Operating Systems and Networking Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Operating Systems and Networking - Coursework Example This led to an unprecedented increase in student population from 900 to 1,500, in 2 years. Clearly, the student population and the number of staff members had outgrown the physical infrastructure at the college. In this regard, the college management, in 2004, decided to open a constituent college or campus in East London, to cater for the gradually increasing student and staff population. With the aim of meeting diverse labour requirements of the society, the college introduced, yet again, two more course, Finance studies and Computer Engineering. As a result, the student population increased to about 2,000, as did the staff members. This led to the opening of a third campus in 2008 in North London. Additionally, the college launched Distance and Open Learning program that targeted students both within and outside London. This move led to an increase in student population from 2,000 to 3,000. The London College of Law and IT, as at today, has three constituent colleges or campuses w ithin the greater, including, the School of Law, School of IT and the School of Finance and Accountancy. In addition, the college also has 10 open-learning study centres outside London and has more than 3, 000 students in total and more than 100 staff members (both part-time and fulltime academic staff). All the three campuses are independent in terms of administration and have staff offices, student lecture halls, student’s halls of residence, computer laboratory, and a library. Each of the 10 study centres have an administrative office, a library that doubles up as a computer laboratory, three study/reading rooms-1 for law student, 1 for IT students, and 1 for Finance and Accounting students-which also doubles up as examination centres. In all the three campuses and the 10-study centre, there several designated Wi-Fi hotspots that serve students with laptops and tablets. London College of Law and IT faces stiff competition from various colleges in London that offer Law, IT, financial studies, or both. Notable competition includes the Imperial College London, King’s College London, London College of Law, University College of London, and London College of Legal Studies, among others. b. Requirement Analysis: Computer networks link a collection of computers, hardware and software through specialized software, cabling systems and other devices, thus enabling their users to work together by sharing files and other resources, for example, printers and scanners (N. Olifer & V. Olifer, 2006). Today, computer networks are very important; they shape the way we live, study, work or play. They enable us to communicate, interact, learn, and collaborate in ways that we could not do before. For higher institutions of learning such as universities and colleges, digital communication with voice, video and data is critical to achieving todays educational and learning objectives. Therefore, a well and properly thought of and designed network is an essential re quirement for meeting day-to-day institutional functions or for doing business (White, 2012). Improving computer networks enable us to enjoy better and reliable data speeds, and new exciting services and applications such as video conferencing, IP telephony, education, ecommerce and more. Designing a new network would benefit the London

Netflix’s Business Model and Strategy Essay Example for Free

Netflix’s Business Model and Strategy Essay Netflix is the largest subscription service for sending DVD’s by mail and streaming movies and TV episodes over the internet. Netflix’s revenues grew from $500 million in 2004 to $519.8 million in 2010. Company’s net income increased from $21.6 million in 2004 to $141-156 million in 2010. It attracted 1.6 million subscribers in 2004 and had to 15 million subscribers by 2010. Reed Hastings founder and CEO of Netflix have pushed the company to outcompete its movie rental competitors by building the world’s best internet movie service. Netflix is the world largest online entertainment subscription service and revolutionized the way that people rent movies. Netflix has outcompete its rivals on the basis of differentiation features, with their higher quality, wider product selection, added performance and services, and has superior technology. Netflix has a large selection of DVDs to choose from. It maintains relationships with entertainment providers to expand the title selection. Movies are prescreened for customers based on peer reviews. This allows Netflix to increase their inventory with movies chosen by viewers. There are no late fees. Netflix technology is superior because movies and TV episodes can be streamed directly onto nearly any device in a matter of seconds. Netflix business model and strategy can be analyzed with the 5 competitive forces in the movie rental marketplace: 1-substitute, 2- buyers, 3- suppliers, 4- potential for new entrants, 5- rivalry Substitute-It does not matter who sells the movie or the TV episode at the end the end user is getting the same product whether he got it from Walmart or Blockbuster. Substitute for Netflix and a potential threat is pirating movie files from the internet and illegal. This is a substitute that is inexpensive or free copy of the file. Buyers- Have the power to select where they are going to get movies or TV episode. They are going to look provides the best price and best quality. Buyers are not loyal and can get this product from other vendors. Competitors compare industry prices and quality. They will reduce cost in order to attract the buyer. Suppliers-Such are Hollywood are likely to increase cost if the industry profits increase. Suppliers have the capability to make movies and TV episodes harder to get by limiting license agreements. In order for suppliers to maximize their revenues they sell large number of movies and TV episodes the outcome results in competition and does not allow supplier to have much power on the product. Potential for new entrants- Blockbuster, and Netflix are the dominant retailers in the market it is very difficult for new entrants to succeed. Rivalry- Consumers have multiple sellers they can buy or rent movies and/or TV episodes. Main competitors are online subscription services internet movies and TV episode provider, kiosk services, and DVD rental outlets. From SWOT analysis we found the Strengths as followed, by operation on line is very flexible and very low cost, it has high customer satisfaction levels, and strong knowledge base and brand identity. Weakness are the industry, it is constantly changing at a fast speed, it is supplier dependent, postage is a variable cost (increases), customers need to have internet access and or DVD players. Opportunities are: It can expand globally to international markets because its internet access, new technology. Threats: If it’s not able to adapt or keep up with technology, rivals such as Walmart.com or Blockbuster have capital to compete against Netflix. There are some issues Netflix is facing Netflix needs to watch out for growing competitors with deep pockets and need to keep up with the fast growing changes with technology. It is recommended that Netflix increases its customer base (subscribers). This income will offset the ongoing costs. Netflix should move away from DVD rental, it creates a large percentage of its operating cost. Netflix should find out why people are still ordering DVD’s Netflix should educate customers with their streaming and downloading and focus on encouraging customers to stay with the service. Blockbuster advantage over Netflix is that they are able to release new released titles. Netflix needs to negotiate with entertainment providers to get new releases earlier than the competitors. Finally it is suggested that if Netflix is able to get new releases earlier they should pass a cost for the newest release (separately from subscription download monthly fee).

Analysing Gap Model On Burger King Commerce Essay

Analysing Gap Model On Burger King Commerce Essay The purpose of this assignment is to partially fulfil the requirements for MBA program and address the tasks as stipulated by the assignment brief for unit 19- quality and system Management. It shows understanding and application of key concepts of quality management in relation to its process, models and techniques by applying on Burger King. The assignment produced in a form of a business report. The report first outlines the using of theories, tools and techniques such as: gap analysis, time lines, and expectations on. This report devotes to various quality management theories and their application on Burger King. The contents of this assignment have been prepared after through research carried out by the author of the report on different organization using the guidelines and solutions offered by reputed authors on the subject of quality and system management. The report concludes on the issue of analysing gap model on Burger King to constantly evaluate its current marketing situation by using options available in line with theoretical framework. A full list of reference used is provided in the end of the report. 1.2 Research methodology: Two paradigms related with research methodology that are positivism and interpretive. Positivism is an epistemological position that advocates the applications of the methods of the natural sciences to the study of the social reality and beyond. But the term stretches beyond these principles, though the constituent elements vary between authors. However, positivism is also taken to entail some principles such as: only phenomena and hence knowledge confirmed by the senses can genuinely be warranted as knowledge. The purpose of theory is to generate hypothesis that can be tested and that will thereby allow explanation of laws to be assessed. In Positivism, knowledge is arrived at through the gathering of facts that provides the basis for laws. Positivism includes observation and experiments. It normally dominates business studies and does not require thorough justification. In positivism, experimental studies investigate relationship between variables where independent variable is mani pulated to observe the effect of dependent variable. Experimental studies confounding variable to obscure the effect of another variable. . Interpretive focuses on interpretation and understanding of text in the context of underlying historical or social forces. It makes a relationship which exists between direct description of experience and underlying dynamics or structures. This report is a descriptive one where interpretive methodology is used. Because by using this methodology the author is trying to describe social world and analyze the culture and behaviour of people from his own point of view. This report was basically contained on qualitative data by taking different employees interview, using computers and studying books related with topics. The report was administered by collecting secondary data. Task 2: 2.1 Research analysis and result: Company description: Company: Burger king Address: City: London Post code: E-mail: Fax: Mission statement of Burger King Companys vision is to be the worlds best quick service restaurant experience. Being the best means providing outstanding quality, service, cleanliness, and value, so that we make every customer in every restaurant smile. Burger king will meet customer expectations of: Highest quality Leading technology Competitive pricing Individual and company accountability Best-in-class service and support Flexible customization capability Superior corporate citizenship Financial stability About company: The name of my company is Burger king. It was founded by 2001 for the purpose of meeting customer expectations. Basically, the company serves hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken products, French fries, breakfast items, soft drinks, milkshakes, and desserts. With related to obesity condition in western nations and in the face of criticism over the healthiness of its products, the company has change its menu to include such healthier alternatives as salads, wraps and fruit. The companys business model is slightly unsimilar from that of most other fast-food chains. In addition to ordinary franchise fees and marketing fees, which are calculated as a percentage of sales? Customer expectation from: The company has a aim to continually build its brand by listening to its customers. It also determines the various stages in the marketing process. Customer expects consistent quality from the company. Its product is not high-quality because it is assumed a premium product, but because it consistently meets customer expectations. If a customer expects a quick, tasty meal in 3 minutes for about 5 bucks, then they know thats exactly what theyll get at Burger King. For the purposes of playing out the analogy, in Burger king: Value is served by meeting or exceeding a customers expectations for a price they are willing to pay. Quality is providing value consistently over time. But the customers of are not the same. Different customer expects different things from. Such as: Customer type Service Parents with two children to give the Children a treat they visits s Children They considered it as a funny place. A business customers Quick service and great taste. Teenagers Affordable saver menu. 2.2 Data Management: PEST Analysis: Product and marketing strategy: Burger king considered three elements in marketing strategy to be the worlds best quick service restaurant: People (being the best employer), Customers (providing them excellence) and System Growth (for owners/operators, suppliers and company. Burger King is bringing new products, usually for a limited period of time. Because management find that consumers like different things and different taste as well as a continuation of good products such as big Macs and Cheeseburgers. Also, they are well aware that if has too many products running at the same time then the speed of customer service will deteriorate. Alongside, doesnt give emphasis on healthier products in response to growing concerns about obesity. Therefore, it is difficult to evaluate the extent to which fulfils customers demands. According to 2001 consumer survey which is conducted by Sandelman Associates, was ranked as last out of 60 chains for taste. Statistics that explain cleanliness are not available and therefore the achievement of this objective is difficult to examine. Customer service quality is impossible to assess but it is renowned for being quick. So, there we can find a gap between product variety and customer demands. Ethical stance: The company thinks that their ethical stance is a way of considering, caring, and responding to issues within society, illustrating that they are a socially responsive organisation. Their main aim is to utilise and leverage every opportunity to develop the level of awareness and depth of understanding of various social responsibility issues, policies and practices so that they can increase their roles to society Burger King helps to many charities to achieve and show their commitment to being a good neighbour and partner within society. Despite of this, Youngster sue for Burger king for failing to warn that fast food can lead to obesity), heart disease, and diabetes, which customers are not warned about. This action stress on Burger king goal of doing what is right. Burger king apply strategy to overcome this problem is to serve nutritional information about every product it sells, while also putting fruit, salads, and pasta meals onto its menu. This is helping Burger king to transform into its junk food image. Although nutritional information is now accessible, more customers need to be made aware that this information is available. Environmental policies: Burger king is now wholly give emphasis to sustainable environmental practices believing in considering for the future generation and not misusing the facilities of today. Burger kings cleanliness is not available and therefore the achievement of this objective is difficult to examine. Wastage is another considerable factor where many companies fail in terms of utilising the available. Burger king is comprehensively environmentally friendly and does reach most of the stated aims and objectives. The goal in terms of encouraging environmental values and practices needs to be addressed more spontaneously to employees and managers similarly as opposed to the specialised Burger king Environmental Management System so that all employees of this organisation can give concentration on its environmental roles. Using this correctly could help the company to develop on environmental friendliness. Also, there needs to be a way of quantifying all necessary environmental data in order to ensure th at all employees are accepting an environmental responsibility resource. Financial performance: Return on capital of Burger kings stands at 9%, 23% less than Diageos and 11% less than that of the Yum Brands. Return on shareholders funds of its stands at 21%, 14% less than Diageos and 836% less than that of the Yum Brands. The reason the Stock Holders equity is so low because the fact that YUM has accumulated deficit and loss of income. The main comparison between Burger king and Diageo, its closest rival, is that their Sales per employee and profits per employee are significantly less at - £233,405 and - £45,791 respectively. This is largely due to them having six times more employees. Burger king hopes to close these gaps by a heightened focus on restaurant level execution and marketing. It can be argued that a reduction in significant item costs and an improvement in worldwide economic conditions will both also help to close the gaps. In fact, Burger kings success will be depend on continuation of their product consistency, better location choices and improved retail business model execution, particularly with regard to the training of employees. Service blue printing: They can links on: physical evidence, customer responses, service contact actions, support processes. Burger king can apply some processes for developing the standards: Identify the existing or desired encounter sequence. Translate expectation into behaviours or actions. Select behaviours or actions for standardization. Set as soft or hard standards. Develop feedback mechanism. Set target levels. Track performance against standards. Feedback to employees. Update target levels. Seven marketing mix of Burger king Product: When offering menu items, the important thing is to remember to customers is that they have a choice. They have a huge number of options of spending their money and places to spend it. However, Burger kings places considerable importance on developing a menu which customers want. Market research establishes exactly what this is. However, customers demands change time to time. What is fashionable and attractive today may be discarded tomorrow. Marketing continuously monitors customers preferences. For meeting these changes, Burger king should introduced new products and phased out old ones, and will continue to do so. Therefore, Care is not only taken to affect adversely the sales of one choice by introducing a new choice, which will cannibalise sales from the old one (trade off). Burger kings knows that items on its menu will vary in popularity. Their capacity is to generate profits will vary at different points in their life cycle. Action of marketing undertaken and the resources invested will be different depending on the stage a product as reached. For example, a new product launch will typically relate to television and other advertising support. In any time a company will have a products portfolio, where each in a different stage of its cycle. Some of Burger kings options are growing in popularity while arguably the Big Mac is at the maturity stage. Price: Value of customers perception is an important factors of the price charged. What a product is worth customers draw the picture of product on their mind. A product is a physical item and it has psychological connotations for the customer. There are some difficulties of using products low price as a marketing tool is that the customer may feel that a low price is symptom of compromised quality. It is very much important when deciding on the price to be fully aware of the brand and its integrity. Promotions: It includes marketing communication such as advertising which is conducted on TV, radio, in cinema, online, using poster sites and in the press. Other promotional sectors are sales promotions, point of sale display, merchandising, direct mail, telemarketing, exhibitions, seminars, loyalty schemes, door drops, demonstrations, etc. Marketing communications skill is to develop a campaign which applies several of these methods in a way that provides the most effective results. Place: The most important element of the marketing mix i.e. price is not just about the physical location or distribution points for products. Price gives emphasis on the management of a range of processes involved in bringing products to the end consumer. People: Burger kings employees have a standard uniform and McDonalds specially focuses on friendly and prompt and effective service to its customers from their employees. Process: Burger kings food manufacturing process is completely transparent where the whole process is visible to the customers. Physical evidence: Burger king s concentrates on clean and hygienic interiors of is outlets and at the same time the interiors are attractive and the fast food joint maintains a proper etiquette at its joints. The marketing strategy is in place various responsibilities are given to different individuals so that the plan can be implemented. Systems can be put in place to obtain marketing feedback which measure success against short-term targets. Burger kings has to ensure that this is done within the confines of a tightly controlled, finite marketing budget. 2.3 Resource and support: SWOT analysis of Burger King: Strength: Detailed market research and the brand to create the right marketing mix. Weaknesses: They have to keep innovating on their service because they are already existed in market during long time. Opportunities: By serving in a quickly and friendly way, number of customer can be increased. Threat: Number of competitors is increased which change customer styles and their taste and demand. Porters generic strategies: At the heart of the Porters generic strategies is the assumption that the organization will seek to dominate a segment of the market, seeing off all competitors by the excellence with which they serve those segments. Porter recommends gaining and maintaining competitive advantage. Porters generic strategies are best represented by a triangle which is shown in the following figure: Porters Generic Strategies Target Scope Advantage Low Cost Product Uniqueness Broad (Industry Wide) Cost Leadership Strategy Differentiation Strategy Narrow (Market Segment) Focus Strategy (low cost) Focus Source: Quick MBA Differentiation: This implies that the organization purses a strategy where it offers a product or service which is uniquely different from those of its competitors. It also must be known at least as a segment of the market, valued above the offer of others. Cost leadership: This is a strategy where the organization enables itself to provide the product or service at a cost less than any other competitive organization. Focus: Actually this is the combination of the differentiation and cost leadership strategy and Burger king follow the focusing strategy. Their strategies are: Aggressively restructuring to operate profitably at the current demand and changing model mix. Accelerating the development of new products that their customer want and value. Evaluating to a new level of performance. Strong marketing abilities. Product standards. Long tradition in the industry Products making skills Low cost distribution system Intense supervision of labour. Combination of these above policies directed Ford Company to focus on their target product or services at a given market. . Financial statement: Trading account of Burger king for the year ended 31.12.2010  £  £ Sales revenue 8, 30,000 Less: cost of sales Opening stock 1, 55,000 Purchases 4, 30,000 __________ 5, 85,000 Less: closing stock 1, 68, 000 4, 17,000 __________ Gross profit 4, 13,000 The profit and loss account of Windsor gifts Ltd. For the year ended 31.12.1996  £  £ Gross profit 4,13,000 Less: expenses Wages and salaries 1, 45,000 Rent and rates 50,000 Heating and lighting 25,000 Telephone and postage 12,000 Advertising 15,000 Insurance 23,000 Other miscellaneous 35,000 _________ 3, 05,000  ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­________ Profit before tax 1, 08000 Less: corporation tax 32,000 __________ Profit after tax 76,000 The profit and loss account of Windsor gifts Ltd. For the year ended 31.12.1996  £  £ Sales revenue 8,30,000 Less: cost of sales 4,17,000  ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­________ Gross profit 4,13,000 Less: expenses 3,05,000 ________ Profit before tax 1,08,000 Less: corporation tax 32,000 ________ Profit after tax 76,000 Dividends paid 46,000 ________ Retained profit 30,000 Burger king Ltd. Balance sheet as at 31, December 1996  £000  £000  £000 Fixed assets: Premises 350 Fixtures and fitting 80 Vehicles 75 ______ 505 Current assets: Stock 168 Debtors 120 Cash at bank 45 _________ 333 Less: current liabilities: Trade creditors 140 Taxation owed 32 Dividends owed 46  ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­ ________ 218 Working capital 115 Net asset employed _______ 620 Financed by: Shareholders funds Ordinary share capital (300,000 shares at  £1) 300 Reserves 100 Retained profit 30 Less: corporation tax _______ 430 Long term liabilities: Bank loan 190 Capital employed ____ 620 Task 3: 3.1 Conclusion: To survive in such a competitive market place, any company must continue to build a strong relationship between quality standards and customer expectations. And the authority should also concentrate on customer demand. The report comprises of different tasks which outline the application of different methods and techniques such as Porters generic strategy on Burger king and in last part it shows the SWOT analysis and seven marketing mix of Burger king. In task 1, it can be concluded that, Burger king must continue to create strong customer service strategies and give concentration on quality standards and customer expectations. In task 2, the report shows that Burger king should give concentration to increasing the market share in compare to yum brands and Diageo. In task 2, the report gives conclusion of downsizing business system of Burger king. Burger king should attract customer with a credible value proposition and to constantly engage them in ways to that endeavour them to the company. An extensive situational review is required to address these issues and be kept up-to-date with the market developments as well as assess risks to plan business accordingly. 3.2 Recommendations: Though there are many difficulties of Burger king in their service operation and quality standards, that and customers of this organizations can face it, but the author can recommend some solution of it. Such as: in task 1, the author find that Burger king can make their service different, improve total quality in service management, identify gap of their service and can give concentration on customer expectations and try to retain their customer.. In task 2, Burger king can provide training to improve its employees efficiencies but they should more concentrate on customer expectations and standards of quality. In the end of the report, Burger king aim can be utilising and leverage every opportunity to develop the level of awareness and depth of understanding of various social responsibility issues, policies and practices so that they can increase their roles to society but the author recommends that they should give emphasis on their variety of products because more competitor and m ore imitators are entered into the market. Not only this, Burger king apply strategy to overcome the problem of youngster sue, is to serve nutritional information about every product it sells, while also putting fruit, salads, and pasta meals onto its menu. This is helping Burger king to transform into its junk food image. Although nutritional information is now accessible, more customers need to be made aware that this information is available. Burger kings success will be depend on continuation of their product consistency, better location choices and improved retail business model execution, particularly with regard to the training of employees. Marketing continuously monitors customers preferences. For meeting these changes, Burger king should introduced new products and phased out old ones, and will continue to do so. Limitations of the report: The study is not free from some practical limitations. Following limitations have faced during the study and the time of working and data collection: The author could not collect all the necessary data due to the workload of the employees. Some desired information could not be collected due to confidentiality of the organizations. Due to lack of practical experience, some errors might be occurred during the study. Therefore, maximum efforts have given to avoid mistakes. The time frame of the report was very limited. The report was done within three months.

Genetically Modified Food (GMOs): Annotated Bibliography Essay

Genetically modified food’s, or GMOs, goal is to feed the world's malnourished and undernourished population. Exploring the positive side to GMOs paints a wondrous picture for our planet’s future, although careful steps must be taken to ensure that destruction of our ecosystems do not occur. When GMOs were first introduced into the consumer market they claimed that they would help eliminate the world’s food crisis by providing plants that produced more and were resistant to elemental impacts like droughts and bacterial contaminants, however, production isn’t the only cause for the world’s food crisis. Which is a cause for concern because the population on the earth is growing and our land and ways of agriculture will not be enough to feed everyone sufficiently. No simple solutions can be found or applied when there are so many lives involved. Those who are hungry and those who are over fed, alike, have to consider the consequences of Genetically Mo dified Organisms. Food should not be treated like a commodity it is a human necessity on the most basic of levels. When egos, hidden agendas, and personal gains are folded into people's food sources no one wins. As in many things of life, there is no true right way or wrong way to handle either of the arguments and so many factors are involved that a ‘simple’ solution is simply not an option. Dr. Noah Zerbe is a professor and chair of the department of politics at Humboldt State University in California and someone who has spent time in both South Africa and Zimbabwe. Dr. Zerbe goes in depth into the factors that surrounded the 2002 famine in Africa, where 14 million Africans were on the brink of starvation. The Malawi president, just a season before the famine, sold off all of Mal... ...e in Southern Africa. Food Policy, 29(6), 593-608. doi:10.1016/j.foodpol.2004.09.002 Scanlan, S. (2013). Feeding the Planet or Feeding Us a Line? Agribusiness, 'Grainwashing' and Hunger in the World Food System.International Journal Of Sociology Of Agriculture & Food, 20(3), 357-382. Clausen, R. and Longo, S. (2012), The Tragedy of the Commodity and the Farce of AquAdvantage Salmon. Development and Change, 43: 229–251. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-7660.2011.01747.x. Okigbo, R., Iwube, J., & Putheti, R. (2011). An extensive review on genetically modified (GM) foods for sustainable development in Africa. E-Journal Of Science & Technology, 6(3), 25-44. Puduri, V., Govindasamy, R., & Nettimi, N. (2010). Consumers' perceptions toward usefulness of genetically modified foods a study of select consumers in USA. IUP Journal Of Agricultural Economics, 7(3), 7-17.

Love and Sacrifice Essay

Sacrifice is one of the purest and most selfless ways to love someone. There is no better way to show one’s loyalty or love for another than through sacrifice. The Kite Runner clearly demonstrates the sacrifices individuals made to make the ones they love happy. In Khaled Hosseini’s novel The Kite Runner, a little boy named Hassan demonstrates love and sacrifice the most. Hassan admires Amir an immense amount and his loyalty towards Amir is always present in everything he does. He constantly sacrifices things for Amir and does whatever he can to make Amir happy and Amir’s father Baba, very proud of Amir. Hassan makes sure Amir is always pleased and does anything and everything Amir tells him to do. Hassan has an unconditional love and loyalty towards Amir that he does not falter no matter how badly Amir treats him. Hassan is absolutely selfless; to a point where he sacrifices himself for the one thing he knows Amir has craved his whole life, his father’s admiration. When Hassan goes running for the blue kite, Amir asks him to come back with it and Hassan replies â€Å" For you a thousand times over!† (pg.71). Hassan has two choices; to give the blue kite, which will consequently betray his best friend Amir, or to be punished by Assef and his friends and keep the kite. His devoted love to Amir results in a horrible sacrifice. Hassan gets raped and does not even think twice about giving up the blue kite, the key to Baba’s heart. He stays loyal to Amir even though he pays a hard price. Hassan has always taken the blame for things Amir does or farthings Amir makes Hassan do. Hassan being the selfless person he is never speaks up for himself knowing that will only get his dear friend Amir in trouble. Hassan’s final sacrifice for Amir is deliberately planned by Amir himself. Amir cannot withstand the pain and guilt of knowing that he does nothing to help  Hassan from getting raped; he is selfish and a coward. He is reminded of this every time he looks at Hassan. He thinks if he can find a way to make Hassan and his father the servants of their house, Ali will then leave and rid him of his guilt and suffering. So he plants his new watch under Hassan’s bed and then accuses Hassan of stealing it. Knowing that Hassan will never disappoint him. He waits for Hassan to respond when Baba asks him if this is true. â€Å"Did you steal that money? Did you steal Amir’s watch, Hassan?† Hassan lies †¦ â€Å"yes† (pg.111) this is another sig nificant event where Hassan put Amir before himself selflessly. Baba Is always perceived as a wise man with strong morals and opinions in â€Å"The Kite Runner†. He is not a coward nor selfish, he stands up for what he believes is right and Baba is a very brave man. This is displayed when he sacrifices his life for a woman he does not know. He stands up and says, â€Å"Tell him I’ll take a thousand of his bullets before I let this indecency take place†. (Pg. 122) This act stops a Russian soldier from raping a woman that is carrying a baby on their way to America. This shows the love Baba has in his heart to help this woman from a terrible event that would have taken place if he had not stopped it. He has shown love and sacrifice for women he does not know and that shows his good character and bravery. Although Amir had feels his father never appreciated him enough his father makes a big sacrifice for Amir. With the war-taking place in Afghanistan, Baba knows it will not be a safe place for Amir to grow up and knows he has to do something about it. He leaves everything he has behind. He sacrifices everything he has for Amir, all his belongings, and his house, and where he grew up. He leaves his life behind so Amir can have a happy and safe life in America. He does not like America but he knows it is best for Amir. He puts Amir before himself, demonstrating another one of Baba’s selfless acts. Throughout the novel, Amir has some very negative personality traits. He is selfish, demanding, cowardly, disrespectful and jealous. He does not seem like the type of person that will do something for another out of the kindness of their heart. He always thinks about himself and what he wants. He has never sacrificed anything for the people he loves. Growing up with  the memory of Hassan’s rape still fresh in his mind like a situation that has just unfolded has finally opened his eyes and makes him realize he needs to be brave for once in his life. So Amir acts. He goes back to Afghanistan to find Hassan’s son, Sohrab. Rahim Khan’s advice, â€Å"There is a way to be good again† (pg.2) helps Amir to put his feelings into action. Assef, now a Taliban officer, beats Amir up badly, but this, heals Amir of his wrong doings from the past and he takes Sohrab back to America with him to live a good life. Amir finally puts someone before himself after all the sac rifices Hassan has made for him in the past. This shows the love and sacrifice he makes for Hassan’s child knowing it is the only way he can ever repay Hassan for the years of mistreatment in their childhood. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini demonstrates a very good lesson on sacrifice and love. The novel is a perfect example of the ways Jesus shows us how to live our lives. â€Å"There is no greater love than to lay ones life down for a friend†.

Eating Healthily with a Busy Lifestyle Essay

1.0 Introduction Life is work and work is life. People who commit themselves to that particular social economic lifestyle will endure the process of getting busy almost every moment in their daily lives. Their timings to do laundry and keeping themselves and the house clean had decreased as well as their most important timings of all: food intake and meal times planning. Everyday we meet people and surely we would not want to be around any cranky and irritable people who have not taken the time to have a good meal let alone the persons are us. Veloso, M. wrote in her article â€Å"Eating healthy in a busy world† that by not eating appropriately, not only makes us feel tired, but it can cause some serious relationship issues when it comes to our mood. Therefore, our further meetings, appointments and decision making can be affected as well. She added that life will always be busy but if we do not eat on a schedule, our body will not have enough energy to keep up with our active yet busy life. Life can be busy but let it not be chaotic and distressful. She believed it is real that â€Å"if we eat more regularly and eat a more balanced diet, sugar levels stay more even which enhances our mood†. From what she said, we can conclude that no matter how busy we are, a balanced diet is a must in order to run our life a success at the end of the day. This is because, bad or no food at all will only ruin our mood and our daily activities as well. Hence, over the next chapters, this article will discuss about why, how and what kind of food intake benefit us as well as the suggested menus for those who have busy lifestyles. 2.0 Why is it important? Malaysian culture is the culture that often revolves around food. There are lots of variety of food that are simply available almost anywhere. The questions of being nutritional come second in our community as our food often famous with deep and stir fry dishes. Some people will think that if they consume green vegetables as a side dish once a week, they are actually taking a healthy diet and their body already has the nutrition to stay healthy for all week long. According to Sarah DeWitt from eHow.com, â€Å"a healthy diet is a diet loaded with a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, along with lean meats and other protein sources. A healthy diet is a lifestyle. We need a healthy diet to maintain good health and prevent diseases such as cancer and diabetes†. She disclosed that healthy diet may decrease the chances of such critical diseases. According to Sue Roberts (2011) in the article entitled ‘Do We Have to Eat Healthy Foods?’, Centers for Disease Control stated that â€Å"310. 000 to 580, 000 deaths per year can be attributed to poor food choices and physical inactivity. Obesity, stroke, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and osteoporosis are example of chronic diseases which are related to improper nutrition†. Hence, we need to maintain the health of our bodies since we ought to live happily and meaningfully. This is because, keeping our body healthy also will prevent us from stress and other stress related diseases which may obstruct our daily lives especially our busy job schedules and workloads. Even as little as dizziness and headache would cost us a fortune if our body could not keep up with what we pressured ourselves into and this is the result of us lacking in maintaining balance between nutrition and food taste into our body. Even though we are as busy as bees, we still cannot skip the responsibility of taking care of our body. It is enough if we can include beneficial nutrients in our daily intake in every consecutive meal especially breakfast, lunch and dinner. These three meal time are believed to be vital to most of our respondents. They shared an interesting idea about those meal time and how important ones to eat at certain times according to lifestyle as long as it continuum and not skipping any meal. Perhaps some of them had already suffered from stomach problem which often caused by skipping meals and not enough food to ingest and they learnt from mistakes. Therefore, it is important to not to skip any meal even though we are very busy as the action may cause not only troubles but also some great fortune for not working in 100 percent full self-potential and determination. Hence, over the next chapter, we will discuss about how and what shall be taken to maintain a great balance thus resulting in healthy body and gaining power with great inner strength to stay focus and be happy for work and daily lives. 3.0 How to eat healthily in a busy lifestyle Marlene Veloso writes in her article that people can avoid going to vending machine for junk food and suffer from fatigue by 3 simple tips. First is by â€Å"eating smaller meals more often. This allows your body to have a constant source of fuel and energy to keep your sugar levels even†. Second is to â€Å"avoid sugars and soft drinks that not only make your sugar level increase quickly and at extremely high levels, but they also contain a lot of useless calories and bad sugars that are bad for your overall health.† Lastly, you should â€Å"eat a lot of highly soluble fibre and proteins that can make you feel more lively and energetic†. From these vital points, we can assume that meal times and food intake are crucial for us in order to maintain steadiness in our everyday lives. According to our small scale research, only 1 from 9 respondents who did not care about the meal time as long as he can eat when he is hungry. He also believed that no food can release any stress. However, according to Dorie Ensenstein in the article â€Å"10 Superfoods for Stress Relief† wrote that milk is one of the food that can help to level the stress and often taken during breakfast as a good start for the day. This is because â€Å"milk is high in antioxidants and vitamins B2 and B12, as well as protein and calcium. Have a bowl of whole-grain cereal and low-fat milk in the morning to start your day with a stress-fighting breakfast.† According to the article, there are some more stress relief foods such as Asparagus, Beef, Cottage Cheese and Fruits, Almonds, Blueberries, Tuna and Cornflakes or Crispy Rice Cereal. She also stated the recommended serving size and time. For example, Almonds can be eaten as finger food while Cornflakes or Crispy Rice Cereal is suitable to be taken during breakfast together with milk. The real deal is to be disciplined and to plan how to have healthy yet easy meals. If we want to avoid the stress, we should plan ahead of time and prepare them because making healthy meals requires planning. We should keep our kitchen stocked with labeled food items that ensures us to use minimal time and effort to cook and prepare our food. This is because, according to an article that was reviewed by Fristky(2011), the North Carolina State University’s department of family and consumer sciences stated that â€Å"the diets of busy families are negatively affected by a lack of planning and organization as much as they are affected by lack of nutrition knowledge.† Hence, before we brush up on our nutrition facts, we should plan ahead and get ourselves organized. This article highlighted how important the planning and being organized are. Therefore, no matter how busy we are, we need to find time to plan our meals. By shopping during off-peak hours and buying enough food to last for several weeks, we would save a lot of valuable time lining in the store and instead, we could use it to prepare healthful meals at home. Hence, we can prepare the ingredients the night before or during the weekends and packed into the freezer in adequate serving size. Moreover, we can also pack our lunch everyday. It is beneficial because we knew where our ingredients came from either it is healthy or otherwise. From our research also, we can conclude that meal time is considered essential in everyday lives. 7 from 9 respondents stated that they needed a rather strict meal time such as breakfast, lunch and dinner. Some even adjusted the time and combined breakfast and lunch into brunch which commonly taken at 10 a.m. to 12 at noon. Reena, one of the respondents claimed that she did not take dinner but would take light supper at night since she was breastfeeding her baby boy. This showed that meal time is adjustable as long as we do not live on empty stomach. Our diet should fit the need of our body and our healthy lifestyle. According to two of our respondents, they claimed that they needed to have finger food or energy bar to avoid them eating junkfood or when they need extra energy. The finger food can be very healthy ones such as quick fix fruits and nuts such as grapes, cherry tomatoes and baby-carrots according to the article entitled â€Å"Are you too busy to eat healthy?† and was reviewed by Marie (2011). It also wrote that we can buy pre-cut and washed vegetables and purchase bags of ready-to-eat salad greens and spinach. Almonds can also be our finger food as it has many good mineral for our body. These healthy snacks should be bagged and ready to go so that we can just grab the snacks on the way to work which is an example of simple and easy yet nutritional food choice no matter how busy we are. In the nutshell, we can say that meal time and ingredients taken will affect our body thus our everyday behavior which will include accumulated stress over the time. Livestrong.com in an article â€Å"Healthy eating menus when busy† stated that we should start our busy day with a healthy breakfast as it will influence the rest of the meals. 4.0 Menus for busy yet healthy people. Eating is a must routine for everybody in this whole wide world. It is necessary to support good health. However, in busy schedule, people often choose food that is convenient to them rather what is really necessary for healthier living. With this mentality at hand, people will never eat good food thus resulting in many critical diseases such as heart attack, diarrhea and allergies. Storing bad food inside our stomach is not a good move. According to an article reviewed by Covington (2010), â€Å"If we are low at time, we should learn how to make fast, easy and healthy meals.† Therefore, we are going to share a few tips in creating good menus for busy but yet healthy people. First of all, good breakfast. This article tells us that we should eat something that â€Å"is easy to prepare for breakfast†. It continues to stress that skipping breakfast can keep our metabolism slow and cause us to become ravenous later in the day. It is suggested to grab pre-made, hard-boiled eggs and half a whole-grain bread and munch them on the way to work. Busy people should also drink some meal replacement shakes that usually contain a balance of protein, carbohydrates and fat as well as vitamin and minerals. Blend together the mix with recommended amount of low-fat milk or ice-cold water. We can drink this shakes when we are on the road and do not access to healthy food for several hours. We can also make fruit smoothie which is very quick to prepare and offers plenty of nutrition in the morning. In the article â€Å"Healthy breakfast on the go ideas†, it suggested that we blend fruit, low fat yogurt and a spoonful of wheat germ until desired consistency is reached. We can use many kinds of fruits such as berries, bananas, mangoes, kiwi, mangoes or apple. Fruits are rich with vitamins and mineral as well as the taste. In relevance to the use of fruits, Ary, one of our respondent said that he would take apple if he wants to feel healthier. In order to maintain good health a person needs five to eight servings of fruits and vegetables daily. It is also important to consume different types of fruits and vegetables rather than eating the same types of veggies all the time. If we have a hard time eating our vegetables we can also make a green smoothie or even put our vegetables in a juicer. Just be sure to add the pulp back into another recipe to get our fiber back. Protein is an essential part of a healthy diet. The skin, hair and nails are mainly composed of proteins. Protein can be found in chicken, fish, beef and eggs. Vegetarians can also get the right balance of protein from nuts, beans, soy and even spirulina. Spirulina is a sea vegetable that is loaded with nutrients and it is one of the most easily digestible proteins known to man. According to our research respondents, many said that they are taking supplements such as Spirulina, black seeds (Habbatussauda’) with honey, Vitamin C, Calcium pills, Evening Primrose Oil, and B-Complex pills. By taking these pills almost everyday, they somehow fit the need of their body to the nutrients that are deemed necessary and to stay healthy. According to Schwarcz and Berkoff (2004), fatty acids are very good for our health. The brain and heart thrive on omega 3 fatty acids. These healthy fats reduce inflammation within the body and reduce the incidence of disease. Omega fats are found in salmon oil, cod liver oil, nuts, seeds and eggs. We can also buy cod liver oil in supplement form and take it daily. A healthy diet is not just about what foods we eat. It is also very important to include plenty of purified water in our diet. The human body is over 70 percent water and water is needed for almost every bodily function. Water transports nutrients, and bathes our cells from the inside out. Water helps to flush out waste and toxins and water helps to keep the skin and brain healthy. Most people need eight to 10 glasses of pure water each day, but if we exercise or work in the sun we may need more. Listen to our body and drink more water if needed. In the article â€Å"eat busy schedule† which was reviewed by Bye (2010) stated that we can also eat healthily in fast-food chains by ordering the right kind of foods. We should select grilled or baked meats, salad with low-calorie dressing, whole grain rolls and bread and broth-based soup. As for Malay restaurant diners, we should avoid taking too much rice but resort to green vegetables soup with shredded egg-whites and less sautà © dishes. We should also avoid deep-fried foods and high-calorie sauces such as coconut milk based gravy and creamy sauce. 5.0 Conclusion As a conclusion, eating healthily is important to us whether we are busy or not. There is no excuse for us not to take care of ourselves. We are responsible to our body growth and function. Choosing what to eat and plan the meal are the ways to keep ourselves organized and healthy. When we are healthy, we will execute our daily routines and workload in a much better way and stress-free circumstances. Hence, we should find the time to plan, choose, prepare and eat our meals in consistent meal times daily so that we can eat healthily even with our busy lifestyle.

Gullivers Travels Essay Example

Gullivers Travels Essay Example Gullivers Travels Paper Gullivers Travels Paper In this extract of Gullivers Travels, Gulliver has just been attacked by a herd of Yahoos throwing excrement at him, and his rescuers, the Houyhnhnms, observe him. Swift juxtaposes Gullivers human vanity with the calm, rational nature of the Houyhnhnms to satirise the human assumption of being the most morally and rationally superior species. This is significant preparation for Gullivers moral realisation towards the end of the book. This portrayal of Gulliver is perhaps a response against the Renaissance period views where mankind was celebrated as the ultimate being, and instead the neo-classical genre influence, where mankind was viewed as imperfect and inherently sinful but can redeem himself by a constant struggle towards humility, is strongly ingrained in the text. Gullivers belief that humankind is the most superior species, which has been developed throughout his journeys, carries on to Houyhnhnmland, as suggested by Swifts choice of images and words. One aspect of the extract that reveals Gullivers vanity as a human is his clothing. He makes several references in the first paragraph to his clothing: his hat is discomposed by the horses, and the fact that he was forced to adjust it better shows that vanity, in the form of concealing imperfections through clothing, is an innate part of humans. The Houyhnhnms unfamiliarity with clothing such as his coat, an unnatural covering for the body, thus highlights their belief in living in harmony with nature, and this neo-classical type of conservatism is presented as a much better way of life as it escapes vanity. Another aspect showing Gullivers pride in being human is his self-proclaimed strength of : Secondly, it will analyze Voyage I as topical in nature wherein Swift satirizes the European politics of eighteenth century and conclude by briefly commenting on Swifts message behind his use of political satire in Gullivers Travels. The theme or the structure of a book is what draws readers to it and hence success of the book largely depends on it. Although a lot of controversy is associated with Gullivers Travels, the fact cannot be ignored that it has sold millions of copies till now. The book is cast in the convention of an adventure story which is well reflected from its title, Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World or as it is popularly called Gullivers Travels. On the periphery the book appears as the tale of a simple Englishmans journey into the unknown and remote nations- Lilliput, Brobdingnag, Laputa, Balnibarbi, Glubbdubdrib, Luggnagg, Japan and Houyhnhnms and his experience on these voyages. Swift uses the device of verisimilitude in the novel to project his fantasy world as credible. In a work of fantasy, a writer creates impossible characters, places and situations and asks the readers to pretend that they are real. To help the reader in this task, the writer tells his tale in such a way that he makes it seem credible- that is, he gives it verisimilitude. Swifts use of first person narrative, giving his imaginary characters and places some real-world characteristics, addressing his reader directly and following each voyage to an unreal world with a voyage back to the real world can be attributed to the literary device of verisimilitude: But at the same time the reader can hardly conceive my astonishment, to behold an sland in the air, inhabited by men, who were able (as it should seem) to raise or sink, or put it into progressive motion, as they pleased. However, a lot of issues are hidden beneath the novel. Though he has cast his novel in the genre of an adventure story yet, he criticizes and ridicules other travel writers of his day. Gulliver, in the novel frequently says that he will not trouble the reader with detailed descriptions of a particular episode in his travels. Such statements are the authors jibe at travel writers who tend to inflate their descriptions with a prolixity of insignificant details. Most of all, the novel is a scathing attack on the eighteenth century European politics which will form the subsequent discussion of the essay. The most obvious joke in the title of Swifts Travels into several Remote Nations of the World is that what purports to be a chronicle of several excursions to remote nations turns out to be a satiric anatomy of specifically English attitudes and values. To write about public affairs or to criticize public men with any freedom invited censorship for the writer unless he uses literary artifices of various kinds to express his opinions with impunity. Perhaps this is why, Swift casts his novel in the garb of an adventure story to escape censorship and criticize the eighteenth century English society. Censure, according to Swift, is the tax a man pays to the public for being eminent. The text is a political satire in the sense that it exposes the mechanisms of court officials, corruption and degrading human values which fostered in the eighteenth century Europe. In his preface to The Battle of the Books, Swift writes, Satire is a sort of glass wherein beholders do generally discover everybodys face but their own, which is the chief reason so few are offended by it. In the book, many figures which seem to be imaginary are meant to depict real personages, or at all events are drawn from them. Swift in one of his letters to Alexander Pope regarding the book wrote, I have employed my time in finishing, correcting, amending and transcribing my Travels in four parts complete, newly augmented, and intended for the press when the world shall deserve them, or rather when a printer shall be found brave enough to venture his ears. This reference to the printers ears highlights as C. H. Firth says, the book contained political allusions which might bring the publisher to the pillory, and draw upon him the fate which befell Defoe. Ample political allusions abound in Voyage I of the book. Some are to the events of Queen Annes reign and others to events in the reign of King George I. The first part of Gullivers voyage to Lilliput has no political significance. In fact, the place appears to be an utopian land and its inhabitants as generous and kind: I now considered myself as bound by the laws of hospitality to a people who had treated me with so much expense and magnificence. However, as Gulliver progresses his story, Lilliput ceases to be Utopia and becomes England itself, instead of being an example to England. Sycophancy is practiced by the court officials who will go to any length to win favors from the Queen and lords. Swift, thus through the episode of rope-dancing performed upon a slender white thread criticizes the obnoxious practices of court officials: This diversion is only practiced by those persons who are candidates for great employments, and high favour at court. Gulliver further says, But the danger is much greater when the ministers themselves are commanded to show their dexterity; for by contending to excel themselves and their fellows, they strain so far, that there is hardly one of them who hath not received a fall, and some of them two or three. The image of Lilliput as England becomes clear when Reldresal says, We labour under two mighty evils; a violent faction at home, and the danger of an invasion by a most potent enemy from abroad. In Lilliput there are two struggling parties called Tramecksan and Slameckson, from the high and low heels on their shoes, by which they distinguish themselves. These allude the Tories and Whigs, Englands political parties and the potent enemy abroad is the island of Blefuscu which typifies France, Englands arch-rival. The emperor of Lilliput wants Gulliver to invade Blefuscu and could think of nothing less than reducing the whole Empire of Blefuscu into a province, and governing it by Viceroy; of destroying the Big-Endian exiles, and compelling that people to break the smaller end of their eggs, by which he would remain sole monarch of the whole world. This symbolizes Londons colonial enterprise who despite being a small nation like Lilliput had a number of nations under its control and the Lilliputian Emperors using of Gulliver reflects the British thrones using of and ally. The religious war between Lilliput and Blefuscu symbolizes the quarrel between England and France over the nature of sacrament and differences in communion of the catholic and Anglican Churches. Swifts use of the struggling parties, Tramecksan and Slameckson is his immediate jibe at European politics. Through their quarrel, Swift satirizes the War of the Spanish Succession. The Whigs had conducted a war against the Roman Catholic leaders of France and Spain. Although it had its religious overtones, the war also involved trading rights with the colonies in America. However, the Tories led by Harley and Bolingbroke after coming to power, began to negotiate with the French thus resulting in the peace treaty of Utrecht, 1713. Their naval policy, they said destroyed the Spanish fleet. However, the Whigs being unsatisfied later accused the Tories of treason because of a failure to get colonies and parts from France and Spain. In light of this Swifts remark holds very true, We have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another. The ingratitude of the British throne towards its men of service is highly condemned by Swift and finds expression in the fire episode of Chapter 5. Gulliver is instrumental in saving the rest of the palace but the Queen instead vows revenge against Gulliver for urinating in the precincts of the palace which was later included in the articles of impeachment against him. This incident is an allegorical representation of certain incidents in Swifts life. Mr. Dennis says, Queen Anne was so much disgusted with the Tale of a Tub that in spite of Swifts political services, she could never be induced to give him preferment in the Church. Swifts satirical writings largely stood in the way of his promotion. He failed to get the Irish Bishopric in 1708 and it was with great difficulty that he obtained the deanery in 1713. All these can be attributed to the influence of the Duchess of Somerset, Dr. Sharp, the Archbishop of York, the earl of Nottingham and Robert Walpole. In the book, Gulliver r efers to Bolgolam, the Admiral of the Realm as his mortal enemy and his malice is constantly mentioned and insisted upon. Bolgolam typifies the Earl of Nottingham who used his private influences to stop Swifts preferment and opposed the Schism Act saying that it was dangerous because it gave too much power to the bishops. The character of Flimnap is a representative of Sir Robert Walpole under whose administration England became a fountainhead of corruption. Swifts critique of England under Walpole echoes Samuel Johnsons diatribe of the same in his poem London: all are Slaves to Gold, Where Looks are Merchandise, and Smiles are sold, Where won by Bribes, by Flatteries implord, The Groom retails the Favours of his Lord. The Kings cushions which saves Flimnap from breaking his neck symbolizes the Duchess of Kendal, one of the Kings mistresses, by whose influence Walpole, after his fall from power in 1717, was again restored to favor. Bolgolam, Flimnap and the other court officials conspiracy against Gulliver is indicative of the malice practiced by the court officials of King George I who instead of looking after the nation and performing their duties were only interested in bickering, gaining favors and opposing to anyone who stood in their way of making profit. This is perfectly highlighted in Dean Swifts quote, When a true genius appears in this world, you may know him by this sign that the dunces are all in confederacy against him. The account of the silken threads- green, red and blue given to the courtiers showing most agility in leaping over or creeping under a stick signify the various orders of the Thistle, Bath and the Garter. By alluding to this, Swift attacks the policy of George I who used these orders as cheap ways of buying political support from social climbers which increased corruption and sycophancy in the English society all the more. Gullivers escape to Blefuscu to escape trial provides the bitterest satiric attack on hypocrisy, ingratitude and cruelty by the eighteenth century English society. Bolingbroke, Swifts friend had brought a great war to an end but was denounced by his political opponents and accused of treason which made him flee England. Thus, Swifts scathing attack and political allusions in Book I of Gullivers Travels serve as a powerful critique of European politics. Swift has been criticized for being a misanthropist. However, his misanthropy arises out of his disappointment in human kind- he is constantly frustrated by what men do as opposed to what they ought to do. Through his satiric attempt at exposing the European politics, Swift intends to give a moral message to the people- to view themselves as he viewed humankind, as creatures that were not fulfilling their potential to be truly great but were simply flaunting the trappings of greatness. The main object of satire in the book is human nature itself, specifically mans pride as it manifests in pettiness, grossness, rational absurdity, and animality (Tuveson). Gullivers character, as a satirical device, serves Swifts ends by being both a mouthpiece for some of Swifts ideals and criticisms and as an illustration of them so that people can recognize their follies and correct their vices. For critics such as Dobree, the book is in a sense, a tragic work n that it is the picture of mans collapse before his corrupt nature, and of his defiance in face of the collapse. However for Swift, humbling human pride, enabling a more honest self-assessment was absolutely vital to addressing the suffering and injustice so prevalent in human life. Contrary to many who label swift a misanthropist, only a man who cared deeply about humanity could have produced a work like Gullivers Travels. As we travel with Gulliver, through the voyages, Swift brilliantly peels away our pride and pretensions, layer by layer, until he shows us what we are and challenges us, intensely and urgently, to be better. In the words of Louis A. Landa, Many looked about and saw widely prevailing infection, a culture losing its vigor and its better values, under the impact of bribery, luxury, political faction But only a person of the rarest gifts, such as Swift, could transmute these into an imperishable imaginative comment on the nature of man and society.

Computer Hacking Thesis essays

Computer Hacking Thesis essays Introduction: Hacking is very well-know way of "crashing" a computer system. Listed below is some information on the problems caused by hacking and some solutions of how to stop hacking. Thesis: Hacking has become such a problem in today's computer dependent society that stronger measures must be implemented to stop hackers, and if hackers are still successful, they should be severely punished. A. With the amount of businesses and corporations we depend on every day, we can't have hackers breaking in our systems because it causes so many problems with peoples jobs, and sometimes can cost us lots of money. B. So many people rely on computers to get around, communicate and keep track of the things they have to do, when a hacker breaks into a system, it can sometimes temporarily ruin someone's life. A. Many people now use Anti-Virus software that can prevent people from using programs that have been tampered with that could cause damage to a system. B. Internet security has gotten better and better by the year. It is relatively hard for even the best of hackers to break into a computer due to the strict security and punishment. Although, if hacking is done, and a hacker is caught, the consequinces are sometimes not that wonderful...Most hackers caught breaking into anything more than a personal system are prosecuted and face a large fine or a jail sentence. Conclusion: Hackers need to be stopped because of the severe problems they can cause. Hopefully, people will soon realize the consequinces of computer hacking and will stop. With all the problems it causes, something has to be done. ...

Benefits and limitations of strategic management

Benefits and limitations of strategic management The overall objective of any strategy is to ensure long-term survival. Strategic management is the process determined by specific persons to establish and implement the integrated concept that has already been described.† (Philip, Roland, & Nils, 2008, p.14). Strategic management emphasizes the strategic positioning and operating system efficiency, and it is generally regarded as the modern enterprise’s success. Each company will take appropriate strategies based on external environment and internal resources. After the implementation of these strategies, some will become potential benefits, while some will be the limitation to restrict development of enterprises instead of promoting. In the report, Tiger Airways Australia was chosen as the object of study. Tiger Airways Australia, a Singapore based subsidiary of Tiger Aviation, is a low cost airline currently servicing the Australian domestic market. Tiger Airways Australia commenced operations on 24 November 2007 as a domestic airline from its principal base at Melbourne, Victoria. Tiger made different strategies to enter the aviation in Australia to gain market share and win customers. Tiger have to face competition from Virgin Blue and Jetstar. The report discussed its strategies and the potential benefits and limitations can be analyzed in such different ways. The understanding of strategic management Strategy and strategic management have long been viewed as the concept and process that link an organization and its competitive environment. The traditional approaches to strategic management are in keeping with Newton’s mechanistic model of the universe and Fayol’s view of the management function. (Thomas, Marius, & Sven, 2006, p.68). The existing strategic management system -including defined purpose (vision, mission, objectives, etc.), organizational structure, planning processes, measurement practices, core competency focus, human resource management, culture norms, and evalua tion and reward systems – is more a source of organizational inertia than a proactive force for dynamic change (Thomas et al., 2006, p.73). Strategic management is necessary to position the firm a way that will assure its long-term survival in a competitive environment. (Paul, Ken, & John, 2004, p.3). Innovation always point to the reformulation of the strategies of a firm, therefore, strategic management is also about innovation. (Manikant ,2008, p.235) Components of strategic management process The various components of the strategic management process are including strategic planning strategy process, strategic decisions, strategy formulation, strategy implementation, and strategy change. The planning, balancing and positioning approaches to strategic management can be grouped as outward-in approaches, i.e. first analyzing the external environment and then analyzing and competitively gearing the internal environment. (Thomas et al., 2006, p.71). The strategic management pr ocess is the full set of commitments, decisions, and actions required for a firm to achieve strategic competitiveness and earn above-average returns. (Michael, R, & Robert, 2009, p.6) Tiger Airways Australia was chosen as the object of study. Australian market continued to be attractive for existing operators based on strong economic growth. Economic growth would benefit to development of the aviation industry (â€Å"Australia in brief†, n.d., 2008).And Tiger chose appropriate time to enter Australian aviation market. From the external transactions, Tiger gains the support of the state, has a very strong financial support and makes good use of economic forces. It took low-cost strategy. The potential benefits and limitations are analyzed as following through the implementation of internal and external strategic management. The ultimate goal of strategy is to create value for the firm, while the role of strategy analysis is to identify and exploit the sources of this value. (G rant, 2010, p.63)

Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 3

Assignment Example The payoff for SS will be .1 and .03, if it chooses to reduce the price in conjunction with two different strategies by SIA. Ans 3) Yes there exists Nash equilibrium (Non-cooperative equilibrium) as the firms will not cooperate or collude as there can be no legally binding contract among them to keep the prices same and in absence of which each firm would fear that even if keeping price normal offers highest pay out overall and higher than what they would get in case they don’t cooperate, the other firm may cut the price an take the market share away from the firm keeping price normal. Thus both firm fearing this would play safe and reduce the price. The combination of these two price cutting strategy by both the firm will entail a Nash equilibrium which is represented in cell D. Ans 4) No they are not likely to achieve their best outcome which would have been in cell C and B for SIA and SS respectively. In fact they would have been happier in cell A also but the irony is, fearing that they might be suckered by their competitor, they will avoid reaching such outcome and settle for the one that offers them utmost safety and not payoff. Ans 5) Repeated games can be classified in two categories finitely repeated and infinitely repeated. In the former case the number of games is fixed and each player is aware of such number, while in the latter the number of such repetition is not known. In repeated games the firms may achieve cooperative equilibrium as each firm can punish the other one for suckering it in the next game and thus â€Å"Tit for tat† plays out which leads to cooperation in repeated games. Each firm over a period builds a reputation and they start trusting each other. But in case of finite games the theoretical understanding says they will not cooperate as in the last game both would like to defect and since in the last game no cooperation is expected in the second last game both would also like to defect and working backwards in

Hegels Interpretation on Universal Love Research Paper

Hegels Interpretation on Universal Love - Research Paper Example The fragment starts with the author’s reasoning on equality. These contemplations of the equality of man in front of the Lord must have been aroused in Hegel by the events and ideas of the French revolution. In this fragment, Hegel states that the equality of right brings on the dependence of people. As a result, the man loses his domination over objects, and thus he loses his worth, whereas humans are used to measuring their worth by the degree of their influence over the objective world. Feeling himself only a tiny part of the universe, the man starts despising himself, thus injuring his self and coming to ever greater discord. Whereas â€Å"the object, severed from the subject, is dead†, the only kind of love he can experience towards Lord and the universe is the love to the dead objects. The living union between the man and the world is not possible, while love towards the dead object is unrequited. The individual finds himself opposed to the external world, entirely independent of it. The man loses the sense of life and does not see the essence of his existence. These passages, in fact, describe the state of many modern people. We spend our lives attempting to overcome our loneliness and seeking help outside, we are not able to bear responsibility for our acts. Feeling detached from the external world we doom ourselves for a constant struggle with the opposed world, which often seems to be hostile to us. Not realizing that we are the part of the universe, just as our arms and legs are parts of our body, we are not able to hear the voice of God in us and understand his intentions. We lose ourselves following the wrong teachings and ideals, and only love has the power to make us whole, able to understand the divine plans and feel the way the universe moves. Hegel explains that it is so difficult for the man to bear this nullity, while our necessity is always relative, â€Å"the one exists only for the other† (p.304).

The Different Facets of Mental Functioning Essay

The Different Facets of Mental Functioning - Essay Example Cognitive psychology began to distinguish itself from an older branch of psychology, behaviorism, when researchers realized that to study the mind often meant studying processes that could not be directly observed, such as the â€Å"stimulus-response† experiments common to behaviorism.               A central concern of linguists in the cognitive arena is the relationship between language and thought. The linguistic relativity theory, put forth by Benjamin L. Whorf in 1956 states that language either determines thought or influences it heavily. The famous â€Å"Eskimos have 27 words for snow† notion, under relativity, means they perceive snow differently from, say, a Florida resident, and therefore have a more highly developed categorizing system for snow. However, the theory did not take into account that different environments, whether physical or created, may affect how much time and effort people focus on various things, which is then reflected by language. Later studies by Heider-Rosch (1972, 1973, in Eysenck, 1984) on color perception across languages with vastly different color naming systems seem to show that it is thought that determines language. However, there may be some cultural or culturally-based learning differences as evidenced by studies on bilingual individuals.            The central focus, then, of cognitive psychologists is the structure and processes of the mind, which are generally equated with representation (the structures) and computation (the processes), as well as the inclusive dynamic systems process (Braisby & Gellaltly, 2005). Representation deals with what things are about, such as the subject matter of a book -- versus its physical qualities such as molecular structure, weight, and dimensions -- is what the book is about. Computation is how the mind processes information and it is in this area that the mind is most often linked to computers and how they learn. Two major systems of computation have been developed, and supporters argue for the relative importance of them or some interaction of both.

Week-long Thematic Unit Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Week-long Thematic Unit - Research Paper Example This unit is to enlighten English Language Learners on pumpkins through books, exploring pumpkins, as well as school field trips. The learners will begin by going through a manuscript on the life cycle of a pumpkin along with filling out a KWL chart on each and every thing they know concerning pumpkins (Harada, & Yoshina, 2003). Then, the class will discuss vocabulary, as well as what words they need to know when explaining and making maps. During the course, they will be informed that they are going to go on a field trip to Bonny Brook farmhouse. Prior to the trip, they need to sketch a map or plot of finding the best likely way to arrive at the pumpkin patch so as to find their pumpkins (Baker, Cooley & Pingel, 2002). Then, after they collect their pumpkins and the class gets back to school, they will inspect the pumpkins through estimating and measuring aspects of the pumpkin. After that the class will read an informational manuscript about pumpkins. To conclude the pumpkin course as a class, we will compose a picture book, which characterizes the pumpkins and each and every thing they learned about pumpkins. This "Pumpkin Science" plan will lesson gives students who learn English as a Second Language a background of how to grow plants. It also grants them a practice in predicting and estimating outcomes. Component Sections of this Thematic Unit 1. Subject. The paper will select an appropriate subject that reflects on text topics, student experiences, interests, problems or issues. 2. Grade Level Correctness 3. Focal Point. Here students will be asked to develop a one-sentence focus statement, which summarizes the intent and direction of the unit. 4. Objectives. This section will identify three or four aims the educator wishes the students would understand by the end of the unit (Max, 1997). These can be limited to county or state competencies and objectives. 5. Resources and Materials. It is beneficial to establish all the crucial resources and materials af ter the unit has been developed. The way, the educator will avoid limiting him/herself to a few recognizable items. a) Printed Resources. pamphlets, newspapers, notices, junk mail, travel guides, journals, letters, diaries, maps, brochures, advertisements, flyers, dictionaries, encyclopedias, magazines, professional journals, booklets. b) Computer along with CD-ROM Materials. Reference works, educational software, simulations and educational games associated with curriculum, and CD-ROM variations of writing. c) Internet Resources. d) Visual/Audio Resources. Videos, filmstrips, films, movies, overhead transparencies or slide programs. Audio tapes, records, tapes and books, and CD’s. e) Community Resources: 1. Motivational speakers 2. School field trips f) Instructional Television Resources: 1. Cable 2. ETV g) Literature Resources: 1. poetry 2. Non-fiction 3. Fiction 6. General Activities. This section will establish activities that the educator wishes to use all through the un it. For a majority of the unit, these activities will be mixed, incorporating the range of curricular fields, as well as reflecting elements of a literature-related program. 7. Discussion Questions. This section of the lesson will include an array of open-ended questions, which help students mull over the topic in a divergent and varied manner. 8. Literature Selections. See Resources and Materials above. This section will select books associated with the topic of each thematic unit. For literature selection, the lesson plan will develop a pre-reading activity, a range of cross-curricular education activities, and

Capital Punishment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Capital Punishment - Essay Example Japan and the United States are some of the developed countries that are still practicing capital punishment. In Africa, Congo’s executions were rising at an alarming rate by 2003. There needs to be a change since capital punishment adversely affects the families of the victim. Capital punishment is reprisal through meting out a death sentence to the offender. In the criminal justice systems of many countries, it is lawful to inflict death to lawbreakers, depending on the weight of the crime. It is an act of ensuring that individuals suffer for engaging in activities that are against the law. In the criminal justice systems of many countries, it is lawful to inflict death to lawbreakers, depending on the weight of the crime. In the United States, death penalty is usually held in reserve for first-degree murder crimes which in most cases are associated with horrific circumstances such as bombing and killing a large number of people. It was mostly used in the ancient times, although many countries still use capital punishment (Steven 2007; Katrina and Steve 2008). In a broader perspective, it can be argued that capital punishment involves taking the life of another person. In doing so, it should not be forgotten that the victim has certain responsibilities t hat he/she leaves behind after an execution. The most important of all are the family members left behind. Frustration and grief overcome them with a number of suicide cases being reported after a death sentence. People have had different views concerning capital punishment, with some viewing it as a deterrent to crime, while others find no accomplishment in it. This paper is a critical investigation of capital punishment. The history of capital punishment has been discussed and its application in today’s society. Several states where it is applied on lawbreakers have been highlighted as well as how it is applied. The paper presents a discussion on the system of capital punishment, and its

The Different Facets of Mental Functioning Essay

The Different Facets of Mental Functioning - Essay Example Cognitive psychology began to distinguish itself from an older branch of psychology, behaviorism, when researchers realized that to study the mind often meant studying processes that could not be directly observed, such as the â€Å"stimulus-response† experiments common to behaviorism.               A central concern of linguists in the cognitive arena is the relationship between language and thought. The linguistic relativity theory, put forth by Benjamin L. Whorf in 1956 states that language either determines thought or influences it heavily. The famous â€Å"Eskimos have 27 words for snow† notion, under relativity, means they perceive snow differently from, say, a Florida resident, and therefore have a more highly developed categorizing system for snow. However, the theory did not take into account that different environments, whether physical or created, may affect how much time and effort people focus on various things, which is then reflected by language. Later studies by Heider-Rosch (1972, 1973, in Eysenck, 1984) on color perception across languages with vastly different color naming systems seem to show that it is thought that determines language. However, there may be some cultural or culturally-based learning differences as evidenced by studies on bilingual individuals.            The central focus, then, of cognitive psychologists is the structure and processes of the mind, which are generally equated with representation (the structures) and computation (the processes), as well as the inclusive dynamic systems process (Braisby & Gellaltly, 2005). Representation deals with what things are about, such as the subject matter of a book -- versus its physical qualities such as molecular structure, weight, and dimensions -- is what the book is about. Computation is how the mind processes information and it is in this area that the mind is most often linked to computers and how they learn. Two major systems of computation have been developed, and supporters argue for the relative importance of them or some interaction of both.

Capital Punishment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Capital Punishment - Essay Example Japan and the United States are some of the developed countries that are still practicing capital punishment. In Africa, Congo’s executions were rising at an alarming rate by 2003. There needs to be a change since capital punishment adversely affects the families of the victim. Capital punishment is reprisal through meting out a death sentence to the offender. In the criminal justice systems of many countries, it is lawful to inflict death to lawbreakers, depending on the weight of the crime. It is an act of ensuring that individuals suffer for engaging in activities that are against the law. In the criminal justice systems of many countries, it is lawful to inflict death to lawbreakers, depending on the weight of the crime. In the United States, death penalty is usually held in reserve for first-degree murder crimes which in most cases are associated with horrific circumstances such as bombing and killing a large number of people. It was mostly used in the ancient times, although many countries still use capital punishment (Steven 2007; Katrina and Steve 2008). In a broader perspective, it can be argued that capital punishment involves taking the life of another person. In doing so, it should not be forgotten that the victim has certain responsibilities t hat he/she leaves behind after an execution. The most important of all are the family members left behind. Frustration and grief overcome them with a number of suicide cases being reported after a death sentence. People have had different views concerning capital punishment, with some viewing it as a deterrent to crime, while others find no accomplishment in it. This paper is a critical investigation of capital punishment. The history of capital punishment has been discussed and its application in today’s society. Several states where it is applied on lawbreakers have been highlighted as well as how it is applied. The paper presents a discussion on the system of capital punishment, and its

Sports Utility Vehicles Essay Example for Free

Sports Utility Vehicles Essay The paper referred to with this text is the one entitled â€Å"Sports Utility Vehicles: The real cost of power,† and the intention in this document is to endeavor to explain the revision process and what I personally learnt from that process as it applies to this paper. In revising the paper, apart from the obvious spelling, punctuation, grammatical and referencing corrections, I also needed to look at the hypothesis, structure and argument basis. There were two reasons for this. Firstly, revision is necessary to ensure that the research and conclusions reached are in accordance with the main theme of the paper, and that it does not raise additional points, which have been left, unanswered. In the respect of the hypothesis question, upon reviewing my work I found that it was necessary to revise from the original, as this was not concisely presented, nor were the original boundaries of the question defined in a manner that was easy to follow. It therefore needed to be more clearly defined. Similarly, from the structural aspect, there was a need for this to be reorganized. In its initial format, some of the points portrayed in the paper were not organized in a manner that clearly led the reader from one to the next, creating what might have appeared to be a disjointed approach to the subject. Clarity was also one of the reasons for the revision. In parts of the paper, it was found that points were made for which there was no supporting evidence, or the relevance of those points to the hypothesis were not connected properly. During the revision of the work, these points were revisited. In most cases, it was possible to provide further clarification, which addressed the issues. However, it was found in one or two instances that further research was necessary to either support the point raised or re-analyze it. The other aspect of the original paper that did require revision was that of the citations and quotations. In some original cases, these did not provide ease of access for the reader and would have reduced the value of the paper as a credible research document. Some of the references were too vague and in other instances, references and bibliographical connections were missing. I believe that the value that I personally gained from the process of the revision of this paper will benefit future research and other work that I undertake. I learnt the importance of being able review work in an objective manner, questioning the arguments raised in an effort to seek their relevance to the issues being addressed and the hypothesis itself. In addition, I learnt that the style of writing and the structure of the document, in terms of both the sentences and the ordered manner of presenting points raised, make a significant difference to the clarity of the document and impacts upon it knowledge value for the reader or student. As a result, I believe that the revising of the SUV paper will provide me with the ability to produce a better standard of work in the future. It will also enable me to improve my knowledge and development skills. Work Cited Anon (2006). Revising the draft. The Writing Center, University of North Carolina. Retrieved 6 December 2006 from http://www. unc. edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/revision. html

Ebola: Route of Transmission, Life Cycle and Treatment

Ebola: Route of Transmission, Life Cycle and Treatment It is hypothesized that Ebola outbreaks are zoonotic in origin, however the true reservoir in unsubstantiated.8 The conceding belief is that fruit bats are the reservoir for the Ebolavirus, but due to their migration patterns and apparent lack of disease it has been challenging to study this effectively to yield a substantiated conclusion.28 It is further theorized that transmission to humans comes from preparation and consumption of infected bushmeat or the handling of infected animals.8 Some scientists believe that non-human primates contract Ebola from eating fruit soiled with body fluids from infected fruit bats, however there may also be direct animal to animal transmission.8 There is also evidence that domesticated animals such as pigs and dogs contract the virus.29 Once a human is infected from a zoonotic source it is then transmitted from person to person via direct contact with blood, secretions, organs and other bodily fluids of infected people. Ebolavirus is also transmitt ed during burial ceremonies where individuals come into direct contact with an infected deceased person.30 Healthcare workers taking care of those infected have frequently been infected themselves, due to improper infection control procedures.30 Recent evidence has shown a sexual transmission from Ebola, as semen can test positive for Ebola months after the disease has subsided.30 The WHO and CDC both report that Ebolavirus can not be transmitted through aerosols. However, there are a few studies and evidence to support that it is a possible mode of transmission. It is believed that there was animal to animal as well as animal to human transmission of the Reston virus from cynomolgus macaques in a US quarantine facility.31 The outbreak demonstrated intercage infection and in some cases with distance between the cages. In a study, rhesus macaques were infected through aerosols of the Zaire virus, with a median mass diameter ranging from 0.8 and 1.2m.32 Evidence of the respiratory tract being the primary site of infection, can be inferred from the viral concentration being the greatest in the lungs.8 Pathogenesis The incubation period for Ebolavirus ranges from 2 to 21 days and humans are non-infectious until symptoms appear.30 Ebolavirus presents with a sudden onset of fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. As the disease progresses vomiting, diarrhea and a rash present. During the latent stages of the disease, patients develop impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding.30 Patients will present with labs with low white blood count (WBC), low platelets, elevated liver enzymes (AST and ALT).30 The mortality rate varies among the different subtypes of Ebolavirus. The Zaire virus has an average of 77% mortality rate, Sudan virus 49.8%, Bundibugyo 30.55% and Reston virus and Tai Forest virus both have a 0% mortality rate.5 The range in mortality rates across all subgroups go from 100% to 0%. However, when looking specifically at the Zaire virus the range is 47% to 100%.5 Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention EBOV is difficult to distinguish early on from other infectious diseases in the area like malaria, typhoid fever and meningitis.30 In order to confirm initial symptoms are caused by EBOV healthcare workers should perform ELISA, antigen-capture detection tests, serum neutralization test, RT-PCR, electron microscopy, or virus isolation by cell culture.30 All samples are an extreme biohazard risk and can only be done under biosafety level (BSL) 4. There are currently only 10 BSL 4 labs in the US and 47 worldwide33, leading to an insufficient resource for testing and research. Current treatment for EBOV is supportive care through re-hydration as well as treatment for specific symptoms. There are currently no vaccines or approved treatment for EBOV, however there are many in development. During a recent outbreak, a US physician was treated with an experimental drug (ZMapp). He eventually went on to give a blood transfusion to another patient with EBOV in hopes of treatment; both recovered well. Evidence suggest that antibody support along with platelets and fluids could provide a key in future treatments. Currently, higher level medical facilities pose better outcomes due to their ability to assist with organ deterioration while the patient is trying to survive the viral infection. Prevention and Control is best achieved through case management, surveillance, contact tracing, good laboratory services, safe burials, and social mobilization.30 By limiting the interaction with wildlife, which are known to be reservoirs of the disease, we can limit the transmission into human hosts. If an individual becomes infected proper quarantine procedures should be put in place to ensure the disease does not spread. Proper quarantine measures include isolating infected patients in medical facilities with only essential personal entering and leaving the patients room. All essential medical personnel should don personal protective equipment (PPE) at all time, which includes a single use gown, respirator with full face shield, 2 pairs of gloves, single use boot covers, and single use apron.34 Educating the population in these endemic areas as to these quarantine procedures, not touching infected animals, and proper burial techniques can vastly improve outcomes during outbreaks.3 0 Weight and Discrimination: Legal Issues Weight and Discrimination: Legal Issues Ther L. Richardson Abstract Discrimination against overweight and obese people has existed for millennia but it is just in recent decades that discrimination against the overweight has been seen as a crime and research has begun in this field. Despite some research going back as far as the 1940’s the majority of research did not start until almost the 1970’s. With the pace that American law is driven there has not been considerable progress made to this point. Current research is being conducted to stem both the lack of progress and make inroads of societal progress. Current understanding and legislation may empower an entire class of world citizens, and change perception of weight discrimination and obesity while leveling the employment and earnings playing field. Weight and Discrimination: Legal Issues in Weight Discrimination According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) between 2009 and 2010 more than 35 percent of adults across the U.S. and Canada were considered obese, (McGuire, 2011, pp. 368-369) based on the BMI. The Body Mass Index or BMI is a scale that assigns a number value that is calculated from a persons weight and height. BMI is used to provide an indicator of body fat ratio or level and is used by the healthcare industry to screen people for weight categories. While the rates of obesity in adults has been slowing over the past decade or so, the world population has become more media centric and the idea of the ideal body type has certainly been affected by the mass media and the influence of Hollywood movies, sports and television. This change in the perception of the ideal body image has almost certainly affected the rates and types of discrimination as well. In the workplace, obese workers are considered lazy, incompetent, and lacking self-control. While women’s wages are lower on average then men’s, obese women’s wages are even more out of proportion. It has also been shown that many human resource representatives do not even know it is illegal to not interview, or decline to hire someone based on their weight. As ideal body image changes to leaner more fit athletic and â€Å"underwear model† looking individuals the more overweight and obese individuals pale in comparison. The contrast effect then sets up and impossible scenario where the obese worker or applicant can never meet the mind’s eye image of the ideal employee. Perception of weight discrimination and obesity Sutin and Terracciano (2013) conducted research on perceived weight discrimination and obesity. They examined whether weight discrimination is associated with risk of becoming obese by follow-up survey among those not obese at baseline, and to test whether weight discrimination is associated with risk of remaining obese at follow-up among those already obese at baseline (Sutin Terracciano, 2013). This research was conducted through both face to face interviews and a survey returned by mail to the Health and Retirement Study, which is a nationally representative longitudinal survey conducted by the University of Michigan. They found that weight discrimination was reported by those that became obese during the time between the baseline and follow-up interviews, for the most part among participants who weren’t obese at the time of the baseline measurements. Those subjects who reported that they experienced discrimination based on their weight were over three times more likely to remain obese at follow-up instead of dropping below the obesity threshold on the Body Mass Index (BMI) than those who did not experience such discrimination. Of the sample that was normal weight at baseline, there was not enough data for the analysis, but of the 14 participants in the normal weight category who reported weight discrimination in their follow-up, none became obese as described by the BMI (Sutin Terracciano, 2013). Sutin and Terracciano (2013) remark that â€Å"body weight is a highly visible, personal characteristic that can evoke strong stereotypes and strong reactions from others,† and easily contribute to stereotyping and discrimination as well. Weight discrimination and harassment are also thought to be associated with behaviors which increase the risk of weight gain, these behaviors include excessive food intake (binge eating) and decreased physical inactivity (Friedman Puhl, 2012, p. 2, 3). Obese persons who feel discriminated against may tend to avoid situations where there weight would make them stand out, for instance going out dancing, and thus gaining the benefit of the exercise that might be gained by that activity. People that feel stigmatized tend to feel less confident and able to engage in physical activity and thus avoid not only exercise, but also social activity that could lead to physical activity and exercise such as line dancing or other forms of social activities like sports, and games. Weight bias can have a significant impact on social, economic, psychological and physical health. Social and economic consequences include social rejection, poor quality of relationships (Friedman Puhl, 2012, p. 2, 3). Current legal protections in the united states and results of litigation Katz and Lavan (2008) conducted research on limited legal protections of obese employees as a class, and lawsuits against employers who took adverse employment actions based on obesity against obese employees and former employees who have begun to prevail in lawsuits against those employers. They analyzed of a random sample of 80 cases to attempt to identify factors that increase an obese plaintiffs likelihood of success and found that an employee in the private sector, particularly a non-professional employee, has a significantly greater likelihood of winning than do others. Additionally, they found that an unemployed individual or an individual filing suit under legislation other than state discrimination laws or the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has a statistically greater chance of prevailing as well. According to Katz and Lavan (2008), because obesity is often considered a problem wherein the obese individuals are blamed for their own weight, people see obesity as an issue of personal responsibility versus a chronic condition and this may well may have a different impact on public opinions and support for anti-discrimination laws and lawsuits. There are many facets to the discrimination towards obesity that may not even be perceived by those that are being discriminated against. For example, applicants for employment may be judged on their appearance, not just on their qualifications. Rejected candidates may not be aware of weight-related factors (Katz Lavan, 2008). One surprising result that was mentioned was that the discrimination against obesity is contagious. In one study cited by Katz and Lavan, in two experiments, average-weight male job applicants were rated more negatively when seen with an overweight compared to a normal weight female. This shows that the stigmatizati on and discrimination can spread simply due to association. The overweight and more specifically the morbidly obese are often given the blame for their own condition. Another impression that people hold is that of obese people being less tidy or having poor personal hygiene, this often has a lot to do with appearance. Supervisors or management may even react differently to overweight individuals, causing them to treat overweight employees differently on the job than more attractive employees (Katz Lavan, 2008). In addition, the discrimination against obese persons is not limited to the workplace by any means, obese persons are reminded, or are made to feel in everyday encounters with family members, peers, health care providers, and strangers that they deviate from social norms and are inferior to those who are not obese (Katz Lavan, 2008 pg. 3). When it comes to the current legal state, more and more it appears that Title VII (the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, 1964) and the Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990 have not been very useful to litigants either, except in cases where the litigant that is claiming discrimination was morbidly obese. If an individual claimed that they were discriminated against but not because of an actual disability but instead because of their employer’s perception that they had a disability from being overweight when in fact they could perform the jobs assigned without impediment, then that litigant was in fact more likely to win (Katz Lavan, 2008 pg. 3). In addition much discussion on their part about recent litigation and the ADA, Katz and Lavan (2008) stated that courts have generally viewed obesity as a voluntary condition and therefore disqualified it as a disability under ADA. They cite few cases that have held that obesity on its own constitutes a disability (Katz Lavan, 2008 pg. 4). Obesity and obtaining work and fair wages Pagan Dà ¡vila (1997) conducted a study to explore the relationship between obesity, occupational attainment, and earnings using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth to investigate the occupational selection of obese individuals. They then estimated the earnings functions that accounted for the occupational attainment of the overweight. Much the same as many other researchers they found that women seemed to pay a steeper penalty than men did as men tended to migrate into employment where their weight did not play as big of a role (Pagan Dà ¡vila, 1997). The authors did not elaborate on these types of employment other than to say service based, although the authors did at one point elude to truck drivers and movers. In all, the reported findings they said did tend to complement the existing body of work. Their research did not seem to bring much new to the table other than the fact that they had some theories on crowding, but it did support previous theory and work mentioned. Because there is very little research so far to review each new item add to the totality of the available data. In addition, they were the only authors that eluded to the use of migration into employment where their weight did not play as big of a role in their earning potential. Research into the efforts to pass new laws Puhl, Heuer Sarda (2010) conducted research assess the public support for potential legislation to prohibit weight-based discrimination against obese individuals in the United States, and to examine whether certain message frames about weight discrimination influence public support. Their participants were randomly assigned to read one of the four paragraphs that framed the topic of weight discrimination in a distinct way (or a control condition with no paragraph). Participants were then asked to indicate their level of support for six anti-discrimination laws. Participants were a national sample of 1114 participants (48% women, 52% men), with a mean age of 44.78 years (Puhl et al., 2011). The results of their study showed that there was some support for laws that would prohibit weight-based discrimination. Gender differences were observed across experimental conditions thus indicating that â€Å"some message frames may increase support for certain laws among women, but not men. Message frames however, had no effect on support for laws with specific provisions to prohibit weight discrimination in the workplace† (Puhl et al., 2011). This suggested that the public held support for those particular legal measures was both consistent and high at approximately 65% of men and 81% of women, regardless of how the issue of weight discrimination was framed to the public (Puhl et al., 2011). Just as most of the articles do, the authors of this article point out that weight discrimination stems from pervasive societal stigma and stereotypes that obese persons are lazy, lacking in self-discipline and are personally at fault for their inability to lose weight, and that unfortunately, weight bias takes a significant toll on emotional and physical health for those who are affected, increasing vulnerability to depression, low self-esteem, poor body image, suicidal behaviors, unhealthy eating patterns, eating disorders and avoidance of physical activity and social exclusion. One interesting comment of note is their mention that recent estimates suggest that the prevalence of weight discrimination in the United States has increased by 66% over the past decade, and is now comparable with prevalence rates of racial discrimination in America (Puhl et al., 2011). Their results have led them to conclude that women express a stronger degree of agreement than men do with idea that ther e should be new laws about weight discrimination and that the government should take a more active and aggressive role to protect overweight people from size/weight discrimination. Discussion Currently, in the United States there are little or no legal protections to prohibit discrimination against an individual based solely on body shape, size, or weight, and employers basically have the right to hire anyone they want without regard to preference to thinner and more attractive applicants. Some employers have even been found to penalize heavy employees in unfair ways. Weight-based discrimination is pervasive around the world and it is damaging and worsens health disparities for obese people, in essence creating a self-fulfilling prophecy (Puhl et al., 2011). There was considerable agreement within the literature, with many studies concluding that weigh based discrimination does exist, it is pervasive, and it is experienced more by women than men (Puhl et al., 2011), (Pagan Dà ¡vila, 1997), and (Katz Lavan, 2008) for example. Many practitioners in the psychological and sociological communities’ believe that it is critical for the public health community to recognize that this type of institutionalized bias is, in fact, both a social injustice, and a public health issue. In addition many of those individuals also feel that it is past due to look long and hard legislatively, at equal protections and definitions of obesity as a syndrome. History has demonstrated that legislation has the power to reduce institutionalized bias against stigmatized groups, thus researchers, advocacy groups and the public health community can help promote protective legislation for overweight and obese persons (Puhl et al., 2011). Public support is going to be key in enacting any weight bias legislation, and the research findings provide a springboard to explore public attitudes toward laws that prohibit discrimination based on weight. Because of women’s potentially increased vulnerability to weight stigmatization as compared to men in nearly all of these studies, over time they are more likely experience unfair treatment because of their weight, and are therefore they are far more supportive of legislation to combat Obesity discrimination. Some researchers such as Puhl et al., 2011, Pagan Dà ¡vila, 1997, and Katz and Lavan, 2008have suggested that women are more vulnerable to weight discrimination than men and may experience weight discrimination at lower levels of body weight than men do. Additionally there are roles and jobs that are typically filled by men that tend to favor some amount of over-weightiness such as movers being able to handle large or bulky items. Conclusion In order to make inroads against this type of discrimination is education of the population, overt intolerance of the discrimination, strong advocacy in support of litigation and legislation, and a public awareness campaign, and some strong rulings to create precedence. Of course almost universally as always, more research is needed. While it is generally accepted that there is weight based discrimination, it is important that there be a solid body of work to bring it to light, and in conjunction with medical research into the causes of obesity it may be possible to determine what the leading factors in obesity, continued obesity, and combating obesity are. In addition research needs to be done into the effects of socialization on obesity. One of the experienced side effects of obesity being anti-social behavior one cannot help but to wonder what if anything would be the overall effect of purposely involving the morbidly obese in social activity that bolstered self-confidence without judgment, possibly without even focusing on weight. References Friedman, R., Puhl, R. (2012). Weight Bias A Social Justice Issue A Policy Brief. 2012 Rudd Report, 2012 Rudd Report (2012), 2, 3. Katz, M., Lavan, H. (2008). Legality of Employer Control of Obesity. Journal of Workplace Rights, 13(1), 59-71. doi:10.2190/WR.13.1.e McGuire, S., Shields M., Carroll M.D., Ogden C.L., (2011). Adult Obesity Prevalence in Canada and the United States. NCHS Data Brief no. 56, Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics, 2011. Advances in Nutrition: An International Review Journal, 2(4), 368-369. Pagà ¡n, J., Dà ¡vila, A. (1997). Obesity, Occupational Attainment, and Earnings. Social Science Quarterly, 78(3), 756 770. 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