The study of communications: Test

1) The study of communications in the early twentieth century solidified in to which two approaches? (a) Culture shock and cooperative conflict style (b) Rhetorical and behavioral (c) Dichotomous and recursion (d) Self-awareness and positive reinforcement2) Beliefs that are so central to a cultural group that they are never questioned are known as: (a) True believers (b) Empowerment (c) Self awareness (d) Cultural values3) Organizational communication exhibits two properties: (a) Organization and structured (b) Planning and execution (c) Function and production (d) Assertiveness and bluntness4) The intent to harm is a defining element of: (a) Striking (b) Insulting (c) Ignoring (d) Bullying5) What type of roles helps establish a group’s social atmosphere? (a) Relational Roles (b) Communication Roles (c) Leadership Roles (d) Expressive Roles6) Ludwig von Bertalanffy advanced a theory of seeing organizations as systems embedded in larger systems. This is known as the? (a) Perfec tion Theory (b) Globalization Theory (c) Work Force Theory (d) General Systems Theory7) Conflict in the Middle East leads both to fears that oil production will suffer and to higher energy costs in the United States, and this is known as: (a) Domination (b) Mass Assimilation (c) Globalization (d) Global Marketing8) Studying the intercultural communication is important to improve: (a) Personal gain (b) Employers trust (c) Cultural respect (d) Self awareness9) John Oetzel found that which communication processes led to task effectiveness and member satisfaction in many small group situations? (a) Equal Participation (b) Respectful (c) Cooperative conflict style (D) all of the above10) Supervisors can increase employee’s feelings of self-efficacy through: (a) Promotions (b) Empowerment (c) Confidence (d) Motivation11) Exhaustion, cynicism, and ineffectiveness are all part of a workplace phenomenon called: (a) Workforce retention (b) Employee tolerance (c) Burnt Out (d) Lack of C ooperation12) Formal education in the United States emphasizes: (a) Dichotomous (b) High paying jobs (c) Capitalism (d) Relational Roles13) What is the trait theory? (a) Successful recruiters are always needed (b) Leaders are born (c) Self-starters are always successful (d) Motivational speakers are well educated14) The process in which you and others begin to see you as an integral and accepted part of an organization is known as: (a) Assimilation (b) Asset (c) Productive (d) Manager15) Familiarity with others, organizational acculturation, recognition, involvement, job competency, and role negotiation are all part of: (a) Social network (b) People person (c) Talented recruiter (d) Metamorphosis16) Communications ethics is defined as: (a) The standards of what is right and wrong, good or bad, moral and immoral. (b) The practice of being fair, collective and responsive to one’s needs (c) Talking to others with respect and using proper speech skills (d) Not swearing or using v ulgar language will on work site17) What is quid pro quo? (a) Using your brains to receive a promotion (b) Monitoring your coworker’s habits to gain an advantage come panel reviews (c) The request for sexual favors as a condition of getting or keeping a job or benefit (d) Exercising your rights to table a board meeting if conditions are not to your liking18) What percentage of employers monitors workers Web connections? (a) 80% (b) 92% (c) 73% (d) 76%19) The two types of purposes for a speech include: (a) General + Specific (b) Focused + Consistent (c) Topic + Subject (d) Local + Long distance20) When audience members entrust you with their time and attention, you are obligated to treat them with: (a) Respect and Kindness (b) Fairness and Concern (c) Cooperation and alertness (d) Confidence and emotion21) The number one social phobia in the United States is: (a) Appearance (b) Smell (c) Public Speaking (d) Center of Attention22) One out of twenty people suffers such a fear of public speaking that they: (a) Sweat (b) Shake (c) Begin to stutter (d) Are unable to finish23) Ancient Greeks, the Middle Ages, and the _______ all made major contributions to the study of communication. (a) Renaissance (b) Golden Age (c) Contemporary (d) Industrial24) What is the attribution theory? (a) Attritional Bias (b) Self-serving bias (c) Fundamental Attribution error (d) All of the above25) Considering the ages, races, sexual orientations, religions, and social-class backgrounds of your audience is all part of the: (a) Demographical Analysis (b) Geographical Analysis (c) Cultural Analysis (d) Ethical Analysis26) If you wish to be sensitive to other people’s identities, you should: (a) Consider who you communicate with (b) Remember what the person’s personality first (c) Ignore any weaknesses that person by have (d) Be aware of 3 key ethical issues that can impact your communication with others27) Statistics, examples, and personal narratives are all ________ that can be used to enhance your speech. (a) Collective resources (b) Important topics (c) Ideal focuses (d) Supporting materials28) One way to ensure you are prepared for your presentation is to: (a) Memorize (b) Practice (c) Be well dressed (d) Check for errors29) A relationship that is described as variable with â€Å"ups and downs† over time,† sometimes close, sometimes distant† is being described according to: (a) Turning point model relationships (b) Mutual beneficiary relationships (c) Contemporary relationships (d) Proactive casual relationships30) What is the model of communication created by the textbook authors? (a) 2 way Human differential communication (b) Multicultural transaction communication (c) Human communication in Society or transactional (d) Social group communication and group interaction31) How do you develop identity? (a) By communicating outside of your local area (b) Ignore negative feedback from others (c) By expressing yourself, throu gh beliefs and persuasion (d) Through internal awareness and environmental influences, and input from others32) De-escalating your anger, confronting the situation assertively, and listening to understand are all components of: (a) Effectively handling interpersonal conflict (b) Anger management and â€Å"Cool Down† cycle (c) Emotion control (d) Obedience and patience33) The truth bias involves: (a) The belief of once a liar always a liar (b) Common practice of trusting no one until properly known (c) Lack one’s trust through secrets (d) Tendency to not suspect one’s intimates of deception34) A feeling of disorientation and discomfort due to the unfamiliarity of surroundings is known as: (a) Unfamiliar territory (b) Culture shock (c) Culture anxiety (d) Culture phobia35) What is identity? (a) Social categories that you identify yourself (b) Categories that others place on you (c) Labels influenced on you by outside sources (d) Who you are as a person36) What are the elements that make up personality? (a) Emotional State (b) Knowledge (c) Outlook (d) All of the above37) What are some reasons for studying intercultural communication? (a) Improve your ethics (b) Be aware of different laws and customs (c) Learn others peoples culture so you can travel (d) Enhance own self awareness38) What we communicate, we exchange which two kinds of messages? (a) Practical and impractical (b) Emotional and non-emotional (c) Voluntary and involuntary (d) Verbal and non-verbal39) The social penetration theory describes what as a key component in relationship development? (a) Comfort (b) Disclosure (c) Company (d) Fun40) Proximity, physical attractiveness, and similarity are all factors that influence: (a) Attractiveness (b) Personality (c) Intelligence (d) Motivation41) The tendency for people to work harder and do better when others are around is known as: (a) Influential motivation (b) Work ethic spectrum (c) Social Facilitation (d) Positive reinforcement42 ) Societal factors that do not affect your perceptions include: (a) Role of Employee (b) Company Policies (c) Work force involvement (d) Role of leadership43) Two contemporary approaches to the study of communication include: (a) Honesty and truthful (b) Critical and Interpolate (c) Patient and observant (d) Listener and receiver44) List the different types of leadership? (a) Trait theory and Laissez-faire (b) Democratic and Authoritarian leader (c) Both A and B (d) None of the above45) What is the most important thing you learned in this class? (a) Building your identity (b) Self-awareness (c) Verbal ethics (d) Communication

Blunders and Thanks

I have always been fascinated by the rich and famous. They looked so much in control of every situation they were in. They exude a certain aura of power and many people just simply adore them. I will not try to pretend that I knew a lot of this people but in the community where I was living, a youngish couple who owned the largest construction supply business happened to live there, in a three-storey building and I often watched them with awed interest. I have bought a few things in their store and their office paneled in glass looked so grand.The second floor of the building is a showcase for home furnishings and looking at the prices of their goods only the rich could afford them, I’d mused. I learned from people talking that the third floor is their residence and as people talk, they said that it was a state of the art home, deserving for the very rich. The husband drove the grandest car in this part of our town and every morning I watch him drove to some place, attache cas e in hand, looking impressive and successful. The young wife stayed and manned the office and she too took the kind of self-assured look her husband radiates. The young couple was my inspiration.I would like to own a business one day and like them, I would be powerful too. From their looks, I believed that money brings satisfaction and contentment, happiness too. A lot of times when I daydream, I would picture myself in the fashion of the young couple’s situation, very much contented and in control over my business, employees and in every deal I have for my business. Judging from the meager income I earned from my job, the prospect looked bleak and oftentimes, I would feel frustrated. I was taking the ferry to the city and while waiting for the boat to leave, I was engaged with those day dreams again.I was deep into it when I noticed that familiar car getting at the 2 gangplank and the driver hurrying to open the passenger seat. Out came the young wife of the businessman carr ying a small bag. She is taking the boat and she is alone. She looked so chic with that small black dress and oversized Jackie O sunglasses. I lost her when she gets into the ferry. I was about to continue with my fantasy when a familiar voice roused me. â€Å"Is this seat taken? † It was her, looking a bit lost. â€Å"No,† I told her as she sat beside me. I am taking this trip alone. My husband arranged a car to fetch me at the pier. You go to our store sometimes didn’tyou? † I am surprised she noticed. â€Å"Yes,† I told her. I would have added, â€Å"I am your fan† least I would look stupid. â€Å"I am going to my husband’s youngest brother’s funeral. † â€Å"He will be buried today. † â€Å"Yes, she continued without waiting for me to ask, he is very young† â€Å"He is a special child you know and his family committed him into an institution. † There is a peculiar way about the way she talked to m e. We were not talking really. She expected me to listen and be attentive to her chat away. She did not even look at me. She talked about being bored to death at the store. She complained about the monotonous chores she have todo every day of her life including Sunday lunches at her husband’s family country house. She confessed about being jealous at people who have time to spend weekends at bars and cafes having good times with friends and meeting strangers. In-between confessions and complains she would get a call from somebody and they would talk for a minute or two. Some of those calls were from their office and others from the party of the funeral judging from her conversations on her phone. I was surprised with my reaction with her. The very first time I am nearest the person I so admired and she talked to me of things I considered so personal andbetween close friends only yet I do not feel the inspiration I expected to feel. I felt so drained. I 3 felt that this woman seeped my strength like a vampire sucking blood from her victims. The boats horn sounded signaling we have reached our destination. â€Å"You are going to the city aren’t you? † she asked, â€Å"You can share a ride with me, I’d be bored alone in that car,† she added. Instinct told me to say no and I did. â€Å"I am meeting someone in the pier,† I lied. â€Å"I would take the bus but thanks anyway and leave hurriedly away. â€Å"So much for the rich and famous,† I thought so amused.

Forward the Foundation Chapter 17

10 Seldon strode into Amaryl's office, unannounced. â€Å"Yugo,† he said abruptly, â€Å"the session with General Tennar has been postponed.† He seated himself in a rather pettish manner. It took Amaryl his usual few moments to disconnect his mind from his work. Looking up finally, he said, â€Å"What was his excuse?† â€Å"It wasn't he. Some of our mathematicians arranged a week's postponement so that it wouldn't interfere with the birthday celebration. I find all of this to be extremely annoying.† â€Å"Why did you let them do that?† â€Å"I didn't. They just went ahead and arranged things.† Seldon shrugged. â€Å"In a way, it's my fault. I've whined so long about turning sixty that everyone thinks they have to cheer me up with festivities.† Amaryl said, â€Å"Of course, we can use the week.† Seldon sat forward, immediately tense. â€Å"Is something wrong?† â€Å"No. Not that I can see, but it won't hurt to examine it further. Look, Hari, this is the first time in nearly thirty years that psychohistory has leached the point where it can actually make a prediction. It's not much of one-it's just a small pinch of the vast continent of humanity-but it's the best we've had so far. All right. We want to take advantage of that, see how it works, prove to ourselves that psychohistory is what we think it is: a predictive science. So it won't hurt to make sure that we haven't overlooked anything. Even this tiny bit of prediction is complex and I welcome another week of study.† â€Å"Very well, then. I'll consult you on the matter before I go to see the General for any last-minute modifications that have to be made. Meanwhile, Yugo, do not allow any information concerning this to leak out to the others-not to anyone. If it fails, I don't want the people of the Project to grow downhearted. You and I will absorb the failure ourselves and keep on trying.† A rare wistful smile crossed Amaryl's face. â€Å"You and I. Do you remember when it really was just the two of us?† â€Å"I remember it very well and don't think that I don't miss those days. We didn't have much to work with-â€Å" â€Å"Not even the Prime Radiant, let alone the Electro-Clarifier.† â€Å"But those were happy days.† â€Å"Happy,† said Amaryl, nodding his head. 11 The University had been transformed and Hari Seldon could not refrain from being pleased. The central rooms of the Project complex had suddenly sprouted in color and light, with holography filling the air with shifting three-dimensional images of Seldon at different places and different times. There was Dors Venabili smiling, looking somewhat younger-Raych as a teenager, still unpolished-Seldon and Amaryl, looking unbelievably young, bent over their computers. There was even a fleeting sight of Eto Demerzel, which filled Seldon's heart with yearning for his old friend and the security he had felt before Demerzel's departure. The Emperor Cleon appeared nowhere in the holographics. It was not because holographs of him did not exist, but it was not wise, under the rule of the junta, to remind people of the past Imperium. It all poured outward, overflowing, filling room after room, building after building. Somehow, time had been found to convert the entire University into a display the likes of which Seldon had never seen or even imagined. Even the dome lights were darkened to produce an artificial night against which the University would sparkle for three days. â€Å"Three days!† said Seldon, half-impressed, half-horrified. â€Å"Three days,† said Dors Venabili, nodding her head. â€Å"The University would consider nothing less.† â€Å"The expense! The labor!† said Seldon, frowning. â€Å"The expense is minimal,† said Dors, â€Å"compared to what you have done for the University. And the labor is all voluntary. The students turned out and took care of everything.† A from-the-air view of the University appeared now, panoramically, and Seldon stared at it with a smile forcing itself onto his countenance. Dors said, â€Å"You're pleased. You've done nothing but grouse these past few months about how you didn't want any celebration for being an old man-and now look at you.† â€Å"Well, it is flattering. I had no idea that they would do anything like this.† â€Å"Why not? You're an icon, Hari. The whole world-the whole Empire-knows about you.† â€Å"They do not,† said Seldon, shaking his head vigorously. â€Å"Not one in a billion knows anything at all about me-and certainly not about psychohistory. No one outside the Project has the faintest knowledge of how psychohistory works and not everyone inside does, either.† â€Å"That doesn't matter, Hari. It's you. Even the quadrillions who don't know anything about you or your work know that Hari Seldon is the greatest mathematician in the Empire.† â€Å"Well,† said Seldon, looking around, â€Å"they certainly are making me feel that way right now. But three days and three nights! The place will be reduced to splinters.† â€Å"No, it won't. All the records have been stored away. The computers and other equipment have been secured. The students have set up a virtual security force that will prevent anything from being damaged.† â€Å"You've seen to all of that, haven't you, Dors?† said Seldon, smiling at her fondly. â€Å"A number of us have. It's by no means all me. Your colleague Tamwile Elar has worked with incredible dedication.† Seldon scowled. â€Å"What's the matter with Elar?† said Dors. Seldon said, â€Å"He keeps calling me Maestro.' â€Å" Dors shook her head. â€Å"Well, there's a terrible crime.† Seldon ignored that and said, â€Å"And he's young.† â€Å"Worse and worse. Come, Hari, you're going to have to learn to grow old gracefully-and to begin with you'll have to show that you're enjoying yourself. That will please others and increase their enjoyment and surely you would want to do that. Come on. Move around. Don't hide here with me. Greet everyone. Smile. Ask after their health. And remember that, after the banquet, you're going to have to make a speech.† â€Å"I dislike banquets and I doubly dislike speeches.† â€Å"You'll have to, anyway. Now move!† Seldon sighed dramatically and did as he was told. He cut quite an imposing figure as he stood in the archway leading into the main hall. The voluminous First Minister's robes of yesteryear were gone, as were the Heliconian-style garments he had favored in his youth. Now Seldon wore an outfit that bespoke his elevated status: straight pants, crisply pleated, a modified tunic on top. Embroidered in silver thread above his heart was the insignia: SELDON PSYCHOHISTORY PROJECT AT STREELING UNIVERSITY. It sparkled like a beacon against the dignified titanium-gray hue of his clothing. Seldon's eyes twinkled in a face now lined by age, his sixty years given away as much by his wrinkles as by his white hair. He entered the room in which the children were feasting. The room had been entirely cleared, except for trestles with food upon them. The children rushed up to him as soon as they saw him-knowing, as they did, that he was the reason for the feast-and Seldon tried to avoid their clutching fingers. â€Å"Wait, wait, children,† he said. â€Å"Now stand back.† He pulled a small computerized robot from his pocket and placed it on the floor. In an Empire without robots, this was something that he could expect to be eye-popping. It had the shape of a small furry animal, but it also had the capacity to change shapes without warning (eliciting squeals of children's laughter each time) and when it did so, the sounds and motions it made changed as well. â€Å"Watch it,† said Seldon, â€Å"and play with it, and try not to break it. Later on, there'll be one for each of you.† He slipped out into the hallway leading back to the main hall and realized, as he did so, that Wanda was following him. â€Å"Grandpa,† she said. Well, of course, Wanda was different. He swooped down and lifted her high in the air, turned her over, and put her down. â€Å"Are you having a good time, Wanda?† he asked. â€Å"Yes,† she said, â€Å"but don't go into that room.† â€Å"Why not, Wanda? It's my room. It's the office where I work.† â€Å"It's where I had my bad dream.† â€Å"I know, Wanda, but that's all over, isn't it?† He hesitated, then he led Wanda to one of the chairs lining the hallway. He sat down and placed her on his lap. â€Å"Wanda,† he said, â€Å"are you sure it was a dream?† â€Å"I think it was a dream.† â€Å"Were you really sleeping?† â€Å"I think I was.† She seemed uncomfortable talking about it and Seldon decided to let it go. There was no use pushing her any further. He said, â€Å"Well, dream or not, there were two men and they talked of lemonade death, didn't they?† Wanda nodded reluctantly. Seldon said, â€Å"You're sure they said lemonade?† Wanda nodded again. â€Å"Might they have said something else and you thought they said lemonade?† â€Å"Lemonade is what they said.† Seldon had to be satisfied with that. â€Å"Well, run off and have a good time, Wanda. Forget about the dream.† â€Å"All right, Grandpa.† She cheered up as soon as the matter of the dream was dismissed and off she went to join the festivities. Seldon went to search for Manella. It took him an extraordinarily long time to find her, since, at every step, he was stopped, greeted, and conversed with. Finally he saw her in the distance. Muttering, â€Å"Pardon me- Pardon me-There's someone I must-Pardon me-,† he worked his way over to her with considerable trouble. â€Å"Manella,† he said and drew her off to one side, smiling mechanically in all directions. â€Å"Yes, Hari,† she said. â€Å"Is something wrong?† â€Å"It's Wanda's dream.† â€Å"Don't tell me she's still talking about it.† â€Å"Well, it's still bothering her. Listen, we have lemonade at the party, haven't we?† â€Å"Of course, the children adore it. I've added a couple of dozen different Mycogenian taste buds to very small glasses of different shapes and the children try them one after the other to see which taste best. The adults have been drinking it, too. I have. Why don't you taste it, Hari? It's great.† â€Å"I'm thinking. If it wasn't a dream, if the child really heard two men speak of lemonade death-† He paused, as though ashamed to continue. Manella said, â€Å"Are you thinking that someone poisoned the lemonade? That's ridiculous. By now every child in the place would be sick or dying.† â€Å"I know,† muttered Seldon. â€Å"I know.† He wandered off and almost didn't see Dors when he passed her. She seized his elbow. â€Å"Why the face?† she said. â€Å"You look concerned.† â€Å"I've been thinking of Wanda's lemonade death.† â€Å"So have I, but I can't make anything of it so far.† â€Å"I can't help but think of the possibility of poisoning.† â€Å"Don't. I assure you that every bit of food that came into this party has been molecularly checked. I know you'll think that's my typical paranoia, but my task is guarding you and that is what I must do.† â€Å"And everything is-â€Å" â€Å"No poison. I promise you.† Seldon smiled, â€Å"Well, good. That's a relief. I didn't really think-â€Å" â€Å"Let's hope not,† said Dors dryly. â€Å"What concerns me far more than this myth of poison is that I have heard that you're going to be seeing that monster Tennar in a few days.† â€Å"Don't call him a monster, Dors. Be careful. We're surrounded by ears and tongues.† Dors immediately lowered her voice. â€Å"I suppose you're right. Look 'round. All these smiling faces-and yet who knows which of our friends will be reporting back to the head and his henchmen when the night is over? Ah, humans! Even after all these thousands of centuries, to think that such base treachery still exists. It seems to me to be so unnecessary. Yet I know the harm it can do. That is why I must go with you, Hari.† â€Å"Impossible, Dors. It would just complicate matters for me. I'll go Myself and I'll have no trouble.† â€Å"You would have no idea how to handle the General.† Seldon looked grave. â€Å"And you would? You sound exactly like Elar. He, too, is convinced that I am a helpless old fool. He, too, wants to come with me-or, rather, to go in my place. I wonder how many people on Trantor are willing to take my place,† he added with clear sarcasm. â€Å"Dozens? Millions?† 12 For ten years the Galactic Empire had been without an Emperor, but there was no indication of that fact in the way the Imperial Palace grounds were operated. Millennia of custom made the absence of an Emperor meaningless. It meant, of course, that there was no figure in Imperial robes to preside over formalities of one sort or another. No Imperial voice gave orders; no Imperial wishes made themselves known; no Imperial gratifications or annoyances made themselves felt; no Imperial pleasures warmed either Palace; no Imperial sicknesses cast them in gloom. The Emperor's own quarters in the Small Palace were empty-the Imperial family did not exist. And yet the army of gardeners kept the grounds in perfect condition. An army of service people kept the buildings in top shape. The Emperor's bed-never slept in-was made with fresh sheets every day; the rooms were cleaned; everything worked as it always worked; and the entire Imperial staff, from top to bottom, worked as they had always worked. The top officials gave commands as they would have done if the Emperor had lived, commands that they knew the Emperor would have given. In many cases, in particular in the higher echelons, the personnel were the same as those who had been there on Cleon's last day of life. The new personnel who had been taken on were carefully molded and trained into the traditions they would have to serve. It was as though the Empire, accustomed to the rule of an Emperor, insisted on this â€Å"ghost rule† to hold the Empire together. The junta knew this-or, if they didn't, they felt it vaguely. In ten years none of those military men who had commanded the Empire had moved into the Emperor's private quarters in the Small Palace. Whatever these men were, they were not Imperial and they knew they had no rights there. A populace that endured the loss of liberty would not endure any sign of irreverence to the Emperor-alive or dead. Even General Tennar had not moved into the graceful structure that had housed the Emperors of a dozen different dynasties for so long. He had made his home and office in one of the structures built on the outskirts of the grounds-eyesores, but eyesores that were built like fortresses, sturdy enough to withstand a siege, with outlying buildings in which an enormous force of guards was housed. Tennar was a stocky man, with a mustache. It was not a vigorous overflowing Dahlite mustache but one that was carefully clipped and fitted to the upper lip, leaving a strip of skin between the hair and the line of the lip. It was a reddish mustache and Tennar had cold blue eyes. He had probably been a handsome man in his younger days, but his face was pudgy now and his eyes were slits that expressed anger more often than any other emotion. So he said angrily-as one would, who felt himself to be absolute master of millions of worlds and yet who dared not call himself an Emperor-to Hender Linn, â€Å"I can establish a dynasty of my own.† He hooked around with a scowl. â€Å"This is not a fitting place for the master of the Empire.† Linn said softly, â€Å"To be master is what is important. Better to be a master in a cubicle than a figurehead in a palace.† â€Å"Best yet, to be master in a palace. Why not?† Linn bore the title of colonel, but it is quite certain that he had never engaged in any military action. His function was that of telling Tennar what he wanted to hear-and of carrying his orders, unchanged, to others. On occasion-if it seemed safe-he might try to steer Tennar into more prudent courses. Linn was well known as â€Å"Tennar's lackey† and knew that was how he was known. It did not bother him. As lackey, he was safe-and he had seen the downfall of those who had been too proud to be lackeys. The time might, of course, come when Tennar himself would be buried in the ever-changing junta panorama, but Linn felt, with a certain amount of philosophy, that he would be aware of it in time and save himself. Or he might not. There was a price for everything. â€Å"No reason why you can't found a dynasty, General,† said Linn. Many others have done it in the long Imperial history. Still, it takes time. The people are slow to adapt. It is usually only the second or even third of the dynasty who is fully accepted as Emperor.† â€Å"I don't believe that. I need merely announce myself as new Emperor. Who will dare quarrel with that? My grip is tight.† â€Å"So it is, General. Your power is unquestioned on Trantor and in most of the Inner Worlds, yet it is possible that many in the farther Outer Worlds will not just yet-**accept a new Imperial dynasty.† â€Å"Inner Worlds or Outer Worlds, military force rules all. That is an old Imperial maxim.† â€Å"And a good one,† said Linn, â€Å"but many of the provinces have armed forces of their own, nowadays, that they may not use on your behalf. These are difficult times.† â€Å"You counsel caution, then.† â€Å"I always counsel caution, General.† â€Å"And someday you may counsel it once too often.† Linn bent his head. â€Å"I can only counsel what seems to me to be good and useful to you, General.† â€Å"As in your constant harping to me about this Hari Seldon.† â€Å"He is your greatest danger, General.† â€Å"So you keep saying, but I don't see it. He's just a college professor.† Linn said, â€Å"So he is, but he was once First Minister.† â€Å"I know, but that was in Cleon's time. Has he done anything since? With times being difficult and with the governors of the provinces being fractious, why is a professor my greatest danger?† â€Å"It is sometimes a mistake,† said Linn carefully (for one had to be careful in educating the General), â€Å"to suppose that a quiet unobtrusive man can be harmless. Seldon has been anything but harmless to those he has opposed. Twenty years ago the Joranumite movement almost destroyed Cleon's powerful First Minister, Eto Demerzel.† Tennar nodded, but the slight frown on his face betrayed his effort to remember the matter. â€Å"It was Seldon who destroyed Joranum and who succeeded Demerzel as First Minister. The Joranumite movement survived, however, and Seldon engineered its destruction, too, but not before it succeeded in bringing about the assassination of Cleon.† â€Å"But Seldon survived that, didn't he?† â€Å"You are perfectly correct. Seldon survived.† â€Å"That is strange. To have permitted an Imperial assassination should have meant death for a First Minister.† â€Å"So it should have. Nevertheless, the junta has allowed him to live. It seemed wiser to do so.† â€Å"Why?† Linn sighed internally. â€Å"There is something called psychohistory, General.† â€Å"I know nothing about that,† said Tennar flatly. Actually he had a vague memory of Linn trying to talk to him on a number of occasions concerning this strange collection of syllables. He had never wanted to listen and Linn had known better than to push the matter. Tennar didn't want to listen now, either, but there seemed to be a hidden urgency in Linn's words. Perhaps, Tennar thought, he had now better listen. â€Å"Almost no one knows anything about it,† said Linn, â€Å"yet there are a few-uh-intellectuals, who find it of interest.† â€Å"And what is it?† â€Å"It is a complex system of mathematics.† Tennar shook his head. â€Å"Leave me out of that, please. I can count my military divisions. That's all the mathematics I need.† â€Å"The story is,† said Linn, â€Å"that psychohistory may make it possible to predict the future.† The General's eyes bulged. â€Å"You mean this Seldon is a fortune-teller?†** â€Å"Not in the usual fashion. It is a matter of science.† â€Å"I don't believe it.† â€Å"It is hard to believe, but Seldon has become something of a cult figure here on Trantor-and in certain places in the Outer Worlds. Now psychohistory-if it can be used to predict the future or if even people merely think it can be so used-can be a powerful tool with which to uphold the regime. I'm sure you have already seen this, General. One need merely predict our regime will endure and bring forth peace and prosperity for the Empire. People, believing this, will help make it a self-fulfilling prophecy. On the other hand, if Seldon wishes the reverse, he can predict civil war and ruin. People will believe that, too, and that would destabilize the regime.† â€Å"In that case, Colonel, we simply make sure that the predictions of psychohistory are what we want them to be.† â€Å"It would be Seldon who would have to make them and he is not a friend of the regime. It is important, General, that we differentiate between the Project that is working at Streeling University to perfect psychohistory and Hari Seldon. Psychohistory can be extremely useful to us, but it will be so only if someone other than Seldon were in charge.† â€Å"Are there others who could be?† â€Å"Oh yes. It is only necessary to get rid of Seldon.† â€Å"What is so difficult with that? An order of execution-and it is done.† â€Å"It would be better, General, if the government was not seen to be directly involved in such a thing.† â€Å"I have arranged to have him meet with you, so that you can use your skill to probe his personality. You would then be able to judge whether certain suggestions I have in mind are worthwhile or not.† â€Å"When is the meeting to take place?† â€Å"It was to take place very soon, but his representatives at the Project asked for a few days leeway, because they were in the process of celebrating his birthday-his sixtieth, apparently. It seemed wise to allow that and to permit a week's delay.† â€Å"Why?† demanded Tennar. â€Å"I dislike any display of weakness.† â€Å"Quite right, General. Quite right. Your instincts are, as always, correct. However, it seemed to me that the needs of the state might require us to know what and how the birthday celebration-which is taking place right now-might involve.† â€Å"Why?† â€Å"All knowledge is useful. Would you care to see some of the festivities?† General Tennar's face remained dark. â€Å"Is that necessary?† â€Å"I think you will find it interesting, General.† The reproduction-sight and sound-was excellent and for quite a while the hilarity of the birthday celebration filled the rather stark room in which the General sat. Linn's low voice served as commentary. â€Å"Most of this, General, is taking place in the Project complex, but the rest of the University is involved. We will have an air view in a few moments and you will see that the celebration covers a wide area. In fact, though I don't have the evidence available right now, there are corners of the planet here and there, in various University and sectoral settings mostly, where what we might call ‘sympathy celebrations' of one sort or another are taking place. The celebrations are still continuing and will endure for another day at least.† â€Å"Are you telling me that this is a Trantor-wide celebration?† â€Å"In a specialized way. It affects mostly the intellectual classes, but it is surprisingly widespread. It may even be that there is some shouting on worlds other than Trantor.† â€Å"Where did you get this reproduction?† Linn smiled. â€Å"Our facilities in the Project are quite good. We have reliable sources of information, so that little can happen that doesn't come our way at once.† â€Å"Well then, Linn, what are all your conclusions about this?† â€Å"It seems to me, General, and I'm sure that it seems so to you, that Hari Seldon is the focus of a personality cult. He has so identified himself with psychohistory that if we were to get rid of him in too open a manner, we would entirely destroy the credibility of the science. It would be useless to us. â€Å"On the other hand, General, Seldon is growing old and it is not difficult to imagine him being replaced by another man: someone we could choose and who would be friendly to our great aims and hopes for the Empire. If Seldon could be removed in such a way that it is made to seem natural, then that is all we need.† The General said, â€Å"And you think I ought to see him?† â€Å"Yes, in order to weigh his quality and decide what we ought to do. But we must be cautious, for he is a popular man.† â€Å"I have dealt with popular people before,† said Tennar darkly.

Employee Turnover in Hong Kong's hospitality industry Essay

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Situation Analysis (Marketing Reserch) - Essay Example Like any large American company, GM has also diversified its operations to include strategic partnerships with other companies and has a part in making electronic components for aircraft as well as various parts for other equipment. GM’s core product is the manufacturing of automobiles. These products are divided into several divisions that have different brand names, each designed to appeal to a different demographic part of the market. For example, the company produces both the Chevrolet and Cadillac lines. Chevrolet vehicles are designed for the market segment that wants basic and affordable transportation. The Cadillac line, however, is made for the high-end consumer who wants performance or prestige and doesn’t mind paying much higher prices for a vehicle. The company also has products in many different countries that are specifically designed for the customers who live there. Industry Trends. The automotive industry is highly competitive, and requires GM to constantly consider what the customers want and how to efficiently provide for the demands in the market. One of the major trends in the automotive industry is the fragmentation of the market, due to competition from other manufacturers outside the country. This has required a change in the location of production plants. GM and other automakers used to follow production concept called the â€Å"regional branch concept† where, because automobiles are â€Å"bulky products fabricated from thousands of parts, automobiles were assembled as close as possible to consumers in order to minimize aggregate freight costs† (Rubenstein 137). Now, given the changes in the market, they employ a more centralized procedure that considers the primary consumer of that particular brand and build production plants in places that allow easy delivery to several markets. Another major trend in the industry is the move to hybrid vehicles. As

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Corporate social responsibility - Essay Example The primary object of business is to supply quality goods and services to the consumers through the creation of utilities. Peter Drucker (1974) enumerates 8 key areas in which objectives of performance and results are to be set. They are marketing, innovation, human organization, financial resources, physical resources, productivity, social responsibility and profit requirements. Every business organization like everyone, lives in the midst of laws of the land, government regulations, economic conditions, changing consumer preferences, technological changes, culture, values system and business ethics of the society. All these factors constitute the business environment. A business organization and its environment are mutually interdependent, interacting with each other continuously. Environment is the supra-system of which the firm is only a small subunit. It can survive and thrive only when the environment desires its output of goods and services and is prepared to approve of an end orse its activities. Business organization had grown from the time immemorial, with the advent of industrial revolution, business organization, controlled by few thrive towards profit maximization. Industrial revolution changed the whole concept of business and capitalistic approach and individual profit making takes the prime objective. But during the 20th century it has changed. More democratic governments and their control but a brake on profit maximization tendencies of the organization and diverted them towards employee welfare and social welfare activities. Governments through various legislations are safeguarding interest of employees. Later on due to technological innovations and global connectivity the whole concept of business has changed. Development of technologies posses’ opportunities and uncertainties as well as risk and challenges, which can make or mar the future of business. Economic environment such as changes in competition, demand, lifestyle, consumer

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Performance appraisal - Essay Example To make a worker realize his responsibility is the duty of that organization. One gets paid for one’s performance which is known as ‘pay for performance’ in a corporate world. An organization can decide the wages for an employee based on the performance appraisal, the ratings of which ranges from interpersonal skills, technical skills, and various other assets. While one of its functions being wage increment, the other is to determine if the tasks given for a team is being carried out in a timely fashion and appropriately. This has a positive impact on the growth of the organization and in finding out areas that require bigger improvement. Organizations prefer having a performance appraisal once in every 3 to 6 months to determine increments in wages. This illustrates how dominant a performance appraisal is in superior firms especially in Multinational Corporations where more than a million employees work with analogous qualifications. It is not essential that app raisals are meant to be positive. Rather a pessimistic feedback in an optimistic style can foster perfection in the employee. Different categories of performance appraisal include general, technological, manager, employee self-assessment, and Project evaluation appraisals of which general appraisal is an overall feedback about how far the team has completed an assigned project with all the requirements met properly. An outlook on technical proficiency of an employee with his specialization set right is what technological appraisal focuses on.

How does politics construct morality in John Fords The Man Who Shot Essay

How does politics construct morality in John Fords The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) - Essay Example This essay focuses on the argument that John Ford’s film The Man Who Shot Liberty Valencia, wants us to question validity of the true nature of political heroism and the power of written law. In the contemporary society, heroism is quite fragile and can be easily destroyed by the media. However, the dialogues between most actors in Ford’s film portray heroism as relative to the level of arrogance an individual can portray. The Man who Shot Liberty Valance sensationalizes the challenges associated with establishing political order in accordance with the rule of law. For example, Stoddard is given credit for killing Liberty Valance who had caused a lot of instability in the town through his violent actions. The wrongful credit enables Stoddard attain great political favors and he ends up a marrying Hallie, a woman who was also loved by Doniphin. Therefore, Stoddard gets fame out of an action done by Doniphon and end up taking away the woman he loved. He even ends up dying unrecognized. Therefore, the man who removed the hindrance to the developments in the town ends up unrecognized. Moreover, Stoddard confesses to a newspaper editor about the true story, the editor ignores the true story and publishes the untruthful one (Stewart, Wayne, and Miles Web). The political aspect of the film focuses on Ransom Stoddard who is considered a hero since people assume he managed to kill the dreaded Liberty Valance. However, the actual hero in the shadows of political reality is Tom Doniphon since he was responsible for the killing under question. The reality of political heroism is evident when shooting of evil Liberty Valance by a civilian is considered a depiction of heroism even in the eyes of law (Stewart, Wayne, and Miles Web). The film addresses the issue of how law shapes the political arena. The film was produced in black and white to provide the uncertainty surrounding Stoddard memories, which he is

Hospitality Industry Placement Subject Assignment

Hospitality Industry Placement Subject - Assignment Example During my tenure within the workplace for the past 1 year, my prime aim has been to ensure friendly along with competent food and beverage related service which leaves up to the expectations of the guests at this well-acclaimed restaurant. The Chinese restaurant i.e. Iron Chef in situated in Cabramata, NSW Australia. I had obtained the scope of performing the assigned job role during the course of doing Bachelor of Business major in hospitality (2012-2013). Within the course I have come across, a number of concepts such as customer relations, systems and procedures, human resource responsibilities along with health & safety. Subsequently, the provided learning experience during placement has facilitated me to attain hands on experience regarding these academic notions. With these understandings, the report is being submitted with an aim to integrate the real workplace experience with the academic learning. 2. Description of the Organisation Iron Chef Chinese Seafood Restaurant is a p opular seafood restaurant in Australia. It delivers around 200 varieties of dishes to the customers (Iron Chef, n.d.). It has different luxury private dining rooms, each with unique themes and styles. Each room is decorated and is constructed with art audio and visual facilities. In this restaurant, all the offered dishes are very delicious and attract a lot of guests who are primarily seafood lovers. The offered delicious foods come in a variety of flavours. The restaurant also offers the facility to arrange certain occasions such as wedding, and birthday party among others (Iron Chef, n.d.). Despite the fact that the restaurant offers an exclusive location for the guests with high quality seafood,... It has been observed that Iron Chef is one of the leading Chinese Seafood and eco-friendly restaurants of Australia which offers special dishes for the Chinese people but it also offers certain local dishes for the residents of Australia. All the dishes of Iron Chef are delicious and the rooms of the restaurant are well-furnished and decorated, moreover it also has some luxury facilities. Despite the fact that the restaurant has been quite successful to meet the ever-evolving challenges in the Australian marketplace, it needs to focus on ensuring a greater visibility of the restaurant amid the global consumers. Iron Chef can provide greater focus on marketing and promotional activities to draw major consumer base. In addition, it also needs to render greater emphasis on training and development activities of its managerial level and supervisory level employees. Another factor which needs to be considered is inventory management which could enable Iron Chef to minimise its overall ope rational expenses by a considerable extent.

International Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

International Business - Essay Example Among these is the fact the assumption that the problem with Greece is based on liquidity instead of solvency. While there might be a problem with liquidity in Greece, the problem that is affecting it most is solvency, something that is not being considered. Instead, the IMF and the European Union are treating the crisis as one of liquidity and they have taken steps to counter it as such. This has not helped Greece recover and may, in fact have made the problem worse than it already was. A second issue about how financial markets work that has been ignored is the fact that the Greek debt will be sustainable in the future and that the economy will eventually absorb all the debt that it currently has. What has not been considered is that financial markets do not work well with uncertainties (such as future sustainability) and instead, they only gain confidence if action and their results are seen immediately. The third issue that has come to affect the Greek economy is that its governm ent was given loans way before a plan on how to spend the money given was made. This ensured that there would be a problem with how the money was spent, because it ended up being lost because of unplanned spending. The fourth issue discussed in the article is that fact that while Greece has been promised enough financial support to end its crisis effectively, it has become almost impossible to implement its recovery program because most of the money has yet to be received. Instead, most of the money received has been given in bits and this has made it impossible for the economy to recover. This has made the financial markets wary of taking part in the Greek economy as its future has become uncertain. When one considers the points brought up in the article, one concludes that the Greek financial crisis is something that can be solved if only the people and organizations involved would work faster than they already are to end it. The only way through which this crisis can be solved is if the financial markets can regain the confidence they once had in the Greek economy. The support of these markets would ensure that the flow of money into Greece would become stable and that its liquidity and solvency problems would end. The only way open for the Greek economy to be saved is for all the money that was promised to be made available at once to ensure stability in the financial markets. International monetary systems The article by Jack Ewing discusses the international monetary systems, dealing specifically with the Eurozone, which has for the last few years had to deal with various economic crises. Among these is that fact that many of the countries in this zone have are in either recession or are about to enter one. This has seriously threatened the Euro and until recently, many had even questioned if this monetary system was viable. There had been fears that because of the financial crisis encountered by Greece, then this country would withdraw from the Eurozone , thus leading others into abandoning the currency. However, this was not the case, and in fact, the year 2012 saw a recovery in confidence for this monetary system as it continued to perform well. The countries whose economies were expected to collapse such as Spain and Italy did not turn out as expected despite remaining deep in recession. This encouraged the continued confidence in the Euro and the belief that things would be much worse if this monetary

The Human Nature Of Christ Essay Example for Free

The Human Nature Of Christ Essay Obvious to all was the need for a saviour. The Gentiles needed a Saviour but the Jews wanted a King that would restore the Kingdom to Israel. Men waited eagerly for divine intervention in the ugly course of human history that has been marred by series of wars and perpetual ‘coups and countercoups’. From the Assyrians, Medo-Persians, the Greek, the Babylonians to the Romans Caesars who laid heavy tax burden on the inhabitants of their territory. Men and women, elders and children earnestly longed for the salvation of man from the shackles of Kingdom leaders and the bondage of sin. Prophecies had being made about this Saviour for the Jews and the whole world: in the synagogues and temples, these were read to them on the Sabbath and many knew that a man would save. (Isaiah 9:6). They went to the Baptism of John with the true assurance and trust in that ministry that announced and prepared the heart and minds of all for the Saviour’s arrival. They knew about Him. They had heard readings about Him in the Scripture and they drew closer to His formal appearing. John the Baptist, made an excellent entrance in the scene preparing their totality to receive their Saviour. (John1: 6-9) But their interpretation of this message was diverse. They asked: When would he arrive? What would He look like? How would He come? How would He save Israel and the world? Soon, the Incarnate Word and Saviour arrived through the Virgin birth. Although born in a manger, He was the Christ, the Messiah. He had a mother Mary and his earthly father, Joseph was a man of integrity with listening hears for God and willing heart to obey. He lived in a family. He even learnt the trade of Joseph: carpentry. He played with the children in the courtyard and so, they knew him as the brother of James and John. Their neighbors in Nazareth saw him a number of times assisting Joseph with orders. He, ate, traveled, and wept, felt hungry, agonized deeply, during his ministry that lasted slightly over three years. Then, he died a shameful death like that of a thief on the Cross. He was also equal with God: He was God himself. He was both Human and divine, but now with a resurrected and unblemished body and seated at the right hand of the Father. He is the Advocate of those who believe in and have confessed His Lordship. He is the Impartial Judge that would judge all men according to the works they have done in the body. (Revelations 22:12) THE NATURE OF MAN Man is a tripartite being with three entities in one: the spirit, soul and body. Different theologians over the years have spent time, engaged in research to fully comprehend the elusive nature of the dichotomy of soul and spirit. Of these, it is important to note that three entities that make a total man are entrenched in His nature. This understanding is important in coming to a reasonable and logical conclusion on the humanity of Christ. Man is a spirit being, he lives in a body and has a soul. The spirit is the quintessence of a man: it is this part that has connection to the spiritual world. It is the core of the living soul. The spirit of a man is the avenue for contact with the spirit of God. A man without this spirit is dead: He is like the molded man without the breath of God. â€Å"In your soulical parts are at least three dominant areas or ‘worlds’. The first world of the soul is the mind, your thought centre. The Second tremendous element within you is your emotional life. The third world of the soul is the area of decision, your willpower† (Sumrall, 1970) The soul of man is made up of mind, emotions and will. These three are interwoven and work in quick succession and sometimes overlap. The mind avails man the opportunity to think; emotions, the ability to feel; and willpower, the capacity to decide and be true to such choices. The Body includes the anatomy of real human body. This is subject to the outputs of the soul. It includes all the parts of the body: eyes, nose, hands, legs, head, abdomen, thorax and neck etc which are used in fulfilling intended desires. THE FALL OF MAN At the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, man experienced a spiritual death: the spirit was cut off from its direct and perpetual contact with the Spirit of God. â€Å"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without from and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters† (Genesis 1: 1, 2) In this vein, man was ‘without form and void’, and darkness was upon his soul. He had lost contact with heaven. He sold his birthright to the devil and was burdened by this darkness. Already within him was already planted a worship tendency. However, God was far from him to worship. As a result, the soul was placed perpetually under the influence of darkness, under the tutelage of the devil and his cohorts. The activities and outputs of the soul antagonized the program of God. Man’s heart was turned against his creator. This necessitated a Saviour to restore man back to his Eden position. PATHWAY OF REDEMPTION Throughout the Old Testament, God sent and used his chosen prophets to teach, warn and instruct the world. A hallmark of the restoration pathway available at that period was the sacrificing of animals as atonement for sins. God has been interested in man’s salvation and his unfailing love made the offering of this sacrifice acceptable as penance for evil acts. It was important to hear God and do his will. In order for this to be achieved, there has to be an entrance into the Presence of God in holies of holies of the temple. Preparations were made so that appearance before God was holy and acceptable. Until this is done, it is difficult to communicate with Heaven. Priests were prepared for this task. Everyone was also involved, having being purged by the blood of the sacrificed animals. THE CLIMAX OF REDEMPTION Man needed more than the blood of goats and ram: God’s love was expressed perpetually through His prophets over the years throughout the days of the New Testament. God shows His Love towards us that while we were still sinners, Christ died for all. To show His love towards us, God sent His Only Begotten in the fullness of time to come and show man the true and only way to live for their Creator and fulfill the Intended Purpose He had for them. (John 3:16) Before the resurrection, Jesus Christ who lived among first with His family and later with His chosen Disciples, demonstrated to man the lifestyle that is truly acceptable to God; He submitted to the father’s will at every and all situations because the Father and Son are one. He did what He heard from the Father . He had embedded in His person the Divine Nature which accomplished supernatural things on Earth. He showed to man the depth and strength of God’s love. THE DUALITY OF CHRIST’S NATURE Let’s start this with the Nicene Creed of 325: ‘We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, and Maker of all things visible and invisible, and in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, begotten of the Father [the only-begotten; that is, of the essence of the Father, God of God], Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made [both in heaven and on earth]; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down and was incarnate and was made man; he suffered, and the third day he rose again, ascended into heaven; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead, and in the Holy Ghost. † Jesus Christ was divine and human; He expressed His Divinity in diverse capacities: He forgave sins; was omnipotent healing the sick and all that were oppressed of the Devil; was asserted as Messiah by His disciples, was omniscient knowing all things including the intents of the Scribes and Pharisees before they uttered statements; was omnipresent both on Earth and in the presence of the father in heaven; walked on water against the Law of Gravity. He was accused of blasphemy because He claimed to have existed before Abraham (Matthew 26:63) This Claim that Jesus Christ is God was affirmed throughout the writings of the Apostles in the New Testament: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1). He was described as the Creator of the Universe, the soon coming king and the Impartial that would judge the whole world, attributes that are totally divine and belong to God. (Hebrews 1). This was not refuted by Him when Thomas addressed Him as ‘My Lord and My God. (John 20:28). This confirmed His Messianic reality and the indwelling Divine nature. HIS HUMAN NATURE â€Å"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold our profession. For we have not an high priest which can not be touched with the feelings of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. † (Hebrews 4: 14, 15 ) â€Å"And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory of the only Begotten of the Father,), full of grace and truth† (John 1: 14) â€Å"Let this mind also be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God But made Himself of no reputation and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in the as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient to death, even the death of the Cross. Wherefore God also has highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in Heaven, and things in earth, and things under the Earth. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. † (Philippians 2: 5-11). With the two verses sited above, it is sufficient to come to a reasonable conclusion that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Saviour of the Jews and the Gentiles: that Jesus was and is God, the Word of the Father incarnated in the flesh, made like us, lived like us; that Jesus felt all we felt: He was hungry and the fig tree suffered for lack of fruits to quench the hunger. He wept for His friend, Lazarus (John 10:35). He felt the heavy burden of agony in Gethsemane and Golgotha. He felt rejected and forsaken on the Christ; that Jesus had the form of man: He was man, everything man. Although, it was shame for Him to leave a glorious abode in heaven and take the shape of a fallen man, but He had to do to correct the errors of Adam and birth in all men who believe in Him, a new heart and a living soul. He proved to the Devil that God’s Love is His nature and reigns supreme; that the God is both full of Love yet Just, that He is kind, yet impartial, that He is good, yet fearless. Christ Jesus, the Son, took on the form of man to save him. He humbled himself, yet did not deny His Divinity. He Humbled Him even unto the shameful death of the Cross. And the Cross, His death and ultimately His resurrection confirmed His Purpose on the earth. He died and rose: rose up by the power of the Spirit, and so became a quickening spirit. Christ Jesus rose up proving beyond reasonable doubt that He could save man. The Apostles saw this and were strengthened in faith. The Devil and death could not hold Him down like all others who had gone before Him. He won the battle and rose up, and now is seated at the right hand of the Father. He is seated in the place of power and authority, the angle of the Judge of the World. (Ephesians 1:20-23) Let all who believe in Him and live today say He is God. Let all declare that He was man, but now with a resurrected body, seated as the Head of the Church. Let all man proclaim Him as Lord for He is Lord. No greater evidence exists than the writings of eyewitnesses of this Glory. Let all men declare Jesus Christ as Hosanna, to Him is all the glory, honor, power and Majesty. (Revelations 4:11). Having examined different approaches available both in medieval and contemporary times about the Human nature of Christ, I come to this conclusion: the Apostles knew who they believe; they experienced his power and glory and were convinced about His Divinity and Human Nature. They preached Christ as the risen Lord, and even sacrificed their lives for the cause. The significance of the Waiting at the Upper room can not be overemphasized. They obeyed and received power. (Acts 1:8). They were bold and courageous because He that dwelt in them was greater than all opposing forces in the world. They got an indispensable witness, the Spirit of Light that showed them the Past, led them in their writings and comforted them in their times of distress. He quickened their mortal bodies and conformed them to the glorious Image of the Christ. Having fought a good fight of faith, they won, even at the death post. That victory is evidenced by believers all over the world who now declare that Jesus is Lord, to God’s Glory.

Disease trends of the delivery healthcare systems Essay Example for Free

Disease trends of the delivery healthcare systems Essay Advances in global health and science have assisted the disease trends. It has become a never ending mission to protect public health and safety through the control and prevention of disease as well as injury and disability. There have been noted demographic changes in the past 50 years that have resulted from changing trends in child, maternal, and adult death rates (CDC, 2011). Among these are rises in obesity and aging. As these health concerns continue to climb we will have a greater impact on the delivery of services from health care. The importance of these trends assists in prevention and protecting one’s self from new diseases and illnesses as well as old ones. One of the noted trends in healthcare is aging. Focusing on the world’s age composition is one way to understand the impacts and changes in further years to come. According to the US Census Bureau (2013), the elderly population age 65 and older during the twentieth century composed one in every twenty five individuals. In the twenty first century, this same population composed one in every 8 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2013). This showed that the life expectancy of humans has become longer. According to the U.S. Census Bureau (2013), the population in the United States in the year of 2010 was 308.7 million. This indicated a near 10 percent increase over the past ten years. This same 2010 census showed that the elderly population composed 13 percent as opposed to only being 9 percent in the year of 2000. The notable change was determined that there were fewer people in the 65-75 age range but there were more individuals in the 75-85 age ranges. It proved that there were more increasingly elderly individuals reaching into their seventies and even eighties. This increase in age showed that life expectancy and advances in medicine have contributed to individuals living longer lives. This would indicate that as long as medicines and healthcare continued to advance, so would the elderly population in growth. Environmental factors directly contribute to population growth. For one, as the population continues to grow in size, the  natural resources and undeveloped land becomes utilized to accommodate this expansion. Clearing the land and making it more desirable offers more room to continue additions in the population. This in turn offers an increase in the resources that can be utilized for healthcare and science in the creation of vaccines and medications. This increased development has also led to the finding of new resources such as unknown species of plants and animals. These newer found resources can be tested to see if they offer any properties in the expansion of healthcare and medications. The Medical Plant Consortium (2013) states, â€Å"Our major goal in this project has been to capture blue prints of medicinal plants for the advancement of drug discovery and development.† The medical plant consortium further adds well known medicines such as digoxin used for cardiac muscle stimulation comes from the fox glove plant and some of the chemotherapy medications such as vinchristine come from the periwinkle plant. Another noted environmental factor is that the population density has grown over the years. In addition to the population growth, land clearing has been increasing for the purpose of crops farmed for human consumption. The combination of needed developed land for farm crops and the growing population has only contributed to more land being cleared for further discoveries. Some of the changing demographics have been an increase in the population density. Over the years due to advancements in medications and healthcare improving the human life expectancy, th ere is an indicated increase of individuals per square mile than years prior. This is due to the slow development of land but also human life expectancy increasing. January 2011 ushered in the first of approximately 77 million baby boomers born from 1946 through 1964 and surging towards the gates of retirement. Each year 3.5 baby boomers turn 55.† This increase indicates that by 2030 there will be more than twice in the elderly population that in the year 2000 (Transgenerational, 2009). The aging trend is likely to experience an increase in the health issues of today. As we live longer there is more wear and tear to our bodies that developed the need for further medical assistance. As we age our blood vessels and arteries become stiffer causing the heart to have to work harder to function. The longer the heart has to function under this strain, the more likely complications will occur. These factors are directly linked to high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases. In addition with aging,  ones bones tend to lose bone mass. This not only weakens t hem increasing the risk for fracture but effects muscle function. Over time muscles lose flexibility and strength. These factors contribute to arthritis. According to the CDC (2013), one of ever two persons will knee arthritis and one in every four will develop hip arthritis. This clearly supports that disease and illness will become more likely as we age. In order to reduce health related problems in aging one should remain fit and incorporate an exercise regimen into their daily life. In addition eating a healthy diet, not smoking, managing stress and taking a daily supplement can help prolong age related diseases (CDC, 2013). Currently the obesity rate in the United States is nearly two of every three persons (Surgeon general, 2009). Research has shown that the united states have the highest population of obesity. A report done from July 2013 shown that the united stated passed the obesity rates of Mexico (Medical News Today, 2013). The U.S. obesity rate has grown from 13 percent in 1960 to 32 percent in 2004 (surgeon general, 2009). References: 1- Centers of Disease Control (CDC), 2010. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/distrnds.html 2- Department of Health and Human services, 2012. http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Aging_Statistics/index.aspx 3- U.S. Census Bureau, 2013. http://www.census.gov/population/socdemo/statbriefs/agebrief.html 4- U.S. Census Bureau, 2011. http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/briefs/c2010br-03.pdf 5- PHYS.org, 2013. http://phys.org/news/2011-12-medicinal-benefits.html 6- Transgenerational- design matters, 2009. http://transgenerational.org/aging/demographics.htm 7- Mayo clinic, 2013. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/aging/HA00040 8- Surgeon general, 2009. http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/news/testimony/obesity07162003.html 9- Medical News Today, 2013. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/265556.php

The Failure Of Business Process Reengineering Commerce Essay

The Failure Of Business Process Reengineering Commerce Essay Let us start with a little history. In 1990, Business Process re-engineering emerged as a concept for integrating information technology into business processes with a cross functional perspective (Childe, Maull Bennett, 1994, pp.22). Hammer and Champy(2001, p.35) on the other hand according to their famous book defined business process reengineering (BPR) as the fundamental rethinking and radical redesign of business processes to achieve dramatic improvements in critical contemporary measure of performance such as cost, quality, service and speed. BPR take in the methodologies, techniques from Information systems analysis, management, behaviour of the organisation and communication (Al-Hudhaif, 2009, pp.184). The pressure to meet expectations of customer is growing at a fast rate and Ronald tell us that the need for complete change is the way we work (as cited in Magutu, Nyamwange Kaptoge, 2010).The total quality management (TQM) is found to be used to manage system cost according to quality requirements and a discrete event simulation is used to perform process reengineering and process improvement (Borgianni, Cascini Rotini, 2008, 305-306). Hypothesis: For this essay, we have developed the below hypothesis Hypothesis 1: Resistant to change will is one of the top failure factors that lead to the failure of implementing of BPR since BPR is all about implementing dramatic changes. Business Process Reengineering Research: Various essay and studies estimated that about 70% failed to achieve the remarkable result that was intended (Hammer Champy, 2001, pp.221; Chamberlin, 2010, pp.14). It is due to the high failure rate that we need to investigate on it failure factors to identify why it failed. Elmuti and Kathawala (2000, pp.34) came out with the list of 10 failure factors that lead to BPR failure from a survey conducted. This survey was derived from the 24 organisations which were mentioned that they failed in BPR implementation out of the 146 questionnaires returned from the 500 questionaries sent out to organisations throughout the United States. The 10 failure factors are shown in figure 1. Figure 1: Failure factors that may contribute to business reengineering (Elmuti Kathawala, 2000). I would be discussing on the first 3 failure factors on the above figure 1 as Hammer and Champy(2001) on the other hand have another set of failure factors which in my opinions are more interesting to share. BPR failure factors: Inadequate understanding of business reengineering ( Elmuti Kathawala, 2000, pp.34) : You can understand something but you dont have to lead but you cant lead something you dont understand. Of the 24 organisations, 78 percentages of them saw business reengineering as a mass chaos where there were no clear directions or clear solutions to many of the organisation problems. Hammer and Champy(2001, pp.229) further supported that by stated that in order to succeed un BPR, only one who is capable of thinking about the entire value added chain from production to sales and service can take the lead in the reengineering attempt and not just any senior management who has no clue on what is BPR. Lack of an successful methodology to take on the reengineering plan( Elmuti Kathawala, 2000, pp.34) Having a detailed methodology allow the organisation to know how it is suppose to start implementing BPR (Elmuti Kathawala, 2000, pp.34). Carr and Johansson (1995, pp.86) stated that two third of the companies that surveyed used a structured framework or what they termed it as methodology. Carr and Johansson(1995, pp.86) informed that a methodoloy is 60 percent designed by a outside consultant, 20 percent developed in house and 20 percent a combination of consultant and in house. The advantage of an in house methodology is that it will present ideas that the employees are familiar with and easier to follow. An example of an methodology with regard to Aetna(Carr Johansson, 1995, pp.87) includes methods for below: Project Selection Project planning which needs requirements for: Defining a mission Defining critical success factors Internal and external scans Defining gaps today and predicting gaps to be filled in the future Objectives on what will be delivered , to whom and why Steps to be taken Team formation Project management done by a reengineering team A successful methodologies as stated by Carr and Johansson(1995, pp.87) is shown as below: A Successful BPR Framework Incorporates change management Provides for organisation communications Allow for radical change Prescribes clearly defined goal/ targets Provides a variety of tools to be used throughout processes as necessary Plans for customer/supplier input Integrates IT Is flexible enough to be tailored to the organisation needs. Lack of leadership support and low participation( Elmuti Kathawala, 2000, pp.34) Farina Group was one such organisation that has lack of higher management support that the business reengineering was abandoned (Newman Zhao, 2008, p.413). The top management from Farina apparently didnt want to change the business processes that are current existing when BPR is being implemented. Try to renovate a process instead of altering it (Hammer Champy, 2001, pp.222): Hammer and Champy(2001, pp.222) stated that the most conspicuous way to fail is to not reengineer at all but conducting process changes and called it reengineering. The IBM Credit Corporation is such example that used to do it this way and failed before they finally change for the better. They first tried to automate their existing process which enabled them to commit to computer software instead of the previous offline system. This did not balance the work load to minimise wait times which they intend to. After changing the whole process by using queuing theory and linear programming techniques, they finally were able to solve the whole problem. Dont focus on business processes(Hammer Champy, 2001, pp.223) BPR should look in on business processes and nothing else. This is due to organisations is only as efficient as it business processes (Hammer Champy, 2001, pp.223). An U.S subsidiary of major European company was one such example that failed in such a case by not defining the architecture of the work processes (Hammer Champy, 2001, pp.224). Cardarelli, Ritu Mohan(1998) also supported by saying that management must focus on the process and not event to make sure that the redesigned process affects the strategy positively now and into the future. Neglect peoples values and beliefs(Hammer Champy, 2001, pp.225) Hammer and Champy(2001, pp.225) stated that when radical changes occurs, there must be a form of rewarding mechanism that cultivate the employees to exhibit the right behaviours to changes. Ford and DRG are examples stated by Hammer and Champy to successfully adapt to such changes. Allow current corporate cultures and management attitudes to prevent reengineering from starting(Hammer Champy, 2001, pp.228) Hammer and Champy(2001, pp.228) stated that a company cultural characteristics can support or defeat a reengineering effort before it begin. They shared that companies that focus on short terms quarterly results may find it hard to be successful to reengineering longer horizons. Bias against conflict in organisation may feel uncomfortable challenging long established old rules. Make reengineering happen from bottom up: (Hammer Champy, 2001, pp.228) Hammer and Champy(2001, pp.228) stated that reengineering will never happen from bottom to top. Hammer and Champy(2001, pp.229) put it to two reasons on they are frontline employees and middle managers are unable to initiate and implement a successful reengineering effort. The first reason is that the push for reengineering must come from the top of an organisation as people near the front line lack the broad perspective that reengineering demands. Their expertise is largely bound to the individual functions and departments that they stay in. The second reason is that any business process will cross organisational boundaries and no midlevel managers will have the sufficient authority to insist on a process to be transformed. Furthermore, some of the affected middle managers will fear that major changes to existing processes might kill off their own power or authority. These managers have much invested in the existing ways of doing things and the future of the company may compromise t heir own career interests. They will fear changes and if radical changes threaten to bubble up, they may resist it. Only Strong leadership from above will induce people to accept the transformation changes. Bury reengineering in the middle of the corporate agenda(Hammer Champy, 2001, pp.230) Hammer and Champy(2001, pp.231) stated that if organisations do not put reengineering at the top of their agenda, they will never get it done. They mentioned that without constant managerial concern, the natural tendency of doing what people pretty much want will be reverted back. This will result BPR to fail altogether. Dissipate energy across a great many reengineering projects(Hammer Champy, 2001, pp.231) Hammer and Champy(2001, pp.231) stated that reengineering requires companies to concentrate their efforts on small number of processes at any given time. This is for example if customer service, research and development and sales processes all need radical redesign and nothing will really happen if all of them are done simultaneously. Attempt to reengineer when the CEO is two years from retirement(Hammer Champy, 2001, pp.231) Hammer and Champy(2001, pp.231) stated here that the CEO is the head of the business. If any organisation attempts to reengineer when the CEO is one or two years away from retiring may take a dim and unenthusiastic view to reengineering. They stated that this is because a retiree may not want to deal with such complex issues that will constraint a successor. Another problem raised by them is that when CEO is about to retire, contenders for that post will want to focus on impressing rather than doing reengineering which could hinder their advancement such as reengineering. Pull out when people start to resist to reengineering changes making(Hammer Champy, 2001, pp.233) Hammer and Champy(2001, pp.233) stated that people almost would resist to change. It is in a human trait to resist major changes. When managers are face to resistant and do not press on, it is almost likely that BPR will fail. Drag the effort out(Hammer Champy, 2001, pp.234) Hammer and Champy(2001, pp.234) stated that reengineering is known to be a stressful job for everyone. Stretching it over a long period will discomfort start to surface. Normally 1 year should be enough for a company to move from articulation of a case for action to the first release of a reengineered process. Taking longer and people may become frustrated and the reengineering will fall apart. Conclusion: Based on the research on the failure factors of BPR, we could conclude that our hypothesis is not fully correct. It is found in the survey by Elmuti Kathawala(2000) that non understanding of BPR as the top factors leading to failure. Resistant to changes has become ranked as number 5. Which allow me to come to a conclusion that although BPR is about dramatic changes, it is not necessary classified as the main factor for failure in the BPR implementation.

Alternatives to Human-embryo Stem-cell Research Essay -- Argumentative

Alternatives to Human-embryo Stem-cell Research      Ã‚   This essay counters the media and many scientists' claims that there are no viable alternatives to human-embryo stem-cell research (ESCR).    The media restate the claim (made repeatedly in NIH documents) that adult stem cells do not have the same potential as embryonic stem cells, which in theory can form any tissue. But studies done with adult stem cells (studies which mirror the ones done with embryonic stem cells) show that adult stem cells do have the capacity to form essentially any tissue.    The most misleading term which continues to be used is "pluripotent." Literally, this means able to form most (but not all) tissues. This term continues to be used incorrectly, primarily to imply that human embryonic stem cells can form all human tissues except "trophoblast" tissue - this is an essential outer layer of cells in the early embryo which allows it to implant into the uterine wall and nourishes early development. The trophoblast is also the part of the embryo removed in its destruction to harvest the inner embryonic stem cells. The phrase "human pluripotent stem cells" has been used to counter the question of whether human embryonic stem cells in culture could actually reform a human embryo, implying that this is not possible. Yet in testimony before the Senate, then-Director of the NIH, Harold Varmus, said that this possibility was uncertain, and that in fact it would be unethical to attempt such an experiment to determine whether this was possible (Varmus). Enter the te rm pluripotent - if the embryonic stem cells cannot form trophoblast, they cannot form an embryo. Mouse embryonic stem cells cannot form trophoblast tissue. BUT, as stated in Thomson... ... disputing that we are a human being even at the one-cell stage. It has never been acceptable to sacrifice one set of human lives for the potential benefit of others (and they are only potential benefits at this point.) Human embryonic stem cell research assigns different values to different human beings, designating some as people and some as property.    It is totally UNNECESSARY. Ethical alternatives exist such as adult stem cells which have already shown much more promise than embryonic cells, these results for adult stem cells are fully detailed in the scientific literature, and that adult stem cells are already being used clinically, making good on the potential that embryonic stem cells only promise.    WORKS CITED: Varmus, Harold. http://www.nih.gov/news/stemcell/statement.htm Thomson, Professor. http://www.erp.wisc.edu/faculty/thomson/

Chocky - Tv Vs The Book :: essays research papers

Chocky The Novel Chocky was written by John Wyndham and was later adapted into a TV drama by the BBC. The producers, Pamela Londale and Vic Hughes, kept the same title for the TV series as the Novel, and named it Chocky, but the Film text had some changes in events, different character interpretation and alternative way of showing foreshadowing. The Film version differs quite a lot from the Novel. There were a number of changes to the plot, but most of these were only little issues. One of the major differences in plot was Matthew’s relationship with Colin. Colin was Matthew’s next door neighbour in the Novel, but there was no close friendship or relationship between them. However in the Film, Colin is Matthew’s best friend, classmate and neighbour, whom Matthew was always visiting and playing with. One of biggest changes occurs in the character Piff. Piff was Polly’s long gone imaginary friend in the Novel who was only talked about, whilst in the Film Piff was still around and living. Another change from the Novel was the way in which Chocky helped Matthew. Chocky gave Matthew the ability to draw properly, helped him to swim and then save Polly, and taught Matthew to do the binary code in both texts. However in the Film Chocky also gave Matthew super strength to play cricket, develop fast reflexes to play computer games and do the rubix cubes at amazing speeds. The Film Editor, Oscar Webb left out some scenes and added some different ones. One of these new scenes included the visit to the planetarium. Later we saw Chocky entering Matthew’s body during a Maths class, along with other scenes in the class rooms, such as biology, not previously mentioned in the Novel. Also Matthew visited Colin’s house on numerous occasions and we saw Matthew’s Mother and Father shopping for a new car and then Matthew winning a cricket game. The editor also added more detailed facts about the holiday at the Cottage. All of these extra events added more to the Film than the original Novel. n 2 - The two texts had quite a few different character interpretations. One of the major differences being in the interpretation of Chocky. In the Novel Chocky was only a voice in Matthew’s head which Matthew would translate to other people, whilst in the film she had an actual voice which was presented by the Actor, Glynis Brookes’ voice.

Ecotage :: Environmental Activism Essays

Ecotage In recent decades, as environmental loss has grown as fast as our population, hundreds of plans, programs, groups and organizations have been established in order to uncover and solve the causes of world-wide environmental destruction. Many of these programs are initiated and funded by federal, state and local government and are mainly targeted at general problems and result in minimal success. Other groups have been formed by private parties who usually hold more compassion and concern for the causes they are working for. However, these organizations are easily hindered by political resistance and result in equally discouraging results. Of course, there have been many instances in which environmental groups have attained victory through political debates and litigation; yet the amount of failed attempts far outweighs the victories. Political debating is incredibly difficult due to the power and financial support given to politicians by special interest groups. However, there is one other form of activism which has had an incredible success rate, at least in gaining attention and forcing their voices to be heard. This form of activism, commonly referred to as ecotage, focuses precisely on the activities of companies and industries which seriously damage the environment. These actions are never aimed at harming individuals, while private property is for the destroying. One common act of ecotage is the driving of long metal spikes vertically through the base of trees. Subsequently, as the logger attempts to saw the 'spiked' tree, the chain on the saw snaps, thus delaying the murder of the tree as well as causing a financial burden for the individual or company. Other activities involve ruining bulldozers by adding sand or similar abrasives to the gasoline, which results in seized bulldozer engines. In times of increased urgency for the protection of our remaining ecosystems, organizations such as Greenpeace and Earth First! have proven their ability to be effective and have their voices heard regarding the permanent preservation of our dwindling environment. While Greenpeace has been the traditional radical environmentalist group of the 70's and 80's, modern, revolutionary type activists feel the 'peace' is now a higher priority than the 'green'. Earth First!, started by Dave Forman, has become the front-runner in civil disobedience and direct, non-violent environmental activism. Their principles are simple, "It is a belief in biocentrism, or Deep Ecology, and a practice of putting our beliefs into action" (Unclaimed, 1997 [see references]). Earth First! feels no regard for the well-being of anyone or thing except the environment and its natural inhabitants, thus the name Earth First!.

Albert Camus: Written Assignment Essay

During the interactive oral, we discussed the main theme of the meaninglessness of human life that is present in The Stranger by Albert Camus. We emphasized mainly on Meursault’s detached and unemotional characteristics, especially when the jury uses this against him at his trial: â€Å"He stated that I had no place in a society whose most fundamental rules I ignored† (102). Meursault is very isolated from his society, and during his trial all the odds are not in his favor because in this case Meursault is viewed as a minority when compared to the Arabs in Algeria. Even the prosecutor claims that Meursault does not feel remorse about killing the Arab, and this connects to the theme of the meaninglessness of human life, where Meursault’s feelings towards this entire case is mutual and religion, life, and death does not matter to him. In reference to the title, we also pinpointed that Meursault acts as the stranger when placed in this society because he is disconne cted and does not belong in this â€Å"normal† society, he is seen an outsider. And, we concluded that the character conflicts are targeted towards man versus society and man versus self. Because it is clear that Meursault does what comforts him the most instead of pleasing others and bothering to care about what everyone thinks about him. A major cultural impact that is presented in this novel is the idea of  religion and the role of the elderly. Based on the first chapter, we learn that Meursault puts his mother in an old people’s home, however, later we realize that the jury found this unacceptable. This gave Meursault a disadvantage against his murder case because in this society, it is morally wrong to put an elder relative in an elderly home. Also during the seminar we mentioned how religion plays an important role in this society, especially when the lawyer, the judge, and the priest tries to persuade Meursault into turning to religion, however, he does not believe that God exists and the judge even calls him â€Å"Monsieur Antichrist† (71). When he refuses to believe in God, it connects to the idea that life is meaningless and God does not replace the absurd significance of human life. Overall I learned that there are many cultural obligations that Meursault conflicts with in The Stranger and with these pressures; he struggles to face his society. An analysis of the symbolic significance of the motif of the sun in The Stranger The powerful effect of light can cast a shadow and blind those who come across its path. Power, especially too much, can influence the behavior of others and it can deceive people especially those who are different and follow a strange path from everyone else. Meursault in The Stranger, for example, is known as an outcast due to his actions and beliefs of life. However, he is a victim of the overpowering impact of light, he loses his way and the shadow of light influences his actions. In his novel, The Stranger, Albert Camus creates an intense atmosphere through his use of the sun as a motif. He accomplishes this by using the sun as the personification of Meursault’s inner emotions, the powerful imagery of the murder scene, and Meursault’s internal conflict. Throughout the novel, Camus uses the motif of the sun to construct the  intensity of the atmosphere during part one of the novel. The sun plays a role in influencing Meursault’s feelings especially when the sun is described as unbearable on the day of Maman’s funeral: â€Å"But today, with the sun bearing down, making the whole landscape shimmer with heat, it was inhuman and oppressive† (15). Camus uses a pathetic fallacy in his description of the sun as â€Å"oppressive† and â€Å"inhuman.† This helps to illustrate the sun’s devilish characteristics as its powerful impact that allows Meursault to forget about Maman’s death. Also Meursault is known to be a very indifferent and unemotional character however, whenever the sun is opposing him, it affects his behavior and allows him to express his emotions about his surroundings; and this contributes to the intensity of atmosphere. Another significant passage is when Meursault longs for shade and to be far away from the oppressive heat: â€Å"I was thinking of the cool spring behind the rock. I wanted to hear the murmur of its water again, to escape the sun and the strain†¦and to find shade at last† (57). This time the sun influences Meursault’s yearning desire to run away from the sun and this foreshadows Meursault’s desperate actions in killing the Arab. As the sun gets stronger, so does Meursault’s discomfort, and this reoccurring relationship symbolizes that the effect of the sun’s unbearable heat enhances Meursault’s desire to escape its penetrating control. In addition, the powerful strength of the sun returns and it contributes in building up to the climax of the novel: â€Å"It was this burning, which made me move forward† (59). The effect of the sun compels Meursault in killing the Arab with no intentions or reasons influencing his sudden action when his anxiety is released as he pulls the trigger. Camus uses the heat and the glare of the sun as a tool to release Meursault’s repressed emotions. Despite Meursault’s indifference towards his wrong doings, his actions and emotions, which the sun has possessed over him, do not explain Meursault’s irrational intent to surprisingly shoot the Arab and this connects to a major theme of the irrationality of the universe, which deprives Meursault from acting reasonability. Furthermore, the author’s intentions in personifying the sun’s possessive effect over Meursault’s emotions and irrational motives are to convey an intense atmosphere and its power to influence Meursault actions. Towards the end of part one of the novel, the author illustrates the build up  to the murder scene through the use of vivid descriptions and kinesthetic and visual imagery of the blazing sun in order to portray an overall atmosphere of the intense portrayals of nature and weather. When Meursault prevents Raymond from starting a bloody war with the Arabs, Raymond gives him the gun and Meursault notices that â€Å"The sun glinted off Raymond’s gun as he handed it to me†(56). This excerpt foreshadows the significance of the sun and gun since both items are associated with murdering the Arab, and these two items initiate the murder. Camus briefly mentions the sun glinting off the gun as a way to illustrate their connection and importance in the death scene, also the author focuses on pinpointing details about the sun and its powerful effects in order to create an intense atmosphere by emphasizing the sun’s visual descriptions. After the fight between Raymond and the Arab, Meursault takes a walk on the beach and he sees the Arab flashing his knife and this blinds Meursault as he illustrates that â€Å"The light shot off the steel and it was like a long flashing blade cutting at my forehead† (59). The author exemplifies the light intensity of the reflection of the blade to be blinding and painful through the use of both kinesthetic and visual imagery. This passage is significant in demonstrating the powerful effect of the sun and its strength in pushing Meursault to defy the limitations against nature. Even moments before Meursault pulls the trigger, tension begins to rise as if nature is pushing Meursault into killing the Arab: â€Å"The sea carried up a thick, fiery breath. It seemed to me as if the sky spilt open from one end to the other to rain down fire† (59). The use of diction such as â€Å"thick, fiery† evokes the intensity of visual imagery and the personification of the sun se rves to enhance the sun’s powerful influence over Meursault’s mind and unconscious actions. Perhaps nature is symbolically pressuring Meursault to murder the Arab and Camus surprisingly illustrates the time and setting of this scene in this way in order for it to come as a shock and therefore to support the concept of nature and its prevalent impact. Overall, the murder scene displays an intense illustration of Meursault’s surroundings through the use of kinesthetic and visual imagery of the sun’s power and control which helps develop a powerful environment. Particularly, the entire novel is based on the major conflict between Meursault and himself; this internal conflict portrays an intensive atmosphere that is represented through the influence of nature and weather,  which is depicted throughout the novel. In the beginning of the novel, the nurse at Mamam’s funeral gives Meursault significant advice when she says, â€Å"â€Å"If you go slowly, you risk getting sunstroke. But if you go too fast, you work up a sweat and then catch a chill inside the church.† She was right. There was no way out† (17). The nurse’s advice symbolizes that Meursault’s self-conflict with the sun is unavoidable just as Meursault’s fate is inescapable; such as when he fails to find ways to escape from his death sentence. The author decides to mention this passage to foreshadow Meursault’s unforeseen fate because Meursault’s murderous action is an unexpected plot twist, and this embodies nature’s powerful control over men, in which in this case it is between the sun and Meursault. Meursault’s battle with overcoming the heat of the sun is mainly demonstrated especially when tension is high such as when the group of Arabs is walking towards Meursault, Raymond, and Masson: â€Å"The sun was shining almost directly overhead onto the sand, and the glare on the water was unbearable† (52). As the scene begins to become more intense, the fight between Meursault and the weather becomes stronger as well, and this is demonstrated when Meursault describes his frustration from the sun’s intolerable heat. This excerpt clearly shows that Meursault’s constant war with his emotions and nature is powerful in connection with the intense atmosphere and since Meursault is u nable to conquer the overpowering heat, it that causes him to kill the Arab and he gives in to the sun’s compelling control. Also before Meursault’s trial, he even states that â€Å"I knew as soon as the weather turned hot that something new was in store for me† (82). Since Meursault did not know how much longer the judge would sentence him in prison, this passage did foreshadow that his trial would not turn out well. This again relates to the idea that when tension is high, the war between the sun’s heat and Meursault’s emotions is also intensified and Camus uses the motif of the sun to indicate that nature is against Meursault and to foreshadow Meursault’s fate. In conclusion, the influence of nature and weather as well as the motif of the sun and the role it plays to fight against Meursault’s internal emotions establishes an intensified setting. Unfortunately, mankind is overpowered by nature and the force of the light pushes Meursault to his breaking point. Meursault is unaware of the sun’s influential effect, however he is impacted by its controlling power. In the end, the sun’s strength forces Meursault to commit an immoral crime and even though his reasons are unintentional, he is rejected by society and is sentenced to a death penalty. The use of the motif of the sun in The Stranger by Albert Camus, develops a powerful atmosphere through the idea that the sun personifies Meursault by influencing his actions and feelings, the intense imagery of the murder scene, and Meursault’s inner conflict against the sun. Works Cited Camus, Albert, and Matthew Ward. The Stranger. New York: Vintage International, 1989. Print.