Prigogine Investigation Essay Example for Free

Prigogine Investigation Essay The origination and evolution of living organisms is considered by many scientists, due to general laws of nature, especially the second law of thermodynamics. In this paper this idea is explored, taking in account the dissipative structures and Prigogine’s thermodynamics. Introduction The use of thermodynamics in biology has a long history rich in confusion (Morowitz, 92) (Klyce, Brigg, http://www. panspermia. org/seconlaw. htm) The second law of thermodynamics was discovered by Clausius, who coined the term Entropy, which is usually defined as the degree of disorder. In the most general sense, Evolution of life means, growing in ordered combinations from cells, to tissues and organs, to plants and animals, families, communities, and ecosystem. It can be seen that these two terms: evolution and entropy express totally contradictory concepts. According to second law, Entropy of a closed system can never decrease, i. e. dSV ? 0 (Gibbs, 1928). But, in case of evolution, the living systems increasingly go on to complex state of more order, suggesting that entropy in this closed system has decreased. This is the paradox that has baffled both biologists and physicists alike. Hence, an initial theory which both physicists and biologists agreed upon was: life violates the second law of thermodynamics. Evolution of life and Entropy The contradiction can however be explained, by subscribing to one of the two very different schools of thought. Either we can accept that the order that is seen in the evolution and growth biological systems is maintained at the expense of thermodynamic order. That is to say, sustenance in the form of external energy is always provided to the organism from external environment and entropy of this larger system is increasing. Hence, living beings attract negative entropy, in order to compensate for this increase in the entropy, which explains the order. This concept was formed by Schrodinger. There is another explanation, which was proposed by Prof. Ilya Prigogine. According to him, the living organisms function as dissipative structures, i. e. thermodynamically open systems operating in non-equilibrium environment. These have the capacity for self-organization in the face of environmental fluctuations. In other words, they maintain their structure by continuously dissipating energy. Such dissipative structures are permanently in states of non-equilibrium. Ds/dt 0 away from steady state Ds/dt = 0 steady state (Prigogine, 1977) In this case, equilibrium is the state of maximum entropy. A system that is not in equilibrium exhibits a variation of entropy, which is the sum of the variations of entropy due to the internal source of entropy, plus the variation of entropy due to the interaction with the external world. The former is positive, but the latter can be negative. Therefore, total entropy of the system can decrease. Life according to this theory can then be summarized as: An organism lives because it absorbs energy from the external world and processes it to generate an internal state of lower entropy. It can live as long as it can avoid falling in the equilibrium state. According to the second law, only irreversible processes contribute to entropy production. This means the existence of a function in an isolated system which can only increase in time. It follows that the positive time direction is associated with entropy (Prigogine, 1977). Now, biological evolution is hierarchical and can be considered as an irreversible process of the variation of life with respect to the evolutionary time scale. The Law of Temporal Hierarchies makes it possible to identify quasi-closed thermodynamic systems and subsystems within open biological systems (Gladyshev, 2003). This facilitates the study of individual development (ontogenesis) and evolution (phylogenesis) of these subsystems. For instance, it is seen that the specific Gibbs function for the formation of supramolecular structures of biological tissues, G tends towards its minimum in the course of both ontogenesis and phylogenesis. (Gladyshev, 2005) The above model implies that, the mean flow of matter is quasi-stationary and the nature of incoming matter to the system remains practically unchanged. In other words, the supramolecular phase (structure) of the organism evolves against the background of the incoming flow of chemical substances of practically constant composition. This principle of the stability of chemical substances is a thermodynamic principle. Accordingly, the tendency of biological systems during evolution to generate relatively highly stable structures of higher hierarchies leads to the selection of relatively less stable structures of lower hierarchies. This rejuvenates the lower hierarchical structures and causes nearly unbounded evolution of the biological world. (Gladyshev, 2005) Conclusion The findings of hierarchical thermodynamics, specifically supramolecular thermodynamics of quasi-closed systems, confirm the thermodynamic tendency of biological evolution. Additional experiments could refine this model and further verify that second law can be applied in its classical definition to explain the origin and evolution of life References 1. Gladyshev, Georgi P. â€Å"What is Life- A physical chemist’s viewpoint†, 12th Dec. 2005 http://www.panspermia.org/seconlaw.htm

Employee Wellbeing in a Prison Workplace

Employee Wellbeing in a Prison Workplace Aims and Objectives With specific reference to the research question, that of: ‘Does the impact of organisational change and a Transformed Workplace affect the Health Well-being of employee’s within a Prison Workplace Environment?’ Key to the development of the Aims Objectives is the evaluation of similar research (Bamford and Daniel, 2007; Hyde et al, 2005; Van Stolk et al, 2009) conducted within a similar Government Department that has also been subjected to workplace transformation (new ways of working; Hyde et al, 2005). In this instance the Government department was that of the NHS (National Health Service). Also the use of research that assesses the impact of the workplace upon an individual’s well-being, which includes 2 case studies that have researched wellbeing within the workplace (Danna Griffin, 1999; Harter et al, 2002) In making use of such literature, evaluate whether or not and to what degree it either supports or contradict the research question. AIM: To assess how and to what extent (positive or negative) the managed change and transformed workplace has affected employee’s health and wellbeing and to assist in the development of baseline data for further analysis and evaluation in regards to the efficacy of targeted wellbeing interventions. OBJECTIVES. Review literature in regards to ‘New ways of working’ and organisational change (Both the NHS NOMS) and its impact on health and well-being. To determine the survey model content. Develop, implement and analyse a staff health and wellbeing survey tool based on objective. Survey undertaken using survey monkey / paper, complete anonymity, distributed across all staff. 2 principal pay-band groups within the organisation, that of paybands 1-4 and 5-10 to ensure anonymity, and in the use of incident data, such as organisational sickness absence data. Identify if the impact of the transformed Workplace regimes has affected absence. All absence data will be provided by HR and will be anonymous and generalised by specific factors prior to inclusion in the study, i.e. type of absence or organisational demography (operational and non operational staff). Permission for use of the data has been given. Methodology Survey: Background The aim of this research and the Health and Wellbeing survey is to identify and understand the respondent’s perceptions as a consequence of the transition to and impact of the â€Å"Our New Way†, the new operating model adopted by the NOMS agency, as part of the strategic plan to create a modern cost efficient publically owned prison service. To better understand this transition, and also as part of literature review, a review was completed of similar research of another government organisation that had completed a similar transition, that of the NHS (Hyde et al, 2005; Van Stolk et al, 2009). Making the use of tools such case studies that have looked into the impact upon well-being within the workplace (Danna Griffin, 1999; Harter et al, 2002; Van Stolk et al, 2009); the methodology used in research (Thirlaway et al, 2012) at Cardiff Metropolitan University and also the Survey development model developed by RAND(Europe) (Van Stolk et al, 2009 p. 3) will assist in the development, piloting and analysis of a survey tool. Survey: Aim The aim of this survey is, as part of the evaluation of the consequences of organisational change was to provide a question set, based upon the new operating model ‘our new way’. Furthermore, based upon responses to questions posed, perform an analysis of the responses in regards to their physical and mental health and well-being, during and post transition to the new operating model. Using a structured model of questions, that of the ‘Likert 5-point Scale’ that ranges from strongly Agree to Strongly disagree, this will enable the research to gauge perception both positive and negative in regards to an individuals’ wellbeing following a period of sustained change and transformation. Survey: Structure The design and format of this survey was set out to gauge the views and perceptions of the Prison Service Staff, both generally and specifically in relation to the workplace, the transition to the new operating model. The Survey comprises and is composed of 3 specific elements; Element 1: Demographic Data Element 2: Questions Exploring the impact of the ‘new way’ of working, managing and delivering; on the employee’s physical and mental well-being and also engagement and communication Element 3: An open-ended question exploring additional perceptions and feelings from staff that have experienced the transition to ‘our new way’. Element 1: Demographic Data Element 1 provides demographic data, that of personal information (i.e. Age gender pay-band), providing evidence that the responders, are both anonymous and a ‘cross-section’ of employee’s within the organisation Element 2: Exploring the impact of the new operating model; ‘Our New Way’ Element 2 seeks to determine respondents response in regards to the new ways of: Working, Managing and Delivering (Independent Variables) and how following the transition to a new operating model, how the transition has impacted upon not only an employee’s, physical and mental well-being, but also the impact upon organisational engagement (Dependent Variables) (Figure 04; below). (Figure 04: Survey question breakdown based upon Dependent Variables) Element 3: Opened ended question to explore respondent feelings and perceptions of the transition to the new operating model Element 3 seeks to determine respondents response through an open ended question, to explore and evaluate how the transition to the new operating model, has affected each specific respondent and has impacted upon their Physical and Mental Health and Well-being. Survey: Development Making use of the method and model developed by RAND (Europe) (Van Stolk et al, 2009) the survey was designed, working in conjunction with both Cardiff Metropolitan University; NOMS: H.R. Directorate and also Stakeholders within the Prison Service at HMP Exeter, up to and including the Governing Governor; using 5 specific stages; from the inter-partnership creation of the prototype survey models, to the initial tests, through to the Survey deployment, completion and analysis (Figure 05 below). Survey Stage 1: The successful creation of the Health and Well-being Survey was as a result of working in close partnership with Cardiff Metropolitan University, the NOMS Human Resources’ Directorate and also with Senior Management Organisational Stakeholders from both NOMS and also HMP Exeter. The creation of question a set was based upon the framework of transformation, the delivery model and documents of the new operating model; â€Å"Our New Way†. This included specific and directed approaches in the creating of the questions posed. It was essential that the questions were concise and simple to understand, to make them complex to understand, could lead to erroneous responses due to limited or misunderstanding of the question. From this perspective the experience from both NOMS Human Resource Directorate and Cardiff Metropolitan University was essential. Survey Stage 2: Partnership Survey Review This stage, involved testing the questions, for at this stage it was essential to ensure that through an ongoing process that the survey questions were neither too complicated, nor too vague. Key to this approach was open, consistent advice and guidance upon how the questions could be interpreted and would be understood. Survey Stage 3: Limited Pilot Test The aim of this stage was to undertake a limited implementation pilot test of the survey, to ensure that not only that the responders would understand the questions posed, but also to test the hyperlink access the survey. The design, hyperlink accessibility and the analysis of the results, was undertaken by the NOMS H.R. directorate, via Survey-monkey. In terms of the launch vehicle it was identified that, the initial launch would be within a single establishment within the NOMS organisation that we would be able to make use of a global email as a platform from which the links to the survey could be used. Furthermore the option of the internal Intranet was also considered, if as an avenue of further research, the Survey was to be deployed within all of the establishments within the NOMS agency. Survey Stage 4: Launch and Deployment of the Health and Well-being Survey Following the successful controlled test of the completed survey model, that included the survey access via the launch vehicle, that of the global email platform. The email was sent to all staff within the single survey area, that is a single establishment, that of HMP Exeter. To facilitate manage, monitor and control the survey, a single partner, (the NOMS H.R. Directorate) managed the survey tool following its successful launch. This included keeping the partners informed as to the level of responders that had accessed the survey throughout the duration of the Survey period. Having a single point of management of the survey also enabled us to deal with effectively any unforeseen technical issues, if required. Survey: Duration The Survey was launched via a Global Email platform on 27th January 2014, and closed at Midnight on 16th February 2014. Survey: Eligibility Criteria The eligibility criteria for the completion of the Survey will be those that are directly employed by the HM Prison Service, specifically employed at HMP Exeter, and fall within 2 specific pay-band groups, that of pay band 1-4 and pay band 5-10. Which reflect those employed that have some management role and duties (pay band 5-10) and those that undertake roles and responsibilities that deal with offenders either directly or indirectly. The sample size is approx 260 staff members, with an anticipated response rate of approximately 25%, which will ensure that we have a broad sample across the organisation. Survey: Completion This Survey Model in the determining the impact of â€Å"New Ways of Working† (Dependent Variables) upon physical, mental well-being and organisational Engagement and would take approx 20 minutes to complete. Results At the closure of the Survey Completion window, 86 respondents had completed the Survey, a number that represented approximately 20% of the directly employed workforce within a Single site; HMP Exeter. Though only a small sample group; as a representative group, given the ‘demographic’ questions posed (Age, Gender, Length of Service, Pay-band) it is considered, to be sufficient to provide an accurate analysis. To illustrate how the number of respondents are considered to be ‘representative’, Figures 06–Fig 09 (below) provides not only details of the demographic data of the respondents, but also in regards to this data how they compare to the same demographics within the Establishment as a whole

Stereotypes And Preconceptions In Workplace Cultural Studies Essay

Stereotypes And Preconceptions In Workplace Cultural Studies Essay Stereotype is a natural function of the human mind, it is standards of person who was set to identify a outside nature of person or any a group through images. When applied to people, stereotypes refer to forming immediately or fixed image of a group of people, usually based on restriction or incomplete information. Stereotypes often lead to results is to form preconceptions, negative comments about others. Stereotypes and preconceptions are the reason of failure in communication, moreover lead to action or bad feeling. Preconceptions based on limited images, negative stereotypes can result in bad consequences such as discrimination or violence. Because any society has different orientation, it is limited and it owns its benefits. Therefore nobody can not comment any personal according to their attitude and viewpoint that he or she is bad or good and vice versa. It is often suggested personal that individuals run follo ­w by their own merits and isolated group, so people always censure that person who has promoted collectivism unconsciously. In my opinion, I think in cultures follow individualistic, organizations are tools. They are set and designed to serve individuals, groups, staffs, employees and customers. Members of the organization established in this relationship that is abstract, follow by the law and stipulated of contract. Organization is a means and foundation in order to each member of organization performs their desires. They cooperate together because their own interests that are threatened. Each member of organization represents a particular special function and received an award from the outside for that. The ability is proceeding from the capacity of personals on order to complete their tasks, and knowledge of personals are used to help their organization work effectively. Meanwhile, the culture in group or organization is not tool for sharing that was created by the founders. The organization is often compared with a family, community, it develop and bring up members who can exist long term. The development and prosperity of the organization are not considered good luck for the individual shareholders or the  ­way to make money illegally for directors, which is the valuable purpose. However, this aspect is not entirely accurate, because sometimes there have cases will need to have acumen and harmony, it will not a rigid stereotype. And the example of Japan will show this aspect in the example part. Discuss on examples Case in America One case occurred at a university in the U.S. in 2009, now it has not resolved because the discrimination problem In New York, a professor has just been fired  ­who claimed that he was discriminated because of his Hungarian origin. He is male and not gay, but his boss just like colleagues gay, and he lost his job because he complained about it That professor is Marosan Csaba (53 years old), who graduated from Budapest medical university, currently lives in Williamsville, New York (USA), taught at Trocaire medicine college which  ­is a small private school locate in Buffal, founded by o The Sisters of Mercy. His denunciation of the two dignitaries, Robert Mock and Thomas Mitchell has sought to discipline and forced him to resign. The human rights investigators found the evidence to support accusations from Marosan, that he was really fired because he submitted a complaint of discrimination. Documents of the investigation team wrote that the evidence shows unprecedented problems in behavior as well as the quality of the complainants, until after he brought the complaint. Even the evidence als o shows that people can promote Marosan with current qualities. April 2009 Marosan has filed the first complaint to the New York State Department of Human Rights (Human Rights Division), argue that managers  ­as critical Hungarian voice and his hungarian customary behavior. They proved to like other young workers, less capacity than, but also treated him with less favorable than female teachers. By December 2009 he was expelled, and last April he has complaints agian, this time adding discrimination based on gender trends. He report, there are two male employees under groups of Robert Mock and Thomas Mitchell has been promoted to director of the scientific field, although they have less experienced, less qualified than anyone in department. In fact, it would be very difficult to predict how the results  ­would. But this isnt the first instance of reported discrimination against heterosexuals. Fox News reports a recent Google policy that allegedly pays homosexual employees with domestic partners more to make up for the taxes they are required to pay on their health insurance. United States is a country with cultural multi-ethnic, multi-cultural. But hide after that multiculturalism curtain still exist discrimination, racism. It can be public or hidden subtly and discreetly that no fewer immigrants living in America understand it. Whatever case of Marosan has been reflecting on the existence of discrimination in situation of American business about gender, race, age, etc which are ­ factors that social and the law are condemning. In terms of Trocaire College is Trocaire dealing  ­with damage of its brand name, if the problem went worse, the risk of this school to be closed by other teachers will quit because of working in an environment of discrimination. Morover, students will not register on this school. A good teaching group is a valuable asset of a school, providing quality, brand name for the school. Thus Trocaire School should have a change in behavior, especially in the management of diversity, respect for differences. http://dantri.com.vn/c25/s119-442091/my-apple-bi-kien-phan-biet-doi-xu-voi-nhan-vien-cao-tuoi.htm KKK cai nhom do la nhung nguoi My Trang ho ghet My Den cho nen ho thuong hay kiem chuyen voi nguoi MY den va co khi thi giet nua Case in Europe Recently in Europe, there are two suicides shock at Disneyland Paris. France opened an investigation after two ­Ã‚ ­ suicides of employees at this park that related to w ­eak working conditions of Disney. In early April 2010 a chef of Disneyland hanged at his home near Paris, at the time he expected to return to work after a period of sick leave. This man is not only a unique chef of Disneyland suicide. At Febuary 21, there is a 30 years old chef also suicides at the park in which related to working conditions. Also in late 2009 Disneyland was sued with because of discrimination in the recruitment process. Accordingly, Disneyland only hired recruit who have white skin with the reason that talmost tourists come here also have white skin. Candidates applied for jobs might w ­rite in recruitment form of Disneyland Paris which including detail part of nationality, skin color, place of birth. Even extremely recruiting section extremely allergy with profiles came from the Indian Ocea n and the Caribbean because of dark skin color. This scandal is completely true because the criteria of the Disney Paris mostly serve for the Europeans, white race, and only little tourists are other skin color from Asia, Africa. Thus Disney Paris had basis for explain their action that aimed to serve to visitors. But they violated completely racial discrimination laws in Europe while European has been vehemently eliminating stigma through Acts, especially in France. DisneyParis knew ­Ã‚ ­ that because it has business experience in Europe nearly 20 years. Mean while there was a big scandal of  ­Adecco in 2005 about Discrimination. Increasingly Disney is less famous, it affect the business situation in France and instability in personnel management. Recalling the historical development of the Disney Paris we will partially understand the understanding of its  ­weak diversity management. Founded in 1992 originally called Euro-Disneyland, located in Paris the capital of France be cause France is a potential market with high welfare policies and there ­ was over 17 million people living around Paris with less than 20 minutes driving, which is added to the large volume of potential customers in EuropeBut the lack of understanding of European culture created barriers for Disney executives to succeed. Due to differences in habits between Americans and Europeans, most of the Disney executives are American and workers are mostly French, after that recruiting more staff across Europe. However there al ­ways has disagreement and discomfort of staff due to different habits of European and American. Approximately 1,000 employees who come from countries in Europe (accounting for 10% of total) had gone away within the first nine weeks ­. They said that training here as brainwashing and Americans did not know any thing about Europe. As the result more than $ 2 billion, data was reported in late 1994. Besides that the process of entering to European market was also fail completely because of lack of cultural understanding. The implementation of Euro Disney went completely the wrong direction with the actual needs of the Europeans. After two first years of failure, in 1995 Euro Disney might realize mistake and starting to change its organization, first of all renaming of Euro Disney to Disney Paris. Moreover, in the first time Disney Paris had the seeds of race discrimination, most black people were just doing a poor job and the team of actors  ­as almost not there. How Disneyland in Anaheim, California, and Tokyo organized as well, Disney Paris did much less. The reason might be because of stereotypes in the application of business forms. Disney had applied what has been successful in the U.S., Japan to the European market, but not mentioned much about cultural differences. I think Disnyland is a type of entertaining bussiness that existed on cultural diversity. Its main asset is not the machinery or anything that is good will. To get good s ervice for all the visitors, it needs to have a staff really good as actors, chefs, service staffs and both security guards. To achieve this, the first elements of Disney need to respect of differences. In order to limit the conflict and discord on staffs and litigations bring legal factors affect brand name. http://vietbao.vn/The-gioi/Cong-dong-Hoi-giao-chau-Au-doi-mat-voi-nan-phan-biet-doi-xu/30158565/159/ Case in Japan Another example comes from Asia, but no mention of discrimination anymore, issues around the harmony between individualism and collectivism, in other words, this example will illustrate the concept of stereotypes and preconceptions. The story told about Jean Safari, an inspector is investigating a serious mistake by an employee working at the Japanese subsidiary of a multinational company in the U.S. A division was installed wrong and both series have to dismantle reinstall the system. Cost pay for this mistake is very high. But when Jean asked the plant manager here about information of people who caused the incident and the penalty for that person, but the manager confirmed that he did not know anything. He told Jean that all working groups will be responsible, they did not talk to him about women employee might be responsible and he did not also asked them about that. Even supervisor also does not know and if he knew he would not tell the director. Jean said that if all of workers had been responsible. In fact, noone wanted, they are simply protecting mistake of others blindly. After that the manager has negative comments what she said politely but firmly, I understand that employee was very sad, she would ha ve tried to resign. The group also knows she must take responsibility and she felt ashamed. That group also knew that she was a new staff, moreover she is Korean and they were not helping her or considered that she has been trained properly or not. That is the reason why the group might apologize. I have their letter here. They are willing to say appology you openly. Jean really did not want that, she did not need apology, what she really wanted  ­that these mistakes would not happen anymore. Jean wondered if she should be investigated for the culprit or not? If that employee should be punished or not? And shes been founding out a way to change perspectives of the staff here, could be related to culture. In this example, the group would never reveal who has caused mistakes. The perpetrator of mistake will escape punishment. That depends on the group support or oppose in high quality and high productivity. If the group support the objectives of directors and thus the community associated  ­together, peple make mistakes will be ashamed. She would rather resign than face colleagues. But the crux of the problem is that members of the group should helpe her learn about what they know. And above all, directors should have the acumen to manage thier working groups, creating a tendency of working group correspond to the companys environment. The case of this company has had integration of individualism and collectivism. But it  ­went to bad tendency while the group did not share between individuals and did not give clear targets that need personal responsibility leaded to success. Untill mistakes occur, hold of the group was only responsible and apologized while individual make mistakes felt ashamed w ­ith the group and tried to resign. Both director and supervisor even did not know anything about the internal situation othe offending team, exactly they did not also want to know. All of these things were based off wrongful stereotypes. Conclusion Barriers of Communication are inevitable in the workplace. These barriers ­ alter the normal flow of information. The factors make distort the process of communication is called Interference. Interference can occur at any time, any stage in the communication process. Managers should be aware of the importance of understanding the communication process at work, outlines the good direction, the strategy correspond to context of a company legally, avoid cases of discrimination, stereotype and preconceptions.

Wisdom Leads to Suffering in Brave New World by George Orwell Essay

Solomon spoke once, after a life filled with great wisdom of nature- chochmah tata’ah- that all of life exists for vanity, that purpose erases itself from existence and man is left with only a mean, purposeless life. Orwell, in 1984, realizes in his work that insight gained of the workings of a dystopic society, leads only to the discovery of purposelessness- the reduction of life to something other than that it purports to be. Orwell’s attack of wisdom takes shape through his usage of juxtaposition in character description, the telling nature of Winston’s state post-discovery, and a most mystifying metaphysical description: the peril of knowing too much. In the same way that Solomon captured the essence of chochmah tata’ah, the wisdom of the external, so Winston gains more knowledge of the external world, in the same way that Solomon (or a Qohelet pretending to be him) wrote of despair issuing from wisdom in Ecclesiastes, Winston finds himself suffering more than the people around him, due to his wisdom. In 1984, Doublethink forces the entire society, both the proles (because of their intelligence quotients) and the higher echelon of people (in order to keep power), into a stupor which leaves the without any knowledge of their situation in life, and completely- obliviously- happy. Though Orwell paints a picture of a crumbling world, the people within see no need to improve it because the simply choose to ignore problems. The people around Winston find themselves duped into believing blindly, without wisdom, and are content while Winston, aware of his surroundings, constantly struggles. Orwell’s message here screams to t he reader that knowledge leads to pain. Winston, strolling to work one day, sees a man with a twitch- fightin... ...fering and death of the combatants. The only outcomes of increased knowledge and wisdom of the external- chochmah tata’ah, exist as oppression and death. Orwell, though speaking out against the oppressiveness of societies, argues more strongly that humanity’s gain of wisdom about corruption leads only to suffering. The author of 1984 brings these points to fruition in his character analysis, and his analysis of reality itself. In the same way that Adam sampled the fruit of The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and gained only death, the addition of wisdom to the human consciousness leads only to suffering. The epic told to represent this story by Orwell ends with the argument that â€Å"War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.† (4), the argument that when ignorance is lost, suffering and weakness follow. Work cited: Brave New World, by George Orwell.

Alice Walker’s Short Story Everyday Use Essay -- essays research paper

Alice Walker’s Short Story â€Å"Everyday Use† In Alice Walker’s short story â€Å"Everyday Use,† tells us a story of two daughters’, Dee and Maggie Johnson, with different ideas about their identities and values. Dee a young woman who, in the course of a visit to the rural home she thinks she has outgrown, attempts unsuccessfully to divert some fine old quilts ,earmarked for the dowry of a sister, into her own hands. Dee is Mrs. Johnson’s oldest daughter, the one who has always been determined, popular, and successful. Maggie is her young sister who was severely burned in the house fire as a child. She is still lives with her mother in poverty, putting â€Å"priceless† objects to â€Å"everyday use.† A similar view is expressed by Houston Baker and Charlotte Pierce-Baker, who writes, â€Å"A scarred and dull Maggie, who has been kept at home and confined to everyday offices, has but one reaction to the fiery and vivacious arrival of her sister.† Dee despises her sister, her mother and the church that helped to educate her. She is selfish, and walker focuses the reader’s growing dislike for the heroine in her indifference to Maggie, the pathetic sister she seems prepared to ignore in a kind of moral triage. Maggie represents the multitude of black women who must suffer while the occasional lucky â€Å"sister† escapes the ghetto. Mama conjectures that: Maggie will be nervous until after her sister goes: she will stand hopelessly in corners, homely and ashamed of the burn scars down her arms and legs, e...

Islamic Country Business Practice Are Differ from Us Essay

Do I thing business practices in Islamic country are likely to differ from business practices in the United States? If so how? Yes, I agree with this statement that business practices in Islamic country are differ from business practices in the United States. When a business organization is capable and qualified enough to meet up the national demand then they can operate business crossing to the border. When a company operates is business activities more than one country having its own branch office in the host countries then it can be called international business. As multinational business is operated in more than one country so there must be an influence of the several host countries to operation and functional activities of the business. When business practices are doing between Islamic country and United States that time we faces some different between those countries. And those are as follows: Language is the first and foremost aspects of international business. As every country has its own language. They obviously prefer that their language is highly evaluated. Moreover to make them understand it is better to express them in their own language. For Islamic country their local language is Arabic, Hebrew etc. and on the other hand English is the local language in U.S. if they each other language then as a result their profitability will be increased and the growth of the business practices is ensured. Laws are based on the Muslim Holy Book, the Quran. The system is often known as â€Å"Sharia† but their business rules and regulation are not so strict. In United states their laws are very strict for export their product in other countries for this strict rules and regulation it decreased other countries to import product from them. It make difficult to business practices between Islamic country and United States. Religion is also an essential part of a country’s culture which influences business. Islamic countries people are Muslim religious and U.S. people are as Christians, Jews religious. If we want to express it in the way of fashion like western fashion and eastern fashion. Muslim countries like to weal long veil or covered dress whether the western countries like to wear short dress pattern. Islamic countries people are pray five times in a day, they doing fast a whole month of Ramadan, and they follow Friday as holiday. But in U.S. countries celebrate Christmas day and they follow Sunday as holiday. And those different make critical to business practices between Islamic countries and United States. Education also plays a vital role in their purchasing power as well as their attitude and consumption patterns too. If they people are educated in a country the income level and quality awareness must be higher. They will not be price biased rather than they would be quality biased. This thing also differ business practices between Islamic country and United States. The Islamic countries people are tend to be very hospitable and regard treating guests with generosity and warmth as a point of personal honor. The common practice in Islamic country is to shake hand at first meeting and again upon leaving. In Islamic country people maintain closer physical proximity while taking and conversation often involve more physical contact than is common in the United States. When a guest in an Arab person’s home, avoid giving gifts of food or drink. Through this may be common practice in the United States, in the Middle East such gifts imply that the host is inadequate. Product acceptability is also a major point for business practices in different country. Like hard drinks and poke types of product are not allowed in Muslim country but those types of product are available and allow in United States. So it’s also being a different between Islamic country and United States business practices. The weather pattern is also an important aspect of international business practices. For example the clothing pattern of cold country and the high temperature country will not be same. As well as the cosmetics pattern of the clod and hot weather country will not be same. Most of the Islamic country weather is hot so when U.S. goes for their business practices those countries they must match the weather. Business practices are also differing by population, income rate, economic growth rate, heritage so many things are related with business. In fine it can be said that to operate international business efficiently we must have sufficient knowledge of their cultural pattern, their attitude, buying pattern, behavior, response to a decision, sensitive issues of their culture, their belief, and always be prepared to handle any sorts of uncertainty to overcome them. Then we can hope the growth of the business firm in the foreign country in competitive environment and their changing pattern as well durability.

Poverty in America Essay

Poverty has always been with us from beggars outside the gates of Jerusalem to the mentally ill homeless woman in the park. America is known for our huge difference in culture and class. This is due partly to the dynamics behind the political decisions of this country. The president himself admits that America is more unequal than it’s been since the great depression and many of his own supporters say he has failed. America now has, by many standards, the lowest social mobility of all of the high-end countries, meaning that a child born into poverty is likely to grow up as a poor adult. This is surprising for a country that not only prides itself as being a middle class society, but as the society where anyone can make it and where social mobility is so high. In some places now, it is hard to believe that America is an economic giant. â€Å"One in four young children lives in poverty in the richest nation on earth.† (Kindle, 2012) This is a fact that goes unnoticed by m ost Americans. Poverty in America has become a circular phenomenon and it has been shown to affect certain communities while it breezes by others. The Poverty Line â€Å"Some 46 million Americans live in poverty. That is the third highest poverty rate among developed nations, ahead only of Turkey and Mexico.† (Kindle, 2012) We might then ask, what is poverty? Where is the poverty line? For 63% of Americans, ages 16 and over, working is a necessity. From working entry level jobs in retail and fast food, jobs in manufacturing and farming, to banking and health care. These similarities, however, end there. This becomes quite apparent especially when it comes to hours worked and their compensation. For example, the average entry level wage in New Mexico is $8.02 an hour or $16,673 a year, before taxes. As opposed to an experienced worker or a college educated one, $22.93 an hour or $47,692 a year. This is lower than the national level of $17,867 annual for an entry level job and $66,248 for the experienced and educated. Unfortunately there are some that work as many hours and are paid less. Since 1938, there has been a federal law requiring employers to pay their employees a minimum wage. It was 25 cents. (Williamson, 1980) In 1938, the gap between nominal wages and real wages was quite wide compared to now where they are fairly close to each  other and it is predicted they will mirror each other in the near future. Currently in California, the state minimum is $8.00, which is not a lot considering the rising cost of food, housing, and energy. According to 2008 Federal Poverty Guidelines, a family of 4 making $21,200 before taxes is considered to be poor. (Iceland, 2012) There are social programs that are set up to help people in this predicament; however, it does not help them get out of the circumstance. â€Å"The average food stamp benefit is $21 per week.† (Kindle, 2012) This is not nearly enough to support your average American. The aid programs are set up to get the poor by on a day to day basis and are not set up to improve their social mobility. There should be money spent on programs that allow those in poverty to improve their education and careers. What makes people poor? Is it lack of opportunities? Is it lack of education and skills training? Is racism and sexism? There are a wide variety of opinions on why people are poor. There is a sense of ignorance when bringing to attention the issue to those unaffected. Those that are unaffected could help but they do not know which way will help not only with th e poor today but to decrease the poverty in the future. What is surprising is that a lack of education opportunities is often mentioned as reasons for poverty. According to the US department of education, 9.3% of the 37 million students ages 16-24 are high school drop outs. This is ironic considering that public high school is available to all. It seems creating jobs is the consensus and it makes sense especially when you look at the unemployment rate. Nationally the unemployment rate is 6.1%. What is the reason for this number? The loss of non government jobs, mainly in the manufacturing sector. This had a domino effect to other businesses like retail and construction. In the past years, we’ve heard how the economy is on the verge of collapse and this is the worst since the great depression of the 1930s. (Ross, 1967) We have a long way before we are in a depression. In 1935 the unemployment rate was the highest at 24.9% in 1959 it was 5.5% the highest since that time was at 1982 at 10.8% We are not close to another depression but we do have extreme poverty amongst us. Poverty in America has been rapidly growing in the past decade because of poor political decisions. There is an extreme divide between the social classes in America. Most people belong to the 99%. The 1% is some of the richest people in the word and has cornered the market. They own 1/3 of US net worth. The  US has over 400 billionaires, which is the most in the world. (GAO, 2007) Lack of money is not the reason for the extreme poverty rates in America, greed is. There is definitely enough money to go around the US multiple times but no one wants to help those in need. There is this sense of survival of the fittest that is an ongoing theme when looking into poverty here. Race and Class Segregation America is deeply divided. We can agree that poverty is more pervasive among minorities, children, female-headed families and people with less education. It has been shown through true statistics that there is a definite inequality between race and class when dealing with poverty in America. But why is American poverty still colored in the twenty-fifth century? Neighborhoods that are organized around work where significant percentage of the adults is working are significantly different from neighborhoods that are jobless, which are neighborhoods that include a significant percentage of people that are not working. Jobless neighborhoods are a lot more dangerous because they create and breed other problems like crime, gang formation, and drug trafficking. (Iceland, 2012) This leads back to the continuing issue with America’s lack of social mobility. It seems that once one person is in poverty, it becomes a vicious cycle and no one is willing to do anything to help. That’s why poverty is passed down to the same races and the same classes because they get stuck in that predicament. There are 50 million Americans without health insurance. (Iceland, 2012) This does not help our problem with poverty. America is a country that deals with problems as they come and never with preventing them. Those that are born into a poor family almost always end up the head of a poor family. This fact has shaped America and has almost made it impossible for those that are born into less fortunate homes. Dealing with Poverty The facts are as stands; if a person was to walk down the streets in any which neighborhood in America, 1 out of every 6 people passed could be living in poverty. This issue is rarely talked about for these outstanding numbers. Each year the number of poverty in America goes up. The new poor  are the former middle class, and the middle class is disintegrating. There are becoming only two classes; a lower class and a higher class. Bottom line; America needs to reverse the cycle. Through education and assistance programs, America will be able to close the gap between the two classes. Recent unemployment rates have dropped slightly and the economy is showing some signs of growth but only some Americans are gaining from it. Almost a million American children sometimes go hungry and tent cities are springing up across the country. The world’s economic power house has a sickness. While both sides blame each other, America cannot fully admit their poverty, and are certainly not dea ling with it. Annotated Bibliography Iceland, JohnPoverty in America: A Handbook, with a 2012 Preface. Berkeley, Calif.: University of California Press, 2012. This book allowed me to understand better poverty in America. It focuses on early views of poverty in America and where the poverty in America originated. This book also describes the causes and characteristics of poverty as well as why poverty remains high in America. I chose this book so that I would have a timeline of poverty from the beginning as well as poverty now. I would be able to compare and contrast the social and economical times between then and now. I will compare the different ethnicities in America and compare the different ways that they have been affected by poverty over the years. Kindle, Peter A. â€Å"Book Review of So Rich, So Poor: Why It’s So Hard to End Poverty in America by Peter Edelman Edelman, Peter. 2012. So Rich, So Poor: Why It’s So Hard to End Poverty in America. New York: The New Press. $24.95, 208 Pp., Hardcover. ISBN: 978-1-59558-785-5.† Poverty & Public Policy 4.4 (2012): 241-43. Print. This is a journal that gave me facts about poverty in America. I was able to link the problems with true statistics and use them in my paper. I found this journal to be very helpful when deliberating what should be in my paper and not. It was easier to read than the books and really got me interested in the topic. Ross, Arthur M., and Herbert Hill. Employment, Race, and Poverty. New York: Harcourt, Brace & World, 1967. Print. This book talks about the employment,  race, and poverty in America and gives me statistics that are quotable for my paper. It is important to figure out how all these three aspect tie together and it allows me to relate race to poverty in America. This books also paints a picture of what it is like to be unemployed, a minority, and in poverty in America throughout many decades. I will use this source to also explain the unemployment issue and how the unemployed got to where they are and how it affects their families. I will talk about the vicious cycle of the unemployed and how it will almost always be passed down to their children and what other types of issues (jail time, drug dealing, etc) are caused because of the unemployment of certain classes. â€Å"The Other America, 2012: Confronting the Poverty Epidemic | The Nation.† The Other America, 2012: Confronting the Poverty Epidemic | The Nation. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Mar. 2014. This site helped me to form my conclusion. It allowed me to formulate my thoughts and wrap up my ideas. I was able to see how other people looked at poverty and what their stance was on the issue. I also used this site to add some facts to my paper and get more of an emotional effect with my word play. United States. Government Accountability Office. Poverty in America: Economic Research Shows Adverse Impacts on Health Status and Other Social Conditions as Well as the Economic Growth Rate: Report to Congressional Requesters. [Washington, D.C.]: U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2007. Economic research suggests that people living in poverty face an increased risk of adverse outcomes, such as poor health and criminal activity, both of which may lead to reduced participation in the labor market. It also shows that limited access to health care as well as a greater exposure to environmental hazards affects the heath of those living in poverty. I will use this book to examine the effects that poverty has on issues like health, social conditions, and growth rate. The previous book allowed me to examine exactly what poverty is and this book will allow me to see the affects the poverty has had over time. I would like to go over the economic growth rate and see what ethnicities have su ffered the most and which have substantially improved, if any. Williamson, Jeffrey G., and Peter H. Lindert. American Inequality: A Macroeconomic History. New York: Academic, 1980. Print. This book solely focuses on the history of the inequality of class and race in America. The information found in this book will start my paper off with facts about how the poverty came to be what it is today. American inequality  is highlighted in this book and we are able to see where the inequality started and how it is currently affecting America. It is important to explain the macroeconomic history of America for the readers to get an idea of how the inequality in America originally started Revision Plan I. Thesis: I changed the focus of my thesis to relate more to the lack of social mobility in my paper. I felt that it was the basis of my paper and what I was most interested in. My thesis originally was not very powerful but after using Pearson’s writing guide I was able to change my words around and create more of a strong stance. II. Organization: My paper was completely unorganized. It is hard for me to organize my thoughts and to better blend my ideas. I had to make index cards and organize them that way in order to figure out the best order of my ideas. III. Support and Development of Ideas: Adding quotes helped better support my ideas. It added facts to what I already had and also helped with smoothing out my ideas. IV. Style: I changed the style of my paper from MLA to APA. I had never done a paper in APA but it made sense to use this format because we were told to include an abstract and an author’s note which followed the guidelines of an APA style paper. It was different but it turned out to look a lot cleaner than the MLA. V. Mechanics: Using the Pearson writing components really helped develop my paper. I knew what to focus on and what was unimportant in the process. I tried to make the issue clear by painting a picture with my words to help better understand the points I was trying to make.