South African Financial Industry

Non-traditional participants continue to aggressively explore revenue opportunities offered by the South African banking industry. The increased market threats, highly competitive and continually changing environment has led to Strategy& (2017) to refer to it as â€Å"a market place with no boundaries†. Figure 1 below, shows how the South African financial industry has progressed into the current state from just over a decade ago. The environment is characterised by intense competition, globalisation, heightened customer mobility and demand and deregulation (Bedeley, 2014; The Banking Association South Africa, 2014). Advancements of digital solutions has been the key enabler for the non-traditional participants to re-shape their value proposition and endeavour into the banking market. This has resulted in empowered global customers (Somal, 2017). To combat the increasing threats and outperform the new entrants, traditional banks continue to seek out digital transformational strategies (Bedeley, 2014; Somal, 2017; Strategy&, 2017). To South African traditional banks, the more threatening challenge is customer retention over attraction (Bedeley, 2014). They acquire vast customer data from the large market share evident in the second paragraph. This data continues to emerge at an alarming rate, due to increased market shared, increased customer base and innovation (Bedeley, 2014). The South African Banks have the opportunity to develop more customer centric strategies to respond to the wealth of data at hand. The key lies with translating this customer data into insight to enhance relationships with existing customers. Referred to, in the modern age, as data analysis. Data collection and analysis need to be a crucial part of business strategy (Somal, 2017). Data analysis depicts what has changed, and how to respond to it (McKinsey&Company, 2018; SAS, 2018). This implies the data capture, storage, processing and analysing strategies must make full use of the technologies available to take up the challenges born from the data surge (Bedeley, 2014). Harvesting data and looking for patterns and anomalies to provide insight lead to better business decision making and outcomes. This is not limited to, but includes, reduces operational costs, business risk analysis, reduced business uncertainty, consumer behavioural predictions, and guide smarter strategies to optimise current offerings or develop new ones (Bedeley, 2014; EY,2017; Stringfellow, 2014). Collecting and analysing customer data is not a new trend, the challenge is storing vast amounts of data, but, new technologies have relieved that liability (Forrester, 2018; TDWI, 2011). Organisations that adopt data analysis surpass their competition by 5% in productivity, and 6% in profitability (EY, 2017; Stringfellow, 2014). According to EY (2017), by 2020, each human being will generate 1.7 megabytes of new information per second. And, in the past two years, human beings have generated more information in the history of humankind. Effective internal and external knowledge management grants organisations the agility to detect opportunities and threats (e.g., reacting to new products or services of competitors); grasping possible opportunities (e.g., expanding into new markets), and staying afloat in a market whilst possessing competitive advantage (e.g., digital strategies to deliver efficient products or services) (Cà ´rte-Real, Oliveira & Ruivo, 2017; Bedeley, 2014; EY, 2017; McKinsey&Company, 2018).Understanding the South African MarketThis section aims to put into perspective the current market that South African banks serve. In 2017, 80.1% of South Africans lived in formal dwellings, 16.5% in informal dwellings, and 5.5% in traditional dwellings (StatsSA, 2017). According to a report by Standard Ba nk (as cited by BusinessTech, 2014), the poorest of the households in South Africa account for 62.3%, with members who earn a combined income of R7, 167 per month. Middle class households, earning from R86, 001 to R1.48 million per annum, account for 26.4%. Affluent households account for 0.4%, with an income of more than R2.36 million per year. The bank notes, only 5.5% of households possibly have the capability to save each month; Furthermore, the affluent households have a 65% saving capability each month of their income after-tax. The poor households contribute 11.2% to the country's income, the middle class contribute a total of 64.6%, whilst the affluent contributes 22.6%. This report highlights the severity of inequality in South Africa, whilst on the flip side highlights growth in the middle class (BusinessTech, 2016). Businesslive (2017) states, in the fourth quarter of 2016, there were 24.31-million credit consumers in South Africa, which is 8 million more than the employed South African population; Moreover, two out of every five credit-active consumers have an impaired record, which is 40% of the 24.31-million credit-active consumers; However, other debt including loan sharks debt were not included. In 2015, the World Bank report, declared South Africans as the world's largest debtors (Businesslive, 2017).?Costumer Satisfaction Index for the South African Banking IndustryIn the fourth quarter of 2017, Consulta released a Customer Satisfaction Index (SAcsi) for the South African banking industry. This satisfaction index is based on brands exceeding or falling short of customer expectations, and the respondents' idea of the ideal product to achieve an overall result out of 100 (Consulta, 2017). The report reveals the degree of satisfaction of South Africans with their banks. Survey participants included 13,099 bank customers across various segments selected at randomly (Consulta, 2017). The table below shows the year-on-year SAcsi scores for the South African traditional banks from the year 2017 till 2017. Absa shows a decline in the past three years, dropping from 74.8 in 2014 to 73.3 in 2017, resulting in obtaining the bottom position among the banks included in the benchmark. Standard bank previously held the last position, but, made a recovery with a substantial 3.3% increase in 2017 from the previous year. Nedbank suffered a 0.9% in 2017 from the previous year, 2016 77%, obtaining a 76.3% moving it to below the industry average of 77%. FNB obtained a 0.4% decrease in 2017 from the previous year, 2016 81.3%, but remains above the industry average. Capitec customers have remained the most satisfied for past five consecutive years. The 2017 Capitec score was 85.3%, 8.3% above the overall industry average.Gap Withing the South African Banking Industry Regarding Data AnalysisBanks are only using a portion of the customer data that is available to them to generate insight to optimise current offerings. The reasons for the low insight is silos and organisational structures, skills and talent gaps, data privacy, regulatory and legal framework or ethical issues and high costs associated to data analysis strategies (Somal, 2017). This prevents them from responding to changing customer needs; hence, leads to missed revenue opportunities. By prioritising data analysis to a key component to daily decision making, South African Banks can be equipped to integrate data from the different sources and develop solutions to better serve their customers, which will deliver noteworthy benefits (Strategy;, 2017). The outcome of this section suggests that with data analysis South African banks can provide business value by facilitating the acquisition of supply chain and marketing knowledge (Cà ´rte-Real et al., 2017). That translate to the right person offered the right product on the right device at the right time (Bedeley, 2014). Since banks have so much data available with the necessary analysing tools, they have a 50% chance of retaining a customer that is about to leave (Somal, 2017). Section three forms the fundamentals of the investigation of this paper. The section begins with the use of insight harnessed from customer data analysis to enhance customer experience by reviewing closely related literature; and then grants much needed detail on the data required for this resolution; how it will be collected from diverse sources to build better models and gain more actionable insights; improved to generate the right results and avoid making incorrect conclusions; and analysed for better decision making. The section concludes by presenting some key challenges and benefits of data analysis.

Csr Toyota

Assignment 1 / Essay Assignment question: It is sometime suggested that CSR activities are increasing strategic in that it affects that core business of the firm and its growth, profitability and survival? Drawing on an example of a corporation/company (National/ International), discuss this in the context of business strategies, in particular on the issues of competitive advantage and firm performance. Introduction In this essay, we will discuss why organizations began CSR and how it is or can be or why should it be implemented. CSR usually get started off either as an integral part of the business strategy or corporate identity, or it can be used as a defensive policy, with the latter being used more often by companies targeted by activists. Rationale for CSR implementation is based on either a moral, a rational, or an economic argument (Werther & Chandler, 2006). Campbell (2007) which is a representative of a group of studies that create testable propositions related to the conditions under which organizations will move toward CSR. Studies show that corporations’ level of social responsibility as being influenced by factors such as financial conditions of the firm, health of the economy, and well-enforced state regulations. Reason why companies take on CSR is also being discussed in the literature in terms of the specific initiatives under which CSR may fall. Ways of describing these rationales varies, from the more skeptical view of cause-related marketing to a more generous attribution of genuine socially responsible business practices (Kotler & Lee, 2005). To ascertain how CSR is implemented in organizations, some researchers uses a developmental framework to show change in awareness, strategy, and action over time, and posits stages of CSR from elementary to transforming (e. g. , Mirvis & Googins, 2006). Jackson and Nelson (2004) take more of a how-to approach, offering a principle-based framework for mastering what they call the â€Å"new rules of the game. † Examples of principles include harnessing innovation for the public good, putting people at the center, and spreading economic opportunity where in this essay will discuss on how Toyota Motor Corporation applies this. CSR of Toyota Motor Corporation Many companies have established their corporate identities using branding through CSR, which has eventually becoming a focal point of their success and competitive advantage (Werther & Chandler, 2006). Toyota Motor Corporation recognizes corporate social responsibilities and emphasis on safety, the environment and education to offer to people the tools needed to make a difference to help and protect the environment. The company operates under the guidance of a global earth charter that promotes environmental responsibility throughout the organization worldwide. Toyota becomes the leader in leading the industry to lower emissions and improving fuel economy vehicles. Not only did Toyota create the world's first mass-production gas/electric hybrid car, they are also working ahead in the development of future fuel cell vehicles. (Toyota. com 2011) Toyota Motor Corporation’s commitment to preserving the environment doesn’t stop at just their vehicles. Two of their manufacturing plants have been designated as zero landfill producing operations. Green† complex in California has one of the largest commercial solar panel systems in North America which conserves more than 11 Million gallons of drinking water annually through special pipelines that supply recycled water for cooling and landscaping. (Toyota. com 2011) In addition, contributing to their dedication in environmental preservation, Toyota has also developed strong partnerships with organizations such as The National Arbor Day Foundation and The National Environmental Edu cation ; Training Foundation. The corporation partners with organizations, schools, universities and other businesses to support programs that help make the world a better place. Toyota Motor Corporation has a variety of national programs like Toyota Driving Expectations Safety Program, Toyota Youth For Understanding Summer Exchange Scholarship Program, Toyota International Teacher Program, National Center for Family Literacy, Toyota Community Scholars, United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Internship Program and others. Strategic Models of CSR Strategic planning as opposed to operational planning concerns the general long-term planning of a Toyota Corporation with the aim to gain economic advantages in the competitive market place. Operational planning in contrast incorporates concrete short- or medium-term activities in line with the strategic goals of the company (Wohe 1993: 141). A strategic plan usually consists of an analysis of the firm and its environment, the development of strategic goals and alternative strategies, the assessment, evaluation and selection of strategic alternatives, and the implementation, evaluation and control of the strategies (Grant 2005, Hopfenbeck 1997: 40) in which Toyota Corporation did when they came up with their CSR It has been demonstrated by Porter and Kramer that a strategic approach to CSR can incorporate competitive advantages for Toyota Corporation but even more importantly, it allows for an integrated and effective implementation of CS. Following this argumentation, an inclusive strategic model of CSR was developed combining central ideas of CSR theory with the classical model of strategic planning using narrow view and boarder view. Narrow view On the contrary, supporters of narrow view in CSR claim that Toyota corporations have just one objective- make money. They believe that caring for the environmental, society and other problems are the responsibilities of government and non-profit making organizations sponsored by governments. A bright supporter of the narrow view is as mention in Milton Friedman theory that those who claims that diverting corporations from the chase of profit makes our economic system less effective. Friedman states: â€Å"The stockholders or the customers or the employees could separately spend their own money on the particular action if they wished to do so. The executive is exercising a distinct â€Å"social responsibility,† rather than serving as an agent of the stockholders or the customers or the employees, only if he spends the money in a different way than they would have spent it† ( M. Friedman 1970). Another defender of narrow view in corporate social responsibility is famous economist Adam Smith, whose â€Å"invisible hand† argument states that if every member of society in a free market economy strives to promote his own economic interests they are led to promote the general good. This may be a good argument in other eras of economics, but using this argument to justify for support of the narrow view will reasonably arise criticisms. The hand-of-government argument of the narrow view states that businesses should have no social role other than making oney. According to inept-custodian argument business executives lack    moral and social expertise, and can only make economic decisions. To ask executives to take charge of non-economic responsibilities is equal to putting social welfare in the hands of inept custodians. Broader view Supporter of broader view believe that Toyota Corporation have other obligations apart from pursuing profit because of their great social and economic power, Toyota corporations must carry social responsibility towards society and wider community. Businesses cannot make decisions which are made solely with economic point of view, because Toyota Corporation are interrelated with the whole social system. Business activities have deep implications for society. As a result, society expects Toyota Corporation to pursue other responsibilities as well. A social contract between society and business represents a unstated understanding within society about the proper goals and responsibilities of business. This social contract is an on-going process of negotiation and change. Conclusion This is the basic reason why the doctrine of â€Å"social responsibility† involves the acceptance of the socialist view that political mechanisms, not market mechanisms, are the appropriate way to determine the allocation of scarce resources to alternative uses. The New York Times Magazine (1970) To illustrate, it may well be in the long run interest for Toyota Corporation that is a major employer in a small community to devote resources to providing amenities to that community or to improving its government. That may make it easier to attract desirable employees, it may reduce the wage bill or lessen losses from pilferage and sabotage or have other worthwhile effects. Or it may be that, given the laws about the deductibility of corporate charitable contributions, the stockholders can contribute more to charities they favor by having the corporation make the gift than by doing it themselves, since they can in that way contribute an amount that would otherwise have been paid as corporate taxes. The New York Times Magazine (1970) There are many different views regarding corporate social responsibility. Some people defend â€Å"broader view† saying that corporations should contribute back to society from their profits they make by selling their products and services to the members of that society. Others defend â€Å"narrow view† justifying they stand by claiming that executives are not moral agents and it would be a mistake to include to the scope of their responsibilities to care about nature, wider community and society in general. My personal view is that profit maximization should not be the only objective of any business corporations. Every company uses resources to manufacture its products or bring its services. These resources include land, human resources, and other resources from nature including gas, water, oil, etc. The fees the companies pay for these resources when obtaining them are insignificant if one compares them with the huge amount of profits companies make when manufacturing products using these resources. Corporations must, therefore, contribute part of their earnings to society and environment as a way of paying back, even if they have paid when obtaining resources. Thus, I agree to â€Å"broader view† in Corporate Social Responsibility and Toyota Motor Corporation is justly and generously contributing to environment and the society and considered a model corporation fulfilling its corporate responsibilities. Referencing Alessia D'Amato, 2009. Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Business: A Guide to Leadership Tasks and Functions. Edition. Center for Creative Leadership. Campbell, J. L. (2007). Why would corporations behave in socially responsible ways? An institutional theory of corporate social responsibility. Academy of Management Review, 32, 946–967. Grant, Robert M. (2005): Contemporary Strategic Analysis, 5. ed. Malden, Oxford, Carlton Hopfenbeck, Waldemar (1997): Allgemeine Betriebswirtschafts- und Managementlehre: Das Unternehmen im Spannungsfeld z Jackson, I. A. , & Nelson, J. (2004). Profits with principles: Seven strategies for delivering value with values. New York: Doubleday. Kotler, P. , & Lee, N. (2005). Corporate social responsibility: Doing the most good for your company and your cause. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. Mirvis, P. , & Googins, B. K. (2006). Stages of corporate citizenship: A developmental framework [Monograph]. Chestnut Hill, MA: The Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship. The New York Times Magazine, September 13, 1970. Copyright @ 1970 by The New York Times Company. Werther, W. B. , Jr. , & Chandler, D. A. (2006). Strategic corporate social responsibility. New York: Sage Publications.

Is persuasion ethical? Essay

This simple question has engaged scholars and practitioners alike. Aristotle and Plato discussed it. Machiavelli touched on it. So have modern communication scholars and social psychologists. And you can bet that practitioners—Tommy Hunger, Phil Knight, Donna Karan, even Michael Jordan—have given it a passing thought, no doubt on the way to the bank. Yet persuasion ethics demand contemplation. As human beings we want to be treated with respect, and we value communications that treat others as an ends, not a means, to use Immanuel Kanf s famous phrase. At the similar time, we are practical creatures, who want to achieve our goals, whether they are financial, social, emotional, or spiritual. The accomplishment of goals—money, esteem, love, or religious fulfillment— requires that we influence others in some fashion somewhere along the way. Is the need to influence contrary with the ethical treatment of human beings? Some scholars would say it always is. Plato, who regarded truth as â€Å"the only reality in life, † was offended by persuasive communication (Golden et al. , 2000, p. 17). As, he regarded rhetoric as a form of adulation that appealed to people’s worst instincts. Although Plato did believe in an ideal rhetoric estimably composed of truth and morality, he did not think that ordinary persuasion measured up to this standard. The German philosopher Immanuel Kant would view persuasion as immoral for a diverse reason: In his view, it uses people, treating them as means to the persuader’s end, not as appreciated ends in themselves (Borchert & Stewart, 1986). This violates Kant’s ethical principles. In a similar fashion, Thomas Nilsen (1974) has argued that persuasion is immoral because a communicator is trying to encourage someone to do something that is in the communicator’s best interest, but not essentially in the best interest of the individual receiving the message. As considerate as these perspectives are, they set up a rather high bar for human communication to reach. What’s more, these authors tend to lump all persuasive communication together. Some communications are certainly false, designed to manipulate people by appealing to base emotions, or are in the interest of the sender and not the receiver. But others are not. Some messages make very intelligent appeals, based on logic and evidence. Additionally, not all persuaders treat people as a means. Therapists and health professionals ordinarily accord clients a great deal of respect. The best counselors treat each person as unique, an inexplicable treasure to be deciphered and understood. Many people who do volunteer work—such as those who counsel teens in trouble or AIDS victims—do not receive great financial benefit from their work. Their communications can be extremely much in the best interest of those receiving the message. On the other extreme are philosophers who argue that persuasion is basically moral. Noting that people are free to recognize or reject a communicator’s message, conservative thinkers tend to embrace persuasion. Believing that people are adequately rational to distinguish between truth and falsehood, libertarian scholars argue that society is best served by diverse persuasive communications that run the gamut from completely truthful to totally fallacious (Siebert, Peterson, & Schramm, 1956). Persuasion, they say, is better than coercion, and people are in any incident free to accept or reject the communicator’s message. There is some understanding in this perspective. However, to say that persuasion is intrinsically moral is an extreme, absolute statement. To suppose that people are capable of maturely rejecting controlling communicators’ messages naively neglects cases in which trusted but evil people exploit others’ vulnerability. What of men who trick or seduce women and then take advantage of their dependence to demand added sexual and emotional favors? Perhaps we would argue that the women chose to get involved with the men—they’re persuaded, not coerced—but it would be heartless to propose that such persuasion is moral. Moreover, the idea that all communication should start somewhere and that the individual or organization that it starts from influences the way the communication is expressed (Forsyth, D. R. , & Kelley, K. N. 1994). The idea that all communication goes somewhere that the sender’s view of what the audience is like will influence how they frame their communication, but that the receiver will also tend to take their own meanings from the communication, despite of what was intended in the first place. Just as students on a course must have to work in a variety of formats, so also they should have to deal with a diversity of audiences so that the effect of audience on what is said and how will be reinforced. All communication is put together with some purpose in mind, whether or not the sender is fully aware of what this is. Again, one can understand the communication and its effects better if one is fully aware of what the real purpose of it is. It must become apparent that what we think someone’s purpose is, is more significant than what it actually is. The pupils will come to understand that we act on postulations when decoding messages. The physical or social situation in which the communication takes place will constantly affect how it is understood, and will perhaps affect how it is put together in the first place. In terms of interpersonal and group communication, it is at least helpful to discuss or simulate examples which may be described as public or private situations so as to get across the force of this concept. Try getting a pupil to role-play behaviour in public that they would usually use at home, and the point will have been made (Dunbar, N. E. , & Allen, T. H. 2003). All communication has to be put into some form such as speech or pictures. Diverse forms have diverse qualities, and different advantages and disadvantages. The form used affects how the communication is put together and understood. Effective communicators weigh up the compensation of the various forms of communication accessible to them. It is often the case that we use more than one type of communication at a time. The number of forms that may be used through the medium of television in an evening news broadcast is a case in point. Students must be allowed to make decisions concerning the use of forms of communication during their course. They must practice the conventions of the form or format. On a more sophisticated level they should grapple the idea that the medium is indeed the message, and that the same message is transformed in various ways once cast in a form other than its original. References: Borchert, D. M. , & Stewart, D. (1986). Exploring ethics. New York: Macmillan. Canary, D. J. , & Spitzberg, B. H. (1990). Attribution biases and associations between conflict strategies and competence outcomes.Communication Monographs, 57, 139-151. Cooper, M. D. , & Nothstine, W. L. (1998). Power persuasion: Moving an ancient art into the media age. (2nd ed. ). Greenwood, IN: Educational Video Group. Dunbar, N. E. , & Allen, T. H. (2003, May). Toward a message-centered approach to attributions regarding interpersonal conflict. Paper presented at the meeting of the International Communication Association, San Diego, CA. Forsyth, D. R. , & Kelley, K. N. (1994). Attribution in groups: Estimations of personal contributions to collective endeavors. Small Group Research, 25, 367-3

The History of Eye Shadow Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The History of Eye Shadow - Research Paper Example Ancient people were limited in the amount of ingredients they could include in their cosmetic recipes. For this cause, the range of eye shadow colors available was very limited. Often, people either did or did not wear this cosmetic. There was no choice of color. However the limitations on eye shadow colors was not to remain. As the focus on beauty is something that has perpetuated though many generations in a variety of cultures, cosmetics were fated to evolve and improved. In many cultures wearing makeup was a status symbol. In the 7th and 8th century Greeks found that they could wear shades of blue and green eye shadow by using lapiz lazuli and Malachite, which are stones, as a main ingredient (An Eye Shadow History, n.d.). Those in Japan during the 11th Century found that they could manipulate the color of their eye shadow by using different color flower petals. Oddly enough, in ancient Japan they used bird droppings as one of the ingredients. The ancient Egyptian’s use of eye shadow is very famous. They are often depicted wearing bold dark liner that surrounds their eyes and flows up to their temple of their heads. The knowledge of the Egyptians’’ makeup practices are so well known that one can be shown a picture of someone wearing Egyptian style eye shadow and quickly identify the person depicted to be Egyptian. In fact, makeup and cosmetics were so important in ancient Egypt that often people were buried with a sizable supply.

Creative Process Essay Entry Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Creative Process Entry - Essay Example several common ideas such as the fact that creativity entails innovative and novel contemplations of the world, I do not think it is a teachable skill. A person is born with a certain amount of creativity, and while these can be developed through experience and education, if one is not naturally creative, your creativity can only improve to a limited extent through education. According to Franken, creativity entails a tendency to generate or recognizes ideas alternatives and possibilities, which can be applied in problem solving or communication with others (396). I found this definition to be in line with my own since I believe creativity is best understood when observed in a functional perspective in view of how it can solve problems or help one deal with issues. In my life, I believe creativity often surfaces when I am face with unusual situations that call for me to be innovative and think outside the box, sometimes, it emerges when I am under pressure to do something, and not all the conventional methods produce the desired result. I remember an incident when I was in high school, and my creative writing teacher told us to construct a sentence using the word flummox. We had no idea what the word mean, and we were given 30 seconds in which to do it. After realizing that none of my word attack skills was going to get me an answer, I wrote, the sentence â€Å"Flummox is not a very common word in most high school students vocabulary†. The teacher said that was not the way to construct sentences, but she gave me a mark because I had used my imagination where less none of my classmates had. My creative process is dictated by circumstances and managing it is more often than not a subconscious activity. For instance, there are times I am b ursting with new ideas when I cannot apply them, sometimes I come up with what I feel are incredible storylines for creative writing essays, and shorts stories when am in the bus or shower but forget them almost

Gothic old novel Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Gothic old novel - Essay Example â€Å"Why is this path so old? It seems to have not been used in a long time, â€Å"I wondered. The way was getting smaller as I move. Some cold liquid fell on my half covered back. I said a short prayer to God to save my life. The rain had finally started, and here I was in the middle of nowhere alone. â€Å"I have to move fast,† I thought. I had some noise before I could make a move. I felt cold and stood rooted to the ground with my eyes tightly closed. When silence returned, I got hold myself and run quickly to no destination. Finally, I came to an open compound that looked well kept and organized; the rain was now pouring heavily, lightning and thunder accompanied it. I thanked my God and felt relieved.† Hallo anyone home?† there was no answer. I moved to the door and turned the lock, it opened. It was dark inside; I took out my phone that had a torch. It was wet, what was I to do next? I slowly found my way to a seat in one of the corners of the room. I didn’t know when I fell asleep only to wake up to the sound of pots falling to the ground. There was light coming from a room just at the end of a passage it was too bright to be electricity. I moved there ensuring that I made no noise. There was no one in sight, everything well arranged, it was a kit chen. The cooker was on, and a huge pot of water was boiling. The door got shut at my back, I jump in fear, and the room had pots of fresh blood and heaps of stocked meat that was already going bad and smelly. I felt someone moving across the room yet I could not catch the sight of anyone. I ran to the door and found that it was locked, and the room was becoming brighter as time went, I could not think straight fear got the better part of me. There was noise coming from an inner room that had a dazzling light, it seems people were in there and argued about something. I had to save myself. Pans were flying out of the room and what scared me most were the different sizes of knives

You choose A topic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

You choose A topic - Essay Example Brave Orchid studied in a medical school, and had spent nights in a room haunted by ghosts. She encountered actual ghosts there, and made a successful exorcism. Brave Orchid lived in the caves which served as shelter to the Chinese people in Japanese air raids. She calls Moon Orchid in the fourth chapter, her younger sister, and continuously badgers her to defy her husband who has abandoned her and had gone to America to a second wife. The final chapter discusses how Chinese women are quiet as compared to the American women. The chapter brings up Kingston’s childhood memories of her school. One of the main themes that â€Å"The Woman Warrior† presents is femininity. Kingston dreaming of being a warrior named Fa Mu Lan, motherhood and bravery of Brave Orchid, the role of Moon Orchid as a wife and sister, and Tsai Yen whose Chinese songs the grandma loved, all are a depiction of the femininity the Chinese women are believed to have. Kingston states, â€Å""Im not a bad girl," I would scream. â€Å"I’m not a bad girl. Im not a bad girl." I might as well have said, "Im not a girl"† (2.152). This statement shows how Kingston feels that her femininity is a shame for her when she observed the world treating her differently. Another theme presented in the novel is identity. Kingston has given the name ‘memoir’ to the collection of her stories, which means that all the stories are her personal experiences. She identifies herself as a Chinese woman who cannot understand the double standards women are subjected to in the Chinese culture and the identity of women in the American culture. â€Å"Chinese-Americans, when you try to understand what things in you are Chinese, how do you separate what is peculiar to childhood, to poverty, insanities, one family, your mother who marked your growing with stories, from what is Chinese?† (Kingston 1.12) shows how Kingston explores Chinese identity in America. Third main theme is communication. Kingston has tried to

ESSAYS PAPER Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

ESSAYS PAPER - Essay Example The younger generation would be facing much complex time than ours. The more they work hard and study better, the more helpful it would be for them in the future. Exceptional qualification is the basis of better job and secure career. But for these professional qualifications, higher sum of money is also required. That is why many students move towards the universities as they provide good education with scholarships and financial aids as well. This matter of obtaining quality education gives serious troubles to most of the people. At times, students themselves are not willing to study irrespective of realizing the ultimate importance of education. In addition to that, when they find limited available resources and non-cooperative families, they go in wrong directions. These acts harm their career resulting them in doing odd jobs. I don’t want myself or my siblings to go astray therefore I want to try my best in injecting myself and my siblings in good colleges and universities. Good education not only shapes better and secure career but learning also changes the behaviour of individuals. Therefore, interruptions and hurdles coming along the way of acquiring education must not be considered as blockages and should be overcome as soon as possible in order to avoid wasting precious time of students and money of their parents. Students should also cooperate with their parents by presenting good scores and high grades to them. Universities like Texas A&M University provide huge opportunities even to those students who cannot financially aid their studies therefore struggle on the part from students and younger generation is required to make the most of those opportunities. My family has been going through severe financial crisis as my father is unemployed for past 5 years. Our only source of income is rent income that comes from our one apartment that has been provided to tenants for rent. Daily household expenses are covered through

Sustainable Marketing Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Sustainable Marketing - Assignment Example Based on marketing regulations it is illegal to market the products different from the advertised ones (Mitsui 1997, pp. 303). Cosmetics are basically substances meant to enhance the human body. Cosmetics are categorized as skin care, hair care, mouth care, coloring cosmetics and others mostly preserved for feminine hygiene (Barel 2014, pp. 519). This report seeks to explore some of the most pivotal issues that come with sustainable marketing. By being able to obtain necessary requirements in the sustainable marketing of cosmetics in the beauty industry, the supplies will be able to effectively respond to consumer demands. The issues to be addressed in this study are: the need for sustainability in beauty salons, how to overcome the identified sustainability challenges, marketing sustainability management, encouraging customers on sustainable consumption and the tactics to reach broad consumer base. Furthermore, this report will also critically analyze the sustainable marketing strategies set by the provider of cosmetics in beauty salons. The limiting factor of this study lies on the author dwelling on one area of sustainable marketing which in this case is beauty in salons within the sector of cosmetics. Another complication results on regulations. Given that every government has its distinct set of regulations. This therefore complicates the consumer as well as the marketer assumptions on the general perspective of sustainability. The author will therefore strive to reveal what marketers and businesses can do towards realization of sustainable marketing. In attempts to find out the need for sustainability we are going to find out how it relates to the beauty in salon industry. Many salon owners glance at the products they use and get discouraged right away (Jercha 2012, pp. 5). They are ever pooled back by the feeling that they can never keep

Ethics and IRB Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Ethics and IRB - Essay Example Ethics is contrasted with the term morality that frequently relates to how the way a person was raised and the values learned from the culture, parents or religion. Ethics refers to the systematic study of the basis of right or wrong decision. The regulations for protection of human subject in United States provide a minimum baseline through which every person must comply when operating the institutional review board, IRB, when obtaining consent from the research subjects, and when conducting the research. The ethical thought has shaped the regulations, though ethics require more conditions than what regulations require (Steinberg, 2007). Throughout the history of ethics, various theories have been formulated on what ethics ought to be. When these theories are critically examined, the procedure, rules and outlooks of ethics are justified. The major challenge in a practical environment, particularly in medical research, is the translation of the theoretical concepts of ethics into act ion. Regulations will thus come into place and help in accomplishing such tasks (Chamberlain, 2008). Development of the research ethics has evolved over time. Many tragedies have been reported through the research history involving the human subjects. Many people suffered as they participated in the research. The first research experiments on human subjects were the vaccination trial where physicians experimented with either their families, or themselves. Ethically, it is an injustice to abstract them from thinking on regulations away from the ethical context (Juritzen, Grimen & Heggen, 2011). In modern history, the discovery of atrocities by the Nazi physicians pioneered in human subject protection. Some of the experiments were considered inhumane and unethical. The voluntary consent is, therefore, essential when performing experiments on the human subjects and the research risks should be minimized so that it will benefit the society. Ethics Ethics refers to branch of study that d eals with the most appropriate course of action for human beings. It involves systemizing, recommending and the defending concepts of right and wrong behavior. Ethics is a critical requirement in human life since it determines the course of action towards a certain goal or objective. When conducting the nursing research, the researchers should be aware of nursing and research ethics. The decision on what to study, participants, and termination of the interviews and documentation of the results of the case study, should be based on ethical deliberation (Melton, 2004). Ethics is crucial in nursing research since it helps to set the competence boundaries. All nurses conducting research should work within their competence boundaries. Also, ethics enable researchers make informed consent where the information has to be judged to avoid confusing the people. Valid consent for participation in research depends on understanding, and freedom from deception and coercion. The information to the participants should be presented in written form and orally (Chamberlain, 2008). Ethics helps the nurses maintain confidentiality during their research. Confidentiality is an extension for privacy and is controlled by the privacy Act. Participants should trust that confidentiality is maintained for the information they give. Ethics ensure that the participants are free from risks and injuries during the research. This should encompass physical and non-physical wellbeing. In questioning, the researcher is entitled to maintain what is ethical. Ethics also ensures quality where the review committee assesses the ethical implications of the research proposals. Also, honesty in reporting is enhanced where the researcher publishes the process and findings to allow for peer scrutiny

Environmental policy Essay Example for Free

Environmental policy Essay Environmental policy cant be based solely on efficiency arguments. Issues of ethics are at least as important. Discuss The above statement is true to a certain extent and in the course of this essay a balanced discussion will be presented in the hope that the outcomes will prove this to be true. To begin, the thoughts of some Russian intellectuals will be put forwards on the subject of Utilitarianism and why efficiency is self-destructive in the long run, thus supporting the statement Environmental policy cant be based solely on efficiency arguments. To lead on from this there will be a dialogue as to the problems faced by old command and control (hence forth referred to as CAC) policies such as direct regulation and emissions fees from an efficiency and ethical viewpoint. Then, these methods of environmental policy and the ideas of Ronald Coase will be highlighted as an example of ethical influence in possible environmental policy as well as from an efficiency standpoint. Following this will be an outlining of the development of the U.S Tradable permits approach to air pollution control and the ethical influences therein. Taking the ethical issues point raised in the title statement one step further then leads onto the idea of ethical considerations. These have been based around an anthropocentric perspective, thus far and so at this point some views from an eco-centric stance will be considered. To do this, A. Leopolds The Land Ethic will be looked at. The rights of nature will be brought under the umbrella of Ethical issues and discussed from a policy perspective. What economists mean by economic efficiency, is that in an ideal economic system, goods worth more than they cost to produce get produced, goods worth less than they cost to produce do not. (D. Friedman. 2004) This holds firm throughout this discussion, along with the idea of efficiency as it is defined as both: The production of the desired effects or results with minimum waste of time, effort or skill, (dictionary.com 2004) and as A measure of effectiveness; specifically, the useful work output divided by the energy input in any system (dictionary.com 2004). In different aspects of environmental policy, these different definitions of efficiency hold true, though it is clear that they all have the same thing in mind when referring to efficiency. As it Stands, Utilitarianism (the theory of Jeremy Bentham) is an example of efficiency if it were to be applied to policy. Valdimir Odoevsky, one of the most brilliant and influential representatives of progressive thought [in Russia] (A. F rolova 1998) of his time, produced a development of the utilitarian theory of J. Bentham, which is illustrated in Alla Frolovas article Ecological reasoning: Ethical alternatives. The utilitarian approach to life as put across by Odoevsky, who states that utility is an essential driving force of all human actions, (A. Frolova 1998) it is said to be the driving force for all laws, legislations, activities and morals. It is also suggested that under the notion of utilitarianism, utility should be allowed to take the place of all notions of so called consciousness, so called inborn feeling, all poetical dreams and fantasies. This is a very powerful tool for the representation of efficiency as the sole driver of any policy decisions, even environmental ones, however it is a valid viewpoint where ethics is not taken into consideration. Odoevsky talks of a civilization called Benthamia where under the concept of utility everything runs in a sustainable way. However it is when a new civilization is founded outside of Benthamia that the problems associated with a system void of ethics emerge. Through the use of political intrigues, deceit, and bribery, as well as organizing quarrels among any rival civilizations that emerge in order to weaken them for the benefit of Benthamia, the Benthamites extend their power. After they have sufficiently weakened a civilization to the point where that civilization is of no further use to Benthamia, the weakened civilization is taken into full possession either by the acquisition of it (at the cheapest efficient price) or by the use of force. All of these points are seen to be ethically wrong in todays world where ethics is A set of principles of right conduct (A. Frolova 1998) and even when there is a call for utilization of deserted islands (A. Frolova 1998) rather than taking over the crushed neighbors of Benthamia, the suggestions are condemned and those who put them forwards are said to be idle dreamers (A. Frolova 1998). In Odoevskys vision of utilitarianism, Benthamia is torn apart from within due to different self interests associated with differing social situations throughout the growing civilization and as it is put by Odoevsky One day glorious Benthamia ceased to exist. (A. Frolova 1998) Odoevsky perceives nature as sensitive and responsive in regard to human morals and this representation of efficiency as the sole driver of decision making shows that ethics are important in every aspect of what we do. Less extreme examples of efficiency in environmental policy can be seen when looking at cases such as the policy relating to dealing with the inefficiencies associated with the production of steel. Classic approaches to the problem of the externalities of steel production include direct regulation by the government based on telling the steel industry how much they can pollute, as well as emission fees (called Pigouvian taxes). Emission fees are based around the concept of charging steel companies for the damage done by its pollution. The idea of direst regulation is seen to be an inefficient environmental policy whereas emission fees are said to produce an efficient amount of steel as well as an efficient amount of pollution control. In the real world however emission fees policy is not efficient as it is difficult to measure what the damage caused is as well as it being inefficient to spend time looking for the damage caused. These two policies are based around the idea of efficiency in the steel industry (as an example), though with the insight of R. Coase and the introduction of what many have dubbed Coase Theorem social cost can be associated with efficiency to create a better overall way of viewing the problem of externalities through the introduction of property rights. Rather than a system whereby the government defines the measures that need to be taken by industry or where it is left to the polluter to deal with the control methods as with the previously mentioned CAC policies, the idea of Coases theorem defines a policy where, if transaction costs are zero if, in other words, any agreement that is in the mutual benefit of the parties concerned gets made, then any initial definition of property rights leads to an efficient outcome (D. Friedman. 2004) The way that his argument is put across in the article entitled the Swedes get it right is based around the cost of abatement of pollution in a steel factory Vs. the cost of changing downwind land use from a resort to a timber forest. The article, written by D. Friedman, puts forwards a very efficient environmental policy whereby the distribution of property rights leads to the internalization of externalities and the most cost effective outcome on a social level. Under the notion of Coase theorem, if it is cheaper for the resort to pay the factory for the cost of pollution abatement rather than change his own land use then this should be done, producing a situation where everybody is happy and the overall conditions are more desirable. This efficiency based policy is seen to be an advancement of old efficiency based policy though there are still problems associated with it due to the fact that ethics are not considered. One of the largest problems noted by Coase is the idea of the Public Good Problem (D. Friedman. 2004). If there are many different people living downwind of a factory and they contribute to the abatement of the pollution, then if one person does not pay because doing so wont make a difference to whether the abatement is paid or not and the abatement does go through, then that person is seen to be a free rider (D. Friedman. 2004) getting abatement for free. This is why air pollution in Southern California still persists, as there are millions of people living in the area it is hard to get a situation where everyone pays for the abatement of pollution and it is not possible to re-locate this vast number of people. Coase argues that it is not the externalities that essentially create the problem, but t hat it is the transaction costs. A policy approach to the environment that has taken ethical issues into consideration can be seen in the US formation of a tradable permit approach to air pollution control. In the discussion about the US system ethical consideration is defined in either of two contexts: (1) when the decisions seem to reflect altruistic concerns which transcend self-interest and (2) when the decisions seem to provide special treatment to rights which seem to have a special moral justification (T. Tietenberg. 1998). The emissions trading program is set out as a straight forwards, flexible market based policy where the trading of permits is allowed and efficiency is increased due to the self interests of the participating industries. Through the acquisition of an emission reduction credit (ERC) (T. Tietenberg. 1998) this trading can take place and to acquire this ERC a company must lower its emissions to a point below the required level put forwards by the Clean air act. Further efficiency is establish ed by the way that the ERC system allows new firms to come into the market, thus, by introducing the offset policy EPA [the Environmental protection agency] allowed economic growth to continue whilst insuring progress toward attainment. (T. Tietenberg. 1998) The efficiency of the tradable permits system can be seen by analysis, which concluded that the proposed 0.01 g per leaded gallon (gplg) standard would result in $36 billion ($1983) in benefits (from reduced adverse health effects) at an estimated cost to refining industry of $2.6 billion. (T. Tietenberg. 1998) As well as being implemented at a national level. Tradable permit systems have also been applied at a regional scale, with air pollution in California being an example of this. RECLAIM (Regional Clean Air Incentives Market) shifts the burden of identifying the appropriate control strategies from the control authorities to the polluter (a point that made direct regulation an inefficient policy based solution, as previously mentioned), and thus the system again proves to be effective due to the fact that now, pollution prevention is given an economic underpinning. Along with these examples off efficiency, the tradable permits system, when compared to emissions charges and emissi on standards comes out as a far more effective environmental policy. Ethics can be observed in the Tradable permits approach however, and evidence seen in the paper Ethical influences on the evolution of the US tradable permit approach to air control suggests that ethical considerations have played a role in shaping the environmental objective, the choice of instruments, the definition of the tradable commodity, the treatment of shutdown credits, the relationship to traditional regulation and the rules governing permit trades. Thus it is the opinion of the author T. Tietenberg, that ethical influences on the evolution of the US tradable permit approach have been blended with pragmatic and political concerns to forge a compromise approach (T. Tietenberg. 1998). This means that even if ethical issues are considered they do not hold as much weight as efficiency arguments and result in efficiency bias compromises. This can be seen in the case of shut down credits. Among the various ways of creating credits this has been the most controversial point. It is controversial, ethically, because the economic incentive should be targeted at positive actions to reduce pollution through the investment of new control equipment and not through shut-down (which is where a factory is shut down to create a large number of tradable ERCs). As a result the compromise has produced a situation whereby all shut-down credits either revert to the control authority or they could be freely transferred to buyers (T. Tietenberg. 1998). This is a result that doesnt stop the process of shut-downs (as would be ethically acceptable) but allows the process to continue but with efficient outcomes rather than hoarding of ERCs. The ethical issues that have been represented in the case study of Tradable permits in the US have been examples of human-centric ethics focusing on welfare. Some environmentalists, such as A. Leopold focus more on eco-centric ethics and present an argument that through social evolution the land itself should be considered as a member of the community which is taken into account in environmental policy. Leopold, in his article, The Land Ethic explains his concept and the problems associated with achieving this goal. It is said to be the case that our educational and economic system is heading away from, rather than towards an intense consciousness of land (A. Leopold. 1949) . Leopold shows through the use of specific examples how there are essentially two different types of conversationalists, as Leopold puts it there are the economic value grabbers (A. Leopold. 1949) and those that see land as biota (A. Leopold. 1949) and worry about the secondary functions of things such as forests . Leopold gives a good illustration of this through the use of sport and meat. Group A, the economic value grabbers, when presented with the idea, will think efficiently about the subject, being satisfied with the thought that these are things that come from nature. Group B however, worries about biotic side issues, for example the cost in predators of producing a game crop. Whereas the ideas associated with Coases theorem are related to the health issues and other things that affect humans living downwind of the factory, it is the conclusion of Leopold that, A land ethic, then, reflects the existence of an ecological conscience, and this in turn reflects a conviction of individual responsibility for the health of the land (A. Leopold. 1949). This view holds that the land is to be conserved or protected as some sustainability policies are currently leading towards. It is the opinion of Leopold that sustainability policy should be based around ideas of eco-centric ethics rather than being based around the idea that it is a necessity to promote sustainable polici es from a human centric point of view. To conclude it can be said that efficiency is still the main focus of environmental policy making however over time the emergence of ethics in policy has emerged, though ethical issues are not considered to be at least as important as efficiency arguments. It has been said that without some kind of ethic (a theory of right and responsibility) and some kind of axiology (or value theory) we lack guidance and direction for tackling problems, whether global, environmental, or otherwise (R. Attfield. 1999). The discussion in this essay has led towards an outcome that supports the statement to a certain degree. It has been shown through the use of the utilitarian argument and some CAC policy methods that efficiency is not the only thing that has to be considered in environmental policy making, and the US case-study supports the notion that a certain amount of ethics has to be involved. But the nature of the ethics that is applied is essentially Human-centric and to consider ethical issues in environmental policy to be as important as efficiency the idea of a land ethic is an important one. As Leopold says himself the idea of a land ethic is not yet public opinion and in fact is only being kept alive by a minority who has revolted against modern trends of efficiency and human-centric ethics. Ethical issues are not as important as efficiency arguments in environmental policy though if the land ethic were to become a popular opinion through re-education and a shift in social thinking then there is a hope that in time the statement will be completely justified. References A. Leopold (1949) The Land Ethic. In: A Second County Almanac. Oxford University Press. Oxford. Alla Frolova (1998) Ecological reasoning: Ethical alternatives. Ecological Economics, 24. p.169-182. Dictionary.com (2004) http://dictionary.reference.com/ David Friedman The Swedes get it right. http://www.daviddfriedman.com/Libertarian/The_Swedes.html (2004) Robin Attfield (1983) The Ethics of Environmental Concern. Basil Blackwell. Oxford. Robin Attfield (1998) Existence value and intrinsic value. Ecological Economics, 24. p. 163-168 Robin Attfield (1999) The Ethics of the Global Environment. Edinburgh University Press. Edinburgh. Robert Elliot (1995) Environmental Ethics. Oxford University Press. Oxford. Tom Tietenberg (1998) Ethical influences on the evolution of the US tradable permit approach to air pollution control. Ecological Economics, 24. p. 241-257. Student no. 00020854702E

The Allegorical Character of the Novel Animal Farm Essay Example for Free

The Allegorical Character of the Novel Animal Farm Essay An allegory is a story with two meanings. One meaning is simple and is just about the characters and what happens to them. The second meaning is deeper and symbolic. The characters represent real people and the things that happen; refer to important events in the world. Animal Farm is a simple story about a group of animals who take over control of the farm. Their leaders, the pigs, promise them a wonderful life, but they end up starving and miserable. Orwell uses this plot to satirize the communistic system and the events following the Russian Revolution In the beginning of the novel, the animals live in a capitalistic environment. Old Major plants the seed of the rebellion by sharing his revolutionary dream with the other animals. This brings up the thought of Marxism and the ideals of Lenin. After the animals have taken over the farm, they set up seven commandments, which are to be the principles of Animalism. Animalism is exactly like the communism in Russia. The reason for the animals’ rebellion is so that everyone could have a better life, but they ended up worse off. The reason for the Russian Revolution was to fix the problems created by the Tsar, but Russia was also worse off and it turned out the Tsar was nothing compared to Stalin. The events in Animal Farm contribute to the development and flow of the plot, but they also represent real historical events. The rebellion of the animals refers the Russian Revolution. The battle of the cowshed can be linked to the Civil War between the Tsarist Forces and The Bolsheviks. It was a war of communist against anti-communist and it is also known as Red October. When the animals go into the farmhouse for the first time, they are amazed and disgusted. The common people have the same attitude towards the ostentatious wealth of the Russian Royal Family. Stalin and Trotsky were constantly arguing and couldn’t agree on anything, if one said something the other would side with the opposite. Snowball and Napoleon, both representing these leaders, have the same relationship. The windmill is a symbol of Stalin’s five year plan, both were failures. Napoleon set up new plans after the first failed as did Stalin. The Battle of the Windmill is a parallel to the Battle at Stalingrad when Germany invaded Russia during the World War 2. Neighbouring farmer, Frederick, wanted to buy a pile of timbre from Napoleon, while Hitler wanted oil stores in Russia. By selling the timbre to Frederick, it refers to the Nazi-Soviet Pact. In the novel, Napoleon uses fear and violence to attain power, Stalin uses the same tactic in the Purges of 1936. It is not only the events in Animal Farm that carry such significance, but also the characters. In Animal Farm, Orwell lets the animals speak and interact with each other. Judging by their actions and development during the story, we can see what kind of people they represent. Old Major, the prize-winning boar, represents the ideals of Marx and Lenin. Napoleon, the fierce dictator, symbolizes Stalin, whereas Snowball is his enemy, Trotsky. Their non-stop bickering is a reflection of the real life power struggle between these two leaders. Squealer does not represent a person, but an idea. Squealer uses propaganda to motivate the masses. The ‘Pravda’ also used numerous propaganda techniques to brainwash the people during the Russian Revolution. The Pigeons have a similar role. They spread the news of the Revolution/Rebellion, as did the ‘COMINTERN’ or ‘Communist International’. Mister Jones represents Tsar Nicholas. Tsar Nicholas made a lot of mistakes and the Revolution was supposed to make up for them, but didn’t. Mister Pilkington, the neighbouring farmer, represents Winston Churchill, while his farm, England. On the other side, there was Mister Frederick. He is similar to Adolf Hitler and his farm, Pinchfield, represents Germany. Boxer, the loyal horse, represents the oppressed workers class. Napoleon raises a litter of puppies and trains them as his own guard dogs; they have the same function as the Secret Police. Moses represents the religious side of the rebellion; he is in comparison with the Russian Orthodox Church. Mollie, who is not in favour of the rebellion and longs for her luxurious life of ribbons and sugar (fine food and clothing), represents the Russian upper class. All these animals and their human counterparts play a very big role in the allegorical character of Animal Farm. George Orwell sometimes referred to Animal Farm as a fairytale, but it is actually much more than just a pleasurable read. He saw what was happening in Russia, under the rule of Stalin and created this story to warn us about the dangers of leaders with too much power. The novel is a perfect example of an allegory. Every event and character can be linked to real events in Russian history. Although talking animals are not your typical adult entertainment, the message that Animal Farm conveys is timeless and universal.

Causes and Effects of Learning Difficulties

Causes and Effects of Learning Difficulties All learning disabilities are neurological disorders, the effects are from difference in the way an individual’s brain function. Children with learning disabilities can be as smart as their peers who do not have learning challenges. However, it can be difficult for children with learning disabilities to read, write, reason, recall information, spell and often times figure things out on their own without guidance. Learning disabilities are usually lifelong issues and they cannot be fixed or cured. Children that suffer from learning disabilities can succeed in school with the right support and supervision. Parents play an important part in a child’s success in school. Parents should encourage children’s strengths and know their weakness. They should understand the education system and learn about strategies in overcoming specific difficulties in the learning disability by collaborations and educating themselves by professionals. Many famous people in American histo ry had learning disabilities such as Albert Einstein who wasn’t able to read until age nine (What is a Learning Disability? | LD OnLine, n.d.). According to the National Institutes of Health one in every seven Americans suffers from at least one learning disability. Reading difficulty dominates with up to 80 percent of students struggling with reading on a daily basis. Additionally, basic reading and language abilities are commonly present in children that suffer from learning disabilities. Modern medicine has come a long way in diagnosing and treating some of the common learning disabilities such as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD) and Dyslexia, as well as the lesser known Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Visual Perceptual and Visual Motor Deficit. Scientists are learning every day how to better diagnose and increase support for those that are burdened with learning challenges. If a child’s learning disability is discovered early enough in their life the right guidance can help the child develop the necessary skills needed to live a productive life. Recently the National Institute of Health held a study which revealed over 67 percent of students with reading difficulties becoming at an average level or above in reading after special help was provided in early grades. If a parent is educated and aware of the early signs of learning disabilities, they can recognize potential signs early and get them help. Many parents can recognize character in their children that can possibly be caused by learning disabilities. At a preschool age if a parent notices the pronunciation problems, difficulty following directions, slow vocabulary, pronunciation, trouble learning numbers, alphabet, colors and shapes and often speaks later than children their age they should get their child checked for learning disabilities. In kindergarten through fourth grade children with disabilities can show signs of slow learning the connections between letters and sounds, confusing basic words, making constant spelling and reading errors and poor coordination. Through grade 5 and 8 children may have difficulty with handwriting, reverse letter sequences, trouble making friends and trouble understanding body language and facial expressions. In high school and through their adult years a person with a learning disability may continue to spell incorrectly, have trouble summarizing, and difficulty adjusting to new settings. Learning disabilities were an unknown phenomenon simply chalked up to be Minima brain damage prior to the 1940’s. There was no difference between a student with brain damage, and a lower IQ, versus a student with a high intelligence and a learning disability (History of Learning Disabilities (Part 1), n.d.). Dr. Douglas Haddad says â€Å"children who exhibited difficulties in learning were thought to be mentally retarded, displayed emotional disturbances, or be socially and culturally disturbed. Early studies on individuals with learning problems reported that they had the same learning problems as individuals who were shown to have brain damage, but appeared normal, otherwise. Thus, the term â€Å"minimal brain damage† was introduced. â€Å". Further research suggested that these learning issues were not so much issues with the brain itself, but more biologically stimulated learning disabilities. The term â€Å"minimal brain dysfunction† (MBD) was introduced. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy created the President’s Panel on Mental Retardation (Chiles, 1987). Increasing amounts of cases caused interest in student learning, and research began. â€Å"In 1969, the federal government recognized â€Å"specific learning disabilities† as a category with special education. The concept of specific learning disabilities referred to a certain subgroup of students who did not achieve academically with their ability, seemingly due to a central nervous system dysfunction that was mainly attributed to a wide spectrum of psychological disorders.† -Dr. Douglas Haddad. Now students with learning disabilities such as dyslexia, Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have special programs set up for them to learn in an environment unique to their needs. Our senses are separated, so not everything that our ears hear is interpreted by our brains. This would be the case with Auditory Processing Disorder (APD). Students with this disorder can have hearing that is passing, or even above average for their auditory test, but have trouble learning due to the fact that they cannot interpret the sounds that they hear. For the average person the brain processes sounds seamlessly and almost instantly. With APD, some difference mixes that process, to a child with APD, â€Å"Do you want to ride your bike or watch a movie?† may be processed or perceived as â€Å"Do you like Mike or batch cookies†. It can make simple questions or commands extremely difficult for someone who has been diagnosed with APD. Other learning disorders present very similar problems in daily tasks. Dyscalculia and Dysgraphia are two examples of other learning disorders that can make the normal learning process a difficult and uncomfortable experience. Dyscalcul ia is defined as a mathematical disability in which a person has a difficult time solving arithmetic problems and grasping math concepts. Dysgraphia is defined as a writing disability in which a person finds it hard to form letter or write within a defined space. Children and adults can suffer from one or more of these learning disabilities which would make conventional learning extremely difficult (Understood | For Learning and Attention Issues Understood, n.d.). The understood team, authors for theunderstood.org say †Many children with APD also have dyslexia, ADHD and other conditions. Recent research suggests that auditory processing issues may be a contributing factor to dyslexia.† Professionals can diagnose these different learning disorders, and generally they diagnose them at a young age. There is no difference in what these children see or hear, but there is a major difference in the way that they receive this information. They can struggle in one area such as Math, or English, or even memory but excel in others. Specialized teachers can play a major part in ensuring that these children succeed in today’s world. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder had first been described in 1902 by a Sir George Still, followed by the evidence that ADHD could arise from brain injury in 1923 by a Franklin Ebaugh; in 1967 the Federal Government funds (National Institute of Mental Health) first used for studying effects of stimulants on children with hyperactivity. Statistics of ADHD had begun in 1972 with a little under 6% for the National Health Interview Survey, followed by a second survey in 1976 with statistics closer to 5% in a time where Cylert, Dextrostat and Dexadrine had come on to the market to compete with Adderall (Data and Statistics | ADHD | NCBDDD | CDC, n.d.). This however was the beginning of the mediation processes which had started to overtake practical practices of helping this dysfunction. The rates of ADHD only continued to grow by a slower percentage, but picking up to approximately 3% per year from 1997 to 2006 and an average of approximately 5% per year from 2003 to 2011, surveys showing that the increase is growing exponentially by the years! In 2003 the survey had a statistic result of 7.8% for children diagnosed, then had grown to 9.5% in 2007 and in 2011 the statistic was up to 11% in children between the ages of 4-17 (6.4 million). The average varied from state to state with a low 5.6% in Nevada to a high of 18.7% in Kentucky (Data and Statistics | ADHD | NCBDDD | CDC, n.d.). Kids with ADHD tend to be easily distracted, missing details, and frequently changing what they are doing at the very moment after a few minutes. They have difficulty focusing on one thing and become bored very easily. Many times they have trouble focusing, organizing, learning and completing homework, often losing things such as pencils and toys. Day dreaming is common, difficulty processing information quickly and accurately, as well as following guidance or instructions. Also symptoms of hyperactivity may cause fighting, nonstop talking, dashing around, having difficulty doing t asks quietly and impulsively blurt out random comments, show emotions without restraint (NIMH †¢ Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, n.d.). Many victims of this disability are usually overlooked due to adults thinking it is simply disciplinary problems, but ADHD is growing because of genes, environmental factors, brain injuries, sugary foods and additives in foods. ADHD is treated with medications and various types of psychotherapy or combination of the treatments. The parents who have kids with this condition can help by making structure in the child’s life, such as organizing everyday items, using homework and notebook organizers, being clear and consistent, especially giving praise or rewards when rules are followed. Formal definition of dyslexia is â€Å"a disorder in children who, despite conventional classroom experience, fail to attain the language skills of reading, writing and spelling commensurate with their intellectual abilities (World Federation of Ne urology, 1968, pg 26). . Dyslexia was first unknowingly discovered in 1890’s and early 1900s by a British ophthalmologist named James Hinshelwood. He defines it as a congenital defect, occurring in children with otherwise normal and undamaged brains characterized by a difficulty in learning to read. He noticed symptoms like difficulty reading and writing also letter reversal was largely common. Later on a neurologist in 1925 by the name of Samuel T. Orton worked primarily on stroke victims until he met a girl who could not read and had the same symptoms of those stroke victims. He then began to research, reading difficulties that are unrelated to brain damage and has determined a syndrome as such. Orton had observed that visual deficits did not cause dyslexia, but something else did. His theory was that the condition was caused in the brain by failure to establish hemispheric dominance. Orton also noticed that the children he was studying were largely left or mixed handed (He nry, 1998). Each individual experiences different severity of this learning disability, but all have the same symptoms that affect reading, fluency and comprehension, recalling information, writing, spelling and in some cases speech patterns. Dyslexia can also exist with other learning disabilities and can sometimes be the cause of those with learning disabilities. Dyslexia is often called the language based learning disability due to most of its symptoms being language related (Dyslexia, n.d.). Symptoms of dyslexia may include reading slowly, experiencing disorder of letters, difficulty with math computation and difficulty recalling known words. Some strategies in overcoming dyslexia include using Audiobooks and books with large print and spacing between the lines. Teachers should use other methods to allow progress for student with dyslexia such as allowing alternate forms of book reports, provide students with a copy of lecture notes, and teach student to use logic rather than memory on tests and other work. Through our eyesight we gain visual information that helps us process our surroundings and allows us to manage our daily activities. Our visual perception plays a key role in our abilities to learn mathematics, spelling and reading. Deficits in visual perception can lead to learning deficiencies in learning basic mathematics, recognizing and remembering words and letters, also the mathematical concepts of size and position, as well as mixing up words with similar begi nnings and poor handwriting. All these characteristically been associated with learning disabilities of visual processing disorder. Auditory processing disorder involves a deficit in a person’s ability to analyze information received through hearing. It is not to be confused with problems such as deafness or being hard of hearing. A person with auditory processing disorder can hear just fine the issue is much deeper in the way the brain processes the information received. This learning disability interferes with language and speech learning as well as reading and spelling. Especially when instructions given in classrooms are primarily verbal, a child with this deficit can have extremely hard time following instructions and understanding the lesson. Some ways teachers can help students with this disability include allowing students to dictate creative stories, allowing use of computer word processing, avoiding grading handwriting, using large print books, providing tracking to ols for reading such as rulers and text windows and providing alternatives to written assignments for those students (Visual Perceptual/Visual Motor Deficit, n.d.). In comparison to the general population people with learning disabilities have a greater chance of developing physical and mental issues. As a result of their lack of ability to properly describe their symptoms to a health care professional many are left untreated. Although life expectancy is increasing over time individuals with learning disability still are at a higher risk of early death (Hollins et al., 1998; McGuigan et al., 1995). Parents play a great role in a child learning process, especially when a child has a learning deficiency. Parents need to keep things in perspective, if to help their child succeed. Learning disabilities are not undefeatable, give your child plenty of physical and emotional support. Be an expert in your child, every child is unique even when they have the same learning disability do your own research into what helps and what does for your child. Learn about programs and techniques that can improve their learning ability. Embrace being a proactive parent and speak up for your child to get special attention they need from teachers and other educators but remain calm and realistic. Remember to be a good role model for your child as they do follow in your footsteps regardless of learning disability or not. References Chiles,L. (1987). Federal involvement in mental retardation programs: Past, present, and future directions.American Psychologist. doi:10.1037//0003-066X.42.8.792 Data and Statistics | ADHD | NCBDDD | CDC. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html Dyslexia. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://ldaamerica.org/types-of-learning-disabilities/dyslexia/ Henry,M.K. (1998). Structured, sequential, multisensory teaching: The Orton legacy.Annals of Dyslexia,48(1), 1-26. doi:10.1007/s11881-998-0002-9 History of Learning Disabilities (Part 1). (n.d.). Retrieved from http://learningdisabilities.about.com/od/whatisld/fl/History-of-Learning-Disabilities-Part-1.htm Hollins, S., Attard, M.T., von Fraunhofer, N. Sedgwick, P. (1998). Mortality in people with learning disability: risks, causes, and death certification findings in London. Developmental Medicine Child Neurology, 40, 50-56. McGuigan, S.M., Hollins, S. Attard, M. (1995). Age-specific standardized mortality rates in people with learning disability. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 39, 527-531. NIMH Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/index.shtml?rf=71264 Understood | For Learning and Attention Issues Understood. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.understood.org/en Visual Perceptual/Visual Motor Deficit. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://ldaamerica.org/types-of-learning-disabilities/visual-perceptual-visual-motor-deficit/ What is a Learning Disability? | LD OnLine. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ldonline.org/ldbasics/whatisld World Federation of Neurology. (1968). Report of research group on dyslexia and world illiteracy. Dallas: WFN

How do deaf people use telephones? What about doorbells and alarm clock

How do deaf people use telephones? What about doorbells and alarm clocks?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are many everyday devises that we hearing people take for granted, among these are telephones, smoke alarms, doorbells, and alarm clocks. When we look at how members of the deaf community use these everyday items we must consider that members within the community have very different communication needs, abilities, and preferences. Hard-of-hearing people for example can use a standard telephone with the addition of a headset or amplifier, while some hard-of-hearing people may prefer a TTY deaf persons rely on it, or a relay service to communicate as we (hearing people) would on a telephone. Teletype or Teletypewriter, commonly known as a TTY come in a variety to choose from. In order to use a TTY both parties must have one. Many TTYs are portable, either battery operated, or electric. TTYs are not cheap! The most basic model will cost well over one hundred dollars, and does not provide a printout. Some states will provide TTYs free to qualified residents, but if one is looking for a model with sophisticated features, they should be prepared to pay more. Some computers have built-in TTY capacity; if your computer doesn’t have this capability TTY modems are available that transform a computer into a usable TTY. With the advance of technology pocket-sized and cellular compatible TTYs are also available, cellular text messaging and text pagers are also popular but consid...

Nora Helmer in Ibsens A Doll House Essay -- A Doll’s House Essays

In 1879, Henrik Ibsen published the play A Dolls House. However, to much of his displeasure the portrayal of the third act was considered erroneous to critics and audiences of that time frame. This controversy centered on the play’s conclusion in Nora's decision to leave her marriage and abandon her children. Critics labeled this decision appalling and unrealistic, since at that time in history no true woman would ever make such a choice. This uproar forced Ibsen to write a second ending where Nora instead decides that the children need her more than she needs her freedom. Thus, leaving critics and audiences contently satisfied. Since then, though times have changed and ideas and beliefs of the past have been altered, maybe the critics had it right about Nora’s departure. Perhaps Ibsen’s original ending is better left unsaid. Therefore, other than the alternative ending that Ibsen produced, how might the character of Nora deal with the situation at hand differently, based on what can be determined about her from the text? For starters, how about confronting the title of the story? Just who is the Doll? Many may claim that the doll is automatically Nora, for the reasons that she has been molded by her father and then toyed around with by her husband. To those individuals, Nora may seem like she is the victim, the poor little girl who can not comprehend who she is, the sweet â€Å"sky-lark† who had to leave her family for the findings of her true inner being†¦Or on a different note, Nora is the master and the controller of all that is functioning in the Helmer household. Although her husband, Torvald, may refer to her as a sky-lark, squirrel, or singing bird, it can be viewed in the text that Nora does not object to these remarks but r... ...a man who loves her and abandoning her children. Point in taking: Nora served no sense of accomplishment and only declared her egotism in a single selfish act. In the end, Nora’s greatest strength became her greatest weakness and it lead to her vindicated defeat. If only Nora used her powerful gift of control to step up to society instead of blocking it out, would she been able to save herself, her family, and her characters reputation as a feminine heroine, instead of a controversial role. But perhaps the controversy over Nora’s character is what we cherish so deeply because it is beyond our understanding. The idea that she is someone who is eternally captivating but can never fully be defined completely. Works Cited Kennedy, X.J. and Gioia, Dana. Backpack Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. New York: Pearson Longman, 2006. 778-843. Nora Helmer in Ibsen's A Doll House Essay -- A Doll’s House Essays In 1879, Henrik Ibsen published the play A Dolls House. However, to much of his displeasure the portrayal of the third act was considered erroneous to critics and audiences of that time frame. This controversy centered on the play’s conclusion in Nora's decision to leave her marriage and abandon her children. Critics labeled this decision appalling and unrealistic, since at that time in history no true woman would ever make such a choice. This uproar forced Ibsen to write a second ending where Nora instead decides that the children need her more than she needs her freedom. Thus, leaving critics and audiences contently satisfied. Since then, though times have changed and ideas and beliefs of the past have been altered, maybe the critics had it right about Nora’s departure. Perhaps Ibsen’s original ending is better left unsaid. Therefore, other than the alternative ending that Ibsen produced, how might the character of Nora deal with the situation at hand differently, based on what can be determined about her from the text? For starters, how about confronting the title of the story? Just who is the Doll? Many may claim that the doll is automatically Nora, for the reasons that she has been molded by her father and then toyed around with by her husband. To those individuals, Nora may seem like she is the victim, the poor little girl who can not comprehend who she is, the sweet â€Å"sky-lark† who had to leave her family for the findings of her true inner being†¦Or on a different note, Nora is the master and the controller of all that is functioning in the Helmer household. Although her husband, Torvald, may refer to her as a sky-lark, squirrel, or singing bird, it can be viewed in the text that Nora does not object to these remarks but r... ...a man who loves her and abandoning her children. Point in taking: Nora served no sense of accomplishment and only declared her egotism in a single selfish act. In the end, Nora’s greatest strength became her greatest weakness and it lead to her vindicated defeat. If only Nora used her powerful gift of control to step up to society instead of blocking it out, would she been able to save herself, her family, and her characters reputation as a feminine heroine, instead of a controversial role. But perhaps the controversy over Nora’s character is what we cherish so deeply because it is beyond our understanding. The idea that she is someone who is eternally captivating but can never fully be defined completely. Works Cited Kennedy, X.J. and Gioia, Dana. Backpack Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. New York: Pearson Longman, 2006. 778-843.

A Jack of All Trades: The Importance of Being Well-Rounded in the Workplace :: essays research papers

A JACK OF ALL TRADES: The Importance of Being Well-Rounded in the Workplace Introduction There are literally hundreds of desirable traits in the workplace. Of these, one of the arguably most important is to be well-rounded in the workplace. Many skills can assist an individual in being a well-rounded employee. Oral communication skills, written communication skills, teamwork, technical skills, leadership skills, adaptation skills, computer skills, interpersonal skills and analytic abilities are some of the key factors to a well-rounded employee. While these skills all seem to be of equal ability to the well-rounded employee, the scope of this paper will only delve into a few of the skills preceding. Technical skills, oral communication skills and leadership skills will all be detailed in this review in an attempt to help you (the reader) become a well-rounded employee. Technical Skills in the Workplace Technical skills are the formal name for the knowledge to perform the task at hand. One acquires technical skills by training in formal school systems or in the work environment. Experience is probably one of the most important factors in growing your technical skill in a subject. The importance of technical skills in the workplace is undeniable. Without the knowledge of the subject at hand, there is virtually no way possible to be a well-rounded person. Without technical skills you are not likely to be able to even do the job at hand. Here’s a brief story for example about an individual in the workplace, and how his lack of technical skills hindered his ability to be well rounded in the workplace, and eventually cost him his job. John was a college graduate with a degree in Computer Science. He had completed his degree with a GPA of 3.5. He began his search for a job immediately following his graduation and landed a great job in the technology field based on his merit and because of his professionalism and great communication skills. However, John had very little practical knowledge that is used in the IT field. He had no past experience beyond his degree, no industry level certifications. While his education had trained him in many different facets of computer technology, he lacked the one driving technical skill to help him determine where he would be best suited. It turns out the job that he landed was in computer networking, and when his initial review came up in 3 months, the company decided that they were going to let him go because of his lack of technical skills and because they wanted someone more experienced who actually knew how to do the job.

Toddlers and Tiaras

Toddlers and Tiaras 2 Screaming crowds (mostly hysterical mothers), make-up, hair extensions, teased hairstyles, clouds of hairspray, fake teeth, false eyelashes, spray tans, elegant costumes, weird postures, twitched face expressions, tiaras, trophies, money and more or less talent are the ingredients for the usual children beauty pageants. Those young girls that compete in these beauty contests are between ages 3 to 10 and sometimes even younger than 2 years old and usually have one only goal, get the money and get the tiara (tiara and/or trophy and/or ribbon).Of course, these insane mothers/fathers (so called parents) enter these little beauties not at their own request into these pageants. They fill in the applications on time, pay the participation fee, create or buy the outfit, establish the type of performance for the talent section, usually some song or dancing is a very popular talent to be displayed. The moms create and exercise the hairstyle and make-up, keep a strict rehe arsal schedule, hire trainers if the mom herself cannot coach the whole thing, travel hundreds of miles with their children just to spend a weekend on an emotional roller coaster and hopefully win the competition.So why do these mothers put their young girls through this experience? Well, first of all, â€Å"For them to have fun and experience dress-up in a more complex environment. † Because she likes it and because she is beautiful, etc. Off the record more, the answers include the â€Å"For the money† and â€Å"Because she has to be number one. Anyway, for myself, the most feared answer to that question would be â€Å"Because I used to participate in such contests myself†, and no matter how that sentenced ends (I always won or I’ve never won, but I know she can do it! ). What can a child learn by being a professional/serial beauty pageant contestant?Well, encouraging the sense of competition and having a hobby to be dedicated to is okay, spending time with mom is great, but when you become a winning machine, and a Tiara chaser collector, serious psychological problems can occur. These contests promote Physical Beauty as the main value, with the talent section being a close second. These children, especially these little girls are going to pay so much attention to her looks and knowing she is being judged for it, will be very susceptible to develop eating disorders, such as Anorexia or Bulimia.Also, paranoid features can occur as a response to the, â€Å"No other girl here is your friend† between mother and daughter and you just smile on the outside and develop a little hatred inside for all other competitors. This also brings another problem to my mind, dissimulation as a form of interaction, which can be used outside contests too and become a habit. All those screaming crowds and rivers of tears and having to put on an act and playing a role could lead to learning hysteric behaviors. Anxiety is no stranger for these youn g girls either.If at first sight they seem to learn how to be prepared for stressful situation, think of this: what if the girl does not really want to participate and does this only to please her mother? What if she can’t actually dance or sing, but she has to do that anyway? And what if she feels embarrassed? What if she would rather like to spend time with friends in her home town and not in some cheap hotel miles away from her house? Then I believe yes, anxiety and frustration are near these children at all times.These and many other psychological problems can emerge from having to be something that you are not at a very early age. And inner problems are not the only ones. Displaying such a mature look (these girls are five or six years old, yet their faces look like those of at least 16 years old) may attract unwanted public, such as pedophiles. Paying the fee for your child’s picture to be posted on a website with heavy traffic is again, in my opinion, not the be st choice to be made. Toddlers and Tiaras 3Unfortunately, there have been cases of young pageant participants that have been victims in murder cases, so things are not as simple as one might think. In most cases, mothers are trying to live out their dreams through their children that they couldn’t accomplish themselves when they were younger. Playing dress-up with your daughter can be great, but why transform it into a full-time job? I must also mention that these competitions occur on weekends, so these children have no downtime or time to themselves to unwind and just play with their friends and do what children do best, â€Å"PLAY. So many things can be discussed about children beauty pageants, ranging from ethics, parenthood, mental health, development, competition or interpersonal relationships, but before I end, give your children time to make their own choices and fulfill their own dreams. Toddlers and Tiaras 4 References http://psychologycorner. com/toddlers-and-chil dren-beauty-pageants-%E2%80%93-risk-factors-for-severe-psychological-turmoils/

Storm Born Chapter Twenty-Four

Whatever snide comments Dorian and Maiwenn might make, Tucson is the best place in the world to live. Standing at the desert crossroads the following evening, I paused a moment to take in my surroundings before crossing over. Dorian's kingdom was certainly beautiful, but it just wasn't the same. It wasn't home. A soft wind cut through the dry air, ruffling my hair and whispering that spring would yield to summer soon. The breeze carried all the delicious smells of the desert, and I caught the sweet scent of mesquite – not the barbecue kind but the delicate perfume emitted by its fuzzy yellow blooms. Above me, the sun beat down without remorse, warning the weak to get the hell out. The tourist season tended to drop off with the sharp increase in temperatures, but I loved this time of year. And all around me, in this dry and unforgiving heat, I could feel the unseen water. It was in the saguaros and the cactus wrens and the mesquite trees' tap roots. There were even tiny bits in the air, despite the ostensible aridness. Everywhere there was life, there was water. Sensing it was second nature to me now. Calling it still remained a challenge. Closing my eyes, I let my mind reach through the boundaries and send me into the Otherworld. Practice really did make perfect with these transitions; they were effortless now, just like sensing water. My body slipped through, pulled toward the corresponding thin spot near Dorian's home. Before I could arrive there, however, I reached out toward the Slinky, using my stored essence as a magnet to pull me there instead of the road. Moments later, I appeared on Dorian's bed. â€Å"Presumptuous,† I muttered, swinging off of it and standing up. I picked up the Slinky and tossed it around, watching its rings arch and fall. â€Å"Is that you, my lady?† I heard a tentative voice call. Seconds later, Nia's young face peeked in from the other room. â€Å"His majesty is in the conservatory. If you'll follow me?† Wow. I'd never heard of anyone actually having a conservatory, outside of the game Clue. When Nia led me inside, I found Dorian standing in front of a canvas with a painter's palette and brush in his hands. Dorian, in the conservatory, with the candlestick, I thought. Er, paintbrush. He smiled when he saw me. â€Å"Lady Markham, you're just in time. Perhaps you can amuse Rurik. He's become terribly unreasonable.† I glanced over to the side of the room where Rurik, the massive warrior with platinum blond hair, sat on a delicate chaise lounge upholstered in lavender velvet. He wore full leather and copper armor, and the entire juxtaposition made me wince. â€Å"I don't mean to be unreasonable, your majesty.† He spoke through gritted teeth. â€Å"But sitting here and not moving – while in armor – isn't all that easy.† â€Å"Bah, you're whining. Most unseemly for a man of your station. Why, Lady Markham can stay still for hours – and in far more uncomfortable circumstances too, I might add.† Rurik glanced at me, both startled and pleasantly intrigued. â€Å"Don't move! Look back here.† Rurik's leer faded as he turned back toward his king. Dorian's canvas faced away from me, so I had no idea what his masterpiece looked like. I started to walk around and check it out, but he waved me off with the brush. â€Å"No, no. Not until I'm finished.† Shrugging, I pulled up another lavender chair – the entire room was that color, actually – and slouched into it. Dorian spoke without looking up from his work. â€Å"So what have you done today, my dear? Anything entertaining?† â€Å"Not really. Slept in. Banished a shade. I actually read for most of the day. Kind of lame.† â€Å"What are you reading? I really enjoy that one human's works†¦oh, I forget his name. He was very popular for a while. Shakemore?† â€Å"Shakespeare?† â€Å"Yes, that's the one. Has he written anything new?† â€Å"Um, not in, like, four or five centuries.† â€Å"Ah, pity. So what did you read about instead?† â€Å"The weather.† He paused midstroke. â€Å"And what did you learn?† â€Å"Storm-formation stuff. How water molecules build up and condense, how charged particles discharge to form lightning. Oh, and there was something else about high and low pressure, but I've got to go back and reread that. Kind of confusing.† Both men treated me to brief, blank looks, and then Dorian returned to his work. â€Å"I see. And do you think this will facilitate your learning?† â€Å"Not sure. But I kind of like knowing what the end result is supposed to be.† Silence fell as Dorian continued painting. Rurik persisted in looking miserable, occasionally sighing loudly to express his discontent. I'd never entirely forgiven him for the ice elemental thing, so seeing him suffer had its perks. Unfortunately, it grew boring after a while. I crossed my arms and slumped farther into the chair, catching his notice. â€Å"Sire, your lady's restless. I'm sure you have more interesting things to do with her. We can work on this another time. I don't mind.† â€Å"Nonsense. I'm almost done.† The first happy expression I'd seen since arriving showed on Rurik's face. It vanished when Dorian turned the canvas around to display his work. We stared. â€Å"Sire, am I†¦wearing a bow?† I cocked my head. â€Å"It does kind of look that way. But the rest†¦man, that's actually pretty good. I didn't know you could do faces so well.† Dorian glowed. â€Å"Why, thank you. I can paint you too someday if you'd like.† â€Å"It's a bow,† protested Rurik. Dorian glanced at the canvas, then back to the warrior. â€Å"It matches the chaise. I had to add it; otherwise you would have clashed.† Back in his bedroom, Dorian went through his usual motions, flinging off his silver-gray cloak and pouring a glass of wine. He drank some type of blush tonight. â€Å"Ready to start?† I nodded, sitting down in the chair in the middle of the room. As I'd said, I didn't really think the meteorology books would give me that much of an edge yet, but I felt more empowered after reading them. Like I was starting to take my training into my own hands. He took another drink of his wine, procured more cords, and approached me. Putting one hand on his hip, he surveyed me carefully, not unlike how he'd scrutinized his canvas. â€Å"That's a very pretty shirt.† I glanced down. It was a black tank top with a chain of red daisies embroidered near the top. â€Å"Hmm. Let's try this.† He abandoned the pastel-colored ties he held and replaced them with red and black ones. Placing my arms flat against the chair's arms, he wrapped each of mine down with black first, making X patterns. The style reminded me of the way a ballerina's slippers laced up. When that was finished, he went back over each arm with red. â€Å"These are more like ribbons than your usual ones,† I observed. â€Å"Or maybe sashes. Do you own, like, every possible form of constraint known to man?† â€Å"Nearly,† he said. â€Å"All right. Let's get started. The water's over there.† He indicated a table near the window where my old friend the pitcher sat, but I'd already known it was there. Settling as comfortably as I could in the chair, I stared at the pitcher and immediately let my mind reach out to the water. It flared like a beacon to me. Beyond it, I could sense all the other water in the room too. Me and Dorian, the wine, water vapor. I directed my attention to the pitcher's water. I can feel you, now come to me. But, as many practices had already demonstrated, wanting didn't make things happen. God, that pissed me off. I honestly didn't know how Dorian could stand waiting around through all of these sessions. It had to be boring as hell. I was bored, and I actually got to do something. Sort of. No, no. That was a bad attitude. Forget the boredom. Focus on the task at hand. Hours passed again. If Dorian was still awake – which I doubted – I knew he'd close off the session soon. The knowledge irritated me, but I understood. I was already feeling tired, my eyes bleary. I kept blinking a lot to regain focus and keep them from drying. I think that made me notice what happened next. â€Å"Dorian, look at the pitcher.† He sat up right away and followed my gaze. A moment later, he walked over and touched the pitcher, brushing his fingers along its side. Water quietly ran down the ceramic surface, pooling on the table's glass surface. A slow, delighted smile spread over his face. â€Å"You've seized it. It's listening to you. Now make it come farther – all the way out of the jug.† With tangible progress before me, my excitement grew. I thought hard about what I'd been doing, trying to repeat it. About a minute later, I could see water spilling down the sides of the jug, much faster and in greater amounts. The puddle on the table grew too full, dripping onto the floor. â€Å"I'm ruining your carpet.† â€Å"Never mind the carpet. Bring it farther.† I could hear the anticipation in his voice. Some logical part of me saw carpet as tough terrain to navigate, and the water's progress slowed. Soon, I decided, that was only in my head. The carpet had nothing to do with anything. Only my control of the water mattered. As soon as I made that leap, the water shot over the carpet in a curving rivulet, almost like a snake. It reached my feet, and I could feel it waiting for some further instruction. Only, I didn't know what to tell it. I simply wanted it to come to me. I'd barely given form to that thought when the water sprang up before me and hovered in the air. My mouth dropping, I watched it splinter into hundreds of drops. They hung there, suspended like strings of crystal beads. I gaped, fascinated, but had no idea what to do next. My grasp on them slipped away, and the drops disintegrated further into a fine fog. Seconds later, the cloud dispersed altogether, evaporating into the rest of the air. As they faded, so did the tingly, euphoric feeling racing through my blood. Neither Dorian nor I did anything right away. Then, I started laughing. And I couldn't stop. It was too wonderful. I wanted to do it again and again but had no more water. The wine would be too messy. An idea occurred to me. Sensing the moisture in the air, I sent my power out to the air right in front of me. Suddenly, tiny flecks of water condensed on my skin, like I'd been sprayed by a light mist. I laughed again. Dorian, grinning as broadly as me, walked over and ran his fingers over each of my cheeks. Touching his fingers together, he rubbed the water into his skin, almost as if testing it was real. â€Å"I did it.† â€Å"You did do it.† His eyes shone with unadulterated pleasure. You might have thought he'd been the one to do this. Funny that he should take such joy in this, I thought, when it was a paltry thing compared to his magic. He untied me and clasped my hands to help me rise. â€Å"I think a celebration is in order.† He poured another glass of wine and handed it over. We clinked our glasses together. â€Å"To clever pupils.† â€Å"With good teachers.† He took a sip. â€Å"Hardly. I actually slept most of tonight.† I laughed as I drank. â€Å"Do you†¦when you use your magic, do you feel something†¦I don't know, something good burning in you? Like pleasure or exhilaration†¦and not just from, like, mental satisfaction either†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I couldn't put it into words, but his face told me I didn't have to. â€Å"Yes. I know exactly what you mean. Wonderful, isn't it?† I drank more of the wine. â€Å"Yes. Yes, it is.† â€Å"Just wait. You've just had a sip of it. Once you come into your full power, you won't know how you did without.† I grinned at him. I felt so thoroughly pleased with myself and life, I could hardly stand it. When had I been this happy? Aside from being with Kiyo? And if I had this kind of reaction now, what would happen when I really moved into the big leagues? Dorian spoke of it like an addiction, but it sure sounded like a good one. Looking up, I saw his eyes all over me. He set his glass down and spoke in a soft voice, almost wonderingly. â€Å"You shine†¦did you know that? Power suits you.† He made me as happy as everything else in the world just then. Warmth built in my chest and radiated out through the rest of my body. I don't know how that feeling expressed itself on my face, but it must have conveyed something because he leaned over and kissed me. I could taste wine in that soft kiss, wine and heat. One of his hands pulled me against him while the other carefully removed my glass. Still pressing us together, he eased me onto the bed. I answered his sweet, taunting kisses with hard, demanding ones. It didn't take him long to adjust to this shift in style. He rolled me to my back and lay down on top of me, twining one hand in my hair to hold my head in place as an eager need suddenly filled his kisses. He consumed my mouth with them while his other hand slid unabashedly between my thighs, rubbing me through my jeans. My body arched up against his, and I felt an aching cry rise up in my throat, only to be lost in the pressure of his mouth on mine. I knew then it would finally happen. The dangerous allure of this†¦the exoticness of sleeping with someone who was still such an unknown quantity†¦it all enflamed me that much more. We would do this. We would come together, and I would give myself to him. Give myself to him. A tightness seized my chest, conflicting sharply with the burning pleasure in the rest of my body. His touch made me crave more, almost made me beg for it, and yet that angry part in the back of my mind was screaming again. It told me if I made this choice, if I deliberately chose to do this with him, then I was giving in to the enemy. I didn't really know who that enemy was exactly, but it didn't matter. The instinct pulsed through me, defensive and afraid. It warred against the rest of me, against my body's needs and even against my own conscious wishes. I knew and liked Dorian. Why couldn't I overcome that base fear? In some ways, the fear was titillating. I had a feeling if I could just get over that first crest of difficulty, the problems would go away. But damn it, that was a high peak to get over. And like last time, Dorian could feel my reluctance. He broke our embrace, almost jerking away from me. Before he turned his face from mine, I saw emotions I'd never seen before. Frustration. Unhappiness. â€Å"Dorian†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I said. â€Å"Dorian†¦I'm so sorry†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He rubbed his face with both hands and exhaled. His voice was flat when he spoke. â€Å"It's late, Eugenie. Too late for you to leave.† He stood up and stretched, and when he finally turned around, he'd once more cleared his face of its dark expression. His cheerful countenance was also missing; he simply looked tired. â€Å"I'll take the sofa in the parlor; you stay on the bed.† â€Å"No, I – â€Å" He gestured me off as he walked into the other room without a backward glance, saying only, â€Å"Take it. It'll be the best night of sleep you've ever had.† Elaborate French doors connected the two rooms. He closed them, leaving me to my own misery. I sat on his massive bed, attempting to sort out a tangle of warring emotions. What was wrong with me? Why couldn't I make this work? I'd slept with guys I liked a lot less than Dorian. Why couldn't I cross this last line? Why keep fighting it? I blew out all the candles and torches in the room before taking off my jeans and sliding under the covers. Dorian was right. This had to be the most comfortable bed I'd ever been in. Unfortunately, there was no way I could sleep. I kept thinking about my magical elation, alleged desire, and subsequent breakdown. My body wanted him. My mind did too. Only my instincts still fought it. The world's most comfortable bed must have felt insulted over all the tossing and turning that followed. At least its size gave me all the fidgeting room I could want. My eyes grew accustomed to the darkness very quickly, and I could discern the shapes of furniture and corners in the partial moonlight. Outside the giant window, stars glittered – thousands more than I'd seen the night with the astronomers. We'd lost the stars in the human world, despite our success in reaching them. Humans and gentry were almost like two sides of a coin, each supplying what the other lacked. The answer to my problems with Dorian was a long time in coming, but come it did. It was still pitch black when I finally got up and padded into the adjoining room. The doors opened silently, and I paused upon reaching him. He couldn't quite fit on the sofa, so his legs dangled off the end. He still wore the same clothes and had pulled a flimsy throw blanket over his body. He faced the direction I stood, eyes closed. One hand draped above him, and his hair spilled onto his cheek, its fiery color indiscernible in the poor lighting. He was a king, with thousands of people who answered to him, yet he lay crammed onto this couch because of me. I had hurt someone I didn't think could be hurt. I stood there thinking about this in the still, dark room before finally kneeling down beside him. I tentatively reached out a hand, but his eyes opened before I made contact. â€Å"What's the matter?† he asked. He sounded alert, concerned. I couldn't talk right away. Silence pooled as thick as the blackness around us. He neither spoke nor moved as I deliberated; he simply watched and waited. â€Å"I want you to tie me up.† That was the great thing about Dorian. Most people would have hesitated or asked questions. Not him. He followed me out to the other room and promptly retrieved the same sashes he'd used earlier in the chair. I settled on the bed, unsure where to position my body, but he gently adjusted me. He started to extend my arms up over my head but then stopped. Moving his hands down to my stomach, he caught the edges of my shirt and gave me a questioning look. I nodded, and he carefully pulled it off and over my head. Returning to my arms, he raised them above me toward the headboard and tied my wrists together, still incapable of rushing his careful bindings. With the next sash, he bound my wrists to the intricate scalloping of the headboard and then used another to reinforce the binding. When he finished, my arms lay somewhat relaxed on the pillows above me, but my hands and wrists were tightly secured. Weirdly, something inside of me eased upon realizing I was trapped. The length of the tying process surprised me. I would have thought he would want to expedite things, but his patience seemed undaunted. He settled back on his knees and studied me, just as he always did after completing one of his tie-ups. Near darkness or no, I felt exposed in just my underwear and wondered if it was my naked skin or the silk sashes that so captivated him. Probably the combination of both. He slid off the bed and stood up so he could take his own clothes off. As they fell to the ground, more and more of his body was revealed. The moonlight caught his white skin, and it practically gleamed. He reminded me of some ancient Grecian or Roman statue, all marble and smooth lines. He crawled back onto the bed, looking down on me, and my heart started racing again. Shadows bathed him now that he was away from the window's full light, and he seemed larger and more powerful compared to me. I had no means of getting out of this unless I wanted to attempt some crazy kicking maneuvers. The time and tension stretched out between us. It made me anxious yet stimulated as well. Why the delay? Why wouldn't he touch me? Why did he just keep looking at me like that? Finally, he knelt by my feet and kissed my toes. Such a small touch, but it made my body shudder after all that waiting. He alternated between both feet, his lips caressing toes and ankles before steadily moving up my legs. Kiyo had done a similar physical examination during our first night together. I wondered if there was some sort of psychological or personality analysis you could make based on whether a guy started at the top or the bottom. Up, up. Dorian's mouth moved on. My pelvic muscles tightened in anticipation, and I felt wetness growing between my thighs. But then, he simply skipped past my underwear, continuing with my stomach. He ran his hands along the smooth skin, still taking his time, cautious around the healing fachan cut. When he finished there, he moved to my neck, bypassing my breasts. My neck was pretty sensitive too, and his mouth's intensity had increased. The sensation forced my breathing into anxious, ragged gasps, but a frustrated complaint slipped out nonetheless. â€Å"Why are you skipping all the good parts?† He paused, just barely lifting his lips from my skin. â€Å"Do you want me to go back?† I bit my lip. He was trying to make me dictate the terms here, but that wasn't what I wanted. For once, I didn't want the power here. That was why I'd asked to be tied up. I wanted the choice taken away from me. I stayed quiet. He returned to my neck, moving his mouth along my collarbone and shoulder, then up to my cheek and ears. Our lips soon came together again, and I tried to channel my eagerness and passion into that kiss, as I had done earlier. But now he kept himself just out of reach, just enough to tease but not fulfill. I shifted my body upward, touching as much of his as I could. That, too, he held slightly away. It was frustrating, and in my need, I forgot about who was supposed to be in control. â€Å"Okay – go back.† He complied as efficiently and quickly as he had to my initial bondage request. His hands and their delicate fingers cradled my breasts, holding them in place for his mouth. I closed my eyes and tilted my neck back, lost in those burning twirls of his tongue as he woke the nerves in my flesh and delicately sucked the nipples. When he finally broke away, I made a soft sound of protest until I realized where he went next. Looping his fingers through the sides of my panties, he pulled them down, stopping abruptly when they reached midthigh. For a moment, I thought it was more of his teasing until I suddenly grasped the situation. â€Å"It's, um, called a Brazilian wax,† I explained, voice still breathy. â€Å"Oh.† His own voice held wonder. â€Å"Oh my.† His fingers ran over that delicate area, both for sensuality and his own curious exploration. With a happy sigh, he removed the underwear altogether and carefully spread my thighs apart. Then, his mouth was upon me, his tongue running along that most sensitive of spots in one smooth motion. It was like a spark to a powder keg. My whole body bucked up as heat exploded throughout me, and I made some sound vaguely like a whimper. Both of his hands slid up and held me firmly in place, reminding me again that I'd given up the power here. That same conflicting mix of fear and need flared up inside of me, scared that he could do anything he wanted to me and half-hoping he would. When he grew convinced I wouldn't thrash anymore, he let one hand slide back to my thighs. His mouth had never stopped in its fervent feeding, and now his fingers moved in, pushing into me with smooth motions timed to work with his mouth. I moaned against his touch, my head thrown back and upper body arched. He had an uncanny knack for pulling back each time orgasm was about to occur. So, when he finally allowed me that release, it almost caught me by surprise. My flesh ignited, electric and glorious. I shivered as my muscles contracted, as that scorching ecstasy poured through my body. Even when that tide broke, he kept his mouth down there licking and probing until I begged him to stop, too overcome by the flood of sensation. He took his time in obeying the request, finally moving away and laying his body on top of mine. Every part of him pressed against me, hard and wonderful, and I writhed under him, yearning for more. He moved his hands back up to my arms, again firmly pinning me in place. His mouth crushed mine, forcing me to taste myself on his lips. Struggling did no good. When he released me from the kiss at last, his face moved only a fraction of an inch away from mine. â€Å"I know why you're doing this,† he said. â€Å"Why you wanted to be bound. It's because you want the decision taken out of your hands. You knew once you were here, there'd be no turning back. You wouldn't have to be burdened with the decision of willfully coming together with me. You would have no choice in the matter and hence relieve yourself of any guilt or anticipation.† He kissed my cheek and then lingered on my ear a little. â€Å"In a moment, I swear I can ravage and take you as much as you want, if that's what makes it easier. But your choices aren't gone yet. We can stop if you want. Or I can untie you. You can tell me you want this and join with me not in submission, but as an equal.† The words were on my lips. Yes, untie me. Make love to me. Fuck me. I want to be with you. I could have said any number of things to change the balance of power. I could have gained both control and freedom again. Yet, I said or did nothing. Maybe it was because it was the only way I could go through with this. Or maybe I just wanted it this way. Maybe I even enjoyed it. Regardless, I stayed quiet, and he read the answer in that. He rose up, looming over me. He was a conqueror, coming to collect, and I was a prize, open flesh waiting to be seized. That fear lurched up in me, and I thrived on it. It was delicious. Thrilling. I gave up my power. I gave myself to him. Almost on his knees, he spread my legs apart and pushed in. I screamed, almost more from mental than physical sensation, my arms straining uselessly against the ties. He filled me, punctuating each powerful movement into me with a soft grunt in his throat I thought even he wasn't aware of. I wanted to reach up and wrap my arms around him, pull him against me. But all I could do was lay there, lay there and let him push into me over and over, the enemy I'd somehow come to crave. He shifted his body so that he was completely on top of me, still moving urgently and possessively, save that now I had even less mobility than before. He held me down, grip tight. And me? I was all aching and burning flesh, letting him take whatever he wanted from me. I floated in a warm, liquid place. It was like being wrapped in golden silk, molten bliss spreading over my body. â€Å"I told you,† he said through his labored breathing. â€Å"I told you you'd come to me. And now†¦now I realize I could have simply taken you the instant I'd tied you up. You didn't need any of the rest. You've had this desire and never even known it†¦this desire to simply be had in any way your lover wanted.† He paused a moment, swallowing and catching his breath. â€Å"I'm right, aren't I? I could move you into any position I wanted, make love to you in any place I wanted, and you'd love every moment of it†¦.† I couldn't really manage any coherent answers, and most of my noises had lapsed into primal, unintelligible cries. All I wanted to focus on was us being together, the way it felt to have him pushing and rubbing, the way it must feel for him to be inside of me. I'd slid up on the bed; my head was practically in danger of hitting the headboard soon. Suddenly, he pulled out abruptly and hovered back over me. His eyes, dark in this light, watched me, and I sensed that laconic, playful expression on his face. Both of us panted. I waited for him to return, feeling irate at this interruption. I'd been on the verge of coming again. Somehow I suspected he'd known that. â€Å"What are you doing?† â€Å"Waiting. Waiting for you to tell me to keep going.† He wasn't being cruel or mean. He was teasing me, toying with me the way he so enjoyed among the people around here. â€Å"You fucking bastard,† I said. Somehow the profanity carried mild affection. He laughed. â€Å"Should I take that to mean you want me to continue?† â€Å"You know I do.† â€Å"Then say it outright. Unless you're going to get up and take me yourself.† â€Å"Did I mention you're a bastard?† â€Å"Tell me you don't want me to stop. Beg me. Beg me, and we'll do this for the rest of the night.† It was merely a game, another dimension of this power play and his dominance over me. And, much to my chagrin, it was a turn-on. â€Å"Please,† I whispered. â€Å"Please what?† â€Å"Please†¦don't stop. I want†¦I want you to keep†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Keep what?† I sighed. â€Å"I want you to keep fucking me.† He was back in me almost before the words had left my lips. I yelled out again as moments later, the delayed orgasm exploded in me. I shook and burned as that glittering sensation crackled through me. All the while, our bodies kept moving together. His face was near mine, watching with pleasure as I panted and struggled against a joy that was almost too intense. â€Å"I hate you,† I gasped out. He laughed and rained kisses down on my face. â€Å"No, you don't.† He was right.