Optical systems Free Essay Example, 1500 words

The band has an optical heart rate proctor, along with the gyro meter, 3-axis accelerometer, as well as the sensors for skin temperature, ambient light, galvanic skin response, and the capacitive touch (IDTechEx, 2014), as shown in the figure 2 in the Appendix. In addition, the ABI Research also suggests that the most promising area where the wearable technology is used most widely is the health and fitness in today’s market, and by 2017, this area alone can be ranged over 170 million of devices (Kurwa, et al. , 2014). In this regard, there are some other examples, such as Adidas miCoach for athletes, adiSTAR Fusion used in shoes and sports, Zephyr’s Consumer HxM and BioHarness used for emergency responses, electromyography-sensor-based shirt by university students used to trail the data for exercises, and also the Utope’s fashionable Sporty Supaheroe used for fitness (a jacket with LED showing accelerator, phone calls, and 3D gyroscope) (Ranck, 2012). In the area of medical and E-health, it is suggested that the current market for medical devices in wearable technology is valued at $2 billion in 2011, which is predicted to be tripled by 2016 (TaylorWessing, 2012). We will write a custom essay sample on Optical systems or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now For example, the CGM (continuous glucose monitor) is the wearable medical device that is used by diabetes patients, where it provides alerts in advance about the increasing or lowering glucose levels in the patients, which help them to adopt a healthy lifestyle according to their disease (the device architecture is shown in appendix ad figure 3) (Facchinetti, et al. , 2013). In addition, the healthcare providers are using internet and wearable devices together to trail the patients’ symptoms and connect them to cure, such as medical patches, Tricorder, MEMS sensors, and Pulse Oximetry (Villasenor, 2014). Apart from the medical, fitness, sports and lifestyle areas of wearable technology market, the optical devices in the area of computing and communication are becoming the mainstream product of the wearable technology market. For example, a recently launched device named, Google Glass, by the Google Inc. has computing and communication features with the style/glamour. Ranck, (2012) has stated thatâ€Å"†¦Google Glass has a camera that can collect and store images and video, and it also has a gyroscope, accelerometer, compass and microphones as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (p. 10) (as shown in the figure 4 in appendix). It is the most recent innovative device that is also stylish and is priced only at $1500 and is launched for the consumer market.

William Shakespeare s Romeo And Juliet - 867 Words

An Infinite Love Movies today have many similarities to plays that Shakespeare wrote in the early 1600s. Archetypes Shakespeare uses in the Romeo and Juliet can be seen throughout modern day movies. Star-crossed lovers, mentors, and the unhealable wound are all archetypes found throughout both modern day movies and Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Three modern day movies that have these archetypes are The Titanic, The Hunger Games, and West Side Story. A family rivalry between the Capulets and Montagues takes place in the tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. The two star- crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet, must conceal their love out of fear of their families’ disapproval. When Romeo Montague meets Juliet’s cousin, Tybalt Capulet, the tension between the two families shows immediately. Tybalt, speaking about Romeo, says â€Å"It fits when such a villain is a guest. I’ll not endure him† (1.1.82). This shows the animosity between the two families. This same star- crossed lovers archetype can be seen in the 1997 movie, Titanic. Jack and Rose both set sail on the unsinkable ship, The Titanic. Jack, a poor drawer, buys a ticket to stay in the third-class part of the ship. Rose, who comes from a wealthy family, boards the ship as a member of the first class. Jack saves Rose’s life after she contemplates suicide by jumping off the Titanic. This leads to Jack and Rose eventually falling in love. Rose’s family would never approve of a relationship between her and a man who is not a part of theShow MoreRelatedWilliam Shakespeare s Romeo And Juliet1287 Words   |  6 PagesLizzy Baginski English Composition 2 Mr. Spera March 10, 2015 Romeo and Juliet Research Paper The movie Romeo and Juliet is a modern classic film that took place in 1996. Overall this is a timeless story that everyone should go and watch. This movie has an intriguing plot line that tells the story of two feuding families, The Montagues and The Capulets, and how the children of these two different families fall in love. The two children overcome various obstacles such as hiding their chemistry fromRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Romeo And Juliet 966 Words   |  4 Pages Beauty Over Gold â€Å"Beauty provoketh thieves sooner than gold.--William Shakespeare, 1623. In his book As You Like It, William Shakespeare pointed out the supremacy of love rather than the want of gold and wealth. Truly, beauty is more important to thieves than wealth. Many of the thieves in this world would rather have an elegant woman than to obtain precious rubies. After all, what good is a prosperous man if he doesn’t have a charming woman? Two famous men grab my attention who didn’t fear forRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Romeo And Juliet Essay1024 Words   |  5 PagesRomeo and Juliet is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare early in his career about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately reconcile their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare s most popular plays during his lifetime and, along with Hamlet, is one of his most frequently performed plays. Today, the title characters are regarded as archetypal young lovers. Romeo and Juliet belongs to a tradition of tragic romances stretching back to antiquity. The plot is based on an ItalianRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Romeo And Juliet1124 Words   |  5 PagesThe play Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare early in his career about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately reconcile their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare s most popular plays during his lifetime and, along with Hamlet, is one of his most frequently performed plays. Today, the title characters are regarded as archetypal young lovers. Romeo and Juliet belongs to a tradition of tragic romances stretching back to antiquity. Its plot is based onRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Romeo And Juliet861 Words   |  4 Pagesgreatly shown in the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. It was love at first sight with Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet. Meeting at a party and falling in love to get married without even spending quality time with each other. Romeo and Juliet couldn t tell there parents because the Capulets and Montagues are long term rivals. Both Romeo and Juliet had to find different ways and excuses to make this marriage work. A big problem was developed. Romeo kills Juliet s cousin and is banishedRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Romeo And Juliet1770 Words   |  8 Pagesof Romeo and Juliet. The story of two destined lovers who were killed by their own doing. But what if they weren t two destined lovers who got unlucky, but doomed partners that were never going to have a good-life to begin with.William Sha kespeare gives us a view of early signs of gang conflict in the early age of Verona, Italy. He gives us a perspective of the norms and customs of Italy during the Setting of William Shakespeare s most famous story. Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare, givesRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Romeo And Juliet1616 Words   |  7 Pageslove can also cause some of life s most controversial battles. These battles could stem from lack of patience, disagreement of moral values, and in some cases, an absence of attraction overall. In Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, the issues that drive Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet s to each of their dreadful misfortunes are inevitable. When it comes to many of Shakespeare s plays, Aristotle s theory is used to describe them as tragedies. Romeo and Juliet is known by many as a tragedyRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Romeo And Juliet1264 Words   |  6 Pagestheater-going public the most important dramatist in English literature, Shakespeare oc cupies a well-known position in the world of talented authors. His canon contains thirty-seven plays, written in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. Additionally, throughout the years, they continue to sustain critical attention, with the majority of his works circling tragedies, one being Romeo and Juliet. William Shakespeare s Romeo and Juliet speaks to the timeless appeal of star-crossed lovers. Their loveRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Romeo And Juliet924 Words   |  4 PagesWilliam Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy that follows the so-called love of two teenagers. The two fall in love at a masked ball and have a secret marriage. Throughout the play, their actions show how ridiculous love is, and how it is a danger to anyone who become twisted in its choking grasp. However, in the death of the youth and survival of the elders, an alternative explanation for the tragic events may be found. Although Shakespeare seems to be mocking love throughout the play, itRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Romeo And Juliet1279 Words   |  6 Pagesour lives. The great, classic writers teach timeless, valuable life skills. Shakespeare was the greatest writer of all time. His writings mainly consisted of dramas and sonnets. Romeo and Juliet, as well as, A MIdsummer Night’s Dream were written about the same time period. He was able to inter relate everything that wrote. For example, the tale of Pyramus and Thisbe could possibly be an advertisement for Romeo and Juliet. The basic structure of the two dramas is the same; two forbidden lovers meet

A Turning Point in My Life Essay Example For Students

A Turning Point in My Life Essay 1. Life of every human being is a gift from Almight ALLAH. Every body out of us endeavours to spend his life in the best possible manner to be known as a respected and good human being. Life of every person is differnet from the other indiviuals in many aspects. Every body has a different vision of success and has his own ways to achive his goals. We have our own role models, our own heroes and above all our own circumstances which drive us on the path of our life. At the end, the aim of every body is almost identical, to lead his or her life in the best possible manner and to become noble and respected indiviuals among the society. Every person has turning points in his / her life which changes the human behavior. I personally, believe that in every humans life there are turning points that change their outlook, change attitudes, interests, attitudes towards life and other people, when glasses are broken into small fragments. These turing points are not always sudden, they may be gradual as well in creating impact in our lives. In such situations smart people make conclusions. Such was a point in my life when I took a decision which changed all the dimensions of my life. This decision was a very important one, as its impact was going to be very long lasting, almost next three decades of my life were going to get imprinted by it. The time when I decided to join Armed Forces of Pakistan. i. e. Pakistan Air Force, was the decision which changed my life, and undoubtedly it was the turning moment in my life. As student many of us dreams of joining this elite organization and become proud of the nation. I too was carrying the same dream. Thus I applied for commission in Pakistan Air Force to fulfill my lifetime dream and By Grace of Almighty Allah cleared all tests and reported at PAF Academy Risalpur. From here onwards, that turn started to curve me and my life, which resulted in totally molding and changing my life. When I reported at PAF Academy Risalpur, my parents came with me and dropped me at the gate. At that time I didnt knew, but actually from here onwards I was at my own. From here on in the coming years, I had to travel alone in all provinces of Pakistan. From hot deserts to lush green cities of Pakistan. From high plateaus to coastal areas of Pakistan. And that was the beauty of decision which Allah Made for me, which turned my life. Before joining PAF, I always travelled with my parents and siblings and never travelled alone, especially outside my city, like most of us do. It was after joining PAF, that confidence inculcated in my personality, which enabled me to travel anytime and anywhere in the country and outside the country as well. Its the part of training that was given to me at PAF Academy Rislapur which groomed us to face all the challenges of life bravely and come out victorious. It was after my this decision that I travelled to hottest and coldest parts of country to perform my duty whom I took oath for. The life in PAF is very versatile. No doubt its demanding and challenging but interesting. It provides great opportunities and experiences of life so that one could learn various lessons and live a better life. Whether its ones personal life, professional life or family life, PAF is a complete package. It makes us a disciplined and a well learned man. A man who can work with other fellows in good ethics as well as lead them too when and wherever required. Because guarding motherland is a sacred and a very delicate task, and only those are entrusted with it, who can do it with pride, honour and dignity. As lives of millions of people are at stake.

Should Cloning Be Permitted Essays - Cloning, Molecular Biology

Should Cloning Be Permitted? Should Human Cloning Be Permitted? For years, part of the American public, and humans in general, have been fascinated with the possibility of creating human life by other than natural means. There are many who strongly disagree with the idea of human cloning. It certainly wasn't surprising when they were able to clone a sheep and will not be the least surprised if someday scientist's will be able to clone a human being. Should cloning for human benefits or even human cloning itself be allowed in society today? That is a question we must ask ourselves? On one side of the issue are those who believe that human cloning should be permitted. One thing that shows this, is what human cloning research may bring. Those who opposed to a ban believe that human cloning research could bring substantial benefits, including the development of new treatments for cystic fibrosis, other diseases and the ability to create animal with normal compatible organs for transplant. (1.Should Congress Prohibit All Human Cloning Experimentation,Pg 34). From my opinion, I believe that human cloning is just a huge step towards negativism in human life's, rather than simply being the next step in fertility technology. There might be a possibility that human cloning research may result in the discovery of a cure for diseases and the growing of human organs, but the disadvantages are that many years as well as money may be need it. Also several experts told the committee that cloning might be the only chance for many infertile couples to have their own genetically related children.(2.Gorman,Pg66). For what I see these cases are rarely seen, and the little amount of couples who suffer of infertility are more likely to adopt a child. Infertility, is not the cause. This is not the main reason why scientists are coming up with the idea of human cloning. What I believe is that scientists are just making propaganda in order to make the public to get on their side. Another reason is what could happened if cloning is ban. What about consequences of banning a technology- death, disease, disability, indignity, on happiness, and blighted life's that would result from imposing limits on cloning discoveries and advances (3.Bailey,Pg66). What might possibly happen if cloning is ban, scientist's as well as experts believe that efforts to ban cloning could drastically stop the creation of new medicines that would help millions of people. What I believe is that cloning might be a discovery for scientists to duplicate human life's. However, I certainly don't' believe that this discovery would go further than that. Simply for the cost and waste of time. Furthermore, Clinton took two swift steps: he called for moratorium on the use of federal funds for human cloning research and he asked his national biothetics advisory commission to let him know within 90 days whether the new technology should be even . more tightly controlled. (4.Gorman,Pg66). In my opinion, I state that, no matter who pays for it or for what reason is done, should be made a criminal offense in the U.S. The president doesn't have no right to spend federal funds in a research that most likely would be denied by congress, plus is just a waste of time and money. In addition, can poor people afford cloning. More likely, the cost of genetic treatments will drop substantially, and poor people in the future will be much richer than poor people today are, so they will easily take advantages of the new medical treatment. (5.Bailey,Pg66). This is a nonsense, no poor family is going to be richer , I mean how. In my point of view, I believe that they are going to be more poorer than they are. Simply because of their jobs, their job skills might not even be needed. Come on, be realistic technology is going to be more advanced and robots might even replaced their jobs. However, In the future this treatment is going to be more advanced, and the rich will take advantage of the new technologies, so their children will be smarter and free of diseases. Mean while, the poor will suffer of diseases and lack of learning. Moreover, the

Comparison of kiekegaard and The movie the Frailty essays

Comparison of kiekegaard and The movie the Frailty essays THE COMPARING AND CONTRASTING OF FRAILTY AND KIERKEGAARD. According to Kierkegaard in the Philosophy book, despair is sickness until death And is the central problem in philosophy. Kierkegaard poses the question, Is there anything in this world or outside it to which the individual can cling to keep from being swept away by the dark tides of despair? According to Kierkegaard, only a subjective commitment to the infinite and to God can grant relief. This is so, in his belief because the world is irrational and in order to have any type of peace or rationality, this peace must come from a higher power. This personal relationship with the individual is only between the certain individual and God and all actions mandated from God are correct. The belief that the personal relationship with the individual is only between the certain individual and God and all actions mandated from God are correct ties directly in with the theme of the movie Frailty. In the movie, the main character, Fenton believed that the murders were immoral. But according to the father the actions had been mandated from God and because of that mandating, the murders were not really murders, they were demon slayings. Also they were disciples of God and doing his will. Dad is a true definition of what Kierkegaard was speaking of when he discussed that two people could be totally in line with obeying God although performing contradictory acts. This movie forced me to look again and really change my mind on how I view the act of other people saying that they are in Gods will. You may truly never know the connection that another person has with God. According to Kierkegaard you can never really know if the action a person proclaims is really mandated by God or just by their own will, only they will know. In Frailty, the disciples of God who were on earth can tell who did what and believed that they were right to murder because of the mandating ...

Sustainable Insulation for Winter Wear

Sustainable Insulation for Winter Wear When selecting winter wear, our concerns usually are about how warm a piece of garment is, how expensive it is, and let’s face it, whether it is fashionable. Another factor should be part of our decision-making: how green is the insulation? There are many types of insulation materials, each with a different environmental footprint. There is no single material which can clearly be deemed most environmentally friendly, but here is some information about insulation material sustainability which will hopefully help you make the right decision for you. Sustainable and Ethical Down? Insulation down is made from the small fluffy feathers found underneath a bird’s quilled feathers. Down’s role is one of, no surprise, insulation. Down is particularly sought after as it has a very advantageous warmth to weight ratio and it maintains its loft, trapping warm air close to the body even after years of use. Down is usually obtained from the breast of geese and ducks after they have been slaughtered for food. However, there is evidence of some eastern European and Asian farms harvesting breast down feathers directly from live ducks, which then regrow the feathers. This inhumane method is painful to the bird, and many garment companies are trying to distance themselves from those live-plucking practices. Some large outdoor clothing manufacturers have established sustainable sourcing practices to ensure their down is produced ethically. For example, outdoor clothing giant The North Face is expecting that by the end of 2016 all of the down it uses will be obtained ethically through their in-house Responsible Down Standard certification. Outdoor clothing manufacturer Patagonia has a similar program called Traceable Down which sources down from farms where the waterfowl are not live-plucked. Patagonia also offers jackets and vests made with recycled down obtained from used comforters and pillows. The feathers are sorted, washed, and dried at high temperature before it is sewn into new products. Goose and duck down is a product with great insulation properties, but the very lightest and warmest down is grown by a sea duck found in the frigid waters of the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans: the common eider. Eider down is obtained from wild birds, but not the usually way by plucking it directly from the duck. The eiders use their own down to line their nest, and trained harvesters visit nesting colonies where they pick up a portion of the down feathers found in each nest. This sustainable practice has no negative effects on the eiders’ nesting success, but it yields only about 44 grams of down on average per nest, and much less once it’s sorted and cleaned. Eider down is of course very expensive and is used mostly in high-priced comforters and luxury clothes. Wool Wool is a product with excellent insulation qualities, as it remains warm when wet. It has been used for centuries, and while its popularity declined after the development of synthetic products, wool is making a comeback in outdoor apparel and fashion wear. Merino wool in particular is sought after for its softness and wicking properties. A sustainability certification program, named ZQ, exists for wool from New Zealand Merino sheep. By definition wool is a renewable resource, but in reality the sustainability of wool is as good as the farming practices used to raise the sheep. Pastured sheep efficiently convert energy from grass with relatively little greenhouse gas emissions as compared to cattle. In more arid regions, overgrazed rangeland is often an unfortunate sight. Farmers markets can present a good opportunity to get to know sheep farmers and their practices. The markets are also a good place to meet farmers who raise alpaca, a relative of the llama known for its high quality wool. A Synthetic Solution? While synthetic insulation is not quite as warm as down, it has the significant advantage of not holding water and not losing its insulation value when wet. Unfortunately, synthetic insulation is made from oil byproducts in a process releasing significant greenhouse gases. To get around that, the main synthetic insulation makers offer versions of their products made, partly or wholly, of recycled materials. For example, PrimaLoft and Thinsulate offer recycled alternatives, and Patagonia produces fleece fabric spun from PET plastic (#1) recycled from soda bottles. Â   Unfortunately there is increasing evidence that polyester, which makes up most of the fibers used in synthetic insulation, has a water pollution problem. Every time a polyester garment is washed, tiny fibers get detached and washed down the drain. The fibers will not decompose the way cotton or wool would. Instead, polyester fibers are being found in bodies of water all over the world. There, the fibers contribute to the global microplastics pollution problem: persistent organic pollutants stick to the fibers’ surface, and aquatic microorganisms then suffer from ingesting them. Milkweed Yes, milkweed! Asclepias has long been known for its insulation properties, and has been used as a hypoallergenic pillow fill. Figuring out how to use it for clothing insulation has proven elusive until recently when a Canadian company developed a lightweight, effective-when-wet, very warm woven fabric made from milkweed. For now, it comes in limited applications and at a steep price, but as a bonus the commercially grown plant is only harvested after it has served as food for the monarch butterfly larvae. Make It Last! The most environmentally sustainable insulated garment is the one you don’t buy, so make the clothes you own last a long time. Knowing how to make basic repairs, like replacing a zipper or mending a tear, can stretch the functional life of a jacket for several more years. Purchasing quality clothing well-constructed by a reputable manufacturer in the first place pays off in the end, as it will likely last much longer than discount brands or cheap knock-off products.

Pneumonia disease Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Pneumonia disease - Case Study Example As pneumonia takes place within the lungs, the bacteria, viruses, and fungi attack the lungs and make it difficult to breathe. Other symptoms, such as coughing, fever, and a sore throat make the disease seem like a normal flu or cold, so it is important that the patient is diagnosed properly and immediately to avoid long-lasting difficulties. Since the lungs, incredibly vital organs, are effected, the sooner treatment begins the better chance the patient has at overcoming the disease. Medications are used to fight the virus depending on the type of bacteria that causes pneumonia. Proper treatment also ensures that the disease is not passed on to others. When pneumonia is not treated properly, it can lead to death. Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of child deaths in the United States and in Europe, claiming the lives of approximately thirty-six children per every one thousand under the age of five (Hale & Isaacs, 2006). In developing countries, where medication and treatment is hard to come by, sees over two million child deaths each year due to pneumonia. A 43-year-old woman is taken to the emergency room with complaints of a dry cough and difficulties with breathing when she is doing activities that are remotely strenuous. Three months previously, this woman brought her concerns to her primary doctor, as well as complaints of weight loss and night sweats. Chest radiographs were undergone to reveal that the woman had bilateral lower lobe infiltrates (Hadid & Aiman, 2007). The woman was then diagnosed with a form of pneumonia known as community-acquired pneumonia. Though she received medication, her symptoms did not improve; indeed, they only worsened over time. Further chest radiographs revealed that her condition was not improving, regardless of her six weeks usage of oral antibiotics. The most common symptom of any form of pneumonia is a cough that produces green or yellow sputum. Since the infection takes place within the lungs, these organs are the

Critical Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Critical Analysis - Essay Example Predatory pricing is one such strategy that is being used by business organizations across the globe. Predatory pricing involves a strategy in which a firm sells its products at lowest possible rates below the offerings of all the competitors so as to grab the market share of the competitors on the basis of competitive pricing (Denger, American Bar Association & Section of Antitrust Law, 1991, p.3-3). This use of this strategy by business organizations to gain market share and take care of the competition in the market has been questioned by numerous authors and various academic and professional circles. The aspect has been so serious that governments across the world have set up competition policies and also appointed watchdogs to supervise and monitor the competitive strategies so as to maintain a healthy competition in the consumer market. Individuals in favour of predatory pricing state that pricing is an integral part of a company’s unique selling proposition and hence fr eedom must be given to ensure fair balance in the market. It is also in coherence with the free market policy that seeks equal opportunity for all and survival of the fittest. Proponents’ however have slammed this move by stating that predatory pricing ultimately does not help customers in the long run but leads to closure of firms that generates unemployment that can have drastic effects on the total economic scenario of a market. The present study would undertake a critical analysis of the aspect of predatory pricing so as to analyse the actual implications and the pros and cons of this increasingly popular business strategy adopted by corporate across the world. Focus The aspect of predatory pricing has been a subject of debate among academic and professional circles. An article by Gundlach & Guiltnan (1998) states that predatory pricing is an unethical aspect that does not being any benefits in the market. They have argued that a marketer indulging in predatory pricing st rategy tends to reduce the price of the product or service in an attempt to maximise its market share by eating away a chunk of the market share of its competitors. Predators however on the achievement of their objectives of either dislodging their competitors or after gaining a significant market share tend to again increase the prices. Ultimately the customers bargaining power gets considerably reduced in the process. The dislodgement of competitors from the market gives a monopolistic power to the predator that is against the rules of competition and ultimately leads to unhealthy market situation. The authors have stated that the predatory pricing as a competitive strategy has been quite unsuccessful in the past and courts have also pronounced verdicts in famous cases like Brooke thus affirming the faith that predatory pricing is perhaps a negative strategy that has no ultimate benefit to any section of the society or the business world (Gundlach & Guiltnan, 1998, p.884). The vie ws of Gundlach & Guiltnan (1998), however have been refuted by authors like Bolton, Brodley & Riordan (No date) as they have stated that predatory pricing is an integral part of a business strategy of an organization and competing on the basis of cost is normally an outcome of a business’s efficiency to provide products at low prices due to certain organizational efficiency. The authors have slammed the views of critiques advocating the court legislations on cases like Brooke where they have pronounced verdic

Life without Art Essay Example for Free

Life without Art Essay Life without art is boring and dull. But often at times, art is a subject that is underestimated in schools. The art courses in many schools are being cut back across the country. Many classrooms now have little supplies, and some courses are being taken away entirely. There are many reasons to which students need the aspect of art education in their curriculum, whether it is because it is an outlet for them to explore their creativity, or to work in a way that is soothing and in a stress- free environment. Art should be a mandatory subject to be taught in elementary and middle school as a child is growing up, but cutting back on art programs in schools seems to be a common solution to budget cuts since the 1970s when budget cuts began. Fewer public schools are offering art classes, whether it is in drama, dance, or visual art. This decline is due to budget cuts and an increased focus on math, science, and reading. Unfortunately, art classes are the first to be cut from schools, because the arts aren’t taken as seriously as subjects such as math and science because the arts programs are the first to be cut. This is a major problem in education. The movement to cut art from many schools has been growing in recent years. Education cuts are becoming more prevalent as schools face tough decisions on budgets. Unfortunately, art classes are usually some of the first victims of these cuts. Recent protests in California reflect the growing concern about budget cuts. Schools have already made cuts of $18 billion in California and more cuts totaling $4. 1 billion may be necessary (Kirkland 1). California is not the only state facing this situation. Lower tax revenues, increasing prices and the slow economic recovery have created problems across the United States. The event of recent cuts in the art programs is a serious issue, and when I become an art teacher I want to take a stand against it and teach my students how important art is in school. Why do people view art as a â€Å"light† or and â€Å"unimportant† subject? In the old days, fine art was considered a hobby for the rich and privileged. Now, it is talked down upon. According to Olivia Hauck, the author of 2009-10: Against Cutting Art and Music Programs in School, the study of music, theatre, and other forms of art have been shown to stimulate other parts of students’ minds and even keep them out of gangs and other harmful situations (1). Art and music programs in schools provide a different kind of learning environment that supplies alternative activities, while avoiding bad behavior. If kids are having fun in this different kind of stress free and expressive environment, they will be less likely to want to go and act recklessly. The arts are a way to present opportunities for jobs to students and other forms of self-discipline. Art increases critical thinking skills and enhances creativity, because drawing and working with different mediums to create pictures is expanding thinking and working on solving problems in a new way. This is important, especially for students that aren’t skilled at math or science. Art is crucial in schools so students have the opportunity to explore their interests and passions. The students that are affected by cuts in the art programs may not be able to afford private lessons or classes after school. And for some of these students, arts are what pushes them to continue going to school. Bob Sabol, president of the National Art Education Association, says, You hear students say, I found out who I was because I was able to explore my identity in the visual arts. ’ It validates who they are as individuals† (2). Art programs in education make it possible for students to explore themselves and their talents, which is the most important aspect of school. Its the responsibility of educators to make sure that every kid is exposed to the arts, that they get their shot at being creative because — who knows — the person who cures something like cancer will probably be somebody who thinks like an artist† (Stauter, 1). Having an open mind and seeing things in different ways makes a person more likely to succeed in all areas of life. You could have a budding Beethoven that could go undiagnosed because you didnt have a music teacher to identify and nurture that talent, said Debbie Fahmie, fine- and performing-arts resource teacher for Osceola County. If schools had no fine art classes, many students would have no opportunity to identify and develop their talent. They would be forced to go into fields that aren’t meant for them. Students are our future, and a future education without fine art could mean no more musicians, artists, actors, etc. Our world would be bland and lifeless without our artists, and the last thing that should be cut from schools are the art programs. I believe that all schooling should be divided into science, humanities and art. Science deals with the concrete, direct figures, and numbers that neglect emotions and view all humans as representatives of the living world and nothing more. Humanities are the classes that deal with the behavior, problems, and society. Art on the other hand is the subject that deals with the forms and beauty and allows us to think of the things around us as of useful objects that are worth our attention, time and effort. It should be treated just as equally as all other subjects. When I become an art teacher, I will make sure that I stress how important art is. I will show my students that art goes into all aspects of life. I want to expose my students with all different kinds of art, and encourage them to take different classes like drama, music of creative writing. It is important that students experiment with these subjects, because if not they may not have a chance to discover their passion. Cutting art programs in schools will be detrimental to education, especially for students that are more creative thinkers than concrete ones. Students mold our future, and they need to be able to explore their creativity as they grow up.

Essay --

The Boer War has been the focus of a considerable body of fiction numbering over two hundred novels and at least fifty short stories in English, Afrikaans, French, German Dutch, Swedish and even Urdu if we count the translation of Rider Haggard's Jess in 1923. For the social and literary historian it provides over a hundred year record of the relationship between literature and history. The vast majority of novels and short stories about the Anglo-Boer conflict were published around the time of the war and reflect the values and attitudes to British imperialism. Some of the titles published then give a fairly accurate impression of the patriotic fervour which found its way into print: B. Ronan, The Passing of the Boer (1899); E. Ames, The Tremendous Twins, or How the Boers were Beaten (1900); C.D. Haskim, For the Queen in South Africa (1900); F. Russell, The Boer's Blunder (1900); H. Nisbet, For Right and England (1900) and The Empire Makers (1900). Among the more notable literary figures of the day who were closely associated with the events of the Anglo‑Boer conflict were Rudyard Kipling (1865‑1936); Winston Churchill (1874‑1965); H. Rider Haggard (1856‑1925); Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859‑1930); Sir Percy Fitzpatrick (1862‑1931); Edgar Wallace (1875‑1932); and John Buchan (1875‑1940)). Some of the most interesting names associated with satirising the Anglo‑Boer conflict include H.H. Munro (Saki) (Alice in Pall Mall, 1900); G.K. Chesterton (The Napoleon of Nottinghill, 1904), Hilaire Belloc (Mr Clutterbuck's Election, 1908) and Kipling: "Fables for the Staff", published in The Friend in 1900 in which he lampooned the incompetence of the British general staff. Douglas Blackburn's A Burgher Quixote (1903) is one of the most unde... ...any Boers from the Cape, and later the two republics, who joined the National Scouts and fought for the British, but there were many Cape Boers who joined the commandos. This aspect of the war produced some of its finest responses in fiction, for example Herman Charles Bosman's short stories "The Traitor's Wife" and "The Affair at Ysterspruit", and Louis C. Leipoldt's novel Stormwrack (1980). The question of divided loyalties is a large issue in Boer War fiction. Nor did the conflict end with the war. As late as 1980 a successful Australian film Breaker Morant was based on Kenneth Ross's play and Kit Denton's novel The Breaker (1973). The Boer War has continued to be a popular subject for escapist fiction. Whereas the writers at the height of the Empire were overwhelmingly British, with the decline of imperialism the field is now dominated by South African writers

Objectification of Women on Tv and in Movies

Why is it that in TV shows and in so many movies that women are almost always objectified in one way or another? There are so many television shows and movies out there that undermine women in so many different ways. Darren in â€Å"Bewitched† is also trying to suppress Samantha’s magic to make her the perfect house wife and she doesn’t try to stop him. In fact, she does everything she can to follow his every wish just so he’ll be happy. In â€Å"The Client List†, Riley is portrayed as a sex object. It gives the impression that the only thing women can do is sell their body for sex.Then there is Mary Jane from â€Å"Spiderman† who always needs rescued by Spiderman, giving the impression that women are helpless and always need a man around to save the day. Let’s not forget â€Å"The Scorpion King† where king Memnon uses his Sorceress for his own personal agenda. Will watching movies and shows such as these affect how girls see th emselves? The Scorpion King is a primary example to the objectification of women in movies. The main female character, the sorceress, has been used her entire life by King Memnon.He’s kept her prisoner since she was a child to use her visions to give him the upper hand in battle. He forces her to have a vision every day and then tell him if he is going to win or lose his next battle so that he can pick his battles and be more successful in his goal to rule everything. At one point in the movie, Memnon basically tells the Sorcerer that when he’s done using her for her visions he’s going to start using her for his own sexual pleasure. The Sorcerer is more than happy to be taken hostage by Matheyus.She later tells him that she only went with him so willingly because Memnon kept her prisoner since she was a child. She was being used her entire life by a man that just wanted to be feared by everyone and rule everything. It portrays society’s typical stereotype of women. Do everything the man wants and please him in any way you can without a single complaint. The Sorcerer makes it obvious that she’d much rather stay with Matheyus, the man who threatens to kill her, than go back to Memnon, the man who has been using her for so long.This is because in the short time that she’s been with Matheyus, she has already been treated better that she has been her entire life. Memnon has continuously used the Sorceress to give himself an advantage in battle. This is an example of the typical male figure objectifying a woman and using her to get what he wants. He treats her like she’s nothing more than a piece of his property. According to Gloria Steinem, â€Å"A female child is left to believe that, even when her body is as big as her spirit, she will still be helping with minor tasks, appreciating the accomplishments of others, and waiting to be rescued† (356).This quote helps to explain the Sorcerers want to escape but al so her challenge in the fact that she has to have someone’s help to escape Memnon. And no surprise, it has to be a man’s help because she wouldn’t have been able to escape on her own. The Sorcerer also feels the need to escape after Memnon informs her of his plan to use her for his own sexual pleasure when he’s done using her for her visions. According to Christine Seifert, â€Å"Digging into Edward’s mind reinforces the old stereotype that underneath it all, even the best guys are calculating vampires, figuring out how to act on their masculine urges† (346-7).This quote helps to explain Memnon’s fights to take advantage of the Sorcerer because according to a myth spread by the Sorcerer’s ancestors, the first time any sorceress has sex she will lose her gift of foresight. So if he wants to keep his advantage in battle, he has to fight his natural male urges. Watching movies and shows such as these can’t be having a posit ive effect on younger girls. They use female roles that they see on TV and in movies as role models just as much as they use the women around them as role models.So what are they suppose to think when they see things like that? How are they going to act if they use women like that as a role model? Are they going to know that that’s just pretend and women aren’t really like that? Or are they going to think that they need to do everything a man wishes without a single complaint just to keep them happy, whether they like it or not? Are they going to think that they have to wait for the perfect man to rescue them when things become bad in a relasionship?It’s questions like these that we don’t have the answers to that we should worry most about. What are girls learning from TV? Works Cited Seifert, Christine. â€Å"Bite Me! (Or Don’t! ): Twilight as Abstinence Porn. † Shrodes, Caroline. et. al. The Conscious Reader. Custom. New York. Pearson. 201 1. 343-349. Print. Shrodes, Caroline et. al. The Conscious Reader. Custom. New York: Pearson, 2012. Print. Steinem, Gloria. â€Å"Wonder Woman. † Shrodes, Caroline. et. al. The Conscious Reader. Custom. New York. Pearson. 2011. 354-363. Print. The Scorpion King. Dir. Chuck Russell. 2002. Film.

Library System Essay

Technology has already become one of the essentials of a person’s daily living. Without it, life would be much more complicated for people will still always have to do things manually. It has already helped billions of people here on the planet. It simply makes life much easier. It makes tasks easier and faster to accomplish. Furthermore, technology has already been a part of our daily lives. It is everywhere; from the simplest things like mobile phones to the biggest machineries. It is already given to people and it’s up to you to maximize its use to the fullest. Technology is needed everywhere; grocery stores, malls, offices and especially in schools. Not only should the students learn how to use technology, computers to be exact. It also has to be learned by the instructors to keep up with this fast-growing computer age. In line with this, they also need it to ease their tasks from calculating grades to simple library systems. Handling a library could be a very complicated task as you need to keep an updated list of the books being used, borrowed and returned. Also, a librarian’s task is to organize these books so that it would be easier to find. Most libraries still stick to the manual system from long ago. This makes their job more complicated and more time consuming. A library system is important to a library to make the job for looking, arranging, borrowing and returning of books simpler with just a couple of clicks. Books would be much easier to find and borrowing and returning of books would be updated easily. With everything systemized and automatic, it will lessen the job of the librarian. 1. 1Background of the Study San Roque Catholic School is parochial catholic school located beside San Roque de Alabang Parish, Mendiola, Alabang, Muntinlupa City. It was established in 1981 by parish priest, Monsignor Tomas T. Gonzales. Its first batch was made up of one hundred forty one students which were divided into three sections. It was in 1982 when its three-storey building was begun to be built, due to the increase of the population of the students in the following year. Their first principal was Miss Lydia Santos. For 31 years, San Roque Catholic School has been providing affordable, high quality education to its students aiming to cultivate spirituality, evangelize and spread Christianity. In the present, San Roque Catholic School has a population of about nine hundred to one thousand two hundred students and approximately 20-25 faculty members. It already has two campuses: The main which is the original building and the annex that serves as the building for the elementary students which is in Ilaya, Alabang, Muntinlupa City. The school library is located at the 3rd floor of St. Roch building. It was built by joining two rooms together. Half of the library contains the librarian’s desk, books, and tables. The other side is where magazines, newspapers, computer units, and the latest books are. The number of books hasn’t grown that much for the past years. It has approximately 1000-1500 books. An average of 10-20 classes visits the library every day. Almost half of the class borrows books. Although they already have an existing library system, the librarian still finds it inefficient to manage the books for the students. On our system, we have our current features; Login system with History log, for security on the administrators and assistants. The system has simple processes like add, edit & archive a book to database, and Filtered book search results. Has a book preview pane, gives the librarian the image of the front page of the book. Have Corporate GUI design that is neat and user friendly. Everyday alert, gives the librarian each updates on everyday processes and transactions. Daily, Weekly & Monthly Reports and has an penalty which is very convenient. 1. 2 Statement of the Problem After gathering information, the proponents found the following problems: General Problem The school manual library system is time consuming and is sometimes inaccurate. This doubles the job at hand. The proponents also found out that the penalty of the due books is sometimes miscalculated by the manual system, which can hinder the library’s implementation of rules against overdue books. It usually takes long for the librarian to accommodate many borrowers at a time because of the system’s process. Specific Problem 1. The system cannot view the content of each book when borrowing. 2. The system process is not easy. 3. The system lacks of security. 4. The system cannot confirm the identity of the book that is being borrowed. 5. The system’s process of updating information is time-consuming. 6. The system’s catalogue process is manually maintained. 1. 3 Objectives of the Study This study was made in order to achieve the following points: 1. 3. 1 General Objectives To develop an efficient and user-friendly library system for San Roque Catholic School that will ease the process of the system. 1. 3. 2 Specific Objectives 1. To create a system that will preview the content of each book; 2. To build a system that has an easy to use-all in-one interface; 3. To make a multiple user-account system. 4. A system that will preview the cover of each book. 5. System that will be able to update the information on each book. 6. To develop a system that is cataloguing ready. 1. 4 Significance of the Study The system is being fulfilled in order to benefit the following: †¢ School Administrator The system will ease the inventory of the library system. Determining the number of available copies and the number of copies needed for each book won’t take much time. †¢ School Librarian The system will avoid long lines when students borrow books at the same time thus, it will make the job much easier and more time constraint. It won’t be a hassle tracking down penalty fees anymore. †¢ Students The system will make it easier to browse books without checking every shelf for its availability. †¢ Future Proponents The system will serve as guide for future use and also a practice for aspiring programmers. 1. 5 Scope and Limitations The scope of this study: The Study is conducted at San Roque Catholic School. Therefore, we’ve managed to produce a few scopes on the system. †¢ The User Interface We will be focusing more on making the system more user-friendly. †¢ Borrowing System. The system allows viewing of borrowers and books for the librarian. The system is able to retrieve the books borrowed date and return date. †¢ Catalogues The catalogues are printable whether it is single or multiple. †¢ Preview of Book Cover The book cover is able to be previewed using the library system without needing to search for the book in the shelves of the library. †¢ Overdue penalties The system is able to track down the number of days the book is overdue and as well as the total penalty to be paid by the borrower. The limitations of this study: The system that we’ve created has few limitations, issues like lack of time, Error Fixings and Maintenance. †¢ Weekly Reports This feature has been implemented but it is not yet accurate. †¢ Library Cards This feature cannot be implemented in our system due to technical difficulties. Methodology The researchers decided to use the prototyping paradigm. Prototype systems development methodology in which a prototype is built, tested, and then reworked as necessary until an acceptable prototype is finally achieved from which the complete system or product can now be developed. This paradigm is very helpful to the group because the system can be adjusted frequently even the small details to make the system effective to the library. System Development Life Cycle Planning Phase In this Phase, is to plan and achieve the client’s perspective on their said features, think all possible problems that may appear while building the system and how to create that system in efficient way and not time consuming. Analysis Phase Phase that focus on all errors or problems can be acquired, how to resolve it and meet all the expectations of the clients. Design Phase In this Phase, To create a system that is very easy to use, have a well organized codes, have a user friendly GUI and meets all requirements needed to impress the clients. Implementation Phase Where the system is finished, all data are converted, resolve all possible errors during on designing and until its ready to install on their computer. Its smooth and efficiency makes the system great on quick processes. Maintenance Phase This phase checks and maintains the system for unspecified or unexpected errors that have been occurred after using it. The system can also be updated, giving it a better performance on each task.

Teach me How to Drive so that I can Protect Myself by Saudi Women Leader

Teach me How to Drive so that I can Protect Myself by Saudi Women Leader Introduction In Saudi women can only drive at their own risk because the government has imposed a ban on women drivers. For this reason, it is illegal for any woman to drive. This ban has been in existence for quite some time.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on ‘Teach me How to Drive so that I can Protect Myself† by Saudi Women Leader specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Manal al-Sharif must have been very disturbed by this issue when she decided that she would fight for rights concerning women driving. Although al-Sharif had received her university education in computer science, she had a lot of interest in women activism. She had actually put a lot of effort in demonstrating or highlighting the lack of women’s rights in Saudi (New York Times, 2011). She knew that the struggle was not easy and for this reason, she had to carry out her activism tactfully. To begin with, she started her first camp aign on the social media that was calling on women to defy the ban on women drivers. ‘Teach me how to drive so that I can protect myself† is one of the campaigns that she had started on face book that required the authority to allow women the opportunity to drive. Al –Sharif also went on to upload videos of her driving on YouTube Challenges That She Faced To begin with organizing Saudi women was not an easy task because the society is a male dominated society. The other reason that could have caused this problem is the fact that the Saudi women have been denied their rights for a long time to a point where they have compromised with the situation and that is why they under look themselves. It was not easy for al-Sharif to convince the women that they could be successful in their struggle against the ban on driving. The attribution of this is mainly obedience to religion. As stated by Nazir and Tomppert (2005) â€Å"law in Saudi Arabia, however does not offer equa lity to women. The text of the Quran and Hadittf are often subject to individual interpretation that favors men position over women.† The methods used by al-Sharif to mobilize her female counterparts in the realization of their rights to drive were not received well by the male dominated government of Saudi. On May 30, 2011, she was detained for the role she had played in the activism and later released before being rearrested. Therefore, imprisonment and detention without trial is one of the main challenges that she had to overcome. Achievements Although al-Sharif’s activism did not end, the ban on driving in Saudi Arabia there is a lot that she achieved as a leader and as a person. To begin with, she proved that it was possible for women to stand up for their rights in Saudi Arabia and this created a foundation for future struggles. As a person, she gained international recognition for her determination and courage.Advertising Looking for research paper on gov ernment? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More What makes her a leader? Leadership involves standing up and fighting for truth on behalf of the people. This is actually, what al-Sharif did and that is why I consider her to be a leader. The ban on women driving is not legal. The reasons given by the authorities for this ban are also not in any way logical. This is a problem that has been there for a long time. A true leader is a person who realizes that there is a problem in the society and proceeds to provide the people with a solution (Gardner, 1990). This is what she did, she realized that there was a problem in Saudi social system and she went forth to try to come up with a solution. Leadership and sacrifice are dependent, which implies that to consider one as a leader then he or she must be ready to make sacrifices on behalf of the people. In fact, Henderson (2004) puts it better by stating that â€Å"sacrifice is part of lea dership.† In all her struggle against the ban on driving in Saudi, al-Sharif sacrificed a lot. To begin with, she took the risk of defying the authority, which according to the Muslim laws carries a severe penalty. She also sacrificed her freedom and went to the prison so that the Saudi women could have their rights back like any other woman in other parts of the world. For this reason, al-Sharif is a true leader. Leadership and strategic planning supplements each other and the conclusion made is that successful leaders must be good planers. Al-Sharif was a good planner and she knew that in order to reach the people she must use the right channel. For this purpose, she applied and used the social media, which are popular in the modern days in order to reach the people. For one to be considered, as a leader then one has to lead by example and this is what she did by driving through Saudi streets and posting the video on YouTube. Leadership style Majority of Saudi people believe or accept the fact that they should allow the women to drive. Al-Sharif’s leadership is therefore about the wish of the majority and therefore her leadership style is a participative or democratic form of leadership. Elements of social activism reinforce her leadership. References Baldoni, J. (2003). Great Communication Secrets of Great Leaders: New York McGraw-Hill.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on ‘Teach me How to Drive so that I can Protect Myself† by Saudi Women Leader specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Gardner, J. W. (1990). Leadership. Michigan: Free Press. Henderson, A. M. (2004). Building Effective Leadership from the Ground Up. Coral Springs: Llumina Press. Mac Farquhar, Neil. (23 May 2011). Saudis Arrest Woman Leading Right-to-Drive Campaign. The New York Times. Retrieved from  https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/24/world/middleeast/24saudi.html Retrieved Nazir, S. Tomppet, L. (2005 ). Women’s Right in the Middle East and North Africa: Citizenship and justice. Lanham: Rowman Littlefield Publishers, Inc.

Titanis Prehistoric Bird Facts and Figures

Titanis Prehistoric Bird Facts and Figures Name: Titanis (Greek for titanic); pronounced tie-TAN-iss Habitat: Plains of North America Historical Epoch: Pliocene-Early Pleistocene (5-2 million years ago) Size and Weight: About eight feet tall and 300 pounds Diet: Meat Distinguishing Characteristics: Large size; large, heavy bill; bipedal posture; grasping hands About Titanis To many avid horror fans, Titanis will be familiar as the predatory bird in James Robert Smiths best-selling novel The Flock. This prehistoric bird could certainly wreak its share of mayhem: at eight feet tall and 300 pounds (give or take a few inches and pounds for possible sexually dimorphic differences between males and females), the early Pleistocene Titanis closely resembled its theropod dinosaur forebears that went extinct 60 million years before, especially considering   its puny arms, massive head and beak, fully bipedal posture, and long-taloned, grasping hands. Like other so-called terror birds, Titanis had a particularly gruesome hunting style. This long-legged bird easily outran the smaller mammals, lizards and birds of its North American ecosystem, at which point it would grasp its hapless prey in its long, wingless, taloned hands, convey it to its heavy beak, bash it repeatedly on the ground until it was dead, and then (assuming it was small enough) swallow it whole, perhaps spitting out the bones and fur. In fact, Titanis was so well-adapted overall that some paleontologists believe this bird managed to survive up to the very end of the Pleistocene epoch; however, convincing fossil evidence for this has yet to be discovered. As scary as it was, Titanis wasnt the most dangerous carnivorous bird of prehistoric times, and not as deserving of the epithet titanic as the truly enormous Elephant Bird and Giant Moa. In fact, Titanis was merely a late North American descendant of a family of South American meat-eaters, the phorusrachids (typified by Phorusrhacos and Kelenken, both also classified as terror birds), which attained comparable sizes. By the early Pleistocene epoch, about two million years ago, Titanis had managed to penetrate from its ancestral South American habitat to as far north as Texas and southern Florida, the latter of which is The Flocks modern-day setting.

Innovation at cirque du soleil Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Innovation at cirque du soleil - Essay Example This Circus has differentiated itself from its fellow circuses in that it added a touch of innovation in its entertainment services. Through this it managed to shift the traditional circus attendants from children to adults. This paper seeks to evaluate the external environment of Circus du Soleil by conducting a PEST and Porter’s 5 forces analysis of its circus industry. Potter’s five forces Analysis of External Environment This analysis tool is the most powerful tool of understanding where power really lies within the organization. A clear understanding of where power really lies in the organization enables an understanding of the current competitive position the company is in and the strength of the position it wants to move to. This approach assumes that five major forces that determine a businesses competitive power exist. In relation to the circus industry where Cirque du Soleil operates in, the following can be realized; the threat of new entry, power of supplier s, power of buyers, competitive rivalry, and the threat of substitutes. 1. Threat of entry There is a threat of new entry into the circus industry given the fact that Circus du Soleil has been performing well in the industry. Circus du Soleil reinvented the circus industry and through this it was able to create a new market space through challenging the conventional assumption that existed. This assumption was that circuses were meant for children. This company taught the industry how to compete by adding innovation by drawing strengths from the theatre industry, the opera industry and so forth. The new companies have seen how Circus du Soleil has made huge profits and amassed large customer bases and have been attracted to this industry. The greatest threat is that profitability and sales level for Circus du Soleil will decrease but on the other hand the industry’s competitiveness will increase. 2. Power of suppliers The suppliers to the circus industry have changed from the traditional wild animals, acrobats, and funs tuff for youngsters. The circus industry is seeing the use of more mature forms of entertainment to suit the older and high spending customers. The change in customer has called for a change in suppliers, for purposes of profitability of the industry. In addition the customers have fragmented to reduce their bargaining power. 3. Threat of substitutes This threat comes from alternative entertainment forms offered theaters, cinemas, and operas among others. Competition becomes intense when these services are offered at generally lower prices. 4. Competitive rivalry Competitive rivalry to this industry comes from the alternative entertainment services offered by theaters, cinemas, amusement parks, kid’s fun centers, and opera’s among others. 5. Power of buyers The revolution of the circus industry by Cirque du Soleil has seen the entrance of new buyers who are the mature and high spending adults. The traditional buyers were ch ildren and youngsters. This brood of new buyers has increased the profitability of this industry. PEST Analysis PEST refers to the analysis of the environment in terms of political, economical, sociological and technological manner. In relation to the Cirques du Soleil circus industry, the following can be realized; 1. Political aspect The current regulations do not

Abraham Lincoln and the abolitionist of Slavery Essay

Abraham Lincoln and the abolitionist of Slavery - Essay Example Personally, Lincoln believed that the extension or expansion of slavery into the southern part of America would hinder the acquisition of free labor on free lands. Despite his positive thoughts, he came into fierce conflict with the abolitionists as he did not call for an instant end to slavery in the whole nation. It was not until the proposal of the 13th amendment that formed an instrumental platform of the campaign in 1864 general election. The paper examines the reasons why Abraham Lincoln hated slavery with a passion but failed to join the abolitionist camp. Historians can best explain the question as to why Abraham Lincoln did not openly pronounce himself as an abolitionist though he hated slavery by the examination of his personal attitudes and his proposal for ending it. Wyatt-Brown (2009) notes that despite the clarity of historical presentation of facts, the comprehension of Abraham’s position has been confusing. Many individual include him as one of the personalities that openly campaigned for the abolition of slavery. In reality, he knew that slavery was a practice that had no place in the moral laws. Furthermore, according to him the law sanctioned the practice. However, on most occasions he recognized the rights of the slave owners and opted for the retention of slaves. He argued that the constitution guaranteed such a position (Lee 2011). Additionally, before the commencement of the civil war, Abraham made no decision to challenge the rights of the slave owners that he believed were guaranteed by the constitution. Lee (2011) posits that his position sharply distinguished him from the individuals in the abolitionist camp who actively participated in the support of the immediate release of slaves. During that time, all the abolitionists viewed the idea of returning fugitive slaves as unacceptable regardless of what the constitution may guarantee. In most cases, the radical

Summary of the article The RAND Health Insurance Experiment, Three Case Study

Summary of the article The RAND Health Insurance Experiment, Three Decades Later - Case Study Example Consequently, examining potential threats to validity using the results would increase uncertainty. In addition to these threats, there is no systematic reexamination of the original data, and core findings from the RAND experiment. Incompleteness of the publicly available health data also prohibits the replication of the original RAND results. Differential participation could also lead to bias in the experiment, as there was higher participation among those covered by more comprehensive plans than those in lower comprehensive plans. Consequently, results cannot be reported with confidence. The authors attempt to answer the question by presenting the main findings of the experiment in a manner similar to the way they would be presented today. This makes the findings accessible to current readers. They also reexamine the validity of the experimental treatment effects, and address the potential of differential study participation and differential reporting outcomes across experimental treatments. In addition, they consider the RANDS estimates, and contrast between how the elasticity was originally estimated and its subsequent application. They finally caution against summarizing the experimental treatment effects from nonlinear health insurance contracts using single price elasticity. The results of the experiment indicated that an insurance plan that offers a lower coinsurance rate leads to more health utilization, compared to a plan that requires an individual to pay more to access the services. The 95% plan, for example, records a lower level of health spending, while the free care plan records more health spending. Therefore, individuals who spend more on health seek less treatment, than those who spend less on medical insurance. Patients seeking medical attention, and then returning to their homes also posed a higher percentage compared to those spending their nights in

Empowerment Paper Essay Example for Free

Empowerment Paper Essay In the wake of many recent tragedies including both those created by nature as well as those caused by man, we have seen the number the human service organizations grow beyond leaps and bounds. However how these agencies interact with their clients can play a valuable role when these clients come in to receive services. In trying to meet the needs of all those in the wake of such tragedies, it is often hard to understand how someone can also empower others within the agency that is offering services. In the light of helping everyone, many agencies are now implementing services now geared or centered on or around the needs of their client. However, this is one thing that leaves many human service managers faced with a pressing question: How can a human service program or agency come together and in doing so in a manner that can provide an adequate means for this kind of work? It is often because in today’s standards we see so many agencies working with â€Å"multimillion-dollar budgets, professional staffs, and expensive facilities that one may find it hard to believe that the underlying philosophy is one that any agency can live on.† However, it is the agency that utilizes an empowerment-focused attitude and the theories that support them that has been an area of centralized research for many organizations for several years. It is the utilization of an empowerment approach within the agency that ensures that if the client can receive services or aid, it will given or done so in a manner that is both respectful as well without bias. At any agency, it should be understood that no matter what we want empowerment to be used not only to lift up the client but also to help to encourage the clients to do better each and every day. It is by using approaches aimed to promote positive energy and strength-based approaches along with client’s strengths can be the basis to build on, as this can help strengthen his or her weaknesses. According to Hardina et al. (2007), social service  management is characterized by 12 fundamental principles in relation to the empowering approach. For the population or consumers addres sed in our dream agency, it is these principles that are of the most importance for them to have a feeling that they belong and that their needs are just as important. For these individuals have already in most cases given up as their cycle of poverty have been occurring generation after generation. For many years many organizations were often quick to use a problem-based approach to helping their clients, and for a long time this was accepted and part of the norm. However, in the past few decades the focus now revolves around that of strength and empowerment (Cowger, 1994). From a social service management point of view, it is this focus that has been to strong an issue to ignore. It is the client, who even with being overwhelmed with other life challenges, when given the opportunity, can play a major role in the organizational decision making process. For they can bring a different view point to the forefront, as most are situations many deal with on a daily basis. It is a known fact that in the social work or the social services arena, decision making is an important task on every level. Understanding that critically, decision regarding the goals of the agency and its interaction within the community as well as how the agency is maintained can and usually made on an administrative level. However, when it relates to the overall continued existence as well as the agency’s effectiveness in addressing the needs and wellness of the client, these are just as important but may be made by other staff within the organization. Providing an answer to or even better finding a means to help in solving their client’s problem is the sole responsibility of service workers and administration alike, but making sure those servicing the client know and understand this as well. It is known that because each client is different so will the challenges one will face in offering them services, so making sure that the staff is properly trained in the area of whatever expertise needed. Having the knowledge as well as the skills is a vision that I can see for the agency that I have in mind. Having an agency in which everyone is treated as an equal and work together in providing encouragement not on to the client but for each fellow co-worker within the agency. Understanding that in the midst of a tragic storm no one situation is more important than  any one else’s, as everyone may have lost some near and dear to them. It is in offering support for those individuals whose situations may have occurred or was c reated by themselves or those in which they may have been a victim. Everyone would like nothing better than to stop the cycle of emotions that often result after a tragedy. Giving clients access to learning about or locating needed resources to find and obtain the services they are in need of can help them begin to heal one principle stated the â€Å"empowerment-oriented organizations acknowledge the limitations of participatory management approaches and take proactive measures to balance inclusion.† For agencies whose consumers are drawn from populations that are marginalized and disempowered these principles are very important. It is also very imperative that to note that in order to meet the urgent needs of people who face multiple sources of oppression and multiple traumas, and again stress that in offering help it is done so in a manner that is in line with respect and dignity. It is my dream agency whose overall commitment is quality service aimed at meeting the needs of the client as well as one in which the staff is well trained in diversity as it relates to the different cultures served. No one will be discriminated against and based on the age, race, national origin, sexual orientation, mental status, or political beliefs. In addressing client diversity, having staff and information available in other languages would be a plus. Also, having a manager that believes whole heartedly the mission statement of the organization. They display even in times of adversity a leadership quality that is in line with what the dream agency is promoting. It is the ability to influence others to follow in approaching the problem head on and in doing so the group can work together to share the knowledge needed to address the problems at hand. Even with one looked upon as a leader any decision made is only one that is looked at as one that they as leader has suggested. Clarifying the role that each will play in helping the client and having a common goal in putting team decisions in priority. It is also in trusting each other that each respects the other as diversity happens not only with the clients served but the tam we may work with, as it is diversity that helps the agency focus and understand the differences of those clients. Find a balance in the team, we emphasize the use of regular in-service meetings as a means to evaluate the effectiveness of open communication. Understanding that together as a team  and with a group effort, the decisions made can be one that when observed together, everyone can gain some satisfaction in knowing that they worked together to get the job done†¦helping the client! In offering the best client care we would need to find and utilize different strategies and implement these strategies inn getting positive feedback from all those involved in the care of the client. These strategies include but are not limited to the following: Adhere to the mission statement and the vision that the agency was created upon. Understand that leadership is agency wide, everyone should be committed to the organizational mission statement. Include everyone that is going to be effected by the decisions made between the agency and the client from the beginning process until they client gain b ack their independence. Respect is agency wide, a supportive network can encourage overall job satisfaction with a better quality output from the employees to pass on to the client. Offer a systematic approach of giving and receiving feedback to monitor if there may be a need for intervention or strategy changes. Technology that offers both the patient and their family a means of gaining much needed information as well as the option to communicate with those involved in their case. It is stated in the text that â€Å"organizational theory is used to explain, and sometimes guide, the way organization work† and whether consciously or not but only when they apply them consciously and based on their own theoretical beliefs will they be more effective. In seeking to put some organization to their program it is understood they still do have other choices. It is this knowledge that the purpose of any agency would be empowerment, but in order for the agency to reach their goal in helping others, the manager must realize their own empowerment. Then and only then can we empower the client to realize their potential so they can return and again become productive in their communities. References Cowger, C. D. (1994). Assessing client strengths: clinical assessment for client empowerment. Social Work. 39(3): 262- 268. Lewis, J. A., Lewis, M. D., Packard, T. R. (2012). Management of human service programs (5th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Gatsby :: essays research papers

The American Dream I have just read a novel called "The Great Gatsby" this novel was based in the 1920's. In this novel there are lots of drinking, and parting. In this essay I'll be writing about how the novel condemns the belief of "The American Dream", this belief states that, hard working people are successful and live happy lives. And in this novel "The American Dream" was just a mirage. One of the characters in the novel that represents the American Dream is Wilson he was one of the character that was a hard worker and own his own mechanic shop, he was one of the characters that worked every day and every night to support his family. For all he did for his family he was rewarded by his wife leaving him for another man and for a friend to have power over him with words and to get a loved one killed by a car that she was walking toward("When he came outside again a little after seven he was reminded of the conversation because he heard Mrs. Wilson's voice, load and scolding, down stairs in the garage "Beat me!" he heard her cry. "Throw me down and beat me, you dirty little coward!" A moment later she rushed out into the dusk, waving her hands and shouting; before he could move from his door the business was over. The "death car" as the newspapers called it, didn't stop; it came out of the gathering darkness, wavered tragically f or a moment and then disappeared around the next bend."Pg.144-145). For all this he got for all his hard work he went and killed Gatsby and killed himself("The chauffeur--he was one of Wolfshiem's proteges heard the shots--afterward he could only say that he hadn't thought anything much about them. I drove from the station directly to Gatsby's house and my rushing anxiously up the front steps was the first thing that alarmed anyone. But they knew then, I firmly believed. With scarcely a word said, four of us, the chauffeur, butler, gardener and I, hurried down to the pool. There was a faint, barely perceptible movement of the water as the fresh flow from one end urged its way toward the drain at the other. The touch of a compass, a thin red circle in the water. IT was after we started with toward the house that the gardener was Wilson's body a little way off in the grass, and holocaust was complete"Pg.

Bullying and Cyberbullying Essay

Introduction Each day school children learn valuable skills and lessons from their teachers as well as through interactions with their peers. Although school, undoubtedly, is beneficial to America’s youth, there are some experiences, such as bullying, that may negatively affect and stick with these children for the rest of their lives. Certain children find an outlet for their frustrations through bullying others. In the past, these actions could be better controlled because they were limited to face-to-face interactions. However, in recent years, this age-old conflict has matched the pace of technological evolutions, making it more dangerous and harder to contain. Cell phones, social media sites, chat rooms, and other forms of technology have allowed bullying to expand into cyberspace. This new form of abuse is known as cyberbullying. The following research paper focuses on both traditional bullying and cyberbullying. The paper provides background information about bullying, defines the p roblem and where it is focused, looks at the clinical and legal issues that surround both forms of bullying, and discusses possible preventative programs. II. History of Bullying Bullying, a definition The word â€Å"bully† can be traced back as far as the 1530s. (Harper, 2008). In its most basic sense bullying involves two people, a bully or intimidator and a victim. The bully abuses the victim through physical, * Keywords: bullying, cyber bullying, law, statistics, preventio Abstract Bullying has been engrained in American society since the country’s founding. Bred from a capitalistic economy and competitive social hierarchy, bullying has remained a relevant issue through the years. Technological bullying, known today as cyberbullying, has allowed the problem to expand, become more elusive, and even harder to define. A thorough analysis of various case studies, statistical research, law cases, and news articles was conducted to understand the issue of cyberbullying and to find preventative measures that should be taken. This paper illuminates the background situation, current legal struggles, clinical implications, and potential preventative steps concerning bullying and cyberbullying alike. II. History of Bullying Bullying, a definition The word â€Å"bully† can be traced back as far as the 1530s. (Harper, 2008). In its most basic sense bullying involves two people, a bully or intimidator and a victim. The bully abuses the victim through physical, * Keywords: bullying, cyber bullying, law, statistics, prevention Email: rdonegan 34 — The Elon Journal of Undergraduate Research in Communications †¢ Vol. 3, No. 1 †¢ Spring 2012 verbal, or other means in order to gain a sense of superiority and power. These actions may be direct (i.e. hitting, verbally assaulting face-to-face, etc.) or indirect (i.e. rumors, gossip, etc.). Origins of bullying The desire to survive is instinctual and common among all living things. Survival is associated directly with competition due to the multitude of species and limited natural resources on the planet. Since the beginning of time there has been a constant drive to out-perform others and overcome obstacles. This survival instinct, along with a competitive atmosphere, has remained the same as the human race has evolved. Both of these forces have flowed over into the educational, social, and economic realms. This competitive hierarchy, though prevalent in most societies, varies across cultures depending on their ethical systems, traditions, and the type of control exerted by the government. Unfortunately, the U.S. capitalistic society inadvertently pushes the belief that success and wealth go hand in hand. This ideology has shaped a nation where bullying is unintentionally instilled as a survival tactic from a very young age. From the time an American child enters grade school, he or she is taught to be the best he or she can. This seemingly innocent lesson can morph as a child develops throughout his or her education. Students often learn corrupt ways to get ahead in the highly competitive educational and social environments that grade school presents. These bullying tactics may include pressuring others for answers on assignments to attain higher grades, which leads toward better college opportunities, or spreading social rumors about fellow students. These tactics are dangerous because once a student realizes their effectiveness, he or she may construct a life style from them. Developing a habitual use of bullying tactics can lead to negatively affecting a countless number of people as well as corruption in the workplace. Traditional bullying vs. cyberbullying Technology’s progression is often equated with the advancement of human societies. Pivotal innovations, such as the Internet, have forever changed how people interact. Though these developments have allowed the human race to make great strides in many fields, they have also allowed forms of transgression to become more rampant and widespread. This is evident when considering how traditional bullying has evolved into an issue today known as cyberbullying. While bullying and cyberbullying are often similar in terms of form and technique they also have many differences. Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying allows the offender to mask his or her identity behind a computer. This anonymity makes it easier for the offender to strike blows against a victim without having to see the victim’s physical response. The distancing effect that technological devices have on today’s youth often leads them to say and do crueler things compared to what is typical in a traditio nal face-to-face bullying situation. A technological evolution As technology has evolved, bullying has proliferated. With the advent of the Internet, chat rooms soon followed. Online forums provided a communal breeding ground for youth to assault one another (Subrahmanyam & Greenfield, 2008). Chat rooms were supplemented by AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), an online communication program that allowed teens to spend hours talking to one another in private, one-on-one conversations or in public chat rooms. The program further allowed youth to create group-specific chat rooms. This exclusive forum allowed for youth to get together with select groups of friends and talk about the latest gossip. Online innovations have continued due to telecommunication advances. The advent of cell phones in the late 1960s and early 1970s changed the way people communicated (Shiels, 2003). However, these portable communication devices did not become widespread, or make it into a majority of youth’s hands, until the appearance of the second generation of digital network phones in the 1990s. After that, they spread like wildfire. According to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center, 75% of 12-17 year-olds own cell phones, which increased from 45% in 2004 and one-in-three teens sends 3,000 text messages per month (Lenhart, 2010). Though many parents believe that they are purchasing a cell phone for their child for protective reasons, the opposite may be true as many youths admit to utilizing their phones as an instrument for cyberbullying. Further progress on the Internet brought about more and more websites and with this came the advent of social media. The site MySpace is often considered the pioneer of social media. MySpace allows individual users to create their own unique profiles and interact in cyberspace with friends and foes alike Bullying and Cyberbullying by Richard Donegan — 35 III. Status of cyberbullying as â€Å"when someone repeatedly makes fun of another person online or repeatedly picks onanother person through email or text message or when someone posts something online about another person that they don’t like† (Hinduja & Patchin, 2010c, p. 1). Victimization According to their results, cyberbullying victimization rates have varied in the past few years, ranging between 18.8 percent in May 2007 and 28.7 percent in Nov. 2009 with a mean of 27.32 percent based on 7 different studies from May 2007-Feb. 2010. Cyberbullying offending rates have varied in a broader spectrum than victimization rates, ranging between 20.1 percent in June 2004 and 11.5 percent in Nov. 2009 with a mean of 16.76 percent based on 7 different studies from June 2004 to February 2010 (Hinduja & Patchin, 2010g, p. 1). Several specific types of victimization and cyberbullying were discovered through a survey taken in 2010. The survey discovered that the highest concentration of victimizations and cyberbullying offenses occurred in the following areas respectively: mean or hurtful comments posted online (14.3%, 8.8%), rumors online (13.3%, 6.8%), threats through a cell phone text message (8.4%, 5.4%) (Hinduja & Patchin, 2010e, p. 1). Another important factor that Hinduja and Patchin brought to light was what type of technology a teen primarily uses. According to a 2010 study, which asked teens what role technology played in their daily lives, cell phones were used the most (83%), followed by the Internet for school work (50.8%), and then Facebook (50.1%) (Hinduja & Patchin, 2010h, p. 1). This points to cell phones and the Internet as the two primary mediums used for cyberbullying. Cyberbullying proved to vary by gender as well. Based on a 2010 study involving a random sample of 2,212 teen males and 2,162 teen females, the male to female ratio varied the most in the following three areas: victimization within a person’s lifetime (16.6% for males vs. 25.1% for females), admitted to a cyberbullying offense within a person’s lifetime (17.5% for males vs. 21.3% for females), and had a hurtful comment posted about oneself online (10.5% for males vs. 18.2% for females) (Hinduja & Patchin, 2010b, p. 1). This information may be biased due to the reticence among males about admitting a past bullying experience. Nevertheless, it is interesting that females reported a higher percentage in all categories. Bullying hierarchy As with most competitive atmospheres, the social struggle among today’s youth has an evident hierarchy. Bullying is a component of this hierarchy and has its own structure. According to Dr. Dan Olweus, there 36 — The Elon Journal of Undergraduate Research in Communications †¢ Vol. 3, No. 1 †¢ Spring 2012 are seven different levels within the bullying ladder: the students who want to bully and initiate the action, their followers or henchmen, supporters or passive bullies, passive supporters or possible bullies, disengaged onlookers, possible defenders, and defenders who dislike the action of bullying and help those that are victimized (Olweus, 2001). Dismantling the aggressive portion of this ladder and shifting students to a deterring mindset must be a fundamental part of any prevention program. IV. Clinical Perspective/Repercussions At first, one may believe that the effects of bullying is limited to initial responses that tend to fade within a few days or a week, at most. However, research indicates that the harm inflicted by bullying, whether physical or psychological, has many implications and can result in a snowball effect of lasting painful emotions and negative impacts. Gender and bullying Though many students tend to deny the emotional harm caused by bullying tactics such as namecalling, rumor spreading, and teasing, research suggests the opposite. In a study that utilized a sample of over 3,000 students, researchers found that â€Å"38 percent of bully victims felt vengeful, 37 percent were angry and 24 percent felt helpless.† Furthermore, in a study conducted by the Cyberbullying Research Center involving a sample size of 468 students revealed that females are typically more emotionally affected by cyberbullying than males. The females in the study reported being frustrated (39.6%), angry (36%), and sad (25.2%) more often than males who reported lower percentages in each category (27.5%, 24.3%, 17.9% respectively). This is not surprising due to the fact, as mentioned earlier, that males have a reluctance to admit weaknesses especially from an emotional standpoint. In reality, one would expect males to be at least equal if not higher in emotional response conc erning anger and frustration. (Hinduja & Patchin, 2009c, p.1). Age and bullying In another study conducted by the Cyberbullying Research Center, the emotional repercussions of cyberbullying across age groups were observed. The study discovered that anger and frustration remain the dominant responses among senior and junior high students, but students at the elementary level are more likely to feel sad as a result of being bullied (Hinduja & Patchin, 2009c, p.1). This is likely because at a younger age children are not battling with the same kind of competitive social hierarchy typically found within upper level schools. So, rather than feeling the need to prove themselves among their peers, students at the elementary level tend to well-up within the initial emotional responses to bullying. This points to the idea that younger children may keep their initial emotional responses to themselves rather than acting out. Unfortunately, regardless of the initial emotional reaction to bullying, these emotions have the ability to continue to develop, with serious clinical implications. A 2003 intensive survey study, which focused on the clinical effects of cyberbullying, reported an increase in emotional distress specifically related to cyberbullying. The study involving 512 professionals coming from psychology, psychiatry and social work backgrounds reported that for â€Å"one-third (34%) of these youth, the Internet problem played a primary role in the client’s treatment† (Mitchell, Finelhot & Becker-Blease, 2007, p. 48). This evidence proves that cyberbullying is having noticeable clinical effects on today’s youth. In his â€Å"General Strain Theory,† sociologist Robert Agnew hypothesized that the strain and stress exerted on an individual as a result of bullying â€Å"can manifest itself in problematic emotions that lead to deviant behavior,† possibly leading to delinquency (Agnew, 2006, pp. 659-660). This theory stresses the vicious cycle that many teens may go through while being victimized. The cyclical repercussions of this process are particularly alarming if it leads a victim to antisocial behaviors when they try to find an outlet for their emotions. In 2001, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention reported that â€Å"60 percent of males who were bullies in grades 6 through 9 were convicted of at least one crime as adults, compared with 23 percent who did not bully; 35 to 40 percent of these former bullies had three or more convictions by the age of 24, compared with 10 percent of those who did not bully† (Ericson, 2001). Offenders are likely to utilize bullying tactics as an outlet for other insecurities or problems in their lives. This utilization of bullying as a coping mechanism contributes to the cyclical nature that the process evidently has on victims and offenders Bullying and Cyberbullying by Richard Donegan — 37 alike. Not only do these flawed coping mechanisms fail to resolve the emotional distress caused by bullying, they also expand the overall problem of deviant behavior. This inability for bullied victims and offenders to find adequate relief for emotional wounds, coupled with the fact that youth are unlikely to seek relief though a mentor, explains why some youth begin to feel helpless. Feeling lost in emotional distress with seemingly no way for relief allows suicidal or even thoughts of violent response to creep in to a youth’s consciousness (Ericson, 2001). So, what does this all mean? Research confirms that both bully victims as well as offenders are emotionally harmed by the act of cyberbullying. In a fact sheet produced by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, loneliness, humiliation, and insecurity were each reported as further manifestations of the initial emotional responses to the bullying process. These feelings have the potential to cause students to fear going to school. This constant instability makes it difficult for bully victims to adjust socially and emotionally, focus on their studies, and develop in a healthy mental fashion. These responses can lead to more serious clinical implications, such as depression, which can continue to develop into even worse problems (Ericson, 2001, pp. 1-2). The extreme consequences of bullying are suicidal thoughts or thoughts of violent revenge. According to a National Vital Statistics Report, suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among youth ranging in age from 15 to 24 (Anderson & Smith, 2003). Furthermore, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported â€Å"substantial increases in both homicide and suicide rates among males from 2000 to 2003† (Fraizer, 2005). This statistic becomes chillingly relevant as more information is uncovered concerning the link between cyberbullying and suicidal ideation or action. According to Rigby and Slee, â€Å"Youth who are bullied or who bully others, are at an elevated risk for suicidal thoughts, attempts, and completed suicides† (Rigby & Slee, 1999, p. 119). Statistically both victims of cyberbullying as well as offenders proved to be much more likely to have attempted â€Å"bullycide,† the act of committing suicide due to the effects of bullying, than youth wh o had not been affected (High, 2007). Online publication of personal information is dangerous because it allows many people to see a side of a person more often kept private in a face-to-face interaction. This vulnerability puts many teens in a position as either the victim or active offender partaking in cyberbullying actions. Another aspect of social media that can be misleading and hazardous is the ability to create alias profiles. The ability for teens to mask their identities provides them with an opportunity to say anything to another individual without the worry of any repercussions. Social media sites, such as Facebook and Google+, are prone to abuses like cyberbullying. Anonymous blogging is another technological advancement that has fostered cyberbullying activity and fueled ethical debate. On sites, such as College ACB and Juicy Campus, which have both recently faced tightened regulations due to their verbally abusive nature, youth (typically of college age) were able to login and comment anonymously in an open forum. The forum included harsh topics ranging from â€Å"Most Attractive† to â€Å"Worst Hookup.† The sites even included certain topic headings that were simply a person’s name under which people could post insulting comments. These blogging sites are illustrative of the most dramatic forms of cyberbullying thus far. V. Case Law and Legislation Although all of the evidence illustrates the effects of cyberbullying on today’s youth, lawmakers at both the state and federal levels continue to wrestle with the issue. Unfortunately, it has taken a number of cases to force lawmakers to come to terms with the harsh reality of the situation and attempt to mold laws to deal with such issues. The infringement on student’s 1st Amendment rights is what originally sparked heated controversies concerning schools limiting what students could do or say on or off school grounds. Throughout history, the United States has been shaped by the public’s right to freely express their opinions. Inevitably, when a case arises attempting to limit these rights, the plaintiff’s side is often hard to argue due to such a strong tradition. Without limiting constitutional rights, lawmakers must grapple with the difficult task of defining cyberbullying, as well as determining proper sanctions for committing the act. Because of this, many cases dealing with freedom of speech on and off school grounds have worked their way up to the United States Supreme Court in the past. Federal law One of the earliest cases that dealt with this issue on a public school campus was Tinker vs. Des Moines in 1969 (Tedford & Herbeck, 2009, pp. 1-4). In this case, three high school students arrived on campus wearing black armbands, symbolically protesting the Vietnam War. The school’s administration told the students that they must remove the armbands, and if they refused to do so they would be suspended. The students refused and were sent home. They took the case to court, arguing that their 1st Amendment rights had been violated by the school. The case eventually made it to the United States Supreme Court. The court ruled that any school preventing the expression of opinion must prove that the prohibition was enforced â€Å"to avoid substantial interference with school discipline or the rights of others† (Hinduja & Patchin, 2011, p. 2). Because the school was unable to prove either of these factors, the suspensions were considered unconstitutional and the court ruled in favor of the students. This case set the first guidelines for what forms of expression public schools could and could not limit. As time has continued and technology has progressed, this issue has expanded to whether or not schools can interfere with student’s actions off-campus. J.S. v. Bethlehem Area School (2000) involved a student who was expelled from school for creating 38 — The Elon Journal of Undergraduate Research in Communications †¢ Vol. 3, No. 1 †¢ Spring 2012 a page on the Internet that included threatening and derogatory comments about members of the administration. The court ruled that the school was justified in taking action due to its ability to prove that the public information fostered an evident disruption of the school environment. In its closing statements, the U.S. Supreme Court stated the following: â€Å"Regrettably, in this day and age where school violence is becoming more commonplace, school officials are justified in taking very seriously threats against faculty and other students† (Herbeck, 2010). Such schoolyard violence had reached this level at Columbine High School in 1999. Through this and more recent cases, the federal government has defined the requirements for offcampus behavior, such as cyberbullying, to be regulated by the school. For a school to take action, there must be a clear disruption to the educational process or a representation of true threat. To determine whether or not an expression is representative of a true threat, the court must determine â€Å"whether a reasonable person [in the speaker’s position] would foresee that the statement would be interpreted by those to whom the maker communicates the statement as a serious expression of intent to harm or assault† (Herbeck, 2010). The idea of public schools limiting student’s speech off campus is highly relevant as cyberbullying becomes a more recognized problem nationally. School administrations and communities must take past cases into account as well as current legal definitions of what constitutes a disruption of the educational process or a true threat when deve loping an effective preventative program. State level Similar to speech and harassment laws at the federal level, individual states continue to wrestle with defining the problem and what legal actions to take when a violation occurs. Unfortunately, it took a number of high-profile cases, and even some suicides, to bring the issue to the attention of many states’ courts and legislatures. One such case revolved around an incident in Missouri during 2006. This case, formally known as United States vs. Lori Drew, involved Drew and her daughter creating a false MySpace account under the alias name â€Å"Josh.† The defendants used the account to become friends with the victim, 13-year-old Megan Meier, whom Drew’s daughter attended school with. After becoming friends with Meier, Drew and her daughter started sending hateful comments to her. Meier took these comments to heart and committed suicide. The Missouri district court determined that they could not hold Drew directly accountable for the harassment leading to Meier’s death due to extraneous circumstances and lack of legal encompassment. However, due to public outcry, federal prosecutors took charge by applying the Computer Fraud and Abuse act to the case. This act is typically used to prosecute electronic theft, but in this instance was used to apply the Myspace terms of service. The terms require users to abide by a host of regulations, which â€Å"required truthful and accurate registration, refraining from using information from MySpace to harass others [and] refraining from promoting false or misleading information† (â€Å"Unites states of America v. Lori Drew,† 2009). Based on MySpace’s terms of service, the jury found Drew guilty of one felony count for conspiracy and three misdemeanors counts for unauthorized computer use. This case caused Missouri to modify its state harassment law to encompass acts of cyberbullying like the Lori Drew case. The law now prohibits any electronic communication that â€Å"‘knowingly frightens, intimidates, or causes emotional distress† (Henderson, 2009). VI. Prevention As cyberbullying draws more attention, a universal definition has begun to take shape within the law. Though not acknowledged across all states, a common definition in congruence with a wider recognition of the problem makes addressing the elusive issue a bit easier. The problem is that technology will inevitably continue to advance. So, as technology progresses, local and national anti-bullying policies and laws must continue to evolve at a parallel rate. Many of the issues faced by federal and state governments concerning cyberbullying are avoidable for schools and communities at the local level through the implementation of procedures to limit the effects of cyberbullying. Recognition of the problem One of the most notable issues that need to be addressed is recognition of the problem itself. Many people, whether parents, teachers, or even law enforcement officers, do not know what their specific state Bullying and Cyberbullying by Richard Donegan — 39 laws are in regards to cyberbullying. In a formal survey of approximately 1,000 officers, â€Å"over 85 percent . . . said that cyberbullying was a serious concern that warrants the response of law enforcement. 90 percent of the school’s resource officers had dealt with a cyberbullying case ‘sometimes’ or ‘often.’† Despite this obvious concern, â€Å"25 percent of the school resource officers and over 40 percent of the traditional law enforcement officers did not know if their state had a law specific to cyberbullying† (Patchin, 2011). These statistics are alarming considering that the number of states without some kind of bullying or harassment specific law can be counted on o ne hand (HI,MI,MT,SD) and the number of states with cyberbullying specific laws are increasing. Every person that deals with children (i.e. education, parenting, law enforcement, etc.) should know the bullying or harassment law specific to his or her state, the physical and emotional signs of bullying, and his or her community or school prevention plan, including how to deal with and report a problem. Along with recognizing the problem and being able to identify solutions, it is vital that cyberbullying be addressed in a consistent way. To effectively put a harness on the problem will require â€Å"a concerted and coordinated effort – a partnership if you will – among our families, schools, youth organizations, and communities† (Morino, 1997). If American communities and schools address the issue with a clear preventative program that keeps each level of prohibition on the same page, children will in turn receive a consistent message from a young age, which will presumably resonate effectively. This message should cause children to feel comfortable with confronting and reporting the problem by portraying any form of bullying as unacceptable. Furthermore, this consistency across a given program will change the overall environment rather than just focusing on individual cases. According to Dorothy Espelage and Susan Swearer’s book Bullying in American Schools, â€Å"A comprehensive program . . . is generally more powerful in reducing bullying and increasing school safety than concentrating on individual students† (Espelage & Swearer, 2009). Potential Solutions Credited with initiating the first systematic bullying research in the early 1970s, Dr. Dan Olweus is primarily known for his bullying prevention programs. The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, enacted by Norway’s Ministry of Education, develops methods of dealing with bullying on a variety of levels including school-level components, individual-level components, classroom-level components, and community-level components. This all-encompassing structure creates a cohesive plan in which each level reinforces the next. Since its creation, the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program has been adopted in schools across the world. According to a series of evaluations involving 40,000 students from 42 schools over a two and a half year period, the program proved to be successful. The studies verified the program’s success by reporting â€Å"reductions by 20 to 70 percent in student reports of being bullied and bullying others,† â€Å"reductions in student reports of antis ocial behavior, such as vandalism, fighting, theft, and truancy† and â€Å"clear improvements in the classroom social climate† (Olweus, 2005, pp. 389-402). A mixed-methods research design carried out in Nevada, in which 118 middle school principals were surveyed about cyberbullying, identified components of a successful preventative program. Of those surveyed, 66 responded and 10 agreed to participate in a one-on-one interview. From these ten, three were selected and questioned intensively about cyberbullying and preventative strategies within their school as well as about their thoughts on the issue in general. Based on the interview results, the following six components were identified as essential elements to a preventative cyberbullying program: â€Å"the importance of a reporting procedure; curriculum integration; student-centered productions through mediums such as Broadcast Journalism; a focus on prevention rather than solely on punishment; the importance of punishment as a part of an effective policy; and keeping up with changes in technology† (Wiseman, 2011). VII. Conclusion Bullying is deeply engrained in American culture. Our society illustrates the pinnacle of capitalistic competition. This win-or-die-trying atmosphere, the competitive college acceptance process, and much of the corporate world, contribute to many of the bullying problems that we battle today. The issues of bullying and cyberbullying can only be contained in the short term and not eliminated completely due to how deep-seeded they have become in our competitive society. The clinical repercussions that bullying and cyberbullying have on today’s youth present the most 40 — The Elon Journal of Undergraduate Research in Communications †¢ Vol. 3, No. 1 †¢ Spring 2012 troubling issue at hand. The permanent mental effects are what both the law and prevention programs are striving to eliminate. The fact that these initial emotional responses to bullying in any form have been proven to escalate to the point of suicidal thoughts and violent response is the primary reason for why this issue has become a matter of pressing public concern. The thought of children getting so caught up in the psychological battery of bullying that they commit suicide is extremely troubling, an issue that must be dealt with. Though the legislative and judicial branches at both the state and federal levels are having a difficult time adapting laws to encompass cyberbullying as technology advances, there is assurance in the fact that the issue is a pressing co ncern. However, it is unsettling that it takes drastic cases such as United States vs. Lori Drew to bring about a direct change in law. Ideally, laws will develop in correspondence with technology to help define the problem itself and establish appropriate judicial repercussions. As more is learned about the reasons behind bullying and the specific tactics utilized, prevention programs are becoming increasingly more effective. As discussed previously, a successful program needs to clearly identify the problem, establish recognition, and formulate consistent ways of dealing with the issue across all platforms. The biggest struggle for cyberbullying prevention in the future is matching the fast pace of technological innovation with effective preventative techniques Acknowledgments I am thankful to Dr. Michael Frontani for his support and guidance during the writing process of this research paper. His wisdom and encouragement acted as the catalyst, which drove me to really dive into the subject. Bibliography Agnew, R. (2006). Pressured into crime: an overview of general strain theory. New York: Oxford University Press. Espelage, D., &. Swearer, S (2009). Bullying in American schools: a social-ecological perspective on prevention and intervention. Retrieved from Berkeley Technology Law Journal, 24(1), 659-660. Ericson, N. U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Program. (2001). 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