or whatever he deems necessary in order to â€Å"save† Phuong from a deprived existence. This is the exact same way that Pyle views Vietnam and its present condition. In Chapter 1 part 2, Pyle suggests that Vietnam is in need of a Third Force to combat the Communists.In response, Fowler states: â€Å"He would have to learn for himself the real background that held you as a smell does: the gold of the rice fields under a flat late sun: the fisher’s fragile cranes hovering over the fields like mosquitoes: the cups of tea on an old abbot’s platform, with his bed and his commercial calendars, his buckets and broken cups and the junk of a lifetime washed up around his chair: the mollusk hats of the girls repairing the road where a mine had burst†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (23) Pyle spoke about how a Third Force is needed in Vietnam, yet he does not have a clue about the workings of the country.He is so absorbed in trying to spread the ideal of freedom of democracy that he neglects the significance of applying culturally appropriate approaches in relations to Indo-China. The Vietnamese government can make their own choices concerning political rule, however America’s anti- Communist agenda thwarts their ability to do so. This reflects the American stereotype of being overly idealistic, naive, and arrogant as they feel the need to meddle in issues of other nations in hopes to enlighten them to become more progressive. On the other hand, Fowler has learned to appreciate Phuong and Vietnam.The â€Å"gold of the ri ce fields, the fishers' fragile cranes,† and other beautiful aspects of this country have made him adopt it as his own. Fowler understands Vietnam and is fond of it; Pyle does not understand Vietnam and wants to improve it. Consequently, Fowler does not want to become concerned with the circumstances occurring in Vietnam and does not become involved in the situation between Pyle and Phuong until he is forced to do so. He prides himself on having no opinions and not taking sides, but instead he believes himself to be a true reporter who only observes.The British act in a similar fashion. The great imperial power of Great Britain historically is known to have a hands-off approach with their colonies and common wealth. They embrace some of the traditional and ethnic practices and social structures of the region; yet require both financial and political loyalty of their Oriental provinces. He essentially permits Phuong to decide whom she wants to be with until he is compelled to l eave his state of neutrality when it no longer benefits him.In a similar way, Fowler believed that Vietnam should be able to choose what would occur in its own future although he worries that they would make the wrong decision and elect a Communist leader. Fowler is not in love with Phuong but he wants her. He wants things between them to remain the way they are. He does not want her to marry Pyle. In this sense his motive to murder Pyle is partly personal as well as political. He spends a lot of time justifying his involvement with Pyle's murder as the only way of stopping him from doing further damage to the Vietnamese people, yet his true motives are more complex.In Chapter 2 of part 2, Fowler's discourse on Phuong reads very sexist and racist in his conversation with Pyle. â€Å"But she loves you, doesn't she? † â€Å"Not like that. It isn't in their nature. You'll find that out. It's a cliche to call them children–but there's one thing which is childish. They lov e you in return for kind-ness, security, the presents you give them-they hate you for a blow or an injustice. They don't know what it's like -just walking into a room and loving a stranger. For an aging man, Pyle, it's very secure-she won't run away from home so long as the home is happy. I hadn't meant to hurt him. I only realized I had done it when he said with muffled anger, â€Å"She might prefer a greater security or more kindness† (125). In the quote above, Fowler believes that Phuong and other Vietnamese women only â€Å"love† men based on what they give them and how secure the men make them feel. For Fowler, this notion is ideal for he believes that Phuong’s proclivity for loyalty will prevent her from leaving him as she is like a child who loves in return for kindness, gifts, and security. Both Fowler and Pyle objectify Phuong in different ways, but with the same result.In Chapter 3 of part 2, Fowler praises Phuong for her readiness to comply with his s exual demands: â€Å"Kiss me, Phuong. † She had no coquetry. (†¦) she would have made love if I had asked her to, straight away, peeling off her trousers without question†¦ (143). She services Fowler by preparing his opium pipes and providing him with sex any time he wants it. When Pyle shows an interest in her, Phuong abandons Fowler to live with Pyle. She shows little reaction to Pyle's death but readily moves back in with Fowler. In addition to Phuong’s depiction as a sexual object, opium is in its own right serves as a thematic object in The Quiet American.The heavy use of opium by Thomas Fowler portrays the lack of moral dexterity of the colonial powers. It is associated with indolence and vice for the Fowler character. He is mostly concerned with his ability to live as comfortable a life as possible in Vietnam. He writes the occasional news article for the British newspaper he s employed by, but prefers to spend his time smoking opium and enjoying the c ompany of Phuong. He smokes opium, which enhances his sense of total detachment, even from his own death. Nothing matters to him and he has no real ambitions except to avoid being sent back to England and to the an estranged wife.Opium is a highly addicted recreational drug used in Indo-China. The fact that Fowler smokes opium so frequently highlights his link to Vietnam and the moral conflicts revolved around the pleasure he takes in his Vietnamese life such as his lover, the people, and the culture. In sum, Phuong’s role in The Quiet America’s main plot reflects the dichotomy of imperialism in Indo-China and an ongoing love triangle. When Pyle discusses Phuong with Fowler, he starts talking about love, but Fowler replies: â€Å"Love’s a Western word†¦we use it for sentimental reasons or to cover up an obsession with one woman.These people don’t suffer from obsessions. † Phuong exists for the benefit of her lovers and even for her own sister to ensure her own security. Vietnam provided its colonizers what they wanted. Its people didn’t care who ruled them, they gave loyalty to any who could preserve a livelihood with the necessities such as food, jobs, and national defense. Likewise, Phuong’s decision to remain with Fowler wasn’t a consequence of her being a victim of circumstance, but of her playing an active role in maintaining survival through the protection of marriage.

Health Care and Change

Describe how the effectiveness of your organizational change will be determined once it is implemented. Change can be viewed as negative or positive depending on how it’s presented. It can be met with resistance probably due to lack of simple oversights, lack of persistence, poor communication, or other more personal vulnerabilities (Bert, Spector, 2010. The goal of the change should be identified before implementing it into the organization.Status reports, evaluations, and periodic surveys are all useful resources for determining the effectiveness of an organizational change (Bert Spector, 2010). The effectiveness of change will be determined by the Proper communication between the organization and the staff: The staff and the leaders will communicate effectively about the change; they will discuss how the change has affected them positively and negatively, The saying goes that â€Å"Once man understands an idea; he can identify with it, acknowledge it, and make it his ownâ €  Aristotle.Throughout the change, it’s important for the developed skills of written communication, meeting management and presentations to determine if the change has been effectively implemented (Bert Spector, 2010). Another way to determine the effectiveness of the change will be through monitoring, and measuring of the change that is the implemented. Measurement could include employee and customer surveys tool to measure progress of the change. This helps to clarify the purpose and direction of the change effort, by encouraging the employees to consider its specific impact in unambiguous terms.Measurement tells people what you care about , Tracks the effectiveness of the change effort both tells people that it is important and provides a way to judge how well it is being implemented, or how well it was designed (Bert Spector, 2010). Use of observation is another method that will determine the effectiveness of the change. An observation is designed to allow the OD pra ctitioner to see firsthand what is occurring with implemented change, the managers can use this method to observe the behaviors of the employees towards the change.It can determine whether the employees are adopting, adjusting to change or they are still resisting to it (Bert Spector, 2010). Review the progress of the change every month and see if the there any area that not progressing as expected and check for need for improvement in those areas that are not working. Check and see if some employees are struggling with the change, and find ways of helping them, maybe they need more training, or support to adjust. Provide support and training needed have a successful change.Collect and report data regularly, this is important in providing an ongoing stream of objective information that keeps the company aligned with business goals. The reports are made simple, enabling all the stakeholders to understand and appreciate the results. With this strategy, the company will identify opport unities and threats earlier and better manage employee expectations (Barbara Armstrong, 2013). Analyze possible outcome measurement strategies related to organizational change processes.Determinants of strategy include organizational and environmental factors, and the outcomes reflect both internal changes and external relationships (Bailey, 1992). EHR adoption will continue to grow and with it, better access to important clinical information that can be helpful to improving U. S. healthcare (Benefits of EHR, 2007). Possible outcome measurement strategies of EMR/EHR implementation at my facility will include: Improved Information Availability: With EHRs, patients' health information will be available in one place, when and where it is needed.Providers will have access to the information they need, at the time they need it to make a decision. Patients charts are always carried and used to different departments in the facility, Sometimes Doctors cannot find the charts to be able to as sess patients, with the EMR; all departments have the information they need right in front of them without searching for the chart (Benefits of EHR, 2007). EHR/EMR will be the Foundation for Quality Improvements at the facility: Reliable access to complete patient health information is essential for safe and effective care.EHRs place accurate and complete information about patients' health and medical history at providers' fingertips. With EHRs, providers can give the best possible care, at the point of care. This can lead to a better patient experience and, most importantly, better patient outcomes (Benefits of EHR, 2007). EHRs implementation will Support the Provider Decision Making, EHRs will help providers make efficient, effective decisions about patient care, through: Improved aggregation, analysis, and communication of patient information (Benefits of EHR, 2007).All departments at our facility can communicate the patients progress to physicians through the use of EMR, the phy sician can easily access the information without walking from one department to another. Evert needed piece of information to determine patients care and progress will be accessed with the use of EMR, EHR. When health care providers have access to complete and accurate information, patients receive better medical care. Electronic health records (EHRs) Implementation will lead to improved ability to diagnose diseases and reduce or even prevent medical errors, improving patient outcomes.Doctors can diagnose patient based the accurate vital signs and nurses assessment viewed computer. We usually have to call doctors to give them information on patients’ conditions, we don’t have Doctors at our facility 24 hours a day, they come two -three a week. With the EMR, doctors can view patient’s change of condition at their offices and provide the diagnoses and treatment (Benefits of HER, 2007). Determine how you will measure quality, cost, and satisfaction outcomes to eval uate your proposed organizational change.The expense of making changes within an organization is often difficult to measure from a pure cost standpoint. Similarly, the advantages acquired from revised operations may not be readily measured. Where possible, however, every attempt should be made to evaluate the real savings obtained from a planned change by creating measurable goals. Proposed changes in products, processes, and service activities should be quantified, if possible, before the desired modifications are implemented (Bailey, 1992). You can measure the quality of the change through surveys and observation of the change.Surveys determine how the company has progressed with the change and what is needed for the change to keep progressing. Surveys can have questions such as, has the creation EMR and elimination of paper documentation resulted in more effective work flows, improved communication practices, and management monitoring? Compare the previous work ethics to the pres ent, is there any improvement? Check for the reduction of medication errors and proper documentation since the implementation of EMR. Observe the employees behaviors and reaction to the change, are they more accurate in interpreting doctors’ writings?Quality can be measured through the Quick access to patient records, efficient care Enhanced decision support, and medical information Performance-improving tools, complete documentation that facilitates accurate coding and billing Interfaces with labs, registries, and other EHRs Safer which results in better patient experience and, most importantly, better patient outcomes (Benefits of HER, 2007). As the company works to improve the implementation of the change, the company will continue to calculate the costs on a monthly basis and track them against baseline and benchmarked costs.Continue to look for additional improvement opportunities (Barbara Armstrong, 2013). Costs are important when implementing a change, the finances dep ends how far you go with the change in progress. With the EMR change, it is costly to implement this change since it requires finances for the trainers, to buy software, computers, and to continuously maintain the software (Barbara Armstrong, 2013). The company will use a track sheet with the expenses spend on the change each month; the company will review and determine if the expense is within the budget or it going overboard.The company will then determine how to progress with the change figures obtained from the reviewed financial sheet. A survey will be carried out each month to determine the satisfaction of the change in progress. The company will use regular â€Å"listening meetings† where people could ask questions and voice their concerns (Barbara Armstrong, 2013). They survey will be either through calling employees, or written one with questions rating from scale of one to ten, on how the employee are dealing with the change, how they value the change, if the change helpful in their work, if they feel supported by their immediate managers and the cooperate.These surveys will also a have a potion which allows the employees to voice their take on the change and have suggestions to make this change better for them. Use employee surveys to learn people’s perceptions of issues tied the implementation in process, such as the level of physical comfort, degree of collaboration, or quality of group decision-making(Barbara Armstrong, 2013).Have working conditions been improved and stressful conditions been reduced for our employees with this implementation? Have we successfully implemented the use of new technology? Have we ensured that requirements for new operating practices and skills have been addressed and resolved? Has the organization become more flexible and proactive in generating responses to meeting the needs of the employees? (Nancy Landahl, 2010).

AIDS Cases Article Essays

AIDS Cases Article Essays AIDS Cases Article Paper AIDS Cases Article Paper Somewhere among the million children who go to New Yorks publicly financed schools is a seven-year-old child suffering from AIDS. A special health and education panel had decided, on the strength of the guidelines issued by the federal Centers for Disease Control, that the child would be no danger to his classmates. Yet, when the school year started on September 9th, several thousand parents in two school districts in the borough of Queens kept their children at home. Fear of plague can be as pernicious, and contagious, as the plague itself(Fear of dying 1). This article was written in 1985. Since then much has been found out about AIDS. Not enough for a cure though. There probably will be no cure found in the near future because the technology needed is not available. AIDS cases were first identified in 1981,in the United States. Researchers have traced cases back to 1959. There are millions of diagnosed cases worldwide, but there is no cure (Drotman 163). There are about a million people in the United States who are currently infected with HIV (HIV/AIDS 1). It infects the population heavily in some areas of the country and very lightly in other areas. No race, sex, social class, or age is immune (AIDS Understanding 10). AIDS has killed more Americans than the Vietnam War, which killed 58,000(AIDS Understanding 10). AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Acquired means that it is not hereditary or introduced by medication. Immune indicates that it is related to the bodys system that fights off disease. Deficiency represents the lack of certain kinds of cells that are normally found in the body. Syndrome is a group of symptoms and signs of disordered function that signal the diagnoses (Hyde 1). You dont catch AIDS, you catch HIV. HIV is the virus that leads to AIDS. HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency virus. HIV severely damages a persons disease fighting immune system. There are two viruses that cause AIDS. They belong to a group called retroviruses. The first virus is HIV-1. It was isolated by researchers in France in 1983, and in the U.S. in 1984. In 1985, the second one was identified by scientists in France. It is closely related to HIV-1. It is called HIV-2. HIV-2 mainly occurs in Africa but HIV-1 occurs throughout the world(Drotman 163). There are three stages of the infection. The first stage is acute retroviral syndrome and asymptomatic period. This is the flulike or mononucleosislike illness that most people get within 6-12 weeks after becoming infected. It usually goes away without treatment. From this point on the persons blood tests positively for HIV. The second stage is symptomatic HIV infection. This is when the infected persons symptoms show up. It can last anywhere from a few months to many years. The third and final stage is AIDS. This is when the immune system is severally damaged and the opportunistic diseases set in. The progressive breakdown of the immune system leads to death, usually within a few years. HIV causes a severe wasting syndrome. A general decline in the health and in some cases, death. The virus infects the brain and the nervous system. It may cause dementia, a condition of sensory, thinking, or memory disorder. Infection of the brain may cause movement or coordination problems (Drotman 164). HIV can be present in the body for two to twelve years without any outward sign of illness. It can be transmitted to another person even if no symptoms are present (Drotman 164). When HIV picks up speed, a variety of symptoms are possible. The symptoms include unexplained fever, fatigue, diarrhea, weight loss, enlarged lymph glands, loss of appetite, yeast infections of the mouth and vagina, night sweats lasting longer than several weeks, breathing difficulties, a dry cough, sore throat caused by swollen glands, chills, and shaking (Quackenbush 23). Pink or purple, flat or raised blotches or bumps occurring under the skin, inside the mouth, nose, eyelids or rectum are also symptoms. They resemble bruises, but dont disappear. They are usually harder than the skin around them. White spots or unusual blemishes in the mouth is another symptom (Quackenbush 24). There are two illnesses that commonly affect AIDS patients. One is a type of pneumonia called pneumocystis carinii. The other one is a type of cancer called kaposis sarcoma, which attacks the skin (What are HIV/AIDS 1). Pneumocystis carinii is a yeast infection in the esophagus. It causes severe pain when swallowing which results in weight loss and dehydration. It is the leading cause of death among AIDS patients. Kaposis sarcoma are tumors that look like bruises, but grow. These two diseases plus many other are called opportunistic diseases. For decades cases declined in the U.S. until the mid-1980s. Since the mid-80s cases are growing especially in HIV infected people. People with AIDS eventually contract atleast one of the opportunistic diseases. These are the diseases that AIDS patients usually die from (Drotman 164). HIV is transmitted three ways. One way is through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex. The most risky is anal sex because the anus doesnt stretch. Therefore, it is easier for the skin to tear and bleed. This makes it easier for the infection to get into the bloodstream. It can get soaked up by the mucous membranes that line the vagina, rectum, hole in the tip of the penis, mouth, and the throat (Johnson 17). The second way is through direct contact with infected blood. There are a couple ways of getting it through direct contact with infected blood. One way is by sharing a hypodermic needle with someone who is infected. A tiny drop of infected blood stays inside the needle and syringe. So if a person uses it he or she is actually shooting the infected blood directly into his or her bloodstream. That little droplet of infected blood is enough to give you HIV. Sharing needles for skin-popping can spread HIV in the same way. This way a person is more likely to get infections such as abscesses. A person can also get HIV from sharing other drug works with someone who is infected. Containers or cookers such as spoons or bottle caps, crackpipes, cotton, or water for dissolving drugs or rinsing syringes are some of the works. It doesnt matter what a person is shooting in the needle-heroin, cocaine, speed, steroids, insulin, or any other drug. If a person shares a needle or works with someone who has HIV, he or she could get infected too(Johnson 20). Another way is through a blood transfusion. Chances of getting HIV through a blood transfusion in the U.S. are now very low, but still possible. Testing began in 1985, of all blood and plasma that is donated. The tests that doctors use are over 99% accurate. Blood is destroyed if signs of the virus show up in the donated blood. Therefore, it is almost impossible to get infected through a blood transfusion. Before 1985, some people became infected through infected blood and certain blood products. In the U.S. every piece of equipment used to draw blood is brand new. It is only used once and then it is destroyed. Therefore it is impossible for a donor to get HIV from giving plasma or blood(HIV/AIDS 2). The third way of getting HIV is an infected woman transmitting it to her fetus or baby. A pregnant woman with HIV can pass the virus to her child before or after birth. The way this happens is the fetus gets nourishment from its mother through the placenta and the umbilical cord. That is one of the ways. The other way is through breast feeding(Johnson 24). The only way to stem the spread of infection remains the public health approach, educating people on how to avoid infection or educating the infected people on how to avoid infecting someone else. There are many ways to prevent the transmission and spread of AIDS. A person has to be aware, because most people who are infected dont know they are(Nichols 3). One way to prevent infection is to not engage in the act of sexual intercourse with anyone who is or might be infected. If someone is going to , then he or she should atleast use a latex condom. It is medically proven that latex condoms can help to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. HIV can not pass through the intact rubber film. It is almost impossible to catch the virus if the condom is used properly. This means using a good quality condom, one with the kite mark, with a spermicide. The condom itself can kill the virus(HIV/AIDS 2). Condoms dont completely eliminate the risk of being infected because they can tear, break, or slip off. Birth control pills and diaphragms will not protect a person or his or her partner from getting HIV either(HIV/AIDS 4). Drug users should seek professional help to stop doing drugs. They should never share hypodermic needles, syringes, or other injection equipment. Azidothymidine, commonly known as AZT, may reduce the risk of an infected woman transmitting it to her fetus or baby. Also, infected women should not breast feed their infants, since HIV can be present in the breast milk of an infected woman(Drotman 164). There are a number of things that a person can not get HIV from, that people are skeptical about. A person can not get AIDS from handshakes, hugs, coughs, sneezes, sweat, tears, mosquitoes, or other insects, pets, eating food prepared by someone else, or just being around an infected person. A person cant get it from sharing a cigarette, cigar, or pipe, drinking from the same fountain, or from someone spitting on him or her. A person also cant get it from using the same swimming pools, toilet seats, phones, computers, straws, spoons, or cups. Although the virus has been found in saliva, medical opinion states there is no evidence of contamination through wet kissing(What are HIV/AIDS 1). HIV is not spread through the air or water, unlike many other viruses(HIV/AIDS 2). No one has ever caught AIDS by going to a physician or an eye doctor who has treated AIDS patients. No one has ever caught AIDS by eating in a restaurant where AIDS patients have been, nor by sharing a dwelling in which AIDS victims live. No one has caught AIDS by working, studying, or playing with an AIDS patient, unless bodily fluids were exchanged. No one has ever gotten AIDS from an insect bite, even where there are many people with AIDS and even where there are many people with dozens of mosquito bites(AIDS, Understanding 2). HIV is very fragile. It doesnt live long or well outside the human body. It is easily killed with a 1:10 solution of bleach and water. It can be washed from skin with regular soaps. HIV will not survive outside the human body for more than a few hours at the most(Quackenbush 23). If a person thinks he or she might have HIV, he or she can get tested. HIV tests determine the presence of antibodies to the AIDS virus. Antibodies are proteins produced by certain white blood cells to react with specific viruses, bacteria, or foreign substances that go into the body. The presence of antibodies to HIV indicates infection with the virus. The tests that detect the presence of HIV-1 became widely available in 1985. The tests that detect HIV-2 became widely available in 1992. All infected patients should get blood tests done periodically. They should also have their health monitored by a physician(Drotman 164). There is no cure for HIV or AIDS, but treatments have been developed. The treatments help most people live longer. The infected people have to take medications to help them keep healthy and possibly postpone the development of AIDS(Johnson 33). Most of the medication has difficult side effects. Even with all of this, about 18 months after a person has been diagnosed with AIDS, he or she usually get quite sick and require hospital care(AIDS, Understanding 4). Scientists are not sure how, when, or where the AIDS virus originated. Researchers have shown that HIV-1 and HIV-2 are more closely related to simian immunodeficiency viruses than to each other. Simian immunodeficiency viruses infect monkeys. It has been suggested that HIV evolved from viruses that originally infected monkeys in Africa. It was somehow transmitted to people. There are many arguments to this theory. One is that HIV has only been found in human beings. It has never been isolated from any other animal species. Scientists believe The infection became widespread after significant social changes took place in Africa. Somewhere around the 1960s and the 1970s. HIV was isolated as being the cause of AIDS in 1983, and 1984. Tests were then developed to detect the virus. These tests have been used to analyze stored tissues from people who had undetermined deaths in the 60s and the 70s. Scientists found that some of these people died from AIDS. During the 1990s an estimated one million people in the U.S. had the HIV infection or AIDS. There are millions more throughout the world(Drotman 165). AIDS deaths has dropped significantly for the first time since the epidemic began in the early 1980s.They fell 13 percent in the first six months of 1996, to 22,000 people, down from 24,900 deaths in the same period a year earlier, reported by the Centers for Disease Control. The number of people diagnosed with AIDS still continues to grow, but the growth rate is slowing. From 1995 to 1996 the growth rate was less than 2%. The growth rate from 1993 to 1994 was 5%. First signs of drop in deaths of AIDS victims came in January 1997, when New York City reported a 30 percent drop in the number of Aids deaths in 1996. The Center for Disease Control credits better treatments, new drugs, and better access to treatment through state and federal programs. Some think that the decline is unfortunately only a standstill, because for some patients the new drugs are not effective(Meyer A1). Doctors and researchers have been doing research on the virus. They have studied several drugs that stop the growth of HIV in laboratories. One of the drugs is zidovudine, formerly called azidothymidine and commonly known as AZT. Research suggest that azidothymidine can delay the onset of opportunistic illnesses. This drug produces toxic side effects. Some other ones are didanosine(ddl), zalcitbine, which was formerly known as dideoxycytidine and commonly called ddc, and stavudine, which is commonly called D4T. These three drugs also produce dangerous side effects. Researchers are investigating treatments to help restore normal function to the immune system. They believe that any eventual cure must stop the growth of the virus, prevent opportunistic illnesses, and restore the immune system(Drotman 164). Some vaccines are being tested on animals and as of 1993, one is being tested on people who are at very high risk(Nichols 11). Magic Johnsons HIV is now undetectable, but not absent. Though he is not cured, powerful drugs have reduced the AIDS virus in his body to undetectable levels. Undetectable does not mean absent. Activists hope that his progress encourages people to get tested and take advantage of improved treatment. Thousands of HIV patients have had their infections recede to undetectable levels after taking drugs called protease inhibitor. Even though a person with undetectable virus levels can still infect other people. Even if the virus is undetectable in blood or semen, it can still be present in other areas such as intestines. Protease inhibitors reduce illnesses in infected people. These drugs are taken on a strict schedule along with two other AIDS drugs. It requires particular timing. Some drugs must be taken an hour before eating or two hours after. Even with this patients still get side effects. Some of the side effects are nausea, vomiting, headaches, backaches, and gastrointestinal problems. As many as forty percent of the people who take the concoction of drugs develop a resistance to them either because the virus becomes resistant after years of on other drugs, or because patients dont or are unable to take the drugs as ordered. These wonder drugs are expensive costing between $12,000 and $15,000 a year. Although these drugs are expensive it is still worth prolonging a persons life. The virus infects children and newborns, too. Newborns become quite ill by age 1, because their immune system has not fully developed. Most babies that are infected die by 18 months(Quackenbush 23). Today kids need to know about HIV and AIDS. They need to know how a person gets the virus, how it is spread, how they wont get it, what it is, how they can protect themselves from it, and whats going to happen to them if they get it. The real risk of infection for them is through sexual molestation by an infected adult. There are three main reasons why children need to know. One is natural curiosity. AIDS is now an undeniable part of the world. They are curious about the world. They have questions about the world. Another reason is the anxiety children may have about the disease. They understand that AIDS is a very serious disease. The thing they dont understand is the concept of not casually transmitted. The final reason is some children have family members or friends with HIV or AIDS. The kids that have an infected family member or friend face many personal challenges. They get harassed by their peers because their peers dont know what HIV or AIDS is. They think that t! he kid has cooties or something. Children need to know about HIV and AIDS so they can understand and so they dont harass other kids about it(Quackenbush 27). In the United States, federal, state, and local government have provided funds for education, treatment, and research of AIDS. Public health clinics have counseling and HIV-antibody testing to people who have symptoms or are at risk of infection(Drotman 164). Community organizations hope that greater awareness will lead to more compassion and more funding. One project is the AIDS quilt. It was begun in 1986 by an organization called the NAMES Project. This quilt consists of thousands of individually designed panels, which memorializes a person who died of AIDS. This quilt has been displayed in many cities throughout the world(Drotman 164). AIDS has killed many people. People need to be more aware and protect themselves so they dont become another statistic, because HIV and AIDS are serious, deadly, and they will be with us for a long time. There will not be a cure found anytime soon, but hopefully there will be a cure found.