Literary Analysis Of The Tell Tale Heart - 1289 Words

Among the many strange and complex short stories of Poe, The Tell-Tale Heart has come to be known as one of the most mysterious and psychologically intriguing. Poes preoccupations with death, with madness, and with troubled human relationships all find their culmination in this brief narrative. The murder of the old man and its aftermath, which form the center of the story, are told with dazzling clarity, a clarity that itself obscures the meaning of the act and calls into question the emotional stability of the unnamed narrator. The subjectivism of this story, the confusion of the line between reader and character within the narrative, and the use of language support the claim that Poe prefigures and indeed develops many of the tropes†¦show more content†¦These two stories mark Poes increasing interest in and ability to portray the psychologically gruesome and the supernatural, as well as his return to poetry. The sparse plot of The Tell-Tale Heart concerns the murder aforethought of an old man, who is never named nor described fully, by the narrator, who is also never identified. Its narration is clearly retrospective but otherwise unlocated; the circumstances of the confession of this crime are never described, and so it seems that the narrator is speaking directly and passionately to the reader. The sequence of events is simple enough: the narrator is disturbed by the eye of an old man; he complains that one of his eyes resembled that of a vulture—a pale blue eye, with a film over it. The narrator decides to rid himself of this eye by killing the old man. This is accomplished after seven painstaking nights of creeping into the mans room in order to see if the offending eye is open. It is only on the eighth night that the old man opens his eyes, and the crime is committed. How the man is actually killed is not described in detail: the narrator merelyShow MoreRelatedLiterary Analys is Of The Tell Tale Heart 1072 Words   |  5 PagesMason Wright Professor Ward English 1101 Oct 2nd, 2015 Literary Analysis: The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe In Edgar Allan Poe’s The Tell-Tale Heart, a story is told of a man whom is not named but I willrefer to as the narrator. The narrator is often quite nervous, however the man tells that â€Å"the disease has sharpened my senses- -not destroyed- -not dulled them†. The narrator tells of an old man, whom the narrator loves, but he plans to kill the old man, for the old man has what the narratorRead MoreEssay on Tell-tale Heart Literary Analysis723 Words   |  3 PagesThe Tell-Tale Heart A Literary Analysis Like many of Poes other works, the Tell-Tale Heart is a dark story. This particular one focuses on the events leading the death of an old man, and the events afterwards. Thats the basics of it, but there are many deep meanings hidden in the three page short story. Poe uses techniques such as first person narrative, irony and style to pull off a believable sense of paranoia. In this particular story, Poe decided to write it in the first person narrativeRead MoreLiterary Analysis Of The Tell Tale Heart725 Words   |  3 PagesEdgar Allen Poe uses the man in our story Tell-Tale Heart, the first-person narrator to relate to human reactions to guilt and temptations while suffering from a mental disability. He conveys this message through various literary devices such as symbol, character, narration and historical context. The main character, our narrator for the story is portrayed by Poe in the opening lines as a rather collected yet disturbed character; voicing his concern for the readers assumption at his insanityRead MoreRole of Realism in Edagar Allan Poe ´s The Tell Tale Heart and The Cask of Amortillado1014 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"The Tell Tale Heart† and â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† written by Edgar Allan Poe are dark short stories relevant to murder, revenge, and mystery. Poe writes both stories in a Gothic style in order to deal with ideas of realism. One may ask were the murders and punishments justifiable in either short story? One may also ask did Poe accurately depict realism in each story? Realism, defined as a technique in literature that accurately represents everyday life, is questioned in Poe’s works: â€Å"The Tell TaleRead MoreEssay about â€Å"The Tell-Tale Heart† 1448 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Å"The Tell-Tale Heart† by Edgar Allan Poe is a first-person narrative short story that features a disguised-cum-mysterious narrator. The narrator does not reveal any interest while proving his innocence regarding the murder of the old man. Moreover, he makes us believe that he is in full control of his mind but yet suffering from a disease that causes him over acuteness of the senses. As we go through the story, we can find his obsession in proving his sanity. The narrator lives with an old man, whoRead MoreThe Tell Tale Heart And The Premature Burial915 Words   |  4 PagesThe Tell-Tale Heart and The Premature Burial are two short stories by Edgar Allan Poe. The Tell-Tale Heart is about the narrator killing an old man. The Premature Burial is about a mans fear of being buried alive. The theme of the two works are closely related to fear and guilt. Poe’s stories have terrifying plots, solid themes and literary criticism. The Tell-Tale heart starts as An unknown narrator says he is nervous but not mad. Then he informs the reader that he will be telling a story aboutRead MoreEssay on Insanity: The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe1165 Words   |  5 Pages â€Å"The Tell-Tale Heart† by Edgar Allan Poe is a first-person narrative short story that showcases an enigmatic and veiled narrator. The storyteller makes us believe that he is in full control of his mind yet he is experiencing a disease that causes him over sensitivity of the senses. As we go through the story, we can find his fascination in proving his sanity. The narrator lives with an old man, who has a clouded, pale blue, vulture-like eye that makes him so helpless that he kills the old man. HeRead MoreThe Tell Tale Heart Analysis1071 Words   |  5 PagesName: Kabita Budhathoki Class: English 1302-63501 Professor: Derec Moore Date: 10/5/2017 The Tell - Tale Heart The Tell-Tale Heart is a short story written by Edgar Allan Poe which reflects the story of an unnamed narrator about his internal conflict and obsession. This story demonstrates the imagination power of a person and how imagination can affect an individual’s life. Here in this story, the narrator commits a murder of an old man with whom he used to live with an unclearRead MoreTell Tale Heart Essay1367 Words   |  6 PagesIn â€Å"Tell Tale Heart,† Edgar Allen Poe develops the plot and creates a mood through the use of metaphors, symbolism, imagery, and foreshadowing. The unique use of said literary devices enables the story to strongly entice the reader’s interest and spark high levels of curiosity. The vivid mental pieces of art are beautifully painted with metaphors, symbolism, and imagery, the tools mastered by the painter, Edgar Allen Poe. The initial analysis will be that of the old man’s eye. Mr. Poe uses veryRead MoreAnalysis of Poes Successes and Failures in Poetry and Fiction1745 Words   |  7 PagesAn Analysis of Poes Successes and Failures in Poetry and Fiction Edgar Allan Poes career may have been a failure considering what he set out to do, but he did achieve some success and notoriety in his own lifetime. His most successful poem was, of course, The Raven, a piece he composed to satisfy popular taste. But some of his short fiction was popular as well. As an editor and publisher, however, Poe did not quite achieve the greatness he sought. His legacy grew only after his death, thanks

Music Piracy Should be Illegal - 644 Words

Many people are in discord with the polemical statement, music piracy should be legalised. It is a topic that provokes arguments, as some believe that it should be free and accessible whereas others believe that it should be paid for and should remain illegitimate. Music piracy is the act of illegally downloading music for free, bilking sites such as iTunes and iMesh that lawfully sell music to millions of people worldwide. It is one of the most frequently committed crimes. According to an article in the newspaper ‘The Guardian’ in 2009, ninety-five per cent of music available online is downloaded illegally with no payments made to the artist and over 40 billion files were illegally shared in 2008. It may be a free service but is it ethical? Is it something that society should continue to do or something that should be discouraged? The downloading of songs using the Internet is a large source of income for musicians. Without this, they would not be earning as much as they currently are. If artists begin to lose money to pay record labels and advertisers, loyal fans end up paying more money to help support their favourite artists. It can be argued that many renowned and creditable musicians earn the majority of their money from t ours and concerts rather than sales. However, there are also an abundant number of musicians who have neither the money nor the fame to go on tour. Therefore, if the revenue from sales is taken away from them, they could be left impecunious andShow MoreRelatedPiracy, The Intellectual Property Rights Of The Recording Industry Association Of America1285 Words   |  6 Pages 1 Piracy is defined as illegally acquiring a private property, in this case, music, without paying for it. Piracy, therefore, violates the intellectual property rights of the recording companies, together called Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The intellectual property right being violated at hand is the copyright laws that the RIAA have. The biggest problem that the RIAA has with this violation is that they believe their sales are declining because of piracy. In fact, theRead MoreIfsm 304 A11344 Words   |  6 PagesSOFTWARE PIRACY IFSM 304 Abstract In the various media industries there are extreme worries concerning unauthorized downloading and copying of their products known as piracy. Piracy of items has been part of commerce for centuries; counterfeiting of currency for example. With the information age the ease at which media can be pirated has caused an explosion of this phenomenon. This practice is an illegal act that is done by individuals for personal use and also for profit. The first doRead MoreThe Digital Music Industry Is Forever Evolving999 Words   |  4 PagesThe digital music industry is forever evolving. The problem of piracy has been created when people began to illegally download music. Music should not be pirated. Piracy can be partially reduced by using various advertising messages encouraging students not to pirate. Music producers should be a given the right to their music. Producers and advertising agencies can work hand in hand to fight the battle of music piracy. The majority of college students may see music piracy as nothing but a way toRead MoreEssay about The Impact of Music Piracy1144 Words   |  5 PagesThe Impact of Music Piracy According to the Recording Industry of America (RIAA) the record industry loses $4.3 billion dollars, worldwide, due to music piracy (RIAA, 2003). The American Federation of Artists claims that on-line music piracy has caused some record store sales to drop by 20% and that 20.6 billion illegal downloads occur every month (AFM, 2004). Many experts believe that music piracy is currently the number one threat to the music industry. RIAA sources claim 278 million peopleRead MoreThe Most Overlooked Crime: Piracy Essay882 Words   |  4 Pages Internet piracy is not a victimless crime. Piracy is a term used to describe the illegal downloading of music, movies, games, and even software online. Although many people don’t feel that piracy is a crime that affects anybody, it really does. People pirate stuff online because it is free and does not require one to run to a store to get their product. People that pirate these things don’t think of the repercussions that go along wit h it. You can have to serve up to 10 years in prison, and payRead MoreSerious Problem of Music and Movie Piracy Essay823 Words   |  4 PagesMovies and music Piracy Piracy became a very serious problem that is facing a lot of people and mostly those who make living or make out profit out of things that could be illegally stolen and published for free. Internet made it so easy to people to get the products and services that they should be paying for in an unethical way so they won’t pay for it but still get them for free , a lot of people wonder why would they pay money on a product while they can have it for free ? and this is why aRead MorePiracy And Its Effects On Online Piracy1630 Words   |  7 Pages â€Æ' IV. Piracy its Effects: Online piracy is another substantial type of a cybercrime. With rapid developments to technology, piracy has become easier and more widespread. Piracy, the act of pirating, is defined as the illegal reproduction, via copying or counterfeiting, of any type of work which includes: software, recordings, or even motion pictures. Although are many ways to pirate material, online piracy is most common. Online piracy uses the internet, and computer technology to illegally reproduceRead More The Growing Problem of Music Piracy Essay1254 Words   |  6 PagesThe Growing Problem of Music Piracy    At the turn of the millenium, the music industry has been faced with an unforeseen phenomenon that has affected its very foundation - mass scale music piracy. The decline of CD sales in the past three years have been blamed on the availability of songs that can be downloaded from Internet sites and service providers like Napster, KaZaA and Morpheus free of charge. Today the issue of intellectual copyright infringement in music has been taken more seriouslyRead MoreThe Corruption of Downloading Music832 Words   |  3 PagesDigitally illegal music file sharing is now mainstream. But should it be legal to those who have broken the law against the music industry and its artists? More specifically by RIAA the criminal can be charged by up to five years of jail time and fines up to $250,000. Some people agree that music files should be digitally shared, so everyone can have easy access to their favorite music without spending a substantial amount of money. But not everyone agrees with this idea. Some people believe thatRead MoreMusic Piracy And Piracy1426 Words   |  6 Pagestoday’s world of conflict and international tension, music can aid to bring people together. This generation enjoys access to extensive communication with people around the world, through calls, text messages, and social media. Social media especially plays a vital role in bringing people from all parts of the world together over common interests and beliefs. Music is playing a major role in the unity of people through social media (Lachman, 2014). Music is often shared through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

How does discrimination affect people with mental illness Free Essays

string(95) " are presenting to psychiatrists claiming to have and seeking a diagnosis of bipolar disorder\." People with mental health problems experience many different types of stigma. This article explores the attitudes and beliefs of the general public towards people with mental illness, and the lived experiences and feelings of service users and their relatives. Keywords: Mental health/Mental illness/Stigma/Discrimination This article has been double-blind peer reviewed 5 key points 1. We will write a custom essay sample on How does discrimination affect people with mental illness? or any similar topic only for you Order Now Stigma can affect many aspects of people’s lives 2. Self-stigma is the process in which people turn stereotypes towards themselves 3. How the general public perceive people with mental health problems depends on their diagnosis 4. Stigma can be a barrier to seeking early treatment, cause relapse and hinder recovery 5. Future research should investigate the experiences of service users and their families to understand and measure the impact of stigma Stigma can pervade the lives of people with mental health problems in many different ways. According to Corrigan (2004), it â€Å"diminishes self-esteem and robs people of social opportunities†. This can include being denied opportunities such as employment or accommodation because of their illness. Stigma in the form of social distancing has been observed when people are unwilling to associate with a person with mental illness. This might include not allowing the person to provide childcare, or declining the offer of a date (Corrigan et al, 2001). Self-discrimination or internalised discrimination is the process in which people with mental health problems turn the stereotypes about mental illness adopted by the public, towards themselves. They assume they will be rejected socially and so believe they are not valued (Livingston and Boyd, 2010). Being discriminated against has a huge impact on self-esteem and confidence. This can increase isolation from society and reinforce feelings of exclusion  and social withdrawal. The Queensland Alliance for Mental Health (2010) observed that people with mental health problems are â€Å"frequently the object of ridicule or derision and are depicted within the media as being violent, impulsive and incompetent†. It also found that the myth surrounding violence has not been dispelled, despite evidence to the contrary. In light of this, the Department of Health (2004) funded a programme called Shift, which aimed to reduce the discrimination that those with mental ill health face. The DH (undated) found that â€Å"many people with mental health problems say that the biggest barrier to getting back on their feet is not the symptoms of illness, but the attitudes of other people†. Reviewing the literature EBSCO was used to access the CINAHL, BNI and MEDLINE databases to search for available literature with the keywords â€Å"discrimination† and â€Å"mental† in article titles. This produced a total of 428 articles. The search was then limited to narrow down the number of results. Limits were applied as follows: Publication date was set between January 2000 and December 2010; Original research studies and journal articles were specified; The age range was limited to over 17 years old. The refined search resulted in 155 articles. In order to assess which articles were relevant, further inclusion and exclusion criteria were set. For example, articles that included the general public’s perception and attitudes towards mental health were included, and only primary research articles were used. Twelve articles matched the criteria. Findings The literature reviewed suggested that the way in which the general public perceive people with mental health problems depends on their diagnosis. Those with schizophrenia are seen as dangerous and unpredictable (Crisp et al, 2000). People with alcohol and drug addictions are not only seen as dangerous, but the public also blame them for their addiction (Crisp et al, 2005). There still seems to be a general consensus that anyone with mental  illness is unreliable, especially in terms of looking after children. Many believe having a mental illness reduces intelligence and the ability to make decisions (Angermeyer and Matschinger, 2005). Discrimination and stimga have been linked to ignorance and studies show the majority of the public have limited knowledge of mental illness, and the knowledge they do have is often factually incorrect. Many still believe schizophrenia means having a split personality. In addition, many do not understand the difference between mental illness and learning disabilities and there is still a common misconception that those with depression can â€Å"snap out of it† (Thornicroft, 2006). Depression and anxiety disorders do not have the same weight attached to them as psychotic illnesses but they are nonetheless stigmatised. People with depression are often seen as lazy and hard to talk to (Thornicroft, 2006). Public opinions seem to be held across the board, with no significant differences in relation to gender, education level and income. However, there were differences between age groups, with those in their teens or early 20s and those over 50 expressing the most negative attitudes (Alonso et al, 2009; Crisp et al, 2005). Crisp et al (2005) noted those in the 16-19-year age range had the most negative attitudes towards people with mental illness, particularly towards those with alcohol and drug addiction. These results are surprising considering widespread reports of young people’s alcohol and drug use. These findings reflect a â€Å"them† and â€Å"us† type of thinking and suggest that many of those who use alcohol and drugs do not consider the possibility that they could become addicted themselves. There were some indications that public opinion had become more positive, suggesting greater tolerance and understanding towards mental illness than in previous years (Angermeyer and Matschinger, 2005). However, these findings should be interpreted with caution; the DH (2001) found huge discrepancies between the views the public expressed in surveys and the actual behaviour as experienced or witnessed by service users and service providers. The media The media have often been accused of sensationalism by portraying mental illness inaccurately in their quest to gain higher ratings. However, the media can also play an important role in reaching out to many different audiences to promote mental health literacy. Celebrities such as Stephen Fry (diagnosed with bipolar disorder) have spoken publicly about their illness and this seems to be effective in reducing stigma (Blenkiron, 2009). Chan and Sireling (2010) described a new phenomenon in which patients are presenting to psychiatrists claiming to have and seeking a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. You read "How does discrimination affect people with mental illness?" in category "Papers" However, the lived experiences of mental health service users tell a different story to the findings on public attitudes. In the articles reviewed service users said they experienced stigmatising attitudes and behaviours in many aspects of their lives. Common themes emerged across the articles. Many people felt stigmatised as soon as they were diagnosed with a mental illness, and attributed this to the way in which their illness had been portrayed in the media (Dinos et al, 2004). Receiving a stigmatising label has such a negative effect on people that the Japanese Society of Psychiatry and Neurology – at the demand of the patients’ families group – changed the name of schizophrenia from â€Å"mind-split-disease† to â€Å"integration disorder† (Sato, 2006). Employment Many people with mental health problems experienced discrimination when applying for jobs. This included trying to explain gaps in their CV due to episodes of mental ill health. They not only experienced stigma when applying for jobs, but also found that when returning to work colleagues treated them differently, with some experiencing bullying, ridicule and demotion. Service users also faced the dilemma of whether to disclose their illness to friends, family, colleagues or future employers. Many felt they could tell their partner or parents about having a mental illness and still feel supported, but only 12% felt able to tell colleagues (Bos et al, 2009). Social stigma Service users reported social discrimination in the community, giving accounts of being physically and verbally attacked by strangers and neighbours, their property being vandalised, or being barred from shops and pubs; those with addictions or psychotic illness tended to experience this more than those with non-psychotic illness. Reports also included examples of being spoken to as if they were stupid or like children, being patronising and, in some instances, having questions addressed to those accompanying them rather than service users themselves (Lyons et al, 2009). Dinos et al (2004) found service users felt a range of emotions surrounding their experiences of discrimination, including anger, depression, fear, anxiety, isolation, guilt, embarrassment and, above all, hurt. Health and relationships Service users also encountered discrimination when accessing services such as GPs. They reported professionals as being dismissive or assuming that physical presentations were â€Å"all in the mind† (Lyons et al, 2009). This can result in reluctance to return for further visits, which can have a detrimental effect on physical health. This is especially significant, as evidence suggests people with mental illness are at greater risk from physical health problems, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and respiratory disease; they also have a higher risk of premature death (Social Exclusion Unit, 2004). Developing mental illness can also lead to breakdowns in relationships with partners, family and friends. The SEU (2004) reported that a quarter of children had been teased or bullied because of their parents’ mental health problems. Evidence shows rates of comorbidity of drug and alcohol use and psychiatric problems are believed to be rising (SEU, 2004). Implications for nursing Stigma can affect many aspects of people’s lives. Even a brief episode of mental illness can have far-reaching effects on wellbeing, disrupting work, families, relationships and social interactions, impacting on the health and wellbeing not just of patients, but also of their families and friends. This can lead to further psychiatric problems such as anxiety and depression. Stigma can be a barrier to seeking early treatment; often people will not seek professional help until their symptoms have become serious. Others disengage from services or therapeutic interventions or stop taking medication, all of which can cause relapse and hinder recovery. If mental illness is treated early enough, it can reduce further ill health, and ultimately the risk of suicide. By intervening at the earliest possible opportunity, people may be able to avoid a full episode of mental ill heath, and retain their jobs, relationships or social standing. The International Council of Nurses (2008) said nurses are fundamental in helping with the â€Å"promotion, prevention, care, treatment and rehabilitation of people living with mental health problems and support of their families and communities†. It is therefore imperative to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and stop these factors impinging on people’s mental wellbeing. The National Service Framework for Mental Health incorporated standards services must follow to provide consistent quality of care (DH, 1999). These included guidance on â€Å"social inclusion, health promotion, tackling stigma and the promotion of opportunities for a normal pattern of daily life†. The DH (2001) concluded that â€Å"everyone has mental health needs, whether or not they have a diagnosis of mental illness†. Box 1 features recommendations of ways to help reduce the stigma experienced by mental health service users. Recommendations As the media can play an important role in reaching out to many people, it is important to work with and educate them to ensure the portrayal of mental illness is factual, impartial and reliable As those aged under 19 years had particularly negative opinions towards all mental illness, attempts should be made to educate this age group about the issue, particularly on the dangers and effects of substance misuse and addiction In order to plan future services and shape policies further research must be undertaken with people who have direct experience of mental illness to gain more understanding of the impact stigma has on their lives Conclusion The literature confirms the public hold negative beliefs about those with mental health problems. Despite national campaigns, there has not been a significant change in the way the public perceive mental illness. While much research has been carried out to explore the public’s perception of mental illness, future research should explore the experiences of service users and their families, carers or people close to them to understand and measure the impact that stigma has on their lives. This, in turn, could help to shape interventions and policies for improved legislation to help stop the discrimination faced by those with mental illness. References: Alonso J et al (2009) Perceived stigma among individuals with common mental disorders. Journal of Affective Disorders; 118: 180-186. Angermeyer MC, Matschinger H (2005) The stigma of mental illness in Germany: A trend analysis. International Journal of Social Psychiatry; 51: 276-284. Blenkiron P (2009) Psychiatry in the Media. London: Royal College of Psychiatrists. Bos AE et al (2009) Mental illness stigma and disclosure: consequences of coming out of the closet. Issues in Mental Health Nursing; 30: 509-513. Chan D, Sireling L (2010) ‘I want to be bipolar’ †¦a new phenomenon. The Psychiatrist; 34: 103-105. Corrigan P (2004) How stigma interferes with mental health care. The American Psychologist; 59: 7, 614-625. Corrigan P et al (2001) Prejudice, social distance, and familiarity with mental illness. Schizophrenia Bulletin; 27: 219-226. Crisp AH et al (2005) Stigmatization of people with mental illnesses: a follow-up study within the Changing Minds campaign of the R oyal College of Psychiatrists. World Psychiatry; 4: 106-113. Crisp AH et al (2000) Stigmatisation of people with mental illnesses. The British Journal of Psychiatry; 177: 4-7. Department of Health (undated) Stigma. How to cite How does discrimination affect people with mental illness?, Essays

Norwegian Black Metal free essay sample

As a direct result of the use of music. Media, and marketing services Is Increasing, the majority of income for the UK recorded music industry is having to be made in ways other than record/single sales. As of now, the UK music industry is having to rely heavily on sourcing Income from the digital markets such as music streaming, social media, and of course, the live music industry. The reliance on these digital platforms for the profit majority have successfully driven up the competition amongst online music retailers.For example, In the midst of their come back HEM has released a digital app which allows users to purchase tracks and albums from the retailer and then download them straight into tunes on their mobile device effectively competing with Apples own Tunes Store. (Ingram, T. 2013). As a result, Apple has removed the HEM application from their app store. Since 2004, the upswing of social media services has expanded exponentially. We will write a custom essay sample on Norwegian Black Metal or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This platform for artists and promoters. As of right now, Three of the top 10 most-liked pages on Backbone are by musicians Iranian, Mine and Shakier.Music also dads the way on Twitter: the top four positions for the most-followed people on the service globally are claimed by musicians Lady Gaga, Justine Bibber, Kathy Perry and Iranian. (BPI, 2013). In contrast, not all the effects of the digital explosion have been positive ones. It is no secret that the sales of CDC have rapidly declined since music has become more and more available in a digital format. Geoff Taylor of BPI insists that The CD still has an important role to play,but the continuing rise of digital is proof that consumers are embracing its immediacy, convenience and breadth of catalogue (Taylor, 2013).Essentially highlighting the appeal in the widespread convenience of online music streaming and downloads. However, with the increased availability of illegal downloading options, which let users access millions of tracks, music videos, and movies for free, it has become extremely hard for artists and other music business professionals to make a profit. Many independent artists and publishers have come up with other creative ways to make money off of their business. For example, I-J Indies band, Frankie and the Heartstrings, have opened up a record/coffee shop where hey work full time.The bands frontal encourages that they have done this in order to try and to engage with people and make them realize the value of actually owning music.. . We Just want to try and make that connect with people and explain to them why its such a cherished item. (Francis, 2013). One thing that has experienced positive growth in the past two years is the sale of vinyl records, which is currently at its highest rate since 1997 (FRUIT, 2013). Many people like Francis, are beginning to learn that selling records alone does not earn enough to sustain a living. Although, according to the BPI 2013 yearbook, more than one in four (27. %) people in the I-J claim to use legitimate digital music services to purchase downloads or stream content. (BPI, 2013). Despite the legal music purchases many people claim to have made, independent music publisher, Rachel Carton states, Rates related to streaming music online are so low that no one can make a living from them (Carton, 2013). The decline in the sales and production of physical music formats has also made an impact on the AMPS, which issues mechanical licensing for music production in the I-J. With less CDC than ever being produced, the demand for mechanical licenses has almost diminished.Earlier this year CEO stated on behalf of the AMPS that [Our] revenue is on a downward path as CD sales continue to decline. Royalty income collected from recorded media licensing in 2011 was III . Mm down 13. 2%. (Ashcroft, 2013). Later, chairperson Peter Cornish revealed that despite collecting royalties of almost Emma for AMPS in 2012 [a figure which included including mechanical royalties from television and radio licensing], the AMPS have en unable to reduce costs as quickly as theyd like. (Cornish, 2013). This had proven to be an alarming downturn for the AMPS and also directly affects the artists that it serves.Thankfully, the AMPS still has the PROS above it, which has continued to successfully gain a profit through issuing performance licenses throughout the I-J. It seems that with the introduction of the digital music age, it has been impossible for any area of the music industry to stay consistent. However, the live music industry each year. (Gammons, 2011). With music more readily available to eager listeners, and at a lower price) festival and concert tickets sell at a higher rate, with a large percentage of attendees traveling to take part.UK Music CEO, Joe Tipple, revealed that the UK music industry is doing a great Job for the British economy, encouraging 6. 5 million tourists who generated EH. 2 billion last year (2012) and that music tourism created over 24,000 Jobs. Overall, it is hard to take a position on whether the UK music industry has changed in a negative or positive way over the last year. The expansion of some areas have caused a great decline in others, but a select and lucky few have figured out says to take advantage of all current music industry markets, and use it for their success and profit.

john warr Essay Example

john warr Essay Civil War Art is a big part of history today.People today us it to remember the war.How did people survive, where did people live, why did we fight are all questions and wonders of people today.Artist these days and back than drew about those questions.It gave people a mental picture on how our world was back than.Also what the Civil War was about.Today there are many artists that paint pictures about the Civil War. Civil War Art is very valuable.It brings back the life of the Civil War.Artist chose the sight or the position of what they are painting.It really affects the final painting.They choose to paint the scars of a direct shell hit.Paintings also of bulges in coats were shown from having a rock lying for so long in their patch pocket.Artist paint mainly only three-quarter of the killed soldiers, paintings show swollen and blotted bodies that have been laying out in the heat for quite a few days. John Warr was one of the many artists today that draw paintings of the Civil War.W arr lives in Northern Alabama.Began Painting in 1980.His interest in the Civil War photos and reenactments.He decided to do a confederate scene.Many of John Warrs paintings have quite a bit of wildlife in them.Which is another of his interest to paint along w/ Civil War Art. Amy Lindenberger another artist that draws scenes of the Civil War.Amy lives in Ohio where she has been painting quite a few of her Civil War paintings.Amy was always interested in Civil War.With her two daughters she became involved with Civil War reenacting.She noticed by reenacting that there is more to the lives of Americans who lived at the time of the War than just what occurred on the battlefield.The war had a big impact on the common soldiers and to the families.She now has a series, which focuses more directly on the wars impact on the common soldier and the families. Dale Gallon was very interested in Civil War Art

Political theory Essays

Political theory Essays Political theory Essay Political theory Essay Anthony Spencer Professor Robinson Political Theory Thought Piece three For a human to lead a truly free life, they must dissolve all ties to civil and social existence and live as an individual. Once you enter into society you give up your right to freedom in exchange for protection from the sovereign state. In doing so you have chosen to be bound by society and its government. That interference in the individuals day-to-day life should be limited in an ideal state, for too much would be a determent to society. The correct proportion of government to freedom is the iggest obstacle to human liberty aside from the individuals themselves. When people elect to come together and create a sovereign state they are giving up their right to act solely as an individual. It is this entrance into the state that is cause for empathy and morality between citizens of the state. In exchange for entering into society the individual is bound, but only by what will cause its death. Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a modern thinker who brought the theory of the social contract and the state of nature with him. The state of nature is the hypothetical, prehistoric place nd time where human beings live uncorrupted by society. The most crucial characteristic of the state of nature is that the citizens have complete physical freedom and are at liberty to essentially do as they wish. Rousseaus principal aim in writing The Social Contract is to determine how freedom may be possible in civil society. By entering into society, we place restraints on our behavior, which make it possible to live in a community. The state of nature is what he refers to as the state when people are truly free. Rousseau strips away all the ideals that centuries of evelopment have imposed on the true nature of man. He comes to the conclusion that many of the ideas we take for granted, such as property, law, and moral inequality; actually have no basis in nature. For Rousseau, modern society generally compares unfavorably to the state of nature. Rousseau is the thinker that imposes on humanity the necessity of a sovereign state, and the morality of thinking that we gain with it. After a state is formed the next most important thing is to ensure the individuals rights within the state, these pretenses can be challenged if the overnments power is too absolute. It is another thinker, John Stuart Mill, who attempts to solve the issue of government becoming too powerful. For Mill government has become too much when it coerces of limits anyones expression of their opinion. Mill emphatically says that such actions are illegitimate. Even if only a sole individual holds a particular opinion, mankind is not Justified in silencing him. Silencing such opinions, Mill says, is wrong because it robs the human race, posterity as well as the existing generation. In particular, it robs those who disagree with these silenced opinions. Freedom of speech means nothing unless it means the freedom of those who think differently. If censorship and oppression become a part of every day life in a society, then it will never prosper or maturate. If the greatest minds in history were ostracized for their thoughts the things we take for granted would no longer be ng e wnlle tne presence or too mucn government Is unaeslraDle tne aosence 0T it is unacceptable. Mill delineates the only time when the authority of society can ustly impede the individual as to prevent from injuring those interests of other people that should be considered rights. Mill contests that; since people receive protection and solidarity from society they owe certain conduct in return. This conduct includes avoiding infringing upon thy neighbors rights. He insinuates that any action is acceptable as long as it does not negatively affect another member of the society. The harm principle is thrust upon us from this notion, and the idea that one cannot do anything that does not affect another in some way. Mill contests that if n action affects no one but the person acting and others by their consent, it should not only be legally permitted but also socially accepted. The argument against such interference is the testament that when the government does decide to intervene, even if in good faith, it will do so wrongly. His last point on the harm principle alludes to his opinion on self-awareness. After describing the perils of government becoming too powerful Mill begins to describe a healthy relationship between society and human liberty. Mill examines the issue of government social programs and ssistance, and when the state should intervene to help the individual. He gives objections to said interference; his initial point being that, the person who is best suited to solve the problem is usually the individual himself or herself. There are evils that arise from giving the state so much power. It stifles human development, because ultimately this lack of development will stifle the state itself. But Mill sees this progress as only able to emerge from an open culture, one free from conformity. Mills main assertion through this part of the text is that if he can do for himself he hould do for himself; any deviation from this would be a detriment to society. In describing the thoughts of Rousseau and Mill and their theories of individuality and society you can draw conclusions about the appropriate relationship of sovereignty to liberty. A healthy relationship between citizen and government can best be described as harmonious and engaged. The citizen should be prudent enough to act within his or her rights without intentionally crossing anothers, for such actions should be punished by the states law enforcement. The state is only as good as each ndividual citizen so active participation in government should be strongly encourage but not mandated for those who are forced to engage in political life will not do so adequately. If the individual feels so disinclined to participate in normal political engagements then his or her grievances against laws past by the sovereign should not be heard. Finally the general welfare of the state will be preserved, and the society will be afforded years of stability if the general public collectively practices common sense and considers the greater good when making decisions.

Analysis of Infinity Games

You are to complete the following task in the order given:   Task A: Carry out user and task analysis. You must have a clear view of the users of this system. Consider that not everyone is comfortable with the technology. For example, you need to deal with user variation such as age or language skills. Perform a user analysis, i.e. characterise the users and identify your potential users. Clearly identify the tasks the potential users perform, and in what order. These are all user interface design considerations that you should take into account.   Task B: Propose design and system requirements. Consolidate your findings from your user and task analysis with the given specifications into a design and system requirements. For example, the number of items to display, the screen size, what colours, how many different screens to display etc.   Task C: Develop a low-fidelity prototype using Storyboard (a minimum of 4 screens). Based on the above requirements, develop a preliminary design of the web user interface. At this stage, the prototype is basically a medium to support your initial concept and ideas. For example, the prototype should show where the ‘Business Hour’ button is located or would it be possible to fit 20 images aesthetically on a single page, etc? You can use paper-based (e.g. paper and colour pencils etc.) or screen based (e.g. painting software) to sketch your design. Low- fidelity prototyping is mainly to allow designers to produce alternative designs expediently without having to go into depth or functionality. Think of low-fidelity prototyping as the 5D tool for: design, draft, decide, discard and do-over.  Ã‚   Task D: Obtain user feedback. Invite 3 – 4 potential users (e.g. friends, family members, classmates, etc.) to provide you with feedback of your low-fidelity prototype (your storyboard). Carry out the evaluation according to prescribed methods as in Chapter 4 of your textbook (Shneiderman & Plaisant, 2010) or from other scholarly source. Use appropriate survey techniques. Analyse the data you have collected from the user evaluation and refine and improve on your initial design.   Task E: Develop high-fidelity prototype based on the user test feedback and recommendations from Task D. The high-fidelity prototype should be a reasonably complete version for the Infinity Games website and does not need to work as a complete website. A minimum of 4 screens should be produced in correspondence to your Task C storyboard. High-fidelity prototype must be computer-drawn and any drawing software is acceptable.   Task F: Write a report. Produce a report to document the tasks and the outcome of your efforts undertaken for the project. Remember, this report is intended for your employers. You need to document and support the viability of your website – that is, to convince your employer that your webpage design is satisfactory and that it meets user acceptance test.   The analysis has been done for the website which is related to infinity games. The website is just a simple and static website which describes the shop layout and the products present in the shop. So, the analysis has been done so that improvements may be done in the website. Different opinions have been taken from different types of users belonging to different age groups, different occupations. It has been analyzed whether the design of the website is adhered to the principles of design or not as bad design is always unpleasant and disturbs the visitors on the website.  Ã‚   The website has been designed to help the customers who have interest in the games, toys or playing cards. This website is designed for gaming business and users who like to visit the website lie in the age group of 15-60 years. The website has been designed with so much simplicity and it is user friendly as anyone can access or understand it easily. All of the design principles for a website are followed in this website. The pages of the website are similar to each other in terms of the background. According to the principles of design, any copyright notice should be kept at the bottom of the website. In this website, copyright notice has been kept at the bottom only as per the design principles. The color of the content should be proper and clear so that user does not find difficulty to read the content of the website. So, color chosen for the website is simple and good which does not affect the user to create complexity. According to the principles, navigation layout must work pro perly i.e. the links should navigate to the proper webpage. Navigation has been done properly in this website. The website has been designed with the use of high quality images and efficient textual description (Wirtz, Jakobs &   Ziefle, 2009).   Tasks in a particular sequence that are usually performed by the users are as follows: This is the first task which is performed by any user. User loads the website by typing the url in address bar or by searching the website on any search engine. This is a very simple task and sometimes varies in terms of duration. Next task to the loading is Reading as user reads the information he sees after loading and checks whether he/she is surfing the right website or not. By reading the information on the loaded main page user is able to understand about the type of website he/she is surfing. This task is also much simple.   This is the third task followed by reading in which user actually starts browsing what they are looking for. For e.g., for this website user looks at the different products on different WebPages and start comparing them on the terms of price, features or compatibility. This task may be performed by the user as many times user wants. This task of navigation gets automatically started once the browsing gets started. Navigation is basically done through links, buttons, menus, actionable items etc. Navigation is easy for those who keep on visiting various websites daily but difficult to understand for those who have little knowledge about computers. The website should adhere to the following design principles:   It should be ensured that the window of the browser should not contain scroll bars, instead only one window should be displayed. It should be kept in mind that all kinds of advertisements, pop-ups and multi level windows should not be opened, their use should be avoided. Navigation to any page should be displayed in bold letters. It should be understandable by the visitor that where he/she is at presently. So, use of navigation must be proper. Menus having drop down hierarchies should be avoided. It is important that the relevant types of graphics must be used. Animations in the website should be used when it is needed, else it should be avoided. Images should be put in the website with the alt tags. Icons used in the website should have a specific meaning and can be identified easily. The content written for the website should be simple and understandable to every visitor. Important information should be highlighted with bolded letters. There should be a clear difference between the links which have been visited and the links which have never been visited. The links which have been visited must be displayed with some other color than the actual color of the link so that it can be identified that it is a visited link. It is to ensure that there should be proper spacing between the names of the links so that they do not over-clutter with each other. It should be kept in mind that the colors which are dark and loud should be avoided for background purpose as there are so many kinds of visitors, the old aged visitor may feel difficulty to read content on the dark colored background. Similarly, the content of color should be kept sound to the background i.e. there should be a good contrast between the color of background and the color of the content so that content might remain readable for all visitors.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A good website always must have a feedback form in the contact us page so that visitor may leave their feedback and the improvements must be made in the website accordingly.   User Acceptance Test has to be done for the website so that designers must know how can be website accepted by the users and if there are any issues, how those issues are to be solved. One of the efficient methods to perform User Acceptance Test is to take feedback from the different users and accordingly bringing up the news ideas and thoughts for the website. So, for this website User’s Feedback has been taken by asking them different questions which are as follows:   Therefore, on the basis of the above questions, feedback has been taken from three different users which is described in the next section. Feedback has been taken from three persons who belong to different occupations and different age groups. Feedback of those three visitors has been described as follows: Person 1 is a 62-years retired professor who is living his life on the pension income. He hardly has knowledge about the computer use. He hardly uses internet, if he does so, he uses it for news and Wikipedia purpose. Since he has little knowledge, so he can also access the simple websites, complex kind of website confuses him. His experience with this website is good as the website has been designed with so much simplicity. So, he did not feel difficulty and could easily surf the site. He rates the website as 8 on the scale of 1-10.   Person 2 is a 19 year old college going boy and usually completes his assignments by surfing on the internet. Therefore, he has a good knowledge about computer and so internet. He may handle even the complex sites as he is aware of navigating the links and browsing the website. When this website was given to him for review, he could easily point out that the website is about gaming business as he has a lot of interest in gaming and all. He told that the website looked so simple and understandable that he got to know about every webpage so easily. He felt that the website should have more of multimedia things and content to make the website look more attractive and catchy. He rates the website as 7 on 10.   Person 3 is a 45 year old homemaker who is graduated but does not earn money. She did not have much knowledge about the computers, but her son taught her the basics of computers and Smartphone. So, now she used to access many of the health related websites, recipe related websites, social networking websites such as facebook or instagram. She used to access the internet daily for 2-3 hours. When the website was given to her, she understood clearly that the website is about playing cards, boards games or toys but she was confused that these products can be bought online or not. She felt the site looks like ecommerce site. So, she recommended that if the website would contain ecommerce features, she would have taken the help from her son or someone else to buy some games. She said that website might look more beautiful and innovative if it becomes more colorful (Darejeh &   Singh, 2013).   Three walkthrough scenarios have been taken for the website considering the home page, contact page, and product pages. Walkthrough scenarios are as follows: As person 1 has little knowledge about computers, so probably he might not make use of navigational menu. But person 2 and 3 used the navigation map to navigate to other webpage while person 1 just used the navigational menus on the top to navigate to the other webpage. Person 2 has also little knowledge of computers but she used to increase her pace as if she is adapted to the websites.   This is a simple walkthrough that might take time from 40 seconds to 1minute. Person1 did not complete this walkthrough while person2 hardly took 25 seconds to complete the walkthrough and person 3 could complete it but took time of around 1 and half minutes. This walkthrough scenario is bit different from the previous scenario and usually takes 1 minute to get complete. Person2 took around 40 seconds to get this walkthrough done while person 1 took around 3 minutes to get this done as he was not aware of going back to the homepage. Person 3 completed this walkthrough in around 2 minutes but she had to reload the entire session for returning to the homepage as she was also not aware of going back to the homepage (Axelsson, 2012).   In this report, principles of the design play a great role in determining the efficiency of the website. It is considered that if website follows the design principles, then the website has good interface else the bad interface leads to the unpleasant impression on the website. This analysis has been done by taking various feedbacks from various visitors so that designers might know where the improvement is required in the website.  Ã‚   Axelsson, A. (2012). Consistency in Web Design from a User Perspective. Bhaskar, N., Naidu, P., Babu, S. and Govindarajulu, P. (2011). General principles of user interface design and websites.  Int J Softw Eng, pp.45--60. Darejeh, A. and Singh, D. (2013). A review on user interface design principles to increase software usability for users with less computer literacy.  Journal of Computer Science, 9(11), p.1443. Wirtz, S., Jakobs, E. and Ziefle, M. (2009). Age-specific usability issues of software interfaces.

International economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

International economics - Essay Example The main advantage of this system was the elimination of the costs of converting currencies and exchange rates uncertainties. This system also brought with it increased transparency, efficiency, and inward investment. Among the disadvantages was the one size fits all policy. When one country was doing badly and the rest were booming economically, the central bank might be interested in increasing the interest rates, this would make the situation worse for the country experiencing a recession. Also some countries may be reluctant to improve their economy with the hope that countries doing well would bail them out. Portugal, Greece and Spain have been the poor performers of the Eurozone. These countries have shown the disadvantages of having a fixed currency regime. Ever since these nations adopted the Euro, they have been unable to implement the required measures for independent monetary policy in order to mitigate the effects of an economic downfall in the Eurozone. European Union leaders have been giving stabilization packages to bail out these countries and maintain stability in the Eurozone but these countries are still lagging behind. Despite the many advantages a fixed currency regime has to offer, Portugal Greece and Spain prove

Worrying Trends for the Global Outsourcing Industry Term Paper

Worrying Trends for the Global Outsourcing Industry - Term Paper Example However, it is a fact that a lot of organizations either multinational on national contract or outsource their jobs like electronic mail services, call center  services and  payroll. Additionally, these services are divided among different organizations that are well experienced in providing service facilities. In addition, these organizations are sometimes located overseas (Thompson, 2011; Turban, Leidner, McLean, & Wetherbe, 2005). In other words, outsourcing is an instance, where some government officials allow criminal persons to obtain license of driving. Since, it involves various security interests, economic effects on the country and political safety issues. That’s why analysis of those trends is necessary, which are affecting the outsourcing industry (Mintz, 2004; Chopra, 2010). Although majority of people has agreed that outsourcing results in creating more jobs at home since organizations are acquiring a lot of benefits from outsourcing aspect. Thus, this trend results in developing extra human resource power. Conversely, occupational dislocation factor along with collective costs survive that ought to be measured well earlier than the development. Hence outsourcing trend warns the long-term feasibility of our trade and industry system as well as the overall educational network (Mintz, 2004; Flecker, 2009; Yakhlef, 2009). Additionally outsourcing is not an ideal trend and trouble-free solution for a corporation. Thus, it is absolutely essential for a corporation to analyze each and every variable of outsourcing before they make choice to utilize this tool for rapid development. Moreover, there are numerous issues associated with outsourcing that could lead a business towards failure. Thus, there is need to assess the profiting margin that is expected from the outsourcing. There are various worrying trends or key issues that organizations can face in outsourcing. Following are some important issues: (Mintz, 2004; Chopra, 2010) Worrying Tren ds or Issues in Outsourcing When we talk about the issues that organizations can face in outsourcing, it is not single one to define. There are lots of issues which need to be discussed. However, one of the most important issues is barriers or basic difficulties that organizations face during outsourcing. Additionally, there are also some non financial issues that include differences in allocation of time regions (for instance, country trimming is different from other countries), variation in language spoken from one country to another is also a key factor, unpredicted civilizing variations in addition to the requirement for information safety are the most important issues that an organization face during outsourcing. According to a research, organizations in United States merely accumulate more than 15% that is equivalent to those funds that might be obtained through outsourcing locally to an economically depressed area (Mintz, 2004; Chopra, 2010). Expenditures and Cost The most im portant aspect that organizations must consider before outsourcing is that they have to be familiar with variations in a number of concealed costs related to outsourcing. Typically these costs may be forgotten by representatives, particularly when they are making a deal with any outside firm. Therefore they must adopt such trends which enforce to plan strategy about the legal expenses during signing deals (Mintz, 2004; Chopra, 2010). Quality Assurance Quality of product is a most adoptable step that most organizations think about before outsourcing. Additionally, organizational executives are always aware of fact that quality insurance is such a hotspot which will become a first priority of organization in

Biological Effects of Methamphetamines Essay Example for Free

Biological Effects of Methamphetamines Essay Methamphetamines affect the human body in a physical and neurological and psychological way. The use of meth can lead to devastating effects to the nervous system for example leaving the user with nervous ticks and body jerks similar to a person suffering from Parkinson’s disease. On a physical level, the user may show skin sores and tooth decay. Last but the not least, the user may develop psychosis including hallucinations and paranoia. Not limited to the self destruction a user will suffer, the family and/or loved ones will also suffer the effects of methamphetamines. Family will suffer, but mostly the children are the ones who will be left alone to deal with this drug that has swept the nation. I will talk about the devastating effects to the family. Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug that affects the abuser physically, psychologically, and neurologically. The history of methamphetamines dates back to 1887 when it was first developed by the Germans. The abuse of amphetamines can be logged back to when the Germans and Japanese would give their factory workers and their soldiers the drug to keep them alert during WWII. The method they used to produce the drug became known as the Nazi or Birth method†. (Meth Awareness and Prevention Project of South Dakota [MAPP-SD], 2000, para. 1) For many years, it was considered a drug in search of a disease because it was not developed for any one particular cure. It wasn’t until 1920 when it was being researched more seriously and then started being used as medication from antidepressants to anti-congestants. Later in the 1930’s it was being sold as Benzedrine, as a nasal spray for congestion. By 1937 amphetamine began to be sold as medication in a tablet form. It is believed that during the â€Å"Great Depression†, because of all the hardship people were going thru, and the availability and easily prescribed drug helped facilitate and/or encouraged the abuse of amphetamines. By 1919, Japan started producing methamphetamine which was cheaper and more potent than amphetamine. It was produced in a crystalline powder form and was able it to be dissolved in water, making it easier for it to be injected. This form of amphetamine is still legally produced in the US and is being sold under the name of Desoxyn. Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, 2010, para. 1-3) The abuse of methamphetamines in the United States seems to have started during the â€Å"Great Depression† and increased during WWI, WWII, and Viet Nam. Many times, amphetamines were prescribed by the government and the military to keep fighting soldiers going. After returning from their tour of duty, many soldiers returned home addicted to the drug. Also during the 5 0’s and 60’s, amphetamines were being used as a weight loss medication. But eventually began to be abused by the users. Today, methamphetamines are abused throughout the US. It has spread like wildfire, starting on the West Coast. Today, meth does not discriminate and will affect every race, culture, age, and socio economic level. Meth users range from the most prestigious political figures, all star athletes, famous celebrities, re-known musicians, honest business men/women, respectable housewives/husbands, honor students, to your street drug dealers and junkies. Many truck drivers and bikers are notorious for abusing meth. They used an old slang term and called them co-pilots because it would keep them up on long road trips. Methamphetamine is taken by snorting it, ingesting it orally, smoking it, or injecting it intravenously. Meth is most commonly found in a crystal form. It’s most common street names are: crystal, speed, ice, and crank. Once taken, meth will give the user a rush or euphoria with the following symptoms; â€Å"†¦increased wakefulness, increased physical activity, decreased appetite, increased respiration, rapid heart rate, irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, and hyperthermia†. National Institute on Drug Abuse [NIDA], n. d. , para. 6). The effects of methamphetamine has on the central nervous system or CNS, will include irritability, insomnia, confusion, paranoia, and aggressiveness. Since it is known that it is difficult for nerve cells to be regenerated after having been damaged, it is a clear indication that use of this drug—in small or large qua ntities—cause irreversible damages in the CNS. In clinical researches, it is found that individuals who have a long history of methamphetamine abuse have reduced levels in dopamine transporters, which are associated with slowed motor skills and weakened memories in the individuals. Abusers who remained abstinent for at least nine months were found to have recovered from damage to their dopamine transporters, but their motor skills and memories were not found to have significantly recovered. Over time abusers of meth appear to cause reduced levels of dopamine, which can result in symptoms like those of Parkinsons disease. They will have uncontrollable jerking and twitching. Asides the harmful damage to the CNS and brain, the abuser may also develop psychotic-like behavior or also known as type-two schizophrenia, which include bizarre behavior and hallucinations, both audible and visual. Anxiety, emotional swings, and paranoia are the most common psychological effects due to chronic use of meth. Symptoms increase with long-term use, and can involve paranoid delusions and hallucinations. Violence and self-destructive behavior are common. Pellowski, 2000) One of the most striking effects of meth is the change in the physical appearance of meth users. The physical effects of meth include skin sores, tooth decay, aging of the skin, and lack of hygiene. Because the use of meth causes the blood vessels to constrict, it cuts off the steady flow of blood to all parts of the body. Heavy usage can weaken and destroy these vessels, causing tissues to become prone to damage and inhibiting the bodys ability to repa ir itself. Acne appears, sores take longer to heal, and the skin loses its luster and elasticity. Some users are covered in small sores, the result of obsessive skin-picking brought on by the hallucination of having bugs crawling beneath the skin, a disorder known as formication. These sores develop as the body is only able to dispose of 10% of the chemicals in meth. The rest of the chemicals are then forced out of your body by its natural defenses and is emitted through the skin. This chemicals form and leave behind small red bumps on the skin and the user will then start picking and scratching these bumps thinking they are small parasites under their skin. This picking will cause open sores, infections, and scarring of the skin. (Sheff, 2008) A common sign of meth abuse is extreme tooth decay, a condition that has become known as meth mouth. . Meth users with â€Å"meth mouth† have blackened, stained, or rotting teeth, which often cant be saved, even among young or short-term users. The exact causes of meth mouth are not fully understood, but it is believed that the chemicals used to produce meth may attribute to the tooth decay. Another possibility is the lack of hygiene. Many meth users will not worry about brushing their teeth or flossing when all their worries are on their next fix. In Arizona alone, meth is the second most abused drug of choice following alcohol. It is rapidly becoming the most devastating drug that is affecting everyone, not only the abusers. Family members suffer financially and emotionally as they see their loved ones being ravaged by the drug. They have to deal with the lies and deceit, and many times the abuse by the users. They are robbed of their securities and their possessions. Many children suffer neglect and abuse due to the parents using meth.

Gettysburg :: essays research papers

Gettysburg is the bloodiest battle on U.S. soil. It started when Vicksburg was under siege by General Grant. General Lee thought that he would drive them out by invading the North. There plan was to first invade Harrisonburg, but Lee then saw that Gettysburg was a great place, because all the roads lead into it and it would be easier to gather his army.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Stuart was in charge of the South Calvary, which is in charge of keeping track of the position of the North’s army, but he was of causing havoc in some northern towns. In light of Stuarts disappearance General Longstreet Hired a southern actor named Harrison to spy on the north. With his information the decided to move towards Gettysburg.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  While this is going on the Northern army was to the north of Gettysburg and Buford, who is in charge of the Northern Calvary Division, saw what the South was doing.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  On the first day of battle three southern divisions were marching in between Seminary Ridge and Gettysburg. Buford knowing that he need to keep the high ground safe he sent Develin to set up a barricade one street and Gamble to barricade the other. As the three Southern divisions moved on Heath thought that Devilin’s barricade was made up of local militia and he decided to attack. To Heaths dismay it was un mounted Calvary that were there to defend and to make sure that the south didn’t move into Corps Hill or Cemetery Ridge. Develin and Gamble held them off long enough. The south then settles in to Seminary Ridge. Ewell was told by Lee to take the corps hill but he doesn’t. That was the end of the first day of battle. The south considered it a victory even though nothing came out of the first day.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  During the first day the 20th Maine under the command of Cornel Chamberlain was issued men who refused to fight. They were also told that they were to march towards Gettysburg and to be ready to fight. As they march all but six of the new guys decided that they would fight.

Individual Learning Project Essay

The organization selected for analysis and evaluation is American Lake Credit Union. This organization is composed of two main branches, both located in Tacoma, Washington. In contrast to banks, Credit Unions are smaller organizations and are directed by members who are selected via a vote to serve in an all-volunteer board of directors for the organization (Scott, and Johnston, p.2, 2011). Specifically, this credit union was founded in 1948 and has grown since then. (C. Fitzer, personal communication April 7, 2014). For instance, although the organization is small in size through a partnership with a credit union network, it is able to provide general financial services at diverse locations throughout the country (CO-OP Financial Services, 2013). In addition, the active CEO Fantz (2013) asserted that the organization’s mission is to â€Å"provide a variety of quality services to a diversified membership while maintaining financial soundness†; additionally, they current ly reported close to 50 billion dollars in assets on organization’s balance sheet. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) Analysis Arumugam, Chang, Ooi, and The (2008), emphasized that in order to facilitate the drive towards high performance, many companies are using self-assessment tools to measure their current position and develop strategy in order to asses where they are and where they want to be within their industry. (p.141). SWOT analysis is one of this tools or processes. Boone and Kurtz (2006) defined the concept of SWOT analysis as a methodical approach to develop strategy as it compels managers to do an internal reality check, and an analysis of the external environment (p.274-275). This assertion is echoed by Blocher, Stout, Juras, and Cokins (2013) in which the scholars lectured the process of SWOT analysis as a process that provides the opportunity to methodologically examine internal and external factors in order to complete a self-assessment of the organization, and examine the environment in order to create a solid foundation for sound strategy for the organization (p. 36-38). The general quadrants of a complete SWOT analysis are strengths, weakness,  opportunities, and threats. These are listed in Table 1 for American Lake Credit Union. Table 1 Strengths -High quality aggressive employee training programs parallel with organization high audit and regulatory compliance rates -Membership to CO-OP Shared Branch Network 1 -Local Market Position/Community Relations Program -Cost Advantage and Pricing compared to banks -Physical Locations -Strong and Experienced Managers Weaknesses -Employee Turn-Over -Requirements to become a member -Lack of Market Differentiation as it relate to financial Services2 -Only two physical branches -Lack of a business/Market Development Section -Technology, bad turn around in communications equipment repair, need to redo contract for local IT Support Opportunities -Online Market -Branch Expansion -External Training Program -Rotating Customer Base in the local installation -College population in nearby universities -Available location for Branch at Air Force Location Threats -Military drawdown (long term), affect main target market -More exposed to economic issues (recessions) than bigger organizations due to limited size -Loss of one segment of the market with the deactivation of 4-2 Brigade Combat Team -Columbia Bank Plans to Open Facility in the immediate area 2 -Cyber Crimes External Note. Lists Adapted from (C. Fitzer, personal communication April 7, 2014) with the exception of: 1. CO-OP Financial Services. (2013). What is CO-OP ATM and CO-OP Shared Branch?. Retrieved from http://co-opsharedbranch.org/participating-cus/ 2. (C.H. Chapman, personal Communication April 8, 2014) This source is a marketing consultant for non-profit organizations, has worked closely with the American Lake Credit Union, and provided fresh feed back into the credit union during the interviews. A brief discussion of Table 1 is provided below: In the area of strengths the one of the most important strengths provided during the interview was their current training program for federal  regulatory compliance, this put the organization at an advantage even with more developed organizations In the area of weaknesses, the biggest challenge was employee turnover. Even with the recession and the current job market good talent could and can be found, but it is hard to retain with the current compensation and benefit plans offered In the area of opportunities, the online market presents a strong market that the organization has not exploited as much as they could In the area of threats, the main target market of the American Lake Credit Union is the current drawdown within the Department of Defense structure, in the short term, the population have currently lost 1400 service members and their families, in the long term more loses in market are expected (C. Fitzer, personal communication April 7, 2014) American Lake Credit Union Balanced Scorecard Soderberg, Kalagnanam, Sheehan, and Vaidyanathan (2011) presented the balance scorecard as a strategic planning procedural tool used by organizations to balance financial concerns, customer concerns, process concerns, and innovation concerns with the main purpose of developing appropriate strategy in favor of a more favorable market position (p. 689-690). Similarly, Lawrence and Webber (2008) illustrated the process as a concoction of focused key quadrants, people and knowledge, internal, customer, and financial indicators with the main purpose of developing metrics to measure all areas of performance (p.79). In the case of American Lake Credit Union, interview and analysis with C. Fitzer and C.H. Chapman provided enough data to produce the balanced scorecard depicted in Table 2 below. -Reduce Exposure to default Loans -Cash Flow/Balance Sheet -Selected cost savings in utilities and materials -Reduction in days for accounts receivable -Customer Service/Satisfaction -Customer Loyalty -Trend in Customers that transferred direct deposit accounts -Customer Surveys (Measured Quarterly (QTLY)) -Mystery Shopper feedback to manager -Trend in returning customers – Number of Customer complaints -10 new customers a week (Account Holding) -10% increase in market share by end of fiscal year 2015 -95% Satisfaction on surveys per quarter -100% satisfaction in mystery shopper experience -Less than eight percent customer complaint rate quarterly -Participate in community awareness events -Sponsor small activities for customers -Provide Western Union Services at discount to customers with direct deposit to the institution -Open new Branch at local AF Base -Implement Secret Shopper Program -Implement Customer Service Training Table 2 (continued) General Quadrants Critical Success Factors/Goals Metrics/Measured Trends Towards Goals Goal Initiative Internal Process -Processes Efficiency and Quality -Productivity when doing direct customer interactions -Number of errors in financial processes -Cycle time/customer wait time -Time spent doing internal tasks -Less than 5 errors per shift -Less than 10 minutes from check in to check out for customers regarding of the time of the day -Decrease time doing internal tasks by 25% without loss of quality -Implement lean six sigma principles -Sustain compliance Training Program -Integrate yearly refresher for all employees (training will be employee led) Learning and Growth -Skill Development and Sustainment -Competitive Benefits/Compensation -Employee Access and Input in Strategic Planning -Number of errors in financial processes -Employee Surveys -Employee Turn-over rates -90% employee satisfaction rate in surveys -Minimize employee turnover rate by % by 50% FY 15 -Integrate yearly refresher for all employees (training will be employee led) -Implement a more comprehensive benefit package for employees, main target is well performing and those with longevity -Involved Employees in strategy development and asked for feedback on current decision Note. Lists Adapted from (C. Fitzer, personal communication, April 7, 2014) with the exception of: 1. CO-OP Financial Services. (2013). What is CO-OP ATM and CO-OP Shared Branch?. Retrieved from http://co-opsharedbranch.org/participating-cus/ 2. (C.H. Chapman, personal communication, April 8, 2014) This source is a marketing consultant for non-profit organizations, has worked closely with the American Lake Credit Union, and provided fresh feed back into the credit union during the interviews. Discussion of Critical Success Factors (CSFs) Blocher et al. (2013) defined critical success factors as â€Å"measures of the aspects of the firm’s performance that are essential to its competitive advantage and therefore to its success† (p. 898). Tables 2 depicted the selected CSFs within the standard four quadrants of the balance score card, and these are discussed in detail below. Financial The financial success factors are important because these defined the aspect of the main purpose of a business, to make a profit. The specific CSFs within the financial quadrant and the rational for their selection are explained below. Increase Gross Profit. This was selected by the interviewed organization representative because in her professional opinion it was the best way to determine the effectiveness and financial health of the organization (C. Fitzer, personal communication, April 7, 2014). Furthermore, in accordance to Bloomsbury Information (2009), this an important factor to consider because a high gross profit margin ratio, high gross profit margin ratio indicates that a business can make a reasonable profit on sales, as long as overheads do not increase. Investors pay attention to the gross profit margin ratio because it tells them how efficient your business is compared to competitors. It is sensible to track gross profit margin ratios over a number of years to see if company earnings are consistent, growing, or declining. For businesses, knowing your gross profit margin ratio is important because it tells you whether your business is pricing goods and services effectively. Reduce exposure to default loans. The concept implies reduction of credit risk. The term credit risk is illustrated by He and Xiong (2012), as the risk the organization takes when issuing a loan; furthermore, if the organization’s loan or debt market deteriorates, and loans go into default the organization would take loses in its investment (p. 391). This is important because if this risk is identified and mitigated in an effective way the organization will not be as exposed to financial loses. Customer Factors This specific quadrant addresses the customer and objectives to increase or develop value and differentiation from the point of view of the customer (Beard, 2009, p. 279). Specific CSFs for the organization in this specific quadrant are as follows. Prospective customer perspective towards the organization- This refers specifically for that segment of the market that are not customers of the organization yet. Lautenslager (2003) reported that aachieving a good perspective from this outer segment will allow the organization to attract new customers, expand its market, and build the  organization as an attractive brand which can translate in to new business and profits. Customer Service/Satisfaction- This term refers to the extent that the clientele is pleased with the product line or service provided by the organization. As a general concept this is important because if the customer is unhappy is likely that he would not comeback; furthermore, it is likely that he will walk away, repel other prospective customers, or even existing customers (Naik, 2011). Customer Loyalty- This objective is one of the fundaments of many business organizations. This is extremely important for any organization because once customer loyalty is achieved, these customers will purchase the organization’s products and services repetitively, the more loyal the customer, the harder it will be for a competitor to draw him, and they can provide a good source of advertising and new customers by word of mouth. (C.H. Chapman, personal Communication April 8, 2014). Internal Process Internal processes are another part of the quadrant that when disregarded can cost the organization in terms of effectives, quality, gross margin, and revenue. It refers to those processes that are internal to the organization, like appraisals, self-audits, customer interactions, and quality checks for example. Processes Efficiency and Quality- This area refers to the internal processes of the organization, for example, it was mentioned during the interviews that that one employee on the organization creates a weekly balance sheet, and that job usually takes about one hour. Streamlining this and similar other processes save the organization on employee hours that could be used for customer care or employee training (C. Fitzer, personal communication, April 8, 2014). Productivity when doing direct customer interactions- This refers to the amount of time that it takes to do a customer transaction from the moment that they enter the facility until they are complete. It may take a customer about 20 minutes during the busy time of the day to perform the transaction due to crowding. Altering the way the organization conduct some of this processes will allow for the â€Å"line† to move faster, and affecting the customer satisfaction factor. Learning and Growth The quadrant of learning and growth is fundamental to the American Lake Credit Union because of the environment in which financial organizations operate in our time. Constant changes to the financial regulations at the state, and federal levels, added to the technological advances call for continuous organizational development in order to remain relevant with the environment. Therefore, developing a learning collective workforce and retaining this work force is fundamental to any business organization today. The specific CSFs on this quadrant are discussed below. Skill Development and Sustainment- Currently, the organization has a very strong training program in the areas of federal compliance. The intent is to sustain this strong program, and enhanced it by adding employee training in new technologies, internal processes, and customer service; moreover, ensuring the program is employee led and centric, thus, giving a sense of ownership to the workforce (C. Fitzer, personal communica tion, April 8, 2014). Competitive Benefits/Compensation- C. Fitzer (personal communication, April 8, 2014) mentioned that this was one of the main employee complaints in regards to the employee programs within the organization. Implementing, a more comprehensive benefits/compensation plan will ensure that employee turnover rate is minimized and allow the organization to retain the experienced employees. Employee Access and Input in Strategic Planning- Allowing employees to have more impute on the decision making process for the organization will give management a fresher perspective that can be valuable when making those decisions. Plus, it will give sense of ownership to the workforce constraining any resistance to strategic changes. Evaluation of American Lake Credit Union in Achieving its CSFs Financial Any for profit organization is always on the look to increase its profit and solidify or expand its market position. Firstly, the risk reduction initiatives of education and member involvement combined with market expansion should facilitate the current goal of 10% increase in gross profit margin by the end of FY 15 (personal communication, April 8, 2014). Examining the balance Sheet quarterly will allow the organization to follow up and address trends that would constrain this goal. Currently, on the last quarter they were down by 2% from the quarter before, but on this quarter they are up 4% (personal communication, April 8, 2014). This may sound like a wave of percentages, but taking other factors into consideration as the  proposed expansion to the local AFB, cutting unnecessary costs on internal processes and supplies, initiatives to reduce cycle time for accounts receivable, and other initiatives within Table 2 an increase of 10% gross margin by the end of FY 15 is a realisti c and achievable goal for this organization. Customer Satisfaction Customer satisfaction will be measured monthly, analyzed and evaluated quarterly, taking in to consideration trends in customers that transferred direct deposit accounts, customer surveys, mystery shopper feedback, and trends in returning customers (C. Fitzer, personal communication, April 8, 2014). Currently’ the organization have a high customer satisfaction rate with survey results depicting up to 88% on all customer surveys and only three formal complaints last quarter (C. H. Chapman, personal communication, April 8, 2014). This fact combined with the implementation of the secret shopper program on the first quarter of FY 15, and the customer care training program initiatives will give a customer care advantage to the organization over other local competitors (C. Fitzer, personal communication, April 8, 2014). On the other hand, although the process for customer complaints seemed to be effective at the collection and solving states, there was no current intent on adding these as part of the customer care training program. This was recommended by this author to the manager under interview. Using an objective approach, after taking into consideration the current customer satisfaction trends and rates, the upcoming initiatives, it can be assessed that the goal of 95% customer satisfaction rate will be achieved and likely surpassed by the end of FY 15. Internal Process American Credit Union is looking to reduce errors in internal processes, increase effectiveness in customer processes, and decrease the time doing internal tasks. The current goals of less than five errors per shift, less than 10 minutes from check in to check out for customers regarding of the time of the day, decrease time doing internal tasks by 25% without loss of quality are achievable, but will require commitment of the leadership and the workforce. For instance, sustaining the current regulatory compliance training program, and implementing lean six sigma principles should provide  the tools to succeed in this area. However, with all the other initiatives on the horizon, and the plans for expansion in to the local AFB it will require extra effort for the organization as a collective to achieve those goals without de-prioritizing other initiatives. Learning and Growth In the case of American Lake Credit Union a robust education and training program, a more comprehensive concoction of compensation and benefits will translate into the development of a better and brighter workforce, and the retaining of this work force. This will be measure by taking into consideration the number of errors in financial processes, employee Surveys, and employee turn-over rates. Some of the initiatives on this area such as consider input from employees in strategic decisions and sustainment training will sharply motivate employees within this area. Moreover, the current goal of 90% employee satisfaction rate in surveys and to minimize employee turnover rate by 50% by FY 15 is very achievable if this area is somewhat prioritized by management. However, as reported in the article Putting People First (2011), management must keep in mind that newly trained and educated employees will take their knowledge and new skill sets somewhere else for better pay and or benefits, if the proposed compensation and benefit packets are implemented (p.25-26). Final Thoughts The purpose of this document was to provide a short description of American Credit Union along with a SWOT Analysis, Balanced Score card, and discussion of these. It can be assessed with the information provided that although there are challenges ahead, the current financial status of the organization selected is healthy and the ambitions for the future achievable as they exploit their strengths, their environment, and address their weaknesses. Lastly, as long as the management remained focused, committed, and is able to maintain the workforce motivated it is likely that the organization will achieve its goals. References Arumugam, V., Chang, H., Ooi, K., and Teh, P. (2009). â€Å"Self-assessment of TQM practices: a case analysis†, The TQM Journal, 21(1), 46 – 58. Retrieved from http://www.emeraldinsight.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/journals.htm?articleid =1766744&show=abstract#sthash.TkDGZoZ7.dpuf Beard, D. F. (2009.). Successful applications of the balanced scorecard in higher education. Journal of Education for Business, 84(5), 275-282. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA199801168&v=2.1&u=vic_liberty&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w&asid=0a844270d80075c057b128b38e50a6e7 Blocher, E., Stout, D. S., Juras, P.E., & Cokins, G. (2013). Cost Management: A Strategic Emphasis (6th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Irwin. Boone, L. and Kurtz, D. (2006). Contemporary Business. Mason, OH: Thomson South-Western CO-OP Financial Services. (2013). What is CO-OP ATM and CO-OP Shared Branch?. Retrieved from http://co-opsharedbranch.org/participating-cus/ Fantz, E. (2013). Annual Report. Retrieved from http://www.americanlake.org/pdf/annualreport.pdf Bloomsbury Information. (2009). Gross profit margin ratio. Retrieved from http://www.liberty.edu:2048/login?url=http://literati.credoreference.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/content/entry/qfinance/gross_profit_margin_ratio/0 He, Z., & Xiong, W. (2012). Rollover Risk and Credit Risk. Journal of Finance, 67(2), 391-429. Lautenslager, A. (2003), Why You Need PR: Getting the word out about your product or service should always be a priority. Retrieved form http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/65672# Lawrence, A.T., and Weber, J. (2008).Business & Society Stakeholders, Ethics, Public Policy (12th ed). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Irwin. Naik, A. (2011). Why is Customer Satisfaction Important. Retrieved from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/why-is-customer-satisfaction-important.html Putting people first. (2011). Devel opment and Learning in Organizations, 25(1), 25-27. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/14777281111096816 Scott, K., and Johnston, C. R. (2011). Factors affecting the adoption of consumer oriented information technology biometrics solutions by the credit union industry. Journal of Technology Research, 2, 1-13. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/887909140?accountid=12085 Soderberg, M., Kalagnanam, S., Sheehan, N., and Vaidyanathan, G. (2011) â€Å"When is a balanced scorecard a balanced scorecard?, International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 60(7) 688-708

Nation of Kazakhstan Essay

Kazakstan, officially the Republic of Kazakhstan is one of the 15 countries that where created when the U.S.S.R. divided in 1991. As of 1995 Kazakhstan had an estimated population of 17,377,000, Kazakhstan is 1,050,000 sq. miles and is located in central Asia. It borders Russia in the north, China in the east, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan in the south, and the Caspian Sea and European Russia in the west. Astana is the capital and Almaty is the largest city. The national religion is Muslim. The Kazakhstanian government is lead by an executive president, who is elected by popular vote. Kazakhstan has several major land features. It consists mainly of flatland and desert, and has low or irregular rainfall; there is a high mountain belt in the southeast (2,100 miles long). It also is a region of drainage: The Syr Darya, the Ili, the Chu, and other rivers drain into the Aral Sea and Lake Balkash. Although Kazakhstan is largely arid, its steppes work well to accommodate both livestock and grain production. Wheat, cotton, sugar beets, and tobacco are the main crops. The raising of cattle and sheep is also important, and Kazakhstan produces much wool and meat. In addition, there are rich fishing grounds, famous for their caviar-producing sturgeon in the Northern part of the Caspian Sea. All this works well for the country’s economy. Other large natural resources that come out of Kazakhstan are: natural gas, iron ore, manganese, chrome, lead, zinc, silver, copper, nickel, titanium, bauxite, and gold. Also the Irtysh River hydroelectric stations are the country’s main source of power. Out of all the nations that came out of the U.S.S.R. Kazakhstan is one of the richest, both economically and naturally.

Impact Of FIRST Robotics Program Essays - Free Essays, Term Papers

Impact Of FIRST Robotics Program Essays - Free Essays, Term Papers Impact of FIRST Robotics Program Carnegie Mellon It was just the second week of school, and I had mustered up all my courage to venture to the nether regions of our school known as the basement to attend the first meeting of the newly forming FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics team. When I walked into room one, the newly proclaimed FIRST headquarters, I looked around with apprehension, and I noticed that I did not recognize a single face in the room. Nervously, I took a seat, and Mr. Mothersele, the advisor for the program began describing the program. FIRST is a national engineering competition in which partnerships are formed between local businesses and high schools to design and build a robot-like machine from identical kits of parts supplied by FIRST. The team has about six weeks to build the machine which must be able to compete in a timed sporting event. As soon as I saw the video of the students working and competing with the robots, I was hooked. The program seemed tailored to my int erest in math in science and to my competitive spirit. I couldn?t resist the opportunity. As a shy and relatively inexperienced freshman, I signed up for the program as the only underclassmen on the team of ten students. I bumbled along, learning about design and how to use the machines. I made my full share of mistakes and then some, but by the end of the program, I was gaining some real experience. Although our robot did not fare very well in the competition our first year, my learning process was underway, and I knew that I had found my place. The second year of the competition, I was only one of two returning students. I took an active role in recruiting new students, and our membership doubled. It was a complete role reversal for me because all of a sudden I was the experienced team member. We finished fifth out of forty teams at the regional competition, and at the national tournament, we placed in the top third. This past year, was the golden year of my FIRST career. In September, I was voted team captain. It was my job to ensure that our team was well organized and that we stayed on task. Our team advanced to the semifinals, where we lost to the eventual National Champion. We finished fourth overall, and it was an incredible success story. Over the summer, I continued to work at school with our instructor to plan for the upcoming year. Next year, I will be team captain again, and we are prepared to continue our success. I have come a long way from the timid freshman who nervously stepped into the FIRST room. As a result of my FIRST experience, I feel comfortable presenting my ideas clearly and convincingly to a large diverse audience. I have grown confidence in my own resourcefulness and problem solving ability. FIRST has taught me to trust my judgment in critical situations. Working with a diverse group of people having a variety of skills strengthened my team working abilities. To be successful, our team had to consider everyone?s ideas to produce a winning strategy. During the first two years, I gained the experience and skills necessary to assume the leadership position of team captain. As team captain, I set group goals and formulated strategies to achieve these goals. As a result of this experience I can work effectively on significant long range projects with highly focused goals. I can both work constructively as a team member and provide leadership among my peers. I developed my ability to communicate and coordinate my ideas in the corporate environment. The skills that I have gained are those needed to work in an entrepreneurial business environment which I have selected as my career objective.