End of Life Essay

According to IOM (2008), the next generation of older adults will be like no other before it. It will be the most educated and diverse group of older adults in the nation’s history. They will set themselves apart from their predecessors by having fewer children, higher divorce rates, and a lower likelihood of living in poverty. But the key distinguishing feature of the next generation of older Americans will be their vast numbers. According to the most recent census numbers, there are now 78 million Americans who were born between 1946 and 1964. By 2030 the youngest members of the baby boom generation will be at least 65, and the number of older adults 65 years and older in the United States is expected to be more than 70 million, or almost double the nearly 37 million older adults alive in 2005. The number of the â€Å"oldest old,† those who are 80 and over, is also expected to nearly double, from 11 million to 20 million (Institute of Medicine of the National Academies [IOM], 2008, p. 29). The United States health care system faces enormous challenges as the baby boomer generation nears retirement age. Current reimbursement policies, workforce practices, and resource allocations all need to be re-evaluated, and redesigned in order to prepare the health care system for meeting the needs of the inevitably growing population of older adults. Areas such as education, training, recruitment, and retention of the health care workforce serving older adults will require remodeling. To accomplish this will require the dedication and allocation of greater financial resources, even at a time when budgets are already be severely stretched. â€Å"The nation is responsible for ensuring that older adults will be cared for by a health care workforce prepared to provide high-quality care. If current Medicare and Medicaid policies and workforce trends continue, the nation will fail to meet this responsibility. Throwing more money into a system that is not designed to deliver high-quality, cost-effective care or to facilitate the development of an appropriate workforce would be a largely wasted effort† (IOM, 2008, p. 1-12). Ethical Standards for Resource Allocation Ethics have a paramount role in solving the complex dilemmas surrounding the aging population and health care. There are several ethical standards I believe should be used in determining resource allocation for the aging population and end of life care. Yet realistically, most are unreasonable with the already limited resources available for health care. Unfortunately difficult decisions need to be made in the allocation of resources. Three primary ethical standards that could realistically improve health care for the aging, which I believe should determine resource allocations are: 1. Autonomy: suggest that individuals have a right to determine what is in their own best interest, though that interest may be limited if exercising that right limits the rights of others. 2. Beneficence: means that clinicians should act completely in the interest of their patients. Compassion; taking positive action to help others; desire to do good; core principle of our patient advocacy. 3. Justice: implies fairness and that all groups have an equal right to clinical services regardless of race, gender, age, income, or any other characteristic (Teutsch & Rechel, 2012, p. 1). It is inevitable that difficult decisions have to be made regarding how health care resources will be allocated for the aging and dying. In my opinion scarce health care resources should be offered as fair as possible (justice), to do the most good for the patient in every situation (beneficence), with respect of the individual human right to have control of what happens to their own body (autonomy). Elderly and end of life patients have a right to care that is dignified and honest. The three ethical standards noted above should be the driving force behind determining health care resource allocations, allowing for quality care delivery, tailored to individual health needs at any stage of â€Å"aging† through the end of life, ensuring protection and satisfaction to such a vulnerable patient population. As stated by Maddox (1998), perhaps the impact of the array of problems, issues, and the myriad difficult decisions that policymakers and managers make may be softened by imaginative and rational strategies to finance, organize, and deliver health care when resources are scarce. Decisions related to scarce resource allocations must be made in consideration of the ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, and especially justice. Ethical issues related to scarce resource allocation are likely to become increasingly complex in the future. Thus, it is imperative that health care leaders diligently and ethically continue to explore these issues (Maddox, 1998, p. 41). Somehow, while using the three standards noted, we need to reform our health care system to benefit the aging and dying, and adhere to the codes of conduct the best way possible with the limited resources available. If there is a will, there is a way! Ethical Challenges The critically challenging ethical issue of â€Å"aged based health care rationing† is faced when preparing for an adequate health care system that will meet the care needs of the aging and dying. According to AAM (1988), the rationale for a program of health care rationing based on age rests on the assumption that society should allocate its resources efficiently, and that age-based rationing represents the most efficient method of resource allocation. Within this context, it has been argued that since most of the elderly are not in the work force they do not directly benefit society. Although the elderly, it is argued, should be provided with basic necessities and comfort, the greatest portion of health care resources, including expensive medical technologies, are better deployed on younger, more productive segments of the population (American Medical Association [AMA], 1988, p. 1). One tool developed by economist that has been used to measure value of ones life so to speak is known as â€Å"quality adjusted life years or QALY†. It is a widely used measure of health improvement that is used to guide health-care resource allocation decisions. The QALY was originally developed as a measure of health effectiveness for cost-effectiveness analysis, a method intended to aid decision-makers charged with allocating scarce resources across competing health-care program (Kovner & Knickman, 2011, p. 258). Another common term for health care rationing is known as the â€Å"death panel, or Obama Death Council†. This panel is a government agency that would decide who would receive health care and who would not receive health care based on some form of standard implemented by the government. One difficult ethical question posed is, if we do ration health care, who decides how it is rationed, when and why? The advocates of rationing argue that society benefits from the increase in economic productivity that results when medical resources are diverted from an elderly, retired population to those younger members of society who are more likely to be working. As stated by Binstock (200), promoting age-based rationing is detrimental to the elderly because it devalues the status of older people and caters to the values of a youth- oriented culture, a culture in which negative stereotyping based on age is prevalent. One possible consequence of denying health care to elderly persons is what it might do to the quality of life for all of us as we approach the â€Å"too old for health care† category. Societal acceptance of the notion that elderly people are unworthy of having their lives saved could markedly shape our general outlook toward the meaning and value of our lives in old age. At the least it might engender the unnecessarily gloomy prospect that old age should be anticipated and experienced as a stage in which the quality of life is low. The specter of morbidity and decline could be pervasive and over- whelming (Binstock, 2007, p. 8). Other ethical challenges related to the provisions of aging based health care are: 1. Lack of education amongst health care providers in meeting the care needs of the aging and dying as well as providers faced with ethically challenging decisions especially at the end of life. 2. Lack of funds to support the diverse and challenging health needs of the aging, and promotion of comfort when dying, whether it be funds for care, facility placement, or ability to hire enough staff to me the high demands of a large population, and education. 3. Cost effectiveness vs. quality of care vs. quality of life â€Å"In the end, there is no â€Å"solution† to the problem of aging, at least no solution that a civilized society could ever tolerate. Rather, our task is to do the best we can with the world as it is, improving what we can but especially avoiding as much as possible the greatest evils and miseries of living with old age: namely, the temptation of betrayal, the illusion of perpetual youth, the despair of frailty, and the loneliness of aging and dying alone† (Georgetown University, 2005, para. 62). One way or another it is imperative to our aging society that a health care system is developed under the principals of autonomy, beneficence, and justice that will not deliver care based on rationing and determination of ones’ worth, but based on the individual and their health needs that will facilitate optimal aging and peaceful dying. References American Medical Association. (1988). Ethical implications of age-based rationing of health care (I-88). Retrieved from http://www. ama-assn. org/resources/doc/ethics/ceja_bi88. pdf Binstock, R. H. (2007, August). Our aging societies: ethical, moral, and policy challenges. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 12, 3-9. Retrieved from http://web. ebscohost. com. ezp. waldenulibrary. org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer? sid=64fb29eb-cd59-49c6-8750-ad2528de0fba%40sessionmgr110&vid=13&hid=114 Georgetown University. (2005). Taking care: ethical caregiving of our aging society. Retrieved from http://bioethics. georgetown. edu/pcbe/reports/taking_care/chapter1. html Institute of Medicine of the National Academies. (2008). Retooling for an aging America: building the health care workforce. Retrieved from http://www. fhca. org/members/workforce/retooling. pdf Kovner, PhD, A. R. , & Knickman, PhD, J. R. (2011). Jonas & Kovner’s Health Care Delivery in the United States (10th ed. , pp. 1-404). New York: Springer Publishing Company. Maddox, P. J. (1998, December). Administrative ethics and the allocation of scarce resources. The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 3(3). Retrieved from http://www. nursingworld. org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Vol31998/No3Dec1998/ScarceResources. html Teutsch, S. , & Rechel, B. (2012). Ethics of resource allocation and rationing medical care in a time of fiscal restraint _ US and Europe. Public Health Reviews, 34(1), 10. Retrieved from http://www. publichealthreviews. eu/upload/pdf_files/11/00_Teutsch. pdf

Case Study-Eating Disorder

Sarah is a sixteen year old girl. She is in the tenth grade and until recently was an optimistic and energetic young girl. Sarah’s mother has began to worry about her lately. Her mother recently found a bottle of diet pills hidden in her room. She has also noticed that Sarah’s behavior has been changing in the past few months. Sarah’s mother is unaware that Sarah’s boyfriend has been reducing her to tears lately by commenting that she has been gaining weight. Her mother has also found her looking in the mirror a lot more than usual. When she looks in the mirror she often sucks in her stomach and is complaining that she is not beautiful. As a result, Sarah has been going off food for days to the point of starvation. Then after days without food she breaks down and eats nearly everything that she can find in her refrigerator. Sarah’s weight has significantly dropped in the past few weeks. It is important to intervene immediately in Sarah’s life and get her help. When individuals with eating disorders get help early on during the disorder there is a high success rate of long-term recovery. Sarah is part of one the highest rated risk groups for eating disorders. People between the ages of ten to twenty-five are at the most risk for developing an eating disorder. Sarah is entering her teenage years and is encountering a lot of changes with her boy and her emotions. Eating disorders are also usually referred to as female diseases. Eating disorders are not limited to females. Sarah is a young women that is starting to feel pressure from her boyfriend to lose weight. Sarah is just beginning to have issue with her weight and food. Individuals with eating disorders often do not recognize that they have a problem or will not admit that they have a problem. The two most common forms of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia. They are similar to each other and are both very harmful to an individual. Anorexia is characterized by an obsession with weight gain and self-distorted body image. Individuals with anorexia have a body weight that is 85 percent below their normal weight for their height and age. They maintain a low body weight by starving themselves, over-exercising, using diet pills, or vomiting. The effects of this eating disorder are emotional, physical, social, and psychological. It is a very serious disorder. There are two types of anorexia. The restricting type and the bingeing and purging type. When people think of anorexia they most commonly think of the restricting type which is characterized by individuals not participating in any bingeing or purging behaviors. The binging and purging type of anorexia is when the individual does participate in bingeing and purging behaviors by using laxatives, self-inducing vomiting, or over-exercising(DSM-IV-TR; American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Bulimia, like anorexia, is characterized by one’s obsession with weight. This type of eating disorder involves an individual having recurrent binge eating followed by purging behaviors. The use of laxatives, diuretics, and other medications help the individual with the purging. Over-exercising and a self-distorted body-image are a large part of bulimia. Persons with bulimia feel they have no self-control over their binges and purges. Their binging and purging behaviors happen often and occur at least once a week for three months (DSM-IV-TR; American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Eating disorders are very serious and will not typically get better without treatment. It is often difficult to get people with eating disorders to get help, because they don’t think that they have a problem or they are scared of gaining weight. One of the most important aspects of treating anorexia nervosa is to have the patients gain weight and restore nutrition. In some cases their weight can be so low that hospitalization is necessary. In Sarah’s case, and most other cases, she can be treated as an outpatient with therapy. For long-term recovery it is critical to get the person who has an eating disorder help as soon as the problem is obvious. The longer the person with an eating disorder waits to get help the longer it will take to recover and the risk of relapse increases. Anorexia and bulimia can also so a lot of damage to a person’s body physically if it left untreated. This will only make individuals feel worse in the long run because they leave he/she looking and feeling terrible (Holtkamp, Hebebrand, & Herpertz-Dahlmann, 2004). In severe cases of anorexia and bulimia inpatient care is needed. Inpatient care has access to 24-hour a day clinical care and is a very structured environment. This may be just what the patient needs because many times the lives of patients with eating disorders are not very organized. There are ifferent levels of care in the hospital that gives the patients the option to â€Å"step-up† or â€Å"step-down† to. One reason that patients with eating disorders are placed in inpatient care in a hospital is when they also have a psychiatric disorder. Their psychiatric disorder may also require some special care that interferes with an eating disorder. Sarah is not at the point of needing inpatient care. In p atient care is usually only implemented in severe cases of anorexia or bulimia. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is one of the most effective types of therapy for bulimia. This type of therapy is highly structured and involves active participation of the patient. This type of therapy focuses on the thoughts and feelings that the patients have about eating and food. One of the main goals is establish a positive relationship with food. Along with establishing a positive relationship with food, cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on creating a positive self-image and increasing self-esteem. Creating a positive self-image is a vital component in recovery. Cognitive-behavioral therapy emphasizes the importance of consuming regular meals (Mitchell, & Peterson, 1999). In order to determine if the patient is consuming regular meals and snacks he/she keeps detailed journals of what he/she eats and writes self-evaluations. During cognitive-behavioral therapy there are a few other aspects that have been helpful when to use for patients with bulimia. Identifying cues for when the bingeing or purging behaviors are going to occur helps the patient reduce his/her behavior by recognizing the cue and stopping themselves before they binge or purge. Patients with eating disorders do not have a healthy or regular meal schedule. Establishing a normal meal schedule and even a meal plan for what they are going to eat at each meal will help enforce regularity into the patients’ life. Research findings show that cognitive-behavioral therapy is successful in reducing bingeing and purging behaviors in individuals with bulimia nervosa. Reduction rates range from 40 percent to 97 percent (Mitchell, & Peterson,1999). For anorexia nervosa, cognitive-behavioral therapy has been found to be effective when used as individual therapy and group therapy combined. Using group therapy and individual therapy has resulted in a reduction in relapse and symptoms returning. Although it can be used for anorexia nervosa it is not the most effective treatment option for anorexia nervosa, but it is one of the most effective or bulimia. One problem with cognitive-behavioral therapy is that at the end of this therapy many patients still have some symptoms; that increases the risk for a relapse in the future. Nutritional counseling is an essential part of treatment for eating disorders. It can be done with the counselor that they are seeing for their cognitive-behavioral therapy or it can be a completely different counselor that is specialized in dietary nutrition. During nutritional therapy the patient learns about the importance of healthy eating. The patient is also taught about the effects on his/her mental and physical health when they deprive their body of the basic nutritional needs. Teaching patients’ to have a positive relationship with food is one of the most important aspects of treatment for individuals with eating disorders, because if he/she keeps a negative view of food then they will not be able to gain weight. Nutritional counseling sets up a new diet that includes the patient keeping a daily journal of what they eat. During nutritional counseling the patients’ learn that they need to eat food to be able to live and that they can eat food without feeling bad about themselves. Group therapy provides a supportive network of individuals who have the same eating disorder to share time and experiences with one another. During group therapy individuals can discuss their goals for the future, ways to change his/her behaviors, and alternate coping strategies. Group therapy for individuals with anorexia and bulimia is not always the most effective form of treatment. There are several advantages and disadvantages in group therapy. Group therapy allows individuals to share and teach about their own experiences with their eating disorder. Group therapy many not be appropriate for all individuals, but for those whom it is, they seem to benefit greatly. Patients with eating disorders often feel rejected by their families and friends, and when they are with other patients who are suffering from eating disorders then they will gain acceptance and feel cared about. Forming friendships with other patients in the group can help prevent a binge or take someone out of a depressed mood by a making a simple phone call. However, individuals with eating disorders also suffer from anxiety and are closed off to others, so putting them in a group therapy may not be that effective (Holtkamp, Hebebrand, & Herpertz-Dahlmann, 2004). They will not be willing to cooperate and share with others. Also, one cannot force individuals to be part of a group therapy and many people will not volunteer to be part of a group. One concern that therapists have with group therapy is that patients can get negative ideas from each other. For example if one patient is unaware of a type of medication that is used to induce vomiting he/she may try this as a new method. Patients may, also feel too much pressure from the other individuals in the group and withdraw themselves from the rest of the group and lie about their progress. Patients with anorexia and bulimia often show a low level in serotonin (Ferguson, La Via, & Crossan, 1999). Low levels of serotonin are often associated with depressive disorders and anxiety disorders. Many individuals who are suffering from an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia are also diagnosed with an anxiety or depressive disorder. Some of these disorders include social phobia, obsessive compulsive disorder, major depressive disorder, dysthmic disorder, and substance abuse. Medication is often used in treating anorexia and bulimia, because of the cormobidity with other mental disorders. The main purposes of using medication are to treat other psychiatric conditions, reduce sensitivity to stress, reduce anxiety and weight restoration. Medications have shown to be effective in these areas. Medication should not be the only type of treatment for an individual with an eating disorder. When using medication with another type of therapy, such a cognitive-behavioral or family therapy, should be implemented. The use of medication in the treatment for anorexia has not shown significant effects(Ferguson, La Via, & Crossan, 1999). When the use of fluoxetine, an antidepressant, was combined with nutritional and behavioral treatment, it has shown some effects in preventing relapse. It did not improve the mood or stimulate appetite in individuals. It has been shown to be most effect in the treatment of anorexia once there has been some weight gain and improvement in self-esteem. The use of pharmacology is much more promising for patients with bulimia. It doesn’t work for everyone with bulimia, but the use of antidepressants has resulted in significant reduction in bingeing and purging behaviors. The most popular form of antidepressants used are SSRI’s and Prozac has shown the best results for reducing behaviors associated with bulimia. When using medication for the treatment of anorexia and bulimia is important to follow several guidelines to protect the patients’ health. Doing a medical background check of the patient and his/her family health is important before beginning the patient in any type of medication. The use of medication should not take place until after nutritional rehabilitation has begun and the patient has already chosen another form of therapy to participate in while he/she is taking medication. A treatment method that is often overlooked is self-help. It is often overlooked because it very few medical professionals are involved in this type of treatment. This method involves the patient with an eating disorder becoming part of a group that is composed of people who have eating disorders or joining a community group that will have a high level of support. Support is one of the most important aspects that a person with an eating disorder needs in his/her life in order to have long-term success and a low relapse rate. There are many self-help groups for patients with eating disorders all over the world that are committed to helping individuals recover from an eating disorder. Self-groups may not be for everyone. It is important for individuals with an eating disorder to also have support from the people that are important in his/her life. Family and friends are the people that they interact with everyday and it is essential for the patient to have support from people that they are in contact with on a daily basis. Having support from family members is very helpful in treatment. Since family members are the people that the patient is most likely around the most it is important for them to understand the therapy process and be there for their family member when he/she needs them. In many cases, the family members and the way that a family functions can be part of the reason that the patient has developed an eating disorder. Most cases of eating disorders do not have direct causes because of the patients’ issues with food and weight. Problems within the family is one of the top causes for eating disorders. Family therapy is a popular option for patients with eating disorders the main goal of family therapy is to reduce family dysfunction and reorganize the family to help with the reduction of dysfunction. Family therapy involves the participation of the entire immediate family. During family therapy the role of the therapist is to provide the family with communication skills, conflict resolution skills, and support skills. Teaching family members how to have realistic expectations for one another and to develop strong and united relationships is another important aspect of the family. Family therapy is especially important to use with children and adolescents.

Categories of drivers Essay Example for Free

Categories of drivers Essay Since the start of road transportation, there have been drivers of the varied kind. The modes of transportation changed from horses or horse driven carts to cars but these set of drivers have always remained since then. Drivers of automobiles can be categorized into three categories teenage drivers, old drivers which mainly comprises of senior citizens and drunk or substance abusive drivers. The safety on the road of a person is basically depended on the kind of driving one does. A person’s skill to drive depends upon a certain set of factors due which he gets categorized. Teenage drivers who use automobiles are mostly adrenalin driven and have a habit of being impatient on roads. Teenagers with attitude problems can indulge in major road mishaps and can cause severe damage to themselves along with the innocent car drivers on the road. A teenager cultivates his driving skills by looking at his parents or guardians and later on the pressure of his per group plays a massive factor in driving. It has been estimated about sixty five percent of passengers have had fatal injuries due to the reckless driving of an immature teenager. The habit of risk taking or trying to create impressions on their peer groups more often than not result in deadly crashes. If apart from impulsive behavior, a teenager also does any kind of alcoholic or drug abuse, then the combination of impulsive behavior with substance abuse not only makes them dangerous on the road, but also they risk of having the worst kind of crashes possible on road. As we age our reflexes and our ability to make life saving maneuvers also go down. This is a problem with all the old aged drivers in the world. These old drivers in their experience have a perfect mentality to drive safe, but because of ageing lots of occurrences physically take place like loss of good vision, or their loss of their ability for quick response time. These drivers won’t commit mistakes on purpose and would have a thinking of driving at lower speeds with an intention of attaining maximum safety. How much ever these drivers have good intentions, any physical bustle can cause them to crash anytime which sometimes makes a risky commodity on the road. The worst kind of a driver however is a driver who abuses alcohol or any substance and then drives a set of wheels. These are the kind of drivers who irrespective of their age which can comprise from being a teenager to being a senior citizen have the ability to kill and get killed depending on the amount of alcohol or drug they have consumed. These drivers knowing that they are not in right condition risk everyone’s life around and are equivalent of a deadly weapon on the road, as it become highly unpredictable about when they would crash and cost someone their lives. The following evidence will show the risk taken by these drivers and the amount of crashes that can take place because of their carelessness: ‘Nearly half a million people are injured in alcohol-related crashes each year. More than 15,786 of them die. That’s one death every 33 minutes. In 2000 in Kansas, 2,469 people were injured in alcohol-related crashes. That’s more than six persons injured each day’ (Courtesy: Kansas Department of Transportation, â€Å"Types of drivers†. Retrieved on November 24, 2008 from http://www. ksdot. org/burTrafficSaf/sns/Presentation/types. asp) It can only be understood that a safe and a good driver should always maintain patience while driving, as a small move from any of the three categories discussed above can cause them their lives for no fault of their own. Reference: 1) Kansas Department of Transportation, â€Å"Types of drivers†. http://www. ksdot. org/burTrafficSaf/sns/Presentation/types. asp Categories of drivers. (2016, Sep 04).

Boeing 787 Dreamliner; Quality Management Problems Research Paper

Boeing 787 Dreamliner; Quality Management Problems - Research Paper Example According to the research findings, it can, therefore, be said that Boeing company has grown tremendously and merged with other companies such as McDonnell Douglas among others to become the world’s largest aircraft manufacturer. In the 1950s, Boeing put its first jet aircraft to start exerting its control in the commercial airline market. Boeing is a global example of state of the art technology business dealing with aircraft manufacturing and it is the largest product exporter in U.S. Boeing has produced more than a hundred aircraft model since its inception and has currently launched the most recent model called Boeing 787 Dreamliner. In the midst of the overwhelming competition for efficiency and productivity in the airline industry, Boeing decided to produce one of the most fuel-efficient planes ever made. Whereas this was a courageous move for Boeing, the same has been faced with a myriad of problems in the production process. This is quite understandable considering tha t Boeing opted to use some of the best technologies and expertise in the world. Additionally, Boeing had to take a gamble with technologies that have never been used before, especially with such a large commercial aircraft. The outsourcing strategy and the leading edge technology of the relatively new plastic composite: carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic are the leading causes of high-cost quality and design problems. This was a change from the typical use of steel or aluminum in the manufacture of aircraft. The use of the composite material would guarantee durability, fewer repairs and maintenance cost, and long-distance flights. For a fact, only the manufacture of the tail of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner takes place in the Everest facility that is the home factory. However, it is worth noting that the risk of outsourcing in the production of Boeing 787 Dreamliner hails from the management’s decision to relinquish the design and engineering of the plane, the use of untried sources and stiffness of loyal vendors, and the use of many technological approaches at once. The outsourcing was preferred for various reasons like the commonality in outsourcing in the Boeing Company, the cost savings from the fewer employees’ in-house, lower labor rates in other countries, and the time factor necessary to manufacture the Dreamliners. Additionally, the outsourcing was an opportunity to do business in the different countries, a show of ability to compete with other aircraft manufacturers legally, response to the vulnerability of Boeing engineer strikes, the shrinking employment pool and the increasing demand of engineers at Boeing. Outsourcing is one of the management strategies widely used in the corporate scene However, many problems result from the adoption of the outsourcing strategy leading to the company’s eminent inability to reach its target of producing 10 Boeing 787 Dreamliners every year. While the management thought that the new airframe composit e warranted an all-new production approach, this was a strategic mistake since they should have accommodated the good old aspects hence keep the loyal and most proficient vendors in check.

The Research Project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The Research Project - Essay Example By identification, the group members are proud to be associated with the group, are willing to inform people from the outside that they are participants of the group, and perceive the goals and purpose that the team or the group pursues as their own. Cohesive teams or groups have minimal turnover in membership. A group becomes more cohesive when it can maintain the core members for a long time compared to a group with high member turnover. Participant’s membership detainment may translate to satisfaction in the group. It shows that the members value the association, are receiving benefits from group’s participation, and have invested money or time significantly in the group (Hunziker et al., 2011). When a group is cohesive, there is effective attainment of goals, high quality and quantity of communication and the group exerts significant influence over its members. Conformity, defined as going along, is demonstrated when members neglect a particular position opposed to other team or group members to the advantage of the view of the majority. The abandonment, also called conforming, can happen due do a variety of reasons including emotional or logical persuasion, time constraints, perceiving that continued argument is futile and coercion. If members of the group conform to group’s greater benefits, then the group’s potentials are reached with minimal resistance (Hunziker et al., 2011). Hunziker, S., Johansson, A. C., Tschan, F., Semmer, N. K., Rock, L., Howell, M. D., & Marsch, S. (2011). Teamwork and leadership in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 57(24),

Understanding IT security and its impact to organizations Research Paper

Understanding IT security and its impact to organizations - Research Paper Example This research aims to evaluate and present Information Technology Security before the onset of mandatory regulatory compliance is considered a feature that is nice to have amongst companies. One of the primary considerations of the luck luster implementation of Information Technology Security is the cost associated in setting up even the most basic IT security configuration, the cost of ownership including its maintenance and management. However, the growing sophistication of crimes related to information obtained from records stored in computers or Information Technology Infrastructure in general elicited a second look from stakeholders. Crimes such as identity theft and the funneling of large amount of money from one account to another have made Information Technology Security not only a cause of concern but rather the primary focus of congressional inquiries. The staggering amount of money involved may have caused the collapse of some companies if not the IT security threat have b ecome the catalyst that started its demise. The cost of building the records of the company after a viral attack that deleted its entire archive is nothing compared to the losses that could set in if historical records of payments are not properly reconstructed. The cost of actual damages to clients that have become victims of identity theft because of negligent practices of safe keeping of records of a company’s clientele may include civil liabilities that can ran up to hundreds of millions and billions of dollars if put together. Information Technology Security Systems has been considered at the onset as a means to catch people with nefarious intent after they have committed the felonious act. It should be noted that the crime has already been committed in this instance. However, an in-depth study of this discipline with the implementation of a good Information Security Management System can be used to catch on the act, discourage and prevent Information Technology related crimes. The implementation of established frameworks of Information Security Management Systems combined with technology can be considered as a potent means of protecting organizations against white collar criminals. The potency or effectiveness of these Information Security Management System frameworks was even recognized by the United States Congress as a testament to its effectiveness. The frameworks have considered the employment of human assets, technology and organizational framework through the implementation of policies and procedu res to fight any attempts to circumvent the

MS Project and Team Leadership Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

MS Project and Team Leadership - Assignment Example Identifying and eliminating unnecessary spending is the need of the hour and can take us back on track. Together we need to explore all possible avenues to limit spending and even change the financial strategies if required. As you all know failure to stick to the budget can seriously hinder the project and have negative effects on the organization as well. Usually high performance is linked with increase in productivity and better and speedy results. A high performance team is one in which every member strives to achieve better results, is capable of solving problems faster and readily adapts to change. On the other hand, one poor performer in a team can take the whole team down and lower the productivity (De Dreu & Weingrate, 2003; Shepperd, 1993). It is said that the performance of an employee depends directly on motivation and the attitude of the employee (Akanbi, 2011). Sometimes an otherwise capable team member underperforms because he is uncertain of his roles and responsibilities and does not know what is expected of him (Coutu, 2009). This lack of clarity reflects on the work. In such cases the leader should explain the role clearly and then discuss with the team member what the priorities should be. Leaders can help such team members through consistent feedback. Feedback helps the team members to identify their goals and direction. For instance in case of this project, if the team member is not clear about the overtime policies than the overtime plan he designs will not be acceptable. Lack of motivation is another reason why a team member may underperform (Davidson et al, 2005). In such cases the underperformer can be improved through carefully targeted training. The leader must understand that no two employees can be motivated the same way. Some team members get motivated when treated as an equal. Leaders can motivate such team members by

Technical Writing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Technical Writing - Essay Example It is threaded to attach to the housing and has a  ¼Ã¢â‚¬  hole in its center to slide over the shaft. A 1/8 inch hole in the side of the cap allows air to enter the housing. The toe plate, fitted to the barrel, allows the user to stand on it while operating the pump. The plunger consists of a rod, handle, and diaphragm. The rod is  ¼Ã¢â‚¬  x 16  ½Ã¢â‚¬  long and threaded at both ends. It has a 6† wooden handle, threaded onto its top. The diaphragm, a leather washer, is secured to the lower end of the rod by two  ¼Ã¢â‚¬  nuts on either side. The 18† hose screws into the barrel housing. The locking clamp nozzle is inserted into the hose end and is secured with a 1/8† metal band. The thumb chuck facilitates quick release for regular and high-pressure use. The user can clamp the hose nozzle onto the filler stem of the utility to be inflated, stand on the toe plate, and pump the plunger. If the item to be inflated is a ball or raft, the operator has to first insert the filler needle into the nozzle clamp, moisten the needle and insert it into the navel of the ball or raft. Then, standing on the toe plate, he or she can pump the plunger up and

Business Ethics (Part A) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Business Ethics (Part A) - Essay Example Often times our myopic approach does not allow us to see the long term possibilities of an ethical action, thus we up taking the shortest and easiest way to fulfil our immediate needs. Ethical dilemmas are prevalent in every aspect of our lifestyle, starting from social groups to work place environment. Velasquez et al (2010) mentioned that ethics cannot be defined by any single definition, as it is dependent on a person’s mentality. Some people define ethics as following their feelings, while other may believe that ethical practices are synonymous to religious customs. However, on closer inspection it has been identified that our feelings often deviate from ethical practices and although several religious customs dictate ethical practices, it may vary across different religions (Bucaro, 2007). Moreover, ethics applies to a theist and atheist alike. An ethical practice also does not fall under legal criteria, because an activity although legal may be unethical. Ethics can be d escribed as developing one’s behaviour based on certain standards which dictates him to do the right thing in a societal context, which will eventually yield a long term achievement or success (BBC, 2014). Running a business operation involves following a set of rules and regulations, which defines the governance of the company. The rules are set in such a way that the company can achieve its financial goals, while meeting the stakeholder’s interest at the same time (Rafner, 2014). Due to highly competitive marketplace, some companies create a competitive work environment, where the employees and workers are given steep targets to achieve. In such a competitive environment the employees often adopt certain unethical practices to achieve their target. In jobs involving direct sales, employees often fabricate and manipulate product related information to the

Clashes over Muslim minorities in Europe throughout the past ten years Research Paper

Clashes over Muslim minorities in Europe throughout the past ten years - Research Paper Example This has happened because of world developments relating to Muslims such as the Arab revolution, Afghanistan war, uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia and the revolution in Iran. Additionally, Europeans countries have recently seen an increasing number of Muslim immigrants to their countries. This has led to reactions by some of those governments to the differences in the religions and the political system of Muslims. Furthermore, the case of September 11th has led to fear of Muslim individuals in most European countries. More of this has also been accelerated by the laws which European government enacted relating to terrorist activities. Clashes by Muslim minorities are an expression of fury because of perceived insults expressed to them by secular European communities. European nations have seen increasing number of immigrants for the past four decades. The immigrants are mainly driven by economic changes in their countries of origin. For example, the immigrants are in search of jobs and better living standards as compared to their countries. With this increasing number of movement to European countries, the Islamic population has so far increased in percentage in comparison to the majority population. Consider the case of France, according to Islam in France (1), the number of Muslims in France are about 3.5 to 5 million which is approximately 6 to 8% of the whole population. With these figures it is clear that the number of Muslims in European countries is large. Most of those Muslims are immigrants from North African countries like Algeria, Tunisia. Others are from Middle East and Turkey. The Muslims in France have settled in most parts of the country. In addition, Taras (54) shows that approximately 70% of the Muslims in France are from Algeria and Tunisia respectively. The author points out that since 1950, there has been an increase in the number of Islamic communities in Europe. The approximation provided by the author is 800,000 to 15 million from the 1950s to 2000. The number has so far risen and by year 2008 there were 20 million Muslims in Europe. The high growth of the Islamic population in Europe has increased the attention from Europeans because the population is more and increasing as compared to other minorities. The reproduction rate caused by the previous settled Muslim contributes to the increasing population including the immigration flows. Tara (55) presented statistics showing that in 2011, the number of Muslims throughout Europe were 44 million in all parts of Europe. This increasing number has caused questions from some of the prominent people especially journalists. One of the journalist blogged about the increasing number of Muslims throughout Europe, with the explanation given being that the growth is high in big cities like London, Paris and Berlin. Most bloggers have been talking about the increasing number, according to the research conducted by US Department of State; the percentage of people talking about incre asing number of Muslims in their country has risen. The statistic of the research showed that 61 percent of people in Hungary agree that there is an increase in the number of Muslims in the country. Other European countries have had the same talk, Italy, Poland, Germany and Britain have falling percentages respectively. The research showed

FLOATEA company Essay Example for Free

FLOATEA company Essay 1. Executive Summary: FLOATEA company was founded in Manila, Philippines in 2013 by Joseph Ventinilla, Shi Gerard, Grace Cervantes and Eddie Velizano, with the vision to educate the consumers about fine milk teas. FLOATEA is an organization that offers different variants of milk teas that will give you extraordinary experience. Separating it from the other pearl milk tea shops, FLOATEA (Float Ice Cream + Milk Tea) is an extraordinary kind of pearl milk tea because of its unusual delicious taste. A freshly brewed tea with the best ice cream topping mixed with your favorite flavors. It is a combination of creamy ice cream, sweet, and salty that will balance the right sweet spot. We serve milk teas such as winter melon milk tea, caramel milk tea, strawberry milk tea, chocolate milk tea, and vanilla milk tea. These flavors of ours will give each individual a taste that will never be forgotten. We also cater the best ice cream flavors as a topping for the preferred milk tea. We provide HEALTHYLICIOUS and SWEETYLICIOUS ice cream flavors. Our position in the market is based on the way our product is being defined by our consumers considering the important factors such as price, quality, product class, and application. FLOATEA also consider the relationship marketing that aims delight rather than satisfaction. FLOATEA targets kids (middle to college class) who had a great desire of thirst to purchase premium milk teas. It also targeted the ones who are often visiting to the place of Bonifacio High Street like family, couples that go there for dating. 2. Current Marketing Situation: The global tea production growth rate in 2006 was more than 3% to reach an  estimated 3.6 million. The expansion was mainly due to record crops in China, Viet Nam and India. Production in China increased 9.5% over the record in 2005, to 1.05 million. in 2006, through Government policies to increase rural household incomes. Expansion of 28 percent in Viet Nam gave an output of 133,000 as tea bushes reached optimum yields. India had a 3% increase in harvest output of 945,000 for the year. This growth offset other major countries, Kenya and Sri Lanka, where output declined by 6 and 1.6%, respectively. The milk tea craze continues to grow in the Philippines, as a result of the rapid expansion of kiosks selling milk tea. These include brands such as Gong Cha and Cha Time. These outlets have reinvigorated the market and are capturing students and young professionals as their consumer base. Due to the introduction of these chained foodservice outlets, Filipino consumers are being exposed to more tea flavours and variants, further increasing the sophistication of the market. Unilever Philippines Inc had an overall value share of nearly 25% in 2012, and was the leading brand manufacturer in tea through its popular brand Lipton, one of the first tea brands in the country. Unilever Philippines Inc produces a wide variety of teas, covering black, fruit/herbal, green and instant tea. Its affordable prices and strong distribution make it a popular choice among consumers. Milk tea is likely to grow even more over the forecast period. Instant tea, in particular, has minimal penetration in the market. It is priced on a par with instant coffee, giving it the potential to compete with instant coffee brands. With the right marketing and promotions, and improved distribution, it could take some market share from instant coffee. 3. Threats and Opportunities Analysis: New services help FLOATEA to better meet their customer’s needs. These services can FLOATEA’s business and diversify their customer base. New technology helps FLOATEA to better meet their customer’s needs with new and improved products and services. Technology also builds competitive barriers against rivals. New products can help FLOATEA to expand their business and  diversity their customer base. They have a strong competitors and their threats are the Zen Teas, Infinitea, Chat time and other milk tea beverages. Infinitea serves a wide variety of tasty and refreshing authentic pearl milk tea drinks for all you fanatics out there. Guaranteed made from 100% freshly brewed loose-leaf teas of high quality for an overall healthier lifestyle. Chatime is the next trend in beverages. A unique Tea concept that is dedicated to make Tea a healthier, refreshing and fun alternative to Coffee. Unlike the traditional Tea houses in the Far East, Chatime is making great inroad in marketing tea to the mass populace. Chatime opened its first outlet in the year 2005 in Taiwan and also the number of stores which is approaching to 1000 in 80 cities in four continents worldwide. You can now find Chatime in the US, Canada, Australia, Taiwan, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, UK and India. 4. Objectives and Issues Marketing Objective †¢To offer consumer best health advantage through FLOATEA. †¢To establish as market leader in herbal tea industry †¢To enable FLOATEA to satisfy, fulfill the consumer’s personality lifestyle †¢To increase FLOATEA popularity as an icon in Tea product. Issue Analysis Main issues that should be addressed in the Action Plan: †¢Company needs to gain experience in the market place †¢Aggressive promotion efforts to establish brand name and gain market share 5. Marketing Strategy: Separating it from the other pearl milk tea shops, FLOATEA (Float Ice Cream + Milk Tea) is an extraordinary kind of pearl milk tea because of its unusual delicious taste. A freshly brewed tea with the best ice cream topping mixed with your favorite flavors. It is a combination of creamy ice cream, sweet,  and salty that will balance the right sweet spot. Our position in the market is based on the way our product is being defined by our consumers considering the important factors such as price, quality, product class, and application. FLOATEA also consider the relationship marketing that aims delight rather than satisfaction. Floatea target middle class (middle to college class), young professional (new graduates), and professional (working stage). And most especially those people who are near and often there at the place dating and visiting. Floatea also has targeted the people who are Milk Tea lovers who want to experience and try something new about Milk Tea. Also, Floatea has targeted people who love ice cream. Milk Tea and ice cream all in one. Service Strategy Our strategy would be, were going to launch in our branch a mini-museum inside where in people who go there would be entertain and educate about milk teas and ice creams.We think of putting a creativity side where in people can put or post whatever they want to say. They can draw and write on the post it and post it on our walls with different kinds of colours of paper. We’re going to put entertainment side where there is a playstation and xbox Kinect wherein they can play for free when they buy FLOATEA from us. Pricing Strategy Our pricing type is value-based pricing that is based on the customer’s perceived value of our product depending on the quality and service we could offer to them. We believe that our product is competent enough to be one of the best and delicious milk teas that they could ever experience. Promotion Strategy Promotion in Bonifacio High Street (BHS) We will promote our product in Bonifacio High Street by spreading the news in the social networking sites about our product. Also, for the first day, the first 30 customers will have the floatea for free. We will be giving out flyers starting in the malls Market Market and SM Aura, and from Serendra to the other buildings in Bonifacio High Street. Other than that, we will be posting short video of our product together with the other information about  it in the social networking sites.We will also be having our own website for further information. Demographic Floatea target middle class (middle to college class), young professional (new graduates), and professional (working stage) who had great desire of thirst to purchase premium milk teas. And most especially those people who are near and often there at the place dating and visiting. Psychographic On the basis of psychographic, Floatea has targeted the people who are Milk Tea lovers who wants to experience and try something new about Milk Tea. Also, Floatea has targeted people who loves ice cream. Milk Tea and ice cream all in one! Technographic People who uses social-networking sites like Facebook, and Twitter. Market positioning We are positioning the floatea as the most catchy and unusual taste, and would provide the unforgettable experience to each and every customer. As we serve the unique teas that brazenly gets the creamiest ice cream on top of milk tea. But flexible to be adjusted the taste bt adding or to lessen its toppings by customers own choice. Target Segment Customer Needs Benefits Middle class ( middle to college) –consumer market Satisfaction Unique drinking experience Social belonging Price Social standing Premium price Good looking Refreshing Young professional ( new graduates) Business Market Satisfaction To remove stress in work Unique drinking experience Easy to take out Quality Refreshing Professional ( working stage) Business Market Satisfaction To remove stress in work To relax Healthy lifestyle Healthier than soft drinks Convenient Nutritional information Quality Healthier alternative to heavy sugar 6. Action Programs: 2013 January First week of January start of a New Year our first branch and product FLOATEA will be open to people on Bonifacio High Street on 7th street near Market Market, SM Aura and other restaurants there. Will be also giving free milk teas with any flavours they want for the first 30 costumers. February Our company would start providing advertisements for our consumers especially our target market to attract them of our product. Will be giving out flyers and promos away from us to advertise and let them know about us. March We launch in our branch a mini-museum inside where in people who go there would be entertain and educate about milk teas and ice creams. April We would be holding a bazaar convention that gives away prizes from raffle draws, special discounts for dealers, and partnerships to companies. An addition in advertisement will also be made where target market. May We will be having our own website for advertisement and will give out flyers and posters directly to our possible buyers and consumers. June We innovate our main branch and put entertainment side where there is a playstation and xbox Kinect wherein they can play for free when they buy FLOATEA from us. July Because many buyers and people go to our place we build a second floor for our customers to have more space to stay and chill in when they buy milk tea from us. August We think of putting a creativity side where in people can put or post whatever they want to say. They can draw and write on the post it and post it on our walls with different kinds of colours of paper. September We put a drive thru for people who are in a hurry and buy FLOATEA without leaving their cars October After innovation, we expand our FLOATEA business and build more branches to different places in Pasig, Mandaluyong, Makati and Manila. In different branches they have their own theme and marketing strategy. Novemeber We plan to have our own brand Ambassador which would be Kuya Kim, Matteo Guidicelli and Sarah Geronimo for their outstanding know about health, lifestyle and popularity. Because of this our product will be more known for people and we will be adverstide in tv and commercials. December January 2014 We prepare and countdown for our 1 year anniversary in our main branch and will be having a programs such as activities, games, education talk and teaching about milk teas and healthy living while having a free FLOATEA for everyone for the first 100 customers 7. Controls Marketing managers of FLOATEA are encouraged to re-examine their goals and objectives on a bi-weekly basis and assess success and shortcomings. Based on their evaluation results, they are encouraged to make appropriate changes to drive the company forward. Each objective in this plan is smart, and should be evaluated monthly to see if the company and marketing program is on track to achieve it.

What makes your workplace work well Essay Example for Free

What makes your workplace work well Essay Nowadays, we live in an extremely large and intricate world which is mainly characterized by a wide variety of continuous and unpredictable changes. With that, there are factors that would affects work in every way, either advantages and disadvantages to people and workplace. No one can deny that whenever a person look for a job, whatever work it is, they think of what the future holds for them . Primarily, financial stability is the most essential of all. If the salary is not adequate to live each day and to meet the demands of the person and be able to prosper and enjoy life, then that individual is not satisfied. Secondarily, the benefits that the employee receive from the organization, the role and responsibility and personal interest of the employee towards work and working environment is also essential. Like for example, the lack of manpower and teamwork that is unfriendly colleagues will result to conflicts, miscommunications and misunderstandings does makes it more exhausting and stressful. . The location of work, where someone lives 100 miles away from home also matters. Weather and Climate changes thus also contribute. The lack of orientation and training to employees will make a difference to how you deliver your skills. Another factor are the employee’s culture and educational background, that has involves several adjustments to work environment. In addition, the heavy workload, long hours and demanding tasks. And, Not getting enough time to spend with friends and family. With the current situation in my workplace, working in a medical field and in the hospital demands my time including my attention and care to patients. Sometimes patient’s care are compromised because of the additional paper works and which is sometimes not necessary. The lack of staffs and the movement to different areas which we are not familiar with. New and changes to policy and procedure introduced and its strict compliance brings stress  to mind. Going home physically and emotionally tired and exhausted, leading to depression, long time sickness from work and not only that, the freezing increase in salary nationwide adds up to stress. However, if problems tackled properly within work, organising task and priorities and got substantial support from each other, working together as a team will ease work difficulties. As well as, support from the people with higher rank who should listens and acknowledges efforts, hard work and appreciates and rewards is very satisfying. Furthermore, good and clear communication within the people in the organization is vital and would make the employees more competent and productive worker. Therefore, as a working individual wherever and whatever things that involves work, it is believed that there a variety of factors the influences work and are extremely important. It is proved that personal interest like having new goals, dreams or simply taking some risk in life and adjust fully to changes, and a organized work environment is will certainly produces productivity and profitability and will have a healthier and better lives.

Discussion On The Selective And Comprehensive Education Systems

Discussion On The Selective And Comprehensive Education Systems The debate on selective and comprehensive education systems is unending. Considering that every society might have its own system of education, it is almost difficult to find a homogenous agreement on which system is fit and acceptable to all. Debate on this topic always finds convincing arguments from either side. Some people argue that selective education is a practice of democracy-which gives every person the freedom to choose whatever he/she values. Proponents of selective education argue that it is a good system which ensures efficiency is maintained; to be precise, one size fit all system system weakens the value of education. Anderson (2007) argues that selective education benefits poorer pupils more. Writing about British education system, Anderson argues that we are failing to give excellent education to cleverer boys and girls and a sound basic education to less able pupils. Thesis Statement: The issue It is quite difficult to satisfactorily defend either side. This is because different people view this debate differently; human rights gurus see social segregation in it, politicians may view it either way while sociologists may claim that selection may lead to a feeling of inferiority complex in children who are viewed as less able. This paper takes the position that selective education should be discouraged, because it is an antithesis of personal choice, and it leads to social segregation and exclusiveness. The study reviews credible literature to support the thesis. Key words: selective education, comprehensive education, system, inequality. Definition of Terms Selective and comprehensive education; what is it? As it sounds, selective education involves choosing pupils to join a certain school based on a certain criterion. This usually happens at the secondary level of education, rarely doest happen at the primary level. Many schools in the world practice an open-primary school system. Pupils who are regarded as intelligent join certain schools while those that are regarded as academically less able are pooled together in a different school. The opposite of selective is the comprehensive education system which accepts all students irregardless of their propensity. Here, children of mixed abilities are taught together. Every country may have a different criterion for selecting pupils who join selective schools. For instant in a system that existed in the United Kingdom and Wales at the beginning of the 1970s, pupils were selected to join two different secondary schools based on results to a test score at age 11. In other countries entrance examinations are administered. To note is that the criterion used may vary from one society to another. Examples of selective schools are like the British grammar school, the French lycee or the German Gymnasium) Why selective education? Wales (2009) argued that education systems are of two different types; those devised and imposed upon the people and those which arise of themselves out of the needs of the education (p.1). He also reiterates that irregardless of the system, wishes of the recipients and givers of education will try to modify it in one way or the other, with the wishes of the receiver having more weight. A government might provide education, but no body may be willing to take it, whereas when a group of persons say they need education a school develops. So is it possible to say that the receivers of education determine whether it is selective or comprehensive and why? Gardner (1959) described the American comprehensive high school as a peculiar American phenomenon dependable in the provision of good and suitable education, both academic and vocational, for all persons and in a democratic environment that the American people cherish. He saw it as recipe for democracy; it gave all people equal opportunity to choose. Gardner didnt was less interested in the efficiency of the system. However manpower shortages in the 1950s and the launching of the Russian sputnik in 1957 led to criticisms in the education system, it was viewed as waste of young talent and education for all became education for none (Passow, 1971). Focus was on the academically gifted student-whose educational prowess was akin to national survival. Despite several calls for the abolishment of the system and introduction of selection (Ricover, 1963 p. 38), the system survived especially in the early 1960s which witnessed heightened human rights concern for the poor child. However variou s modifications were enacted on the existing system. This led to some form of selection, whether, de jure or de facto. Theresa May, shadow Conservative education secretary (1999) in support of selective education, stressed the need for a system, with high standards in education and which meets the needs of all children. She said it was a myth that supporters of grammar schools are only concerned about education for the rich. She said selection is based on ability, challenges all, and gives a chance to the minority. Eric Hammond, former general secretary of the electricians union and chairman, supported her arguing that giving equal value to all learners does not necessarily imply a common school and strengthening weak schools by weakening the strong ones doesnt add value. In their research Bonhomme and Sauder (2009), concluded that the average effect of attending a selective school is too minimal and the differences in the performance of selective and non selective schools is due to the pupils composition. The counter-argument Similar literature as the one expounded above might convince somebody that the only way to maintain efficiency in education and support innovation is by selection. I agree to disagree. The biggest challenge today in the world is inequality, whether economic, social or political. Segregation of any kind leads to inequality. In the US, concerns with school segregation and declining educational achievement for the minority group drew attention to selection procedures and its consequences to the minority groups, segregation, whether de jure or de facto, contributes to a form of socio-economic isolation. A 1966 U.S. Office of Education countywide study often known as the Coleman Report found that a lager population of American children attended schools that were largely segregated-often based on racial background. The Coleman survey found that solemn discrepancies in educational achievement between Negro and white existed and continued to widen. Supporting the study Wilson (1963,) maintains that utilization of educational opportunities follows, to a large degree, the lines of the stratification of the society (p. 217). Other factors held constant, Wilson observes that the socio-economic factors will affect the academic performance of the student. He also opines that the consequences are detrimental in the case of racial segregation. Charles Pinderhughes, lamented that what students learn from one another is as significant as what they learn from teachers or the hidden curriculum, and which involves things as how children think and learn about themselves, how they think about and view other people and how to cope with them. Values, morals and ethics or styles of behavior are an important part of social chemistry. A students fate control- the feeling and conviction that, he/she can take control of his/her own life is important in academics. This feeling of powerlessness in fate control can be related to the social composition of the student body. The grouping of such a student in a lower-class student body might intensify it. Roy Hattersley, former Labour deputy leader, against selection, argued that it has an adverse psychological effect on students who do not pass their 11-plus (in UK), he reiterated that regarding children as failures holds their emotions back. In addition Roy said that parents and pupils attitudes are changed by selection as grammar school pupils are habitually regarded as the elites of the society. In summing up, he cautioned that, selection often has a negative effect on primary schools who are always under incessant pressure to train pupils for the 11-plus. Roy viewed selection as an antithesis of parental choice-in which parents dont choose schools; schools choose pupils. Conclusion The above credible literature amicably supports the thesis. Selective education of any form leads to social segregation, whether de jure or de facto, real or perceived. Segregation and social exclusion brought about by selection leads to unequal moral climate which ultimately affects negatively the motivation of children by not only inculcating a sense of inferiority but also by providing a different way of perceiving life values. Selective education should be discouraged because it is an antithesis of personal choice, and it leads to social segregation and exclusiveness. The criteria used in selection in any society may not be effective, it often leads to favoritism, inequality and under funding of children who are perceived as being academically inferior to others.

The Influence of Religious History in the Middle East :: Essays Papers

The Influence of Religious History in the Middle East For the past 5 months I have been studying the religious history of each country we have become apart of. My project consists of tracing the religious developments in each of the four countries and the role religion plays in the social, political, and moral elements in each destination. I explored the history of the nation and what major figures or events shaped the religious scope of each respective country. I learned about each religion while I was in each country and made connections of how their culture is shaped by this religious aspect. Observations I had about these societies will be correlated to their religious development and will be compared to our society in America. My goal was to understand the influence of religion in a society. This was a great opportunity to observe this influence since all respective nations are very representative of the monotheistic religions. This plan was beneficial to my ME studies concentration as well as my history major. To prepare before my journey I had taken a course on the Orthodox Church at St. Olaf and have also read Introduction to the Orthodox Church by Fr. Anthony Coniaris. My preparation in this particular faith has been ongoing since birth. The preparation for Islam has consisted of a small introductory book given to me by neighbors in my dorm who practice Islam. It had given me a good foundation to build upon. The Internet was used to prepare for learning about the Jewish faith. The Encyclopedia will give me a background on each country before I left. Also the completion of Understanding the Contemporary Middle East gave a great foundation to build on. In this final presentation I will leave out the dates and specifics that have made up my previous speeches and focus on how the culture is influenced by their history. History is not all about memorizing dates and old dead people. It is about understanding and analyzing information that ultimately shapes the world around us. All the dates will do for you is make it easier to remember an ATM code, that's about it. How many people say that "they hate history classes.. but.. they love the history channel?" Lots of people, because history is fun when you do something with it. When you take the information and create explanations for why certain cultures perceive things the way they do, you are doing what historians do, and are enacting the true purpose of history, to make connections of past and present, and linking people that are separated geographically and also culturally.

Putting Capital Punishment to Death :: essays research papers fc

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hanging, the firing squad, the gas chamber, the electric chair, lethal injection; these are some present methods of the death penalty. Capital punishment has been used in America for a long time, and has always presented conflicts. There are many groups that protest capital punishment, and there are many groups that are for it. The controversies it presents have to do with the cost, if it is humane, or if it is moral. With all of these problems taken into consideration, it is clear to anyone that capital punishment is the wrong choice.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The early forms of the death penalty were not only much less humane than they are now, but much more cruel and unusual. Hanging, one of the earliest forms, is actually still used in 3 states as one form of capital punishment. The inmate would not get blindfolded, unlike most methods, then they would stand on a stool or box. A noose would then be wrapped, and tightened, around their neck. The box or stool is then kicked out from under the inmate, and onlookers watch in anticipation while the inmate suffocates to death. In some cases, the inmate’s neck would break, instantly killing him. (Baird 22)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Other early forms of capital punishment were the guillotine and the firing squad. Both of these methods used blindfolds. For the guillotine, the inmate would lay down on their back under a huge blade hanging above their neck. The executioner would then cut a rope, releasing the blade that then slices through the inmate’s neck, decapitating him. For the firing squad, and inmate would be led to a chair in front of a brick wall. A trained firing squad then lines up in front of the inmate. The firing squad then fires their guns at a target on the inmate’s chest. To relieve the guilt of the squad, some of their guns were loaded with blanks, so no one could know if they were the ones who killed the man. The guillotine is not used anymore, but the firing squad is still used in a few states. Anyone can see why these methods are not used as much anymore. (Baird 21)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Now to the real controversies. Most people do not realize these inhumane methods of capital punishment are still being used, but the more controversial ones are the methods everyone knows about. One of the older current methods is he electric chair. The electric chair is not the most controversial, even though it is the least humane of the widely used practices.

Jewish Ghettos Essay -- essays research papers

Jewish ghettos: The basic history of the formation of the Jewish ghettos, including the everyday life and economic hardships faced by the communities.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  By definition, a ghetto is an area, usually characterized by poverty and poor living conditions, which houses many people of a similar religion, race or nationality. They served to confine these groups of people and isolate them from the rest of the community because of political or social differences. However, the Jewish ghettos established throughout Europe were more than just a way for the Germans to isolate the Jewish community. They were the first step in making Hitler’s final solution possible. The ghettos were the means of organizing all of the Jews together and preparing them to be shipped to concentration camps. However, these ghettos soon evolved into political, religious and social entities that served the community and began to resemble a form of self-ruling government. Furthermore, many of these ghettos were different from one another because of different internal structures of the Jewish community or the diversity of the personalities of the l eaders of the council in the Jewish community. However, the ghettos must be analyzed as if they are all â€Å"one history.†(Holocaust) In fact, many of the communities were the same with regards to Jewish perceptions and reactions concerning life and the difficulties being faced by each community in its occupied territory. This research paper discusses the common everyday trials and tribulations faced by all the ghettos and looks at the ghettos from a political and socio-economic point of view. (Holocaust)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  First, it is important to understand the history behind the ghettos and discuss their centralization in Poland. Hitler incorporated the western part of Poland into Germany according to race doctrine. He intended that Poles were to become the slaves of Germany and that the two million Jews therein were to be concentrated in ghettos in Poland's larger cities. Later this would simplify transport to the death camps. Nazi occupation authorities officially told the story that Jews were natural carriers of all types of diseases, especially typhus, and that it was necessary to isolate Jews from the Polish community. Jewish neighborhoods thus were transformed into prisons. The five major ghettos were located... ... not go far enough to commit acts of terrorism simply because of Faith. Jihad, or holy war, is the sole emotion, not act, which strengthens the will to perform horrible crimes on humanity. Simply saying that a faith-based idea can go as far as the perpetrator is willing.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In conclusion, we have studied the history and present events surrounding the Holocaust. We have studied the ideology and the reasons behind both the Jewish and the German involvement. In the end, I found that I still feel the same way about the Holocaust that I did before taking this class. I think that it takes a certain kind of person to commit those murderous acts and the idea of â€Å"just following orders† is ridiculous because it assumes that free will is no longer considered strong enough to prevent the ordered killing of millions of people. The important aspects of today’s society in relation to the existence of God in our lives are disturbed by the lack of faith in God for not being around when his people are suffering the most. How can these acts, like the Holocaust and the genocidal feud in Rwanda, be analyzed without accepting the absence of God in relation to these events?

Genetically Modified Foods Essay

As the old saying goes, â€Å"An apple a day keeps the doctor away†, but does it really mean what it used to? People are taking great risks by consuming genetically modified foods. Genetically modified crops, foods etc. are made when scientist combine genes from different organisms to get desired traits in a certain organism. Scientist uses this in fruits and vegetables to help make them more nutritious or help with insect resistance. Some of the first GM foods were corn, cotton, soybean, canola and alfalfa. In the last two decades there has been a spike in the cultivation of transgenic crops. Since the very first GM food marketed (a tomato that wouldn’t go so soft as quickly) it has continuously gone up. There are two main types of GMOs ones that are herbicide tolerant and others that are resistant to devastating insect. Herbicide tolerant GMOs can be sprayed with herbicides that kill weeds but not the genetically modified crops. This was developed by the company Monsanto. The second type of GM crop is resistant to devastating insects which is made by a bacterial gene which makes able to resist against certain insects. An example is corn BT which is able to resist the corn borer. Most Farmers who use these GM crops do it because they can make more money or it would ease their work load. Are GM crops and food going to help the world or hinder it? One of the leading arguments is that this will produce more food and thus feed the planet. Another advantage is that you can use less herbicides and pesticides which are then less harmful to the environment. It seems like that is the case but farmers are still spraying large amount of herbicides and pesticides and it somewhat contradicts the reasons for GM crops. What do these GM Crops do to our Environment and our health? Many questions arise about this and not even about the risks on the table but if it’s right morally. There great risks that where putting on the table like the safety of our children. We are being treated like experimental animals and these large companies are waiting to see what happens. In the US, about two dozen farmers reported thousands of pigs became sterile after consuming certain GM corn varieties. Some had false pregnancies; others gave birth to bags of water. Cows and bulls also became infertile when fed the same corn. In the US population, the incidence of low birth weight babies, infertility, and infant mortality are all escalating. Transgenic crops do help us in some ways, but is it doing more harm than good? They could help us stop world hunger but at what cost? Are you willing to put your children and their children at risk just for a quick buck? These are question you to need to answer choose a sid hopefully the right one.

Women in Hamlet

In William Shakespeare's Hamlet, the roles of women are dependent on men. There are only two women in the play who have a direct relationship with Hamlet. Ophelia, who looked up greatly towards Polonius, Laertes who has a great influence on her life as well as Hamlet. The other female role is Gertrude, Hamlets mother always trying to impress the men in her life not only her son but previous marriages. As these women are the most important female characters in the play it is first shown through Ophelia. Ophelia is not independent as she has to rely on men such as her father, brother and boyfriend.First, she is greatly obedient for her father willingly to do what he requests her to do without hesitation. Polonius gives her advice to take in a strong manner to break it off with Hamlet knowing she must listen. She responds with respect â€Å"I shall obey, my lord† (I. iii. 136). She tells him that she will do as he asks obeying his commands, because he is the only one she may go t o until she gets married. Not able to make decisions for herself either way for the fact if she married Hamlet he would be making them for her.Also, Hamlet was the man she considered spending her life with and was willing to do what he would ask of her trying to win his affection. Although, after listening to her father, by agreeing to stop seeing Hamlet, he over reacts on her with anger, mocking in which her reputation is ruined and how she will never find a man. She does not defend herself after these comments knowing you cannot battle against a male, yet later cries to wish he did not react that way â€Å"Oh, woe is me / T' have seen what I have seen, see what I see!† (III. i. 160-1).Requiring the desire to please all men, this makes her feel terrible although she did satisfy her father. Another influence she significantly admires and respects is her brother Laertes. Before his leave, he gave her great advice in which she took account of since her brother was like a role m odel, promising, â€Å"I shall the effect of this good lesson keep / As watchman to my heart. †(I. iii. 45-6). Wanting to make him feel proud and show prove how she is capable of taking care of herself.Later, with the loss of her father and absence of her brother, as well as being apart from the man she loves, is one of the reasons to why her life ends early. She drowns as explained, that her garment pulled her down. Moreover, it is as if she had no one around to motivate her to fight to live, since none of the men are around to regulate her to do so. Furthermore, Ophelia a young woman is obligated to abide by the rules of men as well as the Queen of Denmark also who relies on their comfort.Gertrude’s oblivious personality makes her dependent on the men in her life shadowing not only King Claudius but King Hamlet and her son Hamlet as well. The love for her son ends her life in tragedy by drinking from the chalice of poison that King Claudius prepares for Hamlet. Altho ugh, she knows not to drink the chalice as the King warns her not to, nevertheless, does it anyways symbolize as a sacrificing mother. Before her death the last she says, â€Å"No, no, the drink, the drink! O my dear Hamlet! / The drink, the drink! I am poisin’d† (V.ii. 303-4).This depicts what happens if women are disobedient as she was to her husband which led to her death and also portraying how saving Hamlets life was what she had to do being selfless and caring. In addition, Gertrudes need for attention is seen after her quick marriage following the death of King Hamlet. Losing the feeling of importance, where she needs, and rapidly gets over her husband’s death moving on explaining to hamlet, â€Å"Do not for ever with thy vailed lids / Seek for thy noble father in the dust† (I. ii. 70-1).Revealing how her values of affection are far greater than her moral righteousness and respect of herself not considering others approach on situations. Marrying K ing Claudius, she is highly dependent on him, who is able to persuade her in fictitious ideas others might not allow themselves to believe yet Gertrude constantly does. Such as after, he hears of the death of Polonius, tries to make it sound like he is helping Hamlet with his best interests when in reality he plans to kill him.As he assures the Queen, â€Å"It had been so with us, had we been there / His liberty is full of threats to all† (IV.i. 13-4), the king attempt to secure his own safety first sending Hamlet off somewhere far by seeming like it is for a greater intrest. Gertrude is oblivious to her surroundings which present it easier for the King to manipulate in addition for her disregard for her own place and her ultimate confusion. Gertrude is a strong character by her title as being the Queen, nevertheless forced to obey and concur with reinstated ideas by the King, losing attention from King Hamlet and sacrificing herself for Hamlet.The woman of Shakespeareâ€℠¢s play Hamlet needs guidance in order to achieve fulfillment. Ophelia, seen loyal and obedient to her father Polonius, brother Laertes and listening to other males such as Hamlet recognized throughout the play, displays her devotion to make them pleased. Finally, Gertrude has a high power considering all the women and even men, still fights the struggle between impressing men in order to achieve satisfaction. They both play the passive roles in the play; this shows that all women were not measured as equals.

Mcnamara and the “Fog of War”

Rebekka Carter 11/15/2012 McNamara and the â€Å"Fog Of War† Sometimes negotiation and peace is the only way to avoid catastrophe that could destroy us all. The first lesson of the â€Å" Fog of War,† that McNamara gave was to empathize with your enemy. McNamara thought it was a must and that is was important to put ourselves into the enemy's shoes. He discussed in the interview that later became a documentary, the possible serious consequences we could face as a nation if we didn’t empathize with Cubans during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. We must try to put ourselves inside their skin and look at us through their eyes, just to understand the thoughts that lie behind their decisions and their actions,† McNamara justified. If we could negotiate and settle, we might can work something out to benefit both the U. S. , and the Soviet Union. During the Cuban missile Crisis, McNamara tried to persuade President Kennedy not to press on and invade Cuba. He coul d give the president advice because he was a member of the president's cabinet. Robert McNamara was the Secretary of Defense in office. He persuaded him along with Tommy Thompson whom was the former U. S.Ambassador to Moscow. They gave them advice on two messages we received from the Soviet Union. McNamara described this as a â€Å"hard message† and a â€Å"soft message. † The soft message said they would remove the missiles from Cuba as long as we promised not to invade. On the other hand, Kennedy also received the hard message which basically revealed that if we pressed on and invaded Cuba,they would respond with massive military force. McNamara stressed how important it was to empathize with Cuba,if we didn't the consequences could be a nuclear war holocaust. Kennedy ended up empathizing with them by responding to the first message.This action could of saved us from a possible Nuclear War and from devastation, disaster, and from loosing trillions of innocent America n people. McNamara describes the relationship between empathy, morality, and war. He thinks that during war in order to be victorious you have to see the way the enemy sees and try to make peace with them. From a moral stand point, do what's best for the common good. It's best to make peace or at least negotiate and come to an agreement to avoid any consequences that could threaten innocent civilians. I think he believed more in peace and harmony than in war.It was best to just avoid it if possible and negotiate then avoid conflict. Later on in the documentary, McNamara describes the fire bombings of Japanese cities. He argues is it moral to take the lives of 100,000 of Japanese civilians in one night just to win the war. On top of burning the cities, Lemay wanted to drop a bomb. McNamara argued that proportionality was a guideline in war. We shouldn't overdue it just to win. We should have it evened out with the enemy on casualties and civilian deaths. Lemay considered his actions to be thought immoral if they had lost.So judging from that I’d say that if his side lost, then loosing that many people would have been for nothing. If they would of won, it would have been moral is the conclusion I'm drawing from this. Is it ever legitimate to criticize your country's actions in a time of war? I think so yes, and I wouldn’t consider it to be unpatriotic for disagreeing with the government. Freedom of Speech is one thing our country is founded on and everyone can have their own personal view or criticism. One can still have love for one's country and not agree with their policies or in this particular case, war tactics.Some people may not be for war because of the innocent lives lost: men,women, and children. Some people might especially be against nuclear war because of innocent lives and it just causes more danger and conflict. In my opinion it is legitimate to argue or criticize about war or any other action a country carries out. This documentary opened my eyes and changed the way I truly saw Nuclear War and the effects and consequences it can have. The Cuban Missile Crisis had very high stakes to cause not only a Nuclear War, but a Nuclear war Holocaust. With being struck with one bomb, there is a possibility we would of bombed Cuba back.I don't believe we would of surrendered. Other countries would of gotten involved and devastation and loss as of a result from this would have been very great. The fire bombings described in Japan was very disproportionate and unevenly scattered. Cities everywhere in Japan had different numbers of deaths and injuries. Lemay thought this had to be done in order to win the war, even though it was considered â€Å"immoral. † This documentary was an eye opener and it really gave good insight on the key ways to being successful in a war. McNamara called it â€Å"The Rules of War. †

Agenda-Setting Assignment

5th of November 2012 Agenda-Setting Assignment In agenda-setting news outlets act as gatekeepers of information. Policy agenda is when the media sets their own agenda based on issues that they think are the most important. And when they decide on these most important issues, they give them the highest importance. The media highlights certain aspects because they believe that these aspects are what we should know; and if there is something they don’t mention, then that’s something that according to them, we shouldn’t know – whether for our benefit or theirs.Despite the simplicity of creating an agenda, every different news outlet has a different agenda, based on their interest or what they believe to be our interest. Something important however to bear in mind is that, even though the media draws our attention to certain issues, they can’t tell us how to think about them – at the end of the day, how you perceive an issue depends on you. To giv e examples on how differently agenda-setting can be used, I will talk about two different news sources, an independent one and a national one.As a national news outlet I will talk about â€Å"CNN†. CNN (Cable News Network) is both America’s first news channel as well as the first channel to offer 24-hour coverage. CNN in the United States is sometimes described as CNN/US to differentiate the American Channel from the International one. CNN/US was founded by Ted Turner in 1980, and since then has been one of the worlds leading news outlets. â€Å"The Independent† is an independent, British, morning newspaper owned by Alexander Lebedev with Chris Blackhurst as the current editor in chief.The Independent was first launched in 1986 and holds the title as UK’s youngest daily newspaper. To analyze different agenda-settings, lets look at two similar news items reported in both of these newspapers and compare their similarities and differences. Let’s take the picking of Egypt’s new pope as one news story. Both news outlets reported the story completely different. CNN told the story in a very short article that focused primarily on the fact that Christians in Egypt are a minority.If one were to analyze this article on the terms of Salience and Priming, one would notice very interesting facts. Firstly its very obvious that CNN’s priority is not to talk about the new pope, since he is hardly mentioned throughout the entire article. Instead the article focuses on the terms â€Å"Christians†. The fact that they are a minority is mentioned several times. They also mention that according to a few forums made, the Christian population in Egypt is between 5 and 9%. The church bombing attack that took place in January killing 21 people was also stated.However nothing is mentioned about the ceremony itself other than that a blindfolded boy picked one of the three potential popes through picking his name from a crystal bowl. Egypt’s former pope is also mentioned. His date and cause of death are also cited. In terms or Framing, it is obvious that CNN has given this story a big importance as it was in the â€Å"Top Stories† section. However the words used don’t really talk about the event itself but rather inform us about Christians in Egypt. Despite the fact that this event wasn’t in The Independent’s top news list, they gave the story a bigger importance.The article was a lot longer than in was in CNN and more importantly it focused on the event itself. They talked about the young boy who had to pick a name, about the thousands of cameras that were there, and about how big of an event this was for all 8 million Christians in Egypt. They also quoted many people that said that how important finally having a new pope meant to them and how because of Egypt’s current difficult political status, it’s good to have a figure that represents faith and hope.In term s of salience, priming and framing no words were repeated and the articles priority was to display how significant this event was for many people all around the world. This is just one example of how differently news outlets can report similar stories. Lets look at Superstorm Sandy as another example. Unlike the choosing of a new Pope in Egypt – CNN gave this story a lot of attention. Several articles were written with several images displaying just how big of a disaster has happened.They mention the difficult time that these people are having to go through – not to mention that right now there is another major event happening in the U. S, the elections. Not only are these people dealing with the loss of their homes and lack of electricity but it also seems that another storm will hit New York and northern New Jersey by Wednesday. The weather has decreased suddenly and according to Meteorologists it will continue to drastically decrease. Many people say that it is a ve ry difficult time for these American citizens that have to deal with so much at once.However it is also mentioned how construction work has immediately begun and how many have started working in the 9/11 ground zero sight that has been destroyed by the flood. Although they mentioned the same facts, The Independent, took a different approach in reporting the story. Firstly they mentioned the state governor Andrew Cuomo and how he is trying to quickly solve all of the problems that have suddenly arisen, such as the cold weather and lack of electricity hence lack of heat. There is also a problem with the lack of fuel and the inability to run back-up generators.The difficulty of housing and how many are living in â€Å"  homes that are uninhabitable†, is also a massive problem. Furthermore the article goes on to say that with this new approaching storm, the anger towards the government has increased, saying that they are â€Å"moving too slow†. The articles main priority is to mention all of the problems the people are facing and how the government isn’t very responsive. Words such as â€Å"fear, anger, threat, struggling† are used to display just how drastic of an event this is. Overall, the article is very informative and states clear information without using any repetition.I think by now its clearly obvious that each news source has a different agenda and a different way of reporting a story. The reason behind that varies. Before I mentioned the storm that took place in America, I mentioned a different neutral event. CNN would obviously have more interest in the storm since it’s a national event. Therefore I chose an event that both news outlets aren’t directly related to – Egypt picking their new pope. What I noticed however was extraordinary. CNN talked about it very generally.They didn’t mention any details of the event itself and rather focused on the terrorism attacks that have happened with the in tention of hurting Christians, the countries minority. They seemed to report the story in such a negative way instead of saying how beautiful and important this event was. The Independent on the other hand reported the story in a wonderful way. They said how important choosing a new pope was for the Christian population. They also said that how this event brought peace, joy, hope and love to many people around the world. Lets look at the storm as our second issue.Because CNN is directly –nationally- involved in this event it reported it very differently. It spoke about the difficult times that many are facing, bearing in mind that presidential elections are soon. They also mentioned how construction work has begun to take place quickly. On the other hand The Independent mentioned the lack of response from the government and how many citizens are afraid and aren’t sure what to do next. Unlike the previous story where CNN was slightly negative while The Independent repor ted the story as a positive event, now it’s the opposite.However due to both news outlets orientation its understandable. I mean how would CNN a national news outlet criticize their government for responding to the crisis too slow? It just wouldn’t make sense. That’s why we should play close attention to a news sources’ orientation because they usually create their agenda based on it. Based on their orientation and funding there are things they can and can’t say – that’s why every news outlet reports news differently then others. Through this, I believe that we should learn to be an active audience.We shouldn’t just limit ourselves to one media source, because that one source can be reporting news based on its agenda, and not on what we, the audience, need to know to create an informed decision on what to think about the event taking place. Furthermore we should not let a media outlet tell us what to thing – we should ta ke the information, and create our own opinion about it. Because at the end of the day we’re all human beings and we have the right to think in whichever way we see to be right. Sources: * http://www. independent. co. k/news/world/africa/egypts-ancient-coptic-christian-church-chooses-a-new-pope-in-elaborate-ceremony-8280938. html * http://us. cnn. com/2012/11/04/world/africa/egypt-coptic-pope/index. html? hpt=wo_c2 * http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/CNN * http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/The_Independent * http://us. cnn. com/2012/11/05/us/tropical-weather-sandy/index. html? hpt=us_c1 * http://www. independent. co. uk/news/world/americas/temperatures-approach-freezing-as-another-storm-looks-set-to-hit-new-york-in-the-wake-of-superstorm-sandy-8282360. html