Salem Trials: A Lesson from History

Salem was taken from the word, â€Å"Jerusalem†, seat of Christianity. This is where Christ trudged on and lived a holy life but became ironically symbolized in America by people become crazy. It has gained notoriety due to cruelty that pervaded in 1692 in that village in Massachusetts. â€Å"Time is the Mother of Truth and Truth the Daughter of Time† (Hale), scholars have studied documents surrounding that incident in Salem. The truth was told through documented events of those fateful days when those innocent people were tagged as ‘witches’. The people of Salem acted on suspicion without substantial bases for accusing one hundred fifty villagers of a crime that is ‘witchcraft’. They have admitted to a mistake that was horrible, became a controversy for ages, and a lesson for humanity. (Hale) Several factors influenced the villagers to act in such frenzy: politics, religion, and hysteria. For lack of a strong leader who can effectively give direction to the people’s thinking, the incident went out of hand. Even the leaders themselves were controlled by the situation, perhaps, due to hidden interests as well. P. S. Nissenbaum) Internal bickering in the community is not exceptional for it also occurs in other New England communities at that time. Add to it a weak institution that can handle the population. They were claiming to see an apparition of the witches at their beds. (P. B. Nissenbaum) Having them hanged will not make any difference using that argument. The devil can harm them in whatever form us ing their kind of thinking. It is incomprehensible how individuals can be united to wreak havoc upon other individuals. People of such ignorance have been put together to teach humanity how extremism and stupidity can cause such a tragedy. The lives of the people who were innocent of a crime that is witchcraft which was not proven enough were put to waste due to the cruelty that beset upon them. They had to suffer in jail and have to go through torture because their co-villagers were obsessed with the idea of a devil that is lurking around their lives and is causing an illness which they do not understand. They used the words: â€Å"fits†, â€Å"odd postures†, â€Å"foolish, ridiculous speeches†, â€Å"distempers†, etc. o describe what are being manifested by the victims of witchcraft as they said. (P. S. Nissenbaum) One was seen crawling on the floor during an attack. (P. S. Nissenbaum) The symptoms that were being manifested by the said victims of witchcraft could be epilepsy. This illness has always been associated with demonic possession which can not be cured. The stig ma that can be brought upon the individual experiencing this can be enormous that it is convenient to blame it on somebody performing witchcraft upon him/her experiencing it. This can be genetic and in Salem during that time, having fifteen children in a family was the average. It is not negligible to note that this disease could be running in families. Not to mention the hysteria that came with it. Children were manipulated by adults to say things or even their musings were interpreted to mean according to how they wanted it to mean. (P. S. Nissenbaum) The colonies of England included Massachusetts which was under the laws that govern these colonies. In England, witchcraft was a capital crime as declared in 1641. Chronology of Events Relating to the Salem Witchcraft Trials) Anyone suspecting of witchcraft activities were hanged by the stake. The colonial village of Salem was a staunch believer of the Bible. They took to the letter every bit of the Scriptures. They have become extremists that they have forgotten that ‘love’ was taught by Christ primarily. The ministers who were at a loss in governing the villagers conveniently blame witchcraf t as the culprit in the disunity eminent among the folks. Disputes led the villagers to falsely accuse innocent citizens in response to the hysteria that pervaded them. The early ministers who led them were also blinded by their desire for territory. It was a difficult time for this colonial town. Land was getting scarce while families were becoming big. They work very hard on their farms only to be obliterated by blights. (P. S. Nissenbaum) Children were not allowed to play: girls were taught to spin yarn and help in the household while the boys were brought by the men to help them to hunt. They did not have the opportunity to play as normal children would. These children were deprived of the happiness of childhood. It is not surprising if they would deliberately act out abnormal behavior because opportunities to play were rare. It is possible that acting out those eccentricities was a form of ‘play’ for these deprived children. Their sense of awe and wonder were suppressed by the adults. Their words were twisted by the older ones to serve their purpose. (P. B. Nissenbaum) They lived at a time when there were no other forms of entertainment but chores. It was also a time for New England to be established. Institutionalizing law and order was especially difficult in this part of the colony. Political disputes were prevailing in terms of who would minister the community. They were like a flock in need of a shepherd. But the shepherds who should be taking care of them also have vested interests. They carry within them their wants and needs. The chronology of events is very telling about man’s desire for power and control. The judicial system was used and manipulated according to the whims of the judges. (Chronology of Events Relating to the Salem Witchcraft Trials) The humble investigation of John Hale speaks of how erroneous the system is in handling the cases in Salem. With all humility he explained that what transpired in Salem was a lesson learned for humanity. Quoting from the Scriptures, he reiterated that the innocent must not suffer. (Hale) The evidence against them was obviously weak based on spectral evidence that Governor Phipps opposed. (Chronology of Events Relating to the Salem Witchcraft Trials) He was able to save lives due to be hanged in the Gallows. After fourteen years, one of the accusers, Ann Putnam, publicly apologizes for her actions in 1692. The event in 1692 was very unfortunate for the people in Salem. Hysteria emanated in that village due to numerous factors. One would see how religious extremism can drive people to do harm towards others which are contrary to the teachings of religion. Greed and desire for power can attribute to people’s insensitivity and delusions. It was formally admitted as a mistake by the government of Massachusetts in 1957 (Chronology of Events Relating to the Salem Witchcraft Trials) and a good reminder for everyone of the cruelty that occurred centuries ago. This is a lesson learned which must be avoided. It is important that judicial system must be respected by honoring facts; biases must be avoided; and the right to be represented must be observed. Law and order are present for people’s protection. These should not be used to cause harm to a nation’s citizens. Leaders appointed are also responsible of the people’s safety. They must safeguard the lives entrusted them. It is important for them to ensure that due process must be served in the courts. This incident must never happen again.

Comparative Study of Wuthering Heights, Translations, and I’M No Scared

The texts that I have studied and prepared for my comparative course are: Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, Translations by Brian Friel, and I’m not scared directed by Gabriel Salvatores. When I address the cultural context of a text I refer to the worlds of the texts, the circumstances which face the plots and the characters of the texts. Some elements of the cultural context of each and every text are the world’s attitudes, social rituals, and structures. Coming to grips with the general norm of the society with in each texts and how the characters behave enables me to enjoy each text all the more.Understanding the world in which each text is set in and thus being able to compare the aspects of their society and what is involved in their material and spiritual lives ostentatiously influences the resolution of the narratives which gave a better impact and added to my enjoyment. I greatly enjoyed seeing the connections between the texts and how their worlds were intert wined in their similarities and differences. Particularly these connections were more vivid to me in the areas of Role of Women in Society, Setting, and Class Structure, within the Cultural context of each text.All three texts revolve around a patriarchal system where the men were the primary authority figure and were central to society. They hold the central roles of political leadership, moral authority, and control of property. The entailment of female subordination is most apparent in Wuthering Heights where only through marriage is a woman able to gain recognition, position, and a place in society. Being compelled by this, Catherine Earnshaw betrays Heathcliff and really herself as well due to her love for him.Unable to cope with marrying a slave and an outcast in her patriarchal world she accepts Edgar Linton’s proposal for marriage. Edgar’s family were the most elite family in the novel thus giving Catherine a better future than what circumstance she might be in if she marries Heathcliff. Catherine: â€Å"It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff now. † In the same way, Maire doesn’t marry Manus in Translations due to his lack of position, property and his inability to provide for a family. Maire sees that the man that she marries will dictate her position in society and so decides that marriage with Manus was not the foremost option.Maire: â€Å"You talk to me about getting married – with neither a roof over your head nor a sod of ground under your foot. † In both circumstances, a society where men hold prestige constrains women to be only able to aspire to be a wife. Marriage, in their patriarchal world, seems to be the only possible way to be able to make a living. The subservient role of women is further illustrated by Wuthering Heights’ patrilineal system which inhibits the property and title of a family to be inherited by the female lineage.Heathcliff effectively utilises this system for his benefit. Knowing that the wealth of a family can only be inherited by the male lineage, he arranges the marriage of young Cathy and his son Linton. Since Edgar died with no son to carry on his family name, his family’s inheritance would therefore be handed to whoever young Cathy marries. The male is dominant and is clearly seen as the head of the family. Similarly to I’m not scared, we see a macho world where power and strength are valued and power rest with the males.Pino tells his son to do his press-ups and they arm-wrestle. Anna, Michele’s mother, is physically assaulted by Felice, one of the gang. In his household, Pino is very much in charge and his wife is obedient to him. Even though in each text, women were inferior to men we also see in some cases where the text subverts the traditional or stereotypical idea of women and their place in society. In translations Bridget shows control when she directs Doalty to hide the animals when the army threatens to kill them .Maire is described as: â€Å"†¦a strong minded, strong bodied woman†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She works as hard as any man in the community at the hay harvesting and plans to go to America in order to provide for her household in which she the head. Maire: â€Å"The best harvest in living memory,†¦ (Showing Jimmy her hands. ) Look at these blisters. † Maire: â€Å"There are ten below me to be raised and no man in the house†¦. † During the Victorian era in Wuthering Heights, women were expected to be obedient, disciplined and faithful. Catherine does not conform to these expectations.There is also a subtle reversal of roles in young Cathy’s marriages where, contrary to traditional norms, she appears to be the dominant partner. She tended to Linton who was a spoilt, sickly weakling. Later Hareton also needs help and encouragement to develop after years of degradation at the hands of Heathcliff. Comparing the cultural context of the narratives heightened my en joyment and helped me have a better experience and insight into the role of women and how they lived their lives subservient under men in a patriarchal society.One of the aspects of cultural context I enjoyed covering on my comparative course is how the class structure in each narrative is divided up. Social class is not solely dependent on the amount of money one has. Rather, the source of income, birth, and family connections plays a major role in determining one’s position in society. England in the nineteenth century was an extremely class-conscious society and social class is an important element in Wuthering Heights. We see the distinction between the two families in Emily Bronte’s novel and their rank on the social ladder.At the top of the locality’s social class, one finds the rich and refined Linton family who live in the sumptuous surroundings of Thruscross Grange. The Lintons were superior to the Earnshaw family and live in Wuthering heights. Within t hese ranks we also see how the cultured from the rustics and those higher up the social scale from those lower down are separated. Speech patterns and accents distinguish the servants such as Zillah, Joseph and Nelly Dean from their masters. An example of this would be Joseph’s Yorkshire dialect and young Heathcliff’s outsider accent which he spoke when he was brought from Liverpool.Equally noticeable in Brian Friel’s Translations is the subtle class diversity between the more educated who were able to speak English as well as Irish and the less educated who only speak Irish. Also noticeable is the feeling of social superiority felt by the English to the Gaelic community of Baile Beag as reflected in Captain Lancey’s condescending attitude. This parallels with Hindley’s deprivation of Heathcliff to a servant. Hindley is a well-educated man who has an outstanding stand in society while Heathcliff was seen as an illiterate vagabond brought in from Li verpool by Mr Earnshaw.Turning to I’m not scared we see how the village of Acqua Traverse is in keeping with the film’s premise that Southern Italy was a deprived place where the people, out of desperation, could understandably turn to crime. The buildings are shabby and clustered around a dusty courtyard. It is reminiscent of Baile Beag with its hedge school in a dusty barn and Hugh’s description of the place with its Hugh: â€Å"Mud cabins and a diet of potatoes. † The people’s aspirations in I’m not scared are simple. Anna dreams of visiting the seaside and eating in a restaurant. The people in Southern Italy were poor and run-down.The difference between the social standing of Southern Italy and Northern Italy lead to the country experiencing spate of kidnappings hence the kidnapping of Filippo. Filippo is from a family among the ranks of the higher hierarchy of Italy at that time. This caused him to be held against his will to be held fo r ransom by the people of Acqua Traverse in hopes that their lives might change for the better and for them to be able to climb higher in their social ladder. Similar to the situation in Translations, Maire desires to go to America in order to acquire a better subsistence.In each text, class structure plays an important role and affects the behaviour of the characters in how they respond to society and the norm and in what choices they make in connection with their rank the class system. Studying the significance of class structure in the cultural context of each narrative benefitted me in my understanding of each text which made my study all the more pleasurable. The setting in the cultural context of a text is definitely important when looking at character development, conflict, and the overall plot.It's the setting for all that is to come; it can convey so much about whom the people are and the way they live. The setting of a narrative can be a character of its own. In all three narratives, the setting is conveyed in a remote, rural location far from any centre of population. I’m not scared shows scenes depicting children romping through the endless fields of golden corn under a blue sky or cycling along dirt-track roads baked solid by the sweltering sun. The entire plot of I’m not scared unfolds over a few days of scorching sunshine near harvest time.This parallels with Translations where Baile Beag is experiencing an unusual heat wave, and similarly just after the hay harvest. We see Owen tell Yolland that it is†¦ Owen: â€Å"The first hot summer in fifty years and you think it’s Eden. † This reminds us in Wuthering Heights where Catherine stays at the Lintons for a few weeks after being bitten by a dog. Cathy receives a taste of luxury and she is drawn to it and is deceived to think that she desires to marry Edgar due to the luxury which she relishes.In the end, both Yolland and Cathy have to face the consequences of the pursuit of their vain desires. Wuthering Heights, however, is in opposition to Translations and I’m not scared. Bronte has placed her novel in a variety of ambience. Ranging from the opening scenes of snowfalls and lashing gales, to blooming springs, radiant summers, and drowsy autumns. In Salvatore’s film, as we see the camera pan across the rolling hill and valleys and sweep over the fields of waving grain, one is struck by the beauty and the emptiness of the landscape.The only sounds are of animals, birds, and insects. Our eyes take in the vivid colours of the red and orange poppies. Then we trace the horizon dividing the golden corn and the purple petals of other flowers from the blue sky to create a wonderfully rich effect. This countryside reminds us of Bronte’s descriptions of the moors. Young Cathy: â€Å"†¦with the bees humming dreamily about among the bloom, and the larks singing high up overhead, and the blue sky and bright sun shining steadily and cloudlessly. †Whether in I’m not scared, Wuthering heights, or Translations, one should not be fooled by mere appearances. The cawing of a crow and the hissing of insects create an ominous effect suggesting all is not well. For underneath the beauty of the landscape lies a terrible secret. In the country side near the tiny village of Acqua Traverse, a young boy named Filippo is being kept hostage in a hole in the ground. In the same way the potatoes in Baile Beag gives a deceiving sweet smell. As Maire says: Maire: â€Å"Sweet smell! Sweet smell!Every year at this time somebody comes back with stories of the sweet smell. Sweet God, did the potatoes ever fail in Baile Beag?†¦ † The sweet smell became the blight of the potatoes in the Great Famine of Ireland. Likewise in Wuthering Heights, Mr Lockwood perceived Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange to be quite a lovely place to be from seeing the beauty of its landscape. Only until later in the novel do es he come to realize that the landscape had a different story to tell with its storms and prevailing winds which reflect the turmoil the families of the landscape endures.Gathering together all that I have learned from my study of the cultural context of Wuthering Heights, Translations, and I’m Not Scared in reference to Role of Women in Society, Class Structure, and Setting, I was able to compare and differentiate the cultural context of these texts for my comparative course. In doing so it further enhanced my understanding and enjoyment of the narratives and made my experience more real and gave a greater impact.

English 101 Paper

Stephanie Semans December 4, 2012 English 101 Mrs. Tietjen Consumers will always disagree about whether the online marketplace is helpful or exploitative, but each individual has the independent responsibility to make the best decision. What comes to mind when someone says privacy? Places where no one can see anything, a place where you’re safe, well guess what, there unfortunally is no place like that. In the book â€Å"Blown to Bits† it explains that no matter where someone is theirs no privacy. 50 years ago, there were no cameras on the street corners or even laptops.On the laptops today there are webcams hooked into them and some turn on the computer on without knowing. I know it’s happen to me before. Even leaving the classroom to go to the bathroom you’re on at least two or three cameras. Internet consumers go online for banking and don’t think about how hackers could steal personal information. Yes it’s convenient and always there but, digital users would rather risk information for easiness and accessibility. But in a way technology and cameras are also good because Hal Abelson says â€Å"After one of the assaults, a victim took out her cell phone.Click! Within hours, a good head shot was up on the web and was shown on all the Boston area television stations. Within a day, Berman was under arrest and charged with several crimes†. (23) Technology isn’t all bad; it can be used for some good. So who’s to say that it’s neither good nor bad? Consumers can argue all they want about why it’s good or bad but no one has the right answer. Daniel Burrus of â€Å"is technology good or evil† says, â€Å"So it’s not about whether technology is good or bad; it’s about what we decide to do with technology matters†. CITE) Yes I agree that the privacy and security should be better and cause less heartache but at the same time it can be used for criminals and kidnapped people. For example, the other day my friend got her phone stolen and they pinged it to the locations it was recently at plus it could tell in a 400ft area they could narrow it down to and ended up finding it in someone’s car. Her and her family was happy that she got it back. Without the uses of technology today she wouldn’t have been able to find her phone or catch the guy on the transit.Just imagine the police are reopening cold cases because of the technology to go further in on evidence and details then they did back some decades ago. Like I said I can sit here and say that privacy is good and bad but when it comes down to it, no one has the right answer. If someone has a bad run with technology and it’s done nothing for them then yes their going to say it’s bad and causes trouble, but someone where it has helped them out so much they might say it’s amazing and I’m glad I have it. Some examples of why technology is â€Å"good† a re that the military is using it to help fly planes over the Middle East with cameras to spy.Also, without technology today we wouldn’t be able to help treat cancer with chemotherapy. Some â€Å"bad† examples are that terrorists and criminals have the ability to create bombs and hack computer to steal personal information about someone. In Korea where the woman let her dog go to the bathroom on the subway and they took pictures of her and she was known as â€Å"puppy-poo girl†, â€Å"Blown to Bits† says, â€Å"the pictures wouldn’t of made it worldwide, but the thought that it was posted and stuff is bad enough.The incident was captured by a fellow passenger and posted online. She soon became known as â€Å"gae-ttong-nyue† (Korean for â€Å"puppy poo girl†)†¦ It is unlikely that the story would have made it around the world, and that it would have achieved such notoriety and permanence)†. (Abelson 23) Last night I was look ing at the worldwide cams that are in the book and I looked up a highway near my house and it’s pretty cool because I never knew that there were cameras even hidden there.So to actually see the roads in Maryland kind of freak me out, Just knowing that the satellites can take pictures of your house from space, there really isn’t any privacy at all. Citations: Abelson, Hal, Ken Ledeen, and Harry Lewis â€Å"Naked in the Sunlight. † Blown to Bits, Uppersaddle River, NJ. Addison Wesley. 2008 19-72 print Burrus. â€Å"Is technology good or evil? † The Huffington post. Thehuffingtonpost. com, 24 Aug. 2012. Web. 03 Dec 2012. http://www. thehuffingtonpost. com/daniel-burrus/is-technology-good-or-evil_b_1826270. html.

Virtual Work Place Practise Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Virtual Work Place Practise - Essay Example The case study was covered in â€Å"Visual Workplace Practice Positively Impacts Business Process,† benchmarking an International Journal. Case Problem According to the case study, businesses in the modern business environment are more concerned about their cost of production than their customer’s satisfaction. It is evident that the abilities of a business to survive in the modern competitive environment depend on its profit margins and the sustainability of their customer base. This indicates that customers also have a stake in determining the sustainability of a business. From the case study, the virtual world has endless opportunities that businesses can exploit to enhance their sustainability. In businesses, virtual world is usually associated with communication. This association shields the possibilities of virtual tools in taking businesses to the next level. Communication is of less economic value to business and their customers. However, communication has addit ional benefits to the business that indicate commercial value to a business. The basic value derived from communication is efficiency, which results in reduced costs of operation and customers satisfactions. The business depicted in the case study is a supplier of medical equipment. Before the business adopted its current information system, the business depended on the traditional receipts and invoices to accounts for its sales and credits. In addition, the business depended on traditional filing system without any concrete information backup or database. This method of operation had many disadvantages to the business resulting in the need for an up-to-date business solution. The business required a business solution that would integrate its sales, supplies and enhance the capabilities of the customers. Initially the company applied start-up software and basic templates to handle its data requirements. In addition, the company relied on manual processing of information to make simp le custom reports. This method of operation was disadvantageous to both the customers and the company. Reporting was also a major problem that the business had to handle in its daily operations. This is because its accounting systems could not link historical data with the current data. To solve the problems the business required to a have a database that had the capabilities of storing large quantities of data (Braden, Thomas, Larry, & Leonard, 2012). In addition, the business required a system that would make historical data easily accessible to the customers. The business also needed a system that would enhance separation of critical information from other junk information. This indicates that the business relied on an information system that was too complex to be understood by its customers and other stakeholders. Solution After analysing the problems, the business managers noted that an obvious solution would be an efficient and interactive information system. The company also required investing in an information system that would reduce complexity in the operations of its customers and employees. The business also required transferring its historical information and sales records into a new database. An effective solution would also enhance the corporate social responsibility of the business. The first target of the new information system

Project and Programme Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Project and Programme Management - Essay Example For HuanghÐ µ, CRM must mÐ µan all of thÐ µsÐ µ things and morÐ µ for thÐ µ projÐ µct stratÐ µgy to rÐ µally work. Many solutions must bÐ µ forÐ µsÐ µÃ µn. OnÐ µ solution is to usÐ µ CRM to bolstÐ µr thÐ µ company intÐ µrnally. AnothÐ µr solution is to usÐ µ CustomÐ µr RÐ µlationship ManagÐ µmÐ µnt to markÐ µt morÐ µ Ð µffÐ µctivÐ µly and rÐ µach thÐ µ cliÐ µnt bÐ µttÐ µr. â€Å"WhÐ µn customÐ µr rÐ µlationship managÐ µmÐ µnt CRM) camÐ µ on thÐ µ scÐ µnÐ µ approximatÐ µly six yÐ µar ago, somÐ µ viÐ µwÐ µd it with skÐ µpticism and primarily saw it as a way to rÐ µfinÐ µ rathÐ µr than rÐ µinvÐ µnt markÐ µting. MorÐ µ progrÐ µssivÐ µ markÐ µtÐ µrs adoptÐ µd thÐ µ CRM tÐ µchniquÐ µs of compiling all consumÐ µr and markÐ µt data into a cÐ µntralizÐ µd databasÐ µ and usÐ µd data mining to morÐ µ narrowly dÐ µfinÐ µ targÐ µt audiÐ µncÐ µs basÐ µd on charactÐ µristics rathÐ µr than gÐ µnÐ µral dÐ µmographicsâ €  (Paddison, 2004). YÐ µt anothÐ µr solution could focus morÐ µ on thÐ µ managÐ µmÐ µnt of thÐ µ company than thÐ µ cliÐ µnt, and highlight managÐ µmÐ µnt having a working knowlÐ µdgÐ µ of markÐ µting. and bÐ µing ablÐ µ to work with markÐ µtÐ µrs and consultants in a proactivÐ µ mannÐ µr that rÐ µflÐ µcts thÐ µ Ð µxtÐ µrnal dynamism of thÐ µ IT and communications markÐ µt. ... â€Å"Work with somÐ µonÐ µ from your markÐ µting or planning dÐ µpartmÐ µnt to dÐ µvÐ µlop a sÐ µriÐ µs of quÐ µstions that will dÐ µtÐ µrminÐ µ thÐ µ basÐ µlinÐ µ financial savvy of your dÐ µpartmÐ µnt hÐ µads. ThÐ µn conduct onÐ µ or two focus groups with a rÐ µprÐ µsÐ µntativÐ µ cross sÐ µction†¦ A kÐ µy goal of thÐ µ focus group should bÐ µ dÐ µtÐ µrmining how wÐ µll your managÐ µrs undÐ µrstand thÐ µ rÐ µports thÐ µy rÐ µcÐ µivÐ µÃ¢â‚¬  (MacÐ µvicuiatÐ µ, 2001). ThÐ µsÐ µ solutions can work in both long-tÐ µrm and short-tÐ µrm formats to hÐ µlp thÐ µ company rÐ µmain compÐ µtitivÐ µ. In tÐ µrms of applying CRM to thÐ µ currÐ µnt pÐ µrcÐ µivÐ µd instability and constraint in thÐ µ Ð µconomy, it is bÐ µttÐ µr to cull support from thÐ µ morÐ µ cautious sidÐ µ of CRM dÐ µmonstratÐ µd, as onÐ µ sourcÐ µ statÐ µs that â€Å"it should bÐ µ appliÐ µd only to procÐ µssÐ µs vital to a company's compÐ µtitiv Ð µnÐ µss† (Rigby and LÐ µdingham, 2004). It is important to also kÐ µÃ µp in mind cautionary Ð µxamplÐ µs of what can happÐ µn in CRM systÐ µms whÐ µn mismanagÐ µmÐ µnt and othÐ µr obstaclÐ µs arÐ µ prÐ µsÐ µntÐ µd to givÐ µn an ovÐ µrall holistic application of CRM IT systÐ µms, or, for that mattÐ µr, intÐ µrnational Ð µxpansion in gÐ µnÐ µral. In casÐ µs likÐ µ thÐ µsÐ µ, workload is incrÐ µasÐ µd in a way that is inÐ µfficiÐ µnt to thÐ µ company. In a compÐ µtitivÐ µ businÐ µss Ð µnvironmÐ µnt, this doÐ µs not hÐ µlp thÐ µ customÐ µr in thÐ µ long run in this casÐ µ Ð µxamplÐ µ. Also, if a company doÐ µs not rÐ µspÐ µct intÐ µrnal host culturÐ µs, thÐ µrÐ µ is thÐ µ abovÐ µmÐ µntionÐ µd risk of thÐ µ host culturÐ µ pÐ µrcÐ µiving thÐ µ company to bÐ µ yÐ µt anothÐ µr arrogant outsidÐ µr. HuanghÐ µ can makÐ µ stridÐ µs in functionality of CRM, in tÐ µrms of kÐ µÃ µping up with and intÐ µgrating

Jacksons Scaryland Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Jacksons Scaryland - Research Paper Example Playing for 37 minutes, this visual and musical treat was even honored as the longest music video in history by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2002. Although considered to be one of the great works of Jackson, it did not receive enough promotion and appreciation during the period of its release. However, now with the advent of Internet and YouTube, anybody can have a glimpse of this excellent work. Thus, the focus will be on the musical and visual content of the video, discussing whether or not the two relate, then the narrative part, and finally place the video within the greater context of his life and career to find out whether Jackson is making any statement. Overview In this film, Michael portrays five characters, the Maestro, the Mayor of Normal Valley, the skeleton of Maestro, the Super Ghoul and the Ghoul mayor, all of which was achieved by the magic of extensive makeup. The plot starts with the Mayor of Normal Valley along with some delighted kids and angry parents en tering the Scary Land, a creepy and haunted mansion of Maestro. Maestro is a man who lives alone and known to possess supernatural powers. The introduction of Michael Jackson wearing a hood and a skeleton mask does prove him as a master of disguise. The Mayor accuses maestro for scarring kids with non-existent ghost stories. He warns him and tries to drive him off, but Maestro challenges him and calls for a game between two of them, with the first one to become scared leaving the game and leave the other undisturbed. This scenario provides apt setting for Jackson to exhibit all his dancing moves, stunning make-ups, etc., thereby relating both visual and musical elements. ... The film ends with the Mayor getting scared and throwing himself out of the window, when self destructed Maestro once again appears as a monster. Musical and Visual elements Jackson is always known for creating awesome music videos, to bring to life his musical creations. Primarily a song writer, Jackson came up with music videos to elevate the song further and reach more people, and also vice versa with the success of the videos further improving the sales of his music album and also increasing their popularity. In the case of this Ghost video, Jackson primarily used three songs, 2 Bad from the album HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, HIStory, and Is it Scary and Ghosts, both from the album Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix. Apart from the usual utilization of musical equipments, Jackson has aptly incorporated the marching and stomping sounds, which turns into a bass rhythm creating enough resonance. Incorporation of sneezing, coughing, grunting and stomping into the music composition is unique and classy on the part of Jackson. Thus, the track showcases all of Jackson’s trademarks, funky bass lines nicely mixed with voice sounds, which got reflected in the music video as well, thereby creating a correlation between musical and visual aspects. That is, the use of voice sounds automatically got â€Å"translated† in the visuals, as Jackson as part of choreography included or performed all those sounds. â€Å"Even their coughs and sneezes are choreographed and incorporated into the rhythm of music.†2 Apart from this relation between visual and musical elements, other visual elements stand alone, but contribute optimally to elevate the video. In Jackson’s style, the film featured innovative special effects as well as make-up effects

Business and or the economy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Business and or the economy - Essay Example In addition, small businesses face the need to downsize. However, the impact of a slowing economy on a small business depends upon the type of small business. In a slowing economy, small businesses involved in vehicle and property repossessions thrive. Likewise, small business owners with a strong financial base find the slowing economy as the right time to buy out their competitors. Small businesses show better adjustment and adaptation to a changing economy. This can primarily be attributed to the fact that decision making is easier and faster in small businesses as compared to the decision making in large businesses. Hence, small businesses can easily make the required changes as per the need of the hour. This is a very informative article about the effects of economy on businesses in general and on small businesses in particular. It not only explains the risks of changing economy on small businesses, but also touches upon ways in which those risks can be turned into

We Googled You Case Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

We Googled You Case Assignment - Essay Example acquire the high ended rich clients in the three main cities in the China where people are known to be rich enough to purchase their designer products. This can only be achieved through finding ways to penetrate the Chinese market and be accepted by the Chinese people in order to excel. The goals and objectives of the company are clear and they all point towards the direction of infiltrating Chinese market and establishing their products there. The only way it can accomplish this goal and the ones mentioned above is by having a team of experts on Chinese culture and their business market in order to smooth the way for their entry as well as help in establishing the best strategic locations to set up their stores in the three suggested Chinese cities. The main issue that has raised questions and needs a decision and a quick one for that matter is on the matter of Mimi and her information on the internet. Mimi is a very qualified team member for the Chinese market entry and her input is highly necessary if the takeover is to be without hitches as her experience of China together with her Chinese education can come in handy. The only problem is that eight years ago, Mimi was involved in non-violent demonstrations between the Chinese and the American government and this information was uploaded on Google and was found by the Human Resource Manager. The first alternative is for Fred who is the CEO and the HR manager to call Mimi back and ask her to explain about the information on Google in order to get clarification. The other alternative is for them to assume the whole issue as it happened eight years ago and sweep it under the rag and still hire Mimi for the position in the China team. Lastly, they can regard the matter heavily and not hire Mimi as it will bring bad publicity to the company since anybody can find the information online and it can lead to them losing their business in the long run or affect market relations especially with the Chinese. I

Advantages of Single life Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Advantages of Single life - Essay Example A single person tends to consume lesser food as compared to a whole family or a couple. Smaller housing facility can be rented or purchased due to the need of lesser space for a single individual. Education has become expensive around the world and major portions of married couples’ incomes are consumed to support the education expenses of their children. According to a statistic quoted by Riper in his article; single people are able to save around 5% of their monthly salary on average. This figure is significantly higher than the married couples who are not able to save anything beyond their retirement funds. Single people tend to be safe from numerous causes of stress and tensions in their lives. The American Institute of Stress verified that stress can cause various types of health problems (America’s No.1 Health Problems). Married people tend to stay stressed if they have negative relations with their partners or have increasing financial problems to support their households. Single people tend to be free from such worries as they have the option of leaving their negative relations and starting a new, healthier relation with the individual of their choice. Negative relations between spouse cause great stress to the participating partners, as well as their children. Single people are able to invest more time and energy in the growth of their professional lives and careers. They have the freedom to take up job opportunities according to their requirements and passion. Married women are generally expected to attend the children and household chores more than the men in the societies, due to which their careers are not considered as a priority. Likewise, married men might not be able to take up opportunities that might require frequent movement from one city to the other; single individuals can easily avail such opportunities since they are the

Annotated bibliography of four readings Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Annotated bibliography of four readings - Essay Example This article has also explored to what extent the team members can be expected to internalize the normative demands of the company. Findlay et al. have reviewed contemporary psychological research on the subject in their study and have expressed reservations on the common notion that â€Å"teamwork†¦(is).. a vehicle for regulating individualism† (1553). This article also expresses the opinion that both psychological and critical literature on teamwork in an organization, though seemingly arrive at the same conclusions, â€Å"have a tendency to overstate the extent of normative integration and underplay the complexity of its characteristics† (Findlay et al., 1554). The notion that self-governance and increased responsibility are coercive is refuted here. The contradiction in the inferences made by psychological and critical research is emphasized. It is pointed out that while psychological research expects improved performance in teamwork to arise from collectivizat ion, the critical research expects the same to happen out of coercion (Findlay et al., 1553). The findings of this study suggest that majority of the respondents thought teamwork was introduced in the company to enhance the technical convenience rather than to enhance normative integration, performance and output. ... The research revealed a gap between the values promoted through teamwork and its practice. This study is directly relevant for the proposed research because it examines why do many managers prefer that their employees work in teams, and also whether this necessarily deliver the workplace outcomes that these managers envisage. The strength of this study lies in the exhaustive interviews taken by giving representation to managers, team leaders, team members and union representatives, and the extensive data collected out of them. This lends a great amount of authenticity and validity to the research. The use of two groups to validate the data is another aspect that imparts credibility to this research. The weakness in the methodology of this study is that the dominant members in each group might have influenced the discussion that happens in the groups. Secondly, the sample of this study is limited but even then the study attempts to refute most of the mainstream and conventional resear ch that has happened in the same field. In an overall analysis, this study can be accepted with some reservations but is important because it calls for a change in preconceived ideas on teamwork and future research. Kirkman, B.L., Jones, R.G. and Shapiro, D.L., Why Do Employees Resist Teams? Examining the Resistance Barrier to Work Team Effectiveness, The International Journal of Conflict Management, Vol.11, No.1 (2000): p.74-92.Print. Explores why resistance on the part of employees has accompanied the increase in the use of teamwork in organizations. The inference arrived at, is that this is caused by issues of trust and low tolerance of faith. This study

Democratisation of Balkan Countries Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Democratisation of Balkan Countries - Case Study Example As the economist argued in 1998, the instant risk to delicate Balkan peace is not so much violence but secession by minorities big enough to mull over statehood, which may irritate a new civil war as the actions in Kosovo have proved thus, maintenance of peace and solidity in the region depends on how Balkan countries treat their minorities. Partially because of these conflicts in the region and partially due to world public opinion's growing consciousness, the defense of minority civil rights became a top main concern in the post-cold war era. (Donald, 1985) This examines the evolution of democratization as an inner development and focuses mainly on the citizenship policies and supporting depiction of minorities in two Balkan states, particularly Bulgaria and Romania. The two states have enhanced their associations with minorities and with their neighbors. The outcomes in these cases represent a variety of potential and models, and thus they provide us with opportunities to stu dy democratization and cultural politics in the area. (Attila, 1998) The democratic conversion in the post-communist Balkan states creates challenges for the innovative government in the region. Similarly, they have just restored or gained their self-government and full dominion and look for to build a homogenous nation state, on the other hand, the population within their internationally known borders consists of more than one racial group, all with their own political agendas. In the face of a rising compassion towards minority issues in the world and under the eyes of global organizations, the Balkan states need to set up contemporary civic societies with the rule of law. Since the thought of democracy is now so well-liked in the earth, "there can be no go back of still and passive ethnic minorities," as Agh stated thus, multiethnic Balkan states have to set up a citizenry with political and human rights and with democratic civilization and political culture in civil society. (Emilija, 1997) The states have to make a decision who their citizens are and what kinds of human rights they will award them. Maybe some kinds of patriotism might be necessary for formation and unity of a modern state, but this should be an inclusionary 'civic' patriotism, which is well-matched with the ceremony of individual rights. The key to avoiding further conflicts is to promise equal citizenship rights and to expand a culture of broadmindedness in society. Assessment of constitutional texts and citizenship laws with their completion and judicial understanding may give a universal sympathetic of the citizenship policies of the worried states. In adding up to providing individual rights, democratization also requires credit of collective rights for all kinds of minorities there are many legal and political plans in institutionalizing a agreement democracy and in avoiding ethnic conflicts in international societies, as Arend Lijphart showed. The main subject here is how the minorities are repre sented in the parliaments. (Donald, 1985) There is a substantial discussion in the relative politics literature on whether expanded representation is good or bad in multiethnic societies. Consociation list school argues that in lieu of groups proportionally fosters the assimilation of subcultures into

Information or Advice and Guidance Essay Example for Free

Information or Advice and Guidance Essay I work as Locality Co-ordinator for NALS, based at The Gatehouse in Hexham. My role is varied and no two days are the same, however predominantly I manage the building on a daily basis, dealing with the public, clients, tutors and any other persons who access the building. I ensure safe working practices/classrooms in accordance with Northumberland County Council policies as well as working closely with the Locality Manager to ensure the smooth running of centre/courses. I also deal with any issues as and when they should arise. I contribute to the development of the service and monitor client  attendance. I provide information, advice and guidance to clients enquiring about courses/finance as well as advising enrolled clients about choices for progression routes Where I am not able to help a client directly I can refer or signpost them for specialist help. I have provided information and advice to a support worker enquiring on the behalf of a client who is supported in the community, the client volunteers in a local charity shop but struggles with reading. I referred the client to the NALS brochure which she had with her at the time. I drew her attention to the free Functional Skills English class which takes place on a Tuesday with tutor Ged, which covers both reading and writing. I explained that an assessment would have to be carried out to ascertain the clients level. I arranged for a time and date on which the client could be assessed with a view to her potentially beginning the course. I have provided information and advice to a local employer regarding construction courses. I referred to the NALS website and read out brief descriptions of the courses on offer. I sent an e-mail to the client signposting him to Mike Smith who is the course leader. I also provided PDF documents of course descriptions. The clients who access The Gatehouse vary from 16-85 years old. The younger clients are those who did not gain any qualifications at school and whom work towards their Functional Skills (in ICT, Maths and English) parallel to the their chosen course e.g. Working with Children and Young People. Some clients study Access to Higher Education to gain entry into Further/Higher Education. Mature students enrol on a variety of courses whether this be a leisure course or certificated course in languages or ICT. Courses are advertised in brochures which are published three times throughout the year (Autumn, January and Summer.) Leaflets, posters are also displayed in the local job centre e.g. certificated courses such as ICT to help gain employment. NALS has a dedicated website describing courses as well as an electronic version of the brochure. Adverts are also placed in the local press (Hexham Courant.) I also post out information to clients, discuss courses over the telephone and e-mail. Some clients come to the centre and face a particular barrier such as disability. When supporting clients who have a hearing impairment I can either send information electronically or use an induction loop system if the client is in the centre. For visually impaired clients I produce information resources in large text and for ESOL clients information is provided in another language e.g. NALS brochure. I also use different colours of paper for dyslexia. I currently have a client who has impaired vision, for whom I produce all information materials in a large font onto A3 paper. Another client who has dyslexia has benefited from resources which I copy onto yellow paper. To meet the needs of clients who have limited mobility I organise the timetable so that their course is on the ground floor rather than on the first floor. I currently support a client on a language course whose health has deteriorated recently due to arthritis/operations. The class took place on the first floor and she was finding the stairs difficult (we do not have a lift). When this was brought to my attention, I met her needs by moving the class to the ground floor for ease of access. Prior to courses starting enrolment forms are completed by either myself or by clients and once clients commence their courses these forms are sent to Head Office and centrally stored. Enrolment forms that remain on-site are held in locked filing cabinets. Any data which is held electronically e.g. spreadsheet of students on current courses containing any personal details such as date of birth/contact details is password protected. This is all carried out in line with Data Protection Act 1988. Northumberland County Council holds a clean desk policy therefore any client information is locked away at the end of each day In the reception area of my centre a variety of leaflets are on display in racks covering topics such as course information and safeguarding. These can be accessed by clients at any time. In the line with the Equality Act 2010 I can contact Head Office to obtain leaflets in other languages. In my centre I have set up a spreadsheet which holds information on current students such as:- Name Postcode Contact Details Date of Birth Course Start/End date Payment method This is password protected and kept up to date and easily accessible. Head Office centrally hold all enrolment forms once clients have commenced a course, however the electronic system EBS is not always up to date (the front end of the database which we have access to) and sometimes it is difficult to retrieve information on current clients. If clients have a change of circumstance, I use online forms to notify Head Office of this e.g. should they move address, contact details, or withdraw from a course. Copies of any changes are also kept on file in office/within course registers. Online forms, once submitted now automate an acknowledgement that they have been received via e-mail. Copies of this e-mail are kept in folders within my e-mail i.e. Withdrawal confirmation as well as a paper copy of the submitted form. I monitor all information leaflets in the centre ensuring that they are up to date and re-order when necessary.

Abortion Issues in Midwifery

Abortion Issues in Midwifery This topic has been chosen to examine in detail the impact of law and ethics upon nursing practice and midwifery, including the ethical dilemmas that face nurses and midwives on a day-to-day basis. It is thereby demonstrated that despite the governance of health professional practice by bodies such as the Royal College of Nursing and the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting, ethics and law play a very important role, and health professionals must always act within the law to avoid legal actions being brought against them. The various schools of thought in relation to ethics are also examined and utilisation of the same via decision-making models. In relation to the general ethical dilemmas which face nurses and other healthcare workers in practice, Fletcher et al 1 discuss the ethical principles, explaining that although all health professionals face such dilemmas during practice, a multi-disciplinary approach has to be adopted in solving ethical problems. Fletcher et al outline the main ethical principles applicable to nursing ethics as the principle of respect for persons, respect for autonomy, justice, beneficence and non-maleficence. Fletcher et al explain that the origins of moral philosophy date from 600 BC, and that the two most influential schools of thought are consequentialism and deontology. Consequentialism is explained as the justification of an action by examining the consequences of undertaking that action. Branching out from this school of thought are the various approaches, the first explained is teleological theories or unilitarianism, associated with the philosophical writings of Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill. Fletcher et al state that Mill stipulated that the utility or ‘happiness’ principle stated that actions can only be regarded as moral if they promote the greater amount of happiness and the absence of pain. Thompson et al 2 explains this ideology as a means to try to justify moral principles with regard to an overall goal or sense of purpose in society, the purpose being the pursuit of happiness, which is ‘built in’ in man. They discuss that that this stemmed from Aristotle in 320 BC, and that this form of ethics is known as teleological eudaemonism, the former word referring to his belief in the ‘built in’ purpose in nature, and the latter word describing the quest for happiness. They further explain the significance to health care, as they are under a duty to try to prevent or reduce pain wherever possible and promote the health and well-being of patients. ______________________________________________________________________________ 1 ‘Ethics, Law and Nursing’ (1995) pp 7-17 2 ‘Nursing Ethics’, pp233-238 Thompson et al justify the means by which health professionals can evaluate what likely consequences of treatment may be including side-effects. As act unilitarianism, although they note that where health professionals have to take into account the wider responsibilities to the patient, the hospital, research or otherwise, then rule utilitarianism is more applicable. They conclude that this ideology emphasises the achievement of goals that are important to the context of human life, and the practical application of principles or rules and that consideration of the consequences of application are important to consider to determine whether a particular course is right or wrong. Fletcher et al set out the separate branches from this notion, ‘act’ and ‘rule’ utilitarianism. Firstly dealing with ‘act’ utilitarianism, this is explained as each action is to be considered according to the consequences that ensue from it, morality determined by examining whether the greatest good came from that act. In relation to ‘rule’ utilitarianism, this is described as following of the general basic rules being in existence, forbidding murder, theft etc, rather than looking at the consequences that may ensue from that action, as by following these rules the greatest good must ensue as a natural result. Fletcher et al also discuss ‘preference’ utilitarianism, as being the allowance of discretion of individuals in undertaking a certain action and to judge the morality of each with regard to their own judgement rather than following a rule or principle. This is plainly applicable to health practice. The second school of thought explained by Fletcher et al is deontology, explained as the promotion of the importance of compliance with a duty when undertaking an action, the consequences thereof being irrelevant when considering to take such an action. This is explained as stemming from religious justification, that the explanation of such duties are the ‘laws’ sent from God, as God can be relied upon to distinguish what is right and wrong. Fletcher et al discuss the contribution to the school of thought by Immanuel Kant, a German philosopher (‘Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals’) who stipulated that the basis of morality lay in the ‘categorical imperative’, a moral command, set by established moral laws. Following such moral rules is regarded as imperative, regardless of the consequences of an action taken in compliance. Fletcher et al emphasise that the deontological perspective reinforces the need to follow obligations, what ought to be done, and how, in a certain situation. The obligations that befall nurses are described as contractual, as part of the terms and conditions of employment; obligations similar to family ones are seen via the role of carer, though artificially created, and moral obligations, such as the obligation to respect patient confidentiality, patient’s autonomy, to do good (beneficence) and to do no harm (non-maleficence). Fletcher et al explain that these obligations can conflict in practice situations. The obligations of nursing staff must be balanced against the rights of the individual as patients, as enshrined in The Patient’s Charter, effective from April 1992. Thompson et al further explain that deontological theories can also be distinguished into act deontology and rule deontology, the former being based upon the ability of an individual to impose their own moral duty into a situation when considering whether to take a form of action, and the latter being the emphasis upon moral duties and laws taking a universal form. They discuss the linkage of this school of thought to religious beliefs, as such rules can be argued as coming directly from God, as in the Ten Commandments. They do not discuss how this school applies to health practice, though it can be seen that this could be applied in paternalism (see below) when considering a patient’s autonomy. Religious writers such as J.F. Keenan, from the Catholic perspective 3 explain that there has been a turn to virtue ethics which has rejected the modern practice of establishing that morality is governed by human rights language, which is considered the extent to which the principle of autonomy can be exercised. Keenan states that virtue ethicists ask whether there is a character building nature to the proposed course of action and that all moral evaluations are subject to a three sided question, who are we, who ought we to become, and how can we get there? He further explains that virtue ethics considers that actions should be considered in the context of whether they will affect the type of person they will become by undertaking that action, rather than asking whether there is a right in a certain way. Fletcher et al discuss the issue of autonomy 4 as a basic principle that health professionals should always fully inform a patient about the diagnosis, forms of treatment available, and obtain his consent thereto, that is to treat him an an ‘autonomous being’. It is discussed that this may cause problems if the patient is mentally impaired or a minor, therefore it is recognised that there cannot be strict adherence to this principle, as patients would often not have the specialist knowledge to enable them to make a well-informed decision. The dilemma described in this instance is that the principle of autonomy can conflict with the principles of beneficence and non-maleficence. Fletcher et al explain that paternalism may be used quite often by health professionals, namely the belief that they can make a decision in terms of treatment on a patient’s behalf without considering their wishes or overriding the same. This is exercised in accordance with the principle of beneficence, though it is explained that usually patients are told and their wishes are taken into consideration. Fletcher et al 5 distinguish between legal rights and natural rights, the former enforceable via courts, and the latter deriving from natural law, originally thought of as coming from God, but in modern terms, has become enshrined in the concept of human rights, which have also become legal rights via the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948, itemising rights including the right to liberty and to life. ______________________________________________________________________________ 3 Catholic Medical Quarterly May 1992: Assisted Suicide and the Distinction Between Killing and Letting Die: J. F. Keenan 4 Ethics, Law and Nursing’ (1995) pp 35-56 5 (ibid) pp139-143 Fletcher et al 6 discuss the law governing abortion, stating that it is a criminal offence under section 58 of the Offences against the Persons Act (OPA) 1861 to unlawfully do any act with intent to procure a miscarriage, which made abortion illegal prior to the enactment of the Abortion Act (AA) 1967. Fletcher et al explain that the Abortion Act 1967 did not repeal this earlier Act, but set out grounds which specified when abortion was legal, as a defence to a charge of criminal abortion. They state that this has been amended by section 37 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act (HFEA) 1990, which specify five grounds, including that a pregnancy has to be less than 24 weeks advanced; the risk or threat to the mother’s life, mental or physical health is too great to allow continuance of pregnancy; if there is a substantial risk that the child would be born with abnormalities rendering it severely handicapped; and, a unilateral act by a doctor to avert an immediate risk to the life or health of the mother. Fletcher et al explain the right of nurses to exercise a conscientious objection, for example to carrying out an abortion, the rights of which are enshrined under section 4 of the AA 1967 and the HFEA 1990, the former being the refusal to participate in an abortion, the latter a right to refuse to participate in any treatment defined by the Act. This can be utilised where the individual health worker’s personal moral code conflicts with such a practice. However, as stated by McHale and Tingle, 7 this must be actual participation in treatment, not a mere refusal to type a letter of referral 8. It is explained that such an individual can leave him/herself open to a legal action against him for an omission if there is a duty to act, though in practice this is rarely undertaken as another member of staff could perform the same treatment. Nursing staff may also record their objections to a specific course of treatment prescribed by another health professional on personal moral grounds, which might be affected by their contract of employment when the employers make decisions with regard to this. Additionally, Ann Young 9 states that the refusal of the health professional can be made unless the treatment is necessary to save life or prevent grave permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the mother. However, she criticises the ambiguity of the word ‘grave’ as this could constitute depression as well as a serious heart defect. In Selective Reduction and Feticide: The Parameters of Abortion 10, David Price emphasized that there is ambiguity in the use of the term of abortion by medical practitioners and lawyers alike. He noted that Glanville Williams’ definition of abortion 11 states that For legal purposes, abortion means feticide: the intentional destruction of the foetus in the womb or any untimely delivery brought about with the intent to cause the death of the foetus. ______________________________________________________________________________ 6 (ibid) 7 ‘Law and Nursing’ p 208 8 Jannaway v Salford AHA [1988] 3 All ER 1079 9 ‘Legal Problems in Nursing Practice’p 209 10 (1988) Sweet Maxwell Limited and Contributors: David P.T. Price 11 Textbook of Criminal Law, (2nd ed., 1983), p.292 In the context of non-consensual abortion, Price explains that this can occur where the death of a foetus was caused by an act of non-consensual violence upon a pregnant woman. He argues that this act may not necessarily fall within the definition of a criminal abortion under section 58 OPA 1861, and would rather be treated as an assault. He states that in the United States, courts are prepared to extend the crime of abortion, which is similar to section 58, to non-consensual assaults upon women resulting in foetal death 12 though in this case the man causing foetal death was charged with assault rather than foetal murder. Looking at an American viewpoint, in Bioethics and Medical Ethics 13, Thomas Platt considers that the emphasis on autonomy ignores the deeper metaphysical issue of the degree to which any human act can be regarded as freely chosen. He states that the scientific perspective purely states that human behavior is the result of genetic and environmental factors. He stipulates that it has to be the environment in which a person has been raised which will determine how a person will respond to a suggestion, for example abortion, and that in less technologically developed cultures, they would respond in a different way to the West. Verena Tschudin 14 explains ethical decision making models in many forms including Jameton’s model, which requires identification of the problem, gathering of data to identify options and make a decision to act and then assess the consequences thereof; Crisham’s model; initially ‘massaging’ the dilemma, outlining the options, reviewing the criteria, before the act and evaluation thereof and the Nursing process model, which requires assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation. The latter involves a series of questions at assessment level, planning identifies whether the ethical problem is a question of teleology or deontology, with a series of questions to follow, implementation requires consideration of whether one would like to receive the same treatment, and finally evaluation considers whether the act has solved the problem and what was gained, with a series of questions. In relation to the exercise of patient consent, this is described as an exercise of a patient’s autonomy. The UKCC’s guidelines re that the health professional must ‘explain the intended test or procedure to the patient without bias and in as much detail as the patient requires’, and that if no questions have been asked then the health professional should assess the amount of information the patient requires 15. It is explained that a nurse, as per Clause 1 of the UKCC Code of Professional Conduct must ‘act in such a way as to promote and safeguard the interests and well-being of patients and clients’. This is explained to go so far as stating his/her opinion that there has been insufficient information provided to the patient to render the same fully understandable to him and enable him to make a fully informed decision 16, which can affect the judgment given by a doctor. ______________________________________________________________________________ 12 Hollis v. Commonwealth 652 S.W. 2d 61 (Ky. 1983) 13 Medicine, Metaphysics and Morals: Thomas Platt: West Chester University 14 ‘Ethics in Nursing’ p 85-95 15 ‘Exercising Accountability’ 16 (ibid) It is explained further 17 that the principle of autonomy is enshrined in law as the right to self-determination. Written consent is usually provided before surgery, in a standard form from the Department of Health, which has been amended in 1991.The case law relating to consent stems from the general principle that every adult person of sound mind and body has a right to determine what happens to his body, and that a surgeon who performs an operation without his consent has committed an assault 18. However, this principle is heavily qualified is discussed. In the case of informed consent, where the patient is given insufficient information about the risks of a certain procedure, the patient must sue in negligence rather than in battery 19. Even the standard set in negligence is weighted heavily in favour of the health professional, as it has been ruled that a doctor is not guilty of negligence as he has acted in accordance with the accepted practice in that field by other doctors 20. This case was affirmed in Sidaway v Bethlem Royal Hospital 21, and in further subsequent cases such as Blyth v Bloomsbury AHA 22 and Gold v Haringey AHA 23, where the restrictive disclosure policy was supported by general medical opinion. It was highlighted that despite this, Lord Bridge has emphasised in Sidaway 24, that even if a health professional acts in accordance with general practice, the court may still take a decision that there has been non-disclosure of material facts. Specific problems are highlighted in the context of where a patient is incapable of providing consent, which is governed by law. The case law has established that a health professional must only do what is absolutely necessary to save the patient’s life, which does not include removal of a womb if it has been considered a further pregnancy would jeopardise the patient’s life 25. Therefore, it is argued that this principle of doing what is necessary to save a life overrides the right to autonomy 26. However, this does not extend to the life of a foetus in risk 27. Regarding accountability, Fletcher et al 28 states that the Code of Professional Conduct stipulates a registered nurse, midwife or health visitor is personally accountable for her practice, even off-duty. This ties in with the professional’s legal duty of care, as explained by Tingle Cribb 29, deriving from Donoghue v Stevenson 30, as the need to take reasonable care to avoid acts or omissions that can be reasonably foreseen to injury a person affected by the acts or omissions, which can result in an action for negligence. Tingle Cribb state that the nurse has to weigh up the potential harm and benefit of the patient at that time, and reach the decision involving the least harm. ______________________________________________________________________________ 17 (Fletcher et al: ibid) 18 Schloendorff v Society of New York [1914] 19 Chatterson v Gerson [1981] 20 Bolam v Friern Hospital Management Committee [1957] 21 [1985] 22 [1985] 23 [1988] 24 (ibid) 25 Devi v West Midlands AHA 26 Re T 27 Re F (in utero) [1988] 28 (ibid) pp104-129 29 ‘Nursing Law and Ethics’ p 13-19 30 [1932] The professional standards are maintained by the UKCC in the Code of Professional Conduct, and each nurse or midwife is under that duty, though they argue that this standard is set by the profession itself. In the case of an allegation of a breach of such a duty, the health professional can be subject to disciplinary action for misconduct. They explain that accountability merely requires a health professional to be able to justify their actions. Fletcher et al consider that it is important for the professional to have regard to the interests of patients and clients rather than purely the rules of the UKCC. Verena Tschudin 31 states that nurses have both a legal and moral accountability, which arises from patient autonomy. Fletcher et al discuss the dilemmas that may occur in healthcare practice, and where the health professional’s moral code is at odds with her duty, The Code of Professional Conduct stipulates that the professional must ensure that no action or omission by that person will be detrimental to the condition of the patient, which can be seen as the principle of non-maleficence. An example is provided that if the incorrect dose of medicine has been administered to a patient, then that health professional’s self-interest should not override her duty to disclose the error as this could not be argued to be in the patient’s best interests. In relation to professional competence, Fletcher et al state that The Code of Professional Conduct stipulates that a health professional must maintain and improve their professional knowledge and competence. As regards midwives, Fletcher et al state that they requirement is to attend a five-day refresher course, five approved study days every five years or another approved course. There has been an impact in the context of European Community (EC) legislation, as explained by Bridgit Dimond 32, the activities of a midwife are defined in EC Directive 80/155/EEC Article 4, including providing family planning advice to recognise warning signs of abnormalities necessitating doctor referral. Fletcher et al criticise the limitations of the Post-registration Education and Practice Project in 1990 for newly qualified nurses, and those returning to health care practice after five years, requiring five days study leave every three years and demonstration of professional knowledge and competence. However, since then, Ms Dimond has argued that Project 2000 has sought to integrate nurse clinical teaching and practice 33. Fletcher et al explain that ethical dilemmas can arise from the instructions provided by a senior member of staff, which does not accord with the health professional’s personal or moral beliefs. When making a decision on how to act, that professional will have to consider whether she is acting within the law, according to the Code of Professional Conduct, and also in the best interests of the patient as well as her own beliefs. They discuss the remedies available to patients or clients, which are a complaint to the UKCC which would result in a hearing before the Professional Conduct Committee; use of the formal Hospital Complaints Procedure; or a complaint to the nurse’s employer. ______________________________________________________________________________ 31 (ibid) p 116 32 ‘Legal Aspects of Nursing’ pp 444-457 33 (ibid) p 270 In conclusion, in the context of conscientious objections, it has been suggested that there should be ward-based abortions carried out only 34 in special units by professionals who have taken up such jobs as they do not have moral or ethical objections to abortion. Verena Tscudin 35 states that here is however, always a conflict between a nurse or midwife’s duty to preserve life rather than destroy it. The culmination of ethical perspectives in decision-making models assist the professional, though she must also always be mindful of her duty to the patient, the Code of Professional Conduct and the law. ______________________________________________________________________________ 34 Ann Young, p 209 35 (ibid) p 137 BIBLIOGRAPHY Bioethics and Medical Ethics :Medicine, Metaphysics and Morals: Thomas Platt: West Chester University Catholic Medical Quarterly May 1992: Assisted Suicide and the Distinction Between Killing and Letting Die: J. F. Keenan ‘Ethics in Nursing’ (2nd edition) 1992 (Butterworth/Heinemann) pp 85-95: Verena Tschudin ‘Ethics, Law and Nursing’ (1995) Manchester University Press pp 7-17; pp 35-56; pp 139-143: Fletcher et al ‘Legal Aspects of Nursing’ (2nd edition) 1995 (Prenctice Hall) pp 444-457: Bridgit Dimond ‘Legal Problems in Nursing Practice’(2nd edition) 1993 (Chapman Hall) p 209: Ann P.Young ‘Law and Nursing’ (2nd edition) 2001 (Butterworth/Heinemann) p 208: McHale and Tingle ‘Nursing Law and Ethics’1995 (Blackwell) pp 13-19: Tingle Cribb Selective Reduction and Feticide: The Parameters of Abortion ((1988) Sweet Maxwell Limited and Contributors: David P.T. Price ‘Nursing Ethics’(2nd edition) 1993(Churchill Livingstone), pp233-238: Thompson et al 104134 Legally Binding Undertaking 1. I Rebecca Asghar undertake that in line with my contractual obligations this work is completely and wholly original. 2. I understand that by guaranteeing originality I am declaring that this work has not copied, paraphrased, edited, summarised or rearranged any information from any website, book, journal, essay or any other source, either in whole or in part. 3. I realise that the definition of ‘any other source’ used above includes past pieces of work that I have completed, whether or not submitted to your organisation for a fee or otherwise, submitted to any other organisation for a fee or otherwise, or that has been kept privately stored without submission to any other third party, and that accordingly this work has not copied, paraphrased, edited, summarised or rearranged any information from these. 4. I undertake that all ownership and rights in this work are duly ceded to your organisation. 5. I authorise your organisation to scan all work against Internet sources, paper based sources stored electronically, and all previous submissions both from myself and other researchers. 6. 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Antigone Essay -- essays research papers

The opening events of the play Antigone, written by Sophocles, quickly establish the central conflict between Antigone and Creon. Creon has decreed that the traitor Polynices, who tried to burn down the temple of gods in Thebes, must not be given proper burial. Antigone is the only one who will speak against this decree and insists on the sacredness of family and a symbolic burial for her brother. Whereas Antigone sees no validity in a law that disregards the duty family members owe one another, Creon's point of view is exactly opposite. He has no use for anyone who places private ties above the common good, as he proclaims firmly to the Chorus and the audience as he revels in his victory over Polynices. He sees Polynices as an enemy to the state because he attacked his brother. Creon's first speech, which is dominated by words such as "authority† and "law†, shows the extent to which Creon fixates on government and law as the supreme authority. Between Antigone and Creon there can be no compromise—they both find absolute validity in the respective loyalties they uphold. In the struggle between Creon and Antigone, Sophocles' audience would have recognized a genuine conflict of duties and values. From the Greek point of view, both Creon's and Antigone's positions are flawed, because both oversimplify ethical life by recognizing only one kind of good or duty. By oversimplifying, each ignores the fact that a conflict exists at all, or that deliberation is necessary. Moreover, both Creon and Antigone display the dangerous flaw of pride in the way they justify and carry out their decisions. Antigone admits right from the beginning that she wants to carry out the burial because the action is glorious. Antigone has a savage spirit; she has spent most of her life burying her family members. Creon's pride is that of a tyrant. He is inflexible and unyielding, unwilling throughout the play to listen to advice or Antigone. Creon’s love for the city-state cause him to abandon all other beliefs. He tries to enforce this upon the people of Thebes. He wants them to think that his laws should be followed before any other personal, moral, or religious belief. This is where the conflict of character occurs between Antigone and Creon. Antigone knows that the sacred laws held by heaven are far more important... ...y exist within the two viewpoints, making a conclusion that much more difficult. Throughout the play, each character rattles off the reasons for their actions. Both also justify their actions religiously, believing they are the ones acting accordingly by the gods. The entire plot is a construction of conflict between personal and social motives, a scene not uncommon in today’s society. Sophocles attempts to answer the debate by ultimately showing that the gods approved of Antigone’s motives and that Creon should have buried his nephew. But with so much unnecessary bloodshed committed at the end of the story, it is impossible to believe that this is the final decision. Sophocles believed that the individual held the power and the state shouldn’t have total control over an individual. This is hardly a solution to the debate, the fact that everyone dies. Rather, it is a sign that the debate will live on for all of eternity. Beaty, Jerome., et. al. The Norton Introduction to Literature. W.W. Norton and Company: 1998.

Drones: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Essay -- UAVs Technology Essays

Like much of today’s technology, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles attribute their creation to the military. The idea of using unmanned aircraft has long been a dream for the military -- scouting planes without any casualties to report should something go wrong, air strikes with only time and money to lose, and the ability to wage war without losing a single life. Well the third one may perhaps not be realistic – as Afghanistan has shown, lack of ground troops leaves certain entities unchecked.1 However, it may be argued that â€Å"they represent a significant step toward the eventual automation of the battlefield—one in which teleoperated or robotic systems replace many soldiers.†2 Either way, these machines do create a less expensive and more dispensable alternative to conventional air battles. This creates obvious moral issues, as the country with such technology is no longer as tentative to engage in armed combat. UAVs can do many things that conventional aircraft cannot. As Steven Ashley puts it, â€Å"’Traditional’ aircraft—fast photo/ reconnaissance fighters, high-flying U-2s, and sensor-laden patrol planes—nor the classified orbital spy satellites can do the job of the simple, prop-driven unmanned aerial vehicles.†3 These advantages, coupled with their low expense, place them in great demand. As Ronald R. Fogelman (U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff) states, â€Å"We are now impressed by the convergence of technological advances in computers, flight controls, lightweight materials, advanced electric motors, and communications packages that will make modern UAVs extremely effective.†4 UAVs are not only to be used for such questionable moral circumstances as war; these vehicles can provide a plethora of services in the commercial market. H... ...chanical Engineering 125 (2003): 11. 52 Steven Ashley, â€Å"Robot Spy Planes Peer Over the Horizon,† Mechanical Engineering 118 (1996): 91. 53 Brian P. Tice, â€Å"Unmanned Aerial Vehicles,† Airpower Journal 5 (1991): 48. Works Cited Max Boot, â€Å"The New American Way of War,† Foreign Affairs 82 (2003): 41. Brian P. Tice, â€Å"Unmanned Aerial Vehicles,† Airpower Journal 5 (1991): 41. Christopher M. Centner, â€Å"Consigning Air Bases to the Dustbin of History,† Airpower Journal 12 (1998): 100. John Degaspari, â€Å"Flying Blind,† Mechanical Engineering 125 (2003): 10. Steven Ashley, â€Å"Robot Spy Planes Peer Over the Horizon,† Mechanical Engineering 118 (1996): 84. Tom Clarke, â€Å"Flying Free,† Nature 417 (2002): 582. http://www.fas.org/irp/program/collect/uav.htm = info http://uav.wff.nasa.gov/ = info http://www.twofaces.net/newpage/1337hum1r/ = background

Billy Budd :: essays research papers

Billy Budd by Herman Melville fits into both categories of tragedy, classic and modern. This story fits into both Aristotle’s and Arthur Miller’s concepts of tragedy. Billy Budd is this story’s tragic hero and its his actions that determine how this story fits into both categories.The classic definition of tragedy is Aristotle’s, that the tragic hero must be noble and have a tragic flaw. He must also experience a reversal of fortune and recognize the reason for his downfall. This couldn’t be any more like Billy’s story. Billy played was a respected and loved sailor with an embarrassing stutter, but was accused of conspiring to stage a mutiny. This changes Billy’s life dramatically resulting in him to kill an officer, and sentenced to death. Before he is executed though he blesses the man who sentenced him to death, which tells the reader that he had forgiven him and understands why he must be killed. Aristotle’s definition says a tragedy should have â€Å"incidents arousing pity and fear†. The incident with Claggart must have certainly caused the reader to pity him and to fear how Captain Vere would handle Billy. The modern concept of tragedy is that of Arthur Miller’s, that the audience feels and fears for the characters so much that it is as if they are the characters themselves. The characters finally meet their tragic end, and the audience witnesses and understands their end. This applies to Billy mostly because of his likeability. The readers come to love Billy as his fellows sailors do. He is completely innocent and naive at the same time. The readersees his weakness and comes to feel sorry for Billy the way one might for a child. The reader sympathizes with Billy especially when he is confronted by Claggart and can do nothing, but stutter. The reader is with Billy throughout and witnesses his transformation at the end. In this fashion,

The Turtle Jean Lafitte: Adventures of a Pet Psychic

Gordon 1 Stephanie Gordon College Writing 112. 005 Guyant 10/11/11 Psychics reading the gullible Gordon 2 The world today is filled with psychics claiming they can perform tasks involving extrasensory projections. There are people who say they can speak with the dead, read minds, feel energies, and see into the future. It is very easy, when vulnerable and gullible enough, to fall into what these psychics are saying. Most will say what you want to hear in order to gain credibility for themselves, or even to just earn a living. It is a complicated thing to argue, however, because this science cannot be proven true. It has undoubtedly been proven a hoax time and time again, but there are two sides to every story. Those who believe and buy into what these psychics are saying are the ones who keep this business alive. I think that people will believe what they want to believe, which is why psychics can continue putting on a show to make believers out of the gullible. There is a term used in Psychology to represent when it is actually the subjects who make a reading succeed. It is called the â€Å"fallacy of personal validation. This means that when someone is being read by a psychic, the way they interpret the reading to match their own character is what makes them believe in what the psychic is saying (Gordon 48). This is most often true with horoscopes. We usually only read the horoscope that matches up with our own birthday, but when reading ones that are for other months, they can be matched up to anyone. Horoscopes can be very general, such as, â€Å"Good things are coming your way†, or â€Å"You will meet someone with potential for a relationship next month†. These things could be interpreted in a different way for every person who reads them. Almost anyone could find a way to fit the readings into their own lives. Most of the time the horoscope â€Å"predicts† things that would have happened to a person anyways. Chances are whoever reads it will have something good happen to them or meet someone new any period of time after they have read it. It is the fallacy of personal validation that makes astronomical readings seem so accurate for each individual. Psychics themselves have a lot of confidence in what they do. Though there are some who know they are putting on an act, there are others who truly believe they have a gift. One psychic who Gordon 3 makes a living off of being a reader, DeAna, lives in the United Kingdom. She explains in an interview that ever since she was a young girl, her family and friends were baffled when DeAna knew information that she was never directly told. She constantly knew information that she not only should not, but could not have possibly known. Using her skill as a career measure did not come until much later in life. When asked â€Å"How have you become a psychic reader? † DeAna replies, â€Å"A lady I worked with was dreadfully distraught about a relative who had gone AWOL. One day she handed me a coffee and I found information about the person flooding in – as she touched me. I gave her the info and the person was located. She was shocked at first and then thrilled and told an awful lot of people! Before I knew it, after a 12 hour shift – 6 days a week, I would arrive home to find people waiting on my doorstep needing a reading. † (DeAna) She continues to explain how she helped people before and after her shift at her regular job, for no pay. One day a woman came along who was offended when DeAna would not accept payment. She scolded the psychic and said that she was offering a service and should expect payment for her skills. DeAna decided to make her readings a full time job, after the woman put things into perspective for her. She thought she should use her gift to help whenever she could, whenever she could. DeAna soon realized this was her calling, and chose to start charging all of her clients and turn her talent into a career. DeAna helps people who are looking for answers. Her clients who now pay her for reading sessions in person and over the phone, come to her because they need help with something in their lives. DeAna even helps corporate businesses in finding the correct applicant for a job. She states that she wrote out a paragraph for each applicant on their character traits and strengths as she saw it. Perhaps the person in charge of hiring had poor skills in his job area to begin with, which is why other people he had hired did not end up working out for their company. The fact of the matter is, every person DeAna has picked out for the company has worked extremely well in their position. One man, who admits to being a fake, is Henry Gordon. He calls himself a mentalist-magician, Gordon 4 because his tricks are what he calls slight of mind. His career has been based on debunking those who claim to have magical or psychic powers. In 1977 (Gordon 3), he put on a magic show in his hometown, but performed under the stage name Elchonen and wore a mask so his identity would stay hidden. After performing several amazing tricks, the audience was completely hooked and bought into his entire performance. When it came time for the second act, Gordon walked out on stage without his mask and was instantly recognized by his community. He told people they had been duped, and proceeded to explain why it is so easy for them to believe his tricks. People in the audience had every reason to be upset. They had put themselves in a vulnerable position and got sucked into Gordon's act. This is also part of the reason people believe so strongly in psychics and their readings. Those who are curious are the ones who are easily pulled into the hoax. After an atmosphere is created with a crystal ball, one or two correct guesses, and just a hint of belief, a psychic can pull a client in and the rest is history. It is very easy for a mentalist magician like Gordon to pull simple tricks and attract a following. Some members of the audience in Gordon's show were so upset they demanded their money back. Gordon told them they would receive a full refund for their ticket if they asked for it at the ticket office. He later found out most of the people who received their refund came back to find out the tricks of his trade. He calls himself a mentalist magician, because he uses slight of mind tricks, as opposed to sleight of hand. His tricks test a person's mind, rather than how well they were paying attention. Gordon makes a living off of debunking psychics and anyone who claims they have extra sensory projection. He says that he could make a much better living off of being a magician, but there is something standing between him and a life full of riches. His conscience. Psychics make general assumptions that lead to specific answers, based on the responses of the person they are reading. (75) This is what makes the person believe they are taking part in something outside our natural world. It is what pulls them in and makes them a believer in this phenomenon. Some people tend to believe when they need an answer that they cannot seem to find on their Gordon 5 own. Local law enforcement has been known to use a psychic when they have hit a dead end during a case. This happens rarely. Often times the psychic is brought in by the family of the victim, and not law enforcement directly. Law enforcement will comply with the psychic if they feel they have no other options and need help taking a step in a new direction. The psychics, however, can be more of a problem than a help. Police may be looking for a step in the right direction, but what if the psychic sets them on a completely wrong path? Time is of the essence in the majority of these cases and a psychic may throw off the entire investigation. If a psychic chooses to help in a search, officials may decide to ignore their claims. One man, Mr. Earl Curley, is extremely confident in his psychic abilities. He brags to his followers about how his help led to an arrest in a murder investigation. Curley states that he gave a composite drawing of the alleged killer in the investigation of the Atlanta Child Murders. He then claims that because of his help, a criminal named Wayne Williams was apprehended four and a half days later. Since Curley seemed to be so confident in his help, Henry Gordon went to investigate how much he had really helped the investigators on the outcome of this case. When Gordon contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigations about Curley's help with the case, he received a direct quote from the Press Information Office. â€Å"Mr. Earl Curley contacted our Atlanta office (voluntarily) in 1980 and 1981. He sent in some kind of write-up of what he thought the subject would look like, and he sent in some sort of a drawing. However, there was no impact on the case as a result of what he sent in. (Gordon 88) This goes to show that psychics can brag about using their abilities, but unless someone digs deeper in the matter, they will not know how much the psychic really helped. Psychics may have helped law enforcement with their two cents worth, but it does not mean that they led to any kind of conclusion in a case. Suppose the FBI had used Curley's drawings. They might have arrested a man who matched the picture, but who was not the criminal who committed the murders. Any set of circumstances resulting from Curley's voluntary help could have sent the entire investigation in a completely wrong direction. Luckily the Bureau was smart enough to ignore this psychic and stick with their own set of techniques. Gordon 6 Having confidence in their work is part of what makes them so believable. If they believe in it themselves, others are sure to follow in the hype. Psychics use all sort of ways to show their skills. Whether it is using a reading to predict an outcome, predict the future, communicate with the afterlife, they all have their own set of ways to create believers. A popular method some psychics use when attempting to contact someone who has passed on, is the Ouija board. It is a board with numbers from zero to nine and all of the letters of the alphabet on it. A game piece in the shape of a triangle with a plastic center is used to spell out the answers to questions asked. When the piece goes over a letter or number, it is supposed to spell out a word of phrase that is from a spirit. This board was considered a game in the United States. It sold extremely well, mostly to people who had lost a loved one in World War I. The woes of someone dying, going missing, or simply being affected by the tragedies of war, drove some people to turn to magic. These were people who needed answers from their loved ones and had no way of getting them elsewhere. The man who created the Ouija board, Isaac Fuld, was a toymaker. He attempted to say the game was a scientific instrument, so that he would not have to pay a ten percent tax on toy sales. This was even argued all the way to the Supreme Court. There is no way to test that connecting with those in the afterlife is a scientific measure, so the board was ruled a toy. How surprising. To make a point as to how the toy could not possibly be magic, Henry Gordon, once again was there to help us out. He taught a class on the paranormal at McGill University. He brought in a woman who claimed to be a psychic and used the Ouija board as a tool to contact spirits from the afterlife. Since Gordon made his living off of proving psychics to be fakes, she was one of his star guest speakers. She wore a long green dress and a turban, which made her appear as someone who you would see behind a crystal ball in a dimly lit room. This was obviously a part of her performance. She demonstrated how the board worked, and allowed Gordon to ask a few questions to someone he knew who had passed. After receiving a few answers from the â€Å"spirits† (Who knows if they were right? ), Gordon tested the woman’s skills. To Gordon 7 prove the board, and the woman, who truly believed in her gift of communicating with spirits, were both fake, he placed a piece of brown paper wrapping over the board. The game piece moved around over the paper, so the numbers and letters were hidden. This way the woman could not see what characters her hands were moving over. He asked a few more questions, but the game piece only spelled out gibberish for answers. Gordon 110) If the spirits really were speaking to Gordon and the class through the Ouija board, would it matter if there was paper covering it? This throws the Ouija board in with the crystal balls, tarot cards, astrological charts, and any other tricks a psychic may use to convince the world of their talent. Another way the public is pulled into psychic hysteria is with animals. Some pet owners claim that their horse or dog o r pig have psychic powers. The most well-known psychic animal came around in the 1920s. (Milbourne 40) She was a benign mare named Lady who performed in a red barn near Richmond, Virginia. Mrs. Claudia Fonda, Lady’s owner claimed she could spell, add, subtract, multiply, divide, tell time, and answer questions. Reporters who visited Lady to see the Wonder Horse with their own eyes wrote that she could predict the future and read minds. Mrs. Fonda charged a fee of fifty cents for children and one dollar for adults for admission to see Lady and her talents. People would ask the horse a wide range of questions. Lady was asked anything from â€Å"When will I marry? † to â€Å"How should I invest my money? † (41) Lady even took part in helping find the body of a missing boy in Norfolk County, Massachusetts. She also knew a lot about baseball, and even had a more success in picking winners than most professional sportswriters. Everything in Lady’s career left everyone astonished, and in 1956 (43), Mrs. Fonda shortened Lady’s time with the public to afternoons only. A man named John Kobler was being sent to write an article on Lady for the Saturday Evening Post. He asked Christopher Melbourne if he was available to come along as a consultant, because he was one who was familiar with the techniques of deception. Since Melbourne had written articles on the horse before, he introduced himself to Mrs. Fonda as John Banks, so that she would not be upset by his Gordon 8 presence. Banks carried a camera, so that he would be accepted as a photographer associate to Kobler. When they arrived at Lady’s Barn, Mrs. Fonda assumed her position to the left of Lady. Lady communicated through a giant typewriter-like machine. When she pushed down a plank with her nose, a letter popped up. Mrs. Fonda instructed the men to ask Lady whatever they wanted. Banks asked the horse â€Å"What is my name? † Lady spelled out B-A-N-K-S on her typewriter, but his name was not really Banks. He also asked when his brother would return from Europe, and Lady answered â€Å"S-U-M-M-E-R†. Banks did not have a brother. After Kobler asked several questions of his own, Mrs. Fonda handed each of the men a long, skinny pad of paper, and a long pencil. She instructed them to write down a number, and Lady would read their minds and know the number. Kobler did as he was told, and Lady guessed everytime. Banks, however, would write the number one, but act as though he was writing the number 9. He would only push the pencil to paper as the spine of the 9 came down. He used this technique for almost every number, and Lady guessed wrong every time. It was obvious that a technique called pencil reading was being used. Mrs. Fonda had given the men skinny pads, so that the stroke of the pencils could easily be seen. This is the same reason for giving them longer pencils. Had a large pad of paper and short, stubby pencils been used, pencil reading could not have occurred. At the end of the visit, Melbourne had come to the conclusion that Lady had indeed been trained very well by Mrs. Fonda, but Lady was no psychic. Mrs. Fonda stood on Lady’s left side. Horses cannot see what is in front of them, only what is on the side. Therefore the only thing in Lady’s sight was Mrs. Fonda, and the stick she held in her hand. The stick is what Fonda used to direct Lady for which plank she should push. This means that Lady was simply doing as her master instructed, and that Fonda was really answering everyone’s questions. Although it has been proved that Lady was not a psychic animal, it leaves us with the question as to how Mrs. Fonda knew all of those answers? One way researchers attempted to discover just how many people believed in Psychical Phenomena, was with a survey called the Sheep-Goat scale. In the late 1970s (Haraldsson, Journal of Gordon 9 American Society for Psychical Research 2), a group of researchers set out to discover how belief in psychical phenomena may be related to attitudes, experiences, and activities in the domain of religion and politics. The survey asked questions about belief in the existence of telepathy, ability to know the future, spiritual experiences or dreams, and whether the person read books or articles on psychic phenomena. (2-3) Subjects were scored on their answers and only taken into account if they had answered every question. This scale was used in four different to obtain information on the public’s knowledge on psychical phenomena. The first study was done in Iceland on persons ranging from 30-70 years old, selected at random. About 80% of the original sample size returned the survey, which was enough to use the results as a representative of the Icelandic population in that age range. (3) The other three studies were done at the University of Iceland. All of the studies concluded that belief in the psychic and religious beliefs have common facts to some extent. 9) This positive correlation may be due to the fact that the respondents read often. Belief in one item may lead to a belief in the other. As a result of this research, I feel it is clear that psychics can absolutely be proven to be fakes. They cannot, however, be proven to be real. Their profession relies solely on belief, most of which is from vulnerable, gullible people. Psychics use their props, tricks, and performances to pull in peo ple and turn them into believers. Depending on the type of hoax they use to attract a clientele, they can make an entire living off of other people’s gullibility. I feel it is wrong to be able to do this, but am happy there are people such as Henry Gordon who continue to work on proving them wrong. There are still some questions left unanswered, like how Claudia Fonda, knew all of the answers to everybody’s questions. The fact of the matter is that there will always be questions left unanswered, because there is no science developed to prove or disprove a psychic’s abilities. Gullible people will continue to be fed on by psychics. Only a look into the crystal ball will tell when the hoaxes will all come to an end. Gordon 10 Christopher, Milbourne. ESP, Seers & Psychics. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1970. Print. DeAna. Interview. Jacob. Parapsychology articles and blog. 3 May. 2007. Web. Gordon, Henry. Extra Sensory Deception. Buffalo: Prometheus Books, 1987. Print. Haraldsson, Erlendur. â€Å"Representative national surveys of psychic phenomena: Iceland, great Britain, Sweden, USA, and Gallup’s multinational survey. † Journal of the Society for Psychical Research 53(1985) pg. 1-14. Web. Haraldsson, Erlendur. â€Å"Some Determinants of Belief in Psychical Phenomena. † The Journal of the American Society for Psychical Research 75(1981): pg 1-10. Web.