Recommendation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Recommendation - Essay Example Segmentation helps in the development of a sound, competitive advantage. Therefore, a better market positioning strategy can be developed through proper market segmentation. Market positioning involves building of a long-term impact on the minds of the consumers through differentiation of its commodities from rest. Market positioning utilizes physical attributes and promotion to build a clear distinction of a company’s product from the rest (Wang 38, 2009). Stirling Hotel ought to concentrate on the strengths and opportunities instead of concentrating on drawbacks and threats that may bring the business down. Therefore, the hotel’s weaknesses and threats become paramount in the establishments. The hotel is better achieved by looking at the threats and flaws than utilizing the strengths and opportunities. Converting threats and opportunities into strong points can serve as the competitive advantage of the hotel since several hotels can also be established on the same strengths and opportunities. The hotel managements ought to create outstanding features or characteristics that are more attractive than from other hotels. Therefore, the management will be required to employ innovativeness in the generation of marketing strategies and competitive advantage. The management should also develop suitable promotion strategies through utilization of the promotional mixes or

Cons Of Abortion Essay Example for Free

Cons Of Abortion Essay Abortions should be illegalized unless there are special circumstances and appropriate reasoning. One reason is because many people have taken advantage of legal abortions and use it as a form of birth control. Another reason being that killing an unborn is morally wrong and that its considered murder. Third, almost all women experience both physical and psychological disabilities whether theyre minor or very serious. An abortion is the termination of a pregnancy by loss or destruction of the fetus before birth. An abortion may be spontaneous or induced. The latter is an act with ethical and legal ramifications. Many women experience physical and psychological complications after they have had an abortion. This leads to complications in their behavior and therefore many consider the care of a psychiatric or physician. Statistics prove that the risks of Physical problems among women who have aborted at least once are high. Approximately 10% of women undergoing abortion will have to suffer immediate abortions and about 2% of them are life threatening. Death is a very serious issue for all women considering abortions. Legal abortion is reported as the fifth leading cause of maternal death . Statistics prove that women who have had an abortion are four times more likely to die in the following year than ones that have carried their pregnancies to term are. Abortion is also clearly linked to a dramatic increase in suicide risk. Between 7 to 30% of all women who have aborted have been reported to attempt suicide. In Canada a study of government funded medical programs showed that 41% of women had to receive psychological treatment after having an abortion. Putting death and suicide aside, there are many other problems that one may have to suffer from. Facing complications in labor and having handicapped newborns. Statistics show that women who have aborted once are two to three times more likely to having a pre term delivery Not only does induced abortions increase the risks of pre- term delivery but also increases the risks delayed delivery. Because abortion is associated with cervical and uterine damage, these are the leading causes of handicapped among newborns. The authors found that if a partner is present and not supportive, the miscarriage rate is more than  double and the abortion rate is four times greater than if he is present and supportive. The partner is absent the abortion rate is six times greater. In total out of 1428 women surveyed, after having aborted, women visited their family doctor 80% more for all reasons possible and 180% of them went for psychosocial reasons. Abortion is stressful and emotionally difficult for most women . As well as having physical problems, more women experience psychological damages. A survey stated that almost eight weeks after having an abortion, 31% of women had regretted the decision. 44% had complained of having nervous disorders, 36% had experienced a loss or disturbances of sleep. Many of these women carry repressed feelings which leads to drug and alcohol abuse. Elliot research institutes researcher found that women who have aborted their pregnancies are 4 times more likely to get involved with drugs and alcohol. During an interview of 30 women who had aborted, 60% had increased their use or alcohol. Almost 45% of all abortions performed today are repeat abortions. If abortions were illegalized, a large proportion of repeat abortions can be eliminated. Not as many women would have to go through stress and other physical and psychological disorders. Outlawing abortions can reduce many of these common problems among women. The three main that women who have aborted give are, having a baby can change my life, If I were to have this baby, it could ruin my career, or My partner and I are currently having problems in the relationship . When asked public opinion, these reasons are quite selfish. It seems as if when there is no where else to turn, the option of abortion will stand out. Knowing that abortions are permitted and available some take it as the easy ticket out. During the 1970s, Canada was reported to having one of the highest teenage fertility rates in the world. Among unmarried women, teens have held the highest rate of child bearing in Canada and the United States. As these pregnancy rates have increased, abortion rates had doubled. Between 1975 and  1980 abortion rates have doubled from 20 to 44 abortions per 1000 women who were between the ages of fifteen and nineteen. This shows that many teenagers have been using abortions as a method of contraception to lower their fertility rate. To those whom consider abortion a negative issue say that, easy abortion leads to increased promiscuity; Available abortions lead to reduced contraceptive use . If abortion remains legalized it silently and subconsciously encourage selfish and irresponsible behavior among young women who may consider it as a backup plan incase of pregnancy. Since the abortion law made by the Supreme Court in 1973, teenage abortions had risen very greatly in numbers. Abortion rates for adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19 raised from 244,070 to 448,570. Thats an increase of 84%. For girls under the ages of 15, the rate increased to a total of 31% (11630 to 15240). In 1980s, there was a decrease in abortion rates. This was due to the fact that the changes in law decreased the number of abortion providers all over Canada. Due to this abortions had decreased by 26% in 1984, 24% in 1989 and 21% in 1991. Looking a little deeper into this, one may come to the consideration that many if not all pregnancies that have been aborted have been due to carelessness in sexual behavior. With the exception of rape, incest or physical harm on the women, the procedure of all abortions should be banned. Many argue that abortion is immoral and it is in the same category as killing an innocent, newborn baby. All life is present from the moment of conception. Fetuses almost look like newborn infants and possess characteristics, such as a genetic code, that are found in all human beings. Anti abortionists say that it is always prima facie seriously wrong to take a human life or is it always prima facie seriously wrong to end the life of a baby . Some say it doesnt make sense to give rights to a being that would never have psychological traits, but one may argue that new born babies dont have these traits either, but if they were to be killed after birth, one would get charged. Therefore the argument that a fetus does not  carry psychological traits is a poor one. Other issues which makes killing a fetus wrong is the loss of the victims future. This can be supported by the consideration that killing is one of the worst crimes. People who know that they are going to die believe, of course, that dying is a very bad thing. These people know that their premature death is bad because they will miss out on what the future may have had to hold for them . For people who are severely ill and wish to die will not have suffered a loss if the were killed because they know they will have to face a future of pain. Abortion may also be compared to animal rights. Our society has always put humans before animals. Our rights are obviously more important than those of animals are. A couple months ago, two men were arrested because they had slit open the bodies of rats and photographed it saying it was art . Those who perform abortions are killing a living fetus, which will grow up to, possess characteristics much more complex than that of a rat. How can those who perform abortions get away with it and not those who kill rats? Medical science leads to a pro-life perspective rather than a pro-choice perspective. These arguments against abortions are compelling. One being that at conception the embryo is genetically distinct from the mother . It is said that a developing human being is genetically different from its mother because, for one, it is genetically different form the sperm and egg that created it. The DNA of an embryo can be distinguished form the DNA of the sperm and egg that created it. There are other medical arguments supporting the right to life for a fetus. Major one is the definition between life and death. In the past life was defined by the heartbeat. A stopped heartbeat would be a clear indication of death. By the eighteenth day in the womb, a fetus has a heart. If heartbeats were used to define life than all abortions would be outlawed. In the new age, brainwave activity is used to define death. Fetuses develop ECG patterns in their brains at about 40 to 43 after conception. A flat ECG pattern clearly determines death. Using brain wave activity, at least a majority of abortions could be outlawed. A third issue concerning abortions is if the fetus feels pain. Yes a fetus does feel pain. Try poking an infant with a pin, it will immediately pull away and begin to cry. If you tried to do the same with a fetus, it will open its mouth and pull away. This also causes an increase in the heart rate of the human fetus. Many other medical arguments can be used to try and  outlaw abortions. A fetus has unique set of fingerprints, it to is growing and developing, it has the same human like features as we do, and many others. Abortion is a very controversial subject and there are many debates between the pro-lifers and pro-choices. The views of the pro-lifers are that abortion should become banned all over hospitals and clinics. Pro- choicer may not agree with this because they argue that if abortions become banned then women will have to get illegal abortions. This is not true because statistics proved that when abortions were banned in Canada the rate had drop. Women who did not need abortions for a real reason did not get them. This brought down abortion rates considerably. If the number of abortions was decreased this will also decrease problems of physical and psychological stress. In conclusion, there are other ways of dealing with the situation of an unwanted pregnancy. The most one may do is give up the baby for adoption. Bibliography 1. Abortion: Choice and Conflict Editor Oliver Trager 2. The Ethics of Abortion Robert M. Baird and Stuart E. Rosenbaum 3. Internet site www.religioustlerance.org/abo_supr.htm 4. Abortion a Positive Decision By Patricia Lunneborg 5. The Big Evasion By Anne Collins 6. Perspectives on abortion By Paul Sachdev 7. Abortion Policies in US and Canada Studies in Public Opinion Edited by Ted G. Jelen

Archaeology and the Trojan War Essay -- Archaeology Ancient World Hist

Archaeology and the Trojan War â€Å"†¦ he [Heinrich Schliemann] found layers of ruins †¦ and two bore unmistakable signs of violent destruction. One of these layers, the seventh according to more recent excavators, was no doubt the city of Priam and Hector. The historicity of the Homeric tale had been demonstrated archaeologically.† - M.I. Finley, the World of Odysseus Introduction The Trojan War and its characters are detailed in the writings of Homer, Vergil, Dante and many others. It is a fantastical tale of a decade-long siege of a powerful city by a massive pan-hellenic force. However, even though it has proved to be such a rich source of inspiration for writers, poets and artists throughout history, it is debated whether it actually took place. Heinrich Schliemann famously said â€Å"I have gazed on the face of Agamemnon.† on discovering tombs with the bodies of Mycenaean chieftains in Turkey. The German businessman-turned-archaeologist claimed to have discovered the city of Troy at the hill now called Hisarlik – about three miles from the Dardanelles. However, his claims are still disputed today. Before tackling the question of whether the Trojan War actually occurred, we must ask in what form. What exactly do we mean by â€Å"the Trojan War†? There is no definitive version of the events in the war, as our knowledge of it comes from a myriad different sources. Then we should consider Schliemann’s discoveries, and the other archaeological evidence for the Trojan War. Finally, after we have defined â€Å"Trojan War† in context of archaeology and historical fact, we must then draw conclusions about the extent to which archaeology proves its historical authenticity. What do we mean by the â€Å"Trojan War†? The first source that comes to mind is the writings of Homer – the Iliad and the Odyssey. The two epics are considered canon. However, Heroditus’ Histories briefly detail the major events of the war, and relays them as if they were historical fact. Heroditus’ account of the war differs slightly from Homer’s version, and he is well aware of this. After relating the tale of Alexander (Paris) carrying off Helen, Heroditus writes: â€Å"Such was the tale told me by the priests concerning the arrival of Helen at the court of Proteus. It seems to me that Homer was acquainted with this story , and while disregarding it , because he thought it less adapted for heroic poe... ..., or even â€Å"Did the version of events Heroditus describes have any foundation in truth?†. If the existence of Troy itself is uncertain, then the historicity of the war can only be more so. Bibliography Ancient Sources: -  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Homer, the Aeneid, translated by Samuel Butler, taken from www.patroclos.de -  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Homer, the Aeneid, translated by T.E. Lawrence (Wordsworth, 1995) -  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Homer, the Odyssey, translated by T.E. Lawrence (Wordsworth, 1995) -  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Heroditus, Histories, translated by George Rawlinson (Wordsworth, 1996) Modern Sources: -  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Boardman, Griffin and Murray, the Oxford History of the Classical World (Oxford University Press, 1986) -  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Finley, M. I., the World of Odysseus, (New York: The Viking Press, 1978) -  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Finley, M. I., Ancient History – Evidence and Models, (Penguin, 1985) -  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Alan B. Lloyd (editor), Battle in Antiquity (Duckworth, 1996) -  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Heinrich Schliemann’s Telegrams taken from www.archaeology.org -  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Wolf-Dietrich Niemeier interview extract from Hershel Shanks, taken from www.bib-arch.org -  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Additional research taken from Ian Johnston’s web page www.mala.bc.ca/~johnstoi, and also http://devlab.dartmouth.edu/history

Night Mother Essay

Night Mother is a screenplay of a mother who goes through a lot of problems before she finally ends up committing suicide. The woman in question is Jessie who is cast aside due to her poor parenting skills and her epilepsy. She was deemed an unfit parent and also a poor workforce member due to her disease. She does not meet any man and is even scared of venturing out and discovering new sights of the world. In her frustrations, Jessie ends her life. The culmination of events to the death of Jessie is explored in a chilly manner. The people surrounding her each play a different role in the ultimate outcome of her life. With a keener sense of reflection it is easy for one to know exactly why Jessie chose suicide over life. There is so much that is left hanging and in the balance by the demise of Jessie who most people would want to believe could have led life differently (The Internet Movie Database). Hope and love is a theme brought out clearly in the movie ‘Night, Mother. The conversations that Jessie had if they had been more enlightening and encouraging would have probably built her esteem towards life. Most of the talks Jessie has with her mother are redundant and insignificant hence the preference to her father’s silence while he was alive. She loved that her father was happy with the small things and was pleased by the keenness shown to his pipe. He loved his pipe cleaned and that was his biggest bother. If clean she was dotted with her father’s love and attention (Dolan 43). However, her mother acted like always wanted to manipulate Jessie. She barely loves Jessie and is more interested in sending her all over than in teaching her or caring for her. Her mother reveals to Jessie that she barely loved her father when she tells her how the love Jessie had for her father was enough for both of them. Yet Jessie yearns for love and affection and feels it would boost her thoughts about life. When her health improves, and the fear of epilepsy wanes she understands finally how her life revolved around her sickness. She feels her mother is justified in hating her as the sickness consumed all her time and her mother’s time too. She bemoans losing herself to the disease and eventually confesses to her mother that she would rather take her own life for she felt she had already lost it (Demastes 53). Another theme that is evident is role reversal of parent and child. With the use of medicine Jessie starts to feel as though the sickness is imposing too much on her mother. Each time she takes medicine her memory improves and she is able to recall the effort her mother puts into her health. It makes Jessie want to make more of the matter and she is frequently questioning if her mother is enough to take care of her. With this in mind Jessie takes it in her own hands to take care of herself whenever she can. She also cares for her father a role her mother carried out previously but stopped when Jessie started doing it. She is at her mother’s beck and call doing all that she requires yet she is the one that needs nursing and taking care of (De Fazio 72). Jessie finds more solace in helping out at home rather than trying to make friends like people her age. She is an isolated child, chained by the stigma that is her sickness. She readily sent and spends her time locked indoors for fear the epileptic attacks may occur during her walks outdoor. She doesn’t seek to venture out of the house and is spurned by neither nature nor adventure. She keeps to herself and no one questions her that way. She avoids conversation with most people and is seldom seen out of the house (The Internet Movie Database). There is no motivation from her mother to try and discover the world out there. She does not feel the need to do it either. The picture painted of Jessie is a bleak tale of separation from reality. What the mother feels as the prevention of pain and shame for her daughter is actually an ill that grows over time and goes unnoticed. She resents the world and her mother as a result (Brown 91). The family dynamics of this home are complex as they are depressing. The father is at comfort knowing his pipes are cleans and somehow derives gratification from this. It is like his measure of love for his daughter as he is seldom seen to display any form of unwarranted parent love or care. He just does what is needed, going through life as though it were motions. His daughter, Jessie, on the other hand, makes it her point to clean all the pipes as she desires the attention and care shown to her by her father. She is constantly checking to see that her father is fine and at peace (Flora & Taylor 74). The relationship Jessie has with her mother is tumultuous and rocky. Her mother treats Jessie more like a house servant than her own daughter. Jessie does not seem to realize this and is seen to gladly go whenever she is sent. She feels the need to help her mother, out of the guilt of not being able to assist her when she is unwell. She assumes most responsibilities in the house and is constantly making plans for the family like an adult. Jessie however does not entirely like her family. She complains that family usually knows too much to which her mother says it is only normal as the family rarely chooses each other and they are meant to love each other unconditionally (Flora & Taylor 116). In the life of Jessie there is recurrence of determinism and fate. Jessie’s mother feels that she is somewhat to blame for the way her daughter behaves and also for her sickness. She constantly question whether she might have dropped Jessie as a child or if she fed her the wrong kind of food. She confesses that she did not want any more children and she smoked and drunk while carrying Jessie awaiting conception. Jessie tries to reassure her mother saying that it’s just epilepsy and that there was nothing she did that would have lessened the situation. She is categorical in her stating that it was her fate to be epileptic and to commit suicide. She tries very hard to show her mother that the mother’s decision making affects little or even nothing of her current condition. She is but a mere observer to her state; for she believes either way she will die and is only trying to hasten the process (Flora & Taylor 124). A complex morality also plays a part in the unfolding of the story. Jessie’s mother finds a way to get her daughter guilty of committing suicide. She reminds Jessie of how she hates being alone or staying alone hence she feels Jessie should stay around for her. She then tries hard to coax Jessie into shelving her plans by asking her to consider the pain incurred when talking to her friends about Jessie. It is clear that her mother felt the gap that would be left was too huge to fill. Jessie then reminds her mother that the reason she choose to confide in her about committing suicide was so that her mother would be at peace and not have to worry and question herself or blame herself for it is beyond her power to change what she feels (Dolan 105). Jessie further emphasizes the need to know for her mother was her driving force to speak. Jessie does not appreciate how her mother makes it all about her. Even after her clarification, Jessie’s mother is still adamant saying how she is the one whom society will continually shower with sympathy she doesn’t need. She tries more cheap shots at Jessie by telling her how her son will sell all the belongings and go use drugs with that money for lack of guidance. To wish Jessie replies with an equally chiding remark that she will be happy if he found good drugs not cheaply prepared drugs (Demastes 89). From greatness to fall shows how Jessie envisioned her life with her mother. She always thought she was the prized child but in her death she realizes just how estranged she was from her parents and how she is not a befitting parent to her son either. Thelma, Jessie’s mother, asks her to extend her stay by putting away her suicide attempt to which Jessie responds with an astute no. In her plea, Thelma promises to be a better parent and make a better listener than she usually is. Jessie is sure she knows enough not believe her mother. She says she wants a dramatic exit where she leaves at the top (The Internet Movie Database). Just by saying this Jessie shows the viewer how out of touch she is with her son. She does not even put his interests into consideration when taking her life. Asked about contacting her brother, Jessie is shocked that her mother talks to her brother and somewhat irritated. She is heard mumbling about how she had been neglected and set aside as though she was not a member of that family. She quickly defends her rift with her son as an unfortunate occurrence brought about by disease. The children in this family seem to have grown up not knowing parental love or care and consequently lost touch of their togetherness. The sudden announcement of committing suicide spurns Thelma into action and for a moment she is willing to spend even an extra hour with her daughter. In the frenzy she is also trying to communicate with her son Dawson and his wife Loretta (The Internet Movie Database). Even amidst the turmoil of the realization that Jessie will eventually commit suicide the two women still find time to throw humorous statements at each other. At some point Jessie while making reference to her epileptic attacks says she did not even realize when they happened and was only alert when she woke up and found herself in a different set of clothing. She says they gave no warning and sometimes all it gave off was a light buzz to the head and her lights were out. Her mother later remarks, jokingly, that she had a splendid time watching as Jessie and her father turned on and off akin to light bulbs all through the night. They laugh at this rare moment and share glimpses of what could have been done all through their lives (Brown, 94). To break silence Jessie is quick to point out how large her sister in-law’s, feet are big and her mother counters by telling her the share a similar foot size with her in-law. Humor creates closeness and aids in filling the empty void of displeasure that Jessie has carried all her life (Brown, 133). The closeness and sentimentality is also seen where Jessie tells Thelma of how she wants all the night to herself. She just wants to be with her mother and no one else should disturb them. She calls the night a private moment for two. In the sentimentality there is a lot of thought provoking conversations that open the two to learning more of the other. Jessie for the first time gets to confirm that her mother lost all form of affection for her father a long time back. She is neither pleased nor sad at finally getting to hear those words uttered vocally by her mother. She also gets a half-baked confession from her mother who denies any knowledge of the suffering Jessie was going through. Jessie feels despised and takes offence that her own mother would not notice how alone she was yet she was there most of the time (Flora & Taylor 141).

Industrial Agriculture Essay

Research Question: Should the governments set standards for the food producing multinational companies to ensure the safety of its citizens and the environment? Introduction As a necessary part of human survival, food is a human right. Small, local family farms were the bedrock of traditional rural communities and the global food security which was the ability of countries to produce the food they need to survive in a more sustainable way. Yet the global food supply is increasingly falling under the control of giant multinational corporations with policies that are not environmentally sustainable. Sustainable agriculture preserves biodiversity, maintains soil fertility and water purity, conserves and improves the chemical, physical and biological qualities of the soil, recycles natural resources and conserves energy. Furthermore, sustainable agriculture produces diverse forms of high quality foods, fibers and medicines. Likewise, this system respects the ecological principles of diversity and mutually dependent and uses the understandings of modern science to improve rather than displace the traditional wisdom accumulated over centuries by countless farm ers around the world. Although the food industry encompasses all those who are involved in growing, processing, manufacturing or distributing food, from the farm to retail shops and restaurants, the threat to human health and the environment is ignored. The major problem is that there is not a sustainable agriculture system anymore with the start of the â€Å"Green Revolution† in Mexico. Sustainable agriculture is a model of social and economic organization based on an fair and participatory vision of development which recognizes the environment and natural resources as the foundation of economic activity. Agriculture is sustainable when it is ecologically sound, economically possible, culturally appropriate and based on a general scientific approach. The global corporatization of agriculture has had disastrous effects on farmers, food security, and the environment. To minimize these effects, governments of the world should set policies for the companies that produce food in order to protect their citizens’ health and for a more sustainable environment. Pesticides Industrial Agriculture contaminates fruits, vegetables and water with pesticides. Pesticides have been known to start illnesses and contribute to the increase of deaths caused by diseases. They seep into the soil which creates contamination of the crops produced and the nearby water sources. They are a costly and a time consuming form of insecticides and herbicides to clean. They are used greatly and without proper regulation in the entire agricultural environment. Standards for toxicological and microbiological hazards, and instituting procedures and practices to ensure that the standards are met should be set. In his writings, the Andrew Kimbrell shows evidence about this problem, â€Å"Since 1989, overall pesticide use has risen by about 8 percent, or 60 million pounds†(Kimbrell 11). This article was written in 2002. At the present year, 2012, this number has undoubtedly increased. Issues here include leaching of nutrients and pesticides, water extraction and drainage and f looding. Contamination of both ground and surface waters caused by high levels of production and use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers is a serious problem, particularly in areas of livestock or specialized crop production. Agricultural practices have been found to contribute to non-point source water pollutants that include: sediments, fertilizers (nitrates and phosphorus), pesticides, and manures. Pesticides from every chemical class have been detected in groundwater and are commonly found in groundwater beneath agricultural areas which are widespread in surface waters. These reduce the water quality which impacts agricultural production, drinking water supplies, and fishery production. The deaths that are caused by chemicals and the risk of cancer would increase. â€Å"Many popular pesticides appear capable of compromising the body’s ability to fight an infection, an extensive study finds. If true, pesticide use ‘could be a hidden killer’ – especially in developing countries, ‘where infections are a leading cause of death,’ says Robert Repetto, vice president of the Washington D.C. based World Resources Institute ( WRI) and a co-author of the new report† (Science News 1). A progressive budget system can be developed in order to support research on production of healthy food. Another solution is to determine and evaluate the chemicals that exist in the agricultural environment. Certain criteria such as evaluating statistics of illness and death caused by these chemicals, how government officials are regulating pesticidal use, and establishing alternmative methods of living need to be included when evaluating this dilemma. Genetically Modified Products Genetically modified products are not natural and increases the risk of cancer. These products are both plants and animals. For plants, the genetics of the crops are changed in order repel insects and other unwanted weeds to increase yield. However, the changing of the genetics make these crops unnatural which is a potential threat to human health. The genetic modification for animals are done in a different way, but it has the same goal as the plants. To meet the need for the unlimited goods, scientists have found ways to either increase the body mass of an animal for more meat or to increase the amount of milk that could be obtained from cows at an unnatural level. Corporations such as Monsanto not only are in control of the crops, but also the dairy industry. Cows are given chemicals to increase production of milk, but the milk causes cancer. â€Å"In 1994, the FDA approved the sale of Monsanto’s controversial GE recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) — injected into dairy cows to force them to produce more milk — even though scientists warned that significantly higher levels (400-500% or more) of a potent chemical hormone, Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF-1), in the milk and dairy products of injected cows, could pose serious hazards for human breast, prostate, and colon cancer† (Cummins). These chemical hormones are serious risks of cancer. Drinking something natural as milk should not be harmful for a person. If nothing is done in order to prevent such a dilemma, the risk of cancer would increase for everyone because dairy products are an important part of person’s dietary needs. To solve this problem, an independent body of organization can be established which would be authorized to test and develop standards on food production. Also for international organizations developing safet y standards to ban any trade agreement which products contain genetically modified substances. The Environmental Damage Industrial agriculture have replaced the family farm practices which were mostly sustainable and also taken an extra toll on the environment that is not reflected in consumer prices. The currently dominant system of industrial agriculture impacts the environment in many ways. It uses huge amounts of water, energy, and chemicals, often with little regard to long-term adverse effects. The overuse of fertilizers and chemicals, overgrazing, and the unenforced regulation of factory farm dumping of agricultural byproducts such as excrement and pesticides into rivers and streams all damage the quality of air, water, and soil, which are of everyone’s shared resources. Irrigation systems are pumping water from reservoirs faster than they are being recharged. Water scarcity in many places is due to overuse of surface and ground water for irrigation with little concern for the natural cycle that maintains stable water availability. Toxic herbicides and insecticides are accumulating in gr ound and surface waters. Chemical fertilizers are running off the fields into water systems where they generate damaging blooms of oxygen-depleting microorganisms that disrupt ecosystems and kill fish. â€Å"In Chesapeake Bay, native sea grasses, fish, and shellfish populations have declined dramatically in number in the last few decades due to extremely high nitrogen and phosphorous levels caused by the excessive use of chemical fertilizers†(Kimbrell 30). Agriculture’s environmental impact has grown since farmers became dependent on chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Since the 1950s, fertilizer and pesticide use has increased substantially worldwide. If the hazardous chemicals are overused, the ecological balance in nature would be at risk. Many of the negative effects of industrial agriculture extend far from fields and farms. For example, in the United States of America, nitrogen compounds from Midwestern farms, travel down the Mississippi river to damage coastal fisheries and create a large â€Å"dead zone† in the Gulf of Mexico where aquatic life cannot survive. But other adverse effects are showing up within agricultural production systems themselves with the overuse of herbicides and insecticides which has led to rapidly developing resistance among pests that is rendering these chemicals increasingly ineffective. Agriculture’s link to global climate change is just beginning to be appreciated. Destruction of tropical forests and other native vegetation for agricultural production has a role in elevated levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The governments should pass laws that standarizes the use of these chemicals to protect the environment. Laws and regulations on sanitary standards should guarantee high quality and safe food for consumers and the environment. Other Side of the Argument There are also positive sides to the development of industrial agriculture which people such as Norman Borlaug says that biotech in agriculture will not harm biodiversity. Norman Borlaug, who is the father of the â€Å"Green Revolution† which started in the 1940’s was the main starting point of the industrial agriculture we have today. Borlaug claims, â€Å"If we grow our food and fiber on the land best suited to farming with the technology that we have and what’s coming, including proper use of genetic engineering and biotechnology, we will leave untouched vast tracts of land, with all of their plant and animal diversity† (Bailey 6). However, the problems that the Green Revolution or industrial agriculture itself has brought and will bring most indubitably outweigh the benefits. One of the core things the Green Revolution has brought was the high-yielding seeds, fertilizers and irrigation projects. Nevertheless, most high-yielding seeds use up more energy to process because most varieties are not resistant to drought and new diseases. This leads to the use of heavy applications of expensive fertilizers and pesticides. And then expensive herbicides must be used because fertilizers not only stimulate plant growth but also weed growth. These heavy doses of many chemicals end up ruining the soil.This agricultural system is not environmentally sustainable, it only provides enough resources in the short run. Conclusion A number of food control problems are currently being debated at the national and international levels, regarding genetically modified foods, contaminants (including pesticides), irradiation and nutrition labelling. There is an apprehension about the consequences for the quality and safety of the food supply concerning the increasing use of pesticides and drugs, as well as introducing genetically-modified organisms.There are many solutions for this crisis because food is a human right that demands the governments to set national policies to encourage food security. For example, local and diverse production of food should be supported by the governments and companies to guarantee satisfactory and accessible nutrition for all citizens. Governments must maintain the ability to pass laws for the national safety of their population to ensure food sovereignty. For governments, there is the need for enforceable standards that are convincing for both consumers and the industry. The industry needs standards that permit flexibility and efficiency in producing and marketing foods that will serve their customers because it is important for consumers that food control system provide meaningful protection against real and important hazards. Consumers can play a critical role in creating a sustainable food system. Through their purchases, they send strong messages to producers, retailers and others in the system about what they think is important. Food cost and nutritional quality have always influenced consumer choices. The challenge now is to find strategies that broaden consumer perspectives, so that environmental quality, resource use, and social equity issues are also considered in shopping decisions. Finally, new policies and institution must be created to enable producers using sustainable practices to market their goods to a wider public. Work Cited Bailey, Jay. â€Å"Billions Served: Norman Borlaug interviewed by Ronald Bailey†. Reason Magazine. April 2000 Cummins, Ronnie. â€Å"Hazards of Genetically Engineered Foods and Crops: Why We Need A Global Moratorium†. Motion Magazine. August 29, 1999. < http://www.inmotionmagazine.com/geff4.html> Kimbrell, Andrew. â€Å"The Tragedy of Industrial Agriculture†. Island Press. 2002 Rosset, Peter. â€Å"Lessons from the Green Revolution† Grove Press. April 8, 2000 Raloff, Johnathan. â€Å"Pesticides May Challenge Human Immunity†. Science News. 9 March 1996.

homosexuality in the media essays

homosexuality in the media essays Throughout life we deal with many different constants. From the speed of light to the knowledge that a good friend is close by, constants give us security and a piece of mind in a world that is rapidly changing and expanding right before our very eyes. While many aspects of life are there to constantly bring us comfort, others are there to constantly challenge our perspective of reality. These challenging features may sometimes bring us pain as a society, well...as my mother always said, what doesnt kill you makes you stronger. Since the onset of motion pictures we have become accustom to viewing our societal challenges on the big screen. We were there when our countries bloodiest battle led to the ravaging of Terra. Our own eyes were witness to the ruthless Mrs. Robinson as she fought to keep her daughter away from the man that she loves. More recently, our society was able to feel for a Philadelphia lawyer as he fought against corporate discrimination. While emancipation an d the womens movement were very important events in the maturation of our country, the issue that we are currently dealing with is the evolution of homosexuality into every-day America. In modern day America we deal with the idea of gay equality in every step that we take. Weather a petition is getting signed to constitutionally ban same-sex marriages or a boy in Wyoming is tied to a fence because of his sexuality...the hatred is everywhere. American cinema is often the place where we as a culture test out our ideas on a general public. The idea that is in the mind of many Americans lately is that of our changing paradigm of family. No place is this modern and changing paradigm more evident then in our own cinema. Gay characters, in one form or another, have been with us since the very first motion picture. The most notable gay characters have often been portrayed as the sissy, or an evil villain . The first line of f...

Public Administration essay

Public Administration essay Public Administration essay Public Administration essayPublic administration provides the organization of joint activities of people and manages these activities through the relevant bodies of the state apparatus and civil servants who perform certain functions. Among the functional responsibilities I can highlight the following: planning, scientific forecasting, formation of government bodies and organization of their activities, gathering and processing information, monitoring and accounting. I believe that the most important feature of public administration is the practical organization of the functions of the state.Each person sees public administration in different ways, but all of us wants to live in a state where his opinion is taken into account. I agree with experts who believe that public administration takes place where people work together collaboratively. It provides awareness and focus of this activity. Management achieves its goals through the harmonization and coordination of human actions. Ther efore, I am sure that it is desirable that each of us takes into account not only personal initiative, but also consider the opinion of other people. In my opinion, it would be right. Performing coordination function, management ensures consistency between the individual actions.In order to understand how possible it is for the system of public administration to be at the same time effective, efficient, and accountable, I offer to consider what principles the governance is based on. There are three approaches, which are formulated according to these basic principles. They are: legal, political and management. Core values ​​of public administration under legal approach are the values ​​of the rule of law and the protection of citizens rights. In this case, public servants are subordinated not so much to their superior, but to the requirements of law. According to political approach, the main task of government is to maximize the embodiment of the will of p eople. Civil servants at the same time must be politically accountable and susceptible to the current interests of the citizens. As it is known the core values ​​of public administration under management approach should be: effectiveness, efficiency and results. On my opinion, it is important to get maximum results with acceptable cost. As we see, these three approaches have one common problem the problem of compliance of actions of civil servants formulated in principles: follow the rule of law (legal approach), following the will of people (political approach) and follow the purpose of obtaining the desired socio-economic result (management approach).In my opinion, it is impossible to speak separately about effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability, as they are complementary concepts. If the system is not effective and efficient, it won’t be accountable. Conversely, without setting a goal to work for results, efficiency and qualification are meaningless. I believe that in order to achieve these three conditions, political administration should adhere to a set of requirements. Experts say that effectiveness of the work of management system requires interaction of all components of the system. Management should be comfortable for both manager, and managed. Thus, I am sure that for effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability, public administration should adhere to ethics of management. Manager must be able to think and build a logical chain. He should have a wide range of knowledge of the area in which he works. I truly believe that all employees of the public administration should be literate and competent. In order to make public administration effective, efficient, and accountable, it needs to set goals. The main objectives of public administration are socio-economic (achievement of economic prosperity, building and maintaining a certain system of economic relations, and satisfaction of public interest), political (developing posi tive proposals and processes in society and state, participating of all political forces in the management of the country, contributing to the improvement of state and social structures and , in particular, human development), security (ensuring the rights and freedoms of citizens, rule of law in society, public order and safety), institutional (formation of legal system, promoting implementation of all the basic functions of the state and solving all its problems with the help of democratic institutions and the rule of law mechanisms).Based on the facts named above, I can make a conclusion that the considerable importance in the government belongs to people who work in this system. I believe that government employees have to be of great professionalism in order public administration to be effective. Professional experience and deep knowledge play a huge role in improving the efficiency of public administration. It is appropriate to create business schools where future specialists c ould learn the priority tasks of the system and experiences of successful managers. Their professionalism must be maintained by conducting appraisals. There is a need to conduct seminars for civil servants with foreign guests to share experiences. I am sure that it is necessary for state personnel to be guided by national interests, listen to the needs of population, and hold meetings with public. In order to improve governance, they should follow its principles. Among the basic principles are the following: democracy (according to which the people is the source of power), legality (activities should be based on compliance with the laws of the country), objectivity (adequate perception of the situation), scientific (adoption and implementation of management decisions should be carried out taking into account scientific developments), concreteness (activity management should take into account specific circumstances of life), and efficiency (achieving the objectives of management acti vities should be done with minimal effort, time and money). I am sure that managers should be able to find a middle ground, then the work of public administration will be effective, efficient, and accountable.

Few vs. Several

Few vs. Several Few vs. Several Few vs. Several By Maeve Maddox Reader Norma H. Flaskerud wonders about few and several. She thinks a few refers to maybe 2-3 items while several refers to maybe 3-6. Her husband says a few is 4-7 items. Few is the opposite of many. It derives from words having the meaning of small and little. It is related to Latin paucus (little, few) and even puer (child/boy). Old English feawe/fea derives from a Germanic root meaning little. The number implied in the word few is more than two, Beyond that, trying to specify how many more is fruitless. I expect the New Testament writer was anticipating more than 2-7 converts when writing: Many are called, but few are chosen. In 1940 Winston Churchill was referring to the pilots of the Royal Air Force when he wrote: Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few. The Few became a name for this group of fliers: 2,353 British subjects and 574 volunteers from overseas. Several comes from a word meaning existing apart. Before it came to mean more than one (about 1530), it was used with the meanings separate, various, diverse, different. In legal use several preserves the meaning of separate. In the following example it is used to show that liability is enforceable separately against each party the contractual liability of each company to insured is several and not joint In keeping with its original meaning, several may be used to separate one group from another: A large crowd of soldiers gathered to protest the law. Several were women. The word several, usually an adjective or pronoun, has also been used as a verb. A farmer or community would several a large expanse of land into smaller parcels. It would seem that few and several can imply any number you want them to. By the way, in checking the Churchill quotation, I re-read the speech in which it appears. Its worth the time of any writer who is looking for models of beautifully-written English prose. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Expressions category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:20 Computer Terms You Should KnowHow to spell "in lieu of"Word Count and Book Length

Assignment about Servicing the Sale and Building the Partnership - 1

About Servicing the Sale and Building the Partnership - Assignment Example d be traced to a belief in significant brand management, investment in a first class customer service center, and innovations in marketing and sales strategies that enhance sales and distribution. In addition, the philosophy of the company remains mapped on a belief that quality could never be sacrificed. The company officers have made a decision to develop partnerships with a group of distributors who would employ salespeople to call on retailers trading in Body Glove products. In order to ensure that retail customers and retailers receive excellent service, the company would undertake some steps to achieve this objective. The company officers would select on distributors whose strategies would have an immediate effect on all elements of the marketing mix. Thus, steps to be considered would involve an analysis of the products, environment, customers, competitors, company, salespersons, and the desired level by the target market characteristics. In so doing, the company would evaluate alternatives for both distributors and salespersons against adaptive, control and economic factors (Vashisht 184-189). Body Glove salespersons may add value to the company through either full line or cross selling. First, salespersons could add value through an established better partnership between the company and the distributors in a full line selling. In addition, salespersons attain more knowledgeable and aggressive selling because of exclusive distribution grants from the company. Moreover, through exclusive distribution strategies or dealership, salespersons could add value to the company wetsuits product line. On the other hand, salespersons may add value to the company by establishing a better working relationship with the distributors that would give rise to adequate market coverage with less cost but more control. These would consequently add value to the company overall sales margin, and over its competitors (Vashisht 187). Moreover, conducting after sales service to

Folic acid food fortification is associated with a decline in Essay

Folic acid food fortification is associated with a decline in neuroblastoma - Essay Example Neuroblastoma is one of the most common cancers affecting children today, forming 8%-10% of the total seen from birth through age 14 years.   It affects one in every 6,000 to 7,000 children in North America (Nutra ingredients.com, 2003). It is a disease in which cancer cells are found in certain nerve cells within the body. Neuroblastoma typically begins in the abdominal area either in the adrenal gland (located just above the kidney) or around the spinal cord in the neck, chest, or pelvis (Pressinger & Sinclair, N.D.). Studies show that folic acid food fortification has more than halved the incidence in Canada of the deadly childhood cancer neuroblastoma. Chemically Folic acid has the molecular formula C19H19N7O6 with a molecular weight of 441.40. The scientific name of folic acid is N-[p-[2-Amino-4-hydroxy-6-pteridinyl) methyl] amino] benzoyl]-L-glutamic acid. It is a complex organic compound present in liver, yeast, and natural sources; it also may be prepared synthetically (RxList, 2004). Metabolically, folic acid is converted to coenzyme forms required in numerous one-carbon transfer reactions involved in the synthesis, interconversion and modification of nucleotides, amino acids and other essential structural and regulatory compounds (Bailey, et al, 2003). As an essential cofactor for the de novo biosynthesis of purines and thymidylate, folate plays an important role in DNA synthesis, stability and integrity, and repair, aberrations of which have been implicated in colorectal carcinogenesis. Folate may also modulate DNA methylation, which is an important epigenetic determinant in gene expression, maintenance of DNA integrity and stability, chromosomal modifications, and the development of mutations. (Kim, 2004). Daily ingestion of 400  µg of folic acid alone during the preconception period reduced a womans risk of having a fetus or infant with a neural-tube defect. The

Human Resources Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Human Resources Management - Assignment Example As a result of which the position and status of women in the workplaces are changing at a rapid pace as compared to previous days. Apart from this, due to the introduction of the law of schooling of girls and women in the year 1767, the craze for education and schooling enhanced thereby amplifying the talent of women segment. As a result of which, the typical house-wives of recent age are not expected to spin, cook or sew rather to perform their assigned duties effectively in a workplace. By doing so, the inner knowledge and morale of the female segment is amplifying thereby strengthening their bases more efficiently as compared to previous age. So, the intensity of various crimes is also reducing at a significant extent as compared to previous days. This proved extremely effective for the female segment of the society thereby amplifying their position and fame in the entire globe among others. Moreover, as the female segment of the society is attaining high level of education, so bo th the segments (males or females) might easily apply for a particular job in a workplace. And as a result, the degree of professional integration between male and female segments enhanced thereby declining the inequality of wages and positions as well. Along with this, the unemployment gap within male and female segments of the society reduced significantly resulting in amplification of their living standard and life style. Thus, it might be predicted that due to the enhancement of the earning members of the families, the status and living style also improved Therefore, due to the presence of educational skills and knowledge, females or women continue to hold the leadership position both in public and private sector as compared to males. As a result of which, the supremacy of women is quite similar as compared to males in both public and private workplaces. So, it helped almost 70% of the female segment of the society to become educated and employed thereby offering approximately 3 /4th of the total amount expense of a family. Just like award-winning corporate lawyer named Franci Blassberg is also one of the best examples of a female, who became successful in positioning itself in this male dominated world. As a result, the dominance and status of female segments enhanced resulting in amplification of its popularity and control. It became possible only due to the inner morale and confidence of the Franci Blassberg to flight against the complications and obstacles of males in the world. Other than this, due to the presence of effective communication skills and problem solving nature, Franci Blassberg is now recognized as one of the most efficient and talented lawyer among many others. Not only this, decision making attitude as well as action taking nature acted as the backbone for Franci Blassberg that enhanced her position and expertise among many others. Therefore, it might be clearly depicted that the self awareness, confidence, experience and responsible ch aracter are some of the most essential weapons of the women’s of today’s era. And without the help of these characteristic features, a woman may not sustain or retain her position in this corporate world among the males. Along with this, exact vision and task completion nature is also extremely essential for a woman like Franci Blassberg to retain her portfolio in her workplace thereby amplifying her image and craze among

Ethnography The Quarry and the Lot by Mark Wallace Research Paper

Ethnography The Quarry and the Lot by Mark Wallace - Research Paper Example Discussed in the novel are the aspects of memory as well as the history of the suburban culture in American life. The novel thematically focuses on love imminent in the community in spite of the conflicts had. This is evaluated in reference to the human limits exposed in the character’s conducts, interactions, and dialect. The author focuses on love as a theme in an insightful way which presents the reader with an interesting literary piece which is both captivating and interesting to read. In as much as there is evidence of instances of conflict in the narration, what comes out strongly is the love that holds most members of the community together. The book starts with the information about Joseph Klein’s death. Wallace states, â€Å"The evening after I heard that Joseph Klein had died in a fire†¦ †1. The events that follow the death of Klein bring the community together. In some way, the death overshadows the conflicts that were in the community. For insta nce, the narrator calls many people who had been silent from the community for a significant time. Martha insists they call, Joseph’s father, Walter. ... The silence between them portrays the conflict that characterizes the other members of the community. On the other hand, the love that holds them reflects the greater love that brings the community together even in times of grief. The love comes out even in the case of conflicts. For instance, Joseph Klein was not such a loveable character in the narration. His violent ways could have made many to shun him. However, his death revels that in spite of his traits, the members of the community still appreciated him. The conflict in this case comes in the fear they had over him. Wallace states, â€Å"We had all been powerless where Joseph was concerned.†2 This highlights the fear the Joseph evoked amongst his community members. However, the love is later revealed when it is stated, â€Å"So Martha and I sent the proper flowers and condolences to the family and called a few other people we thought should know.†3 This reflects the twists that characterized the communityâ€℠¢s culture. When Joseph was alive, he could have passed for a bad character in terms of behavioral traits, however, the community members assume this on his death. The love in the community makes them overlook what could have been viewed as secrets. Joseph was not a character whose behavior was unacceptable. Therefore, it appears rather ironical that his death causes a stir in the community. The anticipation would have been his death could have been celebrated. The culture reveals that secrets are overlooked. The plausible reason could have been that the overall feeling of love could have been the cause. Love is brought through relationships as well. For instance, the relationship between the

Modern Terrorism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Modern Terrorism - Essay Example Tactics of terrorism, on the other hand, are said to predate even the historical genesis of the name, and have been in use for ages. That said, there is also some consensus that when one talks about modern terrorism, one talks about something that seems to have no precedent in history, and is therefore something that is totally new. True, the ends from the past and as they are now pursued by modern terrorists are the same, and that is to achieve destabilization and to be able to make gains in the political sphere at the expense of innocent lives lost. On the other hand, what makes modern terrorism different from older forms of terrorism is a set of characteristics peculiar to the modern age. This set of characteristics include the ability of terrorists to access technologies that are advanced in their capabilities to destroy while evading detection; the means available to instantly relay messages to the general public, such as the use of Internet technologies, social media, and tradi tional TV media; and the mobile aspects of terrorism that allows for the rapid execution of terroristic acts started somewhere else and ignited finally at destinations of world significance, such as the major world cities. The communication aspect is aided by the technological developments in communication and in the use of the Internet to propagate the terroristic message very quickly, thus aiding in the quick achievement of terroristic goals. Communication is said to have ever been a vital aspect of the terrorists work, and modern communication technologies mark a new phase in terrorism that is thoroughly identified with its modern form. Then too, advances in modern transportation and modern weapons technologies further add to the new and immense powers of modern terrorists to sow terror and achieve their aims via means that will keep eluding the authorities. One can say moreover that a fourth aspect of modern terrorism is this quality of

Ethnography The Quarry and the Lot by Mark Wallace Research Paper

Ethnography The Quarry and the Lot by Mark Wallace - Research Paper Example Discussed in the novel are the aspects of memory as well as the history of the suburban culture in American life. The novel thematically focuses on love imminent in the community in spite of the conflicts had. This is evaluated in reference to the human limits exposed in the character’s conducts, interactions, and dialect. The author focuses on love as a theme in an insightful way which presents the reader with an interesting literary piece which is both captivating and interesting to read. In as much as there is evidence of instances of conflict in the narration, what comes out strongly is the love that holds most members of the community together. The book starts with the information about Joseph Klein’s death. Wallace states, â€Å"The evening after I heard that Joseph Klein had died in a fire†¦ †1. The events that follow the death of Klein bring the community together. In some way, the death overshadows the conflicts that were in the community. For insta nce, the narrator calls many people who had been silent from the community for a significant time. Martha insists they call, Joseph’s father, Walter. ... The silence between them portrays the conflict that characterizes the other members of the community. On the other hand, the love that holds them reflects the greater love that brings the community together even in times of grief. The love comes out even in the case of conflicts. For instance, Joseph Klein was not such a loveable character in the narration. His violent ways could have made many to shun him. However, his death revels that in spite of his traits, the members of the community still appreciated him. The conflict in this case comes in the fear they had over him. Wallace states, â€Å"We had all been powerless where Joseph was concerned.†2 This highlights the fear the Joseph evoked amongst his community members. However, the love is later revealed when it is stated, â€Å"So Martha and I sent the proper flowers and condolences to the family and called a few other people we thought should know.†3 This reflects the twists that characterized the communityâ€℠¢s culture. When Joseph was alive, he could have passed for a bad character in terms of behavioral traits, however, the community members assume this on his death. The love in the community makes them overlook what could have been viewed as secrets. Joseph was not a character whose behavior was unacceptable. Therefore, it appears rather ironical that his death causes a stir in the community. The anticipation would have been his death could have been celebrated. The culture reveals that secrets are overlooked. The plausible reason could have been that the overall feeling of love could have been the cause. Love is brought through relationships as well. For instance, the relationship between the

Fine Arts Lesson 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Fine Arts Lesson 2 - Essay Example This is because meaning to symbols has to be given otherwise the other person would not be able to understand the context of the message. In the above pictogram, the reader would have the context of the English language in mind so he would not have to depend on any key. Pictograms in today’s world are used as symbols and icons. They are employed in sign language, as icons in our computers and also as road signs. The use of pictogram in such areas goes away with the need for words that would occupy more space and would require more time to read. In case of road signs such as U-turn and Danger signs, the viewer reads these signs quickly and thus response is fast. Part 2: Art as a Window into Culture The Seated Gudea is a sculpture of Mesopotamian King Gudea of Lagash, belonging to the Neo-Sumerian period. The sculpture was commissioned by the King himself but the sculptor is unknown. In this sculpture, the king is depicted as a pious person who remains seated with hands clasped in a prayer-like position. Inscriptions are seen on the robe of the King, telling the story of the King who built the temple. The Akkadian relief sculpture of King Naram-Sin of Akkad depicts the victory of King Naram-Sin over the Lullubi. This relief sculpture was probably intended to become a monument. Both the sculptures are praise to their Kings. In the ancient times, the Kings used art to express their greatness. However, the subject of both the paintings is different in a manner of their emotions. King Gudea is shown as a humble person whose contribution to his people is the building of the temple. Gudea is depicted in this sculpture as a humble and peaceful person. In the case of King Naram-Sin of Akkad, the King is the opposite of humble as he basks in the light of his victory over the Lullubi. The King here is proud of his accomplishments and believes in his own might. This shows how the cultures differed as Gudea had strong religious beliefs while King Naram-Sin was sure of his own capabilities. 3. Reflection Assignment: The Evolution of Pyramid Design Pyramids were built in Ancient Egypt primarily for the purpose of serving as tombs for the Pharaohs, their queens and their entire ruling family. However, these Pyramids represent the architectural geniuses of the people who built these structures. Pyramids are great collectors of energy. Another seemingly interesting fact about the shape of the pyramids is the method of decomposition that occurs to the bodies inside the tomb. Rather than stinking or smelling, these pyramid structures lead to the mummification of the body. The Pyramids of Giza are the most functional and elaborate of the Pyramid Design. The Pyramids of Khufu and Cheops in Giza are built based on the Earth’s basic geophysical data linked with the Pyramid’s dimensions. Also being the largest pyramid, The Pyramid of Khufu also acts as radar. Thus these Pyramids not just serve the purpose of being tombs but in the greater cont ext are architectural relics. 4. Writing Assignment: Lasting Monuments One monument that I believe would be a lasting monument in this age would be the Sydney Opera House located in Sydney, Australia. There are two reasons behind this choice. The first is apparently the architectural beauty of the building. The building has become an icon for Sydney in the same way that people remember India by its Taj Mahal,

The Process of Making a Simple Metallic Water Bucket Essay Example for Free

The Process of Making a Simple Metallic Water Bucket Essay While there are many designs of water buckets in the market made of either plastic or metal, there is the universal design that manufactures tend to use with modifications put in order to create a distinction between this manufacturer and the others. This universal design is the V-shaped bucket, which has got the bottom circumference slightly smaller than the top circumference. Those made of plastic may have or may not have a lid, but the metallic ones do not have lids unless in extreme cases. In a metal-work workshop there are dangerous tools and materials which can cause fatal injuries if the proper safety precautions are not adhered to; therefore one should carefully follow the instructions -that govern the use of any tool. The procedure of making a simple metallic bucket may vary from one manufacturer to another but generally it involves four stages namely; (1) Measurement and Marking stage; (2) Cutting stage; (3) Folding stage, and; (4) Joining Stage. In the MEASUREMENT stage, the correct sizes of the parts that make up the bucket i. e. the bottom part, the curved part that forms the body of a bucket, and the handle are measured and marked on metallic sheets. A metallic measuring tape, inside and outside calipers, and marking knife will be most appropriate tools used in this stage. The measured and marked parts are then carefully CUT using either a cold chisel or metal-work scissors depending on the density of the metal sheet. The next stage involves FOLDING of the cut pieces in order to prepare them for the final stage. Pliers, anvil, measuring tape, and metal-work hammer are the most appropriate tools in this stage. The folded metal pieces are then JOINED together using the most appropriate joint i. e. that is simple and can hold on for along time, double seamed joint may be preferred than riveted joint. The handle is also fixed at this stage; a curved handle may be used because it tends to resist breaking rather than that with edges. Assignment #2 Definition of abstract nouns Nouns to be defined: Loyalty, Bravery, Shyness, Faith. Loyalty: Human beings were created in the image of God, they were given the authority to subdue the earth and they were given rules that governed their relationship with God, among these rules were that they should not eat the fruits of the tree in the middle of the Garden of Eden. God expected them to be faithful (loyal) to him, however, they were deceived by the devil into eating the forbidden fruits and as a result they were heavily punished. In almost every activity we undertake are governed by rules and regulations which we are bound to follow, the Loyalty, devotion, dependent, honest or faithfulness to a cause, thing, person, or to the set rules ensures that we do not rub shoulders with the setting authority or even we do not get punished (suffer). The concept of loyalty is a crucial element of moral ethics that govern the lives of human beings, all the other virtues that makes up a morally upright human being has got their origin to loyalty. For instance, if one is loyal to his/her creator then definitely s/he will love others, help those with problems, respect others etc, in short s/he will be an all round person in regards i. e. being loyal to both earthly and heavenly rules. Jesus Christ asserted that no one should serve two masters at the same time, because s/he will end up loving the one more while hating the other, s/he will devote much time to the one and despise the other. [Mathew 6:24] He explained that serving two masters at the same time will lead to a state of double mindedness and therefore undermine loyalty to a cause. [James 4:8] This therefore forms the basis of loyalty; the very act of showing a hundred percent devotion, faithfulness†¦ to a cause. Disloyalty is the opposite of loyalty; its meaning is therefore the complete opposite of the meaning of loyalty! Assignment #3 Comparing and Contrasting Soccer vs. Hockey Soccer or football is one of the oldest sports believed to have originated from the ancient Greece when young boys used to kick the bladders of slaughtered animals. [historyofsoccer. net/] On the other hand, Hockey, basically referred to as â€Å"the ball and stick game† was played since ancient times in diverse places like Egypt, Scotland, South America and Rome. [historyofhockey. net/] The two sport disciplines vary greatly in many aspects. Using the sequencing method of comparing and contrasting, these variances can be best depicted. Soccer is a sport that is played by eleven players using feet, head, chest and hands for a normal play duration of 90 minutes (divided in two halves of 45 minutes each), while hockey is played by eleven players using sticks, for normal match duration of 70 minutes ( divided in two halves of 35 minutes each). Soccer pitch is larger in size as compared to hockey pitch with measurements ranging from, 100-110m as length and 64-75m as width while hockey pitch measures 75m as length and 35m as width. Soccer ball is made of leather or synthetic material and it is filled with pressure while hockey has a cork that is small in size and it is made of hard material. Soccer players wear jerseys, shorts, shin guards, socks and boots with long studs with the goalkeeper wearing gloves in addition to those other attire, while in hockey a players jerseys, shorts, shin guards, socks and boots with short studs with goalkeeper wearing an helmet, chest guard, loin guard, shin guards, gloves, and large plastic footwear as the extra protective attire. Whereas kicking of the ball is one of the major skills in a game of soccer, in hockey kicking of the cork is a gross violation except when done by a goalkeeper. In soccer aerial balls (passes) are allowed while in a game of hockey balls which are above the waist are considered as dangerous play and are usually penalized. Soccer is run by the FIFA (federation international de football association), while hockey is run by the FIH (federation of international hockey). Assignment #4 Summarizing References: New International Bible, accessed on January 26, 2009 Hokey history, available; http://www. historyofhockey. net/, accessed on January 26, 2009 Soccer history, available at; http://www. historyofsoccer. net/, accessed on January 26, 2009

Nature and process of communication

Nature and process of communication Explain the Nature and Process of Communication 1.1 COMMUNICATION IS INTEGRAL TO HUMAN LIFE. Communication is deeply intertwined with the human existence. It is an integral part of it. One cannot think of human life without communication. Can you imagine what would happen if you are not allowed to talk for a long time? You would feel suffocated. In personal life, we need to communicate to deal with various concerns and problems of daily life. In professional life also, it is communication that helps us to build healthy relations and credibility with co-workers. Only speaking/talking is not communication. Communication can take place in many forms. Sometimes, we communicate by talking about our ideas, thoughts or emotions; at other times, we may wish to communicate through the written word or even non-verbally. Whatever form we choose, getting the message across is what communication is all about. Communication is a process that is dynamic, continuous, and irreversible but at the same time, it is reciprocal in nature. It is an ongoing process. Roughly, we can define communication as a shared meaning between two or more individuals. The shared meaning arises out of the individuals experiences, background, education and training. Similarity in experiences, background, training, etc. makes communication successful between individuals. Communication helps us to understand others. The inability to communicate can lead to a lot of problems both personally and professionally. Imagine a day without communicating! We can instantly feel the void it would create. Can we ever forget that it is our ability to communicate verbally that distinguishes us from animals? Communication helps form a powerful bond among people and makes us social beings. Besides, knowledge is not the sole requirement for the achievement of success. A person may possess good knowledge, but his/her performance will be evaluated largely on the basis of his/her ability to communicate. Therefore, if you are a good communicator, you have better chances of success in life and in business. 1.2 COMMUNICATION FOR BUSINESS Communication has become indispensable today. Human activity will come to a standstill if there is no communication. All human transactions become possible only through communication. It is the life-blood of every business organization. Especially in todays globalized market economy, effective communication is vital to the success and survival of any organization. Businesses need people with good communication skills because communication is an essential part of the kind of work that is done in business organizations. It extends across all areas of business, including managerial, technical, clerical and social positions. In present times, several factors have contributed to the significance of communication. They are- faster means of communication because of scientific and technological advancements shrinking geographical boundaries because of the availability of faster means of transport growth of the multinational companies that has resulted in the creation of a globalized market economy generation of highly advanced management techniques as a result of the growing importance of professionalism in the management of business the information revolution that has brought with it highly sophisticated networking technologies multiplication of systems of communication at all levels of organization because of specialized knowledge that has lead to departmentalization advancements in the field of social sciences such as in psychology and in sociology that have created an awareness about the human mind and behaviour and how they influence communication Communication undertaken by a business organization with the purpose of achieving certain specific goals is known as business communication. In fact, business communication is a special type of communication undertaken to meet the needs of the organization. Powerful concepts in modern management like participation, motivation, involvement revolve around communication. According to R. Ludlow, Business communication is a process of transfer of information and understanding between different parts and people of a business organization. It consists of various modes and media involved in communication interchanges. Effective communication is needed for growth and development of any organization. H.G. Hicks has rightly pointed out- Communication is basic to an organizations existence from birth of the organization; when communication stops, organized activity ceases to exist. Improving communication skills improves the chances for success of a business. Effective communication brings progress and prosperity to it. Moreover, in this age of specialization, planning, production, sales, advertising, finance, welfare, etc. are handled by different departments. In absence of effective communication, there would be a serious problem of co-ordination among these departments and there would only be chaos and confusion in the organization. Communication is also quite significant keeping in mind the growing importance of human relations and human resource management in todays world. Communication helps a manager in developing meaningful relationships with the subordinates, changing their attitudes, boosting their morale and soliciting their cooperation. Communication links people together to achieve common goals. It is also required to maintain good public relations. Thus, executives are often expected to give speeches and interviews to the media in order to project a favourable image of the organization. Effective communication is required to handle various crises and conflicts of interests in an organization. It is also needed in order to impart adequate training to the employees in handling latest technology. Subordinates often resent the introduction of changes in the methods of working. This poses a challenge to the management to educate the employees so that they can smoothly adapt to the dynamic character of the organization. They also have to work at alleviating the fear that these changes are likely to generate unemployment. Thus, effective communication can help in changing the negative attitude of the employees towards technological advancement. It facilitates meetings which play an important role in the functioning of an organization. Effective business communication depends not only on the skills of the sender of the message but also on the skills of the one who receives that message. Thus, one may say that communication is not an end in itself; rather, it is a means to achieve an end. (For more details, refer 1.6 Objectives of Communication) 1.3 PRE-REQUISITES OF COMMUNICATION Now the question is- What is communication and how it can be accomplished? What do we require to carry out communication? Hence, prior to looking at the meaning of communication, it would be helpful to know how we prepare for it. For instance, you want to write a letter. What all do you need for it? A piece of paper. A pen. A desk for support. Is there anything else that you require besides these things? Certainly you do. You need to dwell on three important things- 1. Purpose 2. Content 3. Skills These three precede all speaking or writing. WHAT TO COMMUNICATE- CONTENT Information Observation/ Receive by Select/Reject Think and Understanding Attention listening or as per your evaluate results into by reading interest, need the information knowledge or expectation This is how information is processed in to being knowledge. Knowledge generates in you the confidence to communicate. If you are well prepared with the content, then half the work is done. It is the urge to express something that begins communication. It can be an idea, an emotion, an opinion or some information. Without this basic idea/need, there can be no communication. However, we do not communicate whatever comes to our mind immediately. There is a need to plan- what to communicate, how to communicate and whom to communicate it to. We do not communicate without a purpose; therefore, it is essential to answer these questions before actually communicating. This helps us to communicate effectively and to get a desirable response from the person with whom we are exchanging our ideas. WHY TO COMMUNICATE- PURPOSE Speakers/ will hear/see Purpose of Writers Listener/ Communication Expectation Reader will listen/read will understand will act/respond THE PURPOSE IS FULFILLED Purpose is the primary pre-requisite of all meaningful communication. The sender initiates communication with some purpose i.e. expectation. S/he expects the receiver to hear/see his message, to listen/read it attentively, to understand it and to act/respond to it. When the receiver gives feedback or performs the expected action, then communication is said to be successful. However, the response would depend on various factors like concentration, physical surroundings and psychological makeup of the receiver. The next question is- how do we communicate? Communication does not just mean speaking or writing. We are communicating even when we smile or shrug our shoulders. However, when we decide to communicate, we need some medium through which to transfer that idea to the other person. HOW TO COMMUNICATE- SKILLS You may possess good knowledge and may be ready to convey it but if you do not know how to do it, it would not be effective. Poor speaking or writing skills is a real hurdle in communication. Speaking Skills Read aloud: Take a small piece of writing from a newspaper, magazine or a book and read it out loud. This will help you to know how you speak- your voice tone, pitch, etc. Observe: Observe how people speak- their pronunciation, accent, intonation, stress, style, rhythm, etc. Try to emulate the speaking style of good speakers. This will help you to improve your own style of speaking. (For a detailed note on speaking skills, writing skills and non-verbal communication, refer Chapter 2 Types of Communication.) Just the idea/information that the communicator has, the media of transmission available and the presence of the receiver are not enough for communication to take place. We need a proper context and an atmosphere where there are no hindrances in the communication process. Does communication end after the idea is communicated? As stated earlier, we communicate with a purpose. Expression of the idea/information is half the work done. But communication is considered complete only when there is some response from the receiver. Only then we can say that the purpose of communication is fulfilled. Communication involves three basic activities on the part of both the participants i.e. the sender and the receiver. On the senders part, they are- Thinking to develop the content to form a message Speaking/Writing to convey the message to the other person Feeling to make the message persuasive On the receivers part, the activities include- Listening/Reading to absorb the idea/information contained in the message Interpreting to understand the meaning of the message Responding to convey the acceptance or the disagreement with the message Communication has always been an important part of human life. Language and the ability to express ourselves using that language come to us spontaneously. And the need to communicate is so inherent in human nature that we hardly realize that effective communication skills can be acquired and honed. There are four basic communication skills- speaking, writing, listening and reading. They always work in the following adjacency pairs- Speaking/writing is handled by the sender of the message and listening/reading by the receiver of the message. Mastering these four skills is very essential if one wants to become an effective communicator. As children, we learn to speak by listening first. Thus, listening is the first skill that we acquire as we develop the language instinct. Then follows the reading skills once we start schooling and lastly we learn the writing skills as a part of our formal education. Thus, learning language/s and the related communication skills follow a systematic process. It does not happen accidentally and instantaneously. Despite of this, people often turn out to be poor communicators as most of us tend to take its importance for granted. Most of the time, we fail to achieve our objective while we communicate. This happens because of our failure to convey our ideas in a precise and clearly understandable manner. There may be a lack either in the content of the message or in the way in which it is conveyed to the intended audience, or both. The point is we do not normally focus much on what to communicate, when to communicate and how to communicate. Also, we need to consider another equally important aspect why to communicate i.e. the purpose. Thus, it is very important for us to recognize and study the essential elements involved in the process of communication in order to become effective communicators. Every aspect of life, whether personal, social or professional, involves communication. The basic meaning of the word communication is- an exchange of thoughts, messages, or information, as by speech, signals, writing, or behaviour. The meaning of the word has not undergone much change. However, the ways and means of communication have changed greatly as a result of technological and other socio-cultural developments in recent times. Thus, these advancements have added numerous new dimensions to the communication process, which has become more complex over a period of time. It, thus, calls for a detailed study of the various components that are involved in it in order to be able to communicate effectively. 1.4 DEFINING COMMUNICATION In order to understand the term communication, it would be useful to have a look at some definitions given by the experts. The word communication is derived from the Latin word communis which means to transmit, to impart, to exchange, to share, or to convey. Communication means the imparting or exchanging of information by speaking, writing, or using some other medium. (Oxford English Dictionary) Communication is a two-way process of reaching mutual understanding, in which participants not only exchange (encode-decode) information but also create and share meaning. (Business Dictionary) According to Newman and Summer, Communication is an exchange of facts, ideas, opinions or emotions by two or more persons. Keith Davis states Communication is a process of passing information and understanding from one person to another. F.G. Meyer defines communication as the intercourse by words, letters or messages, the intercourse of thoughts or opinions. It is the act of making ones ideas and opinions known to others. In the words of Theo Haimann, Communication is the process of passing information and understanding from one person to anotherà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ it is the process of imparting ideas and making oneself understood by others. According to C.G. Brown, Communication has been defined as the transfer of information from one person to another, whether or not it elicits confidence or becomes an exchange or interchange. But the information transferred must be understandable to the receiver. William Scott defines communication as a process which involves the transmission and accurate replication of ideas ensured by feedback for the purpose of eliciting actions which will accomplish organizational goals. Louis A. Allen says, Communication is the sum of all the things which a person does when he wants to create understanding in the mind of another. It involves a systematic and continuous process of telling, listening, and understanding. According to McFarland, Communication may be broadly defined as the process of meaningful interaction among human beings. More specifically, it is a process by which meanings are perceived and understanding is reached among human beings. These definitions explain communication as a process of passing information and understanding (Keith Davis) a two-way process of reaching mutual understanding (Business Dictionary) the act of making ones ideas and opinions known to others (F.G. Meyer) the process of imparting ideas and making oneself understood by others (Theo Haimann) the transmission and accurate replication of ideas ensured by feedback for the purpose of eliciting actions (William Scott) a systematic and continuous process of telling, listening, and understanding (Louis A. Allen) a process by which meanings are perceived and understanding is reached among human beings (McFarland) Thus, these definitions adequately highlight and express in concise form the important features of the process of communication. In short, we can define communication as a process in which two or more elements of a system interact in order to achieve a desired outcome or goal. (Larry L. Barker and Deborah A. Gaut, Communication; 2001) 1.5 FEATURES OF COMMUNICATION On the basis of the above discussion, let us now discuss certain important features of the process of communication. 1. It is an exchange of ideas. Communication is the process through which an exchange of information takes place. It is the sharing of information, ideas, concepts and messages. 2. Two parties are involved in it. In communication, the exchange of information takes place between two or more persons. This implies that there are minimum two people involved in the communication process at any given time. The one who initiates the exchange is the sender of the message (speaker/writer) and the one who receives and interprets it is the receiver of the message (listener/reader). 3. It is a two-way process. Communication is a two-way process of exchanging ideas or information. One person alone cannot carry out communication. When you communicate, there has to be a receiver or an audience that would reciprocate. Then only your communication can be complete. Thus, communication is a process of transmitting and receiving verbal and non-verbal messages. It is considered effective only when it achieves the desired reaction or response from the receiver. The response may be positive or negative. In case of absence of any response, communication is incomplete. Thus, communication is effective only when a concise and clear message is delivered well, received successfully, understood fully, and responded to promptly. 1.6 OBJECTIVES OF COMMUNICATION There is no human action that is done without any purpose. Even the simplest and most natural action like breathing has a purpose- to stay alive. Communication is also always carried out with some purpose. (Refer 1.3 Pre-requisites of Communication) Communication begins with two-fold objectives or purposes that occupy the senders mind: Immediate or Primary to convey or to share Objectives information of Communication Ultimate or Secondary to convince or to persuade people To inform and to persuade are the two basic purposes (goals) that are ever present in the mind of a communicator. Sometimes, he seeks only to inform, as in scientific writings; sometimes, his goal is to persuade the reader, as in journalistic writings; and oftentimes, he wants both to inform and to persuade the reader, as in sales letters, advertisements, etc. Communication is vital to business. The communication activities of an organization fall into three broad categories: 1. Intra-organisational Communication FORMAL Business 2. Inter-organisational Communication Communication 3. Personal INFORMAL Communication 1. Intra-Organisational Communication It is communication within an organization. It is done to implement business plans. It takes many forms like orders, instructions, reports, emails, etc. 2. Inter-Organisational Communication It is communication that a business organization does with people outside the organization i.e. with other companies, customers, clients, general public, etc. It takes the form of planned publicity to improve its image and public relations with the help of business messages, advertising, displays, etc. The success of a business depends on its ability to fulfill the customers needs. Besides providing services, it must communicate effectively with outside people and groups for its success. 3. Personal Communication It is communication without a specific business objective i.e. without an ulterior motive or purpose. Man is a social animal, therefore we have a compulsive need to communicate even when we have nothing substantial to convey. Such communication also occurs in the workplace. For example, personal conversations, gossip, Grapevine phenomenon, etc. If one is not allowed to engage in such casual communication, it may lead to frustration and other such psychological problems. (For a more detailed discussion on corporate communication, refer Chapter 7 Formal and Informal Networks of Communication.) The primary objective of communication is to convey or share information. Business organizations have to deal with a large and varied amount of information on a daily basis in order to conduct various business activities. Thus, proper flow of information helps them to make right decisions. Another equally important objective of communication is to persuade people to accept a point of view or to change their attitude and accept a new or modified attitude. Persuasion is achieved through logical arguments or an emotional appeal to accept the change. Advertisements are an apt example of the persuasive nature of communication. Essentially, all communication is a deliberate and intentional act of persuasion. A communicator wants the reader not only to understand the message but also to be influenced as intended by him. (For a detailed discussion, refer 10.6 Persuasive Communication, Chapter 10 Nature of Attitude and its Influence on Communication) Communication helps to convey information from experts to trainees in an organization for the purpose of educating or training them to handle new technology or to adapt to the changes in the work environment. Communication is an effective tool in the hands of the managers to motivate and to boost the morale of the employees. This enables the organization to achieve higher productivity. Through advice and counseling, the management can help the employees in dealing with their emotional problems as well as problems pertaining to maladjustment and also to give career guidance. By means of letters of appreciation, special mention in reports, minutes of meetings, etc., the management can appreciate the work of the employees. In case of strikes, lockouts, and dismissal of individual employees or disciplinary action against them, the management uses communication channels to issue warnings. Communication also helps in co-ordination of intra-organisational activities, inter-organisational transactions, business transactions, and commercial transactions by means of conferences, meetings, advertisements, requests, suggestions, reviews, and discussions. Without communication, coordinating the activities of different persons engaged in running a business is a remote possibility. The management and the subordinates come closer through communication. Communication promotes cooperation and good industrial relations as it conveys feelings, ideas, opinions, and viewpoints of one party to the other party. The policies and programs formulated by the organization to guide the workforce have to be conveyed to those who are responsible for the execution of work to achieve the organizational objectives. Only effective communication can translate the plans into actions. It aids teamwork by enabling people to work together. It helps perform basic management functions like instructing, coordinating, staffing, planning, etc. Thus, these are the few important objectives of communication in the context of business organizations. So far, we have discussed what comprises communication and the significance of communication in our personal, social as well professional life. We have also highlighted some of the fundamentals of communication. Let us now analyse the process of communication and see how it is accomplished. 1.7 PROCESS OF COMMUNICATION Process is a series of things done to achieve something. Communication also follows a process. Communication begins when the sender/encoder identifies the need to communicate some idea/concept/information. He then encodes/formulates it into a message using a medium which can be understood by the receiver/decoder of the message who in turn processes it in his mind and responds to it. When the decoder understands the message completely, fidelity of communication is said to be 100% and the communication process is said to be complete. (Refer David Berlos Model of Communication) Thus, communication is a two-way process. Fidelity of Communication Idea Idea Concept Encoder Medium Decoder Concept Message Message Information Information Fidelity of Communication David Berlos Model of Communication If necessary, the receiver may send a reply or may respond or react to the message. This response or reaction is also known as feedback. But sometimes, there may be no response at all from the receiver even if it is required. Absence of feedback can be attributed to either of the following reasons- a) the message does not reach the receiver or b) the receiver fails to understand the message. Such situations may arise due to the presence of some factor/s that can- a) obstruct the message from being transmitted or b) distort the meaning of the message. The factors that hamper the flow of communication are known as barriers to communication. (Refer Chapter 4 Resolving Barriers to Communication) Communication occurs in five phases and it consists of the following eight components which are inter-related: Idea Sender/Encoder (Speaker/Writer) Encoding Message Channel and Medium Receiver/Decoder (Reader/Listener) Decoding Feedback Let us now discuss in detail the various stages and elements involved in the communication process. PHASE I- IDEATING: 1) Idea Every message whether oral or written has its origin in an idea that germinates in the mind of the sender of the message. Every idea refers to some context. Context is a common frame of reference within which the sender and the receiver communicate with each other. Thus, the idea or information that the sender wants to convey to the receiver is the source of the message in the communication process. 2) Sender/Encoder The person who initiates the communication process is referred to as the encoder. The process of communication begins with the sender who identifies the need to communicate. He may want to inform or to persuade or to influence or to make the receiver take a particular course of action. The sender must have a clear picture in his mind about what he wants to communicate and should accordingly select symbols, words, images, etc. that would best convey his ideas to the receiver. He must identify his audience and formulate the message in such a way that the receiver understands fully what he intends to convey and interprets it within the same context. PHASE II- ENCODING: 3) Encoding Encoding takes place when the sender formulates his idea into a message to be transmitted to the receiver, using a series of symbols- verbal and/or non-verbal, written or oral. The sender should encode his message keeping in mind the purpose of communication and he should select words or symbols so as to make the receiver understand the communication correctly and to achieve the expected feedback. The sender as well as the receiver should attach the same meaning to the symbols or words, otherwise communication would fail. Thus, proper encoding is essential for successful communication. 4) Message That which is encoded, i.e. the idea/concept/information, is the message. Message is an idea transformed into words. It can be expressed in different ways depending on the subject-matter, purpose, audience, personal style and cultural background of the sender. It can be transmitted effectively only when it is well-formulated, clear, and complete in itself. PHASE III- TRANSMITTING: 5) Channel and Medium An appropriate medium chosen to send the message is known as channel. It is the vehicle which facilitates the sender to convey the message to the receiver. Channel is the system used to transmit a message, whereas medium is one of the forms or types used under that system. For example, oral communication is a channel and telephone conversation (a form of oral communication) is a medium. There are three broad channels of communication and there are several media under each- Channel Medium 1. Oral face-to-face conversation, telephone conversation, audio-tapes, voice mail, etc. 2. Written letters, memos, reports, manuals, notices, circulars, questionnaires, minutes, email, fax, etc. 3. Audio-visual cinema, television, video-tapes, video conferences, video chat, etc. Thus, there is a difference between medium and channel. The sender should decide the best possible channel and medium to transmit the message. The selection of an appropriate channel/medium would be influenced by the following factors- a) the nature of the message, b) the urgency of the message, c) the number of receivers, d) the cost factor, and e) the relationship between the sender and the receiver. PHASE IV- RECEIVING: 6) Receiver/Decoder The person who receives the encoded message is referred to as the decoder. He is the intended audience of the message. The receiver may be an individual or a group of individuals. As communication is a two-w