The poem ‘After Apple Picking’ by Robert Frost as one the most celebrated and widely read poems of the Romantic Period

The poem ‘After Apple Picking' by Robert Frost is one the most celebrated and widely read poems of the Romantic Period. The poem was drawn from Frosts' own life, his recurrent losses, everyday tasks, and his loneliness. After Apple Picking is the poem that links Frost heavily to the Romantic Tradition as he follows the traditional Romantic model, in which he displays a number of Romantic qualities, mainly a connection with the transcendent and spiritual, Individualism, Primitivism and Nature as a source of reflection and guidance. A characteristic of Romanticism was the belief that emotions and relationships were not just important, but were the very currency of life (Individualism). After Apple Picking focused on ones deep feelings of suffering but also a sense of hope and transcendence. This is conveyed in the quote â€Å"Of Apple picking: I am overtired Of the great harvest I myself desired†. The dramatic monologue, diction and modality shows the struggles of the man. The persona has too many goals and is regretting his choices in life, showing feelings of regret and exhaustion. Individualism is a major aspect to Romantic poetry and is expressed through the example as it shows a single person and his expression of individual feelings. Romantic literature tends to have a theme of favouring the pastoral over the urban way of living. After Apple Picking is set in a rural background of a farm which is a critical aspect in determining that Frost is a poet of the Romantic Tradition. The symbolism of the ‘great harvest' as the goals and dreams of the man links it back to the Primitivism and the experiences of the common man. The other example of â€Å"Empty Barrels† symbolise Frosts regrets at having not fulfilled all of his lives dreams and ambitions. This primitive state is a common occurrence in many Romantic period poems and the emphasis on rural life adds to the proof that After Apple Picking and Frost are part of the Romantic Tradition. In After Apple Picking nature is used greatly to create a deeper value and more meaningful answers to life. This is nature acting as source of reflection and guidance. His emphasis on emotion rather than logic clarifies that the poem is indeed Romantic. The fist person narrative and reference to nature; â€Å"woodchucks†, â€Å"apples†, â€Å"boughs† help create a reflective tone in the poem. Frost capitalises on the reflective tone and attempts to use nature as a source of value and meaning within his life. Romantic poems also had a connection with the transcendent and links to the spiritual. Frost makes certain biblical allusions to Jacob's ladder and heaven shown in the quote â€Å"My long two-pointed ladder's sticking through a tree Toward heaven still†. This is used to emphasise the need to connect with the transcendent and the divine. Frost connects with the divine while creating a positive connotation to nature through the apples, which are a gift from God. Their has been a constant battle as to whether Robert Frost is indeed a Romantic poet. This poem conforms that Robert Frost is a Romantic poet as the many characteristics of the Romantic Tradition have greatly been expressed in his work and especially in After Apple Picking as shown in the many examples. The poem includes many of these characteristics and ultimately â€Å"it depicted emotional matter, in an imaginative form†.

Beauty is not caused. It is. (Emily Dickinson)

Numerous documents and articles criticize and downplay physical beauty. Credible, educated sources encouraging physical beauty are few and far between. Society fetishly discredits standards and beliefs Marilyn Monroe established. Media reporters emphasize Marilyn wore a size 16. By today’s standards, a size 16 is obese. These reports fail to inform audiences a size 16 at that time is comparable to a size 3 today. Health warnings accompany hair bleaching, tanning, and weight control. Political influences attempt to change opinions regarding physical beauty.Political correctness regarding physical beauty standards controls words used by the media. Words used by the media have no impact on reality. Looks do matter. Physical attractiveness and weight management opens realities regarding career, relationships, luck, court decisions, and better health care. Physical appearances determine first impressions. Vision senses override audible senses. Political influences imply obesity is socially acceptable. An overweight person gives the impression of increased risk for injuries and insurance claims in the workplace.Before job applicants say the first words, an unchangeable opinion formed in the interviewers mind. Political correctness portrayed by media reporters or women’s groups does not change perceptions of an obese person. Blonds attract more attention, therefore more customers. People seeking potential dates or marriage partners gives priority to their identity, not research. Individuals are perceived by the appearance of his or her mate. Personal priorities determine individual opinions of physical beauty. Contradiction describing physical beauty is everywhere.Career objectives, goals of attracting certain marriage partners, and other life decisions determine which research and statistics regarding physical attractiveness accepted. External physical appearances visually display personal lifestyle choices. People who prioritize excellent or improved h ealth disregard research stating extra body weight is healthier than being thin. Proportionate weight results from selecting healthy food choices and participation in effective cardio exercise. People walking around with 12% body fat and visible muscles live a significantly different lifestyle than someone weighing 115 pounds.Athletic people avoid restaurants, eat clean foods, and organize his or her life around exercise and proper nutrition. Someone concerned with weight management and general health keeps his or her calories low and exercise moderately. Athletic lifestyles are too intense for ordinary individuals with average goals. Friends are selected or rejected based on their visible lifestyles. A person’s weight is an advertisement of daily living habits. Society views weight as a measure of physical appearance. Body image acceptance is often translated as a measure of self esteem, happiness and self-worth.People wishing to change his or her weight desire to change the ir priorities. Anorexia nervosa inevitably shows up every time physical appearance is mentioned. Anorexia nervosa is a mental illness. Physical appearance plays very little part in anorexia. People obsessively refusing to eat are acting out a fear relevant to obesity from his or her past. Perhaps someone remembered from childhood developed a drug problem. Weight gain triggered the drug problem. Depriving the physical body of food has nothing in common with dieting down to 95 or 100 pounds.The media and psychologists attempt to associate the two behaviors. They have nothing in common. Media, psychologists, and investigative reporters imply eating disorders is a desire to become thin. Society pushes theories implying thinness is unattractive. Physicians and dieticians emphasize weight is determined by genes and hereditary. These findings are to discourage eating disorders. Verbally, this logic may be accepted. In actual behavior, the idea is rejected. A self confident person remains u nchanged by outside influences.Self confidence encourages behavior resulting in pleasant physical appearance. No one obtains above average looks by accident. Extremely attractive people stir up negative emotions from others. â€Å"Beauty draws as much hostility as it does desire. Other women hate you. If you are not available or interested, men hate you too. Beauty makes other people who are insecure about their own looks resentful, which erects a barrier that can be difficult to bridge† (Shriver, 2006). Beautiful women constantly receive make-up tips, suggestions to change their hair or fashion advice.Secure people ignore such suggestions. Self esteem is hardly affected by advice, insults and any media program. Fitness industries would close. Society’s opinions are ever changing regarding perception of physical beauty. Changeable opinions are verbal. Reactions physically attractive people receive remain focused. Reactions to physical attractiveness are never planned. Gentlemen offering their seat to an attractive lady, smiles, heads turning, stares, insults, envy, and unplanned facial expressions are true constant perceptions of physical beauty.Marilyn Monroe symbolizes beauty. Extremist groups continuously seek ways to alter the perception of Marilyn Monroe’s physical characteristics. Research attempts to alter behavior emphasizing health risks. Health scares do not change actual behavior. The reality to change what is accepted as physical beauty never changes. Notes; Lionel, Shriver, (8/16/2006) The Curse of Beauty, Daily Manuel. http://search. ebscohost. com/login. aspx? direct=true&db=nfh&AN=21963650&site=ehost-live

Adapting Communicative Language Teaching Approach to China’s Context Essay

1. Introduction With the development of market economy, China is accelerating its steps to join the world family in commerce and cultural partnership. With the recent accession to the WTO, the long-awaited Olympic Games in Beijing, China has made learning English a national priority. English, with its unique status, has been taught in China for more than 100 years. Today, English is becoming more and more popular. It is a compulsory course for all Chinese students from primary school to university. Clearly it is relatively easy to demonstrate the importance of English in current China. This essay intends to argue that to achieve success in English learning for Chinese students the methods of teaching must be reconsidered. Therefore this article is structured as follows: First, analyzing different types of English teaching methods in China and then focusing on the CLT Method. By analyzing and contrasting these English teaching methods, the need to change current English teaching methods in China will be discovered. Finally, explaining the problems of adopting the more modern CLT Approach and giving suggestions on how it may best be adapted to the Chinese context. See more:  Social Satire in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Essay 2. A Brief Introduction to English Teaching Methods in China 2.1 Grammar-Translation Method  English has been taught in China for more than 100 years. In the beginning stage, people did not have any experience on modern language teaching and learning, so they followed a European language teaching method YE Jin (1978- ), Master of education, lecturer of School of Foreign Language, Shenzhen University; research fields: English language teaching methods, cross-cultural communication, educational assessment,which is used in teaching Greek and Latin in Middle Ages in Europe—Grammar-Translation Method. Some Chinese students become accustomed to this method in learning English and generally showed great interest in language structures and linguistic details. Most of them believe â€Å"we would like to know what happens, because if we understand the system, we can use English more effectively† (Harvey, 1985). Therefore, most Chinese English teachers always stick to this method, and think it is essential to analyze grammar to learners, without considering the age of the students or their English proficiency. This method is effective and suitable for some Chinese students, but not all of them. The outcome of this method is that students develop poor oral English ability with pronunciation and intonation not standard. Although they have learned lots of grammar rules, when using English to communicate, they will make grammatical mistakes frequently. Especially when they are in foreign countries, they cannot ask the way; they cannot order taxi. They are â€Å"observers† rather than active participants in classes. Students became almost â€Å"structurally competent but communicatively incompetent† (Johnson & Morrow, 1981). It has been pointed out that this grammar-oriented approach reflects an artificial and formalistic view of language skills and learning. It doesn’t allow the learners to use a language in a natural way (Widdowson, 1990). This is the most serious problem in Grammar-Translation Method and also in current China’s English teaching. 2.2 Direct Method  This English teaching method is totally different from Grammar-Translation Method. It uses English directly in teaching, such as using English to make conversations or have discussions. Students’ English competence is developed in this way instead of using mother tongue to translate. The basic principle of this method is that the foreign language learning process should be like the natural process of a child learning his or her mother tongue. It believes that language is a skill or habit, and this habit can be achieved by repetition and imitation. Although this method can inspire students’ interests in learning English and is in favour of their English pronunciation and intonation, it has certain limitations: (1) It only focuses on experiences and perceptual knowledge in English and it has little estimate on students’ level of consciousness. (2) This method rejects mother tongue in English teaching. It only sees the disadvantages of mother tongue, but never makes use of mother tongue to facilitate students’ comprehension. (3) After learning English for a long time, some students may understand simple oral English but not complicated sentences and have poor grammar skills. (4) The class size should be small in using this method. So this method is just suitable to teach English beginners, and cannot be fully applied in the large country—China. 2.3 Audio-Lingual Approach  This English teaching method puts listening and speaking in the first place. It uses sentence pattern as the base of teaching and tries to avoid mother tongue in class. When using this method in learning English, students should first listen and then speak. After a long time practice, students can automatically express what they had heard. Because this method relies on repetition and drills, the main limitations are: (1) It over emphasizes the mechanical practice and ignores students’ English skills training and learning flexibility. (2) This method focuses too much on the language structure and ignores the meaning of the language, so students’ reading and writing abilities are poor. 2.4 Communicative Language Teaching Approach (CLT)  In the early 1990s, a new English teaching method was introduced to China—Communicative Language Teaching Approach. This method emphasizes how to use language as a media to communicate. Teachers should not only train students’ listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, but also train them how to use all of these language skills into the real life communication. The teacher sets up a situation that students are likely toï ¿ ¼encounter in real life. The CLT can leave students in suspense as to the outcome of a class exercise, which will vary according to their reactions and responses (Galloway, 1993). The basic features of CLT are: (1) It focuses on students’ active participation, the whole classroom is not the teacher-centered, but students-centered one. The teacher should give students enough time to practise during class. (2) The English teacher should help students to be more independent, active and fluent in using English. In real life situation, students will use the language without teacher’s help. (3) When using the CLT, the teacher often organizes pair and group work, the whole classroom setting should be arranged in favour of these activities. Although this method is quite useful and can inspire students’ interest, it still has some limitations: (1) The textbook using in CLT breaks up the English grammatical system, which increases students’ difficulty in learning grammar. (2) This method is hard to assess. The above four English teaching methods are all used in China in different time and to a certain extent; they have their own features and focuses on improving different language skills. So the limitations are unavoidable when we use them separately in English teaching. Among them, the oldest language teaching method—Grammar-Translation Method is still popular in some places in current China. Meanwhile, for various reasons, using the CLT in China met considerable difficulties. How to use the CLT in China’s English teaching context properly still has a long way to go. 3. Adapting Communicative Language Teaching Approach in China To solve this problem, we need to use the CLT flexibly, that is to say, we need to adapt CLT to China’s English teaching context. But just as Johnson and Morrow (1981, p. 1) state â€Å"new movements often begin as reactions to old ones. Their origins lie in a discontent with an existing state of affairs†. In fact, in 1992 the State Education Development Commission (SEDC) introduced a functional syllabus, in which the communicative teaching aim was set and the communicative functions to be taught were listed. In the same year, in cooperation with the British Longman, the SEDC published a new textbook series. The syllabus and the textbooks required teachers to teach communicatively in classrooms. This action met considerable resistance at that time. 3.1 Problems  The main problems of adopting CLT in China are: First, class size. In China, each class has at least 50 students, and there are only 45 minutes in one English class. Each student could potentially speak in each class less than 1 minute. So it is impossible for English teachers to conduct CLT well in this kind of class. Second, English teachers especially some primary and secondary school English teachers lack sufficient English knowledge and teaching skills to adopt CLT without further guidance and training. â€Å"Many teachers have tried to change the dominant teaching procedures but quickly get frustrated, lose their initial enthusiasm, and acquiesce to tradition†. (Campbell & ZHAO, 1993) Third, in China the whole process of English teaching and learning is heavily influenced by examinations, and the matriculation English test focuses on students’ linguistic competence. The English teaching pattern in China is textbook-based, teacher-dominated and test-oriented, which prevents students from improving their communicative competence (ZUO, 1993). Finally, lack of teaching materials is another obstacle to adopt CLT in China. Right now, some universities in China stick to their own textbooks—College English, which was published in 1989 by Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, and has remained unchanged for more than 10 years. College English does include some authentic materials from English novels and magazines, but it lacks practical applications and is hard to organize communicative classroom activities to go with it. Because of the above reasons, English teachers cannot adopt CLT directly in China’s context, and the history 31 Adapting communicative language teaching approach to China’s context ï ¿ ¼has already proved that direct adoption would fail at last. They must adapt CLT and use an eclectic method according to Chinaà ¢â‚¬â„¢s current situation. 3.2 Factors to be considered of adapting CLT to China’s context The above four English teaching methods are all used in China’s English teaching. They have their own advantages and disadvantages. Previous research and analysis show that the most scientific way to teach English in China’s context is to combine those different English teaching methods together, using an eclectic method. An eclectic method is a method that accepts the best teaching techniques from other methods according to the actual situation. To reconcile communicative approaches to the teaching of English with traditional Chinese methods helped English teachers in their teaching, but to be eclectic, teachers were required to use CLT as a method while accepting elements of the traditional methods, especially the Grammar-Translation Method. 3.2.1 Combining accuracy and fluency in China’s English teaching In English learning, accuracy and fluency are two equally important factors, but in China, accuracy is emphasized more than fluency. Chinese students are keenly interested in the exact words, have a low tolerance of ambiguity, and tend to focus on discrete grammar points and specific syntactic constructions (Barnhouse, 1981). Modern society needs students use English not only accurately but also fluently, so more attention should be paid to fluency in the future’s English teaching. As for teaching beginners, a solid foundation of English must be emphasized, which is primarily built on accuracy, so English teachers should use Grammar-Translation Method more in this stage . Then teachers should encourage students to use English orally with as few errors as possible, and to manipulate the language system as spontaneously and flexibly as possible. CLT is largely involved in this process. After students have mastered the language forms, they ought to be given intensive fluency practice, because although linguistic competence is the basis of communicative competence, communicative competence does not automatically result from linguistic competence (DUAN, 1992). At this stage, English teachers should not interrupt students’ practice to correct their mistakes frequently, but at the end of each fluency practice, the teacher should let students aware their mistakes, so they can avoid next time. During the whole practice, the teacher should let students use English extensively and limit the use of Chinese. Through this way, accuracy and fluency can be achieved and students’ English linguistic competence and communicative competence can both be developed. 3.2.2 Student-centered orientation  For a long time, China’s English classroom is dominated by teachers. They always stand in front of the blackboard, and talk all the time; students sitting in lines separately to listen. This kind of classroom setting is in favour of using Grammar-Translation Method in teaching, but it is not convenient to carry out students’ practice. In order to facilitate English acquisition, students need oral practice in English classroom. Teachers must ensure that classroom interactions are managed, not just by the teacher, but by all participants. To achieve this, teachers should arrange the desks in such a way that the students can look directly at one another to help create interactions among students. 3.2.3 Teacher’s role  Instead of being the master of the class, the English teacher could act as an independent participant and facilitator in English classroom. He or she facilitates the communicative process among all learners and between students and various tasks. He or she can give guidance and advice when necessary. But this does not mean in the teaching process, the teacher should only be a passive observer. Although the teacher may be nondirective in general, it is still the teacher’s responsibility to recognize the distinctive qualities in the students (HAN, 1979) and to help students develop those qualities. Of course, to perform these roles well, English teachers in China need further guidance and training to let 32 Adapting communicative language teaching approach to China’s context ï ¿ ¼them fully understand that teaching English does not consist only of teaching grammar but that the true mastery of a language involves communicative competence, and to let them know how to use CLT in their daily teaching process successfully. 3.2.4 Classroom activities  Classroom activities such as role-play, pair work and group discussion should be largely involved in English teaching. At the same time, teachers can also use any unexpected occurrence that happens during class. I still remember when I was in secondary school, I was always attracted easily by outside sights and noises. Once in an English class, I saw a very beautiful butterfly flying outside the window. It was so beautiful that I signaled my best friend to look at it. Just at this moment, my English teacher also noticed my signal. Instead of being angry, she asked the whole class to enjoy the beautiful butterfly, and me to describe it in English. Although in China, classroom activities are usually based on textbooks; English teachers can try to create activities to provide students with speaking opportunities and motivate them. 3.2.5 Changes in English test  For a long time, English examinations in China did not have oral test and the language use section. Recently, some important English tests in China developed by the State Education Development Commission began to include the language use section. English teachers can teach to the test from now on. The section was added to measure the four English language skills used for communication and it included such elements like: role-play, reading comprehension and communicative writing. Most of my students in China told me that the English examination is more interesting than ever before and they like these changes. 4. Conclusion  English teaching in China, with its traditional setting and current situation, differs from many English speaking countries. But this does not mean that the CLT approach is not applicable in China’s context. On the other hand, English teachers can use an eclectic method according to their actual situations. Adapting the CLT approach, making full use of its advantages and reconciling it with the traditional Grammar-Teaching Method, this approach can work the most effectively in China. But adapting CLT to China’s context is a very complicated process, under the guidance of the SEDC, the representatives of the central government, it should be done step by step. Right now what English teachers in China need to do is to modernize, not westernize, English teaching.

Accounting assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Accounting assignment - Essay Example In particular, the financial ratios of WM Morrison (or â€Å"Morisson†) will be compared with Tesco. To further enhance analysis, of each of the four groups of ratios will be examined in rations to each other by taking consideration of the viewpoints of all corporate stakeholders. Tesco PLC is an international retailer, having a wider customer base than competitors that may just be operating in Britain. An international scope of business may be readily seen in its having higher amount of investments in terms of total assets as against competitors, which is of course matched by either total equity, or total liabilities or both. The typical local retailer in Britain is Morisson (WM Morisson, 2014a) which will be compared latter with Tesco on the assumption that the amount of investment could influence the level of profitability, liquidity and even investment rations. The company’s retailing business and associated activities could be found in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, the United States, Malaysia, Thailand, Slovakia, South Korea, India and Turkey (Reuters, 2014b) The different ratios for analysis will analyse how Tesco has performed financially for the past four years and how it differs from those of its competitors on the average, of which one them in particular is WM Morisson. Performance is basically measured from the data taken from the income statements. The said income statement contains the essentially the revenues and expenses. The excess of revenues over expenses is called net income so that a profitable company should be able to have more revenues over that of expenses (Lee, 200; Pagach, et al; 2006; Porter and Norton, 2010). In this section however, the net income of the company would have viewed in relation to the figures coming from the balance sheet which include the total assets and total equity. When net income is related to

Corportions Law in Australia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Corportions Law in Australia - Essay Example A Company is a distinct legal entity whereas a partnership firm in not distinct from the several persons who compose it (The ICFAI University, 2005). When it comes to issue of liability, a partner's liability is always unlimited whereas that of shareholder may be limited either by shares or by guarantee. The main difference between a partnership and a limited company is that the liability of a company's shareholders is limited to the amount of the unpaid amount on the shares that they own2 (Complete Business Services Ltd). Partners on the other hand, can not restrict their liability i.e. as they have an unlimited liability and therefore can be held personally responsible for any unpaid debts the partnership incurs. In a partnership firm, partners are joint and severally liable for partnership debts. Thus if one partner engages in an activity which results in large debts, all partners, regardless of whether or not they had prior knowledge of the activities would be equally liable to make good any shortfall in funds from their personal assets. But this is not the case with a company. As discussed earlier, the liability of the participants in a company is limited to the amount of shares that are held by them in the company. The case of Salomon vs. Salomon & Co. Ltd., took place in the year 1879. ... y purchased the business of Salomon for 39,000, and the purchase consideration was paid in terms of debentures worth 10,000 conferring a charge over the company's assets, and 20,000 shares of 1 each fully paid-up and the balance amount in cash. The company in less than one year ran into difficulties and liquidation proceedings commenced. The assets of the company were not even sufficient to discharge the debentures and nothing was left for the unsecured creditors. The unsecured creditors contended that though incorporated under the Act, the company never had an independent existence; it was in fact an alter-ego of Salomon, the other directors being his sons under his control. It was held by the House of Lords that "the company had been validly constituted since the Act only required seven members holding at least one share each. It said that nothing about their being independent, or that there should be anything like a balance of power in the constitution of the company3 (Ask Me Help Desk). The company is different person at law and though it may be that after incorporation the business is precisely the same as before, the same persons are managers, and the same hands receive the profits, the company is not, in law their agent or trustee. Hence, the business belonged to the company and not to Salomon." The court observed that the company was a separate person, a separate body altogether different from the shareholders and the transfer was as much as conveyance, a transfer of property, as if the shareholders had been totally different persons. It can be seen from the proceedings of the above discussed case that a company is given a distinct legal entity in comparison to the individuals who are managing the affairs of the company. This provides a 'veil' for

Balancing Stakeholders Interests In Case Of A Conflict Essay - 2

Balancing Stakeholders Interests In Case Of A Conflict - Essay Example The CAW accepted a wage freeze that would last three years approximately. Vacations would have to go for lesser time and employees would have to contribute higher towards their benefit plans. From the abstract what is clear is that the bailout necessitated that employees do most of the heavy lifting. Suffering wage cuts, taking shorter vacations while the owners who happen to also be external stakeholders do not seem to suffer that much. How then can the interest of employees and shareholders be balanced in case a conflict arises? To answer this question I will use Edward Freeman’s stakeholder’s theory to delve in depth into this issue pitting both moral responsibilities and profit maximization objectives of the business unit. Stakeholder hypothesis is a theory of executive management and trade ethics that deals with principles and values in running an organization. In the conventional view of the firm, the investor view, they are the proprietors of the company and the corporation has a compulsory duty to put their needs first, to boost value for them. Stakeholder conjecture fights that there are added parties involved, including workers, clientele, providers, investors, society, legislative bodies, political lobby groups, trade links, and unions. Even rivals are sometimes counted as stakeholders - their position being consequent from their aptitude to affect the company and its stakeholders. The nature of what is a stakeholder is extremely contested The stakeholder view of policy integrates equally a resource and a market-based view and adding up a socio-political stage. This outlook of the corporation is used to describe the precise stakeholders of a firm (the normative presumption (Donaldson) of stakeholder identification) mutually examines the conditions beneath which these parties ought to be treated as stakeholders.

Social Performance, Part 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Social Performance, Part 2 - Essay Example The best way through which this is done is by having a proper code of ethics for the security firm. The paper focuses on the various ethical aspects involved in a business and the manner in which they relate to the security firm. Various companies have different codes of conduct and judging from their performance in the last couple of years it is important to note that the advantages of having these codes of ethics surpass other customer ratings. These results come from numerous studies carried out during the last census bringing out this information vividly. One of the acclaimed companies with about the best code of ethics is EverFocus Electronics AG. This security company has made great strides in the technology field from the various codes of ethics that it has employed. The Everfocus Electronics AG has one of its highly observed codes of conduct being etiquette. This is one of the company’s major strongpoint when it comes to dealing with public relations. The company has an extensive training program for employees where they are taught various manners in which to handle the needs and belongings of the employees (Williams, 2011). This is always in line to produce the best out of the employees for greater satisfaction of the client. They are trained that when handling consumer luggage they should enquire from the client how delicate or rather the nature of the luggage for best handling. With this, the client is always ensured of maximum safety of personal belongings. Another company to critique from its ventures and successes over the last decade is MOBOTIX AG. MOBOTIX is one other company that has hit the security industry with a blow due to the massive profit margins that it has had the ability of making even beating long time industry leaders. The company has had its successes attributed to the high amount of emphasis accorded to the use of CCTV. Many security companies do not use their CCTV security systems in the

Diagnosis Related Groups Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Diagnosis Related Groups - Essay Example A patient is assigned this category of DRG when all the operating room procedures performed on this patient are unrelated to the major diagnostic category of the patient's principal diagnosis. DRG 468 thus pays for discharge in which the patient undergoes an operating room procedure entirely unrelated to this admission's principal diagnosis. This is against the PPS classification of discharges of clinically coherent groups. Although this is possible in some cases, DRG 468 can be an example of DRG creep. The attending physician may misspecify the principal diagnosis, secondary diagnosis, or the procedure on the attestation sheet. It can also be the result of miscoding, where the hospital assigns an incorrect numeric code to the diseases or procedures which had been correctly attested by the physician in charge. In some cases to avoid investigation, the hospital may substitute a secondary diagnosis for the correct principal diagnosis. Therefore for appropriation of facts, auditing and review is necessary that would identify discharges in which coding rules are either ignored or not applied appropriately. DRG 468 is assigned when all the operating room procedures are unrelated to the major diagnostic category for which the patient had been admitted. Most often, these patients are admitted with a principal diagnosis that does not need any surgery. ... To assess the appropriateness, the ICD-9-CM coding guidelines should be applied to do the initial coding and for auditing if such has been used. The principal diagnosis is always the reason for admission, which should be backed by records indicating circumstances at admission, diagnostic workup, and therapy provided. The scenario is not an admission of the patient to treat two conditions, it is rather two conditions present during admission. While auditing and reviewing, it is to be determined whether the principal diagnosis was the reason for admission and treatment. If at admission, there were more than one diagnoses, use of guidelines for selecting the principal diagnosis would be used with consideration of circumstances at admission, diagnosis workup, and the therapy provided. The principal procedure must be performed for definitive treatment, not for diagnostic purposes, exploratory purposes, or for a complication. If there are two procedures done, then the one most related to t he principal diagnosis would be selected as the principal procedure. The procedure must be significant as defined by the Uniform Hospital Discharge Data Set would be used, and for this to qualify, it must be surgical under anesthesia with the operator being specially trained. The audit must look at the detailed documentation in the medical record. There must be enough proof and substantiation that it was medically necessary. The coding should be done from the narrative description of the procedure, not from the written title of the procedure. The approach and closure of the procedure are integral part of one significant procedure, not two separate

Exam(account) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Exam(account) - Essay Example (Abrema, 2009) There are many methods which are preferred by the Accounting Standards for the valuation of the stock, e.g. Specific Identification, FIFO, LIFO, Weighted Average etc. In order to assess the stock valuation model to be adopted by the company, following points would be considered: Specific Identification method is the most favorable and an ideal method to be used. Here, the actual cost of the Inventory can be identified but there are some limitations as it can be used in large and easily traceable good manufacturing industries such as Vehicles and Furniture. (Money Central, 2009) In FIFO (First In First Out) method, it is assumed that the goods that were bought first were also sold first. As a result, during a rising trend in prices FIFO will give a better assessment of the cost of ending Inventory. (CBA, 1998) LIFO (Last In First Out) method assumes that the goods bought in at the end are being sold first. Therefore, the ending inventory will be valued at a lower price during a rising trend in prices and vice versa. (CBA, 1998) but one of the advantages of using LIFO is that it reduces the amount of taxes during rising trend of prices. In Weighted Average, an average of the whole rate is determined and that rate is applied to the Ending Inventory. It is easy to calculate but it doesn’t show the exact effect of Inflation on prices. (CBA,

Corn Essay Example for Free

Corn Essay Demand for Corn If the demand for corn increases due to its use as an alternative energy source, the supply of corn substitute like soybean would decrease. This would happen because as the demand of corn rises, the price of corn would rise. Therefore the producers of a substitute like soybean would start producing corn instead of the soybean considering that they both have the same farmland. The producers of soybean will expect to make more profit by selling corn at a higher price assuming the cost of production remains the same. Therefore the quantity supplied of substitute such as soybean would reduce. Price of Corn The price increase of corn would lead to an increase in the price of corn oil. Corn will act as a high raw material cost in producing corn oil. Moreover as the demand for corn is to be used in the production of alternate energy rises, the total quantity supplied for production of corn oil would decrease initially whereas the quantity demanded for corn will remain the same and hence the price of corn will rise which ultimately cause the price of corn oil to rise. Price of Elasticity The price elasticity of demand for corn oil will eventually lead to a decrease in demand for corn oil and hence as the demand decreases, sales will drop and total revenue earned by sellers of corn will decline. In the market there are many available substitutes for a product like Corn oil. Corn oil is not a necessity for life and can be substituted with other related products. In this case soybean oil would be a close substitute for corn oil. Hence as with the price elasticity of demand, increase in price of the corn oil would lead to decrease in demand of the corn oil as the consumers will switch from high priced corn oil to the cheaper substitute soybean oil. In effect with the decrease in demand of corn oil the sales would fall leading to a decrease in the Total revenue earned by the sellers of corn oil.

Age and gender influences on fashion

Age and gender influences on fashion Fashion orientation In our contemporary society, we may not understand fashion, you may not like fashion, but most of us can not not come into contact with fashion. Craik (1994) said that fashion is confusing, interesting, exciting, obsessive-compulsive. Whether we like it or not, it has greatly influenced with people even those who want to avoid it. What is the fashion? Fashion have experienced a serious of style popular during a specfic period of time(Nystrom,1928).Craik (1994) can divided into two ways: West High Fashion and Everyday Fashion; High Fashion refers haute coutureor elite designer fashion, Everyday Fashion is people everyday clothing, so everyday Fashion Street Fashion another similar statement. Fashion can be explained as psychology, sociology, and consumer behaviour studies. fashion will be described as a social and psychological response to the external environment (Westers,1966). What is the fashion orientation? Fashion Orientation defined wearing different style of clothing items make a gorgeous overall look(Evelyn,2005). Fashion orientation can be describes when consumer go shopping, they always look for fashionable items(Ko and Kincade 2007). consumer do not lost interested in fashion even time goes by. fashion orientation represents when it come out with fashion awareness, it can not ignore how important people’s life-style are. Because fashion comes from human daily life, life style includes people living and spending time and money† (Engel, Blackwell, Miniard, 1990, p. 342). People can be not mentioned about their values in their lifestyles and a life style has great impact on fashion orientation. Moreover, according to GutmanMills (1982) study, it described fashion orientation comprised of four dimensions: fashion interest, importance of being well dressed and anti-fashion attitude and fashion leadership. Darley johnson (1993) mentioned that fashion orientation is fashi on innovativeness together with fashion leadership. Both Jonathan and William defined fashion orientation is in relation to shopping orientation. a few studies analysis that fashion orientation should be separated from shopping orientation together. In this study, it consist of four dimensions based on Gunmans study: fashion interest, fashion leadership and importance of being well dressed and anti fashion attitude. Gutman and Mill theory According to Gutman and Mills(1982)mail survey with 6,261 female respondents, it created a fashion scale with its four dimensions: 1) fashion leadership, 2) fashion interest, 3) importance of being well-dressed, and 4) anti fashion attitude. This study was cited in many researches currently. Fashion Leadership The character of Fashion leadership is a good sense of fashion trends, knowledge of fashion trends and a self conscious concept of clothing.Many people think that if someone is very familiar for a product, and often ask them related questionsto this person can be called opinion leaders, the advantages of fashion leader is that they can influence people attitudes or behavior toward fashion due to the wealth of knowledge, expert ability and correctly filtering variety of product information. Because the new fashion styles need to be adopted for a period of time(Barber Lobel, 1952), fashion leaders should be very active in social activities and close to other people, they play a vital role in the community and make people accept style innovation by influential power.(Workman Johnson, 1993). Moreover, because fashion leaders affect not only customer purchase decision but also give the marketers fashion ideas and advice. Summers and King (1969) defined female clothing fashion opinion le aders are care about trying new products and building up fashion knowledge about new clothing collection. Similarly, Myers and Robertson (1972) examined opinion leadership should have wide range of fashion knowledge such as women’s clothing, fashion, cosmetics, and personal care and are willing to discuss fashion thing with people and spend lot of time women’s clothing and fashions. Because fashion leaders prefer share new fashion collection and propose a unique opinion, these features of fashion leader can good to develop the other aspects of fashion orientations such as fashion interest, importance of being-well dressed, and antifashion attitude (Evan, 1989; Morganosky Vreeman, 1986; Wilkie, 1990). Fashion interest According to Katz Lazarsfield (1960), the definition of fashion interest is that a person who is interested in clothes, makeup and hair styles. High level of fashion interest people prefer spend a large amount of time on exploring the latest fashion collections and trends such as reading fashion magazine and purchasing lastest clothes collection. Also, they collect widely various clothes associated with different events. The Importance of Being Well Dressed Importance of being well-dressed refers that standing out group with appropriate dressing, reflecting one’s good life, and dressing representing their opinion of themselves(Summers,Belleau Wozniak 992). For example, when people go to interview with a well dress, they think the clothes make people have good impression on them. Another example is that people with high attire believe their clothes show that the self-image is. The important part of goals is their self- satisfaction. When it is low, people do not care about their outfit. In other word, they think there is no correlation between their clothing and their self image. Anti-fashion attitude Anti-fashion attitude means that people do not care about fashion and not buy so-fashionable clothing. They think that buying fashion clothing is a way to waste money and they do not like listening so-called fashion expert what to wear. In other word, in term of their shopping process and attitudes, they are often apathetic. people who have the antifashion attitude do not regard current fashion and fashion leaders’ opinions when they make a decision on their clothes. Thus, those with antifashion attitudes tend to display unfavorable attitudes toward fashion. Fashion is a visual communication of one to others, and fashion orientation as a theory of fashion expresses the psychological aspects of self through a self-concept. An individual’s own ideas of self develop self-concept theory, and self-concept influences fashion orientation. Relevant studies on fashion orientation In this study, the authors intend to test the scale, originally developed for females, with current male and female fashion shoppers. Gender roles have greatly impact on fashion shopper in social environment.(Otnes and McGrath, 2001). According to Kwon(1987)research, it found that current male and female fashion shoppers.are affected by different motivating factors. For woman, their concept of clothing may in relation to self-enhancement, whereas man may have positive relationship between the concept of appeal and social status. Another research is that Kwon (1991) found that when woman chose their fashion clothing, they will affect by mood states more than man do. There are many conflict findings about fashion consciousness. Kinley, Conrad and Brown (2001) found that woman are more fashion awareness than men counterpart, other research findings show that young male shoppers are more fashion awareness than female young shoppers(Manrai et al. 2001). Another similar research is that fashion conscious for generation Y male shoppers in the UK were important but there is not clear relationship between fashion consciousn ess and new fashion style (Bakewell, Mitchell, and Rothwell2000). In terms of clothing-fashion lifestyle segment, Gutman and Mills (1982) proposed that there is correlation between the concept of fashion orientation and shopping orientation. According to some studies, it examined that people purchase product, shopping orientations will generate different preferences(Darden Reynolds, 1972). Gutman and Mills(1982) reported that fashion orientations consist of four major dimensions: fashion leadership, fashion interest, importance of being well dressed, and antifashion attitude which connect with shopping behavior, clothing-fashion lifestylesegment, and compulsive consumer purchase behaviour.(Chung, 1996; Darley Johnson, 1993; Huddleston, Ford, Bickle, 1993; Lee, Park, Chung, 2004; Park Burns, 2005). GutmanMills (1982) defined that fashion orientation to have three dimensions:fashion priority(fashion interest, importance of being well dressed and anti-fashion attitude), time frame and initiative (fashion leadership). Darley johnson (1993) defined fashion orientation to comprise of fashion innovativeness and fashion opinion leadership. Both Jonathan and William analyzed fashion orientation together with shopping orientation. Little work has been done on fashion orientation separately since many scholars consider fashion orientation and shopping orientation together. Although Huddleston (1993) used fashion orientation to identify lifestyle characteristics that directly related to shopping behavior and Lumpkin (1985) included it as a variable in identifying shopping orientation segments, it might still be necessary to indentify shopping orientation and fashionOrientation separately. In this thesis we define fashion orientation to consist of three dimensions based on Gunmans elimita tion: fashion interest, fashion leadership and importance of being well dressed. The younger, the more fashionable Rose (1989) indicated that in the nineteenth century, the difference between children and adult was officially appeared on legal and social, before that children are living with what adults think such as children clothing follow the footsteps of adult clothing. design the children wear was not special in the past. As long as adult clothing are immersed in fashion concept, they will be extended to the field of childrens clothing. This phenomenon from a historical point of view is quite reasonable. How do fashion enter the field of childrens clothing? Firstly, it is common global phenomenon that our birth rate is gradually dropping. In competitive society, people are busier and busier, the population are getting married at a more and more later age. Under the circumstances, salary figures are is out of proportion to the number of children. According to United Nations estimation, the worlds total fertility rate from 1950 to 1955 of 4.92 people, down to 2000 to 2005 of 2.67 people (United NationsPopulation Division, 2009); lower total fertility rate in Taiwan, Taiwans fertility rate of women in 2006 only 1.115 people, compared to 2.515 in 1980, and plentifully reduced by about 56% (Ministry of the Interior Department of Justice, 2007). Whether or not in Taiwan or other developing or developed countries, falling birthrates might lead to childrens products a considerable change on supply and demand market. In term of consumer demand , after the raise of quality of life the awaking of individual consciousness, parent are focus more on all aspects of their daily life quality for example, they see the children as their own unique treasure and they expect give them enjoyable ilfe in the material and spiritual life. In modern times, parents are willing to spend the money on their baby; therefore childrens clothing demand will be more and more branding and fashionable, meanwhile and also promote the development of brand management on childrens clothing. Moreover, going out with the well dressed children do not only show their parents own taste, but also meet their unique personal style. and even some parents want children go to school wearing designer clothing to care about their own and their children feeling. Consumer demand for childrens wear has entered emotional consumptionthe stage, high purchasing power family toward childrens wear is to meet childrens emotional and spiritual life. When parents chose the children wear, the clothing which is to meet social status of the family or to reflect the style and personality is very important factors for parents. brand clothing in Japan is expensive, but it is always able to break record of high sales figures in the annual Golden Week in Japan. Those fashionable and young Japanese female consumers who have children usually pursuit fashion, it will not stop because of the mothers identity, and even want to wear the same style of clothing as their children. These situation has expanded childrens wear market. In the market of supply aspect, due to a small number of children, the amount of consumers are naturally failing. In this case, the children industry wants to survive and trys to introduce high-priced goods to the market to get customers attention who has a small number of children and good economy. In Taiwan, there are lots of luxurious childrens wear reports, it refers a market phenomenon that in many countries high-priced adult clothing brands are starting to have to join with childrens wear. For instance, according to the Apple Daily news, it reported the famous Taiwan brand les Enphants decided to start selling Armani Junior childrens clothing; also liberty Times Holiday introduced many Hollywood celebritiess childrens fashion wear. Changes in consumer attitude and purchasing power lead high spending power on childrens market the important reason is that fashion concept fights into childrens market. Childrens clothing industry holdsof high spending power parents and focus on parent mind that care about childrens appearance so the industry introduce stylish clothing to childrens wear market. Fashion in contemporary world show how influential on childrens clothing. Moreover the word fashiona gradually emerges by many foreign magazines, designers and consumer society and so-called Kids Fashion Expertappears in response to childrens fashion trends. For example, a New York childrens fashion expert Michelle Kouzmine (2005) indicated that children fashion has begun to seriously attention in today.

Service User Participation Case Study

Service User Participation Case Study Introduction This paper will consider some aspects of user and carer participation in theory and practice in relation to the case of a seventy two year old man named Harold. Different Levels of Service User Participation Service user participation is an integral part of social work practice and stems from the concept of the empowerment of service users.[1] This ranges from consultation on an individual level†¦to user control and management of services (Carr, 2005, p.14). Service user participation is a principle that is quite often difficult to put into practice, although new initiatives such as Direct Payments which allow service users to choose and pay for the services they want go some way to alleviating this, in the case of a person such as Harold, who has complex needs, this is not always straightforward. There are power implications in the relationship between service users and social work professionals, and this makes it hard for service users to know whether their concerns are being taken seriously.[2] This is even more problematic in situations where the person concerned does not appear to have any interest in what happens to them and this is discussed without reference to the service u ser as appears to be happening with Harold. Harold has told his sons that he can’t be bothered to get washed or cook a meal†¦ The sons have recently spoken with the day centre manager about their concerns regarding their father†¦ he is spending most of his time in bed, and he is not eating regularly†¦ he sometimes seems to be slightly confused and distant. It is difficult to assess how far user participation might apply to Harold under these circumstances he no longer wants to attend the day centre and is not looking after himself so it is difficult to know whether he would be able to be involved at any real level in an assessment of his needs. This case does provide a dilemma for social workers on the one hand they have a duty of care, and also in terms of ethical practice, to take into account what the service user actually wants for him/herself. Service user participation often takes place in groups so that the service user does not feel overwhelmed by professional involvement, but this does not seem to be an option in Harold’s case. He sometimes gets confused and he also prefers to be on his own. If, on the other hand, the day centre manager and the other professionals (social worker, a Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, and a Community Psychiatric Nurse) involved with Harold take too much notice of the sons then they could be addressing their needs rather than Harold’s and it is difficult to see what level of service user participation would be applicable in Harold’s case. An Approach to Service User Empowerment Harold does not object to people coming to the house and perhaps user participation for Harold might best be achieved through the services of an advocate who could present Harold’s views in the best light. As a group older people can be disadvantaged and it is often forgotten that they are people who are as entitled to be treated with respect and consideration as are other groups. Since the 1960s there has been a growing movement in Britain which has come to be known as advocacy. Advocacy involves speaking on behalf of someone, it is an attempt to enable and empower people who might otherwise be disadvantaged. An advocate is there to promote the interests and views of the person they are speaking for. Dunning (2005) maintains that there are a number of stages in people’s lives (particularly those of older people) when advocacy should be a requirement, and especially if there is: ..a decline in physical and mental health, sensory impairment and the need for health and social services (Dunning, 2005, p.10). This is a clear description of how things are in Harold’s case, he loses his way around the local shops and his GP has recently diagnosed that Harold has Parkinson’s Disease. Harold is becoming increasingly divorced from reality he acts as though his dead wife is still in the house with him and is unaware of the professional concern and considered involvement in his case. Under these circumstances it would seem clear that Harold is in need of someone who will act in his best interests and speak on his behalf if he is to have any control over his own future. An advocate would, hopefully, be able to establish what Harold should be asking for and what he might be entitled to in terms of services and support. Whether Harold would be empowered by knowing what is on offer is difficult to assess because of his tendency to become confused, but an advocate could make a case for the fact that Harold wants to stay in his own home and this would alleviate any fears he has of reside ntial care. Quinn (2003) is of the opinion that information and advocacy are themselves services and can be the building blocks of †¦enabling older people to receive the services they require (Quinn, 2003, p.3). The team mentioned above have all received referrals for Harold, an advocate would try to elicit what Harold really wanted and convey this to the team so that his wishes are made known, and as far as possible, catered for. In this way an advocate would give Harold a voice and thereby empower him. Factors that Promote and Limit Service User Involvement in Decision Making Ongoing debate on the needs and rights of older people highlight the fact that while there has been a move to ensure individual’s rights to equality of service, older people may still face discrimination. Under these circumstances it is vital that factors relating to power imbalances between service users and professionals be acknowledged. It is only with this acknowledgement that the parties can then work together to at least lessen those factors that contribute to the marginalisation and exclusion of some service users (Carr, 2004). These factors might include a tendency of some professionals to ignore service users views or to at least misinterpret them so that rather than being enabled service user participation can result in service users feeling further disempowered. Institutional barriers need to be overcome, as does a continuing use of professional jargon which can also serve to exclude service users from the decision making process. Carr’s (2004) research found that service users often cited language gaps as a disempowering and exclusionary factor, however, once this was brought to light most professionals were more than happy to try to modify their language in order to encourage greater service user participation. Research tends to suggest, and Harold’s situation is a case in point, that greater and more effective service user participation cannot be achieved in a unitary way. There is a need for different models and levels of participation depending on the service user’s circumstances. Some service users will be so empowered by participation that they will go on to be involved in how services are delivered, still others are not able to be truly involved at any recognisable level without the intervention of a third person. Thus advocacy is an important element of lower levels of service user participation. An advocate can help to empower people in Harold’s situation because service users will then have someone who is impartial, who can inform them as to what is available in terms of services and support and who will promote their best interests among other professionals and make sure that their wishes are made known. Harold, for example wishes to remain in his own home, he does not want to attend a day centre, neither does he want to go into residential care. Carr (2004) notes that the service user movement has been instrumental in promoting the rights of people’s entitlement to as ordinary way of life as is possible. Working with Service Users and Carers in an Ethical and Anti-Oppressive Manner Society often views old people as of little use because they no longer contribute to society in the same way as when they were younger and at the same time they are greater consumers of health and welfare services (Moore, 2002). Clearly it is not always easy working with older people because they may have multiple and complex needs, nevertheless under the 1998 Human Rights Act, they are entitled to be treated with dignity and local authorities have a duty to abide by the requirements of this Act. Any move to force a person like Harold to attend a day centre when he clearly does not want to is arguably not good practice. In order to deal with a person like Harold in an ethical and anti-oppressive manner it is vital that he is listened to. If his confusion makes this difficult then again, this is where the services of an advocate could play a vital role. An advocate would be able to see that Harold’s voice was heard they would also be able to express the concerns of his family. Harold may not be aware how concerned his sons are, he needs to be informed of their concerns but this does not mean that their concern for him should take precedence over his own desire not to attend day centres or to go into residential care. The professionals involved with Harold should not be persuaded by the arguments of his family because this could result in oppressive practice. Anti-oppressive and ethical practice has to consider the rights and needs of the service user as prior to the concerns of those close to him. Ethical and effective social work should involve a thorough assessment of Harold’s needs and a care package that takes his health and his wishes into account. It should be tailored to suit his individual needs and there should be room for changes and adjustments if the care package is not to become an imposition (Kerr et al, 2005). Where a person is not fully cognisant of what is happening then anti-oppressive practice should involve the use of an entirel y independent advocate. This would be advisable in Harold’s case where there could be a conflict of interests between what his family wants for him and what he wants for himself, or what the care team may consider is best for him. An independent advocate would be the best way of ensuring that the team were consistently mindful of the need to engage in ethical and anti-oppressive practice. This is often achieved by those involved being reflective in their dealings with service users. How Reflective Practice Informs Social Work Practice In the contemporary climate social workers are often faced with a conflict of interests between bureaucratic requirements and targets and the needs of their clients. This is unfortunate because it negates the claim that effective social work is client centred, Schonn (1991) has argued that: Professionals claim to contribute to social well-being, put their clients’ needs ahead of their own, and hold themselves accountable to standards of competence and morality. But both popular and scholarly critics accuse the professions of serving themselves at the expense of their clients, ignoring their obligation to public service, and failing to police themselves effectively (Schon, 1991:11-12). When people reflect on what they are doing then they are more inclined to recognise people’s individual worth and therefore to act in an ethical manner, one that works towards the best interests of the client. Ruch (2002) maintains that reflexive practice results in a deeper understanding of a person’s self and the role it has in professional practice it makes them more open to new and different ways of working and thus it is now becoming an integral part of social work practice. In Harold’s case a reflexive practitioner may find it easier to balance the conflict of interests between Harold and his sons and with the help of an advocate empower Harold in his role as service user. Bibliography Carr, S. 2004 Has Service User Participation Made a Difference to Social Care Services? London, SCIE Department of Health (2002b) Information Strategy for Older People (ISOP)  in England. London: Department of Health Dunning, A. 2005 Information, Advice and Advocacy for Older People York, Joseph Rowntree Foundation http://www.assoc-optometrists.org/uploaded_files/nsf-olderpersons.pdf Jordan, B (2000) Tough Love—Implementing New Labour’s Programme: social work and the third way (London: Sage). Kerr, Gordon, Macdonald and Stalker 2005 Effective Social Work with Older People Moore, S. 2002 3rd Edition Social Welfare Alive Cheltenham, Nelson Thornes Quinn, A., Snowling, A. and Denicolo, P. (2003) Older People’s Perspectives:  Devising Information, Advice and Advocacy Services. York: Joseph  Rowntree Foundation Ruch, G. 2000 â€Å"Self and social work: Towards an integrated model of learning† Journal of Social Work Practice Volume 14, no. 2 November 1st 2000 Schon, D. 1991 The Reflective Practitioner: How Professionals think in Action Ashgate Publishing, Avebury www.scie.org.uk/publications/leadingpractice/files/scie_9%2520service%2520user.ppt+SERVICE+USER+PARTICIPATION accessed 27/4/06 http://www.scie.org.uk/publications/positionpapers/pp03.asp Has Service User Participation Made a Difference to Social Care Services accessed 27/4/06 1 [1] www.scie.org.uk/publications/leadingpractice/files/scie_9%2520service%2520user.ppt+SERVICE+USER+PARTICIPATION accessed 27/4/06 [2] http://www.scie.org.uk/publications/positionpapers/pp03.asp Has Service User Participation Made a Difference to Social Care Services accessed 27/4/06

The Contributions of William Gladstone Essay -- British History

Every country has a leader who helps change the country and the world. William was that leader in Great Britain. Born in 1809 to a self-made Scottish merchant, which taught him to help the average person; he entered the politics at the age of 22 in 1833 where he was a â€Å"tireless administrator† with â€Å"tremendous eye for detail† (Wilson 112). At first a very strong Tory, who felt that any electoral reform would lead to revolution, he became one of the founding members of the Liberal Party in 1859. He would later say that â€Å"I was brought up to distrust and to dislike liberty, and I learned to believe in it. That is the key to all my change† (Wilson 102). As Prime Minister and leader of the Opposition for many years he â€Å"was the standard bearer [and champion of many reforms], and his gov from 1868 to 1874 was one of the foremost reforming administrations of the century† (Tompson 287). His ability â€Å"to manage big crowds and to use the power of the crowd as an extra-parliamentary weapon† (Wilson) allowed him to push tough legislation through Parliament and â€Å"his sheer bigness, and grandeur, and moral weightiness was never to be repeated on the political scene† (Wilson 118, 103). William Gladstone was a British statesman whose reforms had a greater influence than Queen Victoria. With the era named after Queen Victoria, many people believe that Queen Victoria was the most important person of this age. The Queen wasn’t popular until later in life. People hated her for her refusal to come out of mourning after the death of her husband and her unenlightened political views. The royal pair had an active role together until 1861 where she went into prolonged sadness and never made public appearances. She emerged 1870s to a much-diminished role in g... ...y 2012. . Findling, John E., ed. Events That Changed Great Britain Since 1689. Ed. Frank W. Thackeray. Westport: Greenwood, 2002. 75-80. Print. Kagan, Donald, Steven E. Ozment, and Frank M. Turner. "Great Britain Toward Democracy." The Western Heritage: Since 1300. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2007. 684-87. Print. Olechnowicz, Andrzej. The Monarchy and the British Nation, 1780 to the Present. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2007. Print. Tompson, Richard S. Great Britain: A Reference Guide from the Renaissance to the Present. New York: Facts On File, 2003. Print. "William Ewart Gladstone." Spartacus Educational. Web. 14 May 2012. . Wilson, A. N. "William Ewart Gladstone." Eminent Victorians. London: W.W. Norton &, 1989. 99-132. Print.

Mr. Collins’ and Mr. Darcy’s first proposals to Elizabeth. How do they :: Free Essay Writer

Mr. Collins’ and Mr. Darcy’s first proposals to Elizabeth. How do they style and the content of the proposals reflect on how these three characters are portrayed in the rest of the novel. In what ways are attitudes to marriage different from today? Pride and Prejudice =================== Compare and contrast of Mr. Collins’ and Mr. Darcy’s first proposals to Elizabeth. How do they style and the content of the proposals reflect on how these three characters are portrayed in the rest of the novel. In what ways are attitudes to marriage different from today? Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’ reveals the importance of social status and how marriages affected women at that time. The book opens with the words, ‘It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.’ This implies that the chief interest in the book will be marriage. The main character is Elizabeth Bennet who, unlike Charlotte Lucas, does not want to marry only for a comfortable and to avoid the stigma of not being married, but also for love. There is a big contrast between Mr Collins’ and Darcy’s proposal and give us insight into these three character. Mr. Collins is a figure of comedy in this novel. He is described as ‘not a sensible man, and the deficiency of nature had been but little assisted by education or society’. He speaks in a very formal way indeed. He is a picture of ‘pride and obsequiousness, self-importance and humility’ At Longbourn having been told that Jane was likely to marry Mr. Bingley, Mr. Collins decides to propose to Elizabeth Bennet, ‘having no feelings of diffidence’ with ‘all his solemn composure’ because he supposes this is only a ‘regular part of business’. First, he asks for a private conversation with Elizabeth. Before Elizabeth has met Mr. Collins, she was ‘chiefly struck with his extraordinary deference for Lady Catherine de Bourgh’, but after she sees him, her dislike towards Collins is even stronger. At the Netherfield ball, Mr. Collins requests the first two dances with Elizabeth that let her feel ‘herself completely taken in’. In the meantime, she also realizes that her mother is planning a marriage for her, but she has never expected this proposal. Therefore, this proposal gives Elizabeth ‘a blush of surprise’. She immediately tries to avoid for not having a private conversation with Mr. Collins and says ‘I am going away myself’ which shows she wants to escape from the embarrassment. However, her mother insists upon Elizabeth ‘staying and hearing Mr. Collins’’.

Tangled and Repunzel

One would believe that a movie based on a storybook would have the same plot. In comparing and contrasting the movie Tangled to the short story â€Å"Rapunzel†, one can find many differences and very few similarities. Tangled was developed by Disney and has grossed 590 million dollars in the first year; however, â€Å"Rapunzel† is only a folk tale handed down through the years until it was finally written down in the 1800s. This is only the beginning of the differences. Looking closely at the plots, one can definitely see there is a difference in the two. In the following paragraph, the expositions of the movie Tangled and the short story â€Å"Rapunzel† will be compared and contrasted. In Tangled the parents were rich and lived in a kingdom. On the other hand, in â€Å"Rapunzel†, the parents were very poor and lived in a small house. In Tangled, Mother Gothel kidnapped Rapunzel for her magic gift, and kept her locked up in a tower and wouldn't let her leave. Every year on Rapunzel’s birthday, her parents, the king and queen, would light lanterns in the sky. They were hoping that one day, their lost princess would once again return. In â€Å"Rapunzel†, her parents practically traded her to Mother Gothel for stealing from her magic garden. Also in Tangled, Rapunzel’s hair is magic. Her hair glows and can turn a very old lady, to the youngest, and prettiest woman. In â€Å"Rapunzel†, her hair isn't magic or anything like that, it’s just very, very long. Now, we will be discussing the rising actions of the two stories. We will basically be stating their differences and similarities. In the movie Tangled, the guy that took her on her amazing journey was a poor thief. He was being chased, when he saw a mysterious tower. He then climbed that tower and that’s how he met Rapunzel. In contrast, in the short story â€Å"Rapunzel†, he was a prince who heard her singing. He went searching for her, because her beautiful singing softened his heart. In Tangled, Mother Gothel is evil and selfish. She could care less about Rapunzel, basically all she cared about was staying young forever. On the other hand, in â€Å"Rapunzel†, she was actually trying to help Rapunzel by getting her away from her unstable family. As you can see, the rising actions of these two stories are very different. Next, we are going to be comparing and contrasting the climax of these two stories. In Tangled, in the beginning of the climax, Rapunzel realizes that she is the lost princess. Rapunzel is furious with Mother Gothel, and she states that she will never ever let Mother Gothel use her hair again. Mother Gothel is determined to never let Rapunzel leave the tower, even if Rapunzel can’t stand her. Flynn Rider, the thief that Rapunzel met, was about to get hung for his crimes. He actually escapes, with the help of friends he met on his journey with Rapunzel. He gets to the tower, and climbs up it. He gets up there, and he then sees that Rapunzel is all chained up. Mother Gothel then stabs him, attempting to kill him. Rapunzel then promises to Mother Gothel, that if she lets her heal him, she will stay with her forever. When Rapunzel is just about to heal Flynn, he cuts all of her hair off. Rapunzel’s magic then fades, making Mother Gothel turn old and crusty. Mother Gothel falls out the window to her death at the end of the Climax. In the short story â€Å"Rapunzel†, Mother Gothel sees that Rapunzel has deceived her. Mother Gothel then cuts all of Rapunzel’s hair off, leaving her hair on the ground. Mother Gothel tricks the prince, leading him up the tower. When he finally goes in, Mother Gothel reveals that he will never see Rapunzel again. At the end of the climax, the prince is left heartbroken in tears. Now, the falling actions of the two stories will be compared and contrasted. In Tangled, Rapunzel returns to her family. The kingdom rejoices, because they now know that their lost princess has returned. In â€Å"Rapunzel†, the prince kind of lost himself. He wandered around the forest, and ate nothing but roots and berries, and only weeped over the loss of Rapunzel. He roamed around in misery for years, and then he finally came to the desert, where Rapunzel and her two twins she had given birth to, lived in wretchedness. He heard a voice, it sounded familiar to him. He went towards it, and when Rapunzel saw him she fell on his neck and cried. This ends the falling actions of the two stories. Next, the resolutions of the two stories will be compared and contrasted. In Tangled, Rapunzel and Flynn end up living happily ever after in the kingdom. In â€Å"Rapunzel†, the prince led Rapunzel to his kingdom where he was joyfully received, and they lived for a long time afterwards, happy and contented. There’s not much to the resolutions to these two stories. As you can see, the resolutions are a little similar, but mainly different. To end this essay, the movie Tangled and the short story â€Å"Rapunzel†, have two totally different plots. There were lots of differences and very, very few similarities. They both have some of the same characters, but totally different stories behind them.

Gambling Research Essay

Gambling refers to the play of any game where there is money, or something of value at stake. There are many different forms of gambling including horse races, lotteries, casinos, scratch cards, stock market betting, and even more recently internet gambling. Although these games are meant for recreational use, the thrill of gambling causes some people to become so involved in it that they become dependent on gambling. The effects of gambling can cause damage psychologically, be very harmful to one’s social life and can also cause many physical damages. Gambling addiction and pathological gambling is not always seen as dangerous as other addictions like substance abuse but it can in fact be a very damaging addiction to many aspects of life and should be considered a major health problem. Not everyone who gambles has a gambling addiction or even has the capability of being addicted to gambling. The majority of people who gamble do not have an addiction and simply do it for recreational purposes. But there is a small percentage of people who gamble who are considered problem gamblers or pathological gamblers. Pathological gamblers is described as, â€Å"Pathological gambling is characterized by chronic and irresistible impulses to gamble, with consequent gambling compromises and disruptions to family, personal and vocational pursuits.† (Coman, Burrows & Evans, 1997) This addiction causes the gambler to gamble very frequently, often times they will begin to make bigger and bigger bets and receiving feelings of anxiety or depression when they are not gambling. Pathological gambling can also include gambling to recover losses from previous gambling episodes, lying to family members to try and hide their habits, committing criminal acts to obtain money for gambling and relying on others to provide money to relieve them from their financial situation. This is a very serious addiction and should be considered a major health problem because it can negatively affect many serious aspects of an individual’s life. There are many different influences and gateways that can lead to gambling and even a gambling addiction. Although things like scratch cards may not seem like much of a threat to becoming an addiction, they can intrigue the thought of winning money purely by chance which is a dangerous mindset to have. Another factor that can lead to a gambling addiction is the link between the proximity from the casino and gambling participation. Living close to a casino causes much more accessibility and can add to the possibility of gaining an addiction, â€Å"additional gambling opportunities due to the presence of a casino increase the prevalence of gambling-related problems for people who live close to a casino, as compared with people who live far from one.†(Sevigny, Ladouceur, Jacques & Cantinotti, 2008)People who live closer to the casino are much more likely to just â€Å"drop by† and play a few hands rather than people who live farther and have to make an evening of it. Accessibility can have a large impact on gaining an addiction to gambling. Also, the recent popularity of poker has a huge impact on the view of gambling for younger people. Poker has become very popular in our society today and is televised quite frequently showing these players not only making a living from this game of chance, but becoming millionaires. Some of these players are seen as celebrities who can cause some younger audiences to look up to them and strive to be like them. These aspects do not directly lead to a gambling problem but they can definitely help lead to one. Technology has become a large contributory factor to problem gambling. As stated earlier, accessibility can have a large impact on gaining an addiction to gambling and the technology of internet has brought accessibility of gambling to a whole new level. Gambling over the internet should be a major concern because the increase in gambling opportunities gives the potential for an increase in problem gamblers . Research evidence in other countries has clearly shown that: â€Å"where accessibility of gambling is increased there is an increase not only in the number of regular gamblers but also an increase in the number of problem gamblers.† (Griffiths, 1999) Internet gambling websites has dramatically increased this accessibility which will in turn increase the number of people gambling. Not everyone is susceptible to becoming a problem gambler, but the more people gambling, the more people who have the chance of becoming addicted. The popularity of internet gambling is on the rise with its easy accessibility and quickness. This popularity itself cannot lead to a gambling addiction but a number of the more popular poker players on television often promote different gambling websites where anyone of any age can play poker online. The websites allow someone to play in tournaments, play with friends and play with fake money or even real money. They are very appealing to people of all ages and easily accessible all the time which makes them a threat to contributing to problem gamblers and youth gambling. When someone suffers from problem gambling, it is not only that individual that is affected but their family, friends and community as well . There can be some positive aspects of gambling in terms of the social effects of gambling. Gambling can be seen as a recreation, a break from their problems of everyday life and a nice night out. Yet these positive effects only exist if gambling is done in moderation. Once gambling becomes a habit and a necessity is where the negative impacts arrive. Often, it’s those close to the pathological gambler that suffer the most. Constant gambling takes time away from family, friends and other activities. If gambling becomes a problem, it can cause loss of trust between individuals and family members which can lead to family related problems and even divorce. Generally, the social problems begin with borrowing of money to support their addiction. At this point, many friends and family may lose touch with the gambler. Being distanced from those who are closest can cause desperation which may lead to criminal activity. Pathological gambling can become so severe that they can resort to criminal activity in a last effort to support their financial needs. People are more likely to commit crime without thinking of the consequences when they are in a desperation mindset which is what can happen after a big loss due to gambling. Supporters for the spread of legalized gambling make claims about economic growth and more jobs but opponents have a strong case saying, â€Å"†¦various forms of street crimes, such as robberies and automobile thefts, come with gambling, as well as problems with connections to organized crime†¦ The majority of Wisconsin problem gamblers in treatment that were interviewed in Thompson et al. (1999) admitted to crimes as a result of their gambling activity, primarily property crimes.† (Gazel, Rickman & Thompson, 2001) Pathological gamblers reach a point where there are no options left so they have to resort to illegal means to support themselves displaying the severity and control that a gambling addiction can have. Having a gambling addiction does not just affect someone economically or socially but it can deeply affect them psychologically. Once a pathological gambler is down money, they will make bets to try and regain that money that they have lost. Instead of cutting their losses, they get deeper into debt, preoccupying themselves with gambling, determined to win big to repay their loans and solve all their problems (Griffiths, 2001). A very dangerous way of thinking is the â€Å"what if I win† mentality. This way of thinking is especially dangerous because then they are more prone to make bigger bets with money they may not have to lose so they can receive bigger rewards. A large factor for whether someone develops this addiction has a lot to do with their personality. The type of personality someone has can have on whether or not someone develops a gambling addiction or not. Gambling is characterized by an â€Å"unrealistic optimism by the gambler† (Griffiths, 2001). For the most part people believe that optimism is a good way to live life by always seeing the positive things instead of dwelling on the negatives. Optimists are known to be less likely to suffer from depression symptoms following a stressful event and seem to have more psychological benefits when compared to pessimists. Although in terms of gambling, optimism can be counterproductive, â€Å"Optimists may be especially susceptible to maintaining illusory gambling expectations. Because of their generalized expectations for success, optimists may approach gambling with the belief that they can win.† (Gibson & Sanbonmatsu, 2004) Optimists may also have a tendency to look at the positive aspects in a situation which may prolong their gambling thinking that they will win it all back. Also, people who are risk takers are more prone to gambling addiction than someone who is more conservative. Not everyone is susceptible to becoming a pathological gambler and a great deal of the matter has to do with their personality type and how they look at different negative situations. Having a gambling addiction not only affects one’s social life but it can have a great impact on your mind and even cause physical difficulties. Pathological gamblers often suffer from stress-related disorders such as depression, insomnia, intestinal disorders and migraines. Health problems do not only occur from the gambling itself but a significant amount of people suffer problems from the withdrawal, â€Å"Rosenthal and Lesieur (1992) found that at least 65 percent of pathological gamblers reported at least one physical side-effect during withdrawal including insomnia, headaches, upset stomach, loss of appetite, physical weakness, heart racing, muscle aches, breathing difficulty and/or chills.† (Griffiths, 2001) It was also found that pathological gamblers experienced more physical withdrawal effects when attempting to stop than substance abusers who are attempting to quit. This is quite astonishing and again proves why gambling addiction is a very serious matter and should be considered just as much of a health problem as addiction to alcohol or other substances. Pathological gambling can cause great psychological damage and can cause people to do irrational things after a big loss which can sometimes even lead to suicide. Pathological gambling and suicide have been known to have a link to each other. Suicidal attempts among pathological gamblers are much more frequent than among the general public. The American Psychiatric Association did a study that with these results, â€Å"Of individuals in treatment for Pathological Gambling, 20% are reported to have attempted suicide, (American Psychiatric Association (APA))† (Penfold, Hatcher, Sullivan & Collins, 2006) For many gamblers, coping with the negative emotions relating to their issues in their life can be overwhelming. Feelings of shame, hopelessness and failure may be hard to bear which sometimes makes suicide seem like the best solution for their problems. The damage to the mental aspects is one of the reasons that make pathological gambling so dangerous. The act of gambling and casinos is a very controversial topic. There are some positive aspects to the casino and gambling that include a source of jobs and economic development. Gambling is meant to be for recreational use on occasion but it can also be very dangerous. Certain people with certain personality types and lifestyles may be prone to becoming a pathological gambler. The effects of pathological gambling can cause a lot of harm psychologically, destroy someone’s social and family life, cause physical damage to themselves which can even lead to their death. Gambling addiction may not be seen as dangerous or likely to happen as other addictions but the results from being a pathological gambler can be just as harmful as other addictions and should be considered just as much as a serious health issue as everything else. References: Griffiths, M. (1999). Gambling Technologies: Prospects for Problem Gambling. Journal of Gambling Studies, vol.15, no.3, p.265-283. Griffiths, M. (2001). Gambling: An Emerging Area of Concern for Health Psychologists. Journal of Psychology, vol.6, no.5, p.477-479. Gibson, B., & Sanbonmatsu, D. (2004). Optimism, Pessimism, and Gambling: The Downside of Optimism. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, vol. 30, no. 2, pp. 149-160. Coman, J., Burrows, G., & Evans, B. (1997). Stress and Anxiety as Factors in the Onset of Problem Gambling: Implications for Treatment. Stress Medicine, Vol.13, no.4, p.235-244. Sevigny, S., Ladouceur, R., Jacques, C., & Cantinotti, M. (2008). Links between Casino Proximity and Gambling Participation, Expenditure, and Pathology. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, vol. 22, no.2, p.295-301. Penfold, A., Hatcher, S., Sullivan, S., & Collins, N. (2006) Gambling Problems and Attempted Suicide. Part 1. High Prevalence amongst Hospital Admissions. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, vol.4, no.3, p.265-272. Gazel, R., Rickman, D., & Thompson, W. (2001) Casino Gambling and Crime: a Panel Study of Wisconsin Counties. Managerial and Decision Economics, vol.22, no.1-3, p.65-75.

The Host Chapter 7: Confronted

Yes, Faces Sunward?† I asked, grateful to the raised hand for interrupting my lecture. I did not feel as comfortable behind the lectern as I usually did. My biggest strength, my only real credential-for my host body had had little in the way of a formal education, on the run since her early adolescence-was the personal experience I usually taught from. This was the first world's history I'd presented this semester for which I had no memories to draw upon. I was sure my students were suffering the difference. â€Å"I'm sorry to interrupt, but†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The white-haired man paused, struggling to word his question. â€Å"I'm not sure I understand. The Fire-Tasters actually†¦ ingest the smoke from burning the Walking Flowers? Like food?† He tried to suppress the horror in his tone. It was not a soul's place to judge another soul. But I was not surprised, given his background on the Planet of the Flowers, at his strong reaction to the fate of a similar life-form on another world. It was always amazing to me how some souls buried themselves in the affairs of whichever world they inhabited and ignored the rest of the universe. But, to be fair, perhaps Faces Sunward had been in hibernation when Fire World became notorious. â€Å"Yes, they receive essential nutrients from this smoke. And therein lies the fundamental dilemma and the controversy of Fire World-and the reason the planet has not been closed, though there has certainly been adequate time to populate it fully. There is also a high relocation percentage. â€Å"When Fire World was discovered, it was at first thought that the dominant species, the Fire-Tasters, were the only intelligent life-forms present. The Fire-Tasters did not consider the Walking Flowers to be their equals-a cultural prejudice-so it was a while, even after the first wave of settling, before the souls realized they were murdering intelligent creatures. Since then, Fire World scientists have focused their efforts on finding a replacement for the dietary needs of the Fire-Tasters. Spiders are being transported there to help, but the planets are hundreds of light-years apart. When this obstacle is overcome, as it will be soon, I'm sure, there is hope that the Walking Flowers might also be assimilated. In the meantime, much of the brutality has been removed from the equation. The, ah, burning-alive portion, of course, and other aspects as well.† â€Å"How can they†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Faces Sunward trailed off, unable to finish. Another voice completed Faces Sunward's thought. â€Å"It seems like a very cruel ecosystem. Why was the planet not abandoned?† â€Å"That has been debated, naturally, Robert. But we do not abandon planets lightly. There are many souls for whom Fire World is home. They will not be uprooted against their will.† I looked away, back at my notes, in an attempt to end the side discussion. â€Å"But it's barbaric!† Robert was physically younger than most of the other students-closer to my age, in fact, than any other. And truly a child in a more important way. Earth was his first world-the Mother in this case had actually been an Earth-dweller, too, before she'd given herself-and he didn't seem to have as much perspective as older, better-traveled souls. I wondered what it would be like to be born into the overwhelming sensation and emotion of these hosts with no prior experience for balance. It would be difficult to find objectivity. I tried to remember that and be especially patient as I answered him. â€Å"Every world is a unique experience. Unless one has lived on that world, it's impossible to truly understand the -â€Å" â€Å"But you never lived on Fire World,† he interrupted me. â€Å"You must have felt the same way†¦ Unless you had some other reason for skipping that planet? You've been almost everywhere else.† â€Å"Choosing a planet is a very personal and private decision, Robert, as you may someday experience.† My tone closed the subject absolutely. Why not tell them? You do think it's barbaric-and cruel and wrong. Which is pretty ironic if you ask me-not that you ever do. What's the problem? Are you ashamed that you agree with Robert? Because he's more human than the others? Melanie, having found her voice, was becoming downright unbearable. How was I supposed to concentrate on my work with her opinions sounding off in my head all the time? In the seat behind Robert, a dark shadow moved. The Seeker, clad in her usual black, leaned forward, intent for the first time on the subject of discussion. I resisted the urge to scowl at her. I didn't want Robert, already looking embarrassed, to mistake the expression as meant for him. Melanie grumbled. She wished I wouldn't resist. Having the Seeker stalk our every footstep had been educational for Melanie; she used to think she couldn't hate anything or anyone more than she hated me. â€Å"Our time is almost up,† I announced with relief. â€Å"I'm pleased to inform you that we will have a guest speaker next Tuesday who will be able to make up for my ignorance on this topic. Flame Tender, a recent addition to our planet, will be here to give us a more personal account of the settling of Fire World. I know that you will give him all the courtesy you accord me, and be respectful of the very young age of his host. Thank you for your time.† The class filed out slowly, many of the students taking a minute to chat with one another as they gathered their things. What Kathy had said about friendships ran through my head, but I felt no desire to join any of them. They were strangers. Was that the way I felt? Or the way Melanie felt? It was hard to tell. Maybe I was naturally antisocial. My personal history supported that theory, I supposed. I'd never formed an attachment strong enough to keep me on any planet for more than one life. I noticed Robert and Faces Sunward lingering at the classroom door, locked in a discussion that seemed intense. I could guess the subject. â€Å"Fire World stories ruffle feathers.† I started slightly. The Seeker was standing at my elbow. The woman usually announced her approach with the quick tap of her hard shoes. I looked down now to see that she was wearing sneakers for once-black, of course. She was even tinier without the extra inches. â€Å"It's not my favorite subject,† I said in a bland voice. â€Å"I prefer to have firsthand experience to share.† â€Å"Strong reactions from the class.† â€Å"Yes.† She looked at me expectantly, as if waiting for more. I gathered my notes and turned to put them in my bag. â€Å"You seemed to react as well.† I placed my papers in the bag carefully, not turning. â€Å"I wondered why you didn't answer the question.† There was a pause while she waited for me to respond. I didn't. â€Å"So†¦ why didn't you answer the question?† I turned around, not concealing the impatience on my face. â€Å"Because it wasn't pertinent to the lesson, because Robert needs to learn some manners, and because it's no one else's business.† I swung my bag to my shoulder and headed for the door. She stayed right beside me, rushing to keep up with my longer legs. We walked down the hallway in silence. It wasn't until we were outside, where the afternoon sun lit the dust motes in the salty air, that she spoke again. â€Å"Do you think you'll ever settle, Wanderer? On this planet, maybe? You seem to have an affinity for their†¦ feelings.† I bridled at the implied insult in her tone. I wasn't even sure how she meant to insult me, but it was clear that she did. Melanie stirred resentfully. â€Å"I'm not sure what you mean.† â€Å"Tell me something, Wanderer. Do you pity them?† â€Å"Who?† I asked blankly. â€Å"The Walking Flowers?† â€Å"No, the humans.† I stopped walking, and she skidded to a halt beside me. We were only a few blocks from my apartment, and I'd been hurrying in hopes of getting away from her, though likely as not, she'd invite herself in. But her question caught me off guard. â€Å"The humans?† â€Å"Yes. Do you pity them?† â€Å"Don't you?† â€Å"No. They were quite the brutal race. They were lucky to survive each other as long as they did.† â€Å"Not every one of them was bad.† â€Å"It was a predilection of their genetics. Brutality was part of their species. But you pity them, it seems.† â€Å"It's a lot to lose, don't you think?† I gestured around us. We stood in a parklike space between two ivy-covered dormitories. The deep green of the ivy was pleasing to the eye, especially in contrast to the faded red of the old bricks. The air was golden and soft, and the smell of the ocean gave a briny edge to the honey sweet fragrance of the flowers in the bushes. The breeze caressed the bare skin of my arms. â€Å"In your other lives, you can't have felt anything so vivid. Wouldn't you pity anyone who had this taken from them?† Her expression stayed flat, unmoved. I made an attempt to draw her in, to make her consider another viewpoint. â€Å"Which other worlds have you lived on?† She hesitated, then squared her shoulders. â€Å"None. I've only lived on Earth.† That surprised me. She was as much a child as Robert. â€Å"Only one planet? And you chose to be a Seeker in your first life?† She nodded once, her chin set. â€Å"Well. Well, that's your business.† I started walking again. Maybe if I respected her privacy, she would return the favor. â€Å"I spoke to your Comforter.† And maybe not, Melanie thought sourly. â€Å"What?† I gasped. â€Å"I gather you've been having more trouble than just accessing the information I need. Have you considered trying another, more pliable host? She suggested that, did she not?† â€Å"Kathy wouldn't tell you anything!† The Seeker's face was smug. â€Å"She didn't have to answer. I'm very good at reading human expressions. I could tell when my questions struck a nerve.† â€Å"How dare you? The relationship between a soul and her Comforter -â€Å" â€Å"Is sacrosanct, yes; I know the theory. But the acceptable means of investigation don't seem to be working with your case. I have to get creative.† â€Å"You think I'm keeping something from you?† I demanded, too angry to control the disgust in my voice. â€Å"You think I confided that to my Comforter?† My anger didn't faze her. Perhaps, given her strange personality, she was used to such reactions. â€Å"No. I think you're telling me what you know†¦ But I don't think you're looking as hard as you could. I've seen it before. You're growing sympathetic to your host. You're letting her memories unconsciously direct your own desires. It's probably too late at this point. I think you'd be more comfortable moving on, and maybe someone else will have better luck with her.† â€Å"Hah!† I shouted. â€Å"Melanie would eat them alive!† Her expression froze in place. She'd had no idea, no matter what she thought she'd discerned from Kathy. She'd thought Melanie's influence was from memories, that it was unconscious. â€Å"I find it very interesting that you speak of her in the present tense.† I ignored that, trying to pretend I hadn't made a slip. â€Å"If you think someone else would have better luck breaking into her secrets, you're wrong.† â€Å"Only one way to find out.† â€Å"Did you have someone in mind?† I asked, my voice frigid with aversion. She grinned. â€Å"I've gotten permission to give it a try. Shouldn't take long. They're going to hold my host for me.† I had to breathe deeply. I was shaking, and Melanie was so full of hate that she was past words. The idea of having the Seeker inside me, even though I knew that I would not be here, was so repugnant that I felt a return of last week's nausea. â€Å"It's too bad for your investigation that I'm not a skipper.† The Seeker's eyes narrowed. â€Å"Well, it does certainly make this assignment drag on. History was never of much interest to me, but it looks like I'm in for a full course now.† â€Å"You just said that it was probably too late to get any more from her memories,† I reminded her, struggling to make my voice calm. â€Å"Why don't you go back to wherever you belong?† She shrugged and smiled a tight smile. â€Å"I'm sure it is too late†¦ for voluntary information. But if you don't cooperate, she might just lead me to them yet.† â€Å"Lead you?† â€Å"When she takes full control, and you're no better than that weakling, once Racing Song, now Kevin. Remember him? The one who attacked the Healer?† I stared at her, eyes wide, nostrils flared. â€Å"Yes, it's probably just a matter of time. Your Comforter didn't tell you the statistics, did she? Well, even if she did, she wouldn't have the latest information that we have access to. The long-term success rate for situations such as yours-once a human host begins to resist-is under twenty percent. Did you have any idea it was so bad? They're changing the information they give potential settlers. There will be no more adult hosts offered. The risks are too great. We're losing souls. It won't be long before she's talking to you, talking through you, controlling your decisions.† I hadn't moved an inch or relaxed a muscle. The Seeker leaned in, stretched up on her toes to put her face closer to mine. Her voice turned low and smooth in an attempt to sound persuasive. â€Å"Is that what you want, Wanderer? To lose? To fade away, erased by another awareness? To be no better than a host body?† I couldn't breathe. â€Å"It only gets worse. You won't be you anymore. She'll beat you, and you'll disappear. Maybe someone will intervene†¦ Maybe they'll move you like they did Kevin. And you'll become some child named Melanie who likes to tinker with cars rather than compose music. Or whatever it is she does.† â€Å"The success rate is under twenty percent?† I whispered. She nodded, trying to suppress a smile. â€Å"You're losing yourself, Wanderer. All the worlds you've seen, all the experiences you've collected-they'll be for nothing. I saw in your file that you have the potential for Motherhood. If you gave yourself to be a Mother, at least all that would not be entirely wasted. Why throw yourself away? Have you considered Motherhood?† I jerked away from her, my face flushing. â€Å"I'm sorry,† she muttered, her face darkening, too. â€Å"That was impolite. Forget I said that.† â€Å"I'm going home. Don't follow.† â€Å"I have to, Wanderer. It's my job.† â€Å"Why do you care so much about a few spare humans? Why? How do you justify your job anymore? We've won! It's time for you to join society and do something productive!† My questions, my implied accusations, did not ruffle her. â€Å"Wherever the fringes of their world touch ours there is death.† She spoke the words peacefully, and for a moment I glimpsed a different person in her face. It surprised me to realize that she deeply believed in what she did. Part of me had supposed that she only chose to seek because she illicitly craved the violence. â€Å"If even one soul is lost to your Jared or your Jamie, that is one soul too many. Until there is total peace on this planet, my job will be justified. As long as there are Jareds surviving, I am needed to protect our kind. As long as there are Melanies leading souls around by the nose†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I turned my back on her and headed for my apartment with long strides that would force her to run if she wanted to keep up. â€Å"Don't lose yourself, Wanderer!† she called after me. â€Å"Time is running out for you!† She paused, then shouted more loudly. â€Å"Inform me when I'm to start calling you Melanie!† Her voice faded as the space between us grew. I knew she would follow at her own pace. This last uncomfortable week-seeing her face in the back of every class, hearing her footsteps behind me on the sidewalk every day-was nothing compared to what was coming. She was going to make my life a misery. It felt as if Melanie were bouncing violently against the inner walls of my skull. Let's get her canned. Tell her higher-ups that she did something unacceptable. Assaulted us. It's our word against hers – In a human world, I reminded her, almost sad that I didn't have access to that sort of recourse. There are no higher-ups, in that sense. Everyone works together as equals. There are those whom many report to, in order to keep the information organized, and councils who make decisions about that information, but they won't remove her from an assignment she wants. You see, it works like – Who cares how it works if it doesn't help us? I know-let's kill her! A gratuitous image of my hands tightening around the Seeker's neck filled my head. That sort of thing is exactly why my kind is better left in charge of this place. Get off your high horse. You'd enjoy it as much as I would. The image returned, the Seeker's face turning blue in our imagination, but this time it was accompanied by a fierce wave of pleasure. That's you, not me. My statement was true; the image sickened me. But it was also perilously close to false-in that I would very much enjoy never seeing the Seeker again. What do we do now? I'm not giving up. You're not giving up. And that wretched Seeker is sure as hell not giving up! I didn't answer her. I didn't have a ready answer. It was quiet in my head for a brief moment. That was nice. I wished the silence could last. But there was only one way to buy my peace. Was I willing to pay the price? Did I have a choice anymore? Melanie slowly calmed. By the time I was through the front door, locking behind me the bolts that I had never before turned-human artifacts that had no place in a peaceful world-her thoughts were contemplative. I'd never thought about how you all carry on your species. I didn't know it was like that. We take it very seriously, as you can imagine. Thanks for your concern. She wasn't bothered by the thick edge of irony in the thought. She was still musing over this discovery while I turned on my computer and began to look for shuttle flights. It was a moment before she was aware of what I was doing. Where are we going? The thought held a flicker of panic. I felt her awareness begin to rifle through my head, her touch like the soft brush of feathers, searching for anything I might be keeping from her. I decided to save her the search. I'm going to Chicago. The panic was more than a flicker now. Why? I'm going to see the Healer. I don't trust her. I want to talk to him before I make my decision. There was a brief silence before she spoke again. The decision to kill me? Yes, that one.