Market Research Report on Packaged Fruit Juices & Drinks in India Essay

Fruit beverages in India have come a long way since their first forms to find their permanent place in Indian households. Today you will find yourself bewildered with the choices available if you wish to drink a fruit beverage. Innumerable and eclectic flavors combined with several variants (juices, drinks or nectars), is a testament to the fruit beverage industry transformation. In the view of the rising future potential of the industry, Niir Project Consultancy Services has released a new research report titled â€Å"Market Research Report on Packaged Fruit Juices & Drinks in India (Present & Future Potential, Market Insights, Growth Drivers, Opportunities, Industry Size, Porter’s 5 Forces, Demand Analysis & Forecasts upto 2017)†. The report aims at providing a thorough understanding and analysis of the industry by deeply exploring the present status as well as the future prospects of the fruit beverage sector in India in the wake of evolving market dynamics. The report establishes the study by covering data points like growth drivers for the industry, opportunities, present scenario, demand supply estimation & analysis, porters 5 force analysis and key player information. The report begins with a brief on global status of the fruit beverage industry and then shares information on the current status of the industry on the domestic front. The report discusses the overview of the sector along with its classification and structure and then further proceeds to analyze the growth drivers and opportunities for the industry. Rising per capita incomes of the Indians, bulging middle class, surging modern trade and growing urbanization will be the macro economic factors that will contribute to its growth. Escalating health consciousness among Indians has lured them towards fruit beverages and the players have left no stone unturned in capturing this sudden rush of demand. Although the fruit beverage industry is dominated by the loose beverage segment, the share of packaged fruit beverages is gradually rising and eating away the other share. The report then discusses the demand-supply scenario of packaged fruit beverages in India by analyzing various aspects. The demand for packaged fruit beverages is captured by studying the consumption volumes and the industry revenues while the supply side involves scrutiny of estimated fruit processing units in the country along with the fruit production statistics of India. The data discussed above is supported by graphical representations wherever necessary along with the key forecasts. Moving forward, the report analyzes the attractiveness of the sector by evaluating the status of porters 5 forces prevalent in the sector. The sector is said to be most attractive when the 5 forces are their weakest and the report explicates the forces methodically to simplify the analysis. For more information kindly visit: http://www. marketreportsonindia. com/food-beverages-market-research-reports-11581/market-research-report-packaged-fruit-juices-drinks-india. html Related Links: http://www. marketreportsonindia. com/market-research-report/food-beverages. html About MarketReportsonIndia Market Report on India is a portal where you can access thousands of reports on India startingfrom Aeronautics to Zinc (A-Z). We provide you with reports which will help you gain a better understanding of the Sectors, Companies, New Products and Latest trends. Contact Us Market Reports on India Contact No: India: +91. 22. 27810772, 27810773 Toll Free US: 1-866-279-8368 mail: info@marketreportsonindia. com Website: http://www. marketreportsonindia. com Twitter: https://twitter. com/ReportsonIndia.

Do You Believe in Miracles

Ami Denman Dr. Anderson Phil 1043 4/26/13 Do You Believe In Miracles? Do you believe in miracles? I find it rather intriguing that some people still try to use science or any number of other disciplines as a way of explaining, give meaning or rationalizing the question of miracles or the existence of a higher power.I find it hard to understand why humans deny at least the possibility that everyday life presents us with mysteries that cannot simply be explained by human reasoning, rational explanations, the laws of science, or by the laws of nature, but instead just simply acknowledge that some things are unexplainable or justifiable and just miraculous.Although the belief in miracles have seemly been acknowledged as factual for centuries in works such as the Bible, many philosophers and scientists still question the validity of a miraculous event or experience and refuse to ascribe to the reasonable explanation that some things in the natural world cannot be proved by the method of s cience and are explicitly miraculous. A miracle can be de? ned by Hume as a ? transgression of a law of nature by the violation of a particular deity or invisible agent?.For scholars such as Maurice Wiles, Alastair McKinnon, and Steven Bayne a miracle can never occur because the actual concept of a miracle is incoherent. Bayne states, â€Å"Given Hume’s view on the nature of belief and belief production, it seems†¦that we should begin not by asking whether belief in a miracle can be rationally justified, but by asking whether a belief in a miracle is even possible. † However, I will aim to demonstrate why miracles can occur because ultimately the de? nition of miracles put forward by David Hume is archaic and irrelevant to today’s society.David Hume proposed a theoretical and practical case for why it is impossible for one ever to know if a miracle has occurred. His theoretical case begins by stating that all our knowledge comes from sensory experience and empirical evidence and the only proof for a miracle is its testimony. The probability that this is incorrect due to the witness being deluded or unreliable is much greater than the probability that a miracle has actually occurred, that is that the laws of nature have been violated.For this reason it seems clear that a miracle can never occur because the chance of the testimony being incorrect will always be greater than the laws of nature being wrong. For Hume ? a wise man proportions his beliefs?. There are several problems with this proposition, which demonstrate why Hume is incorrect, and miracles do actually occur. The ? rst is that his theory is founded upon Newtonian laws of nature and thus he argues that laws of nature are absolute and ? xed. However, works of Einstein have showed that laws of nature are in fact not absolute and ? ed and much of Newton? s work is to be doubted upon. Furthermore, quantum mechanics has shown that actually laws of nature don? t always have regul arity the study of particles on such a detailed level has shown that movement in the particles is random. The implications of these discoveries in science have meant that theories such as Hume, which base themselves on Newtonian laws, are also invalid like Newton’s work. Miracles can then occur and cannot be explained by science like quantum mechanics.However, there are not just problems for skeptics and scientists with accepting the existence of miracles. Maurice Wiles an American theologian suggested that if we accept miracles then we are lead to the conclusion that God is arbitrary and partisan therefore not a morally good God. Wiles says that this is unlikely, it is more likely that God is morally good and chooses not to intervene. He states that the only intervention God has in the world is creation and now sustaining his creation.Wiles on these grounds reject the notion of a miracle and suggests that they can never occur. What Wiles fails to realize is that God is not h uman, he is a being out of this world with characteristics possessed by no humans and so it is not necessary that this dilemma can be applied to him. As St Augustine said God is beyond human reasoning and it not necessarily that we will understand him or his behavior fully. Also, what Wiles is saying contradicts belief which has been around for over 2,000 years.It seems more likely that Wiles is incorrect than all the philosopher and theologians who predeceased him. For this reason, we can reject Wiles? argument and believe that miracles do actually occur. Swinburne, nevertheless, attempts to answer Wiles? dilemma. He gives that analogy of a child and parent relationship. Just like a parent keeps rules and expects the child to follow them, now and again the parent may agree to break the rules if for example a child pleads a lot. The same way God may violate the laws of nature if he so feels that it is logical.This is a credible suggestion for God? s apparent arbitrary and partisan n ature because religious scripture can be used to back up the belief that a parent and child relationship is analogous to the relationship between us and God and it makes sense. Furthermore, if God decided to constantly perform miracles there would be no such thing as faith and judgement because everyone would believe in God. We would not even make advancements because we would be so reliant on God? s intervention.This suggestions show that there may be other reasons to why God intervenes in such an â€Å"arbitrary and partisan† fashion. Alastair McKinnon went one-step ahead of Hume and stated that miracles are impossible because the concept of a miracle is incoherent. McKinnon begins by de? ning a law of nature, for McKinnon a law of nature is a descriptive sentence which describes a course of event for example, if I drop my pen and say gravity has caused my pen to fall on the ground, I am just describing what happened and nothing more than that.McKinnon goes onto question ho w can one then say miracles, which are violations of laws of nature, occur. It is impossible to suggest that a course events could be violated. McKinnon therefore concludes that the existence of miracles is impossible. McKinnon’s view on this topic is not a popular one and this is because he rests his case in the belief that laws of nature are merely descriptive. Most scholars and nearly all scientists would disagree and explain that a law of nature is more than that, a law of nature explains how things occur nd make predictions and thus it seems perfectly logical for this to be violated, hence miracles to occur. Another problem with all of the arguments explored in this essay is that they seems to categorize miracles are natural events yet there is no proof for that. Miracles may actually be supernatural events caused by something out of this and again leading to the possibility that miracles can occur. My position and the scholarly views presented have been built on the fou ndation that a miracle is a violation of a law of nature when actually this may not be true. The de? ition proposed by Hume suggests we have some kind of God of the gaps that where science cannot be used to explain something we use God when actually in our modern world a miracle is not looked at in terms of the laws of nature it has violated and probability. For most people a miracle is an event which holds religious signi? cance. This de? nition was put forward by R. F. Holland and P. Tillich and seems to be much more realistic. It can be conceived then that miracles can occur because at the end of it Hume? s de? nition of a miracle is outdated and not a clear representation of how people understand miracles today.A miracle is any event whether it breaks the laws of nature or not but holds religious signi? cance for the individual. Bibliography Anghel. Alexandru. â€Å"Hume On Miracles and the Lourdes Phenomenon†. Scientific Journal of Humanistic Studies 4. 6(2012):25-32. Ac ademic Search Complete. Web. 2 Apr. 2013. â€Å"Are Miracles Identifiable? † Web. 10 Apr. 2013. www. thywordistruth. com/Miracles/miracles. pdf Bayne, Steven M. â€Å"Hume On Miracles: Would It Take A Miracle To Believe In A Miracle? †. Southern Journal of Philosophy, 45,1,pp 1-29, Academic Search Complete.Web. 2 Apr. 2013. Corner, David. â€Å"Miracles. † Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. March 24 2005. Web. 10 Apr. 2013. www. thestudentchatroom. co. uk/Wiki/Revision:Miracles Corner, David. â€Å"Philosophy of Miracles. † Continuum Studies in Philosophy. International Publishing Group. Jan 21 2007: p 17. Web. 10 Apr. 2013. Cowan, Steven B. , and James S. Spiegel, Loving Wisdom: A ChristianIntroduction to Philosophy. Nashville: B&H Academic, 2009. Frost-Arnold, Greg. â€Å"The No-Miracles Argument For Realism: Inference To An Unacceptable Explanation. Philosophy Of Science 77. 1 (2010): 35-58. Academic Search Complete. Web. 2 Apr. 2013. Larmer, Robert . â€Å"Miracles, Divine Agency, And The Laws Of Nature. † Toronto Journal Of Theology 27. 2(2011): 267-290. Academic Search Complete. Web. 2 Apr. 2013. McKinnon, Alastair. â€Å"Miracles and Paradox. † American Philosophical Quartely 4. (Oct 1967):308-14 Academic Search Complete. Web. 10 Apr. 2013. Yurs, Mark E. â€Å"The Ethics Of Preaching On The Healing Of Jesus. † Clergy Journal 85. 1 (2008): 12-14. Academic Search Complete. Web. 2 Apr. 2013.

Government Regulations

Analyzing Government RegulationsWith the economic system the manner it is the demand for human services has been greater than it has of all time been. Peoples unable to happen occupations are turning to authorities run plans like Temporary Aid to Needy Families ( TANF ) , every bit good as nutrient casts and Medicaid to assist them acquire through, and provide much needed pecuniary, medical and nutrient aid now that they can non supply that on their ain. For many, it is excessively late. The stateless population in Colorado Springs is steadily increasing. How is the authorities to cover with such demands in our State ‘s clip of demand?There are thoughts presented by legion single bureaus across America. One that stands out is Ideas for Policymakers and research workers in respect to the turning stateless state of affairs in America prepared by Michelle Wood and Jill Khadduri. Both adult females have researched homelessness and the conducive factors sing TANF and medicaid receiv ers countrywide and have tried to reply these inquiries ( Wood, & A ; Khadduri, Winter 2009 ) . O Does TANF ( Temporary Aid to Needy Families ) and Medicaid determine the hazard for homelessness?O Does TANF and Medicaid protect people from going homeless?o Do people sing homelessness usage TANF and Medicaid in different ways than other low income people? In respect to homelessness, TANF and Medicaid do non supply all financess required to supply significant lodging for households. The fewer family members you have, the less aid and resources you have. Assistance is based on household unit, and income of the household unit. Certain guidelines must be met in order to allow aid to these households in the first topographic point ( Citation ) . Most TANF allowances merely cover a part of what is required to supply stable lodging for households at all. Most if the success of TANF and Medicaid are dependent upon the fiscal accomplishments of the individual having the assistance. â€Å" Since 1994, HUD ( the Department of Housing and Urban Development ) , has encouraged communities to turn to the jobs of homelessness in a co-ordinated, comprehensive, and strategic manner through Continuum of Care ( CoS ) † ( U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, n.d. ) . The CoC is a community program based on the demand to present low-cost lodging to the homeless, and prevent homelessness from happening within a household unit. HUD ‘s mission: â€Å" HUD ‘s mission is to increase homeownership, support community development and increase entree to affordable lodging free from favoritism. To carry through this mission, HUD will encompass high criterions of moralss, direction and answerability and hammer new partnerships — peculiarly with faith-based and community organisations — that purchase resources and better HUD ‘s ability to be effectual on the community degree. † — ( U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, n.d. ) Current obstructions that would be faced would be if support ran out to run the HUD plan for those households with low-income demands. Without these financess HUD is unable to assist those people who meet these income guidelines for decreased rent so they can afford lodging which in bend reduces their hazard for going homeless. HUD in itself will non wholly abolish homelessness, but it ‘s a good start. Unfortunately nevertheless, politicians are the people who determine who is hapless, ill, destitute, unemployed and uncared for ( Burger & A ; Youkeles, 2004 ) and the standards to find such is both political and economical. The truth is, there has to be hapless people in order to equilibrate out the system. These people are needed to absorb costs associated with fiscal assistance, public assistance, and other fiscal assistance depositories, bureaus, and divisions. Without the hapless, how do you cognize who the non-poor are? Ultimately, without enlargement, research, and alteration of policy, assistance to households to assist forestall homelessness would non be in topographic point. Most bureaus do what they can for who they can, but it will ne'er be plenty, there will ever be a turning demand in human services to assist those who can non assist themselves. Keeping that in head, and the turning demands of the thickly settled, it is merely normal to believe that societal policy, and human services continuously change with the times and events of the people and state it serves.MentionsBurger, W. R. , & A ; Youkeles, M. ( 2004 ) . Human Services in Contemporary America ( 6th ed. ) . Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole—Thomson Learning. Michelle Wood, a. J. ( Winter 2009 ) . Potential Analysiss with Homelessness Data: Ideas for Policymakers and Researchers. Retrieved January 09, 2010, from Department of Health and Human Services: United statess: hypertext transfer protocol: //aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/09/HomelessnessDataHHS/PotentialAnalyses/report.pdf U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. ( n.d. ) . Mission. Retrieved January 09, 2009, from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: hypertext transfer protocol: //portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/about/missionGovernment RegulationsThere are many Torahs that surround kids who are victims of kid maltreatment. One of the Torahs is the compulsory coverage jurisprudence. This jurisprudence states that certain people are required to describe any marks of kid maltreatment to governments if they see it. The compulsory newsmans are societal workers, instructors and other school personel, doctors and other wellness attention workers. Other compulsory newsmans are mental wellness professionals, any type of kid attention supplier, medical testers or medical examiners, and jurisprudence enforcement officers. Some provinces require movie or picture taking processors to describe any marks of kid maltreatment in images that are submitted into their labs. Sixteen provinces a nd Puerto Rico require anyone to describe kid abuse regardless of profession. By holding these compulsory newsmans, kid maltreatment is really likely to be found by person and reported. These compulsory newsmans are improbably of import because without them many instances of kid maltreatment would ne'er be found. This jurisprudence has a immense impact on abused kids. By necessitating these people to describe kid abuse many kids are acquiring the aid that they need. Some obstructions that could originate from this jurisprudence is these newsmans non cognizing what they are supposed to look for. If they do n't cognize what to describe things that need to be reported could perchance non be reported and the kid could be in danger. The other side of that is they could surmise something is incorrect and there could really be nil opprobrious about the household. The compulsory newsmans need to be trained to react suitably to child maltreatment instances. They need to be told what marks to look for that suggest kid maltreatment. As clip goes on this jurisprudence will alter as the state of affairss in the universe alteration. There may stop up being more people that are required to describe maltreatment as they see it. Many provinces will stop up adding the other Torahs that some provinces have. Equally much as the universe wants child maltreatment to travel off, it is non traveling to. It will merely acquire worse.BibilographyChidl Welfare Information Gateway, Retrieved January 10,2010 hypertext transfer protocol: //www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/statutes/manda.cfm

E&J Gallo Winery study case Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

E&J Gallo Winery - Case Study Example this brand, company puts its marketing position at stake as a manufacturer of premium wine, while discontinuance would cause substantial losses to the company. Losses will affect profitability that is the main concern of stockholders. Since the problem is customers’ perception that Thunderbird as a low-end fortified ( LEF) wine, is of poor quality, a marketing strategy that calls for image building is called for. The perception on the product that has been created is that as a low-end fortified wine is not always the best. Perception is influenced by what customers think or feel on the product but is not always correct. A perfect example of image building is changing the brand’s packaging so that it would look expensive. Changing the packaging would be an add-on cost to the company, but image repair-building will have its benefits in the long run. A complete advertising package should be arranged on this. Advertising using endorsements of sports and movie personalities would help create a classy image of the product. Customers would feel that even it is low end fortified wine, its taste is yielding to personalities. Thunderbird, according to company’s experience is easy to sell and distribute. Customers look for it when the company once tried to stop selling it. They should maintain that while it is an LEF wine, they should assure the public that their LEF wines possess the best quality that company is proud off. It is a matter of mind-setting that low priced drink is not always

The Global Economy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The Global Economy - Essay Example According to McTaggart aggregate supply is defined as the total supply of goods and services by a national economy in a certain figure of the time. On the other hand, aggregate demand is the total demand of national economy for a certain period of time. Basic Economics suggests that the increase in price will directly affect supply and adversely affect demand. Thus, in the AD and AS diagram, AD follows a negative scope and AS illustrates a positive slope. All economic activities affect both AS and AD. This reality is important to understand before appraising the effects of all economic circumstances in other aspects. For the government, having low unemployment rate is a primary goal. Definitely, it is important for all individuals to have quality employment and for those not in the labor force to have ample opportunities to be employed. As the unemployment decreases, it is expected that most households have income. This results to higher demands and will eventually increase AD. The increase in AD generally improves the Gross Domestic Product since household consumption will also increase. Also, the income of the government is boosted because taxes in income will increase in the same manner as the taxes imposed on goods and services. In contrast, it has been noted that the decrease in the unemployment rate will have an effect on inflation. Inflation is defined as the increase in general prices as measured with the baseline of purchasing power. Usually, inflation is caused by the supply of money and the demand power of consumers.

Recruitment and Staffing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Recruitment and Staffing - Essay Example , when demand and supply have been appropriately determined for each position in each of the owner’s small convenience stores, he could anticipate future demand and design acquisition strategies which integrate time frame elements to ensure that future requirements are placed at an appropriate time. As emphasized in Heneman, Judge, & Kammeyer-Mueller (2012), for small establishments like what the owner has, the method of job analysis that is most appropriate is the job group analysis. As disclosed, â€Å"jobs with similar content, wage rates, and opportunities (e.g., promotion, training) must be combined into job groups, and each group must include a list of job titles†¦ use as job groups the nine categories on the EEO-1 form: officials and managers, professionals, technicians, sales, office and clerical, craft workers (skilled), operatives (semiskilled), laborers (unskilled), and service workers† (Heneman, Judge, & Kammeyer-Mueller, 2012, p. 129). It was also stated that the percentage of women and minorities in each group should be appropriated, as required by labor

Should American Soldiers have Invaded into the Irak War Essay

Should American Soldiers have Invaded into the Irak War - Essay Example activities to religiously aggravated 'jihad.' There is currently a self-governing Iraqi regime, and a contract in place to get rid of a considerable number of US military troops from the state. President Bush argued all through the two terms of his administration that the warfare in the country Iraq was a front procession in a war in opposition to global violence and terrorism. This belief was contemplated annually in special foundational addresses, and brought about substantial debate in the U.S and around the world. This essay will cover up the reasons as to why the American soldiers shouldn’t have invaded into Iraq. At the present it is finally recognized that there were no organic associations between Al Qaeda and Iraq in 2003, nor were artillery or weapons of mass obliteration and destruction ever found. So the question which arises is that should American soldiers have invaded into the Iraq War? A number of people think that the war was a fair and just route, while on th e other hand many believe that it was an intended endeavor by the American government to guard their economic wellbeing. This essay will draw attention to the two aspects of the debate that have been carried out in recent times. Individuals that defended this confrontation, particularly those that admire George .w. Bush state that if Iraq is not calmed down or stabilized, it could turn out to be a ground for terrorist breeding and a secure location for Osama Bin Laden or one more Saddam. The truth remains that the American armed forces that marched into Iraq failed to present the weapons they declared Hussein had his hands on. If the government of the United States truly planned to get rid of leaders who crush or trample upon the rights of humans or of their nation, Saddam must not have been the single target while at the moment of the attack. In my own opinion, American attack on Iraq was established on economic motives. US administration had the oil in mind which is abundantly fou nd in Iraq, and that was the purpose for execution the attack even without the complete agreement or support of the UN Security Commission. An attack on Iraq for the intention of "government transformation" would not be an officially authorized war if one considers the international law. As stated by Mohammad Taghi â€Å"Article 2(4)  of the UN Charter states that All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations." Random assassinations, use of grenades, dozens of aggressive groups, and an intensified feeling of insecurity and depression troubles Iraq. The proof of enveloping and relentless chaos is all over the place, from the official figures of mortality to extended approximations of numerical results, from the news of families abandoning hazardous areas by the amount of tens of thousands to the demolishing of governance. As stated by Thomas G. Manken â€Å"The lethal fighting is all-pervading, but without an evident front or a visible strategy and for those reasons, among others, it is poorly understood.† Bombing of nationals population is a type of violence and terrorism  even more repugnant comparative to low-tech terrorism street killing and bombing of innocents. Opponents of the attack argued that it lead to the loss of hundreds of Iraqi nationals and military in addition to

Love - Language and Memory Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Love - Language and Memory Paper - Essay Example Memory, one of the most intriguing components of the human psyche, have been studied and even subcategorized by countless scholars throughout the decades. Among the most notable theories of its categories is the issue regarding semantic memory and it link to language production. Several questions can be deliberated when looking upon this specific interaction of memory and language. Is memory, more specifically semantic memory, the sole reference with which language is formed and structured? How does semantic memory affect the production of language? More importantly, will language be able to survive without semantic memory? And is it possible that both language and semantic memory dependently coexists in some aspects? This article will try to detail the important facets of language and its relationship with semantic memory. Before we delve into the dynamics of language and semantic memory, let us first define the psychological concept that is memory. Memory can be described as â€Å"the capacity that permits organisms to benefit from their past experiences.†(Tulving, 1985, p.385). Procedural memory enables organisms to retain learned connection between stimuli and responses including those involving complex stimulus patterns and response chains, and to respond adaptively to the environment. Semantic memory is characterized by the additional capability of internally representing states of the world that are not perceptually present... Episodic memory affords the additional capability of acquisition and retention of knowledge about personally experienced events and their temporal relations in subjective time and ability to mentally â€Å"travel back† in time. (p.386). Memory is made up of a number of interrelated systems, organized structures of operating components consisting of neural substances and their behavioural and cognitive correlates. A ternary classificatory scheme of memory is proposed in which procedural, semantic, and episodic memory

Halifax Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Halifax - Case Study Example Correspondingly, proper planning becomes quite crucial to ensure the sustainability of the tourism sector. Planning in the tourism sector can be done in various different levels including the national and the local level among the prime. In these different levels, concerned authorities in tourism destination involve in the process of development of individual sectors along with enhancing the prevailing services and facilities among others. This is done with the intention to structure the destination as per the needs and demands of the potential visitors (Angelfire, 2014). Contextually, this particular discussion will mainly intend to present and determine pertinent plans for Halifax Canada as a tourism destination that can facilitate to attract utmost level of global visitors. Halifax is one of the most renowned cities of Canada which has places and features that can encourage people to visit the same. This particular tourism planning report will mainly intend to evaluate the destina tion i.e. Halifax in order to identify its resources of tourism along with a few of the other attributes that are vital to attract tourists. The goals of the tourism authority of Halifax are to present the place as one of the best tourism destination of the Canada. The sector is quite beneficial for the economy growth of the place and the authorities intends to assure maximum efficacy in the same so that positive results can be ascertained. Contextually, the planning of the concerned authorities include assuring utmost development and sustainability of the tourism sector of Halifax and attract potential visitors towards the place and gain positive experience in their leisure time (Nova Scotia, 2011). It has been noted that there are certain features of a particular destination that attract people to visit the same and spend their leisure time. Contextually, the place i.e. Halifax has certain environmental attributes along with

Server malware protection policy Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Server malware protection policy - Assignment Example Examples of such malware are Viruses, Worms, Trojan horses, Spyware, and Rogue security software. Similarly, the term server refers to whatever computer system domiciling in the physically secured data center owned and operated by the Company. In summation, this includes any organization operating an operating system specifically designed for server usage as determined by the Company. The different types of servers include Microsoft Server 2000 and Microsoft Server 2003. The policy provides that all servers of the company MUST be equipped and fitted with an anti-virus application. The installed anti-virus application should be one that offers a real-time scanning protection of files and applications running on the target system. The scanning of the files will aid in protecting the computer from being attacked by the viruses that may lead to the loss of data. Similarly, the anti-virus is of importance in case non-administrative users have remote access capability of the data processor machine. Again the anti-virus is required if the system is a file server or, HTTP/FTP access is open from the Internet and or if other â€Å"risky† protocols/applications are available to the system from the Internet at the free will of the Organization’s Security Administrator. The server malware protection policy requires that all the mail servers being utilized by the company to have an anti-virus installed in them. For instance, in case the target system is a mail server, then, it MUST be equipped with either an outside or internal anti-virus scanning application. The application’s purpose is to examine all mail destined to and from the mail host. Likewise, while the external anti-virus application scan the inbound mail as a backup is being done, the local anti-virus scanning applications may be put off. The server malware protection policy necessitates that all servers being used by the company to get set with an

The Russian Revolution Essay Example for Free

The Russian Revolution Essay The Russian Revolution was not merely a culmination of event from 1905-19-17, but was the result of political, economic and social conditions from centuries of corrupt tsarist rule.The Russian Revolution of 1917 involved the collapse of an empire under Tsar Nicholas II and the rise of Marxian socialism under Lenin and his Bolsheviks. It sparked the beginning of a new era in Russia that had effects on countries around the world.The Russian Revolution of 1917 was one of the most significant events in the 20th century. It completely changed the government and outlook on life in the very large country of Russia. The events of the revolution were a direct result of the conflict in World War I. Many problems had led to the debilitating situation in the early 20th century for explain like social, economic and political conditions led to the Russian Revolution. For the social conditions Russia needed to educate the population. Many peasants were hungry and starving caused many to die of starvation. Many peasants were unskilled and forced into labor. Also A large majority of the population was illiterate meaning didnt know how to read and write, so many were jobless and uneducated. Factory owners wanted workers who knew how to read and write and factories were looking for more skilled workers. According to Document 3 unskilled workers had dedication but were forced into factories with dangerous conditions. Also according to Document 2 the Communist government wanted to take away illiteracy which affected city workers . But then as early as 1919 a campaign was started to remove illiteracy . In 1921 school were built in factories and were offered to construct basic reading, writing and arithmetic lessons.The education of the people led to the growing popularity of several anti-Czarist groups. Another condition that affected the situation was Political Russia’s Army was extremely weak, made mainly of peasants, and the cost of war was weighing down on the citizens of Russia. In reality, Czars Nicholas II had no ability to be a ruler, and proved himself to be politically incapable of governing a country. Starvation and poor living conditions lined the streets of homeless families. Many people were unemployed, and  those who were faced terrible conditions when they were working.Czar Nicholas II was a firm believer that his power to rule was granted by Divine Right, Nicholas assumed that the Russian people were devoted to him with unquestioning loyalty. This belief rendered Nicholas unwilling to allow the progressive reforms that might have made the suffering of the Russian people die down.Dissatisfaction with Tsar Nicholas II culminated in the huge national disturbance, that followed the Bloody Sunday massacre of January 1905, in which hundreds of unarmed protesters were shot by the Tsars troops. Workers responded to the massacre with a crippling general strike. This led to the growing population of several anti-czarist groups There.were also social democrats, such as the Bolsheviks and Mensheviks. Both groups aimed to overthrow the Czar and create a socialist state, they had the support of students and workers, but the main differences were in the organization of the parties. The Bolsheviks, believed in a small, secret, disciplined party of professional revolutionists who would seize power when the time was right. They planned revolutionary cells of three or four people who would organize strikes and demonstrations in factories. Among these people was Vladimir Ulyanov, better as Lenin. He was a devoted Bolshevik who was exile to in Siberia after being arrested for his action in a Marxist group Marxism is a political ideology often known as Marxism-Leninism. It marked the beginning of the spread of communism in the 20th century. The Mensheviks, believed the party should be a mass organization which all workers could join. This mass party would grow until it eventually took power. Among these the Mensheviks was Lev Bronstein, better known as Trotsky. Trotsky was a kulak, a rich peasant..Later on, he became the Menshevik chairman. One more condition that affected the situation was economic At the same time, peasant life and culture was changing constantly. Change was facilitated by the physical movement of growing numbers of peasant villagers who migrated to and from industrial and urban environments, but also by the introduction of city culture into the village through material goods. Workers also had good reasons for dissatisfaction overcrowded housing with often disgraceful sanitary conditions, long hours at work 10-hour workday six days a week was the average and many were working 11–12 hours a day by 1916, constant risk of injury and death from very poor safety and sanitary conditions, harsh  discipline (not only rules and fines, but foremen’s fists), and poor wages. At the same time, urban industrial life was full of benefits, though these could be just as dangerous, from the point of view of social and political stability, as the hardships. Acquiring new skills gave many workers a sense of self-respect and confidence, heightening expectations and desires. Living in cities, workers encountered material goods such as they had never seen while in the village. Most important, living in cities, they were exposed to new ideas about the social and political order. The soviet state from the early 1920s through the 1930s had many problems that led to the revolution. Stalin missed much of the activity leading up to the Russian Revolution in 1917 because he was exiled to Siberia from 1913 to 1917. Upon his release in March of 1917, Stalin resumed his role as a Bolshevik leader. By the time he was reunited with Lenin, who also returned to Russia a few weeks after Stalin, Czar Nicholas II had already step down from is thrown as part of the February Russian Revolution. With the czar removed, the Provisional Government was in charge. Lenin and Stalin, however, wanted to break the Provisional Government and install a Communist one, con trolled by the Bolsheviks. Feeling that the country was ready for another revolution, Lenin and the Bolsheviks began a nearly bloodless coup on October 25, 1917. In just two days, the Bolsheviks had taken over Petrograd, the capital of Russia, and then became the leaders of the country. By 1927, Stalin had effectively eliminated all of his political rivals (and exiled Trotsky) to emerge as the head of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Lenin wanted a worldwide communist revolution stalin only wants to increase the power to the soviet union. Stalins willingness to use brutality to achieve political aims was well established by the time he took power; nevertheless, the Soviet Union was unprepared for the extreme violence and oppression that Stalin unleashed in 1928. This was the first year of Stalins Five Year Plan, a radical attempt to bring the Soviet Union into the industrial age. Stalin’s Five Year Plans started a farming revolution. The government took control of farms and combined them to make government owned farms called collective farms. According to Document 5 it shows how Stalins first Five Year Plan worked how the government took control over everything like electricity coal ,oil, pig iron, steel. Alson in Document 6 too it shows how the USSRs collectivization affected  agricultural production in soviet union. As in conclusion Social , Economic and Political conditions affected the Situation and it led to the Russian Revolution. Some of those conditions had a positive affects and also a negative affect.

Personality Paper Essay Example for Free

Personality Paper Essay Why are some people shy and others are outgoing? Why are some people kind and gentle, while others are hostile and aggressive? The answer to these questions can be found in three of the theories that describe personality. These theories are; psychoanalytic, humanistic, and social cognitive. Founded by Sigmund Freud, psychoanalysis is a theory that â€Å"stresses the influence of unconscious mental processes, the importance of sexual and aggressive instincts, and the enduring effects of early childhood experience on personality.† (Hockenbury 2014) This theory states that a person’s behavior and attitude are a result of past experiences, unconscious thoughts, buried memories, as well as a desire for pleasure. The second theory, based upon the potential that all humans have, is called the humanistic perspective. Rather than focusing on negative personality aspects, humanists think of all people as good and completely self-aware. An important concept to be aware of within this area of self-awareness is passed on to children from their parents. This concept is known as conditional positive regard. Hockenbury (2014) describes this as, â€Å"the sense that the child is valued and loved only when she behaves in a way that is acceptable to others.† While it is important to feel loved and valued, placing limitations on those feelings can be detrimental to a child, as they may end up in denial and never learn how to express their true feelings. The third theory is the social cognitive perspective. This perspective focuses on how conscious thought affects the beliefs and goals that a person has. Hockenbury (2014) paraphrases a leading theorist, Albert Bandura by saying, â€Å"collectively a person’s cognitive skills, abilities and attitudes represent the person’s self-system†¦ it is out self-esteem that guides how we perceive, evaluate, and control our behavior in different situations.† What gives this perspective more credibility is that there is a way to measure its’ success, unlike the other theories. There are two widely known ways to assess personality, Projective testing, and self-report testing. One of the better-known projective tests born from the psychoanalytic approach is the Rorschach inkblot test. This test takes inkblot images and asks the person to describe what they see in that image. Because there is no specific or correct way to score that test,  the answers are subject to the interpretation of whoever is issuing the test. One benefit is that the person taking the test can consciously decide how they want to answer it, and effectively predict the outcome. There are also more structured tests known as self-report inventories, which is a structured question and answer test that rates the findings against a compiled average scoring from others. According to Cherry (n.d.), â€Å"Self-report inventories are often an [sic] good solution when researchers need to administer a large number of tests in relatively short space of time. Many self report inventories can be com pleted very quickly, often in as little as 15 minutes. This type of questionnaire is an affordable option for researchers faced with tight budgets.† Cherry goes on to say, â€Å"results of self report inventories are generally much more reliable and valid than projective tests. Scoring of the tests a standardized and based on norms that have been previously established.† Although there are valid benefits that can come from personality assessments, there are also concerns regarding how truthful the answers may be, and how the answers may convey thought rather than behavior. Flagg (2010) regards these tests as, â€Å"what people think and/or [sic] feel at any given moment. They do not reveal what someone can do.† An example of this would be answering yes to a question regarding a skill in a certain area, though there is no way to prove the possession of that skill. Flagg goes on to say that the â€Å"test scores box people into a set of definitions based on gross generalizations, which make them about as effective and applicable as horoscopes.† The Myers-Briggs personality assessment is a self-report test that was purposely designed to â€Å"box† a person into a defined category. Based on the answers to questions a person is labeled as either: introvert or extrovert, sensing or intuition, thinking or feeling, and judging or perceiving. Many large companies today offer this assessment to their employees in order to achieve a more efficient and successful work environment. While these tests are an effective way to gain answers, the truth is that the best way to learn about someone is to get to know them. References Cherry, K. (n.d.). What is a self report inventory. Retrieved 9/27/14 from http://psychology.about.com/od/psychologicaltesting/f/self-report-inventory.htm Flagg, D. (2010). The problem with personality tests. Retrieved 9/27/14 from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/office-diaries/201007/the-problem-personality-tests Hockenbury, D. H., Hockenbury, S. E. (2014). Discovering Psychology (6th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishing

Business Plan Of Castle Family Restaurant

Business Plan Of Castle Family Restaurant This is the business plan of Castles Family Restaurant located in the north California. It has the eight branches in different location. Total 340 employees are working in the restaurant. There is part time as well as full time employees working in it so the need for recruitment and hiring on continual basis required by restaurant. The manager operations and HR manager Jay Morgan need to face the problem related to HRM related to visit in all branches on weekly basis, managing the large number of employees of different branches, managing their payroll system, scheduling and their queries with out delay of time and in cost effective way. HR consultant is hired to coop with all these HR issues of the restaurant. The business plan includes different HR reforms in order to problem resolution. HRIS is considered the key towards the accomplishment of restaurant goals and to meet the HR requirements. Different types of HRIS are identified and the important types of HRIS that fit on the scen ario and can help to resolve the HR issues at is facing by Restaurant is analyzed and methodology of its proper implementation is suggested. Comparison of different types shows that restaurant needs to implement the payroll and employee self support management software in order to coop with daily basis HR issues. Ascentis software Vendor Company is recommended in order to install the successful implementation of HRIS in the restaurant in order to meet the HR needs of the company and provide the successful implementation of solution to the HR manager of restaurant. Introduction The paper is related to the business plan of Castle family restaurant, which is the restaurant situated in the North California. It is the family owned restaurant and it has multiple branches in different locations. The business plan represent the document summarize the Castle family restaurant current business operations related to HR functionality of restaurants manager Jay Morgan who is the operation manager of his branch and carry out the Hr functions of other multiplication branches. I as the HR consultant of Jay Morgan is required to present the business plan to identified the HR problems that currently restaurant is facing, important HRM system need to be installed in order to meet the HR requirement of the company, comparison of different HR techniques in order to identify the best technique for the restaurant and sought out the current issues related to HR functions of Castle family Restaurant. The most important thing here is the implementation of information system to effe ctively carry out the HR activities of the restaurant. Company Review Castles Family Restaurant is basically medium sized company. It is a family owned restaurant. Total Eight branches are there located in different location naming Dunsmuir Avenue, Eureka, Parkview Redding-Shasta County, and Yreka-Siskiyou County. Castles Family Restaurant is providing services to the larger numbers of customers. The restaurant carries out their working in different areas and integrates the system of food chain and employees through its manager Jay Morgan who has performed dual responsibilities, one is the responsibility of operation manager and the other one is HR manager. Morgan has to closely manage the HR operations of various branches of restaurant with close consideration and integration of employees working in different branches. Almost 340 employees are working in the restaurant with 40 % of employees are full time weather the remaining are part time employees. The need for the part time is increasing so the recruitment and hiring of part time employees is the issue on regular basis. In the reality the tasks to manage the HR functions of various branches without the implementation of technological advance system is difficult and to some extend impossible to perform in effective manner. HR Problems The basic problem that restaurant have to face is the management of Human resources in multiple location. The HR manager has to visit the various branches to handle the work schedules of employees in different branches and to manage of their work place issues, discuss if any problem they have. Tasks related to recruitment and hiring of employees, management of benefit programs for them and to analyze their performance as well. The manager needs to handle the payroll system and Information is stored in an Excel spreadsheet and checks are printed from his computer. All these HR activities of different branches are difficult to manage effectively with increasing transportation charges of gasoline in the world and the much time will also consumed because of the timely visits to different locations on weekly or daily basis that will be hectic for the manager to manage and cover the routine tasks of the restaurant. Industry Analysis The Castles Family Restaurant is concerned with the service industry. The trend of service industry is growing day by day. Service is some thing intangible. The restaurant industry has the growing trend world wide as the people are now more interested in the fast food and the food from outside. Increasing number of population increase the demand for the restaurant and the most of the people relate to either sex now considered as working class because of lack of time they have to cook the food. Adults and kids are also a major target market for restaurant industry as they are the lover of different variety of food. Restaurant Industry Sales Trend (Duff Phelps, 2011) The figure shows the increasing trend of American restaurant industry with a major pitfall in 2009. The increasing trend can be seen in 2011 with the revenue of 604 million. The restaurant industry is contributing 10% in American sales. (Trends in Fine Dining, 2011a). Industrial Trend and Restaurant Performance The industry wide transformation starts with the increasing trend of informational technology in the world wide industry. Technological advancement in the world turns the world towards the global advancement and pushes the industries towards the globalization. Information technology gives the support not only to the It industry but it become the backbone for each and every industry world wide, including manufacturing industry as well as for the service industry. Service institutes like, hospitals, pharmacies, laboratories, colleges, universities, hotels and restaurants all these sectors need to implement the technological advancement system in order to accomplish their goals and to meet the growth criteria. The expansion and growth of business in multiple locations is not possible to run effectively without the successful implementation of information system. To manage the HR tasks in the multi dimensional firm is very easy with the informational technology as the system make the fir m able to provide the integrate system of communication and collaboration in the organization trough which operations of multiple locations and departments can be strongly collaborate and information can be transferred and share in effective way that provide the ease to link the activities of different department with in an organization as well as the activities of different branches which are located outside the geographical boundaries. The Castle Family restaurant need a close consideration towards managing the company with the change industry trend as the in competition is very fast and the trend of food service industry is upgrading time to time so to meet the competition efficient and modern HR system must need to implement with the advanced information technology aid to flourish in the food industry. Business Analysis Castle Family Restaurant has eight branches in multiple locations. The HR activities are still cooped with traditional HR methodologies. The recording and managing data on Excel spreadsheet with complex analysis employees performance by visiting the location of their operations is the difficult to manage. HRM system of the restaurant needs the improvement in order to meet the HR needs of the company. From The basic business change that Restaurant HR manager need to analyze is the updating of its system in order to accomplish its employees management in better way. Restaurant manager currently needed to measure the employees performance, their schedules and the problems after visiting the location. That is hectic, time taking and many communication lags can be occur because of lack of direct communication. Modern technological advancement emphasize on the implementation of Human Resource Information System (HRIS). This is the merger of human resource management and information system that supports the company to manage their human resource with advance technology and information system. Castles Family Restaurant need to implement HRIS in order to meet the current HR needs and to move with equal pace in the world to compete in industry and to expand it business in fast pace. Human Resource Information System (HRIS) is an automated system that provides the online solution to the HR problems of the company. This system automate the data entry about the important staff based information, pay roll management, accounting functions, tracking of data, performance measurement of employees through on line software that records data relate to the employee activities in benefit programs etc. HR manager currently relied on the maximum manual tasks to record and manage the information. Traditional methods of data recording and pay roll system are followed by the manager. No mean of direct communication are there to discuss and to coop with the issues that employees will face and employees performance is also measured on the bases of their personal observations by the HR manger that is time consuming because it is difficult for manager to visits the number of different locations where the restaurants are located at a time so delay also bears cost. The HRIS provides the softwares with the automated system for the solution of maximum problems that is facing by the manager. The Human Resource Information System provides the administrative control in different systems. Some are given below; Payroll System Scheduling Absenteeism management Time and performance records Recruitment Learning management Employee self service module Many types of HRIS are there to provide the benefits of information technology and advancement. Castle Family Restaurant need to implement HRIS in order to track the employees through automated system with out the physical visit of the management and measure their performance through the online performance record, electronic recruitment and learning of an able applicant, measure their absenteeism rate, answer the employees query etc. HRIS Type HRIS provides the different benefits regarding HR tasks. What the Castles family restaurant needs is to choose the program of its need. The basic HR types that Castle Family Restaurant is recommended to install in order to get cost effective way to coop with its Hr issues are following. 1-Payroll Module It is an effective part of HRIS that helps to generate the automated payroll checks of employees with the recorded time and attendance of the employees that will provides the relaxation to the manager of the restaurant to not follow the traditional pay roll system of keeping the records in excel spreadsheet and issue computerized checks. 2-Applicant tracking System This is the tracking software which used to track the applicant through online resumes and job applications received by the company and match it with the required qualification and experience. Through proper matching the required candidates will be identified. This will help the HR manager of restaurant to identify the proper candidate for part time as well as for full time employees and save time to physical efforts that are much more time consuming. 3-Employee Self Service Module It is the system to generate the answers of employee queries automatically. The employees can get solve their issues through the automated system. E.g. if employees want to confirm its attendance record or paid days it can generate information using the system with out disturbing the HR personals. It will be generate the answers of queries through data recorded in the system. Morgan can receive large number of benefits from his HRIS type as it do not need to visit the work stations in order to answer the questioning of employees on daily basis. 4-HRM module This covers the large number of HR activities starting from application of employees to the retirement. It records the data related to demographic, selection, training and development, capabilities and skills management, records of compensations and benefits and other related activities. The leading HRM systems are providing the ability to read applications and then enter the relevant data in the application database fields, notify employers and provide management and control. Comparison HRIS is the system to automate the HR activities. Large numbers of sub software are used in HRIS and the restaurant needs to install the system according to their needs. As the system is costly to install but once it has installed and star it working it will provides the advantages in large extend as compare to cost associated with it. The four HRIS types are have key importance for the Castles restaurants for the effective improvement in its HR functional advancement. For the current HR issues the restaurant need a close focus on the payroll module and employees self service module because of its demand as HR manager do not need to get tensed with the employee daily base queries in the present of employees self service module and to manage the payroll system in the presence of payroll module as it keep the record and manage payroll checks automatically as compare to others. Applicant track system, HRM module and other are also important for the effective management in different times but can be compromised for the present time HRIS Vendor Recommendation Large number of vendors is present in the industry to provide the HRIS package to their customers in order to meet their Hr demands. They are providing the either the software to handle the specific problems like payroll management module or applicant tracking system for the recruitment of employees etc, while some are providing the complete package of software with performing variety of functions. As an HR consultant of the Castles Family Restaurant some important vendors names are recommended. These are following. 1- Epicor Software It is one of the leading Hr Management software provider and covers three different sectors including manufacturing, construction and service industry. It can be a better option for the Castle family restaurant because of its application including salary and compensation administration and other large number of services can be a beneficial tool for the HR department of Castle family restaurant. (Epicor HCM) 2- Ascentis The company is founded in 1994. It offers an easy-to-use suite of applications for small and mid-sized organizations that integrates and automates critical HR and payroll processes. The company is providing the HRIS variety of payroll, HR management software and its logo is Simplifies your life that also clear it objective and goal of providing the clear solution to HR issues and simplify one life by using the software. 3- Apex business software It is providing HR software, leave and time management software, absent management software and many user alerts. Like other vendors it is also providing basic HR tools to provide ease in Hr functionality in the organization. ( Apex business software) Recommendations It is very difficult to justify with one best vendor when there are large number of vendors are there in the industry and when there is less difference in the services and applications providing by these vendors. After sale services and customer satisfaction from them is an important tool to reach at the conclusion. As the HR consultant it is recommended to implement system software service of Ascentis. The Ascentis will be the better option for the Castles Family Restaurant because its first positive point is its experience in providing HRIS. Ascentis delivers the comprehensive HR services supported by the latest Microsoft technologies. The restaurant can implement the latest Hr system in order to meet the HR requirements of the company. The basic reason to recommend this one is that it is providing specialized services to the service industry and its major focus in on the small and medium size of companies as castles family restaurant is the medium size of organization with average employees working in it so the company match the requirement of restaurant very well n order to meet the HR demands of the Restaurant. Asentis provides the effective payroll management system that will prove beneficial one for the restaurant. The payroll system includes tax filing, direct deposit and check printing. This will be the automated system and manager not need to face any issue in it. The vendor is providing the comprehensive payroll system to their customers. The Castles restaurant can utilized with outsource service of Ascentis with easy to use customer interface and the real time payroll system as well. Conclusion HRIS is the fast growing phenomena and its successful implementation in the restaurant industry make it able to sought out the HR related issues in effective manner. The restaurant is expanding its operation in vast territory so the implementation of proper HRIS type in the area where Hr functions need to be improved is important to consider. The Hr manager issue of reducing the cost of the restaurant by substituting the effective method in order to coop with the cost barriers which restaurant is currently facing in the form of transportation expenses and time which need to be save, the automated payroll, and HRM software should be installed to meet the future cost. As the implementation of HRIS successful will be the one time investment that has the potential to provide wide range of benefits in the future and the best vendor for HRIS is the one which can provides the user friendly HR system in cost effective way.

A classic example of socialism is John Steinbecks The Grapes of Wrath

A classic example of socialism is John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath The idea of socialism has transcended down in history; from the proletariat fighting for rights in France to Marxist revolutions and Leninists in Russia. Socialism is the helping of the laboring class; more so it is the uprising and asserting of power of the laboring class. A classic example of socialism is John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath". Many people thought this book was an attack on America, due to it's social views. "Grapes of Wrath" was not a book of attack or slander on America, rather it was more of an awakening or cry for change. Steinbeck seems to be the voice of the masses. Steinbeck wants to suggest, through character, settings and idea filled chapters, how socialist reforms would bring upon a dignified lifestyle for the disadvantages people from the mid-west. He calls for change and hopes for enlightenment through his novel, not to cast aspersions or criticize. During the 1930's, the era of Depression in America, many people were afraid of communist ideas that were present overseas. Many people felt that Steinbeck was supporting these ideas. If someone was a questioner, a thinker, or someone who went against the mold, like Steinbeck, they were called a "red". In other words, that person was considered a communist. Steinbeck, through his novel, brought the worst stories of America and showed them to the world. He did this in hope of spreading the idea of socialism. Steinbeck shows the spread of socialism through two main characters: Jim Casy and Tom Joad. He displays them as wanting, wanting a better life, wanting something more spiritually, wanting something more for "their folks". The only thing that seems to ... ...ds. Al gets to be a teenager, not a responsible driver. He can now look for girls and etc. But when the family leaves the camp, due to no work, the family falls apart. The normality. The socialism at the camp is what made most of them happy and kept them together. But Ma Joad knew better. She shows that socialism has to be widespread, it can't just be in one spot. It has to take over everything and be thought by everyone. When the normality ends, the requirement of socialism in society becomes important again. Through out the novel, Steinbeck tries to give us a clear picture of what is needed to stop all the suffering that was going on in our nation. Tom Joad, Jim Casy, the camp and a couple chapters teach the future readers that we can make a difference in people's lives. We have made a difference. Today socialism is alive and working well for America.

Anatomical Discoveries During the Renaissance Period Essay -- history o

More medical discoveries and advances are occurring every day. Medical treatments and understanding of the human anatomy have come a long way. Though if it weren’t for certain Anatomists, we may have not have had the right comprehension of the human body which could have led to errors in surgery and more deaths while treating patients. The Renaissance period was a time where Anatomists searched for clearer understanding of the human body. During the Renaissance period, Anatomists questioning and experimentation led to great discoveries of the human body. Wrong theories of the anatomy have been assumed to be correct for thousands of years. Theories of using a scientific base were not used by the Europeans until the Renaissance period (â€Å"Medicine†). These theories, made by a Greek Physician named Galen, were supported by the Catholic Church. The Middle Ages were a difficult time to achieve medical advances because Galen’s theories were not to be questioned or tested(â€Å"The Impact of the Renaissance on Medicine†).Even after these theories appeared to be inaccurate, the support from such a high authority made it extremely difficult to change the medical practices and training(â€Å"Rennaissance medicine†). The knowledge of medicine grew drastically during the Renaissance period (Siralisi 189). Research conducted during the Renaissance period by Andreas Vesalius, Matteo Realdo Colombo, Geronimo Fabrious, Ambroise Pare, and William Harvey has given us a better understanding of the human anatomy ("Renaissance medicine"). Once the Renaissance period hit, anatomists were able to work through the scientific method and find the flaws in Galen’s theories(â€Å"The Impact of the Renaissance on Medicine†). A vital advance made during the Renaissance per... ...ways to clean and heal wounds. He realized the importance of cleaning the wounds. He also designed prosthetic limbs and the truss, which is designed to keep hernias from growing ( â€Å"Medicine†). Works Cited Siraisi, Nancy G.  Medieval and early Renaissance medicine: an introduction to knowledge and practice. University of Chicago Press, 2009. "Renaissance medicine."  Hutchinson Encyclopedia. 2011.  eLibrary. Web. 13 Apr. 2014. "medicine."  Compton's by Britannica, v 6.0. 2009.  eLibrary. Web. 13 Apr. 2014. About William Harvey (Harvey Medical Research Foundation).  eLibrary. Web. 13 Apr. 2014. "The Impact of the Renaissance on Medicine."  Hutchinson Encyclopedia. 2011.  eLibrary. Web. 13 Apr. 2014. "Colombo, Matteo Realdo."  Hutchinson Encyclopedia. 2011.  eLibrary. Web. 15 Apr. 2014. "Fabricius, Hieronymus."  Hutchinson Encyclopedia. 2011.  eLibrary. Web. 15 Apr. 2014.

The Future of Computers in Education :: essays papers

The Future of Computers in Education CURRENT PROBLEMS OF EDUCATION It seems reasonable to begin a discussion of the future of computers in education with considerations of the current problems of education. Then we can direct our use of technology to improve education. I do not mean to imply that there would be universal agreement on these problems or that this list is exhaustive; but these serious problems deserve careful preliminary consideration in restructuring our educational systems. They are worldwide problems that affect all levels of education. I begin with what I regard as the root of many of the grand problems of today: the problem of population. The number of people on earth is growing rapidly with no sign that we will be able to stop this growth. Indeed, many powerful people and groups encourage this growth. Educators often do not see this as an educational problem, but I believe this view to be wrong. World Population: The Grand Problem At the beginning of this century, the population of the earth, after thousands of years of development of civilization, reached one billion people. At the beginning of the new century we will have about six billion people on earth, and this number continues to grow rapidly -- presently at ninety million people per year. A scenario from the United Nations gives the world population in 2150 as 694 billion, based on current growth rates in the different parts of the world.[1] This is very unlikely, but it shows the serious nature of the problem. I regard this rapid growth of population as the root problem on earth today, not just for learning but also for many other aspects of modern society. Attempts to control population in countries such as China and India have met with only partial success. In most of the world there is only an inadequate attempt at population control. A rapidly growing population means that with today’s methods of learning many people will receive no or inferior education. Schools and other educational institutions cannot handle, in their present mode, even in highly developed countries, the ever-increasing numbers of students, and they change only slowly. Very few of the people on earth receive an adequate education even today.

Bloodlines Chapter Twenty

I ALMOST ASKED, â€Å"Are you serious?† But let's face it: that probably wasn't the kind of thing she would joke about, especially considering how grave her face looked. Other questions popped into my head, but I held back on those as well. They weren't that weird, but I didn't want to draw attention to myself by showing unusual interest in a grisly murder. Instead, I simply thanked Mrs. Dawson for her help with the letter and returned to East Campus. Mrs. Weathers was at her desk when I entered the dorm. I brought her the letter, which she read over twice before tucking it away in her filing cabinet. â€Å"All right,† she said. â€Å"Just make sure your sister signs in and out each time.† â€Å"I will, ma'am. Thank you.† I hesitated, torn over whether to go or ask the questions Mrs. Dawson's information had triggered. I decided to stay. â€Å"Mrs. Weathers†¦ ever since Jill disappeared, I just keep thinking about that girl you told me about. The one who died. I keep thinking that could've been Jill.† Mrs. Dawson's face softened. â€Å"Jill's fine. I shouldn't have told you that. I didn't mean to scare you.† â€Å"Is it true that girl's throat was slit?† â€Å"Yes.† She shook her head sadly. â€Å"Terrible. Simply terrible. I don't know who does that kind of thing.† â€Å"Did they ever find out why it happened? I mean, was there anything unusual about her?† â€Å"Unusual? No, not really. I mean, she was a lovely girl. Smart, pretty, popular. A good – no, great – athlete. Had friends, a boyfriend. But nothing that would especially make her stand out as a target. Of course, people who do awful things like that probably don't need a reason.† â€Å"True,† I murmured. I walked up to my room, wishing Mrs. Weathers had elaborated a little more on how pretty Kelly was. What I really wanted to know was if Kelly had been Moroi. If she had, I'd hoped Mrs. Weathers might comment on how tall or pale she was. By both Clarence's and the Alchemists' accounts, no Moroi on record had lived in the Palm Springs area. That didn't mean someone couldn't slip through the cracks, however. I'd have to find the answer myself. If Kelly had been Moroi, then we had three young Moroi women killed in the same way in southern California within a relatively short time span. Clarence might argue for his vampire hunter theory, but to me, this pattern screamed Strigoi. Jill was in our room, serving out her house arrest. The more time passed, the less angry I felt toward her. Having the feeding issue fixed helped. I would've been a lot more upset if we'd been unable to get her off campus. â€Å"What's wrong?† she asked me, looking up from her laptop. â€Å"Why do you think anything's wrong?† She smiled. â€Å"You've got that look. It's this tiny frown you get between your eyebrows when you're trying to figure something out.† I shook my head. â€Å"It's nothing.† â€Å"You know,† she said, â€Å"maybe all these responsibilities you have wouldn't be as bad if you talked them out and got help from other people.† â€Å"It's not quite like that. It's just something I'm trying to puzzle out.† â€Å"Tell me,† she entreated. â€Å"You can trust me.† It wasn't a matter of trust. It was a matter of unnecessarily worrying Jill. Mrs. Weathers had feared she would scare me, but if someone was killing Moroi girls, I wasn't in danger. Looking at Jill and her unwavering gaze, I decided if she could handle living with the knowledge that her own people were trying to kill her, she could handle this. I gave her a brief summary of what I knew. â€Å"You don't know if Kelly was Moroi, though,† she said, once I'd finished. â€Å"No. That's the crucial piece here.† I sat cross-legged on my bed with my own laptop. â€Å"I'm going to check our records and local newspapers to see if I can find a picture of her. All I learned from Mrs. Weathers is that Kelly was a star athlete.† â€Å"Which may mean she's not Moroi,† said Jill. â€Å"I mean, look at how terrible I perform in this sun. What happens if she's not? You've got a lot of theories hinging on her being Moroi. But what if she was human? What then? Can we ignore it? It could still be the same person†¦ but what would it mean if the murderer had killed two Moroi and one human?† Jill had a point. â€Å"I don't know,† I said. My search didn't take long. The Alchemists had no record of the murder, but then, they wouldn't if Kelly had been human. Lots of newspapers had stories about her, but I couldn't find any pictures. â€Å"What about a yearbook?† asked Jill. â€Å"Someone must keep them around.† â€Å"That's actually pretty brilliant,† I said. â€Å"See? I told you I'm useful.† I smiled at her and then remembered something. â€Å"Oh, I've got good news for you. Maybe.† I briefly recapped Kristin and Julia's â€Å"plan† about Jill joining the sewing club. Jill brightened but was still cautious. â€Å"You really think that would work?† â€Å"Only one way to find out.† â€Å"I've never touched a sewing machine in my life,† she said. â€Å"I guess this is your chance to learn,† I told her. â€Å"Or maybe the other girls will be happy to just keep you around as their in-class model.† Jill smirked. â€Å"How do you know only girls sign up for that?† â€Å"I don't,† I admitted. â€Å"Just playing off gender stereotypes, I guess.† My cell phone rang, and Ms. Terwilliger's number flashed on the display. I answered, bracing for a coffee run. â€Å"Miss Melbourne?† she said. â€Å"If you and your brother can be at Carlton within an hour, you can speak to someone in the registrar's office before they close. Can you manage that?† I looked at the time and took it on faith Adrian wasn't doing anything important. â€Å"Um, yes. Yes, of course, ma'am. Thank you. Thank you very much.† â€Å"The man you'll want to talk to is named Wes Regan.† She paused. â€Å"And could you bring me a cappuccino on your way back?† I assured her I could and then called Adrian with instructions to be ready for me. Quickly, I changed out of my uniform and into a blouse and twill skirt. Glancing at my reflection, I realized he was right. There really wasn't a lot of difference between Amberwood attire and my normal wardrobe. â€Å"I wish I could go,† said Jill wistfully. â€Å"I'd like to see Adrian again.† â€Å"Don't you kind of see him every day in a way?† â€Å"True,† she said. â€Å"Although I can't always get into his head when I want to yet. It just happens randomly. And anyway, it's not the same. He can't talk back to me through the bond.† I nearly replied that it sounded better than being around him in person but figured that wouldn't be helpful. Adrian was ready to go when I reached Clarence's, excited and eager for action. â€Å"You just missed your friend,† he said as he got into Latte. â€Å"Who?† â€Å"Keith.† I made a face. â€Å"He's not really my friend.† â€Å"Oh, you think? Most of us figured that out on day one, Sage.† I felt a little bad about that. Some part of me knew that I shouldn't let my personal feelings for Keith mix with business. We were co-workers of sorts and should've been presenting a united, professional front. At the same time, I was kind of glad these people – even if they were vampires and dhampirs – didn't think I was friendly with Keith. I didn't want them thinking he and I had much in common. I certainly didn't want to have a lot in common with him. The full meaning of Adrian's words suddenly hit me. â€Å"Wait. He was just here?† â€Å"A half hour ago.† He must have come straight from the school. I was lucky to have missed him. Something told me he wouldn't approve of me furthering Adrian's education. â€Å"What was he here for?† â€Å"Dunno. I think he was checking on Clarence. The old guy hasn't been feeling well.† Adrian pulled a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket. â€Å"Do you mind?† â€Å"Yes,† I replied. â€Å"What's wrong with Clarence?† â€Å"I don't know, but he's been resting a lot, which makes things even more boring. I mean, he wasn't the greatest conversationalist, but some of his crazy stories were interesting.† Adrian turned wistful. â€Å"Especially with scotch.† â€Å"Keep me updated on how he's doing,† I murmured. I wondered if perhaps that was why Keith had been in such a hurry earlier. If Clarence was seriously ill, we were going to have to make arrangements with a Moroi doctor. That would complicate our setup here in Palm Springs because we'd either have to move Clarence or bring in someone. If Keith was working on it, then I shouldn't have concerned myself†¦ but I just didn't trust him to do a good job with anything. â€Å"I don't know how you put up with him,† said Adrian. â€Å"I used to think you were weak and just didn't fight back†¦ but now, honestly, I think you're actually pretty tough. It takes a hell of a lot of strength to not complain and lash out. I don't have that self-control.† â€Å"You've got more than you think,† I said, a little flustered by the compliment. I was down on myself so much for what I saw as not pushing back sometimes that it had never occurred to me that took its own strength. I was even more surprised that it would take Adrian to point this out to me. â€Å"I'm always walking a line. My dad – and the Alchemists – are really big on obedience and following the directions of your superiors. I'm kind of in a double bind because I'm on shaky ground with them, so it's extra important for me to not make a fuss.† â€Å"Because of Rose?† His tone was carefully controlled. I nodded. â€Å"Yup. What I did was tantamount to treason in their eyes.† â€Å"I don't know what ‘tantamount' means, but it sounds pretty serious.† I could see him studying me out of the corner of his eye. â€Å"Was it worth it?† â€Å"So far.† It was easy to say that since Zoe had no tattoo yet and I hadn't seen a re-education center. If those things changed, so might my answers. â€Å"It was the right thing to do. I guess that justified dramatic action.† â€Å"I broke a lot of rules to help Rose too,† he said, a troubled tone in his voice. â€Å"I did it out of love. Misguided love, but love nonetheless. I don't know if that's as noble as your reasons, particularly since she was in love with someone else. Most of my ‘dramatic actions' haven't been for any cause. Most of them have been to annoy my parents.† I actually found myself a little jealous of that. I couldn't fathom purposely trying to get a reaction from my dad – though I'd certainly wanted to. â€Å"I think love's a noble reason,† I told him. I was speaking objectively, of course. I'd never been in love and had no point of reference to really judge. Based on what I'd observed in others, I assumed it was an amazing thing†¦ but for now, I was too busy with my job to notice its absence. I wondered if I should be disappointed by that. â€Å"And I think you have plenty of time to do other noble things.† He chuckled. â€Å"Never thought my biggest cheerleader would be someone who thought I was evil and unnatural.† That made two of us. Hesitantly, I managed to ask a question that had been burning inside me. â€Å"Do you still love her? Rose?† Along with not knowing what it felt like to be in love, I also didn't know how long it took to recover from love. Adrian's smile faded. His gaze turned inward. â€Å"Yes. No. It's hard to get over someone like that. She had a huge effect on me, both good and bad. That's hard to move past. I try not to think about her much in terms of love and hate. Mostly I'm trying to get on with my life. With mixed results, unfortunately.† We soon reached the college. Wes Regan was a big man with a salt-and-pepper beard who worked in Carlton's registration office. Ms. Terwilliger had tutored Wes's niece for free one summer, and Wes felt he owed her a favor. â€Å"Here's the deal,† he said once we were seated across from him. Adrian was wearing khaki pants and a sage-colored button-down shirt that would've been great for job interviews. A little too late. â€Å"I can't just enroll you. College applications are long and require transcripts, and there's no way you can swing one in two days. What I can do is get you in as an auditor.† â€Å"Like with the IRS?† asked Adrian. â€Å"No. Auditing means you're attending the class and doing the work but not getting a grade for it.† Adrian opened his mouth to speak, and I could only imagine what comment he had about doing work for no credit. I quickly interrupted him. â€Å"And then what?† â€Å"Then, if you can throw together an application in, oh, a week or two – and are accepted – I can retroactively change you to student status.† â€Å"What about financial aid?† asked Adrian, leaning forward. â€Å"Can I get some money for this?† â€Å"If you qualify,† said Wes. â€Å"But you can't really file for it until you've been accepted.† Adrian slumped back, and I was able to guess his thoughts. If getting enrolled would take a couple of weeks, there'd undoubtedly be a delay with the financial aid filing too. Adrian was looking at a month or more of living with Clarence, and that was probably optimistic. I half-expected Adrian to get up and nix everything. Instead, a resolute expression crossed his face. He nodded. â€Å"Okay. Let's get started with this auditing thing.† I was impressed. I was also jealous when Wes brought out the course catalog. I'd been able to lull myself into contentment with Amberwood's classes, but looking at real college offerings showed me the two schools were worlds away. The history classes were more focused and in depth than anything I could have imagined. Adrian had no interest in those, however. He immediately honed in on the art department. He ended up signing up for two introductory courses in oil painting and in watercolors. They met three times a week and were conveniently back-toback. â€Å"That'll make it easier if I'm busing in,† he explained as we were leaving. I gave him a startled look. â€Å"You're taking the bus?† He seemed amused by my astonishment. â€Å"What else? Classes are in the daytime. You can't take me.† I thought about Clarence's remote house. â€Å"Where on earth would you catch the bus?† â€Å"There's a stop about a half mile away. It transfers to another bus that goes to Carlton. The whole trip takes about an hour.† I confess, it left me speechless. I was amazed that Adrian had researched that much, let alone was willing to go to all that trouble. Yet on the ride back, he never uttered one word of complaint about how inconvenient it would be or how long he'd have to wait to move out of Clarence's. When I arrived back at Amberwood, I was excited to tell Jill the news about Adrian's collegiate success – not that she needed me to tell her. With the bond, she would probably know more than I did. Still, she always worried about him and would undoubtedly be pleased to see something go well for him. Jill wasn't in our room when I returned, but a note informed me she was studying elsewhere in the dorm. The only bright part of her punishment was that it limited where she could be at any time. I decided to use this opportunity to go make Ms. Terwilliger's crazy amulet. I'd accrued most of the necessary ingredients, and along with compliance from the biology teacher, Ms. Terwilliger had secured me access to one of the chemistry labs. No one was there this time of night, and it gave me plenty of space and quiet to mix up the concoction. As we'd noted, the instructions were extremely detailed and – in my opinion – superfluous. It wasn't enough to just measure out the nettle leaves. The instructions called for them â€Å"to rest for an hour,† during which time I was supposed to say to them, â€Å"into thee, flame I imbue† every ten minutes. I also had to boil the agate stone â€Å"to infuse it with heat.† The rest of the instructions were similar, and I knew there was no way Ms. Terwilliger would actually know if I followed everything to the letter – particularly the chants. Still, the whole purpose of this stunt was to report on what it was like to be an ancient practitioner. So, I followed everything dutifully and concentrated so hard on performing every step perfectly that I soon fell into a lull where nothing existed except the spell. I finished over two hours later and was surprised at how exhausted I felt. The final result certainly didn't seem to justify all the energy I'd expended. I was left with a leather cord from which hung a silk pouch filled with leaves and rocks. I carted it and my notes back to my dorm room, intending to write up my report for Ms. Terwilliger so that I could put this assignment behind me. When I reached my room, I gasped when I saw the door. Someone had taken red paint and drawn bats and fanged faces all over it. Scrawled across the front, in big blocky letters, were the words VAMP GIRL Full of panic, I burst into the room. Jill was there – along with Mrs. Weathers and another teacher I didn't know. They were going through all of our things. I stared in disbelief. â€Å"What's going on?† I asked. Jill shook her head, face mortified, and couldn't answer. I'd apparently arrived at the end of the search because Mrs. Weathers and her associate soon finished up and walked to the door. I was glad I'd taken my Alchemist supplies with me to the lab tonight. The kit contained a few measuring tools I had thought I might need. I certainly didn't want to explain why I owned a collection of chemicals to dorm authorities. â€Å"Well,† said Mrs. Weathers sternly. â€Å"There doesn't appear to be anything here, but I may do another spot check later – so don't get any ideas. You're already in enough trouble without adding yet another charge to it.† She sighed and shook her head at Jill. â€Å"I'm very disappointed in you, Miss Melrose.† Jill blanched. â€Å"I'm telling you, it's all a mistake!† â€Å"Let's hope so,† said Mrs. Weathers ominously. â€Å"Let's hope so. I've half a mind to make you clean up that vandalism outside, but in light of no hard proof†¦ well, we'll have the janitors take care of it tomorrow.† Once our visitors were gone, I immediately demanded, â€Å"What happened?† Jill collapsed backward onto her bed and groaned. â€Å"Laurel happened.† I sat down. â€Å"Explain.† â€Å"Well, I called the library to see if they had those yearbooks in – the ones about Kelly Hayes? Turns out they do normally have them, but they've all been checked out by the newspaper staff for some Amberwood anniversary edition. And you'll never believe who's heading that project: Laurel.† â€Å"You're right,† I said. â€Å"I never would have guessed that. Isn't she in Freshman English?† Laurel was a senior. â€Å"Yup.† â€Å"I guess everyone needs an activity,† I muttered. Jill nodded. â€Å"Anyway, Miss Yamani was in the building, so I went to ask her about joining the sewing club and working for Lia. She was really excited and said she'd make it happen.† â€Å"Well, that's something,† I said cautiously, still unsure how this was leading up to vandalism and a search of our room. â€Å"As I was coming back, I passed Laurel in the hall. I decided to take a chance†¦ I approached her and said look, I know we've had our differences but I could really use some help. Then I explained that I needed the yearbooks and asked if I could borrow them just for the night and that I'd get them back to her right away.† To this, I said nothing. It was certainly a noble and brave thing for Jill to do, particularly after I'd encouraged her to be better than Laurel. Unfortunately, I didn't think Laurel would reciprocate the adult behavior. I was right. â€Å"She told me in†¦ well, very explicit terms that I'd never get those yearbooks.† Jill scowled. â€Å"She told me a few other things too. Then I, um, called her a raving bitch. I probably shouldn't have, but, well, she deserved it! Anyway, she went to Mrs. Weathers with a bottle of†¦ I don't know. I think it was raspberry schnapps. She claimed I sold it to her and had more in my room. Mrs. Weathers couldn't punish me without harder evidence, but after Ms. Chang's hangover accusation on the first day, Mrs. Weathers decided that was enough for a room search.† I shook my head in disbelief, anger growing within my chest. â€Å"For such an elite, prestigious place, this school sure is quick to jump on any accusations that come up! I mean, they believe anything anyone says about you. And where did the paint outside come from?† Tears of frustration glinted in her eyes. â€Å"Oh, Laurel, of course. Or, well, one of her friends. It happened while Laurel was talking to Mrs. Weathers, so of course she's got an alibi. You don't think†¦ you don't think anyone's on to anything, do you? You said before it's just a mean joke†¦ and humans don't even believe in us†¦ right?† â€Å"Right,† I said automatically. But I was beginning to wonder. Ever since that phone call with my father, when he'd mentioned that there were humans who suspected and wouldn't be silenced, I'd wondered if I'd been too quick to dismiss Laurel's teasing. Had she simply found a cruel joke to run with? Or was she one of those humans who suspected about the vampire world and might make a lot of noise about it? I doubted anyone would believe her, but we couldn't risk attracting attention from someone who would. Is it possible she really thinks Jill is a vampire? Jill's forlorn expression turned angry. â€Å"Maybe I should do something about Laurel. There are other ways to get back at her besides freezing water.† â€Å"No,† I said quickly. â€Å"Don't lower yourself to that. Revenge is petty, and you're better than that.† Plus, I thought, any more supernatural activity, and Laurel might realize her taunts have more backing than she originally thought. Jill gave me a sad smile. â€Å"You keep saying that. But don't you think something needs to be done about Laurel?† Oh yes. I definitely did. This had gone too far, and I'd been wrong to let it slide. Jill was right that there were other ways to get back at someone. And I was right that revenge was petty and nothing that Jill should sully herself with. That was why I was going to do it. â€Å"I'll take care of it,† I told her. â€Å"I – I'll have the Alchemists issue a complaint from our parents.† She looked dubious. â€Å"You think that'll fix things?† â€Å"Positive,† I said. Because that complaint was going to pack an extra punch. A glance at the time told me it was too late to go back to the lab. No problem. I simply set my alarm extra early, with the intent to get up and head back there before classes started. I had one more experiment in my future, and Laurel was going to be my guinea pig.

Paradise Road Notes Essay

Bruce Beresford first gained wide critical success as director of Breaker Morant (1980), a landmark film about three Australian soldiers wrongfully executed for alleged war crimes during the Boer War. Like Breaker Morant, Paradise Road (1997) is based on a true story. Beresford again takes up the theme of Australians’ involvement in war – this time during World War II. This film, however, is not about the exploits of soldiers; it’s about the resilience of women prisoners of war. Beresford researched the story extensively, studying the diaries of prisoners and Japanese historical material to understand the events from both points of view. On The Movie Show (http://www.sbs.com.au/films/movie/3156/Paradise/Road) in June 1997, Beresford explained that there were many ‘prison camp’ films about the heroism of men. What he wanted to convey in Paradise Road was the heroism and resourcefulness of women, and he wanted also to celebrate their ability to create beauty in the dreadful conditions of the jungle prison camp. After the film’s release, some American critics accused Beresford of being anti-Japanese and argued that these things were best forgotten, but Beresford insisted that the story needed to be told. He tried to play down the atrocities and to portray events as he believed they had happened. Encountering Conflict in Paradise Road Paradise Road explores ideas about conflict and examines the many ways in which people encounter conflict. For example: †¢ The historical setting of the film is the global conflict of World War II. †¢ This conflict is a military one, fuelled by political conflicts which, in 1939, finally erupted into the violent conflict of global warfare. †¢ The geographical setting is the tropical island of Sumatra, where the prisoners are often in conflict with the hostile physical environment. †¢ Compounding the political conflict are deeply embedded cultural and racial tensions. As Mrs Tippler points out, the people the Japanese most dislike are ‘Europeans, prisoners and women’. The guards’ treatment of the women highlights the cultural divide between the Western female captives and their Asian male captors. †¢ Inner (personal) conflict is also encountered by the women who are often pushed to breaking point by the cruelty of the Japanese soldiers, such as when they are forced to witness the injustice of Wing’s execution in silence. †¢ The prisoners sometimes find themselves experiencing interpersonal conflict as the hardships they encounter make them edgy and vulnerable. Discussion questions †¢ What are the consequences of conflict for individuals, communities and society as a whole? †¢ Can conflict be the catalyst for positive social or individual changes? †¢ Does inner conflict lead to external conflict? †¢ Will cultural differences always result in conflict? †¢ Why do acts of cruelty seem to be part of wars that arise from political conflicts? Conflict can have tragic consequences for ordinary people The women in Paradise Road are quintessentially ‘ordinary’. The characters in the film are based on real people: nurses or wives of prominent officials and civilians. These women are caught up in the global conflict of World War II and those who manage to survive are, despite any positive outcomes, dreadfully damaged by their encounter with conflict. Beresford makes the point that innocent people too often become caught up in, and suffer from the effects of, conflicts that are not of their own making. The audience is strongly positioned to identify with the three main characters, Adrienne, Margaret and Susan, as they come to terms with the harsh and often tragic conditions of their situation. In the film’s opening scene, we see a glimpse of the sheltered and ordinary lives led by women who were somewhat peripheral to the conflict of war. Now, plunged into a frighteningly violent and unfamiliar world, they encounter the tragic consequences of the conflict. On the journey to the camp, Beresford highlights the ordinary qualities of the women as they struggle to retain their meagre possessions or endeavour to help each other endure the long walk. Fearful, hungry and exhausted, the women are herded like cattle. On their arrival in Sumatra they see the severed head of a political prisoner displayed on a pole in the public square. The victim, a local man accused of spying, was also an ordinary person. His wife, Wing, is perhaps the film’s most tragic figure. Having risked her life to procure black-market quinine tablets for Mrs Roberts, Wing is caught. She is set alight and burns to death as the assembled prisoners are forced to watch in horrified silence. The effect on them is profound; nothing in their previous experience could have prepared them to cope with such utter cruelty. The tragedies that befall the prisoners become part of their daily lives, as some succumb to the effects of untreated illness. The scene with the two children making simple wooden coffins for dead babies clearly highlights the tragedy of war in the lives of ordinary people, and suggests that no cause could justify the terrible consequences of violent conflict. Children are a symbol of innocence in the film. The death of the child whom Adrienne tries to protect on the Prince Alfred encapsulates Beresford’s key contention: that the innocent suffer most in situations of extreme conflict.The camp cemetery, with its rows upon rows of white crosses, is shown as the camera pans across the prison compound during a performance of the vocal orchestra, revealing the large numbers of prisoners who died during the course of their internment. In deliberately avoiding a heroic narrative about death in battle in defence of ‘king and country’, Beresford asks us to be aware of the shattered lives of ordinary people caught up in violent global conflict. Rosemary Leighton-Jones is another of the film’s tragic figures. Her kindness and beauty evoke the audience’s sympathy and we see, in Singapore, her love for her husband Dennis, as they discuss their plans for a future together. This sustains Rosemary through her ordeal in the camp and gives her the strength to support others. When she sees that Dennis has been captured whilst trying to escape from the men’s prison camp, and realises that his execution is inevitable, Rosemary loses the will to live. The tragedy of Rosemary’s death is rendered all the more bitter as it occurs during the removal of the women prisoners to a more remote camp where she glimpses Dennis under heavy guard. Ironically, the women are moved because of the advance of the Americans and the impending defeat of the Japanese in the Pacific. Mrs Roberts and Margaret also die – tragically – just as their liberation is imminent. The damaging effects of conflict are also evident in other relationships. Rosemary’s supportive relationship with the shy Dutch girl, Helen, crosses the cultural boundaries that divide some of the other prisoners, and the friendship strengthens Helen. Her grief at Rosemary’s death reinforces Beresford’s condemnation of war on the grounds that too many innocent people become its tragic victims. Adrienne is similarly devastated by the death of her friend and fellow-musician, Margaret. In a relationship that crosses class boundaries, Margaret and Adrienne unite and inspire the other women. In doing do, they convey another of Beresford’s central messages – that in times of conflict, ordinary people can do extraordinary things. This positive outcome, however, does not significantly diminish the tragic consequences of war; the ultimate deaths of such characters as Margaret and Rosemary are rendered the more poignant for the strength and wisdom they demonstrated in an extreme situation. The film also shows how extreme conflict situations place ordinary people under unusual pressure, provoking and exacerbating conflicts on a personal level, both between and within individuals. Stressed, sorrowing and deprived, some of the women in Paradise Road find themselves placed in a morally and politically compromised situation when confronted with the choice as to whether to remain at the Japanese ‘officers’ club’, providing sex in return for food and comfort, or to return to the camp. Those who elect to accept the bribe of the officers are not only prostituting themselves but are also consorting with the enemy. Similarly, Adrienne is placed in a compromising position when she’s asked if the orchestra will perform a Japanese folk-song for Colonel Hirota. She refuses, risking severe punishment. While she makes a different choice to that of the women of the officers’ club, Beresford emphasises that war, and the struggle for survival, places severe and unusual pressure on individuals, which can cause them to behave in ways they would not ordinarily behave; as Sister Wilhelminia wisely acknowledges, it is not fair to judge the actions of others in times of extreme conflict. Similarly, the extreme conditions under which the women must live also results in interpersonal conflict. Mrs Tippler, the outsider, tries to undermine the solidarity of the group through criticism of the orchestra. There is also tension between the Dutch and the English-speaking women, which erupts in an argument over soap. This incident illustrates the corrosive effects of conflict on ordinary people, who can be not only physically harmed by violent conflict, but who are also prey to subtler damage. Beresford positions us to consider how we ourselves might respond in circumstances of similar hardship and, while he celebrates the general resilience and courage of the women, he ultimately condemns the brutality and the futility of war. Discussion questions †¢ Ordinary people can respond in surprising ways to conflict situations. What factors do you believe can affect the way we react to conflict? †¢ In order to survive conflict, we need a reason to live. Do you agree? †¢ Does self-interest determine people’s actions when they encounter conflict? †¢ To what extent can we condemn people for making decisions based on their need to survive? †¢ Is it ever justifiable t o sacrifice your principles in order to survive? Conflict can bring out the best and the worst in people The responses of the women prisoners to their encounters with conflict are very different. The character of Adrienne Pargiter is the main vehicle for the exploration of ideas about courage and resilience in the face of conflict. Adrienne emerges as a natural leader in the prison camp. Her response to conflict is to maintain her dignity and to resist, as far as possible, the unjust authority of the Japanese guards. In forming the vocal orchestra, Adrienne responds to the tragedy of Wing’s death through her belief in the healing power of music and her desire to draw the women together. They have all been traumatised by Wing’s execution and the racial and class boundaries which divide them lead to conflict with each other, which must be resolved if they are to survive. Adrienne is determined to assert something of her own Western cultural heritage at a time when it is under attack. She is also   courageous enough to defend herself from a physical attack by a drunken Japa nese soldier, despite the fact that striking him is an offence punishable by death. Conflict brings out the best in Adrienne and, through her courageous challenge to unjust authority, she emerges as a symbol of hope for oppressed and disempowered people everywhere. In the midst of conflict Adrienne forms a close relationship with Margaret Drummond, recognising the humane qualities they share. Margaret draws strength from her religious faith and provides a focal point for the group when they need spiritual comfort. Her words at Wing’s funeral help ease the shock and pain they all feel. Margaret’s quiet determination is evident when she stands up to ‘The Snake’, whose terrifying visit to their quarters to recruit volunteers for the officers’ club is met with her calm and polite question: ‘What can we do for you, Sergeant Tomiashi?’ She also defies the authority of Colonel Hirota when she attempts to take water to Susan. Margaret’s encounter with conflict strengthens her capacity for Christian charity – as she explains to Adrienne, she can’t hate the Japanese, only pity them. Margaret epitomises the comfort and strength drawn by many from religious belief during times of bitter conflict. Susan Macarthy finds an unexpected inner strength in response to conflict. She stands up to Mrs Tippler, the destructive and divisive presence among the prisoners, and angrily accuses Colonel Hirota of human rights violations. She also finds the strength to endure a horrifyingly cruel punishment and unites the other women in their support and admiration of her. These three characters embody the most positive ways of responding to conflict. Sergeant Tomiashi also ultimately discovers inner reserves of compassion as a result of his experience of conflict. Despite his cultural predisposition to despise women, foreigners and prisoners, he is so moved by the music of the vocal orchestra that he humbles himself before Adrienne, singing to her alone in the forest. Tomiashi’s encounter with conflict, and the opportunity it gives him to observe and understand a group of people he has been conditioned to dislike, changes him for the better, as demonstrated by his respectful removal of his cap as Margaret’s funeral procession passes. By contrast, a highly negative response to conflict is exhibited by Mrs Tippler, who becomes even more critical and pessimistic as the women’s stay in the camp goes on. She grows spiteful and resentful, exacerbating racial tensions with her accusations against the Dutch, and accusing Adrienne of endangering their lives with the vocal orchestra. Mrs Dickson and Mrs Pike initially side with her but eventually see how destructive her attitude is. By the end of the film, her negativity has completely isolated her. Her eating of potentially toxic snails reveals a selfdestructive impulse, exemplifying her refusal to make positive changes in the face of conflict. Through the unsympathetically constructed character of Mrs Tippler, Beresford shows us that if conflict situations can bring out the best in some individuals, for others the strain induced by high conflict situations can be corrosive, provoking anger and resentment, to the detriment both of the individual and those around them. While Beresford suggests that Mrs Tippler’s negative attitude ultimately harms herself more than it does others by his unflinching portrayal of the horrors of the prison camp, he also positions the viewer to understand how extreme situations can provoke extreme reactions in people. Discussion questions †¢ Do you agree that people’s response to conflict reveals who they truly are? Is this what the film shows us? †¢ Why do some people choose to be outsiders in times of conflict? †¢ Why are some people able to make positive changes as a response to encountering conflict, while others are not? Conflict can unite families and communities As a response to conflict, the community of women prisoners is very much united by the vocal orchestra (with the notable exception of Mrs Tippler). The orchestra firstly unites Adrienne and Margaret across the divisive boundaries of class, which have previously prevented women from the upper ranks of colonial society (like Adrienne) from associating with missionaries, like Margaret. Through her encounter with conflict, Adrienne becomes aware and ashamed of her snobbery and apologises to Margaret. Adrienne is distraught when Margaret dies, recognising her as a genuine friend and a woman of strength, courage and integrity. Mrs Roberts is another snobbish woman who expresses concern about the kinds of people she might be mixing with if she joins the orchestra. Her racial prejudice against the Malayan prisoners is condemned by her daughter, Celia, who bluntly informs her of the reasons for Wing’s black market dealings. Mrs Roberts is mortified and reassesses her values – a very beneficial outcome of her encounter with conflict which enables her to develop in positive ways. She joins the orchestra as a sign of her participation in the community of prisoners. The Dutch and the Anglo-Saxon prisoners initially regard each other with suspicion that sometimes erupts into hostility. The conflict over the soap shows how easily something trivial can ignite a conflict when underlying tensions have not been resolved. It takes the intervention of Sister Wilhelminia (the voice of wisdom and tolerance) to defuse the conflict and restore order. However, it is the participation of Dutch prisoners such as Mrs Cronje in the vocal orchestra that most effectively breaks down racial barriers and diffuses residual tensions. Susan’s reluctance to join, based on her dislike of classical music, is overcome by Adrienne’s gentle persistence, showing that generational boundaries can be dissolved by music, and also by uniting in a worthwhile common purpose, whatever it might be. The smiling, shining faces of the singers as they perform works by Dvorak and Ravel amidst the squalor of the prison camp show not only how strongly they are united by their participation in the orchestra, but also how the beauty of the music can transcend the appalling conditions of prison life. The music also symbolically unites the living and the dead, as suggested by the camera panning across the graves in the cemetery as the orchestra sings. Even some of the orchestra’s strongest critics have, by the end, joined and become part of the community. Mrs Dickson, a supporter of the unpleasant Mrs Tippler, admits that joining the orchestra was the best thing she’d ever done. As well as establishing strong bonds between the prisoners, the vocal orchestra goes a long way towards making tentative connections between the prisoners and the guards through their shared appreciation of classical music. Sergeant Tomiashi’s wistful expression as he listens to the orchestra, and his angry dismissal of an  interruption from another soldier, suggest his feelings of connection with the music, and thus with the women who provide it. Colonel Hirota, too, enjoys the music. Despite the ban on congregating or writing imposed on the prisoners, the vocal orchestra is permitted to continue practising and performing and the Japanese officers attend as guests. This is an endorsement of the music (and, implicitly, of Western culture). Colonel Hirota’s gift to Adrienne is an affirmation of her creative spirit and her courage, both of which have been instrumental in forging bonds in the community of which all the characters are inescapably a part. The one exception to this is Mrs Tippler, who resolutely distances herself from the orchestra and all it represents. She is perhaps the only character who gains nothing positive from her encounter with conflict. Discussion questions †¢ Are groups able to resolve conflict more effectively than individuals? †¢ Does the strength of a group always depend on excluding those with differing values? Violence is never an effective means of resolving conflict The Japanese prison guards and officers exemplify the violence wielded by the powerful in order to assert their authority. The physical violence in the film is very explicit and deliberately shocking, from the violent deaths of innocent children to the savage beatings inflicted on Rosemary and Mrs Dickson. Indeed, the film opens with a scene that quickly becomes violent, with the sound of exploding bombs disturbing the festive atmosphere of Raffles Hotel. The violence escalates with further explosions as the evacuees hurriedly board ships bound for safety. The response to the violence of the Japanese is retaliatory violence from Britain and America and their allies; the women are caught up in this conflict as their ship is attacked and sunk. The suggestion is that responding to violence with more violence only worsens the situation and increases the likelihood that innocent victims will become caught up in the escalating conflict. At the camp, the guards’ use of violence effectively intimidates the prisoners but it does not resolve conflict; indeed, tensions are exacerbated by the brutal suppression of basic rights and freedoms. The prisoners respond to their captors’ brutality with resistance, subversiveness or bitter resentment. The vocal orchestra is a symbol of resistance, while the black-market dealings are acts of subversiveness. The deep resentment engendered by gratuitous and brutal violence is not always made explicit in the film, except perhaps by Adrienne, whose conversation with Margaret implies her hatred. She says, ‘You don’t hate them, do you?’ to which Margaret replies that she pities them. It is perhaps Adrienne’s hatred of the brutality of her oppressors which drives her to defy them by establishing the orchestra. Her hatred is again suggested in the final scene and is directed at the most unsympathetically constructed character in the film, the sadistic Captain Tanaka, who seems to take pleasure in the fact that there is no music from the women at Margaret’s funeral. Adrienne’s defiant response conveys her deep dislike of the man and reinforces Beresford’s point about the destructive effects of violence. The inability to forgive is testament to the unresolved conflict that results from extreme violence. With his depiction of brutal violence and his unsympathetic portrayal of many of the Japanese soldiers, Beresford encourages the audience to empathise with the bitterness engendered in Adrienne and some of the other women by the violence of their captors. When Adrienne hits the guard who attempts to rape her, it is presented as a justifiable act of self-defence. However, ultimately Beresford suggests that responding to violence with violence can never resolve conflict. While acknowledging the discrimination experienced by the Japanese by the Western world, Beresford implies that the violent response of the Japanese soldiers to the women and children in their care only increases the distance between the two groups. The film shows that genuine connection between people of different races, genders and backgrounds is possible as, for instance, when Sergeant Tomiashi sings for Adrienne in the forest. But violence inhibits the possibility of such connections. Instead Beresford invites us to contrast the violence of the guards with the peaceful and positive responses of the women, and to admire the latter. Music, for instance, is shown to have the power to unite disparate groups and individuals, and to (at least temporarily) bring about a truce between enemy factions, in a way that continued violence never could. Likewise, we are encouraged to celebrate the non-violent protest led by Adrienne at Margaret’s funeral, which is both an expression of defiance against the soldiers and a demonstration of the genuine love and regard for Margaret felt by the women. Such moments affirm the possibility of an effective, nonviolent response to violence. Discussion questions †¢ Is violence ever justified as a response to conflict? †¢ Is violence used more often by men than women to resolve conflict? †¢ Can you think of a conflict which had the potential for violence but which was resolved peacefully? †¢ Is it possible to effectively deal with physical violence without resorting to violence yourself? SAMPLE SCENE ANALYSIS This section shows you how to identify Context ideas in a key scene from Paradise Road. Raffles Hotel, Singapore: scene summary The opening scene is set in the majestic ballroom of Raffles Hotel, an extravagant monument to British imperialism. The conversation of the guests reveals racial prejudice against the Japanese, who are described as needing thick glasses because they ‘can’t see’ and being unable to fight because they can only make ‘tin toys and cameras’. Adrienne Pargiter denounces the racist sentiments as a ‘load of poppycock’ and points out that the Japanese have conquered most of Asia. Key characters are introduced in order to highlight the dramatic effects of their subsequent encounters with conflict. Suddenly a bomb falls nearby and an Australian officer arrives to announce the imminent fall of Singapore. Bombs continue to fall as women and children are hurriedly loaded onto ships. The urgency of this ‘last-minute’ departure highlights the arrogance of the British, whose notions of their own cultural and military superiority have left the m vulnerable to attack. Questions for exploring ideas †¢ Is violent conflict the most effective way for the powerless (such as pre-war Japan) to challenge the powerful (such as Britain)? †¢ Can a lack of understanding lead to conflict? †¢ How significant are divisions of class and social status in causing conflict? †¢ Does strong loyalty to one group inevitably lead to conflict with other groups? Focus on text features As well as drawing on ideas from Paradise Road in your writing about Encountering Conflict, remember that the language and style of your writing may also be inspired by the structure and features of the film. For example, the following aspects of Paradise Road may influence how you respond to ideas in the text. †¢ Settings (physical, historical or cultural) can be used to place characters in situations of conflict, such as the prison camp where the women are in direct conflict with their captors, or a natural landscape which is (at times) a temporary refuge from conflict. †¢ Dialogue is instrumental in revealing a character’s state of mind and a useful way of ‘showing’ (rather than telling) the effects of conflict. In the opening scene, Adrienne’s comment that the stereotyped views of the Japanese are a load of ‘poppycock’ shows that she is a straight-talking and independent thinker, well-informed on current political events. Her common sense and outspokenness, which set her apart from the other women in her social group, exemplify her attitude throughout the film. †¢ Contrasts such as peace and war, and the past and the present, are built into characters and settings. They are an effective way for the creator of a text to sway audience approval or disapproval. The elegant setting of Raffles stands in strong contrast to the bombs falling outside and even stronger contrast to the squalor of the prison camp, suggesting a step-by-step descent into hell for the women. †¢ Humour, in times of conflict, can show the resilience of a character or create dramatic irony. For example, Margaret’s comment about Thomas Beecham being unavailable to conduct the vocal orchestra and Topsy’s complaint about the inadequate room service in the camp show how effective humour can be in lifting people’s spirits in times of conflict. †¢ Recurring motifs work in subtle but powerful ways. ‘Showing’ something significant through character, theme or music can be an effective vehicle for conveying ideas about resistance, resilience and hope. Significantly, the film opens with beautiful music in the ballroom of Raffles Hotel and its continuation, despite the bomb, makes a clear statement about the capacity of music to transcend the effects of conflict. Points of view on the Context These discussion questions and activities are designed to help you reflect on and refer to ideas raised by the Context in your chosen text. For further discussion/writing †¢ In times of conflict, ordinary people can do extraordinary things. †¢ Conflicts are only resolved through compromise. †¢ By dissolving the boundaries which separate and divide people, conflict can be avoided. †¢ Conflict is sometimes necessary to bring unresolved tensions to the surface so they can be dealt with. †¢ Forgiveness is necessary to satisfactorily resolve conflict. †¢ Differences between people will always lead to conflict. Activities †¢ Write a diary entry for one of the characters who has returned home and is reflecting on the importance of the vocal orchestra in helping her to survive the conflict. †¢ Sergeant Tomiashi gives an interview on Australian television ten years after the end of the war. He reflects on what he learned from his encounter with conflict. Write down some questions the interviewer might ask and the answers that Tomiashi might give. Consider the ways in which conflict might provide the opportunity for growth and reflection. †¢ Construct a scene for a film script that extends the narrative of one or more of the characters to include their return home. Has the encounter with conflict changed them? Can they readjust to a normal lifestyle? What does this suggest   about the lasting effects of conflict on ordinary individuals? †¢ In a small group, research and prepare material for a blog or wiki on the reasons for Japan’s involvement in World War II, focusing on the historical and cultural factors which contributed to the conflict. Explore the main crises and turning points (especially involving relations between Japan and countries such as Russia and the US) to show an awareness of how the conflict developed. In your piece, reflect on what your research suggests about common causes of political conflict and what factors seem to aggravate it.