Pros And Cons Of Artificial Intelligence - 1704 Words

Artificial Intelligence Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a topic of major controversy in today’s world. When people first hear about this, they may quickly jump to conclusions that can be either positive or negative. On one end of the spectrum, some may think that it could mean the end of humanity. That AI systems might surpass human intelligence, and come to the conclusion that humans are inferior to them, which has several implications on its own. On the other end, some may think that it could be the pinnacle of human innovation. AI can make our lives much easier with everyday tasks such as planning out schedules, or even by just driving people to work. AI can go one of two ways, which is why it is, understandably, a topic of major†¦show more content†¦According to Futurism, there are various applications such as decision support systems, laboratory information systems, robotic surgical systems, therapy, reduction of human error in diagnosis, and medical education—a major one being t he reduction of human error. A study by John Hopkins Medicine brings to light how dangerous human error is today. Their study, which was published in May of 2016 and conducted over an eight-year period, shows that human error accounts for 250,000 deaths per year in the U.S. alone. This makes human error in diagnosis the third leading cause of death in the United States. Researchers attribute this to systematic errors, rather than inherently bad doctors (John Hopkins Medicine). With the implementation of AI, these flaws can essentially be eradicated. A more realistic con to the implementation of AI, includes the costs that go into developing and maintaining AI. A large amount of resources are required to develop artificial intelligence. Jennifer McCarron, technology program manager at Cisco, describes the different costs, such as licensing and purchasing solutions, startup costs, and maintenance costs. Not only would companies have to shell out a lot of money to get AI systems developed and started up, they would have to hire new employees to maintain and teach the systems. She says, â€Å"For large-scale projects with unstructured data, it’s going to require a little bit more complexity. You’re [talking] half a million dollars andShow MoreRelatedPros And Cons Of Artificial Intelligence1439 Words   |  6 Pagesterror and fear across the globe, and we must control people in power abusing their positions to benefit themselves and their agendas. Instead of ignoring these human mistakes, we must break them down and f igure out how they could happen. Artificial Intelligence relies on our abilities to learn from our mistakes and mold our future in a way that will be beneficial and equal to all people. This paper will present the many benefits that A.I. will give societies while evaluate some of the precautionsRead MoreThe Pros And Cons Of Artificial Intelligence1245 Words   |  5 Pagescontain computers. It is for this reason that computers and their software should become more intelligent to make our lives easier. Artificial Intelligence systems can and will benefit us all, however many have constantly warned that making computers too intelligent can be to our downfall. Artificial Intelligence has been around for years, but what is artificial intelligence? It is an artifact to perform the same kinds of functions that characterize human thought processes. The possibility of developingRead MoreThe Pros And Cons Of Artificial Intelligence1405 Words   |  6 Pagesbreakthroughs. Although it represents a huge technological advancement, the use of artificial intelligence is a tool that should be used with caution and must not be too heavily relied upon. True autonomy means free will, meaning machines would be able to determine right from wrong, and something that operates on pure logic should not make such critical decisions for human beings. Artificial intelligence, or AI, is defined as intelligence exhibited by machines. AI research is the study of any device that perceivesRead MoreThe Controversy of Artificial Intelligence1476 Words   |  6 PagesThroughout its history, artificial intelligence has always been a topic with much controversy. Should human intelligence be mimicked? If so, are there ethical bounds on what computers should be programmed to do? These are a couple of question that surround the artificial intelligence controversy. This paper will discuss the pros and cons of artificial intelligence so that you will be able to make an educated decision on the issue. What is Artificial Intelligence? The first step in getting anywhereRead MoreThe Age Of Artificial Intelligence1418 Words   |  6 PagesJennie Nguyen Ms.Decker Honors English IV 24 Sept. 2015 The Age of Artificial Intelligence â€Å"Intelligence is described as the ability to adapt to new environments and situations and being able to understand consequences and effects that your actions cause. This is something that all living creatures have in some way or another. Animals can adapt to their environments and react to interference, and plants do the same. Human intelligence, however, is in an entirely different ball park. With the upriseRead MoreArtificial Intelligence Is The Most Controversial Field877 Words   |  4 Pagesinformation scientists know about artificial intelligence has increased to levels never reached before. In 1968, the first computer controlled walking machine was created and today, robots are replacing humans in the work industry (History 5). By the year 2029, it is predicted that robots will be able to outsmart their makers (Khomami 1). More knowledge about artificial intelligence is being acquired by scientists. There are several advantages that come with artificial intelligence in robots, but coupled withRead MoreThe Invention Of Artificial Intelligence1668 Words   |  7 PagesIn our lives today, we all use some form of Artificial Intelligence daily. Some of these activities include: using cellular apps (Google Maps, Siri, Cortana), playing video games, and listening to music. Although the use of Artificial Intelligence has made human life more efficient and effective, it has also insinuated reliance and unsuspecting ignorance into our minds as well, and we do not even see it coming. The history of Artificial Intelligence dates back to the 1950s. Approximately fourteenRead MoreThreads Of Artificial Intelligence On Society And Economy Essay990 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"Threads of Artificial intelligence on Society and economy†, written by Lee, chairman, chief executive of Sinovation Ventures and the president of its Artificial Intelligence Institute. This article addresses questions about the future challenges and impacts of artificial intelligence on society and economy. In short, people will start to lose jobs, and there will be an imbalance due to large profit growth in companies that own artificial intelligence. When a company uses Artificial intelligence in placeRead MoreArtificial Intelligence And Human Intelligence1312 Words   |  6 PagesArtificial Intelligence Artificial intelligence is the technology that involves computers and machines displaying it’s own intelligence. The practical uses for computers making their own decisions is a very important technology to develop, because this would allow the deployment of robots in environments too harsh for humans to brave, such as other planets, or even war zones. While artificial intelligence is a very good idea, true human intelligence will be very difficult to reach. While a computerRead MoreThe Effect Of Artificial Intelligence On The Medical Industry1097 Words   |  5 PagesInfluence of Artificial Intelligence in the Medical Industry Artificial intelligence is defined as the development of computer systems to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence. In the scientific industry, artificial intelligence is used to assist surgeons in surgery, called robotic surgery and is most likely to become the most dominant form of surgery. Robot assisted surgery has been prevalent for about ten years now, and is becoming popular in many industries. From an aeronautical

Essay on Symbolism in The Masque of the Red Death - 520 Words

Symbolism in The Masque of the Red Death Poe uses heavy symbolism throughout the story to convey his underlying theme: the inevitability of death and the futility of trying to escape death. The princes name, Prospero, generally denotes happiness and prosperity. The Prince possesses these characteristics yet is faced with a plague that he desperately attempting to avoid. This oxymoron is used to hint that this man of exuberance will soon be faced with tragedy. The fires in each of the suite rooms serve as a representation of death. Poe depicts them to be a heavy tripod, bearing a brazier of fire that projected its rays through tinted glass#8230;But in the western or black chamber, the effect of the firelight†¦show more content†¦However, the sunset in the west means the end of a day and darkness. Poe uses the element of darkness as a visual representation of death. The black clock is also a symbolic element in Poes story. Its pendulum swung to and fro with a dull, heavy, monotonous clang; and when the minute hand made the circuit#8230;it was observed that the giddiest turned pale, and the more aged and sedate passed their hands over their brows as if in confused reverie or meditation. The timepiece represents the rapid passing of time in life. Every time the clock strikes the hour, the musicians quit playing and all of the revelers momentarily cease their celebrating. It is as though each hour is to be stricken upon their brief and fleeting lives. To emphasize the brevity of life, the fleeting of life and time, and the nearness of death, Poe reminds the reader that between the striking of each hour, there elapses three thousand and six hundred seconds of the Time that flies. The significance of the seventh room is apparent throughout the entire story. Black usually symbolizes death, and it tends to be used in connection with death. Furthermore, in describing the black dà ©cor of the room, the narrator says it is shrouded in velvet, shrouded being a term generally referring to death. In addition, the window panes are scarlet-a deep blood color. The relationship between blood and death is an essential aspect because Poe wants theShow MoreRelatedSymbolism In The Masque Of The Red Death708 Words   |  3 PagesDeath is something everyone frets on a daily basis. Edgar Allan Poe stresses how death is an unavoidable reality in his short story â€Å"The Masque of the Red Deat h†. Prince Prospero, a lying, cowardly, untrustworthy leader pretends to be helping his town as people are suddenly dying off from the Red Death, when he is actually just protecting himself and leaving his town helpless. This story is shown through the use of many symbols and events. Ultimately Poe utilizes symbolism in order to convey theRead MoreSymbolism In The Masque Of The Red Death766 Words   |  4 PagesThe Masque of the Red Death Poe often gives memory the power to keep the dead alive. Which in the short story Poe distorts the aspect of death. By creating a memory as the trigger that reawakens death Poe reveals the theme of the story; that no matter the persons social class death comes for us all. In Edgar Allan Poe’s short story â€Å"The Masque of the Red Death† he uses literary elements such as allusion, symbolism, and allegory to convey that death is inevitable. In the short story, Poe usesRead MoreEssay on Symbolism in The Masque of the Red Death1695 Words   |  7 PagesEdgar Allen Poe, in the short story â€Å"The Masque of the Red Death†, shows how people may try to outsmart death and surpass it, but in the end they will die since death is inevitable. He reveals this in the book by showing all the people closed up in the abbey that belongs to Prince Prospero. They are trying to escape the â€Å"Red Death† and think that they can escape the death by hiding away in the abbey. They manage to stay safe for six months but in the end they all die after the stroke of midnightRead MoreSymbolism in the Masque of the Red Death Essay802 Words   |  4 PagesArrogance Kills Edgar Allen Poes The Masque of the Red Death is a typical dark Poe story, but it contains some unique themes and symbolism. In the story a disease known as the Red Death is ravaging the fictional place where the story is set, and it causes its victims to die quickly and painfully. Even though this disease is spreading rampantly, the prince, Prospero, does not care. He decides to lock the gates of his palace in order to keep away from the plague, ignoring the illness that is ravagingRead MoreEssay on The Masque of the Red Death: Symbolism1419 Words   |  6 Pagesusing illusion or misdirection keeps the reader is suspense throughout this story called The Masque of the Red Death. Symbolism such as the colored rooms, the impressive clock, the feeling of celebration being at a party all makes this story feel like a fairytale. Poe used this fairytale style and converts it into a nightmare in disguise. In the Masque of the Red Death, the first sentence, The Red Death had long devastated the country, sets the tone for the whole story. Poe describes the horrorsRead MoreThe Masque Of The Red Death Symbolism Analysis954 Words   |  4 PagesDarkness of Symbolism Gothic literature often has a common theme of fear and/or death. Author Edgar Allan Poe is the most well known gothic writer because of his famous dark and frightening short stories such as â€Å"The Masque of the Red Death.† Poe is so popular because of his ability to write stories that leave lasting effects on all readers. In this story, he uses many small symbols that then relate to the major symbols, such as Prince Prospero, his name represents his prosperous lifestyle. TheRead MoreMasque Of The Red Death Symbolism Essay700 Words   |  3 PagesThe Black Death, also known as The Red Death, killed over sixty percent of Europe’s population. â€Å"The Masque of the Red Death†, written by Edgar Allan Poe, is about wealth and privilege, where the prince hides from the Red Death with his revelers. Poe uses symbols such as setting, objects, along with characters to reveal an allegorical theme. Thus being the theme, everyone will perish, even the wealthy and privil eged. Each apartment in the abbey is a symbol that supports the theme. The apartmentsRead MoreSymbolism in the Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allen Poe1655 Words   |  7 PagesSymbolism in The Masque of the Red Death The Masque of the Red Death is a short story written by acclaimed literary author, Edgar Allen Poe. The story is an emphasis on the fact that there is no avoiding death, no matter how hard you try, which is the overall theme. The text tells the story of Prince Prospero whose town is being plagued by the dreaded Red Death. He attempts to avoid the plague by inviting 1,000 of his closest friends, all of which are variably different, to isolate themselvesRead MoreSymbolism and in Edgar Allan Poes the Masque of the Red Death915 Words   |  4 PagesMichael Reyes Symbolism and in Edgar Allan Poes the Masque of the Red Death Thesis: Poe uses symbolism to unfold this gripping tale of terror. â€Å"The Masque of the Red Death† is an allegory. It features a set of recognizable symbols whose meanings combine to convey a message. An allegory always operates on two levels of meaning: the literal elements of the plot (the colors of the rooms, for example) and their symbolic counterparts, which often involve large philosophical concepts (such as lifeRead MoreSymbolism In Edgar Allan Poes The Masque Of The Red Death1028 Words   |  5 Pagesis infinite, but unfortunately for human beings, they face times rath. Eventually, every living being or organism faces death, you cant escape it or run away from it, death is always around the corner. In â€Å"The Masque of the Red Death† Edgar Allan Poe demonstrates this when the noble class and Prince Prospero tried to run away from the gruesome and infectious disease. Symbolism in the story is significant because it gives the reader more insight on how the a uthor feels towards something and gives

The Impact of Wach Tv Children Free Essays

string(65) " other risky behaviors in the shows and movies they watch on TV\." Title: -The Impact of watchingTelevision for Children The Case of Children watching Television in Ethiopia Chapter One 1. Introduction 1. 1 Back Ground Television (TV) has its good side. We will write a custom essay sample on The Impact of Wach Tv Children or any similar topic only for you Order Now It can be entertaining and educational, and can open up new worlds for kids, giving them a chance to travel the globe, learn about different cultures, and gain exposure to ideas they may never encounter in their own community. Shows with a prosaically message can have a positive effect on kids’ behavior; programs with positive role models can influence viewers to make positive lifestyle changes. However, the reverse can also be true:   Kids are likely to learn things from TV that parents don’t want them to learn. TV can affect kids’ health, behavior and family life in negative ways. Whether good or bad, television has found its way into the lives of people all over the world and it an important part of life for many. Some consider it to be a great invention while others say that it harms people and society. Here is a summary of those thoughts. Television is often the main or only source of information about current events and biased or inadequate reporting can deliver inaccurate or misleading information and opinion. Ethiopian Television was established in 1964 with assistance from the British firm, Thomson. It was created to highlight the Organization of African Unity (OAU) meeting that took place in Addis Ababa that same year. Color television broadcast began in 1982 in commemoration of the founding of Workers’ Party of Ethiopia (WPE). The current structure and goals of ETV were established 1987 with Proclamation This research may see general and specific area of in Addis Ababa, children see television that its impact. The television and channel clients are increasing every day around the city so, we need to the advantage and disadvantages in the children see tv. 1. 2 Statement of the Problem In recent years, TV, video and DVD programs have come on the market—and now even a cable channel for children. We don’t know yet what effect TV-viewing by children may have on their development. We do know that time spent watching TV replaces time spent interacting with caregivers and other children. Social interaction is critical to a child’s healthy affected. A great deal is known about children and television, because there have been thousands of studies on the subject. Research has studied how TV affects kids’ sleep, weight, grades, behavior, and more. Spending time watching TV can take time away from healthy activities like active play outside with friends, eating dinner together as a family, or reading. TV time also takes away from participating in sports, music, art or other activities that require practice to become skillful. Children can be exposed to programming that is not appropriate for their age. Adult themes of sex and violence are far too easily accessed and they destroy the innocence of children. Adults frequently spend many hours each day watching television to the detriment of work or family life. 1. 3 Objectives This research goal to show the impact of watching TV children among the cultural, society and school life in Addis Ababa. To show the problem and recommend the way of protecting and minimizing the problem through awareness of the research. How big a presence is TV in kids’ lives? * TV viewing among kids is at an eight-year high. On average, children ages 2-5 spend 32 hours a week in front of a TV—watching television, DVDs, DVR and videos, and using a game console. Kids ages 6-11 spend about 28 hours a week in front of the TV. The vast majority of this viewing (97%) is of live TV [1]. * 71% of 8- to 18-year-olds have a TV in their bedroom [1a]; 54% have a DVD/VCR player, 37% have cable/satellite TV, and 20% have premium channels [2]. * Media technology now offers more ways to access TV content, such as on the Internet, cell phones and iPods. This has led to an increase in time spent viewing TV, even as TV-set viewing has declined. 41% of TV-viewing is now online, time-shifted, DVD or mobile [2a]. * In about two-thirds of households, the TV is â€Å"usually† on during meals [3]. * In 53% of households of 7th- to 12th-graders, there are no rules about TV watching [4]. * In 51% of households, the TV is on â€Å"most† of the time [5]. * Kids with a TV in their bedroom spend an average of almost 1. 5 hours more per day watching TV than kids without a TV in the bedroom. * Many parents encourage their toddlers to watch television. Find out more about TV in the lives of children ages zero to six. * Find out more about media in the lives of 8- to 18-year olds. As you can see, if your child is typical, TV is playing a very big role in their life. Here are some key research findings to keep in mind as you decide what kind of role you want TV to play in your family: * TV viewing is probably replacing activities in your child’ s life that you would rather have them do (things like playing with friends [6] , being physically active, getting fresh air, reading, playing imaginatively, doing homework [7], doing chores). Kids who spend more time watching TV (both with and without parents and siblings present) spend less time interacting with family members. [8] * Excessive TV viewing can contribute to poor grades [8a], sleep problems, behavior problems, obesity, and risky behavior. * Most children’s programming does not teach what parents say they want their children to learn; many shows are filled with stereotypes, violent solutions to problems, and mean behavior. * Advertisers target kids, and on average, children see tens of thousands of TV commercials each year [9]. This includes many ads for unhealthy snack foods and drinks. Children and youth see, on average, about 2,000 beer and wine ads on TV each year [10]. * Kids see favorite characters smoking, drinking, and involved in sexual situations and other risky behaviors in the shows and movies they watch on TV. You read "The Impact of Wach Tv Children" in category "Essay examples" * More on how television viewing affects children. * For more detailed information on these and other issues, read on. Does TV affect children’s brain development? With television programs—and even a cable channel—designed and marketed specifically for babies, whether kids under two years of age should be watching becomes an important question. While we are learning more all the time about early brain development, we do not yet have a clear idea how television may affect it. Some studies link early TV viewing with later attention problems, such as ADHD. However, other experts disagree with these results. One study found that TV viewing before age three slightly hurt several measures of later cognitive development, but that between ages three and five it slightly helped reading scores [11]. The American Academy of Pediatrics takes a â€Å"better-safe-than-sorry† stance on TV for young children [12]. It may be tempting to put your infant or toddler in front of the television, especially to watch shows created just for children under age two. But the American Academy of Pediatrics says: Don’t do it! These early years are crucial in a child’s development. The Academy is concerned about the impact of television programming intended for children younger than age two and how it could affect your child’s development. Pediatricians strongly oppose targeted programming, especially when it’s used to market toys, games, dolls, unhealthy food and other products to toddlers. Any positive effect of television on infants and toddlers is still open to question, but the benefits of parent-child interactions are proven. Under age two, talking, singing, reading, listening to music or playing are far more important to a child’s development than any TV show. † In addition, TV can discourage and replace reading. Reading requires much more thinking than television, and we know that reading fosters young people’s healthy brain development. Kids from families that have the TV on a lot spend less time reading and being read to, and are less likely to be able to read [13]. What about TV and aggressive or violent behavior? Literally thousands of studies since the 1950s have asked whether there is a link between exposure to media violence and violent behavior. All but 18 have answered, â€Å"Yes. †Ã‚  Ã‚   The evidence from the research is overwhelming. According to the AAP, â€Å"Extensive research evidence indicates that media violence can contribute to aggressive behavior, desensitization to violence, nightmares, and fear of being harmed. † [14]   Watching violent shows is also linked with having less empathy toward others [14a]. An average American child will see 200,000 violent acts and 16,000 murders on TV by age 18 [15]. * Two-thirds of all programming contains violence [16]. * Programs designed for children more often contain violence than adult TV [17]. * Most violent acts go unpunished on TV and are often accompanied by humor. The consequences of human suffering and loss are rarely depicted. * Many shows glamorize violence. TV o ften promotes violent acts as a fun and effective way to get what you want, without consequences [18]. Even in G-rated, animated movies and DVDs, violence is common—often as a way for the good characters to solve their problems. Every single U. S. animated feature film produced between 1937  and 1999 contained violence, and the amount of violence with intent to injure has increased over the years [19]. * Even â€Å"good guys† beating up â€Å"bad guys† gives a message that violence is normal and okay. Many children will try to be like their â€Å"good guy† heroes in their play. * Children imitate the violence they see on TV. Children under age eight cannot tell the difference between reality and fantasy, making them more vulnerable to learning from and adopting as reality the violence they see on TV [20]. * Repeated exposure to TV violence makes children less sensitive toward its effects on victims and the human suffering it causes. * A University of Michigan researcher demonstrated that watching violent media can affect willingness to help others in need [20a]. Read about the study here: Comfortably Numb: Desensitizing Effects of Violent Media on Helping Others. Viewing TV violence reduces inhibitions and leads to more aggressive behavior. * Watching television violence can have long-term effects:   * A 15-year-long study by University of Michigan researchers found that the link between childhood TV-violence viewing and aggressive and violent behavior persists into adulthood [21]. * A 17-year-long study found that teenaged boys who grew up watching more TV each day are more likely to commit acts of vi olence than those who watched less [22]. * Even having the TV on in the home is linked to more aggressive behavior in 3-year-olds. This was regardless of the type of programming and regardless of whether the child was actually watching the TV [23]. What parents can do: * According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, media education can help kids become less susceptible to the bad effects of watching violent TV. Some studies have shown that kids who received media education had less violent behavior after watching violent programs. Teach your kids to be media savvy. Find out more about media literacy. * Watch with your kids, so if the programming turns violent, you can discuss what happened to put it in a context you want your kids to learn. Know what your kids are watching. Decide what programs are appropriate for their age and personality, and stick to your rules. * To minimize peer pressure to watch violent shows, you may want to talk to the parents of your child’s friends and agree to similar rules. * Visit YourChild:   Managing Television:   Tips for Your Family for more ideas. For more on TV v iolence and kids: * Key Facts: TV Violence—a report from the Kaiser Family Foundation. * A 1993 summary of some of the research on TV violence and behavior. * Television Violence:   Content, Context, and Consequences. The National Television Violence Study (NTVS). * Television Violence:   A Review of the Effects on Children of Different Ages—a 1995 70-page report and review of the literature. * Violence in the Media–Psychologists Help Protect Children from Harmful Effects: Decades of psychological research confirms that media violence can increase aggression. * Comfortably Numb: Desensitizing Effects of Violent Media on Helping Others—This study by a University of Michigan researcher demonstrates that watching violent media can affect willingness to help others in need. Joint Statement on the Impact of Entertainment Violence on Children:   Congressional Public Health Summit—a statement of the American Academy of Pediatrics, American. Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry, American Psychological Association, American Medical Association, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Psychiatric Association. Can TV scare or traumatize kids? Children can come to view the world as a mean and scary place when they take violence and other disturbing themes on TV to be accurate in real life. Symptoms of being frightened or upset by TV stories can include bad dreams, anxious feelings, being afraid of being alone, withdrawing from friends, and missing school. * Fears caused by TV can cause sleep problems in children [24]. * Scary-looking things like grotesque monsters especially frighten children aged two to seven. Telling them that the images aren’t real does not help because kids under age eight can’t always tell the difference between fantasy and reality. * Many children exposed to scary movies regret that they watched because of the intensity of their fright reactions. Children ages 8-12 years who view viol ence are often frightened that they may be a victim of violence or a natural disaster. * Violent threats shown on TV can cause school-aged kids (8-12) to feel fright and worry. When the threat is shown as news it creates stronger fears than when it is shown as fictional [25]. How does watching television affect performance in school? * TV viewing may replace activities that we know help with school performance, such as reading, doing homework, pursuing hobbies, and getting enough sleep. * One research study found that TV’s effects on education were long term. The study found that watching TV as a child affected educational achievement at age 26. Watching more TV in childhood increased chances of dropping out of school and decreased chances of getting a college degree, even after controlling for confounding factors [26]. * Watching TV at age four was one factor found to be associated with bullying in grade school [27]. Can TV influence children’s attitudes toward themselves and others? Let’s take a look at what kids see on TV, and how it can affect their beliefs about race and gender: * Children learn to accept the stereotypes represented on television. After all, they see them over and over. * When non-whites are shown on TV, they tend to be stereotyped. * A review of the research on gender bias shows that the gender-biased and gender-stereotyped behaviors and attitudes that kids see on television do affect how they see male and female roles in our society. * Television and movies do not often show Asians or Asian Americans, and when they do, they fail to show the diversity in Asian American culture [28]. * Thin women are disproportionately represented on TV. The heavier a female character, the more negative comments were made about her [29]. * In 1990’s commercials, white men more often were depicted as strong, while white women were shown as sex objects. African American men more often were portrayed as aggressive and African American women, as inconsequential [30]. * Ads for household items, like cleaning products, usually feature women [31]. * G-rated movies are commonly viewed by younger children—often over and over on DVD, and perceived by parents as safe for little kids. However, in these movies, whether live action or animated, males are shown more than females, by three to one, they are not often shown in relationships, and do not solve problems peacefully [32]. * In G-movies, characters of color are under-represented, and are usually shown as sidekicks, comic relief, or bad guys. Male characters of color are more aggressive and isolated [33]. * Music videos over-represent black males as aggressors, and white females as victims, compared to actual demographic data [34]. To learn more, visit the Center for Media Literacy’s page on Stereotyping and Representation How are children portrayed on TV? A study by a group called Children NOW of how children are shown on local TV news, found that [35]: * Almost half of all stories about children focus on crime (45%). * Children account for over a quarter of the U. S. population but only 10% of all local news stories. * African American children account for more than half of all stories (61%) involving children of color, followed by Latino children (32%). Asian Pacific American and Native American children are virtually invisible on local news. * African American boys are more likely than any other group to be portrayed as perpetrators of crime and violence whereas Caucasian girls are most likely to be shown as victims. Can TV affect my child’s health? Yes, TV is a public health issue in several different ways. First of all, kids get lots of information about health from TV, much of it from ads. Ads do not generally give true or balanced information about healthy lifestyles and food choices. The majority of children who watch health-related commercials believe what the ads say. Second, watching lots of television can lead to childhood obesity and overweight. Finally, TV can promote risky behavior, such as trying dangerous stunts, substance use and abuse, and irresponsible sexual behavior. Children who watch more TV are more likely to be overweight * University of Michigan researchers found that just being awake and in the room with the TV on more than two hours a day was a risk factor for being overweight at ages three and four-and-a-half. [34]   * The effects can carry on into adult weight problems. Weekend TV viewing in early childhood affects body mass index (BMI), or overweight in adulthood. [35] * University of Michigan researchers and their colleagues who investigated whether diet, physical activity, sedentary behavior or television viewing predicted body mass index (BMI) among 3- to 7-year-old children, found that physical activity and TV viewing are most associated with overweight risk. TV was a bigger factor than diet. Inactivity and TV became stronger predictors as the children aged [36]. * Children who watch TV are more likely to be inactive and tend to snack while watching TV. Many TV ads encourage unhealthy eating habits. Two-thirds of the 20,000 TV ads an average child sees each year are for food and most are for high-sugar foods. After-school TV ads target children with ads for unhealthy foods and beverages, like fast food and sugary drinks [37, 38]. * All television shows, even educational non-commercial shows, replace physical activity in your child’s life . * While watching TV, the metabolic rate seems to go even lower than during rest [39]. This means that a person would burn fewer calories while watching TV than when just sitting quietly, doing nothing. The food and beverage industry targets children with their television marketing, which may include commercials, product placement, and character licensing. Most of the products pushed on kids are high in total calories, sugars, salt, and fat, and low in nutrients [40]. * Children watching Spanish-language TV after school and in the evening see lots of ads for food and drink. Much of it targets kids and most of the ads are for unhealthy foods like sugared drinks and fast food. This advertising may play a role in the high risk of overweight in Latino kids [40a]. Results from recent studies have reported success in reducing excess weight gain in preadolescents by restricting TV viewing [41]. Childhood TV habits are a risk factor for many adult health problems * One study looked at adul ts at age 26, and how much TV they had watched as children. Researchers found that â€Å"17% of overweight, 15% of raised serum cholesterol, 17% of smoking, and 15% of poor fitness can be attributed to watching television for more than 2 hours a day during childhood and adolescence. †Ã‚   This was after controlling for confounding variables [42]. Children may attempt to mimic stunts seen on TV Injuries are the leading cause of death in children, and watching unsafe behavior on TV may increase children’s risk-taking behavior. * Kids have been injured trying to repeat dangerous stunts they have seen on television shows. * Many kids watch TV sporting events. Researchers surveyed TV sports event ads to assess what kids might be seeing. Almost half of all commercial breaks during sporting events contained at least one ad that showed unsafe behavior or violence [43]. Watching TV can cause sleep problems * Television viewing is associated with altered sleep patterns and sleep disorders among children and adolescents. Regular sleep schedules are an important part of healthy sleep. A recent study found that infants and toddlers who watch TV have more irregular sleep schedules. More research is needed to find out whether the TV viewing is the cause [44]. * Those sleep disturbances may persist. Teens who watched three or more hours of TV per day had higher risk of sleep problems by early adulthood [45]. * Find out more in this research brief from the Kaiser Family Foundation: Children’s Media Use and Sleep Problems: Issues and Unanswered Questions. TV viewing may promote alcohol use The presence of alcohol on TV runs the gamut from drinking or talking about drinking on prime-time shows, to beer ads, to logos displayed at sporting events. * Many studies have shown that alcoholic drinks are the most common beverage portrayed on TV, and that they are almost never shown in a negative light. * Recent studies have shown that exposure to drinking in movies increases the likelihood that viewers themselves will have positive thoughts about drinking [45a]. * Alcohol has damaging effects on young people’s developing brains—and the damage can be permanent. TV ads are a major factor in normalizing alcohol use in the minds of children, adolescents and college students [46]. * Ads for alcohol portray people as being happier, sexier, and more successful when they drink. Alcohol advertising, including TV ads, contributes to an increase in drinking among youth [47]. * Television ads for alcohol, such as â€Å"alcopop,† which combine the sweet taste of soda pop in a liquor-branded malt beverage, may target youth, especially girls and Hispanic and African American kids [47a]. The Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth (CAMY) at Georgetown University found that in 2003, the top 15 prime time programs most popular with teens all had alcohol ads [48]. * Alcohol is increasingly advertised during programs that young people are more likely to watch than people of legal drinking age [49]. Kids who watch TV are more likely to smoke * Even though tobacco ads are banned on TV, young people still see people smoking on programs and movies shown on t elevision. The tobacco industry uses product placement in films. Smoking in movies increased throughout the 1990s [50] . * Internal tobacco industry documents show that the tobacco industry purposefully markets their product to youth. The industry uses subtle strategies like logos at sporting events, product placement, and celebrities smoking to get around the ban on TV advertising for their products [51] . * Kids who watch more TV start smoking at an earlier age. The relationship between television viewing and age of starting smoking was stronger than that of peer smoking, parental smoking, and gender [52]. Recent research has shown that exposure to smoking in movie characters increases the likelihood that viewers will associate themselves with smoking [52a]. * Find out more about kids and tobacco. Kids get lots of information about sexuality from television * Most parents don’t talk to their kids about sex and relationships, birth control and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Most schools do not offer complete sex education programs. So kids get much of their information about sex from TV. * Kids are probably not learning what their parents would like them to learn about sex from TV. * Sexual content is a real presence on TV. Soap operas, music videos, prime time shows and advertisements all contain lots of sexual content, but usually nothing about contraception or safer sex. * The number of sex scenes on TV has nearly doubled since 1998, with 70% of the top 20 most-watched shows by teens including sexual content [53]. Fifteen percent of scenes with sexual intercourse depict characters that have just met having sex. Of the shows with sexual content, an average of five scenes per hour involves sex. * Watching sex on TV increases the chances a teen will have sex, and may cause teens to start having sex at younger ages. Even viewing shows with characters talking about sex increases the likelihood of sexual initiation [54]. (Read more about this study. ) * Watching sexual content on TV is linked to becoming pregnant or being responsible for a pregnancy. Researchers found that even after controlling for other risk factors, the chance of teen pregnancy went up with more exposure to sex on television [55]. * On the flip side, TV has the potential to both educate teens, and foster discussion with parents. Watch with your kids, and use the sexual content on TV as a jumping-off point to talk with your teen about sex, responsible behavior and safety. To find out more, read: * The American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) Parent Page on Sex, the Media and Your Child * The AAP’ s policy statement on Sexuality, Contraception and the Media How can I find out more about kids and TV? Here are some websites with helpful information: * The Smart Parent’s Guide to Kid’s TV—from the AAP . * Guia para Ver la Television en Familia, a Spanish publication from the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC). * Guidelines for Rating Children’s Television, a guideline from PBS Ready To Learn. * Pautas para la evaluacion de los programas de television para ninos, the above guideline, in Spanish. Special issues for young children (2-11 years) and Special issues for teens address some developmental issues. * Talking with kids about the news—10 tips for parents. * The Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) page on children’s educational TV. Visit these related topics on YourChild: * Managing Television: Tips for Your Family * Media and Media Literacy * Video Games * The Internet * Obesity * Sleep Problems * Reading What are some organizations that work on issues around kids and TV? * The Center for Media Literacy believes in empowerment through education—that kids need to learn how to think critically about TV and other media. Media A wareness Network is a Canadian group with a wealth of information for parents. * The Center for Screentime Awareness sponsors National TV Turn-Off Week each year. Future TV Turn-Off Weeks are in Spring and Fall: April 19-25, 2010 September 19-25, 2010. TV-Turnoff Week is supported by over 70 national organizations including the American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, National Education Association, and President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. References Written and compiled by Kyla Boyse, RN. Reviewed by Brad Bushman, PhD How to cite The Impact of Wach Tv Children, Essay examples

Confucian and legalist Essay Example For Students

Confucian and legalist Essay n the history of Imperial China the issue of the authority of rulers has been worked out in relation to the prevailing philosophies of their times. The longest, most influential and enduring of these is Confucianism.The philosophy and the w in which it demands virtue and duty from a ruler has nt always gone down well with rulers of a more autocratic nature and has at times been displaced by the school of thought known as Legalism. Notably the Legalist believed that the people existed for the sake of the state and its ruler while the Confucians believed that the state and its ruler existed for the sake of the people. (Dawson 1978, 15). I will make comparison and contrast of the ideas of the two schools n how to govern. Confucius was apart from contemporary and later philosophers, the original and chief contributor to the school of thought known as Confucianism.Confucius put forth an ethical system in which harmony was founded upon the right functioning of five key relationships:? Brot her-brother brotherliness? Husband-wife love and obedience ? Friend-friend faithfulness The Mandate of Heaven was a concept that had its basis in the relationship ruler-subject. It was used by many historians as a wa of explaining the fall and rise of Dynasties as being subject to the will of Heaven, based n the conduct of the ruler, who was the son of Heaven.The idea was as follows: ruler can not rely upon military and political power alone to maintain his rule. If he neglects the right relationship to Heaven and to his people he may lose the Mandate of Heaven and be overthrown r meet defeat in battle. One very important feature of Confucian ideas n how to govern was the less active, more spiritual and ritual role of the emperr, which was expressed in perhaps its most radical form by the Confucian philosophers of the an Dynasty: He who is the ruler of men takes non-action as his Way and makes impartiality his treasure.He sits upon the throne of non-action and rides upon the perfection of his fficials. His feet do not move but his ministers lead him forward; his mouth utters no word but his chamberlains give him words of support; his mind does not concern itself with problems but his ministers put in effect the appropriate action. Thus nobody sees him act and yet he achieves success. This is how the ruler imitates the ways of Heaven. (Dawson 1987, PP 7)China in ancient times was split into smaller states and it was nly under the Chin that a unity was achieved. Under the an a lot of the harshness of Chin rule was ameliorated and the an permitted the rise of an inteIlectual Confucian scholarly class who quickly achieved prominence in administrative roles and became prominent in plitical roles as counselors to the emperor. Confucian thought found its way into the highest circles and the rya children were drilled in the Confucian classics. Emperors then were encouraged by sculars to live to the ideals of Confucianism. This affected their government, and the role of ministers in relation to the power of the ruler, a f which were refered to in Confucian philosophy. The aristocrats n longer had a monopoly of government and the Confucian tradition strongly emphasized the importance of family ties and the hereditary principle. Even after the decline of Confucianism, its philosophy continued influencing the period. The Legalist school had as major idea the obedience t the law. This approach, as applied by the Chin, can be viewed as too extreme and was not accepted by the people that is why the Chin Dynasty and Legalist rule was short-lived. The Legalists believed that officials must be obedient instruments of the rulers will. Following the thought of the early Legalist thinkers, the later Chin legalists took their theories into practical application of government. They also believed that peoples names and actions should match, in the sense that people should follow their designated occupational roles to the letter.When names and actualities are in accord with each other, there is good government. When they are not in accord with each other there is disorder. (Dawson 1978 113). Having looked at the approaches of an and Chin government in regard to their application of Confucianism and Legalism, it is possible to highlight some areas of similarity comparisons and contrasts::? Confucians idealized past antiquity but Legalists did not; they were concerned nly with the problems of present rule. .ue1336f66d7df8a644803086c8b405eca , .ue1336f66d7df8a644803086c8b405eca .postImageUrl , .ue1336f66d7df8a644803086c8b405eca .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ue1336f66d7df8a644803086c8b405eca , .ue1336f66d7df8a644803086c8b405eca:hover , .ue1336f66d7df8a644803086c8b405eca:visited , .ue1336f66d7df8a644803086c8b405eca:active { border:0!important; } .ue1336f66d7df8a644803086c8b405eca .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ue1336f66d7df8a644803086c8b405eca { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ue1336f66d7df8a644803086c8b405eca:active , .ue1336f66d7df8a644803086c8b405eca:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ue1336f66d7df8a644803086c8b405eca .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ue1336f66d7df8a644803086c8b405eca .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ue1336f66d7df8a644803086c8b405eca .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ue1336f66d7df8a644803086c8b405eca .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ue1336f66d7df8a644803086c8b405eca:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ue1336f66d7df8a644803086c8b405eca .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ue1336f66d7df8a644803086c8b405eca .ue1336f66d7df8a644803086c8b405eca-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ue1336f66d7df8a644803086c8b405eca:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Textual Analysis Is Not Enough When Researching Media Essay? Confucians believed that law should be flexible and take account of circumstances. Legalists believed that law should be applied without discretion. ? Confucians were pro-education. Legalist disliked scholars, favoring soldiers and manual workers. ? Legalisi didnt like the merchants since they were seen as profiteering rather than working the state. The Confucians agreed that the activities of merchants had a bad effect, they weakened the state. ? The Chin Dynasty had a harsh philosophy of reward and punishment and encouraged a mutual surveillance of the ulace to ensure social control. The rule of law in the an was relatively gentle in comparison and took individual circumstances into account in cases of transgressions. ? Confucians had ideals for the role of the ruler and conception of people as needing worthy emperor ho fulfilled the mandate of Heaven.,? Legalist had the view of a ruler, who was regarded as a son of Heaven, as the Confucians want, and was also to be obeyed as an autocrat whose officials were expected to fulfil their duties and be obedient to the letter of the aw. ? The Confucians had a belief that human nature was essentially good and that the people would respond well to a kind ruler. The Legalists in contrast had a pessimistic view of human nature, which resulted in their philosophy of legalist rewards, and harsh punishments. n conclusion, the two schools of thought when applied to governmental administration resulted in different approaches.lt might apear that Legalist rule in the Chin Dynasty achieved a kind of social control; but in fact among people and in a nation of such a size as China their approach proved impossible to maintain in the long term. After the fall of the Chin Dynasty, the an did not rule by pure Confucian principles either. The most positive and enduring contribution of th Chin Dynasty was inherited and perpetuated by the an along with any practical policies which seemed to work. Philosophically, the an permitted Confucianism to rise during the an Dynasty.The an rulers wanted to avoid the harshness of the former regime and made the contentment of the people a matter of greater concern whch enabled that Dynasty to achive greater public co-operation and success. Bibliography:Dawson, Raymont (1978) The Chinese Experience. Hucker, Charles (1975) Chinas Imperial Past

Anais Nin Essays - House Of Incest, Anas Nin,

Anais Nin Anais Nin was a passionate woman, not only in her works but also in her life. The fact that she lived life to the fullest is what made her books so intriguing. Although her diaries were a chronicle of her experience, her fiction showed the reader sides of her while displaying everyone's innermost desires. In her own words Nin says, "the role of the writer is not to say what we can all say, but what we are unable to say" (Rollins), and she does exactly that. For this reason her works take one on a journey through one's soul and allows the pondering which may never have been considered. This feeling of self discovery is quite powerful and erotic; the enpowerment supplies a feeling of utter enjoyment. This is why Anais Nin's books are ageless, and they are impossible to parallel or surpass. Though many author's draw their story ideas from life experiences. Anais takes most directly in order to make them pure and unclouded by the imagination. This is why her favorite method of writing was the use of her actual diaries. She wrote of her many love affairs and personal traumas in order to educate the reader as well as to examine her true self. For it is known that one person could not experience all that is possible, and therefore one must learn from others mistakes as well as their own. Nin is greatly renown for her diaries, especially for her famous letters of her affair with Henry Miller . This later amounted to a movie based on the relationship "Henry and June" in 1986 (site 1). Yet her fiction, although quite intellectual and harder to grasp than her diaries, also reveals a lot about the writer and open views on all aspects of living. She is creative enough to allow all to draw something personal from her writings, and this makes reading her novels an experience that one could associate with some aspect of their own life. Nin's heightened "sensitivity and perception" (site 1) are derived from her fiery lifestyle which started when she was very young. She was born in France, a country of vast influence, and she traveled throughout Europe for most of her childhood. When She was twelve years old she was relocated to New York, where the culture and diversity is unparalleled. She experience d so many lifestyles as various occupations: a dancer, a teacher, and later on even a psychoanalyst (Scholar 5). She lived a very "free" life style for the time period, and she enjoyed this liberation to the fullest. She had many affairs, but she also had many great relationships that helped her improve and most of all "experience". Through all of this she never lost the ability to appreciate her solitude. As her fictitious novels are analyzed it will be shown that a large part of Anais Nin resides in every one of her works, but she made sure to leave enough to allow a little piece of every reader to fit.! In this way the reader may be alone but in good company. Anais creates this aura by using the literary device known as negative capability, which is basically concurrence with the philosophy of "saying less is saying more" (Walsh). She writes in such a way that allows one to see a general idea that does not cheapen a complicated idea by trying to isolate and define it. The theories which she attempts to explain are often too complicated for words, so Nin often turns to surrealism when she can think of no other way to address them. Human emotion and existence is not something that can be black or white, and Nin describes it as somewhere in the gray area (Knapp 39-68). The use of poetic and stream-of-conscientiousness phrasing allows the reader to find there own relative truth, since absolute truth in these situations are impossible. Her metaphors are powerful and shocking, but Nin was not an extreme surrealist. She believed in the fusing of the conscious and unconscious minds to allow one to see the total picture, instead of only looking from one point of view. Negative capability is best displayed in The House of Incest since this book was based largely upon Nin own dreams. She embarks upon a journey of self-discovery in this novel and starts out in a very logical place, the womb. The idea of a sense of peace

A new competitiveness paradigm Essays

A new competitiveness paradigm Essays A new competitiveness paradigm Essay A new competitiveness paradigm Essay The challenge of the Twenty First Century for Malaysia is to define a niche area to form a new competitiveness paradigm. The pace, direction and quanta of change at all levels demonstrates that new modalities are needed to cope with the uncharted revolution in the products that we consume as well as in the way we live and do business. The driving forces of change are the advancement in technologies, especially information and communication, as well as computing, biotechnology, telecommunications and transportation. Transnationalisation of these technologies and increasingly democratized means of design, production and distribution add to the forces of change. On the soft side, a simultaneous change in consumer behaviour is observed, shifting towards a new value driven tier of consumers. The trend is towards willingness to pay more for the right fit and embedded customer information in products and services. On human capital, the change is towards development of high skills and cognition. At the industry level, the trend is embedding of customer information, Further, inventory build-up or long lag times in capacity planning are no longer the phenomenon due to fundamental improvement in mechanisms enabling production and inventory response to incoming signals. Likewise, many other cognitive problems in private enterprises are solved. At the heart of these advances is new information paradigm of timely information (when) of the right architecture and resolution (what) and enabled by strategically positioned capture mechanisms (how). One will wonder how K-Economy fits into this picture. Well, Malaysias aspiration has been to leapfrog from the Industrial era to a post-Industrial era focusing on information, upstream and downstream research and intensifying knowledge in the entire economic activities. The time is right for such a shift by injecting a catalyst knowledge in the economic performance.   The definition of K-Economy is directly on the acquisition, generation, distribution and utilization of knowledge in all economic activities. Knowledge becomes the strategic resource as, inputs, processes, systems, or as outputs. There is an increasing returns associated with these resources. The determinants of success of national economies and enterprises, thus, depend on their effectiveness in gathering and utilizing knowledge. The structural shift from the Production economy to a K-economy turns around high volume production to high value inputs, processes, systems and outputs. Ideas, relationships and communication are highly leveraged upon. The requirements of the K economy are, thus, a shift from mass-production to mass-customizations solutions that creates value demanded by the new value-driven tier of consumers. In laymans term, K-Economy simply means ability to use knowledge to create new value and wealth. Wealth is measured by the results of knowledge that is inventively applied. ? In the Agricultural economy, wealth was measured by land and produce. Thus the more land and agricultural produce you had, the richer you were. ? In the Industrial economy, wealth was measured by industrial output. The more products you were able to generate in your factories, the richer you were. The Knowledge economy (K-economy) takes these previous economies one step further. Wealth today is not only measured by agricultural or industrial products, but by the new value we can create through the resourceful application of knowledge. Thus, the K-economy includes all human economic activities of previous eras, such as agriculture and industry, but it introduces new activities that were not prominent or possible before. In K-economy agriculture, for instance, knowledge could be put to work more effectively through better planting materials, improved horticultural practices or enhanced means of trading agricultural products. On the other hand, new K-based industries are being conceived that were not possible before, such as telemedicine or web-based learning. In this case, traditional modes of delivering these services are being surpassed, thus enabling consumers and users to access them directly in cheaper and easier ways. The model of the K-Economy The K-economy Model values people, information and relationships. The nucleus of the economy is one of vision-driven, situation-dependent and goals and action-oriented. Key characteristics are:   Mass customized solutions are favoured. Therefore, providing solutions are important skills, requiring teamwork and cooperation in real or virtual relationships among other organizations and people, which provide competitive advantage. Mass production and mass competition models are becoming less important.   Designs are made possible at each solution development, enabling people enrichment, since each level (product, process or supplier) are upgradeable, open ended, having information and services-rich content.   Adaptive economy and culture starts with valuing people, having marketing specialists, skilled employees, advance technological equipment, telecommunications overnight delivery, pre-qualified alliances, virtual corporation and regarding time as value creation

Adult Communication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Adult Communication - Essay Example m the emphasis is on helping the individual members of the team to learn their potential for performance and through that learning maximize the performance of the team (Whitmore 2003). Managing in simple terms is the process of getting things done by individuals through planning, organizing, coordinating, directing and controlling their activities. Thus managing a team involves using the five functions of planning, organizing, coordinating, directing and controlling the activities of the team members towards the objectives of the team (Managing and Leading). The difference between coaching becomes evident from their definitions and is lies essentially in their approach. Coaching is people oriented in that it is concerned with the development of the individuals. Managing is task oriented in that the emphasis is on the task to be achieved. The individuals in the team are the means to achieving the task. This analogy gives provides clarity in the difference between coaching a team and managing a team. A given area of land is to be invested with oak saplings. Oak saplings have a unique feature in that there is a single tap root that extends, as the sapling develops. In nursery saplings the tap root tends to be curled up into a ball, because of the restrictive environment for growth. Managing the investing of the land with oak saplings would involve the transfer of the saplings into the allotted number of pits in as quick and efficient a manner and ensuring the required fertiliser and moisture is provided for growth. This approach is due to the task oriented approach in managing a team. In the coaching approach the curled up taproot would be first uncurled and in the replanting process care would be taken to ensure that the fragile taproot is extended deep into the ground without damaging it, as this would ensure proper development of the oak sapling into a tree. The necessary moistur e would then be provided. Coaching is oriented towards the development of the

In todays economy are we heading towards a Great Depression Research Proposal

In todays economy are we heading towards a Great Depression - Research Proposal Example The American economy is brought to a halt. And with the presidential elections recently concluded, we wonder if the president-elect will be able to save, or at the very least revive, the country’s flat lining economy. What is apparent is that there is a need for a re-assessment of the policies governing these markets. Analysts agree that this brings change to the outlook of America as the top superpower, financially (Faroohar, par. 2). Everyone who used to look up to the financial bigwigs of the United States in awe are now re-thinking if they are in fact right with their views. They are now shifting their thoughts toward a more favorable view of the significance of the government in trade and business. They are already projecting that this in the future will be the definitive moment when global capitalism was uprooted from the U.S. (Zakaria, par. 5-7). Fareed Zakaria in his article at Newsweek points out that today is the ‘Age of Bloomberg’ and the end of the ‘Age of Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher’. Perhaps the plummet of laissez-faire capitalism towards something everyone is yet to figure out is something we can all agree upon. If necessary measures are not implemented quickly then this is heading nowhere but another Great Depression. What makes the difference is the knowledge that is available today based on history. Time is of the essence and as anyone can predict, if this continues to drag on into years, then, an impact as great as seen in history books or maybe worse will occur. Ironically, from the independence of a free and unobstructed market, businesses today are looking to the government to facilitate for their breathing room. The $700 billion to be passed on to the taxpayers seems to be too much at hindsight. The implosion of some of the world’s biggest investment banks left everyone dumbfounded. The Great Depression has always been associated

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

Taoism - Research Paper Example This paper will introduce the main ideas of Taoism in contrast to Confucianism, and will show how they might be a source of wisdom and inspiration to modern Western life. Taoism: Yang Chu, Lao Zi, Zhuang Zi Three central figures may be identified in the birth and proliferation of Taoist thought. These are Yang Chu, Lao Zi, and Zhuang Zi. Yang Chu proposes a very basic form of naturalism. His main goal is basic to the Taoist view: to preserve life and to avoid injury. But Yang Chu’s way is through what might be called escapism. It is said that Yang Chu retired in the forest to dwell close to the animals who knew nature. A famous anecdote (Fung 62) says that he refused a calling to be an official precisely because he wanted to preserve his life. A horse does not need more than a few licks of water from a lake to satisfy its thirst. Why would one want more than the humblest abode and a few morsels of food to live? This simplicity advocated by Yang Chu has often been interpreted a s selfishness, for he is supposed to have told people to not give up a single strand of their hair even if it meant they would have a whole kingdom in their hands. But on deeper examination, we find that Yang Chu’s refusal to join the world is really his way of preserving life. Once we give a piece, people will want more and more until we have no more to give; until we have no more. Thus, Yang Chu advises against giving up even a single strand of hair (Fung 63). It is through this view that Yang Chu has earned the description, one who despises things and values life. Lao Zi is the sage identified with Taoism primarily because of the Tao te ching, the book he is supposed to have composed at the request of a guard asking hum for his legacy before he left society altogether. Unlike Yang Chu, Lao Zi is still concerned with practical life. He does not espouse the escapism of Yang Chu but rather makes sure that in our day to day living, we still followed the way of Nature by preser ving the simplicity of life. To do this, one is encouraged to keep in mind two concepts: wei-wu-wei and the principle of yin-yang. The former can be interpreted as doing without doing, while the latter can be emphasized as the harmonious opposition of things. For Lao Zi, to follow the Dao is to let things be, to leave things the way they are. Suffering is caused by our desire to change things or to control events in our lives. As this will never happen, we fall into frustration. To be happy, one must be content and not meddle in the ways of Nature. To go with the flow, so to speak, is the secret to a satisfying life. Thus, wei-wu-wei allows us to be active without disturbing the natural flow of things. It is not mere passivity, but rather an activity that facilitates the working out of the course of Nature. We do not do more than what is necessary. â€Å"Do you work, then step back. The only path to serenity† (Lao-Zi, chap. 9). â€Å"Practice not doing and everything will fa ll into place† (Lao Zi, chap. 3). The water symbol of the Dao is central to their philosophy. It literally goes with the flow and does not rise above itself, yet it is a very powerful element. Water is soft, yet it overcomes the hard as the river polishes the stones where it

Risk Assessment Report For Cinema Complex Construction Essay

Risk Assessment Report For Cinema Complex Construction Essay The purpose of this report is to conduct a thorough risk assessment of the premises and identify potential workplace hazards. The risk assessment was conducted using a specially designed Risk Assessment Structure which gauges the potential risk of a hazard by assessing the likelihood of the hazard occurring against the severity of outcome of the hazard. Through conducting a risk assessment of the facility, seven unaddressed hazards have been identified. The identified hazards whilst mostly low-to-medium risk in nature still present the potential to cause injury to guests and employees, well as causing damage to the companys property, plant and equipment which could ultimately have a negative impact on the companys human, financial and physical assets. The risks associated with the identified hazards are; the potential for the popcorn maker to catch fire, a lack of protective foot ware, filling the popcorn dispenser, tiling in the front-of-house area, hot oil and kernels spitting from the popcorn maker, electrical cord checking procedures and the location of emergency mapping. In order to reduce the potential risk the identified hazards pose, several recommendations have been made. The potential for a popcorn maker fire to occur can be reduced through adequate training and placing signage detailing the correct cooking method on the popcorn maker. The potential for oil to seep into employees shoes can be reduced significantly be replacing the current fabric based Converse All Stars with leather shoes. If this is not a financially viable option the role of producing popcorn can be transferred to kitchen staff that are required to wear leather shoes. The potential for slips to occur on tiling can be reduced by applying a non-slip coating or placing anti-slip grip over the most vulnerable areas. Introducing personal protective clothing will reduce the risk of burns caused by spitting from the popcorn maker. Monitoring electrical cords on a quarterly basis as opposed to annually will help to detect an electrical hazard before it occurs. Repositioning the facili ties emergency map and installing a battery operated touch light above it will increase its visibility in an emergency situation. Table of Contents 1. Introduction The Candy Bar, being a primary revenue centre, plays a vital role in the operation of a cinema complex. The Candy Bar being assessed for this report is located within a cinema complex at Bondi Junction, Sydney. Alongside the Candy Bar the multi-level cinema complex also contains seven traditional auditoriums, two V-max cinemas, two Gold Class auditoriums and a cafà © and bar. The primary focus of this report is to identify workplace hazards located within the Candy Bar and provide recommendations to reduce the risk that they pose. A risk assessment has been developed to assess the level of risk that an identified hazard poses. The assessment structure determines the level of risk associated with the hazards by measuring the likelihood of the hazard to ____ against the severity of the harm caused. 2. Background to the facility The Candy Bar is an 18-meter by 10-meter facility located within the main foyer of a multi-level cinema complex located at Bondi Junction, Sydney. The Candy Bar offers customers both hot and cold food and beverage options and is staffed by up to six employees during busy periods. The Candy Bar has been designed with the intention of being a self-service facility and thus contains a variety of specialized equipment to meet this goal. The facility consists of three primary functional sections; back-of-house, front-of-house and the cash registers. Figure 1 shows a layout of the facility. The back of house area is where all hot and cold food is prepared for sale and where all packaged goods are stored before being moved to the self service area of the Candy Bar for sale. The Candy Bar is entirely self service and contains a variety of specialized equipment designed to meet this need. The registers section of the Candy Bar consists of five touch screen, computer operated, registers, which operate using the Vista POS (Point Of Sale) system. Attached to each computer are hand held scanners which are used to process all items with barcodes. In June of 2010 the candy bar was closed for several weeks whilst it was rebranded and refurbished. The recent renovation means that a large portion of the equipment in the facility is less than six months old. With the exception of one ice machine all equipment is in good working order. At the time of reporting the carpet which covered the majority of the front-of-house floor has been removed and is in the process of being replaced with tiles. Fig. 1 Layout of the Candy Bar 3. Analysis of the facilities safety equipment and procedures 3.1. Hazard identification and reporting procedures The company has extensive hazard identification and reporting procedures similar to that outlined by ODonnell (1993). As well as actively encouraging employees to report potential hazards. A formal Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) audit of the premises is carried out each quarter by the Workplace Safety Coordinator (see Appendix __ for job description). When a hazard is identified it is immediately reported to the Duty Manager and the WSC, who assume responsibility for managing the risk. They then assess the level of risk associated with the hazard by completing a mandatory Fixing a Workplace Hazard form, which is then stored on the companies intranet and on the OHS board so that all employees are aware of the hazard. The management team then implement internal controls aimed at eliminating or reducing the risk to an acceptable level. If the hazard cannot be resolved by the management team and WSC it must be referred to the appropriate Regional Manager or the National Operations Executive (OHS) who will provide assistance in resolving the issue. In addition to dealing with hazards on a site-by-site basis a National Workplace Health and Safety Committee also convenes quarterly. The committee which consists of six representatives from various divisions within the company meets to discuss OHS issues which allows for the sharing of information across sites, as a hazard identified at one venue is likely to be present at others. 3.2. Training The cinema has in place a strong OHS training program. For employees, hazard identification training begins at their induction. As well as participating in workshops employees are also required to fill in a series of workbooks relating to OHS during their first weeks of employment. As recommended by ____ ___, the company also schedules two formal and compulsory fire and armed robbery training sessions each year to ensure that employees are capable of responding efficiently to fires, evacuations, armed holdups and bomb threats. 3.3. Emergency equipment ITEM QTY LOCATION AGE LIFE CONDITION Fire blanket 2 Gasoline generator 1 Back of house 6 years 15 years Average http://www.safework.sa.gov.au/contentPages/docs/hospSafeDesignComKitchen.pdf Emergency equipment located within the Candy Bar includes __ fire extinguishers, __ fire blankets, __ fire hoses __ first aid kits, __ emergency evacuation signs, __ hazardous product information sheets and gasoline generator. 4. Risk Assessment 4.1 Risk assessment structure methodology Risk estimation can be quantitative, semi quantitative or qualitative in terms of the probability of occurrence and the possible consequence (IRM Risk Management Standard 2002). In order to identify and measure the potential risk associated with identified hazards within the cinema a qualitative risk assessment structure has been developed. The structure takes the form of a two-dimesional matrix (see table 1) measures the severity of the risk against the likelihood of the hazard occurring. The probability of the hazard occurring is divided into four categories; unlikely, possible, likely and certain as recommended by SafeWork SA (2010). An unlikely hazard is one that could occur but only in rare circumstances. A possible hazard could occur but it would be unlikely for it to eventuate. A likely hazard will probably occur at some point in time and a certain hazard poses an imminent threat. Likelihood ratings LIKELIHOOD CATEGORY DESCRIPTION Almost certain A 75% chance of occurrence. Likely B Will probably occur 25% to 75% chance of occurrence in ten-year Possible C Might occur at some point in time Unlikely D May occur in exceptional circumstances chances of occurrence are less than 2% in ten-year period. Risk consequence descriptions The objective of risk description is to display identified risks in a structured format, for example by using a table. The risk description and assessment of risks. The use of a well-designed structure is necessary to ensure a comprehensive risk identification, description and assessment process. By considering the consequence and probability of each risks set out in the table, it should be possible to prioritise the key risks that need to be analysed in more detail (IRM Risk Management Standard 2002). 1.Name of risk Minimal, Serious, Major Catastrophic. 2. Scope of risk Qualitative description of the event, its size, type, number and dependencies. 3. Nature of risk Operational, Structural 4. Risk tolerance/ Appetite Value at risk Probability and size of potential losses/gains Objective(s) for control of the risk and desired level ofperformance 5. Risk treatment control mechanisms Primary means by which the risk is currently managed Levels of confidence in existing control Identification of protocols for monitoring and review. Risk assessment matrix Probability X Severity UNLIKELY POSSIBLE LIKELY ALMOST CERTAIN Minimal:bruising, minor cuts, mild chemical irritation of eyes or skin Low risk Low risk Low risk Medium risk Serious:loss of consciousness, burns, electric shock, broken bones, injury resulting in absence from work for more than 3 days, other non-permanent chemical effects Low risk Medium risk Medium risk High risk Major:permanent injury will result, major damage to property, plant and equipment or financial assets Low risk Medium risk High risk High risk Catastrophic:loss of life, severe restrictions in the operation of the facility Medium risk High risk High risk High risk Probability: Severity of injury: Risk: (Figure Risk Assessment structure presented in a table) 4.2 Identified Hazards A thorough hazard identification assessment of the facility has identified six unaddressed risks within the Candy Bar. 4.2.1. Popcorn maker fires It is vital when making popcorn that the correct popcorn making procedures are followed. If oil is entered into the kettle before the corn kernels it can quite easily combust and catch of fire when the seed hits the hot oil. Whilst staff are trained in how to make popcorn this hazard is not highlighted and employees could easily fill the kettle with oil before adding the corn seed, believing that the order of adding the ingredients does not affect the making of the popcorn. 4.2.2 Lack of protective footwear Currently Candy Bar employees are required to wear Converse All Star shoes. Whilst the shoes complement the uniform the fabric that they are made of presents a hazard. It is possible that whilst making popcorn oil and hot seeds can spit from the popcorn maker or oil can drip from fryers which will seep through the shoes fabric and burn employees. 4.2.3. Filling the popcorn dispenser The Candy Bar features a large self-service popcorn dispenser, which is maintained by employees from the back-of-house. In order to fill the dispenser employees are required to tip the popcorn in from the top of the unit. As the warmer stands at ___cm this requires employees to stand on a stool in order to do so. To accomplish this task safely a round stool has been provided however the stool is fitted with wheels which could cause it to slip if placed on a wet floor or on top of popcorn which has been spilt on the floor. It is also common for the stool to be taken and used in other parts of the cinema with staff resorting to using milk crates to stand on when filling the dispenser. This has the potential to cause serious injury as the crates are not designed to withstand the weight of a human and also have no nonslip features. 4.2.4 Tiling in the front-of-house area As part of recent refurbishments carpet that used to cover the floor in the ques to the cash registers have been replaced with tiles. The tiles present a hazard to customers as they become highly slippery when wet which happens quite frequently as customers often spill drinks. 4.2.5. Hot oil and kernels spitting from the popcorn maker The popcorn machine presents a hazard to employees as it is possible for hot oil and popcorn seeds to spit out of the machine and burn employees. 4.2.6. Electrical cord checking procedures It is company policy that all electrical cords located within a hostile work environment are inspected on a twelve monthly basis and that they are tagged with the inspection date (see fig. ). The company defines a hostile work environment as a working environment where the electrical equipment is normally subjected to events or operating conditions likely to damage equipment i.e. exposure to moisture, heat, vibration, dust and fumes and cord flexing (Greater Union, Birch, Caroll and Coyle 2008). In accordance with company policy the Maintenance Officer who also acts as the SWC inspects the cords on an annual basis. However only inspecting the cords on an annual basis leaves employees at risk of electric shock if the cords are to become frayed or damaged during the year. 4.2.7. Location of complex map 6. Recommendations Listed below are a series of practical and realistic recommendations for minimizing the risk of the five identified hazards. 6.1. Popcorn maker fires To reduce the likelihood of an employee incorrectly entering ingredients into the popcorn maker it is suggested that informative signage is attached to the popcorn maker. The signage should warn of the dangers associated with incorrectly making popcorn and should also demonstrate the correct popcorn making procedure. The signage could easily be attached to the bottom of the middle section of the popcorn maker (see figure _ for example of where to place signage). 6.2. Lack of protective footwear Two possible options have been identified for reducing the risk of this hazard. This hazard could be eliminated by removing the Converse shoes and replacing them with similar leather shoes which still fit with the theme of the uniform and which would stop spilt oil from burning employees feet. This however could be a costly solution as the shoes which are less than six months old would need to be replaced. It is also suggested that the job of making popcorn could be transferred from those who are working in generally in the Candy Bar to employees who are working specifically in the kitchen. Employees working in the kitchen are required to wear protective leather shoes and having them prepare the popcorn would significantly reduce the chance of oil seeping through shoes. 6.3. Filling the popcorn dispenser It is recommended that the stool that is currently being used as an aid when filling the popcorn warmer is replaced with a small step ladder. Replacing the stool with a ladder similar to that in figure _ will provide a sturdy platform for employees to work with. The ladder is fitted with non-slip steps and non-slip stoppers on its legs which will help to prevent the ladder from becoming unsteady and slipping. 6.4. Tiles in the front-of-house area To reduce the risk of customers slipping on wet tiles it is recommended that the tiles are covered with a non-slip tile coating. Several companies offer non-slip coatings which are simply washed onto the tiles. The coatings are invisible, do not cause a sticky sensation and can easily be mopped away at the end of service and reapplied the next day. 6.5. Hot oil and popcorn spitting from the popcorn maker It is recommended that in order to reduce the risk of injury from spitting oil and popcorn kernels, new protective clothing is introduced. It is suggested that employees making popcorn should be required to wear protective glasses and apron which will reduce the likelihood of spits from the popcorn machine from injuring staff. Measures such as these are already mandatory conditions across the United Kingdom (Joyce 2010). 6.6. Electricity checking procedures As part of an overall strategy of risk control, there are a number of general precautions that should be observed when working with electrical equipment such as computers or printers at the front office. Always turn off and disconnect the computer from the power point before moving it or doing any electrical work on it. Remember, a computer carries at lease 240V and needs to be treated with respect. Become familiar with electronic equipment before operating or servicing it. Try to avoid working on live equipment but when it is unavoidable never work alone. When servicing electrical equipment never leave it turned on when unattended. Observe warning signs or stickers on computer equipment. Due to its public nature, the establishment has to maintain emergency system to use in the event of a power failure. The system includes gasoline-powered generators to provide sufficient power for lighting computers, corridors and limited elevators service. Frequently this emergency system is automated. Although in some instance the workers have to switch the main electric plug. The workers should be educated and prepared for such instances to avoid panicking situation. (Dittmer 2002) 6.7. Appropriate Emergency Planning The staff at the Candy Bar should be trained according to the guidelines of Emergency Planning Committee. The management should ensure that appropriate people are assigned to specific roles on each shift and their responsibilities in emergency situations are clarified. (Van der Wagen Goonetilleke 2004). 7.0 Conclusion The Risk Assessment Report has analysed present and potential risks at the Candy Bar of Event Cinema Bondi Junction. It was found that the premises were surrounded by various hazards such as pop-corn maker fires, lack of protective footwear, tilling in-front of the house-area and Hot oil and kernels spitting from the popcorn maker. Due to its Public nature offering hospitality to a large number of people everyday even though the management followed OHS policies and procedures for risk prevention. The identified risks are then analyzed to establish the exposure for each risk and to determine which risk items are the most important ones to address. The report also provides effective recommendations on how to implement risk prevention strategies and risk treatments such as establishing a three-day employee-training workshop to ensure employee and customer safety at the premises. Also appropriate emergency planning should be implemented involving specific people assigned to specific role s in emergency situations.

Our Fascination, Hopes, and Fears. :: Artificial Intelligence Aliens Science Essays

Our Fascination, Hopes, and Fears. Introduction: What is Artificial Intelligence (AI) ? Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science which deals with helping machines find solutions to complex problems in a more human-like fashion. [1] What does it mean to say that a machine might be intelligent? This is the goal of the field of AI, yet it is not an easy goal to define. AI researchers express their goals differently, but they all share an interest in creating, through the hardware and software of a computer, an entity that is in some way recognized as intelligent and that shares some aspects of the distinctly human conditions. Thus, AI can be viewed as the attempt to create a machine that is in some way created in the image of the human person, an image loosely defined using the term intelligence. [3] One of the most challenging approaches facing experts is building systems that mimic the behavior of the human brain, made up of billions of neurons, and arguably the most complex matter in the universe. Alan Turing, a British computer scientist, stated that a computer would deserves to be called intelligent if it could deceive a human into believing that it was human. This generally involves borrowing characteristics from human intelligence, and applying them as algorithms in a computer friendly way. [1] "Strong AI" approach claims that modeling the human mind is necessary for creating some form of computer-based AI that can truly reason and solve problems. A strong form of AI is said to be sentient (self-aware). In contrast, "weak AI" approach focus instead on simulating intelligence (attempting to create machines which will be perceived as intelligent by their users) rather than trying to create it through a model of the mind. The field of Artificial Intelligence has split into several different approaches based on the opinions about the most promising methods and theories. These rivaling theories have lead researchers in one of two basic approaches: bottom-up approach (which believe the best way to achieve artificial intelligence is to build electronic replicas of the human brain's complex network of neuronsand) and top-down (which attempts to mimic the brain's behavior with computer programs). [4] Many articles showed a desire to allay fears that computers truly are intelligent, or worse, that human might soon be supplanted by machines. [3] Intelligent computers, robots, androids, and cyborgs have come to be staple characters in science fiction stories and films.