Friday, November 29, 2019

Marijuana as a Gateway Drug the Causal Fallacy Essay Example

Marijuana as a Gateway Drug: the Causal Fallacy Paper Marijuana as a Gateway Drug: The Causal Fallacy The marijuana plant, perhaps the most widely-used illicit drug in the world, was once demonized by authorities and the media. In the 1936 film Marijuana: Weed with Roots in Hell, director Dwain Esper portrayed teens smoking marijuana and then engaging in perceived evils such as nude bathing and unchaperoned partying, with one girl becoming pregnant. The film went on to further depict the characters becoming addicted to marijuana and committing serious crimes including a police shootout and kidnapping for ransom. These claims are based on the type of faulty casual analysis that has given rise to anti-marijuana myths that have endured over the years, but they are fortunately starting to abate. While the Western world has lightened up, some misconceptions persist, particularly those based on casual fallacy. An example of such a fallacy can be found in the argument that marijuana is a â€Å"gateway drug† which causes users to eventually progress to hard drugs, when that’s not actually the case. The correlation between marijuana and other illegal substances is not in dispute, nor is the chronology in that marijuana use typically precedes other drug use. We will write a custom essay sample on Marijuana as a Gateway Drug: the Causal Fallacy specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Marijuana as a Gateway Drug: the Causal Fallacy specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Marijuana as a Gateway Drug: the Causal Fallacy specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Studies show that a hard drug users’ first experience with an illicit drug is likely to be marijuana, and that nearly every hard drug user has tried marijuana at least once. Furthermore, studies also show that marijuana users are more likely to try hard drugs than non-users. But correlation and chronology doesn’t imply causation, and it’s causation that is at the crux of the â€Å"gateway drug† argument. The reason marijuana use typically occurs before other illicit drug is because it’s readily available and accessible, especially for youth. Instead of having to venture to a store and provide photo ID as a young teens would with liquor and tobacco, they might be able to buy marijuana without having to leave school property or even their own home. Acquiring it may involve only placing a quick phone call to a drug dealer and having it delivered like a pizza. The primary reason for this is marijuana’s illegality. By outlawing marijuana it’s driven to the black market where there is no age restriction or code of ethics. Furthermore, a marijuana dealer may also introduce customers to their harder product lines, or at least connect them with someone who can. Dealers tend to be more cautious of selling harder drugs since the penalties, if caught, are much stiffer. Once trust is gained through the sale of marijuana, they might be more comfortable progressing to more serious transactions. Because of this, the first experience people may have to illicit drugs is likely to be marijuana, putting it in the position where it appears to cause other drug use simply because of chronological order. The lack of objective evidence showing a casual link between marijuana and hard drugs was discussed in the scientific literature as early as 1999. In the book Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base, published by the US Institute of Medicine, researchers wrote that â€Å"because it is the most widely used illicit drug, marijuana is predictably the first illicit drug most people encounter† and that â€Å"not surprisingly, most users of other illicit drugs have used marijuana first† (Joy et al. 6). However, â€Å"there is no conclusive evidence that the drug effects of marijuana are causally linked to the subsequent abuse of other illicit drugs† (Joy et al. 6). Subsequent research has similarly been unable to establish casual links. While most hard drug users started with marijuana, and most hard drug users have used marijuana, it’s important to note that most marijuana users don’t actually use hard drugs. If marijuana caused hard drug use we would expect the rates of marijuana use to be consistent with the rates of hard drug use. The rate of marijuana use is nearly six-times higher than the five major types of hard drugs combined, according to Canadian government statistics. Health Canada’s 2010 â€Å"Canadian Alcohol and Drug Use Monitoring Surveyâ€Å" reported that 10. 7% of respondents 15 years of age or older admitted to using marijuana in the past year, while only 0. % used crack, 0. 5% used speed, 0. 7% used ecstasy, and 0. 7% used some type of illicit hallucinogen (excluding salvia). The total reported usage for these other drugs is 1. 8%, nearly one-sixth that of marijuana. Another factor is that marijuana users tend to be more prone to using hard drugs simply because they have t he personality traits conducive to substance abuse. These traits include the attitudes, feelings, responses, and behaviours that contribute to a person’s psychological makeup. In the 2002 article â€Å"Are Personality Traits Familial Risk Factors for Substance Use Disorders? researchers explain that â€Å"longitudinal studies have implicated personality characteristics as predisposing vulnerabilities for the subsequent development of substance-related disorders† (Swendsen et al. ). In this sense, marijuana and crack users have something in common; they are all willing to alter one’s mind to the chagrin of the law. Casual fallacies abound when we humans attempt to understand the world around us. It’s tempting to conclude that causation is established because there is a correlation or chronological order of events, but that’s not a logical approach. There are a multitude of factors to consider when establishing a causal link, and this is no exception. While marijuana is correlated with hard drugs, and marijuana use typically precedes hard drug use, it does not actually cause hard drug use. Like the other fallacies before it, the â€Å"gateway drug† fallacy is yet another marijuana myth that can hopefully be put to rest. Works Cited Canada. Health Canada. â€Å"Canadian Alcohol and Drug Use Monitoring Survey: 2010. † Ottawa: Health Canada, n. d. Web. 16 Nov. 2011. http://www. hc-sc. gc. a/hc-ps/drugs-drogues/stat/_2010/summary-sommaire-eng. php. Joy, Janet E. , et al. Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base. Washington, DC: The National Academic Press. 1999. Print. Marihuana: Weed with Roots in Hell! Dir. Dwain Esper. Perf. Harley Wood, Hugh McArthur, Pat Carlyle, and Paul Ellis. Roadshow Attractions Inc. , 1936. Film. Swendsen, Joel D. , et al. â€Å"Are Personality Traits Familial Risk Factors for Subs tance Use Disorders? Results of a Controlled Family Study† The American Journal of Psychiatry 159. 10 (2002): 1760-1766. Web. 18 Nov. 2011.

Monday, November 25, 2019

Absolute Beginner English Telling Time

Absolute Beginner English Telling Time Telling the time is a basic skill that most students will eagerly acquire. You will need to take some sort of clock into the room. The best clock is one that has been designed for teaching purposes, however, you can also just draw a clock face on the board and add various times as you go through the lesson. Many students might be used to a 24-hour clock in their native culture. To begin telling time, its a good idea to just go through the hours and make students aware of the fact that we use a twelve-hour clock in English. Write the numbers 1 - 24 on the board and the equivalent time in English, i.e. 1 - 12, 1 - 12. It is also best to leave out. a.m. and p.m. at this point. Teacher: (Take the clock and set it to a time on the hour, i.e. seven oclock) What time is it? Its seven oclock. (Model what time and oclock by emphasizing what time and oclock in the question and response. This use of accenting differing words with your intonation helps students learn that what time is used in the question form and oclock in the answer.) Teacher: What time is it? Its eight oclock. (Go through a number of different hours. Make sure to demonstrate that we use a 12-hour clock by pointing to a number above 12 such as 18 and saying Its six oclock.) Teacher: (Change the hour on the clock) Paolo, what time is it? Student(s): Its three oclock. Teacher: (Change the hour on the clock) Paolo, ask Susan a question. Student(s): What time is it? Student(s): Its four oclock. Continue this exercise around the room with each of the students. If a student makes a mistake, touch your ear to signal that the student should listen and then repeat his/her answer accenting what the student should have said. Part II: Learning a Quarter to, Quarter Past and Half Past Teacher: (Set the clock to a quarter to an hour, i.e. quarter to three) What time is it? Its a quarter to three. (Model to by accenting to in the response. This use of accenting differing words with your intonation helps students learn that to is used to express time before the hour.) Teacher: (Repeat setting the clock to a number of different quarters to an hour, i.e. quarter to four, five, etc.) Teacher: (Set the clock to a quarter past an hour, i.e. a quarter past three) What time is it? Its a quarter past three. (Model past by accenting past in the response. This use of accenting differing words with your intonation helps students learn that past is used to express time past the hour.) Teacher: (Repeat setting the clock to a number of different quarters past an hour, i.e. quarter past four, five, etc.) Teacher: (Set the clock to half past an hour, i.e. half past three) What time is it? Its half past three. (Model past by accenting past in the response. This use of accenting differing words with your intonation helps students learn that past is used to express time past the hour, specifically that we say half past an hour rather than half to an hour as in some other languages.) Teacher: (Repeat setting the clock to a number of different halves past an hour, i.e. half past four, five, etc.) Teacher: (Change the hour on the clock) Paolo, what time is it? Student(s): Its half past three. Teacher: (Change the hour on the clock) Paolo, ask Susan a question. Student(s): What time is it? Student(s): Its a quarter to five. Continue this exercise around the room with each of the students. Watch out for students using oclock improperly. If a student makes a mistake, touch your ear to signal that the student should listen and then repeat his/her answer accenting what the student should have said. Part III: Including the Minutes Teacher: (Set the clock to a minutes to or minutes past the hour) What time is it? Its seventeen (minutes) past three. Teacher: (Change the hour on the clock) Paolo, ask Susan a question. Student(s): What time is it? Student(s): Its ten (minutes) to five. Continue this exercise around the room with each of the students. Watch out for students using oclock improperly. If a student makes a mistake, touch your ear to signal that the student should listen and then repeat his/her answer emphasizing what the student should have said.

Friday, November 22, 2019

Understand the Behaviour of Organisations in their Market Environment Essay

Understand the Behaviour of Organisations in their Market Environment - Essay Example Understand the Behaviour of Organisations in their Market Environment This has enhances shopping for consumers making it even more convenient by providing all products under the same roof. Tesco’s has been working towards building of a sustainable business model throughout the years. This has been done through diversification into new geographical areas as well as value added retailing (Datamonitor, 2011, 7). This has enabled Tesco to reduce its business risk as well as work toward increased sales through trade in growth markets. Similarly, value added retailing encourages consumers loyalty and assist to sustain revenue growth even in times of economic difficulties. However, with increased competition in the UK market, retaining customers would be a crucial concern for Tesco. This has a risk of causing loss of the market share (Finne & Sivonen, 2009, 298). Perfect Competition This is the existence of different buyers and sellers, which implies that prices vary in response to supply as well as demand (Wood, 2008, 187). The market is characterized with substitutes where increase in price of one commodity means a change to consumption of the existing substitute. Both the buyer and the seller are seen to have equal chances of influencing the price. There are two extremes in perfect competition, which include monopoly, as well as oligopoly market. Price and output in a perfect market is determined as shown below. The profit in the firm indicates the level of price and output in three different ways. For a firm to make profits, it will produce at a level where P> ATC, while experiencing losses P< ATC and for it to break even P= ATC. Monopoly In a monopolistic market, there is only a single seller with a number of sellers. The firm is the price maker and therefore, determines the level of output as well as price (Finne & Sivonen, 2009, 298). The firms aim is to maximize profit. Oligopoly Classical theory in economics has the assumption that a producer with some market power whose aim is to maximize profit will set Marginal Cost ( MC) equals to Marginal Revenue (MR) (Finne & Sivonen, 2009, 298). This indicates that the larger the quantity sold the lower is the price. Any change in MC or MR will be indicated by the price. This, however, does not occur where a kink exists. As a result, MC in this case would change without a change in price or quantity. The advantage of this to consumers is that companies will not raise their prices in fear of losing customers (Seth & Randall, 2011, 234). However, even a fall in price will only gain a few customers. This indicates that the curve is price elastic in case of price increase and less for price decrease. In the end, competitive firms will enter the industry. Pestle Analysis Political factors Tesco is an international company with carrying out operations in 14 countries. This makes the organization susceptible to the various legislative and political environments in these countries. This necessitates the compliant to comply with these laws to avoid conflicts with the authorities. In most countries, governments encourage foreign companies to consider local candidates for various posts in the organizations, to ensure locals benefit from their investments. This, therefore, means that Tesco employs a wide pool of individuals to satisfy their labor requirements. Tesco will be compelled to follow the legislation on employment adopted in the country where its stores are located. Economic Factors Economic factors are crucial in the operation of an

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

The Systems Development Life Cycle Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Systems Development Life Cycle - Essay Example This involved establishing the business processes used by the company. This is necessary so that the processes are redesigned to take advantage of the modern system solutions operating characteristics. Data analysis is also quite useful in the determination of the system requirements. To accomplish this, a study on flow of information in the organization is carried out in order to come with dataflow diagrams that will be quite important in the design of the system (Somers & Nelson, 2004, P.258). Decision Analysis is meant to identify the decisions that are made by the manager. The main decisions that are made by the manager are identifiable at in individual level. Gathering of this information will help in the actual development of a system that will assist the managers to make decisions (Somers & Nelson,2004,P.259). This method is valuable when the primary objective of the system is decision support. There was also process analysis that was meant to review business processes of the company. In this stage, the processes of an organization are identifies and divides into a number of events that can either change or add data. Modification and reengineering of these processes help in improving the operations of the organization through improving service, cost reduction, quality and management information The development of an accounting information system can be successful if the process is divided into different phases or stages. The phases in the field of software development is referred to as System development life cycle(SDLC) which comprises Planning and Investigation, System Analysis,Design,Coding ,implementation, maintenance and Follow up. The planning and investigation phase needs the creation of a team to carry out an investigation on the current system and provide recommendations to a steering team. The main focus of the team is to come up with a way handing the request of

Monday, November 18, 2019

Final Project Problem at Work Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Final Project Problem at Work - Essay Example In explaining this problem, I explain how it occurs in organizations as well as in individuals. This problem takes place in two major steps. Step 1 is leaking out of this information to irresponsible individuals. In most cases these results from working routines in which the person given the mandate of safeguarding this information fails in his work. In step two, this information finds its way to an individual who use it for his malicious gains. These two steps are interconnected with step two depending largely on step one. However, step one can occur but step two fails to occur when the information lands on another responsible person. The impact of this problem is actually very great in terms of what it can cost an individual or an organization. Moreover, it does not require a lot of time so that it can yield massive losses to the victims. This is because it has been discovered that loss of Personally Identifiable Information has resulted to loss of millions of records over the past few years thus causing massive harms to both individuals and organizations (McCallister, 2010). However, in most cases the loss of Personally Identifiable Information is only discovered after it has already caused massive harm to the victims some of which are irreversible. To an individual this problem has been leading to identity theft, embarrassments, and blackmails all of which can make a person to incur losses and destroy his relationship with other people. All this are only possible when Personally Identifiable information gets lost and land on the hand of organizations or individuals who use it for malicious gains. Therefore, if we can address this problem we can be able to avoid issues such as identity theft, embarrassments, and blackmails. Among the issues caused by this problem, the most prevalent one is the identity theft. Identity theft is undertaking an activity while pretending to be somebody else. In such cases, the activity is associated with the

Saturday, November 16, 2019

The Present Work of Christ in Hebrews Essay Example for Free

The Present Work of Christ in Hebrews Essay David McLeod has written this journal article in large part in response to a number of writers who have charged that the present work of Christ has largely â€Å"been neglected† [1] by systematic theologians of the church today. In McLeod’s estimation such neglect would not be understood by the New Testament authors, as Christ’s present work was one of their most important themes in the New Testament. McLeod states that, â€Å"The purpose of this article is to examine the work of one of those authors, the epistle to the Hebrews, and to outline its contribution to the subject. †[2] McLeod gives three reasons for his study. First, no theme that was central to apostolic Christianity can be overlooked, second, added attention needs to be directed to earlier studies in Hebrews and finally, McLeod’s hope is that material covered in this article will aid those who teach and study the Bible to be more fully informed about the subject of the work of Christ in the Epistle to the Hebrews. Commencement of Christ’s Present Ministry With the purpose of this article being to examine the work of the New Testament author of Hebrews intent, and outline said New Testament’s author’s work regarding the work of Christ, McLeod does so two fold. First, McLeod addresses the Commencement of Christ’s Present Ministry, and secondly the Activities of His Present Ministry. The commencement of Christ’s present ministry begins with His ascension which â€Å"is one of a series of events that marked the beginning of Christs present ministry. †[3] With His ascension Christ entered into the sanctuary where He took up His place of honor in the holy of holies. This place of honor was at the right hand of the father, where Christ was exalted and rested from His completed work. It was at this point that Christ was installed as High Priest and given His present ministry. McLeod writes that, â€Å"The Son of God has obtained a more excellent ministry than that of the Levitical priests who served the earthly tabernacle (8:5-6). †[4] †The perfect tense suggests not only that Jesus obtained this ministry in the past but also that He still possesses it†. [5] Once Christ obtained His ministry, the text in Hebrews suggests that this ministry is still in Christ’s possession and that it continues. Activities of Christ’s Present Ministry The activities of Christ’s present ministry are six fold. As the High Priest of mankind, one of Christ’s present ministries is to stand before God and represent those who have accepted His sacrifice. Representation can be thought of in McLeod’s opinion as Christ being in the immediate presence of God†,[6] representing â€Å"sinners on the basis of a finished sacrifice whereby they have acceptance with God and are favorably regarded by Him. [7] Inauguration, the second of Christ’s activities is to provide a new and living way to commune with God that never grows obsolete. Intercession, is defined by McLeod as, â€Å" the sympathetic appeals and petitions of the ascended, incarnate Son of God to God the Father (on the basis of a finished sacrifice) for the preservation, forgiveness, renovation, and bringing to glory of His people. †[8] Mediation is the activity where Christ mediated His followers p rayers and praise as well, being the medium for the power of God to be released upon His people. Anticipation as defined by McLeod represents â€Å"that quiescent activity of Christ whereby He awaits His return (1:6; 9:28; 10:37), the defeat of His enemies (1:13; 10:13), and His rule as King (1:8-9) over the world to come (2:5). †[9] Benediction is the final of the six activities outlined by McLeod. McLeod denotes that Benediction is â€Å"Christs work of benediction in Hebrews, His future return to His people from His heavenly sanctuary and the fulfillment of the promise†[10] Critical Evaluation McLeod’s argument is centered on the claim that today’s church and systematic theologian’s attention to the present work of Christ has largely â€Å"been neglected†. [11]McLeod’s aim is to examine the book of Hebrews and by doing so reiterate the importance that no theme of the apostolic writings should be neglected; he also wishes to draw further attention to the book of Hebrews and its estimation of the present work of Christ. McLeod’s division in this article outlines the commencement of Christ’s Present Ministry, and secondly the Activities of His Present Ministry. McLeod makes a sound argument for the commencement of Christ’s present ministry. Touching on the end of His earthly ministry, with His ascension, and His installment as High Priest in the holy of holies. McLeod’s evaluation of Christ’s present ministry is just as compelling and does well in addressing the many scholarly views pertaining to the present ministry of Christ. McLeod states that, â€Å"The author of Hebrews wrote of a number of activities presently being performed by Christ as High Priest. Scholars differ over the number of distinct activities and their nature. †[12] In regard to intercession McLeod brings the reader through many views that are held in regard to the present ministry of Christ and seems to amplify that this present ministry of Christ is of the utmost importance to grasp and understand. Conclusion Overall, McLeod has successfully accomplished of his goal of bringing added attention to the present work of Christ and outline the timeline of when His present ministry began. His arguments are sound and thorough, leaving little to question. While reading this article the reader will be brought methodically and precisely through the work of Christ’s present ministry, and in so doing accomplish the goal of the author to provide material that will aid and instruct Bible students who teach and write on Christology.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Dances With Wolves Essay -- essays research papers

The film, Dances with Wolves, staring Kevin Costner gives a historically accurate presentation of the Sioux Indians and their way of life. In this production, Lieutenant John Dunbar, played by Costner, is rewarded for his heroic actions in the Civil War by being offered an opportunity to see the American frontier before it is gone. Dunbar is assigned to an abandoned fort where his only friends are a lone wolf and his beloved horse, Cisco. After several weeks of waiting for more American troops, a Sioux Indian makes contact with Dunbar and reports this finding to his chief. This incident sets off a train of events that would forever change John Dunbar and the Sioux tribe he encounters. When Dunbar realizes that the Indians know where he lives, he becomes extremely paranoid and spends his days preparing the fort for another confrontation. He buries all the extra materials in fear that they might fall into enemy hands. On one of his daily rides around the frontier, Dunbar comes across an Indian woman crying under a tree. He sees the imminent danger from the woman’s self-inflicted wounds and determines it is his duty to return the woman to the Sioux camp. Dunbar dresses in his best uniform and shines his boots to prepare for the meeting. When the Sioux spot Dunbar they are immediately alarmed and confront him ready to kill. Kicking Bird, a Sioux holy man and the first Sioux to know of Dunbar’s existence, discourages the fight claiming that the white man is not there to fight. Wind In His Hair, a fierce warrior, tears the Sioux women from Dunbar’s grasp and the lieutenant is allowed to go freely. That following evening the Sioux council discussed w hat they would do with their new neighbor and decided that Kicking Bird and Wind In His Hair would revisit Dunbar’s fort to find out why he was there. Dunbar welcomed the Sioux to the fort but was worried of what they planned to do with him. The language barrier was met head on, as neither could understand each other. Using gestures and objects, limited communication was accomplished on the first visit. The Sioux continued to visit Dunbar and each day progress was made. Dunbar taught the Indians some of the white culture and Kicking Bird was anxious to discover why he was in their territory and how many more white men would come. Both sides were forced to overcome the language barrier and their mutual fear and distrus... ...w village, he took the trip back to the fort, promising to catch up with them later. Upon his arrival at the fort, a new fleet of soldiers had settled in. They quickly spotted Dances With Wolves and attacked him. The soldiers killed his horse and arrested him. Dances With Wolves would not cooperate with the American soldiers but would only speak to them in Sioux. Due to his lack of assistance, the soldiers were forced to transport their prisoner back to Fort Mays to be hung. Before the Americans could make it to Mays, the Sioux attacked them and saved Dances With Wolves. Dances had proven his loyalty to the Sioux and abandoned all his white ways. The transformation became complete. Lieutenant John Dunbar went through several drastic changes to become Dances With Wolves. In his short time with the Indians, he turned enemies into friends and foreign customs into his own. His view of the Sioux changes more severe than he does. No longer does he view them as savages without order, but now he sees them as a civilized group with more heart than anyone he has met before. His experiences with the Sioux help to open his eyes and change him into a man he never was and never thought he’d be.

Monday, November 11, 2019

Hamlet on Film: An Alternative Medium Essay

Hardliners and literary purists of Shakespeare’s works might find it hard to engage in the entertaining yet profound modern adaptation of Hamlet. Michael Almereyda’s re-interpretation of Hamlet set in modern times has met mix criticisms one of disdain and the other filled with delight. There have been many attempts to make Shakespeare’s Hamlet relevant to today’s fast-paced and commercially driven society. Still the rest falter while a rare few have managed to shine to perfection even if the snotty will most likely pick on the apparent anachronism and lack of literary value. Yet Almereyda’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet to film is able to transcend the fixation for the original and provide something that young audiences and readers alike can enjoy. Shakespeare’s Hamlet has attained universal familiarity. It follows a plot that even the uninitiated can relate to. It is a story about a person who, after finding out that his mother has married another (who turns out later to be the murderer of the father) just after the wake of the of his father, suffers an episode of mad rampage and revenge. The madness that Hamlet suffers is a tale that is almost impossible to portray without the aid of poetic words and lyrics. This is probably why any attempt at projecting the complicated character and his vices in the big screen would most likely fail. His madness is simply beyond the reach of any cinematic magic. What is required is a clever play of words and the appropriate use of imagery and not a series of images that fails to deliver what is hidden and subtle. Notwithstanding this major obstacle, Almereyda’s manner of telling the story in the same archaic English language but with liberal changes in setting, actors and overall plot has overcome the hurdle of making Shakespearean plays relevant. The fact that the plot was revamped to include radical technological advancements such as the advent of wireless telecommunications and the dominant presence of corporations is something that borders on incredible insensitivity to the original Hamlet to pure genius. At first glance, it is difficult to connect the past with the future. Other adaptations strive to stay true to the script as well as the contextual background in translating the words of Shakespeare to moving images. However, Almereyda’s version, if it can be called as such, revolutionizes the way Shakespeare and his works are interpreted on the silver screen. For instance, kings were replaced by corporate big-heads and CEO’s and Hamlet—a medieval figure has been transformed to a person who embodies with utmost accuracy late-teenage angst with certain qualities that not only keeps in line with how Hamlet was then but also takes on other unique attributes such being pensive and reserved. Ambitious as it is difficult, the modern version of Hamlet is in many ways a success than a failure. Ethan Hawke’s portrayal of Hamlet maybe a little too wide of the mark in certain scenes where it is obvious that the recitation of Shakespeare’s famous lines appear forced and contrived. But where it matters the most, especially the famous Hamlet soliloquy where he ponders on the several layers of life and living comes out as both contemporary and faithful to the original. For instance, the scene in the video store is telling of how much the film has integrated old English to modern life. Ethan Hawke, who plays Hamlet, utters the famous monologue with consistency and resolve. At first, the words come out too slow and too artificial as if Shakespeare’s words suddenly turned violent and meaningless with Ethan Hawke’s voice. But after several moments of dramatic pauses and carefully timed emphasis on certain words, the teenage-angst driven speech becomes a beautiful and deliberate as if the character is both alike and different to Hamlet. Perhaps this is because the lines are inherently profound and no matter who says it and in whatever manner the lines will never be less good than it is. Yet it is clear, that the portrayal is more than sufficient to pass the standards that Shakespeare, if alive today, would likely approve. In other words, the scene where Ethan Hawke performs the famous lines is a gamble by the director, which gamble has paid off. For one, despite the initial problems with connecting the old times with the new inasmuch as the film is merely a rehash of an old play, the monologue has turned from ancient to modern. Thanks to the controlled way in which Ethan Hawke has delivered the lines, it becomes easy for the modern audience to appreciate the lines as if they were reading the original. Another notable feature of the scene is the fact that it is set in video rental store. This is significant because it is generally assumed that when Hamlet said these words he was alone and in a dark place. In the scene however, the place was well lighted and the actor although technically alone was surrounded by shelves of consumer-friendly products i. e. movies and blockbusters, which if interpreted in the modern sense would probably paint a picture of a world overwhelmed by the omnipresence of consumers and products. In other words, the scene was shown in a way that touches base with the reality of the corporate world as juxtaposed to the dark and brooding environment when Hamlet felt the need to question life and his desire to live. The changes in some of the lines are also a contentious issue when watching the film after having read the original. While it is admirable that the screenwriter has decided to edit a few words out in order to make some of the lines easy to the ears of the moviegoer, the fact that some of the words were taken out and replaced with a â€Å"re-interpretation† if not an abbreviation of complex thoughts puts a huge crevice from the original work from the adaptation. One such instance is the scene where Hamlet slowly dies as he utters his final words. The original version has a measured cadence to the words but the film turns this rhythm into short phrases that notwithstanding the close similarity to the original fails to capture the original scene when Hamlet dies. These departures from the original are probably a necessary evil in order to produce and make a film of such scale and ambition. It would not be surprising that to transform a Shakespearean ballad into a modern version would require some tweaking in order to present the story to the audience that does not only overwhelm them with details and the subtlety of the original but manages to thresh out the beauty of the play without being too cerebral. In the same vein, the film is successful as a modern adaptation of Hamlet precisely because the world wherein the story is set is almost similar. While the Prince of Denmark had his grand stature and his privileged position as a respected intellectual in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, so did the Hamlet in Almereyda’s film. The rest of the characters also jive with, or at least stay parallel to, the original. They appear and play the roles in the film almost exactly as how one would imagine the characters while reading the play. Indeed, the visual advantages of film are play a major role in making the film a success as compared to the flat and limited stage acting. It is a fact that the plays of Shakespeare were performed on stage with real actors very much like films of today are dominated by actors and actresses. However, it is entirely different when the medium involves the big screen, closed-up images, camera angles and the freedom to shoot scenes in whatever form and location. The limitations of staging Hamlet on a closed-in theatrical platform are overcome by the power of the film to zoom in and out of key locations. In addition, not only are the locations more versatile and limitless, comparatively, but the facial expressions and the movements of the actors and actresses become magnified for the audience to hear and see with incomparable precision and detail. Ultimately, these main visual and auditory advantage help make the modern adaptation a faithful re-production of Hamlet and an exquisitely wrought and clever modern portrayal of timeless and iconic characters playing out a famous story of revenge, betrayal and redemption. Works Cited Hamlet. Dir. Michael Almereyda. Perf. Ethan Hawke, Julia Stiles, Bill Murray, Kyle MacLachlan, Diane Venora, and Sam Shepard. Miramax, 2000. Film.

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Origin of the Cold War Essay

For more than four decades, world politics revolved around the Cold War. The foreign policy of both the United States and Soviet Union was dominated by the Cold War with far reaching social, political, economic and military consequences. The domestic politics and foreign policy of other nations around the world was also shaped by the Cold War. Very few countries escaped its influence. Since the distinctive features of the Cold War era was shaped in the years that immediately followed the Second World War, an analysis of its origin is important in understanding international history in the second half of the twentieth century. There are various conflicting interpretations of the origin of the Cold War. These interpretations are often based in deep philosophical and ideological differences. A great majority of these interpretations were themselves structured by the ongoing Cold War. The end of the Cold War together with the release of important information over the past years has provided an opportunity to reassess its origins. The earlier controversies concerning the responsibility of the Cold War can now be transcended in an attempt to understand what happened and why. New questions concerning the origins of the Cold War can now be asked. In this paper, I will focus on the international system and the events in the United States as recounted by Kissinger. Kissinger analyzes geopolitics and the perception of threat, ideology and social reconstruction, and strategy and technology. He examines how the American perceptions of national security interests were influenced by global distribution of power and deeply ingrained ideological predispositions. He also demonstrates how the need for hegemony helped shape the political conditions of other nations. There are two dominant views concerning the outbreak of the Cold War. The first is the view that the Soviet Union was mainly responsible for the outbreak. This view pictures the Soviet Union as persistently expansionist and being motivated ideologically. According to this perception, the United States authority wanted to get along with the Soviets. However, they realized that accommodation was not possible since the Soviet authorities quested for world domination. The second view is that the policies of the United States were also expansionist and therefore contributed to the beginning of the Cold War. The idea points towards the long history of American expansionism and argues that United States policies were shaped by ideological beliefs and economic interests to a large extent. It is this second idea that I wish to explore in the writing of Kissinger. The American foreign policy until the early into the twentieth century was characterized by isolationist tendency. According to Kissinger (29), the rapidly expanding power of the United States and the gradual collapse of international system that was previously centered in Europe projected the United States into world affairs. There was wide recognition by the United States administrations during this era that America had an important role to play in world affairs. The international balance of power could not be conceived by American leaders without the role of the United States. There was a deep philosophy that underlay this idea; America had an obligation to spread its principles throughout the world (Kissinger 30). The rise of new powers had been vehemently fought by European powers. The United States was however confident that they could resist any challenge. The American foreign policy was crafted on the conviction that the constant wars that were being fought in Europe were consequences of Europe’s cynical methods of statecraft (Kissinger 32). Ingrained in the American thought was the idea that peace depended on the promotion of democratic institutions. America saw it her responsibility to spread this idea. A great majority of American leaders were convinced that the United States had a special responsibility to spread its values in order to foster world peace. American foreign policy was radically transformed by Roosevelt who strongly believed that America was a great power. He also believed that in a world regulated by power, the natural order of things was reflected in the concept of spheres of influence (Kissinger 40). He was committed to engaging America to reestablish the equilibrium. He saw Germany and Russia as posing a threat to United States dominance in Europe and Asia respectively. He particularly saw Russia as holding in her hands the fate of the coming years. It is during this era that the United States begun seeing Russia as a possible threat to her interests. Weakening of Russia thus became a major issue. The United States saw itself as solely responsible for the security of the entire mankind. This perception foreshadowed its containment policy that was later developed after the Second World War. These sentiments obviously rubbed any nation that desired dominance the wrong way, invariably resulting ion conflict. With the Soviet Union having its own philosophy, the result would not have been anything apart from the Cold War. Work Cited Kissinger, Henry. Diplomacy. Simon and Schuster.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

DB Reply Example

DB Reply Example DB Reply – Coursework Example Employees’ welfare Affiliation Introduction As a business owner the welfare of the employees is a majorpart in their affairs. It involves providing various benefits to the employees. While this may increase the business expenses and negatively affect the bottom line, looking after the employees will eventually benefit the company. This could lead to increased returns as the employees are in a happy environment hence, are in a position to work diligently.Employee benefitsThese are packages given to employees to keep them motivated at their workplace. These packages are sometimes viewed to be more important than the salary by a potential employee. These packages include Christmas bonuses, paid leaves, health insurances, retirement benefits, paid off days, etc.Employee benefits differ depending on the employees status. Married employees have benefits differing from those of the single. Benefits also differ for people of the two genders. The availability of employee benefits help s attract and retain eligible employees. This ensures they will also work and give their best to ensure the continuity of the organization. It helps maintain a good relationship between the employee and the employer Compensation surveyThis is an exercise in which a surveys looks into the various compensations given to employees in their work environments. This exercise ensures that the employee compensations are fair. Apart from that it ensures that they are not paid excessively to a point it hurts the organizations financial status. Various bodies have been put up for such surveys. These are such as the NCS (National Compensation Survey). These surveys can be done semi-annually or annually or biennially. Compensation surveys fall in either of into of two groups: custom and standard.Employment Laws that Influence Compensation Tactics There are various laws involved in employee compensation. These laws are used to ensure that neither part undermines the other party (employers or empl oyees). These laws are such as: FLSA (Fair Labor Standard Act) – It prescribes wages and overtime pay. This law is administered by the wage and hour divisionThe Federal Employees Compensation Act –it establishes a comprehensive and exclusive workers compensation program.The Employees Compensation Act (FECA) -This law establishes a comprehensive and exclusive workers compensation for the disability or death of a federal employee resulting from personal injury sustained while on duty.ConclusionEmployees are a major part of the economy of a country. Their welfare is usually a major factor for the employees to take in for employees. The federal government has devised various laws that govern this. The government requires all employees to ensure that their employees are well taken care of. This involves ensuring their satisfaction while working. Several bodies have also been set up to ensure that even while taking care of the employees one does not end up hurting their busi ness such as the compensation survey bodies. ReferencesDebbie Lovewell, (2011) Employee benefits/ Towers Watson flexible Benefits, Employee benefit magazine.Burn, M (2011). What Does It Cost To Replace An Employee. Abenity. Retrieved 23 March, 2015 from abenity.com/celebrate/employee-engagement-cost-to-replace-an-employee/ Bill Coleman, Compensation Survey, Givology. Retrieved 23 March, 2015 from www.salary.com/compensation-surveys.com Trevor, C. and Graham, M., (2000). Deriving the market wage: Three Decisions Area in the Compensation Survey Process. World of Work Journal, Vol. 9: 4 Lesia W (2011). How New Laws, Regulations Affect Compensation and Benefits plan. CBIA-Government Affairs. Retrieved 23 March, 2015 from http://gov.cbia.com/issues_policies/article/how-new-laws-regulations-affect-ct-compensation-and-benefits-plans

Monday, November 4, 2019

Special Interests Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 3

Special Interests - Essay Example They need to have a control mechanism which is helped in terms of influence with the public policy which has already been developed for a state or a country. However, the members do not wish to have any political control which suggests much within the relevant scheme of things. These interest groups lobby with the assistance of their members who form a vital ingredient of the various legislative bodies. Their roles are taken care of regularly by the political parties for which these interest groups have an aim to serve from a strategic perspective. It would not be wrong to suggest here that these interest groups have been playing their due role within electing the politicians who have a fair idea as per the cause at hand and the right kind of attention that the subject raised by these interest groups exists. It is a given that these interest groups hire people who have some form of secretive instincts in terms of propaganda movements (Loomis, 2011). On other occasions, they are asked to do it more openly. There are a number of interest groups which are related to one another yet exist separately due to different reasons. These comprise of the economic interest groups, which include within them the trade unions, the religious groups and chambers of commerce. Then there are the professional interest groups which take into account the various doctors, business individuals, architects and lawyers to name a few. These people are usually the skilled workers that exist within any society at any given point in time. Also there is the public interest group which relates itself with the environment and takes care of the concerns which surround the lives of the people (Nownes, 2000). These public interest groups benefit the individuals more than anything else. The fourth interest group is remarked as the special interest group which is a part of the subgroups that usually come about within large groups and have a very precise approach to them. Once a clear cut understandi ng of these interest groups is attained, the next step is to differentiate them from the pressure groups which exist within any society in the present times. The interest groups have very accurate intentions and a focused mission, which it complies to at all times. A number of supporters exist for these interest groups which is a positive sign if seen within the broader contexts. These supporters are of the view that these interest groups highlight what other individuals feel about their own entireties as well as the community at large. A good amount of people opine that these interest groups have a hidden program attached to each and every step of theirs which may be based on fallacies alone. However, people keep raising suspicions every now and then to spark off a controversy surrounding these interest groups. Some interest groups have been able to make a name for their own selves. Two of these are the NCH which advances the economic justice cause which is there for the families w ho are having a tough time as they have low incomes; and the NCPSSM which encourages for the renowned federal programs in terms of social security and Medicare for all Americans who wish to have a healthy, useful and secure retirement plan. 2. Discuss the relationship between interest groups and political parties. The association that exists between the interest groups and the political parties is based on the premise of significance. The reason for this is that these intere

Saturday, November 2, 2019

Medical Admission Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Medical Admission - Essay Example I was feeling very embarrassed because it took me the longest to scrub into surgery, so I decided that I needed to leave the surgery first to get a head start preparing for the next surgery. In addition, I wanted to grab a cup of coffee to help wake me up. I was still wearing the surgical hat and smock as I passed through the double doors of the entrance of the surgical wing. While I was passing through the doors, an older man approached me and asked if Catalina was okay. He had the look of worry and fear in his eyes. I did not know what to say because I was not a doctor. Before I could say anything, the rest of his family members, who were sitting on the chairs lining the hallway, got up and approached me. All of them with the same look of fear and concern asked me questions about Catalina. I was not sure if I should say anything, but I felt the need to say something to comfort them during what must have been the longest hour of their lives. I told them the operation went well and C atalina was going to be just fine. Their eyes and faces immediately became full of joy and happiness. They hugged me, thanked me, and the mother and grandmother even kissed me. That moment motivated me to become a physician. I had never felt anything like that before. It was at that moment when I made the final decision to serve the mankind by becoming a doctor. A month before traveling to South America to shadow my uncle for the summer, I had been volunteering at a hospital next to campus for about a year.Â